NOTD - KIKO Violet Orchid Nail Polish
Ordering with KIKO Online & Reviews!
Even though I already own quite a few products from Kiko it definitely look me some time to decide on what to purchase from the website as they do have quite a wide selection of products and I wanted to be sure I chose well. Which consisted of lots of Google searches when I found a product I liked the look of to see swatches and reviews. Which I must say paid off as I love all the products I purchased!
This is described as a mixing solution for pigment loose powder eyeshadow to make eyeshadow creamy to ensure the highest blendability and hold. I decided to purchase this for purely practical reasons as I own quite a few Barry M Dazzle Dusts and NYX Pigments that I just do not use, as I highly dislike the mess when using them and the fallout. So I purchased this in hope it would help me get some use of of the loose eyeshadows. However I have been thoroughly impressed with the mixing solution and the results it gives and it has definitely gone beyond what I though was just a pratical purchase!
As you can see in the image above when the mixing solution is used with a loose eyeshadow (Barry M Dazzle Dust in a shade I have forgot, sorry ) it becomes a lot more pigmented and even. Also using the solution is very easy as you just place one drop into the brush you are using and then pick up the eyeshadow, which actually removes the mess and spillage involved as the solution really grabs the pigment. Also the solution gives loose eyeshadows such staying power! So pleased with this - with definitely have to write a full review in the near future.
After already owned quite a few Kiko nail polishes and being so impressed with them I knew I had to get a couple more to add to my collection. Of course I had to include one glitter polish in there but sadly on trying this out it is very similar to Maybelline's Flash Cosmic nail polish, which you can see on the nails in this post on my favourite glitter nail polishes here. However the Kiko polish is slightly nicer as when it doesn't catch the light it doesn't look like yellow flecks unlike the one from Maybelline. So sadly this won't be getting as much love as I would of hoped! But for only £1.50 I really cannot complain and I am sure my niece will enjoy using it!
When I placed this into my online basket I crossed my fingers in hope that is would be a dupe for OPI Skull & Glossbones (from the Pirates of the Caribbean collection) and oh, I haven't been disappointed in the slightest! I had been looking for a dupe for the OPI nail polish for quite a few months now without much luck as after all it is quite a unique shade, so I cannot explain how pleased I am with this and for only £1.50 as well!
This was one product that I didn't need to do any research on as I already own a lovely Double Glam Eyeliner from Kiko in a gorgeous brown and gold shade. These without a shadow of a doubt are exactly like the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on eye pencils which retail for £16 each. Think creamy, pigmented, waterproof eyeliners that just don't budge and last on the eyes all day. I'm sure there are a lot more dupes than this but I instantly thought Plum was a really good dupe for UD 24/7 glide-on eye pencil in Rockstar and the Wood also seems a good dupe of Whiskey.
This is just a super duper product is you like creamy eyeliners that are that waterproof it takes you multiple attempts to remove it fully at the end of the day!
This was the wild card of my order as I didn't do any research on the product and for just under £7 it wasn't the cheapest of products that I could of purchased. However I do like trying out plumping lip products and I also liked that it also softened the lips like a lip balm at the same time. Now this is no miracle worker however it is free from that 'tingle' you get with a lot of lip pluming glosses and treatments but instead you get a more warming sensation, but this does give some effects with the lips looking that tiny bit more plumped up, as it you have been eating something spicy maybe!
What I like most about this product is that is really does soften the lips and kind of works are a primer/base before applying lipstick which I didn't except to see in the product. This isn't my favourite product out of the order but I am still pleased none the less.
I decided to try this out as I have never tried a lipgloss in crayon format, I have quite a few lipsticks crayons from various brands though and I have always been impressed plus I know the whole lipgloss pencil is a more European product as Essense do quite a few as well. As you can see from the swatch above this is just a subtle beige/nude shade that is great for daytime wear. What I like most about this is that is has a nice glossy but non-sticky finish and is non-drying which is always important for me. Would really like to try more shades, maybe something light pink or even a deeper shade.
KIKO really is such high quality for the price and I would actually compare the standard to be up there with the likes of MAC!
Lifting the Lid... December Boudoir Prive/Jolie Box
So I really do hope that the Jolie Box carry on along the same lines with quite popular brands and not more niche french brands that aren't as well known. However based on this box alone it seems that we don't have anything to worry about... though only time will really tell.
The Jolie Box contains 5-6 deluxe samples and is priced at £12.95 including delivery. The box is of course monthly and if subscribed to this month you will receive your first box in February. Like all the beauty boxes you can cancel at anytime but it does work on a direct debit basis. You can view more info on the box here.
The Bourdoir Prive box for me had some nice features such as the magnetic close lid and the cute mirror sticker however on the whole I thought the entire appearance of the box was a little bland. So I must say I'm much preferring the new look to the box - from the vibrant fuchsia ribbon to the chic black box that is slightly more compact.
The first JolieBox contained - OPI Gold Shatter Nail Lacquer, Mitchell and Peach Shower Wash, New CID Cosmetics i-gloss, Jane Iredale 24-Karat Gold Dust, Yon-Ka Vital Defense.
Bonus products - Kusmi Detox Tea and a Jolie Box Concealer Brush.
JolieBox Concealer/Eyeshadow brush (exclusive to box)
Yon-Ka Vital Defense Intense Hydration cream (5ml sample)
Yes Love Nail Polishes!
The Big Skincare Mystery?
After Christmas Spending!
Just what everyone needs. Okay, to be fair I wil probably NEVER be brushing my hair with this, I mean really, who would brush their hair with a bunch of keys hanging from it, tempting to get tangled in your hair - the idea was flawed to start with. But in emergencies I may resort to using it... who knows!
Now I will admit I'm not really a lover of lip gloss or lipstick (I say this yet own over 80 lip products!) however there is something that always draws me in. I think it must be a combination of most lipsticks having nice packaging and always wanting to find that perfect nude shade.
NOTD - Barbie Nails!
So last week I was feeling oddly summery even though it was freezing cold and raining outside! But instead of wearing summer attire and freezing to death whilst looking like an idiot I decided to delve into my summer nail polish collection (yes I now divide my nail polishes into three boxes - nude & wintry shades, pastels & bright summery shades and special nail polishes & glitters!). Very organized I know! If only the rest of my life was like that.
Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palette Review - Part 2
Why you may love it - These are some seriously pigmented eyeshadows that apply so nicely with little fallout. There is are some great shades in the palette, such as - Sin ( a lovely highlight shade and so buttery feeling), Sidecar, Buck (great for brows), Smog and Toasted (this may be my favourite UD shade, ever). Quite a lot of the shades are warm toned so if you suit pigmented, rich, warm toned eyeshadows than this is definitely for you. However even though I personally suit cool-toned shades I found I could still enjoy most of the shades... though some of the darker shades are just too rich and pigmented for me. But if you love strong smokey neutral eyes then this palette would be perfect in achieving that. Also the included mini eyeshadow primer potion really does work and comes in very handy with all of the eyeshadows.
I'm going to be rubbish and say I just can't answer that as it all depends on your skin tone and what you want to use it for the most. For example I love that Naked2 is more cool toned on my pale skin but for someone with much darker skin to me the shades would be quite warm toned - if that makes sense! But if you do want a more pigmented more shimmery palette I would go for the original Naked palette.
As for if you need both palettes? Well that is basically like asking someone do they need more than one or two red lipsticks! Some people will say of course they do as there are so many different tones of red and some will say probably not - so it definitely comes down to which camp you are in!
I really hope this has been helpful!
If you have any questions on either of the palettes feel free to ask in the comments below and I will try my best to answer them.
Fee xo.
Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palette Review - Part 1
Rubbish image... in real life the eyeshadows are actually warmer than this. |
Your Skin, Your Rules, Nivea's Treat!
To Save or Splurge on Magnetic Nails!
So which would I pick...