I wanted to write a blog post on one make up brand that I found about three years ago in Italy, KIKO, and ever since I've fallen in love with it! I recently came back from Italy after a five day break and I took the oppurtunity to purchase some of my favourites from KIKO - it gives me a fab excuse to go back!
KIKO cosmetics is an Italian professional cosmetics brand, very similiar in the high standard set by MAC cosmetics (of who I am a massive fan). Ranging from just €2 to €14.50 the whole range is affordable for every day use, which is amazing considering the high quality of all their products.
One of my first buys from the brand was their 'Falsh Lashes Concentrate' mascara, which at €3.90, I was a bit sceptical about what to expect. I think it is aimed to be used as a top coat alongside other mascaras, to maximise volume and length, but I find it works just as well by itself. The small wand makes it so easy to lengthen every single lash and works wonders on my lashes on my bottom eye lid. It separates lashes so you don't get them clumping together and really enchances my eyes! I absolutely love this product and would recommend it to everyone. During the day I use this as my only mascara, to frame my eyes with definition thats not too over the top. If I go out, I'll use this either as a base or a top coat as it works great with any other mascara regardless.
KIKO have now got three other mascaras in this Falsh Lashes Concentrate range, which is only good news! I'm looking forward to trying the other three - 'Curling Top Coat', 'Lengthening Top Coat' and 'Waterprood Top Coat', all priced at €3.90 or £3.90. Also at the same price is their '30 Days Extension' Daily Treatment Mascaras which I can't wait to try out on my tiny eyelashes!
I also bought a gorgeous 'Crystal Sheer Lipstick' and matching 'Soft Touch Blush' last week, which are a pinky coral colourl, great for this summer!
KIKO are offering free shipping on your first order within 15 days of registering, so go and sign up now! www.kikocosmetics.com
This morning I got my Glossybox through the post, which is always a bonus. A few days ago I got an email from them saying that this months box features products from Harrod's, so I was quite excited and interested to see what they would include!
This month's included 'Vanitas Versace' Versace Eau de Parfum, Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Body Butter, Revive Intensite Creme Lustre SPF30, Lancome Juicy tubes in Toffee R'n'B 93 and Clarins Extra Firming Body Cream.
I was a bit skeptical about the Eau de Parfum, because I'm quite particular in what I like to wear perfume wise and I'm not a fan of anything too musky or heavy. But this is great, I would definitely recommend it to anyone that fancies a chance. It's light, but you only need a little dabbed on for it to go a long way. Its a very floral perfume but has a lovely lime twist scent to it. You could easily use it during the day and for going out in the evening too, very versatile!
I have to say I felt relieved to see the body butter didn't have cocoa butter in it like every other body butter and I want to try something new. This is gorgeous, left my skin feeling silky smooth and it wasn't too heavy unlike some cocoa body butters you get that can feel very thick and suffocating to your skin. Will be using every last bit of this one!
You can never go wrong with Clarins, although the price of their products always puts me off. I applied this before I put on my make up and it instantly made my skin feel hydrated, firm and not greasy at all! The cream is quite thick so you dont need a lot at all. Almost ten hours later my skin still feels smooth, soft, and firm.
Last month's Glossybox included a Venom lipgloss, which I fell in love with so was quite optimistic when I saw the Lancome Juicy Tube sample. It is a thick lipgloss, and can be quite sticky but it smells gorgeous and looks lovely! It's a really good colour to wear during the day too!
I haven't had a chance to use the Revive Intensite Cream yet, but I am optimistic about this given how happy I am with the other products in this month's Glossybox.
I also got two Clinique goodies with this month's Cosmopolitan - 'Moisture Surge', a gel cream that can be applied either as a mask or whenever required, and their 'High Impact' mascara. The gel cream is perfect for touching up make up when I'm at work and my skin needs a quick pick me up, or as a base before applying my foundation. It feels a bit watery when you first apply it but it quickly soaks in leaving your skin refreshed. I was really surprised with the High Impact mascara, as I didn't expect too much from it but the actual mascara wand is fab! It separates my lashes with absolutely no problem, and gives a even thick coverage which I love. A great mascara for when you need to apply your make up quickly or for touching up.
A very good week as far as beauty goodies are concerned, couldn't come at a more perfect time as I'm waiting anxiously for pay day!
As I said in my earlier post, last summer I went to Creamfields which was amazing! I would recommend anyone to at least try the festival experience, its definitely not one to be missed out. There are so many to choose from with great line ups, makes going to more than one impossibly tempting! If only I had the money ....
For anyone that loves dance music, particularly if you listen to Annie Mac or Pete Tong on Radio One, I would recommend Creamfields. For so many top DJs, at that price, you cant go wrong. I know it's the same with all festivals but I can't think of anyway that I could have spent my money better last year. My personal highlights from last year were Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris, AN21 and David Guetta, but I don't think there was one set I saw that dissapointed me truth be told, besides Example.
This year's line up looks set to match last year, with David Guetta, Alesso, Ingrosso, Axwell, Angello, Calvin Harris, Afrojack, Eric Prydz, Benny Bennasi, Tiesto, Annie Mac, Max Vangeli and AN21 set to return as well as Avicii, Dirty South, Knife Party, Redlight and Deadmau5 along with all the other great acts. Im definitely looking forward to this line up - I may even given the silent disco's on the Friday night a go this year too, as last year I only had a weekend ticket for the Saturday and Sunday.
Wether you see your favourite artists live on tour, or at a festival, I think its a great experience and every chance you get, go!
My friend sent me a link about a festival over in Belgium that I never heard of before - Tomorrowland. Oh, my, god it looks AMAZING. If I had the money I would be over to Belgium as quick as possible! If I start saving now, I might be able to go next year!
Seeing the temperatures slowly rising, and some sun gradually coming into the weather forecasts is starting to get me excited for summer! Summer is definitely my favourite season, you can do so much more like sponntaneously going to the beach, or going up to London which is GORGEOUS in the sunshine, even just sitting in the park enjoying the sun. Nothing quite like having a nice drink outside the pub in the summer evenings, pimm's o'clock!
Last summer I got my first taste for festivals - I went to Creamfields. A few of my friends went to Redfest which is a lot closer to home and they seemed to have equally as good a time as me. I have to say I was planning to go to Reading festival (which is where I was born). I always planned to go to Reading every year and for several years I kept saying I would go, but when I actually had the money I thought I'd have a better time at Creamfields, seeing more people that I wanted to than at Reading festival. I'll definitely be going to Reading festival in the future, but Creamfields is a favourite of mine now!
Holidays, another great thing about the summer sun! For the past few years I've managed to get away with some friends, one year to Italy (personal favourite country of mine), another year I went sailing around the Greek Island for my best friends birthday and last year I went to Malia with a friend as she was doing a season out there. Each year my friends and I plan to plan to go on holiday, but with different work schedules it doesn't really happen. It's difficult getting time off with four of us working and one at uni, but it WILL happen one day!
This year I won't be doing as much sad to say, but I will get a few days in Ibiza in there somewhere - working in an airport it does get depressing at work sending everyone else off on their holidays! Creamfields is a must this year too as well as a lot of sunbathing, pub evenings and ice cream! And hopefully I'll still get a tan!
