KIKO is probably that make up brand that has similar pricing to the likes of Rimmel, Maybeline etc. but I've always found it to have higher quality. Since starting back college I've tried to start saving for summer & paying off my car so I can minimise my outgoings in the long run obviously (because right now everthings going to bills and savings). So I set myself a challenge for the next few months by trying to find high quality make up at lower prices.

I went to the Glasgow fort to get my brows did, and on the way noticed that KIKO had a huge sale so it would've been unlike me if I never popped in for a look. After just having ran out of one of my foundations and I seen this as an experiment to try out some new ones. Kiko had lots on the sale some with 50% off so I got colour matched grabbed some and got on with it.

Now recently all I've done is buy lip products soo it was kinda obvious I'd pick up one, or three. Since I use baby wipes all the time I've been meaning to invest in a good cleanser so I picked up some bits from that. So after that quick 15 minutes in the shop I came out with a bag packed with stuff and heres what I got;

  

So where should I start first... Well maybe about how bloody cheap everything was. Ill get started with the cleansing products; The Kiko 'Purifying Pads' I picked up for only £3.95 reduced from £9-£10 (sorry I can't remember exactly) & the 'Cleansing Foam' which again was £3.95 in the sale. Both items look like they are store only content, because I've struggled to find more of the purifying pads online. Ive pretty much ran out of both these items already, but I've found my skin to be a lot more clearer and softer when using these over the last few weeks.

Moving on I then picked up some foundations a liquid, cream & a powder. The first one I got matched was the Unlimited foundation (basically because it had the same consistency as MAC Studio Sculpt) which was the only product not in the sale at £14.90, but now is available for as little as £7.40 depending on the skin tone - Mines is in Neutral 40. Moving on I picked up the BB Glow Compact in the shade 06, which is the cream foundation which I just wear everyday or as a top up to the Unlimited foundation if I need super high coverage. Im picked this up for about £4.90 reduced from £12 or so.  Finally for my face I picked up the standard Compact Powder in Shade 105 for only £4.90 from £9.90. Thats like a full face of make up for as little as £18 pounds.

Finally my lipstick habit got fed when I picked up 3 super pigmented and fab colours. Firstly I got two from the Luminous Chrome Collection in shades 703 (Metallic finish) & 500 (Creamy finish) both for £2 each. The next one I picked up purely because the packaging was unreal for the price tag of £3.70, the Intensely Lavish lipstick in the shade 05.

Unfortunately some of the products I purchased in store are not seeming to be available online,  if you have a KIKO Milano near you then I would highly recommend going into the the store rather than searching online. But as usual I'll have everything linked below (that I can) hopefully to help you find the products or a store near you. I hope this was helpful and gave you an insight into Kiko Cosmetics. Have a great day guys, i'll speak to you soon.

Email: haute.bothered@gmail.com

Twitter: HauteBothered_

Instagram: Haute_Bothered

Useful Links: KIKO Sale, Unlimited Foundation, Compact Powder, Luscious Cream Lipstick, Luminous Chrome Metallic Lipstick, Intensely Lavish Lipstick. Store Locator

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My First Love - Was Its Really That Great?

Now I know that from the title of this post you may have thought twice before reading it, with its cliched Nicholas Sparks kind of title. Although today I may be talking about some heartbreak, fond memories and getting my hopes up (not boy related obviously) but over my first ever foundation. I mean what else is a staple in every girls make-up bag? A foundation. Like the name implies its our first step of becoming young adults and the first step of understanding the art of makeup.  Such a naive time of our lives when our mums, grannies and aunts finally accepted we where growing up and let us paint our faces.

Back in the day when I was just a little 12/13 year old I was never allowed anything more than clear mascara and eyebrow gel, but girls where already experimenting with their Elizabeth Arden creme foundations from 11. So it made me pretty envious back then (poor 12 year old me), how those girls where allowed to make their faces 10x's browner than their neck and I wasn't. I guess now looking back I'm grateful for being forced to wait till I could actually make sense of blending and colour matching to my actual skin tone. I learned that the hard way when I used my half Indian mothers foundation to school one day (obviously once I left the house), and from the neck down I was snow white with a snooki like facial complexion. 

So when I finally hit 14 my aunt (who is like the reason I'm obsessed with all things make up and fashion) took me shopping like she always did every saturday, but this time proposed we went to the Benefit counter. At the time I thought it was her -even though she's a bare minerals lover- but it wasn't till I sat down on the chair and the girl asked me what kind of coverage I wanted. I was all like GDSUFSDKF is this for real? So ended up the girl put this amazing foundation on my face and boom I actually looked like a little princess. The coverage was amazing, it was easy to use, went well on my skin and overall just looked flawless (to 14 year old me). So 5 years later and in the black friday sales I stoated over to the Benefit section in boots and grabbed one, just to see if it was really everything I loved before. 

So I sat down in front of my huge mirror on Friday night before a gig and got ready for the first impression, 5 years later. I had no fake tan on so I figured I would wash then prep my skin with the little testers the girl in boots had given me for free. Ive always used the Porefessional and I have the regular size one but I can't complain when its for nothing. So anyway now my skin was ready I wasn't sure whether to apply it straight on or just use a brush (was honestly so nervous incase it was horrible). So it got planted straight on my face 5 lines at most and then blended out with my Make Up Revolution blending sponge.

I mean it gave coverage as I expected but it wasn't as amazing as I thought it used to be, but know I'm used to liquid foundations maybe that was the problem? It gave a dewy finish but was also quite heavy on my skin. I wore the foundation all night through alcohol inflicted activities and sweating when we were in the gig. To be fair it stayed put and never slid off my face, which was probably what spotty 14 year old me loved. Its a great foundation overall for starting off with and maybe using on nights out, but not everyday because it can feel quite heavy. 

A couple of days later I figured I could mix it up a little bit and play around with the foundation stick in ways I hadn't before, testing it for other uses. I put on my Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 hour foundation in shade 303 (thats my fake tan go to foundation, holy grail I swear) and used the Playstick as a highlight shade under my eyes, the forehead, nose and all the usual places and my MAC Studio Finish concealer in NW40 as a contour shade. Blended all that in and I'm being honest I think I've found my new christmas routine for my face. It went no where, stayed put, kept the tones and any highlight powder was stuck on there as well.

Im thinking the moral to this love story is that 14 year old just assumed this was the only level of coverage and staying power there was in the world. Then 5 years on and many foundation routines later realised that she could use the old and blend it with the new, for that ideal party coverage. Overall Benefit are a great brand for the makeup shy people, the inexperienced and the pro's, this foundation is definitely going into my memory box and staying there.  So comment below, tweet or email me to let me know what your first foundation was, I mean why not go out and buy it and see what you think now (i dare you). As always you'll find everything spoke about today linked below with the best price possible. If you have any questions or need to get a hold of me please don't hesitate to do so.  Have a great day and I'll speak to you tomorrow. 

Email: haute.bothered@gmail.com

Twitter: HauteBothered_

Instagram: Haute_Bothered

Useful Links:Benefit Playstick ,Benefit Porefessional, Benefit B.Right Triple Performing SPF Moisturiser, Rimmel Lasting Finish 25H Foundation, MAC Studio Finish Concealer, Makeup Revolution Pro Blend Sponge

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Make Up Revolution Ultra Metals - Brush Review

Let me just get started by saying it has been a long 3 months since I last bought myself some makeup goodies, being responsible and money savvy is not fun at all. Honestly looking through everyones instagram and bloglovin posts had made me feel that little bit left out ... get the violins oot. Well I no longer need anyone to throw me a pity parade because I may have splurged just a little bit on payday and as a result have any disposable income I had is gone. I have some really pretty things though...

So some of the pretty little things I bought include a few Makeup Revolution products. But the pinnacle of that purchase was the sheer greatness of these brand spanking new, rose gold makeup brushes. I've always wanted to try the new Real Technique Brushes but they are a little bit pricey for my student income so I thought why not give these beauties a try. I mean for £34.95, you're saving £10 if you buy them as a set rather as individually. So tell santa to get his finger out. Honestly they give me life, just have a little look below. Oh and they even sent me a little freebie of their Light-Medium Concealer palette which ill put below as well, if you want a wee nosy. 

I mean how glorious are they? So you've seen how amazing they look, now let me give you a little insight into how they preform. The fibres in these brushes are absolutely amazing and perfect for that person with even the most sensitive skin ever (i.e. me). They pick up product like magnet and it goes onto your face super pigmented. Ive only used these brushes with powder so far, mainly for contouring and highlighting, but boy do they work wonders. Infact thats a lie, I used the Ultra Contour Foundation brush (the triangle one) for concealing the larger areas under my eye and on my head before blending out and it gets into every point and crease.

Usually I have a favourite when it comes to sets like these, but I must say each of of these brushes are amazing. Whether it comes to contouring, highlighting, pressed/loose powders, foundations, eyeshadows, the list is endless. Basically what I'm saying is get your hands on these before they're gone. They make an amazing first set and they're a little bonus to a MUAs kit as well. The only thing I would say is keep them clean or the white bristles will end up the same colour as the handle.

Makeup Revolution seem to be upping their game these days, so ill post a few more reviews or other items I purchased along with these. Im super excited to give their sister company a try, don't know if you've heard of them but its called Freedom Makeup. Go give their websites a look through and maybe add some of their products on your wish list to Santa. Any products I've spoken about will be listed below with links. 

Email: haute.bothered@gmail.com

Twitter: HauteBothered_

Instagram: Haute_Bothered

Useful links : Makeup Revolution Ultra Metals Collection ,Makeup Revolution Light-Medium Concealer Palette ,Makeup Revolution Website, Freedom Makeup

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