Jul 29, 2015

Haul & Swatches | KIKO Cosmetics Sale



I haven't actually "hauled" makeup in a while (my last one was back in February). Buying multiple things at once from a single brand is not one of my shopping habits, either. But the 50% off deal from KIKO (the sale is still going on) was too sweet to pass up that I placed a sensible order which arrived today. 
By "sensible", I mean I only chose things from the sale pages and stayed around the free shipping range ($35). That doesn't change the fact that I added yet another taupe eyeshadow which obviously isn't lacking from my stash, but seriously, I am being my own killjoy by saying it. Silly Lena. Stop it. 

I only swatched them today, but everything seems satisfactory if not earth-shattering. Considering the small price I paid, I think I will enjoy them a lot.

Now, on to my show-and-tell..




The items arrived in a purple gift box. Neat.


This time I only bought eyeshadows, no lip stuff (what?!).
The nail file and the buffer were something I actually needed (what?!).




I bought two Color Fever Eyeshadow Palettes.
I remember hunting them down on eBay years ago before KIKO made it to the U.S.
I couldn't resist since they were under $10 each on sale.


100 Unexpected Rosy Taupe (L)
103 Grey Night Blue (R)


100 Unexpected Rosy Taupe has a harder texture, and the colors somewhat remind me of the Chanel Tissé Rivoli (reviewed).
All shades in this are quite shimmery and look ideal to layer over a cream base.
(I will still need Tom Ford Nude Dip, though.)


103 Grey Night Blue actually has a smoother consistency with nice color payoffs that I am surprised!
The the greyed taupe and the shimmery blue are gorgeous. 
I don't want Chanel Tissé Jazz anymore. Really.


151 Macropearly Lilac


This one has a very hard and dense texture, which would be nice to use as an all-over wash or a blending color. Let's hope it doesn't turn gray and ashy on skin.



Eyetech Look Eyeshadow 116 Metallic Smoke


I really like this mauve-y taupe with a beautiful sheen.
I didn't know what to expect, but the creamy powder formula seems to be easy to work with.



Long Lasting Stick 39 Dark Taupe


It is a deep brown with a purple tinge.
Many people say this is a poor girl's Laura Mercier Caviar Stick. I think it will make a pretty eyeshadow base regardless!


I swear it wasn't intended, but don't you think these three would go well together? ;)



Thanks for looking!
I will try and do some look posts (and possibly simple tutorials) with these pretties.
Did you get anything from the KIKO sale? :)






Join the conversation!

  1. I seriously picked this up on a whim when I was in Italy!! I love the brand and it's for the price range, it's not that much of "guilty" purchase! I'm totally going to check out this sale now that you mention there's free shipping!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I agree they are great quality especially for the price! I tried two eyeshadows yesterday, and I am quite impressed.
      Seems like they run a sale like this quite regularly, so I will be looking forward to another one. :)

      Delete
  2. Ahhh you are tempting me! When I was in London I was lurking in Kiko all the time, their makeup is fabulous, especially the nail polishes!

    Macarons and Mischief

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    1. I've never been to a physical store. Only saw some pics but the sheer number of things they offer is even overwhelming!
      I didn't know their nail polishes are good. Will definitely check them out. Thanks. :)

      Delete
  3. Yay! The 50% discount is indeed a bit hard to resist :P
    I laughed at 'Poor Girls'LM caviar stick' :D But tbh, I have swatched LM Caviar stick and the Byterry ones and I must say I couldn't tell any differences with Kiko eyeshadow sticks. Well maybe LM and Byterry have longer staying power or other superior qualities but I am so far happy being a 'poor girl' with KIKO . LOL.

    The blue eyeshadow quad is gorgeous!

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    1. I have been curious about the whole brand for quite some time (your reviews made me so even more. LOL), and not I know that this is a legit brand.
      I tried the Long Lasting Stick yesterday and I am thoroughly impressed. I didn't even wear a primer and it lasted well still giving me some time to blend out beautifully. Wish some of the popular shades were on sale as well! ;D

      Delete
  4. KIKO is not available here yet ( don't know if they ever will ) but I've only read great reviews of their products! The eye palettes look great. Will love to see you come up with a look using them :-)

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    1. I think there are only handful of physical stores in the U.S. so far. Which I don't really mind since I became to prefer online shopping more.
      Still, if I have to choose between having an easier access to Asian drugstore brands and having KIKO avail, I'd choose the former any day, Lily. ;D

      Delete
    2. I tried those Japanese drugstore brands and while they look super kawaii and I love their color story, it's their cuteness in packaging that puts me off most of the time. Hahaha! Also, none of the eye shadows stay on my lids unless I apply primer :-)

      Delete
    3. Hmmm, now to think about it, the last Japanese DS eyeshadow palette wasn't that great (Visee). LOL
      There is a big textural difference btw Asian eyeshadows and Western(?) ones, but Kiko quads also definitely needs some primer or cream base. At least blues and pastels don't turn grey like the U.S. DS ones. :)

      Delete
  5. I didn't know they started selling online in US, that does make it a little more accessible for me! ^_^
    Love the eye makeup heavy haul, I'd want to try the eyeshadow sticks.

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    1. Oh, that's great.
      I think the sale pages have enough good stuff although some of the popular things are excluded.
      From what I've experienced, the eyeshadow stick is definitely worth trying! :)

      Delete
  6. I've heard great things about this brand and you certainly did well for yourself with this sale since everything you picked up looks gorgeous. Those eyeshadow sticks look like they'd be good for lazy peeps like me haha ;p

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you! I tried a few things so far, and I think I like them a lot!
      I have quite a few eyeshadow sticks because I love using them as eyeshadow base for smoky eyes. Many of them may last long but set too quickly that I can't really blend well. This Kiko one has a very ideal texture for that - long lasting but blend-able! :)

      Delete
  7. Never heard of Kiko before but love the lilac shade there (and the purple box lol). I'm jealous you guys in the US have access to way more stuff with free shipping. Often sites either don't ship to us in Canada or charge ridiculous shipping fees that make me no longer want the stuff.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yeah, I love their purple themes, too! The nail buffer is also light purple. Cute! ;D
      I think is free shipping is a big perk in online shopping so many of them like to hide it in the price as well. Good and bad, I think?
      I don't mind reasonable shippings but literally, it has to be right. I don't understand why there should be many huddles for Canadian shoppers, though!

      Delete
  8. OOO those quads and eyeshadow sticks are so pretty! We actually don't get Kiko here. I'm not even sure we can online! Can't wait to hear what you think of the pieces :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. No..? That is interesting! Online shopping is a matter of having a few warehouses and having contracted shipping companies, and you guys are not too far away from Italy? (looks in the map)
      I think I like the things I've tried so far. The colors I picked will work out well for my daily looks, too. :)

      Delete
  9. AnonymousJuly 30, 2015

    So jealous you guys can order Kiko now! I picked up things in France and was amazed how good most of it was and how cheap it was! Totally going to make Marky order me something so I can pick it up in California haha!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. LOL. You and Marky ;)
      Yeah, I really think they are great quality even for the regular price. Definitely better than Maybelline or CoverGirl eyeshadows for example! ;p

      Delete
  10. Phew, I am glad that most products I like are not in the promotion. I think I used to love hoarding when things are 50%off -75%off but I only ended up loving only a certain percentage of the items anyway, so I am not saving anything at the end. If I get a chance to go to their store again, I think I will just pick up an eye crayon or two...

    Anyway, I like that lilac taupe combo too but I am afraid of most western satin matte...

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    1. I really wanted to try them when they were NOT available here, then I kind of forgot about them after they got in. LOL. The curiosity is effectively out of system now, but I think I'd order from them again. As you said, some of the popular ones are not on sale, of course. ;p
      So far I like the two I tried. I have my fingers crossed!

      Oh, yes..western eyeshadow textures in general suck, and we pretend it is different. LOL

      Delete
  11. Oh gorgeous stuff! I've had the pleasure of trying some products through pam from Jade in the Palace when we did a swap in the past! Love their stick eyeshadows but I would love to try that rosy brown quad you have! I've not been checking out any beauty sites so that I'll stick to my plan to save up right now! Can't wait to see your looks and reviews!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Haha, that is smart, Sharlynn! I should try the same thing. Rather than checking out sales and beauty sites and ending up being tempted, right? ;p
      I really like the eyeshadow stick, too. It translates quite matte, which is perfect for brown smoky looks! :)

      Delete
  12. I've heard great things about those shadow sticks! And lol, yes, the call for Nude Dip is still strong!

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    1. I can't make a conclusion after just one stick, but mine is great! Might be better than LM sticks. ;p
      My antique Chanel quad is actually very close to Nude Dip and I'm seeing some progress(?). I'm close to Nude Dip! ;)

      Delete
  13. Nice selection! Your picks are gorgeous and yes, that blue quad looks possibly better than the Chanel. :)

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    1. Thanks, Liz!
      There's a possibility the blue collection will make it here in August (messed up, really), but I shall not buy the quad. ;p

      Delete
  14. I wish I could get my hands on KIKO, I always hear amazing stuff about their products. The eyeshadow sticks especially!

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Their eyeshadow sticks seem to be everyone's favorite! I want a few more for myself as well.
      Hope it would be avail in your area soon. I think they have a great balance in price and quality!

      Delete
  15. Oooh such amazing products :)
    I completely understand all the taupe products you bought... taupe is an amazing color :) Metallic Smoke looks amazing :)
    Kiko is a brand I have always wanted to try :)
    xx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I tried the rosy taupe eyeshadow quad yesterday and it is pretty awesome. Not too rosy, though! ;)
      I think you'd like this brand a lot. They literally have the rainbows of colors in various formulas.

      Delete
  16. Wow, amazing! They're finally opening a Kiko store in my country and I cannot wait!

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    1. That's exciting! I really think this brand stands out in the mid priced range in the market. Everything I've tried so far is great. :)

      Delete
  17. Hmm...yes to Macropearly Lilac! That is gorgeous, as is Unexpected Rosy Taupe. I mean I was sold on the gorgeous purple box right from the jump. That's one of my favorite colors of life. I didn't shop this sale but everything you picked looks very wearable, versatile and lovely. Moola well spent! LOL at "I will still need Tom Ford Nude Dip." Spoken like a true beauty blogger! ;)

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    1. I might have to do reviews on them. The Lilac shades actually goes on quite soft and blends amazingly! Sometimes swatching is a completely different experience, which is why I prefer not-so-opaque arm swatches and blogs with faces.

      But I do need TF Nude Dip - I have a faith that it would be a good investment, but I feel guilty because I have so many neutral eyeshadows in my stash. ;-/

      Delete
  18. I haven't had the opportunity to try as much from Kiko as I would like but everything I have tried, I've loved - especially the shadow sticks! Wish I'd known about the sale (enough though international shipping would have been a killer plus duty). Those quads look so beautiful!



    Beauty Isles | An Island Girl's Beauty and Lifestyle Blog

    ReplyDelete
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    1. So far I'm quite happy with my selections. KIKO does some to be excellent for the price.
      They seem to run sales like this quite often, so maybe next time? If you're sure about things you like, maybe the additional cost would be worthwhile. :)

      Delete

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