Sunday 22 February 2015

The KIKO Foundation Wardrobe

Scorri verso il basso per la versione italiana!
There’s a new generation of foundations at Kiko, and, just like the brand, they’re getting more attention everyday. Let’s see what I think of them! (With a clear winner!)

Kiko Foundation Unlimited Universal Fit Liquid Skin Precision Sponge

Over the years I’ve tried a few (Kiko, being an Italian brand, has been around for a while here!), and the verdict has always been bad. The main problem for me has always been the poor shades selection, but the first thing they’ve done with their more recent releases is expanding their offering adding more shades and, even better, dividing them by undertone! Being actually able to wear them I’ve been trying them out, so let’s see how they perform on me.

Liquid Skin Second Skin Foundation
This is their more recent one, that’s meant to give a second skin effect whilst containing active ingredients like Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and Resveratrol, making it a skincare hybrid too. The texture is really light and it’s truly weightless, and the packaging is one of those beautiful ones with a glass bottle and a dropper. All of this kind of justify the higher price (€18.90, definitely over the drugstore price range), and well, I like this foundation but I don’t love it. The problem? The coverage. They say it’s got medium buildable coverage, but I got a light coverage even if layering. In their defense, I haven’t tried the brush that came out with it (which looks kind of cool as it’s similar to the Bare Minerals one with a space in the middle to fit the foundation in, but this time the heart’s made of sponge), that maybe considerably ups the coverage level. The finish has got a beautiful satin effect and it’s really, really lovely, but if you have anything less than perfect skin you’ll find that you’re going to need more concealer than usual (even if, like me, you’re used to your redness showing a bit!).

Universal Fit Hydrating Foundation
This is the Kiko foundation everyone is talking about, and until recently it was the one I hadn’t tried. Then I saw the price: €5,90? How is it possible that’s getting so much love? Well, it is. A typical fluid foundation, offers a good solid medium coverage and works beautifully with fingers or with the Kiko Precision Blender Sponge. A few notes about the sponge: is amazing! I like to use it dry to bounce the foundation on the skin and works perfectly to apply a thin even layer like I love. I don’t find it works well with formulas like the Liquid Skin Foundation, but with more typical foundation textures is perfect. Back to the foundation: good coverage, lovely texture and I have to add great shades selection. The only flaw I’ve found is that even though is marketed to be hydrating it isn’t the most hydrating formula I’ve found, but lately my skin has been a bit drier than usual so maybe it’s not its fault. The lasting power is pretty good: it probably doesn’t arrive at late evening hours perfectly, but for the price, is still impressive.

Unlimited Foundation
This, out of all of these, is the one you need. Seriously, I can see why the Universal Fit is so hyped up, but this is simply amazing. Since today we’re talking prices, this at €14.90 is reasonably well priced. Marketed as a long-lasting foundation, it keeps its promises without being heavy and mask like. I’ve recently tried a sample of the newly reformulated Clarins Everlasting+ Foundation, and it was like having a mask on the skin. This Kiko one is a million times better! It must be because of the blend of exotic oils meant to hydrate and nourish the skin, and they work. As I’ve mentioned my skin has been a little bit drier recently and this still works amazingly! It worked well months ago too when it first came out and my skin was a little bit more normal-combination, so I guess a combination-oily skin is going to love it too, with just a bit of powder needed. The coverage is medium to full, and the sheer layer I apply with the Precision Sponge is perfect as it covers my redness without masking the skin. It lasts all day long, and the satin finish is really lovely. A winner!

Kiko is getting better everyday (you can read my thoughts on their amazing Generation Next collection in this post!), and I keep discovering more treasures from the brand! Have you tried anything from them? Are you loving them as much as I am?


È arrivata una nuova generazione di fondotinta da Kiko, e, proprio come la marca in generale, stanno ottenendo più attenzione ogni giorno che passa. Li ho provati, ed ecco che cosa ne penso! (…c’è un chiaro vincitore!)

Nel corso degli anni ho provato svariati fondotinta Kiko (essendo una marca italiana qua è presente da un bel po’!), e il verdetto è sempre stato negativo. Il problema principale per me è sempre stata la poca scelta di tonalità, e la prima cosa che hanno fatto con le uscite più recenti è stato espandere la loro offerta aggiungendo più colori, e, ancora meglio, dividendoli per sottotono! Essendo finalmente in grado di indossarli li ho provati, quindi vediamo come si sono comportati su di me.

Liquid Skin Second Skin Foundation
Questo è l’ultimo fondotinta uscito, ed è pensato per donare un effetto seconda pelle contenendo contemporaneamente ingredienti attivi come la Vitamina C, l’’Acido Ialuronico e il Resveratrolo, rendendolo un ibrido tra makeup e skincare. La texture è molto leggera ed è davvero senza peso, e il packaging è uno di quei bei flaconi in vetro con il contagocce. Tutto questo giustifica abbastanza il prezzo più alto (€18.90, decisamente al di sopra dei prezzi abituali), e devo dire che questo fondotinta mi piace ma non mi fa impazzire. Il problema? La coprenza. Dicono che possieda una copertura media modulabile, ma sono riuscita a ottenere una copertura leggera anche stratificandolo. In loro difesa, non ho provato il pennello che è uscito insieme al fondotinta (che sembra carino visto che è simile a quello Bare Minerals con al centro il posto per mettere il fondotinta, anche se questa volta il cuore delle setole è fatto di spugna), che forse è in grado di aumentare notevolmente il livello di coprenza. Il finish ha un bellissimo effetto satinato ed è davvero piacevole, ma se avete la pelle anche solo poco meno che perfetta vi troverete ad usare molto più correttore del solito (anche se, come me, siete abituati a lasciare che si intraveda qualche imperfezione!).

Universal Fit Hydrating Foundation
Questo è il fondotinta Kiko di cui tutti stanno parlando, e fino a pochissimo tempo fa non l’avevo provato. Poi ho visto il prezzo: €5.90? Come è possibile che sia così fantastico? Ebbene, lo è. Un tipico fondotinta fluido, offre una buona coprenza media e si applica benissimo con la dita o con la Kiko Precision Blender Sponge. Qualche parola sulla spugnetta: è fantastica! Mi piace usarla asciutta per picchettare il fondotinta sulla pelle e va benissimo per applicare uno strato leggero come piace a me. Trovo che non vada bene per formule come il Liquid Skin Foundation per cui vanno meglio le dita, ma per texture più tipiche è perfetta. Torniamo al fondotinta: buona coprenza, bella texture e devo aggiungere ottima scelta di tonalità. L’unico difetto che posso trovarci è che anche se indicato come fondotinta idratante non è la formula più idratante che io abbia provato, ma ultimamente la mia pelle è più secca del solito quindi è possibile che non sia colpa sua. La durata è decisamente buona: forse non arriva alle tarde ore serali perfetto, ma per il prezzo è comunque notevole.

Unlimited Foundation
Questo, tra tutti quelli di cui vi ho parlato, è quello che dovete avere. Seriamente, posso capire perché l’Universal Fit sia diventato così famoso ultimamente, ma questo è semplicemente stupendo. Visto che oggi vi sto parlando anche di prezzi, questo a €14.90 ha un prezzo molto ragionevole. Descritto come un fondotinta a lunga durata, mantiene le sue promesse senza essere pesante o a effetto maschera. Ho provato un camioncino dell’appena riformulato Clarins Everlastng+, ed è stato come avere una maschera sulla pelle. Questo è mille volte meglio! Deve essere grazie al mix di oli esotici pensati per idratare e nutrire la pelle, e funzionano. Come vi ho detto la mia pelle è stata leggermente più secca ultimamente e questo fondotinta va benissimo! Andava benissimo anche qualche mese fa, appena uscito, quando la mia pelle era più normale-mista, quindi credo che anche una pelle mista-grassa possa appezzarlo, magari con un po’ di cipria. La coprenza è medio-alta, e lo strato leggero che applico con la Precision Sponge è perfetto visto che copre i miei rossori senza fare effetto maschera. Dura davvero tutto il giorno, e il finish satinato è davvero bello. Fantastico!

Kiko sta migliorando ogni giorno (potete leggere le mie impressioni sulla loro fantastica collezione Generation Next in questo post), e continuo a scoprire nuovi tesori. Avete provato nulla di Kiko? Vi sta stupendo come sta stupendo me?

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28 comments:

  1. I love Kiko but only tried their Skin Evolution Foundation and it's pretty cool! Can't wait to try Universal Fit as it's so raved! The Unlimited one sounds amazing! On my wishlist too! xx

    Mary Bloomy

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  2. This post was so useful. Kiko's new to Ireland, but we can only get it on line. I horsing through reviews. I've used its mineral powder and think it's absolutely brilliant too :)

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  3. I've heard such great things about Universal Fit and I'm so intrigued to give it a try. I live nowhere near a KIKO counter so would probably have to guess my shade which does put me off slightly, although for the price I suppose you really can't go wrong!

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  4. I recently bought some Kiko products when I was in Venice and I love them! Will have to try the foundation next :) x

    Brenda BusyBee | Bella & Bear Professional 15 Piece Makeup Brush Set Giveaway

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  5. The universal fit foundation has been very well talked about recently. I saw it in store the other day and was really tempted but don't like the sound of "not the most hydrating formula you've found". I have dry skin so I desperately need dewy / hydrating foundations otherwise my skin just looks dull. xx

    Renata | Speaking Beauty UK

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  6. I was actually wondering about KIKO foundations so happy to read your review :) Will definitely check the Unlimited foundation :) x

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

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  7. I really want to try some stuff from Kiko! Great review!


    www.miss-singh.blogspot.com

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  8. Randomly found your blog and can’t express how I like it! It was so interesting to read your posts and also I’d like to say that you have beautiful photos! I’ll be happy to see you in my blog!)

    p.s. new post - how I met Victoria Beckham http://www.dianacloudlet.com/2015/02/victoria-beckham-zip-pouch-met-victoria-beckham.html

    Diana Cloudlet

    http://www.dianacloudlet.com/

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  9. You collect foundations the way I collect coral lipsticks LOL I haven't tried anything from Kiko because the brand is not available here, although I am really interested in their eyeshadow sticks because you know, I collect those, too :p

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  10. Walking around in a Kiko store is so overwhelming! I seriously need to have another look around and try a few more products. Might include the Unlimited Foundation onto the shopping list next time - there is always room for another base ;)

    Laura || Laura London

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  11. This is making me want to try Kiko so badly! Lol. The Unlimited Foundation sounds amazing! And the fact that its medium to full - right up my alley. :-)

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

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  12. I’m in love
    with your blog! It was so interesting to
    read your posts and also I’d like to say that you have beautiful photos!

    I’ll be
    happy to see you in my blog!)

    p.s. new
    post - how I met Victoria Beckham http://www.dianacloudlet.com/2015/02/victoria-beckham-zip-pouch-met-victoria-beckham.html



    Diana
    Cloudlet

    http://www.dianacloudlet.com/

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  13. The kiko sponge looks interesting (and I am quite intrigued by the brush/sponge you described as well). I love their eyeshadow sticks but have never tried their foundations. I need to give them a go! x

    Alexandra
    Glam O’Clock

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  14. Your enthusiasm is infectious! I have yet to try my first Kiko product.

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  15. I love Kiko!!! Although your post has made me want to go and buy some more stuff haha.
    Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog.
    I've followed you on BL and Twitter :)


    Sam xx
    Http://www.beautifie.com

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  16. I love Kiko, especially their eyeshadows but I never tried a foundation. I think their products are good quality and affordable (:

    Nati xx
    artdicted2.blogspot.com/

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  17. I have the hydrating foundation but even the lightest shades too dark for me :(


    www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk

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  18. i've only heard a little bit about this brand but it seems really good! definitely going to check it out


    xx danielle // shadesofdanielle.blogspot.com

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  19. I just love the name.. Kiko Kiko Kiko :D :D :D I wonder if there's a meaning to it?


    Such a thorough review of each foundation. I'm going to bookmark this page for future reference! I know I can skip the Liquid Skin Second Skin one since I don't have anything remotely near a perfect skin... On the other hand, the Unlimited Foundation sounds like a winner!

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  20. Great, in-depth reviews. I really wish KIKO was here in Canada, miss shopping there.

    Erin | Erin and Katherine Talk Beauty

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  21. I love KIKO eyeshadows, but never set out to explore their foundation.
    Clearly, that needs to change!

    www.lindalibraloca.com

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  22. This is an absolutely fantastic product review!! I love KIKO foundation, and am definitely in favor of your review.

    http://www.triskelereviews.com/

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  23. all of these products from Kiko make me do a trip to europe soon :)
    so that i can grab these ;)

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  24. The unlimited foundation sounds lovely! Great review [=

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  25. Ahh thanks for this post :) A KIKO recently opened up in my local mall, definitely have to check it out!

    http://katmicru.blogspot.com

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  26. Ottime review! In wishlist ho ormai da tempo il Nars Sheer Matte, quindi non appena avrò finito un po' di fondotinta punterò su quello. Ma l'Unlimited è da tenere in considerazione.
    Sono contenta di aver trovato un'altra blogger di Torino! ;) Ti seguo volentieri, il tuo blog è molto ben curato ed interessante. Studi lingue?

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  27. i read your notes about kiko unlimited foundation it's amazing because i've got confused about kiko foundations so i want to buy unlimited foundation but i can't know my shade they have many shades how can i pick mine ?? i hope you help me
    thanks in advance

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