Confessions... Kiko Cosmetics

http://www.kikocosmetics.com/en-gb/

I love my Estee Lauder double wear, my Chanel pirate red lipstick and my Makeup Forever HD setting powder. However, these items are not cheap.
Frankly when I first started wearing Estee Lauder it cost £23.50 its now £30.00. And I probably use a bottle every 8 weeks. I justify it in my head as I would use a bottle of Maxfactor every month and thats about £12. So my Estee Lauder at £15 per month is not much more to pay for a far superior luxury product.

Kiko cosmetics for me are guilt free.
Lets be honest most of us have more makeup than we need. No one needs makeup to survive, although I would behave like a drug addict going cold turkey if someone took mine away.

I first discovered Kiko cosmetics in 2014. There is a store in Westfield London. I would walk past the store which is set up like MAC and as I hadn't heard of it assumed  it was on the same price scale too.

It wasn't until my bf decided to go in to Uniqlo ( quite possibly the most unexciting store) for the second time that day, I decided to break free and browse in Kiko.

To my amazement the products were cheap. Like normal makeup prices. Similar to what you would spend on L'oreal or maxfactor.

I swatched up to my elbows and came out of the shop £40 lighter. If that was House of Fraser I would have been lucky to get two items for that. I had a whole face full in my shopping bag.

I concentrated my purchases on lip and eye products. I will admit my addiction to double wear is not something I'm looking to swap. But anything other than foundation is interchangeable for me. That's not to say I don't have other foundations I do. But that's another blog.

A new store has opened up in covent garden and I promise you its worth a visit if you are in London.

I went to Italy in the summer and Kiko's are as popular as boots here in the UK.

I love the stores they are set up similar to a high end makeup brand. All the products are on display and available for you to try. There are plenty of tissues and swabs. They even have tape for your nails so you can try colours without having to ruin your exiting manicure.

One of my favourite ride or die products is their eyeshadow sticks. I wear shade number 4 its a dark chocolate brown shade with gold shimmer through it.

Shadow sticks are a great way of achieving a quick smokey eye. Simply cover the whole lid in one shade then with a fluffy blending brush buff out the edges.

The eyeshadow sticks are long lasting and highly pigmented. They have so many colours. There are lots of great shade to choose from. These sticks are also great used as a base for a more detailed makeup look. They really help powder shadows stay in place all day and all night.

I feel like these are completely fool proof and at £4-£6 each you really can't go wrong.

Another product I am obsessed with is their lipsticks. Creamy, rich formula with so many different textures and shades to choose from. I have found my perfect neutral lip and I never leave the house without it. I think the cases are quite cute. Some of the lipsticks have Kiko embossed on to the bullet and in the summer they had polka dot bullets which were adorable.

I could waffle on and on about all of their products because so far everything I have tried has been great. The range is extensive and they are always launching new colours and items.

If you are ever in London get in and get testing.

Warning - do not wear white or anything with sleeves. You will need as much space possible to try everything. Also this may be the time you send the boys to Apple or for a beer. You will be a while.

Foundation review. Urban Decay, Estee Lauder, NARS

Hey Slap Addicts,

So I thought I would do a foundation comparison review for you all. 

I've worn the same foundation for 8 years. The shade changing with the seasons but the formula was always the same. 

Estée Lauder double wear. 

I first started using this when I was 18 years old and living in Cape Town, South Africa. I needed a foundation but none of the drug stores that I visited sold a shade light enough. I went to Estée Lauder and discovered double wear. I didn't look back, until very recently . 

If you have been reading my blog you will know that I have been suffering with acne and having treatment for it. 

The therapist suggested some of my congestion could be caused by my foundation. 

Frankly I was horrified. The thought of changing my base was daunting. It's part of me. It's how I'm used to seeing my face. 

But what's the point in paying £600 to fix my skin only to spoil it again. 

So I watched some reviews, did some research and decided to try the following: 

Urban decay Naked Skin liquid foundation - shade 1.0 

£27 

NARS sheer glow - shade light 3 Gobi 

£31 

OK so let's talk about the UD. They have a total of 18 shades light to dark, pink and yellow undertones. If the number ends in a 0 it's yellow based and if it's a .5 shade it's meant to be a pink tone. I like my yellow tone foundations. I am light but I like the yellow base. If I use pink I look a bit grey. This foundation formula is peptide infused, light diffusing and paraben free.  It also contains an anti ageing chemical ... Not sure it does anything but I like the idea of skincare in my foundation. 

It's a very thin watery consistency with a buildable coverage. My opinion is its light to medium coverage. It is light weight on the skin and feels like you have nothing on. 

You need to shake this very well before dispensing.

It's a satin finish and looks very natural. 

The packaging is pretty and it has a pump attached. The bottle is coloured so you can't see how much is in there. I like that when its stood on my dressing table but I hate that I can't tell when I'm running out. 

This is the cheapest of the three. But by no means pocket money. I tend to use 2 to 3 pumps for a nice medium coverage and I use my fingers, beauty blender or a brush to apply. It covers under my eye circles nicely and the redness on my cheeks. 

Negatives - it's more pink tone than yellow and this annoys me a little. Everyone else thinks this looks amazing on but I notice the pink tone. I would prob have to go to shade 2 in the future. It sets satin but never completely dries. I have to set this with a powder or it will disappear throughout the day. With powder it does last a day and looks very natural. I need a concealer to cover blemishes and the formula will settle in any dry skin.  To be fair I think most foundations highlight flaky skin. 

It has a 6 month shelf life. 👎🏻OK if I used this everyday it would be gone way before 6 months and wouldn't be a problem. However if you don't wear foundation all the time this could be a problem, although I'm aware most of us keep things much longer than the expiry dates shown. 

NARS

I've heard so many good things about this foundation. It comes in an array of colours and from what I read on other reviews it's really good for darker skin tones. Being the opposite end and really light I also struggle to get a good match. 

The colour I chose is perfect. It's got a nice yellow tone but not orange. It's light enough without making me look white. 

You need to shake this before you use it. NARS suggest warming the product between your fingers and applying to the skin. I do this or use a stippling brush. I will also apply it with my beauty blender. 

It has 0 SPF which means this is great for photos. SPF causes flash back which is terrible on a night out. Do you ever see pictures of yourself with white face and tanned skin? That's the SPF in your foundation and possibly the powder you are using. I really struggled with this problem when wearing double wear. 

The foundation is not sheer nor glowy! Haha. The name is quite misleading. It's a medium build able coverage that's meant to be for normal to dry skin. I'm combination and this really sits well. As with the UD it will sit in dry patches but it's not terrible. This sets as a satin matte finish and I think it's quite radiant. 

It has a shelf life of 24 Months which is 4x the length of the UD. I know I never keep a foundation that long but it's nice to know I can. 

Negatives - It's meant to be long lasting but if you are oily you may need to apply powder in the morning and possibly blot in the day. It's not as long lasting as double wear but I don't think there is anything that compares. 

The packaging is a sturdy glass jar with a screw top lid. It doesn't come with a pump but you can purchase one from NARS for £3-£4.This annoys me. If you think your product needs a pump and your charging premium prices just put a bloody pump on and stop being so money grabbing. 

OK rant over - but it really annoyed me. 

I chose not to get the pump as the double wear is in similar packaging and I'm used to just putting it on the back of my hand from the jar. Also the cap doesn't fit if the pump is on. So if you want to travel with it, it could go all over your handbag. 

With there being no SPF you will need to apply one separately for day time wear. I am using a factor 50 on my face so this isn't a problem for me. However, if you are used to getting your SPF from your making this will mean applying another layer prior to your makeup. 

Ester lauder double wear. 

This is the number one selling foundation in the UK. Estee lauder use this statistic to say its the nations favourite. 

I do love the foundation. It comes in many shades and tones. Not just warm and cool but neutral also. I find the neutral tones work really well. They do lighter shades and plenty of mid tones. They do sell darker shades but not every counter will have the stock. If you have a very deep skin tone you may want to call before you do a special trip to a store. 

Estee Lauder are great at providing testers. The little pot will be enough for a week. I strongly advise you take a tester and try it for yourself. The foundation is not cheap at £31. There is an art to applying this foundation. I will admit I used this incorrectly for years. This can be a complete mask. I used to think that was how to have the perfect base. However, recently I prefer people to say my skin looks amazing rather than wow your foundation is high coverage. 

If you want a full coverage this is the foundation for you. 

If you want something that's great in high humidity, doesn't transfer on to clothes, will not budge all day and all night. Then get this. 

But keep in mind that it contains SPF. It can flash back in photos if you use too thick a layer. If you want to have the longevity without all of the coverage mix with an illuminator or a moisturiser. Applying with a damp beauty blender will also give a beautiful finish. 

This foundation sets matte, unless you try the tips above. 

I highly doubt you will need a powder. I never even need a concealer. It covers blemishes and scars. 

One of the biggest down sides is how hard it is to remove. If you are used to makeup wipes, firstly STOP they are so bad for you. Secondly they will not remove all of this foundation. I use an oil based makeup remover and then cleanse my skin with a face wash. Double cleansing with water is essential. 

All of the foundations are lovely. It depends what you want to gain from your foundation. 

My advice it to go to a makeup counter with nothing on your skin. Have them apply a full face. Wear it, leave the store and take away a tester. 

I don't know about you but I never leave a makeup counter happy with the foundation. Plus the lighting in store can alter the look of the foundation. 

These brands are an investment at £30 a pop.  Don't be afraid to ask for testers. 

I hope you found this helpful. 

Happy Shopping SlapAddicts 

Skin Update session 3/4/5.

So I've been having Isolaz Treatment at Sk:n in London.

My previous posts have explained what the treatment is and how it works.

This blog is an update with how the treatment is going so far.


I have to say so far so good.

I am starting to get compliments on my skin and I can whole heartedly say that I have changed as a person.

My boyfriend says it has been worth every penny because I am smiling.
I think thats probably the biggest change. I am confident again. I can't express how my skin made me feel. It took away my spark. But, its coming back!

The third treatment was similar to the second. The therapist concentrated on my nose and my forehead. I really could see a difference.

This may be TMI but my time of the month came and I did not suffer from breakouts.
This is AMAZING. Hormonal breakouts just became something I expected. So it was a pleasant surprise not to suffer this month.

The fourth treatment was a little different. The light strength was increased and so was the vacuum. The following day I had bruising all along my jaw line. It looked like love bites! Eek! However, it was coverable with foundation. I decided due to the bruising from the 4th session to leave it 2 weeks until I had the 5th treatment. The first week my skin looked radiant and felt great. However, by the second week my skin had become very sensitive. Especially around my nose. I had to slather it in vaseline. Not a good look. My skin started to peel. My skin type had gone from oily to dry over night.

I went for my appointment and had the usual glycolic acid placed on my skin. My word did it burn. It was very uncomfortable. My therapist said my skin was turning red and that my skin was too sensitive to have the Isolaz treatment today. She took photographs and documented everything. We went through the skin care routine I  have been using. I've religiously been using the products she gave me. It turns out one of the night time products contains Retinol. The pore refining serum was causing a reaction to occur. Retinol have a drying and exfoliating effect. Combined with the acid face wash I was using twice daily ad the regular Isolaz treatment it was more than my skin could handle.

I have been told to stop using the pore refining lotion and was given a skin repairing cream which is thick like vaseline.

I used it last night and today my skin feels much better. The glycolic peel helped to remove some of the dead skin from my face. I can see nice healthy skin underneath. My skin is still dry but not as flakey as the day before.

Its been a learning experience for me. I've never had dry skin. So many problems come with that too. Honestly I think dry skin is overall more painful than oily skin. Yes blemishes can be painful to touch. But, the extreme dryness around my nose and mouth, the cracked, peeling skin was frustratingly painful. It is possibly to have areas of dryness and oily areas too. Finding things to hep balance the skin and create an even texture can be quite a challenge.

One moisturiser has been helping. Its the Avene rich compensating cream. It doesn't sting as much as other moisturisers and it gets rid of the tight feeling.  The whole Avene range is really lovely, non comedogenic and hypoallergenic. Perfect for sensitive skins.

I am planning on going back to Sk:n next week to have my 5th Isolaz treatment. Fingers crossed my face isn't so dry an sensitive.

Soigné Botanique nail polish review.

I want to introduce you to these gorgeous nail polishes.
Just take a moment to appreciate the packaging. Its stunning.

I purchased these at the beauty show in London at the beginning of October. Ive had these about 2 weeks now and I am obsessed.

Normally these polishes retail between £11-£13. 

They are a gel like polish but no lamp needed. 

They have approx 30 regular colours and they also have limited edition ranged. 

I purchased the winter 2015 limited edition set, a base coat, top coat and a neutral shade that I can wear for work. The winter collection is called Laquer de chocolate and contains a British racing green, a blue toned purple, a gold, a chocolate brown and an oxblood shade. 

The colours are highly pigmented but not too thick. 
The base and the top coat work so beautifully with the polishes the end result looks truly professional. They set very well, no smudging or peeling. 

I am always using my hands. My hands are in and out of water constantly and I am always typing and bashing my nails. These colours last a good week on my nails before they start to chip. I'm happy with that. I tend to use a lot of BarryM polishes and I do like them but you can see a difference in quality.

I did not pay the full retail price. I got the set of 5 for £15. For the base, top coat and nude I paid £13. I saved so much on these. However, these are worth the price tag. I've used Essie and for me and a friend of mine they always, always chip! By the end of the day I need a new manicure. 

Obviously these are not as long lasting as a gel polish using a light but in my opinion they are less damaging. The oxygen base which I purchased helps the colour to last longer, it also allows oxygen to permeate the nail bed, encouraging strong, healthy nail growth and increases keratin, cross linking with Urea and Minerals. Containing Neem oil for antioxidant and antiseptic, the polish refines nail texture to hide ridges and imperfections and prevents colour from staining your nails.All of their polishes claim to contain up to 85% plant origins. Free from Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate and Camphor. They say they are cruelty free and chip resistant. I am not strict when it comes to only using Vegan products but it is nice to know that the products are cruelty free and predominantly plant based. The idea of using something less damaging is always attractive. I've blogged before about damaged nail caused by acrylic and electric nail files. For me having nice natural nails is the goal.

The polishes are all full size bottles containing 10ml of varnish. The brush is flat and has a squoval shape. I like this shape because it creates a nice smooth shape around the cuticle. 

Overall I give Soigné 5*. 

*Packaging is beautiful 
*Vast colour range
*Chip resistant 
*Cruelty free 
*Good for nails.

If you would like to treat yourself or a friend, maybe for Christmas you can purchase these online at www.soignenails.com

Makeup Forever HD powder.

At first I hated this product.


I really wanted to like it. When I tried it on my hand I could instantly see the way it blurred my skin and created an air brush effect. But, when I dusted it over my Estee Lauder Double wear it looked AWFUL.

However, after moving on to the Urban Decay Naked liquid foundation and the NARS sheer glow I LOVE this powder. Think this powder is good with light to medium coverage foundations that don't dry too matte. It comes in one translucent shade which the website states is perfect for any skin tone. I have very light skin and have yet to try it on my friends with warmer skin tones. I can't see why it wouldn't work on their skin. It really is translucent. Its not creamy like some translucent powders are. It doesn't change the colour of the foundation either, sometimes powders make me look muddy or orange.

Makeup forever say this :

Microfinish powder. The MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion products use formulas to create a new generation of makeup which is both invisible on HD cameras and to the naked eye. The HD Powder is an extremely fine powder available in one universal shade to make the skin absolutely radiant. It sets the foundation and matifies the skin without changing its natural contours. Consisting of mineral silica powder, its talc-free formula is non-drying. Its universal translucent shade matches all skin tones. The HD Powder can be worn alone or applied over foundation.

My skin feels velvety smooth and does not dry it out. It creates a soft focus on the skin which looks beautiful on film. Definitely great for photo shoots or selfies. This will give a matte finish but definitely not cake if used properly. This product should not cause flash back so try and pair it with a foundation with no SPF. Sadly SPF tends to flash back on film.

I use a big fluffy or fan brush to apply this loose powder. I would make sure you press it into the skin to avoid a ghost effect. Also please note that a little goes a very long way.

My skin type is normal to oily and I find it really works for me. I do get dry patches and it doesn't highlight them.

This is a pricey product. However it really will last a long time. Debenhams are selling this for £22 for 8 grams. Don't be fooled into thinking this is a travel size. It is full size. The powder is so fine and light it hardly weighs anything but there is plenty of product inside. It is hard to find stores in the UK that stock this. There are a couple of places in London and now Debenhams have the contract to sell it in store and online. Not all Debenhams stores do stock this I would suggest calling or emailing your local store to see if they sell it before you take the journey. My local one does not. I have to go to Oxford street. If you are in London I highly recommend you pop in and give the products a try. Because this is colourless it could be a great online purchase.

The plastic case comes with a nifty mesh net where the powder comes through. The lid fits in perfectly and prevents the powder filling up in the open part so no wastage.


I love the original Forever HD liquid foundation however, Debenhams have run out of stock and sadly didn't have my shade in the new HD Ultra foundation. I'm hoping to pick it up in a couple of weeks. I think these two products together will create an unbeatable combination.

Epic Fail

Confessions…

EPIC FAIL

I’d booked in for a bikini wax, nothing out of the ordinary. Not my first time either. Im sat waiting and the receptionist informs me that I am entitled to some free sun bed minutes. I am the first to admit I am pasty. However, I prefer the phrase “pale and interesting”. I never use sun beds and I rarely use fake tan. I was waiting and I thought “why not can't hurt.” I have the sun bed, I feel relaxed. 

I go for my wax…

If you ever saw 40 year old virgin you will understand when I say Andy was a lion compared to me. I was squeezing, clutching onto the side of the salon bed. Profanities flying every where. Deep breathing like a mother on one born every minute. Needless to say I persevered and I got to the end. It was such a terrible wax. I drive to my mums for lunch. As I get out the car I can see my mother bemused, confused, staring at me. She calls out for the whole street to hear “ Oi, why you walking like John Wayne shit him self?” 

I explained the “hollywood” 

Later in the lunch she says to me “babe you do look a little red, everything ok?” By this point I've stood up and lifted my top to expose a red lobster belly. My mother cries out in surprise to the deep maroon burns covering my body. “How on earth has this happened?” I  explained my sun bed, and then it clicked. I had managed to get sun burt and then straight away wax my skin! I ended up wearing loose dresses and aloe vera for what felt like the next time I was due for a wax. Lesson to all, sun beds are never a good idea!

DIY Braces... Don't be a moron

This is an Urgent Update




I read an article today on social media that said people are doing their own braces.

I could not believe this was actually true so I just spent the last 30 minutes on Google and low and behold,  its true.

Turns out the Mirror had done an article last month. I missed that but I did not miss the Facebook post. Quite possibly because of the photos attached.

I have worked in Orthodontics as a nurse and treatment coordinator along side Orthodontic specialists.

Lets get one thing straight. Only qualified Dentists and Specialist Orthodontists should be doing things to your teeth. That includes whitening, filling and straightening.

For your knowledge it takes approx. 10 years to become an Orthodontist. 10 YEARS.  You have to qualify as a Dentist primarily and then continue on to specialise in Orthodontics.

Orthodontics is a complicated aspect of dentistry. If not done by a qualified professional it can cause permanent damage. This damage can include damaging nerves, damaging the roots, losing teeth, damaging your gums and your jaw.

Teeth and gums do not grow back.
Once you loose gum or your permanent dentition it is gone forever.

Its not like hair. We can get over that bad colour choice, grow out that undercut but the consequences of DIY braces are irreversible.

Teeth need to be moved in a certain way with a small amount of force which is monitored by the clinician. When you start wrapping dental floss around your teeth or using small plastic hair bands you have no idea what amount of pressure you are placing. If too much is placed you can literally rip your teeth out of your mouth. Sometimes its not possible for a professional to put them back.

People are cutting their gums in a serious way causing tissue damage.

There are countless videos on You Tube going back several years. This is not a new phenomenon. These so called DIY, Self help ( self sabotage ) tutorials are being narrated by teenagers and adults alike. You can easily find brace kits on line which I think need to be banned ASAP. However, I have seen people suggesting you use putty, dental floss, backs of earnings and other random house hold items to "correct" your smile.

I completely understand how people feel about their teeth if they are not straight. However, I know I would rather have crooked teeth than no teeth. Some smile issues can not be fixed by simply moving the teeth, in some cases the jaws need to be expanded or realigned. If you do not know what problems you actually have how can you assume to know how to fix them? Another point to add is say by some miracle you move your teeth without breaking them, how do you expect to keep them there? Retention is a massive part of brace treatment. Although I fear these idiots online have found another home remedy for retainers.

I sympathise that braces are expensive. In the UK the NHS will provide braces for children under 18 if they meet a criteria. Your dentition has to be of a certain classification to qualify for the free treatment. If your problems are solely aesthetic and not functional then you will not qualify.

Brace treatment can be anything from £2000-£10000. Lots of practices do offer 0% finance and payment plans. Many places will offer a free consultation and will be able to provide you with a quotation so you can plan your payments or wait and save.

The whole thing is ludicrous. I'm going to be harsh here but if you attempt to brace your own teeth you are a complete moron.

DON'T DO IT.

Another idiotic thing I have personally seen is people trying to remove fixed braces themselves at home.

The results can include you breaking your teeth and removing your enamel. Again once the tooth is broken or the enamel is removed it will never grow back. You will need to have fillings/veneers/crowns to fix  the issue. All of this can be very costly.

I really don't know what else to say.

Please kids, don't try this at home