20141113

REVIEW & SWATCHES || KIKO's A Daring Game Collection


KIKO is really gaining momentum in the UK, so I really wanted to try out some bits from their Autumn collection, which is based around the glamour of casinos and Bond Girls. The packaging is the sort of luxury you'd expect from a high-end brand but every item in this collection costs under £16! My mum saw all of this and asked if I fancy popping over to Leeds to visit one of their stores! Today I'll be reviewing the 5 products I bought... 



The Ace of Diamonds Demi-Matte Lipstick and Lip Liner, both in 27 Refined Burgundy, £7.90 and £5.90



A 'demi-matte' lipstick is right up my street for this season - pigmented but creamy and not too drying. I love berry lips so Refined Burgundy was the natural choice. In reality it's a lot more of a bright purple than I expected. The closest thing I have to this shade is MAC Diva, this is a little more sheer (though definitely build-able) and a little lighter. It applies like a dream to even dry lips and the lip liner is really creamy and complimentary. It's also a little more matte than the lipstick.



The only negative of this more hydrating formula is that it does tend to transfer all over the place in a way a more stain-like product wouldn't. I definitely find the liner longer-lasting than the lipstick. I like to fill in my lips fully with the liner and then go over it with the lipstick. The image I took with the others was quite bad so instead of delaying the post I did a quick mouth-only one and I'll be featuring this lipstick in a look soon so you'll get the full effect then (but my apologies).




Hearts (Out of 5):

       


This was the product I'd heard the most about, with it being compared to Charlotte Tilbury's Filmstar Bronze & Glow. It comes with a lighter and a darker matte bronzer for contouring and a shimmery gold-chamagne highlight. It comes in 2 shades and I chose the darker one. 


Personally I much prefer the bronzers to the highlight; they're so smooth and blend-able, as well as being subtle but easy to build on. I often contour with the lighter shade, then go over deeper parts of it with the darker shade. The highlight isn't for me to be honest. I like a subtle, metallic shimmer but this has quite large chunks of glitter and is a bit crumbly. I do however think it was worth buying the product for the contour shades, which are perfection. 




Hearts (Out of 5):

        


These are the brightest and most pigmented shades out of the 3 that this duo comes in. They're both pretty matte (though according to the website one is matte and one is pearl - I couldn't see much of a difference), and the names of the shades are pretty accurate descriptions. They aren't too pigmented but have a nice colour payoff. You can apply a little for the daytime or layer them up.



I find that they generally apply nicely but if you haven't exfoliated and moisturised then they will tend to go patchy (Peach more so than Raspberry Rose). Otherwise they last nicely throughout the day. They are definitely both still on my face by the time I get home, just a little less vivid. They're nice to have but I think you can get something similar for less.




Hearts (Out of 5):

      ½



I've saved the best for last. I really can't believe this is the one item that I almost didn't buy! I'm absolutely obsessed with it and had to talk myself out of wearing it for the fifth day in a row this morning...I've heard it compared to Charlotte Tilbury's beautiful Dolce Vita palette, which I'm hoping to get for Christmas, so I'll definitely be getting enough wear out of it to justify the purchase. Essential Brown seems to come out in images as a lot more of a 'standard brown' palette than it is in reality. It has a gorgeous glittery gold, and 2 shades which have a pearlescent sheen (I'm obsessed with this look at the moment!) - an off-white highlight and base colour and a red-brown and finally a more matte grey-brown.





The shadows are really nice and creamy - the only one that doesn't blend quite as well for me is the darkest shade. It's not the most versatile palette in the world but the look you can get out of it is something I'm in love with! They last me throughout the day and don't have much fallout. Basically; you need this in your life...




Hearts (Out of 5):

       ♥    


Overall I'm really impressed with A Daring Game. KIKO have since released two more of these limited-edition collections so I'd get your hands on it soon! The presentation and the products themselves are far beyond the quality you would expect for the price (which isn't hugely more expensive than many drugstore brands). I think I have a new brand obsession.

Let me know what you think of the products and swatches in the comments!


 

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16 comments

  1. I love the lipstick shade, sooo gorgeous!
    xprincessjas | ♥

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  2. I love the blushers you picked! x
    Emma | Emmys Blog

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    Replies
    1. Yeah I thought they were the prettiest shades of the 3 choices xx

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  3. I have the bronzer palette too and I love it, although like you I am not a great fan of the highlight.
    I love this brand a lot!

    Pams Stuff and Things

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    Replies
    1. Totally agree, really excited to have discovered them :D xx

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  4. That blush duo and eyeshadow palette are gorgeous! I definitely need to buy a couple of these! :)

    Sarah / Sarah Smiles

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  5. I really regret not buying that Contour and Highlighting palette now, it looks gorgeous! Love the eyeshadows they look so buttery and pigmented! Great post x

    Beauty with charm

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    Replies
    1. I'd definitely recommend it purely based on the contouring shades :) and the eyeshadows oh my gosh I'm in love <3 xx

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  6. To start, the packaging looks so luxurious, it's beautiful! I like the look of your products but my favourite from the bunch is the lipstick -just gorgeous and the blushes are so pretty! x
    Mummy's Beauty Corner

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    Replies
    1. I was really impressed too with the packaging, I've had high-end products that aren't this beautifully presented! xx

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  7. Oh my! the packaging and swatches are so beautiful, how I wish I can get Kiko products where I am :(

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  8. This collection is gorgeous! I love the bronzer & highlighter duo. I think it's a great alternative to the Charlotte Tilbury Bronze & Glow duo. :) x

    Speaking Beauty UK | Nars, Urban Decay, YSL GIVEAWAY

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    Replies
    1. Yeah I haven't tried the Charlotte Tilbury but I don't think I could ever spend that much on contouring and highlighting, especially when I don't even do it every day! xx

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