Kiko Skin Glow: Review

Kiko Skin Glow moisturizing cream with SPF 10, £6.40 comes in really nice packaging and is a big size so you feel like you're getting something which is value for money. The product reminds me of Olay Complete Care Everyday Sunshine Moisturiser because it is tinted and gives your skin a very similar glow. The moisturiser has very small particles of glitter in it which comes out on your skin. But it is not so glitterly that you feel that you have been to a child's party!

I found that the applicator was hard to use as sometimes I pressed it and nothing came out, so this product requires a bit of perseverance! I needed two layers of this moisturiser as I did not feel that one layer made my skin glow enough to make a noticable difference. Nonetheless my skin did look healthier. The cream absorbed into my skin very quickly, making me feel like I wanted to apply a generous amount on my face. 

I did not find this product as moistursing as a day cream such as Nivea creme, nevertheless I think that it will make a good base for makeup because it absorbs well and gives skin a very subtle glow. One problem that I found with using this product is that once I had used it my hands were all glitterly and even after washing my hands once it did not come off, so as a contact lenses wearer this was not great for me. So if you wear contact lenses I advise you to put them in before you apply this moisturiser and the same goes for any other tinted creams / foundations.

I think that all skin types can use this day cream as it does not make skin too shiny. Also this product contains SPF 10 in it, so its good to use for this time of year. Will I be buying this product again? I am not so sure because it does not give me the overall look of radiance that I want and I think that you are much better faking radiance with an illuminator such as Nars Copacabana. However, I think that this product is great for someone that likes a subtle sheen or radiance.

The SPF we need but forget about

From left to right: Nivea Lip Care Sun Protect SPF30 £3.25, Soap & Glory Feel Good Factor SPF25 £12.00.

When people tell you to protect yourself from the sun, what they normally mean is to just simply wear suncream. But there are two parts of our anatomy which are overlooked and that is our face and lips. The lips are more commonly ignored, but they can also get sun damaged as I have realised when holidaying before.

Whilst there are a lot of day creams which contain SPF in it, a lot do not. The two moisturisers which I have been alternately using for the last few weeks, do not have a trace of SPF in them. It is advisable that for summer you invest in a moisturiser that has it in, especially now we're having this heat wave. There are so many great moisturisers with SPF's in them, some tinted, some plain and some mixed with a BB cream. So SPF does not have to be boring.

I have been trying out Soap & Glory Feel Good Factor SPF25 Fast Absorbing BB Moisturising Cream. This product used to be a moisturiser, but has now been changed into a BB cream. So if you go to your're local Boots and see a Tester in its old packaging and wonder why the Tester is not the same as the product on the shelves, then that is why! (See below for the new packaging).

Soap & Glory Feel Good Factor SPF25 Fast Absorbing BB Moisturising Cream.

This BB cream feels really moisturising and left my skin with a very dewy look. If you have oily skin then I would advise you not to use this due to how glistening my skin looked. But as a BB cream this product provides an excellent base for makeup, as well as moisturising your skin and protecting it from the sun. I was out in the sun for an hour or so and my face did not burn, so it seems to do what is says on the tin. But for those with paler skin it is advisable that you top up your moisturiser throughout the day.

There are also many lip balm's that have SPF in them. But it's very important that you check the packaging before you buy it. Quite simply if there is SPF in it, it WILL say somewhere on the product. For my lip protection I have chosen Nivea Lip Care Sun Protect SPF30, which is a lip balm especially formulated for sun protection. This is not quite as moisturising as my regular pot of Vaseline, but you can not go wrong with such a high amount of sun protection. I felt like this lip balm wore off every time I had a drink or ate something, so I would advise regular application of it after eating and drinking.

So what are you waiting for? Now that you are armed with an SPF BB cream and SPF lip balm there is no excuse not to enjoy the sun. Just remember to apply some suncream as well!

HOW TO GIVE YOUR BODY A FRESH SUMMER MAKEOVER!

Think FRESH sweet smelling and nourishing moisturisers prepping your body for the summer sun...

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E. (A beauty staple for many).

Quite simply we're spoilt for choice with moisturisers.

There's so many on the market that its hard to wittle them down and say, HEY that's the one for me!

But, I can make it a little easier for you giving you a simple guide on picking out moisturisers and show you some of my favourite moisturisers - which are guaranteed to nourish your skin and leave it smelling sickly sweet.

The simple guide to picking a body moisturiser.

1. First of all identify your skin type. Is your skin oily, combination or dry? Once you've decided wich category you fall into, it will make picking a moisturiser that little bit easier. For example I have dry skin so I tend to pick moisturisers that are lightweight but promise to nourish the skin.

2. Identify what you want the moisturiser to do. Do you want it to firm your body, tone it or soothe it from sunburn? For example if you want to soothe sunburn then you should pick a moisturiser that contains aloe vera, as it is known to be good for relieving damaged skin.

3. Don't be too influenced by what works for your friend, she may have a different skin type to you. For example I don't use products for oily or combination skin because I have never suffered with spots. So, a product for oily skin would be my skins worst nightmare, but it may work wonders for someone else!

4. Often the long established skin care brands are the best. They have developed their products over a number of years and have experience of knowing what ingredients work. Think Palmer's, Nivea and Garnier.

5. Try to establish a routine of moisturising. For example, morning and night. I for one cannot start a day properly if I have not put face moisturiser on!

6. If you buy many moisturisers and still don't feel satisfied then don't fear! There is definitely something out there for you, you just haven't found it. If you're worried about spending too much money on products which are unsatisfactory then I would recommend you do your research on what ingredients and vitamins you want for your skin. Also getting a BOOTS advantage card or Superdrug card can help as well. The more you spend = the more points you get!

My Favourite Products...

Just a few of my favourite things: (from left to right): Nivea Firming Body Lotion Q10 Plus, Bio Oil Specialist Skincare, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula.

• Palmer's Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E:  it smells fresh and really moisturises skin well. It also has Vitamin E in it (a common vitamin found in moisturisers) - great for hydrating your skin! Its just an added bonus that it also soothes marks and tones skin!

• Garnier Skin Naturals Summer Body Light Moisturising Lotion: great if you want a product that moisturises your skin and builds up a gradual tan. I have tried many of these kind of lotions over the years and have been unimpressed with the streaky tan I am left with. But if you choose a light shade then you will be more moistened subtle sun goddess than streaky bacon!

• Nivea Firming Body Lotion Q10 plus: if you're worried about your bikini body then choose a firming moisturiser like this one. It helps to FIRM problem areas, keeping skin tight (as opposed to wobbly!). It promises to firm the skin in 2 weeks. So if your looking for a quick fix solution then pick this one!

•  Bio Oil Specialist Skincare: this is a great product. I have used it for years! It won't get rid of your scars or stretchmarks but it does help to reduce the appearance of them. It contains the breakthrough ingredient PurCellin Oil - so you're bound to feel the effects! I would recommend that you use this if your skin is really dry or you have stretchmarks or an uneven skin tone.

 

Bio Oil really moisturises your skin leaving it glistening.

• EAU THERMALE Avène Thermal Water for Sensitive Skin: OK, its not a moisturiser but it is a summer essential! This is a thermal water spritzer which will help to cool you down in hot weather, leaving you feeling revitalised and fresh. If you're going somewhere hot then I would definitely recommend investing in some thermal water as its so good for that simple pick-me-up poolside. (Although this sounds foreign you can actually buy it in BOOTS!)...

TA-DA....FRESH SUMMER BODY MAKEOVER = COMPLETE!