Kiko is actually one of my favorite makeup brands. I love their huge color range and the products are not too expensive, but the quality is good. Their Limited Editions are always really pretty and sometimes look super luxurious for the price. It's my first time trying out their mascaras and I chose Kiko Extra Sculpt Volume Mascara, because it's KathleenLights' favorite drugstore mascara and because it was on sale when I was in the store. 

It comes with a black paper box. The packaging of it is shiny black plastic. It has geometric design which is a bit different from the usual. 

In it is 11 ml of product and the regular price is 8.95€. I got it on sale for 3.95€. You can buy it online here. 

It has an oddly shaped wand. The natural hair is longer at the outside corners and the shortest in the center. It makes no sense to me. I get going from shortest from the inner corners to the longest on the outer corners, but not this. However, it doesn't really affect application. It actually covers all of your lashes well. I do think that the brush is a bit too big for my liking. I prefer thinner silicon wands, which allow you to get really close to the roots of the lashes. 

Formula is definitely on the wet side and I've had it for a while and it's still not noticeably drier.

One coat gives you nice definition, a bit of volume as well as length. The second coat gives you a lot more volume as well as more length. The lashes look thicker. With the second coat you loose that definition that you got with just one coat. My lashes usually get a bit clumpy looking with these kind of wet formulas. If you have naturally good long lashes and are looking for something to add volume, this will definitely do it for you.

If I apply two coats of this mascara, my lashes drop just a bit, which happens with most mascaras. But it still holds that curl well, all through the day. It doesn't smudge on me (but than most mascaras don't) and it doesn't transfer through the day. The color is a nice regular black.

I really like the volume that this gives me, but I want just a bit more of definition. So I usually use a more defining mascara as a first coat and then go over with this one for more volume and thicker lashes.

On these bottom photos I applied it on its own to show you how thicker your lashes can look.

Kiko also has this mascara in a waterproof version for the same price.

I have to say, I'm not hating this. It's one of rare mascaras that actually gives you a nice volume to the lashes. They look thicker and longer. I only miss a bit more of definition, which my lashes tend to lack, because they can looks clumpy quickly and I don't have as many to start with. It holds well through the day, doesn't drop my curl and doesn't smudge. If you have naturally good lashes, this will look fabulous on you. Mine are a bit poorer and need more definition to look luscious and fuller.

A'Pieu is apparently a sister brand of Missha and it's one of the cheaper Korean brands. When I was looking to try out one of Korean sunscreens, I found this one as one of the most raved about as well as cheap. It has won beauty awards and had positive reviews which made me want to try it out. Plus it's also not too expensive. 

It comes in a simple white plastic tube with orange details. Well lightweight and great to travel with. They have a few creams in their Pure Block range. I chose Natural Sun Cream Daily with SPF 45.

The top is a screw on and it has small enough hole for you to control how much product you want. Because the formula of it is very light and liquid, it can start to look messy around that hole. But that happens to me with most of sunscreens anyway. Just clean it off every once in a while. 

The cream comes wrapped with a plastic wrap, so that you know it's unused. But there is no ingredients list on it, well at least not in English. So I found ingredients list here. 

It supposedly contains mild ingredients. The three main components are natural aloe vera leaf extract (moisturizing and soothing), berry blossom complex (protects from harmful environment, makes skin clear and bright) and dessert watermelon (calm and protects skin from harmful environment).

I should point out that this is a chemical sunscreen. That is also the reason why the formula is so lightweight and doesn't leave a white cast. 

It also has SPF of 45 and PA+++ protection.

It has a light white consistency that is not runny, but is quite thin for something that looks like a regular cream. Once you spread it, it becomes sheer looking, lightweight cream that absorbs into the skin really quickly. It's non sticky and dry to the touch. There is no white cast, even if you apply a thicker layer or reapply it.

The finish that it leaves on the skin is a very slight sheen. It feels sort of velvet, but is not completely matte, because it has a natural sheen. It also feels a bit moisturizing, but in no way dewy or glowy looking. It works good as a makeup base. Even my boyfriend commented how velvet it feels on the skin, like nothing, and he would know, because he absolutely hates face creams. 

The cream has strong citrus scent to it, that you smell right after you open it up. I find that the scent vanishes once it's on the skin or maybe I don't notice it anymore. But if you're sensitive to fragrance, keep that in mind. 

In the tube is 50 ml of product and I bought it for around 7€ on Ebay from this seller. To me that's a bargain for a sunscreen for the face. You can get A'Pieu in most Korean online stores like Jolse and Rose Rose Shop.

I've been using this daily in the summer months as the last step in my skin care routine. It's so lightweight, has nice velvet sheen, no white cast, is not greasy and in general feels so good on the skin. I also took it with me when I went to the pool and I reapplied it through the day several times and I didn't catch any color or sun burn. Although I would recommend this more as a daily protection, not for swimming on going on holiday, as it's not water resistant or waterproof. They do have a water proof version of this as well.

It also didn't cause me any clogged pores or irritation and I have generally sensitive skin, although it's less irritated in summer months. 

If I compare this to usual face sunscreens from drugstore brands and even some other European brands, I'd say that this is the most lightweight and non-greasy sunscreen I've ever had. But then again, I mostly bought physical sunscreens, so I can't really compare properly. If you don't mind a lovely refreshing citrus scent and are not allergic to chemical sunscreen filters than I'm sure you'll love this one. It's simple and wears like nothing, which is all I could ask from a sunscreen. 

I will be going to the seaside and am planning on getting a waterproof sunscreen for the face. I am unsure of which one to get. Maybe La Roche-Posay Anthelios, because I've already used it before. If you have any good wateproof suggestions with SPF 50, I'd love to hear about. 

Two of my favorite Essence Limited Editions have to be their Christmas or December edition as well as summer edition. This year Essence decided to go with a Cuban vibe named Cubanita, which I am very pleased about. I would actually love to visit Cuba. The vibe seems so fun and chill. Fun fact, I also understand a lot of Spanish language. I actually learnt it through watching telenovelas for years when I was in school (I still watch some here and there) and I would love to go to Spanish speaking countries. My salsa dance ain't that bad either.

Limited Edition Cubanita is giving us tropical products with tropical designs and fun colors. I really wanted to get a highlighter, because I knew it was going to be good (Essence makes one of the best drugstore highlighters) and I was also intrigued by that banana powder. We've probably all heard of Ben Nye banana powder (a crowd favorite) and now many more brands do these variations. 

Cosmetic Bag - 01 La Banana Cubana

The collection also has this cute small makeup bag. It looks kind of small, but can actually fit a good amount of products. I could fit all my daily essential touch up products in it and more. These kind of makeup bags usually end up in my bag with additional makeup products and some touch ups.

It has a canvas feel to it and it reminds me of linen, but it's more like a thick durable cotton. It has cute banana on it and the writing livin' la vida banana!

The price is 3.29€.

Baking & Banana Powder - 01 Livin' La Vida Banana

This is a soft yellow mattifying loose powder that is perfect for concealer baking or used as a banana powder to set matte highlights. 

It comes transparent plastic pot with black plastic lid and yellow writing. It has a small puff inside that is actually very soft and not too fluffy. I often times apply powders with a puff, especially in the summer, because it gives you a lot of coverage and my skin tends to produce a lot more oil in summer. 

It has a plastic layer on top and small holes through which you can shake the powder out. The puff is also nice to keep inside, because it prevents powder from spilling all over.

Powder has a very light yellow tone to it. It's finely milled and feels like nothing on the skin. It blends into skin without a trace. The texture is not too wet, but also not dry. It has a matte finish, but doesn't keep my skin matte for long time. At least not any more than usual powders, especially now in summer, when my skin gets a lot oilier. 

It's very lightweight and fine, so it doesn't look cakey on the skin. It sets makeup well and gives it a matte smooth finish.

I tried to bake with it under my eyes and it worked good. I don't usually practice baking, because it can make me look too matte and the dryness accentuates my fine lines. 

As you can see on the left photo I applied a very light concealer and on the right photo I applied a heavy amount of banana powder. The right side looks darker after the powder and it has a bit of yellow undertone to it. The powder is by no means dark, it's actually suitable for fair, light and even light to medium skin tones. On darker skin, this would probably look ashy. 

Because of the yellow tone to it, it will neutralize those purple tones under the eyes. 

I mostly just use it all over my face. I have about NC15 skin tone (although now I'm probably more NC20 with darker foundations) and the yellow tone to this powder actually turns my neutral foundations just slight bit more yellow toned, which I love. I have a lot of yellow undertone in my skin naturally and most of my foundations can look more neutral toned. 

Yellow powder could also be nice for those of you with lots of redness or pink tones that you'd like to cover. It's just a very subtle veil of yellow tint on top of other makeup products.  I need to touch it up through the day in the summer, although I feel in the winter this would stay on my skin for the whole day. 

As you can see on the photo bellow, I don't look particularly yellow, because it's a very subtle effect.

In it is 7 grams of product and it costs 3.99€.

Jumbo Highlighter - 01 Mi Corazon

Highlighter comes in a black plastic packaging with transparent plastic lid. Essence describes it as golden highlighter with intense metallic shine. They also say that it has summer-like coconut scent, buttery soft texture and that it applies very nice.

The shade 01 Mi Corazon is light gold champagne. It's that perfect light gold shade with slightly peach toned base. The shimmer in it is very small and it gives it a metallic finish. 

Texture is more on the wet side, which also means it has nice pigmentation. You don't need to scratch it off to get color payoff. 

It actually has a good staying power. I still see it on my face at the end of the day, although it sort of melts into my skin and it definitely fades. 

The scent is nice, although not coconut. It smells more like something tropical, but not fruity nor coconut like. It's very subtle and almost not that noticeable. So, if you're trying to get it only because of scent, don't.

This really is a jumbo highlighter, because it's huge. In it is 20 grams of product (which should almost last you a life time) and it costs 3.99€. 

Essence Cubanita Jumbo Highlighter vs. theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

I also compared it to theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer. If you follow me on Instagram, you've already seen the swatches and my photo saying that these are dupes and I still stand by what I said.

Dupe is different for everybody. For me dupe is something that has very similar color (because let's face it, you're not gonna find the exact same shade) and similar texture. 

They are both gold toned champagne shades. The tinniest difference is noticeable once you apply several layers as a swatch. Then you'll notice that Mary-Lou Manizer has a bit more peachy undertone, but looks a lot more metallic and is in general more pigmented with just one swipe. Cubanita is just slightly more yellow toned and can look a tad darker, if you apply several layers, but it has the same tone and is just a bit less metallic. The shine isn't as strong. 

Saying all that, once you apply both on each side, you can't really tell a difference. They both look the same on the skin. 

If you've always wanted to try theBalm Mary Lou-Manizer, but you can't because it's too expensive or you can't get a hold of it, I definitely recommend you to get this one from Essence. For the price and amount of product you really can't go wrong. Obviously Mary-Lou Manizer has even better texture, pigmentation and metallic sheen, but that's what you would expect from an expensive products.

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer has 8.5 grams of product and it costs around 20€.

Essence LE Cubanita 01 Mi Corazon Jumbo Highlighter has 20 grams of product and costs around 4€.

I also compared it to some other highlighters. As said before theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer is very similar, only more metallic and has a bit more peachy base. Essence LE Metal Glam 01 Gold Digger is my favorite Essence highlighter ever. It's even more metallic than theBalm's. It also has a very light white based gold shade. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Moonstone is also a light yellow gold shade, but it's actually darker than Metal Glam. 

Since I got all of these products for review purposes and I already bought one of the highlighter before, I now have two. So I've decided to give one away to one of you. All you have to do to enter is that you have to follow me on Instagram here and like my Essence LE Cubanita photo. Under the photo on Instagram comment which is your favorite highlighter of all time. 

The giveaway is opened to Slovenian residents only and it will end on 20th of July 2017.

Limited edition is already available in Müller.

The Cubanita Limited Edition did not disappoint. I love all the products. The bag is just cute and perfect for carrying around with you in small bag. I have these kind of makeup bags with me all the time. 

Banana powder is really nice, because it's so fine, lightweight and has that smooth finish with yellow tint to it. If you're like me and struggle to find light yellow toned foundations, you'll use this all over your face. If not, this is great for extra coverage and correcting under the eyes. 

Highlighter is the closest cheaper dupe to theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer I have ever seen and you get a huge amount. I love the champagne gold tone to it, it has nice shine, wet texture, stays on the skin well and it will last me for the rest of my life. If you like gold toned highlighters or are a highlighter freak like me, you'll want this one in your collection.

*PR products

You might have noticed a new brand in our drugstores. Actually, it's not that new anymore. It's called L.O.V. and it's a more luxury brand sister of Essence and Catrice. I haven't tried anything from them so far, but I got a few brushes to test out. The brand offers a variety of makeup products for all parts of the face and in May they also added makeup brushes to their range. They also have some Limited Edition seasonal products, although not as often as Essence and Catrice. 

I got their LIPlure Lip Brush, HIGHLYconfidential Concealer Brush and EVENelegance Foundation Brush. The names are quite fun to read. All of these come in a black boxes with gold details and a transparent plastic corner that let's you see what's inside. 

The brushes have a black handle and gold (with a hint of rose) design that is simplistic. I like it. The bristles on all brushes are black, synthetic and in general quite soft.

L.O.V. EVENelegance Foundation Brush

This is a basic straight cut buffing brush for your foundation. It's actually my favorite type of brush for foundation. I love short bristles, which are usually denser and you can really buff the foundation in or thin it out.

It reminds me a lot of Essence LE Bloom Me Up! blush brush which was my favorite for a while (and has started to fall apart). I bought a fake Zoeva 104 Buffer Rose Golden Vol.2 which also has a similar shape. But the difference with both is that these all have longer hairs and less density.

The bristles in this foundation brush are black, short and quite dense which makes it good for really buffing the foundation into the skin. By tapping it you can get a fuller coverage, but in general it's great for sheering out the coverage by really buffing it into the skin in circular motion.

It can leave stripes on your face, if you don't make sure to blend it out well. I usually buff it in and then use a tapping motion to go over those areas that can look a bit undone. 

L.O.V. HIGHLYconfidential Concealer Brush

I will say that I am not too keen on concealer brushes in general. For some reason I feel like I can blend concealer better with sponge or just my fingers under the eyes.

This one has a short round cut bristles that are a bit denser, but can still blend the product fairly well. I love to use it with cream concealers. I usually apply my Catrice Camouflage Cream in Wake Up Effect with it, because it picks up just enough of that creamy product and it sheers it out under my eyes, so I don't have a thick base under my usual concealer.

For blending out liquid concealers this can look a bit unblended. I find that the bristles move the product around, but don't actually make it blend into the skin. The bristles may be a bit too stiff for blending. I like to apply concealer with it and spread it, but I blend it in with my fingers. 

It's small enough that it fits well into smaller parts of the face like inner corners of the eyes, around the nose and such. I like that I can apply light layer of concealer in my very inner corner of the eye, which is usually dark and harder to reach with finger or sponge.

L.O.V. LIPlure Lip Brush

This brush looks pointed on that first photo. The bristles were a bit stuck together, because they were new. On the bottom photo you can see that it actually has rounded tip of the bristles. It's quite short, but just long enough to glide around the edges of the lip. The bristles are densely packed together which gives you a good coverage.

I actually love the shape of it. Usually, I've had straight cut lip brushes which were harder to apply lipstick on the actual cupid's bow. Some brushes have round tips as well, but they are too thin. This one is just wide enough for you to get a really nice rounded out edge. 

It doesn't give you full on coverage at first. You have to go over it with a brush a few times. I love the fact that you can really sheer the lipstick out with it, especially on the edges. I don't really use a lip liner with most of my lipsticks. The slightly sheered out effect on the edges of the lips, makes the application look a lot more modern and effortless. 

It costs 6.99€. 

Here you can see how my face looked like after I applied most of my products with these brushes.

I've cleaned all the brushes a few times and didn't experience any fallout of the bristles, except one that was sticking out of foundation brush. But it might just be a faulty one. In general, if you dry them upside down and make sure to not keep them on hot surfaces, all brushes should keep their bristles. Unless the glue is really crappy.

I also got this lovely promotional gift and it was L.O.V. fragrance which is sadly not for sale. It comes in a transparent glass bottle with black and red details. A good size to travel with.

It has a very soft floral scent to it and it reminds me of some perfume that I must have already smelled, but I can't figured out which one. Unfortunately, I am of no use at figuring out the notes by myself. But it's very subtle, gentle and kind of smells floral. 

To be honest, I didn't expect these brushes to be any good. For some reason I think black brush bristles are tough and scratchy. Don't ask me where I got that idea - maybe because cheaper brands had these kind of brushes a very long time ago. But these L.O.V. brushes are quite nice. I am loving foundation brush and recommend it to those that like to sheer out the coverage of thicker foundations or just want something that applies makeup really quickly. The concealer brush was a bit meh. I like it, there's nothing that much wrong with it, but I just use it more with cream concealers, as it blends those out better. For liquids I still prefer fingers or sponge. I also really liked lip brush. In my opinion it has that perfect shape that makes applying lipstick on the edges so much easier.

In Slovenia you can buy L.O.V. products in Müller. In Germany you can get products online here. 

*PR products.