Summer of Style: Kiko Milano guides us through a makeup routine starring its new multipurpose foundation

This summer, in an exclusive collaboration with Abu Dhabi Retail, Cosmo ME is embarking on a 12-week series of exciting fashion, beauty, and lifestyle events across Abu Dhabi’s best malls. Our inaugural Abu Dhabi Summer Shopping Season – Summer of Style event, at Carolina Herrera Abu Dhabi Mall, proved to be a massive success.

Next up on our Abu Dhabi Summer Shopping Season – Summer of Style series, Cosmo ME and Abu Dhabi Retail are thrilled to give you an in-depth look at all the ~glam~ that went down on July 12 at KIKO Milano Yas Mall’s beauty masterclass.

The store was already *buzzing* with energy in anticipation of the stellar beauty masterclass ahead. Its white, spotless interior is akin to a blank canvas, brought to life by the radiant and flamboyantly-packaged makeup products on the shelves. All the makeup you’ll ever need is methodically categorised into KIKO Milano’s specialised lips, eyes, and face stations.

Boldly plastered all over the store, KIKO Milano’s Full Coverage Blurring Powder Foundation (the star of today’s masterclass) took centre stage. The ingenious product’s claim to fame is its blurring, long-lasting power and its ability to withstand humidity (which, in the UAE, is a complete lifesaver).

Available in 16 shades, the foundation is made for each and every Cosmo girl. But what truly differentiates the product from other foundations, apart from its 16-hour long-lasting effect and unwavering heat resistance, is its multipurpose nature which was wonderfully demonstrated throughout the beauty masterclass.

Smartly packaged in a chic, compact black pod, the product is perfect for the girlies on the move. And to top it all off, KIKO Milano artistically customised each foundation pod to suit every Cosmo girl’s fancy at a delightful customisation station.

It would be a crime to omit the glorious KIKO x Cosmo wheel of fortune which generously offered spinners exciting makeup prizes, from free lipstick to a free makeup bag. Adorbs.

Cosmo ME‘s very own Editor-in-Chief Milli Midwood shared a few anticipatory words about the exciting beauty masterclass ahead. Our special guest and long-time Cosmo ME collaborator Hala Owais guided us along the beauty masterclass led by one of KIKO Milano’s skilled makeup artists.

KIKO Milano graciously offered its guests a step-by-step makeup routine, beauty tips and all. By the end of the makeup session, we felt equipped to achieve flawless-looking skin during the summer, especially with the Full Coverage Blurring Powder Foundation by our side.

Let’s have a look at KIKO Milano’s step-by-step makeup routine, starring its all-new full-coverage powder foundation…

Step 1: Prime

With just two pumps of the Hydra Pro Glow, the skin is primed and prepped for our concealer/foundation. This moisturising and brightening primer also contains SPF 10, just in time for the summer. Hala shared an important piece of information: SPF is buildable! So if you use SPF in your primer, concealer, and foundation, you can secure maximum heat protection.

Hydra Pro Glow, Dhs125

Step 2: Eye-cream

Next is KIKO’s Skin Trainer Eyes cream, ideal for combatting puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. The makeup artist used a small quantity and massaged it gently into the skin. Hala remarked that the product is super lightweight, so you can use it on its own for a natural brightening look. This eye cream is smoooooth like butter, so it won’t lead to cracky or cakey concealer.

Skin Trainer Eyes, Dhs109

Step 3: Conceal

The makeup artist then applied a small quantity of concealer from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eye, gently patting it into the skin with a sponge.

Protip: One shade lighter is recommended for a natural brightening effect.

Skin Tone Concealer, Dhs45

Step 4: KIKO Milano’s new powder foundation

Make way for the star of the show. KIKO’s new powder foundation is perfect for minimising your open pores, giving a soft, blurring effect. The foundation is anti-humidity and can withstand a sauna’s steam for over 3 minutes without fading. A *must* in this weather.

The makeup artist used a flat brush, specifically KIKO’s Face 05 Round Foundation Brush, for full coverage. He shared that a beauty blender is fine if you’re going for a lighter, more natural look. The before and after difference was striking: the foundation is completely full coverage.

Full Coverage Blurring Powder Foundation, Dhs105

And now for the exciting part, KIKO Milano’s makeup artist demonstrated just how multipurpose this foundation is…

Step 5: Highlight the T-zone (with the powder foundation !!)

Using a lighter shade of the Full Coverage Blurring Powder Foundation, the makeup artist brightened up the model’s T-zone to give the base some extra dimension and ~pizzazz~.

Full Coverage Blurring Powder Foundation, Dhs105

Step 6: Contour (with the powder foundation)

Yet another way to use the powder foundation. As Hala advised, make sure you push the bronzer into the hairline (right by the ear) in an upwards motion for that blurred effect. The makeup artist blended a small quantity along the model’s cheekbones using an angled brush (brush no. 10).

Full Coverage Blurring Powder Foundation, Dhs105

Step 7: Blush

The Unlimited Blush 06 (aka KIKO Milano’s best-seller) was used for rosy cheeks. Hala shared that this was the first KIKO Milano product she had ever purchased and that she absolutely loves it. It blends seamlessly into the skin and gives a very sun-kissed effect.

Unlimited Blush 06, Dhs65

Step 8: The magic trick

Ready for a beauty secret? The makeup artist lightly sprayed the Prime & Fix Refreshing Mist and tapped it into the skin using a beauty blender. Make sure you tap it immediately! This gives the skin a glowing effect before proceeding to highlight it.

The artist explained that this trick allows the foundation and/or concealer to melt right into your skin and negates any powdery feel. Make sure to shake well before use!

Prime & Fix Refreshing Mist, Dhs69

Step 9: Highlighter

It indeed is a glistening summer. The artist used the Glow Fusion Highlighting Drops in shade No. 2.

For a stronger effect, apply a bit of the Prime & Fix Refreshing Mist on the highlighter brush. And for an uber-dewy look, apply some highlighter to the chin. The trick to lifted lips, he says, is to highlight the cupid’s bow. Voila!

Glow Fusion Highlighting Drops, Dhs45

And with that, the skin is finalised. The final result is the perfect daily foundation look.

Step 10: Eyeshadow base

The artist habitually uses a tinted base to ensure that the eyeshadow pops. The base is seamless and does not crease. Hala noted that this product is perfect for the lids, way more convenient than concealer which could also turn grey sometimes.

Neutral Eye Base, Dhs49

Step 11: Sparkle up the eyes

Glitter Shower eyeshadow was applied on the lids for an extra dazzling eye look. This eyeshadow is perfect for the summer sun’s rays.

Glitter Shower Eyeshadow, Dhs86

Step 12: Eyebrow gel

The Gel Brow Designer is a subtle, natural alternative to an eyebrow pencil. The artist used a small quantity, brushing upwards and diagonally for a lived-in look with a satin finish. Hala loved this product, remarking that it and the entire makeup look is quick, easy, and multipurpose.

Eyebrow Designer Gel Mascara, Dhs59

Step 13: Mascara

KIKO’s iconic Maxi Mod Mascara is its best-seller for a reason. Its applicator is a small brush, strategically capturing all lashes from the smallest to the longest. “It gives a nice panoramic effect,” said the makeup artist. And did you know that this mascara contains castor oil which is ~super~ good for hair growth?

Maxi Mod Mascara, Dhs75

Step 14: Lipstick, lipliner & lipgloss

Using the beloved #120 shade, the makeup artist blended the lipliner all over the lips before buffing the matching matte lipstick. Hala *swears* by KIKO’s 3D Hydra Lipgloss which she says stays put and gives the matte lipstick extra dimension. The makeup artist applied the gloss with a brush to fix the lipstick in place.