A powder foundation with SPF50?! Sign me up!!! A Kiko Dolce Diva Powder Foundation review with comnparison swatches, wear test and a full face look.
Let’s get this out of the way: THIS IS NOT A SUNSCREEN. This is a foundation with added SPF, and same as with liquid foundations, you won’t use this as your sole SPF, because you couldn’t ever reach the SPF protection. Try using 1,5g of foundation on your face at one point – it’ll look ridiculous. Plus, if you’re now thinking “yeah, if I use half of it the I still get a UV protection of 25 – no, it doesn’t work like that. And if you’ll look ridic with 1,5g of foundation on your face I’ll bet you it will look even worse with a powder. (Look at this pic.) Remember – the compact is 9g. So, the whole thing would last you for about 8 applications if used as a sunscreen.
BUT: as a top-up option, powders are excellent.
Brand
Italian brand Kiko positions itself in that spot between drugstore and MAC price-wise. They have a few gems in their line up (see my favourites here, here and here). Note: wait for their regular sales! I’ve tried a lot of their products over the years, but never dabbled with their foundations.
Description
The special water- and sweat-resistant formula evens out the complexion with an irresistible matte finish, giving you glowing beach-proof skin! Matte-finish Wet & Dry powder foundation with SPF 50, water- and sweat-resistant.
Kiko
Claims
Funnily, the claims don’t mention the spf, but instead focus on application and finish:
Dermatologically tested.
Non-comedogenic.
Water- and sweat-resistant.
Also mentioned: buildable coverage, mattifying properties and possibility for easy touch-ups.
Skintype
I’ve tested this with different sunscreens as a base: there’re pros and cons for turning this into a more matte and more glowy finish. (More below.) But that being said, if you’ve got dry skin, you won’t be happy with this one, as the finish is dead matte. The mattest. The matte that defeats all mattes.
Sunscreen filters
The main filter is zinc oxide, with a dash of titanium dioxide thrown in. (I suspect the TO is there just as a colorant.)
Incidecoder says:
(…) while TiO2 gives a nice broad spectrum protection, Zinc Oxide has an even nicer and even broader spectrum protection. It protects against UVB, UVA II, and UVA I almost uniformly, and is considered to be the broadest range sunscreen available today.
Incidecoder
Extra features
Coconut scent. No, really! It’s COCONUT. And it screams at you. If you don’t like a strong coconut scent, stay away.
Shade range
This comes in 8 shades. This is bad enough, but when I tested it, I couldn’t see any difference between Almond and Honey. If I squint, I realise that Porcelain is a hair darker than Ivory, but I guess that I could wear both. (I opted for 01 Ivory). Also, is there really a difference between Porcelain and Light Beige?!
Thankfully, it doesn’t oxidise on me. I also find that the shades are very neutral, and don’t lean overly warm or cool.
Comparison
Fenty’s Soft Powder Foundation (review) is much more velvet-y in texture and not as matte. (Also doesn’t have an SPF.) Physicians Formula CC Powder with SPF30 (review) feels coarser and drier, and also just has an SPF30. (And only comes in two shades.)
Application
I continue what I started with Fenty’s Powder Foundation and use a setting powder UNDER it, over my chosen SPF. If I use a glowier/oilier SPF underneath, the Dolce Diva Powder Foundation actually doesn’t turn the powder’s matte finish into a glowier one – it just draws more attention to pores and fine lines. I prefer a matte finish underneath and then either use a fixing spray or a heavier dose of highlighter to make it look less mask-like.
You can easily build it up to full coverage with a kabuki – no need to use it with a wet sponge!
I like the skin feel a lot. At the end of the day, you can see it settling in fine lines around my eyes and mouth. In general, I can see myself both using it as a regular foundation that gives a boost to my SPF, AND as a top up option on days when I need some additional SPF (think city trip). The pretty compact with a large mirror is ideal for having it in your handbag.
Kiko Dolce Diva Powder Foundation review: Rating
Holy Grail
Good ✓
OK
Meh
Throw away
I really enjoy the powder foundation and like using it both as a regular foundation and as a top up for my sunscreen. Sure, there’re some issues that could be deal breakers: the super matte finish, the strong coconut scent and the limited shade range. Right now, it’s my number 1 foundation to use in the summertime. I would both recommend it and also consider repurchasing if Kiko ever releases it again in the future.
Availability & Price
Beware: limited edition! Available at Kiko online and in stores, also at Zalando and Ulta. I got mine for 16,99€, but at some locations it’s already discounted.
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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