After testing thousands of beauty products over a decade, beauty journalist Sarah Bradbury has found a brand she can't stop using: Kess, a Berlin-based makeup label launched in 2019 that recently arrived in the UK.
Brand philosophy: simplifying routines
Founded by Kaspar von Mellenthin, Kess aims to streamline makeup routines for busy lives with a 'no makeup, makeup' approach. Its formulas are sheer, buildable, and uncomplicated—no full-coverage or super-pigmented items. Instead, the line features lightweight, glowy balms, creams, and colour-correcting complexion products.
Kess products are multifunctional and refillable, designed to fit in a handbag without requiring multiple steps. Bronzers, blushers, highlighters, and brushes come in a modular format that can be mixed and matched into a dual-ended stick. Bradbury has used almost nothing else since discovering the brand a few weeks ago.
Top product picks
Blush & Glow Duo Stick (£35)
This dual-ended stick allows mixing and matching with Kess’ four bronzer shades, eight blush shades, two highlighters, and a brush. They click into place easily and twist up. Bradbury recommends the bright red-toned blush 'Flirt' (satin matte finish) paired with 'Champagne' highlighter (luminescent payoff). Refills are sold separately. The colours are sheer, fresh, and natural, blending in seconds without feeling heavy.
Concealer Stick SPF 20 (£25)
This all-in-one concealer covers breakouts, redness, and dark circles. Its waxy texture provides initial tackiness that conceals and stays put without sliding off or fading. The chrome twist-up stick requires only a tiny amount, blended with a finger. Bradbury, who has acne-prone skin, calls it a hard-working concealer worth the splurge.
Jelly Treat Lip Oil (£20)
Tinted lip oils are a go-to for Bradbury, and this one outperforms most. It features a wide, plush doe-foot applicator and sheer colour payoff, requiring no mirror. The high-shine finish is smooth, hydrating, and non-sticky. The shade 'Jam' is closest to her natural lip colour; other shades include clear, red, brown, and pink.
CC Cream SPF 30 (£33)
This multifunctional base product provides hydration, colour correction, and SPF 30 (though separate sunscreen is still recommended). The shade range spans very light to deep skin tones, with colour pigments that adapt to skin tone as blended. It evens skin tone for a radiant, fresh look without cakiness or settling into fine lines. Bradbury applies it with fingers and notes it never oxidises orange or clings to dry areas.
Lengthening Day Mascara (£28)
This mascara coats lashes easily, leaving them fluffy, lengthened, and defined without clumping or smudging. It held up during a heatwave without leaving raccoon eyes. Bradbury recommends it for those who prefer a lash-lift look without upkeep.
Final thoughts
Bradbury emphasises that Kess products are efficient, multi-purpose, and leave skin looking healthy and radiant with minimal effort. The brand's refillable design also reduces waste.
