Tag: Beauty Blogger

PRIMARK PS LIQUID EYESHADOWS – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 21, 2020
2 Comments on PRIMARK PS LIQUID EYESHADOWS – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m back with another Primark makeup review! They have recently launched a brand new PS makeup range featuring lots of nude shades and subtle shimmers. This includes two gorgeous liquid eyeshadows that I got my hands on in my local store so I thought I would put them to the test and let you know my thoughts… Love Primark makeup? I’ve also reviewed their popular ‘Nudes’ makeup range as well as their ‘Glow’ setting spray, go on, have a read!

Sadly, the new range only features two of these dual-ended liquid eyeshadows, which is such a shame as I personally would have bought more had there been any! The first eyeshadow includes a gold and a nude shade – a winning combo for any soft-glam makeup lovers. The second includes a metallic pink and a dusky rose matte shade. I love that the shades can be worn together or worn alone.

The tubes are split in half; one end is metallic eyeshadow and one end is just matte – both sections containing 2ml of product. Each end also has a flocked wand/doe-foot applicator. I like that they contain two products and yet take up so little space. I will definitely be taking these on holiday with me to save room! The design and the packaging is super pretty too. I love the simple gold foil effect against a white background, it makes the eyeshadows look more expensive than they are. Also, I love that they made the metallic end clear and the matte side frosted – it’s those extra details that really make an impact. There doesn’t need to be any mess involved either. The products aren’t loose and the packaging isn’t going to shatter and turn my carpet into a shimmering pool of regret. Also, these eyeshadows retail at just £3 each which is amazing.

Let’s start with the matte shade shall we? Well, oh my goodness, I was not expecting that! Firstly, the formula is a dream. I had to do a double take when I swatched it. It applied so well and it was super easy to blend and work with. Secondly, can you see that pigment?! It’s completely opaque – sorry, £3 – what?! It dried nice and quickly and once it had, it was there to stay. It actually took some effort to remove which I find reassuring. I don’t want that stuff slipping and sliding around on my lids thank you very much!

The metallic shade is truly gorgeous. I can see myself wearing this shade all the time – on nights out or just for some simple daytime glam. My only issue with it is that it takes a while to dry. If I was in a rush, I wouldn’t want to risk using this. However, if you have the time to wait for it to dry, it’s totally worth it because, I mean, look at it!

This matte pink shade is so pretty! I love wearing pink and purple so I can see myself reaching for this particular shade a lot. It was also very pigmented, completely opaque and really easy to move around and blend. Again, it dried quickly and from that point onwards, it didn’t budge until I removed it with some micellar water. I’m so tempted to apply some holographic eyeshadow topper over this, I think it would look stunning!

Let’s talk about this metallic shade. There’s no denying it’s beautiful, however, I did struggle a little bit with getting it to form a decent layer. When I tried to blend it out it did get a bit patchy. It took some layering to get it where I wanted it. That being said, once I put a little more effort in and took the time to work with it, it looked beautiful. I would definitely wear this shade on a regular basis, especially paired with the matte shade too – what a combo!

So, whats the verdict?

In terms of what I didn’t like, other than a slight struggle with the pink metallic eyeshadow formula, there’s nothing to complain about. It wasn’t as if that was an issue I couldn’t resolve, I just spent a little bit more time applying it and it turned out fine. I would definitely recommend using an eyeshadow primer as a base just to give the product something to stick to.

In terms of what I loved, the matte formula particularly blew me away. I cannot get over how pigmented it is and how easy it is to work with. Although I had a tiny bit of an issue with the formula, both of the metallic shades are really good. When applied correctly, they look lovely. I will definitely be using the gold shade all the time, it’s just so me. Given that Primark didn’t even sell makeup at one point, they’ve come such a long way with their beauty products. I’m extremely impressed with these eyeshadows. The fact that they retail at only £3 each is incredible! The wands make it easy to apply to product, without faffing and having to use lots of different brushes and tools. The shade range is currently pretty poor, but fingers crossed, they’ll bring some more! I really recommend giving them a try, for £3 a pop, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

What do you think of these liquid eyeshadows? Be sure to let me know in the comments and don’t forget to follow me on my socials!

N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blogger, Blogging, eyeshadow, Haul, Liquid Eyeshadow, Makeup, matte, Metallic, Photography, Photos, Primark, PS, Review

2019 BEAUTY BLOGMAS GLOSSYBOX

GLOSSYBOX DECEMBER 2019: MERRY METALLICS – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 13, 2019
No Comments on GLOSSYBOX DECEMBER 2019: MERRY METALLICS – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 13! It’s already time (where does the time go, seriously?!) for another Glossybox review! Today we’re going to be looking at their December edit; Merry Metallics. Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Glossybox actually is, how much it costs and all that jazz below! If you already know all of this, feel free to carry on scrolling.

*This post contains affiliate links

About Glossybox:

Glossybox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beautifully wrapped boxes containing 5 surprise beauty products. Every box will feature brand new products as well as some cult favourites. Glossybox is fantastic for being able to discover and find out more about new brand and products. There are also lots of benefits from being a member of the Glossyboz community. For example, by participating in suverys and referring friends, subscribers can earn GLOSSYCREDITS to spend on beauty treats. The Glossybox monthly subscription plans start from £10 and there are 3, 6 and 12 month options to choose from. You can create and edit your beauty profile to ensure that you receive products that are best suited to your skin/hair type and perosnal preferences. The boxes are beautifully packagaed, it’s genuinely like receieving a present in the post.

Sign up to Glossybox here (affiliate link)

This month’s theme is focused on adding some glitz and glamour to our beauty routine during the festive season. We’ve been treated to five full-size goodies to keep our skin glowing throughout Winter (which is much needed during dark and dreary December here in the UK). When this box arrived, I felt like I was opening a Christmas present and that was before I’d even looked inside! Although for most people December is about giving, sometimes we need a reminder to look after ourselves too! With this month’s Glossybox treats, some more “me time” is certainly achievable! Whether you have a Christmas party to go to or you just like adding some sparkle to your complexion, these five beauty products will keep you ravishingly radiant.

Lasplash Cosmetics – Golden Gatsby 3D Faux Mink Lashes – RRP £9.75

I was thrilled to find a pair of falsies as gorgeous as the Golden Gatsby 3D Faux Mink Lashes from Lasplash inside my December box. Inspired by the glitz and the glamour of the 1920s, these lashes are designed to add an instant hit of volume and definition. They feature a two-tone effect which will provide you with the bold statement look that your inner flapper girl deserves this Christmas. They’re also cruelty-free! I absolutely adore the packaging, they would make for some pretty little stocking fillers for the lash lovers in your life! I’d never heard of this brand before but upon doing some research, I noticed that they are stocked on Beauty Bay!

Steve Laurant – Loose Glittery Powder – RRP £14.60

The Loose Glittery Power from Steve Laurant in the shade “Rose Gold” immediately caught my eye. This is a multi-purpose powder that can be used as eyeshadow, eyeliner or as an iridescent highlight! It’s extremely pigmented and yet it’s so easy to blend and work with. Also I love the fact that you can control how much product comes out – nobody wants a glitter spillage right before they need to leave the house! The packaging looks so luxurious and sleek, I’m very impressed.

Bellapierre – Liquid Shadow Eye Candy in “Venus“- RRP £20

I absolutely adore liquid eyeshadows, in fact I’ve written a review all about some of my favourites here if you’re in need of some recommendations! The Bellapierre Liquid Shadow Eye Candy is blooming gorgeous. I absolutely love that you can create the perfect dazzling eye makeup look in one swipe! It’s special formula means that the product sets almost immediately so there’s no drips or smears. It’s also guaranteed to be crease and smudge-free, which I can actually vouch for! This stuff stays in place all day and night.

L.O.V Cosmetics – The Fateful Lacquered Lip Stain – RRP £7.99

I believe that 5 different shades of this lip stain were sent out to the Glossies, however I’m actually pretty chuffed with the shade that I got! I received The Fateful Lacquered Lip Stain in the shade “710 Elusiv Endurance” from L.O.V Cosmetics in my December box. To my surprise, this isn’t a matte product! I actually prefer this as I find matte lip products can be too drying at this time of year. It’s still able to provide maximum durability and high coverage but with high-shine instead! It doesn’t smudge either, which I’m so happy about! The formula feels amazing, it’s like liquid velvet. I’ve also noticed a plumping effect, which I love as it makes my lips look so hydrated and full!

Original Source – Sweet Rhubarb & Raspberry Shower Gel – RRP £2.30

I have a lot of love for Original Source, so I was very excited to see their Sweet Rhubarb & Raspberry shower gel inside this month’s box! First of all, this stuff is packed with essential oils to keep our skin glowing throughout December. Secondly, it’s made using 100% renewable energy and the bottle itself is recyclable! Finally, it’s paraben-free and vegan! What a powerhouse of a product! It smells absolutely incredible, like crumble to be exact. I can’t get enough of this stuff, I will absolutely be repurchasing!

I’m really happy with the December box! First of all, se received five full-size products, all of which are perfect for bringing some sparkle into the festive season. The total value of the products together, is £54.64, which although roughly £30 less than last month, is still fantastic value! There wasn’t a single product that I disliked in this box, I know that I will use everything and go on to repurchase some products too! This month really felt like a Christmas gift to the subscribers! Are you subscribed to Glossybox or any other beauty boxes? Let me know in the comments!

Sign up to Glossybox here (affiliate link)

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, Beauty Subscription, BLOGMAS, Glossybox, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare

BEAUTY HAIR

MY CURRENT FAVOURITE HAIR PRODUCTS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date October 11, 2019
1 Comment on MY CURRENT FAVOURITE HAIR PRODUCTS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Today’s post is all about hair products. I have to admit, up until halfway through university I pretty much ignored the whole haircare thing. Obviously, I washed it regularly and occasionally spritzed it with heat protectant when I remembered. Other than that, I barely knew anything about how to look after it properly and I very rarely invested in new hair products. One afternoon I was doing my usual lap of my local TK Maxx when I realised that they weren’t just selling shampoos and conditioner. There were hundreds of serums, masks, sprays and treatments too! I grabbed a few bits to get me started and since then, I’ve never looked back!

I thought it would be a nice idea to share my current favourite hair products with you! As usual, if you have any suggestions, go ahead and tell me in the comments – I love hearing about your favourites too! I’ve also written a post about some of my favourite face masks – check that out too!

*This post contains gifted products and affiliate links

Herbal Essences – Daily Detox Conditioners

I usually try be as sensible as possible with shampoo and conditioner and go for products that actually work and don’t just smell good . These do both! They smell absolutely incredible and they keep my hair really healthy. The Crimson Orange & Mint conditioner works on making your hair look fuller whilst the Golden Raspberry & Mint conditioner works on giving your hair a deep cleanse. I also use the shampoos in the range too and my hair has never looked or felt better!

Lee Stafford – Cactus Crush MUCHo Moisture Mask*

I love a hair mask but this has got to be one of the best that I’ve tried. The Lee Stafford MUCHo Moisture Mask provides “instant and long lasting hydration to quench hair’s thirst”. I like to curl and straighten my hair a lot which means the ends of my hair can often feel quite dry. This mask has not only helped my split ends but it has made all of my hair look glossy and healthy again! It’s the perfect mask for anyone that wants to give their hair the moisture boost that it needs.

Schwarzkopf – Gliss Shine Tonic

The Schwarzkopf Shine Tonic has been one of my favourite hair products for a couple of years now. It’s basically a spray that adds a shimmering shine to your hair in just one spritz. I like to use it right after I’ve straightened my hair to give it a sleek and shiny finish. It literally completes the look for me. I don’t go anywhere without this stuff! Also, it smells amazing too.

Pantene: Repair and Protect

The Panetene Repair and Protect Dry Oil was something I discovered earlier this year. I’d heard a bit about hair oils before, but I just couldn’t shake the whole greasy strands thing from my mind (thanks but no thanks). That was certainly enough to put me off for a while. However, after I’d done some research, I realised that some oils don’t actually leave any residue. I decided to invest in this little bottle of goodness and I’m so glad I did! I apply three pumps of oil to the middle of my hair down to my roots. It dries without a trace! No stickiness whatsoever! My hair looks so much healthier which is absolutely down to this stuff.

Lee Stafford – Cactus Crush THirsty SPRay

The Lee Stafford THirsty SPRay has been a real saviour for my hair. As I’ve mentioned, I use a lot of heated tools so I’m always looking for products to keep the ends of my hair hydrated. This spray contains cactus, wild lime and kalahari melon oil to give hair a moisture boost and that, it absolutely does! My hair no longer looks dehydrated thanks to this stuff. It made for the perfect holiday companion after my hair had been exposed to a lot of chlorine and sunshine. It’s also really lightweight and can be applied to wet hair – no oiliness. It also smells absolutely flipping delicious. You know those products that you can still smell hours later? This is one of those!

What are your favourite hair products? Let me know in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, Favourites, Hair, Hair Products, Haircare, Photography, Photos, Review

BEAUTY MAKEUP

TESTING PRIMARK’S – ‘HYDRATE’ SETTING SPRAY

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date June 6, 2019
No Comments on TESTING PRIMARK’S – ‘HYDRATE’ SETTING SPRAY

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! My review; “Testing Primark’s “Glow’ Setting Spray” has quickly become one of my most popular blog posts and so I figured I’d give the people what they want! Today, I’m going to be sharing my thoughts on their Hydrate setting spray. I’ve also reviewed their ‘Nudes‘ makeup range if you’re interested in seeing how their makeup performs too…

Since I put the Primark Glow spray to the test, I am a setting spray convert. I never used to believe in them, I thought they were more of a gimmick than anything else. Since then, I haven’t gone a day (when I’m wearing makeup) without giving my mug a spritz. In this new range, there’s three sprays to choose from; glow, hydrate and matte. This time, we’re giving Hydrate a closer look!

According to Primark, Hydrate is a setting spray infused with Rose Water, Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera. I don’t have dry skin so I wouldn’t say I need a really intense hydrating setting spray in my life, but then again, I cannot stand when my makeup goes cakey or looks dull. This spray sounds like the perfect combination – it’s not too much, it’s just enough. It claims to hold your makeup in place, whilst leaving your skin looking refreshed and hydrated. It retails at £4 for a 110ml bottle, which is amazing value. Unlike when I use some high-end setting sprays, I won’t have to worry about using it on a daily basis, as it’s not expensive to repurchase and replace. Again, the packaging is really simple, this time the bottle is an aqua green. It’s not glitz and glam but I mean, it was only £4. It’s still serving me some NARS vibes with that font though.

So, what do I think? I LOVE it! Firstly, it dries pretty quickly and my skin doesn’t feel sticky or look too shiny. My makeup looks so much more fresh and flawless because I think it absorbs any excess powder and gives my face the hydration that it needs. It smells so good too! It smells like sugar and sweets which is a lot nicer than those sprays that smell like chemicals. A little goes a long way as a lot of product is released with each pump. You definitely won’t need heaps and heaps which makes it perfect for those mornings where you need to spritz and sprint! Also, this is the perfect spray for those days where the weather is particularly drying. If I have to brace the cold winds outside, I always make sure I have this spray on me to give myself a pick me up once I’m back inside! I reckon it will also be extremely refreshing on a really hot day too, especially if you’re feeling all clammy and flustered (we’ve all been there don’t judge). I’m so glad that I picked this spray up because it’s just amazing. I’m going to have to stock up on it before it gets discontinued (please god no) or people read this and go and buy it all…

I can no longer justify spending nearly £20 on a bottle of setting spray when this one, priced at only £4, ticks every box for me. If I didn’t know where it was from, I’d have guessed a high-end brand, never Primark! I’m so impressed with it. It’s totally worth giving it a try and if it’s not for you, don’t forget there’s also two other sprays in the range; glow and matte. If you’d like me to review the matte spray, let me know and I’ll test it out! What do you think of setting sprays? Do you have any favourites? Have you tried Primark’s new range? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blog, blogger, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Primark, Primark Beauty, PS, Review, Setting Spray, urban decay

BEAUTY MAKEUP

TESTING PRIMARK’S – ‘GLOW’ SETTING SPRAY

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 12, 2019
8 Comments on TESTING PRIMARK’S – ‘GLOW’ SETTING SPRAY

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I decided to treat myself to a mooch around my local Primark as it had been far too long and I was beginning to get withdrawal symptoms. Of course, I was met with fast fashion and the latest beauty trends at unbelievable prices, ah the wonderfully worrying world of “How did they produce this that quickly?” and “Why is everything so cheap?”. There’s nothing quite like it. Speaking of Primark Beauty, if you haven’t already read it, I reviewed their ‘Nudes’ makeup range a while ago, and people still seem to be enjoying it! Give it a read if you want to find out a bit more about Primark’s makeup – who knows, you might even need a new setting spray to keep it all in place…

Whilst rummaging through what was left of the makeup section following an arrival of several heavily made up little girls (I’m not sure how to feel about this, given their makeup looked better than I could ever aspire mine to be… SOS) I stumbled across a new range of prepping and setting sprays. I’ve always been a sceptic when it comes to these. They’ve always been raved about in the beauty community, Urban Decay’s “All-Nighter”, being one of the best (and most expensive) sellers. I was never sure if they were worth investing in so, I decided to take the plunge! There were a few to choose from, Matte, Hydrate and finally, the one I chose, Glow.

According to Primark, Glow is a setting spray, infused with Vitamin B5, illuminating pearls and Aloe Vera. I liked the sound of this because I tend to go for a dewy look, I’m not a matte kind of girl and this seemed to tick all of the boxes. Not only does it claim to hold makeup in place, but it leaves your skin looking fresh with a healthy and radiant glow. It retails at £4 for a 110ml bottle, which I think is incredible value! If this turns out to work as well as some of those high-end setting sprays on the market, I think Primark are onto something. Also, I wouldn’t have to worry about using it every day, as it’s cheap to replace and purchase on a regular basis. I actually really like the packaging too, it’s nothing out of the ordinary but for £4, I wasn’t expecting it to be made of gold either. I’m getting some NARS vibes with that font too- anyone else?

So, how well does it work? I swatched some eyeshadow on my hand and then gave it a spritz of Glow. Firstly, I noticed that it did take a while to dry – roughly two-three minutes and that’s with lots of wafting, fanning and blowing too. Once it had dried, it felt quite tacky on the skin which had me worried at first but after a while it felt smooth and almost like it wasn’t there at all. I tried to smudge my eyeshadow but it was going absolutely nowhere. The tiniest bit of product shifted but 99% of it remained exactly where I had put it. It also has a fresh and pleasant scent, I was kind of expecting to be knocked out by chemicals! Nobody wants to leave the house smelling like a scientific experiment so it’s nice that they’ve paid attention to this detail.

In all honesty, I wasn’t expecting it to be that good, and I have to admit, it’s giving the likes of Urban Decay a run for their money. I cannot recommend this setting spray enough, for the price, the look and the quality – it’s absolutely worth trying out. Don’t forget, if Glow doesn’t sound appealing to you, there’s two other sprays in the range. If you’d like me to review the others, let me know and I’ll test them out! What do you think of setting sprays? Do you have any favourites? Have you tried Primark’s new range? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blog, blogger, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Primark, Primark Beauty, PS, Review, Setting Spray, urban decay

BEAUTY MAKEUP

MAKEUP REVOLUTION: FOREVER FLAWLESS OPTIMUM PALETTE REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 5, 2019
4 Comments on MAKEUP REVOLUTION: FOREVER FLAWLESS OPTIMUM PALETTE REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Today, I’m reviewing one of the latest additions to the Makeup Revolution family. The Forever Flawless range was released a few weeks ago and I’ve been putting the palettes too the test ever since. I thought I would review the one that caught my eye first; The Optimum Palette! As usual, I’ve included lots of photos and swatches to help you make your mind up – be sure to let me know what you think in the comments!

*This post contains affiliate links

PACKAGING & PRICE

I was immediately impressed with this packaging. It’s different from their usual style, this time made from tin, it feels more sturdy and luxurious than some of their other palettes. I’m a huge fan of all things marble so the palette’s exterior had me ready to purchase before I even know what was inside. I also love the rose gold raised font too, it looks so classy! How much is it? The Optimum Palette retails at £10 which is a bargain and a half for 18 eyeshadows. Where can you buy it? You can get hold of the Optimum Palette from Makeup Revolution’s website itself or through Superdrug (which does student discount and has a point system too)

WHAT’S INSIDE?

As you can see, Makeup Revolution have been generous with just about everything in this palette, there’s 18 shades: 10 shimmers and 8 mattes, as well as a generously sized mirror. Can we also appreciate that each shade is individually named INSIDE the palette, with no flimsy plastic sheet in sight! It makes life so much easier when writing reviews and recommending shades to people. In terms of the colour scheme, is anyone else getting some strong ABH Subculture vibes? I just love the rusty, retro look, I feel like it’s almost mid-century modern with the occasional pop of bright colour too – right up my street!

1ST ROW SWATCHES

Peak – Champagne shimmer – This is perhaps the shade that I use the most. It is the PERFECT inner corner highlight and it also looks stunning under the brows too. It’s really pigmented and looks even brighter when applied wet.

Warrior – Grey shimmer with khaki undertones – This is such an unusual shade, I can’t quite work out whether or not its more grey or more green. However, the combination is so unique! I love using this on the outer corners, paired with some other brighter silver shades. Again, it’s really pigmented and feels very smooth and buttery.

Perfect – Matte light beige – I love using this as a transition shade along with some other neutral or earthy toned shadows. It’s great for creating the base for smokey a smokey eye look too. It’s pigmented and applies really well.

Parallel – Lilac shimmer – This shade really caught my eye amongst the other shadows in the palette. It’s so bright and sparkly! I love using this with some pinks and burgundy shadows – it works really well with some shades from the Urban Decay Naked Cherry Palette (I’ve reviewed that here).

Flawless – Medium warm-toned matte brown – It swatched ever so slightly patchy and on the eye it doesn’t look as dark as it does in the pan, however, it’s easy to build up if necessary.

Mineral – Gold/grey shimmer – This is another shade that is just so unique. It’s a combination of gold and grey but I also think there’s a tiny bit of green in there too. It’s buttery and soft, just like the other shimmers in the palette.

2ND ROW SWATCHES

Prime – Matte light beige – This shade is very similar to “Perfect” in the first row. I can’t help but feel like it could have featured a totally different shade instead, so that we wouldn’t have an almost duplicate shade. However, it’s equally as buildable, pigmented, smooth and buttery to apply.

Fighter – Deep matte turquoise – I was excited for this shade until I swatched it. The colour payoff is disappointing, it’s patchy and it also stains too. I doubt I will be using this shade that much, unless it’s along the lower lash line.

Advantage – – I’m still not over how pigmented this shade is. I use this all the time, as I love creating warm-toned looks. It’s just one of those shades that makes you say “wow” every single time you use it. It’s so silky smooth and buttery too.

Greatest – Blue/green shimmer – It looks more green in the pan than it does on the eye however, I like this shade a lot. I don’t usually go for blues but this is just so pretty. Its pigmentation is very impressive, it’s another one of those buttery smooth shimmers that Makeup Revolution have absolutely smashed.

Outstanding – Silver shimmer – Ironically, the name isn’t fitting for this shade. I find that it has quite a chalky/powdery consistency which can make it quite hard to apply and sometimes it can look patchy. It’s stunning when it’s on, it’s just I wish it was easier to get it on my lid! Other than that, I really like this shade, I don’t own anything quite like it either. It’s quite fun to pop in the inner corners too.

Onyx – Matte black – This is the one shade that I am the most disappointed with in the palette. The colour payoff just isn’t there and it’s very patchy. I’ve found some use for it by building it up to create a smokey look but it takes a bit of time to do that. If it was more pigmented, it would be a great shade. It’s always useful to have a matte black shade in a palette but only if they’re done right.

3RD ROW SWATCHES

Choice – Rose/copper shimmer – I absolutely love this shade. It’s stunning! It’s pigmented, easy to apply and looks even better when applied wet. I love applying it with “Peak” for a strawberries ands cream style look – I literally can’t stop using it. I also like using it with my Urban Decay Naked Cherry palette as it goes really well with some of the matte pinks.

Own – Plum purple/red – This shade is super pretty. It can be a bit chalky in consistency but once applied it can blend out beautifully. It looks stunning paired with “Choice”. I’ve always liked shades like this, I think they bring out the green in my eyes more than other colours do.

Energy – Dark gold shimmer – This is your classic gold, that you probably already own, but will always need more of. I use shades like this all the time, it goes with so many other colours and always makes a boring look turn into something glam and sparkly. Again, this is a really pigmented shade, it’s buttery and smooth and also when applied wet, stands out even more.

Capital – Matte orange/terracotta brown – I use these terracotta type shades all the time. They’re my go to for putting in the crease so I know I’ll get plenty of use out of “Capital” all year round. It also works beautifully with some of the shimmers shades in the palette like; “Energy” and “Advantage”. It’s very smooth and easy to blend out too.

Maximum – Deep matte navy – I’ve found I has a lot of build-up in the pan and it can look quite patchy on so it needs a few applications to make I opaque. I’m not too sure if I will use this shade all that much. If it was more pigmented, I’d be using it a lot more.

Unmatched – Brown shimmer with red/pink shift – I never usually use brown shimmers, I’m more of a champagne or gold kind of girl but “Unmatched” has actually been a shade that I’m using a lot. I like using it in my outer corners and along the lower lash line. It’s creamy and buttery and looks beautiful on its own as well as when applied wet.

WHAT DO I THINK?

For £10, I think we’re onto a bargain here folks. You can often get Makeup Revolution products on offer at Superdrug too – not forgetting the points system or the student discount! If you’re into rusty tones and bold shimmers, this is a palette that will fit very well in your makeup collection. I have to say that the formula of the shimmer shades is incredible. Every single shimmer is buttery, creamy and pigmented! They easily give high-end brands a run for their money. I love the colour scheme, it’s quirky and different from your usual gold/brown/neutrals palettes. I like that there’s something for everyone: those that want to play it safe and those that want to be bold and try something new. The packaging is lovely too, it feels much higher quality than the usual plastic that you find in the drugstore. Thanks to the generously sized mirror, it’s super easy to travel with and although sturdy, the palette feels lightweight and easy to carry around.

The one thing that I’m not so impressed with is the formula of the matte shades. It seems to be quite hit and miss, some are perfect and some are chalky and patchy. I’m not sure why that’s the case but then again, this is a drugstore brand and the palette itself is fairly cheap so I can’t expect unbelievable results every time. That being said, only a few of the matte shades are like that, the rest are fine, plus those that are patchy or chalky, can still be worn but it takes patience to build them up and apply them.

Get the Makeup Revolution Forever Flawless Optimum Palette

Let me know what you think of this palette in the comments! Don’t forget to follow my socials – come and say hey!

N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blogger, eyeshadow, Makeup, Makeup Revolution, Photography, Photos, Review, Swatches

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX FEBRUARY 2019: LET LOVE GROW – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 15, 2019
3 Comments on BIRCHBOX FEBRUARY 2019: LET LOVE GROW – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well and that you had a lovely Valentine’s Day, no natter who you spent it with or what you did! I explored a lovely little town called Matlock with dad yesterday. We sat and watched the world go by whilst sharing a huge slab of white chocolate and raspberry cake. Anyway, it’s time for another Birchbox review and I’m really excited for this one! This month, we received some amazing products and I can’t wait to tell you about them! Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much is costs and all that jazz below!

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or contracts. In fact, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month plus £2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is so great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for a long time now and I stil look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve received because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the boxes to store makeup in too as they’re too pretty to throw away! If you want to try Birchbox for yourself, click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box!

This month’s box is all about celebrating love, which makes sense because after all, it’s February and that means Valentine’s Day is upon us once again! Birchbox have collaborated with the gifting gods from notonthehighstreet to remind us all about acts of thoughtfulness and kindness. I think it’s a lovely idea, especially as lots of us are feeling a bit down in the dumps after the January blues and could definitely do with a pick-me-up. Let’s see what’s included shall we? RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

LOC – Liquid Shimmer Shadow in Eclipse – RRP £8 (Full Size & Birchbox Exclusive)

If you’ve read my recent post about my latest makeup obsession, then you’ll know how much I love liquid eyeshadows. Powder formulas can get a bit boring so it’s nice to just sweep some shimmer onto my lid and be able to leave the house within five minutes – no blending necessary. It’s described to add a “subtle hint of colour” but I certainly wouldn’t call it subtle…as you can see from the swatch, she is PIGMENTED. I was expecting a sheer formula, perhaps something that needs building but this is on another level. I’m not complaining though, it just may disappoint those of you that were hoping for something more natural looking. It’s really smooth and buttery, making is easy to apply and shift around the lid until it looks exactly how I want it to. It dries pretty quickly and when it does, it’s going nowhere fast! Ten hours after application, it still hadn’t budged and it only came off with makeup remover.

Anatomicals – Shower Gel – RRP £4 (Full Size & Birchbox Exclusive)

This smells absolutely amazing! I already have a lot of love for Anatomicals. I’m a huge fan of their packaging too, I love how vibrant and eye-catching it all is, plus they know how to make puns like it’s nobody’s business. It’s like they’re a conveyor belt of beauty related humour and I love it! It makes a change from the boring packaging we see everywhere else, right?

Coco & Eve – Like A Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque – RPP £9 (Full Size)

I spend so much time thinking about skincare and makeup that I forget to about my hair! Given that I love to fry it with straighteners on a regular basis and I’m guilty of forgetting heat protectant on a few occasions, I should probably change this! When I’m straightening my hair, I’m usually in a rush to get out of the house so I don’t have time to faff about with sprays and creams. The idea of a hair mask sounds so appealing – you can even be doing something else whilst it’s on. For example, when you have those heavy duty baths/showers, where you have to wash your hair, shave and exfoliate (if you know, you know), you could apply this mask, leave it for 5-10 minutes whilst you’re faffing around with everything else! Meanwhile, the mask is repairing damage, improving texture and shine, deeply hydrating AND sealing split ends – one heck of a multi-tasker!

Luxie – 205 Tapered Blending Dreamcatcher – RRP £11 (Full Size)

Since I started wearing makeup, I’ve learnt that the key to flawless eyeshadow is blending. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have the right brushes for this though and the Luxie Tapered Blending brush is perfect for the job! It’s so soft and fluffy, great for creating seamless eyeshadow looks. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free and hypoallergenic. With brushes like this, it barely takes any effort to get the look you want.

Joliderm – Nose Patch – RRP £13.90 (Birchbox Exclusive)

Patches are some of my favourite skincare must-haves! I always have some in to target blocked pores, blackheads and impurities. Apparently these strips only take 10-15 minutes and then you’re able to “wave goodbye” to all the bad stuff immediately. However, I tried this patch last night and I just didn’t notice any difference, at all. I also noticed how expensive they were too. Had it been a great product, I might have repurchased them but I definitely won’t be. I’ve found cheaper alternative that are much more effective!

I’m really impressed with this month’s box. We received four full size products when typically it’s only one or two. There was such a variety, we had makeup, skincare, haircare and an beauty tool too! Although I was disappointed by one of the products, I’m okay with that. When you subscribe to something like Birchbox, you have to be prepared to receive something you might not like at some point and I guess that’s what happened here! I know that I will use everything else though, especially the makeup and the blending brush. Altogether, the products inside the February box are worth roughly £45, which is less than usual but still good value. The subscription itself costs only £12.95 per month! Are you subscribed to Birchbox or any other beaut boxes? Let me know in the comments. Check out last month’s Birchbox review!

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box! (affiliate link)

N xxxx

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Tags 2019, BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, BIRCHBOX, February, Haircare, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare

BEAUTY MAKEUP

GLISTEN UP! MAKEUP REVOLUTION – EYE GLISTEN: FOIL & GLITTER LIQUID EYESHADOWS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 1, 2019
12 Comments on GLISTEN UP! MAKEUP REVOLUTION – EYE GLISTEN: FOIL & GLITTER LIQUID EYESHADOWS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! The Gods from Revolution have blessed us once again with some amazing new products. This time, we’re delving into the wonderful world of liquid eyeshadows with their latest release, the Eye Glisten range. I pretty much turn into Gollum when anything glittery comes my way so there was absolutely no chance that I was going to be able to resist these. Grab a cuppa and apologise in advance to your bank account – especially if, like me, you love anything pretty and shiny. Like always, I’ve included links, photos and swatches!

All links in this post are affiliate links.

The Eye Glisten range includes five, dual-ended liquid and foil eyeshadows. One end features a metallic shimmer and the other a glitter gel (I know, I’m drooling too) and they retail at £6 each. The shadows can be found on Beauty Bay, Revolution’s website or in Superdrug stores now!

Makeup Revolution Eye Glisten: Foil & Liquid Eyeshadows Review, Swatches & Photos

The tubes are travel-friendly in size, each containing 2.2ml of product. The flocked wands allow for smooth and easy application – no mess and no faffing around with brushes and tools. I’m all for using glitter but I hate having to use a small army of other products to help it stay put. With these, you get two products in one tube and two applicators – space-saving and practical! Does anyone else overpack when it comes to makeup and going on holiday? I’m absolutely awful for it! “Oh but I might end up needing that neon pink shade” “I simply have to bring that palette because it has a gold in it” and before I know it, my whole makeup collection is in my suitcase. Now, I reckon I could get away with packing a few of these instead!

Look how neat and tidy it is! The wands make it a quick, easy and mess-free experience!.The last thing I want is my hands, face and dressing table looking like something that’s supposed to be hanging above a dance floor. It makes the whole process much more appealing when you don’t have to worry about cleaning up the aftermath. It also means that we can be precise when applying the product. The trouble with loose glitter is that within a few minutes, I’ve either put too much on or it’s gone down my bra. It will be so much easier to control with a wand (if only it were the kind from Diagon Alley), so I can layer the product it gradually and build it up at my own pace!

From Top to Bottom: Adored by You, It’s Fate, Yours Truly, Dreamland & Desired

Here we have the glitters and nope I can’t handle it either. They are gorgeous! I think the colour selection is fantastic, there’s a bit of everything and I think the shades will work on everyone. They can be layered with other eyeshadows or applied along the lash line to create the perfect glitter liner! Imagine what could be created with these during the festival period! The texture is a little bit difficult to manoeuvre – imagine glitter glue but a tiny bit more stubborn and clumpy. They may take a bit of work to get them how you’d like them to look but it’s totally worth it!

Now onto my favourite part. Can we just take a minute to appreciate these beauties? Look how stunning they are! I absolutely love some shimmer on the lid but there aren’t many (good) liquid eyeshadows that don’t require a small loan to purchase. I think my prayers have been answered with these twinkling tubes and finally, I can blink and blind the world as often as I like. The texture of all of the shimmer shadows is smooth and velvety and they dry after a minute or so.

Desired– Red Copper Glitter & Red Copper Shimmer – I didn’t expect the glitter to be this rich in colour at all. It’s so bright and vibrant, it’ll look stunning on any skin tone. The liquid shadow is mind-glowingly pigmented, I still haven’t recovered to be honest. I think this will look beautiful when used with the Naked Heat palette, don’t you think? It would’ve been the perfect festive combination too! A dab of these two along with a forest green and BAM you’ve got Lapland on your lids.

Adored by You – Iridescent Pink Glitter & Frosted Rose Gold Pink Shimmer – Calling all baby pink fans, glisten up, your time to shine has come. The glitter is a lot less chunky than Desired, so it took a little less work to move it around. I tried to capture half and half – what it looks like in the light and what it looks like normally. You can see how beautifully it reflects the light – I’m getting some strong unicorn vibes people. The shimmer is stunning. It’s pigmented, buttery and easy to blend. I can’t wait to use this with some pink shadows! I’m thinking Modern Renaissance…

Dreamland – Yellow Gold Glitter & Deep Gold Shimmer – WOW. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes when I swatched this. What in the name of glistening goddesses did we do to deserve such a product? I’m totally obsessed with Dreamland. The glitter is gorgeous and it looks stunning along the lash line and in the inner corners of the lid. Again, it reflects the light beautifully and it will make you feel like a queen. The shimmer is something else. It’s more pigmented than some of the palettes I’ve paid £45 for, which hurts a little to admit but credit where credits due! 11/10! It came in the post yesterday morning and I’ve already been stopped and asked about it three times. It’s one of those products.

It’s Fate – Cool Gold Glitter & Champagne Gold Shimmer – I’m so glad that they included a cooler gold in the collection. Sometimes I’m not in the mood for a bright yellow gold on my lids, so It’s Fate makes for the perfect alternative. The Glitter is a bit stubborn to shift, which is a shame as it’s such a beautiful colour. The shimmer is perfect, I cannot wait to wear it with some neutral mattes as an every day look!

Yours Truly – Muted Pink Glitter and Rose Gold Shimmer – I love anything pink and shimmer but rose gold always steals the show. For those of us that couldn’t rob a bank in time to buy the Huda Nude palette, look no further – we can get our hands on a pink glitter and shimmer for £6 a pop! I can see myself using this a lot during Spring, as I seem to be drawn towards all things floral and delicate at that time of year. The glitter was less chunky than some of the others and I was able to get it to a semi-opaque layer on my lid without it looking really patchy. The shimmer is another masterpiece and I have nothing to complain about here! Smooth, pigmented and pretty – what more could I want?

So, what’s the verdict?

In terms of what I didn’t like, there’s barely anything to say. The only thing I think could be improved, is the texture of the glitter. It’s literally like glitter glue and like I mentioned before, it can be quite stubborn to move around. It can also clump quite easily which makes it difficult to apply smoothly. If it were slightly more fluid in formula but still had the same wow-factor to it, I think it would be perfect. Something similar to the Collection Glam Crystals Liquid Eyeshadows?

Although there’s room for the tiniest of improvements, I think it’s obvious that I’m a big fan of these products. The shimmers are ridiculously good, there’s nothing to complain about. Let’s just take a minute to remember that Revolution are a drugstore brand – not a high-end one and yet they’re releasing products that are easily on par with the likes of Stila. These shadows are priced at £6 each and the quality is that of a product twice the price. It does make me wonder how some brands get away with slapping such hefty price tags onto products are are only bit better than these and in some cases don’t even come close. The shadows can be worn day-to-night at the flip of a tube and application is made really easy with the flexible, flocked wands – anyone could do it! The shade range is amazing but I hope we get some other options! I already need more and I’ve only had them for a day! I absolutely recommend these, whether you’re buying for a pal or for yourself, these are definitely worth purchasing.

Buy the shadows here!

What do you think of the Eye Glisten range? Be sure to let me know in the comments and don’t forget to follow me on my socials!

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blogger, Eye Glisten, eyeshadow, Festival, Glitter, Makeup, Makeup Revolution, Photography, Photos, Pigment, Review, Revolution, Swatches

BEAUTY MAKEUP

JUVIA’S PLACE ‘THE ZULU’ PALETTE – REVIEW, SWATCHES AND PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 18, 2019
3 Comments on JUVIA’S PLACE ‘THE ZULU’ PALETTE – REVIEW, SWATCHES AND PHOTOS

Hey you,

I’m back with another review and this time I’m going to be talking about a Juvia’s Place palette. I’ve been wanting to add some colour to my makeup collection for a while, instead of playing it safe with neutrals and bronze/gold shades (very guilty). This is definitely new territory for me but when I think of colourful makeup, I think of this brand so I think it’s worth starting here! I’ve never owned or used any of their products before but I’ve only heard and seen incredible things so I thought I would share my thoughts with you! Today’s review is about the infamous Zulu palette! I noticed this palette a while ago and all I can say is that the pigmentation blew my mind and that was only through watching someone else swatch the shades, so I simply had to get it and try it for myself!

This post contains affiliate links.

Love colourful eyeshadow palettes? Check out my review of the Tammi x Revolution Palette!

PRICE

So let’s get straight in there with the facts. How much is it? The Zulu Palette retails at £20 but sometimes it’s on sale and if you have student discount, you can get an even better deal on in some circumstances. I’ve noticed that all of their products are reasonably priced and I like that you can have access to great quality makeup, without having to spend a fortune on it. Where can you buy it? You can get hold of the Zulu palette on the Juvia’s website itself or through BeautyBay.

PACKAGING

I know that in most cases, it’s what’s inside that matters, but packaging is often the first thing that we see. It makes a big difference as to whether or not I end up making the final purchase – especially if I’m buying something online. If there’s one thing that Juvia’s Place know how to do, it’s packaging. The use of bold and vibrant colours is stunning. I love the beautiful Egyptian Goddess on the front, the level of detail in the illustration is amazing. The background colour is a pretty, pastel pink shade with a holographic tint to it. It’s clear that a lot of time went into designing this packaging and I really like that. It makes them stand out from other brands. We see so much of the same thing being churned out by brands over and over again, it’s nice to mix it up!

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Okay bright colour fanatics, take a deep breath and feast your eyes on these. There’s 9 eyeshadows included: 6 mattes and 3 metallic shades. I guess, some would argue that the palette is fairly small in terms of how many shades you get, right? In this case, I think less is more. First of all, let’s address the size of the pans. They are huge – I don’t think I have a palette with pans this big in my whole collection. Already, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.

Secondly, as you’ll see below, the quality is amazing. I’m sick of investing in expensive palettes, only to discover some of the shades are high quality. This is one of the first palettes that I’ve purchased, where every single shade is amazing. There isn’t one that’s worse than the others. They’re all on the same level in my opinion and that’s rare! I’d rather have less product at a higher quality than splash out on something where I barely get my money’s worth. That being said, I do have a tiny suggestion for improvement – I would love the shadows to be labelled! It’s difficult when writing a review and when recommending shades to people when nothing has a name.

1ST ROW SWATCHES

Matte Orange – I don’t think I’ve ever used an orange eyeshadow quite like this one. It’s extremely pigmented and yet the formula is buttery and soft. The colour payoff is insane and yet there’s no kickback or fall out. How have they managed this? It’s a great shade for darkening the crease when creating a colourful warm-toned look.

Matte Yellow – The formula is soft and buttery and it’s incredibly pigmented. It can blend out to be slightly less bold as it appears in the pan but it’s buildable and you could certainly get a really intense pop of colour.

Matte Brown – I thought this shade was going to be quite dark but I think that’s just how it looks in the palette and in the pan. Perhaps it’s in contrast to all of the brighter shades adjacent to it? Either way, it’s not a disappointment, it’s still a beautiful shade. It’s like the perfect, warm-medium brown. I use this almost every day, in my outer corners to create a smokey eye look and there’s no going back now. This is my go-to brown.

2ND ROW SWATCHES

Matte Turquoise – Turquoise has always been my favourite colour so of course, I was practically drooling when I swatched this shade. It felt slightly powdery to the touch but it appleid exactly like the others: pigmented and without fallout or kickback. It blends out to be slightly less intense as it would appear in the palette, but it’s easy to build. I actually prefer the opportunity to build a shade to my desired level of intensity.

Metallic Green – This is where I feel like I enter a whole new dimension. This shade is absolutely stunning. If you were to say, Nina, I know a bright green metallic eyeshadow that you’ll love, I would probably laugh in your face. I’m so surprised at how much I love this shade. It’s so buttery and creamy and it blends like a dream.

Metallic Aqua – Another incredible shade. I can see myself absolutely rinsing this in summer. It’s just so pretty! I think it’s my favourite colour in the palette.

3RD ROW SWATCHES

Metallic Pink – I’m still not quite over this. I think it’s of my all time favourite eyeshadows – ever. I’m obsessed with the way that the colour shifts between a peachy pink and a rusty gold. I’m so glad that they chose to add a duo-chrome to the mix because it continues to make this palette more unique! As you can see, it’s pigmented, it looks stunning and it is pink, what’s not to love?

Matte Pink – The definition of “hot pink”. They’ve absolutely aced the formula too. It’s buttery and blends out really well, despite how pigmented it is! I can see myself using this shade a lot during Spring, as I tend to go for use lots more pinks and purples. It’s really pigmented and bold but it still blends really smoothly. Another formula I’m very impressed with.

Matte Purple – I cannot wait to be creative with this one. It’s so bold and vibrant, I was expecting it to be difficult to blend but of course, in true Juvia’s Place style, it’s perfect.

WHAT DO I THINK?

I can’t believe that this palette only retails at £20. You can also get it on sale AND use a student discount to grab it at an even better price – an absolute steal if you ask me. If you’re into colour and pigmentation that is out of this world, this is a palette you absolutely cannot miss out on. There isn’t a bad shade in there, which is a rare find. I’m also extremely impressed with the formulas, there’s no fallout and they all blend like a dream. Some of the most expensive brands out there are still producing chalky, patchy and rubbish eyeshadows, but with the Zulu Palette there isn’t a bad swatch in sight. I like that the mattes aren’t as intense as they look because it gives me a chance to build them up to the intensity level that I want!

If I were to suggest any improvements, firstly, I wish the shadows were labelled. It makes reviewing so much easier but it also means I can refer to individual shades when I post pictures of looks or when I recommend them to friends. Secondly, I’d say that there could be at least one more metallic in there – I’m just being greedy but that formula is to die for and I need more. It makes reviewing so much easier but it also means I can refer to individual shades when I post pictures of looks or when I recommend them to friends. Secondly, I’d say that there could be at least one more metallic in there – I’m just being greedy but that formula is to die for and I need more.

Get the Juvia’s Place Zulu Palette

Let me know what you think of this palette in the comments! What bright coloured palettes or eyeshadows do you like? Don’t forget to follow my socials – come and say hey!

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blogger, Juvia's Place, Makeup, palette, Photography, Photos, Review, Swatches, Zulu

BEAUTY MAKEUP

URBAN DECAY – LIQUID MOONDUST EYESHADOW REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 11, 2019
6 Comments on URBAN DECAY – LIQUID MOONDUST EYESHADOW REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m currently drowning in work for my dissertation so I won’t be posting as regularly as I’d like to but please bare with me whilst I try and get my life together! Final year seems to be a bit like a circus act – keep all of the plates spinning at once and you’ll be fine. Let one drop and you’ll be missing lectures to catch up on lectures! I just need to keep spinning for a bit longer and it’ll all be worth it (I hope).

This post contains affiliate links

I have another review for you today and this time it’s looking at one of Urban Decay’s Liquid Moondust Eyeshadows in the shade “Chem Trail”. They had a sale just after Christmas and I snapped this up as soon as I saw it! I’m always attracted to anything glittery, shimmery and sparkly so as you can imagine it was only a matter of seconds before we reached the checkout together. I hadn’t heard much about them and I couldn’t figure out if that was because they weren’t great or because they were the underrated dark horse that we hadn’t discovered yet. So, let’s find out.

The Liquid Moondust eyeshadows retail at £15.50 each, which I think is a bit much. I think £10 would be a more reasonable price for the 5g of product that we get. The packaging is really pretty. I love the cosmic theme and the way that it catches the light at certain angles. Urban Decay have always done their branding and their packaging right – despite taking the mickey with prices most of the time. When you open up the pretty little box, you’ll find something that looks like Tinker Bell created it herself. I love that you can see the product through the clear tube and the way that the silver font adds some more sparkle.

It’s a no from me. Eyeshadow brushes are ideally meant to be soft and big enough to spread product quickly. This is tiny, stiff and just awkward to use. It’s more of an eyeliner brush which isn’t what it’s sold as so I’m a bit confused as to why they went for this design. Am I just being weird about it? Let me know in the comments what you think.

Note that this swatch shows how the product sits when it’s immediately applied to the skin, not what it looks like blended out – that was too difficult to capture in a photo, which I think says enough anyway!

The formula isn’t chunky thank god. There’s nothing worse than attempting to blend and instead you’re just dragging huge clumps of glitter around. It dries quite quickly too and it didn’t budge until I removed it with a makeup wipe. I would have preferred it to be be more pigmented though, as when I blended it out, it practically disappeared into a very subtle shimmer. When I say blending, it was a bit of a nightmare with that brush…

So, what’s the verdict?

In terms of what I don’t like… If you’re looking for something that makes people stop and ask “what eyeshadow are you wearing?”, I don’t think this is the one for you. However, if you’re looking for a sheer and barely there shimmer on your lids, I’m sure that you will love this product. I might sound really harsh, but for me, this eyeshadow just doesn’t compare to some of the others that I own. If the formula was a little more like the Makeup Revolution Eye Glisten range, I would be buying every shade available! Most of the time when it comes to glitter, I like to go all out, like a glitter ball (don’t judge me) but this is much more…subtle.

That being said, it’s still extremely pretty once it’s blended out and you’ll be looking like Edward Cullen in no time – by that I mean the shimmering, not the fake six pack or the yellow eyes. It’s probably not going to be your night on the town ally but more your summer sidekick. It’s perfect for those days where you quickly need to slap something on sharpish but still look like you’ve made an effort. If you want to go for that “no makeup” makeup look, it would look stunning all over the lids when fully blended out. It’s also exactly what you need when you want to add a touch of sparkle along the lash line, in fact, it’s almost like it was intended for that to be it’s primary use.

If any improvements were to be made, hands down, I’d want a doe-foot applicator, just to make application (shock) a bit easier. I don’t want to faff around with whatever that thing is when I’m trying to get my eye makeup done. I need something that can blend! I think the formula could do with being much more pigmented and less watery. Annoyingly, if you don’t use the product for a while, it separates and all you’ll get is a glittery puddle on your face. Not a fan of that – none of my other liquid eyeshadows do this so that’s a bit of a let down. However, I do really like the way that the shadow works as a subtle shimmer on the eyes. Come to think of it, it could even blend out to be a shimmery highlight on the cheekbones. I’m definitely going to have a play with it and see how I can make it work for me.

Check out Urban Decay’s Liquid Moondust Eyeshadows here!

Have you tried Urban Decay’s Liquid Moondust Eyeshadows? What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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Tags 2019, BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blogger, Glitter, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, shimmer, urban decay

2018 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

SOAP & GLORY-OUS GIFTING*

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 4, 2018
No Comments on SOAP & GLORY-OUS GIFTING*

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 4! Today’s post is focusing on the latest gifting goodies from Soap & Glory. I’ve always loved their playful packaging and perfect products but their 2018 Christmas range is a whole new level of wow. These items have been sent to me by Soap and Glory. How could I be so lucky? Although they are not sponsoring this review, I’m rewarded enough by being able to share these two gift sets with you! If these look tempting, do have a look at their extensive festive range.

If you’re looking for some gifting guidance, click here to find the perfect presents to suit your pocket.

*Gifted Items & Affiliate Links Included

GLITZ THE GIRL

Here we have the gorgeous Glitz The Girl Gift Set! This twinkling trio retails at £8.50 and it includes a metallic lip gloss, kohl liner and face glitter. Scoop these up and see the sparkle! These are the perfect products for getting glamorous this Christmas!

EYES QUEEN

It’s time to brighten your blinkers with the Eyes Queen Gift Set. This set retails at £18.50 and includes four fabulous products; a 2-in-1 brow pencil, mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow pencil. What more could you need to prepare your peepers for the festive period?

I really hope you enjoyed this post! It was such a pinch me moment when I received these pretty packages and I knew I had to share them with you! Tomorrow’s post is looking at my updated MAC lipstick collection – so stay tuned. If you’re looking for some more gifting guidance, click here to find the perfect presents to suit your pocket.

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N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, Gift Guide, Gifting, Glitter, Ideas, Inspiration, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Presents, Soap and Glory

BEAUTY

MOPBOX: SEPTEMBER 2018 – LET IT GLOW*

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date August 28, 2018
2 Comments on MOPBOX: SEPTEMBER 2018 – LET IT GLOW*

Hey Guys,

How are you doing? I’m currently ignoring the fact that I need to be packing for a holiday that I’m going on in less than 24 hours. I’m going to Mallorca with my boyfriend and his best friends (another couple). We’ve only been on family holidays together so I’m excited to be going away with just him. I’ve also never been to Mallorca so I’m looking forward to exploring a new place. I plan on sunbathing as much as possible and topping up my tan so that during Autumn I don’t look like a ghost (although I could make that work for Halloween).

*Paid AD & Gifted Items

This is a paid collaboration, however all opinions are my own!

Today’s post is another collaboration with MOPBOX, a new makeup-only subscription box, here in the UK! I’m a makeup addict so this is exactly the kind of subscription that I need in my life. Subscriptions are open on the first of every month and stay open until the 28th (unless the boxes all sell out) and your box is then shipped around the 30th via Royal Mail 2nd Class Signed For postal service. You can choose from three different subscriptions; monthly, 3 months or 6 months. If you sign up for 3 or 6 months, you pay monthly with a saving, instead of an upfront payment, however, cancellation is at the end of your plan if you choose to subscribe to either one of these!

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

Each box features a stylised makeup-look to create and it also includes the makeup, tools and brushes to help you do it! There’s also a magazine inside, with a step-by-step guide showing you exactly what to do. I think these boxes will be so inspiring for any budding makeup artists or for anyone looking to boost their confidence in order to express themselves through makeup!

HOW MUCH IS IT?

Monthly Subscription – £24/month

3 Month Subscription – £23/month

6 Month Subscription – £22/month

IS IT WORTH IT?

Last month’s box was amazing. I was extremely impressed with the products that were included. The sizes were all very generous and the brands were all great too. One of my pet peeves with most beauty subscription boxes is how reluctant most of them are to include decent sized products. I would happily pay more per month to receive normal sized beauty products than tiny little ones that I can’t really test properly. From what I’ve seen, the boxes from the last two months (August and September) are definitely worth the money.

CHECK OUT MOPBOX HERE

READ MY REVIEW OF LAST MONTH’S BOX

This month’s theme is focused on creating a glowing makeup look – perfect for the last stretch of summer! I love using products that make my skin look radiant as I use lots of liquid products and I don’t really like to have a matte face. I am still haunted by the days where I wore so much powder that I probably looked like a cake (year 8 throwback). Just like last month, we received another lovely magazine which provides information about every product including their RRPs (I find this info helpful when working out if I am getting my money’s worth). There is also a step-by-step guide, teaching you how to create this month’s look, featuring tips and tricks from industry professionals! Just by flicking through the magazine, you can tell that that MOPBOX is different from the rest.

Phase Zero – Metal Foil Eyeshadow in “Gold Roses” – RRP £4.75

I practically jumped for joy when I discovered that this product was included in my September box. I love anything gold and when it comes to eyeshadow, it’s a staple in my makeup bag. I always go for a shimmery base, whether I wanted one or not, it just seems to happen every time. The texture of this foil shadow is difficult to explain. It reminds me of the Kylie Cosmetics Wet Set – it’s kind of springy and wet and it applies so smoothly as a result. Swatching it was a piece of cake as it’s so pigmented! I always worry with cream shadows whether or not they will take a lot of blending however this one takes seconds. The quicker you work, the easier that it blends out! It’s even better on the eyes as it stays put for hours when applied properly (using last month’s MOPBOX brush). Although we received it in a Summer box, it will be amazing to work with during Autumn with warm orange and red shades.

Elizabeth Arden – Maximum Volume Mascara in “Black 01” – RRP £22

I was shocked that they included such a high end product in this month’s box. The mascara itself nearly costs as much as the whole box – wow?! I’m always changing my mascaras up as I have extremely boring lashes that just go in a straight line unless forced (anyone else?). This product actually works for me which is very rare! I love how well it separates my lashes and makes them look much longer – another rare find for me! Normally I don’t like to spend too much on mascaras however this one is clearly worth the money.

Model Co – Highlighting Trio – £16

Well, you know me and my cream products – I’m obsessed! I just love radiant and glowing makeup looks and this is the kind of product that I search high and low for. The fact that three shades are included in one little pot is perfect for saving space in your makeup bag plus I can see myself using all three to contour, highlight and as a blusher too! The formula is so creamy and smooth, it’s so easy to apply over foundation and it also blends really easily too. I’m also a huge fan of Model Co’s products anyway so I knew that it was going to be good before I’d even opened it!

So Susan – Haute Light Pencil – RRP £15

Sometimes I find that using black eyeliner can just be too much and it makes me look terrifying. I’ve been looking for a good white or cream liner for ages to try and brighten my eyes instead and all of a sudden this one arrived! Last month we received a So Susan palette and it was great quality so I had my hopes up for this product. So far, it’s living up to my expectations and it’s been a staple in my makeup bag since I received it! I absolutely love it. Don’t worry about it being dramatic either, it’s very natural and creamy rather than white so you won’t look crazy. My eyes are the one thing that I actually like about my face so I love using products that enhance them and make them stand out more. This pencil is an absolute yes from me!

NYX – Lip Lingerie in “Bedtime Flirt” & “Push-Up” – RRP £7

I’ve been debating about buying these for such a long time. I’ve only heard good things but I just couldn’t make my mind up as there are so many shades available! I was so happy to receive these two minis in this month’s box as it gave me a chance to properly test them out. I tend to wear reds at this time of year but I wear nudes a lot too so I can definitely make these shades work! They swatched beautifully and they lasted a long time – I carried on with my day as usual and they were still there when I was getting into bed! I’m so impressed with the formula and the staying power! I love that we received two in this box as well!

Sunkissed – Hello Sunshine Powder – RRP £3.99

My skin is normally somewhere on the darker side of pale (not white and not quite olive) and I tan very easily so I always use warm shades when it comes to contouring or bronzing products. I just find that cool toned shades look awful on me! Typically, I also go for bronzers with a slight shimmer to them however this one is matte so I’m interested to see what I can do with it. Also, how generous is this pan? It’s HUGE! This is what I mean, you really do get your money’s worth with MOPBOX! Even though this bronzer only retails at a few pounds, it just goes to show that subscription boxes don’t always have to include sample sizes.

Bourjois – Khol and Contour 16hr Pencil – RRP £4.99

Although I mentioned previously that I don’t always like to use black eyeliners, when I need to add some drama to my makeup looks, this is the kind of product that I look for! I’ve always loved Bourjois (I’ve been using their foundation for over 7 years now) so I was keen to try this pencil out as I knew the quality would be good. I was right! It’s pigmented and easy to apply. It’s the kind of product that can turn any daytime look into a night-time look in seconds! When they say “16H” – they mean it! It’s so long-lasting and it’s smudge proof so whether you’re sobbing in the toilet with your pals or you’re dancing the night away on the sweaty dance floor, this pencil has got your back!

MOPBOX – Powder Brush – RRP £16

I just can’t get over the quality of the MOPBOX makeup brushes. This month we received a large powder brush – perfect for setting powder or bronzer! It’s so soft and you can tell that it’s high quality too just by the weight of it. I’m so impressed with this brush and I’ve been using last month’s almost every day, more than some of my high-end brushes! I’m really excited to see what other brushes we will receive!

Overall, this was another fantastic box. There isn’t a single thing I would change or improve here – everything is amazing. It’s very rare that I don’t have something negative to say about a subscription box as there’s usually something that doesn’t suit me etc. but in this case, I have nothing but praise! MOPBOX is just ticking every box for me. I understand that some of you may be thinking well if she’s being paid to write this post, she’s probably biased. Well if you’ve read my disclaimer page, I wouldn’t recommend anything to you unless I would buy it myself. So regardless of the fact that this is a collaboration, I would subscribe to MOPBOX anyway if I wasn’t working with them. If you’re looking for a new beauty subscription or you want to become more familiar with makeup and how to use it in different ways, this is definitely the box for you! What do you think of these products? Do you have any suggestions for how they could improve or anything that you really love? Let me know in the comments! I’ve included all of my social media below so be sure to come and say hey!

READ LAST MONTH’S REVIEW

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N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blog, blogger, Contour, Cosmetics, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Subscription, Trends, Tutorial

BEAUTY

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS PRISM PALETTE {REVIEW & SWATCHES}

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date August 21, 2018
14 Comments on ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS PRISM PALETTE {REVIEW & SWATCHES}

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m trying to get organised before I go on holiday to Mallorca in a week. I have a list of things to do that just keeps growing every day, no matter how much I seem to get done! I have lots of exciting content scheduled to go up for you guys whilst I’m on holiday so if you aren’t subscribed, make sure that you are so that you get notified with every new post! At the end of every post, I link all of my social media so that you can see what I’m up to in-between posts, I’d love it if you gave me a follow – come and say hey!

Today I’m going to be reviewing the Anastasia Beverly Hills Prism palette! I know some of you will be thinking “didn’t this come out last year?” and you’d be right in thinking that! It did come out ages ago, however, I only just caved and bought it so I thought I would post a review! There’s just something so collectable about the ABH palettes, I feel like I need them all. I know lots of you are makeup lovers too, so if any of you are considering purchasing the palette, keep reading!

This post contains affiliate links

I already own two ABH palettes (Modern Renaissance & Subculture) so I reckon I have some knowledge about the quality of their eyeshadows and what to expect. You may be familiar with the high price tags, however for those that aren’t, they usually retail at £43. Just like the others, the Prism palette is covered in a beautiful crushed velvet material featuring a gold geometric design. There’s something so luxurious about this packaging, it partially justifies that price tag.

The Prism palette contains 14 shades including some ultra-matte, duo chrome and metallic pigments. It’s definitely a palette for those that enjoy experimenting with bold and bright colours! I bought it purely because of the variety that it offers – think of how many unique looks that can be created from these 14 shades! The palette comes with a dual-ended soft blending brush which actually does a fab job. There’s a generously sized mirror for on-the-go use which makes it perfect for travelling with. It’s also the kind of palette that can work all year round for lots of different occasions. For example, we’ve got bright pops of colour for Spring and Summer and the darker neutrals and shimmers for Autumn and Winter. Just looking at it makes me want to be creative! I love that the shades are all labelled too as I always lose this flimsy sheets that some palettes come with. Want to see some swatches? Keep reading…

Lucid – A duo chrome with warm gold undertones and flecks of pink- I love using this as a brow highlight or for my inner corners. It can sheer out on the lid so I’d recommend applying and building it with setting spray on your brush.

Eden – A pink/coral matte with warm orange undertones – Very pigmented. It’s almost fluffy to touch! So smooth and easy to apply.

Unity – A light beige/nude matte – Slightly too dark to use as a base shade for me but I use this if I want to add a really natural bit of depth added to my eye makeup. I’m usually not that fussed about these kind of shades, they’re not the most interesting but handy to have in a palette. It’s also pretty pigmented and it swatched beautifully.

Sphinx – A metallic bronze with warm orange undertones – This is a pigmented shadow however I’ve used better. I like my bronze and golds to be blinding and this takes a few applications to achieve that. It’s not sheer but it’s also not full coverage.

Osiris – A midnight blue/purple shimmer with flecks of silver – It’s nice to have a cool shimmer shadow within the palette, which is what I meant when I talked about the variety that this palette has to offer. This shade was very easy to swatch and blend out as it’s very buttery and soft.

Sphere – A bright yellow matte with green undertones– I was really excited about this shade when I first saw it. I love using bright colours in my inner corners to add some drama so this seemed like the perfect shade (I know it looks like a mustard yellow but it’s much brighter than that). It’s not the most pigmented and it can sort of blend into a sheer base on the lid which isn’t what I was hoping for. It’s buildable but I was hoping for a more pigmented matte. I’ve been using it to blend warm shades together and I reckon I’ll get some more use out of it during the Autumn months.

Obsidian – A deep black matte – I’m just not a fan of this shade, it’s my least favourite in the palette. It was difficult to move around when swatching and on the lid, plus it was semi-sheer and patchy in some places. For the price of the palette, this should’ve been much better than it was.

Dimension – Duo chrome grey/silver shimmer with pink flecks – I love this shade. It’s so pigmented! It blends like a dream and it barely takes any effort to achieve full coverage. I like how unique this shade is too, it’s unlike any other shadow that I’ve come across, so I’m happy to pay a little extra for something new in my collection. It was quite dry which made fallout a slight issue when applying. I tend to use setting spray when applying shimmer shadows as not only do they apply better but they last longer too!

Parallel – A warm and dark chocolate brown matte – Everyone needs a shade like this in their life. They’re so handy for making any look smokey and dramatic. I use this shade all the time to darken any look for some nighttime glam! It’s pigmented and blends out pretty well for such a dark shade.

Pyramid – A metallic yellow gold – Now we’re talking. This shade is fab! I love using this all over my lid – it’s too pretty to only use a tiny bit of it so I go all out! It’s also the kind of gold that works all year round for any occasion so you definitely get your money’s worth.

Throne – Metallic dark blue with flecks of green – I’m unsure about this shade. It’s pigmented and it looks pretty but I think it’s a bit too dark and it just doesn’t look very flattering on me. If it was a little bit lighter I reckon I’d use it all the time.

Saturn – Terracotta Matte – I’m a big fan of warm shades pretty much all year round. I use them almost every day as I find they’re the most flattering for my skin tone. This shade is exactly what I look for in every palette I buy – I get so much use out of it!

Eternal – Metallic Copper – My favourite shimmer shadow in this palette! I just love a copper shade and although I have a stupid amount of them, it’s always nice to get a new one every once in a while. It’s so creamy and buttery that it blends beautifully across the lid.

Lure – Ashy lilac matte – I’ve somehow managed to forget to swatch this shade – I’m so sorry! However, I have been wearing it so I can still review it for you, there just isn’t a swatch photo! I wear lots of pinks and purples so I’m always looking for new shades to create these looks. This lilac is so beautiful! I was worried it would be powdery after feeling the texture of it in the pan however it’s nicely pigmented and it looks beautiful on the lid or in the crease.

There we have it ladies and gents – the Anastasia Beverly Hills Prism palette! The packaging is gorgeous, I love the dramatic combo of black and gold as well as how the box itself is more matte than the others in the series. It feels so luxurious and I guess that’s one reason why I’m happy paying more than usual. The range of colours included is amazing! I like paying for palettes that are different from the rest and the Prism palette really stands out in that sense. So many different looks can be created from these fourteen shades. The shadows themselves are very nice quality. There are one or two that I would tweak and I think that the price should be lower if there are going to be shades lacking in pigment. However a majority of the shades are extremely pigmented and apply beautifully. I would really recommend this palette to anyone that is looking to be creative with their eye makeup. It’s definitely a palette for those that aren’t afraid to experiment with colour however if you’re looking for something more subtle, this probably isn’t the one for you! What do you think of this palette? Let me know in the comments below! Want to see what I’m up to in-between posts? Check out my social media below! I’ve also put links below to my reviews of the other palettes in this series!

READ MY REVIEW OF THE MODERN RENAISSANCE PALETTE

READ MY REVIEW OF THE SUBCULTURE PALETTE

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

N xxxx

Tags Anastasia Beverly Hills, BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blogger, Colour, eyeshadow, Makeup, palette, Photography, Photos, Prism Palette, Review, Swatches, Trends

BEAUTY

GET GLOWING: SUPERDRUG’S NATURALLY RADIANT RANGE

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date August 3, 2018
32 Comments on GET GLOWING: SUPERDRUG’S NATURALLY RADIANT RANGE

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Today’s review is about Superdrug’s Naturally Radiant skincare range. Your girl has been a busy bee over the last couple of months, as I’ve been trying out these products for you. I’m super excited to share my thoughts with you!

So, it turns out that my favourite place to look for affordable and effective skincare is Superdrug. I don’t really fancy paying my life savings for a pot of moisturiser small enough to store a jelly bean in it. I’ll admit, some of those high end products are fantastic and they smell like a luxury spa weekend, however if I can get something equally as good for a quarter of the price, I am DOWN! If you’re anything like me in that respect, keep reading as this could be the skincare range for you.

The Naturally Radiant range features a variety of products, all of which are infused with plant extracts and focus on awakening the skin’s natural glow. I always find that whilst on holiday, my skin gets this amazing glow and that only lasts a little while after I’ve returned back home. I bought this range hoping that I can keep that glow a little longer! What were the results?

*This post contains affiliate links

Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser – £5.99

“Enriched with nourishing Cocoa Butter, this rich and creamy formulation melts into the skin and cleanses away make-up and impurities, whilst also providing gentle exfoliation, leaving skin feeling renewed, soft and ultra clean.”

For quite some time, I’ve been admiring those who have their life together enough to be using the famous Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser (I am not one of those goddesses). I’ve also been wondering how on earth I’m going to afford to have that as one of my regular products and the answer is – forget it unless you sell one of your kidneys… so, I was THRILLED to discover this little beauty! I’ve been using this every single night to help remove my makeup and it does a fab job! It smells absolutely divine and the formula is so creamy that you barely have to put in any effort! It gently exfoliates too, leaving my skin feeling super soft and smooth. Plus, it comes with one of those fancy cloths!

CHECK OUT THE HOT CLOTH CLEANSER HERE

Refreshing Complete Cleanser – £5.99

“Formulated with a unique energising complex and infused with Kiwi Fruit and Mulberry extracts to help revive skin’s radiance. The creamy formula is designed to gently but effectively remove impurities, excess oil and melt away make-up leaving skin feeling clean, refreshed and comforted.”

I LOVE this product! It’s the most amazing cleanser and yet it’s so affordable – I just can’t get my head around it. You know those cleansears that lather up beautifully? This is one of those! Whenever I can’t be bothered to tackle the tedium of wiping my makeup off I use this bad boy and it does the job. I also use this first thing in the morning and I look so much healthier for doing so! This is a must if you’re looking for a new face wash or cleanser – it’s so good.

CHECK OUT THE CLEANSER HERE

Glycolic Tonic 5% Glycolic Acid – £5.99

“Highly concentrated in Glycolic Acid, a powerful Alpha Hydroxy Acid, the refreshing tonic also refines pores, retexturises the skin’s surface and smoothes fine lines, providing a brighter, healthier and more youthful complexion.”

This stuff is the BOMB. After a couple of days, my skin looked softer, brighter and much healthier. Every morning and evening, after cleansing, I apply it with a cotton pad and wipe over my face before moisturising and it works wonders! If you have any spots, be warned that it feels like a tiny flame has been taken to them for a brief few seconds but it actually seems to help them heal faster (no pain no gain).

CHECK OUT THE GLYCOLIC TONIC HERE

Glycolic Overnight Peel – £5.99

“The refreshing gel formula also refines and retexturises the skin’s surface, providing a brighter, more youthful complexion.”

Okay so this is my favourite product in the range. It’s one of those products that literally work overnight and the results are immediately noticeable – what more could you want? I apply a tiny amount to my face after cleansing, leave it to get to work overnight and I was it off first thing in the morning. I can’t even begin to explain how soft my skin feels – this stuff is addictive! I’ve received so many compliments about my skin since I started using this, I can’t imagine not having it as part of my routine. I haven’t worn make-up for ages and it’s down to this little tube of goodness. I HIGHLY recommend trying it out! 10/10!

CHECK OUT THE PEEL HERE

Renewing Night Cream – £5.99

“Enriched with nourishing Sugar Beet extract and skin renewing Fruit Acids, this intensive formulation delivers rich and long-lasting moisturisation, whilst helping to refine skin’s texture as you sleep, leaving skin feeling smoother and looking more youthful”

I love the idea of overnight skincare. Who doesn’t want to have amazing products getting to work whilst you literally get your beauty sleep? It’s such a simple way of waking up with radiant and glowing skin – barely any effort required! If I need my makeup to go particularly well the next day, I always use this cream the night before, that way, I wake up and my skin is super smooth and soft, ready for my foundation etc. I really recommend this to anyone that doesn’t enjoy waiting for moisturisers to get to work, you’ll be asleep for this and when you wake up it’ll be done!

CHECK OUT THE NIGHT CREAM HERE

Brightening Day Cream – £5.99

“Enriched with nourishing Sugar Beet extract, this lightweight formulation provides all day moisturisation, helping to smooth and soften skin’s texture, whilst also protecting against UV rays to keep skin looking youthful.”

I’m now on my third pot of this stuff – it’s SO good. It’s the only moisturiser that I would keep buying again and again and I recommend it to everyone! I apply this every morning before I put on my makeup and it makes for the perfect base. I love that it’s also SPF15 just for extra protection during the day – it was great on holiday! If you’re looking for a great moisturiser, this is a product really worth trying. I’ve noticed that my skin tone looks so much more even and refined, any discolouration is long gone and any scarring has healed!

CHECK OUT THE DAY CREAM HERE

Moisturiser and Serum – £5.99

“Enriched with nourishing Fruit Acids, this rich velvety formula delivers long-lastings moisturisation, whilst also helping to refine skin’s texture and clarity for a smoother, more radiant complexion.”

I like using this product on the days where my skin is particularly dry. During the Winter months, the skin around my nose gets particularly dry and irritated and I can tell that this will be an amazing product to keep me moisturised! I love the formula too, it’s silky soft, almost gel-like! Again, I’ve noticed my skin is able to maintain a healthy glow for much longer, since I started using this product.

CHECK OUT THE MOISTURISER AND SERUM HERE

Brightening Radiance Balm – £5.99

“Enriched with Sugar Beet extract and light reflecting pearls, this lightweight formulation instantly illuminates the skin, whilst also delivering rich and long-lasting moisturisation for a more supple, smooth and intensely luminous complexion.”

My second favourite product within the range. On days where my skin is clear and I’m feeling confident to go make-up free, I just put this on! My skin looks so pretty and healthy it’s like a magic trick. My skin has never looked this good before, I can’t believe it’s down to such an affordable product?! Before you apply the balm, look at the product in your hand – you can literally see the shimmer!

CHECK OUT THE RADIANCE BALM HERE

Brightening Eye Cream – £5.99

“Naturally Radiant Brightening Eye Cream is formulated with a naturally revitalising blend of ingredients and infused with Mulberry and Kiwi extracts to help brighten and smooth the eye area and help reduce signs of fatigue.”

Okay so you know those gross lines that your foundation can sometimes sit in beneath your eyes? No thank you! Since using this eye cream, they’ve completely disappeared. Also don’t you hate those mornings where you wake up and your eyes are puffy? Fear no more! Dark circles? Got it covered! It does everything it claims to do. No – it’s not too good to be true. I can’t explain how good this is other than “it’s good, buy it and try it!”

CHECK OUT THE EYE CREAM HERE

So, what’s the verdict?

This range is absolutely amazing. The packaging, the quality and the pricing, it’s all amazing. As a blogger I see heaps and heaps of expensive skincare all over my social media channels and all I can think about is “how can I afford to use that?”. I used to think that good skincare was only for those that could afford the crazy price tags however this demonstrates that that isn’t the case! Quite often, these products are on offer (half price/buy one get one free) so you end up saving a lot more than if you were investing in some pricier skincare on a regular basis.

If you have fairly oily skin and you don’t want it getting any oilier, I wouldn’t recommend using this range as it’s so moisturising and hydrating that it probably wouldn’t help. However, if you have dry skin or you’re looking for something to help fade any scarring and give your skin a natural glow for an affordable price – this is your calling! It’s super easy to get your hands on too either in store or online! Superdrug are really changing the game with their skincare and I’m desperate to try some of their other ranges.

What should I try next?

N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blogger, Cleanser, Moisturiser, Natural, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare, Superdrug

BEAUTY

TAMMI X REVOLUTION PALETTE – REVIEW, SWATCHES AND PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 10, 2018
7 Comments on TAMMI X REVOLUTION PALETTE – REVIEW, SWATCHES AND PHOTOS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’ve been doing a ridiculous amount of summer sales shopping this week and I’m feeling no regrets about it! Where have you been doing your summer shopping? This post is looking at the Tammi x Revolution collaboration palette, called Tropical Paradise and as usual, there’s going to be a full review including photos and swatches!

Revolution have been bringing us some amazing collaborations recently and this has to be one of my favourites! Tammi Clarke (makeupbytammi) is a youtuber who creates some of the most gorgeous makeup looks. She experiments a lot with colour and it always turns out beautifully! I knew her palette would be bright and vibrant and it’s exactly that and more…

This post contains affiliate links

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The packagaing is beautiful, apparently inspired by the carribean where Tammi’s hometown is! I just love the mixture of reds and oranges – it makes me feel warm to look at! I love that the font is a beautiful rose gold shade (you know how much I love that colour). The palette itself, is rose gold and reflective, much like Soph’s Extra Spice palette. It looks pretty and all but it just seems a tad plain to me. It would be nice if each of the collaborations had a really different look to them when it came to the palettes themselves.

Tammi, as a woman of colour, designed a palette to suit women of a similar skin tone to her – hence the amazing colourful and pigmented shades, however, I think there’s something for everyone included! Here it is in all of it’s glory, just look at those shades (dribbling emoji) Does anything scream “summer” more to you than this? I think not! The Tropical Paradise palette retails at £10 and it include includes 23 beautiful shadows, 11 shimmers and 12 mattes. We have a mixture of the bold and bright as well as some neutral shades, so there is plenty to play around with! I was expecting a layout similar to Soph’s and many other palettes, however, I was happy to discover that more has been packed into this one! It separates the more vibrant shades from the basic neutrals which makes the palette nice and simply to use. I always find that when shades are separated into categories, I can plan my look much quicker!

Pina Colada – A white/yellow shimmer – I love using this in the corner of my eye! I look so much more awake afterwards.
Queen Lou – A pink prosecco Shimmer – Pinky/prosecco shade and it’s just so pretty! I like using this to create a pink/purple smokey eye! It’s a great shade to put on the inner part of the lid.
Tropical – A warm orange Matte – I love using this to create warm makeup looks so it’s been an amazing shade for summer!
Coraline – A pinky purple Matte – Such a beautiful colour, I can’t wait to use this during autumn, it makes me think of the colour of the leaves!
Exotic – A cool gold (if that makes sense) – I love shades like this, they’re my go to for an everyday bit of glam!
Caribbean – A flirty pink shimmer – This shade is just so pretty! I love it – it’s the perfect pink. It’s so pigmented and easy to apply.
Purpy Purps – A rich purple matte – This is pretty much Vimto in the form of a shadow, plus I am obsessed with the name! It applied slightly patchy whilst I was swatching however I reckon it’s buildable.
Treasure – A copper shimmer – Again, shades like this are a must for me. Anything remotely gold or copper is right up my street! Look at that pigment too!
Adventure – A warm chocolatey brown matte – Everyone needs a shade like this for basic smokey eye looks!
Rich Soil – A grey/brown matte – Another great shade for adding some drama to a natural look.

Moonlight – A bright white shimmer – The perfect white to illuminate any look! It’s so pigmented too!
Enchanting – A chocolate brown shimmer – This shadow is so rich and pigmented, a little bit goes a long way!
Burning Heat – A pumpkin spice shimmer – This reminds me of everything Halloween – I’m excited to see what I can do with this during Autumn. It’s super pigmented!
Majestic – A grape purple matte – I’m slightly disappointed with this shade. Don’t get me wrong, it’s pigmented and beautiful however it’s very similar to Coraline and Purpy Purps. I just wish we’d been given another colour! Maybe a shimmery blue instead?
Paradise – An emerald green shimmer – This is BEAUTIFUL! It’s like a christmas green shimmer and it’s so pigmented that it blew my mind. I only needed to touch it once and that was my swatch complete! Really stunning shade.
Carnival – A Purple shimmer – I really love how rich in pigment this shade is. My eyes are green, so shades like this make the colour really pop! Imagine a look with Carnival and Caribbean
Golden Sands – A true gold shimmer – This reminds me of a brick of gold! It’s literally the perfect gold shimmer shadow – I use this pretty much every day. It just adds so much glam to my look, I can’t resist.
Rainforest – Deep green matte – It’s pigmented and smooth to apply however I probably won’t get much use out of it unless I’m being super creative!
Waterfall – A Yale blue matte – I don’t own a shade like this so I was happy to see it! It’s EXTREMELY pigmented and it practically glides onto the skin.
Midnight Stroll – A black matte – Everyone needs one of these in their life! When Halloween comes around you’ll be rinsing these shades! I always find a use for them, even if it’s just running it along my lower lashline as it adds some definition and makes me look so much more awake! (I somehow forgot to swatch this, but it looks as you would expect)

Coconut Cream – A pale cream matte – The perfect base shade! I use this every day. It’s also super creamy and easy to apply.
Nutmeg – A caramel matte brown – I love using this as a transition shade, it’s a must in my routine!
Isle of Spice – A cinnamon brown matte – I love using this to warm up my makeup looks, it’s another great transition shade but also works for a simple and natural look too.

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?

Okay, so I absolutely love this palette! I think it’s a real reflection ot Tammi’s style and if you like her makeup looks, you’re going to love this! She often posts little tutorials on her instagram that demonstrate how to use the palette, so if you’re unsure of where to start, check it out. The shimmer shades are absolutely BOMB and there are none that I think need improving. The quality is amazing, considering they easily beat some of my higher end palettes! Most of the matte shades are highly pigmented but they may need a tiny bit of work to build them up! I like that this palette is different from the basic ones that come out all the time, it’s clear that thought and creativity went into it!

IS IT WORTH THE MONEY?

You’re paying £10 for a palette that is pigmented, well designed and great quality! I think that’s a fantastic deal if you ask me. Some high end palettes cost £40 and for a fraction of the price, you’re getting the same high quality – yes please? If you like being creative and colourful with your makeup, this is definitely the palette for you, however if you prefer a more natural look, I’d say put your £10 towards a different palette with some nmore natural shades in it.

I hope you enjoyed this review! I always enjoy writing about Makeup Revolution as I think they’re such a fantastic brand! It’s nice that they’ve been able to combine affordable prices with great quality makeup so that more people can afford it! People of all age groups are buying from them and I think that’s such a positive thing. I used to think that I had to spend a huge amount to have really good makeup but that isn’t the case anymore! Go ahead and check out my socials below, I’d love to hear from you!

READ MY SOPH X REVOLUTION REVIEW

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N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blogger, eyeshadow, Makeup, Makeup Revolution, palette, Photography, Photos, Review, Revolution, Swatches, Tammi Clarke

BEAUTY

NATURAL COLLECTION MAKEUP REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date May 4, 2018
37 Comments on NATURAL COLLECTION MAKEUP REVIEW

Hey Guys,

Today I’m reviewing some of the products within the Natural Collection range! I have such a soft spot for this brand as it was the only makeup I used when I was younger. It was actually the first brand that I ever tried! I started wearing very very light makeup (we’re talking basically might as well not be on my face) when I was about 12 for discos and parties. My mum would apply it and she would often use their lip glosses and lipsticks on me when we went on holiday so I could feel dressy and grown-up (lol) and so I thought I would relive some of my fond memories and also see what they currently have to offer!

Whilst I was visiting Bath with my boyfriend (click to read my post about our trip here), I managed to pick up these bits and pieces from the range! I love the simplistic packaging – it kind of gives me Topshop Makeup vibes what with the capital letters and the plain colours (love it). I tried to grab a good variety of products whilst also getting things I know that I will use so I hope this gives you some idea of what to expect from Natural Collection.

BRONZING POWDER – GOLDEN GLOW* – £1.99

First up is their Bronzing powder! It’s a lightly tinted powder with a subtle shimmer which I actually really like as I think it makes me look healthier. I tend to go for shimmery products when the sun starts to come out because when they catch the light it can look so pretty and they give off a gorgeous natural glow. This isn’t the most pigmented bronzer in the world and I wouldn’t expect it to be however I think I actually prefer that as it’s not too intense and it makes it easier to build up. It’s also enriched with camomile to help soothe and protect!

BUY THE BRONZER HERE*

POWDER BLUSHER – PEACH MELBA* – £1.99

I love a good peachy blusher and this ticks all the right boxes! It gives a subtle hint of colour to my skin and isn’t too intense so it’s perfect for more natural looks. It’s super easy to blend and build up (if necessary) as well. I love how delicate and subtle it is and I cannot wait to use it during Summer. It also contains camomile to help sooth and protect your skin.

BUY THE BLUSHER HERE*

TINTED LIP BALM – CRANBERRY KISS

I’ve been using these glosses for YEARS now and I honestly think they’re fab. I very rarely wear glosses as I prefer a matte look but whenever I need some extra moisture, I turn to these straight away! This was actually the first shade of their tinted lip balms that I ever used and I love the subtle pop of pink that it gives my lips. If you’re looking for something lightweight and really subtle, I’d definitely recommend trying these out!

LIQUID EYELINER – BLACK MATTE* – £2.49

I tend to go through phases of wearing liquid eyeliner. Recently I’ve been loving a more natural look but I know there will come a time when I need that extra something to make my eyes pop! When it comes to eyeliners, I like something that is really easy to apply and allows me to be really precise when I want to do a winged look. The brush is so tiny it’s perfect! I love using this to perfect my wings and also it’s smudge proof so what more could you want?

BUY THE EYELINER HERE*

BLUSH AND GLOW – BRONZE* – £2.49

I really wanted to try this because anything compact that has multiple products in is just such a winner in my eyes. I love being able to carry less and more at the same time! This little due contains a silky matte bronzer as well as a shimmering highlighter to give you a pop of colour and glow when you need it! The bronzer was much more pigmented than I expected but it’s definitely not too intense and can be built up if necessary. The highlighter was really pigmented however and it creates a lovely and natural looking shimmer to my complexion. For less than £3 you can’t go wrong really!

BUY THE DUO HERE*

TINTED LIP BALM – CARIBBEAN CRUSH

Unfortunately I can’t find links for either of the lip balms but I’m sure they still have them in store! I love using this shade to add a coral/nude gloss to my lips – particularly when I don’t fancy having anything intense or pigmented. Plus, they feel so nice and moisturising too so they’re lovely when you have dry lips that need repairing!

Overall, I actually really like these products. I like that they’re very focused on a natural look which is pretty hard to find these days. I also like that the packaging is simplistic and not too cluttered. I really like Natural Collection anyway because they offer such fantastic products for extremely good prices and it’s perfect for those that don’t want to pay ridiculous amounts of money for some good makeup. They also offer lots of shades, which means there are lots of options when choosing what would suit you best. I would really recommend trying these products – and the rest of the range, out! Don’t forget to follow me on my social media which I’ve linked below as I’d love it if you came and said hi!

N xxxx

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

*Anything marked with an “*” are affiliate links, which means I earn commission through every click, however all opinions are my own!

Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blog, blogger, Cosmetics, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Swatches