Tag: Blogmas2017

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2017 BLOGMAS LIFE

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE

BLOGMAS DAY 24

So, we have reached the end of my first ever Blogmas! I’m so so so glad that I took part as it’s taught me so much about the world of blogging but also about myself. I’ve learned that I actually have a lot more confidence than I thought I had.

I started this blog in September and I didn’t share it with anyone at first – the thought terrified me. I was scared I would be judged or laughed. Writing the post about my brother (it’s here if you want to give it a read) taught me  to be true to myself and not to be afraid of being judged by other people. The support that I received in response was so overwhelming. In my first ever blog post, I talked about how blogs and youtube channels have helped me in dark and difficult times in my life and that I was hoping to achieve something similar in my own writing, so I was incredibly moved by how many people said that it had helped them.

This little world that I have created also helps me too. I’ve always loved writing and expressing my opinion and being able to do this whenever I want to, about whatever I choose makes me super happy. I’m so glad so many of you have enjoyed my posts and that it continues to help and entertain all you lovely people out there! Your support honestly means the world to me.

To my girl tribe back at uni, thank you all so much for being avid readers and for even sharing them with your friends and family! Benjamin, you absolute star – thank you so much for putting up with my blogging breakdowns and typing tantrums and for helping me plan my posts and for being so supportive with everything that I do!

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas a very happy New Year and that you get to spend lots of time with people that you love. Speaking of which I can sense a growing panic in the kitchen as dinner is nearly ready, so I should probably go and assist my parents!

Lots and lots of love N xxxx

 

 

 

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2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

I HEART REVOLUTION: MINT CHOCOLATE PALETTE – REVIEW SWATCHES & PHOTOS

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BLOGMAS DAY 23:

You guys seemed to enjoy reading my review of Tam Beauty’s I Heart Revolution Golden Bar palette so I thought I would take a look at another in the collection. If you don’t already know about Tam Beauty, I’ve written about them before in some other reviews that I will link below! Long story short they’re  cruelty free and based in the UK. They’re kind of an umbrella brand for Makeup Revolution, I Heart Makeup, Freedom and some others too. Today I’m testing out the Mint Chocolate palette, also from Tam Beauty’s I Heart Makeup brand. Enjoy!

READ MY SOPH X PALETTE REVIEW

READ MY GOLDEN BAR PALETTE REVIEW

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Processed with VSCO with c2 presetThe Mint Chocolate palette, like the others in the collection, features the amazing chocolate bar packaging, this time with a fluorescent light green and a dark brown base. Immediately this was a throwback for me! As a little girl I always used to get mint choc chip ice cream, it was my absolute favourite – the colours are spot on. It will cost you £8.99 – or in other words, a bargain.

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Processed with VSCO with c2 presetA lot of people have said this palette is very similar to the Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture palette (I’ve also reviewed this) with it’s autumnal selection of shades, oranges, coppers and reds galore! I wish I had been using this through October/November as the colours are perfect for that time of year. The palette is mainly muted and warm however, there’s also some pops of colour, a bright yellow and a shimmery green. The palette includes 9 foils/shimmers and 7 mattes. I think it’s such a unique combination of colours which makes me even more excited to mess around with it. It seems there was an attempt to make it smell of peppermint but it actually kind of smells medicinal. Don’t worry though, it’s not really strong it’s just when you stick your nose in up close.

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So here’s the first row…

  • Sugarcoated: A light champagne-gold foil/shimmer – Perfect for halo looks or inner corners. It’s super creamy but it takes a couple of goes to pick up a lot of pigment.
  • Engaged: A prosecco meets brown foil/shimmer – Super pretty and pigmented. It was easy to pick this one up and swatch it. I reckon this would look lovely all over the lid.
  • Tea: A pink-brown matte – I use this as a transition shade as it’s so simple and blends beautifully. It’s creamy and although subtle, it’s buildable.
  • Lust: A blue to brown foil/shimmer – This might be my favourite shade in the palette, it’s so unique and I’ve never owned a shadow like this (it really reminds me of the shade ‘Petrol‘ in the Soph x Palette which I reviewed a couple of days ago if you fancy having a peek)
  • Poison Ivy: A dark forest green matte – This is the shade I’m most disappointed with. It’s very patchy (you can see if you look closely in the photo) and I struggled to swatch it let alone blend it on my lids. It’s definitely buildable you just have to put some more work into this one.

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The second row…

  • Secret: A rich warm brown matte – I love this shade, it’s really creamy feeling and it is great for warm smokey eye looks which I do all the time.
    Worlds Apart: A red matte with pink and purple undertones – This one felt slightly more chalky but it still swatched well after I applied a couple of layers. I would most likely use this for autumnal looks but probably for festive ones too as it’s so rich and warm.
  • Distorted: A copper foil/shimmer with orange undertones – I am a sucker for anything gold or copper and this immediately lured me in.  The quality of this shade, keeping in mind it’s in a palette sold in drugstores, is INSANE. It’s so pigmented and gorgeously creamy.
  • Rivals: An emerald green foil/shimmer – This shadow isn’t as creamy as Distorted and it’s slightly chalky/powdery feeling but it’s so pigmented and it still applies and blends really well. It’s the perfect shimmery green for festive makeup looks as there’s definitely some flecks of gold in it too!
  • Interupted: A cup of tea brown/nude matte – (Yes it’s spelt without a double ‘r’ so I’m not sure if this is a typo on the palette or intentional) So far I’ve used this as a transition shade in the crease or as a base for other shadows. It’s very soft and creamy feeling and it’s buildable too if you want it to stand out a little bit more. It’s just a bit too similar to my skin tone so it doesn’t show up that much on me.

Compromise: A brown foil/shimmer – At first I didn’t find this to be that pigmented but after another layer it was gorgeous. The texture was creamy as well which I love as it just makes applying and blending so much easier. I like that this is a warm toned shimmer too – right up my street!

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The third and final row…

  • Awaken: A dark chocolate brown matte – Just like Poison Ivy I found this to be quite patchy but after a little bit more work it was okay. It’s warm toned too which I’m all about.
  • Disturbance: A bright yellow-gold foil/shimmer – Super pigmented and such a cool unique shade, I’ve never owned a bright yellow before either so I’m going to enjoy experimenting with this.
  • Commotion: A turquoise blue foil/shimmer – Turquoise is my favourite colour anyway so I immediately fell in love with this shade when I saw it.
  • High Standards: A champagne-pink nude foil/shimmer – Another pigmented shadow, perfect for halo looks and inner corner highlights. It’s so delicate and pretty looking.

Confession: A pinky-white matte – I’ve been using this as a base after I apply primer/concealer to my lid as it just doesn’t show up that well on me. However, it definitely brightens up my eyes no matter what I’m using it for.

In conclusion, it’s a great palette for the amount that you pay. No, not all of the shades are perfect in one swatch but it is after all, £8.99 so I can understand why this isn’t the case. However, every shade is buildable and can be as intense as you want it to be which makes up for any initial patchiness or lack of immediate pigment. I love the mix of shimmers and mattes which means I can take this palette anywhere and use it for a whole look on it’s own and the inclusion of a massive mirror helps with making it really travel-friendly too. I would recommend this palette to anyone looking to experiment with some coloured eyeshadows or if you would use this kind of palette every day. It’s only £8.99 so if you reckon it’s your kind of thing it’s not a terrifyingly priced product. If you already have this or are planning on buying it, let me know where you stand as I would love to know.

READ MY SOPH X PALETTE REVIEW

READ MY GOLDEN BAR PALETTE REVIEW

N xxxx

Categories
2017 BLOGMAS LIFE

THE CHRISTMAS TAG

BLOGMAS DAY 22

I’ve always loved reading people’s tag posts because I think they tell you a lot about a person and they’re always fun to read. I thought I would take part as I’ve never done one before so here you are, enjoy!

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?

I hate to be extremely predictable, but it’s got to be Love, Actually. I bloody love this film, it hits all the emotions and it’s such a feel good film. I don’t feel like it’s Christmas without watching it. Gotta love a bit of Colin Firth, Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson – not to mention Alan Rickman too.

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

We like to save the excitement for Christmas Day! I don’t think I’ve ever opened a present on Christmas Eve, it felt like there was a rule that shouldn’t be broken. I can remember being little and waking up in the middle of the night to find my stocking at the end of my bed, the temptation was unbearable. I remember poking my presents, trying to figure out what they were.

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

I remember sleeping in my brother’s room in a sleeping bag on his bedroom floor (our first sleepover) and in the morning we were opening our stockings and I got some little desks and lockers for my Barbie dolls. I’d wanted to play ‘schools’ with my dolls and now I could! – It’s the small things for 6 year old Nina haha!

4. Favourite festive food?

I’m aware these are around all year however there’s nothing like scoffing a box of Lindt chocolate truffles on Christmas Day – alone (no sharing whatsoever thank you). I’ve always loved pigs in blankets though, my mouth is watering just thinking about them. Recently I’ve also started enjoying festive inspired crisps. If you’re wondering what I’m on about, check out M&S for some very interesting combinations.

5. Favourite Christmas gift?

I have a few. First I have to say my Playmobil Hospital. I picked this with my parents and they hid it upstairs and I remember sitting in front of it every night and staring at it – I was so unbelievably excited. Another doll-related gift, I received a boy Bratz doll and I was over the moon. It was so difficult finding boy dolls anywhere so this was a groundbreaking moment for Nina’s doll collection.  Another fond memory I have, I must’ve been pretty young, I was given a ‘Grease’ (as in the musical) handbag which I took everywhere with me as I was obsessed with the film. OBSESSED. I used to watch it every morning and pause it before school only to come back home and continue watching it from that point. My poor family probably didn’t fancy listening to ‘Summer Nights’ that frequently. Soz guys x

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

It’s got to be peppermint. I know it’s not particularly traditional but I’m loving it at the moment, it reminds me of candy canes! I find the traditional Christmas spice scent quite overpowering so I don’t tend to buy anything that smells of it. I have a couple of posts where I talk about my favourite festive candles so check them out here and here if you’re interested!

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

We usually have something yummy to eat and we watch whatever festive shows that the BBC has to offer or we tune into a Christmas classic. At some point we usually watch something animated (Dreamworks or Pixar). Shrek the Halls is one of my favourites actually.

8. What tops your tree?

My brother made a little purple angel made from paper with a photo of his face on it when he was at school so it’s usually that. We have two trees and the other one doesn’t do a great job of supporting a star so I try and distract with lots of decorations instead.

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

I don’t really remember asking for anything too nuts but I’m sure when I was really little and I thought anything was possible – I probably asked for all sorts.

10. What’s the best part about Christmas for you?

Cringey I know, but I’ve always loved giving people presents. My mum always gave me lots of little bits to open on birthdays and for Christmas as opposed to one or two big things. I always thought this was better and more exciting, I still do. So I enjoy all of the shopping and buying presents for friends and family. I feel like that little kid from the John Lewis advert haha! Another fab part of Christmas is of course, the huge sales. NEW CLOTHES AND MAKEUP YAY!

Feel free to answer these questions yourselves as I would love to hear about your Christmas traditions and favourites!

 

Categories
2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

MAKEUP REVOLUTION SOPH X PALETTE – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

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BLOGMAS DAY 21

Tam Beauty are the company that own Freedom, Makeup Revolution and I Heart Makeup. They’re cruelty free and are based in Britain. You’ll most likely spot their products in your local Superdrug store. I’ve reviewed their Golden Bar palette if you fancy taking a look. When I heard that Soph was collaborating with Tam Beauty’s brand Makeup Revolution to create a palette, I nearly passed out. I have watched Sophie’s videos for years now and she’s come so far I’m so proud to be a subscriber of hers. She is a Youtuber who is known as ‘Sophdoesnails’. She’s extremely down to earth and she’s soooo good at eye makeup looks. She also reviews the latest products in the beauty world, trying out all kinds of brands – affordable and expensive.   I highly recommend that you go and check out her channel here. She also made an announcement video where she goes through each of the shades and explains her choices and reasoning behind the names and colours.

I’ve only just managed to get my hands on this palette so I thought a review was well overdue.

Processed with VSCO with c1 presetLet’s talk about this packaging. It’s a super pretty pastel pink colour that Soph actually designed herself. She’s very artistic (and extremely talented) and she actually painted the watercolour design that features on the packaging. I am loving the rose gold splatters and writing on it too (right up my street as you probably know). I will definitely be keeping the palette in it’s box as it’s just too pretty to throw away.

Processed with VSCO with c1 presetThe actual palette itself is a matte nude, pastel peach colour with more rose gold lettering on it. It’s slim and lightweight and it’s also got a very generously sized mirror making it a brilliant palette to travel with or for on the go use.

 

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726DF6D3-AA23-4550-AE78-BA1AC869FB8F.JPGUpon opening the palette you are greeted by 24 pans, 14 of which are matte shadows and 10 are shimmers. As you can see the palette includes a fantastic mix of shades giving you so many  options when it comes to creating looks for every day or even looks for all out glam. There’s rich shimmers, bright pops of colour and even a matte black! What more could you need?! The shadows are all pigmented and buildable so you can be more subtle or go full on. I use a primer to ensure they wear all day long so I would recommend doing the same as you really get the most out of the shades. I would also recommend that you do your eyes before doing the rest of your face as I never learn and get a heavy dusting of shimmer all over my foundation covered cheeks – No thanks.

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  • Penguin: A matte white – Quite powdery but is super pigmented for a white shadow.
  • Pancakes: A light neutral beige- Pretty accurate name for the colour actually, it’s a fab transition shade as well.
  • Fairy Lights: A white-gold shimmer – It’s not the most intense shadow in the palette but it’s still buildable and looks lovely for inner corner highlights or on the brown bone.
  • Pink Champagne: A pale pink shimmer – Again this isn’t very intense but it’s certainly buildable and looks so pretty on the inner part of the lid or even all over it.
  • Iced Coffee: A matte warm tan/neutral – Another perfect name. It really does look like the colour of iced coffee. I love using this to warm up the crease as a transition shade.
  • Cuppa Tea: A medium matte warm brown – I also love using this shade to warm up my eyeshadow looks.

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  • Grow Old: A coppery-gold shimmer – This is so beautifully pigmented, I love it! I use this shadow all the time, it’s so warm and pretty.
  • Sparks Fly: A gold shimmer – The perfect gold shadow, it’s a must in any collection. It’s so pigmented and looks so gorgeous on the lids when the light catches it. I love using this for halo looks too.
  • Smokey Bronze: A dark smokey bronze metallic shimmer – You know me, I love anything bronze so I really enjoy using this shade. It’s great for smoking out shimmery looks.
  • Mixed Berries: A purple berry-toned shimmer – I’ve always loved using fun and bold colours within my every day makeup looks, so I was so happy to see this shade included in the palette. It’s also super pigmented too!
  • Tiramisu: A neutral matte medium brown – Again a great shadow for the crease as a transition shade. I also enjoy using this for more natural makeup looks too as it’s not too intense and can be blended out very easily.
  • Peaches: A warm matte peach – This is so creamy and pigmented. I love how rich and warm this shade is too. I can’t wait to use this in summer when I’m creating more orangey/gold looks.

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Cloudberry: A matte light orange – This definitely has some subtle shimmer to it. It’s so pigmented and gorgeous I’m so happy this shade was included! Again, this will be perfect for warm toned looks in summer. I love that she named this because of the Moomin books too!

Pumpkin: A matte orange with red undertones – This shade surprised me so much when I swatched it. It’s so creamy and it’s extremely pigmented, I barely had to press on the pan to pick up what I did.

Pine Tree: An emerald green metallic shimmer – I can’t get over this shade. I am a lover of all things green and khaki as it’s a colour that seems compliment my skin tone so I was so excited about this colour being in the palette. It’s so unique and different from anything else that I have. I have really enjoyed using this for festive looks as it’s the perfect Christmas green in my opinion. It was the tiniest bit chalky to swatch but this didn’t cause any issues when applying.

Petrol: An iridescent metallic blue shimmer with brown undertones – I was really intrigued by this shade as I originally thought it was a blue shimmer. It’s actually a blue to brown shimmer. I was so surprised at how creamy feeling this shadow was. This is so unique, I’ve never owned an eyeshadow like this before!

Pug: A matte grey-brown taupe – Another shade that’s perfect for using in the crease or as a transition shade.

Danger: A red matte – I am a sucker for warm toned shadows so this is right up my street.

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  • Strawberry Sweets: A matte warm strawberry pink – This is such a stunning shade. I like using this for my more bold coloured looks.
  • Festive Flame: Metallic red with orange undertones – Again this is a shade that’s so perfect for festive makeup looks. 
  • Copper Coin: A true copper metallic shimmer with orange undertones – I LOVE THIS SHADE. It’s absolutely gorgeous and so pigmented for a drugstore shadow. Yes Soph!
  • Mugcake: A dark neutral matte brown – I have been using this to darken my outer v and it works a treat. It’s also warm toned which I am all about.
  • Rosewood: A dark cool toned brown with pink and purple undertones – I enjoy using this when I want a more cool toned but dark look.

Nightmare: A matte black – Finally a black shadow included in a colourful palette! It’s so fab for adding some drama to my eye looks. Perfect for a dark and dramatic smokey eye.

In conclusion, this palette is absolutely worth buying. For the price and the range of shades it’s just such good value. There’s so many different shades for every kind of look that you could wish to create and because there’s a mixture of mattes and shimmers you can create looks using only this palette. Some of the shades require a couple of layers to build up the colour payoff but of course, this is more than okay for a drugstore palette that only costs £10. I am so impressed that this was created by Soph and it’s the first thing she’s created – what an achievement! You can get the palette from Superdrug in stores and online and on Tam Beauty’s website.

I will be reviewing her highlighter palette soon so keep an eye out for that! If you’ve tried either of Soph’s products I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

N xxxx

Categories
2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

I HEART REVOLUTION: GOLDEN BAR PALETTE – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

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BLOGMAS DAY 19

Superdrug is my favourite place to go when hunting for new (affordable) makeup. They nearly always have at least one display of the TAM Beauty make up brands, Makeup Revolution, Freedom Makeup and I Heart Makeup. I am such a huge fan of these products as they’re always of such high quality and yet they’re priced affordably – what more could you want?

The beauty community has definitely been talking about the I Heart Revolution palettes and rightly so! They’re becoming more and more popular after they launched a collection of dupes for the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palettes. They even duped the Sweet Peach palette (I will be comparing the two in a review soon!). The latest palette from this fabulous brand is the Golden Bar Palette. You can most likely buy this from your local Superdrug store or order it from their site online. TAM Beauty ship internationally so you can also order it on their website.

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I fell in love with this palette as soon as I saw it, the packaging certainly sucked me in – TAM Beauty knew exactly what they were doing! All of the palettes in this collection are designed to look like chocolate bars however this one caught my eye when I noticed the metallic gold packaging. It’s a fricking gold chocolate bar! I also loved the melting chocolate on the front of the palette, it reminded me slightly of the Kylie Cosmetics packaging.

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Not a bad view huh? Featuring 16 shades, this palette was a steal at only £9, especially if you consider the ridiculously expensive Too Faced palettes (£40). The Golden Bar palette may not be exactly the same, however, it’s extremely similar and it’s certainly giving them a run for their money. In my opinion, if you can purchase a highly pigmented palette for even the price of a more expensive one, you’re onto a winner. There’s also a very generously sized mirror covering the entire lid, making this a great palette to travel with. The one thing that I didn’t enjoy about the packaging, was the plastic overlay that had the shade names on it. I would much rather have a palette with the names printed below each shade, making life that little bit easier, especially for tutorials or reviews like this one. Another thing to keep in mind that also let me down slightly is that there are no matte shades. This means a full look can’t really be completed as there is nothing to use as a transition shade so you’d need to use another palette.

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Collection: A cool icy white shimmer –  I love using this for inner corner highlights and under my brows! I sometimes even dot above my lips for a more defined cupid’s bow.

Ribbon: A light pink champagne-shimmer – I would say this is one of the more subtle shades but it’s certainly buildable. I sometimes use a setting spray to intensify it which works perfectly!

Edible: A muted taupe-brown shimmer – In my opinion, this is the least pigmented shadow in the palette. I like the colour for a more subtle hint of brown in my crease but it’s no way near as pigmented as some of the other shades. Again, if you use a setting spray it can intensify it.

Tablet: A dark bronze/gold shimmer – I love using this shadow as it’s darker than the other gold shimmers in the palette so it’s perfect for a less blinding look (I’m all down for full-on lightbulbs on the lid though)

Wrapped: A red/purple toned brown shimmer – I love using this to slightly smoke out my outer lid, however, it’s a shimmer shade of course so it’s not as intense as a matte shadow would be.

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Wrapper: A warm orange/yellow gold with brown undertones – I often use this shade with warm toned shadows to create a red toned look. The orange undertones also meant I could use it for Autumnal looks as well!

Foil: A golden shimmer – I often use this in the centre of the lid as it’s just such a gorgeous shimmer. I used this for a halo smokey eye look the other day and it did a fab job!

Golden: A rich golden shimmer – This is my favourite shadow in the palette. It’s just so insanely pigmented, it’s INCREDIBLE. I can’t believe this came in a palette that costs £9…? It really does show that you don’t need to break the bank to own some crazily pigmented shadows.

Bar: A bronze shimmer with olive-green undertones – I tend to use this shade less as it’s not as blinding or rich as the other gold shades however it’s still a unique colour to have in a palette.

Box: A khaki shimmer – I love this shade, it always looks nice on the lid with a smokey outer corner. I’m a fan of any coloured shadows, especially khaki as I already wear so much of this colour (90% of my wardrobe).

IMG_0995Block: Taupe/dark brown shadow with purple undertones – I use this all the time to add some drama to my eye makeup looks, it’s another great shadow for intensifying the outer lid and creating a smokey eye.

Gift: A milk-chocolate brown shimmer – This is what I would call the perfect chocolate shimmery brown shadow. It’s quite a warm shade too so I like using it for red/orange toned looks but it looks good as part of an everyday look as well.

Limited: A musky pink/purple shimmer with light brown undertones – I absolutely adore this shade, it’s such a gorgeous mixture of pink and purple and of course, it’s shimmery! It looks even better when applied with a setting spray.

Cocoa: A rich red/burgundy shimmer – I am loving using this shade for red smoky eyes which is fab for festive makeup looks!

Beans: A medium-brown shimmer – This is a pretty similar shade to Block, however, I prefer it. It’s lighter and easier to blend into a more everyday look. It’s slightly darker than Limited which makes it better for a smokey eye.

Chocolatier: A light nude/prosecco shimmer with cool undertones – I was pretty disappointed with this shade. Yes, it’s pigmented however it’s so chalky and powdery so getting your brush to pick up the right amount is difficult. It still looks great on the lid, especially for a halo look or inner corner highlights.

Overall, I think this palette is SUCH good value, given how pigmented each individual shadow is. I also have to mention how well the shadows last, they don’t crease and I don’t even use a primer which speaks volumes. The packaging is also amazing and of high quality, unlike some of my cardboard based palettes. I love the variety of colours that this palette offers for such a low price. The negatives of this palette, for me, was the fact that the shade names weren’t printed inside and that there were no matte shades so I can’t use it on its own. However, I would recommend this to anyone looking to build their collection of shimmer shadows as they’re all great quality and very pigmented.

Let me know if you would like reviews of any of the other bits in this collection as I own most of it!

N xxxx

 

Categories
2017 BLOGMAS INTERIORS LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

CHRISTMAS HOMEWARE

BLOGMAS DAY 18

I love making my bedroom feel warm and cosy, especially when it’s so cold and dark outside! As you all know, I am a lover of all things homeware and decor so Christmas is my excuse to buy some more! Christmas is only a week away and I have bought some festive bits and bobs to jazz up my room and I thought I would share these with you so that you can grab them in time for the occasion!

IMG_1244.JPGPrimark Glitter Tealights -These tealights are so glam looking and they make a nice change from the normal ones I use. I love the colours they come in too as they match the copper/gold aesthetic of my room perfectly!

IMG_1245Asda 3ft White Christmas Tree – I have always wanted a mini Christmas tree for my bedroom so when I saw this I had to get it. I specifically wanted a 3ft tree, so there were enough branches to decorate but it wouldn’t be towering over me. I went for a white tree because it looked so pretty with my rose gold/pink baubles!

IMG_1249Primark Pack of 25 Rose Gold/Gold/Pink/Purple Baubles – I thought that these might look quite tacky but once on the tree with some fairy lights an tinsel, the overall effect was actually lovely and really luxe!

IMG_1251Sainsbury’s Polar Bear Tealight Holder – I was so shocked at how discounted so much of the Christmas homeware was! I couldn’t believe this was only £2.50 given it’s of a reasonable size and can fit four tealights in! I would really recommend having a look at the home sections near you as there are loads of great bits and pieces!

IMG_1252Dunelm Cinnamon Cake Tealights – As you know, I am a candle addict and when I saw these I couldn’t leave them behind. They smell amazing. I have been a fan of Dunelm’s Churchgate Fragrances range for a long time, particularly the salted caramel candles! They also have Chocolate Orange, Frosted Mint, and Winter Berries! If you want to see what else I recommend, check out my Autumnal and Winter candles posts!

IMG_1253Homesense – Glittery Glass Bowl – I love a good trip to Homesense, it’s very rare that I don’t end up buying something either. After about an hour of browsing my local store, my boyfriend was desperately attempting to lead me to the tills in order to actually leave. All was going to plan until I spotted this. It’s so beautifully made, I haven’t seen anything like it. I looked at my boyfriend and we both thought the same thing “this is going to be expensive” IT WAS £2.99 PEOPLE. This is why Homesense is my favourite store (I actually have a post about this).

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Primark – Copper Christmas Tree Light – I actually got this light quite a while ago. They still have it in stock – do not fear! I love how industrial it looks and of course, it’s has a copper finish so it’s win-win.

IMG_1256PoundLand – Ceramic Santa Decorations – I thought these were so sweet and they look adorable on my windowsill! I like the handmade element to them as well, it looks like something I would’ve made to put out for Santa when I was younger.

IMG_1258Tiger – Mini Gold Snowglobe – This was something my boyfriend held up in the air from across the store – he chose right! I’ve never actually had a snowglobe, I’m not sure why as they’re so sweet and festive. You may also see a miniature mushroom and some suspiciously small berries in the photo. These are actually part of a candle ring that I also bought from Tiger! I also have a post about why I love Tiger so much too!

I’d love to know if you have bought any little bits and pieces for your rooms/homes so do let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

Categories
2017 BLOGMAS LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

MY FAVOURITE PODCASTS

BLOGMAS DAY 17

This year I have really enjoyed listening to and discovering new podcasts. For anyone unsure of what I mean, a podcast is a digital audio file that’s available on the Internet that you can download on your phone/computer/tablet and many other devices. Usually, they’ll be available as a series that you can subscribe to. It’s kind of like an audio-Netflix. They’re so simple and easy to use, especially on the train, whilst walking into town or even to fall asleep to.

I thought I would share some of my favourites with you!

TO MAKE YOU LAUGH:

My Dad Wrote A Porno – Jamie Morton reads a chapter a week from the erotic novels that his 60-year-old father has written. His friends James Cooper and Radio 1‘s Alice Levine join him. If the thought of your parents even thinking about sex is enough to make you shudder this podcast takes the humiliation one step further. In each episode, Jamie expresses his feelings about his father’s erotic fiction saga, Belinda Blinked. His father, Rocky Flintstone (yes that is his pen name) shares the lecherous adventures of Belinda Blumenthal, a pots and pans saleswoman (the most random career title I’ve ever heard). This podcast is truly the funniest thing I have ever listened to, it actually makes me laugh out loud in public. There’s currently 3 series available, however, we were treated to, “My Dad Wrote A Christmas Porno 2” which has just been dropped, apparently involving a festive skiing trip. There’s laughing fits, confusion, and of course an understandable amount of ranting from Jamie. The three fabulously witty millennials are currently on tour and you can grab yourself tickets here!

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4 “The Now Show” – Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis along with many other guests treat us to hysterical comedy sketches and satirical commentary galore. This is another podcast that has me laughing out loud. I love the intelligent nature of the jokes and the speediness of each comedy sketch, it’s like being at a live show. The hosts frequently poke fun at politicians and celebrities, making it relatable, relevant and topical.

 

FOR A CALMING HOUR OF INSPIRATION:

At Home With… – This is one of my favourite podcasts to chill out and listen to. It’s hosted by Lily Pebbles and Anna Newton, two lifestyle content creators, and together they visit the homes of people they admire. Each episode is recorded in a different person’s home, where you get to find out all sorts about them and what inspired them to design their home the way that they did. Some people that they have featured in the podcast include Zoe Sugg (Zoella), Liz Earle, and Giovanna Fletcher!

THOUGHT PROVOKING:

Ted Talks Daily – Every weekday, this podcast delivers the most fascinating ideas on absolutely every subject imaginable. I’ve heard talks about Architecture, 10 Ways to have a better conversation and artificial intelligence! The talks are usually given by the world’s foremost thinkers and opinion leaders. You find yourself learning about things you never even knew existed on your everyday commute. It’s such a fantastic idea, I strongly recommend giving this one a go.

Desert Island Discs – Kirsty Young asks her guests to choose, 8 tracks, a book, and a luxury, what would they take to a desert island? Some of this podcasts fabulous guests include Ed Sheeran, David Beckham, Sue Perkins and Bruce Springsteen. Kirsty talks to her guests about their lives and what the reasons are behind their musical, literary and luxury selections. I love this podcast as it gives you a bit of detail behind the public personas and a chance to find something out that you didn’t already know.

Stuff You Should Know – Hosts Chuck (Charles Bryant) and Josh Clark explore a vast range of topics, from how population works to how much money there is in the world. It’s a fascinating listen and I would strongly recommend giving it a go as you can learn so much in such a short space of time! Not only does this wonderful podcast give you creative conversation starters, it also gives you an insight into how the world works.

Do let me know if you also enjoy any of these podcasts or if you have any other suggests for me as I’m always looking for something new to listen to!

N xxxx