Tag: Product Review

BEAUTY

I HEART REVOLUTION – BRONZE & SHIMMER {REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS)

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date April 10, 2018
12 Comments on I HEART REVOLUTION – BRONZE & SHIMMER {REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS)

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed anything from I Heart Revolution product, but I just had to share this one with you! I’m always looking to see what they’re bring out as they’re pretty much a conveyor belt of dupes. I have a bit of an obsession with bronzers and highlighters and I feel like I’ve tried my fair share of them, however I’m about to introduce you to my all time favourite…

Today, we’re talking about the I Heart Revolution Bronze and Shimmer duo. The adorable compact consists of a powder bronzer and highlighter to keep you glowing all day every day.

The packaging is adorable and matches the rest of their scrummy chocolate palette collection. I’m always impressed with their packaging actually! Considering that they’re a drugstore brand, the fact that they’re competing with the likes of Too Faced when it comes to branding, is pretty impressive, right? It only retails at £6 and let me tell you ladies and gents, may the makeup gods make us truly thankful.

The compact comes with a generously sized mirror which makes it perfect for on-the-go application and space-saving whilst travelling! Does anyone else end up packing way too much makeup in their suitcase or is it just me? I’m always looking for products that will take up less space to avoid the embarrassing weigh-in at the airport…The pans are really nicely sized too! Sometimes, when it comes to smaller compacts, the amount of product we get isn’t great but that’s not the case here! On that note however, you may have noticed the bronzer pan is slightly bigger and I kind of wish it was the other way round. It may sound fussy but I’m actually in love with the highlighter so I’d happily bathe in it if possible. Both the bronzer and highlighter have a gradient so you can find the perfect shade for you within both pans! How handy is that?

The highlighter is just beautiful – it’s the kind of shade I always go for as I think it compliments my skin-tone the most! I don’t really go for the whole iridescent vibe so this is the closest I can get without catching the light and blinding people. It’s one of the only highlighters that sits perfectly on top of my foundation. I cannot believe it only costs £6. It’s currently my go-to even though I own some highlighters from high-end brands like Bobbi Brown and Urban Decay.

Yep. That’s it, I’m in love. I was already impressed just from looking at them, let alone after I’d done swatches. It’s probably worth noting that I barely even had to touch the pan in order to pick up a substantial amount of product, both are very pigmented! The bronzer provides the most gorgeous golden-brown glow for an all year round “I’ve just been on holiday” look. Speaking of which, how stunning will it look in summer? It’s one hundred percent become my sparkling sunshine companion. To be honest, I reckon I’ll even wear it in Winter too. It’s at that time of year that my skin could do with a bit of a helping hand and I think this will make me look less white walker-like, you know? I’m all for a bronzer with a touch of sparkle to it as I find matte bronzers rarely work out for me and make me look muddy – if you know, you know. Also – it can be used as an eyeshadow, thank me later!

So, what do I think? In all honesty, I think this product is a 10/10. I can’t find anything wrong with it at all! It’s rare that I don’t have a criticism in some shape or form but this my friends, is perfection. If you want to glow like a lightbulb but you don’t want to take out a loan, this is definitely one to consider. It’s affordable, the quality is insane and it’s giving those brands at the higher end of the price range something to lose sleep over. It’s often out of stock in Superdrug so I’d recommend ordering it online if you can!

Get the Bronze & Shimmer duo here

What do you think of this product? Have you tried it for yourself? Let me know in the comments. As usual, I’ve linked all of my social media so be sure to come and say hey!

N xxxx

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Tags blog, Bronzer, highlighter, Makeup, Makeup Revolution, Photography, Photos, Product Review, Review, Superdrug

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX FEBRUARY 2018: BEAUTY THROUGH THE DECADES – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 13, 2018
No Comments on BIRCHBOX FEBRUARY 2018: BEAUTY THROUGH THE DECADES – REVIEW

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 any contracts, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month! You can edit your beauty profile on their site in order 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 over a year now and I 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 older boxes to store makeup in too as the designs are too pretty to throw away!

Check out my review of last month’s box here!

We were given a choice between a 70s, 80s or 90s and I have to say it a was a tricky decision, they all looked so good! I opted for the 70s design, so my box is a real throwback with a gorgeous retro floral print. Beauty is about the classic tips and tricks as well as trying out the latest trends so I’m loving this combination! I will definitely be keeping and re-using this box as it’s just too pretty to throw out.

This month’s box has a good mixture of products including two full-sized makeup items, skincare and hair care too! I love when there’s a good variety of products to try out, so I was really happy when I saw the contents of my February box.

(FULL SIZE) The Beauty Crop Eyeshadow Trio – Love You So Latte – RRP £7

I love eyeshadow – I’m sure you’re aware of this by now, but I could honestly buy palettes every day if I had the funds! So when I saw this I was so excited to try it out. The trio includes two shimmers and one matte so it’s perfect for creating smokey and defined looks. I love how there’s a variety of shades in this little compact, as it means you can travel with it and still create a few different looks. The shadows are rich in caffeine and are packed with antioxidants to help brighten and tighten the skin, keeping your eyes bright and awake! I reckon these are flattering for any skin tone and eye colour too which is an added bonus to any product in the beauty community! These shadows are also vegan and cruelty-free with no sulphates or parabens too! It’s a shame the compact is so tiny but then again bigger palettes are harder to take on the go! The shimmer shadows were super pretty and creamy so they blended out well, however the matte brown shade was a bit harder to blend and swatched a little bit patchy.

(FULL SIZE) ModelCo® – Crème Rouge – RRP £14

I love cream products. I use a dewy foundation so products with creamy formulas blend so nicely on top. I often use a cream contour, blusher and so this was immediately something I was interested in. This 2-in-1 formula can add a pop of pink to your cheeks and your lips. It’s so easy and creamy to blend so it adds a healthy and natural-looking tint and doesn’t look too heavy on the skin (my swatch was to test how pigmented it was, I obviously wouldn’t rock about with that much product on my face!). I like that you can choose exactly how much product you want too, depending on whether or not you want a brighter pop of red or a more subtle hint.

Percy & Reed – Quite Frankly Flawless Finishing Polish – RRP £10.

I’ve always liked Percy and Reed products, I think they’re really luxurious and also so beautifully presented and packaged. I was intrigued by this product as it claims to be a leave in polish, which isn’t something I would normally go for. However, the ends of my hair could definitely do with a bit of shine. The polish is packed with horse chestnut extract and sunflower wax to give soft and flexible hold whilst also hydrating your locks!

UPDATE – I tried this today and I absolutely loved how it made my hair feel. It smelt amazing and didn’t leave my hair feeling sticky or oily. I could definitely feel that something was there but it wasn’t noticeable at all! It made my hair look more alive and healthy which are the main things that I look for in hair products and treatments. I’ve received a lot of Percy and Reed stuff over time so if you would like a review let me know as I can definitely do one for you!

Luseta Beauty – Coconut Milk Hair Mask – RRP £26

I hadn’t heard of this brand before I received this month’s box so I was excited to try this product out! I have quite damaged hair as I tend to use a lot of heat-based tools (oops) and I’m always looking for something to revive it! This mask helps to restructure hair back to it’s original and healthy state. The coconut milk, rich in vitamins C, E, B1, B5 AND B6 adds moisture and conditions the hair to tackle any dryness. This mask is sulfate, phosphate, & paraben free too! I will keep you updated with this as I will be doing a hair pampering evening soon!

Balance Me – Wonder Eye Cream – RRP £20

As a student, I don’t tend to get many full nights of sleep so any product that helps to disguise this is a godsend! This eye cream has a 3-in-1 formula smooths, softens and brightens (yes please) and it’s packed with chamomile, lemon, cucumber oil, witch hazel (one of my faves), anti-oxidant spruce knot, virgin coconut, reship oil and carrot oil (is there anything that isn’t in this product?!). My skin practically drinks this stuff up instantly and it leaves my eyes looking so much brighter!

Overall, I am really impressed with this month’s box. I love receiving boxes with a variety of products as after all, that is why I signed up for Birchbox in the first place! I really love that there was two full-sized products too as we usually only get one (which is still fab). Let me know if you are subscribed to Birchbox and what you thought of this box or if you are subscribed to any other beauty boxes, I would love to know!

Go ahead and use my link (here) to subscribe and you will get £5 off your first Birchbox!

Tags BEAUTY, Beautyblog, BIRCHBOX, blog, blogger, Lifestyle, Makeup, Photography, Product Review, Review

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG DECEMBER 2017: JADE WALSH REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 15, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG DECEMBER 2017: JADE WALSH REVIEW

Ohh Deer, a company I have SO much love for, was founded in order to allow illustrators and artists to showcase their work and find people that would be interested in buying their designs. The company sells the most amazing quirky and arty products – I simply can’t get enough. I love the fact that Ohh Deer offers artists the opportunity to get noticed and therefore get something back for all their hard work that otherwise we might not have seen. Some of their clients include Paperchase, ASOS, John Lewis and Oliver Bonas (my all-time favourite shop) and some of their collections have been specifically designed for the Tate Galleries and the Science Museum!

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

Ohh Deer decided to create a monthly subscription service for stationery addicts, such as myself called, Papergang! Each month you will receive a box filled with brilliant papery goodies and desk accessories. Some examples are notebooks, greeting cards, wrapping paper and art prints. It costs £10.95 and then a £2.95 for shipping which in my opinion, after receiving their boxes, is a great deal. Every box has a different design and theme by a different artist and for every 4 boxes, 1 tree is planted in partnership with the fantastic charity, Tree aid. To find out more about their connection with this charity here.

I am a huge stationary addict and this subscription box is probably my favourite out of the many I am a part of. I always look forward to opening my box every month and using all my new bits and pieces! Most of the products you receive are exclusive the Papergang subscribers for a while before they get sold in Ohh Deer’s shop.

This month’s box, created by Jade Walsh, combines two trends; tropical leaves and primary colours. I am LOVING tropical leaves designs at the moment. There’s something relaxing about them and they look good in any room. The main reason that this trend has come about, is due to he famous banana leaf wallpaper by Don Loper, for the Beverly Hills Hotel. Primary colours return every Spring, which makes for a refreshing start to a new year after the darkness of December! I’ve always loved bright and colourful stationery so I was thrilled to discover that this would be a main theme in this month’s Papergang box!

Every month Papergang provides us with a little monthly calendar card. I absolutely love these as I stick them in a frame and they’re the perfect size for my desk every month! The patterns are also so cute too.

1 x 2 Pack A5 Notebooks – £5.95

I love a notebook and I get through at least one a month – especially now that I’m blogging more regularly as I need to plan posts in advance (I try to anyway). The designs on these are so cool – they remind me of painting in school with all of the really bright coloured poster paints. One is plain paged (left) and one has gridded paper – maths book style (right).

3 x Pack of Pens – £7.95

I have an ever-growing collection of biros however I can never seem to find any – can someone tell me where all the biros get to? They’re like hair bands they just seem disappear… I was really excited about these as I am currently lacking black ink pens – somehow a pink highlighter just wouldn’t do for writing revision notes. These pens all look so pretty too which as I’m more likely to take care of them (hopefully they’ll stick around for longer too)

1 x A6 Notepad – £3.95

This might be my favourite item from this month’s box. I constantly need lists and things like this make it so much easier and they also encourage me to be far more organised. The pad consists of 60 pages which allows for a fair bit of list making! It’s a great sized pad for travelling with as it fits perfectly in my bag!

1 x Greeting Card – £2.50

The design is the same as one of the notebooks – a colourful tropical print. I love receiving cards in my Papergang boxes as it means I always have a stock of cards to choose from when needed, I rarely have a last minute panic anymore as these boxes ensure that I’m always prepared!

As usual, this box really impressed me. These products are all really lovely and are of high quality too so I feel like I got my money’s worth for sure. I also love the theme of this month as I definitely need some more colour in my life right now. Let me know what you guys think of these products and whether or not you would enjoy using them!

If you want to grab this month’s box click here.

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer as a company, click here!

N xxxx

Tags 2018, Art, Bullet Journal, Design, England, Inspiration, January, Lifestyle, Ohhdeer, PAPERGANG, Product Review, Review, Shopping, Stationery

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX JANUARY 2018: OHH DEER – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 12, 2018
26 Comments on BIRCHBOX JANUARY 2018: OHH DEER – REVIEW

If you want to see last month’s review, click here!

This month’s beautiful box is in collaboration with the British stationery gods over at ‘Ohh Deer‘. I absolutely bloody love this company – I’m even subscribed to their stationary subscription service too (click here for my November Papergang box review).

The January Birchbox is a pretty good mixture of skincare and makeup. This month seemed to have less well known brands than some of the other months, but the products are still all lovely. We were also given a cute little sheet of stickers too which I’m loving as they’re perfect for putting in my bullet journal/blog planner.

(FULL SIZE) Lord & Berry – Blusher Crayon in Peach : RRP £8

First up we have a crayon blusher. I picked this last month in advance (Birchbox usually offers this for every box – you can pick one of two products) because I knew it would be a good colour for more summery makeup looks. At first I was a bit terrified when I swatched this because I’d gotten so used to wearing dark coloured makeup over the Winter months but I reckon it’ll be an easy transition once Spring arrives (asap please because I’m fed up of it getting dark by 4 o’clock). I also like that it’s super creamy in it’s consistency so it’s easy apply and to blend in. I wasn’t sure about the whole ‘crayon’ idea however it’s meant I’ve been able to put the blusher exactly where I want it. I use a dewy foundation anyway so I prefer makeup that glides onto my face rather than putting something powdery or dry on top of it. I’ve also always loved using peachy/coral coloured lip and cheek products during Summer so I will definitely be keeping this around to test whilst I’m on holiday! It will definitely save me some space in my makeup bag as I won’t need to carry a whole compact and a brush. If this product takes your fancy, get yourself one here.

Marcelle – Waterproof Eyeliner in Charcoal : RRP £10.99

I always forget how much of a difference eyeliner makes. I keep thinking ” Something doesn’t look right, what’s missing ?” and it’s always eyeliner! This product really excited me as it’s waterproof. I hate getting panda eyes a few hours into my day or after a sobbing through an episode of Grey’s Anatomy so I tend to look for waterproof products – especially when it comes to eye makeup. This eyeliner stays put and doesn’t budge for a good few hours, I only had to touch it up once in a whole day – very impressed! Grab one here!

Thermaliv – Night Cream : £21

I have always loved night creams, masks and treatments as they’re so simple and easy to use. Just plonk them on and all you have to do is go to sleep to wake up feeling fresh faced and ready to go. This product contains sea chamomile and vitamin E which leaved the skin feeling nourished and plump. It is quite pricey though so I’m not sure if I would buy the full sized version once this sample has run out. However, if this sounds like something you’d be interested, you can get yourself one here!

Paul & Joe Beauty – Moisturising Foundation Primer in 01 Dragee : RRP £24

I’ve recently started using primers and I’ve really noticed a differenced in how my makeup applies once it’s on. It makes such a good base for my foundation so I was super pleased to see this product in this month’s box. This primer is enriched with botanical extracts providing extra moisture for your skin as well as having a subtle gold shimmer that creates a healthy and dewy look which I am all about. I really recommend this product, so if you want to check it out, you can do so here!

Afterspa – Amazing Makeup Remover : RRP £5.50

I cannot get over how unbelievably soft this product is. It removes any kind of makeup including mascara and waterproof eyeliner – SAY WHAT? It isn’t necessarily as easy as a makeup wipe but it certainly saves you some dosh given it apparently lasts up to 1,000 washes! All you have to do is soak it in warm/hot water and you’re ready to go. It’s a great idea plus it also is a great option for people that have sensitive skin. Grab it here if you want to check it out for yourself!

Overall I think this box is great value for money. One of the products is full sized and it costs £15 – whereas the box itself costs £10. I think there was a good mixture of skincare and makeup in this month’s box

Let me know if you are subscribed to Birchbox and what you thought of this box or if you are subscribed to any other beauty boxes, I would love to know!

Go ahead and use my link (here) to subscribe and you will get £5 off your first Birchbox!

Tags BEAUTY, Beautyblog, BIRCHBOX, blog, blogger, Bullet Journal, Design, January, Lifestyle, Lord and berry, Makeup, Marcelle, Ohhdeer, Photography, Product Review, Review, Skincare, Spring

BEAUTY

LUSH: “THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” BOX REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 10, 2018
No Comments on LUSH: “THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” BOX REVIEW

Hey you!

Today I’m back with another Lush review except this time we’re going to be talking about their “The Night Before Christmas” box. I’ve always been a huge fan of Lush’s Christmas ranges, particularly the Snow Fairy collection, which I reviewed the other day! Check that out here. I also love Lush’s stance on animal testing which you can read more about here.

“Slip into a bath before Christmas and summon some well-deserved peace and tranquility.”

The packaging for this is just so gorgeous! I love the dark purple and the gold aesthetic plus I also love the moon and stars design. It makes me feel warm and cosy just looking at it! I feel like Lush are absolute pros when it comes to vibrant and colourful packaging – it’s partly why I look forward to any seasonal ranges.

This box includes two products; the Shoot For The Stars bath bomb (my fave) and the Christmas Eve bubble bar. I love that they both match with their deep blue colour and astrology theme.

SHOOT FOR THE STARS BATH BOMB – 200g

“Honey-scented sparkles of Brazilian orange and bergamot waltz in a swirling, cobalt sky.”

This is my absolute favourite bath bomb that Lush sells. I love the smell, I love the look and I LOVE how it makes my skin feel after I’ve had a bath. I love launching this one into the tub and waiting for the water to turn a gorgeous shimmery turquoise. The little gold stars smell like a mixture of toffee and honey and they release the most gorgeous shimmer into the water, making it perfect to sink into before bed. It’s such a warm and comforting scent to get you relaxed and cosy on a cold Winter’s night! I usually get a few of these in stock before they disappear after Christmas. I wish it was an all year round product! I really recommend trying this one out if you haven’t already.

CHRISTMAS EVE BUBBLE BAR – 100g

“Bubbles piled high smell lovely and bright. Uplifting ylang ylang puts moods just right.”

This was a new product for me, I’d never seen it before I opened this set, however it came out every year between 2009 and 2014 and was one of Lush’s most popular Christmas products. It was revamped and brought back, much to many people’s delight, last year! I usually crumble a small bit of the bubble bar under running water (or I just hold it under for a while) until soft fluffy bubbles begin to fill the tub! The scent of Christmas Eve is super relaxing and comforting, as it features both jasmine and ylang ylang. It’s more floral then I would typically go for as I am usually a more buttery/vanilla kind of girl – but I still enjoyed using this! I would recommend this if you enjoy floral, clean and fresh scents in particular.

This is definitely a lovely box to give or receive for Christmas as it contains two really lovely products and they are packaged so beautifully too. I really recommend buying Lush’s gift sets after Christmas when they are on sale as they’re obviously cheaper but you can also get a lot more for your money. I usually get a few in stock before they’re unavailable and then I can enjoy these products and scents all year round until they’re back again (thank god). Let me know what you thought of this set or whether you love or hate these products in the comments.

N xxxx

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, Beautyblog, blogger, Christmas, December, January, Lush, Luxury, Pamper, Photography, Product Review, Review

2017 BEAUTY BIRCHBOX BLOGMAS

BIRCHBOX DECEMBER 2017: MATTHEW WILLIAMSON – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 13, 2017
2 Comments on BIRCHBOX DECEMBER 2017: MATTHEW WILLIAMSON – REVIEW

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 any contracts, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month! You can edit your beauty profile on their site in order 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 over a year now and I 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. One month the box was created and designed in partnership with Oliver Bonasand I use it to store makeup in as it’s so beautiful!

This month, Birchbox teamed up with British fashion designer Matthew Williamson. The box is truly the epitome of luxe design and it’s so perfect for this time of year. I feel like December is a month that for some people, can be really stressful. Many seem to forget to take a minute to relax and pamper themselves and this box has definitely motivated me to do just that!

So let’s take a look at the first item…

(FULL SIZE) Pixi – Shea Butter Lip Balm in Natural Rose : £8

I actually already own a Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in the shade Honey Nectar which I love, so I was super excited when I saw another one in my December box! It adds the perfect amount of colour without drying my lips out completely, however for some reason I don’t feel like it’s as moisturising as my previous lip balm by Pixi. I would have liked a more nourishing product for this time of year as this is when my lips are chapping like there’s no tomorrow. I will definitely still use it, just not if my lips are in need of help. Natural Rose is a gorgeous nude-pink shade, perfect for more natural looks. The packaging has a vintage feel to it which is adorable and it’s the perfect size to keep in your handbag.

Baïja Paris – Caramelised Honey Body Scrub : £14.90 (via the Birchbox shop)

I had never heard of this brand before but after looking on their website it’s clear that they sell lots of other beautiful products too. This body scrub smells INCREDIBLE, if you imagine freshly made caramel or fudge – something along those lines. It’s made up of 97% natural ingredients which I love as I feel it would be a real treat for my skin. It’s perfect for exfoliating and scrubbing away dry and dead skin to make you feel fresh and moisturised. I cannot wait to have a cosy pamper night in with this!

ModelCo – Contour Stick : £13 (via the Birchbox shop)

I am not blessed with chiseled cheeks so I’ll happily fake it until I make it. I was so happy to see this contour stick in my December box. For the last couple of years I have been completely hooked on the Barry M contour cream sticks (which I will be including in my every day makeup items post – coming soon!) however, I’m so excited to try something new. The one that I currently use is quite cool toned which sometimes doesn’t work for a warm summery look. This product seems nice and warm toned which will be perfect for Summer and natural holiday makeup. I also love that the end is pointed which means contouring can be done with precision. When I was swatching the product I was surprised at how creamy it was and how well it blended! This is something I look for in contouring sticks as I’m not a fan of streaky cheeks and I like products that blend like a seamlessly. I use a dewy foundation and this would glide perfectly over it to create a healthy and glowing makeup look.

Sand & Sky – Brilliant Skin Purifying Clay Mask – £39.90

Is it just me or are there some strong Nip+ Fab vibes from this packaging? This product particularly caught my eye as I love a good face mask on pamper nights. The product is claimed to detox, invigorate and brighten your complexion (yes please). The main ingredient is pink Australian clay which apparently draws impurities out from the skin. The product also contains soothing aloe vera and pore tightening pomegranate.

(FULL SIZE)Spectrum Collections – B04 Angled Blender Brush – £4.99

I practically squealed when I saw this brush poking out from beneath the other products. I always say you can never have too many blending brushes so this one will be going straight into my collection. I love that it’s angled so that you can be precise with your shadows. The colour of the brush also had me drooling as anything gold or rose gold always catches my eye and matches my aesthetic in my bedroom.

Overall I think this box is worth the money that I paid for it (£10) as the products are all very luxurious this month and there are two full sized products included which together have a total value of £13! Let me know if you are subscribed to Birchbox and what you thought of this box or if you are subscribed to any other beauty boxes, I would love to know!

Go ahead and use my link (here) to subscribe and you will get £5 off your first Birchbox!

Tags BEAUTY, Beautyblogger, BIRCHBOX, blogger, BLOGMAS, Body, December, Lifestyle, Luxury, Makeup, Mask, Photography, Product Review, Review, Skincare

2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS MODERN RENAISSANCE PALETTE REVIEW & SWATCHES

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 12, 2017
38 Comments on ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS MODERN RENAISSANCE PALETTE REVIEW & SWATCHES

BLOGMAS DAY 12

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Today I’m reviewing one of the true gems in my collection, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette. It’s actually one of my favourite palettes, as I mentioned in my review of its sister Subculture! I’ve included photos and swatches so that you can get an idea of the quality of the shadows – please excuse any wonky lines, arms don’t tend to make the perfect base! Keep scrolling to hear my thoughts…

The palette is an essential in my collection. It contains 14 beautiful warm neutrals and berry tones which add a stunning pop of colour. It’s mostly a matte palette, with 11 matte shades and 3 metallic shades. It also comes with a soft dual-ended blending brush which actually does a fab job. I’m not usually a fan of brushes that come with palettes as I like to use my own, however, I’ve ended up using the brush pretty much every day!

Tempera – A light nude matte with peachy tones – I use this for highlighting underneath my brows and in the inner corners of my eyes! It’s not a shimmery kind of highlight but it’s a clean shade that definitely brightens up any area that it’s applied to. I always use it as a base too. It’s silky soft and easy to blend.

Golden Ochre – A matte and a muted beige/yellow colour with olive tones – It’s the colour of the perfect (my idea of perfect) cup of tea! It’s the perfect shade for a simple and natural makeup look but it also works out to be a great transition shade if you’re packing some colour in there too.

Vermeer – Iridescent champagne shimmer – Such a lovely light shade to put on the inner corner of the lid as it’s a shimmery rose-quartz. It’s got slightly warm/peachy undertones to it too so it’s nice to build up, on the lid. The iridescent sheen of it catches the light which makes it gorgeous for nights out.

Buon Fresco – A matte lilac/mauve – I flipping love this shade. It’s so pretty on the eye and it’s perfect to pair with some pinks and reds! It works so well with the other shades in the palette.

Antique Bronze – A shimmery brown with rusty red undertones – This is such a gorgeous colour, perfect for festive makeup looks and even in Autumn actually. I tend to wear darker makeup at that time of year (lots of browns, bronzes and coppers)

Love Letter – A raspberry pink matte – This makes the best pink smokey eye ever and I use it so much! It’s a perfect berry tone for the winter months too. It’s slightly dusty but with a few swatches it’s buildable!

Cyprus Umber – A dark coffee brown matte – I use this almost every day to add some drama to the outer corner of my lid, I love it! It’s so pigmented too.

Raw Sienna – An amber matte with golden undertones – I love using this in the crease for more natural eye looks.

Burnt Orange – A deep orange matte – Slightly more of a rich orange shade than Raw Sienna. I tend to use this if I need to warm up my makeup looks – it’s great for Autumn in that sense!

Primavera – Shimmery gold dust with a metallic finish – This is my favourite shade in the whole palette, it is PERFECT for putting in the middle of the lid for a spotlight look or for an inner corner highlight. It’s nicely pigmented and is even more intense when used with setting spray. You could probably use it as a highlighter too, it’s fabulous!

Red Ochre – A burnt, rusty red matte – I love using this for festive looks to add a pop of red to my eye looks. Colourpop offer a fab dupe for this shade called Popular Demand. I’ve found it takes a bit of building up though so maybe apply it a couple of times to make it slightly less sheer!

Venetian Red – A warm red with a matte finish – Again, fabulous for festive makeup looks. Everyone needs some red shadows in their life!

Warm Taupe – A matte grey with purple undertones– I’m not getting the warmth from this shade that I expected! I’m also not using it all that much as it just doesn’t look that great on me. It’s still lovely and pigmented though!

Realgar – A reddy-brown matte – A rusty red matte shade with subtle warm undertones, really pigmented yet so buttery and easy to blend out. It has subtle warm undertones too.

I would definitely recommend this palette to those that love using warm tones and enjoys creating more neutral looks but aren’t afraid to use a pop of colour every now and again. For a palette that features mostly matte shadows, they all apply fantastically and are buttery and easy to blend. I have yet to experience any issues with blending out any of the shades. No shades have become patchy either, which to me suggests that every shade was created with very high quality in mind. It’s one of the most pigmented palettes I own, you merely have to tap the shadows lightly and you’ll have picked up plenty. In my opinion, it’s worth every penny as the shadows are of such high quality and there’s a fantastic variety of shades included in the palette. It’s a really versatile palette as it can be used for daytime and nighttime looks If you’re more adventurous with shadows.

I hope you enjoyed my review of this palette and found it helpful if you were trying to make your mind up about it! Below, you’ll find links to my reviews of the other palettes in the collection and I’ve also liked my social media below so come and say hi, I’d love to hear from you!