3 Eyeshadow Palettes I Can't Live Without

There are so many eyeshadow palettes out on the market but I find it's very hit and miss. I have tried out a lot of different palettes from a variety of brands but there are only a few that I would keep if I had to clear out the 'stash'.

Now lets start with the queen of all eyeshadow palettes, Urban Decay. In my opinion you really can't go wrong with an eye palette from this brand, the formula, pigment and variety of colours they provide in these are amazing. I currently own all three of the naked palettes and the first naked basics palette but there are only two that I feel like I need.

First, we have the ever so lovely Naked 3 palette by Urban Decay. I was never really into the pink tones when this hit the stores and never got the hype, but a friend purchased this and after trying it I completely understood. You can do pretty much anything with this palette, for an everyday look I love the shades 'Strange' all over the lid with 'Limit' and 'Nooner' in the crease. If you want to smoke things out then they have the most beautiful black with purple tones, a colour you will most likely struggle to find in your collection.

Next, the Naked Basics palette. This can be used for a simple, beautiful day and night look. This palette contains six shades, one with slight shimmer but nothing too glittery and five matte shades. The shades are super simple and contain three light cream shades (with a yellow toned and peach toned colour), two browns that are perfect for the crease ('Naked 2' and 'Faint') and one completely black shade ('Crave'). This allows you to create a very light, everyday look and also smoke out the eye for after hours.

You've probably heard enough about Urban Decay so I'm going to go onto my most loved, most versatile palette I own- the Lorac Pro Palette. This really is all it's cracked up to be and more. The top row contains eight, gorgeous pigmented shades, mainly mattes, with some creams, browns and a mauve colour whereas the bottom row is all about the shimmers with a mix of nudes, golds and they've even thrown in a burnt orange and blue toned grey. My all time favourite shade is the 'Nude', I use this for an all over the lid colour, inner corner and brow bone highlight, I will also apply it onto the high points of my face. If they ever make this as a highlight shade I would be all over that.

So those are the three eye palettes I really could not live without in my collection, I would love to see some of your suggestions in the comments of eyeshadow palettes you can't live without!

The Subtle Bronze Eye

I love a good subtle, bronze eye. It's quick, easy and brightens those babies up to make you look awake and ready for the day (even if you have stayed up till 2am watching Netflix).

This tends to be my everyday eye look throughout the summer, basically anything bronze in those warm months - I'm all for! I use all shimmer shades for this look which could sound a bit too much but with these products you get a lovely subtle glow wash over those lids. 

After applying my base I will put a small dot of Urban Decay Primer Potion onto my ring finger and dab that on my lids. This creates a perfect base for the shadow and prevents any creasing throughout the day. I will then use the Real Techniques 'Deluxe Crease Brush' to apply a light wash of Urban Decay 'Venus' from the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette, all over the lid for a bright base. I then take my Real Techniques 'Base Shadow Brush' and apply MAC 'Naked Lunch' - a beautiful light champagne colour. If you wanted more of a smoky look I sometimes add MAC 'All That Glitters' in the crease with the Real Techniques 'Deluxe Crease Brush'. To highlight, I take the Real Techniques 'Base Shadow Brush' to add Urban Decay 'Venus' to the brow bone. I take the same colour on the lower lash line and inner corner with the Real Techniques 'Accent Brush'. 

To enhance the lashes I use the Max Factor False Lash Effect on the top and bottom lashes - this lengthens and holds a curl wonderfully! And the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (which really is as good as they say!). 

xoxo 

The Review // Urban Decay Naked Skin Bronzing Beauty Balm

I love the summer and I love the sun, but when it comes to my foundation routine, this can get a bit tricky and often expensive when your constantly changing shades. How to eliminate these constant Space NK and Boots orders? The Urban Decay Naked Skin Bronzing Beauty Balm has got you covered (pardon the pun). 

I add this to any foundation, BB cream and concealer too light to add a bit of colour and a lovely glow to your base. This can also be used on its own for a natural, darker glow or even apply before your base but I do prefer to mix it in for a smoother and even finish. 

£23.50 Urban Decay

What's your favourite product to add a bit of colour to your base?

xoxo

The 2014 'To Try' List

In the year of 2013, after reading many beauty posts and watching a considerable amount of YouTube videos for product reviews, favourites and 'products I have used up' I have accumulated a (very long) list of products I have been wanting to try. As we have entered 2014 I figured a new year brings a time to try new products, so these are a few products on my 'to try' list for 2014...

1. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Since getting quite a substantial chop off the locks, I can't count how many times I have searched through beauty posts, Youtube videos and Pinterest for that perfect tousled 'I just woke up like this' hair that Alexa Chung sports like a pro. Apparently after much searching for the perfect product, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray does the job. Plus after reading Vivianna Does Makeup's blog post and watching her hair tutorials the results won me over.

2. Urban Decay Naked Palette 3

I use my other Naked Palettes religiously and love them to bits so I can't see why this one would be any exception. I am especially a big fan of the rosy shades as the other palettes are mostly gold and bronze shades. 

3. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness

If you have seen Meghan Rosette's current foundation routine I am sure you have already gotten your paws on this one. This product is like the queen of the 'clear skin illusion'. Looks like it's quite hard to get it over here in in the UK but I will find it. 

4. Emma Hardy Cleansing Balm

I have heard amazing things about this product. From leaving your skin soft and completely makeup free, it's too good not to try. 

5. Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover

Don't get my wrong, I love my Bioderma but it's not the best for taking off waterproof mascara and I end up having to scrub it off, with the risk of losing a few eyelashes in the process. So as I have heard this 'melts' away any eye makeup, I figured for the sake of my lashes I would give it a go.  

Wishlist #1

I like to think of this 'Wishlist' series as a 'window shop lineup'. Everyone has heard of window shopping I gather? Admiring the things you can't buy but wish you could, or rather just making a mental note of them the next time you finding yourself deserving a bit of a treat or some retail therapy.

This wishlist is here to give you some ideas of things you might want to try out or if you are simply just bored of an evening and browsing the internet because there's nothing else better to do.

1. Bumble and bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish

It's time my hair has a bit of 'omph' to it.

2. YSL Forever Youth Liberator Foundation

My skin definitely needs a bit of a pick me up and I have heard very good things about this one, however I don't think I can bring myself to spend a small fortune on my face.

3. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

I am a big lover of the Urban Decay Naked palettes and my addiction doesn't stop at this one. 

4. Living Proof Prime Style Extender

A primer for your hair to make the style last longer?! Yes please. 

5. Essie After School Boy Blazer

First, how cute is the name?! Second, this colour is just too amazing.

6. Imitation Leather Trousers

I may be ordering these as I type, just maybe.

What's on your wishlist?

xoxo

The Daily Makeup Routine

The Face

I have been more into BB creams lately instead of foundation, foundation just makes my skin look a bit of a 'nothingness' and 'dull'. This Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream gives a nice dewy, natural finish. BB creams don't tend to be very high coverage, hence the natural finish so I go over any blemishes and dark circles with the Make up For Ever Full Cover Concealer. This concealer is one of the best in the market, it's waterproof so it literally doesn't budge one bit... not to mention neither does it crease under the eyes which is a big bonus. When my face is looking a bit colourless I like to bronze it up with the Bourjois Chocolate Bronzing Powder, yes you heard right... chocolate. Basically imagine putting hot chocolate powder on your face, it smells like a dream. Don't worry though you don't go around smelling like a bakery all day though (however, not necessarily a bad thing), the smell doesn't linger. Then for a rosy glow to the cheeks I add a bit of Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal. 

The Eyes and Lips

For days when I have enough time for eyeshadow, I like to keep it pretty natural. I always reach for my Urban Decay Naked 2 palette with my Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (which is amazing, my eyeshadow stays on all day). I put 'Bootycall' from the palette all over the lid with 'Tease' in the crease and 'Busted' as eyeliner. Then I curl my lashes with my eyelash curler (from boots but not too sure on the brand) and apply a few coats of Maybelline The Rocket Volume Mascara. This mascara looks like you have false eyelashes but in a nice, natural way (I am not aspiring to rock the look of a Geordie Shore girl, don't worry). For the lips I keep it really natural with the Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss, this just adds a neutral peach sheen to the look.  

The Tools
I use these brushes everyday so as you can see, I am a big fan. From left to right, I use the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush for blending in the BB cream and any concealer I don't blend with my finger. This brush gives a natural, airbrushed look to your foundation/BB cream. For the bronzer I use the Real Techniques Blush Brush as it has a tapered end, it's easy to work into the cheekbones and down the side of the face. I will also use this brush for blush as well but the Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush I apply with my fingers. Next I use the spooly to comb through my eyebrows (makeup tip: spray hairspray on the spooly before you comb to set the eyebrows), I can't remember where I got this but probably just a cheap basic Boots Drugstore one. In the crease for my eyeshadow I use my favourite eyeshadow brush which is the the MAC 217 Blending Brush, a little on the pricey side but it has lasted forever and its still in amazing condition. All over the lid eyeshadow colour I use the MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush. Last but not least, I use the Bobbie Brown Eye Liner Brush on my top and bottom lash line to apply the eyeshadow for a natural, blended out eyeliner look.

xoxo