Eyeshadow
With so many MAC eyeshadows, its almost next to impossible to choose the perfect one for your Christmas makeup look.
We've pulled out our 9 favourite sparkly shimmery eyeshadows from the range to fill our MAC 9-pan pro eyeshadow palette. Hopefully these swatches help you plan your holiday makeup!
- MAC Nylon Eyeshadow is a white gold with icy shimmer in a frost finish. It is perfect on the lid, inner corners of the eyes and under the browbone as a highlight. A stunning shade.
- MAC All That Glitters Eyeshadow is a peachy champagne pink with a touch of gold in a Veluxe Pearl finish. It is a perfect safe eyeshadow for neutral-lovers and the colour-shy.
- MAC Sable Eyeshadow is a medium-toned pinky-brown eyeshadow in a Frost finish. This works well on the lid or crease for a daytime look.
- MAC Amber Lights Eyeshadow is a vibrant orange gold in a frost finish. I love wearing this paired with red lipstick. It is stunning especially on deeper skintones!
- MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow is a cool toned purple-tinged taupe with silver shimmer in a Frost finish.
- MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow is one of my favourite eyeshadows of all time. It is a vibrant warm antique gold, in a Veluxe Pearl finish.
- MAC Tempting Eyeshadow is a deep yellow-toned coco brown in a Frost finish.
- MAC Bronze Eyeshadow is a true bronze with gold shimmer in a frost finish.
- MAC Antiqued Eyeshadow is a rich dark cherry bronze with a Veluxe Pearl finish. I love using this on the eyeshadow crease.
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| From L to R: MAC Eyeshadow Swatches of Nylon, All That Glitters, Amber Lights, Satin Taupe, Sable, Woodwinked, Bronze, Antiqued on NC25 skin |
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
A colleague at work got me interested in monthly beauty boxes again and the one she recommended was Birchbox.
I previously subscribed to other beauty boxes, such as Glossybox, but discontinued since I realised 1) I have more than enough skincare and makeup to last me a lifetime, 2) I already get sample sized products from beauty companies from blogging and dermatology reps that my excuse for 'travel-sized' products became redundant and 3) The samples I was usually provided ended up unused and less loved compared to the HG products I already purchased.
But there are also good things about the monthly boxes such as 1) As technology evolves, so does skincare and makeup and it is always useful to discover new products, 2) Beauty boxes tend to give a mix of makeup and skincare and boxes such as Birchbox takes into account your personal preferences, and 3) Receiving a new mystery beauty box every month makes it feel like its Christmas all year round!
There were three things that lured me into trying out Birchbox for May 2017. Undoubtedly these included the beautiful marble printed box that also doubles up as a drawer, the full sized Spectrum Collections C06 Tulip Eye Contour Brush with a white handle and gorgeous rose gold ferrule, and also that they had an offer for another box free. Bargain!
Here's a run through of the individual products and my initial thoughts on them.
Doucce Punk Volumizer Mascara RRP £18
This mascara has a jumbo fibre wand to add volume and thickness to lashes. I must say I am very impressed with this mascara. At first I was scared that the giant jumbo wand would smear my eyelids, but with a light hand, it avoids that, applies so easily and holds a curl on my stubborn straight lashes. This one's a winner for me!
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray RRP £19
I love this season-appropriate and trendy addition to the May Birchbox. Part dry shampoo and part texturiser, this sample travel-friendly size will save many holidays for lifted beachy hair.
Caudalie Vine Activ Glow Activating Anti-Wrinkle Serum RRP £36
This serum targets tiredness, stress and pollution. It contains an anti-cell burn-out complex to brighten dull skin and smooth fine lines.
Spectrum Collections Marbleous C06 Tulip Eye Contour Brush RRP £4.99
I love fluffy yet firm synthetic brushes for my eye contour and concealer. I think this brush will work for both. And I must say I am inlove with the rose gold ferrule!
Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow in Fifty Shades RRP £14.49
This shimmery gunmetal grey smokey loose mineral eyeshadow is paraben-free. Disaster always strikes when I use loose pigmented powders so this will find another home.
Manna Kadar Cosmetics High Definition Powder RRP £27
This pale vanilla powder has a velvety finish. Its an excellent travel size for the mobile makeup bag for touch ups through the day. I am likely to apply this on my oily T-zone which are also my 'highlight' areas so the paler shade wouldn't be much of a problem.
Baija Paris Creme Moana in Fleur de Tiare RRP £15.90
I had a silent squeal when I read the label. This is what I would expect a Disney's 'Moana' inspired moisturiser to smell like - shea butter and coconut oil - to smoothen parched skin. Of course this is in no way related to the Disney film, maybe just a coincidence.
Elemis Hydra-Boost Day Cream RRP £39
Everyone loves Elemis. This day cream has hyaluronic acid to improve the skin's hydration and texture. I would actually apply this for the day and night after cleansing. It makes your skin feel so smooth, I love it.
Polaar IcePure Gentle Scrub with Arctic Cotton RRP £23.50
Here's a skin smoothing body scrub that contains Arctic cotton for its moisturising properties. I would recommend limiting body scrubs to twice a week and following with moisturisers to avoid harsh effects on the skin.
ModelCo Eye Define Crayon Liner RRP £11
I am always on the look out for a HG eyeliner as despite these many years of beauty blogging, I still have not found it. ModelCo's offering is a twist-up pencil, so sharpening is not required. The formula is water-resistant but not as smudge or budge-proof as it claims. The formula isn't as creamy as one would hope, so there is a bit of tugging on application. It deposits a rich black matte colour that lasts long, with a thin tip that works well for my Asian eyelids.
Overall, while there are still some products I feel may go unloved from this set, I've enjoyed trying out my new products and my subscription will continue (for now). I look forward to the Birchbox in June!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
08/06/2017
Trying Out Birchbox
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| Soap and Glory Peach Party Multi-Colour Blush Brick |
I recently received this gorgeous Soap and Glory Peach Party Multi-Colour Blush Brick from Shivanee. She only knows too well my fondness for the colour peach.
Soap and Glory Peach Party Multi-Colour Blush Brick is a beautiful shimmery wheel of peach tinted shades, from a pale white gold to a medium toned peach copper colour. Swirled together, it makes a gorgeous glow.
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| Soap and Glory Peach Party Multi-Colour Blush Brick Swatches: Individual & Swirled |
The shades are accessible individually with small fingertips or a delicate eyeshadow brush. You can use them separately as highlighter or as a shimmery lid/browbone shade if you like. Mix and match; the possibilities are endless!
If used on the eyes, I would suggest using a primer underneath to make it stick. It is well pigmented, but you can easily pack it on if you like.
Overall, I love this Soap and Glory Peach Party Multi-Colour Blush Brick and I would recommend it as a cheaper alternative to the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks. It makes a perfect highlighter for the holiday season, and would make a wonderful gift.
If you are able to get one with loved one's name on it like my blush brick has (thanks Shiv!), even better!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
*Press sample. All views are my own.
Makeup Obsession is a new brand launching in Boots and we at the Skin and Beauty Blog are loving it! The concept of being able to build 'designer' palette is incredible, especially at affordable prices. The range currently covers eyeshadows, blushers, highlighters and contour colours.
I've swatched quite a few and the colours are highly pigmented and great quality. Below you can see how these shades look on mine and Livia's skin tone.
(Colours left to right: E143 Mink, E117 Chroma, E120 Rich, E136 Rapture, E103 St Tropez and E145 Azure)
Overall I am in love with this product! The shadows are of high quality and very blendable and very buildable and at such a bargain price you cannot really go wrong - especially when you are picking out each shade. Each pan is quite large making it even more worth it for your money and the case comes in a variety of colours (white, silver, pink and gold) with a large mirror and two sizes (6 shadows or 12). I would say the quality is comparable with morphebrushes palettes as well as pigmentation.
The only thing I have found is that you need to take care when opening the palettes - as the shadows can clip in and out of the cases - sometimes some may pop out when travelling which can (and has) led to a real disaster! But.. on the up side it means you can customise your palette for events so you dont need to take any unecessary shadows with you!
I would recommend this palette for all - but especially for those who know what shadows they need to work for their skin tones and different looks. Although great for beginners too at such a great price - they may benefit more from pre made palettes with similar tones already set for them.
I love this palette and defintiely give it a 10/10!
Shivanee | The Skin and Beauty Blog
*Press sample. All views are my own.
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| July Favourites |
This month has been filled with hot humid environments and a lot of holiday photography. These beauty products have met my expectations and got the job done!
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation. This photo-perfecting foundation is the bomb. It provides medium coverage despite its thin consistency, similar to but better than MAC Face and Body foundation. Worn alone, it would only last you a couple hours in this environment, so I recommend setting this with powder.
bareMinerals Original SPF15 Foundation. I've enjoyed using this powder foundation. It somehow gives you a glowy finish but because its a powder, it isn't dewy. It lasts all day and easily worn by itself. I'm running out of my sample size; its time to purchase the full sized one.
MAC Rosy Outlook and Royal Sunset Blush. These blushes look almost identical in the pan and I use them interchangeably. If you had a keen eye, Royal Sunset is half a shade pinker than Rosy Outlook. Both are beautiful natural satin warm pink blushes. Royal Sunset somehow lasts longer on the skin than prolong wear Rosy Outlook.
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| MAC Rosy Outlook Blush, MAC Royal Sunset Blush |
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| MAC Rosy Outlook Blush, MAC Royal Sunset Blush (blended) |
MAC Texture Eyeshadow. I've rekindled my love for this tan brown shade. It looks beautiful on the crease to add a sun-kissed glow. Its perfect especially with brown and blue eyes.
L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Mascara. Since having my LVL lash lift, I've been struggling to find a mascara that won't brush on my lids as well as the lashes. The thin applicator with tiny bristles is works well although I still have to clear up the lid with a cotton bud. The shade is a nice true black.
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
01/08/2016
July Favourites
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| MAC Burgundy Times Nine Eyeshadow Palette Review Swatches |
I think its finally time to blog about perhaps one of the best yet underrated eyeshadow palettes of all time. This is the gorgeous MAC Burgundy Times Nine Eye Shadow Palette. This autumn/winter friendly palette has shades of copper, brown and mauve in all finishes - from shimmers to mattes. Let's get started!
MAC Honey Lust Eyeshadow is a shimmery light orange with a lustre finish that applies really smoothly and actually feels like a veluxe pearl.
MAC Poppyseed Eyeshadow is a light to medium toned mauve eyeshadow with a satin finish.
MAC Quarry Eyeshadow is a medium toned mauve brown eyeshadow with a matte finish. This type of shade looks great on the crease.
MAC Antiqued Eyeshadow is a gorgeous shimmery red-copper brown shade that looks fantastic with brown eyes. Its actually one of my favourite eyeshadows that I save for special occasions. It has a veluxe pearl finish.
MAC Embark Eyeshadow is a rich red-tinted dark brown eyeshadow with a matte finish. It's a fabulous shade to deepen up the outer V.
MAC #Noir Eyeshadow is a complex eyeshadow. It has red flecks on top of a dark black base. It's actually similar to MAC Beauty Marked Eyeshadow from the permanent range but with a much better colour pay off.
MAC Haux Eyeshadow is a medium tan shade with a hint of mauve. This satin finish eyeshadow will work wonders on the crease.
MAC Star Violet Eyeshadow has purple shimmers on a rust orange base. It has a beautiful veluxe pearl finish.
MAC Sketch Eyeshadow has sparse red shimmers on a dark purple base. It has a velvet formula. It's a shade that's good to darken up the outer V.
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| MAC Honey Lust, Poppyseed, Quarry, Antiqued, Embark, #Noir, Haux, Star Violet, Sketch Eyeshadow Swatches (L to R) |
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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| December Favourites from NARS, MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, Bare Minerals, L'oreal and By Terry |
Every so often I shop my stash and rotate my products around, but these products have somewhat made it into my regular routine this December. Battling against central heating indoors and the chilly winds outdoors keeping my makeup in check. Let's go through them shall we?
Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Bronzed Garnet. Supposedly meant to emphasize green eyes, I've been using this autumn/winter-perfect shade to match my brown peepers. I've recently reviewed this eyeshadow pencil in a previous post. You can read it HERE.
MAC Select Cover Up Concealer NW25. Harsh drying environments call for moisturising products. MAC's select cover up concealer does the trick. It's medium coverage and wonderfully hydrating while non-creasing. I like to use this on my dark circles underneath the eyes, but it works well for the rest of the face too.
BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Buttercream. I'm totally late to this Complexion Rescue party. This tinted sunprotecting moisturiser provides a light veil of colour on the skin to subtly even out skin imperfections. It applies like a gel and feels like a cream on the skin. I also love that it contains SPF30.
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC25. This product is perhaps the most re-purchased of all my MAC makeup. Its a medium coverage powder that is easy to build to a full coverage. It feels quite light on the skin. I pat it on top of my foundation with a large kabuki brush.
By Terry Mascara Terrybly. I picked up this sample size and its lasted the last two months. Truly impressed. It coats my lashes a natural black shade (not too stark) and the brush is easy enough to use, although I still sometimes coat my upper lid, but that's oriental droopy-ish lids for you. I am thinking of purchasing a full size of this, we'll see if I come across something better.
NARS Laguna Bronzer. You can tell how much I love this bronzer - I've hit pan! It's wonderful on yellow-toned olive skin (I believe the other one Casino is for the pink-toned). It mimics a natural tan on my skin. I use it to subtly contour the face with a pointed face brush.
NARS Lustre Blush. I think this is one of the most under-rated NARS blushes. It provides that healthy peachy golden glow that's not too sparkly (NARS Super Orgasm, I'm looking at you!). It creates a healthy flush on the cheeks perfect for these pale winter days. It is one of my favourite blushes and yes my to-go blush this winter.
That ends my ramblings today. Have you tried any of these products? By the way, Merry Christmas to y'all!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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| Charlotte Tilbury Bronzed Garnet Colour Chameleon Review Swatches |
I've realised that I've stuck to a particular eye product for the last month and therefore I reckon its something spectacular to blog about. It's Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Bronze Garnet. This is a juicy fall-appropriate copper brown shade with a little sparkle, but with neutral tones that make it work-safe.
I use this as an eyeliner. To start with, I clumsily line the upper lashline, and just before it sets, I use the tip of a MAC 239 Brush to clean up and extend the liner to a wing. It literally takes 5 seconds for each eye. The formula is amazing. Once it sets, it lasts and lasts. At the end of the day, its still there when my foundation turns up in patches.
Overall I highly recommend this shade and the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon line up if you're an eye pencil kinda gal, and if you've got the £19 to spare. I'm saving up for another shade - tossing between Amethyst Aphrodisiac, Golden Quartz and Amber Haze. Do you have any particular recommendations?..
France's no. 1 selling beauty brand Yves Rocher have launched new makeup products to create the perfect smokey eye. They have 6 eyeshadow quads including Deep Grey, Red Hot Brown and what I have here, Brilliant Green. The new Fixing Eye Primer creates a smooth and flawless base with Camellia Oil. The black Kajal Liner is so rich in pigment to easily create that smoked out look. The Volume Vertige Mascara has a patented Reservoir Brush that allows easy application of mascara. I've used all three products in this makeup look and individual reviews to follow below.
Starting off with the Yves Rocher Eyeshadow Quad in Brilliant Green, this beautiful quad of emerald green shades has all the greens you need. They all have soft velvety textures. It has a pale silver shade with sparkles and hints of green, two shimmery shades - an emerald green and a darker more shimmery moss green, and a matte seaweed green which I am in love with. It has a fabulous feel and pigmentation a lot like the matte2 finishes from MAC.
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| Yves Rocher Brilliant Green Eyeshadow Quad Swatches |
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| Yves Rocher 100% Intense Kajal Review |
Next up is the Yves Rocher Intense Kajal 100% in Black. This is my first experience of kajal pencils and I'm surprised at how easy it is to use. The point is surprisingly soft and deposits an easy buildable grey-black pigment. It feels glides nicely on the waterline too. Downside is that it smudges easily and requires setting with eyeshadow on top to make it last longer. I would avoid using this on the lower lashline as you wouldn't want it migrating down south.
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| Yves Rocher Volume Vertige Mascara |
Lastly is the Yves Rocher Volume Vertige Mascara. This mascara lengthens, volumises and separates the lashes providing a shiny finish. It holds a curl pretty well. It doesn't smudge and lasts pretty long. This does not volumise as much as my current favourite Bourjois, but it clumps less and provides natural looking lashes for daily use.
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| Yves Rocher Brilliant Green Eyeshadow Quad |
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| Yves Rocher Green Smokey Eyes Review |
Yves Rocher products are sold in 88 countries. Although these are not available to check out in person in most parts of the UK, you can easily purchase these products from the Yves Rocher Website
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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| Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Bronzed Garnet Review, Swatches |
If you are looking for ultra smooth, pigmented and long wearing eyeshadow crayons, the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon eye pencils have got you covered. There are 8 colours to choose from and Charlotte has given her recommendations as to which colours you should pick to suit your eye colour and which to use for day or night.
These recommendations are prescriptive, not restrictive. I myself don't necessarily abide by rules on matching eyeshadows to eye colours. If its brown, gold or neutral, like a moth to a flame or a magpie to shiny things, I gravitate to it. Here I've picked out Bronzed Garnet.
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| Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Swatches from CT's website - Source |
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| Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Bronzed Garnet Review, Swatches |
Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Bronzed Garnet is a reddish brown with flecks of fine bronze shimmer.
Application of these can be a little bit tricky. You only have about a 30-second window before it sets, and once it does, it is virtually un-blendable, untouchable, un-smudgeable. I suggest applying the eyeshadow one eye at a time and follow through with your eyeshadow blending brush or a small angled brush for extra definition if you wanted to add a winged flick.
The Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleons are chubby sticks with blunt tips as opposed to the conventional thin eye pencils. These require sharpening and you inevitably waste some product to the sharpener, although I don't know of anyone who actually finishes most of their eye pencils, I have probably only finished 1-2 in my lifetime!
Despite the long-wearing power, removing these is easy. I use my micellar cleansing waters - Garnier or Bioderma and easily they wipe off.
Overall I'm impressed by this eyeshadow stick and I look forward to purchasing another. I've got my sights set on Dark Pearl and Amber Haze. Have you picked up any of the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon eye pencils?
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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| MAC Cinderella Stroke of Midnight Eyeshadow Palette Review Swatches |
Two of my favourite companies (MAC and Disney) in one collection: MAC Cinderella Collection. My inner princess was so excited when I found out about this collaboration late last year. I usually collect MAC lipsticks, but let me tell you a little story...
Once upon March 5th; the Cinderella collection hit MAC stores in the US. A college student named Shandarella woke up that day, feeling determined to get the two coveted lipsticks of the collection. But before she could get to the MAC Store, she had to go to school. As the clock stroke 3:00 in the afternoon, Shandarella was finally free to set on her journey to the mall. She went up the escalator and spotted the pretty periwinkle collection from far away. She was ecstatic. She went straight to the little corner where the collection had been resting and found... THE LIPSTICKS WERE SOLD OUT. Her heart broke a little and she did not know what to do. She took a couple of rounds in the store to think about her next move. Then, she got back to the collection and thought,
"I guess one palette won't hurt..."
And that is how I ended up with the MAC Cinderella Stroke of Midnight Eyeshadow Palette. Thankfully, my UK-based fairy God sister, Livia, got me the lipsticks as they did not sell out as quick. Click Here for the MAC Cinderella Lipsticks review.
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| MAC Cinderella Stroke of Midnight Eyeshadow Palette Review Swatches |
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| MAC Cinderella Stroke of Midnight Eyeshadow Palette Review Swatches |
Vapour (Velvet) - glittery white shimmer, very sheer
Phloof (Frost) - pearly white
Omega (Matte) - olive toned brown
Quarry (Matte) - burgundy toned brown, favorite of the palette
Satin Taupe (Frost) - satiny sheen, most pigmented, metallic brown
Stroke of Midnight (Velvet) - charcoal black with gold glitter
First of all, how gorgeous is the packaging? The powder blue-periwinkle color with gold accents makes it look elegant and royal. Second, how gorgeous are these colors? One thing I like about this palette is that it is totally wearable and versatile. The colors can be used to make various looks from natural to smokey. The only thing I did not like about the shadows is that they were not pigmented and were very sheer. It took me around 12 swipes to make these swatches and the colors still did not come out well. All in all, I think MAC Cinderella Stroke of Midnight Eyeshadow Palette is a keeper. You can use it to wear to any event; whether it be a casual day out or an evening ball. Just make sure to retouch every once in a while.
Rating: 8/10
Shannon | The Skin and Beauty Blog
I've been wanting to try the new NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows but I could not be persuaded to buy them due to their high price point - £21 for a single eyeshadow. Too expensive in my opinion. When the NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette (£45) was launched I jumped at the chance to try the new finish and here are my thoughts.
The NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette contains 8 eyeshadows with the dual-intensity formula. 7 are existing permanent shades while Ursa Major is a shade unique to this palette. I think it contains a good mix of eyeshadow shades making it easy to create different looks.
The interesting thing about these eyeshadows are that you can apply them dry or wet. I dont know about you but I am always reluctant to wet eyeshadows for fear that this adversely affects their performance and making the pigment more difficult to pick up the next time.
Swatches Dry
Swatches Wet
When applied dry, the eyeshadows are like normal eyeshadows. I don't know what I was expecting, perhaps a super new finish... These have variable shimmer levels, some requiring a few strokes for further pigmentation. Applied wet however they become bolder, brighter and shinier. Very impressive.
Despite this, I still haven't been converted to wetting eyeshadows as their shape is inevitably distorted in the palette although not affecting their performance. I want to keep my eyeshadows looking pretty.
Along with the eyeshadows, the palette has a beautiful mirror and a flat eyeshadow brush that applies both wet and dry eyeshadows really well.
My favourite eyeshadows in this palette have to be Europa, Himalia and Subra. I'm glad I purchased this palette, if you're a NARS fan like me and curious about trying out the new NARS dual-intensity eyeshadow finish, the NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette gives you far better bang for your buck!
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