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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