Holy Grail palette !

Product Background: 

Collaboration of Violet Voss and YouTuber Laura Lee. Shadows came in the normal style Violet Voss palette and contains a large mirror. Palette has twenty eye shadows, and formulations of the colours vary, it contains a combination of mattes, shimmers and buttery textured eye shadows.

Price: £38.00

            

(With flash)

Hit or Miss?

Like all palettes I got this palette after watching numerous views and was drawn into the trap and I gave up into temptation. The moment it went on sale I got it, however, like many of the products I currently have, it sat in my makeup box for over a month. I finally decided to try it about 3 weeks ago and have found myself constantly reaching for it. There have been days that I've only used the palette due to the versatility of the shades, I've used it for almost all of my makeup looks whether it be neutral makeup or glam. My favourite shades in the palette are; Hissy Fit, Bitty and 1988, the texture of the shadows are unbelievable, they are so creamy, buttery and highly pigmented. This palette has become by far my favourite collaboration palette of 2016, it is so versatile and I have seen numerous people of different skin shades try it and the colours still show up so beautifully. Also the matte shades are highly pigmented so they do not become dry or chalky, since there are a vast range of mattes and there are shades that can be used as transition shades. My favourite matte colour from the palette is Alabama, it is a rich brown shade that I often use to deepen my crease or create a soft smoky. However, there's one shade in the palette I really dislike and never reach for and that is the shade 'Lou', it is suppose to be a matte black but has shimmer in it? I hate any black shade with shimmer in it cause it defeats the whole purpose of using a black shade. This palette was a truly a hit with me. The palette is currently out of stock, I am not sure whether it was limited or not, but I really hope they bring it back so I can buy another one. 

   (Without Flash)

Application:

With this palette I've found the best way to apply the buttery eye shadows are with a wet synthetic brush or your fingers. Since the shadows are highly pigmented, I've found that when using  my brush dry it tends to lead to a lot more fallout.

Realistic Night Routine.

Becoming a night owl the last couple of months has taken its toll on my night time routine, at one point I was following my night time routine non-stop. However, its slowly slipped out of my hands, but I've finally found a realistic routine that I can stick to every night.

Every night I always start with my teeth, I've never been a person to fall into the trap of 'teeth whitening toothpastes'. But after trying the Colgate MaxWhite, I've fallen into the trap, not because the toothpaste has amazing abilities that make your teeth automatically white. But, because after using the toothpaste, my teeth feel super clean and almost have a sheen to them. Some nights, especially weekends I use clay masks, my favourite one currently is Charcoal activated clay mask. I use this mask as a way to just sit back and relax to be honest. Also, the clay mask cleans all the built up dirt from during the week on my face, and deeply exfoliates my skin and neck.  However, on the days I don't use the clay mask, I use my all-time favourite facial cleanser that I have recommend to almost everyone I know. The 'Bioré 'Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser', I don't think words do any justice to this facial cleanser. Being someone who's tried every facial cleanser under the sun from Clean & clear to Neutorgena, This facial cleanser is different because it lifts dirt off your face which leaves your face feeling clean and smooth. Yes I know, I love charcoal. 

After washing my face, I usually use a warm towel to get rid of any excess product that's left on my face. Since I struggle with dry skin its important I use a water based moisturizer, the current one I use is a Vitamin E based one that I got from The Body Shop. I've been using this for the last couple of weeks and can really see an improvement in my skin. It starting to have a natural glow and doesn't feel as dry as usual, think this would be perfect for winter/autumn as that's the period of time where my face tends to dry up the most. You'll think after using all those products on my face I'd stop? Nope. Lastly before sleeping I rub in some Oils of Life from The Body Shop to further hydrate my face and give me a glow.  On a totally unrelated note, I think I've found the best smelling hand and body lotion that I use every night, it literally smells like bubblegum and sweets. 

Product descriptions:

1. Colgate MaxWhite toothpaste: £3.99
2. Beauty Formula Charcoal Clay Mask: £3.99
3. Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser: £5.24
4. The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist: £9.50
5. The Body Shop Oils Of Life: £28.00

August Favourites

 With summer rapidly coming to an end, August has by far been one of my favourite months purely because I was able to play around with some 'NYX' products. Being able to have a NYX stand close to me now, I can finally binge on as many products as I like which is a blessing and a curse at the same time. However, this month I also tried my first 'The Body Shop' makeup product and I was pretty amazed by the quality of the product and it almost completely blew me away.

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Palette:

Retail Price: £40

This palette has become one of my favourite eye shadow palettes of all time, I was a ride or die for the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette for so long. But I must admit this palette has topped it, the colours are so versatile and the ability to create various eye looks whether it be a smokey, soft summer eye look or simple eye look. This palette has been my go-to palette all summer. My favourite aspect of this palette is the pigmentation (literally to die for), also the colour "Baby", yes I've used it as a face highlighter which I was truly surprised at to be frankly honest. I haven't yet discovered a dupe for this palette but I'd suggest you try it out as it is the most versatile palette I have ever tried, from the matte colours to the shimmer shades. The pigmentation is light and buttery, and so easily to apply, however there are some colours that almost too pigmented which results to fall out. But I'd rather pigmentation and a little fall out over patchiness any day, who wouldn't?

NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray:

Retail Price: £7

After a long time of using MAC fix+ as my water based setting spray, I finally came across a new setting spray that is prefect for dry skin. What I've learnt about this spray is a little goes a long way, a couple of sprays and you're good to go. Having dry skin, especially around my cheek and nose area, makes it especially hard to be able to wear a matte finish. After trying this product out for about 2 weeks, I can finally wear a matte finish using a dewy finish setting spray. Confusing right? well, the dewy setting spray doesn't make your face look oily and needing to powder throughout the day. But rather gives you a healthy glow finish and a natural looking glow. There have been days where I've not worn makeup but rather just sprayed a little of the setting spray on my face and it's given me a moisturizing finish.  The best thing about this spray is the price, NYX also have the same spray but in Matte finish so if you have oil to combination skin that would be a good try for you.

The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation: 

Retail Price: £15

Discovering this foundation so late in the summer is really a bummer since the foundation has SPF 15 and I could of truly used the sun protection on the hottest days in London. After searching for a drugstore foundation that I could use on a daily basis without using my high-end brands has been a struggle. From trying Maybelline to Revlon, I just couldn't find a drugstore foundation that worked with my skin. Going into The Body Shop, I wouldn't have imagined I would walk out with a foundation. After finding the cream I was searching for, I couldn't help but notice they had a massive stand with a ton of makeup products. I couldn't help but find myself rummaging through the foundations looking for my shade, after finding my shade I was rather pleased with myself since it was a constant battle finding a shade that matched me. This foundation is a perfect drugstore foundation, purely because it doesn't soak into your skin but sits perfectly on my face. Also it has a natural glow, something I've been searching in a foundation for as long as I could remember. The only downside to this foundation is after wearing it for about 6 hours or so it starts to oxidase.  

                                           Maybelline Blush in Cosmopolitan:

Retail Price: £4.49

For as long as I could remember I was never a person to consistently wear blush, there was just something about it I just didn't like. I felt as though the colour would just sit on my face and not blend in. I have now realised blush wasn't the problem but rather the 'wrong' blush I was wearing. I have been wearing this blush throughout the entire summer, as it would blend into my skin so easily due to the pigmentation. The colour is a light pink therefore applying a little goes a long way and it does help that it has glitter which shines through after applying it. I've set a goal of trying the vast colour range they had in store since the pigmentation is so good. Even though the pigmentation is good, I'd suggest you use a damp beauty blender when applying as it allows for the colour to stand out and applies easier.  

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Berlin:

Retail Price: £5.50

These Soft Matte Creams have always been a favourite of mine but for some reason after wearing them for so long I lost interest in them. Not so long ago I discovered the Boots not far from me had finally gotten a NYX stand, and I knew I had to buy some new Lip Creams. The stand looked incredible if I do say so myself, and the variety of Lip cream colours available, I had to literally drag myself away. I purchased a range of 'nudes' and 'dark browns', and since then I have fallen back in love with these Lip Creams. 'Berlin' has become by far my favourite brown/nude shade as I have worn it practically everyday and for every look possible. I think I will head to Boots again to repurchase 'Berlin' as I already think I am running out and would defiantly need it for fall. 

Valentine's Day

Being someone who uses Valentine's Day as an excuse to eat a truck load of chocolate I don't really take part in Valentine's Day. But I love all the romantic movies that come on, but working this year so I will be missing that. Anyways, I've been seeing a lot of looks and wanted to add my own twist on Valentine's Day looks/pampering.

I think there's one palette that I always use when I'm going for a soft romantic look; Urban Decay Naked 3 palette. This palette has become a fast approaching favourite palette of mine, it has soft pink colours that work on any skin complexion. Also there are soft pink shimmery shades that are very subtle yet very glamorous. I think this palette is perfect for Valentine's Day as it is very romantic, soft and is not overly dramatic. Before you get ready to put some makeup on you should pamper yourself the night before.

I love mud masks, they keep my skin fresh and it almost looks as though it is glowing. It is so easy to get your hands on one, you can find it in your local drugstore. Just put the mask around your face in thin layers and build it up. It is so easy you can even do it right before you leave or the night before which would be tonight. Rinse with warm water or a damp towel and don't worry this mask is so easy to get off and won't leave your face looking dry.

Lastly if you need to do your nails last minute but don't have time to get them done, I have the perfect method to help your nails look strong and shiny. Firstly cut your nails unless you want them long and fill your nails to make them look even and smooth. After completing those steps, dip your nails in olive oil and leave for 2-3 minutes, you can do this 2-3 times. This will make your nails shiny and if you don't want to use nail polish you don't have to. And for nail vanish I always prefer nude colours but for this occasion I think a hot red would look perfect. Before I forget I think this is the best occasion to use your favourite perfume. mine is the Britney Spears 'Midnight', the smell is so amazing I can't even describe it.

I hope you all have a fabulous day and eat your bodies weight in chocolate!

January Ohhh Yasss and Hell Narhhh

These past few months have been filled with university assignments and January blues. Oh did I mention the weather as well, awful, most days I don't even want to leave my bed. Getting colds after colds, but not so long ago I treated myself to a makeup haul. I think I went a little overboard but it did make me feel better. I now have a few products that have been my favourite since getting them, some are a little priced but others are so inexpensive I was left questioning my existence on why I had not gotten them earlier. This January favourites includes everything from cosmetics to skin care etc and the not so favourites.

January Ohhh YASSS:

1. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer:

This has literally got to be my favourite concealer so far and don't know why it has taken me so long to try it. It's truly amazing and it doesn't crease at all even the days I forget to set it with powder. I got two shades since I didn't want extreme highlighting and wanted something that matched my skin tone. Also I got a little lighter shade for the days I felt like highlighting, and it made it look so natural. I even got away with just wearing the concealer without the foundation and the best thing is that no one realised till I pointed it out. This has literally been the best concealer that I have ever purchased and its perfect for all types of skin combinations.

2. Maybelline Baby Skin- Lightweight Primer:

Being someone with dry skin, it's really hard to find a face primer that doesn't dry up on my face. I've tried a few Primers and have noticed some of their textures are oily and too greasy, but this one did the job for me. It also erased my pores, made my skin look super smooth and also my skin was glowing after putting my foundation on. But the texture is weird, I can't describe it, its just really weird. My foundation also glided onto my skin perfectly without making my foundation look too dry and cakey. And the best thing about it, it's only £7.

3. Too Faced Chocolate Bar:

Can we just discuss how amazing these eye shadows smell incredible like pure chocolate I just want to eat it. The colours are a mixture between matte and shimmery, the shimmery colours are neutral so it's not shimmery colourful. which is good because I love neutral colours. But can I just say how much I love Hazelnut and Creme Brulee, my favourite colours in the palette. The amount of neutral looks you can create with these shadows are endless and you can also give your look a little bit of a glamorous look with the shimmery shades.

4. Freedom Eyebrow Pomade Chocolate:

Guys if you're looking for a dupe for the Anastasia Pomade this is the prefect dupe. The texture is creamy and not dry, after wearing it after a long day it doesn't smear. Also it's available in so a lot of colours therefore there is one for everyone. After having it for an entire month it hasn't dried out and the texture feels like it did when I first got it. I don't know how it'll work on oily or combination skin type but for me it was just amazing.

5. Nivea Facial Wash Gel, Nivea Gentle Exfoliating Scrub and Nivea Sensitive Cream: 

I think I've become a little obsessed with Nivea products, I didn't think anything could outdo my Simple face washes and scrubs, and it pains me to say this but I've found a replacement. These Nivea face wash/scrub is just amaze, I use the face wash in the morning. It literally makes my skin feel refreshed and hydrated. I use the Scrub at night after a long day, and it just digs deep and when I say you can feel it digging because it does burn a little. I have never felt my face so smooth and clean I recommend it to everyone. The face cream is my favourite since it has SPF15 and you know we all need a little protection from the sun. Well not that it's a problem here in the UK.
6. The Body Shop Face brush:

This face brush is so soft and really exfoliates your face, it's pretty amazing to see what a little brush can do. The bristles are so soft and moves easily around your face. This has been an absolute life saver for me as it opens up by clogged pores and it has actually helped with the occasional spots I get on my face.  

January Hell Narhhh: 

1. Revlon Colorstay Concealer:

To be honest I don't even remember getting this concealer but I think it was the start of the month. Omg what a waste I don't even remember how much it was, but no matter what you set it with, it creases. And because I have dry skin this concealer is not creamy enough therefore dried out my face even more. This obviously resulted to my skin becoming ashy and it was just awful, also the concealer just soaked up all my setting powder and my skin looked even drier. 


2. Collection Lasting Colour lipstick- Red carpet and Aubergine kiss:

These colours looked so good and looked creamy and pigmented. But boy was I wrong, when I put it on my lips the Red Carpet one especially. It was so dry, not matte, but just super dry. No matter how much lip balm you put under it, it is just super dry and the texture is also dry and hard to put on the lips. The Aubergine Kiss was a little creamer but the problem with that was it kept leaving a white ring around my lips and also it smeared everywhere. I had to constantly reapply it and the colour comes out really darker than it looks.