The NYX Shadows You Do/Don't Need....

Hey Ladies, 

If you have seen my latest YouTube video you will know that recently I was in Canada and spent an actual bomb in Sephora on loads of bits and bobs.... and if you haven't seen that video there is a link to it here. A couple of days after I got back from my trip I seen online loads of buzz that a new NYX counter had come to my local Boots store, not that I needed anymore makeup after my splurging but it would be rude not to have a little look and see what the counter was like! 

I was very restrained and only picked up two eye shadows that were recommended by friends, Mermaid and Fireball and from those names and the image about I am sure you can gather which is which. My friend Gracey (@Longhairandlashes on the 'Gram) is always using Mermaid in her photographs and I instantly knew that colour was a must have and as for Fireball what can I say it is too pretty to pass up. I named this post "shadows you do/don't need" because I feel like these shadows aren't the most wearable and/or obvious choice but in terms of their quality and prettiness... sure buy them anyways.

The pigment of these shadows is super strong and they have a beautiful buttery texture. They blend like a dream! Price wise we're looking at 7euro for each which is so inexpensive for what you're getting for your money versus a MAC shadow. Side note about MAC... I feel like they aren't the be all and end all in terms of shadows anymore and there is so much variety now a days that they are slowly slipping from my top 5! 

Back to NYX, these colours are definitely two shades that you could add into your collection of neutrals nicely that will easily turn a look from drab to fab. Imagine this... NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk on the eyelid and then Mermaid pressed on top or in the inner corner, then throw on a bit of liner and add some glitter for good measure and you have yourself a seriously Instagrammable eye look. Fireball is a shadow that you could add to a brown smokey eye to give it that oomph but not go too far outside your comfort zone and it is the colour that you will constantly wear from October till January with a dark lip!

In short, if you're passing a NYX counter just buy these and thank me later! 

Suzie Q Reviews: Charlotte Tilbury La Dolce Vita Eyeshadow Palette

Hey Ladies,

In case you missed it I posted a video on my YouTube showing you the latest addition to my makeup hoard, the Charlotte Tilbury La Dolce Vita Palette. I wanted to do a blog post with some swatches and a little more info about the palette in case you aren't a subscriber to my channel.

First off lets talk about the packaging...stunning. Charlotte has really hit the nail on the head with this beautiful art deco inspired packaging. With a warm burgundy case and a pop of rose gold on the inside and a HUGE mirror this product looks expensive right off the bat. Please note there is no useless sponge tip applicators so you get more product for your money!

There is four shadows in this palette simply named after what they are intended to do... prime, pop, smoke and enhance. The shadows are buttery soft and can be used wet or dry and in most of Charlotte's tutorials she doesn't use too many brushes and opts for applying the glitter with her fingers. The colours are definitely wearable hence what inspired my YouTube tutorial as you can easily take this palette from day to night. If you are a matte eyeshadow fan this palette won't be for you as all four of the shadows have a shimmer to them but you could put down a matte base before hand and add one of these shadows as a pop of shimmer.

Value wise this palette is EXPENSIVE with a €50 price tag but it is so worth it. It is honestly one of very few palettes that I have used and liked every colour. Usually when it comes to eyeshadow palettes I find a few colours I like and the others go to waste. In terms of versatility as I mentioned before you can switch this up for day to night and you could easily make this palette work with any other eyeshadow palettes in your collection. You can tell this palette has been makeup by a truly talented makeup artist as all four shades perfectly harmonise with each other, no duds here.

As I received this as a Christmas gift and didn't buy it for myself, and I know €50 is a lot of money for makeup but this would make the perfect wedding day palette or a gift for a friend. What girl doesn't get excited when she sees a present from Brown Thomas, less Charlotte Tilbury. I would love in the future to pick up another palette from Charlotte Tilbury and Supermodel Body is also on the top of my want list. If I was to purchase at the CT counter in Brown Thomas I think I would make the most of my money and book myself in for a makeover which is redeemable on products, and that way you can also pick the brains of Charlotte's well trained staff!

So there you have it, the burning questions is would you spend this much on an eyeshadow palette? Let me know in the comments below!

Collective Haul

Hey Ladies,
Here as some of the things I have picked up over the last couple of weeks for my freelance kit! I'm sure you are sick of hearing me talk about how I am trying to build a really good kit and I can finally say that I am almost there. As per usual I will leave where I bought them and the cost below although I lost/threw out most of these receipts so I will put guesstimations!

Boots

Real Techniques Blush Brush

                                                          Cost: A round the €13 mark

Maybelline 24HR Colour Tattoo

Colour: Permanent Taupe

Cost: Free(used my boots points) but around the €7 mark

Penney's/Primark

Catrice Precision Lip Liner

Colour: Red

Cost: Around the €2 mark

Boots

No.7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser

Cost: Around  €13 but using a No.7 voucher around the €5 mark

Debenhams

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel

Cost: €38.50

MAC

Face and Body Foundations

Colour: C1, C2, C4, N2

Cost: €36.50 each

Brush Cleanser

Cost: €12

Eye shadows In Pan 

Colour: Vanilla and Mulch

Cost: €11.50 each

Hope you enjoyed!
Love,
S