Mini MAC & Drugstore Haul

I don't know why but I seem to think birthday's are an excused to 'treat myself'. So I've spent quite a bit of money over the last few weeks, probably didn't help that my birthday also meant the end of my eyeshadow ban, and I've gone a little over the top, buying another 4 eyeshadows after treating myself to Burberry's Midnight Brown. But I could justify it, as 3 of them have survived a long wish list that has been whittled away.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo On & On Bronze

When these were released I knew I had to get my hands on this shade, so I waited patiently until my eyeshadow ban was over, and then immediately purchased it. I definitely haven't been let down. It's a gorgeous bronze (duh) that is beautifully pigmented and has been the perfect product to slap on, and blends well using just my fingers. Ideal when you need to get ready for work in a rush, especially when you tend to sleep through your alarm like I do!

Urban Decay All Nighter XL

 This was a complete spur of the moment purchase, and with my fix+ nearly run out I decided to pick one of these up, and managed to let the sales girl convince me to buy the bigger one. I have read great things about this setting spray so I'm hoping it impresses me. I keep forgetting to use it though, so once I've given it a proper test I will review it!

MAC Studio Fix Powder NC35

The liquid version has been a dear companion to me for many years now, and after Yu telling me how much she liked it, I decided to just go for it. The coverage is probably a little to light for me when I apply it using a normal powder brush, but I am looking forward to playing around with it, which I haven't had the chance to yet. Bear in mind, the colours of the powder don't correspond to the liquid version, so you you might have to go up a shade or three!!

MAC Club Eyeshadow

These two MAC shades have been carefully selected to fill my final two remaining spaces in my palettes (I have one neutral and one colour). I absolutely looove Club, and can't believe it's taken me so long to buy it. It's an amazing duochrome colour, that changes depending what light it's in. It's got great depth to it, and it looks great paired with goldy/brown shades as a base. Can't wait to experiment a bit more with it.

MAC Patina Eyeshadow

This is also a unique colour, although it has a fairly neutral browny base, it's got hints of pink, gold and purple to it. I think this is the sort of colour that will change depending on who is wearing it, which makes it a lot more complex and special that it might initially seems in the pan.

Loreal Infallible Eyeshadow Eternal Sunshine

My local Boots has a pretty small selection of these pressed eyeshadows, and I sort of grabbed this on a post-ban high, and then wished I had gone for the silvery one. But I am glad that I got this, it's super pigmented so you need to be careful it doesn't come out too yellow. But when you blend this softly and pair it with a bronze you get a beautiful golden/bronze smokey eye. 

Maybelline Ceramic Blue Nail Varnish

This was definitely influenced by Essie Button, and I'm a sucker for pastel shades any. Really love it, it's even got the most subtle shimmer/irridenscence running through it. Definitely one to look out for! I got so many compliments when I wore it. aOnce I soak off my gel I'll be doing a NOTD, it's such a beautiful colour and I think it would suit a lot of different skin tones.

I should really put down my debit card, but payday is so soon! Arghhh.

Any recent new purchases you're loving? 

Please so send me your links, as I'm looking for some new blogs to read. :)

Nic xxx

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Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow: Midnight Brown

Hellooo!

Wow, a full time job has really left me little time to get my blog on. I feel really annoyed at myself, yet I'm not ready to give up. I am going make sure I dedicated time to get at least a couple posts up a week. So starting off my new commitment is a very special birthday purchase, which also marks the end of my 6 month eyeshadow ban. Yaaay!

This has been on my lust list for months, I've read so many reviews, watched videos, looked at countless photos.. .call it an obsession if you must. Pale Barley and Midnight Brown were in tough competition, and I decided to go for the brown instead, as it stood out a little more to me when I was at the counter. I had a mini-make over and just loved the effect. I was a little let down by Pale Barley, and it wasn't until I was outside in the normal light that I really appreciated how beautiful it was, and what a great pair the two made. So I will definitely be going back for it!

Despite being labelled as 'sheer' eyeshadows, I can tell you there is absolutely nothing sheer about this range. Midnight Brown is beautifully pigmented, buttery smooth with a slight shimmer shimmer and blends like a dream. This hands down, is the most impressed I've been with an eyeshadow. It's everything you want and more. I honestly feel like rushing out and buying the whole collection.. and there are some more gorgeous options coming out with the autumn collection! Although at £23 each, this could be a very silly decision (although totally worth it!!).

                            

Everything about this product is beautiful; the feel of the sturdy, adorned casing, the embedded patterns, its velour case, the magnetic clip. I could honestly go on and on about this.. over a freakin' eyeshadow!! To summarise, I am in love. And I urge you all to go find your nearest counter, (selected John Lewis & Harrods) and have a swatch, get a make over, and fall in love like I did. They really are as good as everyone says they are.

Nic xxx

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The One

For years, I disregarded the importance of using a primer on my eyelids, I've fleetingly used the ELF one (really impressive for the price) and UDPP which, to be honest, I really didn't like, it just didn't work for me, but neither became regulars in my eyeshadow application. But a lovely sales assistant in Santa Barbara opened my eyes, and I can happily say I've found the one.

MAC Painterly is a pale nude, which looks pink/flesh toned in the pot, but when it's applied to the lids it had a slight grey/purple tinge to it. But it is pretty neutral, and so it makes a perfect base for any colour to be applied on top. It sets quickly to a matte finish, and ensures my eyeshadow stays in place for hours. Although it's not technically a 'primer', it's worked better than any I've tried. (I may have on occasion gone to sleep with my eyeshadow still on from a night out (oops), and wake up the next day my eyeshadow looks perfect. Seriously perfect.)

It can, obviously, be worn alone, if you like a pale pink, but for me I solely use it as a base. MAC do offer other great shades, and finishes in the paint pot line and I'm very tempted to pick up another when my ban is over, something with a bit of shimmer perhaps. You can see the full collection here.

They retail for £14.50 and mine has been worth any penny!

Nic xxx

(ps. sorry about the dirty pot- it's been well loved.)

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MAC Haul

 I went to the MAC stand with the intention of picking up 1 pan to finish my neutral palette, and having a little swatch, but, I absolutely fell in love with the colours. They are so different to what I own already, and I couldn't resist. Debenham's had 15% off, plus I had £25 worth of Beauty Club points, so in my defense I didn't even spend that much!

Left: Bronze (Frost) gold brown with shimmer.

Right: Sketch (Velvet) deep burgundy/brown with a red shimmer. I went in thinking I wanted  Fig.1, but this just swatched so much better, and I like the added dimension with the shimmer, without being too obvious.

Left: Paradisco (Frost)  pinky-coral with a gorgeous pearl sheen. Think it would look great along the top of the cheekbones as well.

Right: Starviolet (Veluxe Pearl) pinky-brown plum, veluxe pearl finish are just to die for as well.

L-R. Bronze.Sketch. Paradisco.Starviolet.

(click to enlarge)

(how tiny my my little finger!!)

Metal X Cream Eye Shadow (Limited Edition) £15.50

Venetian Tarnish

After swatching for about half an hour, the lovely MUA showed me the new cream shadows, (which I had purposely been avoiding!) I've been really drawn cream finishes lately, so I knew it would be dangerous to even look. And then I ended up buying one! Total self control fail.

What MAC says: A powdery cream that almost instantly transforms into a blendable, buildable liquid metal finish.  A vibrant mélange of pigments, this highlighter quickly brings extreme brilliance, shine and multi-dimensional impact to eyes, cheeks, décolletage.

This is beyond gorgeous!! The colour is so dimensional, and I love that is multipurpose. I'm really looking forward to playing around with it. Might have to pick up another colour as well.

I love my new colours, and apart from Bronze, I've not seen too many people talking about them. So it's nice to make some discoveries on my own. All the finishes are great, and apply well, all the shimmery/sheenyness (not a word I know) is also perfect for festive season!

(I had planned to include photos of the new colours on my eyes, but decided to save it for another post, as it was a bit too photo heavy with them. So look out for that if you're interested in how to wear the more pinky/purpley colours)

Thanks for reading!

Nic xxx

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