Hmmm, what do we have here?

Ok, maybe I’m a little late jumping on the beauty band wagon but I finally purchased the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette! You’re probably thinking, oh gosh, not another blog post on that blooming palette but hey ho, that’s how I roll! Hee hee! I decided to wait until to the hype calmed down to give an honest opinion and not be influenced in what I would be reviewing. I remember all the gurus raving about this palette but couldn’t justify putting a good 40 euros into a palette but after passing my exams for my second year of University I really wanted to treat myself! So what do I actually think of the product?

Well, I must say this palette is gorgeous. Every single shade is adaptable and unique. From a subtle nude look to a dramatic smoky eye, this palette has it all. I’ve been using it for about a week now and must say no complaints so far. What impressed me the most was the fact that these shadows stick… I don’t use primer on my eyes and not once has the shadow creased once applied (even on a very hot and sweaty day at work!) … I’ve literally been blown away by the quality of each shade, especially “Blackout” which is the closest colour to black I have ever seen when it comes down to eye shadows.

I don’t want to blab on because I’m pretty sure you’ve heard it all before but this palette is really a staple piece for any makeup collection. Whether it is for a professional or a beginner, this set really is a MUST!

Do you already own the Naked Palette? If so, what is your favourite shade? If not, would you like to purchase this palette?       

xxx

♥ My Favourite Foundation ♥

The skin on my face is a bundle of troubles. It is usually dry to combination but can vary suddenly to MEGA OVERLOAD dry which is literally impossible to work with. Not only that, I’m very fair skinned, “la peau anglaise” as the French say or “le milk bottle” as my Mum so kindly puts it. Between finding a product that would suit my skin tone and one that wouldn’t leave my skin as dry as a badger’s bum (excuse my French) I was left furiously trying product after product after product... with no luck whatsoever. 

My favourite foundation of all time!!!

All my wishes were granted whilst in England last year when I stumbled upon this little beauty! It is the Max Factor Xperience foundation in 30ml, retailed at £9.99 in Boots (click here) and by gosh does it do the job for me! It feels so creamy when you apply it and doesn’t feel heavy on your face! I’ve been using it every day for a year now and I still have a little bit left. It is well worth the money! It doesn’t dry out my skin and leaves it looking somewhat dewy and fresh. For the coverage I’d say it was a medium but I’m pretty sure you could build it up no problem! I’ve been using the shade Raw Silk 45, even though the colour is pretty close to my skin colour (compared to most foundations which make me look orange), I heard that there was an even lighter shade which will probably suit me even better (which I shall purchase soon *hee hee hee*)!  I really just love it! I hope this review might help someone  out who was in the same dilemma as me! 

Product on back of hand... it looks good enough to eat!

Please tell me below what YOUR favourite foundation is! 

xxx

Optical Illusions...

Living in the middle of France does have its downfalls. In the city I’m studying at, the waiting list to see an ophthalmologist was over six months and since I’ve been having a lot of migraines lately, I really couldn’t put it off any longer.

I decided to make an appointment at a place closer to my home in the good old French countryside which must be a good hour away from the town I’m currently studying in. The good side? I only had to wait 3 months for this one but the down side was that the trains were all at silly times so I got there 3 hours before I was supposed to. My “rendezvous” was at half past four. My train got there at half past one and my train back was at half seven that night (total bummer). What to do in a little French village with nothing to do especially when most shops close for dinner? The sun was blazing hot and there wasn’t even a slight breeze... I needed refreshment so I nestled down at a small bar! Hmmmm coca-cola you are my hero! 

I decided to read, write some blog posts (for the upcoming weeks) and just chill. The appointment itself was an odd experience. My eyes were checked pretty rapidly so they didn’t get any structured results... yes, I have to go back and put drops in my eyes to examine them in finer detail. These drops are going to dilate my pupils... in other words make me look like I’ve been on crack for the past year (photos to come!!!)

As the French trains are notorious for being late, my evening train made it into the station half an hour late. Hey, I’m not complaining, I wasn’t going anyway else. I just took my time and savoured the moment whilst walking back in the glorious evening sun. 

xxx

Good things come in SMALL prices!

This palette by "Ess Mineral" is a little gold mine! One of the best aspects of this product is that it only cost 4 euros!!! (Which is around £3! Cheap as chips!) 

Yes I dropped the palette, which explains the broken one in the left hand corner, I'm very CLUMSY!!!

To be honest, I've never owned a "real palette" before. The closest thing I had to eyeshadows that I ever owned were either freebies from a Mizz magazine or my kids makeup set from back in the nineties. I've never really felt the need for eyeshadows... until now!  

I don't know how I lived without these 8 natural to nude colours which are pigmented to my exact liking, not too subtle and not too glaring. They apply beautifully and unlike most cheap brands they aren't very chalky at all! Plus they blend out like a charm. The brush isn't half bad either! What adds to this palette is that it is multifunctional, I can use the lightest colour as a highlighter because it doesn't have a lot of glitter in it and a darker colour would be perfect for contouring... The possibilities are endless! One colour even comes close to "Half Baked" by Urban Decay but of course a less expensive version which is great for a student like me! As a starter kit I'm pretty impressed with my little investment. 

Every colour colour is unique and adaptable to all styles. 

Look at all the pretty colours!

I recently bought the Ess eyebrow palette and a pastel Ess nail polish, so watch out for those reviews in the future! 

Oh! Before I forget and leave you wondering where you can get this palette, I got in touch with the company and they informed me that there is a website due for 2013!!! Yessss!!! *Happy me* 

Look achieved using the Ess palette, Maybelline's Long Lasting Gel Eyeliner and Maybelline lipstick (which I shall do a review on soon!!!)

Do you have a bargain in your makeup collection? If so, what is it? 

xxx