Christmas Wishlist Four

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Recently my boyfriend asked me if there was any little, cheaper makeup items that I would want for my stocking. I hadn't really thought much about it, they weren't on my Christmas lists but when I started looking I realised there were loads of adorable items that I would love to find in my stocking! 

These items would be great for younger make up lovers or like me, as cute stocking stuffers! Or even for a secret Santa as all the items are under £10

1. MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter in Golden Afterglow 

I've tried these highlighters before and they are the most pigmented, shimmery highlights you will ever find for such a low price. MUA recently released a few new shades, Golden Afterglow is one of them.  It is the most festive, lovely gold, a really unique shade that any lady would love to have!

2.  I Heart Chocolate Bronze and Glow

This little palette is reminiscent of the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palettes in that the packaging looks like a chocolate bar... So freaking adorable that I can't even stand it. This is the a really great duo of a highlight and bronzer, both useable shades in the most adorable packaging. I need it.

3. I Heart Eyeshadow Palette Chocolate and Peaches

Too Face's Sweet Peach palette is every girls dream right now but it's expensive and hard to get a hold of, this is basically a cheap copy but I'm my opinion it is equally cute and I desperately want it. Such wearable and girly shades!

4. Tanya Burr Matte Lip in Martha Moo

I already own this but I thought I'd include it because I personally think that everyone needs to own it. It is the most incredible colour and the stay power is ridiculous. It last absolutely forever. On first wear I hated it but if you apply lip balm before you apply and on top after, you're in with a winner.

5. Zoella Deck The Baubles

This one is not so much aimed at me as I'm not a fan of bath stuff as gifts but most women do like bath stuff and there is none more adorable than this bubble bath filled bauble. The cuteness of this just kills me, Zoe's whole Christmas range is the most beautifully festive thing ever!

I hope this little Wishlist has helped you to fill that special someones stocking or maybe even your own! Let me know if there are any other stocking fillers I should ask for this year!

Christmas Watchlist

As much as I love the classics like Home Alone and The Santa Clause. sometimes it's nice to watch something a little more modern. Christmas is my favourite time of the year, snuggling up under blankets, candles lit and the twinkling of Christmas tree lights. These are the things I've been snuggling up to watch this year!

Beethoven's Christmas Adventure 

This film has been out since 2011 but I watched it for the first time last year. The Beethoven franchise goes back forever, I remember loving them as a kid and I think that is partly why I love this now. It is so child like and stupid but so enjoyable at the same time. I've watched it once this year so far and I'm sure i'll watch it a few more times!

Christmas With The Coopers

The Coopers are my new favourite Christmas family. I am head over heels in love with this film. It came out in cinema last year and I went to see it, loved it then but I love it even more after watching it this year. It is a heart warming yet slightly depressing film about family relationships and growth. It is so real and it's told from the voice of the family dog, Rags. So thats a win for me.

Arthur Christmas

Arthur Christmas is family favourite for many people even though it is still relatively new to the Christmas scene and with good reason! The film somehow takes a very classic approach to Santa and what he does but also a very new refreshing take with the space ship and the elf technologies. On first watch I hated it but it soon won me over!

Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special 

This is the best Christmas Special ever aired on television. It is the most hilarious, quotable special in the universe and arguably the best episode of all the Gavin and Stacey episodes. 

"oh oh oh merry Christmas" 

What are your favourite Christmas much watches? 

Christmas Wishlist Three - Asda

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Wishlist Three is a little different because these are items to buy BEFORE Christmas rather than as a gift, they are also all from Asda. These six things would make great little Christmas treats for yourself or maybe even for a Secret Santa that is being gifted before Christmas Day. 

Asda have amazing home stuff and often great clothes as well. It is always my go to place for seasonal items especially and this year they are on to a winners! 

1. Christmas Sequin Bulldog T-Shirt

I love a good classic Christmas jumper but I get so hot in them and they make my boobs look weird so I was so pleasantly surprised to find that Asda had a huge selection of Christmas t-shirts! This one is the most adorable thing in the whole world. It has a huge dog on it! I actually didn't buy this one though because it has sequins sewn on the front which looks great but I feel like they always fall off in the washing and I can not deal with that sort of stress. 

2. Winky Santa Mug

This mug is a must have for all your festive hot drink needs. It is the cutest little Santa, so retro yet somehow not tacky despite the fact it is a huge head. I am very tempted to buy this!

3. Decorative Jar Candle in Golden Vanilla

I mainly like this for the gorgeous gold tree lid. This candle looks so much more expensive than it is and it smells so sweet and delicious. It would be a great option if you want to add a little Christmas touch to your home without being full on tinsel and giant Santas.

4. Yankee Candle in Merry Mint Chocolate

Asda do a range of Yankee Candles which are a little cheaper than your usual Yankee Candle and the jar is slightly less fancy looking. I don't love the way they look because they don't look as nice but they do smell equally as good, this festive scent specifically makes me want to eat it. It makes your whole house smell like After Eight mints which to me just screams Christmas!

5. Glass Dogs Decorations

As you probably know, I adore dogs so these glass baubles kill me. They are so bloody cute that I just need to have them! I'm also really loving glass figurine baubles this year, the old fashioned kind so these are really appealing to me. I think I will pick up a pack next time I see them in store!

6. Santa Tea Light Burner Set

In the same style as the mug this is a giant Santa head burner, you put the tea light in the underneath and add scented liquid to the top and it fills the room with the most amazing smells! I bought this yesterday because I simple couldn't resist and now my whole house smells like mince pies. 

Basically, let me loose in Asda and I will transform my surroundings into a magical winter wonderland and I suggest you do the same! 

Christmas Wishlist Two

One      Two      Three      Four      Five     Six

This wishlist is focusing on the mums, aunts or anyone who loves to cook! 

1. Cath Kidston Hedgehogs Apron

You can't go wrong with a lovely gift from Cath Kidston. The whole store is a wonderland of cute prints and homely items! I'm loving this hedgehog print apron, a pretty apron is a kitchen essential for any lover of cooking! 

2. Jamie Olivers Christmas Cookbook

Jamie Oliver is just one of those people that everyone loves. You really can't go wrong with one of his great cookbooks and a Christmas themed one is just perfect for the holiday season!

3. Hotel Chocolate Mini Chocolate Dipping Adventure

How bloody delicious does this look? You might have to fight against eating it before you gift it but if you do manage it, the recipient will be one happy bunny! It's only £20 but looks so much more expensive! 

4. Kikki.K 2017 Daily Diary

Everyone needs a diary for Christmas. I don't think I've ever had a Christmas and not received one! This particular one from Kikki.K is just beautiful and there are so many other items in the same design you could get to go with it. Wall planners and pens, you name it. 

5. Cath Kidston Merry Christmas Mug 

My boyfriend bought me this a few weeks ago to enjoy over the festive months up until Christmas and I really love it. Makes a great cup of coffee as well! Anyone receiving this would be a lucky lady! 

6. Niomi Smarts Eat Smart

If you're buying for a slightly younger chef, they might have heard of the popular youtuber, Niomi Smart. Her new cookbook focuses on healthy eating, is beautifully designed and the best gift! 

I hope these little gift ideas have been helpful in your Christmas shopping quest! 

Thanks for reading!

Christmas Wishlist One

One      Two      Three      Four      Five 

The other day I went into Sainsbury's to buy some super boring stuff, milk and bread. But what I actually found was the beginning of my Christmas Spirit 2016, I came across a furry Christmas tree hat that sings and dances and couldn't help but put it on and dance around the aisles singing "All I Want for Christmas" while my boyfriend laughed and filmed me. 

So with my new Christmas Spirit I thought it about time I began my Christmas Wishlists here on EverydayAmy!

This year is like every other in that I am mostly lusting after beauty items. Makeup especially. So where better to start!

These are my must have, ill cry if I don't get, gifts.

1. Makeup Obsession Palette

Makeup Obsession is a new thing that Boots are doing for a limited time over Christmas. They are create your own palettes with an astonishing array of products that can be popped in and moved about. Everything from eyeshadow to cream contour. After a crazy swatch sesh the other day, I have fallen in love with the highlighters because they are crazy pigmented and only £3 each! "Moon" is the most incredible shade and I must have it! Boots are also doing engraving so this little gem of a palette could have my name on it! 

2. Zoella Gingerbread and Bake My Day

I am a huge fan of Zoe and like to get at least one thing from every range she brings out. Usually the scents because they smell devine! This little set contains the new Christmas scent and a body cream. Its a must have. I also bloody love gingerbread.

3. Makeup Revolution Precision Pro Oval Face Brush

Instagram, youtube, you name it is literally crawling with oval makeup brushes and I am dying to try one! I think this one would be a great start because it is cheap but also is sure to be good quality like other brushes from the brand. Cant wait to smother my foundation on with this beauty!

4. Urban Decay Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow

I absolutely love the Moondust shadows, the duo tones slay me. When I heard that Urban Decay were bringing out liquid versions I just knew I needed at least one. I am temped to get the Solstice shade but I do already have that in the powder form so I think ill go for the pink/orange shade in Recharged.

5. Urban Decay Vice Lipstick Palette

Urban Decay lipsticks are my complete favourites but at £15 each I can afford to buy them all. You get 12 shades in this palette for the price of 2 full size lipsticks, I'm so excited to be able to try some crazy colours without splashing the cash on the single lipsticks. The packing is great and the shades are perfect, a good mix of everyday colours and a few more outrageous. I am most excited for this! It is available in two options, the one I have shown is Junkie.

The list of makeup id like for Christmas truly is endless but these are the ones that have my all excited and the boyfriend has been instructed to get! What beauty products are you desperate for this Christmas? 

It's Hard Being A Girl

Us girls have it hard in many ways but id like to talk about the little everyday things that make me want to scream and throw things! Ever had a melt down in a clothes store because everything is ugly, doesn't fit and is too expensive? Me too. Many times actually. 

These are trivial things but they make my bloody boil!

1. Perfume/deodorant Marks

You spend an hour getting ready, coordinate your eyeshadow to your top, paint your nails to match. You are all ready to go. Spray some perfume, ready to walk out the door when your boyfriend points out that you have a greasy body spray mark on your top and you definitely can't hide it. Start from square one.

2. Crusty Lipstick 

I hate wearing lipstick, sure it looks great for the first five minutes until you eat something, have a drink then its smudged across your face and flaking off onto your straw. So, you end up reapplying constantly and its the most annoying thing in the world! Your other option is to not eat or drink to make it last longer but you still can't win because instead you'll end up with the dreaded crusty inner lip. I give up. 

3. Periods In General

I'm sure there are some lucky girls who have perfectly timed periods and always know when they are coming but I am not one of them. Sometimes they come weeks early, sometimes weeks late and sometime they come out of the blue and leak through while your on holiday at Center Parcs and ruins the sheets that aren't even yours! 

4. Hair

I love my hair, its a safety blanket and an accessory but its also a pain in the arse. Wash it, dry it, style it, repeat. It takes forever! The one day you decide to leave the house wth wet hair, it dries to an afro and you end up looking homeless.

5. Makeup Skills

I spend hours watching youtube and surfing the web looking at my makeup products and techniques. Off to Wilkinsons to buy dog food and I will be able to do a whole face of flawless movie star makeup. But if I have something important on like a wedding and i end up with patchy foundation and mascara on my eyelids. 

6. Ironing

So many womens clothes are made from the wrinkliest fabric! Men can get away with ironing almost never but everything I own whether it has been hung up or not looks like a dirty snot rag. I hate ironing! 

7. Heels

I don't wear heels much, only for special occasions but sometimes its nice to wear a heeled boot for an easy day. Just visiting family or the cinema. But then you finish at the cinema and you end up on a trek round the local shopping centre in your sky high heels feeling like your feet are on fire. I didn't plan for this! Heels are not made for spontaneity!

8. "Thanks Love"

At work especially, I can't count the amount of men that call me love, babe, dear, young lady. It's so patronising! Ill scratch your eyes out mate!

9. Nails

Having freshly painted, shiny nails is the best. I feel so put together with my nails on point but without fail, a few hours later they will be chipped. I just can't take the stress. Plain nails will have to do.

10. Bras

Wearing a bra is uncomfortable. Under boob sweat is disgusting but inevitable and it is almost impossible to find one that fits perfectly. I hate everything about them but without them I would get knocked out when I walked and end up with tits down to my knees by the time in 40. Although, taking your bra off after a long day is the best feeling ever!

Im sure I could reel off a load more girl problems but id like to know yours? Or if your a boy, what annoys you?

Thanks for reading! 

Adding to the collection: Freedom ProArtist Palette

Freedom is apart of the TamBeauty family along with Revolution and IHeartMakeUp. All fabulous and affordable makeup brands. I love them all. 

When Freedom announced the new magnetic refillable palettes I knew I had to buy one. It is just so enticing to be able to create you own palette and be able to customise whats inside, I don't know why but it is. It just is.

The palette itself is a large black palette with a huge mirror and a magnetic base. I like that the mirror is perfectly big enough to actually use rather than a useless midget mirror you can barely see your own eye in. I also like that the magnetic bit is able to fit different size pans and even pans from other brands which makes this such a versatile useful palette.

There are a whole lot of pans available. You can get eyeshadows, blushers, highlighters and contour shades. I'm sure you could even find shades that would work for your eyebrows. It is a truly personalisable palette perfect for keeping your whole face in one place and for travelling. 

I do have a few complaints though, the shiny packaging is awful, instantly covered in finger prints and dust. A matte finish would have been much more appreciated. Take note Freedom!

Adding to the collection: Urban Decay Razor Sharp Liquid Eyeliner in Intergalactic

One of the newest releases from Urban Decay are the Razor Sharp Liquid Liners, the come in an array of incredible bright and more wearable colours and I've been eyeing them on social media for a while. I am partial to a coloured liner so I was really excited for these!

I hadn't even realised they were out yet so I nearly died of excitement when I saw them at my local counter. I knew I had to buy one because I have been lusting for so long but I will admit that I felt a little let down on first look...

Firstly, the counter didn't seem to have all the shades.

Secondly, I felt they were over priced at £16 for such a small amount of product.

Thirdly, the colour that I had most wanted (Fireball) was out of stock.

I perceived, I watched them all and found that many of the shades weren't very pigmented and some even bled into the lines of my skin which is not at all what you want it an eyeliner. 

Intergalactic though, didn't bleed and seemed very pigmented so I chose this one.

The packaging is really lovely, very sturdy with a coloured handle which makes it super easy to tell the different liners apart. I also love the lilac packaging, its just so pretty. 

The product itself is in the smaller silver end, I would have liked to get more product that this for £16 but I can't judge too soon because it may last longer than I'm thinking it will. Who knows. The liner tip looked rubbish to me at first because it is a thin hair brush which I usually find hard to use but actually, it has proven never easy to use. It is thin and precise, depositing colour in a really delicate yet opaque way. 

Overall, I am impressed but I'm not also. It is nice, the product is good, the packaging is grid but I just can't help but feel that you can find something similar from other brands for a lost less money such as the NYX Vivid Brights. 

What do you guys think? Have you tried them or can you recommend another brand of coloured liners? 

Adding to the collection: Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Lovelight (Sheer Shimmer)

Recently, I've bought a few new additions to my makeup collection so my next few posts will be showing you those items! 

Starting with this gorgeous Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Lovelight...

I've been eyeing up the Vice lipsticks for a while, there are 100 to choose from, in every colour and finish you could possible think of or need. I've been putting off buying any because how could you possibly decided with that much variety?! 

So the other day I went into House of Frasier, darted to the Urban Decay counter and proceeded to cover my whole arm in swatches. I've done this a few times and just not bought one because I couldn't decided so this time I just swatched loads and made an impulse decision and bought Lovelight. 

Lovelight is a sheer shimmer formula in a peachy nude with golden shimmers. It is a unique shade but it is also very wearable and because it is a sheer formula, it wears away evenly and is super easy to wear. No need for constant touch ups, you won't get the dreaded crusty inner lip and your lips will look like a shimmery delicious dream. 

The packaging for these Vice lipsticks makes me melt, gold base with a gun-metal silver tube. They are shiny and beautiful, the lipstick looks far more expensive than its reasonable £15 price tag. The lid also pops in really securely so I can't imagine that the lid would fall off in your handbag and get ruined! This is a real issue with cheaper lipsticks and it drives me mad, the inside of my handbag is a rainbow of lip products all over the lining! 

I am really pleases with Lovelight and it has definitely spurred me on to buy another sometime soon!

Oh My God though, have you all seen the lipstick palette Urban Decay are bringing out? I need it! 

Devon 2016

Myself, my partner and our puppy, Watson, have recently returned from a wonderful week and in glorious Devon. We stayed in Woolacombe which in recent years has become our most favourite place to visit, it is one of the most beautiful places in England in my opinion with its vast sandy white beaches, crystal clear waves and countryside. We devoured cream tea after cream tea, eat ice cream on the beach and watched our pup encounter the sea and the sand for the very first time! He loved every minute! (head to my instagram for a video!) 

These are our holiday snaps!

Music Review: Mollie King - Back To You 9/10

                                   

                                            

Mollie King has been a fifth of the girl group The Saturdays since 2007. They have always been my guilty pleasure, I've loved every single, every album, loved seeing the girls in magazines and following them on Instagram. They are just captivating. So talented, so beautiful and musically so addicting. 

There strength has always been as a group so I was concerned that them going on a hiatus in order to persue singular efforts would be a flop. Vanessa released an EP not long ago and it didn't really make a dent in the music world and I didn't love it. The second Saturday to release anything is the lovely Mollie in the form of, Back To You. 

Back To You is a breathy. sexy, love song about not being able to leave an ex alone. Just wanting to be with them and no one else despite them not being good for you. 

On first few listens, the song felt repetitive and simple. I liked it but I didn't think it would make it onto my playlist but I kept listening wanting to like it and it worked because now I really do. Mollie has played it safe by sticking to the same fluffy pop sound that The Sats have been so successful with but she has given it her own spin, slowed it down, provided some emotion. 

Her voice sounds beautiful but I do feel the song would have benefitted from Mollie kicking the vocals up a notch in the final verse. It would have really added to the emotion of the song and the lyrics. This is the only reason I have given the song a 9/10 instead of a 10.

I love the single cover art, simple, sexy and the colour hue is very unique and gorgeous. She should have gone for a lipgloss instead of the matte lips she is wearing though because her lips just look dry and this song calls for a moist lip in my opinion! That sounds gross but you know what I mean!

I'm assuming this single will lead to an album and I am very excited to hear it! 

NYX Vivid Brights

Left: Vivid Envy   Right: Vivid Sapphire

I love coloured eyeliner. I love it because I have hazel eyes so brightly coloured eyeliners really bring out the different colours in my eyes. So when perusing my local NYX counter, I came across the most incredible collection of coloured liquid eyeliners and knew I had to try them. So far I have bought two shades. 

The first I bought was Vivid Envy and the reason I bought this is because they were sold out of Vivid Sapphire which was the colour I really wanted. I was too impatient to wait for them to restock so I threw this amazing green one into my basket and trotted merrily to the till. 

I will admit, these are quite hard to apply, they have long hairs as the applicator and they are rather hard to control. They would definitely be easier to apply if they had a plastic tip but I do think the hairs give a better application of colour despite the struggle to get it on. I used a piece of tape to get the liner flicks right, otherwise it would have been truly impossible. 

The green shade is a lot more demure than the tube would suggest. It looks like it would be a more neon colour so it is a little annoying to get a different colour than I expected but I do still realllllly love it. 

Youtuber Gabriella Lindley (VelvetGh0st) was wearing Vivid Sapphire in one of her vlogs and I couldn't stop staring at her eyes. For the next few weeks I kept visiting the NYX stand and the shade was always sold out! I was getting so frustrated because I needed it so badly! When I finally found it I nearly peed myself with happiness. It is the most incredibly intense amazing sapphire blue, it is no surprise that it was always sold out. 

It is just as hard to apply as the green but I love them both so much that I will most definitely be buying the rest of the collection and wearing them everyday until people start referring to me as the rainbow eyes girl. I am addicted! 

Do yourself a favour and give them a try! 

Natural Collection Highlighter Sticks

Left: Rose Glow     Right: Coral Glow 

I look around the makeup section in Boots so frequently that when a new product pop up, I noticed it straight away and if intriguing enough, it will end up in my basket. 

These Natural Collection Highlighter Sticks intrigued me because I'm pretty certain that Natural Collection didn't do a highlighter until now. I have used Natural Collection products before but i've never been too impressed because as the name suggests, everything is very natural and just not all that exciting. But these little guys looked so different from the rest of the stand, beautiful colours with intense shimmer and packaged in petite white twist up chubby sticks. 

I like the packaging mostly, they are very small at roughly 2inches tall, containing a decent amount of  cream highlighter. The diameter of the product is perfectly sized to run along the cheek bone applying just the right amount of product. 

Great for squeezing in a makeup bag and clearly labelled on the bottom of the stick, my only issue is that the lids don't seem to stay on very well. This could cause quite the issue should the lid come off in your bag. 

(Unblended)

As you can see here, the colours are gorgeous. Rose Glow (left) is a dusty pink with golden shimmers, it is a very wearable colour with a huge amount of pigmentation. I feel that it would suit most skin tones as it is a subtle light shade. 

Coral Glow (right) is a weird one for me. It is a strong coral shade with golden shimmer, my issue is that I don't feel that it is a highlighter shade at all. It is just too coral and bright, more of a shimmering blusher in my opinion. I just don't see how on anyone this could be a highlight. It is still wearable though, I like it as a blush but rather than using it on the apples of my cheeks, I blend it from my upper apple and pull it up along my cheek bone so that it kind of acts as a blush and highlighter combo. 

(Blended Out) 

My issue with these occurs when you start blending. You have to be so careful because it is so easy to accidentally buff away all of the colour and end up with just chunky glitter. I actually quite like the chunky glitter look because I'm a weirdo but I don't think many other people would appreciate it! 

These retail at £1.99 each and can often be found on a 3 for 2 offer in Boots which makes these bad boys a freaking bargain. They aren't perfect but I think they are really adaptable, you can use them as a highlight, a blush or even eyeshadow. Considering the price I really think they are pretty good! 

The Shallows Review 7/10

I went to see The Shallows the other day purely because the showing was at a convenient time. I didn't have high expectations.

The film centres around Nancy, a young medical student who recently lost her mother. Nancy decides to visit the secret beach her mother once visited while pregnant with Nancy, she goes alone due to a flaky friend. 

Nancy goes surfing and finds herself trapped on a rock while a shark circles her. She gains a deep leg bite early on in the film and spends the duration of the film sitting on a rock tending to her wound and thinking of a way to get back to shore unharmed. 

Very simple storyline, seems like just you typical shark horror and it some ways it is but in other ways, its was highly enjoyable! And I was in fact very impressed!

Nancy played by Blake Lively could have easily been an annoying heroine, lots of crying and too many sexy close ups but Lively acted her role impressively well and I genuinely felt a connection with the character. She played the fine line between fear and bravery which was a refreshing change from your standard horror movie heroine. 

The movie kept you hooked from beginning to (almost) the end. 

I feel that for the most part the effects and the shark itself looked really impressive, the movie featured some beautiful shots of the beach and the surf, there as also a scene that I found particularly terrifying which included a whole load of jellyfish. 

Little fact about me, I am extremely scared of jellyfish. This particular scene had me biting my nails and perched on the edge of my seat. I don't feel that this movie was particularly scary and I don't feel it was meant to be, it was more about the tension and the build up to the big reveal of the shark but the jellyfish scene really got me. 

My favourite part however which really set the bar a little higher for me was the seagull! Throughout  pretty much the whole movie an injured seagull sat on the rock with Nancy, it was a really clever way to give Nancy a more human feel, she spoke to the seagull and sympathised with him. I know it sounds ridiculous to explain but you'd need to see the movie to truly understand what I mean! 

Now for the criticism, the ending was just silly. The whole film had been solidly good until the ending where it felt like the film makers just didn't know how to end it so they just threw in a load of over the top bullshit. The ending could have been so much simpler and so much better. 

Overall, I really did enjoy The Shallows which was a nice surprise! 

Have you seen it? What did you think?

Do I Need It? Urban Decay Moondust Palette

I think by now you all know how much I love Urban Decay, I love it because the packaging is snazzy, the products are unique and quality is fantastic. I already own a single Moondust shadow in 'Solstace' and it is likely my favourite shadow in the whole world, it is just incredible.

When this palette was first announced I hoped it would be a collection of the Moondust shadows that already existed, I hoped this because I am in love with the majority of them but at almost £15 each I just can not justify buying them all separately. I won't lie, I was a little let down when I found out that this wasn't that case. 

So here my predicament... I still want it but now I just don't know if I need it. I feel like the singles collection were so much more wearable, less intensity in the colour but with unique glitters and duo tones. These shadows are incredibly beautiful, brightly coloured and the glitter is just ridiculously intense. I really want it! I want to strut down the street with bright green glittery eye lids but realistically, will I? 

I do like to experiment with my makeup and I certainly do like to push the boundaries but I own so many bright eyeshadows that hardly ever get used so would it just be a waste of money to buy eight more? 

This palette costs £35.00, its not going to bankrupt me but it also isn't cheap. Would that money be better spend on something more practical like petrol or rent, let be honest, probably just on makeup thats a little more wearable but you get the gist.

It is beautiful though. 

Help? 

Purchase Here

Amazon Brushes

Using a brand new makeup brush is heaven. It is one of the most refreshing, exciting things in the world to a beauty lover but they are so damn expensive that it is an experience that doesn't happen too often. I was reading DarlingJordan a few weeks back and she was talking about Ebay Brush Bargains. They looked just like the Real Techniques bold metal brushes but for a whole lot cheaper! With her recommendation, I had to buy them! 

I decided to get mine from Amazon because Ebay terrifies me but I'm pretty certain they are the same brushes, I will link both below. 

They look copper colours in my photos but they are actually a beautiful true rose gold colour with baby pink bristles. They really are gorgeous to look at! From far they look like the real thing, expensive and classy but up close not so much. They are so shiny that they show all kinds of marks, finger prints, dog hairs and scratches. The handles look and feel cheap which let me down but I wasn't too bothered because for the price I expected it but the bristles on the other hand feel great! They are all soft but with different textures for the different uses, the sculpting brush is stiff for contouring and the powder brush is fluffy and soft. Each brush is perfectly made to apply different products and most definitely work the same as a high end brush. 

While writing this post I am rubbing them on my face just to feel the softness. 

I did however wait almost two weeks for them to be delivered which drove me mad! Every day I ran to the front door hoping for a delivery and everyday, nothing! If you are an impatient person like me, it will annoy the hell out of you! 

Overall, these are good brushes. They apply well and will look fabulous on your vanity, they aren't perfect but for the price I say go buy some! I've also ordered the eye set which will hopefully come any day now!

Check out Darling Jordan.... Here

Buy on Ebay.... Here

Buy on Amazon.... Here 

My Top Six Eyeshadows

These six shadows are my all time favourite, three of them I use almost everyday and can be used in so many ways with other shadows and the other three are ones I go for on a bold day, a night out or just if I'm feeling sassy that day. 

Working through the swatches from left to right...

Urban Decay  - Moondust - Solstace

This is my absolute favourite shadow of all time. It is so incredibly unique and bold yet somehow wearable for day and night (for me anyway), it is a really difficult shadow to describe because it is a duo chrome meaning that it encompasses various shades in different lights. The base colour is a dusky pink and the duo tones are silver and blue fine glitters. 

It is a strange formula because it sort of adapts to your skin tone, on my lids it gives a slight orange/bronze look but on others it is very pink or even purple. I like to use a grey toned pink shadow smoked through my crease then apply Solstice with my finger over the whole lid.

Something I also love about this shadow is that it is really easy to apply, it applies best with a finger and it doesn't require much precision. 

Essence - All About Vintage - Shade One

I bought this palette because it was cheap and I had a makeup itch! Didn't think it would live up to much but it is incredible! It is essentially a collection of different highlighter colours and I am addicted to shade one. It is a frosty white with a slight nude tone, this swatch doesn't do the shimmer justice. It is such an intense inner corner highlight that works perfectly with my skin tone. It is a great palette because I guarantee there is a highlight for every skin tone! 

Urban Decay - Naked Basics - Naked 2

This is an odd shadow which looks super boring in the pan and a little bit too dark to be helpful but actually applied it is a very grey toned yet still kind of warm brown and it is extremely helpful. This shade is so adaptable, it looks great as an all over lid shade, smoked out and a little grungy looking or it also works super well as a crease shade. I like it as a crease shade used alongside bright colours to take the edge off of the brightness. Everyone needs this shadow!

Soap & Glory - The Perfect Ten - Toasty

Toasty is the ultimate crease shade. I genuinely feel like it works with every eye look or on its own to define. I actually use this pretty much every single day and I'm sure I will do for the rest of my life. It is as the shade name suggest, Toasty, a toasted dusky pink. The pigment is not the best but I love that fact because it is so goof proof, you can't mess up, you just keep building the colour and it just effortlessly smokes out. 

MUA - Copper

I'll start by saying this cost just one bloody pound. Literally the cheapest eyeshadow on the market and one of the best. As you can see my the swatch, it is a ridiculously pigmented foiled copper shadow. One swipe of the finger and you have a solid block of metallic gorgeousness. 

I always get so many compliments when I wear this, it is so eye catching and bold, when I tell people how much it cost they are so shocked! 

MUA - Electric Purple

Another shade from the MUA single shadow range. Not quite so wearable but so damn pretty I couldn't not include it. For me, it is also a duo tone (although not advertised as one) it is an intense purple with fine electric blue shimmers. 

I'd just like to talk about MUA singles for a minute. From what I can gather they come in three textures, matte, shimmer and foil. There may be more but these are the only ones I have come across and since none of the shadows are labelled to tell you, I have no idea. It really bothers me how all the shades just have shade names but no other information. I have bought enough singles now to be comfortably tell you to go and buy all the shimmer and foil shades you can get your mits on and DO NOT buy any of the mattes. I am so shocked at the quality difference between the mattes and the more shimmery/glittery shadows. 

If I had to give up all my shadows but six these would be the six I would keep. Have you tried any of the shadows? What did you think?

What shadows can't you live without?

Benefit Gimme Brow Review

Something I love about Benefit as a brand is that they always bring out samples sizes of new products in magazines which makes it possible for everyone to try something new without having to shell out for the full size before knowing if they like it. 

Benefits newest offering is a range of new and old eyebrow products all repackaged and looking so much nicer! Gimme Brow is a old favourite for many so this little revamp is highly appealing. The sleek silver with the classic Benefit vintage style looks great, its classy and whimsical while still being efficient, not too fussy. 

It has a simple screw on top and a short wand, now this is a sample size but I think the full size is just a slightly bigger version with everything else still the same. Don't hold me to this but I think so! The applicator is a small spoolie which makes application really easy and precise, I like it much better than your standard larger spoolie because it makes this product more idiot proof. You literally could apply it with your eyes closed. 

My shade is 5, it is the darkest shade and it is a good match for my brows. There are three shades to choose from which is not enough in my opinion, three shades can't possible suit everyone. My eyebrows are certainly not the darkest I've seen!

As for the product itself, I don't love it. Above is my brows after a thick coating of the Gimme Brow. I have very thick brows anyway but this product hasn't stuck down my inner brow hairs very well and I feel like all over looks a little sparse and I much prefer a thicker more filled in look.

I don't think it is a bad product, its just not for me. If you like a light brow, all you need is a little something then maybe you will love this but if like me you prefer a more perfected brow, i'd look elsewhere. 

You can buy the full size here ...

... but i'd recommend grabbing yourself a copy of Glamour magazine and giving it a try before committing to the full size. 

I am still intrigued by the range though so I think I might give either the Brow Zing or the Ka-Brow a whirl instead!