Review & Swatches || Revolution Eye Shadow Palette

Hello everyone!

During my last visit to Superdrug I noticed this new brand up for sale, and in specific this eye shadow palette. Revolution (Makeup Revolution London) is a relatively inexpensive yet high quality brand. I picked up their Redemption Palette Iconic 1 palette, which has a prefect range of party colours, and getting 12 different shades (with quite big pans too) for a drug store product is an instant winner!

The colours range from a pale pink to dark black/grey shades, with a mix of matte and shimmery shades. All of the shades are really pigmented and easy to blend which helps to create quick eye looks. My favourite shades include the light brown shade (three from the left) as it is a great matte crease shade, and the shimmery yellow-gold shade (six from the left) as it applies so pigmented and glittery!

Have you ever tried this palette and what is your favourite shade?

Review || New MAC Products #3

Hello everyone!

First of all I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to the new year as much as I am! So today's post involves a small MAC haul. For my birthday I received quite a few vouchers, and so thought I'd get some products from MAC that I've wanted for quite a long time! 

Boxed MAC products.

So the first thing I picked up is the Pro Palette Large/Single and the Pro Palette Eye Shadow x15 insert. I wanted to invest in a palette as it's cheaper to buy the eye shadow inserts instead of single ones in the black containers. I simply de-potted my current shades (using a few YouTube tutorials) and I can't wait to make my own custom eye shadow palette!

Pro Palette Large/Single.

Pro Palette Eye Shadow x15 insert. 

Next I wanted to pick up a highlighter so I went for the pretty well-known Mineralize Skinfinish in the shade Soft and Gentle. This is quite a raved about product so I won't ramble on. It is a warm gold toned highlight powder. It is quite pigmented so use it with a light hand if you don't want anything major, but I love just brushing it all over the high points of my face, especially on nights out!

The new packaging of the Mineralize Skinfinish products.

Soft and Gentle.

Next was a very exciting product for me as I've never bought a 'high-end' concealer, but always had troubles with creasing and my under-eye concealer simply rubbing away. This led me to buy the Pro Longwear Concealer in NW20. So far I love this product as it has the perfect balance between coverage and long-lasting power. I went for a shade similar to my foundation shade as I don't tend to have under-eye highlights on a daily basis, but I just love this concealer and will probably find it hard to revert to drug store ones!

Pro Longwear Concealer in NW20.

Next is the Pro Longwear Paint Pot in the shade Soft Ochre. This is another well-loved product that I just needed to have! It is a beige-nude cream eye product that can be used as a base/primer or on its own as an eye shadow. I went for a simple nude shade as I like to wear light/nude colours on a daily basis, and using this as a base makes your eye shadow last all day.

Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Soft Ochre.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post! Let me know if you have tried any of these products too, or would suggest anything for me to try out!

Review & Swatches || New Mac Products #2

Hey guys!

So some really exciting news for you! My dad went out to Spain last week and brought me back a few surprise gifts from the MAC Duty Free Counter at the airport, so I'm super excited to show you my new products!

From left to right; Springsheen, Well Dressed, Satin Taupe and Woodwinked.

I'm very lucky because my dad brought me back two blushes and two eye shadows, and I quite honestly was beyond excited when he gave them to me! I've already got some of the MAC eye shadows, but I had never tried their powder blushes, and I got general shades that are very versatile, because I think the worst thing to do when you spend a bit more on a product, is initally get a really bright or out-there colour, because you'll wear it less often. If you get a colour that goes with lots of others, then you will wear it more often and get your moneys worth (?). I don't know if that's just me, but if I really like a brand, I'll probably go and buy more colours anyway!

So yeah first is the MAC Powder Blush in the shade Well Dressed, and the MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in the shade Springsheen.

First I'll talk about Springsheen which is one of the Sheertone Shimmer Blushes, so it has a shinier finish to it than the normal ones. Springsheen is a coral pink/red shade with a fine gold shimmer. It is really pigmented and adds such a gorgeous healthy, bronzed look to the cheeks. I think it will go so well with Expensive Pink eye shadow, because it has a similar type of shimmer through it. But overall this blush is so nice; it will look great with lots of different eye looks, and especially good with nude or pink lipsticks, and I think it will be perfect for summer. 

Then we have the powder blush in Well Dressed. I've heard Tanya Burr rave about this blush before, saying that it doesn't get enough credit, and I do agree. Well Dressed is a gorgeous pastel pink shade with an absolutely tiny iridescent shimmer, but you can hardly see it once you've applied it. It's a great natural blush, because it is a natural pink shade that isn't too pale, but it's lovely and subtle on the cheeks, just making them look healthy and flushed. I love this blush already as it goes with practically any makeup look, and I'd definitely recommend this as a first time MAC Blush, as it's worked so well for me. 

Next is the MAC Eyeshadow in the shades Woodwinked which is a Veluxe Pearl formula, and Satin Taupe which is a Frost formula. 

I absolutely love MAC Eye shadows, and I think that the Veluxe Pearl formula is my favourite, so I obviously had to get Woodwinked. It is the most beautiful dark gold shade that's so luxurious and glam. It's highly shimmery, but just makes such a great eye look, it's really pigmented and creamy, and lasts really well. I can't wait to wear it as a bold evening look with a red lip, or as a daytime summer eye look. I think this eye shadow is possibly one of my favourites really, I can't fault it. 

Next is the shade Satin Taupe, and I got this because one of my friends has it, and it's just such a good 'noticeable' day time eye shadow. It is a dark cool-tones brown shade with a light shimmer, but the best thing about this shade I think is that just blended out with a matte brown in the crease makes such a good, quick eye look. It also is gorgeous as the base of a smokey eye, and I think that I'll get a lot of use out of this. 

So yeah, I hope you enjoyed reading and let me know in the comments if you've tried any of these products before and what you think of them!

Review || Model Co with Glamour Magazine

Hey Guys!

So I was really excited to see that with this months Glamour Magazine, there was a free gift from Model Co. I remember from last year that they did a collab, and I got the fibre lash mascara which I loved, so when I saw this I thought I'd try some of the other products. 

So as you can see, you could buy Glamour Magazine for £2, and each time get a free gift from Model Co that were worth like £14 each! So obviously I couldn't just get one, but had to try out a few different things. Initially I bought one and read the magazine (which is also one of my favourites) and didn't try the product for a few days, but after that I realised how good they were. 

So the first ones I got were the Shine Ultra Lip Glosses in the shades Berry Pink (top) and Strip Tease (bottom).

They are both beautiful, sheer lipglosses. The top one in Berry Pink is a mid-tone pink/berry shade with a bit of gold and iridescent glitter through, and also smells like strawberries or raspberries. The second shade in Strip Tease is a light nude-pink shade with the same gold/iridescent shimmer, but this one smells like peaches and cream. They are both so luxurious and thick, and obviously taste really nice. They are quite sticky when you first apply it, but lasts really well, and they're great for topping up throughout the day. Also they have possibly the coolest feature for any beauty product, and that's a slim mirror down the side of the tube. So when you need to apply it, you don't need to go fishing for a mirror. Literally what more could you want?

Next, mainly to go with the lip glosses, I got the Illusion Nude Lip Liner.

This is just a really great quality, brown-nude lip liner. It's really soft, and only a little bit darker than your lips, so you can wear it under the lip glosses for definition without it being super noticeable. Another great feature is that it has a sharpener on the lid, so you can just resharpen it whenever. Obviously there is no container for the shavings, but it's just so hand and time saving to have it there.

So yeah, I've really loved this months Glamour especially with the great free gifts. You really get your moneys worth, and I'd suggest going to get one before they all sell out!

Review & Swatches || New MAC Products #1

Hey Guys!

So as you may have seen in my most recent beauty haul post, I treated myself to two new MAC products, and I thought that I'd review them today!

So first is the MAC Creemsheen Lipstick in the colour On Hold.

So I went into the MAC store knowing that I wanted a wearable red lipstick, and the woman recommended a few, but I swayed towards On Hold because it's a Creemsheen formula which means it's really hydrating and moisturising on the lips. On Hold is a slight off red colour, with pink/blue undertones, and a fine gold shimmer through it. Alone on the lips (well on me personally) it applies with a more pinky finish, but with red lip-liner, it is very red. It's quite a bright red, so will be great for spring and summer, and because of the variation in actual colour, it can go with loads of outfits. It has gold shimmer which gives it a slightly coral appearance, but that really compliments warm skin tones, and looks so nice and shiny. The lipstick lasts really well, and isn't drying at all, so overall I'm slightly in love with this lipstick!

Next is the MAC Eye Shadow in the beautiful shade Expensive Pink which is a Veluxe Pearl formula.

So as you can see this is a very glamorous pinky-coral shade with gold glitter running through, and I got this shade because I thought it would be perfect for glam spring/summer looks, since the gold and coral tones will look amazing on tanned skin. The actual shadow is not totally opaque, but you can easily build up the colour. I really like the formula as well since it's so soft and easy to apply. I think it's a great shadow to work with, because you can simply wear it on its own or you can use it as the base to a super-glam smokey eye!

Thanks for reading!

Review || The Body Shop Seaweed Pore Perfector

Hey Guys!

So on the hunt for a good face primer, I've come across this little product. It's the Body Shop Seaweed Pore Perfector.

So I went into the Body Shop and asked what primers they sold and they recommended a few. One had a tea tree scent which I personally cannot stand, and the other was one in their makeup range. However, I decided to go for this one because it claims to perfect pores, and also has much better qualities for the skin, and since I have have noticeable pores and sensitive skin, I just had to try it!

So I apply it in the morning before any makeup and moisturiser, and I do find that it makes my foundation lasts a bit longer. It makes your skin feel really smooth, but after a while I do find that it sinks into my pores slightly. So far I don't think it has broken me out in any spots which is great, and it also has a really nice fresh scent. 

It comes in a little tube with a pump on the top which I really like because I don't really like product when they are in tubes because inside the lid tends to get really messy. But this product stays nice and clean around the pump. You don't need a lot of product at all. I use barely one pump to cover all over my nose and T-zone. 

Overall, I really do like this product, and is nice for a break from thicker primers that may not be the best for your skin. 

Review || Maybelline Big Eyes Volum' Express Mascara

Hey Guys!

So as you may have previously read in my Maybelline Colossal Mascara Review I'm currently on the hunt for a really good waterproof mascara, and at the minute, this one has caught my attention. I saw the advert on the TV for the Mabelline Big Eyes Volum' Express Mascara and thought I would give it a try!

It is a dual ended mascara; one end for upper, and one for lower lashes. The wand for the upper lashes is really unique, as it is a DNA double helix type job. Basically, instead of having just an average straight wand with gradually decreasing in size bristles, it sort of twists round. I really like this shape as it still gives a nice even coverage, without getting too much mascara on the inner lashes. The other end for the lower lashes is just a really small, thin wand with relatively small bristles. This allows you to coat your bottom lashes without it going all under your eye. In  my opinion this is a great combination from a mascara, and more should have smaller wands for the shorter lashes. 

The formula of this mascara is really good, not too clumpy, but is thick enough to give lots of length and volume. On the waterproof side, it is definitely smudge proof for a good proportion of the day. I've only noticed it starting to smudge towards the end of the day, but overall it does last really long. Another good feature is that it isn't an absolute nightmare to remove. It does take a bit of extra rubbing, but isn't uncomfortable to take off. Compared to the previous Maybelline mascara I reviewed, it is definitely an improvement, and I have been using it everyday. I use it as a sort of second coat for my top lashes. I use my trusty Avon Supershock Mascara as the first coat to separate my lashes, and then this one to thicken and lengthen them. I really like the look this gives, and would definitely recommend this mascara.

Overall this is a really decent mascara, but the most exciting thing about it has to be the two wands, because I just think it's such a good idea! 

Review || OPI Liquid Sand Nail Lacquer

Hey Guys!

So for my birthday last year, one of my friends got me the OPI Liquid Sand Nail Lacquer in the shade Wharf!Wharf!Wharf!, and I've been wearing it quite a bit lately. I love nail varnish in general, especially different or unique ones, and so this is just such a great nail varnish for when I want something a different!

So as you can see, this isn't your average nail polish. The best way to describe it is that its a textured nail polish that dries matte. It feels really strange, a bit like when you were a kid, and mixed paint and sand, but I actually really like it. The colour that I have is Wharf!Wharf!Wharf! which is a deep, cobalt blue, and it's a really nice, alternative autumn/winter shade. Let's just talk about the names of OPI nail varnishes for a second. I'd love to know who comes up with these names, because every polish I have seen either has a funny or play-on-words name, so well done OPI!

I love how all of the OPI bottles have really big and wide lids with thick brushes, because it makes it so much easier to actually apply the nail varnish! I really hate when you get tiny bottle of nail varnish with the smallest brush you've ever seen, and it takes forever to paint one nail!

I normally apply tow coats to get a nice even cover, but it dries matte and really quickly which I think is very useful; since the worst thing is when you're in a rush after spending ages painting your nails and it smudges!

It lasts for a really long time without chipping, but that is what's expected really from such a great, high -end brand such as OPI. To be honest, all of OPI's nail varnishes are great, but I particularity love this nail varnish as it's completely unique, and catches peoples' eye!

Review || Maybelline The Colossal Mascara

Hey Guys!

So I've recently been trying out new waterproof mascaras because I find that regular mascaras tend to rub onto my upper eyelid, and so I tried the Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express in Black Waterproof. 

First of all, I really like the bright yellow packaging, and the pointed shape of the tube - just something different. It has a really nice, thick wand, great for getting lots of volume! 

The formula is really nice and applies well without clumping, and still looks good with two coats - I sometimes find that certain mascaras are too clumpy with two coats. It makes my lashes really long, but I have to say that I wasn't overly impressed with the waterproof claim. 

After wearing this all day, I have found that it rubs slightly, admittedly not as much as regular mascara, but still rubs none the less. I don't know if it is just me, or whether this formula just isn't fully waterproof, but I don't think I will repurchase it when looking for a waterproof mascara. However, despite all of that, it is still a really good volumising mascara, and I would definitely repurchase it to use as a base mascara. 

I wouldn't call this a 'barely-there' mascara, because it is definitely very dark and noticeable, so if you're looking for a more natural mascara, probably don't buy this one, but it is great for big dramatic lashes, and great for long days/nights out. 

Another good thing is that it's not really difficult to remove. Waterproof mascaras tend to have a reputation to be a nightmare to take off at the end of the day, but I find this is relatively easy to take off.

Overall, I do really like this product, but I wouldn't call it my favourite waterproof mascara, however it is generally a great mascara, definitely worth checking out :)

Review || Sleek Face Form

Hey Guys!

As of yet I feel that I hadn't found my go-to bronzer/contouring product, because ones I've bought online have turned out to be glittery, and some cheaper ones that I've bought from the drug store are nothing special. However, I'd heard some great things about Sleek face products, and decided to give them a try! I already own a Sleek Eye Shadow Palette, so I knew that they are a great brand, so  was excited to try a new product. 

So, the product I went for is the Sleek Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette in the shade Light.

So, as you can see, it's a beautiful palette with three sections; a matte brown bronzer/contouring powder, a shimmery-light cream coloured highlighter, and a fairly bright pink blusher with a gold shimmer running through it. 

First of all, I'll say that I'm a really big fan of Sleek, and I think their packaging is so good and elegant, and as the name suggests; sleek! All three of these shades are really pigmented, and I just really love them at the minute. 

I use the matte brown shade very lightly as a bronzer, and then as a contour shade, and because it is matte, it looks really natural and healthy, instead of muddy and brown like some other bronzers. It blends out really well, and I think is great for the winter months, because it's not too warming as you may want in the summer, but does just give a really natural-looking structure to the face. 

The second highlight shade is just perfect. It's very frosty, and you really don't need a lot because it's so pigmented. When applied to the highs of the face (e.g. the top of the cheekbones and center of the nose), it creates a really nice, subtle glow, which isn't mega shiny. I really love this highlighter, and think it just completes any look and goes with any blush/bronzer combo. 

Lastly, the third blush shade. I can't explain how much I'm loving this right now, I think I've used it everyday since I got it! It's the most beautiful pink shade, somewhere between rosy and bright pink, with a fine gold shimmer running through it. On the face, especially with this bronzer, it makes your cheeks look naturally rosy, and isn't too bold, which I love, because I sometimes think that you have to be really light-handed with some blushes otherwise you look too made up. But overall, this blush has been working really well for me, so thumbs up. 

Yeah so I'm absolutely loving this little palette, and it has won itself a place in my everyday makeup routine. It's not super cheap, but not massively expensive, around £10 ish I think, but It's definitely worth it for a decent blush and bronzer duo with a beautiful highlighter too! LOVE IT!

Review || The Body Shop Colour Crush Lipstick

Hey Guys!

So as you may have guessed, I've been adoring deep red lip colours this winter, and I think I'm going to say it - this is my favourite lipstick! A big accolade to have, but this lipstick really deserves it, because it really is such a good product. I'm talking about the Body Shop Colour Crush Lipstick in the shade 125 Crazy Sexy Crimson.

Ahh, it's just so beautiful. So yeah, I've mentioned these Body Shop lipsticks in previous posts ( for example my berry-pink shade in my Favourite Winter Lip Colours Post http://hobbsessed.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/favourite-winter-lip-colours.html ) but I've recently purchased this shade, and I'm absolutely in love with it! 

First its the most perfect dark red shade, quite purpley, but not too brown, and I just really love this colour and I think it really suits people with dark hair. If you wear a little bit and sort of blend it out, you can have not such a bold colour, but I like to wear it nice and bold. 

The formula is so soft and it's quite balmy, and can be quite transparent, but when you build it up you get a lovely opaque colour. It also has moisturising qualities, so it doesn't dry up your lips throughout the day which is an added bonus! It doesn't necessarily last for ages, but seeing as it has no long lasting claims or anything, you don't really expect it to last for hours; but unless you are either drinking or eating something, it generally tends to stay on until you do. 

It has a faint rose scent, but I'm not the biggest fan of this, and sometimes doesn't taste very nice, but you don't really notice it for very long, so it's only a minor disadvantage. These lipsticks are also quite cheap, and I honestly just believe that it is one of my favourite ever lipsticks.  

There are loads of shades in this range of lipsticks; paler nudes to brighter pinks/oranges and a great range of reds, and I think there there will be a great colour for everyone! Teamed with the great moisturising benefits and colour payoff, I would suggest this lipstick to anyone, and just think it's a brilliant product with my perfect colour! WOO!