The Balm NudeTude Eyeshadow Palette Swatch & Review

I recently got this gorgeous palette in my September Cohorted beauty box and it is so good I felt it deserved it's own blog post.

The Balm is an american make-up brand created by Marissa Shipman in 2004. 

This eye-shadow palette contains 12 satiny smooth shadows that blend seamlessly enabling you to create numerous eye looks.

First of all, the packaging is so unique and all the names of the shadows are fun and quirkily named after things to call people for example; seductive and sultry.

The pigmentation of the majority of the shadows is amazing, it took just one swipe to swatch on my hand. The only ones I had to swipe over twice were, Silly, sleek and serious. Silly is quite glittery, with the other two being more of a matte finish. The rest of the shadows however are buttery soft satin finishes which seem to just glide on beautifully.

Now for the swatches:

SASSY - Is a vibrant white with a touch of silver to it. Perfect inner corner highlight shade. Has a satin finish.

STUBBORN - A peachy pink with a slight sheen to it.

SELFISH - A muted taupe shade again slight sheen

SOPHISTICATED - A brown with a slight golden tinge.

SEXY - A gorgeous deep plum / burgandy shade

SERIOUS - A matte black, ideal to line the lash line

SNOBBY - A golden peach shade with a satin sheen

STAND-OFFISH - A bronzey satin pink

SULTRY - A lovely warm brown shade

SEDUCTIVE - A beautiful bronze with a sheen

SILLY  - A dark brown with golden glitter

SLEEK - Deep grey with a matte finish

My top picks from this palette are: 

Selfish, sophisticated, sexy, stand-offish sultry and seductive.

The double ended brush you get is actually quite good with one end being a slanted eye-liner brush and the other being a slanted denser perfect for crease and all over lid.

Overall I highly recommend this palette if you like to wear bronze, browns and creamy neutrals then this is perfect for you. Plus the illustrations and names of the shadows can't help make me smile every time I use this palette!

MAC Times Nine 'Purple' Palette A Swatch and Review

New in from MAC 

Eyes on MAC - Times Nine Palettes

It's a collection of 9 eye-shadows that all go really well together and offer different finishes from matte to satin and frost. 
So you've the Navy, Amber, Purple and Burgundy palettes to choose from. 

Now a quick note, looking at the price £30 for 9 MAC eye-shadows is an absolute bargain, it's only when it arrived that I realized they are smaller than usual. In fact all 9 fit in the same size casing as a 4 shadow. Still provides excellent value and such a great space saver. with a delicious selection of shades to play with I am one happy bunny!

So I chose the Purples, no surprise there... as if you don't know already purple happens to be my favourite colour! But not only that, I tend to stick to browns and more neutral shadows. Urban decay naked palette and several mac shades such as wood-winked, satin taupe all that glitters... the list goes on but you get the jist they're all similar shades.

So I wanted to step out of my comfort zone with a pop of colour and what better time than Spring!! 

PURPLE TIMES NINE

L to R:

Sweet Lust - Lustre Finish

A soft champagne with pink pearly finish

Lightly sugared - Frost

A gorgeous lilac shade with a pearl finish

Poignant - Satin

A lovely soft lilac shade with a smooth satin finish

Mancatcher - Frost

Matte lavendar with a slight frosty finish

Satellite Dreams - Veluxe pearl

This one has been on my MAC eye-shadow wish list for ages...
 could never justify though as didn't really have other shades to go with it. 
In this palette they all go nicely!

A plum shade with a violet pearl finish 

Bon Nuit - Matte

Love the name of this one! 
A deep almost navyish plum shade with a matte finish

After Dusk - Veluxe pearl

Soft red wine shade with a pearl finish. This looks a lovely bronze-y-copper shade. 

Beauty Marked - Velvet

Another one from my wish list that is a bit daring from what i usually go for. 

Black-Red with sparkle pearl

Shadowy Lady - Matte

A blackened plum shade perfect for defining the crease and outlining the eye along the lash line. 

I can't wait to have a play around and create a lovely purple spring eye look!

Did you pick up a palette from MAC's Times Nine Collection?

Elizabeth Arden Lipstick A Swatch and Review

Debenhams had a fabulous offer on a few weeks ago online, Elizabeth Arden's beautiful color moisturizing lipsticks were less than half price reduced from £21 to £10 

(I know spelling - I have written how it is on the box) 

Plus added bonus if you bought two Elizabeth Arden products you got a free primer. Not just a sample but a full size! worth £26!!

Here are my thoughts:

Having never tried any Elizabeth Arden lipsticks before, I was actually pleasantly surprised at how Conditioning and hydrating they were on the lips. Whilst still providing a highly pigmented finish. I was very impressed by the colour pigmentation as-well as their long lasting staying power.

I never would have thought to try elizabeth arden for lipsticks had they not been on offer. Very glad I did though as they are very comfortable to wear.

L to R:

Wildberry / Pink Pink

Swatched on my lips:

Pink Pink

Wildberry

Visible difference Good Morning Re-texturizing Primer

Oh my! This is such a silky soft primer that just melts into the skin. Once on you can't feel any sort of film or greasy residue, as it is so smooth. It creates a perfect base to then apply your foundation. Has botanical extracts, as-well as vitamin A to help freshen up your skin.

As you can see it is a clear gel, really nice to apply and leaves your face beautifully smooth.

Had I not got this as a part of the gift with purchase, I never would have known to try this primer. I am so glad I did. I have been reaching for this on days where I feel I need a good base and want to make sure my foundation lasts all day. It is so comfortable to wear and really is beautiful to apply, making your skin feel silky smooth.

Have you tried many Elizabeth Arden products, what did you think?