*REVIEW* E.L.F Pigment Eye Shadows (Baked Brown & Golden Goddess)

Hi!

 

I have yet another one of my E.L.F reviews today - one of the products I bought a while ago in an E.L.F haul...I wanted to wait until I'd used these pigments a couple of times so that I knew what I thought of them!

 

 

These are from the Studio line and each cost £3.75. There are also some other colours there that I think I'd like to try out too but I chose these colours first as they are the kind of shades that I used most.

 

 

These come in little plastic jars that are the same as the packaging for their Cream Eyeliners and these come with a tiny flat brush each. I guess you could use it if you had to but personally for me it is too small and it would take a while to get the colour on. I guess they would be useful for really tiny detailing.

 

 

Here are the pigments side by side...Baked Brown is on the left and Golden Goddess is on the right.

 

 

I like the packaging these come in, the lids are really useful for mixing the colour and getting it onto your brush. You could also use it for adding a mixing medium and making these pigments into a liquid or something like a gel liner.

 

Here are some swatches:

 

 

 

The top swatch is Golden Goddess and the bottom is Baked Brown and they are both swatched over the NYX base in white.

 

Golden Goddess is shimmery golden amazingness. It's quite a coppery-toned gold as opposed to a yellowy gold and it reminds me of an "antique" gold colour because it has that copper/bronze tone to it. I'm rubbish at describing colours! I actually have a NYX shadow called "Antique Gold" which this reminds me of a lot. I really love this colour and I think it is the perfect gold colour to make the blue in my eyes pop..

 

Baked Brown would be your normal matte dark brown colour if it was not for the gold sparkles in it. Its actually very pretty but on the eye the gold sparkles do not show through so well which is a shame as it looks really pretty swatched. I don't think I have a deep brown that has gold flecks in it like this so it is a nice addition to my collection.

 

 

I've found the best way to apply these (or to apply all pigments I suppose) is to add a really sticky base - this will minimize fallout and ensure that the pigment has something to hold onto and stick to.

I like using the NYX bases for this, or you could use the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils as a base as they both work well with pigments.

Generally I'm really happy with these and I will definitely look for more on their website soon. The colours are nicely pigmented and last pretty well all day.

 

I do prefer Golden Goddess because not only do I prefer the colour, but I find that it lasts slightly longer on the lid too. They are both really pretty though.

The only slight thing I have noticed with these is that they are pretty hard to get out. I have to take the lid off and tap the pot on the lid to try and get some out, and even then you get small bits at a time. However I suppose this is better than if it all came out too fast and you had a big pigment-y mess!

 

But for the price these are pretty great and I'll definitely get a lot of use out of them - particularly Golden Goddess!

 

EDIT:

I've  now done a makeup look using these pigments, which you can view HERE if you're interested! :)

 

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed my review...have you tried these E.L.F pigments?

Libby x

Makeup Look: Black & Gold Eye

Hi!

I've always adored the combination of gold and black together in an eye look - I think it looks smoky and dark  but also the pop of gold makes it look sophisticated yet interesting!

I saw a picture of a makeup look done by someone on the MakeupGeek site the other day in their "idea gallery" (MakeupGeek is absolutely amazing by the way! Marlena does videos on youtube which are great but also their site is really useful and I always find inspiration from their idea gallery) and decided I had to try and recreate a similar look!

By the way the site is http://www.makeupgeek.com/  if you're interested - I'd definitely recommend having a look around there are reviews, swatches and different makeup looks on there...I swear I'm not paid by them or anything, I just love the site! :)

 

Anyway, on to the look!

 

 

 

 

This look is quite dramatic and it does take a little bit of time and blending to get it looking finished and to make sure it looks smoky without looking messy, but in my opinion its worth it!

I am by no means an amazing makeup artist, but overall I'm pleased with the finished look!

 

I also was looking for a chance to use one of my E.L.F Pigment Eye shadow that I picked up a few weeks ago - I've been waiting for the perfect look to use one for!

 

Here are the products I used:

 

Urban Decay Primer Potion - Original

(I often use the E.L.F eyelid primer but I decided since the look was so dark I would use the best primer I have to avoid things going wrong)

Stila Fibre Optics Mascara

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Liner in Zero

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Black Bean

NYX Single Eye shadow in Midnight

E.L.F Pigment Eye shadow in Golden Goddess

120 Pro Palette (I will highlight the individual shades below)

 

 

First of all I applied the primer, then used a small stiff brush to use the NYX pencil in Black Bean and created the shape I wanted with this and filled it in to act as a dark base. I left a space on the centre of the lid for the gold shadow.

I went over this with the NYX shadow in Midnight and blended this out with the brown and cream shades in the 120 palette shown above.

I used the NYX shadow because instead of just being plain black it has small amounts of gold and silver glitter in it which I think works better with the gold on the centre of the lid.

I used the NYX pencil in Milk dotted under the brow bone and on the inner corner and added the white from the 120 palette to go over these to highlight the inner corner and the brow bone. This also helped blend out the black that I had on the lid.

I used a small bit of the matte black from the  120 palette to darken the "outer v" of the eye slightly.

I added a small amount of the NYX pencil in Milk to the empty space that I left on the ball of my lid. I then used a stiff brush to pat on the E.L.F pigment in Golden Goddess onto the lid and blended it slightly by patting.

I lined the water lines with the UD liner and added mascara. I also smudged some black shadow beneath the lash line.

 

 

Phew! Basically this look takes a lot of blending, but I think it's work it as the final result is really pretty. I love the way the NYX shadow works with the E.L.F pigment and I think the pigment itself is really pretty.

 I'll do a review on the E.L.F pigments that I have soon!

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed the look!
Libby x

*REVIEW* MUA Single Eyeshadows + Swatches

Hi! :)

 

I've always thought that you definitely do not have to compromise on quality when you buy a makeup product that is from a budget brand, and I personally think these eye shadows from MUA prove that!

I have gathered quite a few of these shadows (....7 if I'm being honest..) but I don't feel guilty about that because each one of these only costs £1!

 

All of the shadows I have from their line are the "Pearl" shadows, and all of them are named with numbers and then the type of shadow, so obviously all of mine have the number and then "pearl" written after them.

I will label all of the shades and swatch them all without any sort of primer or base so you can see the amazing pigmentation of these shadows!

 

 

This first shade is Shade 7 and is probably the least used shadow from MUA that I have but that's only because I don't use green colours as much as others, but it is still pretty amazing. I think of this as being a sea green and it has a lot of green and some gold shimmer.

 

 

Shade 24 is a dusky rose coloured pink. It's quite a deep colour but like all of these shades, the pigmentation is amazing.

There is also hints of a plum sort of purple in this shade and it's a lovely cool-toned pink.

 

 

Shade 11 is a lovely, dark cool toned brown. Again, amazing pigmentation. This works great for a neutral look that just has a bit of depth and this also looks great in the crease. I've found with quite a lot of these shades if you apply this all over the lid and then blend it out in the crease it almost looks like you have two separate colours on your eyes. Big fan of this one - one of my favourites in these shades!

 

 

Again, this is probably one of my less used shades. Shade 4 is a light, frosty, pinky lilac colour that reflects almost white in some lights. It's very bright and I think looks like a great colour for spring or summer :)

 

 

This is my second most used shade out of all of these and it has a pretty big dent in it - I've nearly hit pan on this.

This shade is really unique and as soon as I saw it I knew I had to pick this up. It has a brown base but then reflects blue, its just amazing. Again if you blend this out in the crease it almost looks like you have two colours because the brown base comes through more when you blend it out.

I love using this packed onto the lid as it's such a unique colour and adds an amazing spin on a classic neutral colour. Really love this.

 

 

This is my most used shade. I somehow managed to take the swatch picture upside down...not sure how I managed that! This a pure, bold, frosty white colour.

The reason I've gotten so much use out of this is because its so potent and opaque. The pigmentation is amazing for a white shade. There is also a lot of shimmer packed into this.

I use this on my inner corner a lot because I have a lot of darkness there and this just brightens it up. I reach for this really often which is why as you can see I've hit pan on it!

 

 

I left this till last because I think it is my favourite.

This glowing, gold/copper colour is simply beautiful.

I find this makes the blue in my eyes pop so much and it looks like liquid metal. It is slightly flaky (there seem to be kind of...bits in it..)  but I'm willing to turn a blind eye to that because of its beautiful pigmentation.

I love this and this is definitely on it's way to being one of my most used shades as it's so bright and glowing.

 

 

Phew! So there are all of my MUA shadows, I will definitely have a look next time I'm in Superdrug next and try and pick up some more - as far as I know MUA is only sold in Superdrug at the moment.

The prices for MUA are amazing, everything from their core line is £1 and the other products are all very reasonably priced.

These shadows are all quite creamy/oily so if you had really oily lids or you packed them on a tonne in the crease I suppose they could crease, but I haven't noticed a huge problem with that.

Some are a bit flaky, but the pigmentation of all of them is really, really good - making the £1 price tag amazing!

 

What do you think of MUA shadows?

Thanks for reading!

Libby x

Makeup Look: Matte Brown & Teal Eye

 

Hi! :)
I'm now off school after my exams and I've been making the most of this opportunity to play around with different makeup products and looks, so I will probably be posting quite a few in the coming weeks!
I thought of doing this kind of look the other night; I really wanted to do a look that had a matte, dark cool toned brown colour on the lid and then a bright pop of teal under the lash line.
This is what I came up with!

 

Here are the producs I used!

 

 

I used:

E.L.F Duo Eyeshadow Cream in Coffee & Cream (I used the brown shade as a base)

Sleek Au Naturel Eye Shadow Palette ( I will detail which shades below!)

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Peacock

Bourjois Khol & Contour Eyeliner in Ultra Black (bottom water line)

L'Oreal Paris Super Liner Luminzer in Black Amethyst (completely forgot to photograph this but I used it as the liner for the top lash line)

Stila Fibre Optics Mascara

 

 

 

The picture above is the Sleek palette that I used.

I first used the shade Bark (dark matte brown) and applied it all over the lid above the E.L.F cream eyeshadow that I used as a base.

I then softened it on the inner corner by blending the shade Toast (matte peach colour) and blended out the crease.

I then added the shade Nougat (matte cream colour) on the inner corner and below the brow bone.

I used the L'Oreal Paris liner on the top lashline and the Bourjois liner on the water line.

I added the Stila mascara to my lashes and finally smudged the Stila liner in Peacock below my lashline and blended it out with my finger.

 

I really love this look as I adore the combination of the brown and the teal together. I also like the mix of the matte shadows and then the slight pop of colour and shimmer in the liner!

 

I have reviewed the Sleek palette that I used, which includes swatches if you're interested.

You can read this review HERE.

 

I also did a review and swatch of the Stila liner in Peacock which you can see HERE if you're interested - its one of my favourite liners ever, its simply stunning!

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this look! It's really easy but I love just adding that bright flash of colour on what would normally be quite a simple, dark neutral eye.

Thank you so much for reading!

Libby x

 

My Best Products For Summer!

Hi! :)
My post for you today is my best products that I think work best for the hot summer days...
Admittedly here in the UK we do not get a whole lot of hot summer days but still...when they come around its useful to have the right products ready!
I think the most important things for summer products is that they are lightweight, yet long wearing so I've compiled this little list of my favourite products :)

 

1) Simple Kind To Skin Sun Kissed Moisture Cream

 

Streaks...Orange skin...nasty smell...just some of the perils of fake tanning.

However, this is an amazing alternative!

This is a moisturiser that you use twice a day and it slowly builds up a natural tan really slowly. There are no streaks, it looks natural and not orange and it doesn't have a lasting smell!

I usually have to use this for about a week or two before I notice a difference but it is perfect for making you look like you've been sat on the beach and it works well as a moisturiser for the hotter months too, being not too heavy yet it still provides moisture.

 

2) Rimmel London Match Perfection Skin Tone Adapting Concealer

 

I really love this.

This is my second tube and I will definitely buy another one soon because mine is running out.

This is really lightweight but is really brightening too.

I use this as a touch-up product as it instantly brightens my under eyes and banishes any cakiness that can sometime form after long days.

And because it's so lightweight, your face doesn't feel all clogged up with product.

 

3) E.L.F Tinted Moisturiser

 

I've mentioned this a few times here and I still love it.

I love tinted moisturiser instead of foundation when its hot out.

This tinted moisturiser in particular gives a really pretty glow to the skin and I absolutely adore the way it evens out my skin tone without being heavy on the skin.

This allows skin to breathe and the best bit is its only £1.50!

 

4) Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner

 

I adore these too.

These last ALL DAY. They will cling onto your lids even through water and look simply beautiful.

They are a little pricey at £14.50 but the colours are amazing and quite unique.

They will not fade throughout the day and their beautiful colours make them a staple for me all year round, but also particularly in the hotter months.

The shades I have are Peacock and Bluefin and I've done a review of these which you can read HERE as it includes swatches too!

 

5) NYX Single Eyeshadow in Aloha

 

This is a really great shade and just light and pretty enough for summer.

 

It is a pink/champagne colour with lots of shimmer and it really brightens up the eye.

This is one of my favourite shadows from NYX and definitely the one I've used the most.

 

That's it!
Thank you for reading my post, what are your favourite products for summer?

Libby x

"Would You Rather..." Makeup Tag!

Hi!
I was browsing through other beauty blogs recently and came across a tag that is quite old, but nevertheless I decided it would be pretty fun to do! :)
This is the "Would you rather...?" tag and I thought it would be slightly different from some of my other posts but also maybe help people find out more about my preferences
makeup wise :)

 

1.) Would you rather lose all of your mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks, and lip glosses or lose all of your palettes and eye shadows?

 

I'd probably rather loose palettes and eye shadows because you can't do much without things like mascara and eyeliner! But I'd be miserable to see them go as I LOVE eye shadows!

 

 2.) Would you rather chop off all your hair or never be able to cut it again?

 

Never be able to cut it again. Right now my hair is pretty long (I'm trying to grow it down to my waist, at the moment it is down to my stomach) and I'd HATE to cut it all off as I love hiding behind my hair when I'm feeling shy:)

 

 3.) Would you rather have a coral cheek or a pink cheek?

 

To be honest as I'm ridiculously fair skinned I don't tend to wear a lot on my cheeks, but when I do it is usually a pale pink colour so I guess I'd have to say pink!

 

 4.) If you had $1000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or makeup?

 

Hm...tricky. I guess clothes if I had to choose now (going through one of those phases where I hate my entire wardrobe...) but I think if you asked me that in a week my answer could be completely different!

 5.) Would you rather apply lipstick as eyeliner, or eyeliner as lipstick?

 

Probably eyeliner as lipstick...that could create quite a cool goth look and it would make it funny to see people's reactions on the street....it does you no harm to look a little foolish from time to time!

 6.) Would you rather only shop at MAC or Sephora?

 

As I live in the UK we don't have Sephora, but I'm guessing it probably would have more choice than MAC so I'd have to say Sephora :)

 7.) Would you rather only use one eyeshadow color or one lip color for the rest of your life?

 

One lip colour. I wouldn't mind that too much as I tend to gravitate towards the same nude/pink lip colours anyway! I love eye shadows and would get incredibly bored just wearing one a day!

 8.) Would you rather wear winter clothes in summer or summer clothes in winter?

 

I think I'd rather wear summer clothes in the winter...it would be cold...but maybe I could make winter a little cheerier if I was wearing bright, summery clothes!

 

 9.) Would you rather have dark nails or bright nails all year round?

 

Bright! I normally wear bright nails anyway, regardless of the season!

 10.) Would you rather give up your favorite lip product or your favorite eye product?

 

I'd rather give up my favourite lip product. I tend to focus on my eyes more than anything else and I don't tend to do a huge amount of different lip looks anyway.

 11.) Would you rather only be able to wear your hair in a ponytail or a messy bun?

 

...Maybe messy bun? I'd get bored of a ponytail faster!  I do tend to wear ponytails and messy buns quite a lot anyway :)

 

 12.) Would your rather never be able to paint your nails again or never use lipgloss?

 

I'd rather never wear lipgloss. I could always use lip balm! I love painting my nails and doing different designs and I think you can make your nails look so much more interesting than you can make your lips!

 13.) Would you rather shave your eyebrows and have none at all or sharpie them in everyday?

 

..This is hard :P I have no idea. I guess I'd rather have sharpie eyebrows than none...but both of these options sound pretty horrific to me!

 14.) Would you rather live without makeup or nail polish?

 

I guess nail polish. Although I have more nail polishes than I can shake a stick at I do love makeup and I think it is more versatile...I think I'd miss makeup more!

 

 

So there you go! There is my tag...sorry it's quite a text-heavy post!

Thank you for reading...if you've read all of this you are amazing! :P

By the way...I tag everyone reading this!

Libby x

Makeup Look: Smoked Blue & Gold Eyes

Hi!

I was playing around with some make up this morning and thought I'd show you my creation...
My favourite colour ever is blue and I love to combine it with a smoky eye and also with gold colours, so I thought I'd combine the two!

 

 

 

 

I used mainly Urban Decay shadows and liners today but with a  few exceptions.

 

Here are the products I used:

 

 

 

 

E.L.F Eyelid Primer

E.L.F Duo Eyeshadow Cream in Black Liquorice (I used the darker shade as a base)

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk (Used on the inner corner near the tear duct and also dotted and blended below the brow bone)

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Bluefin (on the top lash line)

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Zero (Bottom water line)

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Electric (smudged below the bottom lash line)

Stila Fibre Optics Mascara

Urban Decay Naked Palette

 

 

 

I used the colour Creep patted all across the lid and then blended it out with a fluffy brush.

I then added a small amount of Gunmetal on the centre of the lid to blend it out.

I used Sidecar on the inner part of the lid and blended.

After adding the NYX pencil below the brow bone and near the tear duct I added the colour Virgin as a highlight.

I lined my top lash line with the Stila liner in Bluefin

I used the Urban Decay pencil in Zero on the bottom waterline and then smudged the colour Electric below the lash line.

I then added a pop of gold on the very inner corner of the bottom lash line which was the colour Half Baked.

I then added 2 generous coats of the Stila mascara!

 

I really adore the mix of blue, black and gold together and I really like the finished look!

I ADORE the Stila liner that I used and I've done a review of it HERE with swatches if you're interested to see the colour on it's own, it's a really stunning colour!

 

I hope you enjoyed this look!

I'm open to any requests if you have a look you'd like me to try out :)

Thanks for reading!

Libby x