MUA Elysium Palette

If you've been a long term reader of this little blog, you will know I love me a good MUA palette. Every one I have picked up on a whim and I have never been disappointed, the most recent drop? The Elysium Palette.

Beauty Bag | November

It's that time of the month again, a new month and so a new rotation of beauty bumf to switch it up and this month there's a hint of sparkles and shimmer in the bag...

Smokin' | MUA Smokin' Palette

When I picked up the MUA Matte Palette not so long ago, MUA had also released another palette around the same time. Having since fallen in love with the matte goodness I then set my sights on the ever so beautiful Smokin' Palette...

Ever After - MUA Matte Palette

I have been waiting for this palette for what seems like forever. When I first heard MUA were doing a completely matte palette I was over the moon, almost feverish with excitement and ready to crack on and play. This little beauty of a palette is called (according to the back of mine, it doesn't say it on the site though,) the 'Ever After' Matte Palette. 

Presented in it's standard black plastic palette you have 10 neutral shades to play with, starting from top left to right; Unwrap, Butter, Bare, Taffeta, Fade, Penny, Chino, Truffle, Fog, and Smoke. All have a lovely buttery feeling and are almost satin like on the skin, extremely blend-able and pigmented. I always find MUA palettes to be long lasting but I've always used a decent primer anyway, to stop any potential creasing in case. 

I must admit I was a bit thrown on by the blue, but it doesn't really come off as blue, definitely more of a (so pretty) smokey-grey with blue undertone (described as a dove grey on the site,) so I was pleased I'd actually be able to use it with all the other colours.

For £4 you really cannot beat this palette and I seriously cannot wait to have more play time with this beauty!

You can buy this palette on the MUA website here.

Have you tried this new palette yet?

Peace!

Did a bit of shopping... With hardly any 'real' money?

 Rimmel Apocalips (left to right,) Nude Eclipse, Celestial and Apocaliptic.

 (I got these rather delicious looking Rimmel lip lacquers on a three for two offer at Boots!)

M.U.A Heaven and Earth Palette. 

I mentioned in my review of the Nivea Primer that I received two £5 vouchers to spend at any Nivea stockists, Boots, Superdrug, etc and so I went into my local town - which to be fair is a farmers town, is small and most of the shops are too - all which culminates in not a lot of stock of ranges sometimes, but I digress.

I went into boots and picked up some Nivea products, I got two at this point, a body lotion for me and some face moisturiser for the mister! 

After this purchase, I asked the lady how many points I had so off I toddled to spend £15 (I had more, but couldn't find particular products, so didn't bother wasting my points on stuff that didn't intrigue me...) I kindly bought mother some hairspray and I got some Rimmel Apocalips... They only stocked four of the range, but these were the ones I wanted - so I couldn't complain! I think I will definitely returning for Big Bang though, so gorgeous!

Superdrug was next on the list. I went to the counter first, checked I could use my remaining £5 voucher from Nivea with them, yes you can by the by, and to see how many points I had on their loyalty/beauty card. I only had £2, but still, I had the M.U.A dupe for the Naked palette in mind, so that only cost me...yep, £2 for a solid neutral palette of eyeshadows! Bargain. 

Of course I treated my man to further products from the Nivea for men range (aftershave balm, face scrub,) and then called it a day.

In total I must have spent £2+£1+£1= £4 of my own change, and then the rest from boots points, superdrug beauty card points and of course nivea vouchers. Not bad, eh?

(Completely forgot to use my student discount card though! Doh!)

Have you ever had one of those 'bargain' days?

Peace!

Empties #1

This Vaseline Cocoa Radiant is amazing! It left my skin feeling so soft and the smell was gorgeous! 

 My empties pile has been growing...

 Collection 2000, Super Size Mascara - I liked this for the length it gave but it left my lashes clumpy. For that reason I won't be repurchasing.

High Beam - This was a sample given to me, as you can tell by the dinky size! I love High Beam and have since purchased the larger bottle. God bless Benefit!

 Simply Pure, Superdrug - This moisturiser is amazing! It's paraben free, hypo-allergenic and has SPF 15 too. I will be repurchasing this beauty. Considering it was under £2 and provided an excellent base for make up...

Fix and Perfect Pro, Rimmel Primer - Amazing. It comes in just under £7 in most places, provides an excellent base for make up and leaves my skin feeling ready to battle the day! I have since bought two more of these and I am running out... 

MUA Primer - Its £4, it keeps my make up in place, the consistency feels weird, but it doesn't on your face once worked in. I have another one coming. I like it. Average, but it does the job well.

Illuminating Touch Concealer, Collection 2000 - This concealer was beautiful! I really must repurchase because it covered my dark circles/blemishes so well! You don't get much though and I was actually surprised it ran out so quickly!

I've literally just finished using this Dove Visible Effects body moisturiser, and while it does it's job beautifully the scent is a little over powering and almost feels slightly sticky as its soaking in. I would repurchase again, but the smell is just off putting - unless you hold your nose!

Peace!

Quick Make Up Routines?

 MUA primer, Benefit High Beam, Collection 2000 Illuminating Touch Light Diffusing Concealer.

Collection 2000 Colour Lash in Clear, Volume Million Lashes for Hazel Eyes Mascara.

You know when you gotta be quick? Or, you those days in the mornings/afternoons and you need to go out for whatever reason even though you reaallyyyy do not want to and then... 

You look at your face and think 'holy fuck, I must cover this up,' - for whatever reason, we've all been there, right? A spot, blemish, something that makes our morning routine a little bit more hassle, and let's face it, could potentially put us in a bad mood for the rest of the day...

My answer, for myself, of course, is...

Primer. Tighten my pores, even my skin tone please! 

Concealer. Blemish? Gone. Spots? Nearly gone, but it will do. Dark circles? Gone.

Highlighter. Cheeks. Rosy tint? Perfect. Glowing? Hell yes.

Brow/Lash correctors. Tidy brows. Sorted.

Mascara. Open up them peepers. Lush.

Then of course, depending my mood, lip balm, lip stick or lip gloss. Usually balm or the schtick. 

What's your 'shit I gotta get a move on' routine?

Peace!!

Top Five Spring Nail Colours

 Left to right; 17 Lasting Fix 'Glisten', No7 Stay Perfect 'Tangy', All About Nails 'Caribbean Coconut', Barry M 'Blueberry', MUA 'Shade 5'.

When it comes spring colours, I'm all for the pretty pastels and such like - but I usually like to go for a punch more colour like No7's 'Tangy' or Barry M's 'Blueberry,' so that when spring leads into summer - I am all set with my colours.

That being said, I like to keep the brighter colours on my toes - while the milder colours like MUA 'shade 5' and All About Nails 'Caribbean Coconut,' are usually on my nails - I find them more adaptable for what I'm wearing, and usually I can layer some glitter polish on top of the peachy colour when I want to add a bit of sparkle. 

And for special occasions I bring out the 17 Lasting Fix in 'Glisten,' - It has two tones, pink and coral with a gold shimmer. Perfect for a night out. Subtle and pretty, with glitter.

What are your favourite nail spring colours?


Have a great weekend!

Peace!!

Mini Haul - MUA + Benefit...

Hola! Well, I've been dying to show some of the things I got on a mini haul - but as I was at my boyfriends with a lack of internet, I've had to wait until today until I could upload the pictures.

Excuse my nails - I had just taken off some false acrylics that were gorgeous, but I was helping a neighbour on the friday to help her prepare a shitttt load of mothers day cupcakes. I did not want buttercream in my nails. 

First up is the MUA primer. I have normal/combination skin. My forehead/nose/chin tend to break out which is fabulous (sense the tone) but my cheeks are either normal or dry, depending on the season. In any case, sometimes I have 'craters' or open pores and it bothers me to hell and back. 

So I thought I'd test out MUA's primer - and it is perfect for me - and at only £4 from superdrug, I wasn't exactly saying no to this little beauty! I'd say the only downside is it leaves my hands feeling slightly sticky after I have applied, but it soon goes away (or I freak out and wash my hands...)

My friend Kirsty, after hearing me blab on about Benefit High Beam then mentioned she had a sample and then gave it to me! Happy, I was, said Yoda. I've been using it on my cheekbones and on my brow bone - and it really does highlight it so well. I'll definitely be buying the full size bottle when it runs out!

I also got a few other items - one of them being a bloody wonder product in my honest opinion... and it only costs £2...

Stay tuned for that one!

Peace!