NAKED EYESHADOW PALETTE/ORIGINAL

                        Naked Eyeshadow Palette (Original) 

I bought this palette during my memorable trip to NYC three years ago, and just like the trip, this palette is simply epic!

At the time, I was skeptical about splashing out on an eyeshadow palette as I was a cream eyeshadow kinda girl. The thought of faffing around blending multiple eyeshadows exhausted me and was all about easy application. 

I was on the hunt for a higher end palette as I LOVE to experiment and create eye looks on my friends, so wanted something that was of good quality. 

I did some research online and everyone seemed to be raving about this amazing palette. I had also watched many awesome makeup tutorials so thought it was a safe bet. Little did I know, that I would be completely converted to wearing eyeshadow on a daily basis!

When I first started using this palette, my staple look was using ‘On and on bronze’ by Maybelline as a base, then sweeping ‘sidecar’ all over my lids. It merely took me a couple of minutes to create but looked like I spent a lot longer! This look really compliments brown eyes and I received so many compliments on my bronze creation. 

The Palette and Shades 

The palette consists of 12 gorgeous shades, only two shadows are matte and the rest are shimmery colours with a hint of glittery particles, which I feel makes the shadows look that extra bit more beautiful. My favourite thing about the eyeshadows is for sure their staying power. My God, can they last! Which is perfect if you have an event to attend or even for the hot summer days or nights. 

Over the next 3 years, and with not having the urge to purchase any other palette, I have had a good chance to play around with every colour and create some really great looks for any occasion. I have listed each eyeshadow below and how I like to use them, hope you get some inspirations:)

Virgin – Great to use as an under brow highlight and in the inner corner of your eye to give it that pop and brighten it up. 

Sin – This is the shade I like to turn to for when I have special occasions, such as a wedding, to attend. I sweep this beautiful shade all over my eye and use ‘Buck’ and ‘Naked’ in the crease and blend blend blend! This creates a simple and elegant look that looks great with any lip colour and outfit. 

Naked – A subtle matte brown shade that I use in the crease, to blend out any less dramatic eye make-up. I love to use this in the crease with ‘Virgin’ all over the lid for a clean make-up look and a red lip.

Sidecar – My favourite eyeshadow of the palette and the only one I have sadly hit pan on :( This gorgeous bronze shade is perfect for creating a flawless brown smokey eye. This shade looks great on it’s own or I tend to smoke it out with ‘Smog’ in the crease or go even smokier by adding ‘Dark horse’ on the outer corner and bottom lash line. 

'Sidecar' and 'Smog' smoky eye

Buck – This is the second matte shadow of the palette and is perfect for adding definition to the crease for any look. I also like to use this on my bottom lash line when I do not use eyeliner. 

Half Baked  - This shade is basically summer as an eyeshadow! This looks stunning on sun-kissed skin, all over the lid with ‘Virgin’ prominently placed on the inner corner to make your eyes pop! I also like to use this with ‘Sidecar’ and ‘Smog’ and just place in the centre of the lid. 

Smog – A versatile shade that can be used for a deep brown smokey eye if placed all over the lid with ‘Darkhorse’ in the crease or my personal favourite - used in the crease and bottom lash line with ‘Sidecar’ all over the lid. 

Darkhorse – Good to use in the outer corner to deepen any smokey brown eye or even black smokey eye look. This is a good subtle alternative to line your upper or bottom lash line without the harsh effect of a black liner. 

Toasted – To be honest, this is my least worn shadow but still a gorgeous bronzy pink shade. I can imagine this looking great all over the lid with 'buck' blended through the crease and bottom lash line. I might just give this a go! :)

Hustle – This shade doesn't look like much in the pan, but really helps to blend out a black/grey smokey eye by placing it through the crease. 

Creep – The darkest shade in the palette, not quite a black but dark enough to be. I like to use this shade when I am going for a gothic smokey eye. Also, I like to reach for this to fill my eyebrows in when I am on the go, 

Gunmetal  - I have not seen anything as unique as this shade. As the name suggests, it is the shade of gunmetal with a blue undertone running through. This is the foundation for the perfect smokey eye, I like to sweep this all and add creep in the utter corner and use hustle thought the crease to blend and smudge everything through. 

'Gunmetal' with 'Creep' on the outer corner

  

Usually, I find there are always a few shades in a palette that you are not to fond of, but I feel that every shade in this palette is versatile and wearable. I am glad that I went for the original palette as I was close to buying number 2. 

If you’re looking for quality and staying power in a palette, then you will not be disappointed. Set with the Urban Decay primer, this palette is simply a dream. 

Which palette is your favourite?

HOLY GRAIL CLEANSERS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Ren Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk 

I truly believe that the foundation to having healthy skin is finding effective skincare products which hold beneficial naturally active ingredients.

I use this cleansing milk as my morning cleanser to give my skin a gentle and refreshing start to the day. I massage it all over my face for at least a minute then rinse it off with lukewarm water. I use the Ren Evercalm Cleansing Milk in conjunction to the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and both combined have done wonders for my reactive and delicate skin. 

Similarly to Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish this cleanser also contains naturally active ingredients and each one plays a significant role in making your skin look and feel great.

Calendula Oil (my favourite ingredient) – renowned for helping to heal skin disorders such as acne and eczema. I like to leave it in on my skin for a few minutes when I’m having a breakout, as it does soothe and heal my skin when it’s going through a bad patch. 

Fennel Seed Extract – has multiple benefits as it helps protect your skin from environmental pollution, combats premature ageing and is good at soothing distressed skin, which has spent the good part of the day on the London underground. 

Omega 3 and 7 – adds moisture back into your skin and reduces any tightness you may have due to change in weather or overexposure to harsh products. It adds the much-needed suppleness back by restoring your skin’s natural PH balance. This cleanser is a must to use during the colder seasons! 

I notice a huge difference in my skin when I run out of this cleanser and reach for my other not-so-often-used supplies. As soon as I start to use it again, I immediately notice the tightness and patches of dry skin disappearing again. 

They say that it is important to change up your skincare routine every six months as the products stop working, but three years on, and I can honestly say that I have no desire to change as these products have saved my skin! I will continue to use these lifesavers indefinitely! 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish 

Could it be magic? The answer is YES…definitely, maybe ;) 

I have used this for the best part of three years and have never looked at another make-up removing cleanser in the same light. 

On occasion, I have strayed when I’ve been intrigued to try something new, but my fascination has only ever lasted a few days. 

My skin naturally craves the Liz Earle ‘Cleanse and Polish’ and it sure lets me know it! 

Why is this cleanser so great and iconic? 

Well, firstly this cleanser is so effective at removing makeup and daily grime like nothing else I've tried. You simply pump one or two pumps of the product and massage it all over your face, then use a warm muslin cloth to wipe away the goodness. 

Every evening, it leaves my skin feeling like I’ve just walked out of a spa, and I think this may be contributing to my addiction!

Anther reason why it is so brilliant is that I truly believe it is suitable for ALL skin types, even and especially sensitive skin like mine. 

The product contains naturally active ingredients, which include cocoa butter, rosemary, chamomile, and eucalyptus that is design, as the name would suggest, to cleanse and polish (exfoliate) the skin. The Great thing is that it does all this without aggravating the skin or stripping it of its natural oils. 

The cocoa butter leaves my skin feeling supple and moisturised while the rosemary, chamomile and eucalyptus work together to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells gently. 

You may be mistaken in thinking that as it has quite a distinct eucalyptus scent that it can cause your skin to react. Let me tell you, I have the most sensitive and reactive skin ever, and I have never used a product that completely calms and soothes my skin. 

If I’ve had a few unforgivable ‘fell asleep with makeup on’ nights, then this cleanser is my saviour! It sends any breakouts on their way and brings my skin back to life!

If you are in a bit of a rut with your skin and nothing is quite cutting it, then I highly recommend you to try this fantastic product. Bring it back to basics with this cleanser and use it once in the evening, as I do, to give your skin that revival that it needs. 

It will help clear and calm any breakouts as it is likely that you are using products heavily loaded with chemicals that are not doing any good to your skin.

I guarantee you will never look back and will be singing its praises to everyone like I am! 

What's your favourite cleanser for sensitive skin?