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Huda Beauty Matte & Metal Melted Eyeshadow

So while I was in picking up the Huda Beauty The New Nude Eyeshadow Palette in Brown Thomas over Christmas. As I was perusing, I happened upon the brand new Huda Beauty Matte & Metal Melted Eyeshadow (s).

I think they were only out a day or so at the time, so all the shades were available in the BT Beauty Lounge. I had a voucher (thanks bro!), so I didn’t mind forking out the 50 quid for two of the shades. They have a pretty hefty price tag at €25 a pop!

There is five Huda Beauty Matte & Metal Melted Eyeshadow colour ways. But they are dual ended so there’s technically two shades within one of them.

So what are they? They are basically liquid eyeshadows, which I guess is an interesting concept. Especially for Huda Beauty considering how successful their liquid lipsticks are. On one end, you get a matte liquid formula with a doe foot applicator. And on the other end, there’s a melted metallic formula in a corresponding shade. I won’t lie, I was kinda intrigued and completely intimidated picking these up. But I’ve actually growing really fond of both shades that I have. There’s five to choose from in total.

I have Hot Sauce and Cherry Soda.

And Private Jet and Shimmering Sunset.

The liquid matte colours in both shades, apply really opaquely, but they give you some play time to blend, and they do blend out! You can add colour as you blend, or just go in full on and in both instances for me, I can blend out the colour relatively easily. I’ve been applying them on one lid at a time, with the doe foot applicator and then blending onto the lid with my finger, but switching to a brush for the crease. I find they last really well on their own which just primer underneath and set to a comfortable matte finish. I did use some brown shadow in the crease here just to add some depth.

Here’s Hot Sauce & Cherry Soda in action:

The melted matte formula, needs to be worked with more quickly as it does have a faster setting time. I’ve been using both, so far as just a glitter accent in the middle of the lid, or as actual metallic eyeliner. They apply fairly opaquely. This formula isn’t as comfortable when it sets, you can feel it on your eyes. It feels a bit tight once dry. Both of the metallics I own have glitter particles in them. The wear time on the metallic end isn’t as long as the matte. It does fade a little, and it can crack a tad, but after a few hours and not super noticeably. I would be wary if you have textured eyelids though.

Here’s Private Jet and Shimmering Sunset in action:

Overall, I have to say I am a fan of the Huda Beauty Matte & Metal Melted Eyeshadow. I think they are fairly pricey and I think I like the matte shades a bit more than the glitters, but I am having fun putting them to use for sure. Have you tried them yet?

January 9, 2019/by Gem

Makeup

L’Oréal Color Riche Shine Lipstick

I very kindly got sent a really good cross section of some of the new L’Oréal Color Riche Shine Lipstick(s).

They come in the prettiest packaging and I have some gorgeous colours from the range, so I couldn’t not do a blogpost on them 🙂

The L’Oréal Color Riche Shine Lipstick is basically a glossy lipstick that packs a pigmented punch. They come in so many shades with holographic top coats too, so it’s a actually a really comprehensive collection, if you’re into the glossy colourful formula. Also the clear packaging is kinda Instagram goals!

Something I always mention when it comes to L’Oréal lippies, they all tend to have a strong floral scent. If strong scents aren’t your thing, I would say give them a good oul sniff in store when you swatching too. I personally really like the formula. I seem to be big in to glosses at the minute. (Never thought I would say that). I reckon it’s very much got to do with all the awesome ones on the market at the minute though. Maybe marketing does work 🙂

There’s nineteen shimmery glossy non sticky shades to choose from, I have an unlucky thirteen here to swatch for you. I have to be honest, I’ve been putting off writing about these just because the thoughts of swatching thirteen lipsticks on my lips was super intimidating. I had to come to a compromise so I can keep my sanity. I’ll swatch all of them on my arm and then I’ll definitely have some pics up on Instagram of them on the lips.

Here are the three top holographic coats from the range in action, you can of course use them on their own too though.

There is 905 #BAE, 470 #MAPTONIRVANA and 906 #GIRLSNIGHT.

Then I’ve ten of the colours so I’ve split then into fives for swatch handiness.

From left to right we have : 446 #LIKEABOSS, 464 COLOR HYPE, 350 INSANESATION, 352 #BEAUTYGURU, 464 #TRENDING.

From left to right we have: 643 HOT IRL, 112 ONLY IN PARIS, 109 PURSUE PRETTY, 245 HIGH ON CRAZE, 642, #MLBB.

You can buy the L’Oréal Color Riche Shine Lipstick(s) now in store and online from Boots. Feel Unique also have some shades to choose from too. Their recommended retail price is €13.85, but it definitely varies between stockists. Any of them tickle your fancy?

xxx

**PR SAMPLE

May 25, 2018/by Gem

Makeup

Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter

I have been waiting with baited breath for the Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter to launch here. I was just perusing the shelves in Boots (as you do), and happened across one of them! I haven’t seen any media or press releases about them as of yet, but we can now get our makeup loving mitts on them!

Only catch is there seems to be only one of the shade available of the Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter. And then there’s one shade of the Master Holographic Prismatic one. Now that could have just been the Boots I was in, (Jervis Street). However, they don’t seem to be on the Boots website yet either.

Anyways, I picked up the two shades that were there. Damn 3 for 2 drew me in big time. I got their setting spray to try as well. I don’t have them that long, but I thought I could at least show you what they were like in action, just in case you’ve been chomping at the bit ever since seeing Desi & Katy rocking them!

The Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter is in the shade Molten Gold.

Off the bat, I can say this is the nicest formula of the two. The shade is probably a couple of shades too dark for me. It remind me a lot of Becca’s Champagne Pop. I love Champagne Pop, but I am just too damn pale to pull it off most of the time.

Molten Gold is super soft and really easy to blend. It’s a really great, more affordable highlighter.

It is actually available online from Feel Unique here on sale. I paid €11.99 for it in Boots.

Just like the Chrome’s, there is other shades of the Holographic Prismatic formulas, we just don’t seem to be getting them here.

These have a more gritty formula. This shade 50 Opal is obviously lighter in colour, but it has little holographic glitters running through it.

Here they are side by side for comparison:

For me, Opal performed much better when applied to the skin with a brush. The holographic glitters give a duo chrome sheen, although the glitter is very visible on the skin . That is definitely something to note.

This, like Molten Gold, was €11.99 from Boots but again Feel Unique currently have it on sale if it wets your whistle 🙂

I really hope we get more shades of the Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter on this side of the world. They are a really lovely more affordable highlighter. The Holographic ones definitely won’t be for everyone. What do you think?

xxx

April 13, 2018/by Gem

Fragrance, Haul, Makeup

Beauty Shopping Lust List

Do you know what I like to do when I’m broke? Put potential beauty items in my basket online. It somehow makes be feel like I’m beauty shopping. Do I sound deranged? Probably, but it makes me feel like I’m kind of, sort of shopping Pander to me people 🙂

If money was no object right at this moment in time and I was beauty shopping online, these products would be in my baskets all across the internet. And I could actually put in payment details to proceed with order!!

Two things from Anastasia Beverly Hills are currently in my Cult Beauty basket. The first is the Soft Glam Palette. (£43 from Cult Beauty).

To think I actually call myself a beauty addict and I’ve never owned an eyeshadow palette from Anastasia. It’s embarrassing really. This one just speaks to me. I feel like it has everything you would want. Transition colours, lid crease and liner colours. It’s pretty simple, but I think that’s what gets me with it. I think it’s going to be a great palette for makeup lovers but also artists too. It would make the perfect wedding day palette.

The other thing is probably on everyone’s beauty shopping lust list at the moment. The Amrezy Highlighter, again from Anastasia. (£29 from Cult Beauty).

They’ve either just marketed this impeccably or it’s the shiniest highlighter out there at the moment. Every time I see the promo videos or pictures, drool comes out of the side of my mouth.

Ok, there’s another two eyeshadow palettes on my list currently. I have a weakness for them if you didn’t know already.

First up is the Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat. (Will be available in limited supply from the UD flag shop in Grafton street. Available everywhere else from the end of April. RRP is €32).

This is the Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette‘s little sister. Do I need it? No? Do I already own the original full sized one? Yes. There’s something about UD palettes that has me hooked though. I have a bajillion of them and still can’t get enough. This would make for a great travel companion. There, that’s my justification 🙂

My other palette want is, surprise surprise the Huda Beauty Desert Dusk. (€65 from Cult Beauty).

Anyone who has this palette just says you need it in your life. And if EVERYONE says it, sure it must be true. After trialling the brand with the Mauve Obsessions and the Smokey Obsessions, I seriously need to try more.

There’s another highlighter on my lust list, but hear me out. This is the limited edition Estée Lauder Golden Goddess Illuminating Powder.

They release this every year as part of their Summer Golden Goddess Collection. Every year I want it and every time I decide to bite the bullet and get it…..it’s sold out! The packaging alone has me wanting this and I see so many YouTubers using it and the want grows. I can’t find it to shop for from here currently though, I will keep hunting!

I had a voucher and nearly bought the Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation (€42 from Feel Unique).

I couldn’t get a sample though, so that put me off. I’ve seen so much hype about this foundation online though, so it’s made it back onto my want list. It’s meant to be long wearing with full coverage but still have a radiance to it. When I have cash money to blow, this is going to checkout!

The Ordinary Glycolic acid 7% Toning Solution is not exactly a financial stretch. (€8.70 from Cult Beauty).

The reason this is still in my basket is because it’s an enigma, it is never in stock. This is like the Pixi Glow Tonic I love so much. I have a really old blogpost on it here. The Pixi one is 5% Glycolic, this one is 7% and nearly half the price. My oily, giant pored skin needs to try this.

Last on my beauty shopping lust list is the newest member of the Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb family (€71 for 30ml from Debenhams).

This is Flowerbomb Nectar. Now I’ve yet to sniff this, but I adore Flowerbomb. I know it can be a bit heady and overpowering for some. I love how deep but still sweet it is though. I always have a bottle in my collection. This release intrigues me immensely though. You have the flowery bergamot goodness from traditional Flowerbomb but with a Orange Flower and Osmanthus twist. They had me at nectar to be fair 🙂

And there you have my beauty shopping musings. What’s in your online shopping basket?

xxx

March 7, 2018/by Gem

Skincare

Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm

May I start out by saying myself and the Dermalogica brand don’t always get along. When I trained as a beauty therapist many moons ago, I was taught that it was the be all and end all of skincare brands. Then, as a beauty blogger, I’ve been very lucky to test a lot of their products along the way. The products generally just didn’t seem to do much for my skin. I never got break outs or anything like that, but I never really spoke too much about them, because I didn’t have a lot to say. Up until the release of the their new Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm.

I actually featured the Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm in my favourites here last month.

I was sent it when it was first released and have used it every night religiously since. It comes in a standard Dermalogica tube and then you get silicone cleansing mitt with it as well. The mitt is supposed to help gently exfoliate. I can’t say it does that. But, it does make application less messy and helps work the balm into the skin.

There is already a Pre Cleanse on the market that comes in a pump and has more of a cleanser consistency. This new version is a balm to oil consistency and for me, is a much nicer way to cleanse. It works in the same way though. You apply a small amount to dry skin and massage it in with the mitt. As you work it in it turns into an oil and that’s why a little goes such a long way. You use it as your first cleanse. For me it dissolves waterproof mascara, lipstick the works and you can see it melt them away. It doesn’t irritate my eyes either. Add water to emulsify it further, then rinse it away and use your normal cleanser for your second cleanse. My skin does be squeaky clean, but not tight or overly dry.Think of the same as washing your hair twice (like your hairstylist does). You clean once to get off the heavy grime and oil off, then go in again to make sure everything is gone.

I mentioned this in my favourites too, but having a cleanser that goes on dry skin initially, makes me so much more inclined to reach for it over eye makeup remover or micellar water. I sound so lazy I know, but it’s just the initial thoughts of having to go in and rinse your face in the evening seems so daunting. Once you have cleanser on though you have no choice 🙂

According to Dermalogica it is “Powered by Apricot Kernel Oil and a Natural Biolipid Complex”. They say it’s best for dryer skin types with the original version more suited to oilier skin like mine. But I much prefer this version. It’s much easier to control.

Overall, I am a big fan of the Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm. Coming in at over 50 quid in most places for 90mls of product is fairly steep, but a little goes a long way with it. You can find it online here if you fancy checking it out.

xxx

********PR SAMPLE*******

December 20, 2017/by Gem

Bargain Buying

Black Friday / Cyber Weekend Deals 2017

This is my very first Black Friday Deals blog post, so I am really hoping it ends up being helpful to people 🙂 I did my pick of Advent Calendars here for this year and it went down really well.I always declare, but just to be extra transparent, I do use affiliate links. This doesn’t mean you pay anymore as a consumer. It just means if you buy anything through the links I share I make a really small commission. And it all goes back into buying makeup so I can keep writing (and filming) for Beautynook.

So, now that’s out of the way, let us get onto the Black Friday Deals for this year. I’ll list what I can, as early as I can. And then, if I spot anything else worth sharing, I will update this post throughout as things change. Some codes may only work on Friday.

These are places that I have bought from before myself and are tried, tested and generally sell awesome products. In my humble opinion of course 🙂

ASOS have 20% off their website with the code WIN20 here.
Look Fantastic have 15% off with UNLOCK (exclusions apply) on their website here.
Feel Unique have on their website here.
Cult Beauty have 15% off orders over £20 with the code 15BLACK and 20% off ordered over £200 with the code 20BLACK here.
Boohoo have 30% off their website with code GOGOGO here.
Beauty Bay have 30% off more or less everything on their website here.
Debenhams have 10% off all beauty including their gift sets on their website here.
Superdrug are doing to half price savings on their website here.
Boots are doing up to half price savings on their website here.
Missguided have dresses from £8 on their website here.
Littlewoods have up to 30% off on their website here.
Joanie Clothing have 30% off all full priced items on their website here.
River Island have 20% off full priced item (minimum spend £75 on their website here.
Pretty Little Thing have 30% off everything with code ITSON on their website here.
Cloud10beauty have 20% with BLACK20 on their website here.
Glitz n Pieces have 20% off site wide with the code BLACKFRIDAY here.
House of Fraser have 10% off all beauty site wide and up to 40% off everything else here.
Office have 20% off site wide with the code SHINE here.
Arnotts have 20% off ‘almost everything’ here.
Brown Thomas also have 20% off ‘almost everything’ here.
Nasty Gal are doing a whopping 50% off everything with the code GIMME50 here.
Lifestyle Sports have 15% off with the code EARLYBIRD here.
Topshop have up to 50% off and free shipping worldwide here.
Selfridges have 20% off gifts and 10% off beauty and fragrance with the code SELFCCE here.
Public Desire are doing 20% off everything with the code CYBERBAE here.
Harvey Nichols have….on their site here.
Zoeva Cosmetics have 20% site wide using the code ZFS2017 here.
The Body Shop have 30% in store on Friday.
The Body Shop (UK site) has 40% off hundreds of items here.
TRND Beauty have 20% off site wide from midnight on the 22nd until midnight on Friday the 24th here.
Carraig Donn have 20% off site wide all week here.
Elf Cosmetics (UK) have 50% off site wide on orders over £30 with the code CELEBRATE here.
Nike have 25% off site wide with the code EPIC25 here.
Blank Canvas Cosmetics have 20% off everything with BLACK20 here.
Schuh have up to 40% in store and online here.
Only have 25% off all full priced items in store and online here.
Inglot have 25% off their Signature Collection in store and online here.
New Look have 25% off everything in store and online here.
Stila UK have 20% off site wide with the code FRIDAY17 here.
Missoma jewellery have 25% off their entire site with the code BF25 here.
Deciem (The Ordinary, Niod skincare etc) are doing skincare bundles that are heavily discounted here.
Robes4You have 10% off everything with the code BLKFRIDAY here.
Platinum Hair Extensions have 10% off everything with the code BLACKFRIDAY17 site wide here.
Pestle & Mortar have 20% off everything in stock online here.
Emma Hardie have 25% off everything online with the code BF25 from Friday here.
Zara have up to 50% off online here.
Sigma Beauty have 30% off site wide and free worldwide shipping here.

Let me live vicariously through you and let me know what you pick up 🙂

Gemma.

xxx

November 22, 2017/3 Comments/by Gem