Pixi Pretties - The NEW collection for 2021

The Pixi Pretties Collection has been with me for some time and if it isn’t something you have come across before, Pixi team up with some influencers to release collections of makeup products which in this instalment happens to be four beautifully presented makeup palettes.

Presented and created by Denise, Louise Roe, Promise and Tina Yong each one of these palettes has been curated with Pixi, whom of course are best known for the iconic Glow Tonic. Whether you love eyeshadow or lipsticks, there will be something from this collection which you will absolutely adore.

The first palette that I have been using a lot is the Denise + Pixi Mind Your Own Glow Radiance Palette (£16.00). Described as offering an array of universal highlighter shades, designed to give a lit-from-within glow. Formulated with ultra-soft mineral pigments which help to allow seamless blending, plus the inclusion of natural light-reflecting micas to offer lustrous dimension, all without the need for glitter. The shades on this palette that I have used the most are Lit, which is a gorgeous champagne pop, Sunstone and Icing which has a slight pinkness to it. 

It wouldn’t be a product from Pixi without some goodness and this palette has an infusion of vitamin E which helps to nourish and protect, while emollients offer their skin-conditioning properties to help leave skin smooth and hydrated.

The next palette is the Shapeshifter Contour Palette by Promise and Petra (£20) and it is a beautiful palette, one you will absolutely love if you like contouring.

This palette is not only designed to give you the best sculptures features from your cheekbones to your nose, the shades are so universal, they will work for you. Easy to apply and blend shades such as Yak and Himalaya could also be used on the eyes too. 

If you have a thing for eyeshadows, then the Tina Young + Pixi Tones & Textures Eyeshadow Palette (£22) might just be the one calling your name.

Featuring 25 stunning shades that can take you from day to night in one swoop, you’ll find a mixture of neutrals such as DailyDose and Foxy alongside the vibrant tones of Seaside and Butterflies can give you that pop of colour.  Each one of the shades on this palette are not only incredibly easy to blend, they are also really pigmented, more so than I had imagined them to be.

Then the final palette of this group is the Louise Roe + Pixi Cream Rouge Palette (£18) and I’m still not sure how I feel about it.  The Cream Rouge Palette was created by Louise Roe and Petra and is designed with a multi-use formula that can be used on your lips on its own or if you want to play around, you can mix the shades together to create your own collection of shades which are unique to you. You could also use some of the shades on your cheeks too for a pop of colour.

This palette also features a total of twenty-five shades and they range from the softest of peach neutrals to the deepest of plum reds and for me, because I tend to hover around the more maybe shades, I don’t get the best use from this palette. I’m definitely not someone who can pull off a red lip and it’s not my shade at all, so if the 25 there is four shades I am comfortable with - Fresh, Putty, AllSmiles and Gentle.

I do think this is a wonderful collection of palettes, there is a nice diverse use of shades, some might be more out of your comfort zone than others but there is definitely, for me, a lot of shadows and shades I have been using, much more than I thought. Each one of these palettes is on sale now with Pixi and you can find them all online.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Aldi Lacura Naturals Nectar Eyeshadow Palette

I have been loving the discovery of new products from the Aldi Lacura range, the Too Legit Waterproof Mascara, which I have shared already and today is the turn of the Naturals Nectar Eyeshadow Palette, which at £5.99 is too good a bargain to not try it yourself.

This palette as you can see comes packaged in a a dark honey, almost gold coloured metal casing and impressively, the top half of the casing features a mirror, not something many high street brands manage to do.  The casing is also really well made and despite the number of times i've dropped it, it has survived with few dents. 

Frame and define your eyes with the Lacura Naturals Nectar Eyeshadow Palette. This selection of gorgeous golden and warm toned shadows will bring out the best in your eyes, making your natural eye colour standout. Perfect for daytime and evening looks whether it's a classic smoky eye, glamorous golden cut-crease or day to day neutral glam.

Inside the palette are 12 shades, which are best described as being a range of mattes, glitters and shimmers in shimmery golds, warm hues and of course browns to add some neutrality to the palette. This is, for me, one of those transition palettes which takes you through autumn into winter and you can just about keep using it in Spring too.

The first four shades are Harvest, Bloom, Bite and Monarch which are quite in keeping with the theme of the palette.

The lightest shade Harvest is a really light beige shade with a slight sheen to it and the colour payoff is quite impressive, it is one of those shades you definitely need to have in your stash as it works well as a base shade. The second shade Bloom is a light toned peach which I adore as a shade, it glides on smoothly with hardly any fallout but it is very sheer.  Next to it we have Bite and as a shade it surprised me with how deep a yellowy/orange undertoned shade it was, but I really like it. The final shade shown above is Monarch and it is a medium tone brown shade with a bronze shimmer.

The next set of shades are called Bumble, Pollen, Sunflower and Nectar, which again are amazing names for this palette.

The first shade, Bumble is one I was expecting to be a light brown shade, but instead it is a very light brown shade with very warm golden undertones and it is slightly darker than Bloom which is shown above.  Next to it we have Pollen which medium golden shade which again has warm undertones with an almost metallic finish. The third swatch is Sunflower which is a bright medium gold shade and again it has warm undertones with a metallic finish. Finally there is Nectar and it is a dark brown shade with a a shimmer to it and this is one of my favourite shades.    

The final four shades on the palette are named Comb, Guardian, Buzz and Nest which are my favourite four shades to use.

These shades are by far the most pigmented of all the shades shown on the palette and they are the ones I have used the most.  Starting with Comb which medium brown with warm undertones and it is almost matte but not quite because there is a slight shimmer.  Next we have Guardian which is a deep warm shade of brown and the most matte of all the shades. Next to it we have Buzz which is a medium copper shade which again has warm undertones and like both Sunflower and Monarch and it is one of the most pigmented shades. Finally we have Nest which is a dark brown matte shade and again, the colour payoff is as good as the rest of the shades.

With this Naturals Nectar Palette is also the inclusion of a double-ended brush and it is one of the best brushes I have used, that accompanies a palette.

This double-ended brush is described as being a multi-tasker which is ideal for all over shadow application, blending, shading and contouring.

At £5.99 I have no grumbles what so ever about this palette. The shades are really lovely and in-keeping with the name, they blend with ease, there is very little fallout, they work well on their own or together and they can take you from day time to night time all in one go.  As with the rest of the Aldi Lacura range, this palette is also cruelty-free.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

theBalm Priming Is Everything!

I am a huge fan of TheBalm makeup and have featured it on my blog many times, for me, it is such an underrated brand, which is now much easier to get hold of than it once was.  Today I am sharing two products from the Eyeshadow Priming range and they're not at all like I expected them to be. Is that a good thing? Read on to find out.

Priming Is Everything is available, as you can see, in two shades - neutral and black. They are packaged inside a cardboard box, which is really well made and has an outer sleeve to ensure it doesn't become damaged in your makeup bag.

Described as being versatile cream primers and as with any other primer, their job is to keep your makeup in place, in this case your eye makeup.  I have in my time used quite a few eyeshadow primers to do all I can to avoid the dreaded creasing. However, until now, I had only ever used a nude/clear shadow primer, never black.

TheBalm state that their Black primer transforms any eye shade into a whole new hue, doubling your shadow wardrobe. Said to work on all skin types and tones, this primer provides a smooth black surface to create a smokey look while transforming the shade and brilliance of your shadow. So, if you are a fan of the smokey eye, this primer is basically your new best friend. It glides onto the eyelid with ease and whether you choose to use your finger or a brush, it is smooth and blends really well. 

The neutral Eyeshadow Primer, as with the black above, also acts as a base to keep your shadows in place.

Another cream primer which was really easy to apply and blend, the neutral shade helps to bring to life your eyeshadow to leave it looking a lot brighter and even more intense.

The swatches shown below haven't been edited at all, they are as seen from the pan to my hand using a finger swatch. Both shades have a really good colour pay-off and for me, I really love how they interact with my chosen eyeshadow, which is usually always a shade of neutral because that is my comfort zone. 

You can currently find both of these Priming Is Everything primers via LookFantastic where they retail for £11 each, more excitingly you can also find pretty much everything else theBalm has to offer too.

Right now, there is an offer to save between 10% and 15%* on your order using the code BEAUTYLF at basket. So if you have always wanted to try products from theBalm, now is that time!

*Exclusions Apply.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

theBalm Cult Classics - Mascara and Eyeliner

I am absolutely loving getting myself acquainted with theBalm Cosmetics, there are so many products that I had just never tried until now.  When the Cult Classics box arrived instructing me to 'Treat Myself' I was gobsmacked at just what was included.

As you can see, this is one amazing PR package and I had no idea where to start with even trying the products, but I was drawn to the bottom right-hand corner when I saw two mascaras and an eyeliner trying to catch my attention.  There will be further blog posts in coming weeks featuring everything within this box, so if there is something you really want to know about, then please do let me know.

Founded by Marissa Shipman in 2004, she wanted to wake up and love what she did every day. and like many of us, Marissa is obsessed with beauty. So, she quit her job, made a plan and started mixing ingredients and it is from here that theBalm was born. All of theBalm products are talc-free, paraben-free and cruelty-free too.

The first item out of the box is Mad Lash Black Mascara and this was the first mascara I have ever used from theBalm but it was the wand which drew me. Described as being a mascara that will 

Lengthen your lashes with the Mad Lash Mascara - Black from theBalm. Creating an ‘out of this world’ look, the mascara is able to capture each lash to deliver extreme length and volume.

You can't fail to notice the bright packaging that is presented before you and inside, the tube is an exact replica, print wise, of the box.

With a richly pigmented black formula, the wand, as you can see is slightly curved which theBalm refer to as being 'Injection moulded'. What I have found is that the wand is perfectly curved with bristles long enough to read the smallest of lashes.  

The formula is liquid like but not overly-wet which I am thankful for because this is one of my pet peeves when it comes to mascaras.  I have fairly long lashes, so a formula that is too wet weights them down.  I like how this mascara fans out my lashes without giving that spidery effect and depending on your preference, you can layer the mascara and add one or two coats without it clumpy or flaking off.  I also found it incredibly easy to remove with my usual eye makeup remover and cotton wool pad.

The second Mascara is called Scuba and this one is quite cleverly named because it happens to be waterproof or as the description states:

If we could have one thing on a desert island, we’d want SCUBA. Avoid smudges, drips or runs with this incredibly water-resistant black mascara. The lengthening, “pool”-proof formula makes sure your look stays flawless, above and below the waves.

Again, the packaging is really eye-catching with the glamorous looking diver kitted out in all her accessories.

The wand for this mascara couldn't be more different to Mad Lash if it tried.  Straight as a die, the bristles are much shorter and more condensed but it is incredibly pigmented and it doesn't clump whether you add one coat or two coats, which I find really impressive.  Unlike Mad Lash, this is a slightly thicker formula but it is just as easy to remove with eye makeup remover.

Finally, we come to Schwing and it is a matte black tapered felt-tip liquid eyeliner that describes itself as follows:

This liquid liner is a home run! Built with a uniquely thin and tapered felt-tip applicator, Schwing gives you careful control over subtle strokes and bold lines. Create winning looks with this rich, matte-black finish that won’t smudge, flake or take forever to dry. Plus, Schwing comes in a compact and pocket-friendly package — score!

I am not a regular user of eyeliner, but on special occasions, I do make the effort and apply a small amount and I tend to favour liquid liner over pencil, I find it easier to work with.

What I like about this eyeliner is the not the nib, which is easy to control, but the actual pen itself. Quite large in shape, it is easy to grasp and control as you apply the liner.  It dries to a non-smudging matte finish which doesn't budge through rain or tears but thankfully with a little eye makeup remover, disappears very quickly.  It is buildable without becoming cakey and it is also not in the slightest bit irritating.

I am incredibly impressed with all three of these products. I adore the mascaras, though I am a bit of a mascara-fiend and love trying new ones. If you are a fan of theBalm Cosmetics or have seen something that grabs your attention, then you can find the products on Lookfantastic (here), BeautyBay (here), Superdrug (here), Feelunique (here).

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

touch in SOL Metallist High Shine Bouncy Cream Shadow Palette

I am so very sure by now that on this blog touch in SOL needs no introduction, but just incase you have not heard of this brand and have never seen any of their products before... touch in SOL is a Korean Beauty (K-Beauty) brand and it has been designed to embrace the spirit of Korean innovation. touch In Sol is fun, innovative and uses some of the most advanced technologies. If you know anything about Korean Beauty, you will be aware that they are very much ahead of us when it comes to beauty innovations.  Thankfully, we are now able to get hold of them here in the U.K.

Right now, there is a whole host of newness coming from touch in SOL and I have been very lucky to try absolutely everything the brand has to offer so far and I am yet to find a product I dislike.  New to the stash comes the Metallist High Shine Bouncy Cream Shadow Palette, which for the purpose of this review will be referred too as Bouncy.  I am already a huge fan of the Metallist Foil Shadows (review here) and to see a palette as stunning as this, I couldn't wait to try it.

Described as being a metallic shadow palette with super high payoff and a unique jelly formula that melts into skin, providing vibrant colour payoff and a high-shine finish, this palette is every bit as amazing as the description tells you it is. Packaged inside a dusty pink hard plastic casing, you have the ability to see all six shades inside the palette thanks to the see-through section in the middle. 

The six shades are as follows:

• Snow Jam – is a creamy white metallic.
• French Ganache – is an orange beige metallic shade.
• Suede Cacao – is a dark brown metallic.

Then on the bottom row, we have:

• Maple Mood – is a coral beige metallic.
• Sangria Rose – is a crimson burgundy metallic.
• Mystic Tonight – is a fuchsia purple metallic.

From all of these shades, the one I have used the most is Suede Cacao followed by Maple Wood, a shade I never thought I would use.  When it comes to the formula, this is where the palette goes from being beautiful to being really quite unlike anything else I have used. The formula is very much like a gel-cream-powder, it applies like a gel, gives the coverage of a cream and dries like a powder, quite unique and something you will have to try for yourself to understand what I mean. Within the palette, each shade has its own bounce, hence the term 'Bouncy' and the shadow bounces under your finger as you begin to swatch it and there is very very little fallout.

The Swatched from left to right are all unedited and were taken with my compact Canon Camera during the afternoon. The first swatch to the left is taken as is without the flash and not in direct sunlight, then we have a photo taken with the camera flash before finally a photograph taken as the sun was blaring and in each of the three swatches, you can see how pigmented each shade is, even Snow Jam right at the very top, which is just stunning.

I have always applied Bouncy using my fingertips because it gives the best intensity of colours, but you can use a brush to build up the colour to achieve your desired look.  I love the sparkle and glitter each shade has and without being too OTT with the glitter, there is enough to make your eyes sparkle whether you are wearing one shade or mixing them to create a full eye look.

If Bouncy has caught your attention, you can find it on sale for just £34.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Too Faced Glitter Pop Peel Off Eyeliners

Everywhere you look right now brands are bringing out their own little Glitter filled product. I'm not going to lie, I love glitter and I've tried a lot of glitter products over the last few months and some products have certainly been designed to allow you to wear a bit of Glitter all day and every day.

Something new to the mix is these Glitter Pop Peel off Eyeliners from Too Faced. If ever there was a brand to take glitter and makeup to the next level, it had to be Too Faced and glitter and eyeliner did make me cringe at first, the thought of the scratchy stuff near my eye line, would it be too much? Well....

Available in eight shades, the Too Faced Glitter Pop Peel Off Eyeliners are £16 each from Too Faced directly or they can be found at both Debenhams and Cult Beauty. Still unsure it is for you? Well, the description might just change that:

Paint on - peel off for the most glamorously dramatic and fabulous eyeliner ever. Innovative film formers lock down glitter that stays put until you peel it off. Don't leave the glitter on the dance floor, leave it on your eyes - where it belongs!

So this is what makes the Too faced Glitter Pop Peel Off Eyeliners work and be that little bit unique - the formula which peels off.  Now before I was willing to put this anywhere near my eyes, I tested it on the back of my hand and it did work!  I have shade Lucky Bitch, an odd choice of name, but it is described as being a gleaming rose golden shade and it is packed full of golden glitter particles, predominantly gold but with a smattering of silver too.  To add to the wow factor, it is packaged inside an incredible holographic box with the eyeliner comes in a clear plastic tube with a black lid, and a very slim brush applicator.

When it comes to using the Eyeliner, Too Faced are quite helpful with their instructions:

• Apply 3-5 layers for complete glitter liner coverage 
• Wear multiple colours together for an ombré effect
• Made a mistake? Use a spooley brush to remove excess glitter
• Don't apply on top of lashes or brows for best results
• Carve under brow for a sparkle highlight

When I have worn it, I tend to find three layers is enough for my needs and I always let each of the layers almost dry before adding a further one. I love that you can wear less or more depending on your choice.  I also love that you can mix and match the shades to your desired taste and with regards to the easiness of peeling?  I find the more you add the easier it is and obviously if you put it too close to your eyelashes there could be a few casualties.  For example, one layer is much harder to peel off than something with 2-3 layers.  It is also true that it does not have any fallout and when it is worn, it isn't itchy or scratchy, it is oddly quite lightweight and comfortable to wear, not what I was expecting at all.

All in all, this is quite an impressive product and one which surprised me.  

Have you tried any of the Too Faced Glitter Pop Peel Off Eyeliners yet?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

How do I make my eye makeup last longer!

Hi there I am Andrew James and I post about hair, makeup and skincare over at beautyandtheboy.com. I am guest posting today for Beauty Queen UK. I thought it would be a good idea to post about one of the questions I get asked a lot social media, "How do I make my eye makeup last longer?" Personally I would say by using primers or bases. Eye Primers work as a magnet for eye shadow, some will even out the surface and colour of the lid some extend the wear of eye shadows and some just make the eye shadows more vibrant. I’ve chosen a few products I think you will like. The products range from drug store all the way up to luxury, including different textures for all skin types so there is a good mix for everyone.

Firstly, we have an old makeup trick that has been used by makeup artists for years. The “secret" is to just use some plain old pressed powder after you've applied your foundation. Applying powder to the eye will give it a good base to start working on that way your eye shadows will go on smoothly and blend evenly. As you can see above, I picked Collection Cosmetics Lasting Perfection Powder as it’s a long lasting, finely milled powder, a great pick from the drug store

Here we have some products that will either give you a smooth base or make your eye makeup last much longer, I put these products together because you don't want a coloured base so these are all either clear or nude this way you won't see them when you apply eye shadow on top. On the far left is the Illamasqua Sealing Gel which on its own doesn't do much, although when mixed that's when the magic happens sometimes I find myself mixing this with eyeliners, eyeshadows etc. This will make sure your eye makeup won't crease and will be particularly good for those of you with oily lids. Next we have the NARS Pro Prime and Laura Mercier Eye Canvas which both contain starch to help control oiliness on the lids which causes the creasing of your eye makeup. NYX Jumbo pencil works better for those with normal/dry skin as it tends to crease a bit on oily lids. I find the NYX Jumbo Pencils work best when set with eye shadow.

The above products are for those of you who want a bit of colour on your lid but want the eye shadow to last. I often find myself using coloured bases a lot, I’ll usually put down one of these then use a powder to blend over the top and work from there. I would say the key to good long lasting makeup is using what works for your skin type and layering products on top of each other that way they don’t wear away as easily.

My favourite coloured bases have to be the OCC Cream Colour Concentrate which is basically a cream eye shadow that sets down and dries which is a god send for oily lids. These blend really well too if you just want to use this on the lid as an eye shadow without powder. A more affordable version of the Cream Colour Concentrate is the Maybelline Colour Tattoo which works in the same way although it’s a bit drier. The last 2 products are more for your normal/combo eyelids as the Chanel Illusion D'ombre. These set and it looks absolutely beautiful although I’ve found they don’t tend last as long with oily lids. CKone Eyeshadow Bases are great for a wash of colour before doing a smokey eye they work the same as the others but this one has a more grungy tone that then others

I hope this post have helped out you somewhat, if there are any other questions you have or anything you want to ask tweet me @beautyandtheboy on twitter or instagram

You can also follow me on Bloglovin: http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4747223

Thanks for Reading!