Nuts About Essence Eyeshadow - 15 Hazel Me Not*

One make up trend that I don't think will ever die is the nude or neutral eye - you only have to look at the sheer amount of neutral, naked and nude eyeshadow palettes on the market to see that this is a trend that's here to stay. It might not have overtaken the iconic dark, smokey eye just yet but few can deny its ease or its wearability. It's one of those looks that can be as simple or as complicated as you like, you can spend what seems like hours blending shades together to produce a cover girl look, or you can just use one shade for a clean and polished finish.

I have a ridiculous amount of neutral palettes in my collection but whilst I love a palette, sometimes you can do everything you want with just one shadow. I know we're all obsessed with eyeshadow palettes at the moment but please, don't forget about all of those single eyeshadows out there. I'm as guilty as anyone for focusing on my palettes but lately I've been using a single eyeshadow that's made me think again.

I have to admit that when I received Essence Eyeshadow in 15 Hazel Me Not, I wasn't that impressed. The clear plastic packaging was minimalist and utilitarian, and the colour just looked, well, a bit boring but then I swatched it and started playing.

Okay the colour isn't going to win any awards for innovation or pan appeal, but it's one of those beige, taupe shades that you just need in your collection.

Being such a cheap shadow I wasn't expecting a lot pigmentation wise but again this one surprised me. With an almost matte but not flat or chalky finish, this shadow feels soft, and smooth, and the colour payoff is excellent.

This shadow has been my real go to when I'm feeling a bit lazy. It almost seems to even out the skin tone, and it leave the eyelid looking clean and fresh, all day Throw on a few coats of black mascara and you've got a really simple, wearable look that takes minutes to achieve and would work for any occasion when you don't want to look overdone. The shadow isn't showing up too well here,and my wrinkly eyelids aren't helping! but I hope it gives you some idea of the fresh look that you can create.

This isn't the most fashion forward or interesting shadow out there but it's wearable and it's something most people would find a use for, worn either on it's own or alongside other neutral eyeshadow tones. For the price this shadow, the pigmentation and the wear time really surprised me,  Essence Eyeshadow in 15 Hazel Me Not, retails at just £1 for a 2.5g compact from Essence stand alone stores, Wilko stores and Wilko online which is amazing value for money. If this shade isn't for you there are loads more single shadows in the Essence range starting at just £1, so you can afford to experiment or even try something new. Are you still a neutral shadow fan? Let me know x

*Sample

Essence Colour & Go Sparkle Sand Effect Nail Polish - 182 Hello Rosy*

After another unscheduled break I'm back and raring to go with a nails of the day post. My nails and hands aren't amazing at the moment thanks to the winter weather and a fight with a cheese knife but I really wanted to show you this polish before it's too late.

Too late I hear you cry? Well unfortunately Essence appear to be discontinuing quite a few products and this polish Essence Colour & Go Sparkle Sand Effect Nail Polish in 182 Hello Rosy, is just one item that's saying goodbye.

The Colour & Go line is famous for it almost ergonomically designed mini 8ml bottles. Their polishes have a short but wide brush which I love. With careful application you can paint the majority of your nails in just one stroke.

The line offers a huge variety of shades as well as a few different textures of polish. Unfortunately it seems as though it's the majority of the textures that are being discontinued. Hello Rosy is one of their Sparkle Sand Effect Nail Polishes. Replicated in many higher end brands this polish has an almost gritty texture. It's a cross between a coral and a bright blush pink, and it's crammed full of textures matte and glitter particles.

It took two coats to completely cover my white tips but this polish dried incredibly fast. The polish feels quite rough to the touch and it has an almost semi matte finish. There isn't a great deal of shine to it but you can see the twinkling specks of dark pink glitter.

The rough finish definitely isn't for everyone but it does mean that the polish wears incredibly well. If you wanted to use a top coat to smooth it out and add a bit of shine for another look I guess you could but it kind of defeats the object.

I have to say I'm not keen on the rough, textured feel of this polish but if I was going to be doing a lot with my hands and I wanted a polish that would last this could be a one to go for. If you want to get your hands on this shade you better move fast according the Essence EU website it's only on sale till the end of March -Hello Rosy has already disappeared from the Wilko website but they do have a couple of different Sparkle Sand Effects online and you never know what you might find in store. If you aren't a fan of textured polishes then it's still worth having a look at the Essence Colour & Go line. There is a huge variety of shades to choose from and they retail at just £1.60 each, they are available in their own independent stores, and in Wilko stores and online x 

(*Sample)

Budget Beauty - A Review Of The Essence 3D Eyeshadow In Irresistible Caramel Cream

Hi Guys x As promised today's post is a beauty one, and it's a review of a beautiful eyeshadow courtesy of Essence.

Up until last year it was almost impossible to get hold of Essence products in the UK. This German based, budget brand was widely available in mainland Europe, but for some reason it never made it across the channel. Last year though our prayers were answered and the range started popping up in their own standalone stores and  in Wilkinson stores throughout country, and on the Wilko website. 

Although I live quite close to a few stores, I have to say that it's not somewhere that I go to that often. I love the store and the fact that they sell everything under the sun but I'm much more of a shopping mall shopper rather than a town or city centre girl. Late last year though me and Mummy Lou took a trip to the Sunderland store and whilst we were there I took advantage of the brand spanking new Essence stand, and picked up a few different things to try.

Although the stand drew me in like a magnet, it was the eyeshadows that really called to me. I knew the quality was decent based on a couple of limited editions that I'd already had so I bought 3, one from each of their permanent lines, the original, Metal Glam, and 3D. I will be reviewing them all for you at some point but today's review is all about the Essence 3D Eyeshadow in 04 Irresistible Caramel Cream.

I'm a huge lover of the MAC Satin Swirls, and that's what these eyeshadows remind me of. Big on shimmer, you get two shades in each 2.9g compact. One of the shadows has an almost textured wave, effect and the other one is smooth. Irresistible Caramel Cream contains a gorgeous, creamy champagne shades alongside a beautiful metallic, bronze, brown. The brown shade looks a little flat irl and almost a little bit green but it's totally transformed when it's swatched.

The shadows are soft and creamy but not powdery and are insanely pigmented. The shadows are swatched dry here but you can also use them wet for an even more intense, foiled, metallic finish.

The horrible Autumn / Winter light has beaten me again, so although you won't be seeing any photos of this eyeshadow combo on my eyes, you have to believe me when I say how much I love it and how pretty it actually looks on,

For the last month or so, bar one or two days I've either worn the eyeshadow combination from the Benefit Bronze Of Champions Total Bronze Kit (read my review here) or I've worn this duo. For me it's the perfect everyday, natural eye look. The shades blend together effortlessly, and for the price, the wear time is superb even without a primer.

These fabulous shadows come in at least 9 other shades and they retail for a pretty fabulous £2.80 each. I can definitely see myself making either a trip to my local Wilko store or placing an online order for a couple more. I'm thinking about 07, a sort of metallic, pewter colour, and 02, a silver and lilac combo.

I currently have the biggest Essence wishlist at the moment, but I'd love to know your picks before I take the plunge, so leave me a comment and let me know your recommendations x