Too Faced Romantic Eye Palette Review and EOTD

I was going through my make-up stash the other day and came across this. I have had it for a while now and I haven't really used it much as I should. I have been stuck in a neutrals rut when it comes to eye shadow lately, so I decided to do a little review on it, along with a look. Read on to find out more :)

I really like this palette. There is a nice variety of colours and you can create pretty pastel feminine looks along with darker more sultry ones.

The packaging, as is the case with all Too Faced products, is gorgeous. I also own Naked and Natural eye but this packaging is by far my favourite, its lovely and I like to leave it out on my dressing table.

The palette contains 9 shadows with the ones that will be used all over the lid containing the most product. The shadows are grouped in rows; Day, Classic, and Fashion, and have corresponding instruction cards with an idea of how to wear them. This is great for people just starting out in make-up, and for people who need a little inspiration.

• Day:
• Soul mates - a cream with slight yellow undertones. Slight shimmer and glitter 
• I Do - a grey taupe
• Un-Veil - a very dark brown

• Classic: 
• Kiss the Bride - a light matte pastel pink
• Cut the Cake - a cool toned light purple, slight shimmer
• First Dance- dark purple, again cool toned.

• Fashion
• Bouquet Toss - a greeny beige colour
• Honey Moon - an olive gold with a lot of shimmer
• Ever After - a dark brown, slightly more warm toned than Un-Veiled with lots of shimmer and glitter.

These are the best I could get the swatches as the weather has been bad all day. The lighter shadows are less pigmented than the darker ones, but I think this is great as you can have a very subtle wash of colour, or you can build it up for a little bit more pop. They have a soft and buttery texture and blend like a dream, just make sure to tap/blow off the excess on your brush before applying as there is a little bit of fallout, nothing major.

 The only one I had a slight issue with was kiss the Bride (light pink) as my eyelids have quite a lot of pink in them already, and it did look a bit like I had pinkeye before I took these steps: I use an eye shadow primer and then apply NYX jumbo eye pencil in milk all over my lids as a base. I then apply Kiss the Bride and it comes out a lovely pastel pink. 

I did a look using the palette but as the light was so bad, and then my camera died, this was the best of the bunch unfortunately. I used Kiss the Bride all over the lid, Cut the Cake on the outer third of the lid and in the crease and First dance in the outer part of the crease and on the bottom of my lid. I used nyx jumbo pencil in milk as a base along with asda primer, and lined the top lashes with Rimmel gel eye liner. My mascara is Benefit Bad Gal, and I used Eye Bright in the water line and tearduct.

Just like the other Two Faced shadows I own, these last all day with out creasing on me even with out a primer. They are great quality and definitely worth considering for your collection.

Overall a great palette which can be used to create a number of looks. Amazing quality, you wouldn't be disappointed if you purchased this (in my opinion :D)

Rating
Pigmentation:4.5/5
Overall: 5/5

Do you own any of the Two Faced palettes?

Gem x

What Was In My Holiday Makeup Bag

I love reading these types of post, so as I have just recently come back from lovely Majorca, I decided to do a little post on what I took with me.

 I love to over pack and if I don't take everything but the kitchen sink feel a little panicky. I think I did quite well though with my makeup, clothes on the other hand, I didn't do too well with.

The one thing I didn't pack and could have done with was a hair dryer, as the one provided with the hotel room was pants. It was one of the ones that you have to keep your finger on the button for it to work, needless to say with very thick hair I came home with a sore finger haha.

So enough rambling here is what I took with me on holiday, makeup wise.

Face

• Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation - a great foundation, not too heavy and gives a lovely natural glow. I didnt use this during the day as I spent it in the pool with my little ones so this was only really used in the evenings. 
• Benefit Porefessional - love this and the size is so handy I just had to take it away with me. I used this under my foundation in the evenings.
• Benefit That Gal - again such a handy size to take away. I love this just as much as the porefessional but used this mainly on its own in the day to give my skin a little glow.
• VIVO Baked Bronzer (not pictured - lost in transit!) - I used this to bronze my skin (obviously). I tanned quite well on my body but my face didn't at all so I used this to try and even it out a bit! I also used it on my shoulders and décolletage to highlight my (slightly) bronzed skin. 
• Revlon Bare It All - One of my poundland bargain finds, this is a gold based highlighting cream which I can only get away with using if I am tanned. It gives a lovely bronzed glow to the skin. 
• Benefit Powder Time Lover - I love this kit! Its so handy to take away and has lasted me absolutely ages. I got it over a year ago in the Debenhams sale for £12.50 (bargain), and it contains mini versions of Dandelion, Coralista and Dallas. 

Eyes

• Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Mascara - my favourite mascara at the moment, so naturally I had to take it away with me. It isn't waterproof though so I only wore it in the evening and hence why I also took...
• Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof - Actually was a waste of time taking with me. What a rubbish mascara. Didn't give me any extra length or volume and wasn't completely waterproof! Not sure whether to write a review or just chuck it in the bin!
• Avon Glimmersticks Diamonds in Charcoal Grey - I am yet to review this one but I love it. Its the perfect colour to put in my water line when doing a smoky eye (I find black to harsh for me) and its also a nice change from black. 
• Rimmel Waterproof Eyeliner in Black - I quite liked this product, and I love the fact that it has a smudger and sharpener built in to it. Very handy. 
• Too Faced Natural Eye Kit - I love this kit. I got more use out of the gold colour than usual as it looks nice with a tan. I also use the taupey colour in the top row to fill my brows so I didn't need to take a brow pencil with me.
• GOSH Click and Conceal - I used this as an under eye concealer and it does the job nicely, although does need to be set really well as it will crease.  
• Benefit Eye Bright - Used in the water line, also in the tear duct for a wide eyed look. 
• George/Asda eye primer

Lips

• Mac Viva Glam Nicki Minaj - The perfect summer lipstick colour 
• MUA Lipstick in Juicy - Another lovely summery colour. Sort of light corally pink and one I wouldn't be too bothered about losing. 
• MUA Lip Balm - Just a simple lip balm, nothing special about it and it goes on quite clear. I do really like the smell though.
• Figs and Rouge Balm - In case I had dry lips while away.
• ELF Glossy Gloss - Ballet Slippers - My favourite gloss at the moment. Its a lovely nude colour and also smells lovely.
• Maybelline Dream Touch Blush - Peach - I used this as a lip colour with the elf gloss over the top and thought it looked really nice :)
• Revlon Lip Butter - Love this for night or day.

Gem x

Post Holiday Weigh In

So I am back from my holidays. I had a wonderful time eating and drinking what I pleased for 2 weeks. The results are +5lbs on. I am ok with that as I expected a big gain, and I really enjoyed and didn't want to deprive myself Whilst I was away. So I am back on track this week and thinking positive. Hopefully I'll get the 5lbs off ASAP! Gem x

Pop Of Colour FOTD

The weather here has been so bad over the last couple of days. What a contrast to last week when there was glorious sunshine. To cheer myself up I decided to go for a summery bright makeup look today.

Here are the products I used...

• Benefit Porefessional
• Bourjois Flower Perfection Foundation Shade 52, review HERE
• Collection 25th Anniversary Palette, Teal colour in tear ducts (red arrow on products).
• Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Mascara, review HERE
• VIVO Cosmetics Blush & Highlighter Duo in Sweet Peach, review HERE 
• MAC Viva Glam Nicki, swatches/mini review HERE
• *Not Pictured* ELF Glossy Gloss in Pink Candy

My Guest Post on Where Are My Knees

Just to let you know, I have a guest post on my weight loss story up on Where Are My Knees blog. Its a great blog all about weight loss, definitely worth checking out if you are losing weight or thinking about losing weight!

http://wherearemyknees.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/guest-post-by-gem-from-gem-seren.html

Gem x

Holiday Clothes Haul

I am off on my holidays Tuesday, and since I have lost weight I dont have much of a summer wardrobe that fits. Any excuse for a shopping spree :). So heres what I got. I went to Primark and ASDA. I still have a few more bits to pick up but I am only going for a week so I do have most things.

I also got some Jewellery in Primark. I love the necklace and bracelet and think they go well together, and would look lovely with the maxi dress from Primark :). 

Gem x

May Favourites

I know this post is a little late as we are now 8 days into June (where has the time gone?) but I wanted to share what I have been loving over the month of May.

Yes Nurse Hand Cream

I had this in my eco Glossybox and have been using it pretty much every day since. I love how soft it makes my hands and also that it is quite affordable at £4.95. The fact that it is eco-friendly and natural is also a nice bonus.

Too Faced Natural Eye Palette

If I had been wearing eye shadow in May it would have been from this Palette. I love it so much and you can see from the pictures it is well used. I have the Naked 2, but I rarely use it and opt for this one when I want a barely there subtle eye. The shadows are such good quality and blend so well. I use the top row most and I think 

Velvet Revolver is my all time favourite eye shadow. It is a taupey-brown colour which is perfect for the crease or use all over the lid. As I am fair I also use this as an eyebrow powder and it matches perfectly. When I run out of this I am going to have to repurchase it! 

Revlon Bare It All Lustrous Lotion in Pink A Boo

I got this from the Pound Shop and I love it. It is a multi-purpose highlighting cream which is also very moisturising. It can be used alone as a highlighter or mixed with your foundation for a dewy glow. It is discontinued by Revlon, hence it being in the pound shop now.

For £1 it is an absolute bargain. I know the pound shops have different stock from week to week, and it differs from shop to shop, but it is worth keeping an eye out for it. I have found it available on-line from fragrance direct at £1.99, still a good deal HERE. 

ELF Glossy Gloss in Ballet Slippers

This gloss is brilliant, one of the best I own. Its not too sticky, gives good colour pay off and smells divine. It is usually £3.50 but I got mine when they were on offer for only £1 each! I have another colour, Candy Pink, but this is my favourite. It is a peachy nude colour that looks great alone or layered over a lipstick. I particularity love it with MAC Shy Girl. 

NYX Smudge Brush

This little smudger brush is great for, well, smudging eye shadow! Its also good for using in the crease for more intricate looks, and as a liner brush for powder shadow. It costs £5.50 and is available from the NYX website HERE.

Gem x

Weekly Weigh In #2

I had a terrible week which culminated in me having a Dominoes Pizza and practically eating the whole thing to myself. Oops.

I only put on half a pound though, so considering one slice of Dominoes is about 260 calories I am pretty happy with that.

I am going on holidays on Tuesday for a week, so hopefully I will get back on track once I am back.

Loss this week: +0.5 LB

Total: - 35.5 LB


Gem x

Blog Button Swap

If you would like to do a blog button swap, please leave a comment below. I only ask that you are a follower of my blog first.

VIVO Baked Bronzer Sun Kissed Review

I needed a new bronzer and as I am going on holidays in 9 days, I decided to get a cheap one so I would be able to take it with me and not worry about it being broken by the oh so careful baggage handlers. 

I had been hearing great things about VIVOs baked bronzer, and own their regular duo blush and highlighter in Peach (review HERE ), so when I was in Tesco the other day I picked one up.

 It costs £5 and I think there were three shades to choose from. I decided on the lightest shade called Sun Kissed as this seemed the best one for my pale skin.

It is a lovely peachy bronze colour, not at all orange. It isn't matte, but not overly shimmery and I cant detect any glitter in it. It blends easily and lasts really well, and when I am wearing liquid foundation and a primer it pretty much lasts all day. 

It also seems like this is going to last me ages as it is a domed shape and the pigmentation is great so you only need to use a small amount.

Have you tried any of the VIVO cosmetics range? What's your favourite bronzer?

Gem x 

Benefit Freebies With Glamour Magazine, July 2012

It feels like I havens blogged in ages. I have been making the most of the lovely weather we were having, as living in Wales you don't really see the sun much and when you do it is a big deal! It was glorious weather and I spent most of my time down the beach. Its all back to normal now, rain rain and more rain, boo!!

Anyway, I'm sure most of you will have heard by now that for their July Edition, Glamour Magazine have teamed up with Benefit Cosmetics and there is an amazing freebie on offer with the mag. Its a choice of either The Porefessional 7.5mls, That Gal brightening primer 7.5mls, and a mini Bad Gal mascara.

The full size That Gal is only 11ml and retails at £21.50, so you are getting £15 worth of product for £2, amazing. Being the cosmetic junkie that I am I picked up three copies of the magazine and got all 3 products on offer. I have only tried That Gal so far and I am loving it. I am planning on going out this afternoon and hunting more down!

Have you got Glamour mag yet? 

Gem x