Archie Review

Hey Honeys! I can only apologise for how MIA I have been these past few weeks, on both here and Instagram. However, I felt I could use this busy time in my life as an example of why it's extremely helpful to have a social media management site, such as Archie. Archie have asked me to give an in-depth review of my experience using their website to help my Instagram account accumulate followers even when I'm not there to work on it. Archie searches for social media accounts who fit the criteria you provide, and then interacts with those accounts for you to bring attention to your account. It's a service that's quick to set up and free to trial for either Instagram or Twitter, so you can try it out for size and see how you get on! It's helpful towards bloggers/influencers such as myself, businesses, brands and of course anyone who wants to make a few more online friends. Archie gives the option of sharing pictures on Instagram and invitation links to gain up to a month of extra free use too, so there's plenty you can get done without spending a penny!

The Balm 'Appétit' Palette Review and Swatches

Hey Honeys! I'm really excited for today's post, as it's a review on a product I've been wanting to try out for a while now. A couple of weeks ago, The Balm released their new 'The Balm Appétit' palette, 

and it's adorable. As it's The Balm, the whole palette is full of puns and plays on words - even the title, which you hopefully didn't miss! - and a whole tonne of different shades to create the look you desire, day or night. If you're at all interested in the many attributes of this handy little item, then please read on!

As you can see, the message 'EAT UR <3 OUT' has been put over the shades. Not only does this add a really cute touch to the already perfect packaging, but it's extremely handy. When flipped back to reveal the full pans, the cardboard (which is magnetic, by the way) provides a base for the palette to stand on, so you won't have to hold it whilst applying the shadows. Nice!

(The palette sits up on its own to make life a little easier!)

(A close up of the eyeshadow pans, unfortunately after I swatched them, so they're a little messy. I just wanted you to take a moment to appreciate the shade names.)

Now for the part you're probably waiting for: swatches and my honest review of the shades. I have to say, I can see this palette becoming a new favourite of mine! The matte shadows blend out so effortlessly on the lid, and the pigmentation is perfect. It's not so intense that you'll have to tap a tonne of product off of your brush, but it doesn't take building up layer upon layer to get colour payoff. The satin shades are where this palette really comes into it's own though. They're extremely buttery and smooth, and there is no chunky glitter - which is something a lot of shadows contain and I really dislike. The shade Tate R. Tots is stunning, as you can see in my swatch. It took no time at all to build up any of these shades, I'd say I applied one to two layers for each.
The only shade I'm not sure about is Chris P. Bacon. The actual colour is beautiful and the pigmentation and formula are just as perfect as the other shades, but a bright copper doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the cool, pink-toned neutrals. The shades seem to match up so much better without that colour, I feel like Chris just doesn't fit in with the other guys. However, if you own as many eyeshadows as I do, then you'll of course find the perfect combination to use this shade in; I just don't think it belongs to this palette. The pink shades clash with it, and the smokier ones look a little halloween costume-like when paired with an orange that bright.
The Balm are one of those companies with a price range between high end and drugstore; you can find them in Superdrug and you can find them in Debenhams. However, despite the price tag that some may understandably find a little steep, I would recommend this palette.

Apart from my disappointment with Mr Bacon, I'm really impressed with this palette and I can't wait to get using it more! I'm planning on going away soon, and the cardboard packaging, assortment of shades and small size make this my perfect travel buddy. I hope you enjoyed reading this review, and that you love this palette as much as I do. Let me know if you've tried it!
Speak soon,

Eve xo

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NurBesten.de Product Review

Hey Honeys! Recently, I was lucky enough to be contacted by Nur Besten (the German storefront of Born Pretty) to review a few of their products. They have a huge selection of makeup, nail art, brushes and more, and I was so overwhelmed I had no idea what to pick out! I went with a few things I knew I would get use out of - and of course I couldn't write up a review without testing their famous 'Mirror Nail Polish'. Mirrored nails have been a huge Instagram trend lately, and this polish helps anyone to master them; it was even featured in Elle! I am also pleased to have come across another cruelty-free nail art brand, as they're surprisingly difficult to find. As usual, I will have all of the products linked, and if you are thinking of making a purchase you can use my 10% off code: EVD10. If enough of you use it, I might get to collaborate with Nur Besten for a giveaway! The picture below is linked to the site as well, and none of these links are affiliated, nor is the post sponsored.

Urban Decay 'Naked Skin' Foundation Review

Hey Honeys! I'm coming at you today with another review, as a few people said they would be interested in hearing my thoughts on my recent purchase of the 'Naked Skin' foundation by Urban Decay. I had been hearing so many good things about the new 'All Nighter' foundation, but oxidisation apparently makes it a few shades darker once dried. For that reason, with my pale skin I didn't want to risk spending the money on something I almost certainly wouldn't be able to wear. So, instead, I decided to try an older foundation formula of theirs out. I adore the 'Naked Skin' concealer - read my review here - so I had been thinking about the matching foundation for a while. 

Twenty2Cosmetics Lipstick Review

Hey Honeys! Today I'm reviewing a relatively new cosmetics line called Twenty2Cosmetics. I was contacted a few months ago by this company to review a couple of samples of their lipsticks. Due to being on holiday, I haven't had the chance to test them out until recently. However, let me tell you - it was worth the wait!

H&M Brush Review

Hello again Honeys! Today I want to chat to you about the H&M brushes I recently purchased, as my last post about H&M makeup was such a success. I picked up 4 brushes and one sponge. They seem to stock two types of brushes, a very affordable line and then a higher quality, more expensive line. I picked my brushes up from the pricier range as I could see even through the packaging that they were better quality.

How Much Does my Face Cost?

Hey honeys! As always, I've been MIA on here but I do have an excuse - it's exam season. Even though I leave everything until last minute, I've still had a lot of homework and unfortunately blogging has fallen to the bottom of my priority list. If you follow my Instagram then you'll know that I do update on there a lot more often (and I recently reached 1K! Enter my giveaway here, it features a few of the products in this post), so I'm not entirely falling behind! Anyway, a tag that I've taken a lot of interest in lately is the 'How Much Does my Face Cost?' tag. I was so pleased to see one of my lovely followers Maecee do this on YouTube (watch here), and tag everyone who wanted to take part. Therefore, I have an excuse to do my own! Hopefully she allows me to change it slightly from a video to a blogpost. As usual, I tag anyone else who is interested.

So, basically this tag is adding up the cost of each makeup item on your face. I'm wearing my simple, every day make up at the moment, so we'll just go with that one!

Catrice 'Even Skin Tone Beautifying Foundation' Review

Hello honeys, apologies about the amount of reviews I've been posting lately, but this one was requested! I posted a picture on Instagram the other day about how much I've been loving the brand Catrice. I found this when visiting Ireland - I can't actually get it where I live - and it's high quality drugstore, as well as being cruelty free. My favourite product is the foundation I picked up, and I was asked to post a review about it, so here I am again. 

My H&M Makeup!

Hey Honeys! I posted a picture on Instagram recently showing all of the H&M make up that I hauled, and of course spoke about how much I loved it in the caption. It seemed a pretty popular picture however, so I thought I would post about it in more detail. I'm afraid that where I am has terrible lighting at the moment, and so I know that some swatches may appear a slightly different shade, or not show up the best. Once we get out of the dark winter phase it should all work a lot better, however!

Rosie for Autograph Make Up Review

Hey honeys! I feel like all I post on here is reviews, but I have literally zero originality/time at the moment to come up with unique ideas, so I do apologise!

The other day I came home to see that M&S had sent my mum a little card introducing Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's new make up collection with Autograph. I looked at the packaging and fell in love immediately, and went online to order a few things to talk to you all about. I checked online beforehand for reviews - naturally - and I could only find a couple, so I decided that maybe an in-depth one of my own could help a few people out. Just to let anyone who's wondering know - as Autograph is owned by Marks and Spencer, their make up is Leaping Bunny Certified. I'm still sticking to being cruelty-free!

I purchased four products from Rosie's range, which technically means I'm entitled to a free rose gold make up bag (which I was actually really looking forward to!) but I wasn't reminded at check out to add it in, so naturally, I forgot. Oh well. If any of you go to buy a couple of products, please remember to add in the bag! I had a small issue with delivery, though, as M&S claim to deliver within 3-5 working days, it took a week for my package to arrive. When I went online to track my order, I found that it had been sent to the wrong depot, meaning that it had to go back to the hub all over again and the entire process took twice as long. I suppose this is more down to the Royal Mail than M&S, but I just thought I would warn you all that it's unreliable, so don't plan to only be home on a particular day! Now that I've ranted a bit about those issues on my mind, lets get to the proper reviews and swatches.