As the sun prepares to set on 2020... [reviewing the Sunset eyeshadow palette, by Natasha Denona]

 Natasha Denona's warmest creation yet! 

Inspired by the colours of the sunset, this palette features 15 new gorgeous eyeshadow shades in a combination of warm brown tones, burnt oranges, reds, golds, bronzes and yellows.

Natasha Denona Sunset Palette includes all four classic ND formulas in her signature Chroma Crystal, Creamy Matte, Metallic and Duo Chrome.

This was my first Natasha Denona palette; I'd always been interested in this brand and what about the formulas made  them worthy of their price range, but the scary prices were a huge deterrent. However I bit the bullet and bought this at the start of the year, after finding it at TK Maxx. I couldn't not buy it - Sunset was the palette from the brand that has interested me the most and there it was, sat on a shelf calling to me, with a good chunk of change knocked off the RRP...

Perfect for autumn? [reviewing the Desert Dusk eyeshadow palette, by Huda Beauty].

"Our palette is filled with vibrant, highly-pigmented shades that reflect the exotic landscape of the Arabian desert around us. We’ve introduced three new formulas to reflect all its dazzling mystery and charm, in particular the iridescent duo-chrome formulas just completely capture the mysterious desert mirages. I spent so much time to ensure that every shade was absolutely perfect, and every colour is so special to me” – Huda Kattan

Adventure on an exotic Arabian journey with the latest eyeshadow palette by Huda Beauty. This richly toned palette features 18 versatile shades that can be layered in infinite ways to create a vast array of looks with just one palette. Layer different textures to create unique combinations or add intrigue to smooth matte shades with a duo-chrome topper. From subtle, natural looks to dramatic statements and bold glittering looks, this palette will become your new essential for all your makeup routines - Huda Beauty 

Today I have a review for something I've had for a while, and had assumed that I had already reviewed; Huda Beauty's Desert Dusk eyeshadow palette.

The colour story is made for autumn, but does the formula for the brand's oldest [that is still available] palette compare to the brand's newer releases?

I hope you have sweet dreams... [reviewing the Strawberry Dream eyeshadow palette, by Lunar Beauty]

The Strawberry Dream Palette is inspired by the strawberry skies and even has a subtle strawberry scent. With 15 unique colour combinations, this dreamy palette effortlessly takes you from soft to sultry with delicious pigment payoff - Lunar Beauty.

I've mentioned loads of times about pinks and berries being some of my favourite shades of eyeshadow to wear, and I'm especially loving them as we edge towards the autumnal transition. So what better to highlight my current mood, than a review of a product that revolves around that colour story?

A not-so-stupid love? [reviewing the Stupid Love eyeshadow palette, by Haus Laboratories].

We want you to color your own world. Escape into STUPID LOVE and embrace your color story with 18 shades of full-intensity pigment, inspired by Lady Gaga’s sixth album Chromatica. 

Colors in cool and warm tones clash and come together in new ways each time you create, taking your look from subtle pop to bold celebration. In this HAUS of color, you make the rules, with multiple finishes and silky smooth textures that unite to put the power of love in your hands - Haus Labs.

 For the brand's first limited edition palette, they've focused on blue and teal tones and have added coordinating neutrals in a mix of warm & cool light, medium & dark tones, to make the colour story more wearable. 

This was the first cosmetic item in four months that interested & excited me, so the brand is already scoring points for the interesting colour story and presentation,  plus I've enjoyed all of the other products I have from the brand. Being the  first cosmetic product to  make me go "ohh" in four months doesn't sound like something impressive to most people, but I'm someone with severe depression, anxiety, PTSD and a couple of long-term physical health issues, who spent years buying something new every other week to give myself to look forward to, so to lose interest in my usual vices for a while and not miss them, means that this really stood out to grab & hold my interest. 

Has the reality lived up to my expectations?

Goldie looking chain... [reviewing the Glam Attack Metallic Creme liquid eyeshadow in Chains, by Haus Laboratories].

Multifaceted liquid eyeshadow with longwearing, opaque coverage for a true foil finish - Haus Labs site.

Hmm; so how does the Metallic Creme liquid eyeshadow formula differ from the brand's Liquid Shimmer liquid eyeshadow formula, and why does the price between the two formulas vary by £2 [the Metallic Creme range is the slightly more expensive one]?

This was the question on my mind when I first saw the four-piece Metallic Creme range, which was introduced last winter. I decided that the best way to settle my curiosity about the formulas, was to try the new-to-me one for myself.

So lets go and find out...

I tried looking to see which planet is currently in retrograde, but couldn't grasp what I was reading 🤷‍♀️ [reviewing the Mercury Retrograde eyeshadow palette, by Huda Beauty]

"I really wanted the colors and the textures of this palette to feel as out of this world and as ethereal as the inspiration for the palette. Crystal AB actually stands for Aurora Borealis, which is another name for the insane Northern Lights display and the reason the crystals were given their name, as the prismatic colors of Crystal AB look just like the famous colorful night sky display. Everything from the glistening pinks and purples and unique teal colors that Crystal AB and the Aurora Borealis are synonymous with are reflected in our multi-dimensional palette" - Huda.

The Mercury Retrograde eyeshadow palette was released in the run-up to Christmas 2019, so I've had plenty of time to familiarize myself - with every shade, in situations ranging from big nights out, everyday work looks, casual free time to clapping for carers...

I enjoy all of her other large palettes, so couldn't wait to see if this one would join them in my most-used-palettes drawer in my dresser, my nice-but-not-used-regularly-enough-to-be-kept-close-at-hand shelf, or my meh-probably-going-to-pass-it-along-to-someone-else plastic tub...

Ready to find out?

Jaclyn Hill strikes back [reviewing the Jaclyn Hill Volume II eyeshadow palette, by Morphe]

"This palette is embracing the past, owning the present and dominating the future" - Jaclyn Hill

"When Jaclyn Hill goes big, she goes all the way. Our OG Morphe Babe never half-sasses somethin’. It’s extra to the extreme. Just like her brand-new, dramatic-AF palette. She’s created 35 vivid shades to help you live your best life, 24/7. These bossy brights won’t back down (and that’s just the way we like it). So, are you ready for the ultimate glow-up?" - Morphe

Congrats to Jaclyn Hill and Morphe, as the creative vision has sucked me in; the colour story for the new volume in the JH palette line really speaks to me, to the point that I overlooked the facts that I've become a bit bored by the original Jaclyn Hill palette & that I didn't want to buy any more larger palettes, and they had me placing my order on the day that Morphe launched it on their site...

  They've already won with me with the sunset colour story, but can the shadow & pressed pigment formulas deliver the goods?

Fresh blooms... [reviewing the XL 2 eyeshadow palette, by Lime Crime].

Blossom and bloom with Venus XL 2, the earthly rebirth of the ultimate grunge eyeshadow palette! Boldly unearth 18 all-new shades in four rich, buttery-smooth formulas: matte, metallic, foil, and sheer iridescent.

• Our iconic Venus gets a modern revamp! She has all the edge of grunge with a soft acoustic side.
• Venus XL 2 reigns supreme with all-new foil and sheer iridescent finishes that transform mattes and metallics to expand your garden of looks.
• Foil shades are high def and ultra reflective
• Lightly layer or boldly blend out, our new sheer iridescents cast an otherworldly wash of opalescent pigment all over lids.
• Discover browns that deepen, poetic pinks that pop, mythic mid-tone neutrals, and lush sage greens.
• Venus XL 2 captures all the edge of grunge with a soft acoustic side that redefines the classics and reinvents nudes.

Today I  thought that I'd celebrate the beginning of spring and review something themed for the season; this  eyeshadow palette was launched last spring,  so yeah,  I've had plenty of testing time and have also been able to see if this is only good for the one season,  or if it can be carried through to other seasons...

Love at first sight? [reviewing the Love palette, by Natasha Denona]

Discover 15 brand NEW shades of Natasha’s signature eyeshadow formula in pinks, mauves, purples, corals, silvery neutrals, rich burgundy’s and a fiery red that melt together in perfect harmony. This seductive palette can be used for playfully bold creations or effortlessly wearable everyday looks.

Made with the highest quality pure colour pigments, dazzling chroma crystals, and luminous mineral pearls, for maximum colour payoff with minimal effort. Shades and formulas were hand designed by world renowned makeup artist Natasha Denona Buttery smooth, hydrating eyeshadow formula wears beautifully on any skintype and skin tone.

Become infatuated with the captivatingly romantic Love Palette by Natasha Denona.

I thought that the first Natasha Denona palette I tried was extremely good, so when I learned of a new 'low cost ' palette release from the brand, I jumped on it immediately.

I've now had almost a month's worth of wearing every shade multiple times and have decided if I think that the shadow formulas here are worth the price or not. Read on to see if I think the Love palette can compare to Sunrise, or if my love affair with the brand has already fizzled out...

From BH to ABH... [reviewing the Carli Bybel eyeshadow palette, by Anastasia Beverly Hills]

• "Anastasia Beverly Hills Carli Bybel Eyeshadow and Pressed Pigment Palette is a limited-edition palette created in collaboration with iconic beauty influencer Carli Bybel. Featuring 14 of Carli’s can’t-live-without shades, this versatile collection lets you achieve everything from your go-to daytime makeup looks to shimmery nighttime smoky eyes. Get Carli’s favorites mattes and metallics in both warm and cool tones all in one beautiful palette"

The Carli Bybel palette came out shortly after the Jackie Aina palette [and the trilogy of large Norvina Pro ones], so I think of it as the Christmas 2019 palette. Like with the Jackie Aina palette, I was underwhelmed by the appearance of the Carli Bybel palette, as the shades are ones that have already been in past palettes from the brand. 

However [again, like the Jackie Aina palette] I unexpectedly received the Carli Bybel for Christmas, so have spent the last few months trying every shade in the palette. How has it worked out?

ABH show Morphe how to do a Jac Attack?? [Reviewing the Jackie Aina eyeshadow palette, by Anastasia Beverly Hills]

"Anastasia Beverly Hills Jackie Aina Palette is a limited-edition palette created in collaboration with influencer Jackie Aina, featuring Jackie’s must-have eyeshadow and pressed pigment shades for straight-up gorgeous looks. Create everything from neutral matte eyeshadow looks to dazzling metallic makeup looks"

For the autumn 2019 season, popular YouTube influencer Jackie Aina released a eyeshadow palette with an old favourite brand of mine,  Anastasia Beverly Hills. I actually never bought this palette; it's a appealing colour story, but the shades remind me of ones that have already appeared in past palettes, which dampened my interest in it.  

But now, unexpectedly, it's been in my hands for a few months [it was a Christmas present], so we're going to find out if I judged the palette too harshly, based on nothing but photos...

I'm addicted to a life of material... [reviewing the Glam Room no. 1: The Fame eyeshadow palette, by Haus Laboratories]

"Unlock your FAME in the new GLAM ROOM PALETTE NO. 1. 

With 10 matte, metallic, shimmer, and sparkle finishes made to perform on every skin tone, this universal palette gives you the power to play up every persona. Silky smooth, blendable shades range from warm pale peach and rose gold to cool plums and deep black for an ensemble of colours ready to envelop you in a new identity each time you want to reinvent yourself"


Haus Laboratories released their first powder eyeshadow in a palette format late last year and being that I really enjoy the formulas for the other product from the brand I have, I was keen to get the palette and try the shadow formulas out.

Read on for my final verdict...

Are reboots always worse? [reviewing the Rose Gold Remastered eyeshadow palette]·

I had no plans to ever try the Rose Gold Remastered eyeshadow palette, as I had the original Textured Rose Gold palette and disliked it so much that I gave it away without testing it enough for a review on this blog [I got it after learning that it was being discontinued, so didn't think it was worth struggling with just for the sake of a needless blog post] - the formulas of the shadows just didn't play well with my chemistry and hooded eyes.  Plus; re-releasing a limited edition item is kind of a cheat move. Right?

However... Feel Unique had the palette for 35% off over the '19 Black Friday weekend, plus I got another 10% off as Huda Beauty is my 'brand for life' AND I also had just earned a £5 gift voucher in their reward club, so in the end, I just couldn't resist buying it, as it worked out at £27 for me.

So; have the newer formulas improved my negative feelings towards a pretty colour story in the brand's crappy original formulations, or should they and I have both left this palette in the past?

Last-minute Stocking stuffer: Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions Palette in Light.

Introducing 3 universal mini eyeshadow palettes [Nude Light, Nude Medium & Nude Rich]. Each palette features 9 seductive variations of the sexiest nude shades designed to be worn by absolutely everyone. It’s time for you to define nude for yourself!

Created to suit every skin tone and eye color, each palette contains an incredible shade range: From buttery mattes, super-shimmery shadows and complementary metallic shades, all with smooth and blendable textures.

NUDE Light: A beautiful balance of light and creamy praline hues in both warm and cool tones. Featuring peachy shades with unexpected pops of lavender and mauve. The champagne and brown shimmers will add unbelievable dimension to each and every look.

There's no rule that you can only use the palette in the Nude Obsessions collection that has been shade-matched specially for your skintone (though I do have doubts as to if deeper skintones will shine in the mattes here), but as I'm keeping my new purchases down, I'm keeping my focus on the lightest palette in the collection, rather than getting giddy and spurging on all three.

So if you are looking for a eyeshadow palette as a gift for someone [or yourself] in the fair-to-medium range, then keep on reading...

As red as Rudolph's nose [Reviewing the Obsessions Precious Stones Eyeshadow Palette in Ruby, by Huda Beauty].

Definitive proof that the best things do (sometimes) come in smaller packages, Huda Beauty’s Precious Stones Obsessions Palettes are here – and they’re absolutely exquisite! A dream come true for those Huda-holics who can’t squeeze their palettes into overstretched make up bags (or those yet to sample her game-changing shadows) this Ruby Obsessions Palette unites a spectrum of nine pigment-packed powders with duo-chrome and creamy matte textures in rich raspberry, blackcurrant and copper shades for the ultimate feminine lid looks.

Christmas and the party season is right around the corner, so I thought that it'd be the perfect time to check out Huda's red-themed palette - after all we've looked at the green one [which also contains a stunning golden shade], so adding this makes for the ultimate festive colour story...

Cherry picking [Reviewing the Naked Cherry eyeshadow palette, by Urban Decay].

If you've read a few of my other eyeshadow palette reviews, then you'll know that rosy tones are my favourites, so a palette focused around them is bound to grab my attention.

 Therefore it won't be a surprise that my top pick from Urban Decay's Naked line is last year's holiday release...

The Heat is on [Reviewing the Naked Heat eyeshadow palette, by Urban Decay].

I hadn't been going to bother reviewing Naked Heat here at all since there already hundreds of thousands of reviews out there, but enjoying Kat Von D Beauty's new Lolita Por Vida palette so much [also; finding old photos of when my palettes were new] has inspired me into taking a closer look at my favourite two Naked eyeshadow palettes from Urban Decay; I wanted to showcase another couple of  palettes with easily wearable & focused colour stories, with fantastic formulas and that aren't limited edition, so are readily available. 

Second place goes to the palette I think will make the perfect 'pretty but practical' makeup gift; a palette with a easily wearable colour story, that shades that someone can use every day and for any occasion...

Is this THE Christmas 2019 palette? The Lolita Por Vida eyeshadow palette, by Kat Von D Beauty.

"Fall in love for life with 18 romantic shades in matte, shimmer, foil and super-glitter finishes. Just like Lolita, all the shades in this palette were created with just the right balance of undertones to look beautiful on a range of skin tones. With warm golds and browns, go-to neutral tones and ultra-romantic rosy purples, there are endless ways to make your look your own, whether it's elegantly subtle or beautifully bold..."

I was rearranging my KvD palettes at the end of September and was thinking that I hoped that she wasn't going to release another 24-colourful-shades-shoved-together palette for Christmas, because she's done that several times in a row and it's getting old & predictable now, so I wouldn't have bothered buying it as I'm much more into more focused colour stories nowadays [my Serpentina, Fetish & Vegan Love palettes went to new homes in The Great Declutter of 2019]. The very next day I saw the promo video for Lolita Por Vida and started to get excited...

... and then almost two weeks before the launch date for the palette, Debenhams accidentally sold some palettes through their site - and I happened to be one of the people who got their hands on the palette. So I've had time to try every shade at least once, and I'm ready to share my verdict.

Speedy review... Haunted House eyeshadow palette, by Revolution.

I've bought Revolution's Halloween eyeshadow palettes for the past two years,  when they get reduced for clearance in November (there had been no point reviewing them after Halloween) and didn't like them; the shadows were dry and under pigmented and I gave them to my younger nieces to play dress-up with.

This year they have a glitter palette, two Chocolate Bar palettes and two tin ones - and my inner horror-loving teen needed one of them, solely based on the packaging and shade names. As the tin packaging is new for this year, I picked one of them in the hope that the new packaging means that they have new formulas...

Could it be Magic? [Reviewing the Juvia's Place Magic eyeshadow palette]

Better late, than not at all... 

I'm finally getting around to reviewing one of my Juvia's Place eyeshadow palettes today.

I posted an EOTD using the Magic palette about 14 months ago and have now used every shade a few times (what can I say? I've been getting back into neutrals) and now feel confident in sharing my opinion on them.

Has the wait been worth it, or has it been a build-up for nothing?