Blue Spring Using NYX

NYX Eye Shadow Palettes

Oh no another Monday has come to pass so its time to cheers ourselves up with some more blogging and my latest subject is NYX eyeshadows from NYX Cosmetics

 I came across these for the first time in a tutorial by JulieG713 and I was impressed with the colour pay off in her video I have uploaded a video here for you guys to see her work check her out!.  I managed to find a few online stores that sell NYX line cosmetics so decided to give them a whirl.
I bought the NYX Eyeshadow Base which claims to "Set base camp for true stay on, stay put and stay long eyeshadow colors!"

 It's a small jar of a white cream shadow which if used before applying shadow can make shadows appear brighter and more vivid.

http://www.fragrancedirect.co.uk/nyx/nyx-eyeshadow-base/invt/0025649/?source=122_4

I just dab my index finger in the pot and smooth the base all over lid up to brow depending on the look and colours I am using that day and I  think it definitely makes a difference to the appearence of shadows.  A must buy if using more budget buy shadows as it help brighten the colour and gives more longevity too. Its avalable in skintone, white and pearl at the moment I am using the white.

Now to the eyeshadow Palette's 
Here's a bunch I purchased and am going to give a review on...

Firstly.....

I also purchased an eyeshadow trio 30A In the woods its a neutral palette with a champagne shade highlighter, a pewter and a shimmery brown all with good colour pay off not chalky and talcy like some high street budget brands.

So I went on to buy The Runway collection 08 Secret world a 10 colour palette with neutrals, golds and greens. I like the colours but they are shot through with a gold glitter in all 10 shades. I'm not a big fan of glitter in eyeshadows as the chunkier the glitter the less likely it is to stay on the lids.  Use with the base to help them stay put and you'l be a happy bunny. Below is a sample on my arm and shot of the palette.

Then while I was wandering around TK Maxx I came across 2 more palettes in the beauty section and a real steal too! I wont mention price as it might make grown women weep if they can't find them in there as TK Maxx is a like a lucky dip store sometimes!

My first lucky dip was The caribbean collection below.

I came across these beauty's this palette above is from the Carribbean collection a 5 shadow collection called 08 I Dream of Barbados. Now this palette I love the colours but the payoff isn't as great for some strange reason. But for a colour wash or a base colour to build up from the lilacs and pink are handy, the silver and the charcoal are fab in tho. The silver in particular works well as a central lid colour on top of a pink look.

I also found this bad boy palette below.

Its called the NYX Make-up Artist Box and is a little gem of a box with 36 eyeshadows, 12 glitter shadows, 3 blushers and 3 contour bronzers. 

A closer pic above for my faithful lovelies! Its a 2 tier palette shadows on the top tier on one side neutrals and and 6 glitter shadows and on the other another 6 glitter colours and 18 bright shadows.

The second tier is as you can see are the blushes and bronzers. It comes with those standard sponge applicators that I never use and one teeny brush!

I love everything in this palette although the palest blusher isn't suitable for me. The glitters can use on top of base shadows to a diva disco glam or more dramatic look. I wouldn't use them alone as an eye colour as the glitters are suspended in a vaseline type clear gel which means when applied the glitter isn't dense.  I did find though (by accident that if you use a 3 or 4 glitters together they give a lovely multi coloured look.

Here's a sample of shadows in palette above. I like the payoff in general but again the pink is a bit wishy washy similar to the pink in Caribbean collection palette.  The glitters are very vibrant though and make up for that. See below pic.

Overall I love the NYX palettes and shadows and will continue to invest in them. I am going to get hold of the jumbo eye pencils now as they are heavily featured on Youtube tutorials too and seem to work great as a colour base. Stand by for a blog on those! I hope this review has of help to all my beauty lovelies!

I would love to hear about your experiences with NYX cosmetics and suggestions too!

Argan Secret Elixir Review

It's Monday booo!
So lets get the week off to a good start with my first post ever...

I have a late start at work so decided to have a pamper morning and treat my poor abused hair. A few weeks ago I came across a product on the web called Argan oil from Morocco. Here I am going to quote from Wiki as they sum it up rather nicely "Argan oil is an oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree, endemic to Morocco, that is valued for its nutritive, cosmetic and numerous medicinal properties."

So I was rather curious about it as my afro hair is shot to pieces with relaxing, heat styling and general abuse. I researched various products for sale and found that the Moroccan Oil in its purest form is quite expensive £29.95 for 100ml)  especially when trying it for the first time. Then I came across Argan Secret Elixir - oil from Marrakesh. Its a hair styling serum/elixir and is sold in 2oz/60ml bottle which seemed worryingly small amount for a girl who loves to slather product on but nonetheless I decided to buy it. Its sold at around £15.00 which still isn't very cheap but if you have Sally's Discount card the price is a more reasonable £9.99.Sally Salon Services

So what are the claims of Argan Secret oil? Well according to the makers:

PRODUCT FEATURES
A unique styling elixir using argan and hemp oils to be used on all hair types to enhance the look, feel, condition and style of the hair
Contains Secret Argan Oil, and Nourishing Hemp Oil
Conditions and treats the hair.
Makes it smoother and Shinier
Mends split ends
Protects from heat styling and aids straightening process
Protects from environmental damage
Speeds up the drying process and aids styling
Use Argan Secret after you have rinsed out your conditioner, and before you use your usual styling product.
Can also use on dry hair for frizz control and to seal the ends.
Add to home colour, tint and bleach to improve finished condition
Apply evenly to damp hair and style as usual

So OK a lot of good promises so I gave it whirl and used exactly as directed.

Washed and condition my hair with the the Aphogee line of hair care products then gently towelled dried my hair and worked a few pumps of the serum into my damp hair. The fragrance is a very mild "vanilla" smell and the serum is very similar in consistency to other serums out there i.e. Aussie Hair care, Frizz-Ease but the way it feels when applied is completely different. As it is applied my hair already starts to feel slightly drier and smoother and the blow drying with the hair pik is a dream. No tugging and very little breakage during drying process. So then I used my hair straighteners and they glide smoothly over my hair too! Usually when I use a heat defence product my hair can feel "chalky" once I use the straighteners - almost as though I am yanking hair and weakening it. That is usually because they contain alcohol which is drying especially on afro-Caribbean hair so I stay away from alcohol based hair care regimes.

Once hair was straightened and styled I added an extra pump for extra sleekness as this product is not greasy it leaves no sign of an oil slick on your hair and scalp. And a little goes along way. At bedtime I work a squirt of serum in and wrap up hair in silk scarf. My hair is a lot smoother manageable and has less breakage too.

I have been using it for a few weeks and its true a little goes a long way. Overall I have to say I am impressed with this treatment so far and really recommend it to all hair types. I would also recommend this for childrens hair especially those who have lots of thick curls/waves as it does help as a detangler too.  A great more natural alternative to all the high street/drug store serums.

All comments are greatly appreciated and welcome.