My Go-To Eyeshadow Palette

Everytime I look at this palette it makes me so happy. I have been building this up for the past couple of months and recently had enough to fill it. I have been collecting MAC eyeshadows for years, but only recently have gotten into the Make-up Geek range. I started ordering off Beauty Bay, and after swatching the first few - I was hooked. I ordered the "Z-Palette" from Beauty Bay too. It is the biggest one that I could find, if your interested you can buy one here. Since filling it, I have brought this palette everywhere with me and it has done every occasion! I have used it for everyday make-up, night out make-up and I used it when I was Bridesmaid for a wedding. The shades I have put in this are simple, easy shades with a few pops of colour if I want something extra.

I asked on Facebook and Snapchat if you would like to see a blog post going into detail about what shades I keep in this palette and swatches, and a few of you said you would (thank god!) so here it is. As I said earlier this palette is mostly MAC and Make-Up Geek. I have really started using Make-up Geek shadows in the last three months or so and I am officially converted! They are just so pigmented and buttery compared to other shadows I've used, that I really don't see myself straying away from the brand. There are a few shadows from MAC, which once I've finished I will be switching with the Make-up Geek alternative. They do so many dupes and there are millions (well not millions...) of shades to choose from.

L-R:- MAC Vanilla, MAC Nylon, MUG Peach Smoothie, MAC All That Glitters and MUG Creme Brulee

MAC Vanilla

This is one of my go-to, staple shades. I use this everyday on top of my eyeshadow primer as an all over base. It is, as the name would suggest - a pale vanilla shade with the tiniest hint of sparkle to it. I find it makes blending eyeshadow on top so much easier, and it's brilliant to even out the skintone on my eyelid.

MAC Nylon

Again this is something I reach for on an everyday basis. I use this as an inner corner highlight or to highlight the top of my brow bone and it just to make my eyes look more awake. I have actually used this as my face highlighter if I have forgotten my usual one. It is so frosty and shiny, it just looks fab.

MUG Peach Smoothie

This is one of the shades that converted me to Make-Up Geek. I use this as a transition colour most days, and it really makes my eyeshadow look more seamless. I never used to use a transition shade but since starting, it has changed the way I do my eye make-up.
MAC All That Glitters
This is another recent addition to my collection and one that I can't believe I didn't have before. This is a very light champagne shimmer colour. I normally use it on the inner section of my eye lid to brighten it up, or I put it on top of another shadow to give it a bit more shimmer.          
MUG Creme Brulee
This is another shade that I use as a transition shade. If I'm not wearing Peach Smoothie then it's this. It is a very light, creamy brown colour. It's actually really nice all over the lid on its own too. 

 L-R:- MAC Amber Lights, MUG Chickadee, MAC Wedge, MAC Patina, MAC Cork

MAC Amber Lights
I wore this so much over the Christmas period. It's a gorgeous gold, but it's not overly brassy. I just can't wear really yellow golds on my eyes because they just don't suit me, but this is one that I can get away with. 
MUG Chickadee
This was one of the shades that had a lot of hype surrounding it when I was looking for swatches for shadows online. I had myself convinced that I didn't need it and I would never wear it, but after watching a few tutorials online with it, I had to have it. It's definitely one of the crazier colours in my palette but it warms up any eye look. 
MAC Wedge
This is a cool toned, light brown shade. I like popping this in the crease before I go in with a darker brown, and I love when it is put all over the lid and blended out in the crease. Perfect everyday eyeshadow.
  MAC Patina
I bought this after seeing Lily Pebbles talk about it a few years ago, and I remember seeing her wear it all over over her eyelid and thinking it looked amazing. This would be perfect for a bride on her wedding day. It is so natural and pretty. 
MAC Cork
This is the warmer version of Wedge in my opinion. If I am looking for a warmer toned shade for blending out darker colors, or again just to sweep all over the lid, Cork is the one I reach for. 

L-R:- MAC Swiss Chocolate, MAC Saddle, MAC Espresso, Push Orche, MUG Frappe

MAC Swiss Chocolate
This is not the most pigmented shade in the world, but it is a gorgeous warm toned brown. It is matte, and it does take a little extra work to blend but once you do, it is definitely worth it. 
MAC Saddle
I think this is a Pro product, I bought it off the MAC website directly. It is another matte shade and it is like Swiss Chocolates baby sister. I love pairing the two together. If you told me a few years ago that I would love wearing warm toned browns, I would have thought you were mad! 
MAC Espresso
This is a shadow that I used to use all the time for my eyebrows. When my hair was darker, this was the perfect match. Now I use it to deepen up my (non-existent) crease area. 
Push Orche
Push is an Irish make-up brand that I discovered when I was on the hunt for a dupe for MAC's Uninterrupted. Uninterrupted was the most hyped eyeshadow ever for a couple of months awhile ago, and then it was discontinued! So this is the closest thing I could find to it at the time. It is such a strange colour. It's a very yellow toned brown and paired with MUG's Chickadee, they are a match made in heaven!
MUG Frappe
Another medium, warm-toned brown. I love this one paired with MUG's Cocoa Bear. I would wear this, Creme Brulee and Cocoa Bear on an everyday basis. They would be my favourite for a quick natural-ish look.

L-R:- MAC Expensive Pink, MUG Poppy, MUG Mango Tango, MAC Coppering, MUG Morocco

MAC Expensive Pink
This is a gorgeous pink shade with a gold shimmer running through it. A few years ago I would have run a mile from shades like this but over the past year or so I have been loving the warmer, red/pink toned shadows. This is gorgeous on the lid with a matte colour in the crease.
MUG Poppy
I love this shade to brighten up an everyday look. I blend this into the crease with a brown and it completely transforms something simple into something different. It is a matte, muted red shade that looks really intimidating in the pan but when you actually apply it, it is very wearable.
MUG Mango Tango
This is the pinker sister of Poppy, it has the slightest hint of shimmer in it which makes it easier to blend in my opinion. I love the hint of peach that this gives to an eye look, it looks amazing with a tan! 
MAC Coppering
This is one of the first eyeshadows I bought in the red family. I really didn't know how to wear it for ages, so it sat in my palette at the time just looking pretty. Again this looks gorgeous all over the lid and blended out in the crease, or I tend to wear it with a darker brown in the crease with this all over the lid. 
MUG Morocco
This is one I normally pair with the warm browns in the palette. I apply it in my crease first and then apply a brown on top and it creates a gorgeous warm toned eye without looking like you have a mad orange shadow all over your eyelids. 

 L-R:- MUG Flamethrower, MUG Cupcake, MAC Passionate, MUG Bitten, MUG Cherry Cola

MUG Flamethrower
This is one of the standout shades in this palette for me. It is just a beautiful,rich burnt orange colour. It is beautiful on the eyelid with warmer colours in the crease. There is a fair amount of fall out which is understandable since it is such a pigmented shade, so just be aware of that. 
MUG Cupcake
This shade looks a little bit like a bruise in the pan, but when applied it creates a gorgeous mauve eye look. I love pairing this with both browns and burgundys. It is a matte but it is so blend-able.
MAC Passionate
Another mad shade- but as you can see from the swatch it is not overly pigmented, which I actually like. I build this up to the intensity I want to create a gorgeous hot pink eye. I would apply Cupcake first and then blend this in.
MUG Bitten
The first burgundy shade in the palette is my go-to. It is one of my favourite eyeshadows ever. It blends beautifully, looks amazing on the eyes, and is ridiculously long lasting. If you want to start using more red toned shadows I 100% recommend that you give Bitten a go!
MUG Cherry Cola
This was the first MUG shadow I ever tried. It is the more brown version of Bitten. I love this when I want to deepen up a smokey eye. It is gorgeous paired with Bitten or the next shadow I'm going to talk about. 

 L-R:- MUG Burlesque, MUG Cocoa Bear, MUG Grandstand, MAC Blackberry, MAC Embark

MUG Burlesque
This is the shimmery version of Bitten. It doesn't have any hint of glitter, it is a gorgeous seamless shimmery shade and when paired with Bitten or Cherry Cola it creates the most gorgeous smokey eye.
MUG Cocoa Bear

This is another absolute favourite out of this palette, and if you were looking for one shade to get from Make-Up Geek, I would recommend this one. It is a deep, warm toned brown and I wear this almost everyday basis. I couldn't be without this shade.
MUG Grandstand
Another major favourite of mine. I would wear this all over the lid with browns blended out in the crease. It is a gorgeous rose gold shade. It is one of MUG's foiled shadows, which is the same formula as Grandstand. So it is ridiculously pigmented and so shimmery.
MAC Blackberry
If I want a cooler toned look, this is one of the shadows I would reach for. It is a matte, cool toned purple shade. I would wear it with either MUG's Cupcake or MAC's Wedge.
MAC Embark
A cool toned, matte, dark brown. Perfect for deepening up any eye look, or for creating a smokey eye.   
 

L-R:- MAC Satin Taupe, MUG Dirty Martini, MAC Club, MUG Enchanted Forest, MAC Carbon

MAC Satin Taupe
This is a gorgeous shimmery taupe shade which is a perfect pairing with MAC's Blackberry. It creates a gorgeous cool toned eye which used to be all I would wear. 
MUG Dirty Martini
This is a gorgeous matte olive green shade. Something that is a little out of my comfort zone, but once I applied it - I loved it. It is similar to Bitten in texture and works beautifully. 
MAC Club
This is a gorgeous duo-chromed shade. It goes from brown to green depending on the on the light so you can pair it with both brown or green shadows.
MUG Enchanted Forest
This, paired with Dirty Martini would create a gorgeous green smokey eye. Not everyone's cup of tea but a nice change from the traditional browns and greys.
MAC Carbon
This is the only shadow that I am not happy with in the palette. It is not nearly as pigmented as I would like, but for the amount of times I use a black shadow it will do for now. But I do have my eye on MUG's Corrupt.      

If there are any shadows that you think that I need in my collection, or that you feel would go well with the other shades in my palette please let me know and I will be sure to check them out! 

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Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

 Mascara is one of those beauty items that I tend to try the most. I do tend to stick with "drugstore" options but I had heard so much about this mascara that I just had to try it. I didn't realise that Debenhams in Galway has a Too Faced stand. So when I spotted it, this mascara was the first thing I grabbed. There is so much hype surrounding this mascara, it is a little hard to miss. The name probably has a lot to do with that, but any reviews I have seen have been very positive. I love a mascara that gives really thick, voluminous lashes. I always go for black mascara too, I love the dramatic look. 

The wand on this mascara is seriously meaty. It is absolutely massive. There is a curve in the middle of the brush, and it gets wider at either end. This makes it perfect to grip all the lashes and really give lift to the lashes. The formula has a thicker consistency which I actually love. I always like a mascara better after a week or two when it thickens up. I find that this mascara really gives thick lashes, verging on clumpy so you do have to be careful! It doesn't give really any length so if that is what you are looking for, this is not the mascara for you. It holds a curl really well throughout the day and doesn't flake or crumple off like I find alot of mascaras tend to do on me. 

It is expensive for a mascara at €23, and I'm not sure if I would repurchase because I have my favourites which cost half the price. It is a gorgeous mascara, and I do really like the way it makes my eyelashes look. But there are other mascaras that you can get for far cheaper that give the same look. If you did want to pick it up, it is available online here. 

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MAC The Nutcracker Collection

MAC always pull out all the stops for their Christmas collections. There is always one (or five)  items that I want from their collection, and this year I was lucky enough to receive some of the collection for review and of course I had to pick up something else I had my eye on. I love the packaging for this collection. The pink and purple is right up my street. This collection is based around the nutcracker and alot of the colours are purple and pink based.

 "Sweet Sweet Copper" Face Compact

This was the first thing I spotted that I instantly knew I needed. It has the famous highlighter "Whisper of Gild" which I have been dying to get my hands on the last couple of months. It is one of those highlighters that everyone seems to go mad for when it is released but unfortunately it is not part of MAC's permanent collection. The blush that is included in the compact is "Pleasure Model" which is a gorgeous peachy-brown. The blush has a very sheer finish, so it gives a gorgeous flush of colour without being too overpowering. The two really compliment each other. But "Whisper of Gild" is really in a league of its own. It is a very wet looking highlighter which is so ridiculously pigmented that you really only need the smallest amount. It is a gorgeous gold-toned highlighter that would compliment the majority of skin-tones.

"Flamboyish" Lipstick*

On first glance I thought this was a red lipstick. But it was only when I swatched it, I realized that it is actually a gorgeous fuschia pink. It is a very creamy, pigmented lipstick even though it is one of their matte formulas...and it is the perfect colour for the festive season. If you don't fancy reaching for a red this Christmas, this would be a gorgeous alternative. It lasts really well on the lips, you may find you need to top it up just to keep the vibrancy of the colour which did fade a little throughout the day. Again I feel that it would suit the majority of skin-tones. It is definitely one to swatch! 

"Dark Lullaby" Eye-shadow

I have to admit this wouldn't be an eye-shadow I would instantly be drawn to, but having swatched it at home and pairing it with my own shadows I am pleasantly surprised. This is a gorgeous shadow that is neutral enough that it doesn't look too mad, while still adding a very subtle pop of colour. It is a gorgeous deep plum colour with a small hint of shimmer. One of the products that I received that was a surprising favourite. 

 MAC Prunella Eyeliner*

I have tried and really liked MAC eyeliners in the past, and this one is no different. It does have a slightly drier formula than I would normally like but it still has a really nice pigment to it. I think that because it is drier, it lasts longer on the waterline. It makes a lovely pair with the "Dark Lullaby" and compliments it nicely. Again it gives a lovely, subtle pop of colour to a neutral look without having to go too crazy. They have two other eyeliners available in this collection, a black and a bronze. Out of the three this would be the one I recommend to pick up!

They have definitely outdone themselves with this collection, even the packaging is gorgeous! There will definitely be something for everyone in this collection..there are a few mad shades but the majority of things are gorgeous. If yo were to pick up one item I would 100% recommend the face palette. It makes a gorgeous addition to any collection!

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Autumnal Lipsticks

One of the reasons I love the change in seasons so much is that you can get away with wearing deeper, more dramatic lip colours. To be fair I tend to wear whatever shade I want, all year around. But we all seem to gravitate towards a certain colour palette once the leaves start falling. I wanted to give you my top five products that I have been reaching for a lot so far this year, and I feel I will be getting so much use out of in the coming months. 

Kat Von D | Lolita

Even though I bought this in the Summer, it is the most Autumnal shade going. There is a reason why it is almost always sold out and that it is one of her most popular shades. This is a gorgeous warm toned nude. It is very 90's. It is the kind of shade that you can wear during the day or that you can put on for an evening look to amp it up. It dries completely matte but is still comfortable to wear for a long period of time. In my opinion this is is a colour that would really suit majority of skintones, and one that everyone should have in their collection. 

MAC | Whirl

I'm not 100% sure if this was a limited edition lipstick..if it is I'm really sorry. There is a lip liner in the same shade so it would do the same job. This is a darker nude compared to Lolita. It is very much a brown nude. Not to everyones taste, and definitely a more statement lip. Again it is a matte lipstick, which seems to be the look I go for in the colder months. If you can get your hands on this, go and swatch it! 

MAC | Smoked Almond

One of the more recent additions to my collection. It is from the new "Lipintensity" collection that they have recently brought out. I absolutely adore this lipstick formula, and this shade in particular is one that I have been reaching for day to day. It is a pink toned brown and is lighter in shade compared to the previous two. It is the first one I have mentioned that isn't a matte formula. It has a slight sheen to it, and it feels nice and moisturising on the lips- which is essential during the colder months. 

The Balm | Adoring

This was my Christmas shade last year. It is a gorgeous burgundy red shade, which is ideal for the winter months. This is another liquid lipstick that dries down to a matte formula. It has a mint scent to it which is the only thing I don't like about it, it seems so wrong putting something with a mint scent on your lips. It doesn't offer any plumping features so it seems a bit unnecessary. Otherwise this lipstick colour is, in my opinion another essential. Perfect for the festive season! 

NYX | Tiramisu

This is the only gloss in this line-up. I love the NYX Butter Glosses, they have a gorgeous creamy formula with a decent amount of pigmentation. This particular gloss is a very natural look- perfect for throwing on during the day to give a bit of a lift to your make-up. It is a mauve shade that seems to suit any kind of look. They don't last amazingly long but no glosses do. If you are a gloss woman and haven't tried these...get on it!   

If you have any other recommendations for lip products that you like to wear during the colder months please enable me! 

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