Maybelline The Nudes Palette: Second Impression + Colour Combinations

Hi everyone! So I thought I'd give an update on how I've been liking the Maybelline The Nudes palette, and some of the colours I like to pair together.

First of all, I pretty much use this palette everyday, that's how great it is. The colours are so versatile, easy to apply / blend, and easy to mix together. The only negative comment I have is their staying power isn't the best, but it is better when used with an eyeshadow primer of any kind (I use one that came with an NYC palette, but I also recommend Stay Don't Stray by Benefit).

There are a bunch of different ideas and pairings on the back of the palette, but I have found some that are different from the given suggestions. Since I don't have a lot of time in the morning, I just apply two shades- the lighter one all over the lid and the darker one in the crease.

Look #1: Natural with some depth

This one is about as natural as it gets: a shimmery champagne colour all over the lid, and a nice light brown to add some depth to the crease. Add some mascara and your favourite lipstick and you will be looking awake for your early morning class!

Look #2: Gold Shimmer

One of the main reasons I bought this palette was because I wanted a nice gold colour; in the past, they had either been not pigmented enough, too orange, or too shimmery. This one is...just right! Paired with a medium toned brown in the crease (which is very pigmented), mascara, and red lipstick, this is a really nice change to your usual everyday look. I'm not too big on eyeliner, but to transition to nighttime I would put some on (either brown or black) to intensify the look a bit more.

Look #3: Soft browns

This look compliments one of my other favourites that uses two brown shades from another Maybelline palette (it's called Designer Chocolates, if you're wondering). I have dark brown eyes, so these two shades just enhance them a little more. Sometimes I do add brown eyeliner, but usually I just put on some mascara and any lipstick to complete the look. 

These three combinations are probably my go-to looks for everyday! I'm really loving this palette, good job Maybelline! 

Review: Maybelline "The Nudes" Eyeshadow Palette

Basically, I saw two video reviews of this palette, read some online ratings, and decided I needed to have it. 

Maybelline "The Nudes" Eyeshadow Palette, $15, Shoppers

This is what the front looks like. The packaging is super sleek, and the palette is compact enough to slip in a purse or carry-on for travel. There are 12 shades ranging from matte to shimmery, all in the neutral colour family. 

Here's a more close-up look of the shades. As you can see, I've already been experimenting with them! So far I like the shimmery gold shade the best (bottom row, third from left)- I've been looking for a gold eyeshadow that's not too bronze or sparkly, and this is it! The shades are pretty well pigmented, which is good for drugstore quality (usually I'm always layering on the shadow), and they blend easily and work well together for a ton of different looks. I've seen people compare this palette to the Urban Decay Naked ones, and from what I can see, the colours are pretty similar (I don't have one, so I can't be too sure on it). So if you're looking for a cheaper alternative, this may be good for you!

This is what the back of the palette looks like. As I mentioned, there are so many different looks you can create, and these helpful pairings on the back make that easy. Basically they've divided it up into quads, trios, or duos, depending on the look you're going for, and then they also say where to put each shade. I can't wait to try out all the colour combinations, and maybe even create some of my own!

What do you think of this palette? Let me know!

Makeup Update

Recently I've been cleaning up my makeup collection and adding some new things, so I thought I'd share some of the new products I either purchased or received for Christmas. Also, two weeks ago some of my relatives came over for a post-Christmas get together and my cousin brought some makeup that she didn't use anymore and thought I would like.

Maybelline Expertwear Eye Shadow in Designer Chocolates
Maybelline Expertwear Eye Shadow in Charcoal Smokes
I've been meaning to get more of these eye shadows because there's so many combinations and different looks to create! My makeup has taken a really basic and boring routine over the past few months, so I'm excited to try out new looks with these!

 Loreal Infinite Wear Eye Shadow Quad in Enchanted Bouquet
Marcelle Wet & Dry Eye Shadow Duo in Cosmos
Again, some more eye shadow from my cousin. If I don't have a lot of time in the morning I usually just swipe on some pink eye shadow and mascara. I've tried out both of these already and the pigmentation isn't bad; though I'm going to start using eye shadow primer more often now (see below for my take on that!).

                                                                      

Liplicious Plump Glass (by Bath & Body Works)

My aunt always gets me lip gloss with her gift and every year I love it! This time it's a little different because it gives your lips more fullness (I put it on and my lips started tingling hehe). Also it smells like vanilla, a scent that I love!

Benefit Primping with the Stars All-Time Greatest "Fake-Its" Kit
1. Stay Don't Stray Eye Shadow Primer
2. the Pore-fessional pro balm to minimize pores
3. Some kind of a gorgeous foundation faker
4. bene-tint
5. girl meets pearl liquid pearl for face
6. they're real! mascara
So far I've only tried the eye shadow primer and my only comment is why have I not tried this before??? It makes my eye shadow appear more vibrant and it stays that way throughout the day! Love it! I've heard good things about all the other products as well, so I am excited to try them out!

 Clinique High Impact Mascara

I got this as a sample with a skin care set I got for Christmas and I think it is the best mascara I have ever tried! I have to admit, I've always thought why bother with high end mascaras when they have to be thrown out after six months, right? But this mascara has me hooked. Don't get me wrong, I still love the Maybelline Great Lash Mascara or the Covergirl Lashblast Volume Mascara, but there's definitely a difference between those and this Clinique one, the most noticeable being I don't have to use as much mascara to get evenly coated, long lashes. Also it doesn't clump, which is always a plus!

NYC IndividualEyes 938 Union Square Created for Brown Eyes
I bought this eye shadow quad on a whim one day after work, and I am very pleased with it so far! It comes with a primer (my new favourite product!) and an illuminator on the side, and then four different eye shadows. There are instructions on how to create the look using all the colours, which is always handy. I especially like how the main brown shade (second from the bottom) is matte, and the others have some shimmer.




Revlon Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon
Over the summer I bought my first Revlon Lip Butter in the shade Juicy Papaya (a coral-y orange colour) and since then I've been wanting another. I like coloured lip balms because I'm not a huge fan of lipstick, yet I'm starting to move away from lip gloss, so this is the perfect in between! This particular shade is a red with pink undertones, and it is pretty pigmented so you don't need a lot. It also goes on really smoothly, which I guess is why it's called a lip "butter!"