NARS Windstar Eyeshadow Duo

I've only ever owned NARS face products before - foundation, concealer, primer etc. But for some reason never any eyeshadows or blush, some of their more famous areas of expertise. I decided to finally take the leap seeing as I've never been disappointed before, and oh Lordy... I don't ever want to use another shadow, ever again. I know there is amazing quality products on the market for incredibly low prices, however you can just tell them difference once you use a high-end product. I have a smaller collection of high-end shadows that I keep aside for when I go out or am having a bad day, and the ease in application honestly is just superb.

Both shades in this duo have very fine glitter particles in them, but they're definitely glittery rather than frosty or satiny. They both contain green and orange glitter, which looks absolutely stunning. Quality aside, the colour contrast between the glitter and the actual shadow shades is really what sets these apart from drugstore products.

The actual colours in this duo are right up my alley. On my pale skin, if I don't use a base they tend to just neutralise my eyelids a bit and give that 'halo' effect, which I love anyway. But if I use a base that's a little darker than my natural skin tone (Bare Study or Groundwork by MAC, or Lush's new Sophisticated cream shadow) this does show up fairly true to pan. Paired with either black or brown liner, this duo creates an amazing foundation for an everyday fifties-inspired winged liner look, keeping it very soft and pale on the lid with a strong line for definition.

After purchasing Windstar, I can't wait to try more NARS eyeshadows - I can't get enough!

-Kate.

Revlon CustomEyes - Party Pops

I know this is by no means a new product, but I picked it up the other day and just wanted to do a quick product review/look for anyone interested. I've been on the fence about this palette for a while now since I'm not a huge fan of Revlon as a whole, and where I live it retails at around $26 (As opposed to Canada, where you could find it for $3 when it first came out). However, I was waiting on a prescription and lacking inspiration so just picked it up on a whim... Not sure how I feel.

There are five really vibrant, pastel colours in the palette which are all quite shimmery. There's a bright, artificial-grape type purple (supposedly a liner shade); a solid emerald green; a really amazing high-frost pale lavender; a soft cool-toned pink and a really trendy tangerine colour that also has a bit of pink sheen when it hits the light. This palette also comes with a little look demo on the back, which is handy for anyone just starting out in makeup, especially brights which can often go a bit awry.

The pigmentation of these shadows isn't very good. I really didn't expect the sheer finish they gave, considering the brightness in the pan - I would have much preferred them to be true bright pastel shades to pick up this winter cold snap.

I decided to replicate the look on the base of the palette, and this was the result:

It doesn't look too bad in photos due to the lack of pigment, but the green in this palette is just horrible. I don't understand why it's even there. Then again, those sea-green colours have never looked good against my skin tone or my eye shade so I guess it's just me. The "liner" shade (deeper purple) didn't even show up, I would never have used this as a liner. It was one of those moments where I thought, "did anyone at Revlon even USE this shade before approving it?" Again, the pigmentation in all these shades was also really disappointing.

I felt like the look was more suited to brighter, more vibrant shadows so the next two photos are of a more subtle pop of colour, which compliments the sheer qualities of this palette.

I scrapped the green completely, knowing it didn't compliment both my eyes or the other colours in the palette very well. I kept the orange (1) in my inner corner and the first half of my lid, then swept the pinky shade (2) over the outer half of my lid. I pushed the purple (5) along my lower lash line, and bought it up through my crease along my outer-v. I then highlighted under my brow bone and over the orange in my inner corner with the white/lavender shade (3).

I really think that if you're scared to wear bright makeup, but looking to steer away from neutrals then this is the palette for you. It adds a really sheer wash of pastel colours, which are still quite on trend, without looking too editorial or club-ready. It is extremely expensive in Australia considering the pigmentation, so if you live here I would perhaps suggest looking online first to see if you can find this cheaper.

Have you tried this palette? What are your thoughts on pastel colours - how long do you think they've got left and do you think they'll stick around for winter?

-Kate x