PRODUCT REVIEW - XMAS GIFT IDEAS FROM COLLINS DEBDEN, FOR DIGNITY, YSL BEAUTY, EFM, AND HTZ HAIR

Less than a week until Christmas, and if you're still stuck for some great ideas, here's a few more for you...

PRODUCT REVIEW: YSL YVES SAINT LAURENT COUTURE VARIATION EYE PALETTE

Another product that I received just before our little baby ended up in hospital for 4.5 months and I consequently did not have the concentration or time to write about, was the beautiful Yves Saint Laurent Couture Variation Eye Palette.

The YSL Couture Variation Eye Palette came in two different combinations, each containing 10 different shades, Nude and Smokey. I put the Nude, or Nu as it is also called, palette to the test.

The palette contains shades in all imaginable finishes from matte to metallic, from satin to iridescent, and range from a very light nude to a dark chocolate brown hue. And in between there are shades of peach and rose, beiges, mauves, you name it, all shades necessary for a nude eye is simply in this palette, so you can both shape line the eyes with the darker shades, and add volume as well as highlight brow bone and inner corner with the lighter shades. All in addition to making it possible to play with the different finishes in the palette.

In short, the perfect palette for someone like me who more or less wears nothing but beige and brown shades, so with this palette, every single shade is sure to be used, which makes is great value compared to those palettes where there are always a few shades left untouched. 

And the actual eye shadows are a dream to work with too, easy to apply, whether you just want a simple delicate wash of colour, or want to build it up to a more intense dramatic look. Anything is possible with this palette as the it is so pigmented, and therefore it is also equally suited to both day or nigh-time wear.

The shadows have a good wear too, and even on my greasy lids stay put all day without sliding or fading, or settling into fine lines.

According to YSL, the NU palette "works in a gradient of nudes upwards like the notes of a musical scale growing crescendo to include beige, bronze and deep brown. Discrete or provocative. For a day look or a more sophisticated evening one, mix and match or wear the eye shadows on their own as washes".

The Eye Palette comes in a simplistic yet stunning long simple black glossy case with a gold centre bearing the YSL logo. On the inside of the lid, you'll find a full sized mirror. There is also quality double-ended applicator inside the palette, to help you both line and blend the eye shadow to achieve the perfect look.

Not a cheap palette, but again, at such a high quality, and as you will actually use EVERY SINGLE SHADE in the palette, it is absolutely worth every cent. Highly recommended.

Yves Saint Laurent Couture Variation Palette RRP $129

 * Some products may have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.



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10 Makeup Products I Would Repurchase: TAG

There’s a tag that has been floating around the beauty virtual world for quite a while on "10 makeup products I would repurchase" if I lost all of my makeup. (Just the thought of it sends chills up my spine!) I think this topic is actually very interesting because it really focuses on the makeup and beauty items that you can't live without, your true go-to Holy Grail products. You can only repurchase 10 items. What would they be?

Here are my top ten  makeup products I would rush out to buy first:

 

 

1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Ivory Cream: This is the first foundation I have tried that truly lasts all day on my combination skin. And it gives sufficient coverage to hide pigmentation, scarring and blemishes, yet while still looking natural. And if I’m in a great hurry, I can even forgo a concealer too! Estee Lauder recently reduced the price of the Double Wear Foundation from $68 to $50. Bonus!

2. Clinique Super Balanced Powder Makeup SPF 15 in colour Natural: This is, as the name suggests, actually a foundation in itself, however, for me it doesn’t quite offer sufficient coverage on its own, so I always use it as a powder only on top of my foundation. And it really does wonders in keeping any shine at bay. All day! And I love that it comes with a built-in grinder so you just grind just the amount of powder you need. It has a handy mirror in the lid, and also comes with a small brush. Available from Clinique for $65.

 

3. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat in colour 02: I have loved this concealer for years. The concealer is ultra fine, and it gives such a natural result, and acts as an illuminiser as well. A true cult product. Sadly it is not cheap, Touche Eclat is available at Mecca Cosmetica for $55

4. nvey eco Eye Shadow Palette in Neutral Shades: I love all the colours in this neutral palette, they are just so versatile, and for once I actually use every single colour in a palette! The eye shadows are very finely milled and very pigmented, so it is easy to build up the colour. I also love that it is paraben free, SLS free, GM free, cruelty free, talc free, and contains no propylene glycol or petroleum based ingredients, or synthetic fragrances. At $75.95 it is not cheap, but believe me, it's worth it! Available from nvey eco.

5. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in Onyx: This eyeliner is so soft that it glides on with easy without pulling the eyes, yet it stays put all day without bleeding – an absolute must for me as I have sensitive eyes that easily water. Available from Estee Lauder for $38.

 

6. L’Oreal Super Liner in Carbon Gloss: I have been using L’Oreal’s liquid eye liners for decades, and with every improvement they just get better and better. I bought this particular one during a recent trip to Europe, and I’m not sure if the same one is available yet here in Australia. It has a long felt tip that makes application very easy, whether you want a very fine line or a more bold and dramatic one. And it seriously lasts all day, even when my eyes water, which they often do! L’Oreal has a similar eyeliner available, which is the Superliner in Black Mica selling in Priceline and select chemists for $24.45.

 

7. Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black: I love this mascara, and currently lucky to have one a sample sized one. I actually prefer sample sized mascaras, as it means that I start using a new and freshly opened mascara more often. This mascara makes my lashes thicker, longer and gives them an amazing curl without the use of a eyelash curler beforehand. And it stays put all day, even when my sensitive eyes water. Available from Estee Lauder for $48

8. Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon: This pink tint gives the most natural looking and beautiful blush on the cheeks and totally lights up my complexion. It can also be used on the lips, and is quite long lasting, but I find that it is a little drying, so I solely use it on my cheeks. It has the most divine fruity scent too. Available from Becca Cosmetics for $42.

9. Estee Lauder Pure Colour Long Lasting Lipstick in Rose Tea: I bought this lipstick for my wedding over 6 years ago, and have repurchased it numerous times since then. It is simply such a wearable shade, not to dark, not too pale. Rumour actually has it that it is Estee Lauder’s best-selling lipsticks for brides , and that once it was phased out, but due to popular demand, they had to reintroduce it!! It has a medium coverage, but can be built up if needed. It leaves the lips with a nice sheen, and is long-lasting. And I love that it contains shea butter which conditions the lips at the same time, and I absolutely love the smell of it too. Available from Estee Lauder for $45.


10. Lanolips Lip Ointment in Rhubarb: I love that this rhubarb pink lip balm is petroleum free AND have SPF15. It is non-sticky and very moisturising, and gives just the perfect amount of colour and sheen on the lips. It can also be layered over lipstick for extra sheen. Available from Adore Beauty for $13.95.


I know this tag has been around for a while now (I know, I’m a bit slow!), but If you’ve done this tag already, please share in the comments, or leave the link to your post!
If you haven’t yet done the tag – then I tag YOU!! I'd love to see which makeup products you would repurchase!


And don't forget to enter my giveaways from Scentcillo and Pure Destiny Aromatics.