Talonted Lex

Essie Merino Cool Review

Essie Merino Cool

Essie Merino Cool

I love colours that are hard to describe. I’ve wanted essie Merino Cool for ages and remember trying to find it on a massive essie display in Dubai with Aaron helping me. “It’s kind of…purple-y…brown? Like a more purple taupe-y colour? No, more like a pastel-y plum? Like a mixture of grey and purple? It’s…ummm” *insert picture of Aaron looking confused and horrified*

And now I have it! I found it in TK Maxx in Kilburn for £4.99 (!!) and it has definitely lived up to my expectations. It’s such an unusual and pretty colour. It is somehow soft but also edgy – something that essie always do very well.

Essie polishes have a lovely formula: this needed 3 coats to get rid of any bald spots but Essie polishes are always quick drying so that isn’t a problem. I used to hate essie polish brushes as they were really thin and hard to use but they have made them a bit thicker now so I am now a full on fan girl.

I’m so pleased that this polish is now in my collection. What your favourite Essie polish? You can buy this stunning polish HERE.

Lex

Essie Merino Cool Essie Merino Cool Essie Merino Cool

Follow:

MUA Undress Me Too Review

MUA Undress Me Too

MUA Undress Me Too

A few weeks ago I reviewed the MUA ‘Ever After’ Matte Palette and spoke of my love for it. I think I mentioned the palette I’m reviewing today in it without realising that I hadn’t spoken about it on the blog yet. Useless.

So…this is the Undress Me Too palette! Obviously a bit of a rip off of the famous Urban Decay ‘Naked’ Palette but who doesn’t love a bit of a dupe? I don’t own the Urban Decay palette do can’t do a comparison but there are tons online if you want to see it!

I think actually prefer this to the Undress Me original palette by MUA, which a friend kindly gifted to me when she didn’t want it. I haven’t reviewed it yet as it has hardly been used since I bought Undress Me Too (which says a lot!), but I will get something up soon so you can see the difference.

Right. Down to business… The Undress Me Too palette is a lovely combination of matte and glittery shadows. They are all neutral themed and, as a result, are very flattering. As with most palettes they can be used together to create multi-toned eye looks. My most used colours are Naked (top left), Exposed (bottom row second from left) and Reveal (bottom row third from left). All are lovely and subtle but still catch the eye. Since taking these pictures I’ve actually hit the pan on Naked which is annoying as it’s the perfect base colour for shadow!

The shadows themselves are very pigmented and really stay put on the eyes. I do use my Too Faced eyelid primer with them but if you don’t have issues with oily eyelids then you probably won’t need to, although I do find that the glittery ones tend to transfer a bit.

I would say this is my go-to, standard eyeshadow palette at the moment, whether I want a subtle look to open my eyes, or a more glamorous smokey eye. If you haven’t tried MUA eyeshadows I would definitely recommend them! They are £4 (!!) HERE.

Which of the MUA palettes have you got? What do you think? Let me know in the comments at the bottom of the page!

Lex

 

Follow:

And Other Stories Make Up

And Other Stories Make Up

And Other Stories Make Up

I had never been into an & Other stories shop or bought anything from there before, so when I was walking past with Aaron at the weekend I knew I had to have a quick peek. A few of their items were on my wish list so I went straight to the make up (of course).

I actually wasn’t planning on getting a blusher but just LOOK AT IT. I am a sucker for clever or pretty packaging, so a Shakespeare quote embossed on the top of a blusher? Done. I chose ‘Satin Magenta’, a very pretty light pink and it was £10 which I think is very reasonable. You can buy it HERE.

The Total Re-Touch pen is marketed as a concealer and highlighter but my under eye circles need something with a bit more oomph than this, so I have been using it as a highlighter only. It is a lovely subtle shimmery highlighter in a click pen (similar to the YSL Touche Eclat one). When I first used it, I thought it was broken as I was clicking for about 5 minutes with no product coming out so be patient on the first use! This was £10. I can’t find this online anymore but hopefully it’s available in store.

I am definitely going to pop back and have a look at some other items (the contouring cream is calling to me…)

Have you tried anything by & Other Stories? What would you recommend?

Lex

And Other Stories Make Up And Other Stories Make Up & Other Stories highlighter pen Talonted review

Follow:

Real Techniques Brushes Mini Review

Real Techniques Brushes Mini Review Real Techniques Brushes Mini Review

Real Techniques Brushes Mini Review

I have reviewed the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush before (HERE) but wanted another one so that I could replace my foundation brush midweek to save on washing it so often. This brush is £9.99 from Boots.

When I saw that Real Techniques brushes were on ‘buy one get one half price’ in Boots I thought it would be rude not to get a few more! So I also got the following:

Real Techniques Brushes Mini Review Real Techniques Brushes Mini Review

Real Techniques Stippling Brush: this has actually replaced my expert face brush as my favourite foundation brush. It is so soft and the different lengths of the bristles means that you get better manoeuvrability with the brush and a smoother, cleaner finish. You can also use it with blushers and highlighters, which is handy when you’re going away and only have room for one brush! As with all of the Real Techniques brushes, there are brilliant tutorial videos on the website HERE. This brush is £11.99 from Boots.

Real Techniques Brushes Mini Review

Real Techniques Blush Brush: I had my eye on this brush for a while as I heard it was a great blush brush but also good for contouring due to the tapered end. This is a lovely big brush that picks up a good amount of product but is so fluffy that you can easily buff and blend to your heart’s content! This brush is £9.99 from Boots.

Real Techniques Brushes Mini Review

Real Techniques Shading Brush: There isn’t much to say about this brush other than it applies eyeshadow very well! It’s not particularly groundbreaking or different, it just does the job well. It’s sturdy but soft so it doesn’t feel harsh on the soft skin around your eye. This brush is £7.99 from Boots.

All in all I’m pretty happy with my Real Techniques haul. Which of their brushes do you love? Are there any I should add to my collection?

Lex

Follow:

Claire’s Accessories lipstick Baby Pink

Claires Accessories lipstick Baby Pink

Claire’s Accessories lipstick Baby Pink

Let it be known: I am a reformed make up snob. I would never have thought I would buy make up from Claire’s and be impressed but this lipstick has seriously won me over.

I threw away the packaging before I noted down the name (why don’t companies print the names on things?) so I’m saying that it’s ‘Baby Pink’ but who knows?

Anyway! This is a lipstick that is a bright baby pink, almost lilac colour. It’s very creamy and lasts quite well. It does have quite a strong smell, quite plastic-y. I don’t mind that so much but if you’re super sensitive to scents then maybe stay away.

I am in love with this colour and might keep an eye out in Claire’s for other shades…

Have you tried any Claire’s make up?

EDIT Feb 2016: It doesn’t look like this lipstick is available in this forma,t, but this lipstick looks pretty similar HERE.

Lex

Claire’s Accessories lipstick Baby Pink Claire’s Accessories lipstick Baby Pink Claire’s Accessories lipstick Baby Pink Claire’s Accessories lipstick Baby Pink

Follow:

Welcome to Talonted Lex, the go-to online destination for anyone seeking guidance and inspiration on managing rosacea.

From rosacea skincare tips and sensitive skin makeup tutorials to lifestyle adjustments for rosacea relief. Whether you’re looking for the best rosacea treatments, gentle skincare routines, or just a supportive community that understands your skin concerns, Talonted Lex is your ultimate guide.

Where to next?