Nars Dogon FOTD

OK, I admit it; I'm a little bit terrified of heavy eye make up.

Whilst I gaze longingly at sooty black shadows smouldering seductively on others, I can never seem to make the look work for me. Whether it be down to general lack of skills or utter wimpiness at making "statements" via my face, heavy lids have always been THE make up mountain I'm desperately determined to climb. So last week, when my boyfriend surprised (I say surprised, what I actually mean is we went into a shop and he made me physically pick up what I wanted and give it to him) me with a birthday treat of the highly coveted Nars Dogon duo I took this as the perfect opportunity to finally start taking baby steps into the world of smokier shades...

I know, I know - it's hardly "heavy", is it? After liberally applying both shades I spectacularly freaked and started to buff the pigmentation down with a finely tipped sponge brush. The effect is quite cute, but not the full blown sexiness I know this duo is capable of achieving.

Eyes: Nars Dogon Eyeshadow, Hourglass Film Noir mascara, Korres Black Eye Liner, NO 7 Eyebrow pencil

Skin: Max Factor Smooth Effect

Lips: Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Vesuvio (heavily blotted down)

What make up looks are you intimidated by? Please tell me I'm not the only one!

Nars Etrusque Eyeshadow

If eyes are the windows to the soul then this shadow must be the equivalent of pure gold threaded luxurious silk curtains.

Smooth and buttery, Etrusque has to be one of Nars' greatest shadows in terms of both pigmentation and texture. It's golden antique colour applies true to pan and, when primed, remains effortlessly crease free.

The warm tone works surprising well on cool skin tones making this the ideal shade for all complexions. If you're looking for a dramatic evening eye but are bored of the trusted smokey effect then this teamed with lashings of chocolate brown eyeliner will provide the perfect substitute.

Etrusque swatched

Free from large flecks of glitter and shimmer, if you're a fan of metallics then Etrusque is without a doubt a must have.

Etrusque applied to bare eyelids

Etrusque applied to bare eyelids

Nars Etrusque Eyshadow is available from selected stores worldwide and narscosmetics.co.ukfor £16

*this product was purchased by the Beauty Bite*

Nars Tzarine Duo Eyeshadow

One of the many pieces we've been lusting after from the new collection by the incredible Francois Nars is Tzarine: a stunning - if some what bizarrely matched - shadow twin set.

Compromising of a warm gold and cool gunmetal grey, these rich buttery powders are certainly of a high quality. Perhaps not as deeply pigmented as other shades available in the Nars eye range, the texture is a breeze to work with and is evenly transferred onto the lid whether you're using fingers or a brush. Simple to blend and smooth to apply, both shades are perfect for layering to increase the intensity and depth of the overall finish.

Nars Tzarine close up in pan

At first glance, these two shades may not seem like the most harmonious match, yet once applied they sit well as a team. Also, both powders can be quickly sheered down with repeated blending, so this palette is ideal for wear day and night. The gold is just dark enough to be used as a all over base on our lids, but for most skin tones it would no doubt work best as a decadent highlighter.

Nars Tzarine swatched

The cool grey shadow is packed full of large flecks of glitter - which to our happiness, don't seem to drop. After several hours wear, the shimmer still remained on our lids leaving our cheeks sparkle free. For this alone, we love Tzarine.

Nars Tzarine applied to eyelids and sheered down.

This is definitely the more subtle of the eyeshadow duos released in Nars' autumn collection - so for those of you who don't normally opt for bold or dramatic looks, this would be a great palette to pick. We love the texture and quality of the powders, but then for £23 a pop, we'd expect them to be as wonderful as they are.

Nars Tzarine eyeshadow duo is available from counters worldwide and narscosmetics.co.uk at £23 for 4g.

*this product was purchased by the Beauty Bite*

Max Factor Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadow

When it comes to eyes, we'll eagerly welcome anything that offers to make application both quick and easy - so it'd be somewhat of an understatement to say we were just a little bit excited to try out these babies: Max Factor Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadows in the luxurious Bronze Haze and ultra cool Silver Storm.

Max Factor Smoky Eye Effect in Bronze Haze and Silver Storm

Presented in a double ended plastic tube, each shade is made up of two individual steps designed to provide the wearer with an instant, fool proof smoky eye. Within a matter of seconds, the creamy formula can be applied, blended and dressed up with lashings of thick mascara - simply cover the lid with the base tone, swiftly define with the slanted liner, before finishing with a quick smudge to really "smoke" things up. Honestly, who knew shabby to sultry could be achieved with this little effort?

Bronze Haze (steps 1 & 2) and Silver Storm (steps 1 & 2) swatched

This is certainly not the most mature way to apply make up - after all, with it's waxy texture and rounded bullet, Step 1 does feel un-nervingly like using a Crayola Crayon as a shadow. However, once applied the product is easily manipulated and - with foundation as a primer - sits comfortably on the lids for several hours. Alright, we did experience creasing, but considering it only took us 42 seconds (Yes! we timed it!) to achieve a respectable result, we're not holding any grudges.

Bronze Haze applied to eye area.

Silver Storm applied to eye area.

Bordering on the more gimmicky side of cosmetics, this product is definitely going to be a bit of a marmite affair. If you're someone who is confident and comfortable with creating dramatic, sultry looks then you're best off sticking to your trusty brushes and powders. Yet if you're new to make up, short on time, or timid when it comes to more intense eye effects: we couldn't recommend an easier product. It really is a breeze to use. We're totally besotted with the icy grey hues of Silver Storm, and at £7.99 a pop, it makes the perfect introduction for those who mightn't be as familiar with the overall smoky technique: just be sure to prime the lid before hand- otherwise the grease from the formula will cause the product to move.

EDIT: This product is known as Covergirl Smoky Shadow blast in the States. After some research we found a lot of people complaining about the sticks snapping after several uses. We will let you know if this happens to us.

Also, if you have oily lids - this product will probably not work for you.

We can't stress enough: this really is more of a convenience cosmetic and is best designed for those who are new to make up.

Max Factor Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadows are currently available at Superdrug for £7.99.

*this product was purchased by the Beauty Bite*

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow - Bone

We love many things about working in TV ( particularly swooning at George Lamb on a daily basis), but it seems our make up isn't such a big fan. No matter how hard we try the dreaded combination of stuffy studios and intense lighting often means we're constantly cleaning our cheeks of runny creams, dropped powders and smudged shadows.

That is until now.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadows are without a doubt our favourite eye bases of all time. Beautifully easy to apply, these pots not only posses the most gorgeous pigmentation, but literally stay put for hours. We fell in love after a single swipe of colour survived an entire 16 hour shoot day way back in December. When we eventually returned home with our features frozen from the snow, all we could see with a glistening golden veil confidently making our blue eyes pop. No creases. No smudges. No patches. We were blown away.

Bone Cream Shadow swatched

This summer we've been repeatedly rocking shade number 1; Bone - a creamy beige, matte finish shadow ideal for wear both day and night. Against pale skin it creates a wonderfully fresh up-lifted appearance, giving the entire eye area a deliciously youthful 'wide-awake' effect. When applied to darker skin it makes the most versatile base for applying sheer, subtle washes of shimmer. Our friend - who is a MAC NW43 - simply can't get enough of it.

Bone Cream Shadow applied to bare lids

Although we don't suffer from oily lids ourselves, when we heard a colleague at work complain about her greasy skin causing havoc with shadows, we couldn't wait to recommend this formula. That very afternoon she nipped out, grabbed a glass pot and hasn't looked back since. If you're someone who constantly finds your eye make up slipping and sliding, these bases just might be the answer to your woes.

And if that's not enough - just to really show off - the above photo was taken at the end of a 10 hour shift at work. Yes. That's how hardcore this product is. We love it.

Bobbi Brown cream shadows are available internationally and at bobbibrown.co.uk at £16 for 3.5g.

*this product was purchased by the Beauty Bite*

MAC Eye Shadow - Swimming

Firstly, sorry if we're a little bit distracted. There is a 15 year old boy on Countdown who is, quite frankly, beyond human. He is playing against a man with very shifty eyes. Now there is another man wearing a shirt covered in pictures of goldfish. If this gets anymore exciting our minds might actually explode.

However, something that's even more exciting then man in a tragic shirt (now he's doing magic tricks!) is this: MAC's Swimming. A gorgeous sea green lustre finish packed full of glistening silver shimmer.

Soft on the skin and smooth to apply, this bright green shadow is ideal for summer days. It's vibrant tone is perfect for making the eyes 'pop!' and is a fantastic compliment for all you out there with brown, blue or grey peepers.

MAC Swimming swatched

Rich with pigment, Swimming can be easily layered to increase the colour's intensity. We applied a single light coating using a fluffy eye brush, shading it out slightly towards the crease. The powder doesn't drop on application and, without primer, gave around 6 hours wear.

Swimming applied directly to eyelids

If you want to translate this fresh look into a smokier affair, simply layer with an olive toned shimmer and flat, matte, blackened green. We chose MAC's Green Smoke and it's sadly discontinued Femme Noir (Bourjois does fantastic dupes of both).

MAC Swimming, Green Smoke & Femme Noir swatched

Keeping it simple, we swiped across the lid with a large shadow brush working the matte powder into the crease. We then lightly blended the olive based shimmer upwards to soften the line. This look is great for a smouldering work eye or, loaded up with liner and lashes, a vampish evening ensemble.

MAC Swimming, Green Smoke & Femme Noir applied directly to eyelids

If you're someone who shys away from grassier shades then why not dip your toes in and take a swim? You never know - you might find it very refreshing.

MAC Swimming and Green Smoke and available internationally and at maccosmetics.co.uk at £11 for 1.5g.

*this product was purchased by the Beauty Bite*