Top 10 £1 MUA Eye Shadows (+ MAC Dupe)

Here are my top 10 eye shadow picks from the Superdrug £1 MUA range.  If you are starting out in make up  I strongly recommend you check out this range, especially these eyeshadows.  The best bit is that I got this whole set for £10!

I cannot fault these shadows in terms of weight (you get a whopping 2g), pigmentation, consistency and blendability, not mention the stunning shade range.  You have all your staple neutrals as well as a few bright pops of colour.  I hand on heart prefer the quality of these shadows to MAC (although I'm not a huge fan of MAC's e/s quality, they do have a fantastic array of colours).

I accidentally bought two Shade 2s, and didn't realise they were the same, so there are 11 shadows in the image above and below, but only 10 different shades in total.  They come in two finishes - matte and pearl, the latter being by far the best.

Shade 9 - Pearl: this is the most gorgeous electric purple with a blue duochrome which has actually shown up stronger in the photo that it is in real life.  There is actually a little more pink to it.  It works really well on brown eyes but also enhances my own eyes which are blue.  It might not be wearable for everyday, but it's a stunning colour to have in your collection if you want something a little different.

Shade 4 - Pearl: this pinky lilac compliments shade 9 nicely and makes blue eyes appear to have a green tinge.  

Shade 10 - Pearl: this gun metal purple creates a sophisticated smoky eye with a difference.  It has just enough shimmer to give the look dimension. It also works well in the crease over Shade 10 or 9.  

Shade 3 - Pearl: this is the perfect silver shadow - I have some which don't come off opaque, but this really does.  I sweep it all over my eyelid and finish with a flick of black eye liner.  

Shade 2 - Pearl: this is the pale cream shade I bought twice, but I can use it as a cheek and browbone highlight so I'm going through it pretty fast.  It's also a great inner corner eye highlight.   

Shade 1 - Pearl: this is also a great highlight shadow but has more of a golden tinge so it works better with browns and greens.   

Shade 7 - Pearl: I don't wear a whole lot of green eyeshadow because I have blue eyes, but I couldn't resist this moss green for whenever I have the urge to go green, or St. Patrick's day! 

Shade 11 - Pearl: this was one of the first shadows I picked up from the range.  It's a great soft brown which reminds me of MAC's Satin Taupe.   

Shade 12 - Pearl: I'm not overly impressed with how this shadow has photographed as this one is a great dupe for MAC's Club.  It's a greyish brown to look at but has green duochrome and an ever so subtle hint of a reddish brick shade.  It's a very sophisticated, complex shade for such a budget range.

Shade 14 - Pearl: this greenish gun metal shade is perfect for me as I get my 'green' hit without it clashing with my own eye colour too much.  Another great option for a smoky eye other than boring old black.  

Swatch time!

In natural daylight

From left to right: Shade 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14

With Flash

From left to right: Shade 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14

I cannot recommend these eye shadows enough.  Not all Superdrugs carry the MUA range, but if you're in London check out the ones on Oxford Street, Shepherd's Bush, Queensway or Kilburn as they definitley do. You can also order MUA products online.

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Mini MUA Haul & Swatches #2

Who knew spending £4 could make me so happy?!  I'm almost glad not all Superdrugs carry the £1 Make Up Academy range as my urge to haul from it could start adding up!

Shade 7 is the second MUA lipstick I've picked up and is a paler, brighter pink than shade 6 and suits me better.  It is very glossy and moisturising.  Some of the lipsticks in the range contain chunky glitter so I'd avoid them like the plague!

While similar to Shade 1 from the eye shadow range, shade 2 is paler and make a fabulous highlight for your browbone or inner corner of your eyes.  It's very pigmented and applies smoothly.  Amazing value.

My favourite piece from this haul is this eye brow pencil.  I'd go as far as to say it's becoming a holy grail product.  It's in the shade Blonde and look very natural on my eyebrows.  I adore how soft it is and it sharpens to a nice precise point.  The brush at one end is okay but I always prefer to use a spoolie to comb through my brows.  If you have light brown or reddish brows, you need to check this pencil out.  It even supersedes my love for Rimmel's Hazel brow pencil.

The only downside to this pencil is that I seem to be going through it at a rate of knots! This may be because I've been putting it to some heavy duty usage, but may be because it's so soft, either way, at £1 I will never be without this pencil again!

Now, the dud in this little haul is the nail varnish in Shade 10. I got so over excited by the quality of shades 7 and 15 I wanted to give this one a go because the colour is a like a cafe latte version of GOSH Metallic Purple. However on my nails it looks like a 'granny' shade. Pearlised and bleugh. I suppose I could make it work with 3 coats, but I was so bored by it I gave up at 2!

1 coat

2 coats

I have a number of the eye shadows and blushes, so when I get a chance to take a few snaps I'll get some swatches up here for you.

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Mini MUA Haul & Swatches - I'm Impressed!

Last year I picked up a few eye shadows from this £1 range and was mightily impressed with their quality, so when I was in Superdrug the other day I decided to try out a few of the other products in the range.  If you catch one of those 3 for 2 make up offers they sometimes run you can make amazing savings.

The products don't have fun names, only numbers, this gorgeous hot pink nail varnish is shade 15.  The bottle is quite tiny - you only get 6.2ml, but have you ever finished a bottle of polish? Mine always goes bad a third of the way in.  The dinky is size is a plus for me as I'll take this one on holidays with me to save space and weight.

The best thing about this polish is the quality, the consistency reminds me of Nails Inc. and what you see below is only ONE COAT!  The colour strongly reminds me of Essie's Pansy.  I've had mine on for three days now and it's only slightly chipped - about as much as any high end brand I've tried - and will be easily fixed with a touch up job.

Next up is a lipstick in shade 6.  There were a few other shades I preferred the look of in the testers, but they were sold out.  It's creamy, pigmented and long lasting.  For me the colour is okay, I feel that it's slightly a bit too blue toned for me, but if you can find a shade to suit you, your're onto a winner.  Beware of the ones with very chunky glitter in, they don't look that great!

I was already a huge fan of the shadows.  I recommend the 'Pearl' ones rather than the matte ones which seem chalky and not very pigmented.  This gorgeous pale lilac is shade 4.  You get 2g for £1.  My favourite shades are 1, 10, 11 and 12 and I'll do a post on all the ones I have soon, but in the meantime, check them out if you're anywhere near a Superdrug that stocks this range.

I inadvertently bought the blush in shade 4 twice, but the odd thing is the colours are very different! This one looks peach whereas the other I have is more of a warm pink.  Inconsistency is to be expected given they're only £1 and it's actually worked out well for me!  Smooth, blendable and decently pigmented.  I keep a little stash of make up in my desk at work and one of these will be joining that kit.

I used to be a sucker for this type of bronzey dark red polish but have been wearing more work-friendly shades lately, however I couldn't resist shade 7 from the MUA range.  Again this is only one coat.

The only drawback is not every Superdrug stocks these - the oddest omission being the huge Westfield branch.  However if you're in the London area you'll find them in the Kilburn, Shepherd's Bush and Oxford Street branches.

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FOTD: My Stupid O'Clock Look

Forgive my slightly tired/fed up expression...I had to get up much earlier than normal today...TFI Friday!  I didn't have much time to get ready so only used the basics - a mix of high and budget products, I'm not a make up snob!

I'd just blow dried my hair - damn errant flyaway hairs!

What I used

Moisturiser: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel.  It's an okay moisturiser but not worth over £20.


Cosmetics: 
1. Lacura Beauty Foundation in Shade 10 - Transparent.  It's from Aldi, it's the cheapest foundation I own.  I love it the most! Upcoming review.
2. Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer in Fair 1.  This is also the cheapest concealer I own - and I love it the most! It covers dark circles fabulously and is very creamy.  My Mac Studio Fix can be very drying.
3. i.d Bare Minerals SPF 15 Foundation in Fairly Light.  I sometimes use this as my foundation alone and layer it on thick and buff in with a kabuki.  But I used it as a finishing powder today.  Unusually for a powder, it makes you glowy.
4. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Light Flush.  I got this as part of the PinkzaPoppin set over Christmas.  It's a good bronzer for my pale skin, not too pigmented or orange.  I gently contoured my cheekbones with it.
5. MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty.  Again it was part of the PinkzaPoppin set.  It's such a pretty colour but sometimes I feel it's a bit too coral and iridescent for me.  I could have applied it with a heavier hand today as you can't really see it in the photo.
6. ELF Eyebrow Kit in Light.  ELF is one of my favourite budget lines.  I use this with a small eyeshadow brush rather than the one supplied and shape my brows with a clean mascara wand.  I used to use a pencil but this kit is a lot better and reminds me of Benefit's Brow Zings.
7. MUA eyeshadows from Superdrug's new £1 range.  Review to come!
All over lid - Shade 1 - a wonderful pale gold highlight colour - FAVOURITE PRODUCT USED.
Crease: Shade 11 - pretty pretty mid brown, a bit like MAC's Sable.
To darken crease further: Shade 12 - a very multifaceted colour - browny/charcoal with a slight teal sheen.  Beautiful. 
8. Revlon ColourStay Eyeliner in Brown.  I used this on my waterline.  It doesn't irritate and lasts well.
9. Revlon ColourStay Liquid Liner in Black Brown.  Very easy to do a cat's eye with this.  The colour stays!
10. Shu Uemura eyelash curlers.  I don't rate these at all but use them given how expensive they were.  It's all hype. My H and M £2 pair are leagues better.  
11. L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagene Mascara.  This one's a bit sloppy and doesn't help curled lashes.  Thickens and lengthens decently.  No clumps!
12. No7 High Shine Lipgloss in Shine.  This was one of those freebies you get when you spend a certain amount with No7.  It's the first lipgloss I've seen with an SPF (15).  Pretty, pigmented colour and quite thick, which I like.  Not keen on the tiny brush though. 


Perfume: Dior Hypnotic Posion - my all time favourite.  More of a 'night' perfume, but I wear it anytime. 7am? Bring it on!


What's your favourite go-to everyday product?