MakeUp Obsession Review: The Only Palette You Ever Need!

Hello Internet Beauties!

Over the last few months I have developed serious love for a brand new palette I've been trying, I would even say it's my new favourite palette! So that being said, of course I had to share it with you all.

The palette is by a fairly new brand - Makeup Obsession, available from Boots only (online and in selected stores). What makes this palette so amazing in my eyes, is that every palette is different and perfect for YOU. How?! Because it's a build your own customized palette!

I've never had one of these before and was so excited when I heard about them. We all know the sadness that occurs when our favourite shade or two in our daily palettes hit pan, but with all the other shades having plenty of use left.  
*sad face because I can't justify a whole new palette for one shade even if it's my fave*

This is the solution! You choose your palette base which comes with a built in mirror but completely empty otherwise, then pick your shades (eye shadows, blushers, bronzers and highlighters) to click into the palette. You can switch them up whenever you wish!

First, you choose your base, which come in sizes Medium (holds up to 6 shades, £4-£6 depending on colour choice) or Large (holds up to 12 shades, £5-£8 depending on colour).

Makeup Obsession Palette Base, Medium in Gold, £6

I chose a beautiful gold base (as I did feel some of the plain colours like pink were a bit more plastic looking) and then chose 6 clip ins.

You then choose what you want to fill your palette with. I went for 5 eye shadows and one highlighter as I wanted a neutral palette but with my own specific choices.

Here is my unique Makeup Obsession palette creation...

 (From top row left to right: Eyeshadows in shades E132 'Pearl', E131 'Mood', E121 'Flushed', E102 'Taupe' and E127 'Chocolate', Highlighter in H105 'Bare', all £2)

Here are swatches of each of my chosen shades:

(I have no idea why I did these weird finger style swatches 😂)

A larger swatch of the highlighter in Bare

Overall, the shadows do have good pigmentation and a lovely texture. Especially for the price! The palette is perfect for travelling with, meaning when you go away on holiday, you can just choose exactly what you'll want, rather than lugging half a suitcase of makeup around! (Let's be honest, we've all packed way too much makeup before 😛)

My only wish and advice for those purchasing a palette is that I wish more Boots stores physically stocked them/try to go to an actual store to buy it if you can! I had to purchase mine online as I couldn't find any stockists nearby and therefore the shades are lighter/more similar to my skin tone than I expected, meaning I don't feel they show up as well as they could.

But I've saved up £10 worth of Boots points so I'm going to be adding to my collection with ones a few shades darker and hope that my local Boots (or one nearby) gets this in stock soon! Because with a palette this good and creative, I reckon it will soon become a favourite buy for many!
Have you tried a Makeup Obsession palette? What are you thoughts? Any shade recommendations?! Let me know in the comments below!

Tori Talks: Hey, It's Okay If You're 'Quiet'

Hello Internet Beauties, 

Today's post is a little different to my recent beauty posts, but one I hope to be making much more regular and into a new series on my blog. If I had to catergorize it, I suppose it would fall under the 'lifestyle' bracket, but in summary, they will be short posts (or maybe long because I waffle!) about things that are important to me. I know I'm only twenty three years young, but I thought it may be interesting to share some thoughts of things I've come to learn that would have helped me when I was younger...

The other day I was clearing out some things when I came across my old school reports that my parents must have kept. I instantly opened them to take a look, as I love feeling nostalgic! They were mainly high school reports, but also a couple of super old primary school ones, dating back to nursery. I couldn't help but notice that in all of these reports, despite my good grades and being 'well behaved' in class, every single one had something along the lines of 'Victoria is a great student but needs to speak up more in class'. I always remember being told at numerous parents evenings that I was a good student, but again, it was 'a shame' that I was 'quiet', 'shy' and/or needed to put my 'hand up more' in class. 

Back then, I thought maybe I was shy, maybe I should contribute more, speak up more, it made me feel bad. I can understand that teachers can be genuinely concerned for those they deem to be 'shy' if they feel it's due to low confidence, low self-esteem and maybe need that boost to reach their potential. At first, especially in primary school, I was shy and I think there's times in our lives when we all are, but when I reached 16/17/18 years old in Sixth Form, I was so sick of being told to speak up more. I wasn't shy then - I would enjoy giving presentations when I had to in lessons and also had a hobby of Latin American and Ballroom dancing, which involved performing and competing in front of large crowds. Surely this showed I was doing what I enjoyed, that even though I was 'quiet', this wasn't stopping me from doing things?

So why was it still perceived so negatively that I was ''quiet''? I simply preferred to be a listener, to really absorb all the information and listen to others' viewpoints. 

This didn't change in social groups either, turning 18, pretty much the majority in my year loved big parties and going out clubbing in big groups. The first year of university for most was mainly based on the 'uni life' experience. Again, this wasn't something I particularly enjoyed, I can't explain why because I don't know, I just preferred spending time with a smaller group of close friends just hanging out or visiting places, doing fun activities, trying new things etc. Now don't get me wrong, I did go to parties that I enjoyed but I was never into it the way most my peers were. This was so tough because I would feel so much pressure all the time and being in the minority, it felt this was again perceived negatively that I often didn't go. It was seen as being 'unsociable' or 'boring' or that I lacked confidence to go 'out out'. It was, and still is at times, incredibly frustrating. 

Then, a couple of years ago, through a friend who was very similar to me, I discovered the Myers Briggs Personality Types. I completed the test which is aimed to tell you more about the type of person you are and it made SO much sense. I'd heard of the word introvert before, but never really understood the full meaning - if you look it up on Google, the first definition is 'a shy person'. But this isn't the case - it just means I enjoy and need time on my own to recharge, as well as spending time with others. I prefer having a group of small but really close friends, rather than being in large crowds. I learn and take things in from observing and thinking. 

Alongside meeting other introverts (which are less common than extroverts), understanding my personality more and just time alongisde growing up - I've come to absolutely love and appreciate the way I am, even if others see it as 'quiet' or 'shy' with negative connotations. I know that when I want to and when it matters, I can and will speak up. But it also means I'm the one that people come to when they need someone to listen, which I really appreciate being trusted for. 

In short - just embrace you, not what others think is you. I was actually made to feel less confident about myself by being negatively called 'quiet' than I had been before someone brought it to my attention! If you speak up when you want to and when it matters to you and you work hard, it shouldn't matter how loud you are about it. You know yourself and your strengths, don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. It's far more than okay to be 'quiet'! 

I really encourage you all to try the Myers Briggs test, it's so interesting, the one I found quickest and easiest to complete was here.
I am an INFP and I would love absolutely love to hear what personality types my fellow bloggers are! Let me know what type you are and if you feel it's accurate below! 

Are there any other topics you'd life me to include in this new series? Feel free to drop me an email or comment :)