GIVE 'EM THE OLD RAZZLE DAZZLE

The transition of summer to autumn is perhaps my favourite time of year. The light changes, the air becomes cool and crisp and as the days become shorter, our thoughts turn to the thick scarves, Aran jumpers, tartan, and leather boots. This shift also applies to our makeup choices, burnished hues of browns, mauves, greens and greys are transitioned back into our daily makeup palettes. We feel we can amp up the drama, with berry-stained lips, smokey eyes or even both.

With this shift comes a craving for some serious makeup wardrobe updates... On a recent birthday shopping trip to Space NK, I purchased the much-hyped and hotly-anticipated NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in the shade 'Dione'. Intended for use either dry for a beautiful sheen, or wet for an intense metallic slick, this eyeshadow truly is nothing like I have in my collection... or so I thought!

A few weeks ago as I was browsing the aisles of Boots, £3 off No7 voucher in tow, I came across their Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in the shade 'Mink.' Usually retailing at £7 for 1.9g of eyeshadow, after swatching, I immediately snapped this baby up for a mere £4. Its gives a beautiful taupe wet look sheen, a look which I simply adore at the moment. When I hastily unboxed my NARS eyeshadow and swatched it, although leaning slightly more gold-toned, I was quite shocked to find that both eyeshadows yielded pretty similar results.

Top: NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Dione. Bottom: No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshdow in Mink

If you're looking to spoil yourself, the NARS offering truly is a thing of beauty (complete with a very satisfying magnetic closure, and a mirror), although at £21 for 1.5g of product it really should be! I haven't yet tried both eyeshadows wet and perhaps that's where their major difference lies, but used dry I would definitely give the No7 shade a go first, especially if you have a money-saving voucher. Now I just need somewhere to wear them...