BUY THIS NOW: Makeup Revolution Iconic Pro 1 Eyeshadow Palette

Ah, Makeup Revolution, creators of very cheap and surprisingly good makeup.  This is one of their latest eyeshadow palettes - I'm not sure what makes it 'iconic' or 'pro' compared to the others, but hey.

Inside the sturdy but lightweight casing, you get sixteen shades - eight matte, eight sparkly - a large and useful mirror, and (dun dun DUUUUUUN) a BRUSH.  An actual double ended brush instead of a foam applicator.  GASP.  It's described as a 'pro' brush, and that's grasping a bit, because it's a bit on the small and stiff side, and pretty much guarantees you have to re-dip the brush and bring it up to your lids multiple times.  But it's not a foam applicator, which makes it infinitely better.  It'll do.

This naming thing has become a bit of a Thing for Makeup Revolution.  I'm not too fond of the plastic sheet which actually names the shadows, because it obscures the lovely makeup within, makes the palette hard to photograph (blogger problem) and when you inevitably lose the insert, how will you name the shade you're raving about to your friends (makeup obsessive problem)?

ANYWAY.  Here are the actual shadows.  I'll label them with their names in the swatches underneath (which go left to right, first row then second row) so you don't have to worry if you lose your plastic insert.  You're welcome.

Ghost, Luna, Must, Enigma

Fade, Drama, Afflicted, Pitch

Need, Dawn, Getter, Breathe

Too Grey, Stage, Addicted, Player

What's surprised me the most is that the matte shades are actually pretty good for such a cheap palette.  I find most cheap matte shadows to be chalky, sheer, and impossible to get a really good result from, and whilst these are still a little sheer, they're not chalky at all - build them up a bit and you'll get a good matte finish and a nice blend.  As you can see in the photo below, where I have applied Luna to the browbone and innner corner, Fade to my lid, Afflicted to the crease, and Pitch to the outer v.

Nice, eh?  It's easy enough to make a good, cheap shimmer shadow, but a well priced and usable matte is a find indeed.

All this costs a mere £6.99, which is one hell of a bargain.  Run, don't walk, to your nearest Superdrug, or buy online from Superdrug or direct from Makeup Revolution.  You'll be impressed, I promise.

Disclosure:  PR sample

This post originated at www.londonbeautyreview.com. If you're reading it elsewhere, it's been stolen, violating my copyright.