Shadow Wardrobe - Nudes and Neutrals

Seasons come, seasons go, but some colours stay all year round. Like most people my go-to day looks are based on more neutral tones on the eyes, that is, on the days I wear shadow. Most days it's just liner and mascara. The thing is, daylight is harsh and unforgiving, even more so in autumn/winter, so I've been reaching for my old fail-safes more than I have been in the last few months.

My number one eye colour, Benefit Creaseless Cream shadow in Birthday Suit (a lovely pewter -champagne hybrid) has unfortunately gone missing otherwise it would be here and I would probably have hit the bottom of the pot by now. The fact that I mourn it's loss every time I need to swipe something quick and pretty on my lids is testament to its performance and versatility. Nothing has quite replaced it and I will be buying this again as soon as I can find it

From top, clockwise: Sleek Storm palette, Chanel Nymphea quad, Jemma Kidd Eye Wardrobe (Brown), MAC Creamy Bisque, Body Shop 09 (now discontinued)

Anyhow, here are my other neutral beauties which by some miracle I haven't managed to lose.... yet.

Sleek Storm Palette

This is my desert island palette. Every colour is uber pigmented, smooth and just beautiful. The quality far outshines it's modest price tag (I think these palettes are about £5.99 / €8.50) and every woman should have one. My most used shades are the matte browns (3rd top row, 5th bottom row) and the golds. The black is also matte and can be used as a liner too.
The dark blue (4th bottom row) has suffered as a result of me dropping this on the floor on numerous occasions. Oops.

Nymphea (love that name) is my first and only Chanel quad. It's probably pushing about 8 years old now and it's still going strong. The beige shade is almost at the pan. These are very easy to use as they are not that pigmented. Anyone, no matter how cackhanded can put a wash of these colours on the lid and look more than fine. These are very flattering shades and the green and peach just give the other colours a bit of 'lift', plus they are so sheer that they can be considered almost nude. Pigment isn't everything though, and I do believe there is a place for sheerer eyeshadows as not everyone can cope with pigment-rich products. These are the European baked version whilst the Chanel quads in the US are pressed shadows and I've heard these are smoother with more pigment. If I go to the US again then I'll pick up another quad there for comparison. Sacrifices, huh?

This unassuming little quad is Jemma Kidd Eye Wardrobe in Brown. It was sent to me when I was a tester for the Beauty Bible a few years ago and I fell in love with it. It would be the perfect bridal make-up palette. The colours are satin and matte and there is a unique 'dirty' gold shade which gives this palette a lovely twist on the usual brown-nude combo. These shadows can be a little dusty in texture, especially the white one, but as you can see that hasn't stopped me from using it. I've always had compliments when I wear this. I really like the colour combinations of the other quads so they are definitely worth checking out. Available at lookfantastic.com . £24

Jemma Kidd Eye Wardrobe in Brown

MAC Creamy Bisque

This was a recent purchase on a quick visit to MAC a few weeks back and it's my favourite MAC shadow so far. This is so versatile and can be used all over the lid or as an inner-corner highlight. It makes my eyes look so fresh. Just this and a slick of brown liner has been my most worn look this month and definitely Mr P's favourite. It's basically a warm, pale cream-beige with a touch of shimmer. During the day it brightens the eye, and at night the shimmer comes to life and sparkles very subtly. Beautiful....

Very old Body Shop shadow ( 09)

Not very exciting, I know. But this old dull looking shadow has garnered more compliments than any other shadow I have! Everyone asks me what I have on my eyes when I wear this. It's a warm taupe with a subtle duochrome effect which leans lilac. Wierd I know, and I should probably have swatched it for you, but my camera is being pants and just to photograph this lot took me 15 minutes and wrangled my nerves completely so just believe me when I says it's really, really purrrrty. :)

What are your favourite neutrals? Has anyone got the Storm palette and the Urban Decay Naked palette..... how do they compare?