I go for brown, beige, white, pinkish, orangey and greyish colours and mostly avoid everything else. Sometimes I use shimmers, but only occasionally. I use red and other bright colours in Christmas and when I prepare for celebrations, but avoid bright colours for my everyday looks. I also avoid very dark colours. If you give me black, I won’t touch it.

If we are talking about a single shade in the palette, not the whole palette, then my answer is 1. If I did not like it, I will be wasting time on a nasty shade, when I could use something I like instead. Makeup expires, eyeshadows may change over time, better to use what I love. But usually I forget that I did not like something, and a year or so later I may try these shades again.

If we are talking about a single eyeshadow - several times. I sometimes buy singles to try an eyeshadow formula of a different brand, and I want to form my opinion on it, to understand whether I should buy from them again or not.

Regarding a palette - it depends. But I would try to use it at least a few times before deciding whether I like it.

Real techniques has great face brushes. I have duplicates of powder, mini powder and setting brushes because they are very good. Had most for 3-4 years, they still are just as good. I did not like their eyebrushes, however. My eyes are hooded and on the smaller side and their brushes were too big for me. But they may have different sets and different shapes. Maybe there is a set of smaller eyebrushes as well.

Wet n Wild has cheap brushes that are decent. They did not hold up as well as my Real Techniques, but I had some favourites and even bought duplicates of contour and eyeshadow blending brush.

A lot of people advised to find the blush in the right colour for you. That is important. Also, applying light layers. If your brush takes too much product, you could first tap the brush on your hand to take away some product then use it on your cheeks with light tapping motions. Another thing, if you are using a brozer, two products might add up,especially if you bronze in similar places as with the blush. In addition, I also find that the brush makes a huge difference. A dense brush with tightly packed bristles will place more product. Try to use an airy brush with soft bristles. For me, a brush with natural hair bristles places the blush way more naturally, than a synthetic brush. But there are many superb synthetic brushes as well.

For dark circles I’m using a colour corrector and concealer. It makes a huge difference. Sometimes I use the color corrector alone. But I don’t use just the concealer, without the corrector, the darkness is still noticeable.