A large part of the joy of makeupping is the wandering around Boots, whimsically swatching and aimlessly picking up and putting down. And for days of extreme lack of life-enthusiasm, alongside extreme lack of disposable income, even the most budget of displays can offer a much needed existential massage. This is how I discovered one of my cheapest yet most cheerful makeup finds of late, from the humble Natural Collection– the solo eyeshadow in Snowstorm.

I totally understand how this could easily be overlooked. In the cheap, plasticky pan, it looks like a standard white matte. Much of a muchness, and probably extremely similar to something you already have lying around, right? Nope, you’re wrong. One touch of this actually shows it to be an amazingly pearlescent purple-pink-blue. How this transformation from pan to swatch happens is beyond my tiny brain. The fact is, it does and it’s beautiful.

I love this colour all over the lids for a subtle yet somehow still iridescent pale purple eye. It also works as a really interesting inner corner or brow-bone highlight, and even on the high points of the cheeks for a glowing, alien-esque look. It’s a really unique shade, and the quality is so beyond what you pay for it. I promise, people have genuinely given me compliments on my eyeshadow when wearing this. And then I inevitably scare them away, shouting into their face, “it’s £1.99! You should buy it!! Write this down, ok, it’s called Snowstorm from Natural Collection, can you believe it?? Honestly, it’s so good, buy it now!”

I’ve been musing on this a lot (a very good use of my time), and I think what makes this shade so ace is that it carefully walks the fine line between “neutral” and “out-there.” It’s a white highlight shade, but instead of just being frosty white, it has hints of purple and pink and pale blue. So it’s a colourful shade, but then blended over the eye it just subtly catches the light without being obnoxious. It’s literally a perfect eyeshadow, and it’s £1.99.

If you are peeping over the precipice of adventurous makeup, but not yet ready to jump, this is for you. Think of it as a gateway drug to colourful eyeshadow. It’s the most beautiful way to look slightly frostbitten, slightly other-worldly, even maybe a touch on the dead side (I’m such a natural saleswoman). There probably is a proper makeup word for the look I’m describing, but I don’t know it. It’s very interesting and pleasant, and I think that’s the best I can do.

Please, everyone just believe me on this. I’ve touched a fair amount of eyeshadows in my life, and this one actually is something special. I just want everyone to at least understand my point, so I can just CALM DOWN about the whole thing. At the very very least, give it a touch next time you’re in Boots. If I haven’t actually lost my mind, I’m pretty sure you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Natural Collection, Solo Eyeshadow in Snow Storm, £1.99, Boots

Annie x

Follow Annie: @blushblogldn