New York State

EYESHADOW palettes got me through uni, but then I settled into a make-up routine and stopped using them.

But there’s now a new generation of compact palettes, so I put three to the test.

BUDGET – NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette, £15.99, cultbeauty.co.uk

NYX

The neutral shades are slightly more pigmented and easier to apply than the vivid brights, which take some building up[/caption]

NYX Professional Makeup is one of my favourite high-street brands.

I still remember the day they launched in the UK when I was a teen.

There’s a generous 16 shades in each of the four variations of this palette, which means each one comes in at just under a pound – great value.

Each has matte, shimmer and glitter shadows, making it incredibly versatile.

The neutral shades are slightly more pigmented and easier to apply than the vivid brights, which take some building up and don’t wear as long, but that is reflected in the price.

MID-RANGE – Fenty Beauty Snap Shadows, £24, harveynichols.com

Fenty

I found the matte shadows quite patchy and the glitter in the shimmer shadows was chunky[/caption]

This is the smallest set of the three tested, which makes it great for travel or switching up your make-up while you are on the go.

But it also contains the fewest shades, with just six to choose from inside the compact – although I think that’s plenty for the average person, especially given there are both matte and glittery shades.

There are also ten different colour varieties to choose from, so you can pick one tailored to the shades you’ll use.

Unfortunately, I found the matte shadows quite patchy and the glitter in the shimmer shadows was chunky.

This means it takes a lot of time and patience to apply them effectively.

LUXURY – Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Palette Of Beautifying Eye Trends, £49, charlottetilbury.com

I’m pretty sure Charlotte Tilbury would account for the largest share of my make-up collection.

There are six variations to choose from, including bright purples, pinks and blues, as well as warm and cool neutrals in matte and shimmer finishes.

Sensual sunset is my favourite, with its super-pigmented warm orange and brown hues that blend out easily and make my eyes look brighter.

It contains everything I could ever need, and is my new go-to.

NATIONAL Protein Day on Thursday highlights its value to build muscle, regulate hormones and help our immune system.

The average woman needs 45g daily, while men need 55g. But working that out can be time-consuming.

Today I test out some meals that calculate it for you . . . 

LUNCH POTS

A NEW new range of high-protein lunch pots has been launched by Myprotein – and they are delicious.

Not only are they high in protein, they are low in calories and fat, too.

The Japanese-style chicken curry and rice is especially tasty. It has 32g protein but just 306 calories, 4.9g fat and 4.1g sugar.

The pots could not be easier to prepare, taking just three-and-a-half minutes in the microwave. The salt content is a little high at 2.83g.

The portion isn’t huge but there is a decent amount of chicken at 35 per cent of the total ingredients, and the meal was nicely seasoned with a decent kick. I will buy again.

Priced £4 each (£3 with Nectar card) at Sainsbury’s.
myprotein.com.

MyProtein

Myprotein’s Japanese-style chicken curry and rice is tasty[/caption]

MEAL BOXES

RECIPE boxes can take the stress out of cooking.

Mindful Chef says it is “healthy food, made easy”.

It’s simple to order. You can choose up to five meals from a selection of 24 recipes each week and it’s easy to skip a box or pause the subscription.

The kits come with all the ingredients in the exact amounts you need, plus recipe cards, though mine was missing first-time.

All meals are gluten-free with no refined carbs, and there are high-protein options. I wasn’t blown away by the taste, but felt the food was good for me.

Recent offerings include Ancho-spiced salmon bowl with corn salsa (33g fat, 692cals and 41g protein). From £5.50 a portion.
mindfulchef.com

Mindful Chef

Mindful Chef’s recipe boxes include Ancho-spiced salmon bowl with corn salsa[/caption]

MICROWAVE MEALS

If you need a ready meal on hand for busy days, you could do far worse than the Prep’d Protein dinners now available at Asda.

I tried Firecracker Chicken, which had a lovely, spicy flavour. It was really filling too so I wasn’t snacking afterwards. It contains a whopping 36g protein but is low in calories with just 435 per serving, and 9.1g fat.

Be aware the salt content is quite high, at 2.22g, so this meal may not be suitable if you have a heart condition or are watching your salt intake. Plus it contains 14.1g sugar.

It takes just over five minutes in the microwave.

There is a chipotle beef chilli meal, too, which also tasted great, and I felt both were reasonably priced, currently on offer for £3.47 at Asda.
prepdprotein.co.uk.

prep'd

Prep’d Protein dinners are now available at Asda[/caption]

EASTENDERS fans are still reeling after the 40th anniversary episodes that aired last week.

The iconic BBC soap opera turned 40 last week, and to commemorate the milestone, a live episode aired.

BBC

Stacey Slater was devastated when Martin Fowler died in the live episode[/caption]

BBC

The 40th anniversary was marked by a massive explosion[/caption]

BBC

The soap is celebrating its 40th anniversary[/caption]

In the live episode, Martin Fowler was tragically killed after a beam fell on his legs after the Queen Victoria pub suffered an explosion.

The devastating scenes came soon after Martin confessed his undying love for ex-wife Stacey Slater.

But ahead of the live episode and the other 40th anniversary episodes airing, fans were making an urgent plea for an iconic character to return to Walford.

Fans were desperate for one Slater family member to return to the soap to mark the show’s anniversary.

BBC

Michelle Ryan played the role of Zoe Slater in the hit soap[/caption]

BBC

Zoe was a character in the soap from 2000 until 2005[/caption]

BBC

Michelle, who played Zoe, has refused to return to the soap on several occasions[/caption]

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Michelle has been approached by the show but isn’t keen on making a comeback[/caption]

“With Lacey Turner going on maternity leave and presumably a Stacey exit – it’s perfect timing for Zoe’s return..” one person penned amid the anniversary episodes.

“Kathy’s comeback for the 30th was such a OMG moment. Will the 40th offer a similar surprise? I predict a Zoe Slater return,” speculated another.

A third tried to manifest Zoe Slater’s return, writing: “ZOE SLATER WILL RETURN TONIGHT LIVE ON #EASTENDERS.”

“If this big return in #Eastenders isn’t Zoe Slater, then quite frankly, I couldn’t give a f**k who it is,” said a fourth.

And now it has been revealed that Michelle Ryan, who played the role of Zoe Slater on the hit soap, has TURNED DOWN multiple offers to return.

“Bosses reached out to Michelle several times over the years, they would love to have her back.

“For example, as the soap was approaching its big 30th anniversary, it was a gentle approach asking if she would consider a return in the lead up to it all,” a source told MailOnline.

The source went on: “This was at the very early stages of their plans but Michelle refused and there was a lot of disappointment amongst bosses.”

They added how it’s “quite baffling” why she wouldn’t want to reprise her character.

“It’s been 20 years since she left Albert Square but still people are talking about her character,” they went on.

Michelle previously admitted that she “got quite bored in the end” of playing Zoe.

Speaking to the Bristol Evening Post at the time of her show departure, she said: “Doing the same thing day in, day out. It’s just so boring. I like to jump from different things.

“I always saw EastEnders as an apprenticeship. I always wanted to go on and do different things. I have some really good friends from that show but the door is closed.”

Michelle, 40, played the iconic role of Zoe Slater in the hit soap, with her stepping into the role at just 15.

Making her first appearance in the soap back in 2000, alongside the rest of the Slater clan, Zoe was a fan-favourite.

Her character’s key storylines in the soap included discovering Kat Slater was her mother and not her sister, as well as being involved in the cover up of the murder of Den Watts.

Zoe was only in the soap for five years, yet made a huge impact.

Michelle departed the soap in June 2005 and has never reprised her role since.

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Michelle said she got bored of playing Zoe at the time of her show departure[/caption]

instagram

Michelle is now 40 years of age[/caption]

FOREVER YOUNG denied Romantic Warrior in a battle for the ages in the world’s richest horse race, the Saudi Cup.

It was a two-horse race on paper and the £16 million duel in the desert went all the way to the line.

The race was won, or lost, on the final bend, where James McDonald made a sweeping five-wide move to take the lead into the straight.

Ryusei Sakai and Forever Young were left trailing, and it looked as though 10-time Group 1 superstar Romantic Warrior would prove the naysayers wrong on his first dirt start.

But Sakai never panicked and galvanised Forever Young to motor down the outside of Romantic Warrior, getting up in the final strides.

It was heartbreak for Hong Kong’s hero but for Japan’s leading light, he got his deserved day in the sun after sickening places in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Kentucky Derby.

Forever Young’s trainer Yoshito Yahagi said: “This is my second win in The Saudi Cup, but no matter how many wins you have in The Saudi Cup, it is still a great feeling.

“I didn’t have confidence; I believed in him.”

Jockey Sakai added: “He jumped very well from the wide gate in 14 and got into a nice position without a problem. It was my tactics to be in that situation.

“I believe in Forever Young, I never thought I’d lose the race. This is the best moment in my life.”

For Romantic Warrior, it’ll be back on the turf for the Dubai Turf at Meydan, though this run proved a World Cup run wouldn’t be misplaced.

McDonald said: “”He ran incredibly well. I was very proud of him. He flowed into the race well and used his momentum nicely, so it was a terrific effort.

“He was gallant in defeat, the race worked out perfectly for us, he got a little bit of kickback, sidled round just beautifully.

“I can safely say I wasn’t stopping, I didn’t alter my stride pace at all. It just shows what great horse Forever Young is and what a race was.”

It was a remarkable day for Japan, who won all four big races.

Shin Emperor won the Neom Turf Cup, beating Sir Alex Ferguson’s Spirit Dancer into sixth, before Ascoli Piceno beat countryman Win Marvel in the 1351 Turf Sprint.

Byzantine Dream, ridden by Oisin Murphy, got the third leg up easily, beating David O’Meara’s Epic Poet in the process.

SUN Racing’s tips for Sunday are below.

Back a horse by clicking their odds.

LONGSHOT

CAP DU NORD (3.40 Hereford) 

He has tumbled to a low mark and all of his career wins have come at this time of the year. Trainer Christian Williams is in decent form too.

THIEF

SIR ROCK (2.30 Fontwell) 

He likes it around here and is 4lb below his last winning mark so could be dangerous. 

AMI BONDHU (4.00 Fontwell) 

He ran a good race at Market Rasen last time and should be in the mix again.

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CALLUM SMITH handed Josh Buatsi the first defeat of his career with an age-defying performance of brilliant brutality and courage.

The Liverpool light-heavyweight hero looked close to retirement after punishing losses to Canelo Alvarez and Artur Beterbiev left him beaten and adrift.

Getty

Callum Smith slugged his way to a stunning win over Joshua Buatsi[/caption]

Reuters

The unbeaten Buatsi had been favourite heading into fight night[/caption]

Reuters

But Smith put on a show to seal the WBO interim light-heavyweight title[/caption]

But he stood up to the tough Ghana-born favourite, sucked up all of his best shots and won a unanimous decision.

The three ringside judges had the horrible job of splitting the two marvellous men – with Steve Gray going far too wide –  and decided: 119-110, 115-113 and 116-112.

FOLLOW THE ACTION FROM RIYADH WITH OUR BOXING LIVE BLOG

Despite both light-heavy beanpoles being tall and technical range-fighters, the best action of the opener was up close and personal.

The pair clinched and swapped hooks like little Mexicans.

Buatsi, 31, scored with a hook double to head and body but then Mundo landed a left hook to the ribs that echoed around the Riyadh arena.

Smith was bundled down once but it was rightly called a split that didn’t need a count.

Smith, 34, made a bright start to the second and made his ringside family roar with clever uppercuts.

But a Buatis left hook clipped his cheekbone and silenced the travelling Scousers and another even round followed.

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By the third round, former super-middle world champ Smith was using his superior experience and reach to score from a safe distance.

But then Buatsi peppered him with body blows toward the end of the session and for a second it seemed like Smith was folding to the canvas.

Watch the full episode of Contender on Sun Sport’s YouTube channel NOW as we exclusively go behind the scenes with Lewis Williams

Typically he dug deep and held on, even landing a long right hand before the bell.

In the fourth round, the two brilliant Englishmen glued their foreheads together and went to war.

Hooks slashed in from both sides as their torsos took a leather but it was Smith who walked back to his corner with a cut and welt around his right eye.

Smith enjoyed his best round in the fifth after Buatsi made a horrible start. The Croydon ace spent the first two minutes tucked up in his shell, absorbing blows on his tight guard.

Getty

Smith battled on despite a bad cut above his right eye[/caption]

Getty

His combination work earned Mundo a unanimous decision win[/caption]

His only respite came when a blow blew the mouthguard out of his mouth.

Smith totally dominated the session and Buatsi needed a drastic change of pace.

But it was Smith who raced up the gears, battering Buatsi throughout the sixth, with referee Howard Foster looking on the cusp of a stoppage.

Suddenly, with ten seconds left of the one-sided beating, Buatsi landed a huge left hook and it was Smith who was buzzed and struggling and glad to hear the bell.

Both warriors needed a breather in the seventh and took a break from the brutal hooks and right hands they had swapped.

They exchanged long and safe jabs and recuperated, it was a well-earned rest in a superb fight that was almost impossible to split.

Buatsi ate three scything right hands in the eighth that forced him backwards but, just before the bell, it was Smith who had to stagger backwards, onto the ropes, when he was tagged back with a reverse one-two.

In round nine, Buatsi completely gave up defending against Smith’s right hand and was peppered with the same predictable blow to make it a clear round for the 30-2 veteran.

Reuters

The win extends Smith’s pro record to 31–2[/caption]

In serious danger of drowning in the desert, Buatsi turned the tide in the tenth and ran away with the round with clinical combinations, thrown from angles.

But when he got greedy Smith shot back with that right and bought himself another round.

Smith’s daddy-long legs started to betray him in the eleventh, when Buatsi’s fresher engine started to make him look the most likely winner.

But both heroes kept punching and ducking and digging deeper and deeper.

They hugged before the start of the 12th, it was boxing perfection, the best of Britain.

Smith was forced into the backfoot but it was from there that he landed a right hand and left hook that wobbled Buatsi.

It was Smith’s turn to lose his gum shield with 50 seconds to go but there was enough time for both magnificent men to finish with a gunfight.

Smith’s team, led by brother Paul, raced into the ring to celebrate and Callum climbed the corner turnbuckles to wave victoriously to the crowd.

The pair embraced and waited for the judges to decide that Smith was back among the light-heavyweight world title race.

OLEKSANDR Usyk was spotted asking for Anthony Joshua just seconds after arriving for Beterbiev vs Bivol 2.

Fans claimed that the heavyweight champion’s “aura is crazy” after watching his slick building entrance in Saudi Arabia.

DAZN

Oleksandr Usyk was spotted asking for Anthony Joshua just seconds after arriving for Beterbiev vs Bivol 2[/caption]

DAZN

Fans claimed that the heavyweight champion’s ‘aura is crazy’[/caption]

Usyk donned flash sunglasses and a Ukrainian inspired outfit as he arrived for the blockbuster ‘Fight Card of the Century’.

The 38-year-old could be seen walking in with his entourage, with many of his pals matching his yellow and blue Stone Island attire.

Usyk was videoed immediately shaking hands with Liam Smith, whose brother Callum handed Joshua Buatsi the first defeat of his career in the first fight of the night.

But it was Usyk’s interaction with AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn that had everybody talking early on.

The unified WBC, WBA, and WBO heavyweight champ could be hearded quietly chanting: “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie” before he shook hands with Hearn.

Usyk then quizzed the Matchroom owner: “Is Anthony Joshua here?”

To which Hearn simply responded: “Yes”.

And fans believe it could be a sign of things to come later as there’s been talks of a possible third fight between AJ and Usyk.

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One wrote: “Usyk is the man. What a gangster!”

Another wrote: “Bros aura is crazy .”

A third said: “AJ will probably try to call him out later. But there’s no point.”

Watch the full episode of Contender on Sun Sport’s YouTube channel NOW as we exclusively go behind the scenes with Lewis Williams

Getty

Anthony Joshua is also in attendance for Beterbiev vs Bivol 2[/caption]

The Watford boxer was easily beaten in their first two bouts – before Usyk then did the double over Tyson Fury, who retired last month.

Hearn also stated that his fighter would like “another crack at Daniel Dubois” – who holds the IBF belt.

Dubois was looking to defend his IBF title on Saturday after coming off a brutal knockout win over Joshua in September.

Dubois pulled out of Saturday’s co-feature heavyweight title match against Joseph Parker with illness.

With Usyk and AJ both in the building, they’ll watch Congolese boxer Martin Bakole step in to fight Parker on two days notice.

But everybody has truly travelled to Riyadh to watch two of the very best fighters in the world rematch as the headliner.

Artur Beterbiev will rematch Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light-heavyweight world championship on Saturday.

A BUNCH of £1 daffodils is the perfect cheap and cheer­ful treat at this time of year.

The bright yellow petals will brighten up any home amid the February gloom.

Photographers Choice - Getty

Four savvy ways to enjoy your daffodils for longer this spring[/caption]

But, like with any flower, there are tricks to get the most out of daffs.

Enjoy them for longer with this bunch of clever ideas.

BUD NOT BLOOM: A gorgeous bunch of daffodils gladdens the heart, but it’s always best to buy them when the buds are still closed.

This is because they will come into bloom quite quickly, so you can enjoy them for longer if you buy them in bud.

THE DAFF DARK SIDE: Did you know daffs give off a toxic sap? This means they’re not great to mix with other flowers in an arrangement. That’s especially true when it comes to the other bright February bloom, tulips. But you can mix them with other kinds of daffodils.

If you really want to use them in an arrangement with other flowers, soak the cut stems overnight in cold water first to release the harmful substance, which can also irritate skin.

DAZZLING DISPLAY: Daffodils can look amazing in whatever vase you use. Even a simple jam jar will work with the happy flowers. But experiment with different-shaped vessels to get a look you love.

A narrow-top vase will bring all the trumpet-shaped heads together for an intense burst of colour. A wider opening will give a more relaxed and rustic look.

SNIP TIPS: Whichever vase you choose, cut around 3cm off the stem before placing in a fairly shallow amount of cold water. Change the water every two to three days to keep the flowers fresh for longer.

They are thirsty flowers so make sure they always have enough to drink.

Avoid displaying them near direct sunlight or heat, such as on a sunny windowsill or near a radiator. Also, keep them away from a fruit bowl and other food.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

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ARSENAL ace Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off once more following another VAR review.

Lewis-Skelly, 18, and the rest of Mikel Arteta’s men endured a miserable afternoon at the Emirates as they lost 1-0 to London rivals West Ham following Jarrod Bowen’s winner.

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Premier League

Premier League

Premier League

That shocking loss dealt a major blow to the Gunners’ Premier League title hopes as a victory would have seen them cut down the deficit with leaders Liverpool to five points.

And things got worse for the North Londoners in the 73rd minute when their teenage defender fouled Mohammed Kudus.

The Arsenal academy graduate was caught in possession on the halfway line, with the hosts pushing for an equaliser.

Kudus nicked the ball off the youngster, with Arteta’s goalkeeper David Raya miles off his line.

With the forward in the clear, Lewis-Skelly lunged in to try and poke the ball away.

The versatile defender made limited contact with the ball, bringing the West Ham star down, and after an initial yellow card referee Craig Pawson upgraded it to red following a VAR review.

The Premier League addressed that decision deeming the Ghana international was denied an “obvious goal-scoring opportunity”.

The Prem explained: “VAR checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Lewis-Skelly for a challenge on Kudus – deeming it denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity due to the goalkeeper’s position and there being no covering defender, therefore recommended an on-field review.

“The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card.”

This isn’t the first time Lewis-Skelly has been sent off in the Premier League.

The Arsenal ace was controversially sent off against Wolves last month.

He received a straight red at Molineux for a cynical foul on Matt Doherty.

On that occasion, Lewis-Skelly made the tackle on the edge of the Wolves area as the hosts attempted to counter.

But Arsenal later launched an appeal and the FA subsequently lifted Lewis-Skelly’s suspension.

It has been branded a 'must-watch' by fans.