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2019 BEAUTY BLOGMAS MAKEUP

URBAN DECAY- NAKED HONEY PALETTE – REVIEW & SWATCHES

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 3! Over the years, Urban Decay have launched many a palette. In more recent years, we were treated to the Naked Heat (2017) and the Naked Cherry (2018), both of which practically caused the beauty community to lose their minds with excitement and hysteria. This summer, they released The Naked Honey Palette, the latest and permanent addition to the series! I near enough collapsed when I saw how beautiful that this palette was. I’ve had it in my makeup collection since September but I wanted to save my review for Blogmas as I feel like it would make the perfect Christmas gift!

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PACKAGING & PRICE

With a glossy plastic exterior, the packaging is the same as the other palettes in the Naked range. It’s not made from flimsy or cheap plastic either, it feels study, heavy and luxurious! The design is stunning, with what seems like a pool of honey on the front, behind gorgeous gold font. It’s simple, yet effective. How much is it? The Naked Honey Palette retails at £42. Which is their most expensive palette , given that it contains less product per pan than most of Urban Decay’s palettes, I’m expecting great things…Where can you buy it? You can get hold of the palette from Urban Decay’s website itself, or through various other retailers such as John Lewis, Look Fantastic and Feel Unique.

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Inside the palette, there are 12 eyeshadows: including mattes, shimmers and metallics, as well as a generously sized mirror! Sticking with the honey theme, each shade has it’s own name – my favourite being “Golden”! In terms of the colour scheme, the palette features a variety of neutral shades, including “classic golds, warm ambers and rich chocolate browns”. It’s the perfect palette to create some natural glam as well as bold, statement looks.

First six shades swatched (Flyby – Golden)

SWATCHES

Flyby – Pale beige with satin finish – This formula is absolute goals. It’s literally the perfect base shade for me; it’s slightly shimmery but still has great coverage.

Sweet – Peachy matte – This is another great versatile neutral shade. I can see myself using this to transition into darker shades a lot. It doesn’t have the sheen as “Flyby” but the formula is still beautifully soft.

Swarm – Light orange with yellow undertones and matte finish– This is the kind of shade that I wear on a daily basis. They can be used to create simple and natural looks as well as warm-toned glam. It’s very pigmented and really easy to blend too.

Amber – Rich amber/copper with metallic finish- This is one of those magical shades that can take a look from daytime to night-time in seconds. It adds such a gorgeous sparkle to my makeup. Amber is super pigmented yet it’s a total dream to blend. It doesn’t fade quickly either!

Keeper – Light-medium brown with orange undertones and matte finishh – This is another daily must-have shade for me. I love creating natural warm-toned looks so I know I’ll get plenty of use use out of Keeper. It has the same fluffy and smooth texture as Sweet and Swarm.

Golden – Bright, warm gold with metallic finish– Good grief. This is by far, my favourite shade in this palette. If I could bathe in it, I actually would. I’ve never known pigmentation quite like it and it has the most beautiful, sparkling finish to it. It barely takes a swipe for your lids to be glistening! There’s the tiniest bit of fallout but quite frankly, I couldn’t care less. It’s my new go-to!

Last six shades swatched (Honey – Sting)

SWATCHES

Honey – Bright gold with yellow undertones and metallic finish – This shade isn’t as outrageous as Golden, but it’s still gorgeous. It has a slightly firmer texture to it, however it does still apply smoothly and there is very little fallout. It’s perfect for anyone that prefers to use a cooler-toned gold on their eyes.

Queen – Medium brown with gold and bronze reflects – I like that this shade isn’t just a brown (it’s an M&S brown…such a dad joke I’m sorry) it has some olive undertones and some flecks of gold in it that make it more interesting. As you can see the pigmentation is fabulous!

Hive – Medium warm brown with warm undertones and matte finish – Another daily shade for me. I use shades like this all the time in my crease and along my lower lashline. The formula is really soft and easy to blend.

Drip – Medium brown with red undertones and matte finish – This shade looks so good when blended with some lighter shades like Hive or Swarm. I can imagine this will be a really popular shade for creating looks with this Autumn.

Hbic – Medium copper with warm undertones and a metallic finish – I just feel good when I’m wearing this shade. It’s not as intense as “Golden” but it still packs a lot of punch and it looks a lot brighter when applied with a wet brush.

Sting – Dark brown with warm, purple undertones – This matte was the tiniest bit patchy but then again, that could be down to my poor swatching skills. It adds some dark drama to my eye looks, which is perfect for nights out. I like that it’s easy to blend as I don’t suit the panda look.

WHAT DO I THINK?

This has got to be my favourite palette from Urban Decay so far. Yes it’s pricey but in my opinion, it’s worth it for the quality of the shades inside. I love the colour scheme, it’s a great palette if you’re needing some warm-toned shades in your collection. It’s going to be so popular during Autumn, I can’t wait to see what people create with this palette! There’s a great variety of shades too, I like that I can play it safe or go all out with them. In terms of formula, they’ve nailed it. I was quite literally gobsmacked when I swatched “Golden”, it took me a few minutes to recover. I’ve received so many compliments when I wear that shade – I feel good wearing this palette! The packaging looks so luxurious, it definitely stands out in my collection. I absolutely recommend trying this palette!

Get the Urban Decay Naked Honey Palette here

Let me know what you think of this palette in the comments! Don’t forget to follow my socials – come and say hey!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY MAKEUP

TESTING PRIMARK’S – ‘HYDRATE’ SETTING SPRAY

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! My review; “Testing Primark’s “Glow’ Setting Spray” has quickly become one of my most popular blog posts and so I figured I’d give the people what they want! Today, I’m going to be sharing my thoughts on their Hydrate setting spray. I’ve also reviewed their ‘Nudes‘ makeup range if you’re interested in seeing how their makeup performs too…

Since I put the Primark Glow spray to the test, I am a setting spray convert. I never used to believe in them, I thought they were more of a gimmick than anything else. Since then, I haven’t gone a day (when I’m wearing makeup) without giving my mug a spritz. In this new range, there’s three sprays to choose from; glow, hydrate and matte. This time, we’re giving Hydrate a closer look!

According to Primark, Hydrate is a setting spray infused with Rose Water, Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera. I don’t have dry skin so I wouldn’t say I need a really intense hydrating setting spray in my life, but then again, I cannot stand when my makeup goes cakey or looks dull. This spray sounds like the perfect combination – it’s not too much, it’s just enough. It claims to hold your makeup in place, whilst leaving your skin looking refreshed and hydrated. It retails at £4 for a 110ml bottle, which is amazing value. Unlike when I use some high-end setting sprays, I won’t have to worry about using it on a daily basis, as it’s not expensive to repurchase and replace. Again, the packaging is really simple, this time the bottle is an aqua green. It’s not glitz and glam but I mean, it was only £4. It’s still serving me some NARS vibes with that font though.

So, what do I think? I LOVE it! Firstly, it dries pretty quickly and my skin doesn’t feel sticky or look too shiny. My makeup looks so much more fresh and flawless because I think it absorbs any excess powder and gives my face the hydration that it needs. It smells so good too! It smells like sugar and sweets which is a lot nicer than those sprays that smell like chemicals. A little goes a long way as a lot of product is released with each pump. You definitely won’t need heaps and heaps which makes it perfect for those mornings where you need to spritz and sprint! Also, this is the perfect spray for those days where the weather is particularly drying. If I have to brace the cold winds outside, I always make sure I have this spray on me to give myself a pick me up once I’m back inside! I reckon it will also be extremely refreshing on a really hot day too, especially if you’re feeling all clammy and flustered (we’ve all been there don’t judge). I’m so glad that I picked this spray up because it’s just amazing. I’m going to have to stock up on it before it gets discontinued (please god no) or people read this and go and buy it all…

I can no longer justify spending nearly £20 on a bottle of setting spray when this one, priced at only £4, ticks every box for me. If I didn’t know where it was from, I’d have guessed a high-end brand, never Primark! I’m so impressed with it. It’s totally worth giving it a try and if it’s not for you, don’t forget there’s also two other sprays in the range; glow and matte. If you’d like me to review the matte spray, let me know and I’ll test it out! What do you think of setting sprays? Do you have any favourites? Have you tried Primark’s new range? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY MAKEUP

TESTING PRIMARK’S – ‘GLOW’ SETTING SPRAY

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I decided to treat myself to a mooch around my local Primark as it had been far too long and I was beginning to get withdrawal symptoms. Of course, I was met with fast fashion and the latest beauty trends at unbelievable prices, ah the wonderfully worrying world of “How did they produce this that quickly?” and “Why is everything so cheap?”. There’s nothing quite like it. Speaking of Primark Beauty, if you haven’t already read it, I reviewed their ‘Nudes’ makeup range a while ago, and people still seem to be enjoying it! Give it a read if you want to find out a bit more about Primark’s makeup – who knows, you might even need a new setting spray to keep it all in place…

Whilst rummaging through what was left of the makeup section following an arrival of several heavily made up little girls (I’m not sure how to feel about this, given their makeup looked better than I could ever aspire mine to be… SOS) I stumbled across a new range of prepping and setting sprays. I’ve always been a sceptic when it comes to these. They’ve always been raved about in the beauty community, Urban Decay’s “All-Nighter”, being one of the best (and most expensive) sellers. I was never sure if they were worth investing in so, I decided to take the plunge! There were a few to choose from, Matte, Hydrate and finally, the one I chose, Glow.

According to Primark, Glow is a setting spray, infused with Vitamin B5, illuminating pearls and Aloe Vera. I liked the sound of this because I tend to go for a dewy look, I’m not a matte kind of girl and this seemed to tick all of the boxes. Not only does it claim to hold makeup in place, but it leaves your skin looking fresh with a healthy and radiant glow. It retails at £4 for a 110ml bottle, which I think is incredible value! If this turns out to work as well as some of those high-end setting sprays on the market, I think Primark are onto something. Also, I wouldn’t have to worry about using it every day, as it’s cheap to replace and purchase on a regular basis. I actually really like the packaging too, it’s nothing out of the ordinary but for £4, I wasn’t expecting it to be made of gold either. I’m getting some NARS vibes with that font too- anyone else?

So, how well does it work? I swatched some eyeshadow on my hand and then gave it a spritz of Glow. Firstly, I noticed that it did take a while to dry – roughly two-three minutes and that’s with lots of wafting, fanning and blowing too. Once it had dried, it felt quite tacky on the skin which had me worried at first but after a while it felt smooth and almost like it wasn’t there at all. I tried to smudge my eyeshadow but it was going absolutely nowhere. The tiniest bit of product shifted but 99% of it remained exactly where I had put it. It also has a fresh and pleasant scent, I was kind of expecting to be knocked out by chemicals! Nobody wants to leave the house smelling like a scientific experiment so it’s nice that they’ve paid attention to this detail.

In all honesty, I wasn’t expecting it to be that good, and I have to admit, it’s giving the likes of Urban Decay a run for their money. I cannot recommend this setting spray enough, for the price, the look and the quality – it’s absolutely worth trying out. Don’t forget, if Glow doesn’t sound appealing to you, there’s two other sprays in the range. If you’d like me to review the others, let me know and I’ll test them out! What do you think of setting sprays? Do you have any favourites? Have you tried Primark’s new range? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY MAKEUP

URBAN DECAY – LIQUID MOONDUST EYESHADOW REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m currently drowning in work for my dissertation so I won’t be posting as regularly as I’d like to but please bare with me whilst I try and get my life together! Final year seems to be a bit like a circus act – keep all of the plates spinning at once and you’ll be fine. Let one drop and you’ll be missing lectures to catch up on lectures! I just need to keep spinning for a bit longer and it’ll all be worth it (I hope).

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I have another review for you today and this time it’s looking at one of Urban Decay’s Liquid Moondust Eyeshadows in the shade “Chem Trail”. They had a sale just after Christmas and I snapped this up as soon as I saw it! I’m always attracted to anything glittery, shimmery and sparkly so as you can imagine it was only a matter of seconds before we reached the checkout together. I hadn’t heard much about them and I couldn’t figure out if that was because they weren’t great or because they were the underrated dark horse that we hadn’t discovered yet. So, let’s find out.

The Liquid Moondust eyeshadows retail at £15.50 each, which I think is a bit much. I think £10 would be a more reasonable price for the 5g of product that we get. The packaging is really pretty. I love the cosmic theme and the way that it catches the light at certain angles. Urban Decay have always done their branding and their packaging right – despite taking the mickey with prices most of the time. When you open up the pretty little box, you’ll find something that looks like Tinker Bell created it herself. I love that you can see the product through the clear tube and the way that the silver font adds some more sparkle.

It’s a no from me. Eyeshadow brushes are ideally meant to be soft and big enough to spread product quickly. This is tiny, stiff and just awkward to use. It’s more of an eyeliner brush which isn’t what it’s sold as so I’m a bit confused as to why they went for this design. Am I just being weird about it? Let me know in the comments what you think.

Note that this swatch shows how the product sits when it’s immediately applied to the skin, not what it looks like blended out – that was too difficult to capture in a photo, which I think says enough anyway!

The formula isn’t chunky thank god. There’s nothing worse than attempting to blend and instead you’re just dragging huge clumps of glitter around. It dries quite quickly too and it didn’t budge until I removed it with a makeup wipe. I would have preferred it to be be more pigmented though, as when I blended it out, it practically disappeared into a very subtle shimmer. When I say blending, it was a bit of a nightmare with that brush…

So, what’s the verdict?

In terms of what I don’t like… If you’re looking for something that makes people stop and ask “what eyeshadow are you wearing?”, I don’t think this is the one for you. However, if you’re looking for a sheer and barely there shimmer on your lids, I’m sure that you will love this product. I might sound really harsh, but for me, this eyeshadow just doesn’t compare to some of the others that I own. If the formula was a little more like the Makeup Revolution Eye Glisten range, I would be buying every shade available! Most of the time when it comes to glitter, I like to go all out, like a glitter ball (don’t judge me) but this is much more…subtle.

That being said, it’s still extremely pretty once it’s blended out and you’ll be looking like Edward Cullen in no time – by that I mean the shimmering, not the fake six pack or the yellow eyes. It’s probably not going to be your night on the town ally but more your summer sidekick. It’s perfect for those days where you quickly need to slap something on sharpish but still look like you’ve made an effort. If you want to go for that “no makeup” makeup look, it would look stunning all over the lids when fully blended out. It’s also exactly what you need when you want to add a touch of sparkle along the lash line, in fact, it’s almost like it was intended for that to be it’s primary use.

If any improvements were to be made, hands down, I’d want a doe-foot applicator, just to make application (shock) a bit easier. I don’t want to faff around with whatever that thing is when I’m trying to get my eye makeup done. I need something that can blend! I think the formula could do with being much more pigmented and less watery. Annoyingly, if you don’t use the product for a while, it separates and all you’ll get is a glittery puddle on your face. Not a fan of that – none of my other liquid eyeshadows do this so that’s a bit of a let down. However, I do really like the way that the shadow works as a subtle shimmer on the eyes. Come to think of it, it could even blend out to be a shimmery highlight on the cheekbones. I’m definitely going to have a play with it and see how I can make it work for me.

Check out Urban Decay’s Liquid Moondust Eyeshadows here!

Have you tried Urban Decay’s Liquid Moondust Eyeshadows? What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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2018 BEAUTY BLOGMAS MAKEUP

THE CHERRY ON TOP? URBAN DECAY’S NAKED CHERRY PALETTE

Hey Everyone,

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I hope you’re all doing well! Ladies and gents, we are gathered here today, to witness the beauty that is the Naked Cherry Palette! Urban Decay’s Naked palettes have always been popular in the beauty community and every time a new one is released, we all go nuts. When we heard about the potential release of a cherry themed palette, we all nearly lost our s#!t. For a start, I love all things cherry! Whether that’s the fruit, the scent or the colour – I’m obsessed. In fact, I was so keen that I ordered the palette during the early release period!

 I wanted to review it straight away, so waiting for Blogmas wasn’t easy! I’m glad I did though, as I’m sure lots of you will be adding this to your Christmas lists or buying it for someone special! They’d definitely have to be special considering that the palette retails at a whopping £42, which is actually £3 more expensive than the other Naked palettes. Naturally, I assumed that the Naked Cherry would be as close to perfection as possible, otherwise why charge such a high price? Am I right people?

The packaging is stunning! It’s almost the same as the Naked Heat Palette; a glossy plastic exterior with “Naked” embossed on the front. The crimson compact is a beautiful addition to any makeup collection. Not to sound incredibly boring, but I actually prefer the plastic packaging compared to the velvet exterior that certain brands *cough ABH* go for, as they get dirty so quickly! It’s nice to have palettes that are easy to clean, that don’t look gross after a few uses. I love the use of the cherry images too! Inside there’s a full size-mirror, perfect for on-the-go use! The palette also comes with a double-ended brush, which isn’t my favourite, but I have others that I can use instead, so I’m not hugely bothered by this. One end is fab for precision but the other is quite rigid and isn’t great for blending. Next time, I’m hoping for something fluffier! I know this sounds fussy but it actually makes blending a heck of a lot easier, especially for those of us that haven’t got all day to sit and buff shadows into perfection. Apparently, the palette is subtly scented of cherries … all I’m getting is a hint of plastic and a clay-like smell. I’m kind of gutted that they didn’t follow in the sweetly scented footsteps of Too Faced and make this a cherry scent-sation (sorry, I had to). It would’ve been a nice touch, you know?

The Naked Cherry Palette features 12 all-new cherry-hued shades. The range of shades included are fantastic; a gradient ranging from natural neutrals through to dark, rich berry tones. There’s a brilliant balance of mattes (7) and shimmers (5) which is something I always look for when purchasing new palettes. I once (accidentally) bought a palette that only had mattes in it and I’ve never been so disappointed in my life, I could only create basic looks that had no glam (worst nightmare) and it totally limited what I could do with it. There’s so much creativity to be had with the Naked Cherry Palette and I can see lots of amazing looks being created. If you want to add a subtle shimmer you can, but if you want to create a dark and smouldering look, you can do that too, the choice is yours! Top tip: if you’re ever unsure of where to start with a new palette, look up what others are doing on Pinterest and you’ll find plenty of inspiration there!

Hot Spot – Pale ivory matte – I was actually so surprised at how pigmented this one was! It swatched beautifully with only a tiny bit of fallout.

Caution – Matte peachy beige – This shade literally couldn’t be a better match to my skin-tone! I’ll definitely be using this as a base before applying anything else as it’s PERFECT. It’s also surprisingly pigmented too although it does feel a tiny bit powdery.

Bang Bang – Metallic pink-coral with gold shift – I was so excited about this shade when I first saw it. It was quite dusty so I’d say a little bit goes a long way with this one. It’s so pigmented already but I noticed a huge difference when I applied it with a wet brush. It’s literally the perfect sparkly pink!

Feelz – Dusty warm rose matte – In terms of coverage, it wasn’t quite as pigmented as the first two shades in the palette, so I was a little disappointed when I swatched it. However it can be intensified with a primer! I feel like it could have been better though, which isn’t much fun to say after I’ve paid this much money…

Juicy – Matte, soft & warm peach/coral – I really love using shades like this in Spring, when all of the flowers are out and everything is looking much brighter and prettier! Is it just me that tries to tie their makeup in with the seasons or…? It’s somewhat semi-opaque, and it took a bit of work to get it all the way there, however because it’s so pretty, I’m up for using it with primers to get the most out of it!

Turn On – Soft metallic rose pink– This is what I’m talking about people! I absolutely LOVE this shade. It’s pretty, it’s pigmented and it’s rose gold – what more could you want? It looks so bright and shiny on the lid and adds a touch glam to any look in seconds. However, I’m not sure what I’m going to say when someone asks what I’m wearing in public – “oh it’s just turn on on my lids, orgasm on my cheeks and a few coats of better than sex on my lashes”. If you want to get everything you can out of this shade, apply it with a wet brush or finger – trust me!

Ambitious – Metallic Rusty-copper shimmer – I was kind of disappointed with this one. It looks very pretty when applied carefully, however if you’re wanting to go all out on the lid, it seems to lose it’s shine and becomes quite dull after a while. I’m not sure whether or not that’s intentional but I’m not the biggest fan. I tend to use a very thin layer of it to try and keep it subtle and sparkly.

Bing – Matte muted pink-mauve – I really like this shade! The coverage is amazing and what I’d hoped all of the mattes in the palette would be like. It feels very smooth and buttery and is incredibly easy to blend. More like this please Urban Decay!

Devilish – Pink-plum matte with warm undertones – I found this one a bit patchy and I’m not sure why, given how nice the formula of Bing was. I’m usually able to increase it’s opacity by using a primer and layering it slightly, so I still enjoy using it.

Young Love – Metallic magenta/cranberry pink – Isn’t it beautiful? Another formula that I absolutely love! I like that it’s cool toned too, as it means I can combine it with purples and blues for an icier look this Winter. When applied dry, the sparkle seems to fade much faster but if I apply it wet, it looks amazing for hours!

Drunk Dial – Metallic Burgundy Plum – I love using this shade in the outer corners of my lids, especially when I want to darken a look and add some drama. It’s pigmented and the colour payoff is amazing. It’s also so creamy and buttery to blend out – another formula I am a huge fan of! Again, it loses it’s sheen after a while so I always apply it wet.

Privacy – Matte Deep reddish-brown – I always hope for a dark brown shade in every palette because let’s be honest, we’d be lost without them. They’re key for making smokey eyes in seconds and they’re perfect for defining any look. I’d describe it as semi-opaque, you can see in the swatches it was slightly patchy, but all it takes is a little more work than usual and it looks gorgeous as a result. Sometimes it can sheer out slightly after a few hours so I’d recommend applying it with a tiny bit of a pigmented black shade in order to keep it looking dark and dramatic for as long as possible!

So, what do I think?

In terms of what I didn’t like, my main concerns are around the formulas and the price tag. A few of the matte shades required a fair bit of building and I noticed a few of the shimmers tended to sheer out after application. This isn’t the end of the world, it’s just a tiny bit annoying. I think the price tag is excessive. I’m all for brands trying new things and learning from their mistakes, but if a price tag as hefty as £42 is going to be justified, I’d expect everything to be near enough perfect. Maybe it’s just me, but if I’m paying this much, I don’t really want to have anything bad to say about it. It makes me wince a little when I think of what else I could spend my money on *bank account cries in the distance*.

That being said, I think Urban Decay are onto something special! I like that they’re beginning to create palettes based on a particular themes – we got the beautiful oranges and browns in the Naked Heat and now we have the pinks and plums in the Naked Cherry! It makes me excited for what they will release next. I actually like this palette a lot, despite the fact that I think there’s a few improvements to be made. I love the shades, the colours, the packaging and the theme – it has a lot going for it! I love the balance between mattes and shimmer and I think that the palette is going to be loved by those that are just starting out as well as the experienced MUAs out there. It oozes creativity and I can’t wait to see what people are doing with it! Would I recommend this palette? Yes definitely! But only if you’re happy to use lots of wet brushes and primers! If you love cherries, all things pink and purple – go for it!

Buy the palette here!

What do you think of the Naked Cherry Palette? Be sure to let me know in the comments and don’t forget to follow me on my socials!

N xxxx

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2018 BEAUTY BLOGMAS MAKEUP

MY FAVOURITE FESTIVE LIPSTICKS

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Hey Everyone,

Welcome to Blogmas Day 1! I can’t believe we’re already here, it seems like yesterday that I was writing last year’s Blogmas content. I thought I would kick it all off with a post about my favourite lipsticks to wear over the festive period. It’s like I evolve from being nude and neutral-loving to dark and dramatic in the space of a season. I used to practically sprint away from anything red and now it’s a totally different story!

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MAC – Retro

First up, we have Mac’s Retro. My dad actually bought me this one last Christmas! This tends to be my transition lipstick from Autumn to Winter. It’s a muted peachy-pinky brown so I’m still getting to wear something that I’m used to but at the same time it’s darker than my usual go-to shades. I love that it has a satin finish to it as it’s non-drying but still really pigmented. A cheaper dupe for this is Sephora’s Labyrinth City!

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Illamasqua – Vixen

This is the beautiful Vixen in Illamasqua’s Lava Lips range! I originally picked it up because I was so intrigued by the marbled design however, upon trying it out, it quickly became one of my Winter favourites. The colours blend so well together to create a vibrant and intense pinky-red. It’s slightly different every time I use it and that’s why I love it! The finish, again, is satin, which keeps my lips feeling soft and moisturised. The packaging is also so sophisticated and sleek – I love everything about this lipstick! I can’t find any dupes for this as it’s just so unique!

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Anastasia Beverly Hills – Rogue

Here we have one of Anastasia Beverly Hill’s matte lipsticks in the shade Rogue. It’s a dark brownish red that fulfils all my festive lipstick desires! It has warm undertones, which is why I enjoy wearing it at this time of year. It may be frosty outside, but my lips will stay rosy for as long as possible thank you very much. Not only is it really pigmented, but it’s ultra-matte formula ensures that it stays on all day.

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Urban Decay – Plaid

This is one of Urban Decay’s lipsticks from their Vice range in the shade Plaid. I chose it because at this time of year I can’t resist deep berry tones! It’s a cool pinky-red with  a sheer finish so it’s hydrating and always makes me look so healthy! Although the texture is quite thin, it’s still pigmented and it’s buildable if I ever wanted something slightly more intense.

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MAC – Persistence

A Peachy cinnamon shade, absolutely perfect for this time of year! It’s also perfect for anyone that doesn’t want to wear anything really dark or dramatic. It has warm, reddish-orange undertones, so although it’s almost a brown, it’s actually really flattering on and I’m still staying within my comfort zone! I love a matte lip in Winter too, especially with the amount of hot chocolates I get through every day, I need something that doesn’t budge! However, it can be a tiny bit drying, so I always make sure my lips are moisturised before applying it.

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I really hope that you enjoyed my first Blogmas post of 2018! My makeup routine completely changes over winter, so I’m always curious as to whether or not anyone else’s does too! Let me know in the comments what your winter beauty staples are! Tomorrow’s post is a HUGE gift guide that I’ve been working on for ages! I’ve included all kinds of bits and pieces to suit lots of different price ranges, so make sure you come back at 6pm to have a read!

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N xxxx

 

 

 

Categories
BEAUTY

URBAN DECAY NAKED FLUSHED – NOONER REVIEW

URBAN DECAY NOONER PALETTE

Hey Everyone,

Finally the sun has arrived here in the UK and it’s about time! I was getting so sick of the cold and gloomy days, I just couldn’t find the energy to get things done. I’m excited to feeling more energised and motivated by this much nicer weather! Today, Im reviewing The Urban Decay Naked Nooner Palette*. This caught my eye back in December and I’ve been waiting to post about it for a while now so let’s get into it!

URBAN DECAY NOONER PALETTE

The packaging is super pretty and simple, similar to most of the Urban Decay Naked products. I love the reflective rose gold text on the grey, it really stands out and looks so nice in my collection. I also like that the packaging shows what the products look like too.

URBAN DECAY NOONER PALETTE

The actual palette itself it made from plastic – the expensive-feeling kind and it’s also got this grogeous sparkly/metallic sheen to it. Again, the rose gold writing stands out and I think this really emphasises that it’s more of a high-end product.

URBAN DECAY NOONER PALETTE

All of the Urban Decay Naked Flushed palettes contain three different shades of bronzer, highlighter and blusher. I chose Nooner as it contains the shades that I consider to be the most wearable for me. I love that there are three products fit into one palette as it makes this palette perfect for travelling and on-the-go makeup. Using one palette instead of three takes up so much less room in my makeup bag. I also really like that the products work well together, particularly the bronzer and the blusher as both give me such a healthy glow! The bronzer is generously sized, as is the blusher. I was lightly disappointed with how small the highlighter was however, I’m not a huge fan of it anyway so I’m not that fussed.

URBAN DECAY NOONER PALETTE

The bronzer is a fairly light shade but it’s definitely buildable. I like that it’s warm-toned as this suits my skintone best. It reminds me slightly of the Hoola Bronzer by Benefit actually. It gives me such a gorgeous healthy bronzed look. I can’t wait to use this in Summer and on holiday. The bronzer is also super easy to blend and apply and it doesn’t look muddy or patchy at all. It’s definitely not the most intense bronzer I’ve ever used but it’s perfect for the more natural looks that I like to create.

The blusher is such a pretty and flirty shade of pink. It’s buildable so you probably won’t go overboard in one sweep. I’ve always been quite timid with blusher so I was actually glad to find that this shade wasn’t too intense. This blusher looks so nice with Spring-themed outfits and makeup (pastels).

The highlighter is the most disappointing part of the palette. I understand that this palette is probably for natural makeup looks but it certainly didn’t need to be this basic. It’s more glittery and chalky than creamy which was really annoying. I don’t hate it, I just own better highlighters so I will probably use those. It’s a shame because it looked like the perfect champagne-shimmer shade! However, when I want something really subtle I think this will come in handy.

Overall, this palette isn’t the best but it also isn’t the worst. It’s definitely not for those that want something intense, I’d say it’s better for someone just getting started with makeup. It’s a nice palette, it’s just lacking in some areas, which isn’t what I would expect when it’s from Urban Decay. It’s also quite annoying that the three shades aren’t separated by anything as they tend to get mixed up sometimes and that can make it difficult to apply each product precisely to one part of the face. However, all three products in this palette are really easy to blend so any mistakes can quickly be fixed. I also love how easy it is to carry and it will make travelling with makeup so much easier. I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know what you think of it in the comments as I love hearing from you!

N xxxx

BUY THE NOONER PALETTE HERE*

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*Anything marked with an “*” are affiliate links, which means I earn commission through every click, however all opinions are my own!

Categories
BEAUTY

URBAN DECAY NAKED ILLUMINATED POWDERS: REVIEW, SWATCHES AND PHOTOS

Hey you,

I hope you’re all doing well. Today I’m back with another review for you! I am all about highlighters at the moment, I just love how much healthier and more awake I look with a little bit of a glow! I’ve been trying out lots of different ones recently so I hope you don’t mind (I know I wouldn’t – I’m a tad obsessed) highlighter spam over the next couple of weeks.

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Today, we’re going to be talking about Urban Decay’s Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powders. I’ve heard so many great things about these and I’ve been dying to try them for so long. I’ve also read a lot of negative reviews saying that these were bad “highlighters” and that they lacked pigment or that it was too glittery – it’s worth keeping in mind that these are shimmering powders that are designed to illuminate and not necessarily be used just as a highlighter. I’m extremely fussy when it comes to shimmers and highlights as I prefer more natural shades as opposed to the extreme ones (blue and green?!).

I like the idea that these are more stripped back and delicate, as any powder products with a heavy consistency just aren’t for me. If you buy this expecting a highlighter, you might not get what you’re hoping for so keep that in mind! They retail at £24 each. Of course, in true Urban Decay style, the packaging is gorgeous and features a nude camo-print which I LOVE. I’m a huge fan of brands that put a lot of work into their packaging, because I’m someone that is drawn to more luxe and pretty looking products.

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The powder comes in a rose-gold box and it includes a generously sized mirror as well as a dome-shaped flat brush (you have to open a separate compartment underneath the powder – amazing use of space) I applied the powder with this brush and I have to say I missed using my usual fluffy highlighter brush. I reckon I would use this when travelling  because it would save space but it’s also the perfect sized brush for when you want to apply product in a specific area.

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URBAN DECAY – NAKED ILLUMINATED SHIMMERING POWDER – AURA – £24

The first shimmering powder that I chose is called Aura. I went for this shade because it has a pink-bronze tone to it, which I reckon will look so nice during the summer months or for when I’m on holiday. This powder is smooth and silky and gives my skin such a healthy and beautiful glow. It’s definitely a more natural glow but that’s what I was expecting and hoping for when I bought it. Although this is technically a powder, there’s still a colour payoff and it’s so easy to work into the skin. I saw some comments saying it left a layer of glitter but I found that it was super easy to blend in and it looked so natural!

BUY IT HERE!

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URBAN DECAY – NAKED ILLUMINATED SHIMMERING POWDER – LUMINOUS – £24

Luminous is a gorgeous champagne shade which I love as it’s slightly lighter than Aura, so it can act as more of a highlight for my skin tone. This powder has the same soft and silky texture to it and gives off an equal amount of shimmer and sparkle as the others in the range. I cannot wait to use this when the sun comes out more and I can blind people with the light reflecting particles on my cheekbones (hands down the nerdiest thing I’ve ever said).  Its just so light and easy to wear and it’s velvety texture is just SO freaking good.

BUY IT HERE

Overall, I really like both of these products. I’m so excited to use these during summer when I’m wearing more natural makeup looks or when I’m on holiday and don’t fancy making much effort. I purchased these fully expecting a shimmering powder, hence why I wasn’t disappointed when neither provided me with a crazy intense highlight. Saying that however, it’s definitely buildable but if you’re looking for something intense from the off, this probably isn’t for you. If you are looking for something like this, check out the Urban Decay website for more info! Let me know what you guys think of these and whether or not you’ve tried them, I’d love to know! I also reviewed the Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette – so click here if you’re interested!

N xxxx

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Categories
2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

URBAN DECAY: NAKED HEAT PALETTE – REVIEW

BLOGMAS DAY 3

So although I reckon I’m pretty late to the party with this, I thought a review was still owed to the undecided out there. Cutting to the chase, this palette is truly AMAZING. I have green eyes so I have always been drawn towards warm-toned shadows as they make my eye colour pop more than any other shades. Although the palette was dropped in the UK on the 27th July, I only just managed to get my hands on it, but I am so glad that it’s now safely tucked away in my makeup bag.

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There have been a variety of Naked palettes released by Urban Decay over the years with some gorgeous gold-hued, cool toned and smokey shades, however, this palette is very different. It contains 12 amber-hued neutral shades (seven mattes and five shimmers) and its sold at a rather terrifying (but absolutely worth it) £39.50. It also comes with an amazing duo-ended brush but it’s in the process of being cleaned after thorough use (so, unfortunately, it won’t have its moment in the photos.)

BeFunky Collage-20.jpgFrom top to bottom, 

  • Ounce – “Ivory shimmer”, it’s creamy & pearly – I use it most days for a brow bone highlight or for my inner corners, haven’t found much use for it on my lids.
  • Chaser – “Matte light nude”, with a tiny hint of coral, it doesn’t have a huge impact but I’ve been using it as a transition shade and to define my crease more.
  • Sauced – “Soft terra-cotta matte”, a red-toned matte fudge shade, I love buffing this into my crease to warm up my look.
  • Low Blow – “Brown matte” (A yellow-y baby poop matte as described over on Theannaedit) although it’s quite a natural shade, I love using this to slightly buff out my look – it blends like a dream.
  • Lumbre – “Copper shimmer w/gold pearl shift”, this rose gold shadow is great for a natural shimmer on the lid especially if you’re into more subtle looks. I’ve worn this mostly during the day as I prefer more intense and pigmented shadows for nights out.
  • He Devil – “Burnt red matte”, I like this shade a lot, it’s perfect for creating a simple warm look as its so easy to blend out into something more subtle. It’s a buildable shade so it can be used for an intense look too.
  • Dirty Talk – “Metallic burnt red”, This. Shade. Is. Amazing.  I do love a good copper shadow and this is a massive 10/10 from me. It’s such a stunning shimmer shade, with a bronze base. I use it for going to uni, clubbing, a quick trip to town (the lot – I can’t get enough) it can work with a more subtle sultry-daytime look as well as a full beat looks for a night out. It’s definitely a buildable shade with incredible pigmentation if you want to go all out.

BeFunky Collage-22From top to bottom,

  • Scorched – “metallic deep red w/gold micro-shimmer”, there are hints of rose gold and copper, I’d say it was just slightly rosier and more coral toned than Dirty Talk so I still love it, how, ver it works more with pink or orange based eyeshadow looks.
  • Cayenne – “deep terra-cotta matte”, such a gorgeous chocolatey brown shade, it’s really pigmented and looks so nice in the outer crease when buffed out. It works so well with He Devil when creating a simple warm-toned look.
  • En Fuego – “burgundy matte”, burgundy is one of my favourite colours to wear as an eyeshadow as in terms of my wardrobe, it really compliments the green in my eyes so I’m always on the lookout for shadows like this. It’s been great when creating more dramatic and intense looks.
  • Ashes – “deep reddish-brown matte”, the colour of this shadow is so beautiful, it’s perfect for autumn with hints of warm purple and burgundy. However, the shade is difficult to blend as it’s quite powdery in consistency.
  • Ember – “deep metallic copper-burgundy”, a stunning shimmer shade with undertones of purple, copper and brown, with even some tiny flecks of pink here and there. I have used this with every smoky eye makeup look that I’ve done since this palette entered my life. I haven’t found anything like this before, it’s so unique.

In conclusion, if you’re into warm-toned eyes looks, this palette is definitely for you. The matte shades blend so easily and the shimmers add a beautiful dramatic yet elegant hint to any look. It can be used for so many different eye looks, which means I get the most out of my money, as I can use it more than just every once in a while. Overall, I would recommend this palette – it’s definitely my favourite Naked Palette by Urban Decay as of yet!

BUY THE PALETTE HERE*

If £39.50 screams HELL NO to you, here are two dupes to help you achieve similar looks without breaking the bank…

NYX – Ultimate Shadow Palette Warm Neutrals – £16 – full of warm neutrals

Morphe – 25B Bronzed Mocha Eyeshadow Palette – £19 – 25 shadows, including deep browns, burgundies, coppers and golds as well as some more subtle shades too.

N xxxx

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