The Perfect Mauve Matte Lipstick?

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few weeks you'll know that Urban Decay recently released a few new lipsticks and lip pencils. 100 new lipstick shades to be exact and 50 pencils! The Vice collection has so many different shades to choose from, and I didn't know where to start when I approached the counter!

Many, many swatches later and I finally chose "Backtalk" which is a lovely mauve shade from Vice's "comfort matte" range. Apparently this is their most popular new shade. If you tend to stay away from summery corals and pinks in favour of browns like I do, I think Backtalk is a good compromise for summer. It has a hint of pink but is still nude and toned down enough to keep us in our comfort zone!

On the first photograph in this post the colour came up really light, but these photos show the colour better. I like this matte because it really is "comfortable". I always apply lip balm underneath my mattes anyway which always makes them a bit glossier; I can't stand dry lips! In terms of durability I would say I've had lipsticks that have lasted longer, but it was okay and I only had to reapply after eating or drinking really,

I wasn't keen on the mauve lip liner that goes with Backtalk as it has glitter particles in it, so the counter assistant showed me "Liar" which is not from the Vice collection, but the brown actually works really well under the mauve, giving it a slightly darker tone. It will also work well with a lot of my other lipsticks.  

Along with the new products, Urban Decay also released this amazing guide. I love this! It makes choosing the right lipstick so much easier, and all the colours are matched with a pencil! These are available for free at the Urban Decay counters. The new collection is available here.

Have you tried any of the new Vice collection? Which one is your favourite?

Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Review

I recently won the Naked 2 Basics Palette from a giveaway held by the lovely All That Shimmers. The naked basics palettes were never something I considered buying because I have all three of the Naked full sized palettes already so it seemed a bit unnecessary buying any Basic ones. But now I wish I had because I really like this one!

The palette contains 6 shades, none of which are in the normal Naked 2 palette. The shades are all matte, which the full size Naked palettes usually contain a couple of. I think my favourite shade is Skimp in this palette as it is a lovely colour to use on the brow bone but also to dust all over the lid. I also use Primal and Undone a lot. As you can see on these photos, my favourite look to do is this nice brown smokey eye, starting with the lighter colours on the inside of the eye and gradually building up the darker colours towards the outer corners. 

The colours in Naked 2 Basics all blend perfectly and last all day, as Urban Decay shadows always do! I really do love this palette and it's great if your going away and need to save on space. It's super light and will easily fit in your bag. I think it was meant to come with a brush too? But mine didn't for some reason! The only things I would change about this palette are Cover and Primal as they are very similar shades, so maybe they could have added a shimmer in there instead. This palette is great if you are a matte shade lover though! Also I really struggle to undo this palette! I have to dig my nails under which usually ends up in me breaking one or accidentally scraping the shadows.. But overall it's a great palette and fun to use!

Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette is available at Debenhams for £23.

Packaging: 3 (size is great but the clasp is an issue)

Product: 4

Value for Money: 3

Overall: 3.5

P.S. if anyone wants a tutorial for this look, I'd be happy to do one!

Have you tried any of the Naked Basics palettes?

Urban Decay Vice 3 Review

"Ahh isn't it beautiful?" My first thoughts! I actually got this palette back in December for Christmas, but I wanted to have a really good play around with it before I reviewed it. I feel like I really know this palette now, and as Urban Decay never disappoint in the eyeshadow department, I have a lot of good things to say about Vice 3.

How gorgeous is the packaging to start with? It's typical Urban Decay, bright and beautiful! I love how it comes with the zip-up case too, too protect all those beautiful shadows. The only thing I dislike about the packaging is that the shiny case gets my fingerprints all over it whenever I touch it!

Here are all the shades, I'm not going to list them all because you can clearly see the names. Vice 3 features a mixture of mattes and shimmers. The first vertical row are very similar to the shades you'll find in the Naked Basics palettes, and they are great for either blending the other colours in the palette or wearing alone for a natural look. I think what's great about the palette is that each vertical or horizontal row can be worn together really. It's a good challenge to wear all of the shades in a row and see what look you can make! I think a lot of these shades can be worn together, the only ones you wouldn't be able to wear as easy are Dragon and Freeze. But I have worn Freeze a few times now. 

I think my favourite shades are Truth, Heroine, Sonic and Last Sin (which I hope isn't the last Sin!) Sonic might seem like a difficult colour to wear, but it looks great blended into the crease on a brown smoky eye. I will have to do a tutorial for it :).

Vice 3 also features a large mirror which is very helpful. I haven't actually used the brush much and don't like it as much as the Naked palette brushes, but Urban Decay's brushes are always good quality and I appreciate that they don't include those useless foam ones that I always throw away!

In terms of how the colours go on, they are very pigmented and if worn over a primer go on even better. They last all day and blend so easily. I swear by Urban Decay eyeshadows though and have all three Nakeds so I wouldn't have expected any less. Although this palette is quite big, it is a lot less bulky than my Book of Shadows Volume II which I got years ago, so Urban decay have improved their designs through the years. It's definitely worth buying if you want some new colours to play with, with which you can create a range of diverse looks, from natural to very colourful. I honestly think I will use all of these shades at one time or another, I can't get enough of it! I usually tend to have my favourites for a while and then swap to new favourites as I continue to experiment.

Here are a couple of my favourite looks that I have created using Urban Decay's Vice 3. The top one is a simple brown smokey eye using Last Sin, Angel, Defy and Bobby Dazzle. The second look (my current favourite!) was created using Last Sin, Heroine, Revolver, and a light touch of Lucky on the middle of my eyelid. 

Urban Decay Vice 3 is available at Debenhams for £42.

Just incase you wondered:

Revlon Colorstay Foundation

Mac Pro Longwear Concealer

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

MAC Powder Blush in Springsheen

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Centre of Attention

Max Factor Powder (review here)

Barry M Bold Waterproof Eyeliner (first photo)

L'Oreal Superliner Black (second photo)

Benefit Browzings

MAC Creme Cup Lipstick

Packaging: 4

Product: 5

Value for Money: 4

Overall: 4.5

Have you tried Urban Decay Vice 3? If so what did you think?!

New Years Eve: 1980s Party Look

First up I apologise for my poor quality outfit photos, I didn't have time to set up my tripod so you'll have to make do with my instagram photo! 

This year for New Years Eve (also my 22nd birthday, I'm feeling twenty twoooo!) my best friend decided to host an 80's themed party. So we all went for the stereotypical 80's workout class look! I'm pretty impressed with my outfit if I don't say so myself. The lime green cycle shorts (never thought I'd be writing that I own a pair of these..) were from Ebay. They're actually an age 13-14, but they fit like a size 10/12. The tutu is also off Ebay, it came in a set with gloves and other things for a really cheap price (I think they're made for charity races etc.) but I forgot to wear the long, pink gloves for these photos! The leotard I just got from New Look a couple of years ago as I like to wear it with high waisted skirt. My scrunchy is also from New Look!

For my makeup I had a lot of fun with my new Urban Decay Vice palette! These photos really don't do it justice.. Poor lighting at nighttime! I used a pink colour (Alien) all over my lids, then a purple colour (Alchemy) which I blended into a blue colour (Freeze) which I put on the outer half of my eyes. I then put a dark purple (Bondage) in the crease to smoke it up. I just put a white shimmery colour (Bobby Dazzle) on the inner corners to make my eyes pop. I smudged these colours in the same order just under my waterline. I then applied my Loreal liquid liner in a cat eye flick and applied my Eyelure eyelashes. For my eyebrows I used Benefit Browzings (review here). I'm also wearing my new Benefit Brows! Anyone want a review of their brow arch wax and tint? 

On the rest of my face I'm wearing my usual Revlon Colorstay Foundation, MAC pro longwear concealer, Benefit bronzer in Hoola, MAC blusher in Springsheen, and I never thought I'd use this but on my lips I'm wearing Playboy lipstick in Bubblegum Pink. I received that in my Blogger Programme goody bag which you can read about here. I was actually quite impressed with how it went on and looked! I'm not much of a pink lipstick girl usually.

For my hair I plaited it a few hours before the do in lots of small braids, I then had the fun of taking them all out! I got the desired effect though, after some back-combing it was satisfactorily hugeeee and 80s worthy! I then put half of it up (messily) in a scrunchy! Done!

I really enjoyed creating this look! And I had a great night too! I hope you guys all enjoyed your New Years Eves', what did you do?

Autumn Inspired Makeup Look

Hello Lovelies! Autumn is one of my favourite times of the year, purely because of the clothes and makeup you can wear! I love cat eye flicks, bold lips and knitwear, and that's what this season is all about! If you want to find out how I got this look, scroll down :).

The outfit:  

Hat: New Look

Jacket: New Look

Dress: New Look

Necklace: Tiffany

As you can see this is mainly a "New Look" look! I used to work there and with the discount most of my clothes are from there! Unfortunately these are all from last year as I'm currently on a spending ban after America so I'm being good and recycling! However if you want any of these items they usually have similar things each year. 

Makeup:

Face:

Clinique Even Better Makeup Foundation

Revlon Colourstay Concealer

Maybelline New York Dream Powder

Revlon Blusher in Marvellous

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Eyes:

Benefit Browzings

Urban Decay Naked Palettes 2&3

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sellout

Maybelline Gel Eyeliner in Black

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

Lips:

MAC Dark Side

I started by applying Clinique's foundation with my fingers (I can't get on with brushes!) I then applied Revlon's Concealer just under my eyes and around my nose. I set the base with the Maybelline powder. I then contoured using Hoola and applied Marvellous to my cheeks. I then filled out my eyebrows using Browzings (be careful with this one!) To do my eyes I patted Strange from Naked 3 all over my lids and blended Nooner onto my outer half. I then blended Blackout into the crease to make the look more intense. I also used Sellout on the inner corner of my eyes and on the top of my cheekbones to make them pop. I then lined the top of my lash line with Maybelline's Gel Liner and created a flick. I used The Falsies on my lashes but if you wanted to make the look more dramatic you could use fake eyelashes. I used MAC's Dark Side on my lips which I absolutely love! It took me so long to find a dark red that actually suits my skin tone! 

I tried to keep this tutorial short hope you enjoyed!

What's your favourite autumn look?

FOTD: Brunette in Blue

Today I fancied making an effort with my hair for once. I feel I've been so lazy with it lately! Although my hair is thanking me for the break it's had from styling tools.. I curled it using GHDS and sprayed it with Pantene Volume and Body Mark 5 (although next time I'm going down a mark as this makes my hair a bit crispy!) I then tried the plaits that Zoella featured in her video for something a little different.

For my makeup I used:
Collection 2000 Concealer in shade 2 (light)
MAC Pressed Blot Powder in medium
AVON Deep Glow Bronzing Powder
Rimmel London Powder Blush in Winter Glow
Urban Decay Brow Box in Brown Sugar
Urban Decay Naked 3 palette
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sellout
Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner in Black
Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara
Nivea Essential Care Lip Salve
Maybelline Colorsensational Lip Liner in Sweet Pink
Bourjois lipstick in 10 Beige (think this was discontinued, I stock piled it years ago!)

Face:

Revlon Colorstay Foundation for combination/oily skin

Eyes:

Lips:

Outfit:

Jumper - New Look

Necklace - Tiffany 

This is only my second post so far in March (oops!) But my dissertation is due in March so I'm working my butt off at the moment on that! Hope you're all okay! 

Simple Bright Eye Makeup Tutorial

Today I thought I'd post a tutorial (my first one I think?!) Recently I've been playing around with Urban Decay's Naked 3 palette. although I don't like it as much as number 2, its sort of pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to try some new looks, and this one is one I have been loving.

I like to call this look The Bright Eye, as it really makes your eyes pop and its nice and so simple and natural looking. I think this would be a go to for me if I was still at school as it's more of a "no makeup, makeup look"! 

Before:

 

After:

What I'm wearing on my face:

Revlon Colorstay Foundation for combination/oily skin in Sand Beige

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW15

MAC Pressed Blot Powder in Medium

Rimmel London Powder Blush in Winter Glow

Avon Deep Glow Bronzing Powder

Lips: 

Maybelline Colorsensational Lip Liner in Sweet Pink

Nivea Essential Care Lip Salve 

Eyes:

Urban Decay Brow Box in Brown Sugar

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette, shades used:

Strange, Limit and Nooner

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sellout

Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

Barry M Kohl Pencil in Number 30

I won't go over everything that I did for my face, but I used a light concealer and used quite a lot under my eyes to really brighten them up. I also put some around my nose and any visible blemishes as flawless skin really compliments this look. I should also note I didn't have a nude lipstick on me at the time so I just filled in my lips with a lip liner! I just then went over it with my lip salve for a shiny finish. Simple!

First off give your eyebrows any filling in they need, but don't make them too over the top as this is a simple look, just aim for symmetry. For my eyes I applied Urban Decay's Primer Potion, then patted Strange (which is a matte white/cream colour) all over the lid. I just used the brush that came with the Naked 3 palette as I like this brush. I then went in with Limit (a matte pinky/brown colour) over the outer half of my eyelid. I then just went in with Nooner (a matte light brown colour) in the crease. I also put the colours under my eyes too, starting with the lightest near the corner and blending out to the darkest at the outer edge. I just think this makes my eyes look bigger. To really brighten up my eyes I then used Urban Decay's Sellout in the corner of my eyes. I applied this quite generously. Sellout is great as a highlight as it's really light and shimmery. It was also the closest colour to Bootycall that I could find! (Tip: make sure you blend all the colours well! This is the key to a flawless makeup look. I again just used my Naked 3 brush). 

For my lashes I applied Urban Decay's Big Fatty Mascara to the top lashes (review here) and to the bottom lashes I applied Maybelline The Falsies Mascara, however you can just apply any mascara that's nearing the end of its life! I then lined my water line with Barry M's Kohl Pencil in number 30. This is a shimmery white colour and really makes your eyes pop.

Hope you've enjoyed reading about this look, it's my current favourite and go to as it's so simple and great for the day time without looking like I've gone through too much effort!

The Review: Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara, a Love/Hate Relationship

 Hello Lovelies, I thought I would do a another review for you today (loving writing them at the moment!) I'm still on the lookout for my perfect mascara and love to read reviews on them myself!

A couple of months ago I purchased Urban Decay's Big Fatty Mascara. I have used their Lush Lash Growth Serum-Infused Conditioning Mascara which I absolutely loved, but I felt I wanted to try something different from their mascara range, so I just went in and asked the lady behind the counter which was their most popular mascara and she raved about the Big Fatty mascara so I went ahead bought it.

The claim:

"Virtually weightless and buildable to the extreme, Big Fatty Mascara is smudge-proof, flake-proof, and ultralong wearing too! Loaded with all the good stuff to keep your lashes looking luscious (Hemp Seed Oil for moisture, Vitamin E to prevent free radical damage, Jojoba Oil for hydration, and Purisilk SPB for conditioning and curl retention), Big Fatty Mascara enhances lashes inside and out. Packaged in a large black tube, with luxe silver and purple art deco design, this big fatty boasts a fat molded brush completely covered in fine bristles that wrap all the way around the tip."

What I think:

Pros: 

♥ This mascara does glide on very well, it hasn't gone dry at all in the 2 months I've had it, not even around the lid and I think this may be due to the Jojoba oil that it contains.

♥ It does actually curl my lashes, as mine are quite long and straight naturally.

♥ It's easy to build up for a longer, thicker lash effect, however one coat is all you need for an every day look. It's a good mascara if you don't like wearing false eyelashes but you want a striking effect still.

♥ The design of a brush means that it grabs each individual lash and defines each one rather than clumping them together which is a quality I love in a mascara.

♥ There seems to be a lot of product and I think it will take a while to use up. I tend to get through mascaras really quickly, and although I should mention I have used others in the two months I've had it, it is still nowhere near used up.

Cons:

✘ This mascara may be flake-proof as advertised, but it is by no means smudge-proof. I do apply this to my bottom lashes too, which are quite long, but it still smudges all underneath my eyes. And I never rub my eyes! I find myself having to check myself face throughout the day to make sure I have't got a case of panda eyes! 

✘ It takes a while to dry too, because it's so oily I think, so if I glance up when I've just applied it I end up with black marks all over my lids and get into a right mess!

✘ Lastly, and probably the thing I dislike most about this product is that it is literally impossible to get off! I know some people may think of this as a good thing, but literally my Liz Earle cleanser does not even touch it. I then go in with my Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover for lids, lashes and lips, which is really good but still it won't budge! I have to grab my lashes in a cotton pad and pull them which still doesn't get it all off and is really damaging. It actually takes days to come off and I wake up with it all down my face! Not at all ideal. I never even have that much of an issue taking off waterproof mascara!

Urban Decay's Big Fatty mascara retails at £15, which I think is a reasonable price for a more high-end product, and can be purchased at Debenhams here. However I think I do prefer their Lush Lash mascara and if I repurchase this I will definitely do a review.

As I said in the title, definitely a love/hate relationship! I think I may start using a different mascara for my lower lashes, but as for the taking it off drama, does anyone have any tips?! I really don't want to dismiss this product for that reason.

P.S. Watch out for a makeup tutorial I'll be posting soon, it features this mascara if you would like to see it in action! 

Have any of you guys tried this mascara? What did you think? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray Review

Hey Lovelies! 
I have been meaning to write this review for a while now. I purchased Urban Decay's De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray about a year ago now, they had an offer on the XL one so I had to snap it up! I should mention they have since changed the packaging! 

Here's my product:

 Here's the updated version:

As far as I know the ingredients are the same :). 

Urban Decay claims that the spray helps to prevent makeup meltdown, and keeps skin looking matte whilst preventing your makeup from smudging, sliding or fading. I have also tried a travel sample of the all-nighter spray, which claims to last up to 16 hours. The reason why I purchased this one instead of the all-nighter was because in reality I didn't ever think I would need my makeup to last 16 hours! And this one has the added oil control benefit. However although I do think this product does help keep my makeup looking fresh for longer than usual, I think the all-nighter actually works better! These products are definitely an alternative to using hairspray on your face too, which is not good for your skin at all! That could definitely cause pore blockages and breakouts! I definitely recommend this product for long working days or nights out when you want your makeup to last a while, and it does feel very refreshing to spritz on your face! I do think I prefer the all-nighter spray, however both products are good, but the all-nighter just tends to keep my face looking more matte and I don't have to powder as often wearing these products, so if you're skin is quite oily like mine, these will probably help you! The de-slick makeup setting spray is available at House of Fraser here and the all-nighter makeup setting spray is available here. I think these are good value for money at £19.50, you only need a couple of sprays so the product lasts ages! 

Have you ever used any makeup setting sprays? What do you do to keep your makeup in place? Let me know :)