Best of 2013 | Makeup

Its crazy how much tastes change within a year. When I wrote my 'Best of 2012' post way back in January, my go to products included EOS Lip Balms, a Jack Wills Lipstick and the infamous Nars Orgasm. Fast forward 12 months and the sea of bright pinks have been replaced with daring reds and blushers have been pushed aside for bronzers (hello Tarte's Park Avenue Princess). With this being the case it will come as no suprise that only one product from last years post has made the cut. 

YSL Shocking Mascara (review here)

2013 saw me purchase a fair few mascaras (what can I say Im anything but loyal to them). Yet I find myself going back to YSLs Shocking Mascara time and time again (typical its the most expensive eh). This luxurious, long lasting, lengthening mascara may not be 'the one' but it comes pretty darn close.

Runner Up: Wet n Wild Mega Length Mascara 

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers (review here)

Hailed as dupes for several high end lip products during its release, its hardly suprising that the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers went down a storm with beauty addicts. Apocalyptic a pigmented bright pink shade has regularly made its way into my day to day makeup routine since I purchased it back in January.                                      Runner Up: Chanel Jalousie 

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (review here)

Iv'e said it before and Il say it again, no matter how many times I stray away from Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (DoubleWear is the usual suspect), I always find myself coming back to it. I cant rave enough about this light weight and long wearing gem. 

Runner Up: Estee Lauder DoubleWear 

Barry M Nail Art Pens (review here)

In the summer I went gaga over Barry M's Nail Art Pens (these are ideal for nail art novices). These fuss free pens will help to create quite simply the perfect manicure. Here's hoping they release more shades in the New Year.

Viva La Juicy La Fleur (review here)

Viva La Juicy La Fleur has been my go to scent this year. Each time I spritz this on my wrist im instantly transported back to my week in Paris with Tim. This beautiful feminine fragrance is the perfect floral yet fruity scent suitable for both day and night. 

Runner Up: Viva La Juicy Noir 

Maybelline Baby Lips (review here)

The hype over Maybelline Baby Lips may have died down, but personally I still cant get enough of these super moisturising and buttery soft balms. I wont ramble much more about these as I may have gone just a little overboard when they were finally released back in July. 

Runner Up: Fresh Sugar Lip Balms 

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (review here)

December saw every blogger and their friend adding the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette to they're Christmas Wishlist's (myself included). This Palette really is perfect from the sleek rose gold packaging down to the seriously pigmented shades. This beauty may be a newcomer but considering it was love at first swatch, it well and truly deserves a spot in my 2013 faves. 

Runner Up: Nars & God Created Woman Palette

What were your favourite beauty products of 2013?

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

So my wait for the highly anticipated Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette is finally over. After pre-ordering it from Look-Fantastic I wasn't expecting to lay eyes on this beauty till at least next week, so im sure you can imagine my suprise when the courier knocked on the door yesterday clutching my precious new palette (perhaps the first time I have ever been pleased to see a Yodel Driver, but thats another story). After scribbling in my signature I practically leapt for the box and excitedly ran to my room (how ridiculous am I?). 

First impressions?! Went a little along the lines of 'wow, omg, so pretty', I kid I kid, but in all seriousness this really is a beautiful palette. Personally I think that Urban Decay have totally outdone themselves this time, so much so that I can guarantee that it will sell out like hot cakes (its already out of stock till January on Look-Fantastic). Packaging wise, I am thrilled to see something a little more sturdier than the original Naked Palette (it really does take a battering). Much like the second palette it comes in a beautiful metal rose gold pencil case tin (in comparison to the first, it really is a lot sleeker). 

Like all Urban Decay Palettes the shadows are seriously pigmented and buttery soft. The Naked 3 contains a mixture of mattes, satins and shimmers, in gorgeous rose gold nudes, creams, and deep plum shades. My favourites would have to be Blackheart a smokey black/plum, Buzz a shimmery rose, and Burnout a pale peachy pink. I love how versatile the palette is with shades suitable for everyday looks, thanks to a range of subtle rose golds, whilst also containing fabulous smokey shades perfect for any night out. 

So the palette includes 12 shades: Strange | neutral matte pink ... Dust | shimmery pale pink ... Burnout | Pale peachy pink ... Limit | Matte dusty rose pink ... Buzz | Shimmery Rose ... Trick | Metallic coppery pink ... Nooner | Pinky Brown matte ... Liar | Metallic Mauve Shimmer ... Factory | Satin pinky brown ... Mugshot | Taupe shimmer ... Darkside | Satin Taupe-y mauve ... Blackheart | Smokey Plum 

Shadows aside, the palette also includes a seriously soft double ended Urban Decay brush, and a weeks worth of Urban Decay's Eye Primers. The Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette is £37 and can be purchased from the likes of Debenhams (as of 16th) , House Of Fraser (Online now) and Look-Fantastic (Currently out of stock). 

What are your thoughts on the Naked 3 Palette?! 

NEWS FLASH: Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette Launches In House Of Fraser TODAY

So I literally squealed when I logged onto my emails to see a message from House Of Fraser regarding the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette, and couldn't resist sharing the news with you all. As of today Monday 9th, the sought after palette will be available to buy in store from House Of Fraser's and online as of Wednesday 11th December. If the US release is anything to go by, then I can guarantee that these will fly off the shelves as quick as you can say "yay Naked 3". Now what are you waiting for, get yourselves to your nearest House Of Fraser's NOW!!! Anyone else excited by this news?!

On top of this House Of Fraser are welcoming customers to enjoy a free complimentary makeover and consultation using the full range at the exclusive Naked pop-up station in they're Oxford Street Store on Thursday 12th December!!

Available from: Bluewater, High Wycombe, Jenners Edinburgh, Maidstone, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford Street, Plymouth, Reading, Victoria and Westfield London stores. 

Will you be purchasing the Naked 3 Palette?!

The Princess Tag | Favourite Luxury Beauty Products

So Iv'e decided to do a little bit of a different post today. The Princess Tag (Favourite Luxury Beauty Products) was created by the beautiful Tati from Glam Life Guru. Although Iv'e not actually been tagged to do it, I thought it would be a bit of fun. Lets face it, we all love a good bargain, but theres something exciting about a high end splurge. I know a Lipstick purchase should be based upon pigmentation, shade, ease of application and longevity, but dont you agree when encased within a sleek black MAC bullet, or fancy gold packaging with an embossed YSL logo makes the product all the more special?! So what products leave me feeling like a Princess?! 

Foundation - 

No matter how many times I stray away from Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (heres looking at you Estee Lauder DoubleWear and DiorSkin Nude BB), I always find myself coming back to it. This lightweight, long wearing, 'your skin but better' foundation, to me is the ultimate everyday essential. You can read my full review here.

Concealer - 

For me Collection 2000s Lasting perfection is the creme de la creme of Concealers. However if I were to splurge on a high end concealer it would have to be MAC's Studio Sculpt. This creamy offering applies like a dream, and due to its consistency is perfect for covering those problematic spots. Finish with a setting powder and your good to go. 

Powder - 

As a sufferer of oily/combination skin, I rely heavily upon powder to keep my makeup in tact throughout the day. Chanel's Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder prevents me from becoming an oily mess. Unlike most powders this velvety soft beauty doesn't leave me looking cakey, infact its so sheer its practically unnoticeable. 

Bronzer - 

For Bronzer I've chosen Tarte's Park Avenue Princess (how ironic). This gorgeous bronzer has a slight hint of sparkle but doesn't leave you looking like a disco ball. Like the blushers, Park Avenue Princess is seriously pigmented, so much so that a little dusting definitely goes a long way. So what makes it the ultimate luxury bronzer for me?! Park Avenue Princess gives a lovely flush of colour without looking orange, or muddy like most (no one wants to look tango'ed right?!) 

Blush - 

Keeping with the Tarte theme, it will come as no suprise that I chose Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy. This beautiful peach shade is seriously pigmented, easy to work with and long lasting (I seriously agree with Tarte's 12 hour claims). The fact that Tarte products are hard to get hold of in the UK makes this blush all the more special. 

Highlighter - 

Tom Ford's Shade and Illuminate is the ultimate luxury product. The highlighting shade, leaves a gorgeous sheer glow. Aside from the packaging and gulp worthy price tag, what makes it special is that it brightens the face without being overly shimmery. 

Eyeshadow - 

It will come as no suprise that I opted for the Urban Decay Naked Palette. Urban Decay shadows in general, blow all other competition out of the water. Ridiculously pigmented and buttery soft, whats not to love?!

Eyeliner - 

For me, an eyeliner needs to be jet black, super pigmented, long wearing (my eyes are forever watering) and easy to apply!! I am happy to say that I have found all this in Chanel's Liquid Eyeliner. I literally swatched every high end liquid liner in House Of Fraser before i settled on this.

Mascara - 

If you've read my posts for a while, you will be well aware that Im forever on the look out for the ultimate mascara. Although Iv'e yet to find the one, that holy grail Mascara that creates the perfect false lash effect, I always find myself going back to YSL's Shocking Mascara. With various sized plastic bristles, the wand makes applying the product a doddle, catching all of the lashes, resulting in a "shocking" fluttery effect. If that isn't enough to make you swoon, YSL's Shocking Mascara comes encased in luxurious gold packaging, embossed with the YSL logo. 

Lip Liner - 

My one and only high end Lip Liner RiRi Hearts M.A.C Pro Longwear Pencil (RiRiWoo) is a pigmented matte pencil, and the perfect base for bright reds to stop them migrating. 

Lipstick - 

As a total Lipstick junkie it was really hard to pick just one shade. After much contemplation Kate Spade won. Everything about the designers lipsticks are princess like from the fancy spring loaded gold packaging to the name "Supercalifragilipstick" (oh how whimsical). Fuchsia Fete is a fabulous wearable, sheer bright pink, with a smooth, moisturising formula, and balm like consistency.  

Lipgloss - 

Never before had a lipgloss made the grade, until Chanel's Jalousie's Glossimer came on the scene. Forget poor colour pay off and uber sticky lips. This highly pigmented bright pink is opaque enough to be worn alone or paired alongside Fuchsia Fete.

Brow Product - 

Benefit Brow Zings is the ultimate eyebrow shaping kit. With a small compact mirror, pigmented wax and powder, two brushes and a tweezer, what more could you ask for!

MISC - 

I couldn't talk about my favourite luxury beauty products without mentioning Chanel's Les Beiges Kabuki Brush. I searched high and low for this  brush after reading Claudia's rave reviews. Not only is it a perfect companion to the Les Beiges Powder (definitely a handbag essential for touchups throughout the day) but it is literally the softest brush I have come across. With chic black packaging adorning the iconic double 'C's this little kabuki screams luxury. 

Nail Polish - 

This was such an easy product to pick. Chanel's Peridot is the one and only high end polish in my collection. Peridot is a beautiful green/gold duo chrome shade, which reflects a hint of blue in some light. Because of that, this shade adorns my nails for most of Autumn/Winter.

If you decide to give this Tag a go, please leave your link below so I can check it out

I tag - 

Claudia from Claudia Couture

Erica from EricaWears

Trina from TrinaWears

Ally from MissAllyV

Charlotte from Little Miss C

What are your Favourite Luxury Beauty Products?! 

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette??

source

Its safe to say that the above photos from french blogger Naomi have sent fellow Urban Decay addicts into a Twitter frenzy!! Could the rumours of a third Naked Palette be true?! or is it just a hoax?! Urban Decay never fail to cause a stir in the blogging community, especially when it comes to there sought after eyeshadow palettes. After hitting the beauty industry by storm, at least one of the three Naked Palettes (Naked 1, Naked 2, Naked Basics), lovingly sit pride of place on most girls (and guys) dressing tables. Lets face it this news is kind of a big deal for us Urban Decay fanatics. 

Allegedly being sold in Sephora stores across France, I will admit to feeling a little dubious. Why have the first palettes been released in France rather than the US (after all its an American based brand) and why are the shades so similar to those included in previous palettes?! However that being said another blogger Natacha has also published a post about her new palette, but this time along with a photo of the receipt as a proof of authenticity. Are these palettes real or fake?! I suppose only time will tell. 

With a release date yet to be announced I cant help but wonder whether these (if real) have been stocked in Sephora stores by accident, or on purpose as a way of creating extra hype before its release?! If the palettes are genuine (heres hoping they are), I for one cannot wait to get my mitts on this beautiful palette containing pinky toned nudes. 

If you would like to know more here are links to posts from three ladies who have got hold of the Naked 3 already (here , here and here).

Update: Jane from British Beauty Blogger has confirmed that this indeed is the Naked 3 Palette and will be released in House of Fraser and Debenhams in December!!

So ladies and gents, what are your thoughts?!

Will you be adding the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette to your wishlist?! 

Summer Staples

So Summer has finally arrived, and the weather has decided to behave itself long enough to put away the Winter woolies (I kid you not that I was wearing my trusty Jack Wills Body Warmer well into May) in favour of floaty Topshop camis, vibrant shorts and bright neon flip flops. Sound familiar?! Its safe to say that this has been my Summer uniform for the past month or so!! Aside from the norm, as a serial beauty junkie, the current British heatwave also calls for a makeup shakeup. For me my summer beauty staples must be fuss free and long lasting. Who wants to spend hours indoors applying copious amounts of makeup when you could be lazing in the garden with a good novel and glass of Pimms in hand, soaking up the sun. 

For base, I have been reaching for Dr Jart's BB Cream. Not only is it fuss free (a flawless look can easily be achieved with fingers) but it also manages to stay in tact throughout the day with a little help from Chanel Les Beiges. Unlike most powders, Les Beiges is completely lightweight, and leaves a 'cake free' matte finish, no matter how many times it is reapplied, making it a perfect everyday setting powder. 

Recently my beloved Nars Orgasm has been pushed aside in favour of Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy. Super pigmented (a little goes a long way), easy to work with, long lasting, and not forgetting the most beautiful peachy pink, its no wonder that its become a firm favorite during the humid weather.  

Supposedly designed for 'extreme conditions' I have well and truly been putting Make Up Forever's Aqua Cream Shadow to the test. Believe me when I say that this beautiful shimmery gold DOES NOT budge (after an afternoon splashing around in the sea, it was still in tact) and stays put until my trusty Bioderma comes out at night!! I have been pairing this with my Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Shadows and Longwear Eyeliner (no matter how cute, no one wants to resemble a Panda now do they?! ha). 

Last, but certainly not least, I have been turning to my Urban Decay De Slick Setting Spray to give my trusty staples a helping hand throughout the day!! 

What are your go to Summer Staples?! 

Urban Decay De-slick setting spray

Every once in a while, a product will impress me so much, that I will add it to my imaginary repurchase list immediately!! This exact thing happened a week ago when I was seriously wowed by Urban Decay's De Slick Setting Spray. 

Im not really sure what made me purchase De Slick (it may, just may be down to a bout of late night shopping), as this wasn't the first time that I had tried one of the infamous setting sprays. During my trip to the states last year, I decided to take a trip to Beauty Mecca (thats Sephora to me and you), and its safe to say my makeup head took over my senses a little, and I left with a bag full of various goodies, including the All Nighter Setting Spray. For $10 it was worth a shot, and in all honesty I was left less than impressed (the ironic thing is that I was sent the above sample of this, with De Slick). 

Im digressing here so lets get back to the topic. I have been applying De Slick before primer, and once again after foundation and concealer. As little as three light spritz is enough to leave my makeup in tact throughout the day. Its safe to say that I am seriously impressed with this little tube of goodness!! 

In terms of packaging, I quite like the revamp, even if it is white (iv'e said it before and il say it again, thrown in makeup bags, and handled with grubby mitts, white packaging doesn't stay clean for long). 

Uncertain of how I would feel about the De Slick Spray, I opted for the 30ml travel size, and in all honesty for how much product is needed, this should last me quite some time.

(As for the All Nighter Setting Spray, im tempted to give it a second chance!! Has anyone else tried it?? what were your thoughts??) 

De Slick can be purchased from the likes of Debenhams, in either 30ml (£9) or 118ml (£19.50) bottles!!

 

Urban Decay Build Your Own Palette

As most probably the case for others, one of my first ever makeup products was a lovely multicolored eyeshadow palette, I used to think it was the bees knees having an array of chalky colours to decorate my lids (ugh i ask my young self why?), thankfully since then my taste has matured and an array of palettes have braced my makeup collection. Without a doubt my faviourite palettes to this day have been down to the wonderful work of Urban Decay (my makeup bag would not be right without the naked palette), with their soft, pigmented and long lasting shades whats not to love? So when i heared about the release of their build your own palette, i was desperate to get my mitts on one.

Urban Decay have jumped on the custom palette bandwagon and have created a bright, fun and well designed palette.

The palette costs £14 and comes with a free good karma brush, eyeshadow in the colour walk of shame and a rather decent sized mirror. 

Unlike other conventional freedom palettes, Urban Decay have somewhat removed the de-potting stage by also re releasing some of their shadows with a simple package  in which the shadow itself can be popped out of the pot and securely clipped into the palette, in turn also making it easier to swap and change the shadows within the palette (i can imagine my former younger self filling this with every lurid shade of purple and pink going ha). 

 In all honesty since i received this for my birthday, this little gem has sat somewhat unloved in my drawer, you may be wondering why if i love urban decay shadows so much? well my one gripe with the concept is that to fill the palette will cost a whopping £70, with each singular shadow costing £14 (that could get me two new naked palettes for that). However once i purchase another shade or two i can see this being a versatile and well loved palette. 

Altogether the Urban Decay build your own palette is a welcome addition to my ever growing shadow collection, a perfect palette sturdy enough to take away on trips and such like, although the only downful is the cost to fill it!! 

Have you tried the build your own palette??

do you think its a good idea or a waste of money?? 

whats inside my makeup bag

Hello lovelies, i hope your all well. Being a serial snooper i rather enjoy seeing posts on the items you lovely people keep in your bags, makeup bags included, so i thought i would give you guys a little insight into what i use on a daily basis. My makeup bag of choice is of course my beautiful mulberry locked cosmetic purse (if you want to see a post dedicated to the beauty itself click here ;) if your wondering where my makeup brushes are, i keep them separate as i dont want them getting my makeup bag all messy.

 Dr Jart+ Beauty Balm

This is a new addition to my makeup bag, and it is already becoming a firm faviourite. It claims to minimize the need for foundation and concealer and that it does. Although i still adore my studio sculpt foundation i have been using this to let my skin breathe a little as studio sculpt is quite a heavy foundation

Collection 2000 concealer

ive been using Dr Jart+ Beauty balm with my collection 2000 concealer. Ive raved about this concealer many a time, and all i have to say is that it deserves to be hyped about

YSL touche eclat

i apply a little of this as a highlighter under my eyes

Loreal Paris lumi magique primer

this is another new addition but a definite new fave. not only does it prime the skin which in turn helps my foundation stay longer, on my oily prone skin (boo). But it also doubles as a highlighter, it is seriously gorgeous from the rose gold detail on the packaging to the product itself

Benefit Brow Zings 

apologies for the sheer grubbiness of this, i couldnt be without this little duo, anything to keep my unruly eyebrows at bay is a plus in my books. I also love how it includes small tweezers, a perfect makeup bag essential

Bobbi Brown Extreme Party mascara

yep your eyes arent playing tricks with you, im actually mentioning the same mascara more than once, i think there may just be a long lasting relationship with this beauty, it lengthens aswell as thickens my lashes, what more could a girl want 

Bobbi Brown Long wear Gel liner 

a jet black liner that lasts all day on my oily lids, a definite statement in my makeup bag

Urban Decay Naked palette & Bobbi Brown long wear cream shadow in velvet plum (37)

for the past week or so ive been using virgin and sin with velvet plum on a daily basis. Im not usually a fan of cream eyeshadows as they tend to crease but velvet plum seems to last well, and it is such a beautiful shade that the picture just does not give it justice. 

YSL rouge Volupte (10) & Chanel Jalousie 

These two together are a perfect combination, although rather bright shades ive quite enjoyed using them on a daily basis

So there you have it, these are the goodies that i store in my makeup bag!!

whats inside your makeup bag??

If all my makeup disappeared!!

 So whilst reading Laura's recent post not only did it make me chuckle but it got me thinking about the first ten items, if heaven forbid all my makeup disappeared. I don't have a ridiculous amount of makeup but the fair few products that I do have, I will openly admit that I will stick to the same few products on a daily basis and my choices don't tend to vary. As Laura suggested this kinda post really makes you think about the products that are perhaps your holy grail and cant live without items. 

1. MAC studio sculpt foundation- i have raved about this on more than one occasion, a perfect foundation that stays put all day

2. Sleek blush (rose gold)- since I managed to get my paws on this gold dust item (and I can see why so), I have hardly touched any other blush, a gorgeous peach toned shimmery number this can be lightly applied for a subtle look, or can be applied a little heavier to create a more dramatic look. 

3.MAC refined golden bronzer- the perfect shade for contouring or for those days I fancy a change from applying blush. 

4.Bobbi brown long wear gel liner- I purchased this on my recent trip to new York, as I was fed up of liquid liner. a creamy formula, this black as black liner not only makes it easier to create a winged look, but it also doesn't budge all day. 

5. Collection 2000 long lasting concealer- apart from the teensy gripe in that all the writing rubs off the packaging, this is the best concealer I have managed to get my mitts on, with its creamy formula and brilliant coverage this baby beats the likes of MACs studio sculpt concealer hands down, and does so at a fraction of the price. 

6. real techniques stippling brush- this beauty can be used for a multitude of things, from applying foundation and concealer, to blush and bronzer, i along with no doubt alot of others have a soft spot for this brush, super soft, hassle free and easy to clean, what's not to love 

7. urban decay naked palette- I think this choice is pretty self explanatory, eyeshadow palettes have come and gone, but this one has always stayed a firm favourite, which is somewhat evident by the usage shown in the picture above, super soft, super pigmented and with enough matte and shimmer shades to create an abundance of looks. 

8. Bobbi brown extreme party mascara- one thing that has been clear since blogging and by the range that have been shown on my blog is the fickleness I have towards mascaras, this is the current mascara that I would definitely pick up first, this mascara defines my eyes by adding volume and length to my lashes

9. MUA clear mascara- this is perfect for keeping my unruly eyebrows at bay, and for £1 it would definitely be one of the first items id purchase if my beloved makeup were to disappear 

10. Chanel Jalousie Glossimer- lipstick has always been a daily addition to my makeup routine, completing the final touches of my look, however never before has a lip-gloss made the grade, with the idea of poor colour pay off and uber sticky lips. However Chanel's Jalousie has changed all of this, highly pigmented, brilliant colour pay off and completely colour free this baby would be the first lip product that I would purchase.

What items would you repurchase if your makeup disappeared??

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