Naked Again

 

My Mum usually buys me practical gifts for my birthday but this year Lee was in her ear and advised that this might just be the only thing I'd want. He was right. I have been remarkably restrained  to not have rushed out and bought it before now as I absolutely could not wait for it to launch but I have been trying to save my pennies to spend in Vegas and with my birthday approaching I thought it best to 'wait and see'.. it paid off.. yay!

Ok so...

The palette is comprised of 12 neutral (duh) shades from the pale base shade of Foxy to the incredibly pigmented Blackout. Having worked for the company some time ago I was tipped off there was to be a sequel to the naked. I was understandably giddy and now I have it I'm pleased to see some of my old favourites are in there...Chopper, YDK and Half Baked (the only repeat from the first Naked).. all fabulous golden tones. I also like that they've kept two matte shades, I'm wearing tease today in my crease over my foxy base and loving the simplicity. The whole palette is encased in a tin and the lid opens to reveal a huge mirror and a double ended shadow/crease brush. You also get a bonus mini lip Junkie gloss in Naked - how appropriate.

Now on to the swatches.. I always love this part...

And now of course I would be remiss if I wasn't to compare the new Naked with the original. I read/watched a LOT of reviews and comparisons and the general consensus is that the new Naked is generally cooler toned which I would agree with but I can see more to it than that. 

On the whole the palette offers a variety of paler shades and unfortunately in my opinion those that aren't repromotes are not the quality I'm used to from Urban Decay. They lack the payoff and longevity I would expect. They're still very nice don't get me wrong but the brand has set the bar high and I was disappointed with the new shades in this set. The packaging.. well, what can I say? I loved the original chocolate box velour but yes its looks beaten up after a year and a half so I guess the tin is an improvement and I do love the full sized in-lid mirror. When the Naked was first released in 2010 it was produced with a double ended 24/7 liner, it was said liner that made it the must have item that nobody could get hold of. The manufacture of the pencils was difficult and slow and so eventually they replaced the liner with a shadow brush. Many loved the amendment.. I'm glad I got the pencil. In the new palette they've created a new double ended brush (I appreciate the symmetry) and I think it's a lot more appropriate. I'm a huge fan of blending and with just this 'one' brush you can lay down a base, define your crease and under your eyes and blend blend blend. Love it!Lastly this is one of the only UD palettes I've known come without  primer and I for one miss it. It comes instead with a mini Lip Junkie lipgloss - Naked of course! I am already a fan of these, love the cooling, tingly sensation and they smell deliciously like After Eights so I've made my peace with the missing primer. It doesn't give a lot of colour but it will make a nice handbag gloss to jazz up what ever lipstick I'm wearing.

When you compare the two side by side I have to say I think I still prefer the original palette, there's more depth and I've loved it for so long it's hard to replace it with something new. I do like the new one and I'm sure it will also get a lot of use but I would have liked to see some deeper shades. 

Do I Need Both?

 So many bloggers have remained on the fence about this but I'm going to put myself out there and say YES! If you are a neutrals girl (or boy..hey.. it's 2012) I think so... They are very very different so yes it is nice to have both and what I do like about my new addition is that between them I now have a neutral range that spans the palest nude to the darkest black.

Available online and in store at Debenhams now

£36.00 (link)

There's something very beautiful about an untouched eyeshadow.. you almost don't want to use it!

I said ALMOST!

Miss BB

Valentines Giveaway

I feel like it's been forever since I ran a giveaway so now the busy-ness of the wedding is over with and Valentines is almost here it seemed like good timing. The rules are simple. You must follow this blog (via Google Friend Connect) or subscribe to my YouTube channel to be in with a chance of winning this Urban Decay Black Palette. I will choose a winner at random from either YouTube or GFC and announce it on February 14th. The contest is international, anyone can enter but bare in mind that if you win you must be able to provide a delivery address and check back here on Valentines day to see if you've won! To make it easier to contact you if you leave an email address or twitter in the comments below that would be useful but otherwise...

GOOD LUCK!

Miss BB

Something Naked This Way Comes

At the start of 2011 I was working for Urban Decay and we were told there was going to be a Naked 2 in the fall. They said it would be in a tin and that was all we were allowed to know so when the 15th anniversary palette was released I thought perhaps they were talking about that. I assumed they were expecting to be as popular as the Naked. I was mightily disappointed that we weren't going to get an actual new Naked.. until this morning. I've never had a more exciting reading list appear in front of me! 

Now I didn't want to go pinching pictures from those lucky few that have the palette in their possession so I will point you in the direction of Charlotte at Lipglossiping who has some fab up-close shots and promises swatches later today (can't wait) here's the link to her review post. I love that it's in the same format as the first Naked but it's in a wipe-clan tin. Much as I thought the chocolate box velvety finish looked great on the first it's not worn well over time. There's also a useful double ended eyeshadow brush included at launch as opposed to the double ended pencil that was so hard to manufacture and made the first palette so tricky to get hold of until they replaced it with a shadow brush. Lastly the mirror is the size of the whole lid so more usable and rather than the mini primer potion that is usually included with UD's sets they've put in a mini Lip Junkie Lipgloss.. I can tell you these smell and taste delicious.. nothing like the disgusting pocket rockets (eugh) So that's a nice to have.

I have no idea the price point or the uk launch date but rest assured as soon as I do, you will!

This is one item I will be rushing to the shops for, how about you?

MissBB

Iced Island Breeze

I know the title "Island Breeze" totally betrays the season but I've had this palette for the longest time and only just got around to filming a tutorial with it. The colours are lovely pastel shades which unfortunately don't seem to translate well in photos but I think the video picked them up well and I'm really pleased with the overall look. I'm looking forward to winter but that doesn't mean I'm going to give up on the glow just yet.

What I Used

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

Nars Sheer Glow (Mont Blanc/Light 2)

YSL Touch Eclat (light)

Maybelline SuperStay 24 Concealer (light 2)

Benefit Boxed Powder in Sugar Bomb

Avon Palette in Island Breeze

2True Easyglide Khol Liner

Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara (to give volume)

Urban Decay Skyscraper Mascara (to lengthen)

Urban Decay Lip Junkie in Peroxide

*video will be here once uploaded*

Avon Glimmerstick Liqui-Glide - Love or Loathe?

 I'll admit when I bought this I thought it was the raved about Avon liner I'm always hearing about on YouTube.. turns out that's Supershock Gel Liner which has since been discontinued.. d'oh! So perhaps I was expecting too much of this when I thought it was the hyped up version. I will say this.. it's very long wearing! It's almost a liquid liner in pencil form. It's very soft, you could even apply it with a brush if you were so inclined. The problem is that you can't get a precise or fine line from a blunt applicator such as this. Unlike a pencil you can't keep this sharp for any time at all because of the formula, it's just not firm enough to keep any shape. So any line you do draw will be thicker than perhaps you would want and it's near impossible to create a winged liner as you might with a traditional liquid equivalent. You can smudge it a little if you work quickly before it dries but it will not work for me on my waterline whatsoever, it just doesn't take and slides all over the place. It is the blackest liner I own, I liken it to Urban Decay's "Perversion" which was available in the limited edition 15th anniversary set earlier this year so I was really excited to use it but unfortunately it's been nothing but disappointing for me. I just can't find a place for it, it's more liquid than pencil but it's not BETTER than liquid and it's not as useable as a pencil... so what's the point? I really dont know what purpose this serves. It could well be my uneducated application but this is just no good for me at all.

If you've tried and loved this I would LOVE to know how you use it to make it work for you so leave me a comment and let me know..

Too Faced - Natural Eye Palette

This is the first Too Faced palette I've bought and I didn't know what to expect. I always considered them to be Urban Decays poorer sibling. It seems to be they bring out very similar products that just aren't quite as good but cost more money. Anyone else get that impression? Anyway.. I was pleasantly surprised by this little box of shadows so I thought I'd share some swatches with you. I know it's been out an age already so it's hardly breaking news but for those of you still wondering here are some swatches and my take on the product.

When you get it opened up you see that in a similar way to Urban Decays Book Of Shadows the bulk of the product is wasted packaging. There's a tiny "drawer" in the front that houses a dual-ended applicator of no use to anyone and in the lid there's a pull out section with "how to" cards which is a nice detail. It is unfortunately missing a mirror which is disappointing and makes it not so great for travel but if it's going to live on your vanity then a mirror is wasted anyway! As with all of the Too Faced shadow collections there are 3 rows of colours offering 3 different looks each with a base, a highlight and a crease shade. This totally takes the hassle out of your everyday eyes which I think makes this a great little package. I really like the design they've used on these collections and I think I'll be purchasing some of the others.

Top Row Swatches - "Day"

Middle Row Swatches - "Classic"

Bottom Row Swatches - "Fashion"

I favour the Classic row for everyday with a little of the Cocoa Puff from the Fashion row and the Velvet Revolver from the Day row. I love my neutrals and all but for the crazy yellow gold Honey Pot this is a really useable, beautiful palette for everyday eyes. I wouldn't swap it for my beloved Naked palette but it's definitely a valued addition to my collection.

In the above photo I'm wearing colours from the Classic row. Silk Teddy, which I have all over my lid and highlighting the inner corner is the stand out shade for me.

Do you have this? What's your most used shadow?

MUA Pro Heaven & Earth

Firstly let me start by saying I LOVE this palette. It may just be the best £4 I ever spent.

I'll get the formalities out of the way now, you can buy this from MUA Pro exclusively at Superdug here and if you're a tweeter like myself you can follow MUA here

This particular palette goes in and out of stock frequently so if you want it and you see it in store or online grab it 'cause you just never know when you might get your hands on it again. One thing I would say about MUA is that unlike other brands they haven't increased their prices as their popularity has risen which I hope they stick with because it's what's made E.L.F a household name in the states and I'd love to see them accomplish that kind of success and branch out in to that kind of product range. for us Brits.

Anywho... on to what I came here for..

I intend on making a series of tutorials with this and other palettes from MUA so if you have any requests please leave me a comment and they will be considered before I film the next one. I will also be doing some direct comparisons with the Naked palette which should be fun. For now I thought I'd show you my go-to everyday look I've been sporting recently. It's just a really basic, contoured eye. I thought I'd start simple and work up to the more elaborate, creative tutorials.

Check back for the video here when it's live!!!

Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Palette... In stock NOW!

Ever since I saw Kandee Johnsons post on this US launch last month I've checked the Debenhams website every few days in the hope it would be available in the UK so imagine my glee when I logged on today and saw THIS!!!!



It's £39 and in stock right now so if you want it you'd better grab it quick, it's limited edition for 2011 so unlike the Naked which has become part of their permanent line once this is gone... It's gone! It may seem a lot to spend on a palette but Urban Decay shadows are such great value for money compared to brands like MAC. They use less binders which means more pay off WHICH MEANS they last longer because you don't need as much product. In this palette there are 15 brand new shadows that quite possibly won't be seen outside this set again so for junkies like me it's not even an option not to buy it!
I've just put in my order so as soon as it arrives I will put up swatches and a more in depth review, for now I just wanted to spread the word.. IT'S HERE!!!!!!


xoxo

Miss BB

7 Day Palette Challenge - Take One

A while back I set myself this challenge on the back on EmilyNoel83's video about getting out of a makeup rut. I chose Urban Decay's Book of Shadows III which in hindsight wasn't so smart seeing as I now work in an office and bright blue or green shadow would be a little OTT. I thought I would share the 5 week day looks that I did manage.

Suspect, Smog and Perversion

Last Call, Rockstar and Bordello

Maui Wowie, Loaded and Money

Smog and Perversion

Money, Loaded and Snatch

I love the looks but there's not a tremendous amount of difference between them all. I would really like to complete the 7 day challenge so I'm going to try again with the Heaven and Earth Palette from the MUA Pro range (below). I was going to use the Naked but I have really love this palette recently and think there's almost more options than with the Urban Decay neutral option. I will start next week when I'm back at work.

Have you done this challenge? leave me your link if you have!

MAJOR BLOG SALE!!!

L-R

Angel, Gel, Lovedust, Sandy B, Made to Order, Please Me, Ravishing

All have been no more than 2/3 times some only swatched.

ALL SOLD

Urban Decay Lipsticks

L-R

Gravity - used 2/3 times £7, Naked - unused, un-swatched £9 , Sellout - used 4/5 times £6

Urban Decay "Urban Lash"

Above - Hot Number £5

Below - Tease £5

Both brand new

Accessorize Bronzing Block Shade 1 - SOLD

Nars Blush in Torrid - SOLD

Smashbox Blush in Famous - 3/4 left £5 

Eyeko Creams both only swatched £4 each

Eyeko Fatbalms only swatched £3 each

Gosh Primer - SOLD

Mac Prep and Prime skin base - SOLD

Urban Decay Complexion Primer Potion *Brightening - Used once £7

Nars Multiple in Orgasm - SOLD

OPI L-R

Significant Other Colour, Mod About You SOLD, First Dance

All used only once, £5 each

Bobbi Brown eyeshadow palette, SOLD

Bobbi Brown Lipgloss (to fit palette) swatched once, £5

MAC Amazon Eyes Palette, SOLD

MAC Paintpots in Rubenesque - SOLD and Chilled on Ice, SOLD

Benefit Lust Duster in Goldilocks -  90% full £5

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin - SOLD

Urban Decay Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup in Dream - 1/2 full £7

Urban Decay liquid liner in ecstacy - used twice £5

Urban Decay Wicked Cream Highlighter - SOLD

Big Fatty Mascara in Black - never used £5

MAC Mineral Skin Finishes

Comfort - used once SOLD

Natural Medium Dark - SOLD

Flat rate postage £1 per order. After the sale has ended I will send invoices via paypal.

All items must be paid within 48hours or they will be back up for sale.

International buyers welcome but be aware postage will be calculated on a case by case basis.

Leave me a comment with what you want and your email address that you'd like to be invoiced to.

Happy Blog-Salin'