Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette Review

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Naked

I debated whether to get the original Naked Palette or the Naked 2 Palette. I compared both palettes and decided to purchased the Naked 2 palette. This palette contains 12 eyeshadows, a travel-size Lip Junkie lip gloss in Naked and a full size double-ended Good Karma Shadow & Crease Brush. All shades are highly pigmented and come in three finishes: matte, shimmer and glitter. The texture is soft and blendable. I had some fall-out with some shades and I have to use a shadow base, otherwise they crease on my eye lids. The brush is firm but soft and it is made of synthetic fibers. Each eyeshadow except for Booty Call can be purchased individually for $18. The size of the individual eyeshadows is about the same size as each shade of the palette. The Naked Lip Junkie is neutral pink with a subtle minty flavor. There is a tingling cool sensation on the lips for a few minutes, which I am assuming is for plumping the lips. The formula doesn't feel too thick and it lasted 2.5 hour on my lips. Overall, I like the Naked 2 palette. All the colors are wearable, and versatile. I like the packaging too, which is travel-friendly and practical.

Foxy: cream bisque with matte finish
Half Baked: golden-bronze with shimmering finish
Booty Call: shimmering cork
Chopper: copper shimmer with silver microglitter
Tease: creamy pale brown with matte finish
Snake Bite: dark bronze shimmer with metallic base
Suspect: pale golden beige with shimmering finish
Pistol: light gray-brown with shimmering finish
Verve: oyster with shimmering finish
YDK: cool bronze shimmer with metallic base
Busted: deep brown with shimmering finish
Blackout: blackest black with matte finish

Cost:  $50
Size:  0.05 Oz (1.3 g) each eyeshadow
          0.11 Fl. Oz (3.23 mL) Lip Junkie
Longevity:  10+ hours with a eyeshadow base
                    2.5 hours for the lip gloss
Availability:  urbandecay.com
My rating:  4.5 out of 5

MAC Lip Erase in Dim Review

MAC Lip Erase in Dim (black background)

MAC Lip Erase in Dim (white background)

MAC Lip Erase in Dim

MAC Lip Erase in Dim Ingredients

MAC Lip Erase is described as "a flesh-toned balm that visually neutralizes and erases natural colour from the lip. Shine- and texture-free." In other words, this product is a concealer for the lips. There are two colors to pick from: Pale and Dim. Pale is mostly likely to be used on light skin tones and Dim on medium skin tones. I chose Dim.  Even though, it is supposed to be texture-fee, it feels creamy and moisturizing without being greasy. Once applied on the lips, the product sinks into the lips and there is no visible shine. I wore it alone and under a lipstick and it lasted 2.5 hours. This a interesting product to try, but I don't consider it a must have. I feel that using a small amount of foundation on lips has the same effect as this product.

Cost:  $19.50
Size:  0.5 Fl. Oz (15 mL)
Availability:  maccosmetics.com
Longevity:  2.5 hours
My rating:  3 out of 5 

Smashbox Studio Pop Brush Set Review

 

Smashbox Studio Pop Brush Set

Brushes are an essential tool for applying makeup effortlessly. I love good quality brushes and they are hard to find at a reasonable price. When I found out about Smashbox offering a brush set, I was curious about the quality. I asked several makeup artists at different Smashbox counters; they all said that the quality of the brush set was the same as the ones bought individually. This news piqued my curiosity even further. Can a makeup brand really offer brushes of such professional quality for $60? I tend to research all the products I buy online. Therefore, I contacted Smashbox via chat offered on their website. I asked about each individual brush and their materials. The answer was the same; 'the qualitly of the brush set is the same as the brushes sold individually.' Neither the box of the set or the website listed the materials on some of these brushes, so I asked and this is what I found out:

#2 Face & Cheek Brush is made from goat hair
(Individual retail price $48)
#10 Crease Brush is made from squirrel hair
(Individual retail price $24)
#13 Foundation Brush is made from synthetic fibers
(Individual retail price $29)
#15 Definer Brush is made from squirrel hair
(Individual retail price $24)
#21 Arced Liner Brush is made from sable hair
(Individual retail price $20)  

All of these brushes are amazing. They are very full and soft. I washed them and I didn't have any shedding. The set also includes a brush bag, which is very convenient and practical for traveling. I only wish they added #7 Tapered Shadow Brush to bring the rating to 5/5. If you are looking for a good quality brush set, I highly recommend this one.

(One more thing:  If you spend $100 or more on smashbox.com use the code HOLIDAY2012 to save $25.
If you spend $50 or more use the code FRIENDS2012 for 25% on your purchase until Monday November 26th.)

Cost:  $60
Avilability:  smashbox.com
Made in:  China
My rating:  4.5 out of 5

Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish Review

Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish Ingredients

Charisma is part of Illamasqua's Generation Q Collection. This Nail Vanish is described as a "deep raspberry pink." The color is a gorgeous red with a blueish undertone with shimmery red and gold/orange particles. I usually use two coats to achieve full-coverage, but one coat is enough to leave a lighter red color and two coats leave a deeper red color. The formula glides nicely along the nails without streaks. I wore this shade for 6 days without a base coat or a top coat and I only had minimal wearing on the tips of the fingernails. I am not a fan of the packaging. I don't like that the cap doesn't line up correctly. 

Cost:  $14 / £13.50
Size:  0.5 Fl. Oz (15 mL)
Availability:  Sephora, illamasqua.com
Longevity:  6 days without a base coat or top coat
Coats needed:   1 or 2
My rating:  4.5 out of 5 

MAC Mixing Medium Water Base Review

MAC Mixing Medium Water Base Ingredients

Chocolate Brown Pigment from MAC

MAC Mixing Medium Water Base allows you to change the consistency of loose eye shadows or pigments. I use it with the MAC pigments and it simply makes them more vibrant in color and creamy in texture. This product is difficult to get unless you live near a MAC Pro store and I read that it might become available online at the MAC website, but I have not yet seen this product listed. I purchased my at a MAC Pro store for $19. The wear time depends on the items mixed with the medium. If I don't wear a shadow primer, I experience creasing when I use pigments. Overall, I like the versatility of this product.

Cost:  $19
Size:  1.7 Fl. Oz (50 mL)
Availability:  MAC Pro Stores
Longevity:  depends on the items mixed with the medium
My rating:  4.5 out of 5 

Illamasqua Monogamous Nail Varnish Review

Illamasqua Monogamous Nail Varnish

Having fun with Illamasqua Monogamous Nail Varnish

Monogamous is my first Illamasqua nail varnish. The color is described as a "creamy flesh pink" and it has a matte finish. This nail varnish retails for $14 at Sephora and it can also be purchased at Illamasqua's website for £13.50. The viscosity is not too thin or too thick. Two coats are needed to achieve full-coverage. This particular shade applies without streaking. Although the formula is supposed to be "extremely hardwearing and chip-resistant," I experienced some chipping on the tips of my finger nails after 3 days. Without a base coat or a top coat, this nail varnish lasted 6 days. I like this nail varnish a lot, but I am not crazy about the packaging. The cap does not line up correctly after the first use.  

For a quick look on the facts of this item click here: http://youtu.be/adAjxh5PQR8

Cost:  $14 / £13.50
Size:  0.5 Fl. Oz (15 mL)
Availability:  Sephora, illamasqua.com
Longevity:  6 days without a base coat and no top coat
Coats needed:   2
My rating:  4.5 out of 5 

HYPNÔSE Doll Lashes Mascara from LANCÔME Review

HYPNÔSE Doll Lashes Mascara

I had high hopes for LANCÔME's HYPNÔSE Doll Lashes Mascara and I was a disappointed with the performance. This mascara looks great on paper "it sculpts, curls and loads each lash for the ultimate shiny lash fringe. Lift and thicken every single lash without weighing it down." I liked the glossy black formula, but it clumped when I applied it. The shape of the brush helps to separate the lashes and the tip comes handy on the inner corner, where the lashes get smaller. The mascara holds the curl better than HYPNÔSE DRAMA Instant Full Body Volume Mascara, but it smudged within 4 hours of wearing it. 

Cost:  $26
Size:  0.22 Fl. Oz (6.5 mL)
Color:  01 So Black!
Longevity:  4 hours
Availability:  Sephora, Lancome
My rating:  2.5 out of 5