The Holiday Collection: Urban Decay Naked Palette

Next up on the Holiday Collection is one of the most popular makeup items this year: the Urban Decay Naked Palette.  This palette, full of 12 universally-flattering shades, was one of the hardest items to get your hands on, until recently that is.

I got mine back in March 2011 (see my post on it here) after stalking the Sephora website for months.  Urban Decay doesn’t ship to Canada online and my local Sephora store was always out of the palette, so when they got it in online I dropped everything that I was doing and ordered me one.

Don't slam down a hairspray bottle on the top of this product, my mirror is cracked because of it!

This palette is seriously everything it lives up to. Just Google “Urban Decay Naked Palette” and you will find YouTube videos, blog posts, etc. all raving about the product.  This palette was my first foray into Urban Decay shadows and I have to say, I love them!  They are just so pigmented and easy to apply and blend; a wonder to work with!

The product comes with 12 colours (0.05 ounces) as well as their Good Karma eyeshadow brush and a travel-sized Urban Decay Primer Potion.  It retails for $48 USD ($56 CDN I believe).  The colours range from light (Virgin) to black and grey (Creep and Gunmetal respectively).  You have every colour here to create a natural look, a smoky eye, a bronze eye, etc. I also often use the colour Buck to fill in my eyebrows.  You know when you get a eyeshadow palette and there are a few “fun” colours thrown in that aren’t wearable for everyday?  Yeah, with this palette, that is not a problem.

The shadows are also in an abundance of different formulas.  For examples, there are some matte colours (Naked and Buck), some glitters (Sidecar and Creep) and some metallics (Half Baked and Smog).  If you are just starting off with makeup or if you are looking for the perfect palette, this is the one, look no further. So why would this be a great holiday gift?  Well, there is a reason that it was super hard to come by for a year.  Like I mentioned, these are wearable colours and you can mix them to create more shades.  When I travel I often just take this one palette because you can create so many different looks with it.  When I’m feeling lazy I’ll often just apply Sin on my lids, Naked or Buck in my crease, and Virgin as a highlight; it’s a natural “I’m not wearing any makeup but I actually am” kind of look.  

Aside from the palette you also get a eyeshadow brush and a mini version of the company’s Primer Potion.  The eyeshadow brush isn’t that great in my opinion, it’s very stiff and I don’t find that it applies the colour very well.  I often use it.  When the palette first came out it came with a double-ended 24/7 liner in Zero and Whiskey (black and brown) which I would have so preferred over the eyeshadow brush. However, because of the high-demand for the product Urban Decay couldn’t keep up with making them so they replaced the eyeliner with the brush.  As for the Primer Potion, I use this product on a daily basis so a travel-sized version definitely gets good use.

The Naked Palette is available on Sephora online and I have actually seen the palette stocked at my local Sephora.  If you live in the United States you can also order it from the Urban Decay website.  If you want to buy it as a gift for someone or yourself I recommend picking it up rather soon if you see it in stores.  It’s literally been out of stock at my local store for like a year.  There are dupes of it out there by other companies, like Two Faced Naked Eye Soft and Sexy Eyeshadow Collection, which is also a good palette, but with the UD one you get more shadows and little extras.  Plus, I’m the kind of person who always goes with the original.

Have you tried Urban Decay’s Naked Palette?  Is it on your holiday list?


The Lash Diaries: Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler

So as I mentioned in my Holt Renfrew Paramount Beauty Bag post I got the mini-sized shu uemura eyelash curler.

A shu curler is the most well-known version of this must-have beauty tool.  I don’t have a full-sized shu as of yet but it’s still on my list (I actually visited my local Sephora after calling to inquire if they had any and when I got there they didn’t.  Instead they gave me a free Sephora brand one).  My Sephora curler is apparently the same as the shu as the Japanese company pulled out operations in the United States (Americans can still order online).  Lucky for us Canadians, we can still get the iconic curler at Sephora and there are shu uemura counters and lash bars at Holt Renfrew.

Sephora eyelash curler

Alright, so the mini curler is about 2/3 the size of a full size one and compared to a regular eyelash curler is much smaller in size.  This product also comes with a replacement pad, so in total you get two silicone refill pads.

Full-size Sephora curler (left), mini shu (right)

So why would anyone want to buy this thing when it costs approximately $15 and is noticeably smaller than a regular eyelash curler?  Well my friends, I thought the same thing…until I tried it.

This curler is perfect for getting those hard to reach lashes on the outer and inner corners of your eyes.  I have also used it to enhance the curl on my middle lashes.  Additionally, you can use the tool to create custom lash looks.  For example, you can use the curler to just curl the outer lashes creating a flirty look.  You have more control with this curler and it enables more freedom to create different looks.

Using just a full size curler. See how the ends didn't get curled?

As for the actual use of the tool, it’s a bit hard to get used to at first because of it’s small size, but once you get the hang out of it’s actually quite fun.  I’ll go over my lashes one more time with this curler after I use my full size one just to make sure that all my lashes are curled. So would I recommend this curler?  Yes!  However, I don’t think that they sell it anymore, but you can pick it up in the Holt Renfrew Paramount Beauty Bag for $25 (totally worth it! You can even use the $10 voucher in the bag to use towards a full size shu) available at Holt Renfrew stores (excluding Last Call) until December 31, 2011 or while supplies last.  Is the product necessary?  Absolutely not.  If a regular eyelash curler works wonders for you, then stick with it.  This product is not a necessity by any means, but if you are a beauty kind-of-girl or if you take eyelashes very seriously, then I would pick this up.  It is a bit pricey if you can find it by itself (you can get 15 ELF eyelash curlers for this price) but like I said, if you want to get those hard-to-reach lashes on the inner and outer corners of your eyes, then I would pick this up. shu uemura is known for their eyelash curlers so you can’t go wrong with this product.

Have you tried the mini shu uemura eyelash curler?  What were your thoughts?


30 Day Challenge: Rimmel Lash Accelerator Serum The Results

Well my friends, the day has come.  A little more than 30 days ago I embarked on a challenge of sorts to see if Rimmel London’s Lash Accelerator Serum actually works (you can read all about it here).

Just to recap, according to Rimmel London:

The new Lash Accelerator Serum is a fortifying and lengthening serum with GROW-LASH Complex that helps battle thin, short lashes and strengthen them.  The serum helps to support the natural growth of beautifully long, remarkably strong lashes, with a hybrid applicator for precise application to lashes, lash line, or brows!”

“The GROW-LASH Complex works around-the-clock, with a conditioning and fortifying gel that helps to support healthy lash & brow growth.  The serum approves the appearance of lashes, making them look longer and fuller looking.  Also use it to create fuller, re-shaped and natural-looking brows.  Quick-drying clear gel is lightweight and easy to remove.”

Basically it promises to deliver thicker, longer lashes in just 30 days.  I used this product every night before I went to bed. I did miss one night but other than that I had this stuff on my lashes every night (I did apply the product one day before I started my challenge, so I did do 30 days).

Here is my before shot:

And my afters:

 

With Flash

Side

Okay, so my thoughts?  I have noticed that my lashes are longer.  If you compare the before and after shots, my lashes do look thicker in the before, that’s probably because when you apply the serum it tends to bunch lashes together. I didn’t scrub that hard prior to taking the photos.  Personally, I don’t think they are any thicker but they are for sure longer.  I have pretty thick lashes already, if you have sparse ones give this a try and let me know if it worked for you.

So would I recommend this product?  Well, for $9.99 CDN you might as well try it. Like I said, my lashes do appear to be longer (especially the middle lashes).  Even after 30 days I still have more than 3/4 left of the product, so it lasts a long time.  Also, it is much cheaper than Latisse, so if you want something that will make your eyelashes grow longer, you might as well try the Rimmel one, for this price, what do you have to lose?

Have you tried Rimmel London’s Lash Accelerator Serum? What were your thoughts?

Please note: I did receive this product for review, however, it did not affect my opinions on it.  All opinions are my honest own :).  



 

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