Swatches: Urban Decay Naked Palette

I was overjoyed to see this in my mailbox yesterday!

I can't wait to play with all the different colors. They are all neutral, very wearable colors that would suit anyone perfect for office and day. You can also build the color for dramatic looks as well. As with 90% of urban decay shadows, they are butter smooth and VERY pigmented! Here are the swatches on NC42 skin...

Without flash.

With flash.

The packaging...

The palette encasing is made out of brown velvet with letters embossed in gold. Although aesthetically pleasing, I don't find it very practical. I can see this as a lint and dust magnet and is not ideal for travel. As with all UD palettes it comes with a baby primer potion.

Look What I Found at Costco!

I've been finding great makeup deals lately. First it was the Urban Decay Naked Palette and now Stila!

As I was browsing the shampoo aisle, I found 2 lonely Stila sets randomly laying amongst a stack of shampoos. From the look of the set, I thought it would go for at least $40, but when I saw the price I was like, "No way, 19.99?!?" They were the last two sets so I snagged both of them! The left is the cool trio (stone, smog, kitten) and the right is the warm trio (lamé, chloe, kitten)...

Stila All About You Set

Orignal retail price breakdown:

#30 brush = $32.00

Full sized Lash Visor Waterproof Mascara = $20.00

Smudge pot = $20.00

Individual Eyeshadow = $18 ($18 x 3 = $54)

Total = $126

Costco Price = $19.99

SCORE!!!

Wanna Know How Much of A Makeup Addict I Am?

Last night I set my alarm for 8am to get first dibs on the UD Naked Palette. Soon this bad boy will be in my possession...

photo via temptalia.com

The palette is a steal which is why I'm going crazy! You get 12 full sized shadows for $44! One full sized shadow cost $17.00 each. $17 x 12 = $204. Included with the palette are 2 24/7 eyeliners which retail for $17 each. You also get a mini bottle of primer potion which retails for $18. Do the math!

You can now get it online at urbandecay.com or wait until August 1st to get it in store at Sephora or Ulta. For UK folks, it will probably launch there in September.

Wishlist

Urban Decay Naked Palette - Limited Edition - Release Date: August 1st - This is a neutral eyeshadow palette and it was made for me!

I want to build my perfume collection. All I have is the one Avoca perfume that HopAlong gave me for my birthday last year. I really love the smell of Avoca's perfume but I'm afraid of running out and I don't want to get sick of it by using it all the time. I had Thierry Mugler's Angel at some point but I lost it.

I love fresh, sweet fruity or tropical scents for the day and sweet musky smells for night. I can't stand straight powdery floral perfumes, they give me a headache. One day I hope to have all these (sigh...)!

Sunessence by Thierry Mugler - Limited Edition - Notes: Frozen Star Fruit, Patchouli, Vanilla, Ginger Flower - This is basically a lighter version of Angel.

Tobacco Vanille - Tom Ford - RARE!!! - Notes: A modern take on an old world men's club. A smooth oriental, Tobacco Vanille opens immediately with opulent essences of tobacco leaf and aromatic spice notes. The heart unfolds with creamy tonka bean, tobacco flower, vanilla and cocoa, and finishes with a dry fruit accord, enriched with sweet wood sap.

Black Orchid - Tom Ford - Notes: Bergamot, Citrus, Mandarin, Black Gardenia, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Lotus Wood, Orchid, Spicy Floral Accord, Orchid (Tom Ford Black Accord), Patchouli, Sandalwood, Incense, Vanilla - I have a sample size of this. This is a perfume people really love or really hate. At first I didn't like it because the musk was overpowering, But throughout the day it would slowly release its notes bit by bit, I kept smelling my wrist and falling in love with it more and more. It totally compliments my body chemistry. I can see myself wearing this day or night in the winter or at night in the summer. This is a very unique and delicious scent. I want it!!!

Miss Dior Cherie by Dior - Notes: Green Tangerine, Violette, Pink Jasmine, Patchouli, Crystalline Musk, Strawberry Leaves, Caramelized Popcorn, Strawberry Sorbet.

Flowerbomb - Victor & Rolf - Notes:
Sambac Jasmine, Centifolia Rose, Cattleya Orchid, Ballerina Freesia, Patchouli - This is lovely, the right hint of floral and sweet.

Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Abricot - Top: Jackfruit, Abricot Papaya; Heart: Papaya; Base: Tahitian Vanilla, Sugar Candy - Wear this only if you want men to follow you around with a fork, it smells like cake.

Blue Agava & Cacao - Jo Malone - Notes: Inspired by the rhythm and vibrancy of Latin music, a sparkling citrus melody of lime and grapefruit leads to an exquisite heart of the blue agava flower. A sensual blend of vetiver, cinnamon and the primitive rawness of cacao, make an unexpected and surprising harmony. - This smells like chocolate!

Nectarine & Honey Blossom - Jo Malone - Notes: A youthful and fruity fragrance, inspired by the delicious scent of just-ripening nectarines and a taste of refreshing peach sorbet. Mouthwatering nectarine and peach with hints of plum, blackcurrant and vetiver are combined with the sweet warmth of acacia honey in this truly seductive combination.

Dark Amber & Ginger Lily - Jo Malone - Limited Edition - Notes: Created as a modern interpretation of Kohdo, an ancient Japanese incense ceremony, Dark Amber & Ginger Lily is a sensual and calming blend that encourages a sense of tranquility.

Ralph Lauren Hot - Notes: Mandarin, Almond Blossom, Cinnamon, Jasmine, Orchid, Maplewood, Honeysuckle, Mocha, Fig, Milk Notes, Sandalwood, Amber, Musk, Vanilla. - This is perfect to wear on a beach holiday, has a slight coconut smell.


Love Rocks by Victoria's Secret - Top notes: bergamot, peony, raspberry sorbet; Middle notes: sandalwood flower, jasmine, peach nectar, plum, stephanotis; Low notes: golden amber, violet, cashmere musk, vanilla- Winner of the 2010 Fifi Fragrance of the Year Award. Fifi is like the Oscar for perfumes.

These are just body sprays. I'll probably pick them up next week when I'm in the city. They are on sale 3 for $21!!!
Island Escape, Room 504, Good Day Sunshine - Secret Moments Collection - Victoria's Secret

Nails of The Day: Revlon Grey Suede (Limited Edition)

So I decided to take a break from studying and go to CVS for respite. Hanging out at the cosmetic section (surprise, surprise)! Hidden on a shelf way back in the store was Revlon's Limited Edition Spring Collection of Nail Polish. There was a minty green, soft lilac, peach, and grey suede. The finish are all creamy, no sparkle. The grey suede and lilac caught my eye so I picked those up.

I tried the grey suede today and I quite like it! It's one of those "in" mushroom, taupe colors with a grey undertone. I never thought I would dig Revlon nail polishes, they always give me the impression that they are cheap and would chip after one day of wear. I quite like the formula. It's a bit watery but not hard to work with. Opaque after only two coats. With a seche vite top coat, I am hopeful that it won't chip or peel for a week. I think this is going to be my summer nail color besides coral. It would also make a great color for job interviews, it's very understated but elegant...



Too bad it's limited edition. I'm going to have to stock up!

Confessions of a Drugstore Makeup Junkie

I confess that I'm addicted to drugstore makeup. I get an adrenaline rush when I see BOGO (buy one get one free) or 50% off. You get great deals, and sometimes you find makeup that is amazing quality comparable to designer makeup brands like MAC or NARS.

For example, I was browsing CVS today and they were having a 40% off sale on Physicians Formula products. When I saw this kit I HAD TO HAVE IT!!!



I've been searching high and low for a dupe of MAC's blacktrack fluidline gel liner because I didn't want to shell out $15 for a miniscule .1 oz pot. Physicians formula had a set of 3 liners in 3 different colors and an eyeshadow palette for $8.99 with 40% off it was $6.00!!! HOLLA! I said I'll take it, despite the risk of it being low quality, the price wouldn't make a dent in my pocket anyway!

But here's a good example where you don't get what you pay for. These gel liners are AH-mazing! Look at the pigmentation, wow!




And they don't smudge either. I was rubbing the swatches really hard with my finger and they did not move AT ALL(except for the black because I didn't let it dry long enough)...



The bonus addition of eyeshadow palette didn't disappoint either. The pigmentation was above average for a drugstore brand. They were very soft and creamy and not too much shimmer, just right. You can apply it either dry or wet for a more intense, dramatic look. Supposedly, these colors will enhance brown eyes. I'll have a fun time playing around with them. These were swatched without a primer underneath. Can you imagine how vibrant these colors would be with a primer?



I also decided to pick up another eyeshadow palette for perfect smokey brown eyes (40% off sale price=$4.40). I've been on a smokey eye obsession for the past month. The pigmentation with this palette is OK and some of the colors are gorgeous!




I'm a happy bunny! My wallet and I are giving each other the high five! I think I'm going to go back there and get the other sets for Hazel, Blue, and Green Eyes. So run to your nearest CVS right now and get yourself this set, you won't regret it! The sale ends on Sunday!

Unfortunately, I don't think they sell Physicians Formula in Boots or Superdrug in the UK which sucks! But then again you gals have Barry M. I could kill for some Barry M dazzle dusts and nail varnish right now! *Sigh*

Sephora is Evil!!!

I originally entered sephora with the intention to "just browse".

(via)

Packages!

44/365 from Flippin Yank on Vimeo.

I ordered these a month ago and have finally gotten around to opening them! Viva Glam Cyndi, Viva Glam Gaga, 12 NYX Round Lipsticks, Mac Sculpting powder.

Yes, I love makeup and from my reflection in this video I badly need it. Couldn't be bothered to fix myself today!