Naked Basics | Urban Decay

Meet the newest member of the Naked family - the basics palette. Released just in time for Christmas (online exclusive to Debenhams) this was sure to be on every beauty junkie's wish list, mine included. 

My lovely boyfriend bought this for me on behalf of Amelie's present to me.

To start it's just so god damn convenient! For me, this ticks all the boxes as to what packaging I want in a palette. It's securely housed in a hard, rubbery case (similar to that of NARS) with a mirror covering the inside lid. Not to mention how compact it is - it fits comfortably in the palm of my hand and you'll always be able to take it with you. 
 I can see this being a staple in my make up bag when I return to work.

That being said when I opened my palette. I had two dents above the eyeshadows. I'm going to put this down to a manufacturing fault, although it could have become dented in travel, in which case this doesn't bow well to carry around in my handbag.

Now let's get down to the nitty gritty..I'm glad that UD have listened to their consumers in regards to producing a matte palette as 5/6 are without any form of shimmer.The only exception being Venus which has a slight shimmer, but seeing as this will be used as a highlighting colour I can let them off.
Considering that the others are matte shades the overall pigmentation is brilliant. Notoriously matte's have a lot less colour payoff and I'm actually pleasantly surprised at the results. Even without my beloved UDPP they don't appear the least bit chalky.
Due to 50% of the colours - I can see this being more favourible for fair/medium skintones although it claims to be a universally suited palette.

Here's a breakdown of the colours:
Venus - Soft, Off-White Demi-Matte.
This is the only non matte shadow in this palette. I can see this being used in the inner corner of my eyes.
Foxy - Cream Bisque matte
This colour was featured in Naked2. I'd describe it as buttery yellow in colour, I didn't reach for it much in that palette and i'm a bit gutted that they've decided to add this again in this one. 
I would have preferred to have a repeat of Virgin which was found in the original Naked palette.
(Walk Of Shame) W.O.S - Very light nude matte.
This colour is my least favourite of the six, in my opinion it is far to similar to Foxy. It also had the least amount of pigmentation. It took multiple swipes to show up and even then it's barely visible on the photograph although this could be down to it being the exact shade of my skin tone (MAC NW20) in which case; I can see myself using this to colour correct my eye lids before using a lid colour, and also to set my primer.
Naked2 - Taupe matte.
By far my favourite. It looks good placed on my lid, crease, lower lash line, wherever.
Faint - Warm dusty brown matte.
A brilliant crease colour for a subtle neutral eye, perfect for the day time.
Crave - Deepest darkest brown/black matte.
I'm glad that they have added a blackened brown to this palette. It makes this palette perfect to use for a day to night transformation. I also like that its not a pure black colour as I found Blackout (featured in Naked 2) to be too harsh to wear during the day.

My overall feelings on this palette is that I understand the theory behind the palette but I think it's execution was awful.

In terms of comparing this to its ancestors, I'm on the fence with this one and to be honest I'd be lying if I thought this palette was an essential. I'm a collector, so for me this was a no brainer but it won't be something i'll use everyday and If I had time to get ready each morning this would definitely not be my 'go to' palette. Also, the lack of colour shades makes it hard to come up with a variety of looks. 
I suppose this all comes down to whether you're looking for a neutral palette with a variety of shades, or if you're looking for something that is convenient, day time wearable and completely 'no frills'. If you have the money to spend I would advise you to invest in Naked or Naked 2 (click HERE for a comparison). However, if you prefer the latter or are completely new to the make up world and don't own either of the Naked's than this is perfect  - it's completely fool proof and has everything you need for your Basic (see what I did there?!) neutral eye.

Will you be buying it?
♥

Shopping The Christmas Sales 2012.

Look at me with my second daily consecutive post. Part of my new years resolution (post to come) is to post more regularly. Admittedly I'm probably not going to be able to do so every single day, but I'm really going to make a conscious effort to blog more. 
Jeez could I of mention the words Blog and Post anymore? Blog, Post, Blog, Post...

 I was in two minds as to publish this post. I didn't have much for Christmas as it's been a tradition for both me and my brother to receive mostly money to spend in the sales after Christmas.

I thought I would let you all know of the brilliant discounts available once Christmas is over. If you can hold your nerve that is..

First stop was Zara. I actually stayed up till midnight on Christmas Day for this sale, and a good thing that I did as by 9.00am Boxing Day everything I ordered was either no longer available in my size or sold out completely. Here's what I bought:

If you have been a reader of my blog you would have known that I posted about my CHRISTMAS WISH LIST last month - in it I really wanted a pair of Leopard Print Shoes and I was in two minds to order these before Christmas. 

I know these aren't to everyone's taste but I absolutely love them! They're such a statmeent piece and the most perfect accessory to jazz up even the simplest of outfits. And for a lovely £20 off too.

Next up was a pair of black patent ankle boots. Another shoe I'd found myself repeatedly checking to see if they were still available. For the last month the only size in stock was mine, and I would have been lying if I wasn't tempted to buy them there and then.

They are so perfect with a real timeless style and the quality means they will keep for years to come. Shiny patent at the front with a suede-type material at the back. I feel that the gold zips on either side of the boot adds a real edgy look whilst still maintaining its youthfullness, and the chunky heel makes for comfortable walking. I broke these babies within one day of wearing them!

An all round versatile shoe, you could wear these to glam up leggings but can also be worn with denim shorts in the warmer months. A little expensive, even after the £10 reduction, but I know I'm going to get a lot of wear out of these.

My final shoe purchase is something I hadn't planned on buying but simply couldn't say no to when I saw this offer - £79.99 reduced to £39.99! Amazing, especially considering they're made from real buffalo leather which will last an age! 

How cute is the studded detailing?

I've been finding myself reaching for my uggs way to often this winter and was in desperate need of something a little smarter.

Ever since the birth of Amelie I've had to drastically cut the size of my handbags down. I bought THIS bag (also from ZARA!) and have really had lots of wear out of it, but it's a little bit too small - I really missed having a purse and as a result my coins ended up everywhere!

I bought this one which is a little more day time friendly. I love the quilted effect replacing the studs on my previous handbag and it's a little bit bigger to fit my purse.

This is a really naughty purchase - but I don't own any tan bags at all! It's brilliantly sized for when I need to take more stuff with me and has gorgeous little studded detailing front as well as two cute little tassels on the straps.

I think the straps are actually removable which means that this can double up as a clutch for those romantic date nights!

I also had a little look at the Topshop website.

Peplum Boucle Top:

I finally gave in to this. I had worried that this would make me look bigger than I am but it's actually surprisingly flattering!

I read the reviews before purchasing this and I'm so glad that I did as everyone had said to order the next size up, which I did and it fits me perfectly!

Heart Jumper:

I love this jumper. Comfort is a massive influence in what I wear, but I also like to be moderately fashionable and this is a great compromise! I think this would be great paired with simple black leggings and a wince warm scarf.

I love how the jumper is made of little knotted cotton pieces which means that I don't have to worry about it scratching Amelie.

Did you get anything nice in the Christmas Sales?

♥

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Lush Goodies

Call me crazy but I really don't understand the hype surrounding Lush products. I've tried a few things from the permanent line such as their lip scrubs (which dried out within a week of opening) & bath bombs (which in my opinion are far too over priced) but I've never been blown away by anything.

That being said If theres one thing that I love it's their Limited Christmas Shower Gel. I stock up every Christmas so that I have access to it throughout the whole of next year.

I got a couple bottles to unwrap at Christmas but I went to Lush yesterday with the hope of buying some back ups but they had all sold out.

When I walked into the shop I was quickly approached by one of the friendly sales assistants who told me that they had sold out of almost every Christmas product well before the 25th and that this year was their busiest ever in the run up - even the gift sets.

The only thing they had left were their Christmas soaps which were a generous 50% off.

I'd never tried any of their soaps before and seeing as they were now discounted I went over to see if any took my fancy.

Here's what I bought:

Angels Delight - £4.46

This smelt really similar to snow fairy, I believe that this soap is actually included in the Christmas Snow Fairy Gift set. 

To me it smells of Candyfloss & Jelly Beans. Each piece of the soap is different based on where your cut of the chunk came from. My bar was originally valued at £8.91 and is pink with blue and orange coloured blocks running through it. I saw on the chunk that there were purple stars (but unfortunately I didn't get any - I picked up a pre-wrapped piece), gold glitter flakes and a beautiful golden moon on top (which I was temped to buy purely for display use!).

I'm really excited about trying this out. 

Northern Lights - £4.65

I was then drawn to Northern Lights, as you can see it's really eye catching! It's a very bright Neon yellow with green and orange blocks all swirled together.

This scent smells incredible. It's sharp, zingy and is everything you need to wake you up on cold winter mornings.

Personally I can see this being more of a summer soap with its citrus scent.

I've heard that this is now being discontinued and will not be appearing next Christmas and so I'd urge you to check out you're nearest Lush store in the next couple of days for a chance of buying it.

(TESTER) Snow Cake - 

I was given a very generously sized tester.

When the sales assistant gave me a demonstration (not that I needed any help on how to wash my hands) It felt so creamy & nourishing on the skin, it doesn't lather which is a bit disappointing.

I was told this has almond in but to me it smells very fresh and a bit like vanilla with a hint of warm spice.

It smells a lot better on the skin then in bar format.

I plan on cutting these into smaller more 'palm friendly' sizes. Which hopefully should prolong their life, although I have heard they last ages.

Have you tried any of the LUSH soaps?
♥

Soap & Glory Haul

I was scanning the aisle of my local boots on the weekend in the hunt in finding suitable Christmas presents for the people in my life that I just don't know what to buy for.

Naturally, I had to check out the nearby make up stands to see if there were any good offers available (not that I needed any persuasion..).

I haven't tried any Soap and Glory make up products before but I've read a lot of good reviews singing their praises.

The average pricing per item is around the £8.00 mark, which in my opinion puts it at the top of the drug-store brands, but still relatively affordable if you compare it to the average product in my collection.

Here's what I picked up:

1. Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick - 'Fuscia-ristic'

2. Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick - 'Plum Jam'

3. Supercat Extreme Eyeliner Pen - Carbon Black
4. Sugar Crush - 'Fresh & Foamy Body Wash
5. Hand Food
6. Hand Maid

When it comes to the Gloss Sticks I was amazed on their texture when I swatched the tester on the back of my hand in the store. They look scary in the tube but once used they're a gorgeous balmy-gloss with medium coverage. 

Fuscia-ristic looks a very bold, almost neon orange in the tube but transfers to a gorgeous peachy-pink and Plum Jam is a beautiful berry colour -  which again, appears far lighter than in the tube.

The gloss sticks apply evenly and they are also surprisingly wearable. I think this is mostly down to the high shine gloss and the fact that they are so buildable - you can apply a small amount for a 'light pick me up' or layer multiple coats for a more intense wash of colour.

The packaging is very Clinque Chubby Stick-esque with the same chunky tubes and twist up mechinism that reveals more product - so no need for messy sharpeners. 

The staying power is average for what I would expect from a gloss - you will have to take your gloss stick of choice in your handbag to reapply throughout the day but no need to use a mirror as the tip is the perfect size to apply the product. Large enough to do so quickly but not overly so that you have to watch where you apply, plus the coverage is great incase you make a mistake with no obvious smears to report if you go over the natural line of your lips!

Packaging wise - there really isn't anything to write home about. Soap & Glory aren't going to be receiving any awards here, which is a shame as I would have liked something along the lines of their bath product 'vintage' theme. There's nothing that screams 'Pick me up and swatch me!' and in all honesty had I not had time to really look at their products and swatch these - the packaging combined with the daring bold colours would be something I would most likely overlook. That being said, it's refreshing to see a brand that lets its products do all the talking - not relying on it's garish or copycat packaging (cough revlon cough..)

The only downsize (along with the unoriginal packaging) would be the range of colours - there are currently only three gloss sticks to choose from (the other being a nude).

I would definitely recommend you checking these out.

I decided to get the Eyeliner as part of the '3 for 2'. I've not owned a felt-tip liner before and have not really ventured too far away from my Loreal Carbon Gloss. I'm looking forward in seeing how this one measures up. I love that it is housed in it's own cardboard packaging (see 1st pic), It makes it feel so much more luxurious compared to the cellophane wrapped gloss sticks - not a deal breaker, but I love good presentation!
 Quite pricey at £10.00 though so I've got high hopes for this one!

I have recently run out of my Soap & Glory 'Clean on Me' body wash and was in need for a replacement. I loved this body wash whilst pregnant as it contained a good moisturiser within it which made it perfect because I couldn't always have the energy (or be bothered!) to apply moisturiser each day after my shower. I'm a massive fan of body washes that lather up though and although it did the job of keeping my skin moisturised It didn't contain enough foamyness for me!

I've heard good things on the sugar crush line and am excited in trying this out.

I also picked up two mini's. Hand food is an absolute staple in my handbag. It's lightweight in formula and quickly soaks into the skin but is rich enough to leave it feeling very nourished and moisturised. Plus the scent is the typical S&G smell - delicious!

Hand gel is a must for all mothers and the size is great to slot into Amelie's changing bag. It's gorgeously scented and the best bit - it doesn't have the smell of alcohol which is typical in other antibacterial gels.

What's your favourite Soap & Glory product?
♥

Bath & Body Works: White Barn - Marshmellow Fireside.

Another candle post today. If you haven't guessed already they are my new favourite thing at the moment!
 The reason for these sorts of posts is that we're currently redecorating our living room (post to come) and I've suddenly got all into my home decorations!

Today's post is White Barn's Marshmellow Fireside which you can purchase in Bath & Body Works. My lovely boyfriend's Nan very kindly bought this back from me on her recent trip to New York.

I've heard such good things about this one and 'Leaves' (which was no longer available - i think it only comes out in Autumn) & when she asked me if there was anything in particular that I wanted from there I jumped at the chance of owning one of these!

I've seen reviews that this brand is slightly less powerful in scent then Slatkin & co (also sold at BBW) but to be honest i wasn't left disappointed with this one. 

It has the perfect amount of scent, noticeable but not overpowering.

Marshmellow Fireside is descibed as toasted marshmellow, vanilla cream and smoldering wood. I wholeheartedly agree with this description - The vanilla & marshmellows is present to satisfy my sweet tooth but the rich 'woody' smell stops this candle from being too sickly.

One thing that I would add is that I can't express how much better this smells once lit and once blown out the smell really does linger for ages.

I wish they would have Bath & Bodyworks in England!

♥

MAC Guilty Pleasures - Lavish Rose Set.

I've really fallen out of love with MAC in the recent months. I get so overwhelmed with new collections & product releases that in all honesty I've kind of lost track on which products are limited edition and which are in the permanent line. 

For this reason I've always been wary on purchasing a product for fear that I'll fall in love with it only to realise it's no longer available when it comes to repurchasing - believe me this has happened way too many times!

That being said I was on the Debenham's website last week when I realised they had 15% off on beauty & fragrances (side note - there is currently a 10% discount on this week!). After finishing my christmas shopping I realised I was £20.00 better off - very dangerous in a designer store!

I soon found myself scrolling through the pages of MAC where I came across their 2012 Holiday Collection.

It was fair to say I fell completely in love with its packaging. Pink & Bows - Yes please! 

I've always been a complete sucker for good presentation and this was definitely not an exception. It's just so cute & girly.
The lipglosses re housed in a circular box made of thick cardboard reminiscent in style to that of a hat box.

A big upgrade from the last Christmas collection which in my opinion was very bland an unimaginative. 

I plan on recycling this box and using this to organise my hairbands. It's just too pretty to throw away.

I decided on the Lavish Rose Set. 4 gorgeous lipglosses - (2 Dazzleglasses & 2 Cremsheen). 

I absolutely love the difference in colours between each gloss. You have got something for every look & occasion. 

The cute bow detailing on the lid of the box is also transferred to the lipglosses themselves making them super cute without being too sickly & OTT.

Here's whats inside the box:

Demure: Warm Pink with Blue Pearl (Dazzleglass Creme)

Going Casual: Sheer Lilac (Cremesheen Glass)

Boys Go Crazy: Deep Amethyst (Dazzleglass Creme)

Colour Satuation: Dark Cool Wine (Cremesheen Glass)

I'm most excited about 'Colour Satuation', I don't have anything like this in my collection and this shade is in keeping with the current season's colour trend.

The fact that it's a gloss doesn't make this as daunting as a lipstick too, plus the pigmentation is brilliant.

The only downside is that they are limited edition and as far as I know there aren't any of the 4 glosses to be included in the permanent range. 

I bought these last week so I can't guarantee that they are still around but would seriously urge you all to have a look in your local MAC stores to see if there are any available!

This set retails at £25.00 which I think is fairly reasonable considering there are 4 lipglosses. I had even thought about buying another set and splitting them up as part of mini stocking filler presents to friends.

Did you pick anything up from the 2012 Collection?

What is your favourite of the four lipglosses?
♥