Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

I've been a fan of Urban Decay eyeshadow for a few years now. I am obsessed with my Urban Decay Naked 1&2 palettes. I use them 90% of the time I wear makeup. 

I had mixed opinions when the Naked Basics palette was released. I thought the shades would be too similar to the other two palettes I own. I bought the palette after hearing so many people praising the palette. 

I've decided that this palette is not my favorite and too similar to the Naked 1&2 palettes. If you already have those palettes, I would not recommend purchasing. If you don't have the Naked 1&2 palettes, I would suggest that you save your money and purchase either the first or second Naked palette depending on which shades and tones you prefer. If the first three shades weren't almost identical, I think that this would be an amazing palette for the price.

 

The Naked Basics palette features six neutral shades for $27.

Left to right: Venus, Foxy, Walk of Shame, Naked 2, Faint, Crave

Swatches left to right: Venus, Foxy, Walk of Shame, Naked 2, Faint, Crave

Although these aren't dupes, I found some similar shades in my collection to the eyeshadows found in the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette.

Left to right: Venus (UD Naked Basics), Bootycall (UD Naked 2), Virgin (UD Naked), Browbone color (Wet N Wild Walking on Eggshells), Sellout (UD single eyeshadow)

Left to right: Naked 2 (UD Naked Basics), Tease (UD Naked 2), Naked (UD Naked)

 Left to right: Faint (UD Naked Basics), Buck (UD Naked), Deep Bronze (NYX)

Left to right: Crave (UD Naked Basics), Blackout (UD Naked 2), Creep (UD Naked)

After giving this palette a try, I will be returning it to my local ULTA store. These eyeshadows weren't as unique as I had hoped after hearing so many good things about this palette. This may be a great palette if you are a beginner, however the similarities between the first three shades holds me back from recommending it.

 

 

What are your opinions on the newest addition to the Urban Decay Naked family?

 

 

XOXO

My New Mac Palette (+ Mac Pro Products Price Decrease!)

Update: Recent Additions to My Mac Palette --> click here.


I've wanted a Mac palette for years, however I've always held back because of the price. When I first heard about the new pro palettes Mac released, I was very disappointed because I had my eye on the older versions for so long. They became unavailable and the new ones were the only version that I could buy. I waited a few months before finally buying one. The push that helped me finally buy one is the new prices! Which are permanent, according to my local Mac Pro store. 

 

This information I found on Nouveau Cheap a few days ago. Here are the new prices:

Pro palette large/duo: $8 originally $25

Pro palette large/single: $8 originally $18

Pro palette eyeshadow x2: $5 originally $9

Pro palette eyeshadow x4: $8 originally $15

Pro palette eyeshadow x15 (insert): $2 originally $9

Pro palette blush x6 (insert): $2 originally $9

I purchased the large/single palette with the 15 eyeshadow inserts. I love the look and appreciate the price decrease! I saved $17.

I also decided to pick up some eyeshadows to start filling my new palette. I bought Nylon and Handwritten which are two shades I've had my eye on for the past couple of months. I can't wait to wear them! The Mac Pro eyeshadow pans prices were decreased as well ($10 originally $12.50). I saved $5.

In total I saved: $22.
I would have paid $52 rather than the $30 I paid for these products.

Left to right: Nylon and Handwritten

 

I look forward to using my new eyeshadows and continuing to add eyeshadows to my brand new palette. I have 2 single Mac eyeshadows that I plan to depot and put in my palette.

 

Click here for my updated Mac palette.

 

 

What are some Mac shades that you would recommend?
 

XOXO

 

Mary Kay Influenster Box

Hi everyone! If you haven't heard about Influenster, I highly recommend checking them out. It is a program were you can take surveys to become eligible to receive a complimentary box full of goodies! This is the second box that I've received, you can read about my first box here.

 

This box is full of products from Mary Kay which I've never tried before. I wasn't in love with this box, however I wasn't completely disappointed. I enjoyed some products, were indifferent about other products, and was unimpressed by a few products. The price deters me from repurchasing some of these products in the future. The quality isn't as nice for the price. Many of these products are drug store quality in my opinion. Take my reviews with a grain of salt! You may fall in love with these products. Everyone has different opinions.

 

 

What I received:

Lash Love Lengthening Mascara (retail for $15)
Claim: strong, seriously separated lashes.
My thoughts: I did not enjoy this mascara as a girl who loves dark and bold lashes. This was WAY too natural to me in which it was borderline non-existent on my lashes.
Recommend: NOPE
Repurchase: No way

Lash Primer (retail for $15)
Claim: dramatic definition, fuller-looking lashes.
My thoughts: PIECE OF CRAP. This did absolutely positively NOTHING to my lashes.
Recommend: NOPE
Repurchase: No way

Cream Eye Color/Concealer Brush (retail for $10)
Claim: the perfect brush for applying any cream product.
My thoughts: This I enjoyed! This brush stood up to the deep clean test - no excessively falling out bristles or running of the dye.
Recommend: Yes
Repurchase: No

Cream Eye Color in Violet Storm (retail for $22)
Claim: soft, creamy, long-wearing formula.
My thoughts: This was a decent product, however I don't see myself using this a lot. I rarely wear any color, but if I were it would be purple. I used this as a base underneath eyeshadow. I don't think that I would wear this alone because I can see it fading and creasing over time.
Recommend: Not for $22
Repurchase: No

True Dimension Lip Stick in Pink Cherie (retail for $18)
Claim: intensely moisturizing, exquisitely smoothing.
My thoughts: This was another decent product that I liked from this box. The color is gorgeous! It is true to color on the lips as it is swatched. The lipstick has an odd smell to it, however it goes away after wearing it for a little while. I didn't find this intensely moisturizing, but not excessively drying either.
Recommend: If you don't mind paying $18 for a lipstick
Repurchase: No


Have you ever tried Mary Kay products or Influenster?
XOXO

 



Back to Mac # 1 Update

Hi everyone. If you haven't already seen my back to Mac #1 go check it out! I showed the items I was returning to Mac for their recycling program. Plus I included a mini review of each product. Click HERE for that blog post.

Here is what I got!!!

Eyeshadow: Crystal (frost) 

Thoughts:

This is definitely a shade that I would consider a step out of my comfort zone. I typically wear a lot of neutrals. If I do wear color, it is typically purples. This shade is a light frosty purple with some gray undertones. Depending on the light, it will lean more gray than purple. I've been loving this shade so far. You do need to pack it on a bit to get good color pay off. 

 

 

 

What are your opinions on this eyeshadow if you've tried it before?

 

 

XOXO

Back to Mac #1

Hi everyone! I've been shopping at mac now for two years and I have finally accumulated at least six empties for their back to mac program. Here are my mac empties and what I thought of each product!

 Left to Right: Oil Control Lotion, Studio Sculpt Foundation in NW 15, False Lash Mascara, Brush Cleanser, Haute & Naughty Mascara

Bottom: Blotting Powder Pressed in Medium

 

 

Oil Control Lotion ($31) - This was one of the first purchases I made at mac. I think this is nice for oil control in the summer. This lasted me about a year using it almost everyday. It's worth the money if oil control is important in your daily makeup routine.

Recommend: Yes
Repurchase: No 

Studio Sculpt Foundation in NW 15 ($31) - This was the first mac foundation that I've tried. I definitely prefer matchmaster for the simple fact that it is a better color match. NW 15 was too dark for me. The consistency and staying power is nice, however this isn't the best foundation for the fair individuals. 

Recommend: If you can find the correct color match - yes.
If you are fairer than NW 15 - no.
Repurchase: No

False Lashes Mascara ($20) - This was the first mascara I've purchased from mac and my favorite so far. It is what I look for in a mascara - super black, lengthening, and volumizing.

Recommend: Yes
Repurchase: Yes

Brush Cleanser ($14) - This is a very basic item to have in your makeup kit. I've only used the mac version, but I think this gets the job done. It lasts for quite a while as well. I've repurchased this once and will be repurchasing in the future.

Recommend: Yes
Repurchase: Yes

Haute & Naughty Mascara ($20) - This is a nice concept for a mascara with two brushes that do two different things. One is more of a natural look, while the other is a fuller and thicker look. I rarely used the smaller, more natural brush because I'm a fan of big and bold lashes!

Recommend: If you like both natural and dramatic looks - yes.
If you like dramatic looks all the time - no.
Repurchase: No

Blot Powder Pressed ($24) - This is a nice powder to have if you have oily skin. I did find that this product reduced the shine. This lasted me about a year and a half. I think for the price and results, this is a good product if that is what you are looking for.

Recommend: Yes
Repurchase: No

 

I've started another batch of back to mac items which hopefully won't take me two years to collect! I will feature those items in another installment of my back to mac blog series.

 

What do you recommend getting when you back to mac? Lipstick? Lipglass? Eyeshadow?

 

 

XOXO

Collective Shoe Haul & Review - February, March, April, & May 2013

This is my third and final collective haul and review from the past few months. If you haven't seen my other blog posts, check them out here and here.

 

Here is my shoes version:

Left to Right: JcPenney K9 by Rocket Dog Nonna Canvas Slip Ons in Blue, Kohl's Croft & Barrow Boat Shoes, Kohl's Simply Vera Vera Wang Ballet Flats, and Charming Charlie's Medallion Sandals in Turquoise & Black.



JcPenney K9 by Rocket Dog Nonna Canvas Slip Ons in Blue ($15) - I bought these a few months ago when they were on sale at JcPenney.  They are perfect for summer and the warm weather. I definitely do not recommend wearing them when there is a chance for rain. I made the mistake of wearing these when the ground was still wet after a rain storm and my feet got soaked. These are very comfortable, although they are thin on the bottom so you can feel the ground beneath your feet. I've since given these to my mom because they are a little snug on me. She loves them.

Kohl's Croft & Barrow Boat Shoes ($36.99) - I mistakenly included these in this post. These I actually bought in October. While writing this blog, I felt like I had already included these in a post. After going back to some older posts, I realized that these were in my October haul. Oops! These are still really nice shoes and I love them! These aren't still available online, but you should be able to find these at your local Kohl's store.

Kohl's Simply Vera Vera Wang Ballet Flats ($17.99) - I bought these for my friends wedding that I was in. These are super cute! They aren't completely broken in yet so they do hurt my feet after wearing them for a while. These are a great pair of shoes to wear when you are dressed up but you don't want to wear heels. I actually originally had my eye on these when they were full price ($59.99), but I didn't want to pay that for flats. I recommend getting these while they are still available and on sale! At the moment they are still available online in sizes 5 & 5 1/2 here.

Charming Charlie's Medallion Sandals in Turquoise & Black ($16.99) - I am in love with these sandals! When I first saw them, they reminded me of Tory Burch because of the medallion on the front. They also have these in a tan color. Originally I was only going to buy the black ones because they were more practical, however they had a buy one get one FREE offer when I got to the register. These are amazing for summer. I wish they came in more colors and had a silver medallion version. I would definitely buy more of these in the future. I would recommend these to anyone.



That's the last of my collective haul from the months of February, March, April, & May of this year. I hope you enjoyed this little series.

I will include my June, July, and possibly August haul together as well since I do not go shopping very often.


XOXO

Collective Jewelry Haul & Review - February, March, April, and May 2013

I hope you all enjoyed my collective beauty haul & review that I posted a few days ago. If you haven't see it yet, you can find it here! I will be uploading my shoe version in the next couple of days so check back for that!

 

 

Here is my Jewelry version:

Left to Right: Kohl's Studio Time Diamond Fashion Watch, Windsor Black Stone Stretch Bracelet, Dressbarn Starfish Earrings, Deessbarn Round White Stone Earrings, Windsor Round Black Stone Earrings, Tiffany & Co Oval Tag Return to Tiffany Necklace

 

Left to Right: Kohl's Studio Time Diamond Fashion Watch, Windsor Black Stone Stretch Bracelet, Dressbarn Starfish Earrings,Dressbarn  Round White Stone Earrings, Windsor Round Black Stone Earrings, Tiffany & Co Oval Tag Return to Tiffany Necklace

Kohl's Diamond Fashion Watch ($20) - This my newest addition to my watch collection. This is a gorgeous watch with diamond details around the face. I like wearing this as a "dress up" watch. 

Windsor Black Stone Stretch Bracelet - This was a bridesmaid gift from a friend that I wore on her wedding day. This is no longer available on the Windsor Store website, but I'm sure you can find something similar if you like it. I'm not sure of the price since this was a gift.

Dressbarn Starfish Earrings ($8) - I am in love with these earrings! I wanted another pair of starfish earrings after buying my gold Coach version a few years ago. You can find these earrings here.

Dressbarn Round White Stone Earrings ($12) - These are similar to a pair of Coach earrings that caught my eye the last time I was in Coach but they are so much cheaper. I'm in love with these earrings and Dressbarn earrings lately!! These are currently available on the Dressbarn website, however I've seen them in stores recently.

Windsor Round Black Stone Earrings - These were another bridesmaid gift that I got for my friends wedding. These are so pretty! These are also no longer available at the Windsor Store, however there are two different pairs of earrings that are similar. Again, since these were a gift, I do not know the price.

Tiffany & Co Oval Tag Return to Tiffany Necklace ($425) - This was a birthday gift from my parents. I've wanted something from Tiffany's for years and years. I'm in love with this necklace and I've worn it almost everyday since I got it. I feel so blessed that my parents would buy this for me. 

XOXO