WoooOOOwwww an actual FOTD!!!! It’s only been… an embarrassingly long time. Anyway, this is the makeup I did for my graduation ceremony for a university program. I could have done a totally respectable neutral smokey eye, but I do that every day and I wanted to use makeup products I haven’t used in awhile. It ended up being yet another version of my Lady Vengeance obsession. 

*Means these products were not purchased by me, but sent for editorial consideration. This doesn’t impact how I feel about the products though — honesty first!

A Guide to Eye Primers

fringe-upon-fringe asked: Hi! I was just wondering if you had any suggestions about eye primers? Are certain primers better to prevent eyeshadow creasing and others for eyeliner smudging? Is there anything in particular to look for in different formulas?
Oh man, such good questions!!! Ok, I’ll break it down for you, and make this rebloggable for others. I’m including affiliate links to the stuff I’m mentioning but read my reviews and decide for yourself which you like.

This is going to be a super in depth post including recommendations, so I’m putting it under the cut:
Some are better for different skin types, for example, people who like Urban Decay Primer Potion, might not like Too Faced Shadow Insurance, and vice versa. Also, some have pigmentation and are more of a sticky pigmented base color than a clear primer, and so you want to take that into consideration as to how you want it to impact the rest of your eye makeup.
There are a few different formulations to UDPP, as in, they all technically do the same thing, but the original formulation is a sheer, pale color and the others are more pigmented, either shimmery or matte. This will impact whatever shadows you choose to apply over them, whereas the original formulation won’t. Some people with darker skintones find the original formulation looks chalky and use the darker colors.

If you wanted to use glitter, you probably wouldn’t want to prime with either of those, rather the Glitter Glue Eyeshadow Primer. It’s a very tacky, thick primer, not like UDPP or the NARS primer. I would not use this one for anything but glitter glue, because it’s so tacky applying shadow or liner over it would probably be a hassle. Your eyelid could probably get caught if you were blinking mid application and mess up your makeup, this stuff is so tacky. It’s great though. Now onto drugstore recommendations and our favorites.

Read more

Stoked to get information about a new Urban Decay product launch — Moondust Eyeshadows. Feels like cream, goes on like powder, super sparkly. Here’s an excerpt from the press release:

Super-secret new technology at our lab gives Moondust an amazing effect not found in traditional pressed-powder shadows. It feels like a cream but goes on like a powder to create a smooth, brilliantly reflective look. The result? Sexy, twinkling sparkle with a ton of depth and movement. (And a LOT of questions about what you’re wearing!) The colors are like nothing else out there. Our staff is already going nuts over Zodiac, an amazing smoky black with a blue-green shift and a sparkly 3-D effect.

Moondust Eyeshadow ($20.00) (New, Permanent)

  • Moonspoon Medium gray with bright silver sparkle
  • Diamond Dog Deep brown with white-gold sparkle
  • Intergalactic Medium purple with bright silver sparkle
  • Space Cowboy Light champagne with bright silver sparkle
  • Glitter Rock Metallic pink with pink 3-D sparkle
  • Zodiac Smoky black with blue-green shift and blue-green 3-D sparkle
  • Stargazer Metallic lime-gold with gold 3-D sparkle

Available beginning April 9th at Urban Decay online, and April 2013 at Sephora, ULTA, and Macy’s.

Since I currently have a pretty intimidating backup of products to properly review, I thought I’d do a group mini review of what is on my face currently and kill five birds with one stone. These were all c/o also, getting that out of the way. Urban Decay Naked Basics: This has already been mentioned twice, go see the swatches & monthly favorites here. In summary, though: Matte, pigmented neutral shadows in travel friendly packaging. Kind of an essential.  Jane Iredale Finishing Powder: Also reviewed here before. I’m trying to give my skin a break from layers and layers of makeup so I’ve just been using sunscreen, concealer and this when I have to wear makeup for work.  Olay Total Effects Moisturizer SPF 15: Light moisturizer with tiny amount of SPF. I have pretty red skin right now from a harsh acne breakout and dryness, this did tone correct like it promised, but not a huge amount. I also don’t think SPF 15 is saying much. I am not incredibly impressed but if you have oily skin with a small amount of redness you might appreciate this. I’m not quite sold. This is probably most useful as something to be layered on top of — you can find other products that do all of what it offers, but better.  Buxom Menace Lipstick: Satin finish, rich wine color. The raspberry / rich wine lipstick family is my favorite so obviously I’m in love. This is satin finish, super vivid — one swipe does it. VERY moisturizing, also, probably one of the more hydrating formulations, but not to the point where it slips on your lips and looks sloppy. Very impressed, and it has beautiful packaging. Call me a fan.  Too Faced Highlighting Powder Duo: I prefer liquid highlighter (Benefit’s High Beam, forever) because especially with my dry skin, shiny highlighting powder like this just looks chunky and noticeable on me even with a light, light hand. It’s a good product for me in the summer but right now, I’m a sad panda.  So — mixed bag. Kept it short and to the point though. Let me know if you’ve tried these products and what you thought about them — especially the Olay and Buxom! I haven’t heard much hype about either.  High-res

Since I currently have a pretty intimidating backup of products to properly review, I thought I’d do a group mini review of what is on my face currently and kill five birds with one stone. These were all c/o also, getting that out of the way.

  1. Urban Decay Naked Basics: This has already been mentioned twice, go see the swatches & monthly favorites here. In summary, though: Matte, pigmented neutral shadows in travel friendly packaging. Kind of an essential. 
  2. Jane Iredale Finishing Powder: Also reviewed here before. I’m trying to give my skin a break from layers and layers of makeup so I’ve just been using sunscreen, concealer and this when I have to wear makeup for work. 
  3. Olay Total Effects Moisturizer SPF 15: Light moisturizer with tiny amount of SPF. I have pretty red skin right now from a harsh acne breakout and dryness, this did tone correct like it promised, but not a huge amount. I also don’t think SPF 15 is saying much. I am not incredibly impressed but if you have oily skin with a small amount of redness you might appreciate this. I’m not quite sold. This is probably most useful as something to be layered on top of — you can find other products that do all of what it offers, but better. 
  4. Buxom Menace Lipstick: Satin finish, rich wine color. The raspberry / rich wine lipstick family is my favorite so obviously I’m in love. This is satin finish, super vivid — one swipe does it. VERY moisturizing, also, probably one of the more hydrating formulations, but not to the point where it slips on your lips and looks sloppy. Very impressed, and it has beautiful packaging. Call me a fan. 
  5. Too Faced Highlighting Powder Duo: I prefer liquid highlighter (Benefit’s High Beam, forever) because especially with my dry skin, shiny highlighting powder like this just looks chunky and noticeable on me even with a light, light hand. It’s a good product for me in the summer but right now, I’m a sad panda. 

So — mixed bag. Kept it short and to the point though. Let me know if you’ve tried these products and what you thought about them — especially the Olay and Buxom! I haven’t heard much hype about either. 

By now you have probably seen swatches of this at least a trillion times (I really like Leesha’s swatches), but here are mine. Since my visit to Urban Decay Headquarters (pictures here) I have been kept busy with fashion week prep and back to school prep so I haven’t had enough time to thoroughly test this until just now. I’ve used it several times now and I’m quite fond of it! I’ve been using Naked2, Faint, and Crave daily, and Venus is a great brow highlight. 

For a big matte shadow lover like me this palette is such a good buy and it’s sooo travel friendly too. In an ideal world they’d come out with another version of this for darker skintones because I know this would be so chalky on dark skin. Perhaps time will tell. For pale skinned babes who want some matte neutrals (which are surprisingly hard to find), this is a good bet.

This product was provided for editorial consideration but it doesn’t impact the review — honesty to our readers is our #1 priority.

Urban Decay is on Hautelook right now. None of the newer releases, but you can grab the some primers, single shadows, some of the palettes, blushes, traveling sprays. Fond of the blushes for buildable glow & you can never have enough primer. High-res

Urban Decay is on Hautelook right now. None of the newer releases, but you can grab the some primers, single shadows, some of the palettes, blushes, traveling sprays. Fond of the blushes for buildable glow & you can never have enough primer.

Arabelle’s January Favorites  Lots of products to review, so here are some new ones by way of a monthly favorites post. (Here’s the last monthly favorites one — you’ll see some old faces).  Jane Iredale Triple Pearl Powder Finishing Powder* ($68) - It’s probably the best setting powder I’ve ever used, it really blends in any imperfections and smooths, I’ve been using it for a few weeks and it has delivered all it promises for me. I don’t have to touch up throughout the day either. Packaging is kind of bulky but I guess that is also ‘luxurious’. I’d rather have something travel appropriate, personally.  Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette* ($27) - I have been waiting for this product ever since the Naked came out because I love matte shadows and personally, for my super fair skin, this is great, compact, and so worth the price. The colors blend out well, are pigmented and not as chalky as some UD shadows can sometimes be. Love. These would look chalky and unnatural on medium to dark skin though. Also, the palette is kind of hard to open but maybe that is just me.  Benefit High Beam ($26) - Previously reviewed here. Zoya Nail Polish in Song ($8) - Swatch and discussion to be posted a few posts before this, go check it out. NARS Danmari Palette (LE/DC) - I love orgasms and also Orgasm. (this is my blog i’ll be inappropriate if I wanna) Urban Decay Setting Spray* ($29) - I have been using the Cooling/Hydrating formulation the most because I have dry skin and I think it does help, but the Long-Lasting formulation is definitely the best and practically cements my makeup into place.  Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer in Fair/Light ($39) - Best under-eye concealer I’ve tried. It’s heavy enough to use on acne and scarring too, and doesn’t get wrinkly or cakey or whatever. You need very little of it as well.  K- Palette Real Lasting Waterproof 24h Eyeliner ($15.70) - This has the thinnest brush. The thinnest. It’s also super super black and does not budge.  MAC Violetta ($15) - On me, this is like a ‘natural’ lip color because it perfectly, and I mean perfectly, matches my hair color. I’ve grown bored of my usual purples (Belladonna, Kontrol) but this breathes new life into the color for me.  INGLOT 545 AMC Lip Gloss ($16) - Paraben free & not tested on animals if you didn’t know (and if you care). I don’t really wear lip gloss very often but this is soooo pretty and you can actually see the duo on your lips, it’s really pigmented and strange and lovely.  Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer ($23) - I actually ran out of the tube I had of this. Like I ended up scraping the very last bits of it out. I have never hit pan so thoroughly on a product before and before I even hit pan I ordered 2 more backups because this is my Holy Grail Concealer. If I could only limit my makeup collection to like 3 things this would be one of them.  Disclaimer: * = provided for editorial consideration by the brand. This doesn’t mean I was obligated to blog about them & certainly doesn’t mean I am obligated to be nice and fawn over these products! Check out our disclosure policy here. High-res

Arabelle’s January Favorites 

Lots of products to review, so here are some new ones by way of a monthly favorites post. (Here’s the last monthly favorites one — you’ll see some old faces). 

  1. Jane Iredale Triple Pearl Powder Finishing Powder* ($68) - It’s probably the best setting powder I’ve ever used, it really blends in any imperfections and smooths, I’ve been using it for a few weeks and it has delivered all it promises for me. I don’t have to touch up throughout the day either. Packaging is kind of bulky but I guess that is also ‘luxurious’. I’d rather have something travel appropriate, personally. 
  2. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette* ($27) - I have been waiting for this product ever since the Naked came out because I love matte shadows and personally, for my super fair skin, this is great, compact, and so worth the price. The colors blend out well, are pigmented and not as chalky as some UD shadows can sometimes be. Love. These would look chalky and unnatural on medium to dark skin though. Also, the palette is kind of hard to open but maybe that is just me. 
  3. Benefit High Beam ($26) - Previously reviewed here.
  4. Zoya Nail Polish in Song ($8) - Swatch and discussion to be posted a few posts before this, go check it out.
  5. NARS Danmari Palette (LE/DC) - I love orgasms and also Orgasm. (this is my blog i’ll be inappropriate if I wanna)
  6. Urban Decay Setting Spray* ($29) - I have been using the Cooling/Hydrating formulation the most because I have dry skin and I think it does help, but the Long-Lasting formulation is definitely the best and practically cements my makeup into place. 
  7. Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer in Fair/Light ($39) - Best under-eye concealer I’ve tried. It’s heavy enough to use on acne and scarring too, and doesn’t get wrinkly or cakey or whatever. You need very little of it as well. 
  8. K- Palette Real Lasting Waterproof 24h Eyeliner ($15.70) - This has the thinnest brush. The thinnest. It’s also super super black and does not budge. 
  9. MAC Violetta ($15) - On me, this is like a ‘natural’ lip color because it perfectly, and I mean perfectly, matches my hair color. I’ve grown bored of my usual purples (Belladonna, Kontrol) but this breathes new life into the color for me. 
  10. INGLOT 545 AMC Lip Gloss ($16) - Paraben free & not tested on animals if you didn’t know (and if you care). I don’t really wear lip gloss very often but this is soooo pretty and you can actually see the duo on your lips, it’s really pigmented and strange and lovely. 
  11. Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer ($23) - I actually ran out of the tube I had of this. Like I ended up scraping the very last bits of it out. I have never hit pan so thoroughly on a product before and before I even hit pan I ordered 2 more backups because this is my Holy Grail Concealer. If I could only limit my makeup collection to like 3 things this would be one of them. 

Disclaimer: * = provided for editorial consideration by the brand. This doesn’t mean I was obligated to blog about them & certainly doesn’t mean I am obligated to be nice and fawn over these products! Check out our disclosure policy here.

After my tour of Urban Decay they sent me off with a generous little bag of goodies! I am still behind on swatches and reviews — I left my Naked Basics in New York but I will swatch my cousin’s — but will get around to it this weekend, at least some of this stuff.  High-res

After my tour of Urban Decay they sent me off with a generous little bag of goodies! I am still behind on swatches and reviews — I left my Naked Basics in New York but I will swatch my cousin’s — but will get around to it this weekend, at least some of this stuff.