Makeup Withdrawal

Showing posts with label Urban Decay. Show all posts

50 Words or Less Reviews: Some Things I Like

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Happy 2020!

My first post this year is a shorter one. Just some items I like.

Urban Decay x Basquiat Gold Griot Palette

Monday, June 26, 2017

When I swatched this palette instore earlier this year at Ulta, I liked it. I didn't full-price-love it, but promised myself that if I ever saw this marked down at HauteLook, Nordstrom Rack or the like, I'd immediately snatch it up. I guessed that it would take about a year to reach discount status, but was happy that it happened a lot sooner.

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet + Matte Black Smokey Eye Pictorial

Monday, December 8, 2014

This review is going to be short and simple, mainly because I already reviewed another Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Pencil a few weeks ago. I made a short sort of pictorial to go with it, because in this instance, I happened to use Black Velvet as not just eyeliner but as the base to this matte black smokey eye.

I tried Black Velvet, which seems to be much better compared to Plushie (review here). It is creamier and applies without as much skipping, with impressive pigmentation. However, it still flakes off a little bit during application, as you can see in the following pictorial.

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Pencil in Plushie

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Good afternoon!

Recently Sephora offered a neat little GWP with a code for a deluxe Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide On Pencil in Plushie and I quite happy to get one along with my Bite set. I've heard nice things about 24/7s, but my experience with them has been mediocre. The thing that I looked forward to the most was that the Velvet finish meant a matte formula, and I just about love everything more when matte.

Cracking Open Urban Decay Primer Potion

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Hello Readers!
So it's that time of year again. You know, the time of year when I *think* I've finished up my tube of Urban Decay Primer Potion, and it's time to crack it open and see how much is really left. Now last March I opened this tube (XL sized) so it's been about a year.
For the last two weeks, it's been harder and harder to get get any primer out of the oddly shaped container, so yesterday I figured it was time to cut it open. I used a steak knife and cut it across the middle, making sure not to get any plastic debris into the primer. Then I just scooped it into these handy clamshell jars that I had purchased from TKB Trading.
It filled three 1/2 little jars, each the size of quarter! Isn't that amazing? Ugh, this packaging of UDPP is just ridiculous. I know that there's a 'Pro' sized squeeze tube, but when I ordered one the packaging leaked a bit and it was all dried out. I'm not exactly keen to repeat that experience again.
Now, why did I separate it into three jars instead of cramming it into one? Well last time around that I did this, every time I opened the jar (as well as the air trapped inside) dried the container of primer out very quickly and I didn't even finish my one big primer pot. This time, I'm going to use one jar at a time which will hopefully let me use all of it.

Have you ever cut open a tube of Urban Decay Primer Potion to see what was left?

EOTD: Using Some Shades From BOSIII

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

I pulled out BOSIII UD<3NYC again today to give it some much deserved love. I was bored after school so I figured-what the heck, I might as well play! Now, I took about 50 pictures, but this is the only one that looks true to life. Actually, it still looks more of a richer green-blue than this, but that's the best I can do.
I used:
Brows: Maybelline Define A Brow
Eyes: UDPP, from the BOSIII- Smog, Loaded, Maui Wowie and a bit of Haight in the inner corner and first 1/3 of my lid. Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero, false lashes and a bit of NYX Doll Eye Long Lash Mascara.

All products mentioned were purchased by me, for my own use.

FOTD: Playing With Urban Decay BOSIII

Monday, October 4, 2010

I played with the Book of Shadows today and tried out the shade Last Call. Weirdly enough, when I blended it out it looked rather orange, so I added Perversion (matte black) in the outer V. I guess I need to remember to bring oil blotters in my purse, see how oily I am? My body chemistry seems to have changed a bit, I'm now at either extreme of combination, my T-zone and cheeks are like an oil slick while my forehead is disgustingly scaly! Maybe it's time for a primer or foundation change.
Face: L'oreal Magic Perfecting Base, MUFE HD, Hard Candy Living Doll Blush, Lacura Foundation powder
Brows: Maybelline Define A Brow

Eyes: UDPP, Urban Decay Last Call, Urban Decay Perversion, Rock & Republic Veil, Kiss Me Heroine Make Long + Curl, MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
Lips: Revlon Pink Pursuit gloss

Urban Decay Book of Shadows UD♥NYC Review

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Pop up art

I almost passed the palette up, I really did. I knew there were going to be some crazy glitterbombs (I'm looking at you, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again) that I'd never use and I didn't know if I wanted to buy a palette and have some of the shades untouched.
Well, I guess it seemed like a good idea to order it when I was feverish, because that's what I ended up doing!
The packaging on this Book of Shadows (henceforth abbreviated by BOS) is beautifully crafted though bulky. I really do like the pop up art, and even the lights!

Cover of BOS UD♥NYC

There's 16 shadows inside, 2 24/7 liners (in Zero, a matte black and Ransom which appears to be purple with a blue sheen) and a mini Primer Potion.
Four of these shadows are OMFGlitterbombs. I mean, shadows with big chunky glitter, the kind of glitter that holds you hostage and takes you by the shoulders and shakes you violently until you acknowledge that they're ALL OVER YOUR FACE. These four are Snatch, Uzi, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again and Maui Wowie.
Then there's three more shadows with finer, more integrated glitter- Money, Kush and Bordello. By that I mean the glitter stays with the shadow. We also have eight shimmery shades; Suspect, Smog, Psychedelic Sister, Last Call, Rockstar, Haight, Radium and Loaded. Last but not least we have Persuasion, a matte.
It was rather overcast out, but I got some decent pictures:

It's kind of hard to tell from my swatches but Haight is more green than Radium. Snatch is a pink with gold sheen with gold glitter. Uzi, Snatch, Maui Wowie and Midnight Cowboy once again, are the glitterbombs. Loaded is a duochrome, with more green shimmer than bark brown.
Anyways, the quality of these shadows are great, really pigmented and easy to blend. And it's a good deal too! Even without counting the mini UDPP or 24/7 liners, it comes out to be about less than $4 per shadow.
I'm really glad that I managed to get this, I'm blow away by the array of vibrant shadows!

Did you manage to get BOSIII? Or do you have any of the previous BOS from Urban Decay?

Item was purchased by me, for my own use.

Urban Decay Naked Palette Giveaway CLOSED

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

This contest is now closed!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Fling

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Dear Urban Decay Primer Potion,

Last week after our fight, I did a horrible thing. I felt like you left me no choice after I cut you in half and discovered that you had been holding back on me. Yes, I saw you there, with more than half of you left in the crevices of your strangely designed packaging.
I strayed. I left you for another primer. I went out hoping that I could do better than you. I went to Sephora, hoping to pick up something that would replace you and I'd heard that Too Faced Shadow Insurance could do what you do, no strings attached. From a distance, I admired the sleek tube that TFSI came in, so different from your lavender curves.

I eagerly brought TFSI home. I immediately took a liking to the way TFSI could squirt out a little product, instead of the way you brazenly show your wand and dip into the primer all at once. The whole time I used TFSI, I thought about your puzzling doe-footed applicator and how unhygienic it was. But the moment I caressed TFSI, I knew something was wrong. It was so thin and though I was used to the slippery feel of silicones, the formula felt rather greasy. It disappeared into my skin at once, where as you were thicker and helped even out the color of my lids. You both dry just as quickly. I tried both shimmery and matte colors (yes, I used the same eye shadows that the two of us used together) and found that for the most part, you worked the same way. But because I like to be ridiculously thorough, I tested the two of you side by side with shimmer and matte eyeshadow. Though nearly identical, I found that TFSI made colors true to what they looked like in the pan, you made matte colors slightly richer and the shimmer in sparkly colors pop out a tiny bit more.

Basically, what I'm saying is this: if you're willing, I'd like to get back together. No, I beg you to take me back. I would say that my eyelids are pretty average, neither oily nor dry but I really do believe that you are better. In fact, if you're willing to forgive this horrible breach of trust, I'll return Too Faced Shadow Insurance back at to Sephora at once. I'll learn to accept your wasteful and inconvenient packaging- after all what matters is on the inside.

xoxox,
-Mimi

All products shown were purchased by me, for my own use.

Urban Decay Face Case

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I bought this last week at Ulta (grrr. Before it was available online at UD's site) after I saw pics of it. It's $14 and contains 3 shadows, 1 blush and 3 lipglosses. The case is made out of velvety, rubbery purple plastic and 1.5 times the size of a Blackberry Pearl cellphone. The eyeshadows are three really popular shades: Midnight Cowboy Rides Again (champagne glitter), Grifter (lavender glitter) and Twice Baked (satiny brown with micro glitter). The three glosses are Naked (pink), Love Junkie (sheer dark berry) and Carnie (sheer milky pink with micro glitter). What's nice is that the blush is brand spankin' new, Hookup which is a sheer pinky coral flush.

If glitter isn't your thing, I wouldn't take a second look at this palette. Sure it's cheap, convenient and cute, but it's chock full of glitter. I even tweeted Urban Decay (UrbanDecay411), asking if it's contacts safe but the never got back to me (suuurpise). The best part of this palette is the lovely blush which despite being sheer is pretty decently pigmented and isn't powdery. That's a big deal to me, because there's nothing worse than a super powdery blush in a palette that ruins the nearby lip glosses by flicking excess powder on to them!

So, what do you think? Gonna get one?

All products shown were purchased by me, for my own use.

Urban Decay Guest Swatches

Sunday, April 18, 2010

More awesome swatches, brought to you by AlexisAdella.

Notes: Gash is a rusty shimmer red. Lounge is a shimmery duochrome- red brown and green. Acid Rain is a light yellow-green shimmer. Chains is a shimmery khaki green with gold undertones. Freakshow is a true dark purple sheen. Ruthless is a neutral taupe champagne shimmer. Crash is a satiny eggplant with micro glitter.
Base is NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk.

Urban Decay Friends & Family Sale!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Just a quick post- in case you guys didn't know, Urban Decay is having another F&F- 30% off! This code is valid online at their site, www.urbandecay.com until the 19th: 1SFNF. Alas, the thing that I really want, the Ammo shadow box is out of stock. Barggh. Good time to stock up on UDPP!

ACW Order

Thursday, April 1, 2010

I love AllCosmeticsWholesale.com to death. I really do. It's a great site that sells middle end and high end cosmetics (some discounted or from previous seasons). It's absolutely terrible for my wallet though, because I'm always browsing their inventory (which gets updated all the time) and finding things I really want and can't resist because they're so cheap. I placed an order last Saturday, and this morning I got up early because I was so excited for it to get here (my desperation is indeed deplorable. Also, the mail man doesn't actually get here until 1pm, so I watched Weeds for five hours, with occasional peeks out the window.)
This time, I ordered a 12 slot SMH magnetic palette, a SMH single, Smashbox quads in Ambient and Electric and an Urban Decay single in Secret Service.
First, the palette. The 12 slot palettes made by Stars Makeup Haven are actually a little different than the ones from Coastal Scents. The divider (the part with holes that the pans fit into) from the Coastal Scents ones are made from neoprene, so it's more cushiony. I feel like it absorbs shock better (I drop things a lot, can you tell?) The divider in the SMH palette is molded plastic and the little hole on the side of each well isn't as deep as the CS version. This makes it a bit harder for my clumsy fingers to pry the pans out. Even with a bobby pin, it's still hard to get out. The differences are minute, and they're about the same price, so no biggie. (Coastal Scents version is $7.95 and the SMH version is $8.85)

I've had my eye on the Stars Makeup Haven singles for a long time, ever since I saw them swatched on KarlaSguar's blog. They looked really good and well pigmented. But they're only $4.95 each so I knew that if I wasn't careful, I'd probably go overboard. I only let myself buy one to start out with, to see what the quality was like. I'm very pleased! This particular shade, Carnal Knowledge is silky and smooth and the perfect light champagne shimmer. As an added perk, I also really like how there's a label on the back that tells you what shade it is, pretty convenient that I don't have to bust out my label maker.

My other single is Urban Decay's Secret Service. I only recently started getting into Urban Decay eye shadows, because I was frightened of the glitter I hear a lot about. So I decided to ease into the process with a matte shade. I got this for $7.99 (amazing price for UD shadows) and I'm glad I did, because it's discontinued. I have a confession to make, once I started to use LORAC matte eyeshadows, I never thought I'd be impressed by the texture of another brand again. Luckily, I was proven wrong. This single is the most finely milled eyeshadow I think I've ever touched. I'm not sure about the blendability or the staying powder yet, but I'm loving the taupe color. I like that it has a touch of dark grey, which makes it look very grown up. My family of taupe eyeshadow gladly flings open their arms to welcome such a nice shade.

The two items I was most excited about were the Smashbox quads. However, they did turn out to be much smaller than I had expected (I'm not sure why this matters to me, because as of today I have never ever finished an eyeshadow, so worrying about running out is a rather irrational fear). They're still lovely, nonetheless. Ambient contains rather generic earthy shades (all shimmers)- a creamy white, a orange tinged gold, a dusky olive and your very basic warm brown. The color I like the best in this quad is the olive. It's rather green in the pan, but on the skin it becomes wonderfully complex. It's one of those rare warm olives with soft hints of sienna.

The other quad was Electric and I have to start out by marveling at the pigmentation, especially in the dark teal. There's two shimmers in this quad and two mattes. There's a bright sunny shimmer yellow, a dark matte teal with silver glitter (for the first time in my life, I'm not repulsed by it), a matte chocolate brown and a dusky orange-peach shimmer. I suppose the two matte colors could be a little smoother but that's something that extremely hard to do with deeply pigmented mattes. Oh yeah, both these quads were $7.99, oh hell yeah.

I'm going to have to excuse myself so that I can play with my new toys. So, like what you see?

My Makeup Philosophy

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Ok, I took a long hard look at my makeup philosophies and came up with my makeup 'values'. This really helps me cut down on spending. It forces me to really evaluate how much I want a new product- will I really use it? Or am I attracted to the packaging, its too good to be true marketing? I won't lie, I do get excited every time MAC launches a new campaign (ok, excited is an understatement. I jumped up and down and screamed 'Lillyland! last time) and nothing pleases me more than beautifully photographed models.
However, after much internal debate, I decided that I wasn't really a trendy makeup follower. I don't drastically alter the colors or the techniques I use each season. In fact, I could even clearly recall each season's makeup looks. In the spring, my confidence is renewed and I like bold, bright colors in my lids, as well as bright pinks and fuchsias on my lips. Summer leads me to gold and bronzes with hints of baked shimmer all over. I try to stay classy in the fall, classic pin up girl looks with daring eyelashes and barely rosy cheeks. Winter, my hardest challenge- I play with a lot of brighteners to make sure my complexion is toasty, not pale and sallow.
So, this really helps me pick out new products- for instance, I'm actually going to pass on the limited time Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows by Urban Decay. Why? Because lovely as it may look, I'm going to persevere and not buy into the hype (also from what I understand, most of the colors in the palette are previous shades, just renamed. Great marketing gimmick.).

Urban Decay Primer Potion- MUST

Monday, November 9, 2009

Ok, so I figured out what all the hype was about.
Urban Decay Primer Potion is amazing beyond belief. I always figured I'd get to it eventually, but now I've figured out what gives other women that extra 'umph'. It's this amazing beige colored delight.

I'm of Asian decent and I've never had much luck with eyeshadow that didn't crease and fade within about 5 minutes. I was lucky if I had a look that lasted until lunch time. But with this amazing cream in my arsenal, I don't have to worry about smudgy raccoon eyes. It even lasts in humid weather. To test that out, I took a shower with my makeup on. I didn't wash my face and when I stepped out on to the bath mat, my eye makeup was as impeccable as when I stepped in. In addition, it was easier to blend eyeshadow colors with UDPP underneath. In fact, UDPP holds onto my eyeshadow so well that it takes a little bit of scrubbing with makeup remover to get it all off at night! I'd recommend patting the product on instead of using the wand that comes with it or rubbing it across your lids.
Cost:Sold at Ulta, Sephora and Urban Decay's site, $17 for .34oz. It may seem pricey for a small tube but it lasts a long time (cut open the packaging when you think you're all out to reveal another 3 months worth). I usually try to find cheaper alternative or forgo it altogether, but this really works the best.
How: I apply it on clean eyelids with my finger tips from my eyebrows all the way to the lashes. I even dab some under my lower lashes too if I'm doing color there. Dries within seconds, so this is a perfect product for anyone who likes doing their makeup within 5 minutes but expects it to stay put for 12 hours.
Similar: MAC's Prep+Prime Eye in Light(.16oz $16.50), MAC's Paints in Bare Canvas(.23oz $16.50), Too Faced Shadow Insurance(.35oz $17)