Urban Decay 15 yr Anniversary Eyeshadow Collection Review

I have been eyeballing this palette of shadows for awhile now. So when Urban Decay was offering the 20% friends and family sale, I went ahead and got myself an early Christmas gift. This palette hooked me with all the beautiful colors. I am a sucker for color! This is an excerpt from urbandecay.com, "It’s our party, and we’ll launch 15 NEW (and only in this kit!) eyeshadow shades if we want to! With just the right balance of neutrals and brights, darks and lights, the 15-Year Anniversary Palette is both versatile and the ultimate UD junkie collection. Shades like “Junkshow” (a bright pink), “Evidence” (a deep metallic blue) and Midnight 15 (an oyster pearl shade) mesmerize the eyes. The collectible gunmetal outer box features a luxe faceted jewel “UD” on the cover and an eye-grabbing laser-cut filigree design on the sides. Inside, the shadow tray pulls out to reveal a velvet-lined compartment that can be used to stash jewelry or personal mementos."

Urban Decay started, in 1996, as a cosmetics line that offered unique colors with unique names such as: Roach, Smog, Rust, Oil Slick and Acid Rain. They are a globally known company and what I like most is that they are 100% free of animal testing, paraben-free, and carry many vegan products. They have a couple of products like their eye shadow primer and the Naked Palette that almost have a cult-like following. I have both and love them!

Now, let's talk about presentation. I was impressed when I got the palette and it had some weight to it. It came in a purple box and the was very aesthetically pleasing. The colors that interested me initially were Deep End and Evidence, but all of them are beautiful. Most have a lot of sheen to them, but Blackout is a very matte, deep-black. Also, one of the things I love most about Urban Decay eyeshadows is the pigment. It doesn't take much to get a lot of color. They are very pigmented. One thing I can't stand is seeing a shadow the looks pretty in the package, only to be disappointed when I put it on and can't see it and/or it doesn't look like the same color. This won't happen with Urban Decay's shadows.

The colors I used in the photograph were Deep End all over the lid, Evidence under the eye on the lower lid. I also pulled Deep End under the lower lid too. I used Midnight 15 as a highlight on the brow.

So, if you are looking for a high-quality, eye-shadow palette that can take you from day to night, the 15-yr Anniversary Shadow Palette by Urban Decay would be a perfect choice!

-Karen

Splurge vs Steal: Eyeshadow Primer

I absolutely love to wear bright, extravagant eyeshadow on a regular basis.  So I always try to get more with less. I have found that I can buy less expensive eyeshadows as long as I use a great primer underneath. (For those of you who have never used an eyeshadow primer, you should. It will give you super rich color that lasts all day without fading.)

In my search for an eyeshadow primer, I tried several different brands looking for a perfect fit.

Ulta Eye Primer, Pop Beauty Eye Magnet Primer NYX Shadow Base

Here is a list of a few of those primers that I have ranked in order of effectiveness:

1. LA Splash Eyeshadow Sealer/Base:

This is one circumstance where I have found the cheaper product works the best! This primer has a gel consistency and holds glitter and loose pigment like a magnet! I get compliments all the time about how rich my color looks, and my shadow and liner stays on through sleeping (naughty me, sleeping in my makeup!). Apply a THIN layer with the applicator and wait until it is almost, but not quite, dry to apply your liner and shadow. Keep your eyes closed while it dries or you could suffer creases. For a mere $6.99, this product lasts months and is a makeup lovers dream! (LA Splash also makes a mascara primer which is well worth it.)

2. Urban Decay Primer Potion:

This one is very effective for eyeshadows, but pricier than the previous. I also had a harder time getting glitter to stick to it due to its creamy consistency and felt like I needed more to make my shadow brighter. The benefit is that they make it in four different shades: Eden (dries matte nude), "

Sin" (a popular champagney shade), "Greed" (a yellow gold shade), and original (invisible nude). Price ranges from $10-$30, depending on the size and container type.

3. Tarte Lifted Natural Eye Primer with Firmatol:

Only slightly less effective than the UD, but has the added benefit of lid firming, a nice benefit for aging eyes. Also has the creamy consistency. A benefit of using Tarte is all the products are paraben, phthalate, sodium lauryl sulfate, petrolatum, synthetic dye and fragrance free. Plus, they don't test on animals! $20 for a small tube with an applicator.

4. Too Faced Shadow Insurance:

Another great product. Similar to the UD and Tarte, just pricier for less benefit. $18 for a pretty small squeeze tube.

There are several other primers out there. A few products I have only briefly used and would like to try more extensively are Ulta Eyeshadow Primer ($8-10), NYX Shadow Base ($6.99) and HD Shadow Base ($6.99), Pop Beauty Eye Magnet Primer ($18), and Palladio Herbal Eyeshadow Primer ($7.99).

What's your favorite primer?

Pretty in Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness!

I wanted to do a makeover using pinks as a small way to honor and show support to those affected in one way or another by breast cancer.  Also, I want to thank everyone out there who donates and participates in supporting breast cancer awareness!  Just this month, Giuliana Rancic of E! News (whom I love) was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She has had surgery and is doing well.  She advises everyone to go and get checked whether or not you have a concern.  I think that is a great idea.  Every October, schedule your annual mammogram or doctor's exam.

It was fun to create this tribute to breast cancer awareness, and I hope you like it!

Karen

Embryolisse Lait Crème = Ah-MAZING!

Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream) is a rich moisturizing lotion. This specially formulated lotion is quite versatile; throw it in your travel bag when you don’t have enough space for numerous products. Our creamy lotion is really three products in one: the make-up artists use it as a primer, moisturizer, and make-up remover. It also reduces irritation after shaving!

Perfect for every skin type and under any foundation for giving life to even the most tired or dehydrated skin. Your skin will feel like butter - melted butta!

Size: 75 ml (2.6 fl. oz.) 30 ml (1.0 fl. oz.) $14.00 — $25.00

Available on Amazon & Embroylise.com

Makeup Guide for Every Decade - Part 2

30 something ......

Your best Makeup now:  Your skin may be just starting too show its first stages of aging.  But don't worry!  Primer is going to be your new best friend such as Smashbox's Photo Finish Light.  This primer will absorb oil where needed, but add moisture to dry areas.  Making sure to use moisturizer daily will also help keep your skin nice and plump.  If you have oil skin, use oil-free vs. skipping the step all together.  Clear, luminous skin will now start taking the place of neon eye shadow.

Get Cheeky: Play up a youthful glow by using highlight on the top of your cheekbones or a soft and suttle pink blush or a coral cream color to add to the apples of your cheeks.  

What to wear:  Laura Mercier tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 gives skin that youthful glow, it does not crease the skin or make it look cakey.  To really enhance and look more lumionous, dab-a pearly pink Benfits High Beam Highlighter on top of cheekbones.  For a POP! of color, using a brush apply a Moisturizing blush outwards from the apples of your cheeks.  Like Nars cream blush in Cactus Flower.

Next week we'll cover our final section, being fabulous at 40!
Sergio