ProductWhores

Put It In The Vault

Oh my God, you guys, I want this SO badly!  Urban Decay has just introduced a new limited-edition 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Vault that has FORTY full-size eye pencils - every shade and texture they make - in it.  Look at how pretty it is!  It's $295, so definitely an investment, but that does make each pencil only around $7.50, a total bargain, plus - and I can't stress this enough - look at how pretty it is!  I want all of them! 

It's apparently already out of stock on their website, but you can sign up to be notified when it's back, so at least you'll be able to jump on it then if you want.  So, so worth it if you have $300 to spare.

Naked Skin

I'm obsessed with the NAKED palettes by Urban Decay (Naked Basics is the best neutral palette at an afforable price) so when they launched the Naked Skin line (foundation and BB) I immediately had to have them.  First of all not to spoil this whole review right at the start, but both products are out of control amazing and have become my go-to for flawless skin.  The Beauty Balm comes in one shade (I have pale skin and it looks stunning on me - it might be too light for anyone with dark skin?) so I can only speak to my experience as far as coverage on light to medium skintone.  It boasts an SPF of 20 and smells so wonderful you'll wish you could smell it all day.  It goes on smooth, sinking right into the skin (doesn't feel oil-slicky like most primers I've tried) and after only using a few weeks I see a noticible difference in my facial tone and brightness.  In addition to all that goodness, it's definitely moisturizing and I was amazed at how well it held my foundation for the day!  Now, onto the foundation which is a key component to my face looking so fabulous. 
The Naked Skin Founation comes in 18 shades (definitely one for everyone) and is so light you will be shocked you're even wearing it!  I was amazed at how smooth it goes on and how it blends perfectly into my skin (so natural looking).  Usually when it's a light foundation, however, it doesn't have much coverage, but this one definitely does.  It tones down my redness and evens out my skintone beautifully.  My husband even asked what I was doing differently because I looked "younger" (side note:  What the heck did I look like beforehand to prompt this?!)  Anyway, these two are definite must-haves.  Now I want UD to come out with a Naked Skin creme blush - how amazing would that be?! 

Note:  Samples of the above were sent to me by a PR represenative working with Urban Decay

Be Friends With Urban Decay

I'm so happy about this coupon code because I'm coveting about five things from Urban Decay right now.  Through February 17th, just use the code FFSPRING13 on urbandecay.com to save 20% off your purchase.  Friends & Family coupons are the best!

Who Wouldn't Want To Go To Oz?

Oh my God, I am so obsessed with Urban Decay's two new palettes inspired by the new Disney movie “Oz the Great and Powerful.”  Obsessed, you guys!  The one above is the Theodora Palette, which is supposed to represent the bad witch and has shades that'll let you create a more dramatic, edgier look.  There are eight new, exclusive eye shadows, a 24/7 liner and a Super-Saturated High Gloss Color in Theodora, a bright red cream that I am coveting HARD.  I'm not sure I could pull it off, but I'm definitely going to need to try. 

The Glinda Palette represents the good witch and has the same combo of products, just in lighter shades for a more ethereal, angelic look.  When I first saw the two palettes, I definitely thought I liked Theodora more, but now I really can't decide.  The shades in Glinda are super pretty too and the Super-Saturated High Gloss Color (also called Glinda) is a really nice sheer nude that I also can't wait to try.  (I love nude lips colors and am constantly on the hunt for the perfect one.  I have several contenders right now, but more are always welcome).  Both palettes are $49 and I saw them at ULTA last night, so they're definitely already in stores.  (I don't think I can even tell you how hard it was to walk away without buying either of them, but I'm on a strict makeup budget at the moment, so they'll have to wait a few weeks).

The other cool thing about the palettes is that they both feature UD's Build Your Own Palette format.  So when you're done with the shades (or if you get bored and just want to switch some out) you can pop them out and put any other UD shadows into the tin.  Cool, right?  I've also been wanting to buy one of those empty palettes to fill with shades, so buying one (or both!) of these would take care of that too.  Stupid budget!

Get Some Good Karma

Normally I find it kind of hard to get excited about brushes.  Just because they're expensive and let's face it, as important as it is to have good ones, it's not as fun as coming home from Sephora with a gorgeous new lipstick or a mascara that's going to change your life.  Brushes are just kind of... boring.  But I'd been hearing a ton of raves about Urban Decay's new Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush, so I decided to take a chance and pick one up.  And you guys, it's amazing.

I pretty much always use liquid foundation, but before I bought this, I usually just put it on with my fingers or sometimes a sponge and I thought the results were fine.  But it turns out, that's only because I didn't know what it could look like with this brush.  So much better!  It almost looks like I airbrushed my skin (which, let's face it, I would never do in the mornings because it seems time consuming and I like to sleep).

The brush was developed for use with Urban Decay's Naked Skin foundation (which is also awesome), but I've also been using it with my favorite Stila liquid foundation and it works equally well with that.  (And apparently, you can also use it with cream and powder foundations, but I haven't tried that yet).  The "optical blurring" part of the name comes from the fact that you're buffing your makeup into your skin, so you get a much more flaw-free finish then you would if you were smoothing it in with your fingers.  And part of the genius of the brush is that it has a domed top, so you can easily get into all the areas on your face, including under your eyes and around your nose, so your entire face is the same color.  (Don't you hate it when you look in the mirror at like, the middle of the day, and realize you didn't blend your jawline or something and no one told you?  It's in the girl code, people!  You have to tell another woman when that happens!) 

The brush is $24, which might seem a little steep, but I promise, it is so, so worth it.  (And apparently, lots of other people think so too because it has a five star rating on Sephora's website and seems to be sold out until the end of January.  I'll bet you can probably still find it at stores though, and I bought mine at ULTA, so they're definitely out there).  Go get yourself some Good Karma!

Get Smoked!

Oooooh, the Smoked Palette from Urban Decay is so amazing I went out and bought a few for friends for Christmas!  First of all, it's unlike other "smokey eye" palettes as it doesn't just focus on the black/brown look but has a deep green, blue and violet, as well.  I love all the combinations - super sexy and incredibly easy to apply.  The shadows are uber-smooth and blend with little effort which means no lid-tugging.  Comes with 10 shades perfect for day or evening looks.  And if that shadows weren't fabulous enough, the palette comes with the 24/7 liner (hands-down my fave liner because it's so easy to line with and smudge) in Perversion and the lid primer.  Case is especially great for travel because it zips up so no unhinging in your suitcase leaking sparkly shadow on all your clothing.  Definitely worth every penny and should be on everyone's holiday gift list!

My other recent obsession and an especially fantastic gift is the Smoked 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set.  I could go on for days about why this is my favorite liner and how many I've bought as gifts for my friends because I need to share my love with everyone else, but I won't bore you.  I will tell you that if you don't already own one of these pencils, you're missing out... and your eyes are disappointed in you for failing them...

Note:  A sample of the above was sent to me by a PR representative working with Urban Decay.

Smoked Out

Did I need Urban Decay's Smoked Eye Shadow Palette?  Nope, not at all!  I have so many eye shadows, I could conceivably have enough to last me for years without ever buying any new ones.  But I've been coveting it since it came out and I had a 20% off one item coupon at ULTA that included Urban Decay (which rarely happens) so I figured it was God's way of letting me know that I should buy it.  (You know, when he's not busy dealing with Hurricane Sandy and all that...!)  Also, I kind of justified it by promising myself that now I will ONLY pack this palette to take back to the east coast at Christmas instead of 47 different items to create the perfect smoky eye.  So, in theory, it'll save me precious packing space in my suitcase.  So worth it!

Anyway, the palette itself is as awesome as I wanted it to be.  I'm obsessed with the Mushroom shade - it's a warm pale grey shimmer and so, so pretty.  And the rest of the colors give you pretty much free rein to create any sort of smoky eye that you want - the standard black/grey, green, blue, purple...  Go nuts, kids!  The shadows are all the new Urban Decay formula, which is fantastic - buttery soft and so pigmented - plus it also comes with a full-size 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion (dark black) and travel-size Eyeshadow Primer Potion.  The only other thing you need is mascara and you can create a smoky eye worthy of Studio 54 in its heyday!  Definitely a must-have if you're looking for a great smoky eye palette or you just want to add to your shadow wardrobe.  Now, who can think of a good reason for me to buy the Ocho Loco eyeliner set?  Because that should really be mine too...

Become Friends With Urban Decay

Friends & Family coupons really are the best kind of coupons, aren't they?  And now it's time for Urban Decay to get in on the action. Starting at midnight tonight, just enter the code FFHOLIDAY12 when checking out on urbandecay.com for a 20% on your purchase.  It even includes sale items!  The sale ends Saturday, October 13th, so stock up on all your holiday gifts (and some things for yourself!) before then.

Vice!

Oooooh, Urban Decay is launching this limited edition palette of goodness on 9/15 online at urbandecay.com and 9/27 in stores.  Contains 20 NEW eyeshadows and comes in a sleek case with jewelled UD on the cover for $59.00 retail.  I want!

Grab Some Urban Decay

There's nothing I love better than a good sale and Urban Decay's got a great one going on right now.  There's Vintage Eyeshadows for only $9, a bunch of palettes, lots of different lip choices, and even some of the Sparkling Lickable Body Powders.  You can check out the full list of items here.  Happy shopping!