Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm

There isn't a make up brand that hasn't got its own version of the beauty balm, and Urban Decay have one in their Naked Skin range. I bought this around Christmas time last year and I keep going back to it wanting to love it, but I don't. Firstly, the colour is supposed to adapt to your skin tone - it doesn't. It makes me look orange and doesn't blend well on me at all. Second, it's terribly greasy. I have oily/combination skin and this is really hydrating, which the sales assistant didn't tell me, even though she asked what skin type I had. After about an hour it has slid of my face exposing pores which I never noticed before and makes me feel really self-conscious. It can be worn under foundation but this is something I have avoided. Three, the smell. O dear - it's like old biscuits and a fake tan smell. Not good.

Like I said, I really want to love it as I rate Urban Decay really highly, but this product is a let down. The only good thing is the packaging.
£23 for 35ml.

Have you tried it and are surprised with my review? Would love to here from you.

Rachel xx

Urban Decay Naked Lipgloss

I recented featured a Valentine's Day Gift Ideas post here and one of the items I included was an Urban Decay Naked Lipgloss. 

I wanted to get my hands on one so bad that somehow one was in my online shopping basket before I knew it. How does that happen? 

I'm a big big fan of UD and have many of their products already including the new Naked 3 palette, which I will review and post as soon as there is decent weather for good lighting. Anyway, I had high hopes for this lipgloss and I'm happy to say that it doesn't disappoint. So what makes this so special?

UD state that:

'The Naked Lip Gloss is a luxe gloss and rich balm combo which nourishes and hydrates the lips whilst showing off a stunning shine and a subtle hue. Formulated with Hyaluronic Filling Spheres, Vitamin E, Avocado Oil and Shea Butter, this gloss conditions the lips to leave you with a silky soft pout'.

After wearing this for a day I can honestly say that they've got this spot on. When applied it feels as smooth as vaseline and the shine is amazing.

The lipgloss is available in 9 shades. I'm wearing Beso and it's described as a deep pink/mauve colour. The swatch on my hand is how the colour looks in real life, I couldn't quite catch it with the camera on my lips.
Even after the lipgloss wore off, my lips were really soft. There isn't a taste to it either which I quite like, as I'm not tempted to lick it off! The packaging is beautiful with its rose gold tint and the wand is soft which makes the lipgloss glide on easily.
You can buy the Naked Lipglosses here at Look Fantastic for £14.

Have you tried them yet?

Rachel xx

Make Up Meltdown Saviours

At last! The summer has officially arrived here in the UK.  Woop Woop!

For us Brits, this is a huge deal as many of our summer months (late June to early September) are usually rainy, gloomy, cold and not that great.

But with all this heat comes shiny skin for some people.

Are you someone who hates make up that just slides off the face within a few hours of application? I am, so with a heat wave at present, with highs of 28C, I want to share with you my make up meltdown saviours….

These products above are a must have for those of you who have oily/shiny skin and want their make up to last mostly all day.

I begin with Benefit The Porefessional as this is fabulous for hiding pores and fine lines. It mattes the skin with a silky balm that really leaves your face feeling smoothly soft. It blends translucent and is oil free, yay! It can be applied under or over makeup, but I find it works best for me under.

I next use my year round product which is Urban Decay De-Slick Make Up Setting Spray. I spray this onto my face before and after applying my usual foundation/BB Cream and blusher to keep it looking freshly applied and also to keep oil at bay. For a full description click here.

Lastly, if needed, I highly recommend Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder. This can be applied for touch ups and states to control shine for up to five hours. It is available in 7 shades.

These products have worked for me and I have found that I haven't needed to reapply until around late afternoon if applied at 7am.

Let me know of any products you have tried to keep oil and shine away.

Share your make up meltdown saviours!

Rachel xx

Urban Decay ~ Oz The Great And Powerful 'Glinda' Palette

When I first heard that Urban Decay had launched two palettes to tie in with the film 'Oz the Great and Powerful', I couldn't wait to check them out.

Unfortunately, my local Debenhams doesn't have an Urban Decay counter so I had to wait until I went to the big smoke to visit one that did.  I really wanted to see for myself how great they really were; and boy, I wasn't disappointed.  After looking at the two palettes, 'Theodora' and 'Glinda', I decided that 'Glinda' was the one for me.

The Palette has eight shades, as two of them are duo shades, and all are highly pigmented.

Each of the eye shadows applies easily, blends superbly and stays on all day, even without a primer.  It really is hard to pick just one favourite as they all are beautiful.

The palette also comes with a Super Saturated High Gloss Lip Colour (top) and a 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil.

Unfortunately, at present you can't buy the eye shadows singular, so if you use one more than the others, it can't be replaced, but you can add another colour to the palette from the permanent collection.

I have already worn the lighter shades in the day time and have had a lot of compliments, so I am keen to wear Tornado and South for a smokey evening look.

The palette costs £35 which I think is very good value for money, seeing as though a single eye shadow normally costs £14.

Which colour do you like the look of, and have you tried the Theodora palette?

Rachel xx