Urban Decay Naked Palette 3 Review and Swatches

Hi Angels!

On December 12th the third Naked Palette was released at your local Sephora, Ulta and Macy's department stores.  I snagged mine online as soon as it was available.  

This palette is described as a Rosey neutral.  That is the main difference between this and the other palettes.  

Stock photo here: 

Naked Palette 1 is a bronze based neutral palette.  It is great for those with skin that has warm tones.  It is seen here:

Naked Palette 2 is a Taupe based neutral palette.  It contained more matte colors as well.  I think this is best for people with cool tones.  Here is a pic of Naked Palette 2:

Now that we have been refreshed about the older palettes, let's look at Naked Palette 3.  Here is my palette:

These are the colors from left to right.

1. Strange-matte beige with a pearl sheen.

2. Dust- light pink frost

3. Burnout-pink shimmer 

4. Limit-matte nude pink

5. Buzz-medium nude pink frost

6. Trick- frosty rose gold

7. Nooner-medium matte rosy brown 

8. Liar-copper shimmer

9. Factory- deep copperyshimmer

10. Mugshot- shimmery taupe

11.Darkside-dark grey taupe

12. Black heart-a matte black with cranberry sparkle.

Here are the swatches on NW 43 skin:

With flash-

Without flash-

Here are the swatches by four:

Left to right-Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit

Buzz, Trick, Nooner, Liar

Factory, Mugshot,Darkside,Blackheart

So what do I think?  Well if you have seen  my review of the LORAC unzipped palette then you know this us right up my alley.  This is chock full of beautiful warm neutrals that can be worn everyday.  It is housed in an easy travel case with a double ended brush.  Angels, don't walk, run and get this A.S.A.P.  It compliments the other palettes very well.  I've been asked a lot about whether or not it's worth it to get this palette if you have either of the other two.  My opinion is that this palette contains enough unique colors from the first two to be worth your money.  Take Naked Palette 2 & 3 or 1& 3  on a getaway to have all your bases covered. 

I hope this has been helpful to you.  Let us know if you have bought the palette or intend to get it!   

Until next time Angels,

Happy Haulin'!

MAC Pressed Pigments Review

Hello Angels!

Back with a review of some MAC pressed pigments I picked up to complete my collection of what I found most interesting from that collection.  While I was at it I also decided to try (for the first time!) their Strobe Liquid, famed by many makeup artists and beauty bloggers as a go-to for creating an ethereal glow on any skin tone.  So it came home with me (see separate review post!).

All told I own 7 of the 20 pigments.  The complete collection can be viewed here
Here is my haul (plus strobe liquid):

I've swatched them on my NW45 skin.
From left to right, we have:
Moth (silver based light purple), Sweet Acting (silver based frosty pink), Angelic (silver based frosty off-white), Day Gleam (pearly NC30 shade), Deeply Dashing (pearly NW55 shade), Lime Ice (glittery seafoam green) and lastly Black Grape (deep aubergine with multi-pearl).  No primer, one good firm swipe across the pan.  

What do you think?  Ok well for starters let's address the name: Pigments  When we were discussing this with our local fave MAC artist she explained that the goal of these was to provide something like their glitter pigments that is a little bit easier to use.  If you've every tried using any loose pigments or glitters then you understand what difficulty she's talking about.  Imagine dropping black MAC pigment... anywhere....  Disaster.  With these they stay put in the pan.  

What about the color payoff?  Well I'd say there's a loss of color on a darker skin tone such as mine, and the silver undertone can start to take over.  I purchased Moth when these first came out and really liked that I could use it as a lightly colored, sparkly overlay for my purple eyeshadow looks, and decided to go back for the others to use for the same purpose.  So for me, the fact that their color isn't high impact isn't a deal breaker.  What is high-impact is the SPARKLE!  And I'm not talking crazy looking arts and crafts glitter chunks.  The ultra fine sparkle from these babies on the lids is, as my boyfriend put it, "mesmerizing" for a fun date night makeup look.  

Here is an example I put together to illustrate:  

That said, the colors are subtle enough to wear during the day as well.  They're all pigmented enough to wear alone when applied correctly, and would look very nice with an "unmade-up" makeup look (especially the Day Gleam and Deeply Dashing pigments).  

How to apply, you ask?  I would use any stiff and short-bristled eyeshadow brush (my fave for these is the MAC 215 but the 213 and 239 work as well.  You just don't want the bristles so long that they flick sparkle all over your face as you apply.  Moisten the brush with a little MAC Fix+ solution misted over it to really pack the shadow on to deepen the color if desired.  I also recommend using Shadow Shields, to avoid excessive fallout (although with a moistened brush and careful application it's not too much of a problem).

The only heartbreaker here?  I couldn't get my hands on the most popular pressed pigment: Damson.  Described as a "deep brown with gold pearl" online, the pot I swatched in the store made me gasp it was so pretty on my brown skin.  But they're alllll sold out.  I may check Ebay, and pay above retail, it was that pretty.  

Well that's all for now.  Hope you liked the swatches and got some useful tips!  Please leave your comments and questions below and as always... Happy Haulin'!

Urban Decay Feminine Palette Review and Swatches

Sale alert Angels!

Back with a quick alert to let you know about a fabulous palette I came across at my local Sephora that was on super sale.  The Feminine palette, originally $36.00 is on sale for $14 in-store at Sephora and for $16 on their website:   Urban Decay Feminine Dangerous Fun Palettes

First, I'm a huge fan of Urban Decay palettes in general.  The Naked Palette 1 and 2 are easy faves, as well as the Smoked palette.  These are invaluable for me, especially when it comes to travel and glam on the go.  So I didn't hesitate to give this palette a shot at this low price.
Well I wasn't disappointed.  Their shadows are always high-impact, with impressive pigmentation and true to pan color.

Here is the palette:

These colors are just as the name denotes:  Feminine.  Soft and pretty, just about each shade could be worn alone but this incorporates well into any makeup lover's collection, and the colors aren't redundant.  

Here are swatches on my hand, from left to right, Bordello, Skimp, and AC/DC:

And Gunmetal, Hijack, Lost:

To boot, UD palettes always come with a cool little "bonus" like a brush, an eyeliner or in this case, a travel sized Lip Junkie lipgloss-- a pretty, modestly shimmery neutral shade that will work with any of the shades in the palette.  Here is a swatch:

Told ya these palettes are absolutely perfect for travel!

Well I can't wait to find a free moment to play with this palette and create some fun looks.   Overall I give this very high marks and recommend it not only because of the price (CAN'T be beat for UD eyeshadow) but also because of the quality.  Will keep you posted!

Until next time Angels.... Happy Haulin!

Lancome Rouge In Love Collection Picks, review and swatches

Hello Angels,

Back with some more makeup to share!  Shocking, I know.  I went to my local Sephora this weekend to try out some lipsticks that had flown under my personal usage radar.  I'm talking about the Lancome Rouge in Love 6 hour long wear luxury line of lipsticks released in June 2013 by a beloved luxury cosmetics line, Lancome.  Described by the company as "high potency" color, it is designed to have a lightweight feel and comes in 22 shades.  Here's a launch photo for the line featuring Emma Watson.

I'll admit.  I love Lancome mascara, eyeliner, blush and foundations but I've never thought very much of their lipsticks.  Until now!  After a friend of mine gushed about a shade from this line that she was just in loooove with, off to Sephora I went.  

Here's their Rouge in Love display, pretty discreetly tucked away under a Teinte Visionnnaire display:

I tried all 16 of the shades at Sephora, so much that the back of my poor left hand started to feel raw!  But I do this for our followers in the name of beauty ;).  My 3 must have picks from this collection are the following:

1.  Shade 381 B Violette Coquette:  This went on like buttah!  All of them did actually.  And the color caused a small gasp to escape my lips, prompting the sales associate to ask me if I needed help.   No, no help needed.  Just this lipstick.  For all you MACnistas out there, it's like Heroine with shine, but shine that doesn't take away from its pigment.  It also reminds me of MAC Violetta without the iridescence.  If you couldn't care less about MAC, know that both of the aforementioned shades were limited edition and this is a very close dupe you can get for retail price that will flatter every skin tone.  

2.  Shade 361M Pink Bon Bon:  Such a pretty, cool but bright pink!  This reminds me  of MAC Pink Nouveau but, with sheen that doesn't come from gloss layered over it.  I like that saved step for getting ready for work, and I like the idea of 6 hour wear with a color like this.  It's also a do for all skin tones.  

3.  Last but not least, Shade 322M Corail in Love:  A lovely coral-infused light brown that makes for a nice neutral color.  I see this as a great every day lipstick, as well as one that pairs quite nicely with a brown smokey eye or gold eyeshadow.  

They definitely wear with feather weight, no heavy or sticky feeling after hours of wear.  I would call them long lasting but not necessarily 6 retouch-free hours.  Especially after a meal.  That said, they are not drying like many long wear lipsticks so I'm willing to do touch-ups for that benefit.  

I added these three beauties to my collection (as if I needed another lipstick ever) and I look forward to pairing them with neutral eyeshadows and my go-to winged eyeliner (for the violet and pink lippies) as a gorgeous pop of color that is still quite appropriate for the workplace. 

Hope you enjoyed this brief tour of the collection and maybe even discovered one that you plan to snag for your collection!  Please share your thoughts and comments/questions!  

Happy Haulin'!

Clinique Chubby Sticks Review and Swatches

Hello Angels,

Well as always we try to keep you informed on all that's buzzing in beauty and fashion.  Whilst at the nail salon the other day thumbing through a gossip rag (sorry, not sorry) I saw an ad for the amazing moisturizing power and potent color of the Clinique Intense chubby sticks.  Normally, I'm not into sheer lip color because for my money I want color payoffffff honey.  But because these claimed to be "intense" I thought I'd scoot over to my local Sephora and check it out for myself.

As you can see, I was able to find every color of the collection except "Heftiest Hibiscus" because it was totally sold out.  Perhaps this is telling of how great the color is.  I have pretty positive remarks for the rest of the colors, and here are my swatches (and please pardon the ashiness of my hands-- I only got a pedicure lol):

From the top:

Grandest Grape

Broadest Berry

Roomiest Rose

Mightiest Maraschino

Plushiest Punch

The last two colors:

From the top:  

Curviest Caramel

Chunkiest Chili

So what did I get, you ask???

Since I only swatched and didn't wear yet, I limited myself to one...  Plushiest Punch.  

Here's what it looks like on me:

I must say that I'm in love with the texture of this lip color.  It wears as easily as plain ol' vaseline and moisturizes as well.  It won't last through a big meal but it wore for hours on me without feathering.  I outlined my lip with the chubby stick and then filled in the lip with it as well.  The color is potent and true to the stick, with a modest but noticeable shine (a cross between a gloss and a lipstick).  It is flattering on me and so I will assert that it is flattering on all skin tones.   Sometimes the trade-off for gorgeous color is dryness (sorry but lip tar isn't a moisturizer).  Not with these babies!  Great for long work days so you won't have to always reapply.    

Will it replace my favorite reddish pink lipsticks?  No.  But I will say that this little chubby stick has earned its own special place in my makeup collection.  Something I will wear on lighter makeup days, with BB cream, cream blush, a filled in brow, mascara, and this little pop of color to give that fresh faced, finished but not "done" look.  

Hope you enjoyed your tour of the collection!  I'm going to add Grandest Grape to my collection as well.  What colors will you be getting?  Share your thoughts and comments!  

Happy Haulin'!

Sugarpill Cold Chemisty Palette Review and Swatches

Hello Angels,

I recently purchased a new palette from Sugarpill.  It is the Cold Chemistry Palette that was released on August 17th.  I believe it will become a permanent part of the line.  The shadows can also be bought individually as well.

So let's take a look at this palette.  It is shaped differently than my other Sugarpill     palettes with a smaller mirror for your eyes.  Here's a peak:

There are four cool toned eyeshadows that everyone can wear.  

From left to right you have:

Soot and Stars- a charcoal gray with a teal frost finish  

Diamond Eyes- a cool white shadow with a frosted finish

Elemental Chaos- a cool dark purple with a frosted finish

Subterranean- a deep green with a frosted finish

How do they look on, you ask?  LOL

The color payoff is great and true to pan. They are very pigmented and will need to be patted on to achieve lots of color.  Here are swatches on NW43 skin:

This after one swipe and no primer.  Depending on positioning they may show some iridescence.  This is always a plus!

So would I recommend it??  Absolutely!  Especially if you are a makeup user that can't see themselves incorporating the colors in the other palettes.  These are excellent lid colors and would make a welcome addition to any smoky eye.  The palette or individual shadows can be bought at Sugarpillshop.com and Beautylish.com.  

Let me know what you think, especially if you decide to buy it!  

Until next time Angels

Happy Haulin'!

Sugarpill @#$%! And Bulletproof

Hello Angels, 

Today I am going to review two more Sugarpill colors.  I bought them a while back.  The first one I bought from beauty lish with a Sugarpill palette I already reviewed earlier.  The color is @#$%!.  Lol, you read correctly.  It is a limited edition color that was available again this past July.  It is a true bright red shadow with subtle pearly finish.  This baby packs a punch and is not for those that want to play it safe.  It comes in a cute little case and with one touch gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

Here is a swatch on NW43 skin:

Now anyone that has been looking for the blackest black eye shadow should know about bulletproof from Sugarpill.  It is a true matte black eyeshadow with no blue tinge.  In my opinion it is the blackest color I have put in my eyes without using actual pigments.  It is a must have for those smoky looks.  If you purchase one eyeshadow from Sugarpill because you have enough shadows (gasp).  Bullet proof is the one to buy.

Take a look at it in the pan:

And finally, here's a swatch on NW43 skin.

That is a light swatch without primer to boot.  

Bulletproof is available online as we speak at Sugarpillshop.com and beautylish.com. Be on the lookout for @#$%!.  I don't think we have seen the last of it.

Let me know what you think and if you decide to buy any of these colors. Till next time Angels....

Happy Haulin'!

Sugarpill Sweetheart Palette

Hello Angels,

In this post I will be reviewing the Sweetheart Palette from Sugarpill.  I have reviewed the other two palettes here as well. This palette has colors that Nicki Minaj would wear during her Barbiex10 days.  

Here is a pic of the palette.  As is customary with Sugarpill palettes it comes in a pretty pink case with a mirror inside.

From the top, left to right we have:
Dollipop- a matte bright pink fuchsia
After party- a bright matte cobalt
Midori- a matte bright Kelly green
Tako- a matte true white (one of the best in the biz)
Did I mention they were bright?  Lol

Here is a swatch on MAC NW43 skin:

These swatches are without primer and  the first swipe.  They are the perfect compliment to what you have in your stash.  Don't be afraid to try them and incorporate them into your eye looks.  You won't be sorry.  

Buying these three palettes means you own all but one shadow from the brand.  You can't say that about many other brands.  Log on toSugarpillshop.com to order.  Shipping is now $6 for any order under $100.

Try them out and let me know what you think.
Happy Haulin'!

Sugarpill Heartbreaker Palette Review and swatches!

Hello Angels,

I am back with another palette from Sugarpill.  I've been meaning to review it for a while.  Sugarpill is a brand that I have reviewed before with the Burning Heart Palette.  Their shades are fun, bright and true to color.  Today, I am reviewing the Heart Breaker Palette.  

As with all the palettes, there is a cute case and mirror inside.  

Here is the inside of palette with the vibrant shades from left to right

Acid berry- matte neon green with slight shimmer
Mochi- matte royal blue
2AM- matte lilac/purple
Velocity- matte sea foam green

Here's the swatches from left to right on NW43 skin with no primer:

Angels I like Sugarpill for those bright colors you find at other brands that lack a good POW!  No tugging, no layering.  Just full on color with every swipe.  If that is what you are looking for, get to their website and order.  The website is www.sugarpill.com.  Delivery is the super low flat rate of five dollars.  These palettes are in high demand so put your information in for them alert you if they are back ordered.  Let us know what you think!

Happy Hauling!!!