I’m late to the party, but once I photographed the Naked2 Basics for my giveaway, I decided I wanted it. (Is this a theme with me, or what?)
Urban Decay
Vice LTD from Urban Decay
Hark! Another Vice palette. Yes, really. Vice LTD.
Urban Decay Vice LTD
I had other content scheduled to go live today, but I wanted to talk about this while it is relevant, so…here we go! Vice LTD makes Urban Decay’s fourth Vice mega-palette, following Vice, Vice 2, and Holiday 2014’s Vice 3.
Edit: I’m an idiot, this has been out for almost two months BUT my point is the same.
Which is…they released it entirely too close to Vice 3.
Frankly, even as a fan of Urban Decay products (I may or may not have just picked up Naked2 Basics for myself, more on that later this week), I can’t help but raise my eyes and sigh a little. It isn’t a unique offering for them. Sure, the shadows in Vice LTD aren’t identical to those in its predecessors, they’re so similar; unless you’re a collector, it is pretty well pointless to get all four.
I’m having a little trouble finding, “stock,” manufacturer photos from the first three and I don’t want to jack a photo from someone else’s work, but if you search Google Images for the Urban Decay Vice, Urban Decay Vice 2, and Urban Decay Vice 3 – compare it to what you see above; you’ll see what I mean.
Favorites of 2014
I did not plan all along to do an annual favorite round-up, but jumped on the bandwagon after being inspired by too many other bloggers and vloggers to count, let alone name.
Beauty Tool Favorites of 2014
beautyblender PRO – The only difference between this and the original is the color. I need to replace mine now, but I have worn this little sponge out. It really does deliver a no-brainer, no-fuss, excellent application. I order mine from MakeupGeek or Amazon (being careful to seek legit ones and buy safely) so as to avoid paying full retail but also to ensure I’m getting the real thing.
Sigma F80 – Still my foundation-applying champ. I tend to use my beautyblender more in the winter, but this brush is fantastic for creating a flawless, picture-perfect canvas.
Sonia Kashuk no. 27 Angled Liner Brush – Stiff but not stabby bristles makes this ideal for gel liner. At under $10, too, it is a great steal.
Makeup Favorites of 2014
Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer – I like this more than the Maybelline Fit Me! concealers although those are decent, too. The sponge applicator is goofy but the product itself is so good that I ca overlook the annoying applicator. The whole line is good, my shade varies on the season.
Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner 24H – They aren’t joking about the 24 Hour claim. This stuff is matte, pigmented, doesn’t cake or flake, and is cheap – like $7-9, and there are frequently coupons available.
LORAC Pro 2 – You may remember my big to-do about this, and I still like it as much as I did. The shadows are so buttery, blendable, amazing. You can make so many eye looks with this palette, just like with its predecessor.
Urban Decay Naked – Yes, still. Yes, probably forever. Urban Decay’s original iconic neutrals make my heart sing. They’re good for work, good for play, good for daytime, night, lazy days, and days where you actually do feel like looking as though you give a bother.
Skincare Favorites of 2014
Josie Maran’s Argan Oil(s) – Original and Light. My face likes them, the smallest bottles last me a REALLY long time (as in, I’m still on my original bottles of both – need to repurchase the regular variety soon though). I was skeptical about these, but have really come to like them a lot.
Pond’s Original Fresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes – These are my favorite makeup removing wipes. They’re gentle but effective, and remove most makeup without trouble. To date, the only thing I’ve had an issue with using these on is Benefit’s they’re Real! Push-up Liner. Otherwise, they’re awesome.
Clarisonic Mia 2 – I used it for a year before reviewing. It is a great skincare tool – though if you don’t have sensitive skin, save your money and get the Mia. If you’re on a budget the Olay Pro-X is a good place to start with face-washing gadgetry.
Nail Favorites of 2014
China Glaze Gelaze – Love the formula of these gel polishes, also love that I don’t need to bother with a base coat of gel. Fewer layers to cure means less bulk on the finished nail. It looks feels, and wears better. Also Shocking Pink is bright and amazing…just sayin’.
Seche Vite – I don’t tend to use gel polish on my toes (though I will use Gelaze), so I need to keep an RNP top coat on hand. It smells strong, but it is the best I’ve found. I buy mine at Sally Beauty, but Ulta carries it, and I believe Target and Wal-Mart do, too, now.
Red Carpet Manicure Glitz and Glamorous – This showed up in my December Favorites, but I use it throughout the year. I like it so much, in fact, that it was what was on my nails for my wedding.
Autumn Gold and Violet Eye Tutorial
I’m not some YouTube vlogger goddess, but occasionally I like to throw up a tutorial for you. Because I more-or-less missed summer anyway, I’ve been ready to embrace Autumn for a while though we don’t actually hit Autumn for almost two weeks. Last Friday, I did a nice warm Autumn Gold and Violet Eye look (trust – it works) and liked it enough that I wanted to share.
What I used (feel free to adapt based on what you already have!):
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (BONUS: Nyx Milk)
- Virgin, Naked, Buck, and Half Baked eyeshadows from Urban Decay’s Naked palette:
- Violetta, Fine Wine, and Violet Echo eyeshadows from the Coastal Scents 252 Palette:
- Desired black liner of choice – on Friday I used Stila Stay all Day, for this, I used a L’Oreal gel
- Lash Curler
- bareMinerals Flawless Definition mascara or whatever makes you happy
- Flat Shader Brush (or two, if you like)
- Crease blending brush – something with a fluffy dome to place and blend color in your crease (or two, if you like)
- Precision blending brush – doesn’t have to be special, just something to help blur any harsh lines
Naked2 Basics from Urban Decay
Naked2 Basics from Urban Decay
I’ve been wondering if they were going to pull this for a long time, and they have – Urban Decay is coming out with a second, “basics,” palette – Naked2 Basics!
Because they like to repeat themselves (consistency isn’t a bad thing) Naked and Naked Basics were “warm,” neutral palettes, so Naked2 and the newly-minted Naked2 Basics are, “cool.” Rather than being all-matte, one shade (Skimp) features a slight satin finish, allegedly to help with highlighting.
Although I had zero interest in getting Naked Basics (despite my love of warm neutrals), I am actually somewhat interested in Naked2 basics – I don’t have as many cooler neutrals, and I can actually do more with a taupe-neutral than I can a tan one…on my skin, anyway. I also love that the palette doesn’t come with yet another freaking black. I have enough black eyeshadow to last ten years. Dark brown, however, I don’t have many of, and could use the heck out of.
I won’t be buying as soon as it drops, but it is definitely on my wishlist – hopefully I will obtain it by the holidays. I wonder if they will come out with a rose-hued matte, Naked3 Basics..?
How about you? Are you another Urban Decay / Naked loyalist, eager to leap on the opportunity? Are you a neutral-hoarder? (It’s okay, this is a safe place.) Or are you over the neutrals? If so, what do you want instead?
Naked2 Basics will be available directly from UrbanDecay.com starting August 19 (just under a week!) for $29.
July 2014 Favorites
July 2014 Favorites
1. China Glaze Gelaze, $11 / 2. Maybelline Instant Age-Rewind Concealer, $8
3. Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil Light, $15 / 4. Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray, $29
Just four this month because, frankly, it was kind of a lazy month for me. I didn’t really break away from, “safe,” things in light of my wedding. Afterwards, I decided to give my skin a break, so I don’t have a ton to gush about.