Filed In: Urban Decay

Urban Decay · Naked Ultimate Basics

We can thank Urban Decay for making Naked part of our beauty vocabulary, and just when you thought things couldn’t go “nude-er”, along comes the latest addition to the family: Naked Ultimate Basics. Filled with 12 of the brand’s most popular matte shades, none of these hues have ever come together in one palette before, which means that this palette also has the honour of standing apart from past iterations as well.

Previously reviewed Naked palettes:

Urban Decay · Naked Ultimate Basics

Naked Ultimate Basics (CAN $68.00) | For starters, honourable mention has to go to the packaging; housed in a square rigid plastic case which includes a full-sized mirror on the inner lid as well as a dual-ended brush, the cover almost steals the show with its rose-gold hue and precisely etched radiating lines along with the raised lettering on top. STUNNING. Moving on …

There’s a good mix of hues that range from pale neutral to darker nudes, as well as some colour thrown in that might stretch one’s concept of “Naked” but somehow still fit in well with the overall theme. The shades in this palette also have the added bonus of being workable, as well as suitable for a broad variety of skin tones, from the fairest to quite dark. With nary a shimmer in sight and while have a matte finish, it’s not of the flat variety but rather rich in hue and each throughly pigmented. Easy to blend and without any fall down upon application, staying power — over primer — is excellent as well.

Urban Decay · Naked Ultimate Basics (brush detail)

Blow – light nude demi-matte
Nudie – soft pink-nude matte
Commando – light taupe-brown matte
Tempted – pale brown matte
Instinct – medium pink-taupe matte
Lethal – reddish brown matte
Pre-Game – pale yellow matte
Extra Bitter – burnt orange matte
Faith – medium warm brown matte
Lockout – rich neutral brown matte
Magnet – smoky grey matte
Blackjack – warm black matte

Urban Decay · Naked Ultimate Basics swatches, direct sunlight & natural light (below)

Pulling out both the Naked Basics and Naked2 Basics palettes for comparison, it’s fairly obvious that we don’t have any real duplication, and while a couple of shades might appear to be similar, there’s still enough variety in Naked Ultimate Basics to turn into a well-worth investment.

Urban Decay · Naked Ultimate Basics, Naked Basics & Naked2 Basics swatches in direct sunlight & natural light (below)

NAKED-palooza

For neutral-fans such as myself, you’re going to absolutely love this palette. And even if you’ve held off from Urban Decay’s Naked frenzy until now, you should still check the Naked Ultimate Basics palette out, as it has a grouping of colours that are not only all totally wearable, but one I’m fairly certain you’ll be turning to more often than not. This is very, very good naked …

Available at Sephora & online

Press samples/As always, all opinions are my own

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Urban Decay · Full Spectrum

October 28, 2016

Urban Decay has been on one helluva roll lately, releasing enough products to make your head spin, but I’d have to say that none have been anywhere near as eye-catching as the Full Spectrum palette (Holy Rainbow-Colour-Wheel, Batman!). The brand’s largest palette to date, it includes 21 shades — 18 of them new and 3 exclusives from past releases, with a variety of finishes to sweeten the deal even further. For those who simply live for colour, if this doesn’t get your motor running, I don’t know what will.

For reviews on other products from this brand, click Urban Decay

Full Spectrum (CAN $80.00) | Housed in a black rigid plastic case that includes an oversized mirror on the inner lid plus a dual-ended synthetic fibre brush, the case is etched with lines of alternating thickness in both matte & shiny finishes and adorned with a colourful faceted UD “jewel” on top. Ugh…so pretty, am I right?

Organized by colour family in vertical trios (although for convenience, I’ve opted to show them in 3 horizontal rows), there’s a nice mix of finishes that range from matte (which also includes matte/satin & matte with pearl) all the way to über-metallic, and while highly colourful at first glance, there are still enough ‘normal’ shades to keep things grounded as well. I experience absolutely no pigmentation issues with any one of these hues and they all appear to blend effortlessly. There will be some powdery kickback seen upon swirling brushes across most, but that’s easily solved by tapping any excess off first – bonus: no fall down upon application. Staying power over primer is excellent, without any noticeable fading.

Urban Decay Full Spectrum (brush detail)

Alchemy – deep fuchsia satin
Warning – deep metallic copper
Midnight Blaze – black matte with yellow/gold pearl
Hundred – deep metallic forest green
Minx – deep nay matte with floating tonal pearl
Delirious – deep plum matte with subtle floating pearl
Platonic – black matte with iridescent glitter
Gossip – bright metallic pink with subtle floating pearl
Seize – bright metallic coral with subtle floating pearl
Calavera – bright yellow matte with subtle floating pearl
Hatter – vibrant green with tonal micro-sparkle
Blindsided – bright teal blue matte with floating pearl
Sketch – metallic medium purple
Iced – oyster silver with shimmer
Paranoia – soft metallic blue-pink
Jones – metallic orange with subtle floating pearl
Goldmine – metallic yellow-gold
Mean – bright metallic lime green
Metamorphosis – vibrant periwinkle blue with micro-sparkle
Faded – lavender with gold shimmer
Bump – white matte

Urban Decay Full Spectrum swatches (in sunlight & natural light, below)

Neutral shades are my comfort zone, not to mention the fact that I feel they’re much easier to work with and definitely more flattering as I’ve gotten older. And while I may be a tad colour-phobic when it comes to my makeup, I can’t deny the allure of opening up a palette like Full Spectrum and staring in slack-jawed wonder at all its colourful beauty. After some experimentation, I’ve discovered that I like injecting some unexpected colour into my looks … but in baby steps, please. What makes this palette a winner in my opinion, is the quality: each and every shade totally delivers. In spades.

Just a thought: When Urban Decay released their Urban Spectrum Eyeshadow Palette in 2015, it sold out in a heartbeat — you might want to get on board with Full Spectrum while you can. And yes, this too would make an awesome holiday gift. Just saying …

Urban Decay products are available at Sephora & online

Press sample/As always, all opinions are my own

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Becca · Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector

September 15, 2016

The latest from Becca, a brand that has become known for using ‘light to amplify the features you love’ comes their latest, Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector, a limited edition pale pink highlighter that launched without any buzz or fanfare, yet instantly sold out on day 1 on Sephora’s website (but has since been restocked & will become available in store next month). I usually don’t fall for hype and buy sight unseen, but my beauty radar was telling me to go for it, and I’ve learned to listen to that instinct. So happy I did, as this shade is like nothing I already own.

One of Pantone’s two colours of the year for 2016, rose quartz is a mineral and has been called the ‘Stone of Love’, having been also used as a love talisman as early as 600 B.C. Also synonymous with beauty, this stone is purported to have a nurturing and calming effect on those around it. Regardless of whether you believe or not, I love the positive message just the same.

Becca · Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector

Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector, limited edition (CAN $46.00) | Housed in a flying-saucer shaped compact (right?), it differentiates from Becca’s usual casing by its metallic rose-gold colour that’s just so pretty. The surface of the pattern is in raised geometric shapes that I’m sure will eventually wear down with continued use — not that I’ll ever get to that point (I think), and which shouldn’t affect how the product applies in any way.

The formula is apparently enriched with ‘ultrafine luminescent pearls that absorb, reflect & refract light’, and can adjust to your skin’s natural undertone. The texture is fine-milled and can be applied as a lighter dusting for just a touch of radiance (a fan brush works best for this), or layered for a more editorial-like brilliance. Longevity (over foundation), seems to be excellent and remains visible until removed.

This pale pink hue is quite unique in that it bears neutral undertones, thus making it workable on all skin tones across the spectrum. As someone with a light-medium complexion that has a golden undertone, I tend to avoid pink anything — but I was totally surprised by how Rose Quartz seems to adapt to my skin, and just seems to look better & better with the wearing.

Becca · Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector

Becca · Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector swatches

Apart from the cult-fave Champagne Pop shade shown above, I actually own another Becca coppery highlighter with the same pattern as Rose Quartz, but it seems to have gone MIA and I couldn’t find it to compare. As the swatches show, these two are nothing alike although surprisingly, the pink hue of Rose Quartz appears more wearable than the more golden colour colour of Champagne Pop. I totally did not expect that, and it further backs up the ‘neutral undertone’ part of the claim.

Becca · Rose Quartz & Champagne Pop Shimmering Skin Perfector swatches

Pulling out a few more pink-toned highlighters to compare (although something tells me that I probably have more lurking about, but I was just too lazy to hunt them all down), it’s clear that none are a match for Rose Quartz, leaning either too pink or too shimmery.

Note that all have been swatched with a heavy hand in the photo below, in order to show their differences and/or similarities. Press samples are marked by *

Shu Uemura Pink Blush Satin Radiant Stick* – cream formula & definitely the most pink of the group, although it can be sheered out.
Pat McGrath Skinfetish 003 Iridescent Pink – the strongest iridescence, cool toned
Urban Decay Aura Afterglow Highlighter* – a true pale pink, cool toned
Guerlain Cruel Gardenia – a few degrees more pink, slightly more shimmery but along the same finish
MAC Trophy Pearlmatte Face Powder* – the least pigmented of the group making it wearable as an overall face powder as a result
Laura Mercier Illuminator – the most metallic finish of them all, peach based & warmer toned

Becca · Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector & comparison swatches

Even though I trust my gut when it comes to beauty products, I still had hesitations about Rose Quartz … until it arrived and I swatched it. After that, it was all “hello beautiful & welcome to the family”. Somehow Becca managed the impossible: getting a colour usually reserved for the fair-complexioned, and making it universally wearable. Bottom line: totally worth picking up, especially if you happen to have a bit of a fetish re: highlighters (guilty).

Available at Sephora

Purchased Item/All opinions my own

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Urban Decay | Moondust Eyeshadow Palette

August 12, 2016

As Frankie said, “fly me to the moon, let me play among the stars … ”

Totally on trend with all things sparkly and magically delicious, Urban Decay has just launched the Moondust Eyeshadow Palette, consisting of eight vibrant shades that will rocket your look into orbit faster than you can say “blast off”.

Ok… I’ll try to keep it under control but I’m sorry: the name lends itself to a ~~space~~fleet of metaphors. Plus, it’s fun.

Earthrise as seen from the moon (credit)

Urban Decay | Moondust Eyeshadow Palette

Moondust Eyeshadow Palette (CAN $70.00) | Housed in a gunmetal case with a diamond-textured exterior and the Moondust logo carved into the lid, there’s also a full-sized mirror on the inside for convenience. Displaying an ultra refined feel and no pesky/chunky glitter, these eyeshadows are not only supernova brilliant but can be worn either dry for a soft wash of shimmering colour, or applied with a dampened brush for an intense metallic look. All shades even boast a complex iridescence to sweeten the deal further, as if just looking at them wasn’t enough. Note: applying a primer or your preferred eye shadow base first and making sure to tap off any excess from your brush before application, will help minimize any potential falldown.

Top Row (the fun brights):

Specter – soft pink with tonal sparkle
Element – peach with pink shift & sparkle (with hints of copper too)
Magnetic – purple with blue sparkle (and strong on lavender tones)
Lightyear – vivid saturated green with a bonus strong aqua side

Bottom Row (the sultry gang):

Granite – black with multi colour sparkle (I see it as more of a complex steel)
Lithium – brown with iridescence; my eyes find this to be a stunning pewter
Vega – bright blue with tonal sparkle
Galaxy – smokey blue grey with iridescent 3D sparkle (and so perfectly named)

Urban Decay | Moondust Eyeshadow Palette

Urban Decay | Moondust Eyeshadow Palette, top row swatches

Urban Decay | Moondust Eyeshadow Palette, bottom row swatches

I’ll be the first to say that even though my comfort zone is neutrals and usually matte neutrals at that, I am also incurably drawn to all things sparkly. That said, shimmer is not always easy to pull off as one gets older but strategically placed it can serve to really brighten the face and detract from what you want kept hidden (i.e.: lines. Sigh). What I’m loving about the Moondust Eyeshadow Palette is A) the nicely compact size B) no brushes added that only get tossed anyway C) the almost creamy texture of the shades D) how beautifully everything applies & blends and E) the chance to wear colour in a new, fun, yet still sophisticated way. I’m especially crushing on the bottom row and in particular the ‘Galaxy’ shade which is truly otherworldly and must have had input from alien technology, it’s THAT original.

So spill fellow neutral-zoners….who else is as intrigued by this palette? Share your thoughts!

Available now at Sephora and online

Channelling my inner moonchild/As always, all opinions are my own

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Urban Decay | Alice Through The Looking Glass Lipstick Collection

July 27, 2016

Urban Decay knows how to do outrageous colours right that also match with fabulous and display-worthy packaging. Case in point: the Alice Through The Looking Glass Lipstick Collection (all limited edition), created and inspired by the movie of the same name that was recently released. Each of these five shades are representative of one of the main characters in the film and come in varying finishes just to keep things even more interesting. Sweetening the deal further, is the excellent price point to go with this eccentric colour range – definitely a rabbit hole you’ll want to go down.

Previously reviewed from this collection:

Alice Through The Looking Glass Eyeshadow Palette

Alice Through The Looking Glass

Urban Decay | Alice Through The Looking Glass Lipstick Collection

Urban Decay | Alice Through The Looking Glass Lipstick Collection, swatches

Alice/Sheer Shimmer, limited edition (CAN $21.00) | To say I was surprised by this shade, wouldn’t be an understatement; what appears to be a peach/yellow colour in the tube, turns out to actually be the most wearable shimmery pink/peach/nude – quite unique in both texture, and in appearance in fact.

Urban Decay | Alice

Mad Hatter/Metalized, limited edition (CAN $21.00) | As someone who stays real close to neutral/nude colour territory, going purple is way outside my comfort zone but I confess to really loving the natural ombré effect that this shade provides. It actually applies more even-looking in person, with the blue undertone making itself known and thereby giving it a wild new twist. One thing to note is that there will be spread of the silver micro shimmer upon removal, so I recommend dabbing off instead of wiping.

Urban Decay | Mad Hatter

Mirana/Metalized, limited edition (CAN $21.00) | This lush deep blackened burgundy is quite pigmented and a great transition shade for Fall, with the silver micro shimmer in the formula giving new life to a run-of-the-mill vampy colour. For a precise and/or fierce look, don’t skip on using a matching liner although I can also see it with the edges lightly smudged out (using a lip brush works best for this effect) to create a less editorial feel.

Urban Decay | Mirana

Iracebeth/Comfort Matte, limited edition (CAN $21.00) | Ummmm….hello, beautiful! No, but seriously this is one red for the books. With tons of hot pink in the base to add brightness, this ultra-saturated shade will look amazing on both cool and warm complexions. The texture is exactly as described: matte AND comfortable, with a staying power that goes on & stays on until removed (not including eating and/or drinking, obviously).

Urban Decay | Iracebeth

Time/Metalized, limited edition (CAN $21.00) | In reality, I may never wear a colour as insanely awesome as this in public but I so so so want to! Channeling all things futuristic, the blue metallic base is chock full of silvery micro-shimmer, although the texture is not as opaque as you’d think which means you can try sporting a lighter layer as a way of easing into something this unique. Far from looking hypothermic (which was my initial fear), keeping the rest of your makeup minimal will definitely turn this shade into the standout feature of your look.

Urban Decay | Time

I may be partial to lip gloss, but with the way lipsticks have been evolving, the lines between the two formats has become increasingly blurred. One thing’s for sure, however; nothing will ever replace the sensorial feel of applying colour to one’s lips the way a lippie bullet provides and when you throw in a wild & unique shade range such as these Alice Through The Looking Glass hues, well it’s time to toss the rule book out the window and just have fun. After all, if you can’t play with make up, then what’s the point?!

Available through Sephora