Urban Decay Electric Palette

Hi everyone!
I hope you're all having a lovely Sunday and not having to rush around buying last minute Christmas presents, which I have to do! I've just had a birthday (I'm now 23.. ahhh!) and I thought i'd write a post about an amazing present I got from Rob - the Urban Decay Electric Palette.

It's so amazing!!! I've wanted this palette for so long, and I think Rob finally got the hint after I dragged him to the UD counter in our local department store for the millionth time to swatch the colours on my hand. I've watched a lot of Youtube tutorials around it, read all the blog posts, so you can understand my excitement. The Electric Palette is a palette of 10 brighter-than-bright eyeshadows in a variety of finishes - matte, satin and shimmer. There are exclusive colours like Freak (neon green) and Chaos (cobalt blue), although each colour is equally incredible (My favourite being Fringe, which I didn't actually use in this look!). Each shade is made with their Pigment Infusion System, resulting in shadows with incredible colour payoff with serious staying power. The palette also comes with an amazing double-ended brush and a huge mirror on the inside of the lid, making application really easy. 

Tada! Here's me, looking seriously creepy. It's hard to know how to pose when you're wearing this sort of make-up! This was my first attempt at some crazy colour combinations from this palette, and I have to say that I am totally in love with it. I used this tutorial by Emma Pickles (my all-time favourite beauty blogger!) although it looks a lot different with my tiny eyelids. I chose to not wing it out because basically I thought it would look really rubbish on me, but i'm amazed with the results.  In hindsight I can see areas for improvement, but overall I am impressed. The colours blended well and you need hardly any product at all to create this vibrant look. I used Jilted, Urban, Freak, Thrash and Revolt, alongside Blackheart and Strange from the UD Naked 2 palette. I mainly used the double-ended brush, although I did use a fluffy brush from Eco Tools for blending. I finished off the look with some Magenta Lip Pencil from MAC, followed by MAC's Heroine lipstick. I don't know how often i'm going to use this palette, although I really want to as the colours are just insane. I'm definitely going to experiment with more YouTube tutorials and try to come up with combinations on my own to try out. So if you loved experimenting with colour or just want a make-up look that's bound to turn heads, the UD Electric Palette is most definitely for you.

Get your hands on the Electric Palette here for £38 or at your local Urban Decay counter. 

Top 5 | Red Lipsticks for Very Fair Skin

I never thought I could pull off red lipstick. I remember giving it a go once and ordering one online and when I went in to show my mum she laughed and said it looked like I was covered in blood. I know she was kidding, but since then i'd stay away from them thinking I was too pale and that i'd look stupid. It was only when I started working at Benefit, when experimenting with lip colours became my job that I got a little bit more daring. Since then, a love affair with red lipstick began. I know sometimes when it's hard to find products that suit your skin that trying to experiment can be a little scary, so I thought i'd share with you my top five red lipsticks for very fair skin.

'True Love's Kiss'  - MAC

This is one of my newer lipsticks that got given to me back in July and it's taken me a while to use it, purely because I think the packaging is so pretty I much prefer it to be sat on the shelf looking pretty! It's from MAC's Malificent collection, and is a lovely cherry red with just enough warmth to give my pale skin some needed colour! I love the texture of this product as it's super creamy and it's so pigmented you only need a little to get a full coverage lip. 

'Virgin' Glamore Lipstick - Illamasqua

This is the sheerest red out of the five, and the one you need to have the most patience with to get a good colour pay-off. It got there in the end as you can tell, but this is the red i'd most reach to if I wanted something less dramatic that I could lightly dab onto the lips for more of a stain. One negative I would say about this, and this goes for all Illamasqua lipsticks in general, is that the bullet is so pointed it makes it so difficult to apply, so I would definitely recommend applying with a lip brush or using a really strong microscopic mirror!

'Dangerous' Retro Matte Lipstick - MAC

To be honest, this almost didn't make the cut. I originally wanted to include Benefit's 'Dare Me', but I couldn't find it so this was really my back up. I do like it, but when I look back at pictures of me wearing it it is really bright! However, this is the most daring shade (So 'Dangerous' is probably quite a fitting name, ha ha!) and I do feel quite glam when I wear it. It's more of an orange red, so might not be to everyones taste, but definitely something I grab if a standard red lip just isn't enough!

'Mrs. Mia Wallace' - Urban Decay

This is probably the darkest and most highly-pigmented lipstick I own. Having tried a fair few Urban Decay lipsticks i've learnt that they are amazing for strong colour, and this is no exception. Brought out as part of their limited edition Pulp Fiction collection, this is an amazing blood red that is perfect applied on top of the matching lip liner. It's really hydrating and super glamorous; the glossy finish feels very 1920's! For a full review of this product, check out my post here.

'Ruby Woo' Matte Lipstick - MAC

When I first thought about this post, this was the first product I thought of, as it was the first red lipstick that I felt comfortable wearing. Ruby Woo is loved by many as its universally flattering and extremely long-lasting. Matte lipsticks are brilliant for their fantastic colour pay-off, which generally lasts from morning to night with very little need to touch up. When posting this image underneath 'Mrs. Mia Wallace' it may look a little flat, but I promise that this is a product that every lipstick lover needs in their arsenal.

So there you have it! I've definitely started to become more adventurous when it comes to my lipstick choices - i'm trying so hard not to buy anymore pinks or nude corals! I spent a long time feeling self-conscious about being so pale, but now i've really learnt to embrace it. I've now learnt to ignore those 'What shade looks best on your skin' charts you see on cosmetic counters and in magazines - remember, these are just my favourites and if you like it, wear it whatever the colour!

Urban Decay Black Magic - 24/7 Glide-On Double-Ended Eye Pencil Set

Hands up anyone who loves a good old-fashioned kohl liner?! I know I certainly do! Ever since I started wearing make-up I always loved to run a black kohl liner on my waterline (back when I thought I was super edgy!) and I love using one to create a soft feline flick or make my lashes appear thicker and darker my smudging a small amount into the lashline. Being a massive fan of black liner and Urban Decay, you can imagine my excitement when I was able to take home their new Black Magic 24/7 Glide-On Double-Ended Eye Pencil Set* to try.

From a company that is just as obsessed with black liner as I am, Urban Decay have released a set of four double-ended pencils for Christmas, with one of their signature black shades on one end a colourful shade on the other. It's no secret that their eyeliners are super pigmented, creamy and long-lasting, so I was just stupidly excited to get my hands on some new colours! The set also includes two shades, Black Market and Eggplant, which have recently returned after becoming temporarily discontinued, as well as Black Velvet, which contains their new 24/7 Velvet Glide-On formula. 

I apologise for the crappy quality of the photos - I took these when I was in the midst of moving out and I was rushing/stressed, so these are definitely not my best! Anyway as you can see, it has the gorgeous multi-coloured smokey packaging, which is absolutely beautiful. Each pencil's barrel is also perfectly matched with the shade of the liner, making it perfect for when you need to grab one on the go! 

The set contains:
Black Velvet - Rich, smokey black matte
Smoke - Deepest grey matte
Black Market - Charcoal black satin
Tornado - Dark eggplant pearl
Perversion - Blackest black matte
LSD - Navy shimmer with bright turquoise micro-sparkle
Zero - Zealous black cream
Demolition - Deep brown matte

I can't believe that there are so many different versions of black liner! My favourite by far is Perversion - it's pigmented, creamy and industrial strength black. I love the subtlety of Demolition, but i'm excited to use Tornado as purple tones compliment blue eyes really well. These would make a great Christmas gift for a Urban Decay junkie, or a good taster set for someone who wants to try out some of their products. What I will say though, is that once it dries it really dries. My usual make-up remover didn't take it off, so I had to resort to a specific eye make-up remover. Slightly annoying, but it is exactly what you want in a liner. Basically, this set is awesome. Coloured liner is a perfect way to put on a fun twist on your regular make-up routine, and I can't wait to get playing with these!

You can get your hands on the Urban Decay Black Magic set for around £25 online or at your local Urban Decay store later this month! :) 

Urban Decay Full Frontal Lipstick Stash

Two posts in one month, things are already looking up for Sophie Says! Haha.

It's safe to say that lipstick is my favourite beauty item, ever. Everything about it is just so easy - no frills packaging, quick to apply, easy to swatch and review. That is precisely why i'm so excited about the Urban Decay Full Frontal Lipstick Stash* - a selection of gorgeous limited edition and best selling lipsticks in little travel sizes. It's the perfect set for any lipstick lover, giving a great opportunity to experiment with reds, pinks and neutrals. 

Gaaahh! It's like a treasure chest! As amazing as the lipsticks are, I was even more impressed with the full-sized 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Ozone - the first invisible lipliner i've ever tried and originally retailing at £13. It's only been recently that i've given their lip pencils a try (Have a look at the review here), and so far i've been really loving them, with this one being no different. It's great if you like to switch up your lip colours and don't want to invest in a million different shades of liner, but of course its only ideal if the lipstick shade is highly pigmented and doesn't need any extra hep from the liner. 

Look how cute these little lipsticks are! When I first saw them, I wasn't convinced as I thought the bullet would just snap when applied, but I was definitely wrong. The bullet distributes a lot of colour without cracking. They're perfect for nights out or when you want to just chuck one in your handbag and go.

How strong are these colours? That's with a single stroke! Words can't describe how great these shades are.

Ladyflower

When swatched on my arm its quite a dusty pink, but its actually a pretty bright fuschia. This would be a pretty great day colour, and it was actually the first colour I wore from the collection as I was instantly drawn to it. Very pretty!

Crush

I'm so impressed with this! It's by far the brightest pink I own. It's definitely more of an evening colour and goes perfectly with the invisible liner - there's no need for a coloured liner to intensify this even further! 

Illicit

This would usually be my go-to colour as its described as a sheer baby pink. It's a bit frostier than I would usually choose for myself, but its a great day colour for when you want to keep things natural but don't want to go completely bare. 

 Gash

Wow, I love this colour. It's a shade darker than a classic red and is really flattering. The invisible liner helps stop the product bleeding, but when it comes to such a statement colour, I think a visible line to work with would be a lot easier. 

Liar

This is probably my least favourite, although when photographed it doesn't look too bad. It's a pink-brown nude, that I would imagine was included as its supposed to be a universal nude, but i'm just not a fan of the colour on me. It's too brown, where as I like my nudes to be a bit more pink. However, I would imagine it would be a great nude shade for slightly darker skin tones, perhaps. 

F-Bomb

This is a seriously glamorous red. It's great, but its a bit too intense for me. Would be amazing for someone with amazing lips, but mine are pretty flat and would require some over-lining which you can't really do with an invisible liner and its at risk of looking really fake. 

Overall I am so impressed with this. It's such a fun little kit with serious pigmentation. They're long-lasting, hydrating and have such intensity the little bullet will last for ages. It's great for someone who's torn between shades or wants a little taster of some of the shades available at Urban Decay. It's not something i'd repurchase as there are certainly better colours for me than others, but it would make a great little gift (whether it be for yourself or not!) that I would recommend to any lipstick lover.

Unfortunately I don't have the release for this, meaning that i'm going to be really annoying now. It's not available yet in the UK, but should be available in the next few weeks in the US, so it won't be too long before it'll be hitting the shelves in your local Urban Decay counters or online. It should be around £24.

Urban Decay Pulp Fiction Collection

Well hello there!

Once again, it's been a while. I've been finishing up my time at Good Housekeeping (they asked me to return to help out for another week after my holiday!) and i've come back to Southampton where lots of exciting things have happened. I got engaged, although technically that happened a few days before I left for GH, and was offered a position as Editorial Assistant at Childrensalon. So i've spent the past few days flat-hunting for myself and Rob in Tunbridge Wells, and yesterday I found a flat, which (subject to referencing!) will be mine in a few weeks. So yeah, it's been busy. But now I have a couple of weeks before I start and i've got loads of goodies to blog about - starting with this lot! 

Urban Decay is a brand we all know, but in my opinion, most people just associate it with their Naked palettes. So when I had the chance to try out their new Pulp Fiction collection*, I was excited to see what they had to offer that wasn't from their Naked range. The collection was inspired by Mrs Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction, and gives beauty lovers the chance to recreate her edgy look. Consisting of an eyeshadow palette, lip-liner, lipstick, nail polish and glittery eyeliner (Which she didn't actually wear - nice plug, UD!), its got a little bit of everything to commemorate the film's 20th anniversary.

The eyeshadow palette (£17.50) contains five super-pigmented colours, a double-ended brush and a step-by-step guide to achieve Mia's look. As an avid Naked lover, I was excited to try this the most as I knew the quality of the shadows would be amazing.

The packaging is amazing - completely different to any other eyeshadow packaging i've seen. On the front it features the Ezekiel passage, with "Be cool honey bunny" stamped on the back. The inside features some lovely black blood splatters - apparently the blood was originally going to be red, but it was thought to be too gruesome! To be honest, because of the intensity of the outer packaging, the colours were not what I was expecting. However, looking at pictures of Uma Thurman in character, the eye colours are quite similar. 

The lip pencil, appropriately named 'Mrs. Mia Wallace', is a deep blood-red version of their 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencils (£13). It's really creamy, highly pigmented and has a gorgeous matte finish once applied all over the lips. I think this is a bit darker than the shade she wore, but it's gorgeous all the same and looks perfect with the matching 'Mrs Mia Wallace' Revolution Lipstick (£15). 

I'm annoyed, as in the light the lipstick looks like a burgundy shade but it's really a gorgeous deep red. It's a lovely creamy formula and is entirely waterproof, making it perfect for a night out. 

Wow, my lipstick skills need some serious work! I have to admit, I wasn't the biggest fan on the shape of the bullet, as it made it quite difficult to get precise lines without having to use a lip brush. I can't seem to find mine, so had to make do with what I had. But as you can see, the finish of the lipstick is gorgeous. It transfers a lot - onto glasses, food, Rob's cheek - but it doesn't smudge or lessen the intensity of it. I can't wait to wear this on a night out, or even during the day if i'm feeling particularly daring! I think the classic colour makes it perfect for every skin tone.

I really enjoyed recreating her eye look, as it isn't too crazy and out of my comfort zone. I completely forgot about taking a picture of the step-by-step guide, but to achieve the signature look you begin with 'Righteous' from the lash line to the brow, then apply 'Tyranny' all over the lid. Then apply 'Vengeance' in the outer corner, and use 'Anger' as a soft eyeliner which can be brought out to a wing. Complete the look by applying 'Furious' on the brow bone as a highlight. In hindsight, if a good primer is applied beforehand 'Righteous' isn't really needed, but its nice to use the whole palette. What i'm most impressed with is the eyeliner - I can't believe how easy it was to apply and how highly pigmented it is! If I don't wear the complete look all the time, i'll definitely be using the black shadow as a liner. 

Overall this is an amazing little collection, and even though I didn't get a chance to try it all, if the eye liner and nail colour are half as good as the shadows and lip colour, i'll be happy :) 

You can get your hands on the entire Urban Decay Pulp Fiction Collection from September 1st. 

Everyday Makeup #1

As a beauty blogger, popping to Boots for a new product is just as common as a dash to the corner shop for a pint of milk. However, as our makeup collections rapidly accumulate, how much of it is actually used on a regular basis? I see so many blog sales consisting of blushers and eyeshadows that have been swatched once, which is why I tend to look to 'everyday makeup' posts to really see what is considered a staple.

So, today i'm going to start a series of everyday makeup posts .. showcasing my favourite looks and go-to products!

 

Base: Smashbox Photo Finish primer, Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclat in 'BR10', Bourjois Paris Healthy Balance unifying powder in '52 Vanilla' (Not photographed)

Cheeks: Benefit Cha Cha Tint, Nars 'Deep Throat' blush

Eyes: Rimmel Exaggerate eyeshadow primer, 'Virgin' and 'Naked' from the Urban Decay Naked Palette, Benefit's 'They're Real!' mascara, Rimmel Khol & Contour eyeliner

Brows: 'Medium brown' from the Foxy HD Brow Kit, MAC Brow Set in 'Clear'

Lips: Benefit Cha Cha Tint, Loreal Glam Shine Reflexion lip gloss in '174 Sheer Peach'

As you can see, I like to keep things pretty natural looking (which is strange with the amount of products I use!). I'm all about groomed brows, so as long as they are filled in and arched I don't mind what goes on with the rest of my face! This is what I would usually wear to work, or in today's case going out for sushi. I usually go for a lot of highlighting and contouring, but I think 13 products is enough for a 'simple' look. 

On a more personal note, i've finally started my Easter holidays, meaning I have about 5 weeks off from university! Yes, that does sound amazing until I tell you I have 5 assignments to do. Easter break over. 

Benefit's 'Stay Don't Stray' vs. Urban Decay's 'Primer Potion'

If you're going to indulge on a new item for your makeup bag, be sure that it's a primer. A slightly dull purchase, I know, but trust me.

I may have said this before, but i'll say it again - think of a primer as a base coat for your face. That sounds wierd, but a good base coat ensures that nail polish effectively sticks to the nail, fills in any lines for a smoother finish and helps protect the skin. This applies to primers; it fills in fine lines to give the appearances of smoother skin, it eliminates the need for frequent touch-ups, and allows makeup to glide onto your face with ease (which essentially means you use less product - meaning it's also quite cost effective!). However, there aren't just primers for foundation, primers for eye makeup are equally as important, ensuring that your shadow has that 'freshly applied' look right until removal at the end of the day.

Primers aren't the most glamorous of products, but they should be a staple in every girls makeup kit.
Therefore, I have chosen to compare two best-selling eyeshadow primers to see what one comes out on top:


"Stay Don't Stray"
This top-seller from my personal favourite brand Benefit doubles as an eyeshadow AND concealer primer. It promises to keep concealers from creasing, and shadows stay "vibrant and true". It already has a celebrity following (Such as Pretty Little Liars' Ashley Benson) and comes in a neutral shade that adapts to every skin tone.

The primer comes in a 10ml tube with a custom airless pump. It's a compact size meaning it would fit easily in your bag, with a removable cap.

What's good about it...
It holds my makeup for the entire day. Also, the idea that it doubles up as a concealer primer makes it seem like you're getting more for your money. I'm usually not a fan of multi-use products as I feel that they concentrate more on being a mediocre product for all instead of a great product for a single use, but this is great.

What's bad about it...
The pump! It claims to be custom made to ensure that only a tiny amount is distributed, and the instructions on the Benefit website say that the pump needs to be pushed 'gently', however this is simply not an option. The pump is quite stiff, and it distributes far too much product meaning that a lot of it is wasted. The diagram on the packaging illustrates that only 6 tiny dots are needed, and the amount that is distributed is enough for maybe 3 or 4 applications! It is also priced at a whopping £19.50, which I believe is a bit overpriced as you're wasting over half of the product.



Primer Potion
Awarded a 'Highly Commended' in the 2012 Beauty Club Awards, Urban Decay's primer potion is a well known product in the beauty industry and is used by makeup artists and beauty lovers alike. Promising that eyeshadow will remain crease-free, the primer comes in a neutral nude that's slightly lighter than 'Stay Don't Stray'.

The primer that I have is actually travel sized, and was included as a bonus product with their legendary Naked palette, meaning that the size is much smaller and it has a wand for easy application that isn't featured on the original product. The original product is 11ml, and comes in a squeezy tube with a super-thin needle nose tip to ensure that you don't waste any of the product.

What's good about it..
Right from application at 8am up until I removed my makeup at 8pm my eyeshadow stayed put. Towards the end of the day I start getting a bit sleepy and carelessly rub my eyes, and when everything else smudges my eyeshadow stays strong. I also like the applicator wand on the travel sized bottle as it allows the product to be distributed sparingly and evenly without having to use your fingertips (I have a thing about using my hands to apply products - it's almost OCD!), and the thin nozzle applicator on the original product is great for avoiding wastage. I also like that it is priced at £14.50, which I believe is a reasonable price for the results it delivers.

What's bad about it...
Honestly, there isn't lot I can say about this product. The only negative I would say is that it woud really have an edge over other primers if the wand was kept instead of the nozzle, as it was a surprise that the packaging and applicator was completely different on both sizes.

The Verdict
They both do the job well, however due to distribution and the actual cost of the product the Urban Decay 'Primer Potion' is the favourite. Benefit have perfected the product, but the packaging needs a bit of work, where as you get more for your money with the Primer Potion - not just by using less due to effective dispensing of the product, but you get 1ml more primer for £5 less.

Which one is your favourite? Or is there another eyeshadow primer that you think beats them both?