Bigger is Better: A Picture Story

Papa Bear, Momma Bear, Baby Bear, and the Thing that didn't get scared eating all their porridge.
Yes, I got the Urban Decay Primer Potion, Professional size.
I'm not sure if I even need this big honkin thing.
I heard that the tube breaks easily.
Here's wishing other wise. *Crosses fingers*

And that's my lazy post. 

My UD Book of Shadows III Finally Came!

Just a random post with some glamour shots of my new Book of Shadows =). (NOT a review- face it, there are like a million and one reviews/swatches for these all over the internet.)

Buy it HERE. The colors are gorgeous. I especially like Kush, which has different tones of green, and Rockstar, a deep purple. Now who knows if I'll even get around to using it... I still have my Alice in Wonderland BOS in it's package, untouched...

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland is BACK?!

I was so excited to see this email, until I saw the palette would only be available in the Alice's Favorite Things bundle for $211. YOWZA. I really wish they sold it separately again. I already own it, but I still haven't touched it because it's so pretty. I need another one! The greater than $200 price tag for this kit is making me give it a "pass" though.

What Urban Decay has to say:
"Alice is BACK, but not for long. Get this incredible set, only available here, to kick off the Alice in Wonderland DVD release. With a ton of items hand-selected by our own Executive Creative Director, Wende Zomnir, you get more than just the legendary pop-up palette.

Cut to the scene of Alice in the mushroom forest, her “drink me” bottle discarded at her feet, a big mirror looming in the background, making you feel like a part of the film itself. Hidden inside a secret drawer are 16 best-selling Eyeshadows, given topsy-turvy names: Underland, Alice, Oraculum, Queen, Chessur, White Rabbit, Wonderland, Curiouser, Muchness, Mushroom, Midnight Tea Party, Vorpal, Absolem, Drink Me Eat Me, Mad Hatter, & Jabberwocky. Alongside them lie travel sizes of Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin and two 24/7 Eye Pencils in Zero and Flipside. Create looks as endless as the proverbial rabbit hole.

Stir up your own magic with our Sparkling Edible Body Powder, or be ready for your close up with Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder and a bit of De-Slick in a Tube. Just look at the primers, lip glosses, mascaras and liners we’ve included - an absolute must-have for anyone who loves Urban Decay, Tim Burton, Disney, or Alice in Wonderland!"

The bundle :
"Includes the Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows AND full-sizes of: Honey Body Powder, Eden Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Midnight Cowboy Glitter Liner, Kirk Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss, Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder, De-Slick in a Tube, & Big Fatty Mascara!"

This is still a good deal for the true fanatics, the ones that are willing to spend money at all costs for some Underland Lovin'. (Disclaimer: This is not me)

What do you guys think? Worth the money and hype? Or pass?

ELF Eyelid Primer VS. Urban Decay Primer Potion

I decided to give ELF's Eyelid Primer ($1), to see how it would compare to my darling Urban Decay Primer Potion ($18). Plus, it was only a buck. If this primer works out, I will feel incredibly stupid having three backups of UDPP.

The wand is just a normal wand, a lot like a lipgloss applicator, much like UDPP's old one. It feels cheap, and for some reason, product doesn't hold well on it, which makes application on the eyelids feel a bit rough.

ELF on the left, Urban Decay on the right 

They look relatively the same right? I'm not talking about packaging, because ELF's is a cheapo little tube. It had the same color, and creamy consistency. While ELF's version is thinner, It certaintly FELT like UDPP on the lids. I decided to do a test to see how eyeshadows showed up on the primers, as well as to time how long they lasted. I did a swatch test using MAC's eyeshadow in Mulch.

Mulch on bare skin, on ELF's Primer, and on UDPP

First of all, I just realized what CRAP Mulch looks like alone. This is why I ALWAYS wear primer. I wasn't expecting it to look so lame alone. When I applied it on both primers, the color was equally vibrant. The ELF swatch did go on easier though. So far, so good.

This is what the swatches look like 5 hours later. It's not great picture quality because I woke up at 3 in the morning to take this picture... Don't ask =). As you can see, the lone Mulch swatch is virtually gone, the two primed swatches both held up, EQUALLY! I can't evaluate creasing, because I never have much of a problem with that. From my experience, using these primers on the eyes yeilded almost identical results. I did find blending with ELF's version easier (probably because it is thinner), but I still somehow feel safer sticking to my Urban Decay Primer Potion. But don't mind me, I'm a Urban Decay whore.

I highly recommend trying out ELF's Eyelid Primer if you want to save $17, what do you have to lose?

Uh, a dollar I guess.

Last Week's Haulage

I get some haulage each week, and my haul posts are an opportunity for you to pick and choose what you'd like swatched and more in-depth information about.

Again, I'm posting up all item names so you guys can request specifically what you'd like reviewed.

Urban Decay @ Hautelook:

Hall of Fame set (x2)
Surreal mineral makeup in Trance (x2)
Apocalyptic nail set
Loose pigment in X and Gunmetal

Cherryculture.com :

(All NYX):
Single eyeshadows: Midnight, Sahara, Antique Gold, Sensual, Nude, Cryptonite,  Exotic Green, Dune, Golden Amber, Frosted Ocean, Gunmetal, Smokie Mountain
Powder blush in Sand
Rouge Cream Blush in Boho Chic
Mega Shine Lipgloss in Smokey Look
Round lipstick in Honey
Not pictured: The Runway Collection palette in Catwalk

EyesLipsFace.com :

 

Single Studio Eyeshadows in : Every color

Quads in : Day 2 Night, Hazy Hazel, Ivy, Luxe, Rocker, Punk Funk, Glam

Eye Primer

Beauty Encyclopedia- Sparkle Eye Edition (this came broken =(! )

Studio blushes in: Fuschia Fusion (BTW they spelled Fuchsia wrong), Gotta Glow, and Pink Passion

I feel like I need help. My makeup spending is getting ridiculous. I only post up bigger hauls (specifically those I get in the mail). Therapy please?

Just comment below if you're interested in reviews for any of the above products =).

EOTD: Urban Decay Inspired Boho Summer

Awhile ago I was browsing through Sephora's site (as always) and came across the "Get the Look" section on the Urban Decay page. I immediately fell in love with the "Get Baked" look. The eyes just seemed to pop, and I'm way into bronze looks. There's a tutorial of it HERE. I decided to recreate this look by doing a more wearable version that wouldn't make me look like I'd gone color happy.

 From Sephora's Urban Decay page

Products used:

UDPP

Lorac eyeshadow in Beige (highlight)

Urban Decay eyeshadow in Baked (all over lid)

NYX eyeshadow in Cedar Wood (crease)

Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Bourbon (upper lashline)

Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Flipside (lower lashline)

Loreal Telescopic Mascara

As you can see, my makeup is a lot more toned down, Urban Decay's liner lines are a lot thicker and bolder. I really like the look, but *sigh* it looks bangin' on the blonde model. This look is more suitable for blondes with paler skin. I'm a tan brunette and I feel like it was a bit much with my complexion and bronzer.

Urban Decay Deals at Ulta!

Yes, another post about another good deals (can you tell I spend ALOT of time shopping?)
Ulta has Urban Decay Smoke Out Kits for only $19.99!!! (Originally $34 each!)
Yeah, I hyperventilated a little when I saw this... The kits each include four eyeshadows, a mascara, and two eyeliners (including the loved 24/7 pencil in zero)
It comes in three colors: (Pictures from Ulta.com)

Sweet Lucy (silvery gray):

Ju-Ju (rich brown):

Yerba (greens):

Get them HERE!
AHHH! I want them ALL! GIMME GIMME!

Ulta also has an exclusive Urban Decay Mother's Day Face Case:

Only $14.00!
It comes with 3 eyeshadows, one blush, and 3 lipglosses. Check it HERE.

I'm not really wanting the Face Case, not too keen on the colors, but the Smoke out kits are a great deal!

Urban Decay Friends and Family sale!

YAY! Urban decay is at it again! It's been awhile since I've seen a Friends and Family sale! I'm super excited for this one because I've been wanting the Deluxe shadow palette =). I'm still sad that I didn't get the Book of Shadows 2 last time around.Go to the page HERE.

Are you guys planning on getting anything?

Products I Regret Buying

I'm sure this has happened to everyone. You go to the store, see something you have to have, just to go home, try it, and be mega disappointed. Here are 10 items I shouldn't have bought. (Not to say them won't work for you. they just didn't for me.)

1) Mac's Hello Kitty Blush in Fun and Games

 

I tried so hard to like it, and managed to even persuade myself it was perfect. However, I've come to the realization that the pigmentation is so sucky, I'm not really getting much color out of it.

2) Loreal HIP Duo in Wicked

Seventeen magazine sucked me into buying this along time ago. It won best eyeshadow of the year. HAH. Yeah, right. Those 12 year olds obviously don't know good pigmentation. The bronzey side is ok, but the purple side is awful. I've tried to use this about 2 times now and the color isn't smooth and it gets muddy. YUCK.

3) NARS Concealer duo in Custard/Ginger

I was really excited for this one. I mean, c'mon it's NARS. Sadly, it doesn't conceal much. I use it on my eyelids now. AND, I still believe Nars has THE crappiest packaging. Fingerprint alert.

4) Urban Decay Blush in Exhale

It's super sparkly. Meaning, theres huge glitter chunks in this. I expect this out of their eyeshadows. But blush too? The color is nice but doesnt show up great, plus, did I mention the huge craft glitter?

5) Victoria's Secret Femme Lipstick

Yeah, it's a nice nude color and all in the picture. But it has crappy quality up the wazoo. It's drying on my lips and the color is strange on me. Again, DRYING.

6) Rimmel Lipstick in Airy Fairy

I had heard a lot about this one so I decided to try it. I HATE, ABHOR, DESPISE the color (on me anyways). And I really don't know why. I think I'm disappointed from the hype.

7) Sephora Lipliner in Chair Lift

First of all, the brush end is plain retarded. Second, who the hell invented the wood on the pencil. It's so harsh! The color would be nice if it didn't go on unevenly and chunky. Yeah. (note: try out Sephora's native nude lipliner, that stuff is geat).

8) Stila Major Lash Mascara

Doesn't do anything for my lashes. No volume, no length. Major lash? More like major a**. End of story.

9) OPI for Sephora Nail polish in A True Romantic

Tried this out once. Not doing it again. It's one of THOSE colors. The one's that come on two sheer, the ones for french manicures. I was not aware of this when I bought it. I was expecting a pink pastel.

10) Maybelline Superstay Foundation

I knew I shouldn't have gone behind colorstay's back. I'm a big fan of anything that says it'll "Stay". This is supposed to be transfer-proof. It's not. It transfered on EVERYTHING that touched it. A napkin, my shirt, my boyfriend's pillow. Freakin Fantastic huh?

I actually have a very important number 11 to add : Loreal HIP Cream eyeliner in Eggplant. IT SUCKS. pigmentation is poor. It's very sheer. I like the black one they make, but the purple is ridiculous.

What are the products you guys regret buying? I'm tagging everyone! (Because I love looking at products I SHOULDN'T buy)

Urban Decay Primer Potions Trilogy W/ Swatches

I know I've only been blogging about drugstore products. I can explain. Last month I started myself on a makeup budget, so recently I've been scouring drugstores for makeup. I'm sure you guys need a break.

I decided to review/compare all three UDPPs since Eden just came out.

 

Original, Sin, and Eden

Swatches

The Original (cult fave) is a skin tone color that is easily blended in. Some people like Too Face Shadow Insurance better, but after comparing, I must say, UDPP will always be my HG. 

Sin is a sparkly champagne color. I have to admit, this is my least favorite out of the three. Sometimes when I use it, I feel that my lids... look dirty? I don't know how to explain it. It is still pretty though. I don't use it often because it's not as versatile and it really shimmery. 

Eden is a matte yellow. BE CAREFUL WITH THIS STUFF. Only put a teeny amount on. The first time I used it, I put the normal amount I would have used with the Original, and my whole lid was a stark YELLOW and the primer didn't blend in! But putting just a smidgen on, this primer really covers my lid well so I don't need concealer prior. It doesn't blend as well as the Original. 

Overall, they all have good staying power. They make my shadows last a lot longer and stick better. My only problem is it gets a little hard to blend sometimes.

Note about the bottle: I know a lot of people hate these bottles since they have to be depotted (maybe even with the new wands) but I F-ING LOVE THEM. Maybe it's because I grew up watching I Dream of Jeannie

My favorite? The Original. And I'm sure that it'll stay that way unless UD releases something new and better.

Which one's your favorite?

FTC DISCLAIMER: I threw my own hard-earned money on this crap because I like to. My opinions. I wasn't threatened, bribed, or manhandled in any way. Thanks.