Laura Mercier Highlight 01

I have been eyeing this product for over a year, but it hasn't been easy to get it where I live due to shipping restrictions or the product being simply out of stock. However, I was lucky enough to get it as a birthday present from my friend, oh boy was I stoked. The product I am referring to is the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight 01, also commonly known as the Highlight 01. Spoiler alert - it did not disappoint, but to find out all the nitty-gritty details keep on reading!

Laura Mercier Highlight 01

Let's start with the packaging first. The product comes in a sleek black plastic compact, which in my opinion is unnecessarily bulky. Personally I would have preferred a slimmer packaging but I can understand where the company was coming from. Highlighting powders tend to be extremely fragile so I guess a heftier packaging makes it more secure. If that is the case or not, I am not sure and hopefully wouldn't have to find out.

You get 7,5g of product which is a generous amount, considering how little you need per application.For comparison Dior Glowing Gardens Illuminating Powder in Glowing Pink contains 6g of product. In terms of ingredients it contains vitamin E and jojoba oil, which makes the formula less drying. It does however contain talc, therefore if you are sensitive or simply want to avoid it, this might not be the product for you. On the outer packaging it does say that the product has been dermatologically and allergy tested to minimize the risk of allergy and irritation. It hasn't broken me out, but this is just my experience. This product has a shelf life of 18 months. According to the research I have done I consider Laura Mercier to be cruelty-free. 

Laura Mercier Highlight 01- smooth baked powder formula

The product itself is of a dome-shape and is super silky and smooth to the touch. It doesn't contain any chunks of glitter or shimmer. When I dip my brush into the product, it does kick off a bit of powder. As a result I expect the compact to get messy especially with a prolonged use. That doesn't bother me, as I am pretty real with my makeup, but wanted to throw it out there just in case.

I would describe the highlight colour as a nude. It's not too cool nor too warm. It's extremely brightening on the cheekbones. Due to its finely-milled formulation it doesn't emphasise any texture on the skin and believe me I do have plenty. It provides an ethereal glow without being too obvious. If you want you can build it up for a more intense glow without looking like a disco-ball. It has a very good lasting power, when I come home in the evening I can still see it. It's a perfect highlighter if you work in an office environment or for those days when you don't prefer to be seen from outer space. 

Laura Mercier Highlight 01 swatch in a day light

Overall, I am very pleased with this product and will happily continue using it. If you have been afraid of highlighters because they would emphasise every pore and unevenness on your skin, or you can't decide what colour would work you, I would highly recommend checking this one out. It's not cheap but you get a good amount of product that will last you a long time. If your primary concern is finding a highlighter that doesn't contain talc I would keep my eyes peeled out for the new Makeup Geek highlighters that should be launching sometime in the near future.

Let me know what is your go-to highlighter and whether you prefer a subtle or a popping glow!

Until next time,

Muffy

Jouer Long-Wear Lip Crème Liquid Lipstick in Noisette

Staying on the topic of liquid lipsticks, today I am bringing your way a review of the Jouer Long-Wear Lip Crème Liquid Lipstick in Noisette. I heard mixed opinions about this product and decided to check it out for myself. The colour I picked would not come as a surprise, as it's my typical brownish nude. But let's get into the review, shall we.

Jouer Long-Wear Lip Crème Liquid Lipstick's Applicator

The product comes in a sleek rectangular packaging which I like. The wand is pretty standard, however the handle feels a bit toy-like. I'd guess because it's noticeably smaller compared to other liquid lipsticks in my collection. That being said it's nothing major that would stop me from using this product. The liquid lipstick has a distinguishable sweet scent and contains Vitamin E. It's paraben and cruelty-free and has a shelf life of 12 months after opening. 

In terms of formula, it's quite thin but opaque (Dose of Colors texture is more cushiony). It doesn't dry immediately which I appreciate, because it gives enough time to perfect the application. It feels extremely comfortable on the lips for a few hours but as with all liquid lipsticks it starts feeling drying eventually. When that happens, I just put a lip balm on top and continue with my day. It doesn't flake nor fade away in a weird or patchy manner.

Jouer Long-Wear Lip Crème Liquid Lipstick in Noisette

The colour Noisette I adore. I own a lot of browny nudes but this one stands out as it's more of a warmer brown. For comparison MAC Whirl is more rosey and Urban Decay 1993 is darker and cooler. 

Overall, I am very happy with this product. I am actually shocked by how much I ended up liking it. It must be the best liquid lipstick I have tried thus far, followed closely by the Dose of Colors Truffle. I can't say that all Jouer liquid lipsticks are created equal as I have tried only Noisette, but this one is a keeper! 

Let me know if you have tried any of the Jouer liquid lipsticks and what are your thoughts. I'd love to know!

Cheers,
Muffy

Dose Of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truffle

Dose of Colors is hands down the brand I have wanted to try for the longest time, but it has been pretty challenging to get in Europe. Now this has changed as Beautybay started carrying it. I initially wanted to pick up the liquid matte lipstick in Stone, but that shade seems to be sold out all the time everywhere. I was lucky enough though to snatch Truffle, which has been on my radar as well. I have tried quite a few liquid lipstick formulas and I wanted to see how this one compares. To find out just that keep on reading!

The reason why I got interested in the brand is because it's vegan and cruelty-free, plus it's still a rather niche brand. I personally like to support niche and indie brands. The product comes in a really nice cardboard packaging which is colour coded. The liquid lipstick tube has a frosted-glass effect that is very sleek and modern looking. I personally think the packaging and overall presentation is on point. Besides being vegan and cruelty-free the Dose of Colors liquid matte lipsticks are formulated without parabens and gluten. That is why the shelf life is only 6 months before the product goes bad. 

The applicator is quite unique. It's not your traditional doe foot. It has a slight dent which allows for more precise application and control. I never mess up when using this product. It's much more user friendly compared to others I have tested. In terms of formula it doesn't disappoint. It's opaque with one swipe and doesn't dry too fast, which means you can still perfect your application if need be. As it's a matte liquid lipstick it will be drying, but it's not as drying as for instance La Splash, Sleek and Stila. I noticed that I start feeling like I want to apply lip balm when I have worn it for about 3-4 hours. I think that's pretty good for a matte lipstick. Usually with other similar products within an hour or so I start feeling like it's crusty and super drying. 

Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truffle

When it comes to longevity it performs really well. If I eat salad or something non-greasy during the day it can easily last the whole day. It doesn't wear off ugly like some matte liquid lipsticks tend to do. This can be due to the formula but also the shade. It's very close to my natural lip colour therefore you can't really see distinctively where it has worn off. In terms of shade I would describe Truffle as a darker pinky-nude. It's in the same colour family as for example Mac Velvet Teddy. Below, I have swatched it next to the Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream in Birthday Suit. They are quite similar, but Sleek's Birthday Suit is more rosy. Sleek is also a cruelty-free brand but I have been put off when I noticed that the shelf life of it's Matte Me Lip Cream in Birthday Suit is 36 months! 

L-R: Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream in Birthday Suit and Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truffle

Overall, I am very pleased with the Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truffle. In the future I would like to try other colours such as Stone and Cork, but for now I am pretty satisfied with what I have. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative of similar shade, Sleek's Birthday Suit is a good one (as long as you are not bothered by an insanely long shelf life for a liquid product).  

I hope you found this useful. Let me know if you have tried any of the Dose of Colors liquid lipsticks and what are your favourite shades!

Cheers,
Muffy

Kjaer Weis Cream Blush in Embrace

I am not a fan of cream blushes. When I think about cream blush I can't help but feel like it's messy, will slide off my face and leave a greasy residue. But recently I came across a new brand of makeup called Kjaer Weis. Her cream blushes seem to get exceptional reviews and I decided to give it a go. I picked up the lightest shade in the collection called Embrace.

Kjaer Weis cream blush in Embrace

Kjaer Weis is an organic luxury brand. Her products come in a modern yet sophisticated packaging which is refillable. I highly appreciate the brand's zero-waste packaging ideology. As I already have a few z-palettes I opted for a refill option just to see how I get along - plus it's cheaper. I do wish to get a proper compact eventually. 

Now let's talk a bit about the actual blush. It's a nude-pink colour which would look stunning on fair to light-medium skin tones. On me it looks more pink as I have a light-medium complexion but, for instance, on my friend who is paler it pulls more nude. It's made in Italy from certified organic ingredients including castor seed oil, beeswax, jojoba seed oil, rosa rubiginosa seed oil and gardenia florida fruit extract. It doesn't contain coconut oil which makes it suitable for sensitive skins prone to breakouts.  It's free from  gluten, petroleum, parabens, artificial colouring and fragrance. It has a shelf life of 12 months after opening.

Kjaer Weis cream blush in Embrace

In regards to performance I can't say enough good things about this blush. It's highly pigmented, easy to apply and lasts on my cheeks for a good 8 hours. It doesn't leave a greasy residue but rather sets to a demi-matte finish. It blends effortlessly and is foolproof. You can apply this blush with your fingers or a synthetic brush. I use the Makeup Geek Angled Stippling Brush and it gets the job done. Since this is a cream product it doubles up nicely as a lipstick. I am not a fan of such pale colours on my lips but I can totally see myself using the more darker colours from the range.

Kjaer Weis cream blush in Embrace swatch from the pan

Kjaer Weis cream blush in Embrace slightly blended

Overall I am very happy with this purchase. It has fast become my go to blush and I will keep getting a lot of use from it especially during Spring and Summer months. In Finland you can purchase Kjaer Weis products from Jolie. If you have been unsure about cream blushes, this would be a good place to start. If not for yourself I think Kjaer Weis products would make great gifts especially for someone in your life that appreciates niche brands, design and makeup. 

Let me know if you have tried any other products from the Kjaer Weis makeup range, I'd love to know!

Cheers,
Muffy

Dior Glowing Gardens Illuminating Powder in Glowing Pink

I rarely review luxury products on my blog but occasionally I do get a chance to try something out of the ordinary. I got this beauty as a gift and it's no doubt one of the standouts in my makeup arsenal. I am referring to the Dior Glowing Illuminating Powder in Glowing Pink, from the Dior's limited edition collection for Spring 2016. Since it's Dior it's pricy, very pricy. Therefore, I wanted to get this review out for those of you that have been thinking if this is worth a splurge or not.

Dior Glowing Gardens Illuminating Powder in Glowing Pink

First things first, the beautiful embossment speaks for itself, so no need to ponder too much on that. I do appreciate the fact that the product feels luxurious without weighing a ton, so it's easy to carry around in your makeup bag. Though when going on a holiday I am sure to take with me less precious pieces of makeup since if they break in transit it's not the end of the world. Just for your information these highlighters come in two shades: Glowing Pink (the one I have) and Glowing Nude. Glowing Nude is more of a golden champagne and is equally stunning, however I felt like Glowing Pink was more unique with the pinkish iridescent shift to it.

Also worth mentioning that the product comes with a mini Kabuki brush made out of white goat hair. When I went to ask about the brush the sales lady assured me that it was cruelty-free since the hairs are taken from the goat's beard which is trimmed. I just want to throw this piece of information out there, so you can draw your own conclusions. In my opinion the mini Kabuki brush is totally unnecessary as there is no way I can decently apply a highlighter with it, it's too dense and big for a precise and flawless application. 

Now let's talk a little bit about the product itself.  It's finely milled and doesn't have chunks of glitter, which is a big big plus. The texture is very soft and buttery, I would perhaps even describe it as a gel-powder. If you want your highlighter to be seen from outer space this product is not for you. This provides more of a sophisticated glow if you know what I mean. There is nothing wrong with an intense highlight but for someone with texture or mature skin that might not be the best look. I personally didn't own any highlighters until I received this one, simply because I have texture and scarring which made me stay away from anything that can potentially emphasise it. If you like you can for sure make this highlighter more "in your face" by simply building it up until the desired intensity is achieved. From my experience using this product it hasn't emphasised any texture or imperfections. I just lightly sweep it over the tops of my cheeks with the Real Techniques Setting Brush. The Dior Glowing Pink illuminator doesn't contain talc as do for instance Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors Pressed.

Dior Glowing Gardens Illuminating Powder in Glowing Pink

Would I recommend it? This is where it gets tricky. I think the product is beautiful, it does a great job at highlighting and providing a fresh glow to the cheeks. Glowing Pink is quite an interesting shade compared to your typical champagne, gold and white highlighters. That being said Dior is not cruelty-free, as it tests on animals when required by law, e.g China. If you are not concerned with that this product will deliver what it promises and you would enjoy using it time after time. However, if you are looking for a cruelty-free alternative I'd recommend checking out recently launched Hourglass Ambient Lighting Strobe Powders. Unfortunately here in Finland Hourglass is not sold so it's impossible to see for yourself what these powders are like, but reviews seem to be pretty positive. Here again remember that as with the Dior Glowing Pink illuminator these powders would give you a subtle glow, nothing crazy. 

I hope you found this review useful and it helps you decide if this is something to add to your shopping list or not. If you have any recommendations for cruelty-free subtle everyday highlighters please let me know!

Cheers,
Muffy

Urban Decay Nail Colour in Vice

Urban Decay Nail Polish in Vice

Recently I have been going through my friend's nail polish stash to see if there is anything that tickles my fancy. And I happen to spot the Urban Decay Nail Polish in Vice. As far as I know Urban Decay doesn't carry nail polishes as part of their permanent line at the moment. But lo and behold I hear that they will be bringing them back and adding to the assortment. As such I figured why not put this guy to a test and share my experiences. 

Let's start with the obvious - packaging. In my opinion it's edgy, unique and I personally really like it. In regards to the colour itself, it's a metallic purply-wine colour. I usually don't gravitate towards metallic shades simply because my nails are very textured and this type of formula tends to emphasise it. Nevertheless, I think if you like metallic, complex shades you would love this one.   

Brush Applicator of the Urban Decay Nail Polish in Vice

One of the most important decisive factors for me whether I buy a nail polish or not is the brush. Doesn't matter how phenomenal the colour is if the brush is not to my liking, I wont use it and hence makes no sense spending money on it. The Urban Decay nail polish in Vice has an elongated slim brush and that is exactly the kind of applicator I just can't work with (and you will see exactly that in my messy application in the image below). I prefer more of a shorter flatter brush which pretty much covers my nail in one or two swipes. Think about the likes of Wet n Wild MegaLast polishes, YSL, Essie (non-prof one) and Essence. I could perhaps make it work if it was a nude shade but with bold colours such as Vice which are pretty unforgiving you simply can't get away with a sloppy application.  

Urban Decay Nail Polish in Vice

In terms of longevity it's OK. It's not the most long-wearing nail polish in my collection. That being said the longevity of a nail polish depends on what top and base coat you use, if any and what you do during the day (e.g type on the computer 24/7, wash dishes, open packages etc). As such I don't think it's a fair evaluation of how good or bad a nail polish is. As with all Urban Decay products these are cruelty-free. In terms of price I would expect it to retail for around 15.00 EUR. 

My final thoughts are, if you like metallic finishes, don't mind the skinny brush and looking for cruelty-free nail colours this could be a good alternative. Otherwise I feel like there are better options out there. I do hope Urban Decay will re-introduce these nail polishes and maybe for some miraculous reason changes the brush to a more user-friendly one and comes up with more creamier shades. In that case I would be one happy customer but we shall wait and see!

I hope you found this somewhat useful and if you know of any brands that make cruelty-free nail polishes please do let me know!

Until next time,
Muffy

My Take On Contouring

All the buzz surrounding contouring and highlighting on social media is pretty overwhelming. And let me tell you never in a million years did I think that I would fall into the hype but here we are talking about contouring. Now, there are plenty of powders, creams, sticks and tools on the market that can help you achieve those modelesque cheekbones. Here are just a few of my personal favourites.

Makeup Geek Contour Powder in Infidelity and MAC Sculpting Pro Powder in Sculpt

Let's start with contour powders. My go to ones are Makeup Geek's Contour Powder in Infidelity (which is a newer addition) and MAC's Pro Powder in Sculpt. Both are great shades for mimicking a shadow, easy to use and blend like a dream (especially for those like me who are newbies in this department). In terms of colour payoff Infidelity is a sure winner and you need just a tiny bit to chisel those cheeks. It does kick-off a bit of powder when you dip your brush into the pan but that doesn't bother me (as it's super soft and is to be expected). If I compare the two MAC's Sculpt is a bit more neutral rosy-toned, while Makeup Geek's Infidelity is darker and more of an ashier cooler tone. Personally I think that Sculpt works better for my complexion, since I do have more of neutral/warmer undertones. I am thinking of picking up Makeup Geek's Bad Habit (which is described as Warm Fair) once I run out of MAC's Sculpt. 

Elf Blending Brush and Makeup Geek Angled Stippling Brush

Now let's talk about brushes. I have tried quite a few and eventually settled down on two: Elf's Blending Brush and Makeup Geek's Angled Stippling Brush. I like them for different reasons. Elf's Blending Brush is great for a smooth, everyday, barely there application. Hence I use it on a daily basis. Due to its unique shape I place it right where I want to contour and since it's so fluffy it blends out the product seamlessly. It has synthetic bristles, it's cruelty-free and vegan. If I want more of a sharper contour I opt for Makeup Geek's Angled Stippling Brush. It has an angled tip which is great for more precise application. I place it right where my cheekbones are and just push the product in. I don't blend the product out as vigorously as I would with Elf's Blending Brush. Makeup Geek's Angled Stippling Brush is also cruelty-free.

L-R: Makeup  Geek Infidelity and MAC Sculpt

These are my go to products for contouring. I am by no means a pro but for my purposes a.k.a normal everyday life, these work great. I would say that if you are on a hunt for a cruelty-free, blendable and affordable contour powder, Makeup Geek is where it's at. 

I hope you found this post useful and I would love to hear if contouring is an essential step in your everyday makeup routine or not!

Cheers,
Muffy

YSL Eyeshadow #4 Facon and A Possible Dupe

I am a sucker for neutral matte eyeshadows. In my mind there is no such thing as too many neutral matte eyeshadows. Recently I was visiting my friend who kindly let me look through her makeup stash, since she is downsizing. I could not help but notice a YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow in #4 Facon, which had to be mine based on the earlier statement. As soon as I got home I went through my collection and surprise surprise managed to find a dupe for it. To find out what it is, keep on reading!

YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow in #4 Facon and Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Barcelona Beach

Let's start with addressing the fact that the YSL single eyeshadow in #4 Facon featured here is a tester, just so you know. When you do buy this eyeshadow, it comes in a nice sleek golden packaging with a YSL logo. This particular colour can be found in the permanent YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow line, so there is no need to rush out and buy it. The shade itself can appear boring to some people but to me this is perfection. It's that ideal medium sand shade with taupe undertones which is perfect for mimicking the natural shadow of your crease. Is it a unique colour? Anything new that we haven't seen before? Of course not. But it's sophisticated, timeless and versatile. Simply something you can't go wrong with. 

YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow in #4 Facon

In terms of pigmentation it's alright. It's not the best I have tried compared to for example Urban Decay and Makeup Geek, but you can work with it. It's not patchy nor chalky, but needs building up. That could be a good thing especially for those that are intimidated by highly pigmented shadows or have a heavy hand. The texture I would describe as satin. It's not completely matte but not shimmery either and feels very smooth to the touch. Now, as with all YSL products you can expect this little guy to be pretty pricy. As such if you want a more budget alternative with an added bonus of being talc and cruelty free I suggest you take a closer look at Makeup Geek's Barcelona Beach single eyeshadow.

L-R: YSL #4 Facon and Makeup Geek Barcelona Beach

When compared side by side you can see that YSL single eyeshadow in Facon has a slight sheen, whereas Makeup Geek's Barcelona Beach is matte and a tad bit richer. However, when you put them on your eyes you can't tell the difference (but as said earlier you need to build up Facon to get the same colour payoff). 

I will continue using both eyeshadows. That being said if you are on a budget (or not) and looking for a great crease colour that has fantastic pigmentation and great ingredients I say look no further then Makeup Geek's Barcelona Beach. I think YSL makes some of the best nail polishes on the market but the single eyeshadows are yet to impress me. 

I hope you found this comparison helpful and if you have any suggestions for must-have matte crease shadows, let me know!

Until next time,
Muffy

P.S Did you know that Makeup Geek's Barcelona Beach can also double up as a contour shade for your cheeks.   

Urban Decay 1993 vs Mac Whirl

I don't know about you, but when doing my research on Mac Whirl and Urban Decay 1993 lipstick I couldn't find many comparison swatches of both colours side by side (besides of course Temptalia).  As such I figured why don't I get Mac Whirl and see how do they actually compare, and perhaps make the purchasing decision somewhat easier for some of you.

Mac Whirl and UD Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993

In terms of texture they are pretty similar, with Urban Decay 1993 being a little bit more creamier. But for a matte formula Mac Whirl is surprisingly creamy and glides effortlessly on the lips. I have a few other Mac lipsticks from the matte range, but they are slightly drier in texture. Mac Whirl has been added to the permanent line quite recently, so I assume they might have improved the formula. When it comes to pigmentation both lipsticks are extremely pigmented and don't need building up. When it comes to the shape of a lipstick bullet I actually prefer Mac's since I find it more user friendly in terms of application. Urban Decay lipsticks can be a bit tricky when you want a precise application especially with deeper colours. I use Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil in 1993 with both lipsticks and it works great.

Mac Whirl and UD Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993

Now, when looking at the colour they both fall under that brown-mauve lipstick category which is extremely on trend nowadays. At first glance I thought they were identical, but after swatching a few times and applying on my lips (1993 on the top lip and Whirl on the bottom lip) the difference was quite evident. Mac Whirl is more mauve and lighter, while Urban Decay 1993 is more brown and darker. Despite being brown I feel like 1993 translates a tad bit cooler on me (this will however depend a lot on your skin colour and undertone, I have more of a neutral/warm undertone).

Top :Urban Decay 1993, Bottom: Mac Whirl

T-B: Mac Whirl and UD 1993

Having worn both lipsticks I feel like Mac Whirl is more wearable just because it has more of that mauve, dusty rose undertone to it, so more people can get away with it. For me it's difficult to chose favourites since I am all about this type of shades and I can justify having both of them. However, if you want to get just one 90's grunge lipstick it all boils down to your ethical values and preferences. As said earlier a more flattering colour in my opinion would be Mac Whirl especially if you are of lighter complexion, however if you want to support a cruelty-free company Urban Decay 1993 would be your best pick. In terms of price they are very similar and equally hard to get, since they are sold-out all the time.

I hope this was helpful to some of you and you have a better idea of which one to get if either.

Until next time,
Muffy

P.S For those living in Helsinki, Finland and wanting to get their hands on Mac Whirl as it has been sold-out for forever at the Mac's counter in Stockmann, I got you covered. A friend of mine picked one for me at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport and I hear that there are still plenty left and let's not forget you save a few pennies as well ;). 

Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993 is a Beaut!

First things first, Happy New Year people of the internet! 2015 has been one of the hardest years for me, so I am very happy to see it go and extremely excited to welcome 2016. Let's see what this year brings. But staying on the topic of this post, let's talk a little bit about lips. Recently I picked up the Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993, which has been sold out for months! And I have to say this lipstick was worth the wait! To find out why just keep on reading.

Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993

If you have been following my blog for a while, I have previously raved about the Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks. Since then, I have added a few more shades to my collection, so the obsession is real. That being said, I think that Urban Decay Matte Revolution lipstick formula is even better, at least in my humble opinion. It's highly pigmented, glides on the lips extremely easy and lasts for a really long time. It's not a traditional matte formula that dries your lips out. It keeps them feeling velvety. Now in terms of colour selection, there is room for improvement. The range is quite limited and contains mostly bold shades. I wish they would expand it and bring out more nudes and mauves that can be worn daily. The colour that caught my eye is 1993.

Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993

This shade is extremely unique. It's not your usual brown. Call me crazy but I see slight rosy undertones and depending on your skin tone it can pull either warm or cool toned. If you like darker nudes and browns or if you want to rock a deeper lip but are afraid of reds and berries, this would be your best friend. I would also recommend not to skip on a blush if you are opting for this shade, especially if you are of fairer complexion, otherwise it can make you look slightly ghostly. As with all Urban Decay products these lipsticks are cruelty-free. You can pick these up on Feelunique (1993 is currently out of stock) and get 10% off. 

I have been wearing this lipstick non-stop since I got it. I would love to get my hands on the Backtalk shade which is exclusive to Urban Decay's website (sadly for those of us living outside USA it's impossible). Urban Decay please please make this shade permanent, so all of us beauty junkies can enjoy it!

Let me know if you have tried Matte Revolution lipstick and what are your thoughts!

Until next time,
Muffy

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Palette

Let's address the elephant in the room, I have been slacking out on content lately. Truth be told I haven't really been buying makeup. However, this was about to change when I heard that Urban Decay was collaborating with Gwen Stefani to create an eyeshadow palette! Yes, I was one of those people that were counting down the days until it would be available at the nearest Urban Decay counter. I snatched the palette as soon as it hit the counters in Finland. As such I had some time to play around with it. If you want to find out my thoughts and if it's worth picking up or not, then keep on reading!

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

Let's start from the beginning - the packaging. I am pretty sure most of you are familiar with how it looks like, so I won't be spending too much time on it here. The palette comes in a sleek cupboard packaging with a gold and white graphic print. In my opinion the outer packaging is very pleasing to the eye. I heard a lot of people complaining how they expected the actual palette to have the same pattern as the box it comes in. I personally really like the black "polkadot" design, it's sort of mod. The actual palette is pretty sturdy and magnetised.

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

Magic's In the Makeup 

It comes with 15 shadows and unlike other Urban Decay palettes (e.g Vice, Naked palettes etc) it doesn't include a brush. I don't really mind it since I have a whole arsenal of eye brushes, but wanted to point that out in case anyone is interested. I thought they did a pretty neat job incorporating a small text on the mirror at the bottom right corner which says Magic's In The Makeup. Together with the palette you also get 4 lipstick samples which I assume will be coming out later as part of the Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani collaboration. 

Now let's talk about the actual eyeshadows. There are 12 shadows that are exclusive to this palette and 3 shadows that are permanent to the Urban Decay line (Skimp, Stark and Blackout). I actually own Skimp and Stark as they come in the Naked Basics 2 palette, and funnily enough they are the two shades that I almost hit pan on. Below you can see the swatches of all the shades, but please excuse the horrible lighting (it doesn't do them justice). In Finland the sun refuses to come out during this time of the year, so I have to work with what I have.  

L-R: Blonde, Bathwater, Skimp, Steady, Punk

L-R: Baby, Anaheim, Stark, Zone, Serious

L-R: Pop, Harajuku, Danger, 1987, Blackout

When it comes to the selection of the shades, it's a pretty neutral palette. You get three pop's of colour but nothing too in your face. I know a lot of people have been saying that it's boring, it's not exciting but for me this is damn exciting! If you look at Gwen's makeup she doesn't wear dramatic, smokey eyes. She prefers to wear a statement lip. And I think this palette resembles her style and choices in makeup very well. At the end of the day she created a palette that she would use daily. This palette has a good mix of shimmers, mattes and even one glittery shade (Pop). I would say that some shimmery shades do look very similar (e.g Steady and Baby). In terms of quality they do not disappoint. These eyeshadows are creamy and blend effortlessly. Some shimmery shades do kick off a lot of powder but that happens with quite many of Urban Decay shadows.  

Are these shades unique? Something that hasn't been seen before? Something that can't be duped? No, it's not. However, if you have been thinking of getting Urban Decay Naked palettes but couldn't decide which one to get, I say get this one instead. It's not too warm or cool toned. It's a good middle ground. In terms of price, it's slightly pricier than the Naked palettes, however the packaging is much sturdier and you get 15 shades instead of 12. So, I think it's pretty good value for money.

Should you pick this up? Yes, if you are a lover of neutral shades, if you are a fan of Urban Decay or if you are starting out with makeup. And not to forget this palette would make a great gift for yourself or perhaps a makeup lover in your family.  

Hope this review was useful. Let me know what's your trusty all time favourite neutral palette!

Until next time,
Muffy

Budget Pick - Essence Lipliners

It has been a while since I posted on my blog and I decided to get back on track with a budget friendly product review. Today I will be talking about Essence Lipliners. I've had these in my collection for sometime now and they are among my top lipliners that I grab for especially if I fancy a darker lip. Let me walk you through the shades I have and why I love them so much.

Essence Lipliners

T-B: Wish Me A Rose, Satin Mauve and Soft Berry

In my current possession I have three shades: 12 Wish Me A Rose - rosy pink, 06 Satin Mauve - dark mauve nude and 05 Soft Berry -  purply mauve. My favourite out of the bunch has to be Satin Mauve just because I wear darker nudes and mauves on regular basis. It has that Kylie Jenner vibe to it, therefore if you want to be rocking the Kylie Jenner lip I suggest you pick this one up. Soft Berry is particularly great for this time of year. It goes so well with purple and berry hues. 

The formula of these lipliners is incredible. They are creamy, non-drying, easy to apply and are long-wearing. I mean what else would you want from a lipliner? I think these are hands down one of the best lip liner formulas at the drugstore (besides of course my all time favourite Rimmel Exaggerate Lipliner in Eastend Snob). My only complaint would be the colour selection. I think they should definitely extend their colour range and introduce more every day type of shades something along the lines of Mac Subculture & Mac Soar. For instance Wish Me A Rose is a tad too pink for my liking. I would have preferred it to be slightly more dusty and muted for everyday wear. Needless to say Essence is a cruelty-free brand in case, like me, you are looking for more ethical makeup alternatives. 

Wish Me A Rose, Satin Mauve and Soft Berry

L-R: Wish Me A Rose, Satin Mauve and Soft Berry

Overall I think you can't go wrong with these lipliners. If you have been unsure about lipliners and consider them as an unnecessary step in your makeup routine I say check these ones out. They will change your mind. They are creamy, glide on the lips like a dream and are extremely affordable. They will make your lip colour last for ages without making your lips feel uncomfortable. In Finland you can find Essence products including these lipliners at Tokmanni. 

Let me know if you have tried these lipliners and what is your favourite shade!

Cheers,

Muffy