Tag: Urban Decay

Getting Full Brows

Full brows have been in for several seasons in a row and I’ve happily forgotten how to achieve thin, sculpted arches. Recently, I’ve even gone so far as to just let my brows grow wild. Sure… I’ll tweet a stray hair but it has to be really rogue for me to go after it. Instead, I add fullness and make sure hairs are brushed and set. Thanks to hypothyroidism, the ends of my brows lack fullness, but powders and pencils help add natural volume. If you are like me and are going after full, natural yet tamed brows, here are my favorite brow goodies to achieve the look:

Urban Decay packed everything you need into their new Brow Box. Despite its super tiny size, Brow Box contains two shades of brow powder, setting wax, mini tweezers, two angled brushes and two mirrors (one magnified). The inky powders look natural and have great staying power despite their soft texture. The wax grips without being sticky. And so handy to have tweezers right there should you find a stray.

If you prefer a singular tool, try the NARS Brow Perfector. The waxy texture actually drys velvety matte. And the formula prevents any mistakes from a heavy hand. While it can be hard to great a dramatic look, Brow Perfector is ideal for achieve natural looking, full brows.

Shiseido Eyebrow Styling Compact offers a dark brown shade if you need/prefer a deeper shade. The duo powders can be blended for subtle coloring and shading. The included applicator is dual ended with a sharp tool (for bold looks) and a brush (for a more natural effect). The formula has great staying power but still is creamy and blendable.

The ultimate in luxury (and a fan favorite), Tom Ford Brow Sculptor has an angled, waxy calligraphy tip, included sharpener and grooming brush on the opposite end. The angled tip allows for both thin and wide strokes. The waxy consistency helps hold shape and color.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

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Favorite Fall Launches on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

I’m back on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country this morning to chat about my favorite launches for fall. Representing my favorite brands, these new products mark great technological advances, delicious scents and the best formulations. So tune in if you are in the area at 10AM (if not, I’ll post the clip later this week) and catch the roundup here:

Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder is part of a skin collection that reflects weightless, undetectable coverage. This powder achieves that luminous but still semi-matte finish that is on trend for fall. Optical blurring pigments perfects skin with natural looking coverage. The effect is perfect for pictures (or television appearances!).

One of America’s most esteemed, Avon, just got a little revamp. And their makeup is better than ever. This summer, they launched the revolutionary Mega Effects Mascara. The ergonomic design with swiveling handle gives complete coverage of lash-lengthening, inky pigment. Another standout, the True Color Eyeshadow Quads, are packed of vibrant but wearable pigment. The creamy powder is luxurious and ultra-blendable. I love Metal Eyes and Purple Haze.

If you just can’t let go of that summer glow, pick up Caudalíe Divine Leg Tinted Body Lotion. I fell for this scent with the launch of Divine Oil, and this part of the collection gives the perfect subtle bronze. The lotion also nourishes and moisturizes skin and doesn’t budge or transfer.

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum is helping me atone for my summer skin sins. After loads of days out by the pool, my hyperpigmentation was really acting up. This serum promised to work in just one week. And it delivered. Hydroquinone and glycolic acid team up to jump start progress towards more even skin.

Unlike any other powder foundations, Laura Mercier ‘Smooth Finish’ Foundation Powder manages to be luminous and hydrate my dry skin. The formula glides on without settling in fine lines or giving an overly matte finish. The formula can be used dry for sheer to medium coverage or wet for medium to full coverage.

NEW Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick

Feeling a little bit sassy at this year’s NYFW, I chose quite the sassy lip to rock over the weekend: Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in 69. And in the meantime I’ve also fallen hard for F-Bomb. But this lipstick isn’t all about naughty names. It is about a stellar formula that makes wearing these deep shades a cinch even with my dry lips.

69 (top) and F-Bomb (bottom)

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick is a version of that buttery, creamy lipstick we are seeing on counters. But Urban Decay really does it right with glide-on smoothness and intense color payoff thanks to Urban Decay’s Pigment Dispersion System™. The finish is shiny and opaque with just one layer. It plays so well with my drier lips thanks to jojoba oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter and shea butter. While it is available in 20 shades from nude to deep berry, may I suggest one of these reds above for a fall pop. Check out all the shades here:

Available at Sephora, Macy’s, Ulta and Beauty.com.

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in 69

Three years ago, when I started this blog, I was terrified of color on my lips. Honestly, it still isn’t my first instinct when it comes to dressing my pout for the day or evening. But after what felt like two weeks in NYC (it was five days of pure, non-stop inspiration and fun), I was looking a little haggard. And I turned to something artists always told me would “wake up my face”.

So, a little background on why I find red or bold lips hard: I have dry dry skin (as confirmed at the Mario Badescu Salon this week in NYC – more on that later). So, lipsticks can often look flaky on me. Probably why I love these nude glosses from today’s earlier post here.

But the reason I was willing to give this version from Urban Decay a whirl was their promised creamy texture that still provided a massive color payoff. Leave it to Urban Decay to get pigment right. The rich and buttery formula just slid on my lips like a balm, but I walked away with some seriously red lips with a pink undertone. Not to mention, I was able to answer with a naughty “Urban Decay 69” when so many people asked me what shade I was wearing. And I can vouch that despite the dark circles, dry skin and yawns… I didn’t hear once that I looked tired.

But the good news for those who don’t want to go quite that bold… this formula comes in a whopping 20 shades for all tastes. So how does Urban Decay work this magic? They use a proprietary “Maxi-Lip” that hydrates and plumps. While jojoba oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter and shea butter keep lips moisturized.

And in typical Urban Decay fashion, their weighty and luxe packaging comes through in a heavy gunmetal tube that is almost as sexy putting on as it is pulling it out of your clutch.

Available at Sephora and urbandecay.com.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 20

My love runs oh so deep for Urban Decay NAKED Foundation. When they came out with their inevitable Beauty Balm I had to try it, with high hopes it would be as fabulous as the NAKED Foundation. Is it? Yes… and no. I have absolutely zero bad things to say about the Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm – it is just that I am using it differently than I expected.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 20 is true to its name with lots of antiaging ingredients. And the SPF is a good effort. I’m okay with SPF 20 in the winter months as long as you are largely indoors. Where this stuff shines is the lightweight, oil-free texture that has a luminescent, dreamy finish. The universal shade works well on my light-medium complexion and I think it will fit a fairly large portion of the shade range just because it is so darn sheer. The tint in the formula isn’t for coverage – it actually diffuses light with high-tech pigments to even and minimize pores, lines and redness.

The balm has a slight minty scent which I adore and packs a hydration punch. Again, I get very very sheer coverage with this. Because, right now, I prefer a little more help in the coverage department, I have used this under other BB Creams and foundations. As a primer, Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm gives a perfect, silky canvas for foundation. This will also remain in the rotation because it contains Pepha®-Protect to help inhibit DNA damage while Vitasource™ and Glyage® firm skin and improve elasticity. Down the road, I can envision wearing this on vacation, coverage be damned. I also highly recommend this for anyone who prefers very light, sheer coverage. Those with oily skin will love the oil-free properties.

I’ve been applying with Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush. I’m falling all of myself with praise for this brush. It has transformed the way I apply foundation, primers and BB Creams. You press the product into your skin for even, natural coverage.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Matte Eyeshadow Palettes: Urban Decay BASICS and Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage

I must have a thing for matte shadows lately. Somehow these similar palettes have snuck onto my vanity and I can’t stop reaching for them. Both have their pros and both have their cons. But each is such a universal and wearable set, that they are both winners in my book. Here is the rundown:

Total amount of product: Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage ($75) .35 ounces vs Urban Decay BASICS ($27) .30 ounces
Range of shades: both cover a spectrum but Urban Decay BASICS has more options
Blendability: Tom Ford takes the cake here – the shadows go on with even color and blend beautifully
Formula: I prefer the slightly creamer powder of the Urban Decay BASICS and both have outstanding staying powder with no fall out
Packaging: Tom Ford comes with applicators but I find those worthless anyway – Tom Ford still wins with a beautifully made palette
Exclusivity and “Cool Factor”: Tie – Tom Ford gets credit for being an iconic brand and Urban Decay wins for being such an iconic product (and probably brand in my humble option too)
Travel: Both are slim and nimble for lots of looks, but the Urban Decay BASICS has Crave (black at far right) which can be used as an eyeliner and W.O.S. (third from left) which can be used to set concealer

Hope you guys enjoyed this face off. Bottom line, Urban Decay BASICS wins. The smooth, satin formula, range of shades and price point make it a a classic. But frankly, I love having them both.

I purchased both of these products: Tom Ford from Neiman Marcus and Urban Decay from Sephora.