Urban Decay Naked On The Run | Review & Swatches

Dare I say that this is the best palette release of 2014? There are definitely a few contenders for the top spot and this one is well up there. I was positively giddy when I saw this for the first time because it is the only palette I have seen so far that actually has a good selection of products in it. Urban Decay already do something similar with their Face Cases but the sole reason I didn't buy one of those was that there was no mascara! Let's take a look.

Firstly, the case itself is absolutely beautiful! I'm not really sure how to describe the pattern but it's kind of like feathers and suitably framed with a bronzey rose gold. 

The inside is laid out really well and I love the selection of products. This palette includes a sample size of the Perversion mascara, a sample size of the 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Stag, a full size Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss in Sesso, 6 Eyeshadows, a bronzer and a blush.

First up is the Perversion mascara and I have to say that this is one of the smoothest formulas I have ever encountered. I was pleased that they didn't go with a plastic bristle brush because I seem to get along with fibre bristles better. The fomula is also non-clump on me despite looking a little chunky on the wand. The colour is really nice and black and it pretty much does everything I want it to. 

Next up is the 24/7 Glide On Eyeliner in Stag. It was quite a nice move of UD to veer away from black eyeliners and go with something a little more neutral. This is a very deep brown with light amount of shimmer but not enough to be too much. Again the formula is nice and smooth and I find it really easy to take a liner brush to and blend out.

I already own one of these glosses so I was happy to see that they had included one of these in the palette, let alone a full size version. This does appear to be an exclusive shade for the palette which on one hand I think 'great, at least I don't have that shade' but on the other hand 'Shame, because if I like it then I can't buy it separately when it runs out'. I think in time UD should make this shade available separately. The formula is quite smooth and does feel really pleasant on the lips, it's not massively sticky so it isn't irritating and the glitter isn't so chunky that it starts to scratch as the gloss wears off.  

On to the powder products. Now they have listed that there are six eyeshadows in this palette. Personally I only count five and the other being more of a highlight shade. 

These shades are completely new and exclusive to this palette which I like because I probably wouldn't have bought it if it had repeats from the Naked palettes. 

From left to right:

Dive - Metallic rose with bronze shimmer

Fix - Matte, neutral, medium brown

Resist - Metallic medium brown with bronze shimmer

Dare - Matte, deep, chocolately brown

Stun - Metallic deep brown with bronze shimmer

All of the shades are super blendable and are really flattering. I tend to use the fluffy Smashbox brush that comes with the Full Exposure palette, generally this is just an amazing brush for an effortless look.

I was probably most intimidated by this portion of the palette. I'm not one to use a lot of bronzers and this seemed fairly deep/orangey in the pan but when I actually applied it with a brush I found that this is a lovely bronzer to us, the formula super blendable and not at all orangey. 

The blush is also fairly bright and you will need a super light hand with this as there is a high risk of looking like a clown. I do think that once mastering the application the colour is really flattering and would be on a variety of skin tones.

I was also amazed by the highlighter/ eyeshadow shade. You may recall the Urban Decay brought out the Naked Illuminated highlighter a while ago and to be honest, it's not the sort of highlighter I go for given that it was essentially a block of glitter. This one, however, reminded me more of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders as it's really finely milled powder and you can apply as much as you like without looking like a shiny mess.


I am absolutely in love with this palette and I think it is a genuinely good investment for any make up over.

Have you tried this palette yet? What are your thoughts on it?

Speak soon
Roo xx 

12 Favourites of 2014 Part 2!

Welcome back to the second half of my 12 favourites post. I'm really excited to show you the rest of the products I have selected because I think they are some truly great items that every make up lover needs to add to their collection. 

BOBBI BROWN CORRECTOR

I am very new to Bobbi Brown given that this is the first thing I have tried by her. Christmas shopping was happening and I got sidetracked and decided to treat myself (oops haha!). I was instantly impressed by this because of the colour, I use Porcelain Bisque and I swear this is identical to my natural skin colour and it's the closest I have ever gotten. The consistency is really nice and smooth and very easy to blend. I typically use this under the eye area to brighten and make me look a lot more awake but I have also started using this down the bridge of the nose to reduce the redness I have there. I am really excited to try more Bobbi Brown in 2015.

COLLECTION EXTREME 24 HR LINER

You literally cannot go wrong with this eyeliner. Collection have been coming out with some absolutely amazing products over the past few years and though they are a cheaper brand they are definitely something that everyone, regardless of budget, should take a look at. This eyeliner is one of the most pigmented and easiest to work with. Whilst this isn't waterproof it will last really well but is also super easy to remove. Truth be told, this is better than some high end liquid liners that I have tried.

LANCOME GRANDIOSE MASCARA 

I am a long term lover of Lacome mascaras, I think they have just got the most amazing formula and the general packaging design is flawless. So far I have not come across a Lancome mascara that is just purely gimmick which is great because it feels like they really put a lot of effort into developing new mascaras. I was a little concerned about trying this because typically I don't like plastic wands - they just don't seem to separate my lashes enough. I was totally wrong though, this is one of the best mascaras I have ever used, the brush itself was totally fine and as for the swan neck wand it was one of the most revolutionary things I have used in quite some time. I feels like instinct when using this so I was just able to turn the brush and get every lash without smudging mascara on my nose or eyelids haha. I seriously recommend trying this because I was really pleasantly surprised by this and I just think it's worth the money. 

SMASHBOX FULL EXPOSURE PALETTE

I feel like I'm neutral palette crazy which is why this was a totally necessary addition to my collection. I wasn't familiar with Smashbox eyeshadows before trying this but they are honestly some of the best shadows I have ever tried. They are really nice and smooth and also very richly pigmented. Something I especially like about them is that I experience absolutely no fallout with them, even with that matte black shadow. The brush that comes with it is also pretty amazing. I don't really use the 'shimmer' side but the 'matte' fluffy blender brush is really amazing and makes apply eyeshadow so effortless. You get 14 shadows which work out at £2.50 a piece which I think is great value for money.

URBAN DECAY NAKED 3 PALETTE

 (Mean Girls phone case!)

I love the palette. I freaking LOVE this palette. Urban Decay have the best shadows, no competition. I have fallen head over heels for this rose toned neutral palette, I think specifically this palette compliments pale skin like mine amazingly. The pinky white matte shade 'Strange' is perfect as an all over lid colour for me, it matches my skin tone and makes blending other shadows out so much easier. I really love the almost black shade 'Blackheart' because it is just so unique, it's not quite black but scattered throughout is some beautiful red micro glitter. I really recommend investing in any of the Naked palettes but this one is perfect if you like to keep it looking natural but are a little tired of the typical brown neutrals.

JERGENS BB BODY PERFECTING SKIN CREAM

Another recommendation by glamlifeguru, seriously find her on YouTube if you are not familiar with her then just subscribe because you won't regret it. I have't really bought into the whole BB concept and this is the first kind that I have tried. I'm not very good with keeping up with a moisturising routine but there is something just so enjoyable about using this. It smooths over my skin really nicely and it sinks into the skin beautifully, the main reason I love this is because it evens out skin tone and also reduces the appearance of blemishes on the skin which makes me feel so confident. I on't think this is available in the UK but if you are lucky enough to find this then you should grab it whilst you have the chance.

So that brings my 2014 favourites to a close. I really hope you have enjoyed it and I can't wait to find more new and exciting products this year! 

Speak soon

Roo xx

12 Favourites of 2014!

I've been a bit lacking in my blog over the last few months and I didn't really bother getting back to it until the new year because it feels like a fresh start.

Also, as there was a lack of November favourites I feel like I need to compensate a little and give you a run down of my favourites over the course of 2014. To be honest I was going to doing this post regardless.

I wasn't really sure how to do this but I have managed to narrow down a definite list of my 12 favourite products of the year. I've split this into 2 parts so I can give you a decent run down of all the products :) Lets begin.



HOURGLASS AMBIENT LIGHTING PALETTE

(Pink fuzzy dressing gown alert!)

I had been after this palette for such a long time and I've waffled on about it a lot so I wouldn't be surprised if you're sick of hearing about it. This palette was in my sights because I had heard about the Hourglass Ambient Lighting powders and how much everyone loves them because they give a really subtle glow without making you look like a total disco ball. I stumbled across the palette shortly after but only to discover that it had been discontinued (heartbroken!), fortunately they re-released it and I was able to get my hands on it. Suffice to say, if you don't mind investing a little extra in a good quality product then this one is definitely one to have a think about.



COTY AIRSPUN LOOSE FACE POWDER

I first saw this when Tati (Glamlifeguru) on YouTube talked about some of her holy grail products. I picked this up whilst I was in New York because I really wanted to try some American drugstore products that weren't available to me here in the UK. I was very much a pan powder sort of girl until trying this, It has such a nice soft consistency and stops my make up from moving without making it look cakey. This does have quite a heavy scent which I wasn't really expecting but I definitely got used to it. I believe these do come in a variety of shades but I opted for translucent to keep things simple. It's a relatively inexpensive product and for the amount I use it I think you really do get a lot of product and the most out of your money.



MAC ANGEL LIPSTICK

MAC lipsticks are long term loves of beauty obsessives everywhere and it's no surprise that I would have included one in my list. I wasn't really expecting to like this very much as the finish is a Frost and that's not typically something I would ever go for, I usually like a lipstick to come with a high amount of colour but this gives such a lovely, even, your lips but better sort of finish. I was so pleasantly surprised by this and it's really great for days when I just want something a bit more natural but still polished. 

URBAN DECAY PRIMER POTION

Hands down, this is the best eye primer I have ever used. I know this is such a cult classic and I needn't really say too much about it. I had a sample size going for a while but then I finally decided to pay out for a full tube. This is a serious no budge product and it will help your eye make up to look flawless all day long!



MAC PRO LONGWEAR CONCEALER

My friend Catherine had been raving about this product for a while and I had made the commitment that after I had finished all my other concealers that I would give this a go. It did take some time because I had a fair few on the go but it was seriously worth the wait. I have this in the shade NC15 which is just about light enough for me, I was given to understand (by a counter assistant) that they used to carry NC10 but that could just be urban legend, I'm not sure. This gives such a flawless finish without being heavy, I tend to apply this with a damp beauty blender when I want a full coverage and with a dry brush when I'm after something a bit more natural. Though there are cheaper products that will give you a similar amount of coverage I feel like this is a lot lighter and better wearing.



BITE BEAUTY AGAVE LIP MASK

Another recommendation by glamlifeguru haha, she knows what she's talking about! I have a feeling that this may be a bit of a Marmite product in the fact that if you don't like sticky products on your lips then I really don't think that this will be up your street. This is an excellent highly intensive lip treatment that I feel is a must have for anyone whose lips need a little tlc. It is a fairly thick consistency and I do recommend warming the tube up to body temperature before using it to make the application smoother. It helps to hydrate and protect your lips as this stuff will not move for hours! Also, bonus point, if you are quite concious of the products that go into your beauty products then you will love Bite Beauty as all of their products are made with food grade ingredients. It is a little on the spendy side but it lasts a long time and I really think you get good quality for your money.



So that is the end of part 1, I didn't really want to overload you with information so I hope this has been a nice little post to enjoy with a cuppa :) Stay tuned as tomorrow I will be posting part 2 tomorrow!

I hope you are all keeping well and I will speak soon,
Roo xx