Urban Decay Vice Eyeshadow Palette Launching Soon!

Urban Decay Vice Palette for Fall 2012

Urban Decay launches the Vice Palette ($59) for fall—an insanely gorgeous new palette that’s ALL about eyeshadow. All twenty new shades (yes, twenty!) were created exclusively for the palette—you’ve never seen these colors before. With a range of mattes, shimmers, satins, neutrals and brights, there’s something for everyone.

It all comes housed in a sleek purple soft-touch case topped with a sparkling jeweled UD icon. The sophisticated case boasts a large mirror and a double-ended Good Karma Shadow and Crease Brush (a current customer favorite)! We even borrowed motion-control technology from the automotive industry--with the push of a button, the slow-opening lid dramatically unveils all 20 shades, seducing the eye with anticipation.

Every eyeshadow contains Urban Decay’s brand new Pigment Infusion System™, the proprietary blend of ingredients that gives every shade its velvety texture, rich color, serious staying power, and blendability.

The Vice Palette Collection includes:
Desperation – Taupe brown w/ satin finish
Muse – Deep sepia brown w/ multidimensional sparkle finish
Jagged – Metallic black gold w/ shimmer finish
Blitz – Metallic yellow gold w/ shimmer finish
Penny Lane – Metallic peachy bronze pearl w/ golden shimmer finish
Junkie – Dark green/blue pearl w/ golden shimmer
Chaos – Bright blue matte
Occupy – Metallic steel grey w/ multidimensional sparkle and shimmer finish
Unhinged – Metallic electric turquoise w/ shimmer finish
Black Market – Jet black satin
Provocateur – Light metallic mauve w/ multidimensional sparkle and shimmer finish
Rapture – Dark greyish purple w/ multidimensional shimmer finish
Vice – Deep eggplant purple w/ shimmer finish
Noise – Electric punch pink w/ gold sparkle and shimmer finish
Armor – Metallic dove grey w/ silver micro-glitter shimmer finish
Nevermind – Metallic cork w/ shimmer finish
Echo Beach – Pale wheat w/ shimmer finish
Anonymous – Opaque almond w/ matte finish
Free Bird – Pink champagne w/ silver micro-sparkle shimmer finish
Laced – Opaque pinky taupe w/ matte finish

A double-ended Shadow and Crease Brush is also included.

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The Vice Palette ($59) will be available on 9/15 online at urbandecay.com, and on 9/27 at Sephora, ULTA and select Macy’s stores. It will also be available for purchase online at Sephora.com, ulta.com, macys.com and beauty.com.

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Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascara Review!

Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascara

Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascara ($23) is an ultra-pigmented mascara that delivers curl, volume, length and intense-pigment for some seriously bold lashes.

Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascara is available in (5) shades: Rich Black, Deep Brown, Dark Blue, Plum and Green.

It's not too often that I'll venture out into pricey mascaras. Considering a tube of mascara only lasts me a month, it's not something I really want to continuously replace - unless there is a mascara that magically transforms my lashes into drag queen lashes, I'm content with my $5 drugstore mascara. Anyways.

I've always wanted to know what the big fuss is with MUFE Smoky Lash, so I got a hold of a sample recently to try it out.

I really like the brush on Smoky Lash. It's a pretty traditional large, fluffy brush - that isn't too large or awkward, reaches my smaller corner lashes, and doesn't get all over my eyelids.

Often times when a mascara claims to provide both intense volume and length, the formula can tend to be clumpy. Make Up Forever Smoky Lash on the other hand seems to define/separate my lashes incredibly well. No matter how many coats I apply, I don't experience any clumping. Lash comb? Who needs one.

My eyelashes before and after (two coats)

MAC Bombshell Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Bombshell Lipstick

MAC Bombshell Lipstick ($15) is a soft rosy pink with pink and golden shimmer. It's a frost formula lipstick, so if you don't like frost, this might not be a lipstick for you - but for reference, I can tolerate many of MAC's Frost Lipsticks as the actual formula is nice and they don't tend to be overly frosty.

The lipstick is smooth (non-gritty and dry like many frost lipsticks) and applies just as silky as any of their other formulas. It has a satin finish, but if it was a bit more glossy I'd love this lipstick so much more. I think it has a tendency to sometimes looks a little dull on my lips, but it's nothing a little gloss doesn't fix. I've read that it looks great when layered with MAC Nymphette Lipglass, although I just grab any similar pink gloss and it always looks nice.

I notice that when I'm tanner (NC35), it looks more cool toned on my lips, and when I'm lighter (NC25), it looks a bit more rosy. I think Pink Icing would've been an appropriate name, because that's almost what it looks like on my lips.

It's a fabulous shade for every-day, and if you're in the market for a frosty pink that doesn't make you look like a porn-star, check out MAC Bombshell.

MAC Bombshell Lipstick on my lips (around NC30 skin tone)

Get the Most Out of Your Tube of Mascara!

Mascara can be expensive. Especially since it's a product that needs to be replaced often. If you're like me and go through a tube of mascara within three weeks (because you like to apply so many layers, of course) and want to extend the life of your dried out tube before purchasing a new one, try these awesome tricks — maybe some of you know them too!

• Run your mascara wand under hot water until the wand runs clean. Then, dip the wet mascara wand back in the tube, rubbing it against the inside walls of the tube. The heat and water will soften the product in the tube, making your mascara apply just like new!

• Fill a coffee mug up with water, and place the mug in the microwave for a minute or so. Remove the mug from the microwave and place your tube of mascara in the water. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to warm the product up. The heat will soften the product, loosening the product from the walls of the tube. When remove the wand, your mascara should look wet, as if it was new! Application will be less dry and flaky.

If your mascara is older than two-three months, you don't want to risk an eye infection, so toss the tube, but make sure to save the wand! I typically toss my mascara after one month since I have pretty sensitive eyes.

When your mascara is beyond saving, rinse the wand completely with warm water and soap, and lay it to dry. You now have a new eyelash comb/separator or eyebrow brush.

A spoolie (mascara wand) is a must in my makeup bag, as it's a tool I use every day, so having a few of them lying around doesn't hurt!

Uses for your Wand

Keeping Baby Hairs/Hairline/Sideburns in place - Spray your favorite firm-hold hairspray (over the sink, so you won't create a mess) on the brush end of the wand and use the brush to comb those little baby hairs in place. I have unruly sideburns, and when I do this simple little trick, my hair looks so much more clean and put together.

Budge-Proof Brows - The hairspray trick also works perfectly for keeping unruly eyebrows in place. Just be sure not to apply too much, or they may feel too stiff, depending on the hairspray you use.

A Subtle Brow Tint - This is a trick that works great for those with fine/light colored brows, or those who want to add a bit of color to their brows without filling them in. Roll the wand through a matte brown eyeshadow that flatters your brows until the bristles are coated, and lightly brush them through the brows. You might experience a little fall out, so I like doing this before my foundation. (see photo below)

A Lash Conditioner - Next time you're at the store, hunt down a bottle of Unrefined/Cold Pressed Castor Oil. It works great as a lash/brow conditioner. Pour a little castor oil in a travel container (you don't want to contaminate the bottle) and dip a clean mascara wand into the oil. Lightly sweep it across your brows and eyelashes at night, and you will notice quicker growth and stronger lashes and brows. I've done this and it works!

Separating the Lashes - Although a brow comb works wonders for separating clumpy lashes, a clean spoolie works great too! Sometimes a comb can actually remove mascara off the lashes, so say goodbye to the extra milometer of length your lengthening mascara gave you. I notice when using a clean mascara wand, it seems to disturb my mascara less, while helping separate clumps and pick up excess mascara.

A Replacement Wand - Do you have any mascaras where you loathe the wand? Save your favorite mascara wand and use it with any mascara you want for better results.

Do you have any helpful tips you'd like to share? Let me know in the comments!

Image Credits: Mascara Wands (Publishers Vault).