Urban Decay Naked Foundation First Impressions.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation ($38) is a newer foundation by Urban Decay that is described as being "light as air", with coverage that's buildable but ultimately making you look like you're wearing nothing at all.

"Naked Skin uses light-diffusing spheres to "blur" imperfections for a luminous, demi-matte finish that feels invisible but looks professionally retouched. Naked Skin is oil-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, and loaded with nourishing ingredients. "

Naked Skin is available in (18) shades: 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0. Shades ending in .5 are cool toned, and shades ending in .0 are warm toned.

4.0 seems to be a really good match for my warm NC30-35 skintone. I could probably go one shade up if I'm really tan, as 4.0 is better geared for NC30.

From left to right: 2.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 8.0.

This foundation is often compared to Make Up Forever HD Foundation, and with MUFE HD being one of my favorite foundations, I was really curious to try Naked Skin. 

Although the sample I have doesn't have an adequate amount of foundation to properly test the foundation, I was able to gather some thoughts and decide whether it's a foundation I'd purchase or not.

First off, the consistency is very thin and velvety. It has a watery, silicone consistency (had I known this prior, I probably wouldn't have been curious to try it).

After blending a small amount of product on my face, the product almost played a magic trick - once it was completely blended, it looked like nothing was there. After examining the side of my face without foundation, I noticed that the foundation softened the appearance of my pores and gave a little color to my skin. I didn't notice much, if any coverage, but the side with foundation did look slightly better. With another coat of foundation, flaws were concealed a bit better, but still visible. Redness and any discolorations are evened out, pores are softened and my skin has a velvety matte finish. It feels completely weightless on my skin.

Sneak Peak MAC Strength Collection for Spring 2013!

MAC Strength Collection for Spring 2013

Some of you may have heard about this collection that's soon to come to MAC counters, but I thought it looked like a pretty interesting collection, so I thought I'd share!

"I am woman: fearless, elegant, strong. We love women who strike powerful poses, stand out, redefine the notion of beauty – and do it with an inner/outer strength that`s irresistible and impossible to ignore. Colour is a vehicle for women to flex their femininity and MAC`s new collection reflects this state of mind and style. It starts with dramatic eyes defined by two Eye Shadow Quads that sculpt and highlight, precision Penultimate Eye Liner and extra-volumizing Opulash. Lips pump up with vivid colour to project power while Powder Blush in natural tones softly chisels cheeks. And, nailing it for overall presentation, MAC`s high-gloss Nail Lacquer."

Lipstick – Limited Edition

• Party Parrot – Bright red pink (Matte)
• Pink Pigeon – Bright cleanest pink (Matte)
• Strong Woman – Bright violet (Matte)
• Absolute Power – Rich red (Matte)
• Firm Form – Gilded black with gold pearlized pigments (Matte)

Lip Pencil – Limited Edition

• Embrace Me – Vivid pinkish fuchsia
• Lasting Sensation – Bright coral

All Woman Eye Shadow x4 – Limited Edition

• Flawless Figure – Pale warm shimmering white (Veluxe Pearl)
• Brains & Brawn – Mid-tone taupe (Matte)
• All Woman – Greenish dark grey (Satin)
• Black Magique – Deep dark black with warm tones (Velvet)

Inner Strength Eye Shadow x4 – Limited Edition

• Lithe Spirit – Palest white pink (Satin)
• Inner Strength – Light cool mauve taupe (Matte)
• Fabulous Fit – Mid-tone cool grey (Matte)
• Heatherbelles – Deep charcoal (Satin)

Powder Blush – Limited Edition

• Taupe Shape – Satiny taupe
• Poised – Muted pinkish brown

Penultimate Eye Liner

• Rapidblack – True black

Kohl Power Eye Pencil

• Feline – Rich black

Technakohl Liner

• Graphblack – Rich graphic black

Mascara

• Opulash – Black

Nail Lacquer – Limited Edition

• Muscle Tone – Pale neutral nude (Cream)
• Triumphant – Mid-tone cool brown (Cream)

Brushes

• 168 Brush – Large Angled Contour Brush (Natural Fibre)
• 275 Brush – Medium Angled Shading Brush (Natural Fibre)

Launch Date: I've read lots of rumors about this collection - some have said it will launch at the end of December/Early January, and there has been speculation that it will be sold exclusively in-store. I asked a MAC representative in the Live Chat, and they confirmed it will be available in-store and online. Still though, I don't know if it's 100% accurate. I guess we'll have to wait and see!

(screenshot of Live Chat)

Source: From my lovely friends on Specktra.

MAC Taste Temptation Collection Now Online!

MAC Taste Temptation Collection Now Online

"A seductive style surfaces after-hours, drawing in an exotic panorama of pleasure-seeking, night-blooming violets. M∙A∙C captures this world in an elegant colour collection of deep purples, plums and amethysts."

The standout pieces from this collection are Mattene Lipsticks ($15) which are intensely pigmented and creamy lipsticks with a matte finish. Temptalia graded the shade Night Blooming an A, so I'd be curious to see how they hold up on the lips. It's always nice to find a good formula of lipstick with a matte finish because matte finished tend to be drying.

The Eyeshadow Palette ($40) is a miss, and the Powder Blushes ($20) and Tinted Lipglass ($15) just look okay.

There's nothing I found really unique, so I most likely won't be purchasing anything. All of the shades in this collection are very cool-toned (pinks, purples and blues) so it's nothing that great for my coloring.

Will you be purchasing anything? Everything is currently in-stock online. The collection will hit stores on the 13th.

Shop the Taste Temptation Collection by Clicking Here.

In other news, Too Faced is on Hautelook today, they have lots of eyeshadow duos in stock for $8 each if anyone is interested!

Also updated the latest drugstore makeup sales on my Makeup Sales and Coupon Codes tab. I apologize that it hasn't been updated all week - the Holiday season gets so hectic!

There's a new poll on the right side-bar as well, check it out!

Julep Maven December 2012 American Beauty Box!

Julep Maven American Beauty Box

The holiday season is all about shimmer, sequins, glitter and rocking dark, sultry shades. Although I love to wear glitter all year round, I especially like to have festive nails during the holidays.

Apparently Julep received the memo and came up with a gorgeous selection of glitter polishes for December's Julep Maven Box.

Although I seriously love every single shade in this collection, I went with the American Beauty box.

What's inside the box:

• Julep Instant Warming Foot Scrub (Full size - $22 value): This cucumber mint scented scrub warms up on contact like magic. Packed with natural pumice to exfoliate, chili pepper oil to stimulate circulation, and vitamin E to nourish. Can't wait to try this! 
• Juelp Julia Nail Color (Full size - $14 value): Purple orchid with golden micro-glitter metallic. The base is a sheer purple packed with a golden shimmer that looks different in all angles. This color is so gorgeous and unique. 
• Julep Patti Nail Color (Full size - $14 value): (full coverage black multi-dimensional glitter) The base is a black shimmery jelly combined like larger chunks of silver glitter. A super pretty edgy color that is so me.
• Create-your-own Cabochon Ring (see in the photos below!)

* I also received a peppermint candy. :)