Urban Decay: Naked 3 Palette

So I'm sure you have heard by now that Urban Decay will be releasing the Naked Palette 3 this month. Oh Urban Decay why do you do this to us?!

*Picture taken from Urban Decay's FB page*

The palette features more pinks and browns compared to the other 2 palettes and is described as featuring 12 new rose-hued shades. The concept kind of reminds me of the LORAC Unzipped palette but less matte shades and more shimmer. For an in depth review of the Naked 3 palette and swatches, head over to Temptalia where she has posted very detailed photos and descriptions of each shade.

Just like when the Naked 2 was released, I find myself wondering if I need this palette. The rational side of me says no. Not because the shades aren't beautiful, but I have so much eyeshadow, I barely touch my Naked 1 or 2. However, the make up hoarder inside me is screaming "Yes! You need this!"

Decisions, decisions….

Will you be purchasing this when it gets released?

*Some direct links provided via ShopSense*

Summer Beauty Essentials & Tips

Already midway through summer here in Cali and I can't believe it! Seriously, where does the time go?!

This post was suppose to go up right after the July 4th weekend, but here we are...July 17th, whoops.

Over the July 4th holiday weekend I went hiking, to the beach, wine tasting, rafting, and tried to keep cool in the ridiculous heat (if that counts as an activity). I know us Californians are known to be somewhat of weather snobs...complaining at temperatures that are laughable to other states and countries, but it's home, and anything over 80 degrees is hot in my opinion. (don't judge)

Over the 5 day weekend, I brought along some products that proved to be great for the warmer weather and being in water.

Oz: The Great and Powerful Inspired Look

In honor of the movie Oz: The Great and Powerful coming out tomorrow, I thought I'd bust out my Urban Decay Theodora palette and do an eye look. I'm so excited to see the movie, I hope it doesn't disappoint!

Colors Used:

Brow Highlight: Broken

Above the crease: Beware

In the crease: West

Lid and lower lash line: Jealous (darker green side)

Outer Corner: Spell (Black shadow)

Lips: UD Super Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Theodora 

*You can find my initial review of the palette here: Urban Decay Theodora Palette

Other products used:

Foundation: Revlon Colorstay in 330 Natural Tan

Powder: Sephora Microsmooth face powder in 30-Medium

Blush: Benefit Dallas

Eyeliner: MAC fluidline in Blacktrack.
Water Line: Too Faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Perfect Black

Brows: Benefit Brow Zings 

False Lashes: Ardell Wispies

Mascara: L'OREAL Telescopic Shocking Extensions


*Bonus: Oz inspired nails!

How fitting that pantone named Emerald as the color for 2013 and Oz comes out in 2013...(hello, Emerald City...get it?!) Anyway, I love this green glitter polish I found at Walmart for under $2. The color is I'll Behave by Pure Ice (which is like an exact dupe of OPI's Fresh Frog of Bel Air). I decided to pair it with black polish just to give it some contrast but the polish also looks great on its own.

Urban Decay Oz Palette: Theodora

Who's a sucker for anything in collab with Disney say guilty...GUILTY!!! 

When I heard Urban Decay was coming out with some new palettes inspired by the OZ movie coming out, I jumped right on it. I saw some sneak peeks of the two palettes and instantly knew Theodora was the one for me. I thought the colors in the Glinda palette were beautiful but I knew I wouldn't use them as often. With Theodora you can go from a day to night look really easily and I felt the colors were more suited for my skin tone. 

This palette goes for  $49 which you can buy here at Sephora. This palette is also sold at Ulta and of course, on the Urban Decay website. The palette holds 6 shadows which can be popped out and replaced with other single eyeshadows that Urban Decay sells (new formula shadows now pop easily out of their packaging so you can build your own palette). An empty 6 pan, build your own palette from Urban Decay retails for $18 so it is nice that this packaging can be reused as you finish each shadow. The palette also comes with a 27/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Black and a Super-Saturated High-Gloss Lip Color in Theodora.

The quality of these shadows are superb! Urban Decay rarely ever fails to meet my expectations and this palette was no different. All the shadows were highly pigmented, with a velvety, buttery texture. They swatched so easily and blended very nicely. I liked that none of the shades had big chunks of glitter and the one shade that had some glitter (darker side of Spell) applied nicely with no fall out or glitter particles all over my face. All the other shadow were either matte or had a beautiful satin finish to them.

I have to say Beware, West, and the gold side of Spell are my favorites from this palette. Although these colors seem so dupable, I don't have anything exactly like them and again, the quality is great on these shadows.

Now for the lips...I absolutely love UD's Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color. They have wonderful pigmentation and leave a nice gloss/sheen finish on your lips. They aren't drying or sticky and they last on my lips for a couple hours without having to reapply. They are in a jumbo pencil form which also makes them super easy to use and you can skip the lipliner. Theodora is a beautiful bright true red. It leans more on the cool side so it helps to make your teeth look whiter. I think this color will look great on pretty much everyone and I'm definitely a fan!

*Theodora worn on my lips alone*

I definitely think this palette is worth the money based on what you are receiving and the quality of the products. I have ready many comments saying that the palette didn't seem very special, colors are dupable, and so on. I definitely don't think this palette is a "stop what you are doing and buy this right now" sort of thing, but I do think if you favor a palette that you can use for an everyday look but have options to glam up your look for night, this palette is great. For me personally, I can never have too many great quality shades of brown and you get the gold and green shadows which add even more look possibilities! I'd have to say that out of all the "limited edition" palettes I have, I will hands down get the most use out of this one.