Better Late Than Never?!

Okay, I really should have posted these reviews much earlier, since these MAC collections launched in June and July (Fail). Well I really like these products so I am going to do a post anyways :)

MAC: To The Beach Collection

I was looking forward to this collection for months! The packaging is adorable, and the colors and fun and summery, perfect for the beach. I wanted to purchase the whole collection, but I restrained myself and only purchased five items:

• Lazy Day Lipstick
• Easy Lounger Lipglass
  
• Hipness Blush
• Sand and Sun Eyeshadow
• Golden Bronzer

Lazy Day is a soft pink lipstick which looks very similar to MAC’s permanent lipstick in Angel with the exception of the finish (Lustre vs. Frost). It is great for an everyday subtle lipstick. Easy Lounger is a light pink gloss with multidimensional shimmer which works great over most lipsticks. Hipness blush is an bright coral blush, great for the summertime. Sand and sun is a nice peachy color, although the eye shadow is a bit chalky. Lastly, Golden is a nice basic bronzer to have. I mostly just wanted this compact for the packaging lol. This is definitely one of MAC’s better collections.

MAC: In The Groove

I picked up five items from this collection as well:

• Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish
• Jazzed Cremesheen Lipstick
• On The Scene Cremesheen Glass
• Hang Loose Mineralize Blush
• By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish (not pictured above)
  

Below are some swatches

My favorite item by far is Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish (on my cheek in the pic below). It gives the most gorgeous coral-peach glow on the cheeks. It is like a blush and highlighter rolled up into one perfect package. Stereo Rose leaves no obvious glitter on the cheeks like some of the other mineralize skinfinishes. In my opinion, it definitely lives up to the hype, and I highly recommend it.

Jazzed is a beautiful coral-peach lipstick that is neither too orange nor too pink. It looks great paired with on the scene cremesheen glass (pictured below) or by itself. I have been enjoying this combination all summer long.

Hang Loose mineralize blush is a blue-toned pink blush that looks very similar to MAC’s well dressed blush from the permanent line. I have also used the lavender side as an eyeshadow a couple times.

Lastly, I recently ordered By Candlelight. I have not received it yet which is why it is not in my pictures. However, I did try it out in the store and it is a gorgeous pink-champagne color. I plan to use it as a highlighter for my cheeks.

Urban Decay Naked Palette Review

I am so happy that I finally own this much anticipated Naked Palette from Urban Decay…and yes ladies, this palette definitely lives up to the hype. Unlike many other neutral palettes which contain one or two “eh” shades, all the colors in this set are gorgeous and highly pigmented.
This palette comes with twelve full size shadows, with shades ranging from delicate champagnes to dark gunmetal, and textures ranging from glitter to shimmer to matte. The palette is packaged in a dark brown velvet case with the gold words “Naked” across the top. It contains a mirror inside, the shadows, and an double-ended eye liner in the colors zero and whisky. A travel sized primer potion is also included.
The first thing that came to mind when I saw this palette is the great value for the price. This kit costs only $44 which is an amazing price when you consider that a single Urban Decay eyeshadow costs $17 and you are getting 12 full size shades plus extras!

The Naked Palette includes:

• Virgin (satin chamois)
• Sin (champagne)
  
• Naked (matte buff nude)
• Sidecar (cocoa with golden sparkle sheen)
• Buck (matte nutmeg)
• Half Baked (subtle, lustrous bronze)
• Smog (deep coppery bronze)
• Darkhorse (bronze patina)
• Toasted (rich copper)
• Hustle (plum brown satin)
• Creep (onyx with gold sparkle)
• Gunmetal (gunmetal gray with silver glitter)
• Zero (black) and Whiskey (creamy rich brown) eyeliner double-sided eyeliner
• Primer Potion
  

Below are swatches of the shadows:

Picture taken inside Picture taken outside

The eye shadows are pigmented, smooth, and blend easily. The Naked Palette is perfect for creating everyday, office-appropriate neutrals, summertime bronzy looks, or sultry smoky eyes for a night out. It is ideal to take when traveling and the color options are endless! I really can't say anything bad about this palette, everything about it is just right, I love all of the colors.

If you have not had a chance to pick this palette up, I highly recommend that you do so. Fortunately, the Naked Palette is a permanent Urban Decay item so you should eventually be able to snag one.