Low Key

A few weeks ago I went to the launch of the new Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation and got shade matched to shade 10NN in both the foundation and concealer. When I first saw this product was launching I was immediately interested after reading that it was a breathable, longwear foundation with medium, buildable coverage and a real-skin matte finish. It's also vegan, cruelty-free, comes in 50 shades with various master and undertones and is supposed to last for 24hrs (although I wouldn't be testing out that claim). I also loved the campaign images featuring a variety of different people including Lizzo and Ezra Miller. It's good to see the beauty industry slowly moving in the right direction trying to be more inclusive. 

I've been trying the products out over the past couple of weeks and have a few initial thoughts, however I do want to try it some more before I write a proper review. The shade is a perfect match for me, the concealer is actually a little lighter than the foundation which is great for anyone who wants that brightening effect, I tend to prefer a concealer to be the same shade as my foundation but I actually think it looks quite nice in the photos below. I definitely think these products are more for combination/oily skin. I don't know how they'd fare on people with dry skin so I'd definitely recommend trying to get a sample if you have dry skin and you're interested in trying it. I find I don't need to powder, I just set it with All-Nighter setting spray. This is my first time trying an Urban Decay foundation and so far I'm very impressed. I'll write a more in depth review with before and after photos and comparison swatches with other foundations for anyone that is interested as I know shade matching yourself can be difficult sometimes. 

I decided to do a bit of an Urban Decay face so I used the Backtalk palette (one of my favourite UD palettes) on my eyes. I actually used a couple of the blush shades and the highlighter to create a warm, winged out look. I then added the Bodyography Stellar pigment in the centre of my eyelids for some added dimension. I kept things tonal with some warm cheeks using my favourite combination of Glossier Puff and Dusk Cloud Paints and then the new Urban Decay Lip Chemistry in the shade Low Key. They are high gloss lip tints that adjust to the pH of your skin and give your lips a custom shade that's unique to you. When I first saw the shade I thought it would be far too light on me, but they really do adjust to your skin tone as you can see below, it turned into a warm rosy shade that toned in so well with the shades I used on my eyes. If you've read my blog before you'll know I'm a big gloss fan and I really love the texture and finish of this. I was surprised by how much I liked this compared to my first impressions of it. I'd be interested to see what the darker shades are like on. 

Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen SPF 30
Pixi Beauty Glow Mist
*Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation (10NN)
*Urban Decay Stay Naked Concealer (10NN)
Glossier Brow Flick (Brown)
Glossier Boy Brow (Brown) ( Save €5 with the Boy Brow and Brow Flick Duo)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Anti-Aging
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
*Urban Decay Backtalk Palette (Double Take, Low Key and Party Foul)
Bodyography Glitter Pigment (Stellar)
Hourglass Caution Mascara
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick (Amber)
Glossier Cloud Paint Cream Blush (Dusk and Puff)
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (01)
*Glossier Play Niteshine Highlighter Concentrate (Platinum Rose)
*Urban Decay Stay Naked Vice Lip Chemistry (Low Key)
Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray

*Press Sample

There have been a lot of foundation and lip product launches recently and honestly, it can feel a bit overwhelming to be constantly bombarded with new products. I was very close to ordering the new Charlotte Tilbury foundation when it launched this week (without even getting shade matched) but I quickly copped on to myself and thought I don't need another foundation at the moment and I don't even like full coverage, so I'm better off getting a sample when it launches in store. The hype almost got me. I'm trying to use what I have and really enjoy playing with makeup, like using the blushes from the Backtalk palette as eyeshadows. I don't really wear powder blush anymore so I'm happy I found a use for the blush shades that haven't gotten much use thus far. It's hard when you want to try the latest releases but that's why I'm making a conscious effort to try use what I have which is why getting back into blogging and being more creative with makeup has been so good for me (and my bank account).

Let me know what you think, have you bought any of the latest launches what have been your favourite recent purchases?


Emma x

I Can See Your Halo

A couple of weeks ago I saw this look by makeup artist Isabel Y Rosado and straight away saved it knowing I wanted to try recreate it. I loved the simplicity, yet it's still quite a statement. I also love the combination of a pale silver shimmer with a peachy nude lip colour, there's something a little bit retro about it to me. 

After applying the Clarins Skin Illusion foundation, I used the bronzer end of the Clarins Duo Stick to give a bit more of a Summer glow. The main component of this look is the Bodyography Glitter Pigment in the shade Halo. I find these pigments work best applied with your fingers as it gives the most colour impact. Sometimes I use a more dense synthetic brush just to blend the edges a little. I then applied lots of the Hourglass Caution mascara which is my new favourite mascara, however I don't know that I'd repurchase it for €30, I've tried mascaras that are just as good for half that price. 

I used my new favourite brow technique which is taking either Glossier Boy Brow or Soapbrows and brushing up my brows and then adding in some extra faux hairs with Glossier Brow Flick only where needed. That way they look natural and full but not too done which is my preferred brow look. 

I wanted my cheeks and lips to match as much as possible so I mixed a little of Puff Cloud Paint in with Dusk just to keep the shade neutral with a hint of pink. I did the same kind of thing on my lips mixing Bite Beauty Meringue in with Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect, I didn't want the colour to be too opaque so I applied a little of each over well moisturised lips and patted it in. 

I wanted the highlighter to mirror the rest of the look so I used Moonstone Haloscope which is a more cool toned shade and then a little Platinum Rose Niteshine over the top just to get that hint of warmth in there too. 

I really love how this whole look turned out, I definitely could have done more of the pigment on my lids but this is a more pared back version of Isabels look which also had a bit of a gloss finish on the lips too. I think this eye look would look amazing with liner and with a darker lip colour too. I'm looking forward to playing around with it some more. 

SkinCeuticals Mineral Radiance UV Defense SPF 50 (Universal Tint)

Pixi Beauty Glow Mist

*Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation (101 Linen)

bareMinerals bareSkin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer (01 Fair)

*Clarins Glow 2 Go Blush and Highlighter Duo Stick (Golden Peach 02)

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick (Amber)

Soapbrows

Glossier Boy Brow (Brown)

Glossier Brow Flick (Brown)

Bodyography Glitter Pigment (Halo)

Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler

Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara

Glossier Cloud Paint Cream Blush (Puff and Dusk)

Glossier Haloscope Face Highlighter (Moonstone)

*Glossier Play Niteshine Highlighter Concentrate (Platinum Rose)

*L'Oréal Paris Infallible Magic Loose Powder

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick (Meringue)

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick (Bitch Perfect)

*Press Sample

What do you think? Do you like cool toned eye looks?

Emma x

YSL Vernis À Lèvres Water Stains

A few weeks ago I was sent some of the new YSL Vernis À Lèvres Water Stains. I was very intrigued when I read the press release which describes them as "a long lasting lip colour like no other. Glossy but not sticky. Long-lasting but comfortable. Intense colour but light as air." There are 14 shades with water inspired names ranging from nude to coral, red, pink and berry. I was sent 602 Vague De Rouge, 617 Dive in the Nude and 618 Wet Vermilion. 

YSL Beauté wanted to create a lip stain that had an intense gloss and colour pay-off but that didn't feel heavy or sticky. The question is have they succeeded? I honestly didn't think I'd like these that much when I fist saw them. I figured it would be another sticky, messy gloss that fades and bleeds everywhere. How wrong I was.

Firstly, they smell amazing as do all YSL lip products, not for everyone but I love it! The clever wave shaped applicator has a little well of product when you take it out that's just enough for one layer. You could definitely leave it there and you'd have a subtle stain and a shiny finish. However as you can see from the photos below, you can build it up another layer or two and achieve intense colour and a super glossy finish. 

If you've been following me for a while you'll know I'm a big fan of glossy lips. I'm not totally over mattes and I definitely think they look great especially with brighter shades, but I love how fresh and flattering a glossy finish is on my lips. The only negative for me is how your hair gets stuck in a gloss when it's windy out. I've been wearing a lot of glosses recently because it's been quite warm in Dublin so I've been wearing my hair up.

Something else that surprised me about the Water Stains is how long lasting they are compared to most other glossy finish products. When I first tried them I expected them to bleed and wear off after a couple of hours and not last through a meal. Somehow, they don't do any of these things. I've been wearing them all day in work (2-3 layers) and only topping up once or twice. They don't feather outside my lips and for a gloss, they last surprisingly well throughout a meal. 

Vague De Rouge, Dive in the Nude, Wet Vermilion

Wet Vermilion, Dive in the Nude, Vague De Rouge

Vague De Rouge

Dive in the Nude

Wet Vermilion

I'm completely taken with these, so much more than I thought I would be. I want to have a look at the other shades in store and possibly get another one (I have my eye on 613 Cascade Bordeaux) or in a pink or a paler nude. I like how versatile they are, one layer gives a light stain and a couple more layers gives such incredible impact.

Day to day in work I like to wear a bright lip colour because the rest of my makeup is usually very basic, I've found it hard to get such a bright shade with a high shine finish that's fuss free and long lasting, but in the Vernis À Lèvres Water Stains, I've found that product. The only similar product I've tried is the Vinyl Cream Liquid Lipstick but I think these are easier to wear and more lightweight.

Available to buy now from Brown Thomas, Arnotts or any YSL Beauty counter priced €34.

What do you think? Do you like a glossy finish?

Emma x

*Press Samples