My favorite Red Lip Combination

We all know how "in" red lips are for fall and winter but I figured that I would share with you my favorite red lip combination. I have quite a few reds and berries that I have accumulated and while each has a purpose and a place this one is my all time, makes me feel confident, red lip.

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick, and Gash 24/7 Lip Liner:

Swatches:

Revolution (Left) and Gash (Right)

This combination is what I am wearing in the tutorial below:

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol II Swatches

After receiving my book of shadows I immediately started swatching. What can I say? I had to do it! I have some issues with misconceptions when it comes to texture, color payoff, and quality. If something is from a promising brand and expensive then the shadows have to live up to my expectations or I won't repurchase. I am serious! Sometimes it will take me years to retry a brand because of one bad product--I won't be having that problem with this brand. So far, everything that I have purchased I love!

This palette includes 16 shades, eight of which are exclusive. The exclusive shades include:

• Perversion
• AC/DC
• Nylon
• Mushroom
• Sphynx
• Jinx
• Homegrown
• Misdemeanor

Onto the swatches!

So here is a reminder of what shadows were in the palette (you can click to enlarge):

Here's the top row:

Left to Right: Perversion, Gunmetal, Ecstasy, AC/DC

• 
  
  Perversion is a basic matte black and truthfully not too impressive. This is with several swipes--I prefer my MUFE.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Gunmetal is an amazing charcoal gray with shimmer and glitter. Luckily it isn't crazy glitter-ful or I'd be completely turned off by it. The picture is with only one swipe, so it is very pigmented. The consistancy was soft not chalky. I'd love it more if there was no glitter but that's how it goes.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Ecstasy is a lilac-y purple/pink it is quite sheer but a great soft shimmery color to have.
  
  
  
• 
  
  AC/DC is a high shine purple. Nothing too remarkable but there is a tiny bit of duochrome to this color.
  
  
  

The second row from the top:

Left to Right: Nylon, Sellout, Mushroom, Sphynx

• 
  
  Nylon is a light gold very similar to Blonde's Gold from MAC. A good all around lid color that would be great for a neutral look. This shade is frosty!
  
  
  
• 
  
  Sellout is a shimmery champagne color--another good basic
  
  
  
• 
  
  Mushroom is a taupey brown. Mushroom is similar to MAC Satin Taupe but less plumy. Again this is a shimmery shade.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Sphynx is the glitter bomb in this row (there is one glitter in each of the first three rows). Like Gunmetal from above is not all too glittery so the fallout isn't tremendous but be aware it is there.
  
  
  

The third row:

L to R: Half Baked, Twice Baked, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, YDK

• 
  
  Half Baked is another great gold. A shimmery, frosty mid tone yellow gold is the best way I can describe this one. It is one of my favorite golds that I own.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Twice Baked is an intense chocolate brown. Less frosty then the other shades but similar to Gunmetal in pigmentation. One swipe gave me the intense brown pictured above
  
  
  
• 
  
  Midnight Cowboy... I hate this shade! How is it that this is the shade that UD is most known for?!?! It is a crazy glittery mess. I have no idea how to wear it without have glitter all down my face. I tried it with paint pots, cream shadows and spraying it with fix+, anyway I do it I am a glittery mess. After this swatch was done I wiped my arm clean and, even while writing this I still have glitter on me. GRRR!
  
  
  
• 
  
  YDK is a similar to mushroom except that is actually has the plum to it the Mushroom lacks. This shade is a bit sheer but still beautiful.
  
  
  

Last Row:

L to R: Jinx, Flipside, Homegrown, Misdemeanor

• 
  
  Jinx is a frosty light blue. It is sheer but over a base looks amazing.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Flipside is a bit more teal than Jinx but similar in texture, pigmentation and hue.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Homegrown is a leaf green, frost. I actually don't have a color that is the least bit similar to this one so it is a nice addition to my collection. It is a deeper, brighter Juxt (MAC) eyeshadow (if that makes sense).
  
  
  
• 
  
  Misdemeanor is a great duochrome. Similar to MAC's Club but the shift is not quite as bright green. Again this is a shimmery shade.
  
  
  

What are some of your favorite Urban Decay Shades?

Urban Decay and Secret Swap Goodies!

In addition to nails, nail polish, nail care and nail art I am a total makeup addict. The two sort of go hand in hand naturally but with me I can't seem to have one without the other. Usually when I get in a nail funk, I get in a makeup funk and vice versa. You all should be happy to know I am happy in both realms currently. So onto the goodies--starting with the Urban Decay!

 I should preface by saying that I do no own any UD palettes or eye shadows...until now. I caved and purchase the UD Book of Shadows Vol. 2. It has many of the shades that I've wanted to try as well as some specific to this palette--I am VERY excited to used this! The palette also comes with  mini Zero (black) and Bourbon (brown) 24/7 Glide on pencils both of which I own in full size and have mini's of so basically, I will never run out! There is also a mini Primer Potion which will be great to travel with (dog show coming up). Aside from the palette I also ordered Deviant 24/7 Pencil which is a few notches down from a royal blue. It is a color that I do not own already and it looks wonderful as I love blue shadows. Next, I purchased a two pack of the UD Big Fatty Mascara. A single mascara is $19 and the two pack is $29 so that was just a good deal :). The final thing is a 24/7 Lip Pencil in Wallflower. It is a great nude. I already own Gash and Envious and they definitely live up to their name, I'd give these 5 stars! They also threw in a sample of Gash Lipstick which I already have several samples of...time to switch out the free sample Urban Decay!

Here's a view of the palette open minus the mirror. The inside opens to reveal a Look Book which is full of fun looks that can be recreated with the palette!

Here's an up close look at the shadows!

Today was also the day that my Secret Swap came in. Now honestly I wasn't expecting this package until closer to the end of the month but I couldn't be happier to have it now! A big thanks to CourtinHawaii (Court) for organizing this swap! I've had a lot of fun shopping for my person and receiving something that you don't expect is alway fun!

Here's what my secret swapper Vicky sent me:

Included was a Laura Mercier Cosmetic Bag, Duwop Venom Gloss in Tulip, Hard Candy Gloss, mini Juicy tube in Beach Plum, mini UD XXX Shine Gloss in Quickie, Smashbox Soft Lights in Highlight, Smashbox Blush in Publish, and Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in Guru.

Everything is wonderful and I am excited to try a few new things. As a funny little side story--Publish was the first blush I ever owned and I still love it (kinda of nice that I now have a backup) at the time I didn't know about purchasing backups. Oh, to be a newbie again!