Urban Decay Alice Through the Looking Glass Lipstick in Mad Hatter

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Rachel

Mad Hatter: Have I gone mad?
[Alice checks Hatter’s temperature]
Alice: I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.

Hellooooo! Last night I was able to pick up the Urban Decay Alice Through The Looking Glass Collection lipstick in “Mad Hatter.” I found the Alice Lipsticks at Ulta for $18.00 USD (the eyeshadow palette is here for $60.00 USD). These products have launched early at Ulta; however, if you are a rewards member at Urban Decay or have Flash Shipping at Sephora, from what I understand, they both will be getting the collection fairly soon.

I really love the limited edition packaging. Even the box for the lipsticks is psychedelic, man!

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The tube is plastic and feels a bit more lightweight than the regular Revolution Lipstick tubes. That’s ok, because LOOK HOW COOL this packaging is. O_O

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I know this is an Alice Through the Looking Glass collection for the upcoming movie, but who else is getting a Price’s Paisley Park video vibe besides me?

Description From the Ulta Site:

Inspired by the fantasy-adventure film release of Disney’s Alice Through the Looking Glass, Urban Decay’s limited-edition shades of Lipstick pay tribute to some of the main characters from the film: Alice, Mad Hatter, Mirana (the White Queen), Iracebeth (the Red Queen) and Time, a peculiar creature who is part human, part clock.

Pair the Lipsticks with the Alice Through the Looking Glass Eyeshadow Palette and you’ll have everything you need to recreate the looks from the film. From sheer nude with a pink shift and bright red matte to gunmetal-navy with silver shimmer, these shades range from classic to edgy. Regardless of the finish (sheer, shimmery or matte), each shade has a super-creamy feel and provides rich payout.

Each Lipstick case features a colorful, kaleidoscopic pattern inspired by the film. Urban Decay debossed the top of the cap and the Lipstick with the UD icon and screened “Urban Decay” on the inside of the case.

My Take On Mad Hatter Lipstick:

Mad Hatter metallic lipstick reminds me a bit of Makeup For Ever’s #15 Pearly Violet lipstick. However, I always found that lipstick to be quite dry and that it tugged on the lips and was uncomfortable to wear. Mad Hatter is a little more sheer; however, that means that it can be changed up with different lip liners and be a bit more versatile. It’s a sort of matte metallic, if that makes sense, and it’s more of a violet purple than a blue purple It’s not drying and does not tug at the lips, which I definitely appreciate as I have dry lips. It’s not particularly hydrating, either. The metallic finish is not the kind that shows every lip imperfection, like some frosts do. I do not feel any glitter particles when I press my lips together (this drives me crazy). It lasts for around 4 hours before I need a touch up and stays on very well when I’m drinking water/coffee.

PICS!

I loooooooooooooooove this, guys! Check it!! (Worn here with NYX Purple Rain lip liner. Yes, Prince would approve.)

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And for fun, here’s a closed eye shot of my eye look, done with Urban Decay Vice 4 palette (Beatdown and 1985 shadows with Grasshopper):

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Will you be getting anything from the Alice Through The Looking Glass Collection?

Makeup of the Day

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Kristin

Eyeshadows: NYX eyeshadows in Rock, Lime Juice and Bright Green, MAC eyeshadow in Nylon, NYX glitter eyeliner in Green, (name has rubbed off) sparkly liquid eyeliner in Green, Almay liquid eyeliner in Black, Urban Decay Perversion mascara; eyebrows are Rimmel Provocalips lip paint in Little Minx (yup, for my eyebrows)

Lips: Covergirl Outlast lip paint in Moonlight Mauve

Fragrance: Dolce & Gabanna Pour Femme

I’m not going anywhere. In fact, I’m in my pajamas! I just felt like playing around.

Makeup of the day – Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Lovecraft

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Rachel

So, I needed to replace my Bobbi Brown Cream Eyeshadow that I use as a base, so I made a small Sephora order and got my double points and this adorable Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick mini in Lovecraft. First of all…that name. HELLO. I love Lovecraft’s writing and the Cthululu mythos, so this is one of the coolest makeup names ever. Plus, look at the studded tube:

How cute is that?

The color is a muted, warm rose mauve, basically one of those colors that looks amazing on my cool toned fair skin. It’s also really, really matte. I have heard that some of the mattes in this line apply patchy or are too dry, but this one applies nicely and feels comfortable to me!

I have it on here with MAC Soar lip liner – perfect match!

Have you tried any Kat Von D products? So far, I have loved everything I have tried from the line.

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation 010 Light Porcelain

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Rachel

Soooooo, before I even get started, let me just say, this shade of this foundation is only sold in the UK, as best as I can tell. The lightest shade of this foundation in the United States is Light Ivory, which you can see on me here:

HOLY CRAP, NO!! I totally returned that the next day. How about that fabulous lipstick though? (Maybelline Creamy Matte Siren In Scarlet)

I knew that 010 Light Porcelain existed in the Rimmel Stay Matte (entirely too dry and not long lasting on me at all), so I did a quick search for this color in other Rimmel foundations. Apparently 010 Light Porcelain is sold in Lasting Finish and Match Perfection, just not in the United States. Our shades start one shade darker, because the company hates me. (LOL)

I did what any reasonable person would do, and bought a bottle on eBay. I paid $10.00 USD and got free shipping, so only $3.00 more than what the U.S. version costs, and the UK version HAS A PUMP! And it’s a good pump! BEHOLD, look how the other half lives:

Seriously, Rimmel? Why do you cheap out on us in the U.S.? WE KNOW YOU CAN GET THE PUMPS.

And look…oh my god. If you’re a gal with Scots-Irish in ya, I guess you need to buy your makeup from across the pond:

AND THE ANGELS SANG!

As long as this doesn’t break me out, this could become my less expensive replacement for MAC Studio Fix Fluid. I’ve been looking for something that doesn’t dry my skin out as bad as Studio Fix Fluid (which I cannot even wear in the winter) and has a slightly more satin finish. This has that beautiful satiny look once it sets. It supposedly has a “comfort serum,” and I can attest that it’s not drying and doesn’t make my face feel tight. This foundation is a similar shade to NW10 and has more coverage. It’s definitely buildable and blends easily, which is nice. I was able to blend a cream blush flawlessly over this with ease! Most long wear foundations are hard to do that with, as they dry to a very powdery finish. I set this with a loose powder (a super light dusting of MAC Set Powder) and it just looks beautiful. I am wearing it quite full here, but it could be sheered out, too. This does have a light fruity fragrance, but compared to most long wear foundations that smell like paint, I think it’s quite nice. Between the bottle, the feel, and the look of the product, it seems like a higher end product.

Ok, fingers crossed for no reactions or breakouts or dehydration, etc. I will certainly keep you guys posted! American folks, if you don’t want to get this on eBay or Amazon, I have heard this is also carried on Asos!

What’s your go-to foundation?

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick — Siren In Scarlet

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Rachel

So, being a PPP (this is Makeupalley speak for “pale porcelain princess), I tend to really love the way a red lipstick stands out on my light skin. Actually, I tend to think red lipstick looks amazing on any skin tone, as long as you manage to find a suitable tone, but I digress…today, my awesome boyfriend brought home this lipstick for me (he’s a keeper, y’all) and I have to say, I’m absolutely in love!

I’ve yet to try the other shades in the Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Mattes line, but I watched a few reviews on YouTube and the consensus is that they are pretty great: Not too drying, very pigmented, not patchy, long wearing. I definitely find that to be true with Siren In Scarlet. This shade is a bright, true red with a blue base, suitable for most skin tones and great for making teeth look whiter (bonus!).

The case is like the other Color Sensational lipsticks, except with a grey top that has a slightly textured, matte look and feel. I really love the case.

When I opened it to get a look, I got super excited…oh my gosh!

That’s frickin’ red, guys!

So, how does it look?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmazing! Siren in Scarlet is a true vintage looking blue-based matte red. If you are looking for that retro “pin-up” red on a budget, this is your lipstick! I’m just so impressed! It truly has a look and feel of a higher end matte lipstick for a budget price.

(PS – please pardon my too dark and too pink foundation – I am trying the Rimmel Lasting Finish which feels amazing, but the US shades only go down to Light Ivory, and I need the Porcelain which is only available in the UK, so I just ordered it from eBay…and now I wait! Sigh…another post for another time…)

In summary: I usually have problems with matte formula lipsticks, but I have had this on for hours with no peeling and uncomfortable feel. I find that it is matte but not with that unattractive “flat” look. This shade is a beautiful vintage red that I think most skin tones could pull off. For about $5.50 USD, why not give it a shot? I do believe I shall have to try another color or two from this line.

Anyone know if these are limited edition? If so, I may need another tube of this red…. *wink*

Have you tried the Creamy Mattes by Maybelline?

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Foundation – Oily, Pale Folks Rejoice!!

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Rachel

HAY GIRL HAY! Or guy. Whomever is reading, LOL! I have been away for a few days having a great 4th of July here in the U.S., which for us mainly means cooking things on grills even if it rains, drinking too much, and blowing shit up. WOO, AMERICA! *ahem*. ANYHOO. Now that I’ve reinforced some stereotypes (giggle), I’ll tell you about a few things I picked up at Walmart from the Hard Candy line.

(Glamoflauge Foundation in Porcelain, Glamoflauge Concealer in Ultra Light, nail polishes in Bachelor Party and Crush on Lava)

So, something bizarre and REALLY unusual happened to me with the Hard Candy Glamoflauge Foundation in Porcelain. Not only did I find a cheap ($7.00) drug store foundation light enough for me, this foundation is TOO light for me. This stuff makes MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW10 look positively TAN. This is why I had to come on here and tell you folks about this stuff. You guys, this is LIGHT.

I ended up with the Ivory shade in the Glamoflauge to try, and I did some swatches. The bottom swatch is MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW10. The one above that is Hard Candy Glamoflauge in Ivory (this too is lighter and more yellow than NW10!). The one on the top is Hard Candy Glamoflauge in Porcelain – you can see it’s super light and very yellow. Just for fun, over to the left I put Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless in Porcelain. It’s also very light and yellow, but not as extreme as the Hard Candy (also much lighter coverage).

So, here I am in the Hard Candy in Ivory. It blended out so easily over the NYX Photo Loving Primer I always use. The Hard Candy foundation has a liquid texture, but has very high pigment and a solid medium coverage. It dries quickly and is not really buildable after it dries, so you have to work fast. I’m used to fast drying foundations so this isn’t an issue. I used my Beauty Blender with this; I do not think it would blend as well with fingers. It does not need to be set with a powder.

Unfortunately, the formula of this foubdation does not work for my 44-year-old skin. I’m combination to dry with some fine lines, and this foundation showed off every wrinkle I have. I think, however, it would be a fabulous foundation for younger, oily skin. It also really exacerbated the dehydrated skin of my cheeks and made them feel very uncomfortable and tight. To be fair, Studio Fix Fluid does this too, just not this bad. All in all, if you’re very fair and have oily skin, you may love this. Sadly, there were not many deep shades, which really sucks. Step it up, Hard Candy.

I went out today looking for something more suited to combination/dry skin and came up with Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation, so look for a new review in the future after I try that for a while!

I’m going to try these nail polishes over the next couple of days. Hope they are as awesome as they loo in the bottles.

Oh!! Sad to say, the Ultra Light Glamoflauge Concealer doesn’t really color match the foubdation, so it’s sort of useless. I exchanged it as it is just too dark. If your shade in the foubdation is “Fair,” you may like it.

What’s your go to foundation this summer? Or is it too hot where you are to wear it? (Looking at you Kristin)

My NYX Memorial Day Sale Goodies <3

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Rachel

At the end of May, I posted about NYX’s annual Memorial Day sale. I took this opportunity to grab a few things I had really been wanting, but had not yet trekked across town to Ulta to get (especially considering our Ulta is not always well stocked and it is 20 minutes away). It took quite a while to get my order, because this is a huge sale and it takes a while each year for them to process that many orders – but the savings are worth the wait! I got all this for a whopping $20.00 USD:

NYX Wicked Lippie in 01 Betrayal, NYX Primal Colors pressed Pigment Hot Black, NYX HD Blush in Taupe, NYX HD Concealer in Porcelain

Let’s take a look! First up, the thing I’m most excited about, the HD Blush in Taupe. I have been contouring for years with MAC’s Sculpt Powder in Bone Beige. It is light and sheer enough for my porcelain skin, but it has a bit too much redness in it for my skin tone. I make it work because it’s in a duo with a favorite highlighter (MAC Shape Powder in Emphasize). I have been wanting to try a more taupe colored contouring product, though, because let’s face it…shadows are not brown. I am pleased to say, this blush fits the bill for that purpose (there’s a photo at the end of this post of me wearing it.). Plus, the compact is very slim and takes up very little room in my kit and has a cute bow on the the clasp:

NYX HD Blush in Taupe

Would you look at that? It’s not orange! Hallelujah and praise the makeup gods!

Next up, the product I’m almost as excited about, because pale concealers at drug store prices are a bit of a unicorn…the NYX HD Concealer in Porcelain:

NYX HD Concealer in Porcelain

I’m also wearing this in the photo at the end of the post. This is a great high coverage concealer that works wonderfully for concealing imperfections on the face. It’s too thick and dry for using under my eyes; however, your mileage may vary. I’m using NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer for that. The NYX HD Concealer shade Porcelain is a lovely pale shade with a slight pink undertone that works great with my MAC Studio Fix Fluid shade in NW10. It’s a keeper!

Next up, NYX Primal Colors pressed pigment in Hot Black:

NYX Primal Colors pressed pigment in Hot Black

When I went to use this product today, I used it as an eyeliner with an angled eyeliner brush. It performed extremely well, but I did have some fallout as I was applying, getting some black powder on my cheeks. I sometimes forget this is an issue with pigments, whether they are pressed or not. I would say use this product where you do your eyes first, then the rest of your makeup. The great thing is, this is blaaaaaaaaaaaaaack. Like, black like my soul black (hahahaha!!!). It works great as liner and you could also use it to set pencil or gel liner. I have not tried it as eyeshadow yet, but hey, goth night is coming up…oh hey, maybe I’ll wear it to the Voltaire show tomorrow! (I am wearing it as liner in the photo at the bottom of this post, blended with Urban Decay Mushroom eyeshadow.)

All in all, I have to say that while NYX can be a hit or miss brand for me, I love everything I got in this order. (I am also wearing the Photo Loving Primer underneath my foundation today – a long time favorite!) I am wearing the concealer, blush for contour, and black pigment here. I like that the contour is subtle, but I can go heavier for an evening look if I want to. The only thing I haven’t tried yet is the purple lipstick, but the photos I’ve seen online are (wait for it) Wicked.

Also shown: Urban Decay Smoked eyeshadow palette, MAC Azalea Blossom Blush Ombre, Maybelline Lilac Flush lipstick with L’Oreal Extraordinaire Lip Color in Purple Prelude

What are your favorite NYX Products? Have you tried any of the new stuff for 2015?

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Rachel

MAC has released a few versions of this beautiful pressed mineral powder highlighter over the years. I have the current version in the permanent line with the new magnetized compact (MAC, please do this with all your compacts – never another broken nail!). There is a limited edition version where the powder top is texturized, but I’m not sure how it compares to this one.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade

The product itself is beautiful. You can see ribbons of gold, blue, and peach swirled throughout the yellowish base.

Swirled together, they come out to a very light champagne color, a light shade leaning slightly warm. This highlighter is actually light enough to highlight fair skin, which is hard to come by! I’m a MAC NW10 and this is perfection on me.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Lightscapade swatched heavily

This product can be worn heavily for a metallic sheen, or applied lightly for a barely there glow that’s suitable for daytime. It’s shimmer without glitter; this will not emphasize imperfections in the skin like something that’s frosty might.

I wish my iPhone could show how it looks on me…I will get my fancy camera out and get a photo in the sun! I’m wearing it here, but my house was so dark, it’s hard to tell. 😉

Lightscapade on high points of the face, worn with Urban Decay Bittersweet Blush and MAC Up The Amp lipstick

This compact comes with a whopping 10 grams of product. It’s going to take ages to go through it, which is one reason I allowed myself to shell out $32.00 for a highlighter. Next, I’m going to try it as an eyeshadow highlight.

MAC makes this great product in other gorgeous shades for darker skin tones and even colors that function like bronzers. Do you use the Mineralize Skinfinishes? How do you like them? For me, I’ve found a new daily staple. I only wish I had splurged sooner!

The Makeup Alley Mobile Reviews Feature Will Change Your Shopping Experience!

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Rachel

You guys! I’m seriously excited about what I just heard about on Twitter. Makeupalley now has their reviews database easily searchable via product barcode scan. I’m so excited, I found myself testing it out on stuff in my bathroom at 1:00 am! The makeup lover and nerd in me are both ecstatic, because it works.

Do you ever find yourself in the drugstore (or any store) looking at beauty products and wondering if you should drop your cash on them? Have you ever actually grabbed your smartphone and googled that item before you put it in your basket? I sure have! Weeding through reviews is tedious enough, but doing it in a store is too time consuming when you just want a fast answer – does it suck? DOES THIS $12 THING SUCK OR NOT?

Well, get a load of THIS! Download Makeupalley’s app to your smartphone, open it, and look for the little barcode icon:

Ok do you see it? Now tap on it and something that looks like a camera screen will appear on your phone. Scan the barcode of your Item of Scrutiny by holding it between the guidelines on your screen, and THEN:

Are you freaking kidding me?!?! Easy access to all of Makeupalley’s product reviews at my fingertips?! The feature works so well, too! Just scan and there’s the review page; click on any review to see it in its entirety. This site’s wealth of reviews is amazing, too. If it’s not there, it’s really new or hella obscure.

LIFE. CHANGING. I shall buy crappy products no more!

A Bad Homance

Fabulous is a State of Mind

Category Archives: makeup review