Urban Decay releases Naked Basics Palette

I'm so excited to share that Urban Decay has released its long awaited Matte palette called "NAKED Basics."
Urban Decay describes it as:

über-wearable shades look great on literally EVERYONE. Richer than other mattes, the color goes on with a smooth, luxe finish (never chalky or powdery).  

The case is said to be  sleek, soft-touch case has a slight sheen and feels like suede. Small and compact so it travels well, this must-have palette is packed with six full-sized shadows.

This palette includes the following shades:

VENUS – soft, off-white demi-matte
FOXY – very light yellow/beige matte
WALK OF SHAME – very light pinky nude matte

NAKED2 – rosy taupe matte
FAINT – warm, dusty brown matte
CRAVE – deepest, darkest brown/black matte

The Naked Basics Palette (SRP $27) is available from Sephora, ULTA and select Macy’s stores. Or, online at Sephora.com, ulta.com, macys.com, beauty.com and urbandecay.com. 

I believe this price point is decent for this palette. I'm hoping to get my hands on one soon.

Are you getting NAKED basics?

Holiday Makeup Must Haves

This Holiday there will be tons of new releases in the makeup world. However, there are a few key items that need to stay in your makeup bag or at the very front of your makeup collection. Here are my pics for the Holiday 2012 season.

#1: Matte Lipsticks

I really love NYX Matte Lipsticks! They come in a number of amazing colors and are really affordable. Word of caution though: lips need to be exfoliated and moisturized before application to prevent crusty looking lips :)

#2: Mascara

These three are my top pics for long, full lashes this holiday season. Rimmel London Sexy Curves, Rimmel London Eye Magnifier and Benefit They're real mascaras all do an amazing job of separating and volumizing lashes.

#3: Long Lasting Black Eyeliner

My top picks would have to be Urban Decays' 24/7 glide on pencil for the smooth like butter formulation and long lasting stay power as well as NYXs' retractable water proof liner. The more cost effective choice would be the NYX liner, however, I do love the 24/7 pencil. I couldn't choose so I picked both.

#4: Warm Blushes 

I selected two of my favorite warm tone blushes. MAC mineralized skin finish in Ring of Saturn and Sleek makeup Rose Gold  blushes give you a hint of warm pink to the cheeks but also a lovely glow of shimmering gold.

#5: Lashes

No holiday look is complete without some amazing lashes! I chose the Ardell Double up lashes because they give the look of having on two lashes. This gives a full more vibrant look to the eyes without having to actually stack lashes yourself.

Holiday Makeup: Sugar Plum Sparkle

I love this time of year and I'm already in the Holiday spirit! I decided to start off my holiday makeup looks with something simple with a bit of sparkle. Enjoy!

Products used
Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Palette
Urban Decay Naked Palette
MAC Gem of Roses lipstick
MAC Heroine lipstick
Ardell Lashes
NYX Espresso lip liner
NYX eyeliner in black
Milano baked blush in Fantastico mauve
Too faced shadow insurance primer
Too faced starry-eye liquid liner
Perfekt eye lash perfection gel

Apply False Lashes with Sephora Bulls Eye Lash Applicator

I used to have such a hard time applying false lashes when I began wearing makeup. I always used my hands and would sometimes smudge my makeup. I never wanted to use tweezers out of fear of poking my eye out. Then I ran across this amazing tool by Sephora, the Bulls Eye Lash Applicator. It retails for $12 on Sephora.com. It is a very easy to use product, but it does take practice like any other tool to use it effectively.

These are the lashes I have been using lately! 

I love the look of amazing full lashes I get with out having to apply two sets of lashes.

Here's the tutorial. Enjoy :)

Casual Fall look

Wanted to do a simple, classy fall look as I was out and about on campus this weekend. Enjoy!
Urban Decay NAKED palette
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on pencil "perversion
NYX lipstick "Tea Rose"
Rimmel London "The Max Volume" Mascara
Revlon ColorStay Makeup in Caramel
Ben Nye Banana Powder
MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in "Dark"
MAC Mineralized blush "Feeling Flush"
MAC Studio fix concealer in NC50
MAC eyebrow pencil in Stud
Maybelline gel eyeliner in Blackest black

Natural Hair: Caribbean Queen Bun & Twists Up Do

Decided to to try an amazingly high updo.

I used the Marley Braid hair from the Janet Collection in #2. 

This texture was closer to my natural hair and would give me that "big" look I desired.

I really liked the finished look. I have gotten so many compliments on it. It took me 5 hours to complete (with snacking in between). I hope you give it a try :)