Urban Decay Naked Skin Highlighting Fluid in Sin

I don't normally review samples, but that's what we're doing today. I recently picked up a deluxe sample of Urban Decay's Naked Skin Highlighting Fluid in Sin from Sephora when it was offered as a 100-point perk.

Given my multiple, repeated complaints about not liking liquid highlighters, this is perfect-sized for me. This sample is 3.4g/0.12oz; the full size consists of 6g/0.21oz for $28.

Sin is the classic nude highlighter with a slight gold sheen- it's very appropriate for most situations.

I found it a little odd that this has a wand, like the concealer and the color corrector.

It does make it easy to swatch, though.

Here's what Sin looks like, blended out.

I'm going to set aside my aversion to liquid highlighter to talk about this objectively. I still continue to struggle with it in my regular routine, but this is slightly blingy for a no makeup look. That said, I'll get some usage out of this. I think it's really pretty.

It does last most of the day on me, and I continue to find unique ways to work liquid highlighters into my routine.

Urban Decay Heavy Metals Eyeshadow Palette for Holiday 2017

Today I'm sharing one of the best releases for Holiday 2017 with the worst packaging. I want to focus on the product, but there will be significant whining.

First, the basics. This weighty palette retails for $55 and contains 20 all-new metallic eyeshadows. It's reportedly a brand-new formula, and each shade has 0.8g of product.

I'm going to lift the following straight from the brand because I purchased this myself but wanted to share the research I've done:

What sets Heavy Metals apart? We developed a whole new Eyeshadow formula for this palette. We bumped up the foiled effect to create our most metallic shadows ever. In doing so, we carefully crafted the formula on every shade to make sure each one would apply with a soft and creamy texture and create intense, shiny metallic effects. Every shade has a velvety feel for the perfect application, provides insane color payout and blends like a dream.

The shadows? They're the great part of this product. Before I show any more photos, it's time to bring in my whining- which may or may not apply to you.  Back to Urban Decay:

The killer lavender case has a crushed metal effect on one end…kind of like we smashed it while rocking out. It’s so gorgeous…like a modern art sculpture you’ll want to show off. Just imagine the gasps of, “WHAT’S THAT?!” when your friends see this baby. The palette slides open to dramatically reveal the shadow tray. When you’re ready to work your makeup magic, just pull the palette out and use Heavy Metals like a painter’s palette. Of course, we included a big mirror, so not only is this palette glamrock hot, it’s totally practical too.

Dear Urban Decay, I f*^*^g hate your modern art packaging as an amateur blogger- and as someone with OCD about smudgy packaging. It's also super bulky for most people's storage.

It's pretty much impossible to capture with a camera- and the fact that it's 100% reflective means there's no clean shot unless you have a professional studio with shadow box. As an amateur blogger, I shouldn't feel compelled to go spend another $250 on photography equipment to get one damn shot of this product. Screw that.

So guess what? Packaging photos aren't perfect. Don't blame me- blame the brand for the most frustrating, smudgy, and stupid packaging design ever. Breathe on it and it'll be messed up.

Oh, and let me get into the mirror in the middle of the shadows- seriously? I love having big mirrors, but this itself is not workable when doing one's makeup. I don't know anyone who props up a palette or hunches over a flat mirror to do their makeup.

I love the idea of being creative. And I effing love the shadows in this palette. But goodness, this packaging is the WORST.


OK, now that I've gotten my aggression out, here's the very best shot I managed of the front. It is pretty.

This is the same color as the LE lip palette for this holiday (which I won't be picking up).

OK, this is going to be tough to show because of the reflective packaging, but bear with me. When I'm thinking about my favorite releases for holiday 2017, only Kat Von D Saint and Sinner beats this- simply because there are multiple formulas. This is that good. Just know this is all metallic shimmers- aka a supplementary lid palette. That said, it'd be a kick-ass gift.

I'm going to have to photograph this in parts to avoid the mirror and minimize the reflection of, well, every damn thing on the palette's surface.

This is the cleanest photo I have- in which I tried to reflect a white Ikea loveseat. Oh, the things bloggers will do.

This palette has two distinct halves- a bold side and a neutral side. I've been playing with this for about 10 days and have loved everything that I've done.

Let's start on the bold side, shall we?

So pretty- and so reflective. Sorry for the camera reflection.

Ground is a great-performing shade for having a black base. I nearly used this on Halloween and look forward to incorporating it into glitzy smoky eyes.
Aluminum is incredible. I actually exclaimed "OMG" when I swatched this. It's the type of grey that's my HG.

Spandex is patchier but stunning. It's a deeper purple with a little red that doesn't show in these photos.
Dive is a lovely cobalt.

Metalhead performs like a purple, but has this stunning hidden blue shimmer.
Punk Rock is a lovely glitzy pink that would've been exceptional and a standout shade... until we had the pink explosion these past couple of years.

Mullet straddles the line between evergreen and grungy olive with less obvious glitz- but I predict it'll be on my eyes all of the time.
Amp is a shot of summer for me. It's screaming lower lashline for me. It's deeper and more blue and more pigmented than the blue in Natasha Denona Aeris, for reference.

Twisted is a gorgeous old gold that's buttery and all things good
Glamrock is a bit drier but a true platinum metallic shade


I think you can see just how metallic these are from the pans. Let's go to the swatches.

This is a party in a palette. Although the other half is more practical, I'm drawn to these at the moment.

I wanted to show you the first look I did from this palette. Yep, it's Mullet.

Forgive that wing that skipped a bit. Meh. But the shadow? STUNNING.

Now that we've had a party, let's take it into neutral.

I've worn quite a few of these to work, and I have a feeling I'll reach for these quite often.

Bass is a cooler taupey brown shimmer that's deeper than this photo shows.
Glory is a muted gold.

Demo is the deepest brown in the palette- it's a rich chocolate metallic shimmer.
Starfire is a fall copper shade- muted but still in that color family.

Afterparty is a shimmering garnet that's just lovely.
Angelfire is the only somewhat miss in the palette. It's more of a traditional glitter shade, and it's quite stiff.

Roadie is a deep shimmering burgundy. Two years ago I never would've touched it, now I know it's so pretty.
Maiden is a traditional champagne gold metallic shimmer that's very work-friendly.

Scream is a warm champagne shimmer that's not being done justice by my photographs. It's a great lid shade in a conservative workplace.
Acoustic is a light white gold shimmer.

Now that I've shown you the shades, let's go to the swatches:

There's a really nice assortment of neutral shades that should suit a range of skintones.

I wanted to share a look I did with Roadie:

Really nice on blue eyes. And I did this during the week- so no, I didn't get exceptionally adventurous. You try that at 4:30AM, ok?

Because pigmentation and fallout are the words of 2017, here's what my palette looked like following single swatches:

Sp yes, there's kickup- and you can see what a bear this palette is to cleanly photograph.

Overall, I think this palette is expensive but worth it. Putting aside my hatred for this packaging, the formula's really good. These are very pigmented and opaque shimmers that last all day on the lid with a primer. Yes, do your eyes first. But these make vibrant and striking looks.

I almost passed on this, but I'm so happy that I picked it up when I was in the midst of a 2000 point redemption at Ulta. This is one of my favorite Holiday 2017 releases.

July/August 2017 Favorites

One of the things I missed with the timing of my Mac's demise was posting my July favorites. Grab yourself a snack or a drink because I'm going to make this a two-month post, and cover a lot of territory.

Let's start with makeup. I'd planned to review many of these items already, but that's not going to stop me from sharing them in September. Please note that anything with a hyperlink is a direct shopping link.

Primers:

I discovered my current HG priming routine over the past two months. It's rather complicated, but that's ok. Depending on the weather and my skin, I start with a color-correcting primer for my red areas. I'm actually out of my favorite (Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizing Primer- Redness), and I won't repurchase until I finish up all of the green primers in my collection. I'm almost down to my last one. Next, I either go in with CoverFX Mattifying Primer if it's going to be a humid day or an illuminating primer (I've loved the CoverFX Illuminating Primer and Milani Prime Light Strobing Primer over the past two months). Next, for some pore filling, I reach for the  Milk Makeup Blur Stick. Next, onto my problem areas (11s and smile lines) I smooth the tiniest bit of L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base. I finish by spraying the Too Faced Hangover Rx 3-in-1 Spray- which I'll be sharing the good news about with you soon. I also was boring in terms of an eye combination- MAC Painterly Paint Pot, set with Sephora Collection Beauty Amplifier Lid & Liner Primer.


Eyeshadow:

I think the number of palettes I've been through should be an indication that I wouldn't have many shadow favorites. That's true. I purchased the original LORAC Mega Pro palette when it went up on the brand's website. I'm in love. Same with the LORAC Mega Pro 2, which was my July obsession. Although a recent purchase, I keep reaching for lid shades from the MAC Power Hungry Palette.

In terms of items I've been loving that aren't available, it's the Tom Ford Unabashed Palette and Marc Jacobs The Lolita (which I got from the brand as part of a mystery bag). I've also been loving my MAC Double Custom Palette, which I pulled from my hundreds of shades. It lives in my drawer, whereas the Mega Pros live on my vanity. I've also pulled a mini Smashbox CoverShot Trio in Screenshot.


Eyeliner and Mascara:


I've been so basic the past two months. I've been keeping it basic, with the Wet 'n Wild Skinny Tip Eyeliner coming back into my rotation (review coming in September), while still loving Anastasia Beverly Hills Darkside Liner, and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Metallic Luster Liners. I told you I was boring! Again, another place where I've been pretty boring is mascara. I adore using my Urban Decay Subversion Primer, and have been loving a trio of mascaras: It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara, Urban Decay Perversion Mascara, and L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara.


Now, onto the face. Let's talk Concealers and Correctors:

As always, I'm in love with Tarte Shape Tape, but I've also been loving Cle de Peau The Concealer for face concealing when self-tanned. In terms of correctors, I've been trying a few but the only one I've really been loving is my staple Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector.

Foundations and Powders:

I've been keeping it pretty simple these days. On the foundation front, I'm still loving Lancome Teint Idole, La Mer The Foundation (when not self-tanned), Givenchy Teint Couture Balm, and MAC Next to Nothing Face Colour on the weekend. When self-tanned, I also loved the CoverGirl Clean Matte BB Cream. I've also fallen for It Cosmetics CC Cream and bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Complexion Balm this summer.

Four powders have lived in my drawer for the past two months: MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, RCMA No Color Powder, and Too Faced Born This Way Ethereal Setting Powder.

Bronzer:

It must be summer if I'm obsessed with more bronzers than anything else! L'Oreal Glam Bronze is so good and so similar to one of my other favorites- Marc Jacobs Tan-Tastic. Algenist's Color Correcting Bronzer also found its way back into rotation, as well as Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer. My favorite new bronzer is Becca Sunlit Bronzer in Capri Coast.




Contour:

Two contour kits stole my heart these past two months. I've been loving the sadly-discontinued Fiona Stiles Sheer Contour Kit in Light/Medium and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Contour Kit in Light/Medium.


Blush:

I wish I could admit to being more adventurous than I have been. I've been using my Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes the most frequently.

My custom MAC blush quad and Natasha Denona Blush Duo #15 make occasional guest appearances.

In terms of single blushes, there have only been three in rotation. Too Faced Love Flush blushes in Justify My Love and Baby Love (something I adore from last 21 Days of Beauty) and Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso.


Highlighter:

I've also been pretty boring in terms of highlighter. Laura Geller French Vanilla lives in my drawer, along with Essence Be My Highlight these days. When I was self-tanned, I finally discovered the beauty of Becca Opal. I also loved Dose of Colors Highlighter in Milk 'n Honey.

Lipliner:

I kept it simple in terms of lipliner. The most frequently used was Bobbi Brown Lipliner in Beige, combined with Lancome Le Lipstique in Clair.

Lipstick:

I kept things so basic these last couple of months.  MAC Lipstick in Shy Girl (special packaging), Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Ultra Beige (from that Nordstrom set), Hourglass GIRL Stylo in Peacemaker (100pt perk size), Marc Jacobs Sheer Gel Lipstick in Have We Met? , and MAC Lipstick in Love at First Bite.


Liquid Lipstick:

I really only used two most of the summer- bareMinerals Statement Matte Lip Color in Juicy and bareMinerals GenNude Liquid Lipstick in Slay.


Lip Gloss:

I kept it simple here too! I blame this on hot days and playing with lots of different colors. MAC Vamplify Lipgloss in Spanking Haute, MAC Creamsheen Glass in ChaChaCha, Anastasia Beverly Hills Lipglosses in Amber, Caramel, and Saint Tropez.


PHEW!

Now, let's talk Skincare.

I've been loving this combo- Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, Avene Gentle Toning Lotion, Enlite When it Rains, It Pores Serum, Enlite Face Cardio (I'm so angry that CVS discontinued these), First Aid Beauty Coconut Smoothie Priming Moisturizer, The Ordinary Caffeine Eye Serum, Avene Mattifying Fluid.

You probably know I'm really into sheet masks. I've been loving two main active ingredients this summer- Tea Tree and my beloved Red Wine. Pictured are the TonyMoly I'm Real Tea Tree Mask , 7 Days Tea Tree Mask, and TonyMoly I'm Real Red Wine Pore Care Mask. All of these can either be found at the pharmacy, at TJMaxx, or in multi-packs from the brand around the $2-2.50 range each.

I raved about this earlier in the week, but I'm obsessed with Simple's new Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water.

Other:

I know that it's not exactly fair to include an item I only purchased on the 26th, but I knew immediately that I knew this product. If you're in the market for an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker, I recommend the AmazonBasics Wireless Speaker ($29.99 for the black version I purchased). One of my huge complaints about my new laptop was the horrible audio. This has saved the day for me so nicely. It's not the world's best speaker, but it's an affordable speaker if you're looking to boost your laptop.

Non-makeup, but a total fun lifesaver: MyTagalongs Stargazer Charger & Cord Case ($18, Nordstrom). I've tucked my Michael Kors travel charger, two pairs of headphones (one for my work computer and one for my iPhone), and a couple of other daily necessities into here. I also bought the Headphones case ($10) once I realized how lovely these were.

What have you been loving the second half of summer?