The Original Neutral Palette That Started The Trend - Urban Decay Naked

The astounding success of Urban Decay's series of eyeshadow palettes known as Naked, Naked 2, and newly-released Naked 3 is my inspiration for today.  Paying homage to the grand-daddy of the neutral eyeshadow palette trend, I decided to do a beautiful holiday smokey eye with a pop of gold glitter, paired with a ultra pale and shimmery nude lip. The face for today is model and dear friend, Alina. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter @glamourina89

We always have a lot of fun when we get together and this time was no exception.  She loves dramatic makeup and this look suits her perfectly.

I love Urban Decay shadows and the original Naked palette is no exception.  You get 12 gorgeous, pigmented, super-blendable shades. The texture is so silky. Based on my adoration for Naked and Naked 2, I have every intention of purchasing Naked 3 when it's on the shelves of my local Sephora.

The nitty gritty...here's how I got this look:

Eyes:
Lid primed with Maybelline Color Tattoo in Asphalt
From UD Naked:
Lid - Gunmetal
Center lid - Half Baked
Inner Corner - Sin
Outer Corner - Creep
Crease - Naked and Buck
Highlight - Virgin
Center of lid: MAC Reflects Gold Glitter
Liner - Vasanti Extreme Kajal in Black
Winged upper liner: Clarins Instant Liner in Black

Brows:
Anastasia Brow Wiz Brunette

Face:
Clarins Ever Matte Foundation
Clarins Instant Concealer
Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation in Toffee to contour
Clarins Illuminating Cheek Color blush in Lovely Rose 01
Mac Soft and Gentle MSF

Lips:
Hourglass lipstick in Edition
Mac Lipgelee in Luxure (Limited Edition), Dazzleglass in Baby Sparks is a good alternative

Let me know what you think of the Naked palettes. Do you own Naked 3 or plan on purchasing?

Try this look out for a Holiday night out. But be warned. You will be the centre of attention!

V xx

Clarins Glam Holiday Look starring Rouge Eclat in Passion Red

Clarins Canada has put together a collection of items from their collection that work perfectly for the Holiday season 2013. Here's a look at some of the products in this collection.

From top left clockwise:

Blush Prodige in Soft Peach 02

Rouge Eclat in Passion Red 11

Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Graphites 06

BB Skin Perfecting Cream

Instant Definition Mascara in Intense Black

Instant Liquid Liner in Black

Instant Concealer in 02

Lipliner in Ruby 02

And here's the party look I came up with:

Clarins BB Cream is a great base that gives a natural glowing finish. I love their Instant Concealer for it's light texture and great pigment. It's an instant pick me up for highlighting and brightening under the eyes and anywhere you have darkness.  I used it between my brows, around my nose and mouth and of course, under my eyes.

This. Lipstick. Is. Everything. 

It's SO creamy and moisturizing yet highly pigmented. It's one of the best red lipsticks I've ever tried and paired up perfectly with the liner which gave me a fuller lip look and kept it in place for hours. I can see this shade working on everyone, from blondes to brunettes to gingers. Love!

Instant Liquid Liner is so easy to use! There's nothing more frustrating than trying to get ready to go out and struggling with a bad liner to get a precise winged look. I achieved great control with the felt tip applicator. It's just the right size, not too long and flimsy and not too stubby. Excellent!

The blush has a beautiful silky texture and i was able to use the deeper shade for a touch of contour and highlighted with the lighter tone in the palette. It's the perfect tone to complement a bold statement lip. 

The shadows went on easily with great pigmentation. Here's how I applied them:

I used the soft pink on the inner corner and inner half of the lid as well as the brow bone. It's a satin colour and I really appreciated the soft sheen without shimmer because it kept the look classic and subtle.  Next I applied the gunmetal darker grey to my outer third and outer corner. I applied the black matte shade along the lash line and deepened the outer v even more and finally I touched a bit of the silver shimmer to the centre of my lids.  I lined with the liquid liner and some kohl in the waterline and ran some of the darker grey along the bottom lash line to soften the look.  A couple of coats of mascara and some Ardell falsies and voila...I was ready to hit the town! 

Give it a try for your glam nights out. 

V xx