Northern Blogger | GemsUpNorth | Festival Attendee with ADHD : Make Over

Urban Decay invited me to the Liverpool Boutique for a #UDFridayFix makeover

February 27, 2017

A couple of weeks ago Urban Decay emailed me to ask if I wanted to visit one of their boutiques for a #UDFridayFix make over, I of course said yes and headed down to my local stand-alone store in Liverpool. The Liverpool store only opened in December and I was so excited to finally have a local boutique to visit; if you want to read about the store preview event click here. UD Liverpool is located on Paradise Street in Liverpool ONE and you can't miss it; with the purple beaming lights and glow from inside the store.

I was able to bring a guest with me to get a make over as well so I brought one of my besties who was as excited as I was, being an Urban fan herself. We arrived at the store and was greeted by 2 makeup artists who would be looking after us. The MUA who was doing my makeup was called Kim and is an Urban Decay senior artist, she was very friendly and explained all about the products she would be using; she made me feel very conformable throughout the whole experience. The store manager also introduced herself and offered us glasses of proceco whilst we had our makeovers, she was just as friendly as the other staff.

Kim got to work by removing the little makeup I had put on with UD's Meltdown makeup remover which is really gentle on skin and eyes; it also smells nice too. I will break down the next steps of the makeover into complexion, eyes, cheeks, lips and finish.

Complexion

Quick Fix Prep Spray - I was so excited about the new sprays and had been wanting to see what Quick Fix was all about since it launched. First of all Quick Fix smells amazing with a coconut scent which is also really refreshing. The spray adds moisture to the skin and softens it, I think this will be a great wake up call in the morning and preps skin ready for applying makeup.

Optical Illusion Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer - This primer is another new product I was excited to try, there are 4 new primers to combat different skin concerns. Since my skin doesn't have any major concerns, Kim used the Optical Illusion primer which blurs any flaws and pores and smooths the skin. I really liked this primer and could see a visible difference after Kim applied it, I could get away with wearing just this as a base on lesser makeup days.

All Nighter Foundation in shade 1.0 - My go to foundation and favourite, I use this on a weekly basis as a don't wear foundation everyday. I love the matte finish and full coverage look that is achieved from the All Nighter foundation. I have full review on this product here.

Eyes

Potion Primer in Eden - I've been using UD's Original Potion Primer for years and love it, my eyeshadow stays put all day with no creasing either. Kim used Eden Potion Primer which has a nude shade to it, gives full coverage and a matte finish so for the look we was going for was the best choice. I had no doubt my eye makeup would still be in tact by the end of the day and it sure was!

Full Spectrum Palette, Electric Palette and Naked Ultimate Basics Palette - Using a mix of palettes is something I do at home as I like a certain few shades from each palette more than others. Kim started with the Ultimate Basics palette for the base shades then moved onto adding bright vivid pinks and purples using the Electric palette and Full Spectrum. The Electric palette is filled with bright and neon shades, Kim told me the Full Spectrum palette has kind of took over the Electric which makes sense as Spectrum has a lot of vivid shades in it. At this point my eyes had an amazing pink/purple bold look. There's a full review of the Full Spectrum palette here and the Ultimate Basics palette here.

Liquid Moondust in Recharge - I haven't tried this shade of liquid moondust but after this makeover its on my wish list, the subtle and neutral glitter shade adds just enough glitter to any eye look. Kim applied this to my inner eyes to add a little highlight.

Bathwater Blonde Brow Box - UD's brow boxes now come in 5 shades instead of 2 which makes it easier to match your brow shade to the product. For my brows Kim used the 'Bathwater Blonde' shade which I was surprised at as I've always used a brown/dark brown shades but now my hair is blonde it may be time to try a lighter shade. I was impressed with the shade and how well the powder blended into my brows. The brow box comes with 2 powders, wax and tools so is a perfect hand bag item to apply on the go or for any top up's during the day.

Perversion Mascara - Of course my eyes was finished off with Perversion mascara which is one of my favourite mascaras. The shade is blacker than black and the wand lifts my lashes to give a full and bold look.

Cheeks

Naked Flushed in Going Native - The Naked Flushed is a UD product I've never tried before, the blush shade was a really good match for my pale skin tone and the contour shade wasn't too dark. Kim applied the contour under my cheek bones to shape my face and added the highlight to the upper of my cheek bones; this highlight was subtle but could be built up. The blush shade was my favourite as I struggle to find a good blush shade that isn't too much for my skin tone, this is another product now on my with list.

Naked Illuminated Shimmering powder for face and body in shade Luminous - Kim decided to add a little more highlight to my face because I'd told her I was doing a photoshoot after the makeover so adding a little more product would pick up on the camera and enhance my facial features.

Lips

Vice Liquid Lipstick in shade Mad (metallized purple) - One of the first things I asked before getting my makeover was, were the new Liquid Lipsticks available as I was so excited to try these. The shade we went for was Mad which is a metallized purple shade; purple is one of my go to shades. Mad totally went with my eye look and added to the unicorn theme we had going on. UD's new liquid lipsticks has a waterproof formula and amazing staying power. Later in the day after my makeup me and my friend went for a burger and I can confirm my lipstick didn't budge!! I was super impressed with the new lipsticks especially for the amazing staying power and the fact I was able to eat and drink and not have to worry about topping up my lipstick.

24/7 Glide on Lip Pencil in shade Pandemonium - My lips was lined with 24/7 Glide on pencil in Pandemonium which added more definition to my lips and created a base for the liquid lipstick.

Finish

De-slick mattifying powder - My whole look was finished off with De-Slick powder which sets makeup and keeps shine and oil away. The mattifying powder is a pressed power which is different to my current setting power so interested me. It is also a compact so is another super handbag product, I only get a little oily on my t-zone and having a compact close by can help to stop this. I'll be adding the De-slick to my collection soon.

All Nighter setting spray - My makeover ended with a few sprays of All Nighter setting spray to hold my makeup in place all day. All Nighter is already a favourite of mine and I love the new packaging, the bottle has gone from white to purple, UD's signature colour. I will be putting a review up about the new All Nighter and other sprays soon.

Everything about my makeover was awesome, my pink/purple eye look matched my outfit and personality perfectly, my lipstick was my favourite colour too so that completed the look. Here is a photo of the overall look, thank you Kim!

My time at Urban Decay Liverpool was a fabulous one and I would recommend having your makeup done here, the staff was all friendly and informative, I felt comfortable and was able to ask questions throughout which was answered well.

Thank you for a lovely afternoon and my amazing makeover UD Liverpool!

All Nighter Foundation

Urban Decay's product launches September 2016

September 07, 2016

Yesterday I was invited to visit my local Urban Decay counter by the lovely Jade to see some of the new product launches from UD this month. I'd seen online which products had been released and was super excited to try the new All Nighter foundation especially.

Jade was prepared when I got to the counter with some of the products laid out ready for me to take a look at. This included the new All Nighter Foundation and brand new makeup brushes. The makeup brushes looked gorgeous; I couldn't take my eyes off them! Jade gave me a run down of what each brush's purpose was and spoke to me about the new products that have launched this month.

Recently when I've visited the counter it's been to check out new palettes or lipsticks so Jade said this was a nice change to do my complexion makeup this time.

Of course Jade sprayed UD's B6 Prep Spray before applying any foundation; B6 helps to prep the skin by absorbing excess oil, minimise the appearance of pores and for me personally cools my face. I brought a travel sized B6 a couple of weeks ago and have been using it everyday.

The new All Nighter Liquid Foundation comes in 24 shades; Jade explained to me that the .5 shades are for cool and pink skin tones, .0 shades are best for yellow and golden warm tones and .25/.75 shades for neutral skin tones. This helped me understand choosing the correct shade for my skin tone, I think this information is really useful for anyone buying the new foundation and are unsure about the shade numbers but the counter staff are always there to help shade match so don't worry.

My shade match was 1.5 which is different to my Naked Skin Foundatiom shade which is a 1.0; these All Nightrr foundations must be slightly lighter in colour than the Naked Skin. Straight away after Jade only applied a little of the foundation I could see a difference on my skin, the brush she used (flat optical blurring brush) provided full coverage and an amazing glow. All Nigher felt weightless on my skin and blended so so easily; it would take no effort at all on an early morning. I felt really good with just this on my face with no other makeup on. After trying this foundation out I am favouring this product to the Naked Skin more so because it's so weightless and leaves a matte finish on my skin. I'm adding a full review of the All Nighter foundation to my blog shortly so check back for that.

UD released these Colour Correcting Fluids this month along with the foundation. There's 5 shades to choose from each with a different use that can add radiance, hide red spots/dark circles and brighten your skin tone to name a few. Jade used the Pink colour correcting fluid which helps to conceal dark circles and highlights the skin; this is a great shade on fairer skin tones. I will be reviewing these products in full in another blog post so keep an eye out for that.

She applied the pink shade under my eyes and just on top on my cheek bones. The shade was dabbed onto my skin using the finger brush (we will come back to how fabulous this brush is later). The pink added an amazing highlight and glow to my face, I was super impressed with the result. Again this fluid felt lightweight on my skin and was easy to apply around my eye area. I was surprised at the result because I'd thought to only apply these correcter fluids before my foundation to create a base but they can be used on top of your makeup to add radiance/highlight and conceal too; another versatile product from UD.

Of course a little bronzer was needed to complete my complexion look so Jade contoured my cheeks with Beached Bronzer in shade sun-kissed. I haven't used any of UD's bronzing products before but did see these in the summer launch when I purchased my Aura highlighter which you can read about here. The bronzer added just enough contour to give my face more shape and define my cheeks; one of the new pro brushes was used again here.

To complete the overall look Subversion lash primer was applied followed by Perversion black mascara which leaves a super black and intense long lash look. UD have also launched the Perversion Waterproof Fine-Point Eye Pen so Jade added some of this to my eyes too. The liner results was good leaving a super black shade behind from first application. The pointed felt tip on the free flowing pen makes application easy and enough product was applied on the first sweep. I did however have some imprint on my eye lid later on in the evening, yesterday was a hot day and I wasn't wearing anything isn't else on my eyes so that could of been the reason for this; I'll happily try this product again.

Now I thought I was super excited to see the new foundation the most but after arriving to the counter to see the new brushes; they was the highlight of my day!

I do have a crazy love for makeup brushes and enjoy seeing new styles of brushes; these new Pro brushes are professional quality and cruelty free; they are also made from recycled aluminium. The Pro Finger Brush took my fancy straight away, Jade explained that this brush's use was meant to apply makeup everywhere you could apply product or would apply product with your finger; hence the finger brush name. The rounded top is dense yet still soft to touch and soft enough to apply makeup to delicate areas like around my eyes. The brush can be used to apply eyeshadow, lipstick and concealer plus lots more; it's just perfect. I feel like I don't need any other brushes!

The complexion brushes I saw included the Pro Flat Optical Blurring Brush for full quick coverage, the Pro Optical Blurring Brush for building coverage and the Pro Contour Definition Brush for light everyday coverage and of course contouring. Although all these brushes have a preferred use but they can be used for other things too. I'd use the tapered brush to apply contour and blush and the optical blurring brush for powders. Your really not limited for what they can be used for.

There was one other brush that Jade used yesterday and that was the new Pro Angled Brow Brush; she applied Brow Box powder in shade Brown Sugar to my brows in small swiping motions. The new brow brush is very thin and I like this because it gives you more room to play/apply product without over doing it or making mistakes.

Everytime I visit my local Urban Decay counter in the Wigan Debenhams store; I am made to feel welcome, I'm provided with lots of useful information and have a fabulous time.

On this occasion I purchased the pink colour correcting fluid after being so amazed at the results and I had to have the finger brush because it's just so versatile and unique that I couldn't not have it in my makeup brush collection.