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Urban Decay XX Vice Reloaded*

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Whenever Urban Decay release a new palette, it’s almost as if you can hear the world’s intake of breath. There have been a couple lately, and I got my hands on the brand new XX Vice Reloaded Palette, and spoiler alert – it’s a good one!

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Packaged in a slick black compact, complete with jewelled logo, XX Vice Reloaded is something special to behold. It’s big, weighty thing, with a push button which releases the spring-loaded lid. I just love it, and it looks incredible. There’s no doubt about it, this palette is all about celebrating the best of Urban Decay!

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Inside there are 20 shades (to celebrate 20 years of the brand), some new, some classic, and some re-releases, as well as a double ended brush, and a huge mirror. At first I was a little daunted by the shades selection – there are some true jewel colours in there – particularly ones like Acid Rain and Asphyxia which are just breathtaking. But there is also a great selection of neutrals in there too! Perfect for using on a more regular basis.

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The beauty of XX Vice Reloaded is in it’s adaptability. Day looks revolve around the colours Suspend, Shallow and Midnight Cowboy. They’re a mix of matte and satin finish shades, which provide a subtle wash of definition without looking too dramatic.

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In the evenings, I’ve been smoking everything out with shades like Oil Slick, Smog, and Twice Baked. As we’ve come to expect from the brand, Urban Decay’s XX Vice Reloaded’s shadows are buttery smooth and apply like a dream. I’ve noticed that the matte shades do seem to have the very best colour payoff, whilst the shimmers and glitters are a touch sheerer, so when I want a really vivid look, I apply using a dampened brush.

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Like most of the brand’s palette, this one comes with a double-ended brush which is surprisingly useful. I just love that Urban Decay include real tools in their kits, rather than the usual sponge applicators which I throw out immediately!

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Since both ends have quite long and fluffy bristles, it’s a good tool for creating subtle blended looks – and what more can I ask for in the mornings?!

Urban Decay XX Vice Reloaded is priced at £43 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

Soigne Nails Summer Colour Collection 2016*

Soigne Summer Collection

Soigne Nails is one of those brands I’ve been absolutely dying to try out for ages. Like most things which mix fashion and luxury, the brand is French, and encompasses pretty much every colour you can imagine.

Soigne Summer 16 collection

The summer collection couldn’t be pretty, and is a trio of brights, which are sure to add a much needed pop of colour all season long. The shades have been inspired by Africa, and I’m just loving the seriously saturated shades.

Soigne Shibori

Shibori was the shade that I was most excited about trying out. I love a deep blue nail, as they’re such a great and surprising neutral, and I’ve become completely obsessed with Shibori.

Soigne Shibori swatch

On tha nail, the polish is a stunning cerulean blue which applies wonderfully smoothly. It’s fully opaque in two coats, and dries quickly to a high shine. I think this makes such a beautiful choice for a pedicure colour – it’s deep enough to look chic, and the subtle colour looks so gorgeous in stroppy sandals!

Soigne Ikat

Next up is Ikat which is the most beautiful fuchsia pink. Have real Barbie-girl nails always feels so fun in the sunshine! I’ve been wearing it on my rather short nails, and I can’t tell you how many people have asked me what I’m wearing!

Soigne Ikat Swatch

The formula, again, is an absolute dream to work with, even for a klutz like me! Two coats gave me fully opaque coverage, and I don’t think think I have a prettier pink shade. On the nails it’s a wonderful warm-toned shade which I just cannot wait to wear with a tan!

Soigne Dutch Wax

Dutch Wax is the shade which is definitely the most unusual in the line up. In the bottle, the polish looks like it will be a bright sunny yellow, but on the nail it’s actually a beautifully rich golden mustard.

Soigne Dutch Wax swatch

Unlike most yellow polishes I’ve tried in the past, the formula from Soigne is rich enough to be opaque within two coats, and the polish applied smoothly and evenly. I was really pleasantly surprised with how pretty it looks on nails – it’s a beautiful change from my regular pinks and feels like a really fresh way to inject a little colour into my outfits!

Soigne Nail Varnishes are priced at £11.00 each and are availble here.

Lancome Juicy Shakers – Mangoes Wild & Lemon Explosion*

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When I was at school, Lancome Juicy Tubes were a seriously big deal – you were no-one if you didn’t have at least a tube of the stuff poking out of your blazer. I think I’ve blazed through every colour they have, and I still keep their Lychee shade to hand if I’m after an easy pink glossy lip. So, when I found out Lancome was releasing a whole new take on lipgloss, I just had to try it out!

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The brand new Juicy Shakers are available in 14 stunning shades, and are a hybrid of pigment and lip oil, which means you get a pretty lip colour as well as a real kick of moisture. They’re also a perfect choice if you want a product which is going to keep your lips in great condition too!DSC_0558

The packaging is inspired by an old Lancome lipstick which looked like a cocktail shaker, and before you use the glosses, you just give them a good shake. You can see the pigment and oil combine, and the more you shake them, the more intense colour you get. If, like me, you’re going to collect a couple of them, it’s great fun, as they all have different flavours and scents.

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When I first got my hands on the two, I figured that they would be super sheer washes of colour, with the same, slightly sticky feel of my beloved Juicy Tubes. I couldn’t be more wrong! Mangoes Wild, especially, is a surprisingly vivid hit of pink-toned red which brightens the complexion, and makes teeth look super white. The feel of the Juicy Shakers is something completely new too!

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You apply the Shakers using the sponge applicator tips which are super soft, and let the goodness sink in. The formula is incredibly lightweight, and silky soft thanks to the inclusion of sweet almond oil, omega 3 and cranberry oil. They leave lips feeling silky, with a perfect wash of colour. The lighter of my two (Lemon Explosion) has gone right into my handbag for day-to-day touch ups. It’s a sheer, slightly shimmery peachy-pink and it’s an effortless way to feel pulled together on the go.

I’m just obsessed with the non-sticky gloss and beautiful colours (I’ve already picked up a rather fetching Mint to Be) you’ve got to check these out!

Lancome Juicy Shakers are priced at £18.00 each and are available here (UK) and here (US)

Urban Decay Electric Palette*

Urban Decay Electric Palette

As something of a rule, my makeup tends to err on the safe side. I can’t tell you how many shades of taupe eyeshadow and nude lipgloss I own. Every morning I tend to hover over the same shades, so it’s always good to stretch my comfort zone a little. That’s where Urban Decay’s stunning Electric Palette comes in – a box full of neon-bright pigment which is just about the brightest thing I own!

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Released last year, the Electric Palette is a stunning mix of bright and jewelled tone pigments which are perfect for creating beauty looks which rather push the envelope. They come packaged in a compact which is decorated with coloured plumes of smoke, and it’s one of those products you can’t wait to get stuck into!

Urban Decay Electric Palette 1

Before I get started, I feel like I should warn you – since the palette is packed pigments, they tend to be a little softer than your regular eyeshadows, as a result of this, one of my shades (Slowburn) arrived a little worse for wear. Since the colours are so pigmented though, I only need a touch of each to apply, so it isn’t the biggest deal, but something to consider nonetheless.

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The Electric Palette contains 10 shades (8 of which are new) and they encompass blues, reds, purples, limes and a stunning metallic silver. The shades have incredible colour payoff, and what you see in the pan is exactly how they apply. I’ve been dipping my toe into the brightly coloured pool, by using the deeper jewel shades like Chaos and Urban as liners whilst the rest of my makeup stays neutral.

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I’m slowly getting more daring with my makeup looks, and I’m obsessed with the palette’s shades. Fringe is a stunning metallic teal which is begging to be worn with a tan, and Urban is a to-die-for metallic purple which is perfect for jazzing up a regular smoky eye. I’ve also been turning to Revolt (metallic silver) for adding a touch of sheen to my inner eyes.

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In addition to the 10 pigments, the Electric palette comes equipped with a double ended brush which is great for apply the shades. The bristles are soft acrylic, so they dispense a good amount of colour as well as being easy to clean.

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Obviously, the Electric Palette isn’t one for work or everyday looks, but it’s an absolute must-have if you like to experiment with colour. I love the way that you can use the shades to update your regular look or go completely dramatic! The colours are absolutely gorgeous, and I can’t wait to come up with more ways to wear them!

Urban Decay’s Electric Palette is priced at £38.00 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

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