New and Improved Packaging, Urban Decay Gets it Right This Time!

I am so glad that Urban Decay makes their primer potion in a tube now. Its what people have been asking for for years! First people complained that they couldn't get the last of the product out of the tube with the wand. So UD releases a new angled wand in their primer. That wasn't good enough either but at least they tried. And now, they've finally got it right. The primer formula is still the same, its just the packaging that has been revamped. It's also supposed to come with 10% more product. It's probably the same 10% that was in the old packaging that we couldn't get to with the stupid wand but I'll take it. So tonight I was in Sephora and they were out of the original UDPP. I thought I'd try Envy UDPP as a second option so I grabbed it. Come to find out when I got home I had grabbed Greed instead which is the gold shimmery tinted primer that I love but I was in the mood to try something new. Oh well, I can think of worst mistakes. The cost for one is $19 but they are selling a duo right now for $28 which is a great deal. I fought my urge to buy the Too Faced Matte pallet and left Sephora with a rather conservative yet respectable total on my receipt. 

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All Time Favorite Top Coat Ever: Good Ole' OPI Top Coat

I've tried a bunch of top coats over the years. Hands down, the one that never fails me, is the regular old OPI Top Coat. It leaves my nails the shiniest and protects the best from chipping. It isn't a quick dry top coat but I am glad because I do not like those. I don't like them because in order for those quick dry top coats to really set your polish in a hurry, it makes your polish really hard like glass and chips in big pieces. I also find it to be damaging to my finger nails because of whatever is in it to dry and harden the polish so quickly. I would recommend the quick dry if you really have to get out the door fast but as far as longevity is concerned, they do nothing for me except cause me to re-paint my nails ever other day. I'm willing to be patient and let the regular top coats dry in order to preserve my manicure. Another great one is Essie Let it Shine and for a drugstore choice, I like the Sally Hansen Diamond Shine. I see where SH has come out with a new and improved Diamond Shine but I haven't tried it yet. In any event, a good top coat is a must-have in anyone's nail arsenal. Especially if you're wearing some cheap-o polish that needs extra protection. 

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Unnatural Beauty: A Humorous and Opinionated Beauty Blog: Kicking off 2012 With A Giveaway.. The Urban Decay Naked2 Palette! 

Hautelook Haul: Crown Brushes Set!

So you probably don't hear too many people talk about Crown brushes but Crown is a very well-respected brand in the world of makeup artistry. Often overlooked and overshadowed by heavy hitters like MAC and Sigma, Crown deserves a little recognition themselves.  I'm a sucker for a good brush but I also cringe when I think of paying upwards of $50 for one. So when I see Crown on Hautelook from time to time, I jump on it. Last year I bought my favorite blending crease brush from Crown for around $4 and unfortunately I think someone ran off with it. Steal my jewels, my towels, my favorite shampoo... but keep your dirty thieving hands off my makeup and related utensils. Thankfully, I've bounced back from that makeup brush betrayal and purchased a set that Crown put together exclusively for Hautelook. I'm a sucker for pink and white, what can I say. I believe it was around $45 which is great for all that I got. The brush set comes inside a pink travel clutch and includes: 

-angled blush brush

-powder brush

-foundation brush

-angled liner brush

-small shadow brush

-large shadow brush

-crease brush

-lip brush

-eyebrow and lash comb

-smudge brush

-concealer brush

and a few more that I am failing to remember..  The brushes are so pretty and girly but you probably can't see the pretty pink tips on the white brush hair. For the price, these brushes are a great deal. They are super soft and the eye brushes are very sturdy and well made. I especially love the small, dense, crease brush that will be perfect for blending a smoky eye. They work just as well as my MAC brushes but with a much smaller price tag! If you're ballin' on a budget, try Crown for all of your makeup brush needs. And if you have a ton of money to drop on luxury makeup brushes, I think Bobbi Brown makes the best there is. I would also highly recommend the Sephora Pro-Platinum brushes (the silver and white), and if you love MAC but want something cheaper then Sigma is definitely your brand. As far as the drug store goes, Eco Tools makes some lovely (and so soft) brushes. And oddly enough, Revlon makes a killer blending/crease brush (probably my favorite at the moment). 



Want some great new eyeshadow? Enter to win the brand new, sold out, Urban Decay Naked2 Palette! Sign up to follow my blog, and click the link below!

Unnatural Beauty: A Humorous and Opinionated Beauty Blog: Kicking off 2012 With A Giveaway.. The Urban Decay Naked2 Palette!