Eyes

Discuss: Most-Used Summer Products

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While I’m over here lamenting the pending demise of summer, some of you are eagerly anticipating Fall – chunky sweaters, boots, cozy shit, PSLs… Hell, some of you might be drinking PSLs already. I don’t know if its available yet and I don’t want to because I don’t care (so don’t tell me). Autumn is my favorite season but I haven’t yet gotten my fill of summer. The workload at my day job has been a bit more intense (not complaining – it’s just been cutting into time I might otherwise use for the blog.) My past couple weekends have been spent desperately clutching the remnants of summer as it escapes all our grasps.

The question I asked in the LORAC Pocket PRO 2 giveaway post (now ended, thank you for participating) was what everyone’s go-to looks have been. A lot of responses were dewy, glowy, simple – some bronzer, some mascara or an effortless lip. Solid choices!

What I want to know more than the looks, though, are which products you found yourself using the most. Here are my top four:

 

bioreBiore Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50 PA+++, $9

If you haven’t boarded the Asian sunscreen (at least for your face!) train yet, you’re missing out. My face has been so much happier since I started using this, and my skin is safer too.

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Urban Decay Vice 4

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If you’ve been reading for a while, you know I really enjoy Urban Decay. They’re produce reliable, quality products; I’ve never feared that I made a poor investment when I bought one of their products.

Despite their edgy presentation, they created a (wonderful) monster when they released the Naked palette (of neutrals that, ‘everywoman,’ can feel comfortable with) all those years ago. They’ve not only released four full, “sequel,” palettes…they’ve created an entire product line based on the success of that palette. They’ve been the inspiration for hundreds of dupes – damn near every brand has some sort of 10+ shade neutrals palette now. Admittedly, I was disappointed with the release of Naked Smoky; it just isn’t unique enough to stand on its own and be worth $54 (unless you’re just starting out and don’t own other similar shades already).

They also have their mega-palettes, the Vice line. So far, there’s Vice, Vice 2, Vice 3, and Vice LTD.

Five days ago, Urban Decay shared this…

and Wende Zomnir posted this…

A photo posted by Wende Zomnir (@udwende) on

Urban Decay Vice 4 Swatches

The timing isn’t inappropriate; LORAC just announced their mega palette (more on that next week) for this holiday season, but my point is…

Why?

The colors are not remarkably different from the previous iterations of Vice – just like my complaints about Vice LTD. Vice 4 will be the fifth Vice palette from Urban Decay and I just can’t help but think we’re beating a dead horse with these considering their contents are so similar

What are your thoughts on Vice 4? Props to them on the packaging (as always), but that isn’t enough.

July 2015 Empties

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I try like hell to be consistent, but sometimes life gets in the way. I needed to prepare graphics for this post, which I intended to publish yesterday but had a hell of a migraine yesterday and the day before. So thanks for being patient, and here are my July 2015 Empties.

July 2015 Empties

I’ve been wanting to do an empties post for a while, but for months I’d only have 1-2 empty items and who is writing a post about 1-2 empty things? The stars aligned this month and I actually finished up a good bit of stuff.

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NYX Prismatic Mermaid Swatches

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Weekly Favorites will come on Friday – I goofed my publication schedule.

Not long ago, I mentioned NYX Cosmetics’ Prismatic shadow in Golden Peach being a dupe for Urban Decay Freelove. I don’t own Golden Peach yet, but I did pick up another color from the collection.

It isn’t often that a trend strikes me and makes me go, “I NEED THAT,” but when I saw NYX Prismatic – Mermaid…well, I needed it. I don’t have anything like this opalescent, minty shade, it was on sale, it is fun. So I picked it up.

NYX Prismatic Mermaid - Pan

The saleswoman at Ulta remarked, upon ringing me out, that they had sold a boatload (ha) of this single shadow.

I’m not really sure why it’s trendy (but then again, I never am), but these frosty, iridescent/opalescent minty/aqua-y green-blues are everywhere. I don’t know, I guess it makes people imagine mermaid tail scales (isn’t that creepy, though? Whatever).

Onto what you care about!

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Urban Decay Freelove Dupe

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I can never hope to be a massive repository of dupe information like Temptalia is, but if I notice something neat, I’ll point it out.

So, recently, I hosted a giveaway for a single pot of Urban Decay’s Freelove eyeshadow. Freelove is a lovely pinky-peachy-gold with a frosty, satin finish.

Urban Decay Freelove Dupe (Freelove)

I love it.

I was in Ulta redeeming my birthday freebie last month when I came upon a display of the Nyx Prismatic shadows. Nyx Prismatic Golden Peach caught my eye and looked familiar, so I swatched it and found that it was an Urban Decay Freelove Dupe!

It’s SO close to Urban Decay Freelove but only 1/3 of the price ($6 vs $18)! Main difference is that Golden Peach is a tad more shimmer. Temptalia’s reviews of each suggests that Golden Peach lasts a bit longer on the lid than Freelove.

Urban Decay Freelove Dupe - Nyx Prismatic Golden PeachNyx Prismatic Golden Peach – an Urban Decay Freelove Dupe

Unfortunately, my hasty store swatch was not photo-worthy. I didn’t buy one for myself since I already have Freelove (and I’m not a dupe hoarder) BUT if I didn’t already own it and needed to decide between the two, I’d probably go with Golden Peach.

So if you missed my giveaway and can’t justify dropping $18 on a shade (I can’t either – I bought them half off), don’t despair – get this! NYX goes on sale at Ulta fairly regularly, too (40% off or BOGO 50% off are common)!