theBalm Instain Blushes Review & Swatches

Hey there peeps!

After what feels like FOREVER, I'm back and blogging! And today I'm reviewing for you theBalm Instain Blushes :)

Packaging:
The blushes are in a cardboard compact that comes with a pretty decent sized mirror and a magnetic closure so its all pretty secure and excellent for travel! The best part is the fact that they look like little magazines! How adorable is that?!

Pigmentation and blendability:
All of these blushes are highly pigmented so a little goes a long way.  However, they can get a little tricky to blend sometimes so using the right brush is essential. I like to use a fluffy brush thats not too dense so I don't put too much on and they blend easily.

Texture and Longevity:
These blushes are smooth, non-powdery and super long lasting! I recommend you use these when you have a long lasting foundation on to avoid the clown-like appearance at the end of the day when all your face makeup has faded off but the blush is still holding on!

Houndstooth: is a mauve  with a satin finish. Perfect for fall.

Toile: is a coral  with a satin finish. Its both peachy and pink which gives a beautiful color to the cheeks.

Lace: is a bright pink with a matte finish. Gives a nice "flushed" effect to your cheeks

Photos and Swatches:

theBalm Instain Blush: Houndstooth

theBalm Instain Blush: Houndstooth 

theBalm Instain Blush: Houndstooth

theBalm Instain Blush: Toile

theBalm Instain Blush: Toile

theBalm Instain Blush: Toile

theBalm Instain Blush: Lace

theBalm Instain Blush: Lace

theBalm Instain Blush: Lace

Swatches (from left to right): theBalm Instain Blush in Houndstooth, Toile, Lace [taken outdoor in daylight]

Swatches (from left to right): theBalm Instain Blush in Houndstooth, Toile, Lace [taken indoor with flash]

Disclaimer: I swatched the blushes heavily so you can see the color of these clearly. However, this is not what will look like on your cheeks so don't be afraid, lol.

Who I would recommend these to:

I would recommend these to anyone looking for super pigmented, long lasting blushes! So that makes it especially perfect for weddings and parties, which is what I use these for. However, I wouldn't recommend these to anyone who is just starting out with makeup as using these blushes does require a bit of technique.

My favorite:

Definitely Toile! Its such a unique color and looks beautiful on :)

Where I shop theBalm:
My brother actually bought me these from www.amazon.co.uk when he was in the UK over a year ago. However you can order from their official website too: www.thebalm.com


If you have any questions leave them in the comment section below or reach me at my Facebook or Twitter :)

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette Review & Swatches

Hey there :)

If you read my last post- the UK Makeup Haul, you probably saw this coming!

I still remember when I first heard about the release of the Naked 3 palette how excited I got. Later, when I saw its pictures I was kinda bummed. To me it looked like pretty much the same thing as the Naked 2 palette. But, when I saw in depth swatches on Temptalia's website I realized this IS very different from both the previous editions. So I decided to get it and here's my review!

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette

This palette consist of 12 eyeshadows and they have a beautiful rosey-tone to them. This is what sets them apart from the previous two editions of the Naked palette. It also comes with an awesome dual ended brush with a flat shader on one end for packing on eyeshadow and a fluffier one on the other end to help with blending.

Packaging:

The packaging feels just like the Naked 2. And even though it feels so sturdy and luxurious I really dislike that. Quick sad story: I used, abused and dropped my original Naked palette several times and it still held up so well. But all my Naked 2 needed was one drop, and BAM! It shattered :( Thankfully I didn't lose any of the shadows completely.
So all I can say is, all is good with the packaging just do not drop it, I repeat, do NOT drop it.

Pigmentation:

I'd say that all of the eyeshadows are beautifully pigmented (urban decay eyeshadows almost never disappoint).
Except trick.
Trick was indeed a tricky eyeshadow. When I first got the palette I was disappointed with its intensity but after using it a couple times, that is after a little bit of the top layer of the eyeshadow got used up I could really start to see more intensity in the color. I guess its one of those eyeshadows who take a little longer to bloom into their color than the rest :P

Texture:

Texture wise, I was put off by some shades particularly with Dust and Trick as they do tend to give a lot of fall out on application so you have to make sure you do your eye makeup before your face makeup to avoid having eyeshadow all over your face makeup. This was very sad for me because these were the shades I was most excited about and it let me down in this category.
However all the other eyeshadows in the palette are beautifully smooth and don't cause much trouble.

My favorites:

So far I'm loving Dust (when I use it wet or with Fix+ from MAC), Nooner, Liar and Blackheart.

ROUND UP:

I really like this palette because of its rosey-tones. The only trouble-some eyeshadows were Dust and Trick but they go on absolutely beautiful if you spray some Fix+ from Mac on the brush and then apply the eyeshadow to the lid. These are nicely pigmented and last very long especially with a good base underneath (you can use a concealer that doesn't crease, or I recommend you use them with the 

Urban Decay Primer Potion).

SWATCHES:

CLOSE UP: Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit, Buzz, Trick

SWATCHES: Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit, Buzz, Trick

CLOSE UP: Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Darkside, Blackheart

SWATCHES: Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Darkside, Blackheart

Which Naked Palette is for you?
If you are someone who likes rosey-tone eyeshadows this palette is for you. However, if you are someone who leans more towards warmer, bronzey- tones then I recommend you check out the original Naked palette. And if you like taupey, cooler- tones then I recommend you the Naked 2 palette.

Do I have a favorite?
Yes I totally do! Nothing can beat the original Naked palette!
I wore it SO often throughout 2012 and 2013 that now I put it away so I can use my other palettes :)


So that's it for my review. I hope you found this helpful. If you've any questions feel free to post on my Facebook or in the comments section below.

Where can I shop urban decay?
Sadly it is not available in jeddah but you can easily shop for it online :) I recommend Debenhams: http://www.debenhams.com/beauty/urban-decay

Comment down and let me know below which naked palette is your favorite if you have any, or which one is in your wish list :)