Urban Decay Heat Palette, Backdoor Lipstick, Sin Highlighter: Review & Makeup Look

Urban Decay Naked Heat palette got me thinking like: ''It's absolutely beautiful but this will never work on my fair skintone.'' 

I've proved myself wrong. I've challenged myself to use only Naked Heat over the past week and it delivered like any other Naked edition. I'm pleased with my Urban Decay Naked Heat palette, although I have really light skin and a neutral undertone. It has sufficient array of light and dark colors, 7 matte shades for the crease and fun shimmery coppers with hidden duochrome effect.

Urban Decay Naked Heat paleta mi je vlila mešane občutke: ''Izgleda čudovito vendar odtenki niso za mojo svetlo kožo.''

Sama sebi sem dokazala ravno nasprotno, saj sem si prejšnji delovni teden zadala poseben izziv. Da izkoristim Naked Heat paleto vsak dan v tednu, brez izjeme. Izkazalo se je, da sem z naborom odtenkov čisto zadovoljna. Paletka Naked Heat ima dovolj svetlih in temnih odtenkov, več kot dovolj mat odtenkov (kar 7 jih je) in presenetljivo zanimive ''šimraste'' bakrene odtenke.

High End Makeup Worth Your Money

High end makeup can cost an arm or a leg, especially if you're only a student or yet to be fully employed, working girl. Still, if you crave a pretty thing now and then, it's totally fine and you should be 100% happy with your newly picked makeup product at such a high price. Here's where I come around with my high end experiences - giving you some high end suggestions that are totally worth your hard earned money. I've only included categories in which I most certainly trust in - I have yet to discover perfect high end foundations or bronzers that are worth that extra splurge.

BRUSHES

Let's start with basics, brushes are definitely the best category to invest in some extra money. Good quality brushes will last for ages or a lifetime if you're maintaining them carefully and properly. Sigma is still my number one brush brand to relay upon as their brushes never disappoint with quality and high performance. I've been owning their Essential Kit (160$) for years now and my brushes are still spotless and beautiful as the first day. Extravaganza Face Kit 18K Gold (119,70$, quick look here) is a luxury version of normal Sigma sets but totally worth the investment on a long run. Still, I think beginners would be probably totally satisfied with their SigmaTech Essential Brush Set (122$, review here) as it's pretty affordable yet has the needed essential brushes for everyday. 3DHD line is perfect for effortless buffing of your liquid foundation and no wonder 3DHD Kabuki (24$) is crowned as Best Brush for 2015. I also recommend buying Sigma brushes when there's a special event or deal to get more out of your money. Monthly codes for 10% off (for October is SIGMAPINK) are also always updated.

CONCEALER

If we continue with base products, Clarins Instant Concealer (around  25€, Clarins counters) is an essential you won't regret. Generous amount of 15ml will last you for months with regular use. Formula offers medium coverage while the texture is so refined you can easily cover your under eye circles or larger areas with imperfections. No wonder it's a European classic and a serious Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer competitor with a lighter coverage. It comes in 4 different shades with different undertones to cover and revive tired eyes. Number 01 matches even the lightest skintypes. 

POWDER

Ah yes, the unbeatable and cult classic Guerlain Meteorites (around 50€, Guerlain counters). For some time, before even testing them out, Meteorites was just a pretty little collection of rainbow pearls for face. Trying them out, I've converted into a true Meteorites fan with rainbow pearl madness. It's true, classic Meteorites cost an arm and a leg together at about 50€ but rainbow pearls will probably last you for years at 25g amount. I'm no where near finishing my Meteorites even though they already updated their design and reformulated the product. It gives a glorious but subtle illuminating finish but also manages to prolong your foundation wear. It's a perfect fit for dry skin that looks dull and needs uplifting colour correction. On the other hand, Meteorites Compact (about 50€, Guerlain counters, review here) is definitely suitable for all skintypes as it manages to perfect skin texture and delicately mattifies for an airbrushed effect. They both are 100% worth the splurge, though Compact has only 7g which could be a huge downfall, and they both smell like violets. Basically, if you're rich or price doesn't matter to you, Compact Meteorites is the best powder on the beauty market. While original Meteorites have the best value for money and they're pretty illuminating and perfecting as well.

BLUSH

Packaging is a huge factor to notice a high end brand. While I utterly enjoy the luxurious packaging of YSL or Guerlain, Benefit (about 35€ a piece, Asos) is really good at concept ideas and unique shades of blushers. Benefit is the only blush brand with several shades in my blush collection. They look cute, every blush has a different scent and they perform with excellence. My favourites are Rockateur and Coralista but enjoy every single colour on it's own. I also owned Sugarbomb and Hoola but they weren't the best choice for my fair skintype. I admit, they are pretty addictive once you start collecting them. Coralista, Dandelion, Bella Bamba were reviewed here and Rockateur here.

EYESHADOW

I have only one single eyeshadow brand to mention. Burberry is hands down, the one and only when it comes to single eyeshadows. The texture of Burberry Eyeshadow (about 31€, FeelUnique) is perfectly buttery, highly pigmented with diverse colour range. All shades are unique and gorgeous for enhancing natural beauty of your eyes. I'm more than happy with my Pale Barley as it's a one of a kind camel shade with distinct, subtle shimmer. Worth every cent. More in depth review is here. Keep in mind that their quad eyeshadows supposedly don't have the same quality. 

Palette selection is much more wider in high end department. I have two brands to point out that are not necessarily high end brand but their palettes do come to around 50-58€ a piece, which is a lot if we put the total value of their eyeshadows on the side. My two total winners are Too Faced Chocolate Bar (57,90€, BeautyBay) palettes, they are absolutely superb despite funky design and concept. Shades are buttery smooth, highly pigmented and they smell like legit vanilla cocoa. An array of neutrals is just perfect and they both have a selection of mattes, shimmers and glitter shades. Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar is a more warm toned mix while original Chocolate Bar is heavy on burgundy shades and classic brown mattes.

This will not come as a surprise, but I also adore my Urban Decay Naked palettes (31,51€ for Naked Basics & 52€ for Naked palettes, FeelUnique). Naked, Naked 2, Naked 3 are an absolute must have. Naked Basics and Naked2 Basics, complimentary mattes, are also much more handy as you would thought in the first place. First and original Naked is full of basic bronze, matte browns and smokey shades. Quality and pigmentation is the best in the original. Naked 2 is on the other hand much more cooler, complex and unique. Naked 3 is a rose gold twist with an array of pinks, golds and coppers. Due to flattering hues, it's my favourite out of the bunch, but keep in mind that it has some sparkly shades with fallout. Naked Basics in particular has a mix of most useful matte shades, while Naked2 Basics has less intense mattes for shadow blending.

LIP PRODUCT

It's hard for me to pick out only one high end brand of lipsticks as I strive to try as many different brands as possible. But I had to point out my current favourite high end lipstick brand, it's probably Dior. Their textures and formulas are unbeatable and truly unique to the market. They are usually in the front line when it comes to new formulas and inventions. A solid pick are Dior Fluid Sticks (35€, Dior counters & online) and always intriguing, multitasking Cheek & Lip Tint (37€, Dior counters & online). Dior Addict (36€, Dior counters & online) and Addict Extreme (32€, Dior counters & online) also have a pleasant, comfortable texture with wide shade selection. Rouge Dior (36€, Dior counters & online) is a classic pick for a bolder shade and fully opaque color. My personal colour favourite is 786 Mysterious Mauve (review here), a unique buildable purple with blue sheen. Dior colour selection is out of this world and I'm pretty sure you'll find a perfect formula and shade at their counter.

Hope this post was helpful to you in any way. I'm especially pleased with Guerlain powders as they make all the difference to your face, while Clarins Instant Concealer is a pretty sweet deal at 15ml. Urban Decay and Too Faced palettes are already classics that shouldn't be missed out and they are all a good value for your money. Sigma brushes won't disappoint and will last a lifetime with good care. Not to be mistaken, these are not my only high end bits but rather products that are truly worth the extra mention. Who knows, maybe I'll do part 2 if this post turns out to be a successful one.

7 Fall Lipsticks worth the Look (EU & US Edition)

Want bold lips or you're flirting with honey nudes? Here's my self-picked set of lipsticks that will encapture warm earthy tones and snuggly wine based vamps. I've intentionally chose an array of different brands to cover the best from Europe and also US. Actually, you can  easily find all 7 lip colours online too. Why 7 lipstick you ask? Halloween is coming and let's just say 7 is a magical number for our witchy souls. Now who's reddy and berry for this upcoming Fall season?

SLO

Iščete šminke v barvi jagodičevja ali topli medeni barvi? V tej objavi boste našli vse in še več, saj sem nabrala najbolj jesensko obarvane odtenke. Šminke se vrstijo od medenih ''nude'', vse do vinsko/bordo vampirskih tonov. Namerno sem izbrala nabor šmink, ki pokrivajo evropski kot ameriški trg, da zadovoljim večino mojih bralcev. Prav tako lahko vseh 7 omenjenih šmink kupite na spletu, če slučajno niso na voljo v naših majhnih drogerijah.  Zakaj točno 7 šmink? Mogoče sem že malce pod vplivom prihajajoče Noči čarovnic in se sliši ta številka kot magična izbira za vampirske ustnice.

Let's start with the boldest, smokiest grey purple out there, Wet'n'Wild Megalast lipstick (2,75$, buy online & US drugstores) 916D Ravin' Raisin. It's a long time favourite of mine and a pretty convincing Mac dupe for Smoked Purple. Highly pigmented and quite stiff texture are the properties that make this lipstick last for numerous hours. Finish is somewhere between creamy and satin but dries slowly within several hours. A pretty unique, almost terrifying shade that's wearable and actually flattering on cooler skintones. Another Wet'n'Wild Megalast pick is 908C Sugar Plum Fairy, classic warm berry that suits everyone. Looks familiar? It's another perfect dupe for glorious Mac Rebel. Again, a bit thicker texture but highly long lasting with a prominent berry stain. Packaging of Megalast is crap though.

Začnimo na začetku, pri najtemnejši, skoraj črni šminki. Wet'n'Wild Megalast (4,55€, Destination Pretty & v ZDA) v odtenku Ravin Raisin je vsekakor moj dolgoletni favorit in dokaj dober približek Mac Smoked Purple. Močno pigmentirana in hkrati dokaj gosta in trda tekstura sicer niso popolne za popoln nanos, ampak omogoči celodnevno obstojnost. Sama tekstura je nekje med kremnim in satenastim, z urami se počasi pretvori v bolj mat zaključek. Barva je res čudovita na hladnejših tonih kože, hkrati pa dokaj nosljiva kljub začetnemu strahu. Še en biser med Wet'n'Wild je Sugar Plum Fairy, klasična topla barva jagodičevja, ki pristaja vsem. Izgleda znano? No, tudi naj bi bila 'približek za kultno Mac Rebel. Tudi tukaj je tekstura podobna in pusti močan odtis barve na ustnicah.

Topshop lipstick (10,96€, online & Topshop stores) in Sashay Away (review here) made it's cut back into Topshop makeup range this Fall, which probably means it's quite a seller. And I agree, it's a perfect out of the box  greyish chocolate brown with silver particles. Worn on it's own, Sashay Away doesn't show it's full potential yet layered over a lipliner, it really looks gorgeous. Currently, it's sold out on FeelUnique so try luck in UK & US Topshop stores.

Topshop šminka (10,96€, na spletu & Topshop v Veliki Britaniji) v odtenku Sashay Away se je ponovno vrnila na police to jesen, kar je pri Topshopu redkost in pokazatelj popularnosti odtenka. In se strinjam, sama ne morem prehvaliti tega čokoladnega odtenka (ocena tukaj) s srebrnimi delci. Sicer je trenutno na FeelUnique le nekaj odtenkov, vendar upam da bodo dodali tega nazaj po obnovljeni zalogi. Sama šminka sicer ni najbolj privlačna na ustnicah, vendar če jo uporabimo v kombinaciji svinčnika za ustnice, je zgodba popolnoma drugačna. Retro izbor z najbolj nenavadnim odtenkom.

Urban Decay Revolution lipstick (21,24€, online & Urban Decay counters) has the most pleasant formula that's right in between creamy and velvet. Longevity is also a bonus point while my picked shade Rapture is a lovely, muted smokey medium mauve with purple tinge. Still defining but somewhere between neutral and berry/mauve category.

Urban Decay Revolution šminke (21,24€, na spletu & Urban Decay v tujini) imajo eno izmed najbolj prijetnih formul za ustnice. Sama tekstura čudovita kombinacija satenastega in kremnega občutka kar doda obstojnost. Izbran odtenek Rapture je tako mešanica sivkasto zamolkle, srednje vijolične. Barva je ravno nekje vmes, saj je dovolj nevtralna za vsak dan hkrati pa kriči po jeseni.

All three shades from Artdeco are from their current, trendy Mystical Forest collection. Art Couture Classic 233 Cream Skin (14,99-20,60€, online & German drugstores) in particular looks exactly like Mac Honeylove in the tube. Surprisingly, it leaves a much more creamy and shiny finish with medium opacity. An easy, throw on honey nude. On contrary, Art Couture Velvet 675 Velvet Dark Queen (14,99-20,60€, online & German drugstores) is a true blood red with brown undertone. It has a velvet finish and more grip than Art Couture Classic.

Zadnji trije odtenki so iz  trenutne Artdeco kolekcije za jesen, Mystical Forest. Vsestransko uporaben ''nude'' odtenek Art Couture Cream šminke 233 Cream Skin (okoli 14,99€, Müller & Artdeco.si) izgleda v sami tubi popolnoma enako kot Mac Honeylove. Glede na to, da sama šminka izgleda mat v tubi, preseneti z zelo mazljivo teksturo in skoraj sijočim zaključkom. Šminka je kremna in prijetna za nošenje tudi na razpokanih ali izsušenih ustnicah. Barva je srednje prekrivna, zakar lahko sami prilagajate intenzivnost barve. Enostavna za uporabo in medeno topla, popolna kot dodatek ''smokey eyes'' izgledu. Popolno nasprotje je Art Couture Velvet 675 Velvet Dark Queen (okoli 14,99€, Müller & Artdeco.si), čisto prava temno vinsko rdeča - slika ji vsekakor ne dela pravice. Le ta ima satenasto teksturo, ki ne polzi čez rob ustnic in se z nošenjem počasi približa mat učinku.  

Reddish berry Artdeco Perfect Color Lipstick 25A Mystical Heart (10,00-13,00€, online/sold out & German drugstores) is a more daytime appropriate spin on a berry lip. It's comfortable yet not as opaque and in your face like the rest. You can easily layer it for more intensity while one layer will give that ''barely bitten'' look. Lipstick shape is perfect for precise application.

Rdečkasto malinasta Artdeco Perfect Color 25A Mystical Heart (okoli 10€, Müller & Artdeco.si) je primeren odtenek za vsak dan, saj je dokaj umirjena jesenska izbira. To šminko lahko z lahkoto slojite ali uporabite v enem nanosu, kar pričara učinek ''odtisa svežih malin'' na ustnicah. Sama oblika šminke je čudovita za natančen nanos. Tekstura je udobna in dokaj ne-sijoča, kar pripomore h boljši obstojnosti.

Of course Fall lipstick shades are totally up to your own personal taste. Here's just a magical bunch of suggestions in several price categories. My personal treasured pieces are Artdeco 675 Velvet Dark Queen and Ravin Raisin. All brands are also available worldwide online, Urban Decay and Topshop on FeelUnique, Wet'n'Wild on BeautyJoint and Artdeco on BeautyBay.

Odtenki za ustnice so seveda najbolj osebna izbira med vsemi vrstami ličil. Predstavila sem le nekaj ljubših odtenkov v različnih cenovnih razredih, katere lahko pobližje pogledate tudi v trgovinah ali naročite preko spleta, z demonstracijo pa Vam olajšala izbor ali nakup. Moja osebna favorita sta Wet'n'Wild Ravin Raisin in Artdeco 675 Velvet Dark Queen. Vse znamke lahko kupite na mednarodnih spletnih trgovinah, vendar je Artdeco lažje dosegljiv v Müller in Artdeco.si (ki bo zaživela konec meseca). Wet'n'Wild lahko naročite na slovenski spletni strani Destination Pretty ali mednarodni BeautyJoint z malce dražjo poštnino. Urban Decay in Topshop je na voljo na mednarodni FeelUnique.

My Top Picks of 2013

The closure of 2013.
You can check my previous picks of 2012 here.
Now let's go down to the business!

HAIR

Still didn't have much luck in hair department but I found a really nice affordable purple shampoo for silver hair. Still trying to find my perfect conditioner and mask.

Shampoo: Swiss O'Par Silver shampoo

Conditioner: /

Hair oil: Schwarzkopf Gliss Ultimate Oil Elixir

Protection spray: /

Honourable mention: Directions Hair dye (review)

SKINCARE & BODY

I had some luck finding new skincare products, I'm especially happy with my new favorite face cream and budget-friendly micellar water. This year I mostly returned back to the basics and start using plain oils and ointments for my face. I tried a bunch of natural brands and was super happy with Lavera and Alverde.

Makeup remover: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Eye makeup remover: plain old almond oil

Toner: /

Eye cream: all kind of ointments

Face cream: Steamcream 

Face oil: still Nuxe Multiusage Dry Oil (review)

Sunscreen: Avene Cream SPF 50+ for dry sensitive skin

Body oil: Yves Rocher Monoi Dry Oil (review)

Deodorant: still Rexona Maximum protection

Body cream: /

Honourable mention: Balea Antipigment creme

NAILS

I had loads of different finishes and colors on my table, but China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy beat them all. I'm still loving my crystal nail files and  L'occitane hand cream is the only one that doesn't left my hands greasy or dry.

Nail polish: Essie Fiji (review), p2 Get Gorgeous! (review), China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy
Nail file: still crystal nail file (review)
Nail base & topcoat: Essence Gel Nails at Home
Hand cream: L'Occitane 20% Shea Butter
Honourable mention: Essie Apricot Cuticle oil

FOUNDATION & CONCEALER

I can't really point out my favorite foundation since I always go back and forth between Bourjois and Revlon Colorstay. I also ventured into trying Meow Cosmetics full-cover mineral foundation. It's a great option for hot summer days. 

Face primer: Bourjois Flower Perfection Smoothing primer (review)
Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum (review)
Pale foundation: Stargazer White Foundation
BB Cream: Holika Holika Petit BB Watery
Powder:  Bourjois Rice Java Powder

Under-eye concealer: still SkinFood Salmon Darkcircle cream
Blemish concealer: Collection Lasting Perfection
Honourable mention: Guerlain Meteorites Powder, Meow Cosmetics Mineral foundation

BRONZER & HIGHLIGHT

Still haven't found the perfect bronzing product for my fair skintone. It's either too warm, too pigmented or too cool. Benefit Hoola is one of my staples over a year now. I generally don't like cream bronzing products but Illamasqua's Hollow is worth checking out.

All-over bronzer: /
Contour: still Benefit Hoola
Highlighter: Topshop Crescent Moon
Honorable mention: Illamasqua pigment Hollow, Dainty Doll Money talks blusher

BLUSH:
Neutral: still Tarte Exposed (review)
Shimmery: Benefit Coralista (review)
Pink-coral: /
Cream/Liquid: Becca Beach Tint Dragonfruit
Honourable mention: /

EYES & BROWS

Essence mascaras are still my favorite despite it's short shelf life. I've been obsessed with Naked Basics and Naked 3 since it came out so I couldn't leave them out. Becca Eye Tints and Rimmel Scandaleyes have one of the best budge-proof formula's I came across.

Eye primer: Urban Decay Eden
Mascara: Essence I <3 Extreme Crazy Volume mascara
Eyeliner: Essence Waterproof Liquid eyeliner
Eye pencil: /
Brows: /
Palette: Urban Decay Naked Basics
Single eyeshadow: Becca Eye tint Gilt
Honourable mention: Urban Decay Naked 3 palette (review), Catrice Brow Designer, Rimmel Scandaleyes Paint (review)

LIPS

You know I love my lipsticks. It was really hard to narrow it down but I still managed to include some of my favorite finishes, colors and brands. Essence Stay matt lip creams are really long-wearing but will be unfortunately discontinued in spring. You can still find them on the shelves.

Lipbalm: Korres Lip Butter (review)
Most longlasting lipstick: Essence Stay Matte Lip cream
Color range: Catrice (review)
Most worn lipstick: Lioele L'cret Miracle Magic Lipstick 02 (review)
Lipgloss: Clarins Instant Lip Perfector (review)
Honourable mention: TonyMoly tint, Rimmel Apocalips, Bourjois Color Boost lipsticks, Badger lipbalms

MAKEUP BRUSHES

Sigma brushes are worth every penny in my opinion. Of course you can get cheaper alternative but nothing can beat a good set of matching brushes and excitement with amazing Sigma packages.

Eyes: Ebay dupes (goat hair) for Mac 217
Face: Sigma Extravaganza Face Kit (review)

PERFUME & OTHER

I've been pretty amazed by Yves Rocher with their high-quality perfumes. They last entire day on my skin and their range of scents is quite impressive. Etude House mist changed my beauty routine since it hides powder and adds a youthful glow.

Perfume: Yves Rocher Monoi de Tahiti (review) & Vanille CollectionOR perfume
Fixing spray: Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer Baby Glow mist

What is your favorite product of the year, if you had to choose only one?

I think I'll say....Etude Nymph Aura Volumer Mist because the concept and idea was totally out of my imagination box. I never knew a spray can change the look of the foundation in a such huge way. 

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

Look at this amazing packaging!

Naked 3 palette was love at first sight. 

I just couldn't bare not to order and complete my Naked collection by Urban Decay.

I have to say - this is probably my favorite out of the threesome - apart from Naked Basics and sentimental value of first Naked palette.

It's a perfect mix of rose-gold neutrals, mauves and pinks.

This is THE Naked palette for neutral-cool skintones like mine. 

Naked 3 is not too cool and not too warm and contains lovely matte shades for blending.

Naked 1 was a bit too warm and Naked 2 was a bit too cool for my taste.

Don't get me wrong - I love bronze/warm/gold shades but they tend to look orange on me. 

Taupes and silver can get a bit boring after a while.

The mix of shades is pretty much perfect - you have an almost matte highlight, 2 matte blending colors and metallic/glittery/shimmery finishes.

My favorites are definitely Nooner (perfect blending color for cool skintones), Liar, Mugshot and Buzz.

I can now easily go on a trip with only these eyeshadows and not worrying about extra mattes.
Color pay-off is amazing - only Dust and Trick have a little fall-out.
 Shades transfer exactly the same as they look in the pan.
I just didn't bother with swatches since there's ton of them on other blogs.

As a bonus you also get 4 samples of primer potions which I loved in the past. 

I'm especially curious about Eden and Anti-Aging primer.

The dual-sided brush is also a lovely synthetic brush for blending (like Mac 217) and creating looks.

You can get Naked 3 on Lookfantastic for a pretty good deal with activated discount codes. 

Naked 3 retails for about 45€ and it's well worth the money.
I could easily say Naked 3 is my favorite out of the bunch, however Naked 1 has A LOT more sentimental value as my first proper UD palette.

Do you own any Naked palettes? Which one is your favorite?