SEPHORA VIB 20% OFF SALE: RECOMMENDATIONS

Holy moly, is it really November already? I can't believe that I've been away for so long! I had computer problems and needed to send my laptop to the doctor. Eight long, torturous weeks later, it came back and has been working well ever since. Right around that time, lots of big, exciting changes began to happen in my personal life. Lots. I'll explain everything in another post because after such a long hiatus, I want to get right down to business!

Like many of you, I was a little upset to learn that Sephora's 2012 Friends & Family sale was going to be considerably more literal this year than in the past. (Basically, it was open to the Sephora family and those who know the staff well.) After years of purchase after purchase, I would have thought that Sephora and I were, in fact, good friends. No matter, because as it turns out, Sephora thinks I'm very important. Super. After the amount of business I've given them over the years, they'd better!

So what am I getting at? Sephora's annual 20% off VIB sale hits stores and Sephora.com tomorrow and ends on November 12th. Not a VIB (Very Important Beauty) Insider? Unfortunately, you can't enjoy this deal, which bothers me immensely considering Sephora already cheaped out on the F&F sale this year. If you are a VIB, use the code "CELEBRATE" at checkout. And if you use Ebates, you get an additional 4% cash back. Not an Ebates member? Join now and thank me later.

I always use Friends & Family and the VIB sales to stock up on essentials and grab some holiday gifts, but I will do a blog post or video entirely devoted to gift ideas in a few weeks. In the mean time, I want to recommend some great products (only a handful of which I haven't tried) that you might typically shy away from given the initial price tag, but that may seem more reasonable with the sale and Ebates.

What I Might Get:

Beautyblender Set
     * Worth the hype?
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
     * A winter weather staple
Josie Maran Moroccan Bazaar Argan Set
     * Staple (Argan Oil) + new products I want to try
Josie Maran Bear Naked Nail Wipes
     * Does natural nail polish remover actually work?
Josie Maran Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick
     * To soothe cracked, winterized skin
Make Up For Ever High Definition Foundation *OR*
Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation
     * To get "perfect" skin

My Recommendations:

Benefit Sexy Little Stowaways Set
     * 10 travel-sized bestsellers
Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System
     * Holy Grail product and worth every penny
Clarisonic Brush Heads
     * Suggested replacement: every 90 days
Fresh Sugar Addiction Mini Lip Collection
     * 6 mini tube varieties of this bestselling lip balm
Ghd Classic Straightener/Styler
     * Curl, wave or straighten with ease
Guerlain Meteorites Powder
     * An iconic product; I haven't tried it
Josie Maran Argan Oil
     * One of my skincare staples
Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover
     * By far my favorite eye makeup remover
Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara Collection
     * All you need to define your eyes
Kate Somerville Exfolikate
     * Very expensive, but makes skin glow
Make Up For Ever Complexion Starter Kit
     * 4 items to make a flawless face
Nars Blush or Bronzer
     * Iconic powders
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar
     * Great lip stains; make sure to apply precisely
Philosophy Shower Gel
     * Candy Cane is my personal favorite
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser
     * Removes makeup with ease
Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder
     * Mix with moisturizer to gradually even out your skin tone
REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
     * Naturally resurface your skin (I've heard great things; on my wish-list)
Sephora by OPI Tinsel Town Collector's Set
     * 16 mini bottles for the nail polish junkie
Sephora Collection Premium I.T. Brush Set
     * For face and eyes; comes with a stand
Sephora Fragrance Sampler
     * Find your new favorite fragrance; great gift
Sephora Lash Stash
     * Find your new favorite mascara; great gift
Sultra 1" Bombshell Curling Iron
     * Makes tight curls or loose waves with ease; my favorite curling iron
Sultra Seductress Curl, Wave & Straight Iron
     * Easily straightens, curls or waves; varied heat settings
Urban Decay Naked 1 or 2 Palette
     * Iconic eyeshadow palettes for the girl who loves neutrals
Urban Decay Ocho Loco 24/7 Eye Liner Set
     * 8 waterproof eyeliners and fantastic double-barrel sharpener
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat
     * Radiance in a tube; not meant to replace your concealer

Boy, do I wish that Sephora still sold Chanel and Mac makeup. (Am I dating myself?) I would stock up like crazy! *Sigh* Anyway, this list is not exhaustive, so feel free to add any product recommendations that you have in the comments section below. Happy shopping!

SHOE HAUL: NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE

Here's a more in-depth description and review of the shoes I purchased a few days ago at Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale. (The sale ends August 6th.) Don't you just love how the still shots for my YouTube videos always manage to catch me making a fish face or something close to it? One word: gorgeous! LOL You can see a quick peek of everything else that I got here. My fashion and beauty haul videos will be posted over the next few days, so check back soon for those updates!

Products Featured:

• Frye "Melissa Trapunto" Boot
• BP. "Rally" Bootie
• Ugg Australia "Fabrizia" Boot
• Sam Edelman "Petty" Bootie
• Indigo by Clarks "Heath Harrier" Bootie
• Brooks "Adrenaline GTS 12" Running Shoe

What I'm wearing:

• Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion, Urban Decay Half Baked and Last Call, Mac Blanc Type, Cover Girl Perfect Blend Black Eyeliner, Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Lash Building Mascara in Black
• Cheeks: Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder, Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush 12-Hour Blush in Glisten
• Lips: Mac Ravishing
• Face: Mac Select Cover-up in NW 20, Garnier Anti-Dark-Circle Roller, Chanel Aqualumiere Foundation in Beige
• Nails: Zoya Elodie
• Shirt: Express
• Jeans: Forever 21

TEASER: NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE HAUL

Now that Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is in full swing and my wallet has dropped a solid 10 pounds – a situation where weight loss is really, really bad – I thought I’d tease you with my new goodies. (I seriously cannot wait to play dress up and show you what I come up with!) My lighting is terrible because it’s raining, but I think you can see well enough to get a general idea of what everything is. I have been really good about not shopping over the past few months, but I got a little carried away this time around! My shopping trips were spread out over a few days, so I didn't realize how much I had actually purchased until I started to put this post together. Yikes!

Right to Left, Back to Front: Arcona Triad Pads
Cle de Peau Concealer, Nars Joie de Vivre, Chanel Sable Emouvant
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Chanel Giggle, Dior Amazonia, Chanel Vertigo

Right to Left, Back to Front:
Frye Melissa Trapunto, Ugg Fabrizia, BP. Rally
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12, Sam Edelman Petty, Indigo by Clarks Heath Harrier
(The black Ugg Fabrizia boots are definitely going back. They're very uncomfortable!)

Frenchi Vanity Tweed Jacket, Halogen Collarless Tweed Jacket, Olivia Moon Ruched Sleeve Jacket

Joie Pearline Blouse, Halogen Pin Tuck Pleat Blouse, Twenty Leather Panel Tee

Halogen Pleat Front Check Skirt, June Rabbit Fur Vest, Hinge Fitted Leather Jacket

I’m either going to do a video or more detailed post that shows you the items in better detail. In the meantime, if you see something you like, get a move on to Nordstrom or the online store before it’s all gone! Keep an eye out for styling ideas and beauty reviews coming in the next few days. Don't forget to subscribe to my blog for updates!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

STYLE ME: THE PERFECT SHOPPING SPREE OUTFIT

I stayed at my parents' house this past weekend to take care of Chloe, our 12-year-old Wheaten Terrier, while they were out of town. Despite my dog's age, she is still energetic and very playful! We went for a brisk hike Sunday morning before I left to run a few errands and severely harm my bank account at Nordstrom’s anniversary pre-sale. (I ordered some things online, too, so check back in a few days to see my new goodies and how I plan to style them.) Not wanting to miss out on any quality time with my awesome dog that I rarely see, I packed my overnight bag pretty quickly. Rather than take the time to plan an outfit or two, I just threw in some separates and hoped they would go together. Really smart, right? Out of the random assortment of clothes I brought, I thought these went together well enough and were perfect for a day primarily spent shopping. How so? Well...

Click on the photo for a closer look.

The purple shorts didn’t really serve a purpose other than to be adorable and colorful. I thought the muted shades of the flowy silk blouse grounded the shorts, despite the animal print. The top was thin enough to try on a blazer, sweater or jacket without having to venture into a fitting room. The white flip-flops slid right off, so I didn’t have to fumble with any buckles when changing shoes. This made the difficult task of finding the perfect fall boot a bit easier. (Side note, I found a few. They. Are. Fabulous.) I would have preferred a purse in a different shade (I find the black a bit jarring with the color palette), but I loved having my hands free while browsing. Plus, I like the bit of toughness that the silver studs provide. I threw on some silver chain-link earrings and my go-to watch to finish the look. I opted not to wear a necklace because I was concerned it might get tangled with the purse strap. (I'm totally lying. I actually forgot to pack a necklace, but that would have been true otherwise!) Overall, this was an easy pairing. What do you think?

What I'm Wearing:

• Blouse: Joie (I recently bought this at a consignment shop. I haggled the price down from $50 to $15. I love to negotiate!)
• Shorts: Mossimo Supply Co.
• Sandals: Stuart Weitzman
• Bag: Nine West
• Watch: Burberry
• Earrings: Judith Ripka – Sterling Collection

NAIL NEWS: MERMAID TO ORDER

There’s nothing like a fresh coat of nail polish on my fingers to make me feel instantly…well, polished! The right coat of varnish conveys my mood and pulls any ensemble together, even if it’s really casual. I like to try bolder, more vibrant colors in the summer (shocking, huh?) because the sun and sand tend to yellow paler hues into sickly-looking shades.

Speaking of the sun and sand, I’ve been trying to get to the beach as much as possible during my free time because I love, love, love the ocean.  Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to take too many day trips this summer because my weekends have been unusually busy. Undeterred, I decided to bring the beach vibe to me! Sephora by OPI’s “Mermaid to Order”  ($9.50 at Sephora) is the closest thing I can think of to having the beach in a bottle. The stunning metallic teal is aptly named and it’s so different from what I normally wear that I get happy every time I look at my fingers.

As such a bold and unique color, “Mermaid to Order” may not be one of my go-to nail polishes for a manicure, but I’ll definitely grab it here and there for a pedicure. The color lasts for about a week on my fingers (with a top coat) and two weeks on my toes with only minor tip wear, so I'm pretty pleased. My only real gripes with this shade are that it needs two coats for full opacity and I can see visible brush strokes when dry. Other than that, I adore this playful hue!

Natural light. With flash.

Natural light. No flash.

Sorry for the somewhat sloppy application. I distractedly painted my nails while watching “Firefly” on Netflix. It's Ed’s new TV obsession, even though we haven't finished the second season of "Game of Thrones" yet. (I don't know why considering it is intensely riveting!)

STYLE ME: A PATRIOTIC OUTFIT OF THE DAY

Oh my goodness, has it really been five months since my last post? Unacceptable! I'm so sorry that I have been M.I.A. for such a long time. Moving, a new (and incredibly adorable) nephew, work, studying and gorgeous weather have all kept me from writing and filming new videos ... but not anymore! I am going to devote some time every day to making BeachBlondeBeauty an improved experience for all. Check back soon for a new layout, posts and videos because the hiatus is over. I am back!

Anyway, today is America's Independence Day and the weather couldn't be hotter. After getting a later start on the morning than expected (I didn't know I could sleep past 8:30 anymore), Ed and I decided to relax at a barbecue instead of fighting beach traffic. I threw on an easy outfit that I snazzed up with a belt and fedora. Being the patriotic girl that I am, I had to sport some red, white and blue. In order to avoid looking over-accessorized, I opted not to wear a necklace. What do you think?

Click on the photo for a closer look.

What I'm wearing:

• Sandals: XOXO
• Skirt: CAbi
• Tank Top: Abercrombie & Fitch
• Belt: H&M
• Fedora: Target
• Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors
• Bangles: Amrita Singh
• Nails: Butter London "Macbeth"

DIOR GARDEN PARTY: GARDEN PASTELS REVIEW

Despite the release of a spring collection in January being somewhat cruel and taunting, the romantic pastel shades in Dior’s new Garden Party collection were just the pick-me-up I needed. Upon opening any of the pieces from the launch, I feel like I’m suddenly enclosed in a lush rose garden. I can almost feel the warmth of the sun and smell the sweet floral-scented air.  (Too bad it’s actually a cold snowy evening.) One of my favorite products from the collection is the Garden Pastels (#441) eyeshadow quint. The colors are pigmented, long-wearing and work together beautifully.  In short, it is the total opposite of the holiday Couture Golds dud.

In natural light. No flash.

PACKAGING: Garden Pastels comes in Dior’s traditional navy blue lacquered eyeshadow case that is about the size of the palm of my hand. When opened, the palette contains a full mirror, 5 rose-embossed eyeshadows, and 2 double-ended sponge applicators. Everything comes housed inside a navy blue velvet pouch.

PRICE: $59 for 5 eyeshadows (0.16 ounces of product) and 2 doubled-ended sponge tip applicators.

EYESHADOWS: I was a little apprehensive about buying another Dior palette after my disastrous encounter with the holiday Couture Golds quint, but I’m so glad I picked up Garden Pastels! Even without a primer, the eyeshadows are buttery smooth and pigmented; however, I find the color is most intense when I use the applicators.  When I use a brush, the eyeshadows apply slightly more sheerly, but they layer nicely and blend beautifully into each other. If you want to create a really dramatic look, I suggest using a colored base and layering the Dior eyeshadows on top because although pigmented, the colors are on the lighter side. Each eyeshadow is impressive in terms of texture, wear and color payoff – there are no duds here!

In full sun. No flash.

The shades included in this selection are quite shimmery and colorful, so they’re not for the faint of heart. That being said, I think they can be muted so that even neutrals-lovers will feel comfortable using this palette. I have blue eyes and think this looks nice on me, but I imagine these colors will look especially gorgeous on people with brown eyes. The colors in this palette remind me of the Giorgio Armani Spring Luce d'Oro Eye quad in #1, although I haven't seen the Armani palette in person to be able to say for sure.

            Spring Green: Shimmery spring green. Despite the shimmer, it doesn’t feel gritty.

            White: Shimmery white with a hint of green iridescent sheen. Smooth texture and good
            color payoff. (This reminds me of Mac's Vanilla pigment.)

            Pale Yellow: Shimmery buttercup yellow. Good color payoff and grit-free.

            Teal: Shimmery teal with hints of gold. Quite pigmented with a smooth texture.

            Pale Pink: Shimmery pale petal pink. Smooth texture, and decent pigmentation. (It’s  
            somewhat sheer compared to the other shades, but it still builds well.)

SWATCHES:

In full sun. No flash.
Green, White, Pale Yellow, Teal, Pale Pink

APPLICATORS: Although sponge tip applicators usually have a bad reputation for being flimsy and useless, I actually love the ones that Dior produces. Garden Pastels has two double-ended applicators, each with an eyeshadow and eyeliner side. The thicker end is useful for packing on color to the lid, crease or brow. The longer, thinner end is excellent for lining the upper and lower lashes.

OVERALL VERDICT: At $59, Garden Pastels is definitely an investment; however, I think it is money well-spent. The colors work well with each other (which isn’t always the case with small palettes) and blend exquisitely.  Every eyeshadow has a smooth texture with good color payoff. They apply best with the applicators, but can be layered to the desired intensity with brushes. This is how a designer palette should perform!

JANUARY 2012 HITS AND MISSES

Yet another month has come and gone in the blink of an eye, much to my chagrin. I can't stop the passing of time, but I can sort through piles of products and tell you which are real gems or just hunks of carbon. (Like that geological joke? I'm hilarious.) Without further ado, here are my hits and misses for January 2012:

What I'm wearing:

• Eyes: Elf Eyelid Primer, Wet 'n Wild Cotton Candy eyeshadow palette, L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense Liquid Liner, Sephora by OPI Advanced Lash Booster black mascara
• Cheeks: Mac Pink Cult, Benefit Highbeam
• Lips: Josie Maran Argan Color Stick in Rosey, Josie Maran Natural Volume Lipgloss in Optimism
• Face: Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in light, Garnier Anti-Dark-Circle Roller, Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Pressed Powder
• Nails: Chanel Particuliere
• Necklace: Forever 21
• Sweater: Cynthia Rowley

DIOR GARDEN PARTY: TULIP PINK REVIEW

I'm a sucker for limited edition makeup, so it's no surprise that I picked up quite a few items from Dior's new Garden Party collection. My favorite lip product from the launch is the Tulip Pink Rouge Dior lipstick (#448, $32 for 0.12 ounces). It’s a pink with a hint of coral and a cream finish. This lipstick feels much smoother on the lips than Dior’s other spring lipstick – the frosty Corolle Pink – nor does it settle into my fine lip lines.

In full sun, no flash.

I was expecting Tulip Pink to be a “my lips but better” shade, but it's too bright to fall into that category. The color initially seems somewhat sheer when applied, but it builds nicely to semi-opacity. I think this feature will make Tulip Pink the more popular of the collection’s lipsticks because it will suit a greater variety of women. Tulip Pink will probably work best with warmer/neutral skin tones, but it seems like it could be universally flattering. This shade looks nicer with my fair skin than I anticipated, but I think it will look better when I've had a little bit of sun. I know I'll get a lot of use out of this lipstick during the spring and summer!

In full sun, no flash.

Tulip Pink compared to the other "Garden Party" lip products:

Tulip Pink lipstick, Corolle Pink lipstick and Pretty Rose lipgloss.

Indoor natural light, no flash. 

Wear time seems to be on par with my other Rouge Dior lipsticks, although I still don’t believe Dior’s claims that this formula is long-wearing. I get about 3-4 hours of color from each application if I don’t eat or drink anything. This formula has a good amount of slip, so it’s moisturizing and comfortable on the lips; however, that slip also contributes to the color wearing off more quickly than compared to a drier formula.

OVERALL VERDICT: I love Tulip Pink because it instantly brightens my face without being overwhelming or looking like I’m trying too hard. It can be worn as a subtle wash or built up for a more intense look. The pinky-coral color will transition well through the warmer seasons, which makes the initial $32 price tag seem a little more reasonable.

URBAN DECAY NAKED 2 PALETTE VIDEO REVIEW

This is my YouTube video review of Urban Decay's new Naked 2 palette (You can check out my channel here). I also have a written review if you'd prefer to read about the palette instead. To quickly sum up my feelings for Naked 2, I'd have to say I love it. Why? Watch this video to find out!

What I'm wearing:
-Eyes: Mac Nubile Paint Pot; Urban Decay Suspect, Tease, Foxy and Bootycall (from Naked 2); Urban Decay Uzi 24/7 eyeliner; Sephora Advanced Lash Booster Black Mascara
-Cheeks: Mac Pink Cult Blush, Benefit High Beam Highlighter
-Lips: Mac Red Dwarf Prolongwear Lipstick
-Face: Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Balancing Foundation in Light, Mac Select Cover-up in NW 20, Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Roller, Mac Blot Powder in Light
-Nails: Sephora by O.P.I. Break a Leg-Warmer!
-Sweater: Cynthia Rowley

DIOR GARDEN PARTY: COROLLE PINK REVIEW

Although winter has been unusually skimpy on snow where I live, I’m still sick and tired of the bitter chill and dreary gray tones that meet me once I step outdoors. When there’s no end in sight to those dreaded winter doldrums, I pray to the makeup gods for some colorful relief.  And this season, Dior answered – and big time! – with the romantic limited edition Garden Party.

Corolle Pink in natural light, no flash.

Among the items that I purchased from Dior's new collection, the first that caught my eye was the Corolle Pink Rouge Dior lipstick (#363, $32 for 0.12 ounces). It's a delicate and somewhat sheer frosty baby pink that is chock full of silver shimmer. Even though the grains of shimmer are small, Corolle Pink feels a bit gritty on my lips. I don't find it to be uncomfortable, but some women might.

In full sun, no flash.

With flash.

Corolle Pink isn’t the most pigmented Rouge Dior I’ve ever tried, but it still has better color payoff than the more sheer Dior Addict formula. The color shows up on my light lips, but I think women with more pigment in theirs may want to skip this lipstick in favor of the Tulip Pink Rouge Dior (comparison swatch below). I love the soft shade of this lipstick – it is the perfect pale pink with my fair complexion.

Corolle Pink compared to the other "Garden Party" lip products:
Tulip Pink lipstick, Corolle Pink lipstick and Pretty Rose lipgloss.
Indoor natural light, no flash. 

Wear time seems a little less than compared to my other Dior lipsticks, but that could be because the color is light and not as noticeable. Corolle Pink isn’t longwearing, but it lasts about 2-3 hours if I don’t eat or drink anything. 

I usually find the Rouge Dior formula to be rather hydrating and forgiving . However, the intense shimmer in Corolle Pink emphasizes lines and dry or flaky lips, so make sure to exfoliate and moisturize beforehand! Unfortunately, no matter how much I prep my lips, I feel like this color accentuates how cruel the winter has been to my skin. Perhaps my problem will be resolved when the spring arrives.

OVERALL VERDICT: I think reviews for Corolle Pink are going to be divided in terms of rants and raves because of the frosty finish and medium color payoff. If you want a natural look, I would definitely avoid this shade and go for the Tulip Pink; however, if you want a wash of shimmery color, this could be right up your alley. At $32 a pop, I recommend trying Corolle Pink at a Dior counter before purchasing it. Although I adore the  color, it makes my lips look like a chapped mess (even when they aren't). I’m torn between returning this lipstick or keeping it in hopes that it will look better on me in warmer weather. Overall, I think this is just an average product and not worth the expensive price tag.

URBAN DECAY NAKED 2 PALETTE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Like many other makeup fans, I had been anxiously awaiting the debut of Urban Decay’s Naked 2 palette. I adore their eyeshadows.  9 times out of 10, the texture is rich and smooth with intense color payoff (which in some respects makes UD a bargain because I use very little at a time). So when Urban Decay originally announced in 2010 that they were producing a neutrals-only palette, I knew I had to have it. And, seriously, the record-breaking Naked 1 blew my mind.

Fast forward a year-and-a-half to the arrival of the Naked 2 palette. I can’t tell if there’s less demand for the sequel compared to the original or if Urban Decay is just better prepared for the mad rush this time around. Either way, you can get your own at Sephora.com or Urbandecay.com (although it’s out of stock at the moment). It will be in stores at the end of the month.

PACKAGING: Naked 2 comes in a sleek taupe metal case that snaps shut. I need to put a little muscle into opening it, but that’s a nice feature for people who travel often. Inside, there is a full-sized mirror, 12 eyeshadows and a double-ended brush. Naked 2 is a fairly heavy palette, but it’s still light enough to toss in a purse when on-the-go and it's easy to clean. Overall, I prefer the original Naked palette’s packaging, but I’ll get into that another time.

PRICE: $50 for 12 full-size eyeshadows, a double-ended brush and mini lipgloss. If purchased separately, that’s $234 worth of product. Not a bad deal!

BRUSH: Included in the kit is a Good Karma double-ended brush with synthetic bristles. One side is a flat shader with a thin tip for packing on color or lining the eyes, while the other is a crease brush for applying (and blending) color. Although I like the idea of a 2-in-1 brush, I’m not the biggest fan of this particular one.

Flat Shader: The bristles are too stiff to work with such soft eyeshadows; I actually prefer using this brush with cream products. The brush head is too thin for my taste and I find it takes me longer to do my makeup than usual because the brush is so small. In comparison to my trusty Mac 239 (my favorite flat shader), the bristles are also noticeably longer. The bristles gradually form a blunt tip that is nice for trying to line the eyes or create a dramatic edge, but I keep accidentally jabbing the eyeshadows and creating little ruts.  Overall, I don’t like to use this end with the Naked 2 palette.

Flat shader brush

Mac 239 (top) compared to the Urban Decay flat shader (bottom).

Crease: This reminds me a lot of the Mac 222, but slightly thinner. The bristles are a bit stiffer than I find ideal; however, the brush’s size is perfect for applying shadow into the crease and outer-v. I would prefer if the bristles were a bit fluffier so that I could use the brush to blend more. Overall, though, it’s an excellent crease brush and I definitely prefer this end to the flat shader.

Crease brush

EYESHADOWS: I have developed high expectations for Urban Decay’s eye products over the past few years and I’m pleased to report that Naked 2 meets them. Unlike the original palette, this one has a mix of warm and cool-toned eyeshadows and a matte highlighter. Naked 2 will be more flattering on individuals with cooler skin tones than the original, but it will also work on those with warmer skin.

Foxy: Smooth matte yellowed cream.  It swatches somewhat sheer, but is more pigmented when applied with a fluffy brush. It disappears on my fair skin, but it still does the brightening job of a highlighter.           

Half Baked: Shimmery bronzey gold. This color has outstanding texture and color payoff, but I can’t remotely understand why this is included because it was also featured in the original Naked palette. For $50, none of the colors should be repeated! This small feature bothers me enough that it makes the overall grade of Naked 2 drop a bit. This shade is permanent.

Bootycall: Shimmery ivory with smooth texture and good pigmentation. This is extremely similar to Virgin from the first palette, although it’s a tad more peach-toned.

Chopper: Orangey copper with silver microglitter. This has excellent color payoff, although the glitter is prone to fallout. This is a permanent shade.

Tease: Matte mauve-tinged-brown. It’s stiff and dry with average pigmentation. It applies best with my fluffy Mac 217, but it can be tough to blend. Despite this, it’s my favorite color for the crease.

Snakebite: Shimmery dark bronze with brown tones. Buttery smooth and pigmented. Smog (from the first palette) is similar, but has more orange tones.

Suspect: Deep shimmering champagne. Good color payoff with a slightly dry texture, although it blends easily.

Pistol: Shimmery cool-toned sooty grey that has a slight brown cast when on the skin. Buttery smooth with excellent color intensity. This is another one of my favorites.

Verve: Shimmering icy-gray champagne with a hint of pink. That description sounds contradictory, but Verve is a very interesting shade. Great texture and pigmentation.

YDK: Pigmented cool-toned bronze with a metallic finish. Very faint microglitter, but it’s a smooth shadow and isn’t prone to as much fallout as Chopper. This is a permanent shade.

Busted: Frosty dark brown with a hint of red. It’s very similar to Hustle (from the first palette) in terms of shade and pigmentation, but it has a much better texture.

Blackout: Matte true black. I was apprehensive to see this featured because I didn’t love it in the 15^th Anniversary palette; however, I think it has been improved since its initial release. This has excellent color payoff and is buildable to a very intense depth, but it can be a bit powdery.

BONUS GLOSS: The included Naked Lip Junkie Lipgloss is a miniature size. Naked is a peppermint-infused (yum!) neutral pink, although it appears slightly brown on my naturally pale lips. Naked has a hint of shimmer, yet it still appears natural. UrbanDecay claims it plumps the lips, but I didn't notice that effect. The gloss has a refreshing minty taste, isn’t sticky and comes in a squeeze tube for easy application.

SWATCHES:

Natural light: Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper

Natural light: Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol

Natural light: Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout

Flash: Naked lipgloss

OVERALL VERDICT: Naked 2 is not necessarily a must-have if you already own the first Naked palette, although it is more flattering on cooler skin tones and the very fair (like yours truly). I personally prefer the second palette because the colors suit me better. The mattes in Naked 2 are not as smooth as in the original palette, which is disappointing because Urban Decay can make some stellar matte eyeshadows; however, they're still pretty good. I'm extremely irritated that Half Baked was included in both palettes, but I like the rest of the palette enough to let it slide. $50 may seem expensive initially, but if you don’t own the first and like neutral colors, then I’d definitely go for it!

DIOR GARDEN PARTY HAUL PREVIEW

Dear Readers,

I hope you're all having a pleasant weekend! I've had a lovely, lazy Saturday. My boyfriend, Ed, is visiting his family for the weekend, so I've been delighting in activities that take a back seat when he's home. I slept until 8:15, did some yoga, went to the mall and bought some makeup, filmed a video  – okay, I was somewhat productive today – did some crossword puzzles while drinking green tea, knit a few rows in the hat I'm making for my nephew and watched The Help.

Tonight, I'm putting my cell phone on the silent setting and taking a Lush-ious bath until I'm pleasantly pruney. (Yes, I know it's a Saturday night and I'm taking a bath instead of going out. I couldn't look forward to my evening more, but perhaps this is a sign I'm getting old.) I'm thinking of cocktailing the Big Blue bath bomb with the Floating Island bath melt and either the Sea Vegetable or Figs & Leaves soap. Aaaahh, I feel relaxed already!

Before I slip into a blissful soak, I want to tease you with my purchase from Dior's new Garden Party spring collection. The colors look so beautiful, albeit predictable for this time of year; however, I never tire of romantic, delicate shades. They just scream "ladylike" to me. Please excuse the poor lighting and dark stains at the bottom of the photos. I spilled a jar of brown pigment on my makeup drawers and need to wipe down the top again.

Items featured are the Milly Garden clutch, Garden Pastels quint, Garden Roses quint, Tulip Pink lipstick, Corolle Pink lipstick, Waterlily nail polish and Pretty Rose lipgloss.

In the waning hours of daylight -- no flash.

Waning daylight -- flash.

More information coming soon. I have a feeling it's going to take me a few days to swatch these because I don't want to ruin the pretty floral designs. I guess that's what happens when makeup and art collide!

Until next time,

-BeachBlondeBeauty

DECEMBER HITS

These were my favorite products from December 2011. I didn't use or test many beauty products because I was sick for the majority of the month. This is the first time I didn't have any "miss" items that were complete flops.

Items featured:
-Arcona Triad Pads
-Urban Decay Naked 2 palette
-Muji 2 and 5-drawer acrylic storage units (available here)

What I'm wearing:
-Eyes: UDPP; Mac Cheers, My Dear!; Silver Fog; Softwash Grey; Reflects Pearl and Blanc Type; Urban Decay Gunmetal; Cover Girl Perfect Blend Black Eyeliner; Sephora Advanced Lash Booster Black Mascara
-Cheeks: Tarte Glisten
-Lips: Laura Geller Berry Banana and Mac Fashionscoop
-Face: Arcona Tinted Sunscreen, Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Light
-Dress: Alice & Olivia