URBAN DECAY X GWEN STEFANI - EYESHADOW PALETTE

If there is one thing that I have learnt about Gwen through the release of her UDXGWEN products it is that she ain't no Hollaback Girl.

I have been pretty pleased with the UDXGWEN collection as per my previous reviews. So today we'll be taking a look at the limited edition eye-shadow palette, which will finish up my reviews of the UDXGWEN collection.

'We partnered with Gwen to create her ultimate eyeshadow

collection. From her fifteen can't-live-whtout shades to the

 super-luxe case, Gwen designed and developed her perfect

palette.

Packaging

Like the rest of the collection, the cardboard packing is divine and has that beautiful white and gold 1920's art deco vibe.

Personally, I find the cardboard packaging breath-taking!

Each of the fifteen shades is displayed on the back of the cardboard packaging for all potential buyers to see. I really like how they've provided a little blurb about the palette. You can tell that a lot of thought and effort from both Urban Decay and Gwen went into this one.

Ugh, check out those nudes!

'Encased in a bespoke palette designed with black and while

 graphic prints and gold accents designed by Gwen'.

And that was just the slip! Onto the actual palette!

The palette carries on with that beautiful white and gold theme, also incorporating a splash of black and the Urban Decay labelling. It should be noted that this palette is really well made! This packaging is really sturdy and has some weight to it.

'Achieve Gwen's most iconic looks with this palette of neutrals and jewel toned shadows'.

Shades & Finishes

FIRST ROW, L-R: Blonde, Bathwater, Skimp, Steady, Punk
SECOND ROW, L-R: Baby, Anaheim, Stark, Zone, Serious
THIRD ROW, L-R: Pop, Harahuku, Danger, 1987, Blackout

The palette offers matte, sparkle and iridescent shades with a variety of nudes and pops of colour. Very much like Gwen's look. Here's the actual breakdown:

BLONDE - pale beige with irridescent shift

BATHWATER - pale beige with gold pearl

SKIMP - pale nude satin

STEADY - medium rose tone with metallic gold shift

PUNK - reddish brown matte

BABY - cool metallic rose

ANAHEIM - light taupe-brown matte

STARK - nude-pink sparkle 

ZONE - medium brown matte

SERIOUS - smoky grey with iridescent floating pearl

POP - pale cprral with iridescent sparkle

HARAJUKU - metallic blue-pink with iridescent micro-shimmer

DANGER - deep metallic royal blue with blue micro sparkle

1987 - bright metallic yellow-gold

BLACKOUT - blackest black matte

My absolute favourites, that I can't live without now that I've had them in my life, include: Baby, Anaheim, Stark, Pop, Steady, & Punk. Punk is this amazing earth red colour that blends so well. Punk, where have you been all my life? x

'Each eyeshadow in this palette feautures our Pigment 

Infusion System, the propietary blend of ingredients that

 gives each shades its velvety texture, rich colour, serious

 staying power and blendability'.

Formula & Pigmentation

Like all Urban Decay palettes, the colours are amazing and apply as smooth as butter. You can build the shades to be as light or dark as you wish, and they are great for blending. Honestly, this palette is my second favourite palette (Urban Decays Naked Palette being Number One, of course). I love a good nude palette, and this one was more than I could have dreamed of.

Affordability & Retailers

This palette was released at the end of 2015, and is currently still for sale as a limited edition piece. You can order yours here. The palette is a bit pricey, retailing at $95.00 AUD. However, Mecca do offer free postage for all orders over $75.00 AUD so I feel that that is a bit of a win. Honestly, I was at first unsure if I wanted to buy the palette, especially with it being so expensive, however my amazing boyfriend decided to buy it for me and told me to be "more impulsive". Ha! I bet he regrets saying that now.

Final Verdict

If you're after a nude palette with bright pops of colour, then this is for you! I'm currently building up the confidence to use Harajuku and Danger and use this palette to its full potential. This palette is so Gwen, and I love it. The nudes pair perfectly with her lipsticks and blushes. Honestly, I feel that anything is possible with this collection and the looks are endless. I feel that the pops of colour can be used to make a bold statements against all of the nudes.

I know it's pricey, but if you have the spare change then be "more impulsive" and treat yourself to this stunner. You won't regret it.


- B xo

URBAN DECAY - UDXGWEN LIPSTICKS

The addiction is real. My love for Gwen Stefani has been rekindled these past few months with the release of her limited edition collection, made in collaboration with Urban Decay Cosmetics. You go Gweny, Gwen-Gwen!

I've always loved Gwen, so it was no surprise that when I saw Urban Decay was releasing a limited edition Gwen-inspired collection that I knew I would have to have it.

Thank god indeed!

A few months down the line, and I finally have as much of the UDXGWEN as I could get my grubby little hands on.


Today we'll be taking a look at the UDXGWEN lipsticks.

'A limited edition stylish case inspired by Gwen's love of black and white graphical prints and antique gold accents'.

Packaging

Like the rest of the collection, the cardboard packing is divine and has that beautiful white and gold 1920's art deco vibe with lipstick colours identified at the base of the packaging.

The lipstick tube packaging is similar to the cardboard packaging, however features a gold and black print.

The packaging on these lipsticks is brilliant, and has an Art Deco feel. Even if Gwen hadn't been the genius behind these beauties, I probably would have still have bought a couple just for the cute packaging.

'Get Gwen's must-have lip colours with this line of eight sheer to extreme matte lipsticks'.

Shades & Finishes

The shades made available to us here in Australia include: Ex-Girlfriend, 714, Wonderland, Spiderweb, Rock Steady & Firebird.

The majority of the lipsticks in this collection are some shade of red with a range of sheens and cremes. Meh. Don't get me wrong, I love a good red lipstick but I felt that with this collection I did not need to buy all six lipsticks due to the redness overload. Let's not forget, Black Moon Cosmetics are still my go to for an amazing long-lasting red lip.

Anyway, back onto Gwen. Ex-Girlfriend is the stand out in this collection, and has been described as 'your lip colour, but better! Ex-Girlfriend, tentatively named after the No Doubt hit, is a nude-sheen lipstick that really does make my lips look 100% better. Unfortunately Ex-Girlfriend is currently sold out on both the Urban Decay and Mecca sites. These lipsticks are limited edition, so it does pay to get in quick. And by 'get in quick', I mean wake up at 6am on launch day and place your order so you don't miss out.

'Designed with Urban Decay's Pigmented Infusion System, the super creamy formula glides onto lips with incredible colour pay off'.

Formula & Pigmentation

I'm in love with the formula. It's so smooth and creamy, and applies well.

However like a regular lipstick, it does have its flaws. The darker colours do bleed without liner applied and will require touch ups throughout the day. It is not drink and food proof. And it is definitely not make-out proof. Sorry boyfriend!

On a positive note, the pigmentation is wonderful. Wonderland is that perfect combination of pink and red that compliments all skin tones. Wonderland and Ex-Girlfriend are both as must as far as I'm concerned. 

From L-R: Ex-Girlfriend, Wonderland, Firebird, 714, Rocksteady.

Affordability & Retailers

This collection is limited edition so get in quick and snap up your purchases from mecca.com.au.

Lipsticks retail at $29.00 AUD, while the liners retail for around $35.00 AUD. I didn't end up purchasing any of the lip liners due to the absurd price tag attached to them. I'm sorry Urban Decay, but I'm not paying more for a lip liner than I do the lipstick.

Final Verdict

If these lipsticks to were become a permanent product I would definitely re-purchase my favourites over and over again.

- B xo

URBAN DECAY - UDXGWEN BLUSH PALETTE

Can we please take a moment to look in awe at this beautiful collection of cosmetics, brought to us by the ever so talented Gwen Stefani.

Thank you.

As always, Urban Decay have not failed to disappoint, delivering us another show stopper. The colours in this palette are insanely gorgeous. As a fair skinned girl like Gwen, as soon as I read that she was releasing a range of products I knew that I had to own them all. I almost died with evny watching vlogs from other beauty enthusiasts in the US- here in Australia we've had to wait until mid-February for the palette and lipsticks to be released.

Packaging

The UDXGWEN collection has sleek packaging for each of the products. The blush palette features white and gold art-deco features and the brands label stamped on the front. Inside there is a beautiful large sized mirror for babes on the go.

This palette is also pretty sturdy and weighty, which in my opinion makes it impractical for travelling.

Shades & Finishes

On to the main attraction:

The pallet claims its shade have eight-hour staying powder and has six shades, providing us with two blushes, two highlighters, and two bronzers. I've been wearing this palette to work for the past week, and as much as I love it, it hasn't held up to the eight-hour claim for me personally. However, this is still my go-to item each morning, so it’s not all bad.  I've had a  love-love relationship with Cherry this week, as it compliments my fair skin tone amazingly (thanks Gwen for looking out for us pale girls!). 

CHERRY - light pink satin

EASY - deep rose with gold shimmer

ANGEL - champagne nude shimmer

LO-FI - soft bronze matte

HUSH - medium pink with gold shimmer

OC - soft pink with peach shift

From L - R; Cherry, Easy, Angel, Lo-Fi, Hush, OC

Formula & Pigmentation

Everything in this palette applies like a dream and is DANGEROUSLY pigmented. Being an NW10 babe, I found Easy to appear very dark when applied so I'm always careful to use the lightest touch when using all of the shades in this palette, especially Easy.

Affordability & Retailers

This palette retails for approx $60.00 AUD. If you still haven't purchased your own gorgeous palette, now is the time to do so here: www.mecca.com.au

Final Verdict

While these shades aren't necessarily part of what I would consider to be my everyday look, I adore this palette. The shades are highly pigmented (I learnt that the hard way), and have some fallout but overall I would recommend this palette. Keep in mind ladies, this is a limited edition release, so take the plunge and buy it. I promise you won't regret it. 

Thank you Gwen for teaming up with Urban Decay and bringing us this palette and the rest of the amazing gwenxud collection. I'll be reviewing the rest of the collection in the near future, Pale girls this palette is a must.

- B xo