{NEW IN} | Urban Decay #PrepPrimeSet // Primers

Urban Decay is a brand recognized by many incredible makings, one of them being that they constantly hear what their fan base has to say. This is to make sure they’re continuously putting out products that the customer is asking for and that will satisfy a high percentage of Urban Decay shoppers. With the launch of #PrepPrimeSet you can really see the endgame as it caters for a large number of skin types and has also tackled some packaging issues. Today I will be telling you a little about the new primers and giving a little review the 2 that I received.

When Urban Decay decided to create a primer they extensively researched what their UD Junkies were looking for and then went on and created four different ones! These are De-Slick; for oily skin, Self-Adjusting; which contains magical pigment particles that adjust to your skin tone and have colour correcting properties and Urban Defense and Optical Illusion which I will be chatting about today. One of the best qualities about all these primers is that they’re so lightweight and comfortable that you can layer them together. The idea is that you can create “skin-cocktails” and tackle your skin issues without looking weighed down or cakey.

All the primers come in chic, clear, tall bottles with a pewter base and lid. The thin, lightweight bottles make them easy to use, store and carry around.  They all also have airless pump-action which means the entire product stays hygienic and you can’t really take out more than you will need and waste the primer.

Optical Illusion is infused with argan, rosehip and meadowseed oils which moisturize and plump the skin. The primer is a very light peach in colour and refines fine lines and pores into a naturally smooth finish. It also creates a translucent, soft focus effect of the skin that blurs imperfections and makes the skin look softly lit. I’ve been using this primer often since I got it about 2 weeks back and I quite like it. I’ve used it alone on those bare faced days and I really did see the difference as my skin looked even and healthy. Under makeup it is so comfortable and foundations and creams blend in really beautifully. I will say that this is a great versatile, well-rounded primer for all skin types. If you’re not quite sure what you need to prime your skin then this is a safe and wonderful bet. It retails for ZAR450 for a full sized 28mL primer.

Urban Defense is like a transcendent myth; the invisible and lightweight sunscreen.  It is completely transparent, meaning you won’t get that grey-ish veil that many sunscreens give off and it is so light that you barely feel like you have it on. It contains broad spectrum SPF30 blended with sesame seed oil and tomato fruit extract (amongst other ingredients) to make sure skin feels conditioned but not oily. When I say it’s completely clear I am not exaggerating. I have even re-applied it over makeup and everything still looked intact. I can honestly say that this is a luxury level skin product and at ZAR600 for 30mL you should definitely get your hands on it. I cannot stress the importance of sun protection and with Urban Defense there is absolutely no excuse.  

All the #PrepPrimeSet products are available at Easgate in Johannesburg and quite soon they will be available in Sandton City and online at foschiniforbeauty.co.za I will be reviewing the priming and setting sprays soon so do look out for that.

What are your thoughts on Urban Decay’s new #PrepPrimeSet range?

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{BEAUTY REVIEW} | Me & Youth Quick Beauty Fix

Hi beauties! Today I’m going to be giving you a quick rundown of the Me & Youth (rebranded from Beauty Fix) Quick Beauty Fix spray and sharing some of my impressions with you. This 3 in one face mist is produced right here in South Africa and completely cruelty free.

Me & Youth is loaded with rose water and other botanicals and soothing extracts like aloe vera and cucumber. These ingredients make sure your skin is calm and happy. It is housed in a simple black and white spray bottle and is so easy to use. You can also pop the 50mL bottle into your handbag and use it throughout the day.

You can use this spray to nourish your face further after moisturizing and to prime and awaken your skin before makeup. It is also a fixing spray which means that it blends together all the products you’ve used on your face and leaves a fresh, polished finish. It also helps to set product that can eventually pool into fine lines and keeps away that caked look. Me & Youth can also be used to simply awaken and hydrate your skin at any time during the day.

I personally love Me & Youth. I used it to fix my makeup and I am truly happy with the results. It really gave the most refined finish. I also used it on its own a few times when my skin was feeling exhausted from the heat and air conditioning and it really made my skin feel less exhausted.

You can order Me & Youth here and it costs just ZAR250 for 50mL of product. You can also pick up at bottle at these stockists.

Have you tried Me & Youth. Pop me a comment or tweet and let me know!

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{NEW IN} | Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Trio

Part of Urban Decay’s new holiday drops is the dreamy and sublime Naked Illuminated Trio. This little palette contains three new shades of Urban Decay’s iconic Naked Illuminated shimmering powder. I love strobing, highlighters and shimmery makeup; glazed donut cheekbones are my life goal, so you can just imagine my delight when this one landed in my hands!

Naked Illuminated is basically a shimmer powder for the face and body. The product contains microfine, light reflecting iridescent particles that give your skin a radiant, luminous look.

The actual palette and packaging is really pretty. It is illustrated throughout with a soft long exposure image of coloured lights (or maybe sparklers?) and contains a large mirror. I do, however, miss the glittery packaging of the original Naked Illuminated boxes. The palette also contains a soft double ended face brush.

The three shimmering powders weigh 250g and are a baked formula. Urban Decay’s baking process ensures intense colour payoff, high shimmer and a soft, silky feel. On touch, the powders feel particularly smooth and blend incredibly well. I sometimes layer and blend them together for a different look.

You can use them to highlight your cheekbones or even on your body. I love using a little shimmer on my shoulders and collarbones sometimes. Naked Illuminated is really comfortable once worn on the skin. You truly feel “Naked”.  

I’ve worn all the colours separately and I’ve blended them together on a few separate occasions and the wear is really good. Between the three shades, the sheen only begins to wear off between 6 and 7 hours.

Pyrite is a deep champagne gold shade with gold micro-shimmer. Once applied it leaves a lovely warm glow on the skin and adds tons of radiance.

Oasis is a beautifully marbled taupe shade in the palette but once swatched and applied it shows as a delicate fawn with fine silver sparkles. It is slightly sheer once blended but provides a lovely subtle twinkle.

Twilight is a gorgeous, soft lustrous pink. It contains warm, peachy pink shimmer but I’ve also noticed a slight hint of iridescent sparkle once applied.

All the shades are really lovely and for once I can’t quite pick a favourite! I’m hopelessly in love with this palette!

Urban Decay’s Naked Illuminated Trio retails for ZAR650. I think this is an absolute steal for THREE shimmer powders!

Have you gotten your hands on one yet? Let me know @LadyZaa and join the conversation by using #UrbanDecaySA

*Sample provided by the Urban Decay fairies

Until next time

Love and sparkles(!)

Zaakira xo

{NEW IN} | Benefit Dandelion Wishes

Hi lovelies! I’ve been quite scarce lately because I was travelling but I am back now and I have loads of content for you. Today I’m going to be sharing one of my beauty purchases from my trip to the UK. When shopping for beauty products I wanted to limit myself to stuff that I can’t buy here in South Africa. I only made an exception if it was an item I really wanted and it was way cheaper than it would be back home.

I had being eyeing the Benefit Dandelion Wishes kit online for a while. If you’ve visited your nearest Benefit counter you’d know that it isn’t available here. It is described as “A Baby-Pink Wish Come True” and contains 5 mini products for the complexion, lips and eyes. I love the minis because I usually take them out the kit and pop them into my handbag.

The packaging (Benefit always hits the mark with packaging) is really sweet. It takes me right to a lovely tea party in a green, flower filled garden or park. Even though Benefit has San Francisco origins I think this particular set is the perfect homage to my England summer trip. The box is green and covered with charming baby-pink dandelions and the kit has light pink and green striped detailing on the sides. Once opened, the actual products sit on a delightful soft pink background.

So what’s inside? I’ll give you some details in a bit; I just want to point out that if you want to get your hands on them you can find the full-sized versions of all the products except the Dandelion Plush Gloss at your favourite Benefit counter.

Dandelion Ultra Plush (Not available in SA)

This is soft and pearly pink lip gloss. The formula is really comfortable and luxurious and the colour is very neutral. It just adds a pleasant, subtle glow to the lips.

Roller Lash (ZAR335 for full-sized)

This one is a holy-grail mascara for me. It has something called the Hook ‘n’ Roll™ brush grabs which separates, lifts and curls the lashes. Those scary lash curlers can take a seat! Believe me when I say that Roller Lash really does give the lashes a gorgeous curl. It’s also water resistant, long lasting and the blackest of blacks.

Dandelion (ZAR385 for full-sized)

Benefit describes this as a “sheer, ballerina-pink face powder”. It’s a delicate powder with tiny, almost undetectable gold flecks. Dandelion brightens the cheeks and offers a very gentle hint of colour. It’s also really buildable. I love this product so much that I’m probably going to invest in a full-sized one. Dandelion truly is the hero of the kit.

High Beam (ZAR365 for full-sized)

High Beam is a satiny pink liquid highlighter. The formula is really soft and comfortable and it blends well into the skin, leaving a visible but understated gleam. It’s perfect for cheekbones and brow bones but you can also use it under your makeup for that “supermodel glow”. I love using it on my cupid’s bow and brown bones.

Posie Balm (ZAR255 for full-sized)

This is simply a lip balm with a little bit of peachy pink colour. It moisturises the lips with mango butter and sodium hyaluronate and smells incredibly lovely. I’d describe the smell as a rose garden; a refreshing change from all the fruity and candy scented balms on the market. The hint of colour is almost unnoticeable and enhances the natural lip colour.

Overall I’m really glad that I invested in Dandelion Wishes. It’s the perfect combination of products for that no-makeup-makeup look. I love how the products merely enhance the natural features. Everything is buildable too so you can work it into something more dramatic.

The kit also contains some handy Tips & Tricks and How-Tos. 

So there you have it! Is Dandelion Wishes your “Baby-Pink Wish Come True”? Which are your favourite products in the kit?

Until next time

Love and Dandelion sparkles

Zaakira xox

{NEW IN} | GOSH Copenhagen Makeup Brushes

GOSH Copenhagen has created a new line of makeup brushes. The new brushes sit on Birchwood handles and are made from 100% synthetic materials. The use of no natural hair in the creation of these brushes ensures more stable quality control, consistent product and of course; the elimination of animal cruelty worries.

The brushes; in plain black with white branding are really discreet and sleek in design. They feel strong and sturdy (I dropped the blusher brush on the tiles and it survived with no damage) and when you pull at the bristles they don’t come off.

I haven’t been using them for too long now but I have made some initial observations. The actual texture of the brushes is really wonderfully soft and they’re quite pleasant to use. The pickup of product and application onto the skin is quite adequate. I’m particularly fond of the Kabuki brush which has a profusion of luxuriously soft bristles. It feels delightful on the skin and I have been using it to apply bronzer and highlighter on my face.

The new GOSH Copenhagen makeup brushes are quite affordable too. There are 4 different brushes available:

Kabuki Brush                    – ZAR 240

Blusher Brush                   – ZAR170

Powder Brush                   – ZAR270

Foundation Brush            – ZAR240

You can find these GOSH Copenhagen brushes and other GOSH Copenhagen products at selected Edgars stores.

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox