Lou's Reviews :: Collection 2000 vs Urban Decay

Aloha Bloggerinos,

As many of you will know, I am an avid fan of Lauren Luke (Panancea81) and her YouTube Makeup Tutorials.

In the last few, I have noticed she has used a Collection 2000 pressed eyeshadow in 'Frosting'. Seeing as Collection 2000 is so affordable (this 'Colour Intense Solo' eyeshadow is only £1.99), I decided to pick one up and give it a whirlybird. For £1.99 I wasn't expecting amazingness, I would have been happy with average but this little beauty has turned out to be a total gem!!

As with most white shadows, I use this on the inner corner of my eye to brighten or under the brow bone to highlight. It is a silvery white shade with teensy weensy finely milled silver sparkles- loves it!

I would compare this product to the Urban Decay single pressed eyeshadow in 'Polyester Bride'. Polyester Bride is also a silvery white colour with teensy weensy silver glitter flecks, except this product retails at around the £13 mark. Hmmm.

I have used both shadows in the same way (inner eye corners and as highlighters) and can honestly say that I prefer the more affordable, Collection 2000 shadow as the colour payoff is more vivid and it has a more silky feel. Keeerrrrazzy when you look at the price difference!

 This isn't to say I don't like my UD shadows, I luurrvve them, I'm just pleased when I can find something just as good (if not a bit better) for a fraction of the price.

Both have good lasting power, are easy to remove and blend well- super.

Packaging-wise I prefer the Collection 2000 one again, as it is a lot more compact and I have never been a fan of the Urban Decay singles. The grey plastic compact feels really cheap and bleaugh to me, which is surprising considering how beautiful and gorgeous all their palettes are.

Lesson to be learnt- It doesn't always pay to be a cosmetics snob and sometimes the cheaper brands are winners. Do you know of any product dupes like this? Tell me tell me!

Toodlepip!

xx

January Skies NOTD

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I haven't worn any nail varnish in an absolute age because my Step Mother told me it's not good to when you're pregnant as chemicals can get into your bloodstream and through to your baby.

Mmmmm I'm not saying this isn't true but it's not something I have really ever heard before, so in a nutshell, I decided not to sweat the small stuff and give my fingers a little treat- it's very important to feel glamorous when you're the size of a beached whale, waddling when you walk and scared to sneeze in case you wee yourself! (NB- I'm not incontinent but I fear it dagnamit, ffeeaarrr it!)

I put this on yesterday and it was the first day in a long time I'd seen blue skies so took that as my 'muse'- oh lala. I used Eyeko Pastel Polish which is a creamy pale blue 'shot with irridenscant shimmer' (although I didn't think it was very glimmery, just shiny- a good thing I thought) and then to add some extra sparkle (you all know my love for a sprinkle of glitter after all) I swiped on one thin layer of China Glaze Stellar, which is a champagne colour glitter.

 (That's right, I totally chose this pic to show off my wedding and engagement rings! As you can see, I'm not manicurist, I just paint-n-go! Haha)

 

I went on the Eyeko Website (HERE) to check something and saw that this scrummy blue polish is currently being sold at 20% off in a gorgeous limited edition set of 3- blue, mint and lilac- swoon! If you do decide to treat yourself to a January 'pick up' (who doesn't need plenty of little treats in January??), then use my Ambassador Code (E11341) at the checkout and they'll send you a free gift- woop!

 

Do you likey likey? It really does remind me of January, perhaps I'll make this my January tradition.

Toodlepip!

xx

ps- As I typed this baby dans la tummy (or 'Baby Glitter' as a Bloggerino referred to her as the other day- love it!) has kicked non stop. Do you think she wants me to buy the polish set maybe? Hahaha!

London IMATS- Will You Be There?

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Remember in this post HERE I said I was hoping to go to the London IMATS but had to see if the nice PR Lady would let me bring my chum (8 months pregnant + driving yourself to London = No Thanks). Weeelllll, she did!! Thank You Soooo Much Melissa!!

I'm beyond excited! We're going on the Sunday and I am uber excited to go to the talk with Lauren Luke aka Panacea81 in (I luurvvee her!) and stock up on a few little treats.

Also, I really really really hope to meet some of you there. If you see me, puurrrlleeaasee will you come and say hi? You won't be able to miss me, waddling about and looking like I'm about to give birth!

Are you going? What's on your shopping list?

Toodlepip!

xx