Urban Decay launched a Gwen Stefani collection in the start
of this year. I don’t remember the exact date but I believe it was February here
is UK. And the eyeshadow palette was all the rage. Every YouTuber and blogger
loved it and praised it. I, on the other hand was not tempted because the eyeshades
in the palette were not something I would wear all the time. So for me it was a
pass like most of the limited edition collections.
However, when I saw the blush palette in the Debenhams store
I was drawn to it like a child into a candy shop. And the only thing running in
my mind was, this should be in my collection pronto. The packaging, the colours of blushes, everything was so on
point. I couldn’t take my eyes off the palette. It was so strategically placed
and the whole atmosphere conspired against me. I swatched the blushes and
instantly figured it out that how will I use them on day to day bases. Before that
I didn’t read a single review about the palette and neither watched any YouTube
video. And buying anything without a proper research was contradictory to my
previous post.
Nevertheless, I convinced myself that there is nothing
wrong to be a spontaneous and impulsive buyer once in a while. So I trusted my instincts
and bought it.
I was very happy with my purchase. I loved the packaging. The
gold and bronze detailing over a sturdy box which looks and feels very classy,
a magnetic closer, big mirror, six pans of gorgeous blushes, bronzer and highlighters
for only £35, it was just perfect. Nothing could go wrong with all these qualities
right?
But then I decided to read some reviews online and I
googled. It was like a suicide mission. But I did it anyway. The first review
popped up in the search results was of course of Temptalia blog. I read it and
my dreams were shattered. I quietly packed the palette and hid it at the bottom
of the drawer under the pile of other products. I believe it was the end of February.
If you have already read the review, then you must be aware that Christine didn’t
rate the palette very high. I was very upset that it was a wrong acquisition but
I didn’t want to return it either. I slept through these feelings for weeks. After
all the drama which was going on inside me, I said to myself “You know what, that’s
it. No more mourning. What's done is done. Move on, trust your decision and make
it work for you”. So my friends I gathered all my courage to take the palette
out and play with it. You
know you have some serious problem when you have to gathered courage only to use a palette… weird
With very open heart I swatched the shade OC about which
Christine stated, I quote “I will say that it does make me look jaundice
at certain angles”. It
looks very yellow in the palette and on skin it has that pinkish shift to it.
But I found out that the more you buff it the more pinkish-purplish tone becomes
prominent which is very interesting. And
no it didn’t make me look jaundice. I am so happy to report this. I am somewhere
between NC20 and NC25. I can also get away with shades around NW15 sometimes.
I bought Urban Decay Gwen Stefani palette mainly for the
top row. I loved all the shades but the shade Easy and Hush are my personal
favourites. The longevity of blushes is unquestionable. Other than Lo-Fi all
the shades are very soft and blend like a dream without any patchiness and
skipping during the application. Lo-Fi is a bit stiff because it is a matte
bronzer. I don’t use hard core contour products on day to day bases, so a matte bronzer for very subtle
definition is my go to product and it was checked off from the list after
owning Lo-Fi. However, bare in mind that this is not a contour powder by any means. It is a hardcore, very warm bronzer. I only use it for more natural look or on no makeup-makeup days. My other bronzers are more cool tone and not as warm as this one. With my skin tone, I can get away with those bronzers for subtle and not made up definition. If I need to contour any part of my face then I go for products which are design specifically for contouring.
Lo-Fi and OC look very pretty when wear together. I use Lo-Fi just between the lines of contour and blush and slightly buff it with OC.
Lo-Fi and OC look very pretty when wear together. I use Lo-Fi just between the lines of contour and blush and slightly buff it with OC.
Cherry and Easy are the most pigmented but not mental
colours. Angel is a beautiful Champaign colour blush which is perfect for
highlighting cheekbones and cupid bow. I also used it as a highlighter in the
inner corner of my easy and also as an accent colour on lid. It was the most
amazing look. You see, you don’t have to follow the rules all the time. Hush is
another colour which can be used for all that purposes and as a blush as well
and is my personal favourite. The gold shimmer in Hush gives subtle healthy
glow and looks very pretty on skin.
Due to the fact that all the shades are very soft, they
kick some powder off when swipe a brush on product. All the shades are not very
intense but you can sheer them out for subtle finish or build them for medium
coverage.
The more I use it the more I love this palette. I believe
it depends on personal preferences that what you expect the product to perform?
I normally go very light on blush or sometimes skip it altogether. So if you
are someone like me then you will adore this palette where you can get a nice
wash of colour for natural finish without a made up look in no time. It is also
true that this palette is not for very deep skin but it can work for medium
skin perfectly. Another plus point is you can wear the shades on top of each
other for custom colour.
This is the longest review I have ever scripted. I hope you have enjoyed it and if you read it
through few yawns then I am obliged for your patience J. Leave your comments and
thoughts below and tell me what you think about Urban Decay Gwen Stefani
palette?
In the memory of my brother
I really enjoyed reading this review! The packaging is absolutely gorgeous. <3 And you're right, it's really personal preference. Also, what might look good on someone doesn't mean it will look good on everybody else. Same goes the other way around. :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read more on this blog! <3
Thank you for your comment. you summed up my thoughts :)
DeleteReally glad that you gathered courage to use it and liked it. The packaging is fancy though. Keep blogging!
ReplyDeleteHahaha... that was the hardest thing to do :)
DeleteReally glad that you gathered courage to use it and liked it. The packaging is fancy though. Keep blogging!
ReplyDeletevery lovely UD product. But they are expensive sigh
ReplyDeleteIf you work out the price per products then such palettes are very economical :)
DeleteOMG...!!! The shades are gorgeous. Loving the swatches.
ReplyDeleteYeah... Glad you liked them as well :)
DeleteI'm in love with the packaging, but just like you, I wasn't too fond of the eyeshadow palette. Currently I have enough eyeshadow palettes to last me the year. But oh my, this blush palette is gorgeous! I need THAT!
ReplyDeleteNo doubt that eyeshadows palette is gorgeous but that is not a must have :)
DeleteWow! the swatches look so pretty. :) x
ReplyDeleteMomina Haseeb @ ๑ Divine Smudge ๑
Oh my, the swatch is just amazing! Must refrain myself from getting one because I just have too many products now! ><
ReplyDeleteFisrt of all, the packaging is so chic, I think the shades are really pretty and toned down. I don't like in your face kind of shocking pinks as blushes. It is my kind of palette. This goes on my wishlist :)
ReplyDeleteOMG love love this palette its really pretty and the packaging is so cute and classy. Definitely on my wish list :-)
ReplyDeleteLeslie xoxo
i still haven't tried any of the collaboration but this looks amazing
ReplyDeleteI went to the preview of this palette, loved most of the shades but 2/3 of them wasn't showing up in my tan skin so skipped it. Though it was hard to leave it behind because that packaging is so cute!
ReplyDeleteMuch Love... GreenStory
wow i never knew for that gwen stefani blush palette! its so great for the packaging. looks so fancy and glam <3
ReplyDeleteSeems like a fantastic palette, Love peachy shades in this one. It sure is soo Gwen
ReplyDeletexoxo - GIG Love - Chai - Style.. a Pastiche - styleapastiche.com
oh the swatches look really good!! i want to have it too!
ReplyDeleteVery nice shades :D well i love using blush.. im the same like you but when i alrd intend to use it, id love a bit pigmented blush ^^
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
The packaging is so attractive. Nice review and colors are great :)
ReplyDeletewww.salmashaheensblog.com
The packaging is gorgeous and the colors are so beautiful! Love it!
ReplyDeleteJust shows that everyone is different. I don't tend to read reviews regarding makeup/skincare. I want some. I like that you said the colours are light and subtle.
ReplyDelete