Heya, homeskillets. How was your Wednesday? I really wanted to get a lot done today, but productivity just wasn’t in the cards. I went off course somewhere between the time I took a look at the new Clinique Bamboo Pink Collection and the moment I opened a box of chocolate Pocky.
After I came down from the Pocky, I took these pictures and swatches of the Urban Decay Ammo Palette ($36).
A friend gave me Ammo for my birthday…
I know it’s been out for a while, but now I can totally see why so many people love it.
The palette’s 10 shimmery, highly pigmented shadows range from work-friendly colors to party-like-a-rock-star shades, resulting in enough variety to create zillions of different looks.
LOVE the black packaging, too, and the white and purple swirls. It’s girly but fierce, like OG Joan Jett or Miss J from America’s Next Top Model.
I wish I knew why I had such a hard time concentrating today…
My mind just kept wandering…
Oh, what kind of earrings should I wear with this bracelet? Silver hoops, maybe?
Do you ever have days when you can’t seem to focus?
Crazy Cat Lady Magnetic Sculpture Kit
Today was one of those days for me. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Paris B says
June 24th, 2009 at 7:52 pmLOL I never really had much of an impression of Urban Decay. The one palette I had did not wow me and I gave it away. The colours in this one look pretty though. I loved your pictures and yes I’m having one of those days too. Sigh…
.-= Paris B’s last blog post… Review : REN Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash =-.
Karen says
June 24th, 2009 at 8:37 pmHi Paris B,
Which one did you have? I like this one a lot, along with this summer’s Get Baked palette.
I hope tomorrow is better for the both of us. *crosses fingers*
Marmar says
June 24th, 2009 at 8:05 pmI gotta admit I’m not the biggest fan of all of Urban’s products but I’m McLovin that palette. Colours are smokey and sexy (oddly doesn’t seem summer-like I think?).. perfect to wear out for dinner or dancing (two places you won’t find me lol).
Def one of those days.
.-= Marmar’s last blog post… animal abandonment is not okay. =-.
Karen says
June 24th, 2009 at 8:38 pmHi Marmar,
What is it about their products that you aren’t crazy about?
Some of it’s kinda OTT for me, but I do like the pencils and the shadows a lot. The Get Baked palette is one of my faves, eva.
Jane says
June 24th, 2009 at 8:06 pmHi Karen:
Are all the shades shimmery? I’d like to try UD shadows, but they seem too scary to use for a professional look. I have a serious (perhaps flawed) prejudice against shimmery shadows because they always conjure up memories of Sunday school art projects using lots of glitter.
Ironically, I love frost shadows from MAC, or at least, the 2 that I own – Patina and Sable.
Can you recommend other shadows (MAC or other brands) that you would consider always work-appropriate?
Thanks and love your blog!
Karen says
June 24th, 2009 at 9:26 pmHi Jane,
Yup, these are shimmery. I think that you could easily do Smog, Chopper, Sin and Maui Wowie (maybe even Mildew) do for work if you keep it to the lid and just barely into the crease. Pop a neutral matte close to the color of your skin on your brow bone and you’re good to go. 🙂
As for MAC shimmers for work, I love Woodwinked, Mulch, Arena, Shroom, Ricepaper, All That Glitters, Gleam and Amber Lights.
Kate & Zena says
June 24th, 2009 at 8:43 pmAw, look at Tabs!
I need a Crazy Dog Lady statue with pictures of Z all over it!!! I have pictures of her EVERYWHERE. It doesn’t help she’s been sleeping with me all day while I conquer this stupid migraine (had it since yesterday). My head’s a lot better and I can handle softer noises. Loud noises like Zena barking and hammer’s pounding on the floor still cause me to wince. Why is it gone this quickly? Behold the power of half a Vicodin! I feel so House-like (best television show, ever). If only I didn’t have to take something for my stomach before I have one of those (common side-effect: nausea).
I might have to snatch up a UD palette one day. Maybe I’ll order one from Sephora. Maybe?
Karen says
June 24th, 2009 at 9:35 pmHi Kate & Zena,
You should! The colors are so fun (and practical, too).
Sorry to hear about your migraine. I get bad ones, too, where I become sensitive to sound. The radio, the TV, everything has to be turned down waaaay low otherwise it feels like nails going through my brain.
Marisol says
June 24th, 2009 at 8:48 pmI do like the packaging a lot but it seems that all the UD palettes look alike. Same colors… maybe it’s just me and I am not paying enough attention.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Troubled =-.
Karen says
June 24th, 2009 at 9:32 pmHi Marisol,
I only have two right now (Get Baked and this one) so I don’t have much to compare ’em too. I’ll have to take a closer look when I hit up Sephora again.
How’s your week been?
CC says
June 24th, 2009 at 9:11 pmI love chocolate Pocky sticks! There’s a cute Hello Kitty version (it’s called yin yan, I think) that’s strawberry flavored.
I like the Urban Decay packaging – it looks like something you’d see in the opening of a James Bond movie where they do that animated artsy cloak-and-dagger stuff during intro credits…
Karen says
June 24th, 2009 at 9:30 pmHi CC,
I have another box of Strawberry Pocky waiting to be devoured. 🙂
The palette totes looks like a Bond Intro… now all we need is a catchy theme song to go with.
Lauren Alyssa says
June 24th, 2009 at 9:13 pmI’ve had this palette for a while and I like it a lot. Given, I’m 21 so I can get away with some wilder looks while I’m at school or out on the town. I like pairing sin, shattered, and mildew to make a peacocky green smokey eye. I love Maui Wowie but I wish it didn’t have such big glitter in it! For those who are afraid of UD’s bright shadows – you can use just a tiny bit to make a sheer wash which looks really great.
Karen says
June 24th, 2009 at 9:29 pmHi Lauren Alyssa,
Great tip on the sheer wash. 🙂
I will have to try your combo soon. Do you use Sin Primer Potion beneath it?
Audrey says
June 24th, 2009 at 9:53 pmOh, yes, I have this palette and love it! I don’t like the glittery shades (like Polyester Bride and Grifter), though, but I *love* the shades Mildew, Shattered, Last Call and Sin. On a fun, non-work day, I’ve worn Sin on the lid, Last Call in the crease, and Shattered on the lower lash line.
Nikki says
June 24th, 2009 at 9:58 pmOOOooohh I am having those days too! and work is piling up!! I am too lazy I just want to curl up in bed!
Thanks for your lovely post, the only Urban Decay e/s I have is the Book of Shadows which is a gift from a friend too, I love the pigmentation but I am not impressed with ALL the colors, there are some that are just too glittery! I am saying NO to discoball 😀
.-= Nikki’s last blog post… Askmewhats Version: My "Inuovi" Face =-.
Kate & Zena says
June 24th, 2009 at 10:00 pmUgh, I normally turn everything off when I get a migraine and find the thickest eye mask I can (and cuddle with Zena, of course). I may have to go see a neurologist about them to make sure these are migraines and not seizures. It’s not uncommon for a person with Epilepsy for their seizures to switch presentation. I hate going to a neurologist more than a dentist.
I’ll have to look into it. Right now, I’m saving up to buy some Lime Crime Eyeshadows or Clinique (maybe). It depends on how I’m feeling.
Paris B says
June 24th, 2009 at 10:30 pmHey Karen, I can’t remember what mine was – it came in a tin sort of packaging and had Midnight Cowboy in it… golly it was a while ago LOL… I paid a truckload of money for it in London eeks!
.-= Paris B’s last blog post… Review : REN Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash =-.
Caz says
June 25th, 2009 at 1:51 amI’ve had this palette for years and still love it! I’ve used up all the great neutral colours in it (sin, chopper, smog) so now only use the brighter colours when I go out to play!
My next UD purchase will definitely be the Deluxe Palette
xx
.-= Caz’s last blog post… Maquillage =-.
Catherine says
June 25th, 2009 at 4:10 amI TOTALLY understand. I feel like my whole last week has been like that. I’ve been forgetting to reply to emails/run errands/etc and there have been so many times when I’ve started tasks only to forget about them as soon as I’m distracted by something else FOR HOURS! Don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I realized part of the problem is using Mail – it doesn’t have the color-coded goodness of Gmail even though it means I have a hard-copy of every email. I need the color-codings. O_O;
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… FOTD featuring mail from Mona! =-.
MJ says
June 25th, 2009 at 4:37 am*LOL* *Looking at the Cat Lady and laughing like a crazy lady* Nice one Karen.
As for how the week is going – Wait – It’s Thursday? *looking in a daze* Really? Where did the days go?
MJ says
June 25th, 2009 at 4:39 amPS: IF you can send me a box of Pocky, that would be great! I haven’t eaten that in almost 18 years. Ahhh I miss you Pocky!
Patti says
June 25th, 2009 at 6:33 amOh GOd yes especially on the days when I need to focus like right now 😛
Karen says
June 25th, 2009 at 8:52 amHi Patti,
LOL! I hope today goes better for you. I’m going to try my best to focus and not heed the siren call of tomfoolery!
YadiQ says
June 25th, 2009 at 7:03 ami am like this everyday i cant focus properly at work ever hence why i comment to your posts throughout the day consistently lol
i love the colors on your skin tone !!!!!! 😀
hopefully you can focus better today – have a glass of acai juice – this tends to help me focus a bit better
i love you teaching “El Gato Tabs” spanish lol
i talk to Jazmin all the time in spanish i think they only things she understands is ” Jaz toma, Pepas” lol <translates to “here jaz have some kitty kibble”- i call kitty kibble pepas – pepas translates to pits (like seeds like in an apple its an informal word formal word for seed is semilla) phew thats my spanish lesson for the day – see is tabs responds lol i also call her “!Jazmina!” when she irritates me or does something bad
she has to eat the dry food cause i refuse to give her more than half a can of wet food a day – any more than this and she drives me bananas – i see tabs uses you as his personal mattress too lol
Karen says
June 25th, 2009 at 8:51 amHi Yadi,
When I went to Hawaii in December Acai bowls were all the rage. Have you ever had one? It’s like a frosty smoothie — sometimes they’ll put fruit or granola on top. So yummy!
LOL, I just tried your Spanish lingo on Tabs and he’s not responding (he’s on my lap right now). I think that this quest to make him bi-lingual is going to be a long, upward climb.
Does Jaz ever climb up on your chest when you’re lying down? Tabs has the most peculiar skill of managing to trample all over my boobs!
Nicole15 says
June 25th, 2009 at 7:10 amOh Urban Decay how I love you so. UD eyeshadows really are phenomenal. I own a handful of their single pans in Cash, Asphyxia, Goddess, X, Last Call & Hotpants. These colors are all i would wear for awhile. I just loved their pigmentation & the WOW factor they gave on my lids. I got their Deluxe Book of Shadows a couple months back & have been able to create so many great looks with it. Many of the colors you have in your Ammo palette.
You will probably LOVE Smog & Mildew. And you will definitely be reaching for Shattered & Last Call more than you think. I could be wrong, but these are just colors that look so beautiful on so many people. Maybe you can give us a FOTD w/ your new palette. *hint, hint* 😉
Karen says
June 25th, 2009 at 8:47 amHi Nicole15,
Have you checked out the Get Baked palette? It’s frickin’ awesome! I swear I wore it for like two weeks straight (which for me is a minor miracle).
Both Smog and Mildew are totally my style…
marmar says
June 25th, 2009 at 8:34 amLike, there are a couple of their products I love (Big Fatty Mascara & plumper) but generally, their shadows/powdered products don’t agree with my skin. I went boo-koo bananas for their marshmallow scented body powder and slapped down the 30-bucks with a super cheeky grin.. only to be crying later with a total break out. Their eye shadows are lovely but for some reason, not even a couple minutes after applying my eyes turn a nasty, inflamed red. I’m not sure what it is but there must be some, singular ingredient they use that just doesn’t agree with me. I don’t have sensitive skin either (I can use drugstore to department brands with no issues) so it’s mighty weird.
.-= marmar’s last blog post… animal abandonment is not okay. =-.
Karen says
June 25th, 2009 at 8:45 amHi Marmar,
Hmm, that might be it. I am the same way with certain body products.
Well, at least there’s a whole wide world of makeup to explore, right? There’s a lot of great stuff out there to choose from.
I need to get my hands on some Big Fatty Mascara now. 🙂
Ada says
June 25th, 2009 at 8:40 amHi Karen. I’ve only got the Deluxe Shadow box but I really like it. There were some neutrals and some pops of colours. I really like it but feel it could have used a couple of darker shades to help create more looks. Otherwise, the texture and shimmeriness was great for me. Love that crazy cat lady sculpture, wish I had one!
Karen says
June 25th, 2009 at 8:43 amHi Ada,
You can buy it at Barnes or Amazon! It’s like $6. I’m on a fast track to CCL (crazy cat lady) land, how about you?!
Oh, I’ll have to check out the Deluxe Shadow box, too. So far I’ve really liked the UD palettes I’ve tried. Hopefully that one will deliver the goods, too!
redhead says
June 25th, 2009 at 9:13 amI’m livin’ in the Procrastination Nation right now, too, Karen! I have a summer book report I’ve been meaning to do for like a week, but I keep puttin’ it off.. It’s on The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury. Ever read it? It’s an 18-ministory sci-fi book, and all of the stories are being seen by a man staring at the tattoos of an – u guessed it! – illustrated, overly tattooed man whose pictures come to life at night.
Glosslizard says
June 25th, 2009 at 9:31 amThe beauty is that, even lacking focus, you still turn out an excellent page full o’ blogaliciousness! Some days are just soft-focus days. Like vaseline on a camera lens. Have a cuppa and a Pocky!
Oh, and since this comment is a day late, I hope today is working out better for you! 😉
Meream says
June 25th, 2009 at 10:47 amThat crazy cat lady magnetic kit looks fun! 🙂
I have concentration issues every day of the week. The Internet keeps distracting me. Haha
Wendy says
June 25th, 2009 at 11:16 amThose eyeshadows look grrrrreat but the pocky caught my eye big time.
Karen have you tried the chocolate with crushed almonds OH MY LORD!
tatiana says
June 25th, 2009 at 11:27 amOooh I have the Ammo palette and since I’m always doing my makeup on the Bart train these days, the palette has a constant home in my purse! My only problem is that there are too many chunky glittery shadows in there. I rarely use those but still a great color variety and nice big mirror!
POCKY STICKS fo eva! They have Pocky for Men too.
Anne Marie B says
June 25th, 2009 at 11:54 amWhere did you do your stand up paddling? I live on Oahu and that is one thing I am dying to try. Was it hard?
Nicole15 says
June 25th, 2009 at 1:13 pmKaren,
I didn’t get the Get Baked palette yet but I sure would like to. I think i haven’t purchased it til now cause some of the same colors are in the other UD palette I have. The whole summmer bronze/teal thing is right up my alley. I did a super simple look with Half Baked on the lid, Baked in the crease & then UD liner in Covet on my upper lash line. I left the highlight simple due to the shimmer already on my lid & went with a skintone satin highlighter. For me, that’s Brule. I was pleased that it was easy & looked good. Even wore it to work, but then again, for me, there is no such thing as work appropriate colors. if i want to wear bright shimmer, i go for it. i just make sure to do it right so i don’t look like a clown 🙂
Tiffany says
June 25th, 2009 at 3:18 pmThis post made me laugh 🙂 I love the randomness and the CCL sculpture kit! I definitely have days where I cannot focus. Sometimes I feel like I just spent 9 hours at work and I didn’t get a single thing done…
Rachel says
June 25th, 2009 at 6:12 pmLove the packaging. Some of the colors look hot swatched.
Shiny says
June 25th, 2009 at 7:00 pmI hear you, I had a big cuppa coffee and still couldn’t seem to shake the tireds today.
Hearing about MJ passing sure woke me up though, shocking.
Karen says
June 25th, 2009 at 8:00 pmHi Shiny,
I was shocked, too. While I was growing up it was pre-MJ weirdness, and I can remember when he practically ruled the music world. In this day and age 50 is young…
Shontay says
June 25th, 2009 at 9:43 pmIt’s a testament to his talent that even though he pulled away from the spotlight, no one has taken his place. His talent cannot be duplicated.
In lighter thoughts, I’m going to sephora tomorrow and I might just have to pick up this palette. By the way, I went to the makeup forever boutique in nyc. Karen, it’s friggin’ awesome. It’s officially my fave brand now.