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[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] Sometimes people say that my reviews aren’t as ‘spiky’ as they used to be – they’re right, they’re not and that’s because compared to when I began this blog, ‘bad’ beauty products are far less frequent than they used to be. I don’t take the ‘let’s just not mention it’ route – that feels like a cop out and the purpose of this site is as a guide so omitting awful products feels unhelpful but over the past decade, beauty has pulled up its bootstraps and greatly improved their output. There are a lot of mediocre products but bad per se are few and far between. My biggest bug-bear is pricing where a very ordinary INCI commands the same amount of money as an exceptional one – at £25 the Urban Decay Hydramaniac Blush Glow Hydrator feels pricy for a blush but at £21.25 (on offer at Escentual) it feels more reasonable especially as it’s going to last for a long time.
I’ve got the shade Obsessed which is a kind of cherry hit peach although there are five other shades. The brand claims a 24 hour hydration – completely unnecessarily because who needs a) only hydration on their cheeks and b) needs it for 24 hours? However, if you have dry skin, it’s good to know that any product is not taking more moisture than it’s leaving.
In texture, it’s almost a gel-oil but sweeps across the cheeks beautifully. The formula contains marula oil which I take more seriously than the Kombucha filtrate (eye roll) and the finish is sheeny and juicy. You would wear this when you want luminosity without relying on sparkle. You really need very little indeed – the pigment is good – and particularly little if you are not looking for a cheek gloss. I liked it for providing a translucent, lightful sheen in a face awakening colour – I think it will come into its own in winter when we all need a bit of natural brightening.
I’d obviously blend a bit more than this but that is a luscious streak of colour. You can find Urban Decay Hydramaniac Blush Glow Hydrator at Escentual HERE.
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All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
2 comments
I like honest, balanced and consistently reliable, over spiky for no darn good reason other than mischievousness, any day ; ) The pricing thing – OMG yes! It’s getting nuts. My ‘what the heck’ moment last night was seeing the price of the new Glossier cleansing soap – £18! The deodorant they’re plugging is £22 (£18 for the refill). These folk are up against the likes of Cerave for the soap but over twice the price, and if they wanted that kind of deodorant (and don’t get me started on the whole ‘aluminium thing’ because it’s scientific rubbish; my sister is an oncologist – it drives her insane reading about that, ditto ‘evil’ parabens’) , then the Evolve deodorant is excellent and a tenner. *Grumbles about more money than sense and social media being the enlightenment in reverse* *off to harrumph*. On a positive note: Tea and Tonic Cleansing balm is absolutely lovely.
haha – thank you Carrie! You’ve articulated a lot of my thoughts :-))