Urban Apothecary: A Review

As I said in a previous entry, I had recently received these products from Urban Apothecary, and I must say that for a first time user of the company's products, I am pretty impressed with them. First of all, the packaging is really pretty and bespeaks of how professional this company markets its products. The packaging looks like these products came straight from your neighborhood department store alongside household name brands. The brush that also came with my package is so beautiful and uber-soft. It glides effortlessly on my skin and it applies mineral makeup flawlessly. It's beginning to be one of my favorite brushes for application of mineral foundation. The look below features some products from Urban Apothecary, but for THIS look, I used Urban Apothecary's Mineral Liquid Sheer Tint in 50-50 mix of Light and Medium.

Mineral Sheer Tint

The foundation that thinks like a moisturizer. This multi mineral tinted foundation disguises uneveness with sheer-to-moderate coverage for a look that's downright dewy. The liquid minerals go above and beyond flaw fixing, acting as skin's undercover moisture agent containing, a protective SPF 20. Ultra-creamy, yet refreshingly lightweight, it instantly puts skin at ease. And skin feels softer, smoother - even after you take it off. Plus, the revolutionary airless titanium pump keeps each application fresh. Perfect coverage, perfect color, perfect finish, and perfect packaging.

My take: Packaging is glorious, as expected from this brand. It comes in a tube with a pump instead of just a spout, so you don't get accidental spurting of product in messy blobs. The foundation is creamy but lightweight, reminiscent of tinted moisturizers that several cosmetic companies carry. I usually shun liquid foundation, but this one is so lightweight, it just feels like I have my day moisturizer on my face. It didn't break me out nor cause my skin to itch. The downside though is that if you are used to fuller coverage foundations or you need a more concealing product to hide blemishes, this might not be the product for you, or you should probably add a layer of your mineral foundation after you apply the tint. If you don't need full coverage, though, this is a great product and would leave your skin looking flawless, fresh, and dewy.

Lip Tint SPF 15







Sheer color meets sheer genius in this double-performing lip tint. The outer layer imparts a delicate wash of color to your lips, soft shine and SPF 15 sun protection, while the mineral-rich inner core moisturizes the lips and provides anti-aging and reparative benefits. Paraben-free.

My take: This product operates more like a lip balm-slash-lip-stain as opposed to a lipstick. I love how soft and supple this makes my lips, and I love the just-bitten-lips look this lip tint gives. I dislike how some lip products, no matter how great they look on the lips, leave my puckers dry, peeled and cracking. Not so with this product. The inner core truly pampers the lips and leaves it soft and hydrated during the day. The downside is probably the price. For $20 a pop, it is a splurge for most people. If you do find the perfect shade for you, the splurge just might be worth it.

Mineral Matte Bronzer

Dust yourself with this naturally naughty, perfectly natural bronzer. Enjoy year round bronzed perfection and flaw minimizing effects of a matte finish with the most natural and skin-perfecting glow this side of the Caribbean. The silky golden bronze warmth combined with a 'perk-me-up' pink, bronze, and fawn shimmer mimics a natural "just-back-from-vacation" glow.

My take: I LOVE this bronzer. It has the perfect bronze-copper tones for me, and because it's matte, it contours perfectly without being obvious. I also like the compact because it's sturdy, doesn't look cheap, and it has a bottom compartment for a brush or sponge, so it doesn't contaminate the product. It would also last forever because it has a lot of product in the compact.

Colorlicious Pro Pigment

Triple-milled highly concentrated loose color pigments offer intense, radiant color for a variety of effects. Wear Pro Pigment on eyes-- dry for soft, subtle or smoky looks, or wear it wet for a more dramatic effect. Mix Pro Pigment with Micro Glitter to add magnificent glamour! There are no limits on the way to use them, so if you love to play with color and experiment to your heart's content, Pro Pigment is a dream come true.



My take: My favorite product from Urban Apothecary. Since I'm a pigment fiend, I definitely love this line! I like that theirs come in 10g jars and they are filled by weight (5g), not volume. For $8.75 per jar, the price is pretty reasonable. I didn't like the color pay-off of Lemoncello; however, Something Wicked is a beautiful lime green with a beautiful shimmer, so I couldn't wait to use it, and I did in the look below. I also used MAC's Lucky Green eyeshadow, per Decorative Diva's request. Here's a step-by-step illustration. All products MAC unless otherwise noted.


Apply Beige-ing shadestick all over lid and brows. Blend with ring finger. Apply Greenstroke paint pot on lid using a concealer brush.


Using a shader brush (I used Loew Cornell Maxine's Mop, a MAC 239 dupe), apply Urban Apothecary Pro Pigment in Something Wicked dry on lid. Apply using dabbing/patting motions.


Apply Lucky Green eyeshadow on outer lid and crease using the same brush, again using dabbing/patting motions.


How it should look so far.


Apply Mink & Sable eyeshadow on outer lid and crease using Sonia Kashuk crease/blender brush.


Using same blender brush, apply Humid eyeshadow on crease/outer V, blending into Lucky Green and Mink & Sable.


Apply Solar White eyeshadow on browbone, blending carefully into the darker colors. Apply Solar White on inner corners.


Apply Blacktrack fluidline, mascara. Using Sonia Kashuk detail/mini crease brush, apply Lucky Green on inner to mid lower lashline, and Humid on mid to outer lower lashline. Apply Graphblack technakohl on waterline.









Face:
Camellia Rose skin-smoothing primer V.2
Adorned With Grace mineral foundation in mix of Hope 3.5 and 3.8
DermaBlend Quickfix stick concealer on undereye area
Bare Escentuals Well Rested over DermaBlend
Aromaleigh Ultra Resolution Finishing Powder in Peaches & Cream
Urban Apothecary matte mineral bronzer to contour
Lure Beauty mineral blush in Rosemarie

Lips:
L'oreal Colour Riche lipliner in Forever Rose
Urban Apothecary mineral lip tint in Berry Tint
MAC lustre glass in Spring Bean