A Roller Lash Dupe Before Launch?

There are times when being a beauty blogger is hugely advantageous, yep, that's most of the time but never more so than when you can identify a cracking beauty dupe before either even launches. There has been much a social media flutter about the upcoming release of Benefit's newest wonder mascara, Roller Lash and quite rightly so - it does exactly as it says on the tube. How about a mascara that does exactly the same as that but with a price tag of almost twenty eurobux less? Truthfully, Maybelline have smashed it with Sensational. 

Both brushes are curved and while Benefit have patented hooks, Maybelline has 10 layers of lash grabbing, fan effect bristles. Both formulations are inky black, wet on application but layer well and curl beautifully. Both last the entire day without flaking either. 

I've been trialling both for weeks now & truthfully I'm reaching for Maybelline more. Sensational is every bristle as good, if not better than Roller Lash for an incredible €7.99! That's just good beauty maths!

Have you tried either? Thoughts?

MUA Matte Palette v Urban Decay's Naked Basics - Swatches

we had a look yesterday at MUA's Smokin palette versus Urban Decay's Smoked and it very nearly blew up the blog. How's about a look at the budget beauty brands other newest offering - the Matte Palette versus one of the worlds nicest matte palettes that just so happens to also belong to Urban Decay - Naked Basics. 

Can we first take a minute to look at just how pretty the Matte Palette is for just €4.77? Seriously. 

But we're here to compare so let's...

As you can see, in the pan we're looking at 6 almost perfect matches with 4 bonus mattes. 

But will the swatches hold up? 

Despite there being slightly more fall out on MUAs side, the colours match up pretty much perfectly. The consistency of Urban Decay is slightly softer and feels more velvety on application but that doesn't mean MUA is far off - their pigmentation holds and with the use of a primer, the minimal fall out is reduced significantly.  

The four extra colours in the Matte Palette can't go unnoticed either, that dusky pink is beautiful with the soft blue in the crease for an every day pretty eye.  

While Naked Basics is and always has been a go to palette of mine, MUAs Matte Palette is NOTHING to be sneezed at. If matte shadows are you thing or you're just looking for a subtle day time palette I'd urge you to skedaddle to Superdrug or get your mitts on the Matte Palette here for less than a fiver. IMHO it is indeed a super duper. 

Tempted? 

MUA's Smokin v Urban Decay's Smoked with Swatches - The Dopest Dupe I've Ever Seen

It has all become clear to me with this palette, British budget beauty brand MUA, have a mole living in the Urban Decay offices and mere months after UD release a palette, the mole strikes with an incredible dupe for a fraction of the price. I mean how else can it be explained? MUA Smokin's blatant rip offery of Urban Decay's Smoked is just the latest in a line of budget shadows that replicate the more expensive, prove my theory and make purses rejoice.

MUA Smokin Palette: €7.17

Exactly like the Smoked palette, that I reviewed here , Smokin has 4 mattes and 6 shimmers with intense pigmentation. The shades are not only pretty much identical but they're pretty much in the identical places in palettes too. 

Both palettes include a soft black liner but being honest, there's not many liners in the world that compare to Urban Decay's 24/7 liners so let's not even compare. 

Smoked: €40 - Smokin: €7.17

Just look, please look at how identical these swatches are. For barely over €7, the formulation of the Smokin shadows are as buttery soft as Urban Decay at €40 and apply just as easily. The slight light change in both arms account for the slight difference but trust me - they're IDENTICAL. 

How about in exactly the same light? 

So there we have it, the MUA Mole has knocked it out of the park with this one. If you're a jewel toned fan when it comes to smokey eyes or if you hankered after Smoked but just didn't have the sheckles at the time - get thee to Superdrug or get thee online here.

I'm guessing when swatches and comparisons of these palettes filter through the blogosphere then it's going to be pretty much impossible to get your mitts on Smokin. My advice is to get it and get it now. 

Apart from wondering if I've two left arms for swatching - (that's totally Aaron's and it was twisted to help out) - What think we?