Dupes? MAC Hush Cream Colour Base Vs. Maybelline Dream Touch in Apricot

L - R: Maybelline Dream Touch in Apricot, MAC Cream Colour Base in Hush

L-R: Maybelline Apricot, MAC Hush

Top - MAC Hush

Bottom - Maybelline Apricot

In reality, these look very, very similar on the skin. I realise that in the photos Hush looks a little more pink but  I couldn't see that difference with my eyes. I alternate between these two all the time; they're my favourite cream highlighters. I find that Hush is thicker in texture and whilst that is good for staying power, sometimes it rubs off my foundation a bit when I apply it. The Maybelline Apricot is much lighter and creamy in texture so you do need to use more of it. This one is much easier to apply quickly so it's what  I reach for on days when I'm getting ready quickly whereas I tend to use the Hush if I want it to last all day (or on a night out).

Do you own either of these? 

Stace xx

MUA Professional Heaven & Earth Vs. Urban Decay Naked Palette

Before going on my no-buy, I ordered this from Superdrug online. I quite like the quality of the regular MUA eyeshadows so was excited to hear they were coming out with palettes in their new Professional line. I can't find the range anywhere in stores at the moment and Superdrug had a free delivery offer on all orders so I decided to pick this up. I've read quite a few rave reviews of this particular palette, the neutral toned Heaven & Earth palette. 

I like the colours, they're very typical of the sorts of shades I gravitate towards. I've done some swatches:

Quality-wise, these shadows are creamy and pigmented. I think it's a total bargain for £4 and I know I'll get a lot of use out of it.

However, lots of people have been saying it's a 'dupe' for the Urban Decay Naked Palette since they both contain twelve neutral shadows. I decided to have a play and compare the two. 

In all honesty, I don't think these two palettes are dupes at all. I tried swatching several of the shades together and aside from the two light, champagne shades from the MUA palette which are similar to Urban Decay's Virgin, I couldn't find any other shades which were exactly the same. There are also no shades which are even similar to Creep and Gunmetal. I think the textures are quite different too - the Urban Decay shadows are more silky than the MUA shadows and I prefer this texture to the creaminess of the MUA shadows.

I think if you already have the Naked palette then you don't really *need* the Heaven & Earth palette but since it's only £4, it won't break the bank to have both. If you're considering buying the Naked palette but it's not in your budget right now, the MUA palette is a nice and more budget-friendly alternative which will save you £31. If you desperately want the Naked palette, I'd tell you to save your £4 and put it towards the Urban Decay palette.

Do you own either of these? Do you own both? How do you think they compare?

Stace xx