Urban Decay

The Urban Decay Black Magic 24/7 Glide-On Double Ended Eye Pencil Set: Urban Decay Sacrificed Newness To Create This Magical Binding

September 17th, 2014 by Karen 10 Comments

Of the many valuable lessons I’ve learned watching Game of Thrones, including 1) that dragons can’t really be tamed, 2) always bring a weapon to a wedding, and 3) stay away from places called King’s Landing, the most valuable lesson by far has been this: just say no to blood magic.

Because it never turns out right! I just think as a general policy, it’s wise to avoid it.

Thanks for the sage advice, George R.R. Martin. 🙂

While we’re at it, it’s probably also a good idea to avoid black magic. I mean, I may have been expelled from Hogwarts after one semester (my parents were so bummed!), but even I know that.

Urban Decay Black Magic Double-Ended Eye Pencil Set Packaging with a MAC Lipglass for scale — Beside a MAC Lipglass for scale…

Of course, black magic as it pertains to makeup? — that’s a different story. By all means, feel free to allow Urban Decay’s new pigmented, silky smooth Black Magic 24/7 Glide-On Double-Ended Eye Pencil Set ($39) to cast its spell on yo’ lash lines.

This captivating kit comes with four dual-ended pencil liners. Each one comes with one of UD’s signature black liners (black cream Zero, smokey black Black Velvet, charcoal satiny black Black Market or blackest black matte Perversion) on one end and a different intense, colorful shade (deep brown matte Demolition, deep gray matte Smoke, dark eggplant Tornado or bright turquoise LSD) on the other.

This time, there are no new shades up in the mix. Zero, Black Velvet, Perversion, Demolition, Smoke and LSD are re-promotes from the permanent line, while Black Market and Tornado are re-promotes that previously appeared in other sets.

Urban Decay Black Magic swatches from the left: Zero, Black Velvet, Black Market and Perversion — Swatches from the left: Zero, Black Velvet, Black Market and Perversion

Urban Decay Black Magic swatches from the left: Demolition, Smoke, Tornado and LSD — Demolition, Smoke, Tornado and LSD

[Continue reading…]

The Secret to Tinker Bell’s Shimmer, Exposed! She Uses Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder for Face and Body in Aura

September 17th, 2014 by Karen 7 Comments

When I finally figure out how to open the portal to the Magical Land of The Drag Queen Roller Disco, I would really like to have Urban Decay’s Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder for Face and Body in Aura ($29) with me in my purse, because it would be a shame to enter a realm where the moon looks like a giant disco ball and the sky rains glitter without at least a little highlighter on my face.

That’s all I’m saying.

Once through the portal, I’m pretty sure this baked golden peachy pink powder would also give me good street cred within the inner circle. They’d be like, “Honey, did you see that chick with the big Lorde hair wearing Urban Decay’s new highlighter? Girlfriend had glitter on her face FOR DAYS. But in a good way.”

[Continue reading…]

Like Actual Shadowboxing Is for Boxers, Urban Decay Shadow Box Is Great for Beauty Beginners (and More Experienced Makeup Mavens)

September 16th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

Urban Decay’s new $34 Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette has better balance than an advanced yoga class! — and that gives me So. Much. Hope.

I may never be able to achieve perfect balance in my day-to-day life, but with my makeup? Haaay! Girl can get close. 🙂

With this palette, I’ll be able to push what my makeup-averse friend Cindy calls “my makeup agenda,” and next time I see her and my friend Jen (my two best childhood gal pals), you better believe I’m going to do that.

This is a great one for beginners (makeup-averse friends) and people new to the brand.

Jen and Cindy aren’t exactly makeup obsessed, but it’s been my life’s mission to change that. One day, I will be victorious!

Here’s my plan: first, I’ll lure them in with Shadow Box’s stylin’ black and purple case, which houses 12 powder shadows — nine of UD’s bestselling shades and three brand new ones (Indo, Moonshadow and Baked Cowboy).

Next, I’ll hook ’em with the neutrals, and the browns, black, golds and bronzes. Yup, half of this palette is comprised of everyday shades, which makes it gloriously practical.

Urban Decay Shadow Box Swatches from the left: Sin, Indo (new), Bordello and Tornado — Swatches from the left: Sin, Indo (new), Bordello and Tornado

Urban Decay Shadow Box swatches from the left: Smog, Blackout, Flash and Mushroom — Smog, Blackout, Flash and Mushroom

Urban Decay Shadow Box Swatches from the left: Lost, Freelove, Moonshadow (new) and Baked Cowboy (new) — Urban Decay Shadow Box swatches from the left: Lost, Freelove, Moonshadow (new) and Baked Cowboy (new)

[Continue reading…]

Glide Through Your Days and Nights With Nine New Colors and Plenty of Perversion in the Urban Decay Ten 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set

September 15th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

I’m a big fan of Perversion.

I like to get it on…my water and/or lash lines. I’m always down for that action. Oh, yeah…

I appreciate that Urban Decay included a full-size Perversion Glide-On Eye Pencil in their new $52 Ten 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set ’cause really — a girl can never have too many jet-black pencil liners. Still, I think it might’ve been cooler if they’d swapped it out for a new color.

Nine of the 10 long-lasting, smooth pencils in the limited edition kit are minis in new shades, while Perversion, the solitary full-size pencil in the set, has been around the block a few times, if you know what I’m sayin’. 😉

With the minis being new shades, I wonder why UD didn’t go all out with new shades for the entire set, but I digress…

Taupe plays a major role here, so if you like earth tones and grayish browns in matte or shimmery finishes, whee! — you’ll have a great time. I know I did with Smokeout, the satiny blackish taupe, which I’m wearing below.

I’m hoping, and crossing my fingers, toes and eyes, that UD releases a full-size version of Smokeout soon. I see some serious Unsung Hero potential there.

Color junkies, don’t despair about the taupe. The set also includes a nice mix of blues and purple, and even a shot of gold, giving those who aren’t totally Team Taupe room to play.

Urban Decay Ten Swatches from the left: Perversion, Glitter Rock, Moonspoon, Vacancy and Faint — Swatches from the left: Perversion, Glitter Rock, Moonspoon, Vacancy and Faint

Urban Decay Ten Swatches from the left: Gonzo, Smokeout, Mugshot, Stargazer and Voodoo — Gonzo, Smokeout, Mugshot, Stargazer and Voodoo

[Continue reading…]

In Vice3, Urban Decay Clutches to Its Vices With 20 New Eyeshadows

September 12th, 2014 by Karen 26 Comments

Vice, thrice. Nice!

I enjoy humming the Miami Vice theme song to myself when I use the new Urban Decay Vice3 Palette ($60).

Duun-dah-dun, dah-dahdun dah-dah-dahda-dun.

Dahdun-dahdun-dun-dun-dun, dahda-dun-dahdun-dahdun-dun-dun-dun…

Why?

Because I can. 🙂

But that’s just one of many reasons to break into song while using this palette, with another being the included cute matchy-matchy clutch.

(In some circles, I go by the nickname “Clutch Collector,” or “Hoarder of Bags,” or “Lover of Anything She Can Stuff Gel Pens and Cat Treats Into…That Still Zips Up.”)

Urban Decay Vice3 packaging — The latest in Vice from Urban Decay…

The new case is one of several tweaks Urban Decay made to Vice3, the new followup to their popular Vice and Vice2 palettes. The brand also trimmed it down, making it slimmer and easier to travel with (this Vice is goin’ places!); raised the price by a taco (that’s $1 in layman’s terms); changed the layout; and included 20 new eyeshadow shades.

[Continue reading…]

It’s Taupe Time With the Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Palette

August 12th, 2014 by Karen 24 Comments

Rap battle in 3-2-1…

If you can’t cope when shadow palettes lack taupe,
Or you start to mope when you lose your favorite matte taupe,
Or you think “Dope!” when you see a palette with six taupes,
Then jump over that moat! And climb that slope! ‘Cuz…

OK…I can’t think of anything else that rhymes with taupe. 🙂

The $29 Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Palette

Yeah, man, Naked2 Basics ($29), Urban Decay’s latest vestiphobic eyeshadow palette, is a cool-toned taupe explosion. It comes with five matte shadows and one satin, with all of them being a different incarnation of taupe.

Five of the shadows are new (nude-pink Stark, warm gray Frisk, reddish brown Cover, muted brown Primal and smoky brown Undone), while the remaining one’s a re-promote (pale nude Skimp).

Essentially, the palette is a cool-toned taupe cousin of the original Naked Basics palette.

Compared to the shadows in its predecessor, the original Naked Basics Palette, these shadows seem much easier to blend. I haven’t had any problems mixing or mooshing any of the colors together and haven’t had any trouble with uneven application.

I have seen some fallout, though, but that’s pretty typical of Urban Decay.

According to UD, the palette works well for all skin tones, from like to dark and cool to warm, but I have to politely disagree with that… I’m an olive-toned gal with a darker skin tone, and I feel that without the help of some additional products, like a black shadow or eyeliner, or a warm beige or orangey brown, all six Naked2 Basics shadows tend to blend together into a nondescript haze on my skin.

It’s like when the newspaper gets left out in the rain, and then you open it and everything’s a muddled mix of depressing grays… Sad panda. 🙁

Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Palette with a MAC Lipstick for scale — With a MAC Lipstick for scale

[Continue reading…]

Urban Decay’s Perversion False Lashes in Trap Might Lure You Into Thinking That You Could Wear Them To Buy Cat Food

July 29th, 2014 by Karen 7 Comments

Urban Decay Perversion False Lashes in Trap

If you think you’re going to wear Urban Decay’s new Perversion Lashes in Trap ($15) to Target to buy cat food without having people really, really stare at you, you are mistaken. Because these lashes look completely cra-zay-zy in real life.

I mean, they look great in pics! They’re definitely dramatic…which makes sense; that is what the new Perversion Lash line is all about.

If you’re going out clubbing or have a big night on the town or if you just landed that job as a full-time dominatrix (*cracks whip), then yeah. Awesome lashes.

But for, like, real life kind of stuff, nuh-uh. I look downright insane with these on, like I should be hanging out with Britney when she shaved her head, and attacking cars with an umbrella.

Trap is one of three new $15 Perversion Lash styles, all permanent members of the UD line.

It’s weird… Whenever I wear Trap and post pics, I usually get some nice comments, and I think it’s because of the length of the lashes, especially the bundles around the center.

I think they make my eyes look wider, like that doe-eyed thing to the Nth degree, which I like. Too bad they’re about as comfortable as a pair of six-inch pointy high heels a half size too small.

[Continue reading…]

Urban Decay’s Fast Easy Sexy Partial False Lashes Are Exactly What Their Name Implies

July 25th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Urban Decay Instaflare — Wearing Urban Decay’s new Fast Easy Sexy Partial False Lashes in Instalure ($15) on the outer corners of my upper lash line

I’m keeping Urban Decay’s new Fast Easy Sexy Partial False Lashes ($15) on metaphorical makeup speed dial for the next Monday morning when I’m feeling blah and need an easy pick-me-up. These will definitely hit the spot, since they’re so quick to use and easy to apply.

When you and/or your lashes need a lift, and you either don’t have, or don’t want to spend, the time dealing with the drama that often accompanies false lashes, partials like Fast Easy Sexy are great.

I’m a big fan. 🙂

I call them starter falsies, since the shorter band makes them much easier to manipulate and control.

Perfect for fledgling false lash aficionados, or anyone who wants an easier fancy fringe.

These three new styles from Urban Decay are like lightning in a bottle. I can apply any one of them in less than a minute.

Because they’re not as wide as full-size false lashes, I don’t have to trim them at all to fit, and ’cause they already have a blackened band, I can also skip the extra step of having to darken the band with liner.

Urban Decay Instalure Falsies — Instalure

And I think they just dramatic enough to get the job done.

[Continue reading…]