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

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.

Then, I’ll seal the deal with the boisterous brights and jewel tones.

I know, greens and blues can be scary if you’re not used to them, but seriously, they don’t have to be. You can wear brights. It just helps to ease your way in…

A dash of brown on your lids, a smudgy jewel-toned shade on your lash line — easy does it.

I can see it now…

I’ll convince Cindy to let me do her eye makeup. “Dude!” I’ll tell her, “It’s just brown. You can totally wear brown eyeshadow. It’s not going to kill you to try. I promise. And while we’re at it, why don’t we just smudge a bit of this green on your lower lash lines… Trust me, this is gonna look awesome.”

Hehe… 🙂

Per usual for Urban Decay, these shadows lay down loads o’ pigment, blend easily and cling to the skin (I get at least 10-11 hours out of them when I use them on top of primer), but the fallout… It’s like dealing with a 20-pound tabby’s litter box.

Unrelenting.

Constant.

Do yourself a favor, and do your eye makeup first, before your face makeup. Then, clean up the inevitable mess that ends up on your cheeks before going back in to finish your foundation, concealer, powder, etc.

Lastly, I’d like to give a shout-out to Baked Cowboy, one of the new shades. This shimmery golden bronze is like the Hall to my Oates, the Wendy to my Lisa. Mix it with your favorite brown eyeshadow (you know, one of those 7,000 you’re hoarding), shimmer or matte, and watch it transform into something even more lovely. 🙂

In these pics, I’m wearing it in the crease mixed with Smog (also from the palette). It just adds a little extra dash of magic fairy dust.

PRICE: $34
AVAILABILITY: Available now exclusively at Ulta stores and ulta.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen