The week started fast, it is that time of the year, we are late as usual and trying to rush our tax declaration. This year since I became a civil servant, it started to get more complicated. We probably need help since we are both so clueless and also very unmotivated to fill out the forms. There are those people who are on top of the game and know how to make cents but I'd rather play with make-up.
Due to organisational complications, I received 20th year Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette a little later so this might not be the hottest news out there but still I liked one of the eye looks I have done with it worthy of sharing. I am super excited about Alice in Wonderland Collection and hoping those come to Germany. I am a big fan of Lewis Carroll and own early copies of his books which I collected some time ago. One make-up matches with my interests, I can't help but get excited. But first, here are my thoughts about the first Vice Palette I have tested from the brand.
Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette |
Now for the packaging, Urban Decay is one of those brands who definitely invest lots of thought in packaging. Thinking how they started with the velvet case of first Naked Palette which didn't look so special and got dirty and looked very much used, I appreciate how much they improved over the years. Gwen Stefanie Collection Palettes (reviewed here and here) were beyond gorgeous. I couldn't resist to get even the small brow palette just to complete my collection. Just a note here, I am still enjoying Gwen Collection to bits. I saw that some of the items are on sale in the States. If you like neutrals and have light skin tone, just don't miss those.
Back to Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette, it comes in a gorgeous purple sturdy plastic case and has diamond like purple embossment. It is probably not the compactest palette to travel with but considering that there are 40 eye shadow shades in there, you might just get this with you and you are good to go.
Disclaimer: I almost never use plastic flowers but I couldn't help it since the purple one had exactly the same shade as the brush!
Brush provided with Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette |
Unlike Gwen Stefanie Eyeshadow Palette or Naked Palettes which are mostly composed of neutrals, Urban Decay Vice Palettes have more fun shades mixed with some neutrals. The finishes are either metallic/shimmery or matte. The matte shades are mostly for transition or blending. I found myself creating some nice neutral looks from this palette one of which I would like to share with you at the end of this post. I am still shy to wear some of the shades to work, mostly because I am not sure how ready my students are to see me with rabbit red mixed with grass green eye shadow *chuckles*. I think I just need some time, have to do it slowly and everyone will get used to it.
Close-up: Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette |
Here are full set of swatches in the same order as the shades appear in the palette, starting by the first row. I would like to tell you which shades I loved most and which I found to be especially hard to use.
Roadstripe is a gorgeous inner corner highlight especially if you make a transition with violet/purple or pink. Although it appears to be white in the swatches, it has an iridescent pink touch to it which reveals under the light, big love!
Suspend is a great transition shade for the crease. I like the fact that it is not too warm nor too cool. It works perfectly for almost any look and I love that it is matte. I can totally see this as a contour color as well once you apply it lightly. Love it.
Midnight Cowboy was more of a miss to me. It has a certain transparency which makes it either get vanished on the lid or look too glittery without any color to it.
Hot Pants is big love. I love such cool pinks on the eyes and this one has a good consistency and shade. In the look below you can see this applied all over. This combines so well with Roadstripe.
Laced is another one fits all shade for very soft crease specially for cool eye looks. This is a work horse of the palette, love it.
Swatch, first two rows: Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette |
Asphyxia is my kind of shade although I wished that it showed a bit more vivid on my lids. I applied this one on the inner corner for a look which photographed not well because it was dark outside but I like to use it as accent.
Smog is a classical shade, a lovely copper which again applies less metallic on the eyes which I don't complain too much about.
Moonflower was another miss for me, too sheer to show up really, too bad because the shade is so lovely.
Twice Baked is a shade I can't get enough as liner. I must have used up 2-3 of those during the last year, love it! As for the eye shadow, the palette lacks a deeper matte shade but I am glad that this one doesn't appear too metallic so can be used on the crease if you need some extra bit of drama. Love this one.
Anonymous is another work horse of the palette great for under brow highlighting without getting too shiny. You can also use it to neutralize your eye color before you start applying colors. Thumbs up for this one which was not too powdery and it applied well.
Swatch, last two rows: Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette |
I had originally 3-4 looks but not all of the photos were worthy of sharing which left me with this one. It was my favorite along side one which had lavender on the inner corner. Below I am wearing Roadstripe on the inner corner, Hot Pants on the lid, Suspend and Laced on the crease as a soft definition because you wouldn't like something too harsh to go with the happy pink theme. I also applied Anonymous on the brow bone as a subtle highlighter.
Eye look with Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette, Hot Pants, Roadstripe, Suspend, Twice Baked |
Here is the look in context where I am wearing Ex-Girlfriend lipstick from Gwen Stefanie Collection as well as the blush palette from that collection to complete the look. Cool eyes and warm nude lips, well to me it works. What do you think? I think many transitions are doable if you apply the right cheek color to go with that.
FOTD with Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette on eyes |
Final thoughts: If you are in the market for some fun on the eyes without breaking the bank, you like metallic eye shadows and like applying matte neutrals as transition shades, this is your palette.
In Germany Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette is still available at Urban Decay Website (not affiliated). It costs 55€ and has 20 x 0.8 g of eye shadows.
Are you a huge palette user or you prefer quads or even singles?
Disclaimer: The product in this post were provided free of charge for my consideration.
I am not paid for this review. All opinions are honest and my own.
Great review! I really, really, really don't need this palette ... but it looks so fun!
ReplyDeleteI generally prefer quads or quints as I find them easier to use. I don't have any large eyeshadow palettes. But I really like the looks you've created with this. It's very pretty.
ReplyDeleteHi Poppy, I know what you mean and yes it is really fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anne. I am the same actually. In the morning I need a quick fix and those has too many options that it overwhelms me in a way, I get confused, loose time playing LOL
ReplyDeleteThis is a really pretty palette. I never paid much attention but from your swatches, I an see it has a lot of bright cool colors and some nice neutral shades as well. Love the look you did with it. Very Spring summery.
ReplyDeleteI love the Gwen Stefani lipstick in ex girlfriend. I wanted to get a backup, but I read that this shade will be a permanent in their new Vice lipstick line, so thumbs up! I almost never buy color eye shadows anymore. I just don't use them. I have the Vice 3 palette, and that's colorful enough for me :-) Different story when it comes to neutrals though. Love the Gwen Stefani eye palette too.
ReplyDeleteInteresting and useful, thanks for sharing! Have a great day)
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I have this palette and love it! It's true that most of the shades aren't as ultra-pigmented as your typical UD shadow, but they are either pigmented enough or buildable, and you can create so many different and interesting eye looks out of it. If you're worried about looking too crazy at work, try wearing the more neutral shades, then popping some color onto middle lid. I also love UD Spectrum palette, which is insanely bold and pigmented, but UD Vice is a much easier palette to wear for every day. BTW, I love your eye look!
ReplyDeleteI love the fun shades here!! Gash looks really interesting, and your eye makeup look is stunning!! I'm really not into big palettes, and I know I wont get any use out of this once I'm done swatching it. :( Sad but true...
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