My Shameless Obsession With Urban Decay: The Bamboo Palettte

This one... This one was sent to me by a really lovely woman I won a giveaway from on Instagram. She actually sent this one to me about two weeks after I received my first package. Why did she send it? Because I made a post asking for recommendations for summer makeup because I knew I was going to need waterproof things for Warped Tour and our summer vacation coming up. Check her out here and here.

The Bamboo Palette (Sustainable Shadow Box?)
Year Sold- 2009 (Maybe after then)
Year Received- 2015

Packaging- No this is really inconvenient. It doesn't have a magnet that keeps it close so it just swings around. I obviously haven't messed with stability much but to be honest it doesn't have a good mirror, it doesn't have a good closure, and I understand why Urban Decay doesn't make things like this anymore.

Swatches and Color Reviews!

YDK- A really soft cool toned brown with golden

shimmers and a frosted finish. Perfect color for 

darkening up the outer corner without being too

dramatic or smokey.

Flipside- More on the teal side of blue, but not straight

up teal. I'd call this a mermaid blue. It's not as opaque

as you'd expect but it's still lovely.

Grifter- I love everything about this color except

the crazy silver glitter. I've found I can put the product

on the brush and blow the chunks of glitter off,

leaving me only with the color. It's a silver

purple shade that is a nice wash of color that 

still has a nice pigment to it.

Uzi- Similar to Grifter with the nuts silver glitter,

except I don't really like the white. If I had to choose

an Urban Decay white shadow I'd have to say

Bobby Dazzle is much better.

Twice Baked- I actually don't like this color at all

it's chalky and not very well pigmented. Which makes

me pretty sad to be totally honest.

Midnight Cowboy Rides Again- Pretty, champagne, has

obnoxious glitter and is a more beige version of Maui Wowie.

The glitter is slightly more bearable than most of 

the other glitter shadows in this palette

but not by much.

Flash- If you take Grifter and take out the silver

aspect that's what this color is. If you put both

on your lid there isn't much of a difference

except maybe the finish of it.

Half Baked- See my Naked palette review for my

thoughts on this one. 

Kiddie Pool- I adore this blue with my life.

I think honestly I'll use it more as a pop

of color here and there rather than all over

my lid, but it's a lovely aqua blue.

Oilslick- A matte black shadow with glitter.

It's not as black as Blackout and not 

shimmery enough for me to like it more

than the black from the Pulp Fiction palette.

Overall this is a great summer palette. I am once again so grateful to Tina for sending it my way. Look forward to a series we've got in the works to collab on together about makeup for different age groups. Make sure you check her out.

Disclaimer: While this was sent to me it was because someone saw a better home for it, as well as I constantly support her on my Social media way before this was ever sent to me. So I mean... Unbiased review.

Urban Decay Electric Palette Unsafe?

So a few weeks ago I had a major freak out, because I thought I had dropped $49 dollars on an eye shadow palette that I couldn't even use. Yes technically, Urban Decay claims that they market the Electric Palette as a pressed pigment palette, but in many of the promotional photos, models and bloggers can be seen wearing the "pigments" exactly where the palette instructs you not to. Obviously, I was ticked.

(Sorry for the pretty blurry quality images, both of these were taken from Urban Decay's Pinterest )

The first model/blogger is shown wearing Savage, the bright neon color. My first thoughts was, "Fine, okay, maybe they don't really realize that they've done this, whatever". Then I found the second pictorial, where they are showing three of the four "not safe for use on the eyes" colors... on the models eyes.

Something isn't right here. A simple google search helped a lot in my findings, and I found one answer that actually made a LOT of sense.

From Beauty Blogger Phyrra:

The full thread can be found here.

This seemed true enough. The US being behind and not doing the testing and approval? I took it a step further because if it's deemed safe in the UK there obviously wouldn't be a warning for it.

This is the US site. The warning about the shadows is very clear. It's not for use around the eye. But ONLY if you live in the US, Canada, or Brazil. So far things seem to be exactly what strangers on the internet claimed. But we have to take it a step further. So let's check the UK site. 

There is no warning on the UK site. It seems that what I read was true. In other comments through various blogs I've also read that while there is a major warning on almost every part of the palette in the US, if I had been in the UK and bought it, there would have been no hint of a warning on the palette.

However, don't think that Urban Decay is the only company to sell pigments in the US that are obviously intended for use around the eye while warning against it.

The above warning is found on the Sugarpill website for some of their neon pigments. I have to say while it says basically the same things as the Urban Decay warning, it makes it easier to find answers as to WHY those in the US are instructed to stay avoid use of these around the eyes. 

Excuse me Urban Decay but...

Why make these shadows with pigments that aren't safe for the eyes? There are plenty of dupes (even drugstore) for these outrageous colors that are perfectly fine and approved for use in the US.

So far I've only seen one report of a bad reaction to the Urban Decay shadows, and even then it's hard to pinpoint if that was exactly the problem. Many people say that they stain, but it's common for shadows with such a high pigment to stain. I find that not only those four colors, but 7 of the 10 stain my skin if I do not use a primer under them.

Obviously, I've come to the conclusion that Urban Decay is covering their butts. Since it's not FDA approved here as eye shadow, they were required to sell the Electric palette as a "pressed pigment" palette. The warnings are there on the off chance that a consumer chooses to use the pigments on their eyes and have an adverse reaction. Thanks to that ever repetitive warning, the company cannot be held accountable. Really, as it's stated on the Sugarpill warning, the shadows are "use at your own risk".

To be honest, the number one thing that I've learned through this little experience of research is that:

What do you think? Comment below and tell me how you feel about the Electric Palette marketing?

Disclaimer: As stated above all things not approved by the FDA are use at your own risk. I am not stating that these are 100% safe, just why I feel safe using them. Like Urban Decay I have to cover my butt so I am not responsible for any injuries due to the misuse of this product in the US, Canada, or Brazil. We have special eyes.

My Shameless Obsession With Urban Decay: The Electric Palette

So, remember my adventures in Sephora? I believe we had a moment like this:

Let me say it does describe that moment when I have to decide what to buy perfectly. My stomach drops, and my mind begins to calculate what I could have gotten instead. That's exactly how I felt on the way home from the mall the day I purchased the Electric Palette. The reason I did was simple; it was the weekend of the Vice LTD palette launching at Ulta, and I was hopeful that either there or Sephora would have a lonesome Vice 3 left... but of course they didn't. The next three hours was spent with my friend looking around aimlessly for something to fill the hole that the Vice 3 left in my heart. Two hours later I hadn't found something, and the only thing I knew I wanted was pink. My best friend (and most dangerous friend to be in a makeup store with) pointed at the Electric Palette for two reasons. 1) Pink! and 2) Sparkly/crazyness. Of course I've seen it before and always rolled my eyes because what a freaking worthless palette. What would I do with that? But we all know this ended with me purchasing it and walking out of the store with it. Regret happened again when I realized four of the colors couldn't be used on the eyes (or so I thought, check out the answer to the safety question in my next post). However, now I can't imagine living without it.

The Electric Palette

Year Sold- 2014 (still being sold)

Year Purchased- 2015

The Packaging- Pretty? Check. Sturdy? Check. Great mirror? Check. Basically I have no complaints about the packaging. It's much sleeker than any other Urban Decay palettes I own, and has the most sturdy closer of them all. This palette has a magnetic closure, which I normally feel can come a bit loose, but this is one of those super magnets like you used in middle school science class. Yeah, it's that awesome.

Swatches and Color Reviews!

Revolt- When I can say a super shimmer metallic

silver is the most boring color in the palette

you know you've done something right.

Revolt is a very smooth, silver color that can be 

layered over a color to make that color

metallic, or layered several times over 

itself to make a very opaque silver.

Gonzo- Bright electric blue matte shadow

with light blue sparkles. It's got the same texture

as my favorite Urban Decay mattes.

Slowburn*- Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. I have

not used this color on my eyes yet but I've swatched

it over and over and I really want to use this in a sunset

eye. This isn't a matte shadow but ti seems to have

the texture of one, making me think that rather 

than a satin finish it just has many micro glitters.

Savage*- My favorite shadow in this palette 

and it's why I bought it! Matte pink deliciousness.

Fringe- This actually honestly just reminds me of

Deep End, meaning it's the third teal I own, I don't

wear many teal eyeshadows 

Chaos-

I'm pretty positive this color is called chaos because

of the chaos it's causing in my mind. TARDIS BLUE

EYE SHADOW OKAY?!? Fangirl moment over, this

is pretty legitimately a great true royal blue. 

Thrash- When describing this color casually I will

refer to it as the "ugly yellow green", but I mean that 

in the most loving way because I love this perfect

acid green. I don't know how I'm going to be able to 

use it but it's a green/yellow with gold sparkles

and a satin type finish.

Freak- TINKERBELL GREEN. The Disney obsessed

girl in me loves this. I can honestly relate every single

color in this palette to a fandom and it would fit perfectly.

Freak is... freaky. Previous pictures probably showcase

my green walls, green stuffed animals, maybe green

clothes, because I love green and I love this pastel

green with a satin finish.

  

Comment if you remember this commercial.

Urban*- Wanna know how I feel about this? See above gif.

It is the purpley-est purple to ever purple with a gorgeous

satin finish. It has more of a pink/red undertone

than a blue undertone and holy cow! Purple!

Jilted*- Pinky-purple! It's seriously like a neon version of 

Fishnet which I have come to love even more in the last week.

It has a satin finish with a slight hint of shimmer. Yay!

*These products are not approved for use in the immediate eye area by the FDA.

Over all, I didn't think I would ever use it and I thought the people that would dish out $49 on a palette with this kind of color scheme. Now I can't imagine being without it. 10/10 DO recommend.

Disclaimer: This isn't sponsor. Urban Decay doesn't know me. And I don't own any of the rights to Peter Pan or Tinkerbell.

My Shameless Obsession With Urban Decay: The Smoked Palette

The second palette I paid for by Urban Decay, and the second palette I did not pay full price for. I'm not sure what deal I happened upon that made it only 16 dollars, but considering it retailed for 40, it had to happen. To be totally honest I've never done an eye look with this palette, and I really only see me using it for special occasions, like if I do makeup for prom this year. But it was good to have in the collection and in conjunction with other things, it's still a good purchase.

The Smoked Palette

Year sold-2014

Year purchased- 2014

The packaging- Something feels very dark and sleek and mature about this palette. Which I think is the point. As discussed with the Fun palette I freaking adore the zipped cases Urban Decay puts out. They are really travel friends, durable, and convenient. The outside is an odd almost sleeping bag textured fabric, which makes my skin crawl if I run anything even slightly dry across it, but I don't find that it marks up or stains easily. This palette also came with a full size 24/7 Glide On eye liner and a travel sized Urban Decay Primer Potion, but those are both in a drawer somewhere.

Swatches and Color Reviews!

Kink- Let me just say right now that I love

how Urban Decay does mattes. Normally

these shadows would not be as soft and 

would be more chalk. The color of this shadow

itself is truly beautiful though. It is the

perfect highlight for the browbone

and inner corner of the eyes and is

a soft cream color.

Freestyle- A perfect color for blending out harsh edges.

Smokey eyes are all about soft lines. This tan color

is great for eliminating sudden stops between colors

and the skin.

Mushroom- I feel like this color is a lot

more usable than I let it be. It's a shimmery

taupe with a gorgeous almost metallic 

finish.

Backdoor- A grey/brown matte color. I don't

find it to be as smooth and buttery as my other

Urban Decay mattes, in fact it's a bit chalky.

Blackout- So. Much. Yes. Matte black for life. This

is the absolute best matte black eye shadow. Urban 

Decay hypes up their Perversion eye shadow as the

blackest black but I've swatched that in store and I

own this and they really should just say Blackout

falls under that category. This picture doesn't do

it justice at all.

Barlust- Someone needs to write love songs about

this color. The pigmentation is amazing. The shade

is perfection. The texture is the bomb dot com. It's

a red toned brown, like a richer version of Toasted.

Rockstar- Meh. It's a "purple". Another color that

isn't my dream purple. One day it will happen. 

Because this is a smokey palette all the colors 

are very toned down, but I do wish this was brighter.

Evidence- Yeah this is a really nice blue. I realize

I just complained about the lack of excitement 

I feel from these colors but I find this blue to be

very nice and subtle but it also shows up as blue

where I don't feel like Rockstar does.

Loaded- This green is also a nicer green than

what is in the picture. It's very mossy with a

Satin finish. 

Asphalt- This is kinda a perfect name for this

color. It's a dark brown/grey with rainbow

micro glitters. I really do enjoy this color.

Over all it's a great palette and I purchased it not only for my collection but because it really did have some great staple colors that I will use for different occasions.

Disclaimer: Do I even need to put a disclaimer for this series anymore? Probably not. I'm not sponsored. UD doesn't know me.

My Shameless Obsession With Urban Decay: Pulp Fiction Palette

We've come to the first Urban Decay product that I actually bought myself. I spent the two months of my blog eyeing this palette. It went on sale sometime around then for half of its original price, and while 16 dollars for an limited edition UD palette is a steal, I had Christmas presents to buy other people, and so I moved on. I was pleasantly surprised in late December, the palette was still available and on sale! Not only was it on sale, but it's sale price was on sale! I managed to pick up this baby for an extra 20% off. My patience paid off and I only paid $12.80 for this gorgeous palette. Sorry for the enthusiasm but I have been waiting months to gush about this. Great sales are how I (and I'm sure most other makeup lovers) justify my addiction.

Pulp Fiction Palette

Year Sold- 2014

Year Purchased- 2014

What the original palette looked like.

Packaging- Okay I love this in a million different ways. First of all I obviously love the Pulp Fiction quote, the logo, and the embossed UD is pretty dang nifty, okay? Okay. Also, this thing is sturdy as heck. I know cardboard can be kinda an iffy thing for some people but you know what? I've sat on this palette. Meaning it can take a whole lot of pressure and still look fine. The mirror on the inside is perfect and that little brush? Perfect. I see this as a travel palette, and I'm not the only person to liken the type of shades to the Naked basics palette. Christine discusses the similarities here.

Swatches and Color Reviews!

All swatches done without primer.

Righteous- First let's talk shadow quality. All of 
the shadows in this palette are crazy creamy, but 
I'm much more excited about this particular color's
consistency because it can be hard to find a matte that 

isn't powdery. As for the color, it is a cream color with a

 yellow/peach undertone. The picture seems to cancel 

out that peach note, but it's there.

Tyranny- This color is really unfortunately too orange
for me. It's a pretty color and I definitely will still wear
it but I'm not a big fan of warm toned eye shadows, and
will definitely choose Urban Decay's Naked over this.
It has the same smooth consistency and is a matte
finish as well.

Vengeance- Now this color I love. It's much cooler than
Tyranny and has a satin finish, which is always nice.
I love that the browns in this palette have an almost
ombre thing going on. Makes achieving a very natural
look so easy!

Anger- Black, Sparkly, better pigmentation and texture
than Urban Decay Creep but no where near Blackout.
I do like that it has a bit of sparkle but not glitters.

Furious- This is the prettiest white color I own okay???
It's a very pearlescent white with a cool undertone.
As you can see my forearm is basically the same color
white so all you can see are the shimmers but I think
this is the perfect color for the inner corners of the eyes.

There must have been some sort of manufacture error because I just realized that Furious is supposed to be over top of Anger in my palette, which would make it much easier to not get the white muddied with the black. Oh well, I guess that just makes this limited edition even more limited edition! Over all I like this palette, though I may not use it all that often thanks to my love for the bold. I'm definitely glad I have it in my collection for those days I feel like doing a 'my face but better' look. Plus who can resist something based off the beauty of this fabulous woman?

Disclaimer: Urban Decay doesn't know who I am. I mean I really wish they did. Seriously. But they don't. This post is not sponsored by anyone. 

5 Dupes for Urban Decay's Naked Line

Here's my problem with the Naked line. It's dupable. So so easily dupable. Almost every single cosmetic company has a version of the Urban Decay product you may have your eye on. This makes me sad because rather than taking the next logical step and moving on to something that you aren't seeing everywhere, Urban Decay seemed to spend their whole 2014 year promoting this line, and as 2015 rolls in that trend has continued with an even larger expansion on the Naked line. We get it, we're supposed to try to fool people into thinking that your cheeks are that perfect shade of coral, your cheek bones sparkle, and your eyelids are perfectly rose gold. Absolutely naked face. No one is fooled but still...

So please, I'm praying that in 2015 we'll be moving on, and there'll be more exciting and inspiring products to come. Below are 5 dupes to popular products that further prove the "Naked" craze needs to find it's way out (in my opinion). Leave the neutrals to basically just about everyone else, Urban Decay. 

5. Urban Decay Naked/Too Faced Chocolate Bar

4. Urban Decay Naked 2/Too Faced Natural Eyes

3. Urban Decay Naked 3/Lorac Unzipped

2. Urban Decay Naked Flushed/Sleek Makeup Face Form

1. Urban Decay Naked Skin Liquid Foundation/L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation

Disclaimer: I'm not sponsored by anyone. Unfortunately. How do we make that thing happen? 

Comment below and let me know how you feel about the Urban Decay Naked line?