Urban Decay recently revamped their lipstick collection with the release of the Urban Decay VICE Lipsticks ($17 US/$21 CAD). This impressive lipstick range features over 100 shades and replaces all of their previous lipstick offerings. There are many new shades, along with the return of many cult favourites, and even some returning previous LE shades.
There are six formulas/finishes available:
- Mega Matte – Super intense matte
- Comfort Matte – Urban Decay’s creamiest matte
- Cream – the original: creamy, badass luxury
- Metallized – cream with a high level of pearl
- Sheer – a punch of colour with a sheer, shiny finish
- Sheer Shimmer – slightly transparent finish with floating pearl and a smooth texture
I love the packaging. It is a more modern take on the original shotgun shell styled case. The gold and gunmetal is such a beautiful mix of luxury and rock ‘n roll. The packaging also feels more heavy duty than a lot of the limited edition lipstick packaging of late.
I have ten of the shades to share with you today in a nice range of finishes. The ten shades are Urban Decay founder Wende’s top picks.
- Naked – (Cream) nude-pink
- Backtalk – (Comfort matte) mauve-nude pink
- Big Bang – (Metallized) bright pink sparkle
- Firebird – (Cream) deep fuchsia
- Menace – (Comfort Matte) medium fuchsia-pink
- Pandemonium – (Mega Matte) bright purple
- Disturbed – (Comfort Matte) deep brick red
- Rock Steady – (Cream) deep red wine
- 714 – (Mega Matte) bright red
- Conspiracy – (Metallized) plum-bronze shimmer
I think my favourite formula is the cream formula. I love the rich colour payoff and glossy sheen. All the cream shades I tested performed beautifully. When it comes to matte lipsticks you can’t beat the comfort matte and mega matte formulas. The formula of 714 is so incredible. Matte but lightweight and non drying with an almost glowing quality. I adore it. Pandemonium didn’t seem to play as nice with the Mega Matte formula as it needed to be built up more to get more even coverage and still remained a bit uneven. It still has that gorgeous matte, yet glowing, quality of 714 though!
Firebird may be one of my favourites but I doubt I’ll have the nerve to wear it. It looks so dark and vampy in the tube but when applied it has a translucency, while maintaining opacity, and the most stunning blue toned shine. It is so, so pretty.
I was most excited to try Naked and Backtalk, as I’m a more natural lipstick shade wearing kinda gal, and they did not disappoint. I was ecstatic to see Naked didn’t pull warm and peachy on my lips and retained a beautiful pink nude hue. It is going right into my go to lipstick area. The exquisite comfort matte formula plays beautifully with the mauve-pink nude Backtalk.
The metallics were a pleasant surprise. There is no grittiness and they offer beautiful even coverage. I am really taken with Big Bang. With the translucent finish and sparkle I was surprised it was designated a metallized and not a sheer shimmer. The sparkle is so, so pretty but not likely appropriate for my age to wear. Dangit!
I did already have Rock Steady and 714 in my collection from when they were originally released with the Gwen Stefani Collection. I actually prefer the VICE packaging so that is nice at least. Firebird is also originally from the Gwen collection but I didn’t have it. All of the Gwen Stefani shades are now part of the permanent VICE lineup which is great because it was a release of exceptional new formulas and shades including Mega Matte.
I’ve had the shade Menace before in the Matte Revolution formula and the shade does appear to be the same. The comfort matte formula is new though. Unfortunately I don’t still have it to compare.
Overall I am really, really impressed with the shades I’ve tried. The pigmentation and smooth formulas are a dream. A lot of them are out of my comfort zone but the beautiful formulas will probably mean I will hang onto them just in case I am feeling bold one day. I can’t wait to try more of the more neutral shades!
I totally forgot I have an amazing sampler card of 24 of the new VICE lipsticks (10 of which are the same shown here). That means I could have swatched an additional 14 for you. Maybe I will add that soon. Honestly thought I can’t wait to try them and I don’t want to open them all at once and spoil my samples! Selfish aren’t I?
What shades of Urban Decay VICE lipstick have you tried? What are your favourites? What should I try next?
The Urban Decay VICE lipsticks are available now at Sephora, select Shoppers Drug Mart locations and at Urban Decay online. Available in the US at Sephora, Ulta, and Macy’s. Some shades are UD online exclusives so be sure to check them out!
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Product provided for my consideration. All reviews are always my own honest and unbiased opinions.
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