As some of you may know, Urban Decay Cosmetics releases limited edition Vice eyeshadow palettes every year around the holidays. These palettes always have exceptional packaging, 20 unique and fun shades ranging the gamut from matte and neutral to over the top neon shimmers, deep glitters and bold metallics. Once they're gone, they're gone.
Now, the past couple of years, Urban Decay has gone a step further with their Vice palettes, and have created Vice Ltd. palettes, which are even MORE limited edition, and contain even MORE beautiful shades.
This year, Urban Decay KILLED IT. The UD XX Vice Ltd Reloaded palette, according to Ulta's website, is going to be available online TODAY and in stores on the 24th of this month. It includes 20 shades that represent UD's past 20 years, including everything "from vintage shades that go WAY back (like Gash, Acid Rain, and UV-B) to must-haves from UD's current collection," Ulta's site reads. "There are even a few new shades and several cult favorites from past palettes."
When I saw this online, I knew it had to be mine. It just HAD to. I mean, it's 20 years in the making!!! Yeah, I decided NOT to get the Vice 4 this past holiday season, figuring it was too similar to the Vice 3 from last year, and yeah, the fact that the Gwen Stefani palette from UD was far more appealing to me. I mean, a palette created FOR Gwen herself, not just BY Gwen, that I could have too? Yes, please! I mean, I grew up with No Doubt, I loved Gwen from the start, and so not only was that palette beautiful, but it was also a bit nostalgic for me. Anyway...when I saw this Vice XX Ltd. Reloaded, I knew I'd be caving, and getting a Vice after all.
The best part was that since I'm a Platinum member of Ulta's rewards program, I was able to snag the palette extra early, which allowed me to give you guys a FIRST LOOK! So, let's just dive right in, shall we?
It retails for $56, and like I said, it contains 20 colors, both new and throwback, but all in the beautifully creamy new UD formulation. The Ulta website describes, "Each Eyeshadow in this limited-edition palette features Urban Decay's Pigment Infusion System, the proprietary blend of ingredients that gives every shade its velvety texture, rich color, serious staying power and blend ability." So good.
The packaging is sleek with a sturdy matte black exterior, jeweled purple raised and textured logo, and a nice push-button release mechanism to open.
There's a sizable and beautiful mirror, and a dual ended brush with one side for shading, and another for blending, as is customary in each Vice palette. These attributes, as well as the closure, make this palette a good one for travel.
Shades included:
Row 1:
Row 2:
Row 3:
Row 4:
First impression: I loved using this palette, and will continue to love using it. It's surprisingly wearable on the day to day, for which I am grateful. I also was impressed with the wearability and longevity of these shadows. I applied my makeup at 10 a.m., and it still looked the same at 9:45 p.m. - Yep. Impressive. I didn't use a specific eye primer, but I do use concealer set with a light powder, just so you can get the full story.
For the look I created today, I used a large shader brush to apply anonymous all over the lid, then went in with a fluffy blending brush with laced as my transition crease shade. I used a little suspend on the same blending brush to deepen things up, and used hot pants all over the lid, applying with my finger.
I then took asphyxia on a small shader and applied it over hot pants to add some iridescence. I used both laced & suspend on the bottom lash line to add some dimension. I finished the look with a nude liner in the waterline, and a couple coats of Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.
There are so many shades, finishes and tones, I'd say this is a palette that truly anyone can use. Are you ready to say, Ulta, TAKE MY MONEY! If I didn't already have this, I would be. Grab it now, before it's gone! And no, I was not sponsored. All opinions are my own.