Unboxing Urban Decay's Vice Palette

I am a sucker for all things Urban Decay. It's probably the only brand of makeup my husband can name because I talk his ear off about how I want this or that new palette. So when the Vice Palette launched I just knew I had to get it. Why? Because limited edition palettes from UD are my vice (like many of you I'm sure).

It sealed the deal when I heard the list of colors. Occupy? Anonymous? Be still my little left-wing heart.

Outer Box

I like to see palette unboxing(s) because there are frequently knock-off palettes made but the one thing they never seem to do exactly right is the packaging. They almost always skip some step. If you look on Ebay right now you'll probably find fifty sets of the "Naked" and "Naked2" palette being sold in sketchy beige boxes. Not legit. Sad too because people are paying legit money for them.

Inside there is a foam insert which protects the jeweled UD lettering

Up Close

Special Push Button Thing

Vice Palette open

And here she is in all her glory. The shades are (from top left to bottom right): Desperation, Muse, Jagged, Blitz, Penny Lane, Junkie, Chaos, Occupy, Unhinged, Black Market, Provacoteur, Rapture, Vice, Noise, Armor, Nevermind, Echo Beach, Anonymous, Freebird, and Laced. These all claim to be new shades but some are fairly close to some other UD colors you might have if you have older palettes. For example Noise is pretty similar to Woodstock except Noise has better formula. These all have the new formulation so that's something to consider if you're debating picking this palette up.

I recently noticed that UD released a Book of Shadows III Redux which is apparently like BOS III but with a few shades replaced. I considered getting it since it was $39 and a good value but I couldn't justify it having just purchased the Vice Palette. I'm glad I got the Vice Palette though because they're sold out near me already and I would gladly take the newer formula shadows over the vintage ones. Also the color I reeeeeally wanted from BOS III was Kush and they  took that one out and replaced it with Mildew, ugh....rambling.

So, I've used the Vice palette several times now and it's safe to say I am happy with my purchase. I love the little push-button opening mechanism. It slowly lifts the lid until the mirror is in full view, or at least mine does I've heard complaints. The double sided mini Good Karma brush is nifty and not at all too small to do the job. The shadows are smooth and most have good payoff. The only dud color is Jagged. The packaging is sturdy although it collects fingerprints and smudges quickly. Nowhere near as bad as the velvet casings though IMO. I've been really loving the color Muse in this collection. It's a shimmery brown shadow and is a great neutral for my skin tone and not a repeat from either of the Naked palettes. My favorite, favorite, favorite color in this palette though is of course Chaos the bright blue matte color. I could wear that color everyday although it would probably be inappropriate.I'm already the cray-cray mommy at play dates. It's the perfect color for roller derby though!

I give this palette an A, but I was bound to be biased because I eyed this palette for weeks and am a UD fiend.

Have any of you guys picked up this palette? Whaddya think?

Urban Decay Lip Junkie: Crush

OK so here's the thing. I'm still working out this "blogging" thing, and I find that perhaps due to my ADD shorter posts will keep me posting more frequently. I'm one of those people who starts a project...starts another one...forgets first project (remembers, gets annoyed with self, runs back to first project because they don't want to give up)...you get the picture. And I don't want to relinquish this blog because makeup is my BABY (aside from my real babies of course). So here goes:

Urban Decay Lip Junkie

"Crush" in tube

Here it is in the color "Crush". This is the full size tube and the first "high end" lipgloss I've ever dropped 20 bucks on. I don't regret it at all! This is my favorite gloss!

Lip Junkie in "Crush" on my lips

As you can see it's not so pigmented that it screams pink but it definitely is a nice color. Lip Junkie is a plumping gloss, and I never would've seen myself purchasing a plumping gloss as my lips are already plenty "plump" but I received a sample in the color "Naked" with my Naked 2 palette and after using it a couple times I was totally hooked. I don't feel like it plumps as much as it smooths out the fine lines on the surface of my lips which I like. Also the tingly minty sensation is pleasant and smells nice. I don't find this gloss to be "too sticky" but it is the type to get your hair stuck in on a windy day. There's always a tossup between stickiness and staying power and if you ask me this is just the right balance. You won't have to reapply every hour.

I give this gloss an: A

Definite repurchase. I'm already half empty and all of my other glosses are getting neglected but I want another!