Urban Decay Urban Ammo Eye Palette Details

Brand: Urban Decay

Product reviews of Urban Decay Urban Ammo Eye Palette

Review: A Makeup Lover's Nirvana
Beauty product: 5 Stars

ABOUT THE COMPANY:
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Urban Decay brand and aesthetic, the first thing to know is that this is not a makeup line designed for or marketed toward soccer moms. The company was initially started by an alterna-chic woman who couldn't find cosmetics in the fun, funky colors she wanted to wear. The brand has exploded, and is now known for its wide ranging color palette, funky and daring color names (Mildew and Polyester Bride, for example) and commitment to quality, cruelty free makeup. Particularly well-known are Urban Decay's eye shadows, all of which are densely pigmented and low on filler (resulting in shadows that don't crease or easily wear off), and most of which are heavy on sparkle and shimmer. Recently Urban Decay has created a line of matte shadows, but none are contained within this eye palette.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT - THE BASICS:
Housed in a thin black case with purple flocked velvet and gilding on the outside (depicting a revolver firing out swirls of smoke) are ten shades of shimmering and/or glittering, high-quality eye color. The palette has a magnetic closure (which having been jostled around extensively in my cluttered handbag, has never opened by accident) and contains a generously sized mirror and a standard dual ended sponge shadow applicator. The colors are paired top to bottom to be matched two at a time: "Chopper" and "Sin" for instance are both glittery pale peach and champagne colored respectively. I usually wear the darker of the two, Chopper, on the mid and lower lid, with Sin on the brow bone. One could do likewise with Smog and Maui Wowie, which are deeper shimmering (but NOT GLITTERY) browns. Mildew and Shattered are likewise toned down when it comes to the glitter content, but I don't find these two colors very wearable. Oil Slick is black with a high content of rainbow glitter, but its companion shade in the palette, Polyester Bride, is an intense white with more sparkle than glitter. Finally, Last Call and Grifter are glittering purple shades, with Last Call being the darker of the two and although these are both red-based purples this is most obvious with Last Call.

USAGE TIPS:
It's been said that these colors can't be worn to work, and in some cases this is true. However I think Smog, Maui Wowie and Polyester Bride in particular are neutral enough and so lacking in large glitter as to be above reproach. Chopper and Sin are also quite neutral, pale colors, and although they are glittery, as long as they are applied judiciously (without overloading the applicator) they can be worn anywhere, day or night. Oil Slick, Mildew, and Shattered would be out for anyone not working at a coffee house, but Polyester Bride, Last Call and Grifter could fly in a casual office. Depending on your taste, all of these colors would be great for a night out. If you're not a night prowler, you could extend the usefulness of this palette with the added purcase of Urban Decay Eye Shadow Transforming Potion, which turns any eyeshadow into a liquid liner. And of course it should go without saying that just because the colors are obviously paired to be worn together, you certainly don't have to - have fun with it! A few application tips: apply these shadows before any other makeup, even foundation, as the glitter from the shadow will sometimes drop onto the cheek during application or blending. Such excess glitter is most easily removed with a real (non-synthetic) cotton ball. Also, remember that these pigments are intense; a little goes a long way. You might try applying these shadows with a shadow brush rather than the enclosed applicator to get just the right amount of pigment. If you find that you've applied more pigment than you like, just dab a cotton ball, makeup sponge or dry tissue across the eyelid to remove excess, then be sure to look at the rest of your face to make sure you don't have glitter in places you don't want it. This is not a difficult product to use at all.

TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY, THAT IS THE QUESTION...:
Obviously, this palette isn't for everyone, and it does have a few detractors. One is that few people are going to wear all ten colors, and may in fact wear only four or six with regularity. Another pitfall is that the shadow applicator only has four sides, which can cause you to "dirty" the colors in the palette, or mix them on your lids. Nonetheless, I give this five stars. This was the first Urban Decay product I purchased, and I absolutely love it. In fact, this may be the most fun I've had with any makeup purchase, I like it that much! It's fun to have so many colors at your fingertips, so many options to do something fun, and the colors are absolutely beautiful. Very highly recommended, particularly to those of us under 40 who still take joy in beauty. And to those to whom beauty has become nothing more than a tedious routine, this little slice of makeup heaven might re-awaken the teeanager in you, who loved to try new things. Enjoy!

Write your own review

More Urban Decay Urban Ammo Eye Palette reviews:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Description of Urban Decay Urban Ammo Eye Palette

What it is:Happy 10th Birthday, Urban Decay! To celebrate, they packed 10 of their best-selling shades into a case that's a tactile experience on its own.What else you need to know:Covered in touchable, matte black paper, the compact features a mesmerizing assortment of UD elements - animals, hearts, skulls, and flourishes - gently wafting from a pistol in overlapping textures of violet metallic foil and rich velvety flocking. Upon opening the kit, you're met with endless eye options: 10 best-selling shadows are arranged as five sets of coordinating duos, running the gamut from subtle to sexy. The slim case is complete with a perfectly sized mirror, applicators, and a magnetic closure, so it's sure to stay closed in your handbag.Palette includes Eyeshadows in Smog (deep coppery bronze), Maui Wowie (sandy sheen), Mildew (shimmering metallic green), Shattered (bright iridescent aquamarine), Oil Slick (black with rainbow glitter), Polyester Bride (sheer white shimmer), Last Call (iridescent plummy purple), Grifter (sparkling pale purple), Chopper (shimmering fawn with glitter), and Sin (light shimmering champagne).