Thunderous!
No, the colors will not shock your @ss when you touch them, and your hair will not stand on end, but the colors in Urban Decay’s new Electric Pressed Pigment Palette are very bright — like neon sign bright.
Buuut, not everybody likes brights, right? This one is for the risk takers — the guys and dolls who aren’t afraid to wear a bright teal eye to the bank on a Wednesday, which is not to say that those are the only makeup lovers who might like it. Just that they’d probably be more attracted to it immediately. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a bright teal, electric blue or chartreuse fan, however, does not mean you would not be able to rock this.
I just got back from a quick 10-minute walk around the neighborhood, and it was so beautiful outside. It rained here last night, and all of the flowers and grasses and trees are covered in raindrops from the storm. The colors are intensified because of the rain — the pinks, the greens, the blues, the yellow daffodils — but they’re also surrounded by neutrals — the brown dirt, the gray tree bark and the boring-@ss beige buildings in my neighborhood. The neutrals make the bright colors a little less shocking, but a little more at home in their environment at the same time.
Similarly, I think the brights in this palette also look that much more beautiful when they’re used in tandem with neutrals.
Sorry…I rambled on there!
My point is this: you can use your existing wardrobe of neutrals, take this palette, and incorporate one or two of its colors as accents in your looks, making the palette into something perfectly wearable.
You know, I had a feeling that Urban Decay was about to release something bright soon… I mean, shoot — after all of the Nakedness dominating the line over the past few years, it was only a matter of time.
Speaking of time…
The first time I saw Electric, I said, “Ooh! I think I have a Pop Beauty palette just like this sitting in a drawer.” It was a palette from last fall, and it’s only sitting in the drawer because I get easily distracted. Not because I don’t like it. I do (incidentally, it’s still available and much less expensive than Electric).
Then when I opened Electric for the first time, I thought, “I have to get Fringe on my lids.”
Fringe, the metallic teal all the way to the right in the first row, is all that and a bag of deep-fried chips. Deep and rich and shimmery and pigmented, and it buffs out perfectly.
Seriously, I would want this palette for Fringe alone, but there are other standout colors, like Revolt, the very sci-fi silvery shimmer. Packed on with a flat brush, it looks like melted metal skin, like from the second Terminator movie (everything always leads back to Terminator, LOL!).
I think I need to spend more time with Thrash, the chartreuse… I tried wearing it yesterday in my inner corner, and it — I don’t know… I looked like I hadn’t had enough Vitamin C for a really long time.
And then there’s matte blue Chaos. Another standout — previously released (with the Vice Palette). Very intense when you put it on, and beautiful! — but I wish it didn’t fade so much when I buff it out.
Also, apparently, some of the colors in the palette aren’t technically approved for use on the eyes, as odd as that sounds. On the back there’s a blurb that states, “Warning: Slowburn, Savage, Jilted and Urban are not intended for the immediate eye area.”
No big surprise there, even though it does sound weird, but I have seen similar warnings over the years, not just with Urban Decay, but with other makeup lines, especially with multi-use pink and red products.
I did wear Savage and Slowburn yesterday, but I mixed them together and wore them on my cheeks. No, they did not hurt or burn in any way, but will I be using any of the aforementioned prohibited shades on my eyes? Me, personally, no, because I already have sensitive eyes, and I don’t need any more drama up in there.
As for the formula of these pigments, I think the shimmers are off the hook! The two colors I tried last night — Freak, which is the shimmery green, and Fringe, that shimmery teal I was talking about earlier — were flawless. Both applied smoothly and blended together with ease. Just top-notch as far as bold eyeshadows/pigments go.
Even though I haven’t used these long enough to really assess wear time, I did apply them yesterday at 3 o’clock in the afternoon and had them on until 8, so that’s five hours, and they held up fine. I didn’t see any creasing or fading, so I think these will perform up to par for Urban Decay powder products, which I’ve always had good luck with in terms of wear.
Overall, I’m pretty charged up by Electric. Another good one from Urban Decay.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Agata says
It looks great on you and the swatches look amazing but I am pretty sure I’d never use this palette and none of the colors would look good on me.
Natasha says
This looks amazing on you! You always make everything look so great and easy to pull off no matter how afraid I am to try it.
Natalye says
I love the colors but I would probably never wear them lol!
Kiss & Make-up says
People are going to either love or hate this palette, but I for one love a nice pop of color so I’m saying YES YES YES! Though I guess this is more than just a pop, it’s an explosion of color… 🙂 Still yes yes yes though.
Natalie says
You look stunning Karen! What are you using on your cheeks and lips? The look is just perfect.
Allison C says
Wow, not for me, but what a stunning look on you, Karen! And I love how your necklace really ties the look together and makes it work
Alison M says
I wonder if the warning label means not to use the pigment on the waterline over eyeliner? I’ve seen the same warning on a concealer palette. So bizarre, but I’m sure there’s some legal reason behind it.
I adore the blues in this palette. Not a look I’d wear, but something I’m most certainly inspired by. I see pairing a blue with silvery-taupes. Or a nude lid with color at the outer V. As much as I prefer the neutrals, I too am happy to see UD taking a walk on the wild side again.
Ashleigh says
Pigments are not cosmetics. They are usually just straight up colored mica which is not safe for the eyes- lids, waterlines, anything. Probably hence the warning. Odd though that UD would package it as a palette and sell it as “eyeshadow.” Some indie cosmetics companies like Lime Crime have actually been sued over false packaging of pigments, so UD is probably covering their legal butts with that warning.
N. says
You did your makeup very well, but I will skip on this as the color palette reminds me too much of 1980’s makeup(minus the colored mascara :-). Love your necklace too.
Fancie says
This palette is so darn pretty! So is that look and necklace btw! I’m so undecided on this palette. I just adore the bright colors but I’m nervous about some of the shades not being eye safe. This is the perfect palette to add a pop of color to a neutral look but I don’t know about putting these near my waterline. I really can’t wait for more reviews!
Katherine M says
I’m a sucker for a bright palette like that. Palettes like that one is what originally drew me to Urban Decay in Sephora when I took my first trip to Sephora. I will probably get it, since it has some shades that I definitely don’t already own. I have enough neutrals now to last me a lifetime so I can get something fun and bright. I love how you do your eyes. It looks like an everyday smokey eye with fun colors, very wearable and shows your personality, too.
Denise S. says
So bright and pretty! Are you wearing the orange and pink colors on your cheeks? How did they perform as blushes?
Ann B. says
Very pretty! Can you share details about the gorgeous necklace? Love it!
rashmi says
Fabulous pics Karen 🙂 loved the palette and your pictures and swatches are even more delightful
Gowthami says
Beautiful pop of colors, beautiful pictures! 🙂
Erin says
I am a total Mimi but classier. I would soooo use every shade (just not together) with neutrals. I love bright makeup as long as it can be applied without looking garish or clown-like.
Erin says
I’m still loving that necklace 🙂
Marina(Makeup4all) says
I have already commented on how much I love how you’ve combined the shades, and …your necklace 🙂
Rhea says
The look you made was amazing! I’d buy this pallete just for revolt and gonzo!
Danielle says
Karen, your eye makeup looks great here! This would definitely have been a palette I would have purchased a few years ago. Now, I am way too into neutral eye shadows (although I’m trying to get back into color again).
Sylirael says
STUNNING. That is all 🙂