A lot of makeup lines have been doing the sheer lip thing for a while, so really, the idea is NOT that revolutionary anymore.
Like Clinique Black Honey? That’s one of the O.G. sheer lipsticks from the back in the day, so at this point, we can safely assume that a new line of sheer lipsticks will probably not leave you slack-jawed at your desk with drool dribbling from the left corner of your mouth and a mind so completely blown that you may cease to exist on this plane because you’ve been transported to a magical makeup alternate reality…
Let’s face it. The idea has been done before.
That said, Urban Decay’s new Sheer Revolution Lipsticks ($20 each, coming spring 2015) are different in one major way: they’re significantly more pigmented than many sheer lipsticks in the same price range (for instance, the $22 Too Faced La Cremes and $19 Benefit Tinted Tinted Lip Balms), particularly the brighter colors, like hot pink Sheer Anarchy and berry Sheer Shame.
Unfortunately, the nudes in the collection all start to look the same after a while on my pigmented lips…but that’s not unusual for me when it comes to sheer lipsticks and balms.
A completely new line of lipsticks en route to the permanent line, these are similar to UD’s current Revolution Lipsticks (same moderately thick, creamy texture), only they’re sheer, or sheerer — maybe about half as pigmented — but all 10 shades are still more pigmented than average for sheer lipsticks from other brands.
Because of the sheer-ish formula, though, if I had to pick just one, I’d choose one of the brighter shades, like fuchsia Sheer Anarchy or berry Sheer Walk of Shame.
I also dig red Sheer F-Bomb and orangey red Sheer Slowburn, but most of the time when I feel like wearing red on my lips, I want to go all out, like with opaque coverage, lip liner — the whole shebang.
These particular reds are like starter reds, and might be good for someone who wants to wear red on their lips, but isn’t ready for MAC Ruby Woo.
Ya know, when I think of Urban Decay, I picture glittery makeup, crazy looks and hip girls in ripped, high-waisted jeans sneaking out of bedroom windows on school nights. I picture underground parties and rock stars, so the thought of them doing a sheer lipstick was kind of hard to process at first…
Then I recalled the Naked Palette, and UD’s whole movement toward neutrals over the past five years, and it made more sense. The lineup balances nude shades for the Naked fans and brights for hardcore UD followers.
I like these, and I think they’re among the best out there now for sheer lip products… Mainly because they aren’t terribly sheer.
Perfect for long walks through the park on a Sunday afternoon, and they’ll stand out from the other 10,345 nude lipsticks and glosses in your purse.
Just as a tip, but when you apply these, make sure your lips are completely dry, because when mine are wet, the formula doesn’t adhere well or apply smoothly. If you prep with a balm beforehand, just blot it down completely before proceeding.
The Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipsticks ($20 each)
- New for spring 2015, bound for the permanent line
- Available in 10 shades for $20 each
- Unscented and unflavored
- The creamy, medium-weight, moderately moisturizing formula (they contain jojoba and olive oil) lasts 3-4 hours for me
- Still sheer enough to be considered sheer…but more pigmented than most sheer lipsticks on the market
PRICE: $20 each
AVAILABILITY: Coming spring 2015
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A- (I do wish they were a little more moisturizing…but that’s a minor quibble)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Erin says
January 5th, 2015 at 3:08 pmI’ve liked them all other than Sheer Walk of Shame. It’s not going to show up or add much other than shine for the majority of people out there. Sheer Anarchy, Sheer F-Bomb, and Sheer Shame are the most enticing for me. I’d have to swatch the rest but those I know can pull off!
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Audrey says
January 5th, 2015 at 3:13 pmI’m really liking the look of Sheer Liar…I got a $20 Ulta gift card asking to be spent on it, lol! This whole range is actually right up my alley.
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Rachel R. says
January 5th, 2015 at 4:00 pmThe only one I don’t care for is Sheer Walk of Shame. I think the rest are beautiful. I don’t usually go for sheer lip colors, but these have enough pigmentation they have my attention.
Alison M says
January 5th, 2015 at 4:23 pmI have my eye on Sheer 60, Sheer Lady Flower, and Sheer Liar. One thing I love about semi-sheer lipsticks is the ability to pull off otherwise in-your-face shades in a conservative environment. Time for a rebellion in the office! 😉
Happy New Year, friend! I hope 2015 treats you well <3
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tirurit says
January 5th, 2015 at 4:26 pmThey look really nice and the colour range has quite a few different options.
They remind me of the L’Oréal Caresse lipsticks, which I loved when I saw them for the first time.
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Ankita@corallista says
January 5th, 2015 at 4:47 pmWhat a great selection of colors!!
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Puri says
January 5th, 2015 at 4:54 pmI -really- love a lot of these shades, perfect to start the year off with. They all look stunning on your lips!
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Jennifer says
January 5th, 2015 at 5:00 pmOoh! On first glance, I am considering 5 of them, but I can’t afford 5 so I still got some narrowing down to do! Sounds pretty perfect for me.
Agata says
January 5th, 2015 at 6:04 pmHi Karen! I’m usually not attracted to sheer lipsticks either but that’s Urban Decay. And I love me some UD. I feel like you’re talking to me with that starter red 🙂 I would definitely wear that red and Anarchy is super pretty.
Hope all is well.
Agata recently posted … Your Makeup in 2014
Elena says
January 5th, 2015 at 6:46 pmThese are the best swatches I have seen! Too bad I don’t need them (but it is always need vs want with me lol).
I think my favorite tinted balm formula was the Clarins lip balm crayons from this summer. Sigh, wish they weren’t limited edition!
These look pretty. I like shame and f-bomb!
breyerchic04 says
January 5th, 2015 at 9:52 pmI was hoping there would be a sheer dark purple (i’m always looking for a sheer dark purple vs sheer burgundy or fuschia, do you know of one?) But these are great! I love the reds, and anarchy is so much more wearable but still fun!
Eesha says
January 5th, 2015 at 10:37 pmThese are such amazing shades. Reminds me of spring summer and finish also seem to be pretty! I generally don’t go for sheer lipsticks, but, but these seem to be with some pigment! Not flat sheer, like balms!
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Alyssa Melanie says
January 6th, 2015 at 1:54 amI’m not really liking the nude colors, but I would love to have both Sheer F-Bomb and Sheer Shame.
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Poo@beautyandmakeupmatters says
January 6th, 2015 at 2:44 amWhat a pretty collection .. I liked more than just few shades from it an at the price tag .. Loving them even more.. Loved liar and f bomb..
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Kiss & Make-up says
January 6th, 2015 at 3:37 amThese look perfect for me! I definitely plan on getting a couple of the shades. I like it when lipsticks are on the sheerer side but have just enough color to still be fun 🙂
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gio says
January 6th, 2015 at 5:27 amI am usually not a fan of sheer lipstick, but these are pigmented enough to attract my attention. I especially like Sheer Anarchy. Such a pretty shade!
gio recently posted … Product Review: Benefit Ultra Plush Lipgloss In Hoola
LindaLibraLoca says
January 6th, 2015 at 5:51 amI just don’t get the whole sheer lipstick thing. I prefer pigmented formulas and just dab them on with my finger to sheer them out if needed.
After having said this: They look absolutely gorgeous on you! And most of them aren’t what I would call sheer anyway.
Hope you and the nephew are doing great?
LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Favorite Face of December
danimcneil says
January 6th, 2015 at 6:01 amI will definitely be picking up liar and streak!
Amanda says
January 6th, 2015 at 6:52 amI’m really interested in these. Some days I want to wear color on my lips but not necessarily a full lipstick. I’m especially liking the fuchsia shade.
Reflections Social - Hair & Makeup Blog says
January 6th, 2015 at 6:58 amHi Karen! I love the Sheer Shame, a sheer berry, amazing color! Did you find that it was long lasting? This collection is perfect for Spring! Exactly what we need after the cold weather moves out. Hope all is well. Absolutely love your blog!
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Jen C says
January 6th, 2015 at 7:19 amSomehow,sheer lipsticks doesn’t gel with my idea of urban decay either. As far as the ‘naked’ concept goes, to me that sounds like rich, pigmented colors that’re close to the skintone (eg pinkish-nude, brownish-nude, corally-nude -like Streak!) that looks natural yet makes a difference on the lips!
I guess I *could* get behind sheer lipsticks with bold colors like Fushia, Dark Berry, etc. But I don’t see so many of that in this line either, so it’s not so exciting to me!
Kelly B. says
January 6th, 2015 at 8:05 amI’m actually really interested in these-I love that they are technically sheerer but they still have a lot of color-my type of lip product!
Kelly B. recently posted … A Thing of Beauty Awards: Best of 2014 Beauty & Skincare
Kim says
January 6th, 2015 at 8:24 amHappy New Year (6 days late), my friend! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and I’m sure you’re primed and ready for a great 2015. 🙂 It’s been crazy busy (and cold) here but all is well and I hope to be able to check in a bit more later in the week. Just wanted to drop by and say hello! Oh, and I’m definitely a fan of sheer, still pulling out my Black Honey regularly. Viva la 90s. 😉
Tatiana says
January 6th, 2015 at 12:02 pmI love Chanel’s sheer Rouge Coco Shines and Tom Ford’s Lip Color Shines. So I think I need to try these… but in person, because I have very pigmented lips that tend to skew sheer colors when they go on. There’s hope for these, because they’re a) unscented and b) less expensive than either the Tom Ford or Chanel options.
Sylirael says
January 6th, 2015 at 12:11 pmI was so excited to see this release! Well, I get excited for lipstick releases generally, but I do love me some UD. I’m so glad they’ve come out well, andnot done theBenefit/Too Faced thing of being basically all the same transparent balm or something 😉
I have my eye on a few, but my top favourite is Sheer Rapture (possibly in part because I’ve had my eye on the full-pigment version for some time!)
Sylirael recently posted … The Freshly Sugared Rogue: Exploring New Lip Balm Frontiers with the Fresh Sugar Berry Lip Treatment!
fancie says
January 6th, 2015 at 5:41 pmThe bolder shades are actually very pretty in this formula. I see a couple that I would like to try. Like Shame, F-Bomb and Slowburn
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Krista says
January 6th, 2015 at 5:58 pmI really love sheer anarchy and the original UD anarchy is one of my favorites! I normally don’t love sheer lipsticks but some of these look nice. And I like the idea of being able to just throw something on if I’m running to the store, without looking totally made up.
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