If you’ve ever been stuck in a makeup rut, I’m telling you, the new Urban Decay UD Jean-Michel Basquiat collection will kick you outta that funk like that. *snaps*
“Art as makeup. Makeup as art.”
That’s the tagline for the collection, which is available now (sort of, but more on that in a minute). And the collection is a work of art. I think it’s incredible. This is some of the best — THE BEST — makeup Urban Decay has ever done. Like, every single thing in this collection makes me want to paint my face in a myriad of different ways.
But let me back up juuust a bit…
Urban Decay UD Jean-Michel Basquiat: Already getting hard to find, but it IS still available
Sadly, Urban Decay UD Jean-Michel Basquiat is limited edition, and folks are losing their minds over it! — so the items are already getting hard to to find on the UD website. A lot of the pieces are sold out, but you can still find most of them (for now) online at Ulta, Sephora, Macy’s and Nordstrom.
If you ever shop Macy’s, they’re running a 10% off promotion on Urban Decay products online using code “FRIEND” (I’m not sure how long it will last, though).
What’s actually in the release?
There are two eyeshadow palettes (Gold Griot and Tentant, which are $39 each), a blush palette (Gallery Blush Palette $34), three lipsticks (Exhibition, Abstract and Epigram, $17 each) three eyeliners (Anatomy, Vivid and Post Punk, $17 each), three makeup bags ($18-35 each) and a $165 LE case called a vault that comes with everything (appears to be sold out, unfortunately).
Who was Jean-Michel Basquiat?
I recognized the name before I’d started looking into this collection, but I didn’t know much at all about him or his art. He’s deceased now. He was an artist from New York best known for his graffiti and his use of mixed media and color. Wende Zomnir, the chief creative officer and co-founder of Urban Decay, is and has been a huge fan for years.
Talk about bad-@ss paintings/palettes
Urban Decay collaborated with the Basquiat estate on the products and got permission to use his name and artwork on the palettes, which look like works of art irrespective of the actual makeup in them!
The packaging even feels like an art canvas, and that’s actual Basquiat artwork on them, both inside and out. Oh, and UD even added mounting holes to them on the back so you can hang them on your walls if you’d like.
That’s just neat, isn’t it?
This is high-end makeup
The coolness factor and attention to detail are incredible, but they wouldn’t mean much without good makeup.
Oh! And about that? Oh, my gawd! I can’t think of anything I’ve ever seen from Urban Decay that has impressed me this much. Yeah, I mean, they’ve done epic things many times before, like the Naked palettes, for sure, but this is next-level sh*t.
I used the neutral-heavy Gold Griot palette a few times between last Friday and last weekend, and every time I touched it, I thought, “What IS this? Am I using Dolce & Gabbana?”
It’s that caliber quality. Easily up there with Dolce, Armani and Chanel.
Same with the blush palette, Tenant eyeshadow palette and the lipsticks. Satin sheets feel like sandpaper next to the softness of these microscopic grains of powder, and butter feels like trail mix next to the smoothness of these lipsticks.
Running my brush across the eyeshadows barely kicks up any dust, and fallout? Seriously, what’s that?!? I’ve barely noticed any (very little for Urban Decay). And the blending? Easy as 1-2-3.
The powders and blushes are also potently pigmented.
Even the lipsticks! You only need one swipe to completely cover your lips with long-lasting, lovely color, and they aren’t a bit drying.
Oh, and did I mention that the eye, cheek and lip colors go together like hummus and pita chips? You could do an infinite number of looks with this collection.
That said, the eyeliners are touchy
That’s the only thing. Even so, I love Anatomy, the reddish brown eyeliner,which is like a redder version of MAC Costa Riche, but I’m not too crazy about neon green Post Punk and blue Vivid, at least when I wear them on their own. They need a little finagling, like by putting them on top of a white base to help them be all they can be.
I think they might be mixing with my undertones, and it makes them look a little funky, but they show their true, beautiful colors on top of a white base.
The verdict
This is one of those collections I’m going to remember forever. I know it. It’s epic, not just in terms of quality, but in terms of how the colors work together, the packaging, everything.
I’ll take it a step further. I think this is UD’s best collection ever. If you skip it, you could be crying glittery tears, because this is one of those collections that lives up to the hype.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Christine says
May 1st, 2017 at 8:05 pmI am stunned by this collection. Thank you for covering it, Karen (it’s covering you well!). *puts UD pro discount immediately to use*
Karen says
May 1st, 2017 at 9:10 pmI’m glad to hear you’re into in, Christine! It’s a stunner and I hope you love it. And hey… Pro discount! That rocks.
Christine says
May 2nd, 2017 at 2:25 pmOMG! Come to think of it, this collection appears to be in direct competition with MAC’s Fruity Juicy! Check out the similarities in the color palettes.
Karen says
May 2nd, 2017 at 7:15 pmOh, yeah… I can see that! I do like this crop of UD palettes a lot more. The quality is so high!
Ankita says
May 1st, 2017 at 8:54 pmI LOVE the last picture, you’ve done an amazing job with Tenant eye shadow palette. It makes me want to try that palette even more!
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Karen says
May 1st, 2017 at 9:18 pmHi Ankita,
Thank you! I hope you get to try it. It’s a gorgeous palette!
Efrain says
May 1st, 2017 at 10:26 pmI still remember the first time I heard about Basquiat in art class and thought his work was amazing so when I saw the collection I knew I need to buy the blush palette and Abstract lipstick.
Now I need to hunt it down and pray to get my money soon.
LindaLibraLoca says
May 1st, 2017 at 10:34 pmThese colors, so vibrant! I havent been so tempted by makeup in a long time. But as far as I can see it is not available in Germanx yet, and I have no clue if it will be. Time to get googling.
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Rachel R. says
May 2nd, 2017 at 12:52 amI’ve been so excited for this collection. I think it’s absolutely stunning in terms of both packaging and product. This is one of those rare collections I would have bought just for the packaging, but I’m very happy to hear you like the quality of the makeup, too.
I got Exhibition right away, and OMG, a matte lipstick never looked so good on me. The finish and color are perfection. I ordered the other two lipsticks and the eyeliners from Macy’s today. The sale plus another 6% off from ebates was an easy call. My hubby and sons ordered the two eyeshadow palettes and the cheek palette for me for Mother’s Day. I can’t wait to get them!
I wasn’t able to grab any of the makeup bags, but I’m still pretty happy. 😀
Lorraine. E.R says
May 2nd, 2017 at 6:21 amThis collection is hitting all my buttons but I really can’t afford makeup right now, it’s one of my fave artists & fave makeup companies together! When I saw the first promo I got SO excited and now to know they are stellar quality is like painful to me. Gold Griot & the cheek palette are both singing siren songs to me, Lol!
Also while the liners may not be working great, the lipsticks and cheek colors look *extra* beautiful on your skintone. Really nice! 🙂
Your hair looks great too, as always!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir says
May 2nd, 2017 at 11:04 amGold Griot and Abstract WILL be mine. The packaging is gorgeous… their collabs are always so artistic and display worthy!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted … How to Apply Winged Liner on Hooded Eyes // Tutorial
Karen says
May 2nd, 2017 at 7:23 pmAhh, yes! You will love that palette, Brooke!
Tatiana says
May 2nd, 2017 at 11:38 amThe Gold Griot palette is calling out to me. I’m hoping to resist. I already have sooooo many palettes, I feel like I don’t need another one.
Karen says
May 2nd, 2017 at 7:20 pmNot to egg you on, but it really is something special. Le sigh! I’m going to remember this collection for years. It’s that great!
Was it hot down your way today? It’s 7 pm here and it’s still hot.
Ash says
May 2nd, 2017 at 12:26 pmI LOVE the colourful look you did! Stunning. Probably going to copy… again. 😉
I completely agree with you on this collection. It is absolutely beautiful, well thought out, a lovely tribute, and very unique. I love that they made the palettes into artwork you can hang! What an interesting and unique idea. The quality and art of the packaging just blew me away. I personally cannot recall another collection with similar artwork in all my years of being a make-up lover. I also love that they have a neutral palette and a colourful one – this collection can be for everyone. I also think Epigram lipstick and Anatomy liner are very unique colours to release. Also, the marketing! Ruby and the paint. I loved it.
I bought this whole collection aside from two liners and one lipstick. UD definitely hit this one out of the park! Personally though, they rarely disappoint me. They are one of my favourite brands. But this collection was definitely something extra special.
Karen says
May 2nd, 2017 at 7:17 pmYES! I want to see you in this look, Ash!
So, which liner did you get? The brown one?
Astrid says
May 2nd, 2017 at 1:52 pmDayum! I so wish your review wouldn’t be so good… plus you look so good in them! Maybe I’ll just have to get the epigram lipstick (the eyeshadows are too tempting though!). Won’t break my bank at least ?
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Karen says
May 2nd, 2017 at 7:17 pmHey, it’s never a bad thing to save some extra savings, right?
Eleni says
May 2nd, 2017 at 3:05 pmGold a riot + Epigram = Eleni. Love those two ???!
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Karen says
May 2nd, 2017 at 7:15 pmThey’re so beautiful, right? Gorgeous colors and great choices!
Singrsling says
May 2nd, 2017 at 4:11 pmYou look gorgeous in those bright shades, as usual, Karen! I got Gold Griot mainly for the palette cover. Swatched the lippies but have dupes already, but they are lovely, but Abstract is calling my name…
Karen says
May 2nd, 2017 at 7:14 pmYES! Gold Griot! Are you liking the shadows? I think they’re so next level for UD! I can’t wait to wear the palette again. 😀
Whitney says
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:19 amI was totally not interested until your review…now I am intrigued and have FOMO. Haha! These looks are stunning on you!
Valentina Chirico says
May 3rd, 2017 at 3:00 amI’m not really into street art or modern art expressions but… what a cool idea! Make-up + packaging and art all together is a win-win combination. Chapeau to UD! 😉
The Tenant palette is really stunning and daring, it contains some amazing shades and I think the face palette is worth a try!
I love your second look with that peacock-y tones
xoxo bisous
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KP says
May 3rd, 2017 at 7:03 amI’ve gone back and forth on the gold griot palette–even had it in my Sephora basket. I just read your review and now I’m like—aaahhhh, I gotta have it! peer pressure : (
Iris says
May 3rd, 2017 at 2:28 pmI’m going to be getting Abstract and Exhibition. The latter is totally my type of lip colour. I’m tempted by the palettes but I’ve so many unused eyeshadows so I’m trying to resist. 🙂
TravelingBlush says
May 6th, 2017 at 1:51 amI’m so happy to read about the excitement. The Gold Griot palette is interesting, I might get it if still available, as also the Epigram lippie.
Daewyn says
May 9th, 2017 at 10:46 amEverything in this collection looks amazing! I would love to get the blush and Tenant palette, as well as the Anatomy eyeliner. Sadly it seems like I can’t find anything from this collection here in Denmark 🙁
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