Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadows (Review & Swatches)

Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadows
Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadows

The Urban Decay Moondust shadows were introduced… oh man, how long ago was it now? Two years ago? Maybe three? Anyway, they’ve been around for a little while, but I never picked one up because the price was exorbitant (I really struggle with forking over $25 for an eyeshadow when I could get a palette with ten times the number of shadows for only double the price). BUT, I was gifted four of the Moondust shadows at the Urban Decay Square One launch party in Mississauga (vlog of that here!) and I was REALLY excited to try these out. Even cooler was these four shades were Urban Decay store/online exclusives!

Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadows
Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadows

Sadly, upon trying them, my excitement vanished into thin air. I was so, so sad at the results I got with these shadows that I debated not even posting about them at all. But, a negative review IS helpful to consumers, even if hurts my soul to do so about a brand I’ve loved immensely over the years.

Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadows
Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadows
I. Just. Don’t. Like. These.

I know a lot of people do, but I’m one of the unlucky few that doesn’t. The Moondust shadows I tried out are beautiful shades: Chem Trail is the kind of subtle pewter glitter that’s so fun to add to a look. Interstellar is a beautiful pale gold. Vortex is a super pigmented mossy green. And Crux is an INSANE blue-green mix that looks incredible in the pan.

Urban Decay Moondust swatches - Chem Trail, Interstellar, Vortex and Crux
Urban Decay Moondust swatches – Chem Trail, Interstellar, Vortex and Crux

On the lids… they just fall apart for me. (Apologies for the lack of eye looks, but I tried two different looks, hated them both and kind of figured I’d never post about them so I never bothered to take pictures.) They do apply decently – I had no issues with the application… but over the course of the day the glitter particles smear EVERYWHERE. Even worse is that those glitter particles are embedded with coloured pigmented which just makes a bloody mess. I ended up with silver sparkles and blue pigment all along the tops of my cheekbones as the pigment just dropped off my lids throughout the day. I freaking LOVE glitter, so it’s a bit of a struggle for me to say that I looked wretched with glitter everywhere because it’s something I never, ever thought I’d say.

It’s pretty rare for me to walk away from an eyeshadow  – usually I can make the colours or the pigment work in some way (and truthfully, the only other time I’ve really done this is with the Morphe 35B palette), but I don’t want to work with these eyeshadows anymore. It’s too much hassle and I can’t rely on them to not make me look like I doused my face in glitter.

So, sad to say, but I’m done with these – despite how beautiful they look in the pot, I know that I will 100% not be reaching for these at all. If you do decide to use these, I’d suggest trying a glitter adhesive of some sort which is not something I did (I did try them wet – which had no impact on fallout). That being said, I don’t think Urban Decay even makes a glitter adhesive, so it’s not like they thought it would be necessary to use one with these eyeshadows either. 🙁

The products in this post were given to me at a PR event for consideration. Post contains affiliate links.

8 thoughts on “Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadows (Review & Swatches)

    1. $25 just makes me want to choke. I can’t do it anymore. I used to be able to fork over that kind of money for a single shadow, but like… enough guys. I’m so glad palettes are more of a thing now (and there is a Moondust palette) because I just can’t stomach that price tag!

    1. You know… I think you’re right (re: UD fallout). I never really thought about it before, but yeah… I do end up with fallout after the fact a lot of times with UD shadows. Huh. I’ll definitely be paying more attention to that!

  1. Awww that’s a shame you did not like them; I love the ones I have. I do not own any of those, and am glad you posted your review. I am not that crazy about all of them, but the duochrome shades are phenomenal!! I have zodiac and solstice, and they’re beautiful!! They sparkle like no other!!! I am currently trying to decide if I want others. They can have fallout, but primer does help. Thanks again for the review; I’ll pass on these. Maybe I’ll get the palette.

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