The Urban Decay Urban Spectrum palette surprised the bejesus out of me. I had hemmed and hawed over getting it because, although pretty, it’s not especially unique. Some of these are repeat shades that I thankfully don’t have,however, I know I’ve got similar colours in my collection to all of these (and most definitely all of those browns).
But it was too pretty to pass up so I picked it up when it launched on Sephora’s site for VIB and VIB Rouge members. Over the last week and a bit it has really, really impressed me. Urban Decay always has well pigmented shadows, but this just took me by extra surprise. They’re so pigmented that I was like “omgggg KEEP BLENDING” when I started applying it to my eyes. That’s not a downside by the way, that’s just further proof that this is worth the money you spend on it.
The only thing worth noting that some people may consider a downside is that there are no true mattes in here, so this is not a “complete” palette. I pulled in a matte shade to highlight my brow bone a lot, but for this to work on an every day basis, you’re going to need to work in some matte browns for transition shades, etc. That being said, no one’s looking to this as a starter palette. If you want to try out colourful shades for the first time, it’s a fairly good assumption that you’ve already got plenty of matte neutral shades in your collection that you can use to help balance out all the sheen from these.
Enough rambling, on with the looks! (And if you want swatches of all the shades, see this past Sunday’s Swatch Sunday post here.)
Urban Decay Urban Spectrum Makeup Looks
The first one I did, and easily my favourite. I had no idea what the hell to do with that ridiculously hot pink Backlash shade, but it worked soooo well on the lower lash line to complement the other shades. I don’t like my lip colour though – I should’ve gone for something brighter and less peach.
Eyes
- Deep End on the lid.
- Fashback through the crease.
- Voodoo in the outer corner.
- Wet n Wild Brule on the brow bone.
I lined my lower lash line with Backlash and coated my lashes with Urban Decay‘s Perversion mascara.
Face
- Foundation: Revlon Colorstay in 200 Nude and 220 Natural Beige mixed together
- Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
- Blush: Hourglass Diffused Heat
- Highlighter: Becca Champagne Pop
- Lips: Wet n Wild 903C with NYX Tiramisu on top
I packed most of the neutrals into one look because they’re the most safest colours this palette had to offer.
Eyes
- Daybreak on the lid.
- Burn on the crease.
- West in the outer corner. (This came out WAY deeper than the pan shows.)
- Wet n Wild Brule on the my brow bone.
Urban Decay Perversion mascara is on my lashes.
Face
- Bronzer: Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion in 30M
- Blush: The Body Shop Honey Bronze Highlighting Dome in 03
- Lips: ColourPop Ultra Matte in Bumble
I’m kind of iffy on this one. Maybe it’s because my lighting wasn’t great for it. The colours sure do blend out nicely though!
Eyes
- Bordello all over the lid.
- Madness at the top of the crease.
- Prank on the outer half of the lid and used to line the lower lash line.
- Flatline on the inner corner.
I applied Urban Decay‘s Perversion mascara to my lashes.
Face
- Foundation: Revlon Colorstay in 200 Nude and 220 Natural Beige mixed together
- Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
- Blush: Kroylan Glossy Rosewood
- Highlighter: Becca Champagne Pop
- Lips: ColourPop Ultra Matte in Trap
This kind of green to blue colour transition is a long time favourite look of mine. I’ve done it with varying shades and brands over the years and I never tire of it.
Eyes
- Protest on the lid.
- Evidence through the top of the crease.
- Prank on the outer third of the lid.
- Wet n Wild Brule on the brow bone.
I coated my lashes with Too Faced‘s Better than Sex mascara.
Face
- Foundation: Yaby in Buff
- Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
- Blush: MAC Gingerly
- Lips: NYX Butter Gloss in Vanilla Cream Pie
Only an eye look for this one I’m afraid. Because this is zoomed in closer, you can see just how shiny most of the colours come across. They’re beautiful, there’s no doubt of that, but they really can come across as a shine-bomb if you use them all at once.
Eyes
- Omen on inner half of the lid.
- Madness on the outer two-thirds of the lid.
- Prank in the outer corner.
- Wet n Wild Brule on the brow bone.
I created the wing with essence‘s Jumbo Liner Pen and coated my lashes with SST Cosmetics‘ Lash Rebel mascara.
I hope you enjoyed the Urban Spectrum looks! Next up I think I’ll be working through the Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix palette. (I’m really, REALLY excited for that one!
LOVE THEM ALL – that first one is my favorite though… I’ll be copying that tomorrow. GORGEOUS!!!!
Rebekah recently posted…jord cora purpleheart & mother of pearl watch
It came out so easy. I was expecting to have to put more work to produce reasonable looks but man… not at all!
I swear nobody wears colours better than you, the looks you created are stunning! My favourite is the first eye makeup, I probably wouldn’t be able to pull it off but it looks amazing on you!
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…Highlights of September: Beauty, Food and Everything in Between
Thank you Shireen! You could definitely wear it! You have such gorgeous lids and plenty of space to do it on!
Awesome stuff! I loved all these looks, the first one is definitely my favourite though. Love me some purples!
Feelo recently posted…[REVIEW] RESIST The Breakouts, Be Gone Adult Acne!
The first one was definitely the best by far. I kept being like “awww why aren’t I making anything as awesome as that first day??” haha
No way, you other ones are good too! I think it’s just because it’s the most colourful and I now associate you with fun colours so I get more attached to those ones. haha
Feelo recently posted…[REVIEW] RESIST The Breakouts, Be Gone Adult Acne!
Loooooooooove. I don’t know if I have the skill to recreate any of these but I want them on my eyes anyway.
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I swear it doesn’t take much skill – these shadows practically blend themselves they’re so soft!
Love how you use colour- You’ve inspired me to breakout of my usual lipstick nude shades with some colourful Kiko lipsticks! (Thanks Italia for this affordable brand)…Hoping they don’t bleed… Wish me luck 🙂
Kiko is SUCH AN AMAZING BRAND! I’ve really loved everything I’ve tried by them so far – I hope you like the stuff you picked up while on vacation! (Welcome back btw!)
I love Challenge Weeks! Always great inspiration, especially for eye makeup + lip color combos. I feel like your eye looks are works of art. And your curly hair in the green/blue transition look – beautiful!
Question for you: What do you think of the name “Challenge Week”? I was wondering if it was kind of silly, but I can’t come up with anything better!
I love having curly hair, but it’s such an effort to do it (and even moreso that my hair is getting soooo long). I noticed that most of my face shots are me with my hair slicked back into a ponytail because I just can’t be bothered to do anything with it when I’m headed to work! Oops!
Thanks for your sweet comments as per usual Inday! <3
Aw, you’re welcome Chelle! Thank YOU for all the work you put into your blog and always taking the time to respond!
I like it! It’s simple and to the point. Also I may or may not have a Pavlovian response to it already: “Challenge Week” – *drools* gorgeous makeup/hair looks coming my way! 😂
I actually really like your hair in a ponytail as well! You have beautiful bone structure and it shows off the makeup looks. But you do come up with some outstanding styles! *remembers crown braid hairstyle* 😍
Are you keeping your hair long? Mine is almost to my waist and becoming something of a security blanket so I’m almost afraid to cut it, which makes me sad.
Pffft it’s no time at all to respond! I live for feedback and if someone is going to take the time to comment on something I’ve posted about, I want them to know they’ve been heard. We live in an age that’s double tap or click/like happy and those are easy to do – It’s the people that take the time to respond that really fill me with happiness. Plus, you’re so dang lovely too!
Alright, sticking with Challenge Week then! We’ll keep that Pavlovian response going. 🙂
As for my hair… well, I love it, but I’m not super attached to it. (Not that I’ll be shaving my head any time soon.) I only get my hair cut about once a year and the last time I went (June I think) the guy really didn’t take enough off so now I’m not sure what to do. I’m currently thinking of getting it chopped to the top of my shoulders in November once Halloween is over. But we’ll see. I’m so cheap when it comes to hair that I haaaate spending money on getting it cut. As for you though, waist long is loooong! WOW! Maybe you could just get a little trim and see how you feel about it?
I don’t have any social media so sometimes I feel a little left out of that click/like loop, LoL But I read all the comments on your posts too and you seem to have such a cool group of readers! I don’t ever feel like I’m not trendy or savvy enough to comment.
As for my hair *sigh* I’m super over it right now, haha I think I will trim off a few inches before the holidays and see how it goes.
Speaking of holidays – a belated Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
No social media! So rare these days. Any reason for that?
And thank you! We had a great Thanksgiving and ate far, far too much! 😉
I can’t reply to your last comment for some reason, hehe
I’m not really one for sharing my life, I guess.
Eating is one of the best parts of Thanksgiving! 😄
THE FIRST ONE! Daaaaaamn. Chelle, you’re rad. Just saying.
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<3 <3 <3
I thought I recognized Bumble when I saw it on you- looks great! This looks like such a versatile palette even with all of the vibrant shades! 🙂
Jen recently posted…Life Recently: It’s Official… I’m a Doctor!
Bumble’s so unique… I think it’s one of the more standout shades they have!
OMGAWDDDDD. I’ve never bought any of their large palettes, I don’t even own any of the naked palettes (but I’ve picked out some shadows from the Vice 2 that was given to me) but I THINK I NEED THIS. I’m the biggest fan of purples and teals and blues and I’m in need of some major teals/blues! I actually just need some teals but this palette looks awesome! My favorite looks is the first, that’s the kind of look I want to be wearing all the time! This palette isn’t sold in singapore yet but I can’t wait till it gets here!
Sharlynn Ng recently posted…Rave Review: Chanel Les 4 Ombres eyeshadow in 226 Tisse Rivoli!
It’s a fairly amazing palette – the colours are just freaking stunning. I hope it makes it out to Singapore soon!
I think it came out in UD’s Vivocity store on 9 October but I sold out in a day because only 50 pieces were brought into Singapore :/ hoping it makes a comeback!
omg! Only 50 pieces! That’s insane!
50 PIECES? I think whoever is organizing the ordering is either an idiot or has their hands tied! Everything they’ve brought in, in small numbers has SOLD OUT in a matter of hours or days! I think they underestimate the true beauty obsessed nature of singapore gals!! Thanks for the info, I’ll totally be asking the staff when I’m in town!
Sharlynn Ng recently posted…Mega Empties: Six months of skincare and beauty empties! (Jan to July 2015)
Yeah, it was crazy. It come out at 10am on a working day and many fans couldn’t get their hands on it. Hope you’ll get your hands on it! The news was announced on UD Singapore’s Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/UrbanDecaySG/posts/1699466783622752:0
OMG! The 1st look is freaking perfection, I’m obsessed with peacocks and this is spot on with their gorgeous colors..and the last look is sexy and sultry and I love it just as much!!!😍😍 Well done!
Thank you Theresa! I had a lot of fun with this palette!
Just bookmarked your page loving all of them! Just picked up the spectrum pallette I would love if you did another look using this pallette to see how versatile it can be! Either way I’ll keep checking back for more beautifully talented looks of yours!
Hi Mary – I’m pretty much done with this palette since five looks was a decent number to come up with and I have more palettes to get through, sorry about that! I hope you love your palette. 🙂
Oh geez totally didn’t realized those were al from the spectrum pallette haha!! Sorry about that… Broke my femur so I’m blaming that one on the meds 😉 Checking out your YouTube now.
Hah, no worries! I’ll admit I was a little confused since most people barely even post one picture when reviewing a palette. But hey, we’re all good now! I cannot BELIEVE you broke your femur! That’s INSANE! Good heavens, I hope you heal up quickly! Sending healing vibes your way!