Urban Decay Sheer + Sheer Shimmer Vice Lipsticks | Swatches + First Impressions
Urban Decay TMI Vice Lipstick
Urban Decay Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is available in six finishes, and this post is highlighting the Sheer and Sheer Shimmer finish. I’ve put the two together, because they aren’t that different other than one has a decent amount of shimmer and the other doesn’t (plus, there are only five Sheer Shimmers, four of which were also part of the Sheer Revolution range!).
The Sheer finish absorbed the Sheer Revolution shades, and in general, they were very consistent and had a similar look and feel on the lips. I might argue that the Sheer finish is a little more pigmented and a touch softer (less firm) compared to the Sheer Revolution formula overall. Thus far, my initial impressions are: lightly to moderately hydrating, average wear (four hours), comfortable on, and easy to apply. I wouldn’t say that they’re very sheer; they are more semi-sheer to semi-opaque, somewhat buildable. They tended to drag more on the skin as a regular swatch, but many of them applied better and “melted” and self-leveled on the actual lips.
The Sheer Shimmer finish also absorbed some of the Sheer Revolution shades, and they are a little less balm-like compared to the Sheer finish, and of course, they have more shimmer, but it is fine shimmer so it does not feel gritty. I haven’t had any issues with the shimmer traveling while worn. The wear is similar to the Sheer finish, though there are only five shades and they were on the lighter side, so the wear has been closer to three hours on average. I find them a little less hydrating compared to the Sheer finish.
Your photo perfectly captures the pink behind the red orange in Slowburn, that doesn’t show in the tube/product. Surprised when I lip swatched it instore, the original, obviously. Found the same thing true of the original bite blood orange…and went for clementine instead. Finding pink behind orange to me is like mystery authors sneaking in bodice ripping romance. I feel deceived! But, with UD, there are 119 other choices. Asked a SA at Ulta yesterday if she was psyched over the new UD. She confessed to being a little overwhelmed, but they were going to get a couple of trainings. She said many customers found the existing uds overwhelming for choice, and says most customers swatch only 3 l/s at a go, before the lips or the persistence gives out. Hard as it was to believe, she has many customers who come in, simply looking for a certain shade of l/s, and are big time shocked by the # of choices, finishes, price points. I can see how new UD would be very scary to someone who just wanted her first red lipstick for summer, and wandered in…when most of us have put hours into new UD already, and it’s still weeks off!
I’m curious whether people will find it more or less overwhelming now that they’ve consolidated into just one finish – so you don’t have to necessarily pick your finish, you can just zoom to the reds and swatch a few of them immediately.
But I can definitely see this being overwhelming if you aren’t sure what you’re looking for!
Wow, that’s interesting, looks like UD didn’t think about customers being so overwhelmed that they can’t buy because they can’t choose. But I’m a lipstick junkie, but if I was looking at 120 lipsticks all at once, I would be totally overwhelmed too! I’m planning to refer to Temptalia online swatches/reviews, look for dupes in my stash, before going in-store to swatch, so I can whittle down the list some more. Sure there will be online swatches/reviews from other bloggers, but I doubt many of them will have all 120 shades to review, or have the patience/time to review and swatch everything or list the possible dupes. Thanks again for all your hard work, Christine!
Gorgeous lipsticks.
They are!
I’m not a fan of sheer, pale nudes myself, but I like the brights and darker shades like Seismic. I own Sheer Rapture and use it quite a bit, so I’m happy to see that it’s still around and that the formula is about the same.
Phew 🙂
This finish has the least amount of vvants for me: Morning After is my choice for a no-brainer casual lip, but I’m guessing I have at least one of the dupes.
I wouldn’t doubt it!
They are pretty but this is a category range I always avoid. You can also sheer out a lipstick with a clear gloss to look like this. >___<
Very true!
My thoughts exactly!!
Oohhh, Seismic!
That’s an interesting one!
TMI or Ladyflower for me! Just *enough* of a rosiness for a throw & go type of shade on a low maintenence kind of day. And even though I didn’t give it a shot before, Lovelight. Again, low maintenance. Great for summer in AZ!
Lovelight would be easy to wear for sure.
You know the three things I find interesting/different/amusing about AZ? 1) cold water is rare during the summer (learned this when we moved in, thought the system was backwards or broken, haha), 2) flood irrigation is just weird to me being from California and never having seen it, 3) that you put on your jacket when you go inside and take it off before you go outside 😉
I just laughed so hard in agreement that I facepalmed, because ALL 3 of those things are bizarre, yet true here! Along with: 4. People wearing flip flops and shorts with a winter coat on in when it’s really cold outside! Strange stuff out here! ?
I remember that from visiting. Hah. And my eyes dried out so much that my contacts popped off every time I went outside. And everything was so overly a/c’d that it was a shock to the system. Skin got this funny prickling, that we don’t get in more humid heat. It was very odd, but interesting.
So impressed with ur review of this extensive new launch. Looked for u at laura geller blogger meeting this past week on East coast. U r in the upper echelon of this world. I recd my ud sale sheer lipstick today and not only is the ship free but the formula is dense pigment and streak shade thanks to u will b most noticeable difference in vice shade formula. Thrilled also that maxilip is ingred, sure that will carry over. It’s a great plumper that I discovered works decade plus ago. Thanks again for all u r doing for us that can’t afford higher end luxury everyday so we can make informed purchase! God bless
Ah, I don’t usually attend events, especially being on the west coast, so I very rarely get to NYC!
So glad you are enjoying Streak, Jolene!
Thank you for your support 🙂
Seismic looks like a Cargo lipstick I had in the early 2000’s that I loved. I’m happy to have another chance at Plaid!
Nice!
Have you checked out the new Ciate palettes, or gotten Smouldering yet? I like it, and it always makes me think of you.
No I haven’t! I might spring for them soon though, we’re getting a tiny bonus and I really don’t want to spend it on bills!
Sheer moisturizing lipsticks are my most favorite formula. These look really promising.
So far I have Slowburn, Brat, Sheer Rapture, Ex-Girlfriend and Wrong Number on my “must try” list !!
Thanks for all the hard work Christine!!
Of course! xo
I’m normally not into sheer lipsticks, but these look very tempting for summer time. Looking to add some pinks to my stash
I think some of them have a “low maintenance” look to them without totally sacrificing color, but a few are definitely super sheer.
I’m huge fan of sheer formula, it’s my favorite in MAC and now wanna try Ud ones.
TMI seems to be dupe for my no1 lipstick – MAC plumful. The only concern is that you describe it as warm plum, but as I can see it’s even cooler than plumful. Also love wrong number.
Love the subtle shimmer in these. It’s just the right amount. And ugh, so many pretty shades again!
I love the sheer finish. So far I’ve only tried Ex-Girlfriend. I’m looking forward to trying more!
I really like Earthling!Brat,Morning After,Tantric,and Lovelight are also very nice.Im one of those people that thinks the more color choices the better just reading earlier comments about the SA at Ulta.I see how it could be overwhelming but in most instances I would prefer a larger selection than just a few colors to choose from.I like the way they assigned the new finishes.I usually don’t buy too many super sheer lipsticks I have Tom Ford Paradiso and Skinny Dip sheer lipsticks and I like them because they can be built up to semi opaque and it is nice that these can be too.