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Urban Decay XX Vintage Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 2)

Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “neutral pearl with gold shift.” It’s a light, white gold with a cooler, whiter base color and warmer, light gold shimmer. The texture was a little powdery, but it applied without too much fuss overall–it would benefit from a primer, though. It had mostly opaque color payoff and wore well for seven and a half hours. Tarte Hawkward (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop We Jammin' (P, $9.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Iced Gold (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Laura Mercier Seashell (P, $29.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay City Kitty (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Make Up For Ever #101 (DC, $20.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay Alter (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay King's Landing (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop Now and Zen (P, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Dior Eternal Gold #3 (LE, ) is brighter (95% similar). Makeup Atelier Honey Brown #1 (P, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Viseart Champs-Elysees (P, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Chanel No 5 #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). NARS Bionic (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Money Mission (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Photosphere (LE, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar). Pat McGrath Skinshow Divine Glow (PiP, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Wavelength (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). LORAC Opal (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Super Hard Core (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “yellow-orange with gold shift.” It’s a light-medium, yellowed gold with warm, orangey undertone paired with a metallic finish. It had a fairly smooth texture that applied well to bare skin and blended out without losing its intensity. The pigmentation was opaque, while the lasting power neared eight hours on me. Marc Jacobs Beauty The Siren #4 (LE, ) is brighter, warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Rule Breaker (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Anastasia Gold Rush (P, $12.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Make Believe (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar). Smashbox Pixel Dust (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). Sydney Grace Mermaid (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Burberry Gold Shimmer #2 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Crown (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Viseart Sunlight (GPV2 #23) (P, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Gorgeous Gold (DC, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Tarte Pot of Gold (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Guerlain Coque d'Or #2 (DC, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). LORAC Black Tie Attire #7 (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Too Faced Fun in the Sun (LE, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar). Huda Beauty Rose #6 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Viseart Buillion (GPV2 #12) (P, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Relic (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Above the Clouds (LE, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar). NARS Goldfinger (DC, $25.00) is brighter (90% similar). Smashbox Let's Rage (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “pale yellow-green pearl with slight gold shift.” It’s a light-medium chartreuse green with warm, yellow undertones and a frosted sheen. It had good pigmentation with a soft, blendable texture that was a touch thin but didn’t sheer out immediately, and it seemed to have a denser texture compared to the last version in a palette. The color wore well for seven and a half hours before fading on me. ColourPop Semi Sweet (LE, $5.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Ciate Chartreuse (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Dior Emerald #4 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Glaminatrix Hopping (P, $8.77) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Cardamom (LE, $17.00) is more muted (90% similar). Cle de Peau Champagne Supernova #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Makeup Geek Leafing So Soon (DC, $6.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Make Up For Ever D316 Crystalline Pinky Green (DC, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Clionadh Eye of Newt (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Comfort Zone #10 (PiP, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Viseart Sage (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Make Up For Ever I330 Linden Green (DC, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). Make Up For Ever I318 Linen Khaki (DC, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Dior Peacock (434) Eyeshadow #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Dior Rose Garden #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). MAC 2 Dozen and One Greyhounds (LE, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Mirage (LE, $6.00) is darker (85% similar). Tarina Tarantino Secret Pond (DC, ) is darker (85% similar). Viseart Blooming (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). KVD Beauty Pink Flamingos (LE, ) is darker (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “moss green with patina shimmer.” It’s a deep, olive green with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. The texture was lightly dusty, so it sheered out a bit when blended and was slightly uneven when applied over bare skin (primer will fix this issue). It had opaque color payoff and lasted for seven and a half hours on me. LORAC Jade (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Makeup Geek Kryptonite (P, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Too Faced Holla for a Dolla (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Stash (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar). YSL Scandal #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Anastasia Bronx (LE, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar). bareMinerals Eureka (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). LORAC Seaside (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Sephora Snakeskin Dress (02) (DC, $10.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Hourglass Deep Olive (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever D320 Golden Khaki (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). MAC Jungle Green (LE, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 8 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Makeup Geek Take Two (P, $9.99) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Stila La Douce (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Eclipse (03) (P, $36.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). MAC Green Clean #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Bad Habit Laurel (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Fiction (DC, $17.00) is lighter (85% similar). bareMinerals Speaker Box (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Urban Decay Gash Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “metallic brick red.” It’s a medium-dark red with warm, rusty undertones and a soft, frosted sheen. It seemed a bit deeper and more red-toned with a weaker warm undertone than the last release of this shade. The texture was smooth, soft without being dusty, and easy to apply to the skin. The color wore well for eight hours before I noticed subtle signs of fading. Guerlain Exotic Orchid #3 (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Drift (P, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar). Dior Blazing Gold #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Pat McGrath Crimson Fire (DC, $25.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). KVD Beauty Raw Power (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay Afterparty (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Danessa Myricks Medallion (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Stila Vivid Garnet (P, $24.00)(85% similar). Pat McGrath Blitz Bordeaux (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). LORAC Treasure (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Sonic (LE, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar). Jouer Rouge (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar). Natasha Denona Claret (274M) (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar). Sydney Grace Lee-Lee (P, $8.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Make Up For Ever I824 Ocher Pink (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Viseart Mars (GPV2 #16) (P, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Viseart Boheme Dream #9 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar). KVD Beauty Swoon (Better Together) (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Tarte Hot MoMA (LE, ) is more muted, cooler (85% similar). MAC It's Not Easy Having a Good Time (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “metallic gray.” It’s a light-medium neutral gray with a metallic sheen. It had good pigmentation with a slightly firmer texture that wasn’t as easy to blend as the other shades (though it adhered better to bare skin overall). On me, I noticed it fading after seven and a half hours of wear. MAC Just Breathe #2 (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Sex & the Oyster (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). LORAC Gunmetal (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Formula Overview

Urban Decay Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.05 oz.) is powder eyeshadow that is supposed to be long-wearing, richly pigmented, and blendable. In general, the performance varies from decent to exceptional with their satin, shimmer, and duotone finishes performing better on average, while the matte and sparkle finishes can vary. The wear ranges from six to nine hours (without primer) and longer with most primers. The one finish that you’ll want to take note of is sparkle, which often has micro-glitter that doesn’t bind as well with the base, so there can be fall out. The texture of Urban Decay eyeshadows is softer, less firmly pressed, so some shades have some excess powder kicked up in the pan but are often very blendable on the skin. Their permanent shade range tends to be higher-performing than some of the shades found in limited edition palettes as well.

See more photos & swatches!

Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Snow Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Rust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Chains Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Gash Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Gash Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Gash Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Gash Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Gash Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Gash Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Gash Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Gash Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Gash Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Gash Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Spare Change Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Acid Rain Eyeshadow
Full Look Breakdown

37 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
kjh Avatar

Really want to replace the Rust lipstick, rather than the e/s. Not to be. At least some of these retros are looking good, and seem a lot more true to the originals, imo.

Katherine T. Avatar

Glad these got some decent scores! I love Chains but probably have a number of dupes in my stash already. I have both versions of Gash (the single Vintage one and the one in XX Reloaded), and the single has a slightly redder sheen in direct sunlight, but in regular room light and on the lids, they look virtually the same. I think I will keep the single, just because it’s easier to travel with it. I did try the single on my oily lids, and it held up fine with primer. And I’m going to mix it with a brown to dupe the Chanel Candeur Et Experience quad.

Michele @Binxcat4ever Avatar

Spare Change has been in my Wish List on UD for a while. I think it’s unique enough I may just pull the trigger. I was back and forth on Gash. I have the shade in a UD palette so I wasn’t sure. I think I’ll be passing bc after seeing your swatches, I’m sure I have other shadows which are pretty darn close.

Shannon. N Avatar

Snow, chains, and gash are my DREAM eye shadows!!! I have dark brown eyes, so all of these shades would look beautiful!! And I have been on the hunt for a good shimmery/pearl/frost red shade!! I have MAC cranberry, but it looks for muted when patted onto my eye lid.

I’ll be looking into these!!!

Katherine T. Avatar

Wow, so awesome you have the original Gash shadow! I was around when Gash came out, so I feel pretty old too, but I never bought it, wasn’t into UD back then. How does it compare to the newer version?

Heather Avatar

I haven’t swatched the new versions personally, but these new versions look exactly the same as the originals to me! Honestly, the new are probably even better since UD improved their shadow formula.

Katherine T. Avatar

Ah good to hear that! I didn’t get into UD shadows until my 40s, and have been kicking myself for not using them sooner. I remember when they first came out with all of these edgy colors/names. I’m so glad UD brought back some of these vintage shades for those who missed out the first time. Don’t feel old – you are an original fan and were ahead of the curve, I’m still catching up, but as they say, better late than never 🙂

Nancy T Avatar

Oddly, no, nothing with that shift in it. Although I used to many years ago working at Jean Pierre Cosmetique, and buying around half the line while I was at it! We had a cool toned white with an intense gold shift like this. I had bought a few backups of it, used them all up by the late 90’s. Missed out on MAC Solar White because I wasn’t a MAC addict yet!

Lucinda Avatar

Christine, did UD increase there price on eye shadows, I do not remember them being this expensive, a couple more dollars and your better off buying Makeup Forever eye shadows.

kjh Avatar

Yeah, I think. IIRC, the trios are 44, so if you choose 3, they are quite a bit cheaper. Idk about the ‘ounceage’. But it would surprise me if they were less than .05. Those pans are huge!

Helene Avatar

I have Gash in the XX Vice Reloaded and I like it a lot, I might just get the single as a backup. I also really like Snow, and as far as I know I don’t have any of the dupes. Spare Change is also on my wishlist.
The others aren’t bad, but I can’t buy everything. Acid Rain might jump into the cart, I love chartreause greens.

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