Stoned Vibes

Urban Decay Stoned Vibes Eyeshadow Palette ($54.00 for 0.36 oz.) contains two matte eyeshadows (and Antidote is not the same as the Antidote released previously!), one semi-matte (Good Karma) eyeshadow, one satin eyeshadow (Third Eye), and then eight shimmery eyeshadows. The shimmery eyeshadows--that look speckled in the pans--have a very different application method ascribed to them than most UD eyeshadows.

Per the brand, you are supposed to "build up color payoff" by using your finger and you can use the "fluffy end" of the included-brush to "diffuse and blend" for a "seamless application." They are similar to the kind of finish Huda Beauty New Nudes and Ciate Marbled Metals both have, which is effectively at least two different colors marbled together that mix to create a different shade than seen. Products like Hourglass Scattered Lights, Tarte Chrome Paints, Marc Jacobs See-quins, etc. have a similar feel and texture but are less distinctively mixed.

Urban Decay continues to release disappointing product after disappointing product with a launch of one of the worst marbleized formulas I've tried. The texture was drier for half the shades, and to mix these, you really need that extra slip and creaminess. They had a ton of fallout--used with fingertips!--and uneven coverage. They lacked dimension; I've seen better dimension and shift from Urban Decay's standard, powder formula. I'd rather have seen eight regular duochrome eyeshadows, which would have been more versatile, easier to use, less problematic in application, and longer-wearing. Or I could just use Urban Decay's own Moondusts with a dampened brush/tacky base and get more sparkle and dimension.

The only remarkable part about the new, marbleized formula is that they do have a wetter look applied with fingertips than most metallic eyeshadows have applied dry, though one could simply apply with fingertips and/or a dampened brush to achieve a wetter look. The more matte shades were thinner, powdery, and sheerer, which made them harder to incorporate with the thicker, chunkier shimmery eyeshadows. Third Eye was very stiff, difficult to blend, and thin and was just another dagger to the heart given how good Urban Decay's eyeshadows used to be.

Don't get me started on the absolute nonsense they're peddling about the inclusion of "genuine tourmaline to block bad energy." It's such a shame that so many beauty industry leaders seem bound and determined to proliferate pseudo-science, fully embrace fear-mongering, and otherwise take a very anti-science stand.