Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III Review, Photos, Swatches
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Exclusive: First Look @ Urban Decay’s Book of Shadows Vol. III
For the holidays, Urban Decay will be launching the third installation in their Book of Shadows palette series. The palette will retail for $54, and while I don’t have an exact date yet, based on past releases, mid to late September is a good bet. If you’re in the NYC area on August 28th, you can snag one of 1,000 pieces available for sale at the Times Square Sephora (details here). It’s expected to launch online at urbandecay.com after Labor Day and at other retailers on October 1st.
The palette includes 16 eyeshadows (0.03 oz. each, total of 0.48 oz.), 2 miniature-sized eyeliners (0.03 oz. each, total of 0.06 oz.), and 1 minature-sized Primer Potion (0.13 fl. oz.). To break down the value for you, this represents $163.20 worth of eyeshadow ($340/oz.), $25.50 worth of eyeliner ($425/oz.), $6.88 of Primer Potion ($52.94/fl. oz.). In sum, it’s the equivalent of $195.58 worth of Urban Decay products. You will, of course, have to spend much more as individual products are all slightly bigger (e.g. each full-size eyeshadow retails for $17).
Anyway, the point is that no matter how you slice it, Urban Decay’s Book of Shadows palettes have a lot of value. The quality of the shadows is exactly what their full-size and permanent shades represent; there is no skimping here.
Eyeshadows
- Perversion is a matte charcoal black. It’ll darken anything you want to, and it’s a good black, but it’s not an ultra deep black. Not at all chalky! This is a permanent shade, and it has been featured in BoS I and II.
- Uzi is a whitish-silver with flecks of silver glitter. I’ve found this shade has some fall out, but it’s not too bad. This is a permanent shade, and it has been featured in the Sustainable palette.
- Loaded is a deep forest green with a metallic shimmer sheen. It is hands down my favorite shade in the palette — it’s like a greener version of NARS’ Rajasthan! This is new and exclusive to this palette.
- Kush is a medium grassy green with a subtle cool undertone. This is a nice shade with excellent color payoff, and it is new and exclusive to this palette–but it does have some cousins. It’s a darker version of Graffiti (permanent) and Absinthe (BoS I), and it’s a greener, darker version of Homegrown (BoS II).
- Midnight Cowboy Rides Again is a pink-tinged champagne with champagne flecks of glitter. It may be one of my least favorite eyeshadows of all time, because it has so much fall out, even though it feels very smooth. I recommend using it with a stickier base and make sure you have Q-tips and makeup remover to control the fall out. This shade is permanent, and it has been in BoS II and BoS Alice in Wonderland, as well as the Sustainable palette.
- Last Call is a medium plum with strong red undertones and shimmer finish. This is a permanent shade that’s also a popular palette shade–it’s been featured in BoS I, BoS AiW, and Ammo.
- Rockstar is a deep shade of eggplant purple with burgundy-red undertones and a shimmer-sheen. This is a new and exclusive shade to the palette–but the color is like Rockstar 24/7 Eye Pencil (duh!).
- Money is a silvered blue with a metallic blue-green sheen. Very pretty and will be a great shade to layer over colored bases to bring out different undertones. This shade is new and exclusive to the palette.
- Haight is a brightened medium blue with a frost finish that pulls just an itsy bit teal. This is shade is permanent, but it’s a Sephora exclusive. It hasn’t been in any other palettes.
- Maui Wowie is an antique gold with a nearly metallic gold sheen. It also has flecks of dark gold glitter, so it can have some fall out issues. This is a permanent shade, and it’s also been in BoS AiW and Ammo.
- Smog is a medium-dark bronze with a shimmer-frost finish. This is a shade that’s been in a ton of palettes! It’s permanent, but it has also been released in BoS I, Ammo, Naked, and Vegan.
- Bordello is a mauve-tinged pink with soft flecks of dark pink shimmer-glitter. It’s smooth, pigmented, and has an almost metallic sheen. The glitter is similar to Uzi’s, but it feels a little finer. This is a new and exclusive shade.
- Radium is a true medium blue with a cooler undertone and a softer frost finish. Great pigmentation! It is new and exclusive to this palette, and I imagine its color gets inspiration from Radium Cream Eyeshadow.
- Snatch is a peachy-pink with a frosty finish. It’s very smooth and has nice pigmentation. This was originally in the Show Pony palette.
- Suspect is a medium bronze that pulls a smidgen taupe and has a rather cooler undertone. I thought it was similar to some of the browns in previous BoS palettes (like Sidecar, Nylon, Gridlock, etc.), but those all have obvious red undertones in comparison. This is a new and exclusive shade.
- Psychedelic Sister is a brightened medium purple with red undertones. It’s a nice shade of purple that’s pigmented and has a soft frost sheen. It’s a permanent, but it is a Sephora exclusive. This is the first time it’s been in a palette.
Eyeliners
- Zero is a deep black. Very pigmented, definitely a handy shade to have. Even if I do have five of them at this point. But really, black eyeliner in a palette makes sense.
- Ransom is an iridescent violet purple with more of a violet flash/sheen and some red undertones. This is available in full-size, but it’s one of my favorite liners. (Try patting Fishnet over it for some real va-voom!)
New vs. Old vs. Repromoted
There are seven new and exclusive shades to the palette (Bordello, Kush, Loaded, Money, Radium, Rockstar, and Suspect). There are two Sephora exclusive shades (Haight and Psychedelic Sister) that were released a few months ago but have never been sold in any of the previous palettes. There are seven permanent shades (Snatch, Last Call, Maui Wowie, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Smog, Perversion, and Uzi), with Perversion, Snatch, and Uzi being in just one or two previous palettes and the others being in three or more. The worst case scenario? You’ll get seven brand new eyeshadows.
Overall, it’s another solid eyeshadow palette. I didn’t have any pigmentation issues with these eyeshadows, and I like the addition of seven new and two of the Sephora exclusives (which I really liked, but know some readers were hesitant to pay $17 a pop). There are two shades that do run on the glittery side (Midnight Cowboy Rides Again and Maui Wowi) and two on the slightly glittery side (Uzi and Snatch).
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ! 🙂
- Product: 28/30
- Value: 10/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
RECOMMENDATION: If you like Urban Decay eyeshadows, the Book of Shadows is always a good buy. If you’re not into shimmery/frosty shades and prefer more matte or satin finishes, then this might not be your thing.
AVAILABILITY: Holiday 2010
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III
Eyeshadows: Perversion, Uzi
Eyeshadows: Loaded, Kush
Eyeshadows: Perversion, Uzi, Loaded, Kush
Eyeshadows: Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Last Call
Eyeshadows: Rockstar, Money
Eyeshadows: Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Last Call, Rockstar, Money
Eyeshadows: Haight, Maui Wowie
Eyeshadows: Smog, Bordello
Eyeshadows: Haight, Maui Wowie, Smog, Bordello
Eyeshadows: Radium, Snatch
Eyeshadows: Suspect, Psychedelic Sister
Eyeshadows: Radium, Snatch, Suspect, Psychedelic Sister
Eye Liners: Zero, Ransom
Eyeshadows: Graffiti, Kush, Absinthe, Homegrown
You’re so quick with the review! Hehe. 🙂 Thank you so much for this. I’m so happy to see these swatches!
Wow, this palette is gorgious! Love the package, love the eyeshadows. This is a must have item. Hopefully I can get one on e-bay cause the Sephora in Holland, doesent sell Urban Decay :’-(
I can’t wait for this!
I can’t wait to pick this up!! Great pictures. 🙂
Christine, you’re so lucky you get to preview all these great products!!! How does Freshwater by MAC compare to Haight and Radium???
Freshwater is darker and bluer than Radium; bluer than Haight.
I’ve never bought a book of shadows, are they l.e.?
Christine, I was also wondering if you think that u.d. naked palette is unique enough to purchase, because I am a beginner w/makeup & planning on buying a few MAC neutral shades to make my own palette…
Please let me know! -Amanda
They are LE!
MAC makes great neutrals, so if you’re going to buy MAC neutrals, you could skip the Naked palette — plus it’s permanent.
Personally, I think UD eyeshadows are nicer than MAC. They apply more evenly.
Agreed with Rachel
In my experience, UD’s eyeshadows are of better quality than MAC.
Agreed
Gorgeous palette but Midnight Cowboy Rides Again.. REALLY?! When are they going to stop sticking one of the Midnight Cowboy shades in the palettes….
Aside from my rant, I’m definitely buying this when it comes out.
I can’t stand anything midnight cowboy anymore! I even hate Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight because of this damn eyeshadow! I might just dump it out of the palette and press some other kind of eyeshadow in there.
LOL “I even hate Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight because of this damn eyeshadow!”
i say we all tweet @urbandecay411 and tell them NO MORE MCRA!!!
I agree..that shade is terrible and I wish UD would stop putting it in their palettes already!
I like MC and MCRA as a little touch to enhance my eye makeup, but as an all over the lid color? Eeek! FALLOUT!
lol! That just cracked me up! I think a large number of us all feel the same way about MC and MCRA!! Uggh! Other than that, I love this palette!
Hahaha I’m in agreement with all of you! LOL that just made my day.. As soon as I read the color list and got to MCRA I was like :O ……….. NOT AGAIN! :'(
Anyways, I’m not very interested in this palette. My Volume II is doing just fine.. I don’t think I need another one.
I think I’m the only person in the world who loves that shade! Haha, maybe it’s because I like things a little tacky, but midnight cowboy rides again is my favorite! I foil it on my lid and pair it with black liner, and it’s my favorite look. I always get compliments when i wear it, probably because people are taken aback by all the glitter! I guess gaudy is my middle name 🙂
I’m loving it! I think this may be my first UD palette purchase. Luckily, a sephora is opening up soon in my city!
I NEED this in my life 🙂 i cant wait till christmas time 🙂
great review sweetie!
OMGOMGOMGOMG!!! Super excited yes woo hoo!!! (does cartwheels)
when is it going to be releced in england ? xx
I don’t have an exact date, but September/October.
This palette is up on the Debenhams website now! Just ordering mine 🙂 I believe the naked palette is also up on the house of fraser website too, if you’re interested in that palette.
Oh, yes. I will be doing my best to get my hands on this. Gorgeous.
I’m just 14 so I stick with nuetral shadows but I love New York so much I might just have to get this!
Same here! I’m 14 too, so i was thinking about the UD Naked Palette instead, but I won’t want to get it if they have a lot of MAC dupes…
(:
Im fourteen too, but I love experimenting with colors, cause im pretty creative in that aspect. I LOVE COLORS! but i don’t wear them ALL the time, so i’m thinking about getting the naked palette also, possibly buying the naked palette with my own money and asking for the book of shadows for xmas, or vice versa. I wanted the book of shadows last year, but I didnt really wear make up then. i know, i know.. too much information. 😀
Loaded and Rockstar both look super amazing for fall. I won’t be getting this since I have so many eyeshadows, oh well. Also, not having to do with this particular palette but UD in general, my favorite all over lid color is Nylon. It doesn’t make your eyelids look dry, but glossy and gorgeous, if you just put on some winged liner and mascara it’s totally pin up perfect for everyday.
Will definitely be picking this up.
Urban Decay are doing really well for their palettes at the minute, with this and the naked palette.
As Nikki said though, why Midnight Cow Boy Rides Again again? It’s always there. And too be honest I don’t like it.
nah. Radium is gorge.ous! but this palette is grabbing my attention. :/
Amazing comprehensive review. I will definitely be getting this and stacking it on top of my other palettes! I’m happy there are different shades to the other palettes but at the same time Kush is very similar to homegrown and methinks jinx to radium as well. It’d probably be hard to differentiate the two when they are on! Its a pity they didn’t come out with some totally new colours but i suppose they want to appeal to everyone not just makeup crazies like us!
I try to remind myself that not everybody buys every palette know to man whenever it comes out, LOL.
Yeah for some people make up is a chore or wait for it.. non-existent in their lives! (Although they are probably not on this site!).
forgot to say the ones I love – haight, rockstar and money plus the ransom eyeliner as well. I love that you worked out the total cost of the palette as well! 🙂
I know! And I remind myself that there are new makeup addicts every day 🙂 Young or old… we’re constantly seeing people come and go, so it’s still a great palette for them, too.
I’m glad the cost/value worked out — I don’t feel like you end up shelling out a ton of $$ for the packaging alone; there’s plenty o’ product in it aside from the packaging.
Yup its a great present and per shadow its drugstore prices (me using US lingo, I mistakenly said fall instead of autumn the other day so I know I’m spending too much time on the blog!)! Plus great for people who loved coloured eyeshadows but not sure they’ll use them much and don’t want to shell out for a MAC 15 shadow palette!
I’m not very keen on the design, it’s a bit ugly, but who cares, love the colours! Ransom is my favourite 24/7 liner, and it’s great to see Rockstar in e/s form. Oh and Psychedellic Sister is gorgeous! Very excited for all the new shades I don’t own yet! 🙂
ITA I love the colors but I am *not* feeling the design. What to do? Oh well I have a lot of time to decide.
One more here that thinks the design sux. I’m still getting it though lol.
Oh, I love it! Gorgeous shades, especially Loaded, Rockstar and Last Call.
Why on earth is there not Sephora store (or even a shipping option) to Germany? Are you listening, Sephora?? I want it!!
I like it but I wouldn’t pick it up. The packaging is too big and bulky for my taste.
Very true – in a way I feel like it defeats the purpose of a palette in terms of portability. I have BOSII and I never take it out of the house because it’s so darn big!
A good variety of colors and I think they’ll play well together too. I’ll probably have to wait on the closest Sephora (it’s an ‘inside JC Penney’ one, so it doesn’t always have everything in stock) to get it in, but I like it and I think I might get it.
It should also be online at Sephora around October 1st, in case you don’t want to wait til SJCP gets it!
I hate the sephoras inside jcpenney. The whole purpose of me going to sephora is to gain beauty insider points. @ SJCP I have to call corporate sephora and have them add my points to my account. Too much work.
I know! The mall closest to me (5 mins away) only has J.C.P sephora so I go there since it closer than the regular sephora in a mall 40 mins away. I hate it there though, everything from the service to lack of all the brands and not getting my points. I have a receipt on my desk staring me in the face but I’m just too lazy to call. They always have trouble locating my account as well!
I’m most excited for the 2 Sephora exclusives and of course my FAV shade Maui Wowie. Love the name and the color!!!!
Mahalo Christine! I appreciate your review!
Beautiful box! and the colors are so vibrant! You’re awesomely fast at posting the review! 🙂
I remember reading this NYC palette is special because it lights up when you open the top portion. In some pictures it looks like there are lights but I could just be imagining it.
Plus UD hasn’t mentioned it and it wasn’t mentioned in your review…sooo maybe I’m just imagining it. haha.
There are a few lights in it – a couple on the back of the palette (the inside of the lid) and in the last pop-up piece. I didn’t really speak on the packaging, since it’s, well… you either love it or don’t, but I don’t think you really pay for it (they give you plenty of product for the price tag).
Sadly, I’m a sucker for great packaging (I could not resist AIW). How do you feel about this packaging? Just curious.
I’m not really into this kind of packaging. Packaging that’s particularly elegant/luxe attracts me more. I’m never going to use the mirror, so I’ll never see it!
I’m stoked for this to come out
I don’t have either the bos or the alice in wonderland
I really really want this
I love tje purple/plum coulors in it 🙂
Oh, no. Another Book of Shadows! I have the first 2, as well as several of their small palettes. I resisted the Alice in Wonderland palette, which wasn’t easy to do, and now they’ve come out w/ Vol. III. I really don’t need it, but this one will be even harder to resist because of the new shades and cool packaging.
Glory Glory Hallelujah! I’m counting down the seconds to get my hands on this! All the new colors look so pretty.
Oooh I can’t bloody wait!! I wonder when it’ll be out in the UK?
Should be at Debenham’s September/October.
I’m so excited about this palette, even if I have all the permanent shades in it – it works out to be a good deal! I’ve just looked at my BoS II, is Rockstar shadow very similar to AC/DC in that palette? Thanks!
Pretty different, IMO! Here is my swatch of AC/DC: http://www.temptalia.com/urban-decay-book-of-shadows-vol-ii-review-photos-swatches
Thanks! It is just me looking at my palette and computer screen in very bad lighting;)
No problem! 🙂 I always figure that seeing the swatches done by the same person is still better, just because (hopefully) the lighting/circumstances are close enough that they’re actually useful! It’s so hard comparing something in real life to a screen I find!
I Am SOOOOOOO Going to Manhattan to get this! AMAZING
I can’t wait! Between this and the MAC villians collection, my wallet is going to hate me! Thank you Christine for the great reviews!
Whoa ‘Loaded’ is beautiful! Hate these Book of Shadows packaging though.
Want, want, want, want, want, haha!! 🙂
Thanks for the swatches and review Christine!
Midnight Cowboy Rides Again is my favorite neutral shadow, and I’ve discovered that if you apply it to primed lids with your finger tips by patting/pressing it on instead of using a brush there’s absolutely no fallout. If you have long nails it’s not an easy thing to do, so I’d recommend patting/pressing it on with a brush. You’ll still get fallout, just not as much.
I also use MAC’s Mixing Medium, which is a little sticky, and that helps a TON!
I wear it too, thought i was the only one! i know its pretty much universally disliked! I like it with turquoise eyeliner on the lower lash line for a summery look!
It’s not that I hate it, but MCRA or MC is in every palette and that’s really not necessary imo!
I love that look! I wear it for going to the beach or pool. It is very summery!
I actually like MC and MCRA but the fallout is just so reprehensible, as well as the fact that it’s in every palette. I understand they want to appeal to new customers as much as old so I’m pretty torn on the subject.
I am in love with NYC, so this BOS is definately for me! Thanks for the pics, swatches, and info!
Loaded reminds me of MAC Deep Blue Green pigment, anything alike or in my head?
Similar! I feel like Deep Blue Green might run a little bluer.
Definitely getting this as I have the other two Books, but Christine please help! I was about to buy the NARS’ Rajasthan – should I pass on that since LOADED seems very close to it? I am using Chanel VERT KHAKI frequently now, but loving the teal greens this season.
I’d probably have to get both, if only because Rajasthan is such an amazing duo. Rajasthan is a little bluer, Loaded a little greener, both similar, though.
Need this. I’m from NY (not NYC–and don’t live there anymore) and I just love it…Really makes me wish I was back there. Radium looks exactly like my cup of tea. Was going to buy a couple liquid liners this weekend from UD, but maybe I’ll wait and save for this!
I need this palette! it’s two of my favorite things ever! NYC and Makeup! And the packaging is GORGEOUS!
Only one I really like is Rockstar…think I’ll pass on this. But did just pickup the Naked palette!
Oooo I hope I can snatch one for myself. Thats if I have enough money by the time this palette come out :/
i wonder when this comes out in the uk! i want to be first to buy it :] i think some of the colours are very much like the recent book of shadows, but hey i love my book of shadows 2 to DEATH!
I love the colors. It will be my first BOS and I cant wait to get it. Thanks Christine for the unbelievably quick swatches and break down.
Of course 🙂
Loaded, psychadelic sister and radium are to die for! I cannot wait till this comes out!
i love this, i definitely need it. the Naked palette really turned me on to UD.
The packaging is so cute!
But i probably would never wear the greens or even the blues..
I will definitely be picking this up especially since I am from New York (Alicia Keys voice). I actually start class on August 28, 2010 in Columbus Circle/Lincoln Center. I will take a quick run to Sephora in Times Square to snag one. I will call in advance to see if they will hold one for me. This will be my first Urban Decay product EVER!!! I am excited.
This may be my first UD palette purchase! (second if I can get the Naked palette)…peerrrty! 🙂
*yawn* am I the only one bored with these palettes?
I have been tempted in the past by these UD ‘Book of Shadow’ palettes, since they are a great deal and so many pretty shades. But I have finally resolved to never buy any of them. Too much unnecessary packaging and not travel friendly at all. I will be spending a lot of time traveling after Christmas, so there’s no use falling in love with this. I need to keep things small! LOL.
I think it’s bulky overall, but I will say a few things:
1.) If you keep it in a rolled luggage or check it in, the heft isn’t an issue. (But understandably, I never check my luggage.)
2.) Very, very secure and unlikely to break from being tossed around or dropped–which is nice.
One thing that would keep me from traveling with it is the lack of a semi-matte or satin highlighter. Would still have to bring along a few other products – so unless the trip was long, I’d probably grab something else.
Radium look similar to Alice from the AIW Palette. Yes?
Nope, it’s not, IMO! Alice (also known as Painkiller) is a significantly lighter blue that leans a little aqua/teal. http://www.temptalia.com/urban-decay-alice-in-wonderland-eyeshadow-palette-review-photos-swatches
Christine, could you tell me if Bordello is similar to Toasted from the Naked palette? They look pretty similar, but that could just be me…
I think I might get this! I am really liking the new shades, and the Sephora exclusive shades since I don’t have either of those! There are only a few things that make me want to say no (cough, MCRA and Zero, cough cough).
Bordello is a lot pinker 🙂
thank you for the review christine….im definately gonna buy it….I loooove midnight cowboy rides again! *tackle hugs*
My pleasure, Audrey!
Ooh, Rockstar and Loaded look amazing! Bollocks to MCRA though – so sick of that shade! 😛
Christine, I SO envy you right now. You get sent this stuff for free and in advance!!!
BOS time is the most wonderful time of the year! I’m so glad the two Sephora shades are in there. Loaded is breathtaking, and omg Rockstar!
I wonder if Money is similar at all to my lost and much mourned Cash single. Looks alike, but maybe more glitter in Cash?
I actually like MCRA, but am still sick of seeing it in palettes.
And finally, wow, those popups are hideous. I like the sneering girl on the left best.
Ho… Lee… Mother of Eyeshadow Batman! I need this. I have BoSII & BoSAiW, but I had to pay more for them on eBay as I missed the launch & they sold out like instantaneously! I am going to be stalking sephora.com daily for this puppy. Thanks for the heads up! 🙂
Hey Christine, thanks for the swatches! Would you please post a picture comparing Suspect to other taupey-bronzes? Thank you!! 🙂
It doesn’t compare to previous UD browns, sorry!
Oh, you’re so lucky to have it already! I’m jealous lol. I’d love to see some looks from this palette.
Gorgeous shades, but the whole pop-up thing would be torn apart within hours in my makeup setup. Seems like that would be a hassle.
Snatch is GORGEOUS. I loveee UD palettes!
Uzi, Last Call, and Smog were all also featured in UD’s Wallpaper palette, just FYI. It’s nice to see another UD palette that DOESN’T feature any of the “Baked” colors, though!
Thanks, Catsie! I don’t have that palette.
nice palette! this might be the first time I’m considering getting the book of shadows.
good to see Rockstar in shadow form – it’s one of my all time fav liner color. <3
and nice to see new colors as well!
What are the dimensions of this? It looks huge!
Maybe 7″x9″? It’s about the same size as the other BoS palettes!
cant wait til this comes out! i missed out on the vol. II (because of the price & i was too late) and i still regret it but i am getting this one definitely. even though i HATE the glitter overload on midnight cowboy rides again…..i will suffer because the other colors are beautiful!!
I really wish they had a single of loaded, it is such a gorgeous color!
Swatches! I love this! I’ll definitely be grabbing this once it’s out and I won’t wait and miss out on it like I did w/ the Alice palette. :-/
i kinda wish i could make babies with kush.
If you had to choose between this palette or the Naked palette, which one would you choose?
I know I would probably use the neutrals more, but I have quite a few browns, and after browns look all the same…
By the way, I went to Sephora to pick up the NARS’ Rajasthan duo, but they didn’t have it! They only had the Tzarine duo. They had another one next to it, but I think it was Egea (which is permanent?) They don’t have Rajasthan online either! Is it only available on the Nars website/counters?
I suppose if you do have a lot of neutrals… then probably the Book of Shadows. Plus, the BoS is limited edition — Naked is permanent, you could always get it later on down the road, too.
I have no idea. I didn’t see anything about it not coming to Sephora!
Oh i didnt know it was Limited edition, but they are selling it in stores at sephora (in the future) right??
Yes, it will be at Sephora around October 1st according to UD 🙂
wow, loaded and rockstar are really catching my eye….
aside from the mcra that everyone is commenting about, i’m kind of relieved to not see baked, half baked or twice baked in this palette…!
christine in your opinion, do you think that this palette is worth getting if i’ve already got the alice in wonderland palette? (let’s not mention the zillion+ other ‘completely essential’ eyeshadows!)
i was also considering the naked palette, but not sure what to do…
If your budget is such that it would be the only cosmetic purchase for say… 2 months, I don’t know, maybe I’d pass. Unless you still feel you’d USE the eyeshadows often enough. Like I love eyeshadow a TON, so I’d probably get it myself. I like UD’s texture, and the pigmentation is lovely, so it’s a win for me.
I guess my point is if you have a super tight budget and own a lot of the other palettes, you could skip. At the same time, I love how much value is in it, and the quality is on point, so it’s also hard to be like, “Oh, skip!” when it’s LE :/
I love the packaging! So pretty. I guess I might have to add Volume III to my BOS collection.
I just want to say that Kush and Maui Wowie don’t accurately represent kush or maui wowie color-wise. *ahem*
Oh, and that this palette isn’t really worth it for me because I’d really only use Loaded, Kush (cough), Rockstar, Money, Maui Wowie (double cough), and the eyeliners, and ignore the majority of the palette (already have UDPP, don’t like the other shades).
Also, I don’t have >$40. But that’s inconsequential.
So does it come out in mid to late september or October 1st? I’m confused…
According to UD, “after Labor Day” online at urbandecay.com, but October 1st for other retailers, BUT the majority of retailers had it before the “official date” for Naked, sooo, I would keep an eye out.
the first BOS (released holiday 2008) was $45, the second (holiday 2009) was $48, the AIW ( Jan 2010) was $52, and this one is $54. that is really sad and kind of ridiculous. why did they have to raise prices $2 in less than one year?!
I would love the palette, but did they really need to put perversion and MCRA in there again? Worst of all, who has that kind of space in their m/u stash for the huge clunky box? So unportable! I keep BOS2 on my bookself and rarely use it because I just can’t keep it with the rest of my m/u. Not sure if I will cave on this one. I may just break down and depot them all.
that’s what i did with mine. trust me you’ll get better use of them that way. i’ve only kept the alice in wonderland in tact because i thought it was too pretty to depot. lol
How do you depot them?? Because this packaging is def too bulky for me!!!
Loaded looks gorgeous! Can you think of any dupes for it?
MAC Deep Blue Green would be the closest.
The packaging is very tacky.:/ Also, the shadows look exactly the same as all their other palettes. Nothing special about this.
Wow, I think I actually want to pick up this palette. I’ve not liked a lot of the UD shadows with glitter, but I love the Deluxe formula. However, these colors look really lovely, especially Rockstar, Haight and Snatch.
YAY! I will be starting college in NYC in the fall and will definitely be picking up this package on the 28th! What a way to kick off the school year ;D, LOVE IT!
I like Kush because I find graffiti to light of a green for me.
i must get this!!!
thank you for the swatches and review!
im so glad i live in ny so i can get this on the 28th
This will probably be the first thing on my christmas list, and the naked palette im getting with my own money, since i cant pick between the two!
Beautiful colours in this palette…I think I’ll wait and save up for the Naked Palette, although if I see this in the store I might be tempted to buy it!
Man. UD can never come through 100%. There are always those same permanent shades in every palette! is it that hard to make one with all new shades? it’s so frustrating having like eight pans of Midnight Cowboy & Smog.
Loaded is BEAUTIFUL
You’d think a brand like UD would hire a real translator to make the French version of the descriptions under the palette… Looks kind of ridiculous. How hard is it to translate “Dominican Republic”, seriously!!
Anyway, some shades look gorgeous and I think I’d like to (finally) grab my first UD palette here!
Rockstar eyeliner is my MOST FAVOURITE ever! It makes hazel eyes look soooo green. I’m very excited about it being available in eyeshadow form. Problem is that I don’t have a lot of storage space and all that cardboard packaging will be a problem for me.
Christine, do you know of ANY other eyeshadows like Rockstar? Any brand, any price bracket. I must, must, must have this colour but I just don’t want to deal with the bulkiness of this palette.
Thanks in advance
I don’t have these to compare, but perhaps LORAC After Party of Hourglass Exhibition.
But again, I don’t have ’em, so I’m not sure.
oooo. snatch. would you say it’s comparable to MAC gleam christine? oh and thanks for all your hard work; I really appreciate it
Probably more like Naked Lunch!
oh dear god i had an eyegasm! i have to get this when it comes out. my bank is gonna hate me since i’ve been spending on nothing but makeup. hehe
Wanting this! …Although in truth I already have BOSII. I’m longing to get Naked too (hah! The tendency to sound dirty!) and I’m wondering if it’s a good idea to… well… get both? So far I only have BOSII but if I get both I’ll end up with 3 large, large palettes. SO MUCH MAKE UP!
Thank you SO MUCH for the heads up – at least now I have the notion of saving up 🙂
Wow. Midnight cowboy rides again gets a lot of flack on here. 🙂
Why?
I thought it might be a very flattering colour to wear that is why they push it like they do.
But ALL these colours are just sooooooooo beautiful.
Psychedelic Sister is amazing.
Such a pity we dont get it here at this side of the world. I would have bought it in a heartbeat.
It has a TON of fall out – has nothing to do with the color, everything to do with the glittery texture.
There’s no tutorial book? isn’t there usually one in the BOS?
I don’t believe so…
Wow! So early!
I love the shadows, but will likely pass for I have BOSII and the Deluxe Palette. These are more than enough colourful shadows than I can use for work.
I want the Naked Palette though.
@Maui Wowie: I have it in the Summer of Love Mini Palette. Together with Smog and the black UD 24/7 pencil, this was my no 1 summer eye makeup, day and night (for the night, I sometimes used green or purple under the lower lashline). it never had any fallout!
Thank you for the green swatches at the bottom 🙂 I was just thinking, “I wonder how close Kush is to graffiti…” and pow, you read my mind and put up swatches. You = the best!
No prob, Lana!
I’m getting it. I have only bought the Naked palette and I want a palette with colors. I wish the packing was so sleek and compact like the Naked one. This looks bulky.
SOOOO EXCITED ABOUT THIS I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THEY WERE GONNA RELEASE ANOTHER ONE. IVE JUST COLLECTED THE BOS 1&2 AND ALSO THE ALICE AND WONDERLAND SO IM REALLY HAPPY FOR THIS.
Hate the packaging but love the colours
SO pretty! I love radium and loaded <3
Why don't we have a Sephora in Belgium…
mine.Mine.MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Counting the nanoseconds, yessireee…..
GREAT review Christine. I know I will be purchasing this however I wish UD would make the palettes without the whole flip top thing. I bought BOS I, BOS II & the AIW palettes and the flip tops were such a waste. I’m thinking UD could make the palette at least $5 cheaper without the flip tops. 1 more thing, when will UD stop putting shadows from previous palettes in new palettes. I mean does someone REALLY need 4 of the same color? Honestly, I think that simple fact turns people away from buying their palettes. It reminds me of what MAC does with their collections. Re-packaging colors. What about doing a “Never Before” palette? A palette contain 12 – 15 colors that have never been a palette? Just an idea.
Christine, when I saw the look you did using the I Love NY UD e/s palettes, I fell in love with Loaded! I tried recreating this look today but I don’t have any equivalents for it! I checked online Sephora and according also to your review, this shade is new and exclusive to this palette. Now, I don’t want to buy a whole palette for only 1 shade so what are the dupes that you would recommend? I have a sample of MAC pigment in Antique Green but that’s the closest I have (not being a fan of green e/s to start with) and that’s not that close at all. Please help!! 🙁
Thank you in advance.
MAC Deep Blue Green pigment would probably be the closest!
Could you tell us mac substitues (e/s, not pigments) for the colours?
Especially for Rockstar, Loaded and Money?
Unfortunately, we can´t get UD in germany :(((
Thanks so much!!!
MAC doesn’t have dupes for those shades 🙁
Will you update this once it’s release anywhere online or in store?
or when you get a exact date
I will definitely have a post when it launches 🙂
I just ordered this today (im in the uk)I’m very excited to have a play with all the funnky colours 🙂 Great Review and I love all the pictures
Yay! You’ve killed a lemming there for me thanks. Can’t stand the fall out on the UD glittery shades and there seems to be a lot of them in this palette.
Are those Book of Shadows I, II and III limited edition?
Yes, they’re LE.
im in the uk and i can buy this of debenhams website already…
You can buy this from the Debenhams website in the UK now – it is an online exclusive (they only ship within the UK though).
Also just got a call from my local HoF and the Naked palette is now in stock so if you’ve been waiting for this in the UK then you should be able to get it now!
Just bought this, cant wait for it to arrive 🙂
how did you just buy this? where did you get it? :O
whyyy don’t they ship internationally? 🙁
can’t wait for it to be released in the US
I already have 3 of these shades and just got the Naked palette so I think I’ll have to pass this time. 🙁
But can someone please tell me a dupe for Rockstar, Money and Snatch?
Not sure if Money is very “dupe-able” but I really don’t want to spend $54 for just a few shades.
Thanks Temptalia!
Perversion isn’t a permanent shade – you can’t buy th3e full size on UD.com at least
also I believe Money was a shade that was discontinued many years ago that they’ve brought back!
Is it wrong that I’m getting this even when I have BOS II and Alice in Wonderland palette and I’m also planning to get the Naked palette..
Ahhhh I can’t wait to get my hands on this!!!! I love most of the shades – I can see them pairing well with my Asian skintone.
Is it me or does it seem like rockstarXmoney seem like relatives to the NARS Habanera duo?
And oh man I’ve seen all those rave reviews about Naked! I have BOSII and I don’t know if I can justify getting both this palette AND Naked. Plus I have quite a collection of mineral eyeshadow…. In terms of Neutrals I have a dupe of the stonewashed nudes palette from bobbi. Dilemma?!?!?!?!
it’s already avalible at debenhams, if you’re from the uk 🙂
Urban decays facebook page mentioned September 7th as the release date!
WOW the packaging is AMAZING and the colors are gorgeous… but I’m a die-hard MAC lover, going on 54 shadows (3 and a half palettes) and i don’t think i’ll ever be able to start collecting Urban Decay. sigh.
So I was hoping to snag a thing or two when HauteLook has UD on sale tomorrow, when I took another glance at BoS III and fell in love! I really like it, but I don’t know if I can justify this to myself since I don’t wear eyeshadow as often as other people do (I’m more of an eyeliner, mascara, and out the door kind of person). I also bought Stila’s Barbie Loves Stila All Doll’d Up palette from HL yesterday (it was only $14! Not including the outrageous $8 shipping, still less than it was when it was launched last fall! I’ve only just recently become interested in makeup this year so I missed out) and I feel like that probably would be enough for me.
So basically, this long story is just leading up to one simple question– are there any dupes for Loaded other than its bluer cousin, NARS Rajasthan? Or, judging from your knowledge of past BoS palettes, do you think that they might release it as a single eyeshadow someday– I mean, do they ever do that period? I only own Maui Wowie and Smog from this palette, I do like almost all of of the exclusive shades other than that one (Radium, Bordello, Rockstar, Money, Kush… so I guess everything but Suspect!) and there are a few permanents that I don’t think I’d ever be able to justify buying as singles that I think would be lovely (Last Call, Psychedelic Sister, Haight). I just don’t know I’d be able to justify the cost since it’s really Loaded that’s pulling me and I’m more of a dabbler of eyeshadow than many. What do you think I should do? 🙂
MAC Deep Blue Green pigment would be the closest to Loaded. I doubt they’ll release anything as a single, though :/
Usually I don’t have a problem with the names of UD eyeshadows….but is an eyeshadow named “Kush” really necessary?? I know a lot of young girls who use UD products, and I really don’t think they need to learn about that kind of stuff THAT early on in their lives. I wish the company would just watch who their target audience is instead of ASSUMING that only older (more like 18-25-year-old) women are using their products. Because, really, with their glittery eyeshadows in fun colors, it’s a young girl/teenager’s makeup paradise!
Hopefully girls “that young” are still using drug store makeup. I didn’t start using real stuff until mid-high school when all my friends had been smoking weed for at least 2 years already :/
In the end it’s up to parents to decide what they want their children exposed to. UD has literally always had names like that – there are already many product names that reference marijuana and other drugs use. Yeyo, Blunt, Toasted, Half Baked, Homegrown, Narcotic, Chronic, Purple Haze, Blaze, Ecstacy, Last Call (alcohol IS a drug), Vapor.. you’d end up censoring the whole brand. And nobody wants that.
I love the colors. Look beautiful and very good quality. But not matter how good of a deal or how pretty they are if it’s not good packaging I won’t buy it…I mean really? Pulling the shadows out? That’s why the only UD palette I will own is the NAKED palette. Best colors ever and great packaging.
Would you say Loaded is similar to Club by MAC?
Nope, not at all!
I am checking UD.com every morning waiting for this one. That’s how I snagged the Naked palette and the Vegan palette the day they came out 😉
if I waited till like Christmas time would the palette still be available…? or should I just grab it as soon as possible? Thanks 🙂
Probably not :/ I would buy it sooner rather than later.
Christine, What are the closest dupes you can think of for Loaded, Rockstar, and Money?
Loving these colors but can’t justify getting the palette for 3 colors.
Thanks!
MAC Deep Blue Green pigment, MAC Surreal, and I have no idea for Rockstar 🙁
I know it’s being released in stores oct 1st but do you know if it’s just gonna be in NY or all over!?
All over.
So purty, I got mine on friday along with the naked palette love them both equally 🙂 cant wait to use them all.
temporarily sold out and more on the way. :((( do you know when it will be back?
My guess is as good as yours. I’d recommend keeping up with UD via Twitter or Facebook, since they’ll know before I do!
I am IN LOVE with this palette! Do you know if it will be available to order online from Sephora? I live in Canada and Urban Decay won’t ship here, but their products are by far my favourite.
I need to get my hands on this!!
October 1st for Sephora (I think it’ll be about the same for Canada).
Hi,
I would like to know if the Urban Decay Palette III will be limited edition?
Thanks,
Sarah
Yes, it is LE.
It’s onlina at sephora!!!
bordello, smog, last call, and rockstar!
a pretty look to compliment my brown eyes!
wow i think this is BY FAR the best BOS that contains the most number of newest shadows! 9 in total (if u count the sephora excl. ones too).
is Psychedelic Sister any close to Flash??
Redder!
Wow, can’t believe how similar the green colours are. They all look exactly the same, only Kush is just slightly darker.
I do not like this new palette at all. I was very disappointed with how much fall out each and every one of the shades has!! You definately need a Q Tip to keep the smokey eye from looking like a racoon eye!!
JUST ORDERED THIS PALETTE!!!! I know i am so late but i am also SOOOOO excited to get it! I have been wanting it since i saw the very first video on it! Now all i need to do is get the Naked palette! I love urban decay so much! They are the BEST!
Hey Christine! Had a question…. how long will this book of shadows be on the market? I recently bought UD naked palette and loved it. I wanted to get these but seems like I’m all out of money at the moment. Since its L.E. and its been out for awhile, do you know when it will be completely gone?
When it sells out usually, but I don’t really know.
I’m kind of new to the Book of Shadows but this is the one I would get if it is still available in like October because I’m not a fan of number 4 Book of Shadows.
I have this BOS and I was wondering if there are any MAC dupes or similarities in here. Thank You!
do they still sell this??