Urban Decay Cosmic, Ether, Scorpio, Solstice Moondust Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow
For spring, there are four new shades of Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is supposed to a “brilliantly reflective look” that can be applied wet or dry (the brand recommends applying with fingertips). It’s supposed to have “sophisticated” sparkle and not “chunky glitter.” They’re really pretty and dazzling, and they’re certainly going to be more reflective and sparkly in person or as they move than in a still shot. That being said, there is a fair amount of fall out applying these, and there is some fall out over time (it is surprisingly less than you’d expect, given just how packed these are with sparkle!). The sparkle is finer than true glitter, and the flecks love to adhere to my under eye area. It seems like only full makeup remover and a cotton pad or tape will remove the majority. The texture feels fairly smooth in the pan and almost has a wet consistency. They tend to work best with a dampened brush (wetter than I’d normally use for a regular eyeshadow as well).
Urban Decay Cosmic Moondust Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “metallic white with iridescent 3D sparkle and shift.” It’s a sparkly, bright white with flecks of white sparkle and a metallic sheen. It had sheer coverage applied dry, and it was semi-opaque applied with a damp brush. I had a noticeable amount of fall out during wear, though the color didn’t crease for eight hours. Guerlain Cygne Blanc #2 (LE) is less sparkly. Too Faced Frost (LE, $16.00) is less sparkly. MAC Plumluxe #1 (P) is similar. Make Up For Ever D124 Crystalline White (P, $21.00) is less sparkly. Marc Jacobs Beauty Stagelight (302) (LE, $32.00) is sheerer. Chanel Fantasme (P, $36.00) is not as bright. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Urban Decay Ether Moondust Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “light purple with pink-blue 3D sparkle and shift.” It’s a muted, blackened purple with a hint of gray and pink and blue sparkle (the pink almost looks copper at times). It had semi-opaque pigmentation applied dry, and it was mostly opaque applied damp. The texture was finer, and the sparkle seemed to bind better with this shade (perhaps because the base was more pigmented). While the color itself lasted for eight hours, there was fall out during wear. Too Faced Sugar Plum Fairy (LE, $16.00) is less sparkly. MAC Black Grape (P, $21.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Urban Decay Scorpio Moondust Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “matte black with gold 3D sparkle.” It is a muted, dark black with warm undertones with more of a satin-matte finish topped off with gold sparkle. The gold sparkle doesn’t translate as well on the lid compared to other shades, which may be due to the more matte (and more opaque) base color, but it also seemed less sparkly in general. It was easier to work with, and it had less fall out, but it looked more like a satiny black applied (it darkened with little sparkle). It lasted for eight hours on me. ColourPop Friskie (P, $5.00) is less golden. Guerlain Cygne Noir #1 (LE) is lighter, less sparkly. MAC Jet Couture (P, $21.00) is more sparkly. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Urban Decay Solstice Moondust Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “metallic pink-red with green 3D sparkle and shift.” It’s a brightened, medium-dark copper-brown with warm, red-orange undertones and a bluish-teal duochrome. The duochrome was more present on the lid than swatched, but it will perform best when layered over a darker base (the reddish tones will work in the background and let the duochrome sparkle come to the foreground). The color payoff was semi-opaque both wet and dry, but the dry application made the product apply more smoothly. This particular shade seemed chunkier, not as smooth as the other shades. It lasted for eight hours without creasing, but there was a fair amount of fall out that went on throughout wear. Sephora + Pantone Universe Castor Gray (LE) is less sparkly. Makeup Geek Insomnia (P, $6.99) is greener, less sparkly. MAC I’ve Got a Crush on You (LE, $32.50) is less sparkly, stronger teal tone to it. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Cosmic
DCDiscontinued. $20.00.
Ether
DCDiscontinued. $20.00.
Scorpio
DCDiscontinued. $20.00.
Solstice
DCDiscontinued. $20.00.
Urban Decay Cosmic Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Cosmic Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Cosmic Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Cosmic Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Cosmic Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Ether Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Ether Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Ether Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Ether Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Ether Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Scorpio Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Scorpio Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Scorpio Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Scorpio Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Scorpio Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Solstice Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Solstice Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Solstice Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Solstice Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Solstice Moondust Eyeshadow
Stargazer (inner lid), Solstice (middle of lid), Scorpio (outer lid/crease),
Honey Eyeliner, Zodiac (lower lash line)
Stargazer (inner lid), Solstice (middle of lid), Scorpio (outer lid/crease),
Honey Eyeliner, Zodiac (lower lash line)
Cosmic (inner lid), Glitter Rock (middle of lid), Ether (outer lid), Chaos Eyeliner
Cosmic (inner lid), Glitter Rock (middle of lid), Ether (outer lid), Chaos Eyeliner
I think they look gorgeous on you!! I’ll definitely be getting a few. Thanks for the review!!
My pleasure, Liz! xo
These are lovely colors, but IMO, for $20 each, there shouldn’t be any fallout. I would rather go with Colorpop at $ 5 each, and if there is fallout, it’s only $5, plus I have money left over to buy glitter primer
I hear ya, Katherine! I think these might be better in an actual cream-based formula.
Just what I was thinking! Ok..I’m new to Colourpop and addicted. Where would one find a good “glitter primer”..does that prevent fallout?
Nicole, ELF has a glitter primer that is cheap and works!
That’s a perfect combination! Thank you Seana. I will look for that on my next Target run!
I’ve never tried it myself, but I’ve read good things about the Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy primer.
Thank you Katherine T.! I will note that one and Google it. I don’t really wear a lot of glitter looks myself. At 38,that doesn’t have many places and times in my world. I do like some fine shimmer on the lid..like colourpop..I own nothing in the higher glitter end but a few of Mac pigments and they are not the glitter. Would a glitter primer prevent the small amount of fall out from some of the high shimmer shades? I know Limecrime makes one too. But,1) I don’t want to scrub my lids at night & 2) or waste $.. Any thoughts Christine and everyone else?
Too Faced Glitter Glue might be one to try as you can easily return that. NYX Milk helps a little, if you happen to have that. I haven’t personally tested any of the adhesives with this formula, though!
I have the NYX. I probably will pick up the elf one first as its probably $3 or less. Im not sure if these are worth $20 to me. I was thinking along the lines of preventing fallout in some other shadows,like a few colourpop or the occasional miss in an otherwise great palette. Maybe,a good experiment…but,your right,too faced would probably be better than online. Thanks!
Nicole, I hardly ever wear glitter shadows myself, so not sure what primers work best, but I think the others have some good ideas here, or you can also ask a Sephora sales associate. Quite a few seem to wear glitter shadows. Hope you find one that works!
Katherine,
Thanks for your response!Many of the reviews for Too faced glitter primer reviews on Sephora say they use it for pigments,high shimmers,glitters. Like Christine mentioned, always can return if I’m unhappy if I pick it up at Ulta or Sephora. So,I may spring for it and the elf..and compare.If elf is just as good or very possibly better, I will just return it or exchange it. I’m so happy we have places that give us the opportunity to try products. As much as I hate returning cosmetic items because I feel like it was poor judgement sometimes. In this case ,I’ll chalk it up to my rights as a consumer…:)
Your first eye look! ::heart flutters::
🙂 Thank you!
I was at Sephora yesterday and had a look/swatch of some of these (I am pretty sure they were the older/original shades) and I found them just too glittery for me. They sure were pretty (I especially liked a dark green one – Zodiac – and was amazed by how sort of “lit up” it was) but I’m probably a few decades too old for these.
Yes, these are not for anyone shy of sparkle… It’s definitely a different type of particle compared to say UD Maui Wowie, but there is SO MUCH of it that there is inevitably fall out.
disappointing….solstice looked so beautiful
I wish it was a bit smoother!
yeah for sparkles!
🙂
The looks you did are lovely. I might get Solstice though in the swatch it does look a little chunky. Hmmm….I’m a little disappointed with these…
Thanks a lot, Megan!
Definitely getting Ether and Cosmic. I’ve been hoping for a darker purple in this line forever 😀 I’ve found that Pixie Epoxy does a great job with adhering more of the glitter to the lid and sometimes it helps boost the opacity of shades too.
Thank you for the tip, Sarah!!
I think Ether looks beautiful. I have never tried this formula before so I am kind of tempted to get at least one!
I liked how Ether was more unique 🙂
First, you are a master in the art of eyes looks, but this first one you created is even more impressive!
I do love ETHER, but the fall out really bothers me.
I don’t love fall out either! There are a couple of shades in the range that I’d deal with the fall out for (or use a tacky base), but it’s not a line I’d buy all of because of the fall out!
That’s a shame about Solstice… I was actually looking forward to that one! Maybe some glitter glue will help??
It might!
I’m definitely picking up Scorpio and that first eye look is stunning, one of my fave ever that I’ve seen (not just on here, all over!)
Wow! That is pretty amazing! Thank you 🙂
Your eye looks for these are beautiful!
I love how these sparkle, but they look like they really need a glitter glue primer.
They would surely benefit from some extra adhesive!
I need Ether!
Fun pick!
From your sneak peak I was expecting B ratings. But I am fine with that, I really like these, they are so special! Your first eye look is amazing by the way.
Aw, thanks a lot!
*fans self*
I mean, I like your looks in general, but that first one… <3
*keeps fanning self*
(I'm pleased to hear these don't have too much fallout! I have some sample cards of moondust shadow somewhere…I should dig one out and get sparkly!)
It’s way less than you’d think, but I wish it was closer to zilch!
It’s a shame they have a chunkier texture, but they look absolutely amazing. Love the looks you came up with, Christine! 🙂
Thank you!
Really pretty but as predicted, fallout central. I really like them but not a big fan of B-/C ratings of $20 fallout. Maybe in a cheaper palette form.
Of this set, Ether/Solstice would be my picks, with Ether being more unique (Solstice’s sparkly texture makes it a bit different others, but I think you can get a very similar color elsewhere).
Ok, I may check those out. Thanks.
Wow! So sparkly!!! It looks so pretty on you Christine! When I read that it as a “wet consistency” it reminded me of the ColourPop Shadows. And those were only $5, and your ratings were As! 🙂
Definitely a different texture than those, and these are more sparkly (on average, at least!). Some of the really sparkly ColourPop shades also have some fall out issues!
I ordered a few ColourPop shadows and I agree with you, some of the really sparkly ones have fall out too 🙁
beautiful! Love these!
Have you tried the formula before?
What a bummer about the fall out and wear on Ether and Solstice. I was pretty into those from the preview 🙁
They’re all very fun but none are immune from fall out, unfortunately!
Dang girl your eye looks are killing it! I think you could even make a dry chalky eye shadow look good. 🙂
Aw, thank you 🙂
Love, love, love they eye look you did Christine with that gold – it is stunning!. These are great little eyeshadow pots and they are beautiful.
Solstice looks like Lounge (also Urban Decay)
Holy Moly..these looks..I love them! I really like how you make the look incredibly on point and fun without the overly thick black cat liner. I like that look too. Its nice to see you not following the histogram masses. The liners in the lower water lines..UD?
really gorgeous looks!! sign me up for Solstice!
I have one of these in Moondust I believe. It’s gorgeous but a little hard to use and now I see why lol. I didn’t realize UD suggests applying with your fingers which is probably best for this formula. I had a big problem with fallout too and the actual color adhering to the lid when I used brushes. I’m going to try applying it with my fingers to see if I’ll have better luck
Nope, not into glitter but they are fun to look at 🙂 And I adore the first eye look you did! I have never tried yellow/gold eyeliner on my water line but now I must!!!
Solstice and Scorpio… oh my goodness! <3 $20 is a bit steep but I just love the almost wet look of these. Glad they're expanding the range.
You should try Fyrinnae’s somewhat new Exquisite eyeshadows, if you haven’t already–Solstice, particularly, reminds me of them. I have a sample of Mythical Dalliance and it’s the sparkliest eyeshadow I have that isn’t straight cosmetic glitter. Definitely messy, though.
Thank you for the tip, Helena!
The eye shadows look absolutely gorgeous on the lids.. I agree the fallout will be a major issue but the glittery finish and duo chrome look is hard to resist!! Loved your eye makeup as well.. <3
These are so sparkly! Cosmic swatched dry reminds me of the sheer glitter shade in my Tom Ford Silvered Topaz palette. Also looking at the pan I thought Solstice was gonna be a dupe for MAC’s Blue Brown pigment but I guess it’s not really.
Solstice is very interesting. I like the Moondusts as an added dimension to a look with other shadows, but it’s definitely an oddball formula.
I’m also not stoked about these at full price–I managed to score three of the original shades when UD did a shadow promo during the holidays when they somehow also had a 20% code working. Add it to the pan of Zodiac I already had, and I grabbed an empty quad, and now I have a palette of them. Wouldn’t have paid the $80+ that retailed for, but I think added up, I paid $40ish?
Seems like glitter is going to be a huge trend in spring. A lot of these shadows reminded me of the new Milani palettes and the Physicians Formula cream eyeshadows.