Urban Decay Crank, Firebird, Big Bang Vice Liquid Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Crank
Urban Decay Crank Vice Liquid Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is medium-dark purple with warm, pink undertones and a matte finish. It had medium color coverage–not even remotely close to opaque!–in a single layer. This one needed three layers to yield full coverage, and then it took an obscene (15 minutes) time to dry down. One layer took closer to two minutes to dry down, and it did dry down fully. The texture was thinner and on the watery side, which resulted in the sheerer coverage along with poorer, uneven application. The color lasted for five hours before there was more noticeable fading, and the formula felt non-drying.
The Vice Liquid Lipstick formula is supposed to be “intensely pigmented” with “complete coverage in one coat” and “nondrying wear” that is “comfortable” and “waterproof.” The majority of the Metallized shades are not even close to one-coat coverage–maybe three or four or coats!–and did not layer evenly, plus they had a tendency to lose sparkle/glitter through wear. Whenever a shade wasn’t opaque in one coat, it often looked streaky or uneven. There were some shades that had fantastic, one-coat coverage, while others featured more medium, buildable coverage but several applied uneven, patchy, and didn’t level or improve after drying down even with a second layer.
The consistency of the formula was smooth, lightweight, and comfortable to apply, but the dry down was lengthy and some shades never fully felt dry (instead, lightly tacky). There was a learning curve to applying and wearing these, too, as they were unforgiving if you accidentally press your lips together before the formula has dried down–the formula is quite tacky as it dries down and pressed lips together results in color lifting away. The wear varied from shade to shade (and between finishes) from four to eight hours, and so far, most were true to the nondrying claim, at least. I didn’t notice any scent or taste with them. They were difficult to remove compared to most products; I had the best luck saturating a cotton pad with eye or lip makeup remover (Neutrogena, Lancome, Shiseido, etc.), yet curiously were not that long-wearing on me (relative to liquid lipsticks)–they seemed to develop a little tackiness with any meal or drink (even just water) and degraded from there. Overall, the formula was extremely disappointing after the successful Vice lipstick launch last year.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Shay Day (LE, $6.50) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Anastasia Vintage (P, $20.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Bite Beauty #098 (P, $18.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Sephora Rock & Purple (56) (P, $14.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Charleston (LE, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty LUV (P, $19.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- Maybelline Vibrant Violet (P, $7.99) is lighter, more muted, glossier (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Susperia (P, $20.00) is lighter, more muted (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Party Girl (P, $12.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Lychee (LE, $6.50) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.17 oz. - $105.88 Per Ounce
The Vice Liquid Lipstick formula is supposed to be “intensely pigmented” with “complete coverage in one coat” and “nondrying wear” that is “comfortable” and “waterproof.” The majority of the Metallized shades are not even close to one-coat coverage–maybe three or four or coats!–and did not layer evenly, plus they had a tendency to lose sparkle/glitter through wear. Whenever a shade wasn’t opaque in one coat, it often looked streaky or uneven. There were some shades that had fantastic, one-coat coverage, while others featured more medium, buildable coverage but several applied uneven, patchy, and didn’t level or improve after drying down even with a second layer.
The consistency of the formula was smooth, lightweight, and comfortable to apply, but the dry down was lengthy and some shades never fully felt dry (instead, lightly tacky). There was a learning curve to applying and wearing these, too, as they were unforgiving if you accidentally press your lips together before the formula has dried down–the formula is quite tacky as it dries down and pressed lips together results in color lifting away. The wear varied from shade to shade (and between finishes) from four to eight hours, and so far, most were true to the nondrying claim, at least. I didn’t notice any scent or taste with them.
They were difficult to remove compared to most products; I had the best luck saturating a cotton pad with eye or lip makeup remover (Neutrogena, Lancome, Shiseido, etc.), yet curiously were not that long-wearing on me (relative to liquid lipsticks)–they seemed to develop a little tackiness with any meal or drink (even just water) and degraded from there. Overall, the formula was extremely disappointing after the successful Vice lipstick launch last year.
Browse all of our Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Bis-Hydroxylauryl Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Dimethicone, CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Mica, Silica, Cyclohexasiloxane, Nylon-12, Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate, Alumina, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propylene Carbonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, CI 15850 / Red 7 Lake, CI 45410 / Red 28 Lake, Silica [Nano] / Silica, CI 45380 / Red 22 Lake, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, CI 75470 / Carmine, CI 42090 / Blue 1 Lake, CI 77491 / Iron Oxides, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tin Oxide.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Crank
PPermanent. $18.00.
Firebird
Urban Decay Firebird Vice Liquid Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a deep berry with cool, fuchsia micro-pearl. There was a very faint, iridescent sheen (just like the Vice Lipstick version). The color applied unevenly with areas that appeared darker and redder and then other areas that appeared lighter and cooler. The consistency was thin, watery, and hard to control along the edges of the lips. It dried down a lot faster (less than a minute) compared to most shades in the range. The color wore well for six hours, left a stain behind, but felt a touch drying over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Illamasqua Atomic (P, $24.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- Milani Dramattic Diva (05) (LE, $8.99) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- MAC Show Orchid (P, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Sexer (DC, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Jilted (DC, $22.00) is brighter, glossier (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.17 oz. - $105.88 Per Ounce
The Vice Liquid Lipstick formula is supposed to be “intensely pigmented” with “complete coverage in one coat” and “nondrying wear” that is “comfortable” and “waterproof.” The majority of the Metallized shades are not even close to one-coat coverage–maybe three or four or coats!–and did not layer evenly, plus they had a tendency to lose sparkle/glitter through wear. Whenever a shade wasn’t opaque in one coat, it often looked streaky or uneven. There were some shades that had fantastic, one-coat coverage, while others featured more medium, buildable coverage but several applied uneven, patchy, and didn’t level or improve after drying down even with a second layer.
The consistency of the formula was smooth, lightweight, and comfortable to apply, but the dry down was lengthy and some shades never fully felt dry (instead, lightly tacky). There was a learning curve to applying and wearing these, too, as they were unforgiving if you accidentally press your lips together before the formula has dried down–the formula is quite tacky as it dries down and pressed lips together results in color lifting away. The wear varied from shade to shade (and between finishes) from four to eight hours, and so far, most were true to the nondrying claim, at least. I didn’t notice any scent or taste with them.
They were difficult to remove compared to most products; I had the best luck saturating a cotton pad with eye or lip makeup remover (Neutrogena, Lancome, Shiseido, etc.), yet curiously were not that long-wearing on me (relative to liquid lipsticks)–they seemed to develop a little tackiness with any meal or drink (even just water) and degraded from there. Overall, the formula was extremely disappointing after the successful Vice lipstick launch last year.
Browse all of our Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Bis-Hydroxylauryl Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Alumina, Silica, Mica, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Nylon-12, Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate, CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, CI 45410 / Red 28 Lake, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propylene Carbonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica [Nano] / Silica, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, CI 15850 / Red 7 Lake, CI 15850 / Red 6, CI 42090 / Blue 1 Lake, Ascorbyl Palmitate, CI 19140 / Yellow 5 Lake.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Firebird
PPermanent. $18.00.
Big Bang
Urban Decay Big Bang Vice Liquid Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink with warmer undertones and cooler, fuchsia sparkle. It had medium coverage that went on unevenly and felt clump in places after it had dried down. The glitter sat more on top of the color, which made the metallic/glittery effect more prominent, but it seemed more prone to flaking away over time so the color became less and less sparkly after a couple of hours of wear. It took two to three minutes to dry down to a mostly dry finish, but it remained a little tacky (but did not lift away color) for the rest of its wear. This shade lasted for four and a half hours on me before flaking away, though it was non-drying and comfortable to wear overall.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Fenty Beauty Cuffing Season (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Fuchsia Frosting (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Sexer (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (80% similar).
- Pat McGrath Cyber Orchid (P, $40.00) is less shimmery, lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Yaoi (DC, $18.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Razzle (P, $22.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Fuchsia Perfect (P, $40.00) is less shimmery, lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Too Faced Lollipop (DC, $22.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Ionized Iris (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Fairy Tears (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery, lighter, glossier (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.17 oz. - $105.88 Per Ounce
The Vice Liquid Lipstick formula is supposed to be “intensely pigmented” with “complete coverage in one coat” and “nondrying wear” that is “comfortable” and “waterproof.” The majority of the Metallized shades are not even close to one-coat coverage–maybe three or four or coats!–and did not layer evenly, plus they had a tendency to lose sparkle/glitter through wear. Whenever a shade wasn’t opaque in one coat, it often looked streaky or uneven. There were some shades that had fantastic, one-coat coverage, while others featured more medium, buildable coverage but several applied uneven, patchy, and didn’t level or improve after drying down even with a second layer.
The consistency of the formula was smooth, lightweight, and comfortable to apply, but the dry down was lengthy and some shades never fully felt dry (instead, lightly tacky). There was a learning curve to applying and wearing these, too, as they were unforgiving if you accidentally press your lips together before the formula has dried down–the formula is quite tacky as it dries down and pressed lips together results in color lifting away. The wear varied from shade to shade (and between finishes) from four to eight hours, and so far, most were true to the nondrying claim, at least. I didn’t notice any scent or taste with them.
They were difficult to remove compared to most products; I had the best luck saturating a cotton pad with eye or lip makeup remover (Neutrogena, Lancome, Shiseido, etc.), yet curiously were not that long-wearing on me (relative to liquid lipsticks)–they seemed to develop a little tackiness with any meal or drink (even just water) and degraded from there. Overall, the formula was extremely disappointing after the successful Vice lipstick launch last year.
Browse all of our Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Bis-Hydroxylauryl Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Silica, Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Nylon-12, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, CI 15850 / Red 7 Lake, Propylene Carbonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tin Oxide, Silica [Nano] / Silica, Alumina, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, CI 77491 / Iron Oxides, CI 45410 / Red 28 Lake, CI 75470 / Carmine, Ascorbyl Palmitate.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Aw, I was hoping for better performances from these shades, especially Crank. It’s a pretty color, but 15 minutes of drying time for full coverage is a no-go for me!
The drying time on these can be sooo long (and awkward!).
Oh… I wasn’t expecting this, boo 🙁
I know! 🙁
Such pretty colors! It’s too bad about the performance 🙁 but I’ll just stick to the regular Vice formula!
That’s how I felt… might as well wear the original Vice formula, which is more comfortable, consistent, and wears just about as long in most instances!
Fran, I should have just said “ditto”. I didn’t read anyone else’s comments before posting mine and we both felt the same.
Ouch…they really need to go back to the drawing board with these. I’m kinda surprised UD product could be this bad!
Me too!
What a shame! These look so beautiful applied, but they are just too fussy and difficult to get to apply nicely. I just don’t know. Yet, the comfort factor makes them sound inviting. ?
They take some practice to get right, and it’s not one of those things where once you figure it out, that trick/procedure works with all – they seem quite varied!
Such a bummer that the quality of these didn’t deliver! Good thing the shades are quite dupeable!
Phew! 😉
Omg, are these fussy! The end result looks good on you, but the work involved and the dry down time…no patience for that! Somehow I think this entire collection will be fussy. Too bad.
Yes, they can be quite fussy! The upside is they haven’t killed my lips, so there’s that!
Oh come on, Urban Decay. I love a lot of your products but you have been releasing some real failures lately. What possible benefit does a bad liquid lipstick have over a tube lipstick with a superior formula in the same color?
It is so disappointing!
I like all three in theory. But wouldn’t like them in practice :P. Thank you Christine!! I think i’ll avoid these completely!
No problem, Shannon! 🙂
Christine I ordered 8 colors of these through Urbandecay.com at 4:00am est the night they came out.I had watched Jeffree Star’s and Kristen Leanne’s Utube reviews of these and decided to take a chance and order some.The metallics seemed like the problematic ones from the videos so the only metallized one I ordered was Trap Queen.The other shades I ordered were ZZ,Backtalk,1993,Naked,Brat,Amulet,and Rapture.When I received my package they sent me Firebird which says it’s a comfort Matte but definitely has a sheen to it.I called UD customer service explained what they sent me and the rep told to keep Firebird complimentary because of the mix up and she would send me out Rapture right away.She also mentioned I had purchased all the good ones.Which I thought was strange shouldn’t the all be equally good?I proceeded to try out Firebird the next afternoon and I stirred it around with the wand applied and it went on as you described in your review but I kept layering to try to even it out and that made it worse so I salvaged the lip look by patting Firebird Vice lipstick on top that I had in a sampler from Ulta with me.That is just too much work.If I had purchased this color I would be sending it back I’m willing to try it one more time since it was free.They should just redo the problem shades and send everyone out new ones that bought the problematic ones.The quality of the Firebird liquid lipstick is so subpar for Urban Decay I am pretty disappointed.Im going to continue trying shades and the ones I dislike will be going back.There are just too many quality liquid lipsticks out there to settle for uneven UD ones.
Thanks for the early reviews, Dominique! Let me know how the others work out for you – hopefully a few do!
Damn, Firebird and Big Bang were things I was eyeing.
Darn! 🙁
Firebird and Big Bang are both pretty colors, but I’ll stuck to regular lipsticks. Too bad these don’t perform better.
I’m really surprised the formula hasn’t been better!
Wow. I’m so disappointed in these! What a huge letdown from UD!
Me too, ACP!
Crank is so beautiful, too bad the formula isn’t better
I know!
The metallics in this line are so disappointing. I’m going to stick with the bullet versions.
Agreed!
Overall, this entire launch is making me sad 🙁
Me too 🙁
The colors are so pretty. It’s a shame about their performance. Oh, well… As if I don’t have enough lipstick, already.
So true 😉
Very pretty, all of them, but an easy pass. I am a lip presser/rubber so I’d make a real mess trying to use something with a 15 minute drying time.
It’s sooo hard not to, lol!
Christine I wanted to update my comment.I wore 1993 today and I really liked it.I think my main problem with Firebird was I put on an Anastasia lip primer with a balm like consistency and I think that may have effected the wear and made it a little worse.I still totally agree with your review but I’m going to attempt Firebird again without lip primer.I did use UD 1993 24/7 lip pencil as a base for the 1993 liquid lip and it worked out well one coat resulted in pretty much opaque coverage.Rapture just came in the mail today so the testing continues.I already owned the lip pencil from UD 1993’s original launch.Next I’m going to see how it goes on and wears without the lip pencil base.
Thank you so much for the update! 🙂