Urban Decay Cruel & Shadowheart Vice Liquid Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Cruel
Urban Decay Cruel Vice Liquid Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a medium-dark red with warm, copper undertones and flecks of gold and copper sparkle. It had semi-sheer to medium, buildable coverage, though the texture was unforgiving. It had a thin, watery feel as it was going on the lips, and it did not spread evenly, which caused patchiness and the sparkles to build up in some areas but not everywhere. The shimmer/sparkle dispersion was just mediocre. It did not wear very well either, as the sparkles tended to flake away over time, and the color itself barely made it to four hours (which is remarkably short for this type of formula). To make matters worse, it was extremely drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Coral Optix (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Flesh 3 (P, $40.00) is less shimmery, cooler, glossier (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Adora (DC, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Maybelline Hot Lava (P, $7.49) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Synthetica (P, $56.00) is more shimmery, cooler, glossier (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Cruel (DC, $18.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Milani Cherry Crave (P, $5.49) is lighter, brighter (80% similar).
- Shiseido First Bite (RD307) (DC, $28.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (80% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Impassioned (P, $36.00) is less shimmery, brighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Chanel Enigmatique (135) (P, $45.00) is lighter, brighter (80% 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, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Nylon-12, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propylene Carbonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Alumina, Silica [Nano] / Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Tin Oxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate. [+/- (May Contain/Peut contenir): Mica, CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / Iron Oxides, CI 15850 / Red 7 Lake, CI 45410 / Red 28 Lake, CI 15850 / Red 6, CI 45380 / Red 22 Lake, CI 75470 / Carmine, CI 19140 / Yellow 5 Lake, CI 42090 / Blue 1 Lake, CI 15985 / Yellow 6 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.
Cruel
PPermanent. $18.00.
Shadowheart
Urban Decay Shadowheart Vice Liquid Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a muted, dark, plummy brown with subtle warm undertones and a multi-colored pearl finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage in a single layer, and it was smooth and thin enough to take a second layer on top for full coverage. The liquid lipstick was thin, not too watery, and spread evenly across the lips, though there was some color that separated at my lip lines after it dried down. The color lasted well for six and a half hours but was drying to wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC I Get So OOC (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Zebra (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Artful Deception (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Studded (DC, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Aperture (03) (LE, $53.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Ember (DC, $18.00) is more shimmery, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Act So Cool (LE, $19.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Piaf (P, $19.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- LORAC Tres Chic (LE, ) is less shimmery, glossier (85% similar).
- NARS Just What I Needed (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter (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, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Nylon-12, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propylene Carbonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Alumina, Silica [Nano] / Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Tin Oxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate. [+/- (May Contain/Peut contenir): Mica, CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / Iron Oxides, CI 15850 / Red 7 Lake, CI 45410 / Red 28 Lake, CI 15850 / Red 6, CI 45380 / Red 22 Lake, CI 75470 / Carmine, CI 19140 / Yellow 5 Lake, CI 42090 / Blue 1 Lake, CI 15985 / Yellow 6 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.
Nooo so disappointing! I had my eye on Cruel but I guess money saved.
Off topic, (sorry), will you be reviewing the MAC x Rossy de Palma collection?
Please be patient – I’m super behind right now – very sorry! 🙁
Shadowheart is such a beautiful color. I wish the liquid lippies weren’t so drying. I’m grateful for the dupes!! This color looks lovely on you, Christine.
Lovely shades, but Cruel was a big miss – such a shocking name anyway.
I honestly wish UD had just not gone into the liquid lipstick trend. Because even though Shadowheart looks to be a gorgeous shade, the dry feeling sounds so unpleasant. Loved the regular lipstick and gloss versions of these by the same names.
Shadowheart has me stumped. I have steered clear of this line since your overall ratings have been so dismal. But I LOVE this one. That shade hits my lipstick love sweet spot right on the bullseye. Part of me wants it rightthisminute. Part of me thinks I will never wear it because I will always reach for something easier to apply. Lipstick hoarderer problems ?
Cruel looks AWFUL!! oh my goodness!!!!!!
Shadowheart is gorgeous, too bad it’s drying!
I have Cruel in the lipliner and regular bullet lipstick. It lasts fairly well on my- I’m one who never has long wear on lipstick. If one wanted a liquid glossier look, a plain gloss would work on top. I love the color and finish.
I think it’s cruel for UD to tease us with such a pretty shade in such an unusable formula.
Sad that Cruel didn’t do well at all, but Shadow is very pretty and thankfully it did do fine.
I won’t be picking it up since it’s drying, I’ll probably go for one of the dupes.
Shadowheart is cute!