Urban Decay Desperation Eyeshadow ($18.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “grayish taupe brown matte-satin.” It’s a darkened gray with brown undertones and a dusting of teal micro-shimmer with satin finish. This shade was in the Vice palette, but this seemed to apply a bit darker. Wet ‘n’ Wild Desert Festival #5 is slightly browner. Benefit Holy Smokes is similar in color but a cream product. bareMinerals Undercover is lighter. MAC Nebula is a touch browner. MAC Keep Your Cool is browner. Urban Decay Pistol is warmer, lighter.

At first glance, it appears to have a satin finish, but the more it is blended out, the more matte the finish becomes. The sheen of the slight pearl included in it is very, very subtle. I was thrown by Urban Decay’s “matte-satin” description initially, but it really does make sense. The texture of this shade was slightly dry, so it tends to apply better with a fluffier brush and with light, feathery strokes.  Desperation had good color payoff, and it was buildable to mostly opaque color on the lid.  It’s good, just not perfect; the slightly drier texture made the payoff less intense and not as easily blended as the best of Urban Decay’s eyeshadows.

Urban Decay Desperation Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Desperation Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Desperation Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Desperation Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Desperation Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Desperation Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Eyeshadow: Easy Baked (inner lid), Laced (outer lid),
Desperation (crease), ABC Gum (highlighter)