Urban Decay Monarchy, Reverb, Seether Vice Special Effects Lip Topcoats Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Monarchy
Urban Decay Monarchy Vice Special Effects Lip Topcoat ($18.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a cool-toned, sparkling purple with blue and purple glitter. It had larger and finer particles, so the result was slightly metallic with visible sparkle. Alone, it looked a little rough, as the formula clung to lips as it dried down and made them appear slightly shriveled. It had semi-sheer coverage that deepened my lip color while adding shine and sparkle. This was a shade that applied best over richer, brighter, or darker shades (like fuchsia, raspberry pink, purple, black). It lasted three hours on its own and was moderately drying.
The brand describes the formula as a “shade-shifting topcoat” that can be used over their “cream, metallized, and matte shades” of Vice Lipstick or any of the Vice Liquid Lipsticks, but–wait for it–“or wear these shades alone.” They’re supposed to be a “comfortable, gel-cream formula that dries down quickly and provides long-lasting wear that never feels sticky” while also creating a “water-resistant barrier that seals in the color underneath.” The brand also warns that your lips might “feel tingly just after applying.”
As a topcoat, I think they perform the best; it can be hit or miss depending on the underlying shade, and some topcoats are more versatile than others (sheerer ones tended to work well with anything, more opaque ones could be hard to apply). I did not feel like they truly locked the underlying lipstick in, as they transferred and still lasted about as long as the lipstick did on its own. I also felt that it was lightly tacky, and it varied, but a few shades would lift color in places. The tingling effect was least pronounced when layered. In general, layering over very light shades was often where they missed and any unevenness became much more visible.
On their own, they often struggled to go on evenly. The application over bare lips was similar to trying to apply some of the darker topcoats over very light or dissimilar colors, which just made any application shortcomings highly visible (compared to say, blue shimmer over a blue lipstick). They had a very strong, lingering tingle where my lips felt like they do after being numbed (like from the dentist)–almost too big, swollen, and a mixture of tingling, cooling, burning. This effect lasted between two to three minutes before subsiding. I wouldn’t say it’s water-resistant, as it seemed to transfer after drinking water, but if I did not drink anything, it was fairly transfer-proof. The wear has been between two and four hours and drying.
The packaging on these doesn’t make sense to me; they have a very thin, brush-type applicator that is terrible for spreading product across the lips, but the formula was often sheerer so getting crisp lines with the included applicator seemed like an exercise in futility. I think a squeeze-tube or more typical doe-foot applicator would have worked here, but I like the idea of a squeeze tube, which would “force” one to use a separate applicator would make more sense, as using it directly on top of another lipstick would result in lipstick transfer to the wand and back into the tube.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Asterisk (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Pick Me, Pick Me (P, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Mermaid Tears (LE, $22.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Maybelline Smoked Silver (P, $7.49) is more shimmery, more pigmented (85% similar).
- Sephora It's Electric (57) (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Cardi (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Anastasia Chrome Violet (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter, more pigmented (85% similar).
- NYX Envy (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- Too Faced Trampula (LE, $22.00) is more pigmented (85% similar).
- Anastasia Chrome Purple (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker, more pigmented (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.16 oz. - $112.50 Per Ounce
The brand describes the formula as a “shade-shifting topcoat” that can be used over their “cream, metallized, and matte shades” of Vice Lipstick or any of the Vice Liquid Lipsticks, but–wait for it–“or wear these shades alone.” They’re supposed to be a “comfortable, gel-cream formula that dries down quickly and provides long-lasting wear that never feels sticky” while also creating a “water-resistant barrier that seals in the color underneath.” The brand also warns that your lips might “feel tingly just after applying.”
As a topcoat, I think they perform the best; it can be hit or miss depending on the underlying shade, and some topcoats are more versatile than others (sheerer ones tended to work well with anything, more opaque ones could be hard to apply). I did not feel like they truly locked the underlying lipstick in, as they transferred and still lasted about as long as the lipstick did on its own. I also felt that it was lightly tacky, and it varied, but a few shades would lift color in places. The tingling effect was least pronounced when layered. In general, layering over very light shades was often where they missed and any unevenness became much more visible.
On their own, they often struggled to go on evenly. The application over bare lips was similar to trying to apply some of the darker topcoats over very light or dissimilar colors, which just made any application shortcomings highly visible (compared to say, blue shimmer over a blue lipstick). They had a very strong, lingering tingle where my lips felt like they do after being numbed (like from the dentist)–almost too big, swollen, and a mixture of tingling, cooling, burning. This effect lasted between two to three minutes before subsiding. I wouldn’t say it’s water-resistant, as it seemed to transfer after drinking water, but if I did not drink anything, it was fairly transfer-proof. The wear has been between two and four hours and drying.
The packaging on these doesn’t make sense to me; they have a very thin, brush-type applicator that is terrible for spreading product across the lips, but the formula was often sheerer so getting crisp lines with the included applicator seemed like an exercise in futility. I think a squeeze-tube or more typical doe-foot applicator would have worked here, but I like the idea of a squeeze tube, which would “force” one to use a separate applicator would make more sense, as using it directly on top of another lipstick would result in lipstick transfer to the wand and back into the tube.
Browse all of our Urban Decay Vice Special Effects Lip Topcoat swatches.
Monarchy
PPermanent. $18.00.
Reverb
Urban Decay Reverb Vice Special Effects Lip Topcoat ($18.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a medium-dark, neutral-to-cool purple with silver and purple flecks of shimmer and sparkle. I found this shade harder to apply on its own, as there was enough finer shimmer to create more of medium-coverage, metallic sheen, but it did not go on evenly due to the terrible applicator–but it dried so quickly that it was hard to apply it evenly with fingertips or a brush as well. It worked best patted over a lipstick, and this one taught me not to layer the topcoats with anything with slight to moderate slip (Urban Decay did suggest layering over a Metallized shade, which I did, and it was a total fail). It was better over something darker and more satin-to-matte in finish. On its own, it lasted for two and a half hours but was drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Asterisk (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- Too Faced Mermaid Tears (LE, $22.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Anastasia Chrome Purple (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented (85% similar).
- Maybelline Smoked Silver (P, $7.49) is more shimmery, more pigmented (85% similar).
- NYX Envy (P, $6.00) is lighter, brighter, more pigmented (85% similar).
- Sephora It's Electric (57) (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, more pigmented (85% similar).
- MAC Pick Me, Pick Me (P, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Cardi (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Too Faced Trampula (LE, $22.00) is more pigmented (85% similar).
- Urban Decay UV-B (LE, $18.00) is lighter, more pigmented, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.16 oz. - $112.50 Per Ounce
The brand describes the formula as a “shade-shifting topcoat” that can be used over their “cream, metallized, and matte shades” of Vice Lipstick or any of the Vice Liquid Lipsticks, but–wait for it–“or wear these shades alone.” They’re supposed to be a “comfortable, gel-cream formula that dries down quickly and provides long-lasting wear that never feels sticky” while also creating a “water-resistant barrier that seals in the color underneath.” The brand also warns that your lips might “feel tingly just after applying.”
As a topcoat, I think they perform the best; it can be hit or miss depending on the underlying shade, and some topcoats are more versatile than others (sheerer ones tended to work well with anything, more opaque ones could be hard to apply). I did not feel like they truly locked the underlying lipstick in, as they transferred and still lasted about as long as the lipstick did on its own. I also felt that it was lightly tacky, and it varied, but a few shades would lift color in places. The tingling effect was least pronounced when layered. In general, layering over very light shades was often where they missed and any unevenness became much more visible.
On their own, they often struggled to go on evenly. The application over bare lips was similar to trying to apply some of the darker topcoats over very light or dissimilar colors, which just made any application shortcomings highly visible (compared to say, blue shimmer over a blue lipstick). They had a very strong, lingering tingle where my lips felt like they do after being numbed (like from the dentist)–almost too big, swollen, and a mixture of tingling, cooling, burning. This effect lasted between two to three minutes before subsiding. I wouldn’t say it’s water-resistant, as it seemed to transfer after drinking water, but if I did not drink anything, it was fairly transfer-proof. The wear has been between two and four hours and drying.
The packaging on these doesn’t make sense to me; they have a very thin, brush-type applicator that is terrible for spreading product across the lips, but the formula was often sheerer so getting crisp lines with the included applicator seemed like an exercise in futility. I think a squeeze-tube or more typical doe-foot applicator would have worked here, but I like the idea of a squeeze tube, which would “force” one to use a separate applicator would make more sense, as using it directly on top of another lipstick would result in lipstick transfer to the wand and back into the tube.
Browse all of our Urban Decay Vice Special Effects Lip Topcoat swatches.
Reverb
PPermanent. $18.00.
Seether
Urban Decay Seether Vice Special Effects Lip Topcoat ($18.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is a rich, medium-dark coppery red with warm undertones and fine copper shimmer and flecks of gold sparkle. It had semi-opaque color coverage, but it applied unevenly and had a tendency to make my lips appear much drier (and shriveled-up) than they actually were. The color lasted for two and a half hours on its own before color lifted significantly enough that it looked quite different compared to the initial application and felt slightly drying. This one worked well over deeper lipsticks, especially ones that had more of satin finish, as it seemed to blend and smooth out better over them.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Lancome Crème de Marron (112) (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Rocker (P, $22.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty So Chilli (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Moscow Muled (P, $24.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- Revlon Abstract Orange (P, $8.49) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Lancome Mars (112) (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Burn Notice (370) (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Smashbox Haterade (P, $24.00) is warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Heatwave (LE, $18.00) is warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- Chanel Antoinette (406) (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.16 oz. - $112.50 Per Ounce
The brand describes the formula as a “shade-shifting topcoat” that can be used over their “cream, metallized, and matte shades” of Vice Lipstick or any of the Vice Liquid Lipsticks, but–wait for it–“or wear these shades alone.” They’re supposed to be a “comfortable, gel-cream formula that dries down quickly and provides long-lasting wear that never feels sticky” while also creating a “water-resistant barrier that seals in the color underneath.” The brand also warns that your lips might “feel tingly just after applying.”
As a topcoat, I think they perform the best; it can be hit or miss depending on the underlying shade, and some topcoats are more versatile than others (sheerer ones tended to work well with anything, more opaque ones could be hard to apply). I did not feel like they truly locked the underlying lipstick in, as they transferred and still lasted about as long as the lipstick did on its own. I also felt that it was lightly tacky, and it varied, but a few shades would lift color in places. The tingling effect was least pronounced when layered. In general, layering over very light shades was often where they missed and any unevenness became much more visible.
On their own, they often struggled to go on evenly. The application over bare lips was similar to trying to apply some of the darker topcoats over very light or dissimilar colors, which just made any application shortcomings highly visible (compared to say, blue shimmer over a blue lipstick). They had a very strong, lingering tingle where my lips felt like they do after being numbed (like from the dentist)–almost too big, swollen, and a mixture of tingling, cooling, burning. This effect lasted between two to three minutes before subsiding. I wouldn’t say it’s water-resistant, as it seemed to transfer after drinking water, but if I did not drink anything, it was fairly transfer-proof. The wear has been between two and four hours and drying.
The packaging on these doesn’t make sense to me; they have a very thin, brush-type applicator that is terrible for spreading product across the lips, but the formula was often sheerer so getting crisp lines with the included applicator seemed like an exercise in futility. I think a squeeze-tube or more typical doe-foot applicator would have worked here, but I like the idea of a squeeze tube, which would “force” one to use a separate applicator would make more sense, as using it directly on top of another lipstick would result in lipstick transfer to the wand and back into the tube.
Browse all of our Urban Decay Vice Special Effects Lip Topcoat swatches.
If these ACTUALLY sealed your lipstick, they might be worth while. I tend to do a glitter lip by just, y’know, patting glitter onto my lipstick, but that can come off easily when eating or drinking and can be difficult to touch-up.
Also, is the packaging and applicator basically the same as the liquid Moondust? Why does UD keep trying to make those brush applicators happen? Did they buy like a million of them and now they’re stuck with them?
Definitely similar to the Moondusts – and I mean, for an eyeliner, it might make some sense, but if you’re trying to cover a larger area (especially one that’s curved, like the eyelid or lips!), I don’t understand it…
I seem to recall they use the same brush for their glitter eye liners, and it did work well for those. But I feel like it would be so fussy and annoying to use to cover my entire lip!
Haha!! That has to be the reason for the brushes, right? I cringe when I see them, they are truly the worst lip product delivery method.
I agree!
The last one over that dark lipstick is a showstopper. But I’m not really into this concept. You can just pat a pigment or even a pressed powder over your lipstick, mixing with a clear gloss if needed.
Yes, so true, Ginny – any shimmery powder will do the same!
Seether on Blackmail is stunningly beautiful (add that to the list of sentences I never thought I’d be typing!)
Haha!
I hope a drugstore company like Nyx tries something like this. I like the concept, and would like to play around with different lipstick/topcoat but can’t see myself paying that much even for a top performing one.
That would be awesome! I feel similarly – while these are cool to play around with, it can get pretty expensive just to play.
Gorgeous colors.
They are interesting layered!
I think as a topcoat they are pretty cool.I don’t know why they said you can wear them alone on the lips because it doesn’t look good alone.Seether is very beautiful I’m going to pick up a few of the ones I like and you give a decent review when they release them and see if I like them.
Yeah, I feel like by putting it in their description (twice even!) it made these more of a let-down. I’d still have to swatch them alone so everyone could see the color (can be hard to tell once they’re layered on something totally different), but then it would have been more realistic for actual application.
Oh wow I really like Seether! I imagine applying it over a liquid lipstick. Maybe that would make it last longer? Or make a mess…
From my experience, about as long as whatever’s under it, so if the liquid lipstick was long-wearing, you’d probably be okay! There’s definitely a “dry down,” and they are transfer-resistant on their own.
Meh. I’m not amazed or in love with these!!!
I think they’re a product some will love and others will definitely skip right over!
These really don’t appear to apply at all evenly. They seem like a lot of trouble for little effect.
So far, they’re easiest (or more “foolproof”) applied over something darker and already pretty opaque – then one doesn’t notice imperfections as the base color absorbs them better, IMO.
I love the combinations you used for Seether and Monarchy.
Thank you! I just picked 11 shades that I hoped would coordinate with the 11 top coats, so some worked better than others, haha!
Too bad some of these are so streaky.
I know 🙁
I’m genuinely disturbed by the ‘tingling sensation may occur’ thing. Is this an unintended side effect of their ingredients? I’d assume if it were intentional they would market it as a positive. But there’s no mention of lip plumping bonuses…. I’d have to pass on this. The known side effect of ‘you might experience a pseudo food allergy reaction’ is such a turn off.
They said that it’s the effect of it locking in place!
That brush is ridiculous. Reminds me of the NARS glosses from a few years back. The effect is nice over lipsticks for two of them, but anything drying is a complete no go for me.
Oh, man, they are so like that… but not quite as bad, haha!
Utterly floored by the beauty of Seether over Blackmail lipstick! Wowsers!
However, I do wonder whether I would be better off off using Smashbox Haterade instead, considering our dry as dirt climate? I even considered Moscow Muled, but I know why I’d be LMBO every time I wore it! And of course its ORANGE!!
Or pat any copper eyeshadow on top of Blackmail 😉
Honestly, the Seether/Blackmail combo has inspired me to try putting UD Fireball over Blackmail. I feel like we’d get something similar?
I think so! You could also try anything that’s coppery and fairly shimmery – possibly mix with a touch of balm or gloss to get it to spread better (or sheer out).
I’m inspired now to shop my stash! Probably not exactly what UD had in mind when looking at these swatches, alas. 😛
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That looks lovely! I’m honestly a UD fangirl. It’s a shame about the longevity and the false claim of “sealing” lipstick though. I might buy it if it goes on sale, just for the effect.
There’s some impact on the finish of the product underneath, but it just did not seem sealed in/water-resistant 🙁
Those little brushes were a pain in the bum bum with their liquid moondust eye glitter too. Trying to get any kind of an even coat just created smears and patchiness. I love the ideas behind a lot of their products, but I think they tend to fail in the execution!
I have no idea why they went with this type of applicator for either product!
Hi Christine. I have a request, please. Is there any way you could show a photo of the under base lipstick on its own (before the topcoat)? So we could see how the topcoat changes it. I think now the photos are the topcoat alone, and the topcoat over a lipstick. I would like to see the lipstick alone as well. And is the name of the under lipstick in your review (I bet it is and I just am a dope and cannot find it!)? Thanks so much. I continue to be the hugest fan of your website.
All of the lipsticks were swatched previously – they are all from the Vice Lipstick range! The lipstick that is used is right under the photo, e.g. the caption – for Monarchy, if you click the photo of the layered products, it says “Urban Decay Monarchy Topcoat over Venom Vice Lipstick.”
http://www.temptalia.com/swatches/urban-decay-vice-lipstick/
You can also compare any two shades here: http://www.temptalia.com/swatch-gallery#sbs
Hope that helps!
I love seether over blackmail! Maybe I’ll wait for the Sephora sale to pick up seether (already own blackmail)
I’m not giving UD any money for these. I am so grateful for your reviews a wonderful moneysaver (spender at times, though). 🙂
Wow, the Seether/Blackmail look is incredible!!
The Seether + Blackmail combo looks stunning, but I feel like you could get the same effect just by layering an eyeshadow that color on top.
These and the MAC Metallic lipsticks just seem to be rushing to capture on a trend without actually getting what makes better metallic lip products better!
Some amazing colors. I need to think aboutvthem with my coloring more.