Urban Decay Shadow Box Review, Photos & Swatches
Urban Decay Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette ($34.00 for 0.12 oz.) is one of the more disappointing palettes I’ve come across from the brand for one simple reason: these eyeshadows aren’t like the originals/individual/permanent versions. There is something distinctly different in the texture and application in just about all the shades; they’re drier, thinner, and more powdery–they don’t adhere as well to bare skin (which isn’t usually an issue I have with Urban Decay’s formula), lack some depth/intensity compared to the original or standalone version, and are just… off. There’s a soft, dense, buttery feeling that is present with the majority of Urban Decay’s eyeshadows that is missing in action in this palette. The palette is also in dire need of more variety in finishes–it is primarily frosted–and two of the three “new” shades are quite similar to existing/previously released shades.
Usually, Urban Decay’s palettes offer tremendous value, but this one isn’t much of a deal–the best value is just that you’re getting twelve shades for less than the price of two singles, but you’re getting a mere 0.12 oz. The revamped Ammo palette contains 10 x 0.03 oz. eyeshadows for $34–that’s 0.30 oz., over double the size of this one for the same price, plus it also includes a small Primer Potion and mini shadow brush. Urban Decay eyeshadow is $360/oz., so this palette contains $43.20 worth of eyeshadow. The Ammo palette contains $108 worth of eyeshadow ($34, ten shades), while Naked Basics contains $108 worth of eyeshadow ($29, six shades).
Sin is described as a “champagne.” It’s a light peach with a hint of pink. It has warm undertones and a frosted finish. This shade felt most like its original, though it still has a bit of a drier feeling overall. It wore well for eight hours. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Indo is described as an “emerald.” It’s a cool-toned, green-teal with a frosted finish. It had so-so color payoff, but the texture had a dryness that made it hard to blend with other shades and gave it a more uneven appearance applied. It lasted for seven and a half hours. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Bordello is described as a “pale mauve with gold micro-sparkle.” It’s a pinky-plum with copper glitter. It had a powdery, dry texture with chunky glitter that didn’t really bind with the actual color, so a lot of it was trapped in the brush or fell underneath the eye during application. The few remaining sparkles seemed to fall out over time. The color faded after seven hours of wear. It was also warmer than past versions of Bordello. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Tornado is described as a “vibrant deep purple.” It’s a medium-dark, warm-toned purple with a frosted sheen. It had decent color payoff, but it lacked the intensity and depth of the original Tornado. The consistency was thinner and drier, while the color lasted for eight hours before fading. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Smog is described as a “deep coppery bronze.” It’s a coppery brown with warm, red0orange undertones and a frosted finish. It had good pigmentation, and the texture was only slightly thinner and less dense compared to the full-sized version, but it did translate into giving it a lighter appearance slightly. It lasted for eight hours applied. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Blackout is described as a “blackest black.” It’s a deep dark black with a matte finish. The texture is slightly thin and powdery, so it doesn’t adhere well to bare skin, but it is more pigmented than the swatch lets on if it actually stayed on the skin (it kind of blends away). The color lasted for seven and a half hours on me. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Flash is described as a “bright iridescent purple.” It’s a cool-toned, lavender purple with a frosted finish. It had semi-opaque color payoff with a drier, thinner consistency that felt a little powdery. It was prone to fading, and it only wore well for seven hours on me. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Mushroom is described as a “warm pale grey.” It’s a medium-dark, warm-toned taupe with a reddish-brown undertones and a frosted sheen. It had good pigmentation, but that same drier, thinner consistency that made it harder to get that true-to-pan color intensity on the lid was present. It started to fade after seven and a half hours of wear. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Lost is described as a “medium metallic brown.” It’s a medium-dark brown with warm, orange-red undertones and a frosted finish. It had good color payoff, and the texture wasn’t too dry, though it felt different than the other version I have of it. The color lasted for eight hours. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Freelove is described as a “golden vibrant peach.” It’s a brightened, coral-orange with golden shimmer. It had a drier, somewhat powdery consistency that was thin and difficult to apply, as it would look faded shortly after patting it onto the lid. The color lasted for six and a half hours. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Moonshadow is described as a “bright navy blue.” It’s a cool-toned, medium-dark navy blue with a pearly sheen. It had so-so pigmentation, but the drier consistency made it look somewhat uneven when blended/applied to the skin as it didn’t diffuse as smoothly along the edges. It lasted for seven and a half hours on me. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Baked Cowboy is described as a “golden bronze.” It’s a brightened, golden orange with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had good color payoff, and the texture was only slightly powdery and dry. The color wore well for eight hours before fading. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Urban Decay Shadow Box Review, Photos & Swatches
Sin
DCDiscontinued. $19.00.
Freelove
DCDiscontinued. $19.00.
Moonshadow
DCDiscontinued. $19.00.
Baked Cowboy
DCDiscontinued. $19.00.
Indo
DCDiscontinued. $19.00.
Bordello
DCDiscontinued. $19.00.
Tornado
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Smog
DCDiscontinued. $19.00.
Blackout
DCDiscontinued. $19.00.
Flash
DCDiscontinued. $19.00.
Mushroom
DCDiscontinued. $19.00.
Lost
DCDiscontinued. $19.00.
See more photos & swatches!
Urban Decay Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Sin Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Sin Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Indo Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Indo Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Bordello Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Bordello Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Tornado Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Tornado Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Smog Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Smog Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Blackout Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Blackout Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Flash Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Flash Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Mushroom Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Mushroom Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Lost Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Lost Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Freelove Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Freelove Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Moonshadow Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Moonshadow Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Baked Cowboy Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Baked Cowboy Eyeshadow
Sin (inner lid), Bordello (middle of lid), Tornado (outer lid), Lost (outer lid), Tornado Eyeliner
Sin (inner lid), Bordello (middle of lid), Tornado (outer lid), Lost (outer lid), Tornado Eyeliner
Baked Cowboy (inner lid), Endo (middle of lid), Moonshadow (outer lid), Mars Eyeliner
Baked Cowboy (inner lid), Endo (middle of lid), Moonshadow (outer lid), Mars Eyeliner
Baked Cowboy (inner lid), Freelove (middle of lid), Flash (outer lid), Tornado (crease), Asphyxia Eyeliner
Baked Cowboy (inner lid), Freelove (middle of lid), Flash (outer lid), Tornado (crease), Asphyxia Eyeliner
I’ll pass on this one easily since I already own about half the shadows (some of them 2 or 3 times over!) and those few I don’t have, I’ve got dupes of. Christine, was LOST in any other UD palettes? It seems to me that I have it but I’m not sure where (but then again, so many of their colours are so similar and sometimes the names too so I could just think I have it). I’m wondering if there is some sort of “index” of UD shadows and what various palettes they are in/were in….?
I used to have a list, but I haven’t updated it in years.
Lost was in BoS Vol. 4, then again in the Feminine palette (2012).
I’ll give UD props for packaging design. I think it’s absolutely stunning. But the shadows? I’m bored. I am so bored of UD shadows.
It seems overly large given how little eyeshadow is actually in there, though I like the idea in general.
Well that settles it, I’ll be passing on this. Looking forward to Vice 3 though!
Fingers crossed it’s better!
Ouch.Yeah, sadly I have not had the most pleasant experience with Urban Decay shadows, and I thought this one would win me over.The swatches looked really appealing, but I trust your judgement, and will be skipping this palette.I prefer Too Faced palettes.
What past UD eyeshadows have you tried?
I have the Glinda Palette and the Theodora palette.I bypass them for the Too Faced Chocolate Bar or TF Natural Eyes.
I think I might try UD singles, perhaps they fare better.
I liked those palettes, so I feel like if you don’t like the formula on either of those, you probably just won’t like UD eyeshadows in general 🙁
Don’t get me wrong, I really like Theodora, but I guess I just have a preference for Too Faced.I also forgot to say that I have the UD Anarchy Face Case, and I hardly use it. Yikes.I would even say that I prefer the Sephora Collection shadows I have bought in the recent past, those to which I was introduced by you.Thanks a bunch.
My pleasure! xo
Really too bad about the formula because those swatches look gorgeous
It is such an odd thing…
Pretty
It does look pretty!
I really like Bordello and Tornado. Tornado puts me in mind of NARS Phoebe. Will have to check out the Bordello dupes as I do not think this palette is for me. I would wear a fraction of the colours.
Bordello has so much fall out, too!
I have bordello in the feminine palette, it’s such a pretty colour!
The only shade I wanted was Tornado. Maybe they’ll make it into a single? Love that last look you did — it looks like a sunset!!
Maybe!
*Waiting not-so-patiently for Vice 3 instead*
My guess is it is right around the corner, since they are teasing us now officially. Probably on their site first, then a couple of weeks later on Sephora… but I bet it isn’t going to be too long of a wait.
I did a bit of “research” over the last few days, and Vice was first released late September, while Vice 2 was released mid-September… if these dates are any indication, then we can expect it within a couple of weeks! There are a few pictures floating around, and from what I can tell, it’s different from the previous 2.
Usually Urban Decay only confirms when it’s pretty soon, so we’ll see.
Thanks for the honest review! I was thinking about getting this palette, but I think I’ll save my money for something else!
No prob, Emily!
Disappointing all around, the brand is capable of so much more! And again with the overly large packaging. Thst bottom bit serves no real purpose, so why not cut it off? Then it would be truly travel friendly!
It’s not really that big by palette standards but it is larger than it needs to be!
I love the third look you created with it, though, it reminds me of a lotus flower.
Thanks, Faith!
Very disappointing. :(. I realized it wasn’t a palette for me, because I’ve got most of these shadows or dupes already, but thought it could make a good present for someone new to the brand, but between the lack of value & poor performance, there goes that idea! Also, is it just me, or does the toned down tornado basically look like rockstar?
Rockstar is more muted/darker (less warmth/pink in it). I was surprised at the value, but I was REALLY surprised at the quality.
I love the second look you created Christine!
Thanks, Donna!
I like a bunch of the colors, but I’m not thrilled with the value. I’ll wait and see what Vice 3 is like before I decide one way or the other.
UD has so many better palettes out there!
Oi, yes, I wasn’t too impressed when I swatched this in stores. Like the Ammo palette, it’s a nice mix of shades, but I did notice the drier textures. It’s nice to see more colorful shades working their way into palettes again, though.
(Also swatched Naked 2 while I was there. 🙁 Definitely too warm for me.)
The texture is just distinctly different from the usual formula.
Aw, I’m feeling a bit underwhelmed… Still, the look you created with the palette is lovely.
Thank you!
I’m so disappointed because I was going to pick this up..yesterday in fact. I’m glad I waited for your review! Guess I’ll just have to get Vice..that is if it gets a good grade..
Fingers crossed!
UD have great little palettes but they need to mix up the finishes and give us complete looks. They are all frosted or shimmer finishes and the one matte they give us is a yawn inspiring black! I use to snatch up UD palettes almost with no consideration of what shadows they included but they are getting a bit redundant. Thanks for the review! It looks like a great little palette but I wont be picking it up since I own so many of the shades from previous palettes.
No problem, Lisa!
Will wait for Vice 3, hope it’ll be better than this and out sooner rather than later in the UK!
Hopefully!
Too bad the shadows aren’t as nice as I was hoping they would be, as I do love the packaging!
Me too! 🙁
I have to say that I agree with this review, 100%. I’m a little bummed, but I’ll make it work with primer. 😉
The texture is off, right? I always associate words like buttery, creamy, dense with UD’s formula but not here.
I hope this isn’t the beginning of their palette quality going down! I hope Vice 3 does not disappoint!
Hopefully not! I don’t love every single eyeshadow UD makes or has put in palettes, but the texture of these is just noticeably different from the previous releases and/or permanent version, and that is a definite no-no!
Glad I can skip this!
Yay!
This looked really exciting at first but after your review I think I’ll pass on this. I’m praying that the new theBalm palette gets a good review because the swatches look so pretty and I love theBalm eyeshadows!!
We shall see!
The one time I buy before you review and it’s a fail. Welp guess this palette is getting returned to sender! Thanks for the awesome and honest work you do Christine!
My pleasure! 🙂 Fingers crossed maybe yours is better!
Christine, you did it again. You put Moonshadow down as Evidence in the swatches lol.
I’m wondering if this could work better with a creamy white base (and Too Faced’s Glitter Glue for Bordello). I don’t have the majority of the colors, but I’ll have to swatch them whenever I go to Ulta next. I’ll check out V3 when you post your review/swatches before I decide.XP
Thank you! It was the same code as the original post, so it didn’t get updated (because I forgot that I changed it). Sorry I’m such a braindead moron! I swear I’m not really.
So I’m mildly in love with Flash. Is it better quality as a single? I might just have to buy one of the dupes for it.
I think the single applies much better in practice!
I’m wondering if ud has changed their formula lately. I ran out of swf eyeahadow and when i replaced it the eyeshadow stunk like mildew or something. I thought I had a dud but the tester smelled te same way in the store when I returned it. And my naked 3 palette is really dry and crumbly. Nothing like my naked 1.
I’ve never had an issue with their eyeshadows smelling off, and I didn’t have problems with Naked3 (really like that one myself!). The Pulp Fiction palette (which is a more recent release) was really nice as well, so hopefully they didn’t change it!
Were these all from the same store? If so, it could be an interior leak/mold problem in the storage room…
No, the swf was from sephora online and then I went into a sephora store to return it and that’s where I noticed that the tester also smelled like that. I checked because I had seen some reviews saying that the naked basics smelled bad. The naked 3 was from a different sephora store and was bought on the day it came out. I didn’t notice a smell on the naked 3 but the shadows were horrible, dry, and some were literally crumbling when I ran my brush over them.
I’m actually *relieved* this palette is both repetitive, and subpar! As someone with a formidable stash of eyeshadows, it simply means a) I don’t have to track ot down, and b) I can save money for the many, many other things on my list! If Urban Decay were the only brand out there that did quality shadows, or if the shades were unique in this palette, although not quality, I’d be sorely disappointed. However, with sooo much else to choose from ATM, I’m fine… I only buy from a handful of brands regularly, so when something is a fail, or simply a “repeat”, I’m more than able to find something else to spend my money on, LOL!
I just hope this is a one-off problem 🙁
It probably is, since it’s an ULTA exclusive. Not that ULTA isn’t a worthy competitor, but they do carry alot of lower-range brands/products. UD may be making an effort to reach out to a new base, those who typically buy DS products, which is also the reason for such a basic shade collection. With alot of DS palettes hitting the $20 mark (NYX, Sonia Kashuk, Pixi…), $34 isn’t too far a stretch for what can be considered a higher-end brand-UD shadows aren’t too much less than some of the HE brands at $20 each. In a way, this palette is genius on the part of UD; while the quality isn’t the greatest for those of us who’ve been using HE shadows for years, for someone new to the game, who is used to DS brands, “typical” UD texture/pigmentation may be intimidating.
I completely agree about the quality in this palette. I swatched these in Ulta and they were very off compared to normal texture. I’m hoping that it’s just this palette and that future ones are the same great quality i’m used to.
I’m glad I’m not the only one — as I was testing it out, that’s how I felt and thought, “Everyone’s going to think I’m NUTS!”
Maybe it was a good thing i can’t order this one. The shades i was most excited about are drier looking compared the the in pot one. Freelove…. where did you go?
I don’t know! It’s SO weird! UD is really good about the formula being good in palettes and singles usually.
oh no! How disappointing! I thought the swatches were quite lovely, and since I was planning on buying Flash I thought for $12 more this might be worth it (even though I have 3 of the shades already). I’ve got the original Naked palette, Naked 3, and the Electric palette (as well as a single eyeshadow in X), would you say this palette is dryer than the ones I just listed?? (not that I had a problem with those palettes – I actually expected some dryness/difficulty in blending with the Electric palette, but nope, it’s perfect).
I’m hoping the Vice 3 palette is better, but I’ve seen some leaked photos and it looks like there might be too many neutrals/burgundy colors for me, I would have much preferred traditional pinks/purples, and maybe some neutrals with a twist, but so far it looks like another skip for me.
Oh, this palette is totally different from all three of those palettes. Nothing about the texture of these says “Urban Decay” to me.
Aww…. I like UD so much I ordered it, plus I don’t have about half the shades. I am disappointed to see the colors I wanted most aren’t as pigmented as the originals. Still pretty, though, and I’m assuming will be better with primer. :/
It will be better with primer, but given the lack of value in this palette… I’d just wait for the next UD palette (probably Vice 3, though pricier).
I can certainly see that for people who have a lot of these colors in the original. I hope the less pigmented colors won’t be a trend for UD.
I received mine today. I can feel a bit of a texture difference, and I see what you mean about Tornado. Still, I don’t find anything too dry to work with. Between primer and my vampire skin, everything shows up on me well. I’m going to keep it for the colors I don’t have, and play with it
The quality is not as good as UD usually presents, though.
Glad it’ll work for you!
I really like the look of mushroom. It’s a subtle warmth and not so yellow or red I couldn’t pull it off.
Mushroom is a great shade!
Aww, come on UD – you can do better than this! I say that as a fan of the brand, and owner of several of their ‘small quantities of bright shadows’ palettes (Mariposa, Ammo, etc). LOL, all this actually did was remind me how much I wish I could have gotten a hold of Too Faced Sequin. 😉
Ok, OK, to be fair, it has made me look seriously at Freelove, which I didn’t really know existed before, so there’s that.
Love the purple look you did especially, Christine! 😀 (obviously, LOL!)
Thank you! I honestly was so frustrated with that look, because none of the shades were going on as vibrantly as they should have!
I was initially quite excited about this palette initially but seeing how off they are, I’m going to pass. I liked the colours and seeing something that’s not really into the whole NAKED craze but… like you said, could be better!
They can and do better normally, so boo!
Well that’s unfortunate! The colors are so pretty…but not worth the cost if the shadows don’t perform well…especially in comparison to previous UD palettes!
It’s a real deviation from their other palettes’ quality!
What a shame UD has short-changed the customer on this palette. Because if you hadn’t bought any of the Naked palettes, you could buy this one. (Although I don’t know anyone who has not got at least one UD palette).
Exactly!!
I’m going to pass, but your eye looks are beautiful! I really love the one with Indo and now feel like I need the Mars eyeliner.
Thanks, Lucia!
Urban Decay: genug with all frosted/shimmer eyeshadow palettes already! It doesn’t have to be 100% matte like Naked Basics, but one matte eyeshadow in a palette? Lamez0rs!
That being said, your looks were quite lovely, especially the last one. Have you ever done a video tutorial on how you blend your eyes?
I haven’t done any videos in a few years, but I have some up from before. My technique hasn’t really changed since I have a go-to placement!
Hi Christine.
If you are going to choose 1, which is better Urban Decay Shadow Box or Lorac Pro Palette 2?
I wouldn’t buy this palette ever, so LORAC Pro 2 easily.
I guess I couldn’t stop talking about this palette and the naked basics 2, because my boyfriend went out and bought them early for my birthday on Thursday! I was playing around with it last night and was disappointed moonshadow did not look as bright as when I was wearing it as compared to the pan. I am used to the new buttery texture from the new formula that these eye shadows felt almost dry and chalky when compared.
I’m sad that you experienced the same thing I did, Alicia, but I am a little relieved to know that I’m not the only one who felt like the texture of the formula felt noticeably different from their normal/regular one.
I love how buttery UD shadows are so I really hope they aren’t changing the formula. I can usually wear their shadows without a primer and they still look great and last pretty long. It’ll be so disappointing if Vice 3 performs like this too
Same here, Fancie!
Pretty colours, the looks you did are all really beautiful. Such a pity the quality isn’t up to UDs normal standard, Since it’s an ULTA exclusive (right?) I couldn’t get it anyway.
I hope Vice 3 will be really good.
It’s really strange that it isn’t!