Urban Decay Spacetime, Zodiac, Vega, Magnetic Liquid Moondust Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Urban Decay Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Spacetime Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a dirty, medium-dark khaki bronze with warm undertones and pink and green sparkle over a more metallic finish. The texture was smooth and more blendable than the majority of the shades in the formula, and this was one of the few that could actually be worn as an opaque layer of product. It was buildable from medium coverage. This shade wore well for nine hours with no fall out whether applied as a single layer or applied as two layers. The application was still fussy, and it was easy to blend it too much and get a patchy mess, but it was one of the few that I could actually apply decently. Anastasia Brownie (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Truffle Glitter (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Sushi Green (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Buxom Haute Couture (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, warmer, better quality (85% similar). Jouer Midnight Swim (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay Lithium (PiP, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Starlight #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Olivia Palermo Diamond Dust (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). Urban Decay Lithium (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). Stila Smoky Storm (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). Give Me Glow Iced Coffee (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). Melt Cosmetics Ravage (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). Melt Cosmetics Industrial (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (80% similar). ColourPop Place Between (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Urban Decay Zodiac Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a blackened green with warm undertones and copper, emerald green, and gold sparkle. It had semi-sheer to mostly opaque, buildable coverage. The consistency wasn’t as watery as other shades, though it had a tendency to sheer out rather than building up–you have to be completely certain that each layer has dried down. It started to look rough and textured with anything more than two layers. I had no fallout when I applied this as a sinigle layer, and I had no fallout or flaking when I applied two layers. MAC Greenluxe #4 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Swing on a Star (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). NARS Gabon (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Midnight (LE, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Gingerluxe #3 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty TFX10 (LE, $36.00) is lighter (85% similar). Stila Mystic (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, less pigmented (85% similar). Viseart Medusa (GPV2 #8) (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Dose of Colors Leaf Me Alone (P, $20.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Bird of Prey (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Zodiac (DC, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). Urban Decay Turn the Beat (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, cooler (80% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Emerald Eyes (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). Sephora Luxurious Boot Camp (DC, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar). Huda Beauty Python #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Urban Decay Vega Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a bright, medium-dark blue with cool undertones and silver and blue sparkle. It had semi-sheer coverage that was buildable to semi-opaque pigmentation with two layers. The texture was unforgiving when used as two layers, as the color would clump up and look chunky. It was hard to blend out, so it always had a look of patchy, uneven coverage, so it would work better over a darker base color, which would help fill in the gaps. It wore well for nine hours with no fallout when I used one layer, and when I used two layers, I had some minor flakes over an eight hour period. MAC Midnight (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Tempete Bleu (LE, $36.00) is darker (90% similar). Illamasqua Alluvium (P, $25.50) is less shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Vega (PiP, $20.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Stila Psychic (LE, $24.00) is lighter, less pigmented, cooler (90% similar). Viseart Galaxy (GPV2 #29) (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Make Up For Ever ME216 Electric Blue (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Lit Cosmetics Bar Star (P, $12.95) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). Urban Decay Soul Love (P, $22.00) is less pigmented, cooler (85% similar). Urban Decay Gamma Ray (DC, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Lit Cosmetics Elton John (P, $12.95) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Anastasia Star Cobalt (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). NARS Cressida (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). Make Up For Ever D222 Night Blue (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar). MAC Wintersky (LE, $32.50) is less shimmery, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Urban Decay Magnetic Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a medium-dark purple with warmer undertones and pink and copper sparkle. It had semi-sheer color payoff that was somewhat buildable to semi-opaque pigmentation. The texture of this shade seemed a bit thicker, a little more like a liquid-cream, and it remained blendable for longer (but fast enough that it didn’t crease). It does thicken and add texture to the lid if applied in two layers, but it was not as bad as some shades in the range. When I wore it as a single layer, it lasted for nine hours with no fall out, and when I wore it as two layers, it lasted well for nine hours with minor fall out but no flaking. Urban Decay Voodoo (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). NARS Kauai #2 (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). MAC Panthertized (P, $22.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Canberra (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty TFX7 (LE, $36.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Get Physical (LE, $18.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Sparkling Moment (LE, $18.00) is more muted, warmer (85% similar). MAC Black Grape (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Stila Into the Blue (LE, $24.00) is lighter (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Glamethyst (P, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). MAC Pinkluxe #4 (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar). MAC Grand Galaxy (P, $20.00) is lighter (85% similar). Coloured Raine Black Butterfly (LE, $6.99) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Sydney Grace Beauregarde (P, $15.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Sydney Grace Twisted Shifter (P, $15.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). Urban Decay Ice Crater (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar). Urban Decay Delinquent (DC, $20.00) is less shimmery (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Formula Overview
Urban Decay Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is supposed to be a “liquid version” of the powder-based Moondust Eyeshadow formula. The difference (besides consistency!) is that these are designed to have a buildable formula that can be used on the lash line, over other eyeshadows on the lid, or on its own, and once it dries down, it “won’t budge or crease.” I felt like it was an overly fussy product, and I think it takes extra work and very specific preference to make them “worth it.” I’d much rather use the regular Moondust eyeshadow, which is even $1.00 cheaper (it is hard to compare liquid vs. powder weights, so there could be more uses in one than the other).
For the most part, they’re sheer to semi-sheer and somewhat buildable, but the texture doesn’t support layering. I don’t think they are that usable on their own, because they dry down quickly and are hard to blend out–they look patchy and uneven–and trying to build-up color by putting additional product on the same area always resulted in a thick, chunky, and uneven disaster on the eye. I tried layering them over eyeshadow as well, and from afar, it can be pretty, but they look horrific close-up as they are the same on top of something else: uneven with poorly distributed sparkle. The tiniest dab on the inner lid that you don’t touch or blend opened up the eye, but I tried brushes (including the brand’s Moondust brush), fingertips, silicone applicators, and the included brush (on the applicator) to no avail. I only had moderate success using the included applicator and layering it over eyeliner.
The formula itself was inconsistent every time I used a shade, because the product doesn’t seem to be well mixed, which results in sheerer and thinner, more pigmented and chunkier consistencies. They don’t really mix up, but you can try to twist and maneuver the wand into the product to try and mix it that way. The highlight of the formula is that there was virtually no fall out across all the shades except for when I tried to layer or build-up color, then sometimes I’d get a big chunk that would flake off entirely, but when worn on top of liner or as a single layer of product (on top of eyeshadow or alone), I had no fall out.
I also found the included applicator is particularly disappointing; it does nothing to improve application as it is a coarser brush that’s rather stiff, which means that it is hard to get any evenness out of it. It tends to glob product on rather than give you a sense of precision. The coarser bristles hold product in them unevenly as well. It is the type of brush that when pull it across the skin in one fluid motion, the product pulls to the side and leaves almost nothing in the middle.
Spacetime
PPermanent. $22.00.
Zodiac
PPermanent. $22.00.
Vega
PPermanent. $22.00.
Magnetic
PPermanent. $22.00.
Urban Decay Spacetime Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Spacetime Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Spacetime Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Spacetime Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Spacetime Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Zodiac Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Zodiac Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Zodiac Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Zodiac Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Zodiac Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Vega Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Vega Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Vega Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Vega Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Vega Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Magnetic Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Magnetic Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Magnetic Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Magnetic Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Magnetic Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow
Zap, Spacetime, Zodiac, Vega (lash line)
Zap, Spacetime, Zodiac, Vega (lash line)
Chem Trail over Giorgio Armani #9 and #10 Eye Tints
Recharged, Chem Trail, Solstice, Magnetic (lower lash line)
Recharged, Chem Trail, Solstice, Magnetic (lower lash line)
If the whole range was the same as Spacetime, it seems like it would be a slightly difficult but at least usable formula.
If only!
It’s VERY frustrating to me when a formula is so different from color to color — The average consumer can’t afford to buy every color of every formula and is just going to grab the one or two colors that really appeal to them, and they’re going to make their recommendation to their friends based on that, and then those friends are going to go buy the one or two colors that appeal to them, which might behave completely differently! And this isn’t even a case where you can say “Well this company does matte very well but avoid the shimmer…” these are all the same “finish.”
Good thing that I have dupes galore for the 3 shades whose color I liked. Plus, I am super grateful to the Sephora SA who while watching me compare Zodiac in both its formulas against the MAC Bird Of Prey swatch I walked in with, handed me the regular dry Zodiac with “There’s one left here; THIS is what you want.” She was right, I think.
The way these liquids apply really leaves something to be desired. They just have a chunky, dry, uneven look to them. Very depressing. Unless one uses it as an eyeliner or lightly patted over a same shade eyeshadow for a little something extra, I cannot see using any of these as an actual full coverage eyeshadow!
The powder version is a lot better than the liquid, IMO!
Hi – Just an FYI, two of your Zodiac pictures are not showing up (the last two) on my computer on Internet Explorer or Excel!
*or Chrome (sorry I am at work and not fully focused)
Fixed, so sorry about that! Apparently I can’t type and mistyed “liquid” in the actual file name.
I love the fact that these more metallic/shimmer particle ones are doing better. But I still prefer Zodiac in the pan though. 😉
I thought it was interesting how much warmer the powder version was!
OMG, this is crazy! I swatched some of these in store last month, they were brand new testers, not even on display yet. Space Time swatched similar to yours, and was the best looking in terms of smoothness and quality. Vega (the blue), Zodiac (the green), and Magnetic (purple) were pigmented, weren’t as smooth as Space Time but they swatched opaque, a solid wall of color. I was staring at my swatches, trying to figure out how to wear them as eye shadow without looking OTT crazy, like Cleopatra! Last week, I went back and was able to re-swatch Magnetic (the purple), and this time, as the swatch was very streaky, similar to your swatch. So I think there are QC batch issues here. So I will only buy these if I can return easily.
Interesting! I actually think that there’s more of an issue with how the product is mixed/settles, because it is different each time, though I don’t get awesome results with most shades.
The moondust powder shadows aren’t wet/dry, are they? So you could attempt to dupe through a transformer?
You can use the powder Moondusts wet or dry – they recommend for “intense color payout” to try it wet!
I’ve used the powders wet with setting spray, and they turn out great. I also used one over liquid eyeliner before it set, and that turned out beautiful as well. I think I’ll stick to those methods rather than buy these.
I like Zodiac, but I’d never wear it 🙁
Aw!
Again, a mixed bag of results. Love the Zodiac and Spacetime shades, but ultimately I think the pans are a better buy.
For sure! The powder Moondusts are so much easier to use.
yikes, these are disappointing! bummer.
They were SO frustrating!
That shift in Spacetime! <3
It is a neat color!
Aside from perhaps being easier to apply to the lash line, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of pros to buying these over their powder counterparts. Thanks for the helpful reviews!
Yeah, I think they are best as a layering shade over an eyeliner!
I actually kind of want Vega (on sale, on super ultra sale) to layer over black matte lipstick for a costume I wear sometimes, I wonder if it would be good for that.
there ya go 😉 I know Leesha (xSparkage) did that with Recharged on the lips!
I so much wanted to try these but you guys saved me some money. Thank you! 🙂 I would rather try the powder versions of these eyeshadows. Christine, how did you achieve that sparkle to show in images? I know it is very difficult to capture with a regular camera. The swatches look mesmerizing where sparkles show.
Happy to help, Lani!
I didn’t do anything special – I am pretty photography stupid, actually 😉
All of them are an easy pass. Sorry UD!
I like my makeup to be fuss free as much as possible. I might work more if I find something really unique, and I don’t find these worthe the trouble.
I hear ya, Helene! These are more work than I’d want to put in usually.
Wearing Magnetic today. I ordered both Spacetime and Magnetic from UD. Didn’t have any trouble applying Magnetic over a lighter purple shadow as a thick line, but looking at it after a few hours, it is not as sharp and looks like it spread. This is after using primer potion too. I really like the color purple of this and it’s not too over the top in sparkles. I am going to have to give it another try and see if it does it again, and if it does send it back. I have to try Spacetime also to see how well it stays. Big bummer.
Do you know if they have a dry formula the same color as magnetic? Just in case this one keeps performing poorly? My other UD shadows stay put usually.
Urban Decay uses the same names if they carry the same color in other formulas!