Urban Decay Sparkle Out Loud Heavy Metal Glitter Gels Reviews & Swatches (Part 1)

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Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Dreamland over Viseart Single Eyeshadows | Look Details
Dreamland over Viseart Single Eyeshadows | Look Details
Dreamland over Viseart Single Eyeshadows | Look Details
Dreamland over Viseart Single Eyeshadows | Look Details
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Dreamland over Viseart Single Eyeshadows | Look Details
Dreamland over Viseart Single Eyeshadows | Look Details

Dreamland

Urban Decay Dreamland Heavy Metal Glitter Gel ($22.00 for 0.49 fl. oz.) includes hexagon-shaped, medium-sized peachy-gold glitter that shifted to aqua-blue to periwinkle-blue (depending on the angle and lighting conditions) suspended in a clear base. It had semi-sheer coverage that spread out decently on skin, whether eyes or face, but it didn’t have the most even dispersion and I did feel like I had to fuss with it to “place” it. The gel base didn’t alter anything I placed it on top of, which was nice, and it was thick enough to help maneuver some of the glittery bits around.

In person, I felt like the glitter looked mostly gold-ish without as much of the blue shift coming through to my eyes. On my cheeks, it looked like flecks of dirt or, worse, as if my skin was flaking off (seriously, see the last photo toward the very left side, as I wore it in a larger area) because it added texture without giving a lot of reflection/sparkle, if the light wasn’t reflecting heavily off of the particles. This was another shade I managed to wear for a full eight-hour testing period, and there was very minimal fallout (and luckily, all fallout on my lid landed below my lid instead of in my eye) and migration.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$22.00/0.49 oz. - $44.90 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to have "hyper-reflective and holographic glitter" that "won't budge for up to 9 hours" and is "super-concentrated." Per the brand, it can be used on "eyes, body, and face." I have no idea why they call it "high-coverage," when the base it's in is clear, which results in instantly sheering the product out as it is applied to any area (eyes, cheeks, etc.) and spread outward.

The gel-base is thicker, spreadable, and works well over powder products, like eyeshadow, or over foundation without darkening, lifting, or creating patchiness of whatever it is layered over. The particle sizes used in these is quite large, and when applied as a cheek product, they often look like metallic (but not so sparkly/glittery) chunks of product. At certain angles, it looked like my skin was flaking off or raised texture. This is sometimes more or less the effect even on lids.

I tested only some of these on eyes, and the wear was the same across the three I trialled--absolutely great hold in the scheme of things (eight to nine hours), but there was always a particle or two that did drop at some point during wear. I was not always able to keep my eye from watering to the point where I ended up having eyeshadow and mascara running into my eye if even one piece of glitter fell into my eye or got close enough to my lash line. When worn as a cheek highlighter, there was minimal travel but typically a few stray pieces of glitter on my chin or jaw line. During removal, they definitely come off without too much effort, but I could feel it scraping against my skin, particularly when I was removing the glitter from my cheeks (using a balm-based cleanser)--it was like a glittery exfoliation!

The brand's promotional images definitely show nearly opaque/opaque "pigmentation" from their glitters, but whether I used a brush or my fingertips, these instantly shered out to have more semi-sheer to medium coverage. I would recommend being very careful with applying these to the lids by using a brush or just the very tip of the finger to avoid accidentally getting any on lashes (tried it, 0/10, don't recommend).

Browse all of our Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Gel swatches.

Ingredients

Aqua / Water / Eau, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Glycerin, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyurethane-11, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium PCA, Chlorphenesin, Polyurethane-33, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Phytate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract / Matricaria Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Trideceth-6, Sodium Hyaluronate, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract. [+/- (May contain/Peut contenir): CI 16035 / Red 40, CI 19140 / Yellow 5, CI 77510 / Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide, CI 77000 / Aluminum Powder, CI 77007 / Ultramarines, CI 77000 / Aluminum]. D234739/2

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.


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Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel

Saturday Stardust

Urban Decay Saturday Stardust Heavy Metal Glitter Gel ($22.00 for 0.49 fl. oz.) includes fine, micro-glitter with medium and large-sized hexagon-shaped glitter that shifted from bright pink to variations of deeper pink to almost purple all suspended in a thicker, clear base. It had semi-sheer “coverage” from the glitter; I have no idea how the brand accomplishes “high-coverage” from the formula, as the clear base spreads the product out quite a bit and without doing some diffusing/spreading, it has a thick, weighty feel on my skin.

I like the gel-based formula a lot, as it doesn’t seem to interfere with whatever I’ve put it on, and it has decent spreadability so the glitter particles look fairly evenly layered on top of lids/skin. I tried to wear this shade, but I had one of the larger particles drop into my eye at the five-hour mark and had to remove everything I was wearing shortly after (too much wateriness built up and started to degrade the rest of the makeup). Most of the particles will remove when a good, oil-based or balm-based makeup remover, but I was very aware of the glitter coming off my skin as it was a bit sharp and felt like I was exfoliating with harsh scrub. My experience with this formula is that the overwhelming majority of particles do stay on for eight hours, but a few particles can drop or migrate over time.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$22.00/0.49 oz. - $44.90 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to have "hyper-reflective and holographic glitter" that "won't budge for up to 9 hours" and is "super-concentrated." Per the brand, it can be used on "eyes, body, and face." I have no idea why they call it "high-coverage," when the base it's in is clear, which results in instantly sheering the product out as it is applied to any area (eyes, cheeks, etc.) and spread outward.

The gel-base is thicker, spreadable, and works well over powder products, like eyeshadow, or over foundation without darkening, lifting, or creating patchiness of whatever it is layered over. The particle sizes used in these is quite large, and when applied as a cheek product, they often look like metallic (but not so sparkly/glittery) chunks of product. At certain angles, it looked like my skin was flaking off or raised texture. This is sometimes more or less the effect even on lids.

I tested only some of these on eyes, and the wear was the same across the three I trialled--absolutely great hold in the scheme of things (eight to nine hours), but there was always a particle or two that did drop at some point during wear. I was not always able to keep my eye from watering to the point where I ended up having eyeshadow and mascara running into my eye if even one piece of glitter fell into my eye or got close enough to my lash line. When worn as a cheek highlighter, there was minimal travel but typically a few stray pieces of glitter on my chin or jaw line. During removal, they definitely come off without too much effort, but I could feel it scraping against my skin, particularly when I was removing the glitter from my cheeks (using a balm-based cleanser)--it was like a glittery exfoliation!

The brand's promotional images definitely show nearly opaque/opaque "pigmentation" from their glitters, but whether I used a brush or my fingertips, these instantly shered out to have more semi-sheer to medium coverage. I would recommend being very careful with applying these to the lids by using a brush or just the very tip of the finger to avoid accidentally getting any on lashes (tried it, 0/10, don't recommend).

Browse all of our Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Gel swatches.

Ingredients

Aqua / Water / Eau, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Glycerin, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyurethane-11, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium PCA, Chlorphenesin, Polyurethane-33, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Phytate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract / Matricaria Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Trideceth-6, Sodium Hyaluronate, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract. [+/- (May contain/Peut contenir): CI 16035 / Red 40, CI 19140 / Yellow 5, CI 77510 / Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide, CI 77000 / Aluminum Powder, CI 77007 / Ultramarines, CI 77000 / Aluminum]. D234739/2

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.

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Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Distortion layered over ColourPop Main Squeeze | Look Details
Distortion layered over ColourPop Main Squeeze | Look Details
Distortion layered over ColourPop Main Squeeze | Look Details
Distortion layered over ColourPop Main Squeeze | Look Details
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel
Distortion layered over ColourPop Main Squeeze | Look Details
Distortion layered over ColourPop Main Squeeze | Look Details

Distortion

Urban Decay Distortion Heavy Metal Glitter Gel ($22.00 for 0.49 fl. oz.) includes a mix of larger, hexagon-shaped glitter and much smaller, more micro-glitter (in size) with both having an iridescent effect and shifting from a bright, greenish-gold to variations of lavender to deeper pink. This shade had real sparkle and shift when worn on the lid or cheeks, so it did read true-to-swatch and didn’t feel like I was having to find the right angle to see the whole point of wearing glitter. It had semi-sheer coverage, which could be built up to some degree, but I would never describe it as high-coverage.

This was one of the shades I tested on my eyes for a full eight-hour period (others, I couldn’t make it that far), and I did have two pieces of glitter drop below my lash line over time. I think the formula yields impressive longevity, but it is not 100% perfect, and my experience has been that if one of the larger hexagonal shaped glitters gets into my eye or close enough to my lash line, it’s a recipe for instant, watery eyes and moderate irritation.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$22.00/0.49 oz. - $44.90 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to have "hyper-reflective and holographic glitter" that "won't budge for up to 9 hours" and is "super-concentrated." Per the brand, it can be used on "eyes, body, and face." I have no idea why they call it "high-coverage," when the base it's in is clear, which results in instantly sheering the product out as it is applied to any area (eyes, cheeks, etc.) and spread outward.

The gel-base is thicker, spreadable, and works well over powder products, like eyeshadow, or over foundation without darkening, lifting, or creating patchiness of whatever it is layered over. The particle sizes used in these is quite large, and when applied as a cheek product, they often look like metallic (but not so sparkly/glittery) chunks of product. At certain angles, it looked like my skin was flaking off or raised texture. This is sometimes more or less the effect even on lids.

I tested only some of these on eyes, and the wear was the same across the three I trialled--absolutely great hold in the scheme of things (eight to nine hours), but there was always a particle or two that did drop at some point during wear. I was not always able to keep my eye from watering to the point where I ended up having eyeshadow and mascara running into my eye if even one piece of glitter fell into my eye or got close enough to my lash line. When worn as a cheek highlighter, there was minimal travel but typically a few stray pieces of glitter on my chin or jaw line. During removal, they definitely come off without too much effort, but I could feel it scraping against my skin, particularly when I was removing the glitter from my cheeks (using a balm-based cleanser)--it was like a glittery exfoliation!

The brand's promotional images definitely show nearly opaque/opaque "pigmentation" from their glitters, but whether I used a brush or my fingertips, these instantly shered out to have more semi-sheer to medium coverage. I would recommend being very careful with applying these to the lids by using a brush or just the very tip of the finger to avoid accidentally getting any on lashes (tried it, 0/10, don't recommend).

Browse all of our Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Gel swatches.

Ingredients

Aqua / Water / Eau, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Glycerin, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyurethane-11, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium PCA, Chlorphenesin, Polyurethane-33, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Phytate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract / Matricaria Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Trideceth-6, Sodium Hyaluronate, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract. [+/- (May contain/Peut contenir): CI 16035 / Red 40, CI 19140 / Yellow 5, CI 77510 / Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide, CI 77000 / Aluminum Powder, CI 77007 / Ultramarines, CI 77000 / Aluminum]. D234739/2

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.

22 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Natalie Avatar

I don’t understand these “new” (more like 90s/early 00s throwback) glitter gels/pastes where the glitter is entirely visible when not in light (the flaking skin and dirt effect). I have several glitter cheek products that are fun (lemonhead la pastes and stila glitter and glow highlighter) but don’t look odd like the stuff that is coming out right now. Also nobody seems to be concerned about eye safety which for me is a huge thing (the colourpop pressed glitters and gels that they promote for use on the eyes).

Christine Avatar

The ColourPop ones do say they aren’t for the eye area, though I agree that they’re treated like a lot of the Pressed Pigment products that disclaim one thing but regularly show the products on eyes. These ones DO say they’re okay for eyes, though I’m not sure what changed (UD isn’t the only brand – Glossier and Tarte both have done so this year).

Elissa Murray Avatar

I didn’t know what Lemonhead la pastes were until I saw your comment and looked them up. I am so sorry I did now. I want a bunch of these! haha

Mariella Avatar

I absolutely agree and yet it seems that UD especially (though not exclusively) is getting really heavily into quite “in your face” glitter. I was talking to the SA at Sephora yesterday and she was commenting with excitement about all the wonderful new glitters that UD is launching. Now, as much as I like sheen and shimmer, when I looked at the UD gondola, EVERYTHING seemed to be over the top type glitter (and bear in mind that I’m someone who actually likes a bit of glitter/shimmer in some products IF it’s done well and doesn’t fall into your eyes or all over your face).

Mariah Avatar

Wait, someone came out with EYE SAFE GLITTER??? I guess I wrote these off because like ColourPop and others who are like non-eye safe and so I just stopped paying attention… they should put that claim right out front! Like, check it out, these are eye safe! Wow! I did hear (from Beauty News) that it REALLY stays on, like crazy good. I’m actually interested now…. Also these look beautiful on you!!

Christine Avatar

They’re using PET glitters, so I’m not sure why they’re saying they’re eye safe (along with a few other brands) and why some brands still say they aren’t eye-safe. I’ve asked a few brands/owners for more info but haven’t had anyone answer me.

Mariella Avatar

As others have said, these sure don’t sound eye safe so I wonder why UD wouldn’t make that clear on the packaging. MAC does with many of its glitters and even Sephora has “not safe for inside the eye”, or something like that, on its glitter pencil liners (meaning not for the water-line). Of course, not everyone heeds these warnings but it behooves a company to at least warn consumers about stuff like this.

Mariella Avatar

Oh, now I see, looking at the tube, that they DO say “for eyes” (I was looking at the photo of the cardboard packaging for a warning AGAINST eye use). Of course, anyone can react to anything in a product, but this sounds just plain thoughtless on their part!

Andrew Avatar

Yeah, the whole reason large glitter has been banned from eye products is the very issue you’ve mentioned- they’re an optometrist visit waiting to happen. These large chunks can do serious damage to the sensitive tissue on the eye. I IMPLORE EVERYONE- DO NOT USE THESE TYPES OF PRODUCTS ON YOUR EYES. You’re risking serious damage to a sensitive (and vital for most people) body part for a very superficial (and often lackluster) effect. There are safer ways to get glittering eyes. That’s one of the best things about Temptalia- you can browse their swatches and Christine’s looks to find better alternatives to whatever you’re wanting.

These and that Colourpop set you reviewed recently are some confusing products. Calling a set of pressed glitters a “Shadow Set” seems pretty counterintuitive to the disclaimer they give to avoid using them on the eyes. I thought they would have been incredible nail polishes but that’s just me. At least UD avoided calling these “Shadow Gels” or something!

Andrew Avatar

….Although revisiting the product pics I notice that they all have a little eye icon, denoting approved use in the eye area; which isn’t the case as large particle glitter has been banned for use in the eye area stateside (EU still allows them I believe but I could be mistaken). With this being a product styled to “celebrate” pride month in The US, I’m really confused as to what they’re doing here. They’re intentionally selling a product with banned ingredients. That’s what happens when you don’t properly regulate an industry, though.

[As for the quotations around celebrate, I don’t mean to offend or imply that pride shouldn’t be celebrated. It’s just my opinion that these glitter-heavy releases only focus on a minute aspect of gay culture and being gay in The US. It seems more pandering than celebratory; there’s nothing here to promote the history of our fight or the incredible obstacles and prejudices we’ve overcome. If anything, it exploits pervasive stereotypes in an attempt to cash in on social issues. Again, my opinion as a cisgendered out gay man who’s been fighting for equality in Tennessee for about 15 years.]

Christine Avatar

The tube actually says “for eye, face & body” on each tube! But they’re not the only brand — Glossier’s Glitter Gelees have massive particles in them, Tarte’s recent glitter palette release had three or four glitter-packed shades that were touted for eyes as well!

The industry has, apparently, decided to get together and celebrate Pride this year with some real low-effort / blatant “cashing in” releases. UD’s 25% donation of a single product (Stonewall glitter eyeliner) is better than zero but boy are we moving that bar real low. I was feeling a certain way about all Pride-related products being all glitter and rainbows, which are some of the more recognizable elements of Pride in media coverage… but certainly don’t celebrate the diversity of the people who make up the LGBTQIA community.

Elissa Murray Avatar

I agree with you on the pandering issue. I love UD stuff usually and I have always been a supporter of LGBTQ or anyone who just wants to be true to themselves and this felt very *fake* supportive in a way to drive sales and use it for marketing purposes so it kind of turned me off on wanting to check the collection out.

Jennifer Avatar

So bored by these meh glitter products companies keep coming up with. Just use glitter and Lit Cosmetics Glitter Glue. Glitter will actually apply where you want it, you can apply with normal makeup brushes, glitter will stay where you want it, and wash off easily. Boom. Done.

Olive Unicorn Avatar

So these remind me of the old school gel glitter products I used to get as a preteen in the 90s . But I would probably still pass the chunks of glitter look a bit too big for me . Whatever happened to the company NYC ? They used to make the best glitter body gel.

Carol G Avatar

I agree. For the life of me I can’t figure out why they made this product.
These will definitely be on clearance by next month I predict.

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!