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Urban Decay Summer 2015 Moondust Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow

Last week, there were four new shades of Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) added to the line-up. If you’re unfamiliar with the formula, it’s supposed to be an ultra-sparkly eyeshadow that “feels like a cream but goes on like a powder.” It can be used wet or dry (and it is recommended to use it wet for “intense color payout”), and Urban Decay recommends using fingertips for application, though I have used flat, synthetic brushes myself (my fingertips are far too large!). The effect of these is really pretty on the lid if you like your bit o’ sparkle, and I thought these four felt particularly smooth compared to past shades in the range. Dark Force was the most troublesome of the four; it tended to sheer out a lot on the lid when applied and creased quickly (within six hours), but the other shades stayed more intact, and those other three shades had almost no fall out.

Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as “deep berry with pink and blue 3-D sparkle.” It’s a medium-dark, plummy purple with warm, copper-brown undertones and lighter purple and copper sparkle. It had semi-opaque coverage applied dry with more of the warmer base color coming through, while damp application yielded more intense sparkle and a stronger leaning towards the purple end of the spectrum. On bare lids, it lasted for seven hours before creasing but had almost no fall out. MAC Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop (LE, $21.00) is lighter, less pigmented. Urban Decay Last Call (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, warmer. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as an “antique gold with pink and gold 3-D sparkle.” It’s a lightly brightened, light-medium yellow gold with warmer gold and rosy pink sparkle over a metallic finish. It had semi-opaque coverage applied dry with a much more amplified, metallic finish and opaque coverage when applied damp. It wore well for eight hours before creasing and had almost no fall out. Buxom Gold Status (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker. Tom Ford Beauty Naked Bronze (Eye Color) (LE, ) is lighter. MAC Bao Bao’s Jewels #2 (LE, ) is darker. Urban Decay Disco (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery. Makeup Geek Magic Act (P, $9.99) is less shimmery. Dior Golden Shock #3 (LE, ) is darker. Tarte No Champagne, No Gain (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker. Ardency Inn Sunday (P, $21.00) is less shimmery. Stila Vitality (P, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer. Sleek MakeUP Gold Souk (LE, $9.99) is warmer. Dior Golden Snow #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery. L’Oreal Eternal Sunshine (P, $7.99) is less shimmery. Lancome Eternal Gold (P, $24.50) is less shimmery. Dior Fairy Golds #2 (LE, ) is lighter. Chanel Vision (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker, brighter. First 15 dupes listed, see more: See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “smoky black with green shift and gold 3-D sparkle.” It’s a medium-dark, olive green set over a warmer, bronzy-brown base with lighter green and gold shimmer. This one seemed the smoothest and had the least amount of sparkle, even though it had a lot of sheen. It was semi-sheer when applied dry, and it was fully opaque when applied damp. It wore well for eight hours before fading and had almost no fall out. LORAC Clover (LE, ) is lighter. Giorgio Armani Green Iron (06) (P, $38.00) is warmer. NARS Gabon (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker. Hourglass Color Field #4 (P, ) is lighter, warmer. Cle de Peau Stardust #4 (P, ) is darker. ColourPop Hammered (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, warmer. Charlotte Tilbury The Rebel #3 (P, ) is lighter. MAC Sea Worship (P, $20.00) is lighter, warmer, less pigmented, brighter. MAC Greenluxe #4 (P, ) is darker. Urban Decay Zodiac (P, $20.00) is darker, cooler. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “taupe-brown with gold and iridescent 3-D sparkle.” It’s a medium, rosy brown with warm undertones and lavender and gold sparkle. This shade was the most sparkly of the four, and it was the problem-child! The texture was noticeably sparkly where the sparkle lifted away from the base color, so it had a lot of fall out during application and tended to sheer out and leave traces of sparkle with minimal color on the skin. It lasted for six hours before creasing and had some fall out. ColourPop Nillionaire (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, lighter. MAC Don’t Tell (P, $16.00) is cooler, lower quality. ColourPop 3 (Three) (P, $5.00) is less shimmery. ColourPop So Quiche (P, $5.00) is lighter. Urban Decay Diamond Dog (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Shockwave Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Interstellar Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Dark Force Moondust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow
After 6 hours of wear: Shockwave (inner lid), Interstellar (middle of lid), Vortex (outer lid),
Dark Force (outer lid), Zoeva Nude Reflection Eyeliner

Urban Decay Vortex Moondust Eyeshadow
After 6 hours of wear: Shockwave (inner lid), Interstellar (middle of lid), Vortex (outer lid),
Dark Force (outer lid), Zoeva Nude Reflection Eyeliner

58 Comments

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Katheine T. Avatar

Vortex is so pretty! Love those olive greens. Are the swatches applied dry or wet? And I think the last pics are suppose to be eye looks, not swatches

Lacey Avatar

Sad that it won’t be before vacation when I can wear whatever I want, but I’m definitely getting Shockwave and Vortex! Hopefully there will be plenty of nights out this summer for glitter.

Aquie Avatar

I don’t know what it is but I have never felt moved by Urban Decay’s eye shadow’s. I’ve tried two palettes from past years, and like 2 singles and I end up giving them away or never using them. I don’t understand why their shadows get the praise they do. I love the eye primer and lipsticks though…I do give them hats off for trying to make deeper skin tone foundations and concealer too. I know your post is about eye shadows..LOL..Sorry for the tangent 🙂

charlotte Avatar

I’m not a fan either. I was allergic to their original formula so couldn’t wear them for the longest time.. since I discovered I could wear the new formula I’ve tried quite a few and they just aren’t that great. I do have a few singles (including the moondust in Solstice, and a couple of the new duochromes) that are unique and beautiful. I also have the Naked 2 palette which I received as a gift. Everything else I wound up returning.

Nancy T Avatar

These are GORGEOUS!!! My favorite of this bunch is Shockwave, followed by Vortex and Interstellar! But Shockwave is an absolute MUST-HAVE for me! Dark Force looks beautiful, but too much trouble, so I may try using ColourPop Nillionaire with So Quiche or “3” with So Quiche to achieve that color?

Amy Avatar

I can’t help but wonder if someone over at Urban Decay isn’t a Transformers fan… both Shockwave and Vortex are colors (in the pan, at least) that match the G1 Decepticons with those names!

I’m tempted to get them both partly for that reason. And partly because they’re so amazingly sparkly!

Yelena Avatar

Hmm…. I noticed that the purple has camine in it as the last ingredient, which is a common red dye agent. But I’m wondering how UD can claim to be cruetly free, despite the fact that carmine (or at least as far as i know) is extracted from insects.
I personally don’t have morals regarding cruelty free or not…. but i wonder how people who do have an issue would react. Time to stalk your archived UD posts.

Victoria Avatar

I luuuuvv Urban Decay eyeshadows! I have 5 of the previous moondust shadows and have been looking forward to your review on these new ones. I am not sure I am in love with these but I might get Shockwave and Vortex anyway. I don’t mind using an adhesive if needed. I wonder how they compare to the MAC Dazzleshadows? I have never used any MAC eyeshadows.

Christine Avatar

They have some great shades! If you like the regular Moondusts, I think you’ll like these still 🙂 They are similar to MAC, just UD says you can use theirs wet/dry specifically. I used the MAC ones wet, but MAC doesn’t mention it at all (surprisingly!), and they were fine, but MAC ones are rated based on dry application only as a result.

Francesca Avatar

Oh, I love UD Moondust, so happy there will be new shades!! Vortex will be so chic in autumn! But, am I the only one that is still waiting for an all “Moondust Eyeshadow Palette”?? It would be such a great way for client to try the formula (like Nars did with the Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows), I know that the formula is not new and many UD fans already tried it but there is also a big number of people that mostly buys UD palette and not the singles so a palette would be a dream for all of us…

Jo Avatar

Hey Christine, because I already have TF’s Spice, I’d like to replicate the “Naked Bronze” gold – since Sleek’s Gold Souk is in a palette, in your opinion, would you say Interstellar is the closest single eyeshadow to it or MAC’s Retrospeck? I saw your dupes but I’ve never seen them up close so I’m not sure.

Jo Avatar

Thanks so much Christine! I just got Interstellar and not sure if it’s just my batch but mine has a great deal of pink sparkle in it, mich more than yours photographed here. Have you come across other dupes (that are still for sale) for the sparkly shade of Naked Bronze since your post on it? 🙂

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