Urban Decay Wende's Contraband Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

Christine — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 16:00:00 +0000

Urban Decay Wende’s Contraband Eyeshadow Palette

Urban Decay Wende’s Contraband Eyeshadow Palette ($34.00 for 0.21 oz.) includes six eyeshadows and one travel-sized eyeliner. The eyeshadows are 0.03 oz. each, whereas a full-sized Urban Decay eyeshadow is 0.05 oz. Four of the six shades are part of the permanent range, while the other two (Reign and Tornado) have been released previously so there are no truly new shades here. The formula is different from their regular range, and then different from both last year’s Shadow Box and Vice3/Vice LTD palettes. The press is firmer on all six shades, and it is only a detriment to one (Flash), while one other shade has a dryness to it that made it a pain to work with without a base (Tornado). The palette seems unnecessarily large, probably to accommodate the eyeliner, but it could be a lot slimmer and smaller and contain the eyeshadows still.

Of course, I’m not sure how many long-time Urban Decay collectors need another Smog or Zero eyeliner, so this palette seems more suited for those who haven’t yet added these shades to their stash. If you prefer a mix of finishes, you’ll want to skip this, as it is very heavy on the shimmer. Also worth noting, Trick lacked all of the sparkle and micro-glitter as the one found in Naked3, while Tornado is comparable in color to its Shadow box (2014) appearance but warmer and significantly less intense than its original iteration (Wizard of Oz).

Trick is described as a “light metallic pinky-copper shimmer with tonal micro-sparkle.” It’s a medium, copper orange with warm undertones and a frosted, golden sheen. It was missing all of the sparkle and micro-glitter that is readily apparent in its iteration found in my Naked3 palette, and it seemed a little warmer overall. The texture was firmer than the usual Urban Decay eyeshadow but very smooth and blendable. It wore well for eight hours before creasing. Make Up For Ever D712 Creme Brulee (P, $21.00) is lighter. Make Up For Ever D708 Pinky Copper (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter. Make Up For Ever D708 Pinky Copper (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter. ColourPop Sequin (P, $5.00) is more shimmery, darker. Viseart Melonie (P, ) is less shimmery, lighter. Charlotte Tilbury The Dolce Vita #2 (P, ) is more shimmery, lighter, less glossy, darker. Chanel Laurier Rose (127) (LE, $34.00) is darker. YSL Steamy Coral (05) (P, $30.00) is more shimmery. Tom Ford Beauty Pink Haze (LE, $42.00) is darker, warmer. ColourPop La-La (LE, $5.00) is darker. Urban Decay Dive (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery, warmer, cooler, lighter. Anastasia Glisten (P, $12.00) is darker, more muted. Makeup Geek Roulette (P, $5.99) is more shimmery, more muted, lighter. Tom Ford Beauty Nude Dip #2 (LE, ) is darker, warmer. LORAC Nude #5 (LE, ) is lighter, more muted. First 15 dupes listed, see more: See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Smog is described as a “deep coppery bronze shimmer.” It’s a dark brown with warm, copper undertones and a metallic gold sheen. It had intense color payoff with a really soft, smooth texture that was easy to work with and blended well on the skin. The color started to crease after eight hours of wear. MAC Woodwinked (P, $16.00) is darker. MAC Cognac (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker. MAC Venetian Tarnish (LE, ) is darker. Too Faced Buttered Rum (LE, $16.00) is lighter. Urban Decay Deeper (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker. Dior Sundeck #4 (LE, ) is lighter. ColourPop Eve (LE, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker. Make Up For Ever D640 Golden Snake (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker. Hello Kitty Chocolate Chip (LE, ) is lighter, brighter. Hello Kitty Chocolate Chip (LE, ) is lighter, brighter. ColourPop Blaze (LE, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker. Charlotte Tilbury Bette (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter. Zoeva Subtle Blend (P, ) is darker, cooler. Gucci Beauty Oxydus (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, darker. Charlotte Tilbury The Dolce Vita #4 (P, ) is more shimmery, lighter. First 15 dupes listed, see more: See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Reign is described as a “rich brown satin.” It’s a dark brown with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had nice pigmentation that applied smoothly and evenly without trouble. The texture had a firmer press compared to the usual Urban Decay formula, but it seemed very smooth, though not as dense or as creamy. It lasted for eight hours before creasing. Inglot #402 (P, $6.00) is more shimmery. Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet #3 (P, ) is less shimmery, darker. LORAC Pewter (P, ) is less shimmery, darker. Tarte Bastille in the Night (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker. YSL Saharienne #4 (P, ) is less shimmery, darker. Burberry Gold #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker. NARS Ursa Major (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery. Charlotte Tilbury Mona Lisa (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker. Viseart Grand-Palais (P, ) is less shimmery, darker. LORAC Dream Girl #8 (LE, ) is darker. Urban Decay Radar (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker. MAC Havana (P, $20.00) is warmer. MAC Bao Bao’s Jewels #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, more pigmented, more shimmery. ColourPop Mooning (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker. Marc Jacobs Beauty The Enigma #6 (P, ) is less shimmery. First 15 dupes listed, see more: See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Deep End is described as a “bright teal.” It’s a brightened, blue-leaning teal with a frosted sheen. It had nice color payoff with a firmer, but smooth and blendable, consistency that adhered well to bare skin. It wore well for eight hours before creasing slightly. Disney by Sephora Caspian Sea (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker. ColourPop Coconut (P, $5.00) is lighter. Tom Ford Beauty Midnight Sea (Eye Color) (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker. Make Up For Ever I238 Blue Cedar (P, $21.00) is more shimmery. Marc Jacobs Beauty The Night Owl #5 (P, ) is less shimmery. Gucci Beauty Iconic Ottanio (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, warmer. Too Faced Too Glam (LE, $16.00) is cooler. Make Up For Ever I-20 (P, $21.00) is darker. Urban Decay Fringe (P, ) is darker. theBalm #23 (P, $6.50) is darker. Tarina Tarantino Ozma (LE, ) is . theBalm Open to Offers Olwen (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, more pigmented, less shimmery. Too Faced Sequin (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, cooler. Maybelline Never Fade Jade (P, $6.99) is lighter, cooler. Urban Decay Junkie (LE, $18.00) is darker, cooler. First 15 dupes listed, see more: See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Flash is described as a “bright iridescent purple.” It’s a lightly brightened, medium-dark violet with cooler undertones and a soft, frosted finish. The texture was firm as well, but it was thinner and stiffer to work with, and the resulting color payoff was semi-opaque. It required some layering and packing on the lid, and it is more suitable to be used over a primer. It lasted for seven and a half hours on me before fading. The color is weaker and softer than past iterations of Flash. Urban Decay Hoodoo (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted. Anastasia Iridescent Purple (P, $12.00) is darker, more muted. Viseart Violet (P, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler. Sugarpill Strangeling (P, $13.00) is more shimmery, cooler. Makeup Geek Caitlin Rose (P, $9.99) is lighter, warmer. Hello Kitty Happy (LE, ) is lighter, brighter, cooler. Too Faced Live It Up (LE, $16.00) is cooler. Urban Decay Omen (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter. theBalm #33 (P, $6.50) is lighter, cooler. MAC Sexy PB&J (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery. MAC Highly Charged (LE, $21.00) is lighter. Milani Bella Violet (14) (P, $4.49) is darker, brighter. Illamasqua Charm (P, ) is darker, cooler. Urban Decay Urban (P, ) is lighter. Inglot #441 (P, $6.00) is darker, brighter. First 15 dupes listed, see more: See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Tornado is described as a “vibrant deep purple shimmer.” It’s a deepened purple with warm, plum undertones and a frosted finish. The texture was drier and dusty to work with, so it didn’t adhere evenly to the skin and tended to look faded as you worked with it (blending the edges and whatnot). The color had noticeably faded after seven hours of wear. Illamasqua Queen of the Night (LE, ) is darker, warmer. Make Up For Ever I834 Grape (P, $21.00) is warmer. NARS Phoebe (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer. Makeup Geek Drama Queen (P, $5.99) is less shimmery, darker, warmer. Urban Decay Uncut (P, $18.00) is darker, warmer. Urban Decay Backfire (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer. Sephora Collection Seahorse (115) (LE, $13.00) is less shimmery, lighter. Urban Decay Vanity (LE, $18.00) is lighter. Milani Bella Purple (15) (P, $4.49) is less shimmery, lighter. theBalm Surfari (LE, $16.00) is brighter, warmer. Make Up For Ever D926 Blueberry (P, $21.00) is lighter, brighter. MAC Plumluxe #4 (P, ) is darker. Chanel Tisse Cambon #4 (P, ) is more shimmery, brighter. Urban Decay Freakshow (DC, $18.00) is lighter. Guerlain Attrape-Coeur #3 (LE, ) is lighter. First 15 dupes listed, see more: See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.