If like me, you follow the cosmetics and beauty news through the social media of bloggers, there is no way you missed the big launch of the year: the new range of Urban Decay Vice lipsticks, and their “Lipstick is my vice” campaign.
Last May, Urban Decay invited 100 beauty “influencers” to New York to do a photo shoot for a kind of calendar where each of these “influencers” was asked to represent a shade of Vice lipstick. And each of them also received a huge box containing all the new 100 Urban Decay Vice lipsticks.
Yes, there are 100 different shades of Vice lipsticks (120 in the US)! Not every shade is a new one because Urban Decay has kept 40 references from the previous range, the Revolution lipsticks. However, these existing colors have been reformulated. The brand has also added new finishes and 60 new colors. Such a wide range, isn’t it?
I must admit that the huge hype around this big Vice lipsticks launch annoyed me somewhat. Indeed, a lot of these “influencers” talked more about the New York event itself than the lipsticks. And to be honest, as a result it made me rather suspicious about the quality of the product.
However, when the Vice lipsticks were finally released, the reviews from the bloggers I usually trust started to pop up and they were rather positive overall.
So I decided to buy 3 shades: Sheer Liar, Backtalk and Tryst, and honestly, I don’t regret it! smile
Urban Decay Vice lipsticks, presentation:
What the brand says about them:
“An innovative lip formula, now in an array of shades and finishes—encased in a sleek, faceted case.
Get unbelievable laydown of color with just one swipe of Vice Lipstick. It features an array of addictive shades and six indulgent finishes—including 20 shades that are Sephora exclusives, in shades that range from bold brights to dark hues to versatile neutrals. Each shade applies smoothly (without dragging or skipping), hugs lips, and feels ultra-comfortable. Urban Decay’s proprietary Pigment Infusion System™ gives the formula its super-creamy texture, rich payout, and superior color dispersion.
Vice Lipstick comes in a modernized, luxed-up version of Urban Decay’s original lipstick case. And the shade-matched label (including the shade name and finish) makes it easy to find the right color within the depths of your bag.“
In this new range, there are 6 different finishes:
– Cream: a creamy finish that matches the original formula of Revolution lipsticks,
– Comfort Matte: a comfortable creamy matte finish,the same as the Matte Revolution lipsticks,
– Sheer: a shiny semi-transparent finish, same as the Revolution Sheer lipsticks,
– Mega Matte: a new ultra matte finish,
– Metallized: a new creamy metallic finish,
– Sheer Shimmer: a new sheer shimmery finish.
Although I never spoke of them on my blog, I was a big fan of the original Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks but I never tried the Matte and the Sheer version. So most of these finishes are new to me.
About the formula: Urban Decay wanted to add some comfort and hydration with Aloe Vera, avocado oil, Babassu oil, Illipe butter and also some antioxidant vitamins E and C.
A nice thing too is that Urban Decay has dropped the price of its lipsticks. The Revolution lipsticks were $22, and the Vice lipsticks are $17. In case you’re wondering, I looked at the amount of lipstick in the Vice lipsticks compared to the Revolution lipsticks and the Vice lipsticks are a little bit more generous in weight than the Revolution lipsticks, so it means you have a little bit more product in the tube! #winning wink
Urban Decay Vice lipsticks, my test and thoughts:
– Packaging: I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan. It feels cheaper than the old packaging, which is quite odd, usually you change something to improve it, don’t you? It’s a gun metal and golden metallic plastic tube, which when it’s open looks like a gun bullet (which I find being a rather questionable taste for that matter). It feels lighter than the old packaging, and for me, it also feels far less like a luxury item. It’s also quite hard to open, and on one of them, I even have to force quite hard to open it.
However, I quite like the fact that the lipstick is embossed with the brand’s initials, it’s a very nice touch and at the bottom of the tube, there’s a colorful patch which is the same color (well, almost) as the lipstick. Since I organize my lipsticks head down, it makes it easier for me to find them.
– Texture and feeling on the lips: I have not tested all the finishes, only 3 of them (Sheer, Cream and Comfort Matte) and I find all 3 very creamy and super comfortable. They are quite lightweight, you can barely feel them on the lips, which is very nice but the lips feel still protected long after you applied your lipstick.
– Finish: the Sheer finish is quite shiny, the Cream is a satin finish and the Comfort Matte is a luminous matte (not really a 100% matte but it’s OK, I like this type of finish because it’s often more comfortable and it doesn’t emphasize my lip wrinkles).
– Perfume: no perfume at all in this formula. It’s a bit of a shame, I like scented lipsticks… sad
– Pigmentation: excellent, and opaque in one swipe. The colors I own apply very evenly on the lips. I was actually very surprised because Sheer Liar is clearly not as transparent as I would have thought, which is a nice surprise! ;)
– Color range: the colors are really nice and there is something for everyone: neutral, light, dark, bright or more unique colors… Urban Decay is quite famous for its colours, so there is a wide shade selection! With 100 different colors, there is plenty to do, clearly!
– Lasting power: they last between 4 and 6 hours on me depending on the finish (the Sheer is less long-lasting, and the Comfort Matte lasts longer). I have to touch up my lips in the center after a meal but other than that, nothing to declare.
– Value for money: it’s great! They retail for $17 which is a bargain for a formula with this quality!
Urban Decay Vice lipsticks, the shades:
– Sheer Liar: my favorite! I know, this color is not original or bold, it doesn’t look like much in the tube but it’s just a very nice shade and above all, it goes with all my eye makeup! wink It’s a nude peachy pink with a semi-transparent, almost glossy finish and it gives volume to my lips. This shade is not new, it was already part of the Sheer Revolution lipstick range.
– Backtalk: a beautiful neutral pinky mauve with cool undertones. I love using this kind of shade with a warm eye makeup, it helps to balance the finish result. It’s a Comfort Matte, so it’s a luminous matte finish. This shade is not new either, it was part of the Matte Revolution lipstick range.
– Tryst: a pretty summery color. It’s an almost neon coral red, the kind of color that immediately brightens the face and is perfect with a little bit of a tan! It’s a Cream finish, so quite satin but it doesn’t contain shimmer, it’s a pure color. This one is a new color, exclusive to the Vice lipstick range!
Finally, here are the swatches:
And on me:
– Sheer Liar:
– Backtalk:
– Tryst:
In summary:
[wprs-pros][wprs-cons]
I’m gonna need other shades… Because I was a little suspicious at first, I only ordered three (!). But I really want to try other colors and finishes. I’m quite intrigued by the Metallized finish. I’m contemplating writing a part 2 to talk about other colors, would you like that? smile
The Urban Decay Vice lipsticks are available on the brand website and on Sephora.com for $17.
And you, have you tried the Urban Decay Vice lipsticks? What were your thoughts about them and also which colors did you get? wink
Photo credit: bonnie-garner.com