September 1, 2011

Would You Buy It? Urban Decay Book Of Shadows IV

To a great roar over the land of makeup Urban Decay has released its fourth Book of Shadows. The roar is deafening if you happen to be a hardcore fan.

I’m a fan and lover of Urban Decay for many, many years. It was my first official “high end” makeup.

But do I need another Book of Shadows?

Do you?

Jump!

This mirrored compact is a visual feast for the eyes with the typical bells, whistles, and flair that Urban Decay gets into with their Book of Shadow Palettes. You either go gaga for palettes of this caliber due to the packaging or you simply hate it and find it to fussy and bulky to use. It’s entirely up to your personality.

Urban Decay packs on even more bulk with this palette as they include not only the typical fair of sixteen eyeshadow shades (a total of ten are BRAND NEW shades) but also the addition of QR codes for scanning with your phone and viewing exclusive “how-to” get the look videos.

Drop the your phone into the cradle, plug the included speaker into your phone and than go to work using the shadows, Travel Size Primer Potion, Supercurl Curling Mascara, and 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner (full size) to create your look!

Shadows include:

  • Blue Bus (periwinkle blue sheen)
  • Gunmetal (gunmetal gray with silver glitter)
  • Cobra (smoky green with gold shimmer)
  • Baked (rich golden bronze shimmer)
  • Bender (moss green sheen), Gravity (violet with silver glitter)
  • Lost (neutral brown shimmer), Hijack (metallic muted teal)
  • Midnight Cowgirl (golden beige with gold glitter)
  • Sin (light shimmering champagne)
  • Midnight Rodeo (beige shimmer with silver glitter)
  • Crystal (pale icy blue shimmer), Bust (taupe sheen)
  • Missionary (light taupe sheen), Skimp (ivory peach sheen)
  • Zephyr (pearly cream sheen)

Do I want it?

I feel the need to collect it because I have all the other Book of Shadow Palettes but I admit it’s bulky and it’s gimmicky. Stila released their version a few years ago but in that case it was a train case with a place for my phone yada, yada…

I can use instruction for getting a good eye look down but I do not want to combine my smart phone with my makeup. As much as I love technology this just isn’t something I’m personally up for and I consider it a hassle and troublesome particularly if you’re like me and apply your makeup in your bathroom.

Bottom line?

It’s bulky and over done.

Will I buy it?

For once in my life I won’t jump on this train at the first stop. I’ll bide my time, be patient, and possibly haul it during Sephora Friends and Family as $64 is a little costly when I’m eyeballing Too Faced Holiday 2011.

Sometimes makeup junkies have to be honest with themselves, and if I’m honest, this one proves a little too bulky with a little too many bells and whistles to get me excited.

How about you?

Would you buy it?

Why or why not?

Share it!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Maggie

    I’m not to jazzed about this one – it’s waaayyy to bulky and ridiculous (not that I care too much since I depot everything anyway), and from the reviews I’ve seen the shades aren’t unique overall, and I’m pretty sure I could dupe the ones I really like 😛 Plus, some of them seem to be really lacking in texture/pigmentation. I’d much rather get, like, everything from the Too Faced holiday collection!

  • kiwikiwidragon

    I was hoping to hear you scored it from the special event at the Times Square Sephora. But I totally understand, my stash is entering epic proportions territory and DH laughs at me when I try and convince him that it isn’t as big as some junkies out there.

    • the Muse

      I was going to go kiwi but than I said to myself, “do I really need to wait in line to buy this?” LOL show him pics of mine lol!

  • christy

    I could care less about the bulky ridiculousness of it but it does crack me up with the butterflies. Seems these days its not about the palette but about the edgy design and all. I simply LOVE those colors. The likelihood of me getting it is about nil as my Sephora is constantly out of UD palettes, not sure if its the popularity or they get stiffed on the number shipped to them. It is a gorgeous collection and I am loving Gravity, Baked and Hijack. However a lot of the colors are too close to the Naked palette which I just recently acquired (again with the availability, I’m never cutting edge) so I likely won’t end up getting this. Now the Mariposa palette, thats another story!! WANT!! 🙂

  • Nene

    I’ve never purchase an UD palette before, since I usually find them too expensive for my budget. But this one really caught my eye, since the packaging looks super pretty & feminine. I love the colors as well, b/c I’m more of a neutrals girl =) I don’t know too much about U eyeshadow pigmentation, so I may have to see this for myself =)

  • Carrie

    It’s a skip: too bulky, too gimmicky, too expensive (not a fan of the extras driving up the price) and I don’t care for the colors either- it’s actually a problem I have with many of their BOS. My 15th anniversary palette is on it’s way and that will satisfy my palette craving for the hols 😀

  • Sarah S.

    Me too, Muse, me too. But are the colors off in these pics a bit? (is it my monitor?) cuz Baked looks greenish!

  • peri

    the only thing that i see cool about it is that liquid eyeliner. i love urban decay, the the second book of shadows is my all time favorite, and go to palette…im just not feelin these colors. they’re too muddy for me. looks like something tarte would come out with. but the packaging is beautiful.

  • Littlecreek

    It’s a skip for me as well since I feel like I have dupes for most of these already.

  • Rachel

    I think I might, I’m currently buildingy professional makeup kit and depending on the price breakdown it mit be worth it for a nice range of non neutral colors. I’ve deported previous books of shadows without too much problems so I’m thinking about having this one live in a z-palette in my case.

  • Regina

    Skip….purchased the last one and that’s enough. Although, If I were a collector, I’d get it 🙂

  • Annette

    I agree, I’m passing on this one too. I love urban decay and I have all the other BOS palettes, but this is such a gimmick and I’m not happy with the price increase and extra bulkiness of this palette. Plus the swatches I’ve seen haven’t been too impressive. So, I decided to skip the BOS this year and go with the 15th anniversary palette instead.

  • Andrea

    I’m temporarily skipping. I love UD and seem to have caught the collector’s bug, but I just got the 15th anniversary palette, which blows this one out of the water in terms of colors (and according to some reviews I’ve seen, quality). I’m going to hold out until Sephora F&F and get it at a more reasonable price. The 15th anniversary palette will definitely keep me occupied until then. =)

  • Alison

    I’m always tempted by the BOS, and then I sit myself down and go shade-by-shade, asking “Would I use this shade? Do I have a dupe of this shade and/or this exact shade in another palette?” And once I do that, it usually makes me realize that I can skip the BOS. That being said, I am very enticed by this one, and I can’t rule out the possibility that I’ll eventually cave in and get it.

    But, I just got the True Blood palette from Tarte (love it!) AND word from my husband (I’m at work right now– oops!) is that my Muppets palette came in the mail today! So maybe I’ll have enough palettes to play with that I’ll forget all about this BOS.

    • the Muse

      I love your discipline Alison! I need to do that sort of thinking prior to a purchase ;-D YAY muppetssssssssssssssssss! 😀 enjoy! ;-D

  • Erica

    I’m gonna skip this one, the colors aren’t OMG MUST HAVE to me. I am thinking about picking up one of their older Book of Shadows, though, the I heart NY one. I saw it in stock on their website and like the colors in that one much better, plus the added benefit that I don’t actually already own any of the colors in that particular palette. (I try to avoid buying duplicates where possible.)

    But yes, Urban Decay is one of my most favorite brands and my first high end makeup purchase, too! I got my first eyeshadow palette from them in HS after begging my mom for it. I ended up using it for years (I still have it actually! I can’t part with it.) and hit pan on a few shades. lol.

  • Sara

    Nope. Not getting it either. I’ve got the Naked Palette, BOS3, Anniversary Palette, and a handful of pigments and singles. There isn’t anything exciting happening with this palette to make me want it even if it wasn’t an astonishing $64.

  • Marina

    Probably not! I’ve gotten the past two (AiW and III), and while the colors in here are nice, it IS a whole $10 more than III was. That’s not the only reason I’m turned off. It’s bulky and has features I just won’t use. I’ll pass and wait for the holiday collection, most likely 🙂

  • gliteratti

    I think I will pass on this one. I love UD, but right now I’m enjoying the anniversary palette. Even though some of these are new colors they all seem familiar…

  • Coral

    I would love to buy their holiday palette but this one doesn’t make me have a grand debate with myself if it’s worth it. Especially since just by reading I can tell I have half the colors from other palettes I already own.
    So this time, it will be a no for me. But I can’t say that Urban Decay doesn’t always tempt me into getting something.

  • Christine

    Looks like lots of people are skipping it — me too. While I do listen to music when I get ready in the morning, I’m not sure I went it coming out of my makeup.

  • Taylor

    I bought the last BoS last year, and I still haven’t used all those eye shadows. They are bulky and the colors just don’t do it for me anymore. I want something classic or fancy, not something like this. I simply don’t need anymore eye shadows, so I won’t be buying this.

  • Jenn

    I’m with you Muse…not sold on this palette…it’s just too much stuff going on, and I’ll just either stick it in a drawer due to size or have to de-pot. Their holiday palette is looking more exciting to me actually.

  • Jamie

    I’m skipping this one and getting the 15th Anniversary Palette instead. I did, however, recommend this to my mom to get for my sister for Christmas. She doesn’t have any high end makeup, nor does she really have the money to spend on it, so I think this will be perfect for her. A lot of neutral shades for everyday [but some colors for nighttime as well], and I actually think the technology will be something she’ll appreciate. She wears makeup everyday, but she doesn’t know how to do actual looks, so she’ll be able to plug her Android phone into it and learn!

  • Nicky

    for me, im rather go the vol.3 looks. the package, the eye shadow shades seems to draw my money betta tha this one

  • Majick

    I don’t have any UD BOS because too many of the colors had microglitter etc. so I never got one. THis one has a lot of dupes and too much “schtuff”. I really love the Anniversary palette and plan on picking up the Mariposa.

  • Telle

    pass….the packing is very pretty…but the colors arent that hot and I also got the 15th anniversary palette too, which is definitely my pick over this! 🙂

  • Stephanie

    I’d buy it because the extras in it although I might not use all the shades because they don’t fit my skin tone as well as the previous ones. But it seems worth it just for the extra goodies you get with it

  • Blue

    Eh, I don’t have an iPhone, so right there, half the kit and the whole point of it is kind of defeated. :/ Not to mention, like you said, the Too Faced Holiday 2011 Collection currently has my heart. I am loving that Sweet Dreams set like none other!

  • Liz

    If the shadows were real knockouts, I’d get it. They seem very neutral and vague…..and I already have the other BoS….I’m passing on this. The price and gimmicks don’t help matters either.

  • Susan

    I think I am going to pick this one up, seeing as it’s mainly neutrals, as opposed to the UD heart’s NYC one, which I picked up anyway. I just hope there isn’t too much glitter.

  • Tiffany

    i am deff considering saving up for this , partly because i am just starting out in urban decay and i love how many neutrals it comes with ! i normally don’t wear blue eyeshadow but blue bus looks gorgous! and i love how this palette comes with a ton of stuff!

  • wanda

    already ordered! I already have the previous 3 (except for the alice in wonderland one) yet I’m still such a sucker for the book of shadows… the 15th anniversary palette didn’t quite attract me compare to this one… the colors just aren’t as practical.

  • Lisa

    I have all of the previous Book of Shadows, but I have to say no to this one. It’s WAY to bulky, that’s the last thing I need in my drawer since the other UD palettes filled them up & the colors are totally dupe-able. I also wouldn’t find use with the QR codes because I don’t even have a smart phone, I mean yeah, a lot of people have smart phones now a days, but UD really should have considered the ones who don’t have them & because of all the high-tech stuff, we have to pay more. Instead, I got theBalm Cast your Shadows (Muppets) & I am going to get Too Faced Sweet Dreams 🙂 SO much more worth it.

  • Kate

    Nah, not gonna get it, though it tempts the hell out of me. I have SO many shadows that look JUST like those shades….I wish they’d release something similar to the deluxe eyeshadow set (you know the purple one) because it had all of the fun bright colors. I got my fix of neutrals from the NAKED palette, thanks very much, lol. I guess if I were to buy a palette from UD now I’d get the 12th anniversary one.

  • K.A

    yada, yada :’D LOL
    this is the first time I skip a book of shadow I feel the colors are not that unique I have similar colors from other brands

  • teasha

    I bought it and returned it (which I have only returned maybe ten beauty items EVER). It just did not live up to the previous book of shadows for me. I get that naked eyes and blue are trendy. I think if you have and love the naked palette and want a similar palette with a little color, this is for you. Also if you never bought the naked palette, but want it. I just was not impressed with the naked palette (I know strange, but I like color and light light highlight colors as I am fair/pale/glow in the dark).

    Really disappointed in this version of the book of shadows. Also I am not liking the technology. I have an iphone and I have no interest in all the stuff. A speaker, another piece of junk to sit around my house. Wires. Downloading new apps to take up space. Watching videos. Just give me the book of shadows, with makeup extras, cute packaging, and a look book. I want something to look at with easy to follow instructions at six am. I do not want to watch a video, try to remember a video, or have to think of my own look that early.

  • Erika

    I totally agree with you Muse! My friend just got this palette for me in the US ( I live in Japan) and I have to say that I was not convinced by it. The colors are fine, but the plastic butterflies, the awful speakers and the videos with bad quality images are very disappointing… But at least the eyeshadow shades have good quality.

  • Nicole

    I would never have paid the $64 for this! I have the other books of shadows for the past and even though they say these are “new shades,” some are still quite similar to past shades..

    BUT…

    When Hautelook.com just had their most recent Urban Decay sale, I snatched this up for only $29. I can justify $29 anytime for this much product!

  • Kath

    Just wanna make sure you know but the book of shadows is on sale for 29$ in urban decay’s website with the coupon code SEVENTEEN11. if you didnt want to spend much money on it here’s your chance : )

  • Katlyn

    Just thought you ladies should know Urban Decay’s sale has this beaut for 25.00. I got on that, it’s a fantastic price! Ive been looking up alot of reviews before (this time after, since I was lusting after it since I seen it last week), and always seem to cross yours Muse. I like your style.

    • the Muse

      aw thanks katlyn and thanks for the heads up on the sale! Brilliant deal!