November 21, 2015

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani palette

The Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette ($58) is a limited edition eyeshadow palette created by Gwen Stefani herself along with Urban Decay. The Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette is actually the first celebrity designed collaboration that Urban Decay has every done so that makes this launch special and unique. When can you get it? Have those trusty credit cards ready on November 22nd at 12AM PST as Gwen’s Palette launches on Urban Decay’s website exactly at that time and will likely sell out fast.

If that fact that Gwen is the first celebrity that Urban Decay has collaborated isn’t special enough for you, it might interest you to know this was all hands on deck for her as every detail of the palette down to the palette’s design and case were designed by Gwen. Urban Decay, of course, lent a helping hand bringing their awesome eyeshadow formula to the table but Gwen choose the shades that would go into her palette and as I said her creativity was let loose on every aspect of the palette from packaging to the eyeshadows inside.

The Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette pays home to 15 shades and according to the brand Gwen had a hard time keeping it to just 15. Let’s face, if Urban Decay told me, “Hey, wanna create a palette with us?!” I’d likely have a hard time just choosing 15 shades too.

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Palette

Let’s take a look!

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

The Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette is an interestingly designed palette featuring a gold casing with a UD Gwen Stefani face palette located on the right hand side of the palette. The palette has an “empty palette”-like look viewing it from the outside. It has a dual face plate design which features a clear face that covers a circular design of 24 empty wells or circles. It almost looks this is some sort of newfangled Z-Palette or an empty eyeshadow palette waiting to be filled up. It’s an interesting design and one that was designed by Gwen herself as she has a great love of black and white graphic prints. Inside you’ll find a generously sized mirror with a printing at the lower right hand corner that reads “Magic in the Makeup” which is a little nod to the No Doubt song.

Now the palette comes fully loaded! You’re getting 15 eyeshadows that weight in at 0.04 oz each (nearly a full size which is typically 0.05 oz). Three shades are repromoted (Blackout, Skimp and Stark) and available in Urban Decay’s permanent eyeshadow range and twelve are brand new shades. Gwen did name each of the shades herself aside from the permanent colors.

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette shades:

  • Blonde (pale beige w/pink iridescent shift)
  • Bathwater (pale beige w/gold pearl)
  • Skimp (pale nude satin)
  • Steady (medium rose w/metallic gold shift)
  • Punk (reddish brown matte)
  • Baby (cool metallic rose)
  • Anaheim (light taupe-brown matte)
  • Stark (nude-pink matte)
  • Zone (medium brown matte)
  • Serious (smoky gray w/iridescent floating pearl)
  • Pop (pale coral w/iridescent sparkle)
  • Harajuku (metallic blue-pink w/iridescent micro-shimmer)
  • Danger (deep metallic royal blue w/blue micro-sparkle)
  • 1987 (bright metallic yellow-gold)
  • Blackout (blackest black matte)

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette20

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette21

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette23

The palette contains half matte shades and half shimmer shades two finishes that go well together in my opinion. What the palette is not dominated with would be color. There isn’t a lot of vibrant, crazy, pigmented colors here. Gwen’s personality comes across colorful but her look was never about color and this palette is all about Gwen’s look which has always been fairly simple. She’s a bare eye kinda girl with a winged eye but she’s never worn outrageous shades of eyeshadow. I can see Gwen totally creating eye looks using every single shade in this palette, they really are her signature colors. This could potentially be disappointing as Urban Decay fans expect loud and outrageous from the brand and combine that with a name like Gwen Stefani and fan’s might expect something bold, vibrant, or even maybe a little crazy. But that’s not Gwen’s look at all.

I, for one, adore the shades in this palette but I don’t think it is a palette for everyone. Many of the shades are difficult to differentiate between when you’re applying and blending out. They kinda sorta all begin to look the same if you’re using a few in one look. It’s hard to get any definition or contrast since the colors gradate from light to a smidge darker. On that note I will say this is packed with essential shades you’ll likely reach for often if you’re a nude, natural, or minimalist kinda girl or guy. As I’ve gotten older I appreciate shades like this more and more and more as I can use these for a week straight to create an endless array of really soft focused nude looks that look amazing without every being bored. I feel like they are foolproof in that aspect. And hey, there are a few pops of color here too like Danger and Harajuku.

Now another problem, this palette isn’t the best pick in the world for our dark skin lovies out there. Some of these shades won’t work well on darker or event tanned skin tones. It will work well on pale, fair, and lighter medium complexions but those with darker medium or tanned skin tones might feel like some of the shades are a bit too pasty or don’t show up on their skin.

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette swatches

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Danger, 1987, Blackout)

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani palette swatches

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Baby, Anaheim, Stark, Punk)

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani swatches

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette� Swatches (Harajuku, Zone, Serious, Pop)

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette swatches

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette� Swatches (Steady, Blonde, Bathwater, Skimp)

I think a majority of the eyeshadows are fairly sheer and some produce no color at all. For example, Pop has a bit of shimmer but I can barely see the color show up on my lids. Harajuku is also a shade that swatches nicely, looks good in the pan, but sheers out considerably on lids. The colors aren’t exactly packed with pigment but they are fairly buildable and I do enjoy the fact I can apply a matte and use one of the shimmer shades as an overcoat to add intensity and drama to lighter colors. The mattes are quite lovely here! They are soft, silky, and easy to apply.

Depending on how you feel about it you might wish the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette wasn’t directly inspired by Gwen’s look but maybe translated from her body of work which tends to a lot more colorful than her makeup. Personally I actually like the fact that the palette is all about achieving Gwen’s signature look which has always been fairly minimalist yet super elegant. I think the palette is chock full of shades you’ll likely reach for quite often for your more work friendly looks! Dare I say I feel like I might need a back up of the palette as some of the shades seem like I’ll run through them rather quickly.

For my first look below I used Skimp as highlighter, 1987 all over my lid and crease, and Danger at the outer lid and blended slightly into the crease. The second looks is more natural with Skimp used again to highlight and Anaheim all over my eye with Zone blended into the outer eye area and Punk layered with Blackout smudged across he upper lash line.

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette1

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette3

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette1

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette2

If you’re a natural kinda makeup lover I think you’ll be right at home with the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette.

Get the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette at urbandecay.com on Novemver 22.

Do tell me if you plan on purchasing it!

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

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

  • Sammie

    Hmm. I was really interested in this palette, but after seeing the swatches I realize that besides the bright blue and the yellow there’s nothing in this palette that I can’t get from my Naked palettes.

    • Janelle

      Right?! I was expecting more. However, when I think of Gwen these seem like colors that she would use so she could rock that iconic red lip.

      I am not jumping on it, I am thinking I will see it at The L’oreal Outlet just like I saw the Pulp Fiction palette…Maybe I will get it then. I got the Pulp Fiction for $10 which is about what I would be willing to pay for this since I don’t find it that unique. As the collection grows to absurd amounts I find myself wanting more unique. To me this is an everyday palette and I got the Too Faced Vegas Nay which is my current everyday palette.

  • Rachel R.

    I’m snagging this tomorrow. I think it’s perfect for very fair skin like mine. Most of the shades in Naked go muddy on me, and a good chunk of Naked 2 as well (hence why I don’t own them). It’ll be great to have a neutral palette with mattes to suit my skin tone.

  • Judy

    Pity 🙁
    Half of the shades in this palette won’t even show up on my skin.
    Thanks for the review Muse 🙂

  • Krystle

    I’m so excited! I love Gwen so I definitely bought it! I’m such a makeup addict and beauty junkie. Can’t wait to receive my package 🙂 thanks for the review!

  • Christy

    Do you think this would work on cool and neutral toned people? Anaheim and Serious look cool, but do most of the rest of the shades lean warm?

    • Isabella Muse

      I think it’ll look great on paler/fair medium skin types. Not so much on darker though as some shades might prove pasty.

  • Britt

    This palette is right up my alley and I LOVE me some Gwen. But some of those swatches don’t look strong enough for me to buy it. I have so many palettes already and this one’s colors and quality aren’t “making me buy it”. Your looks sure are gorgeous though….obviously you can make it work. That first one with the gold is amazing. Love you!

  • Rah

    They look pretty boring and I agree, these are colors I can get from my Naked palette.
    I was expecting more exciting names as well like ” Hollaback Girl”, ” Don’t Speak”, ” Hella Good”, ” Sinking”, ” Move On” even ” Settle Down” and ” Ex Girlfriend “.

  • Puja

    Definitely a palette that I’ll skip. I’m a medium skin tone and most of these will either be highlight shades for me or just not show up on me at all. Thanks for the honest review!

  • Erika

    If I end up getting this palette it will be a fear of missing out purchase, I wish she would have included a few shades for us tan skin girls.

  • debra

    I was so looking forward to getting my FIRST ud pallette!!I thought this would be the one.i had held off on getting a naked one because I was excited about this one.the colors in this are so-so..the neutrals all seem too light.i don’t care for the yellow in this set.i can’t wear it.the blue is really dark.i don’t know if I could do that either.the pink is iffy for me as well.i guess I’ll go back to the drawing board and try to decide which naked to get ….this pallette is just not cup of tea.id rather have a naked pallette.thank you for your review and the swatches.it helped me to make up my mind .looks great in the case,but on the hands-on gor me.thanks!!!!!

      • debra

        I debated on this palette and because it was so light ,and my being a fair skin red head turning grey now,freckles,etc…I thought this would be too light for me.making me look like a ghost.i was leary of the blue n the yellow looking shades.so all in all,there would not had been alot of shades I could actually wear.i opted for naked 2. I do love the feel of ud shadows and smoothness of them.i am not absolute sure I got the right palette,because did not know my skin tone.i did not think the golds in naked 1 would work for me.but it seems I am just kinda a muddy mess with 2.i try to use as little as I can to get a look.but not too good yet.i am no expert,really.i want simple n easy for this older gal.maybe I need basics. Or 3. Any suggestions?

        • Jessica

          It sounds like you need some good brushes and always make sure to use clean ones when you are blending to prevent it all turning into a muddy mess. I have pale skin and red hair (though I’m currently BRIGHT red it’s not always so insane) and can use any of the UD naked pallets. The most important issue is finding a look you like without worrying so much about being “right.” Try watching some youtube tutorials to learn the techniques to get the look you picked out and then practice, practice, practice! Once you get a better feel for application and how to use shadows, you can branch out and make most colors workable in some way. I stay far away from any orange and olive tones since they make me look ill, but even with those colors I can sneak a little into an eye design for variety. Look online for people with your coloring and whose makeup you like so you can use it as a guide for where to start.

  • Janessa

    I got mine! I couldn’t pass it up. Gwen has been an idol of mine since I discovered the Tragic Kingdom album way back in the mid 90’s when I was still in elementary school. As a palette (and all around makeup) collector, I couldn’t NOT have this in my collection. I also picked up 2 as xmas gifts for my Mom and baby sister. I can’t wait to get them!

  • TrailerTrashPrincess

    Steady, Baby & Pop look gorgeous and i wish i could get those without the others which i’d never use!

    i adore your posts, and am grateful for your swatches & pictures, but is it possible that your swatch photos #2 & #4 are upside down or mislabeled? or am i just not awake yet?

  • Lori P

    As of 6:47 pm CST this evening, the palette is still in stock on the UD website. I ordered it this afternoon because even though I’m not as pale/porcelain as Gwen Stefani, I’m fair enough to enjoy this because I like a nude eye/bold lip look. Since it seems that UD and Gwen Stefani has also collaborated on a lipstick collection coming out next year, I can’t wait to order those too!

  • Deborah

    Muse you look great in gold! I thought that gold was going to be more yellow but it looks beautiful on you and looks very wearable.
    I thought I wanted this palette but I have a rule not to buy a palette without a matte highlight. I’m I correct understanding there is no matte highlight? If so it’s disappointing since so many of those light shades look the same. I heard its for fair girls, which I am and I have no Urban Decay palettes. If there is one I will buy buy buy.

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks!!!!!!!! It’s a pretty lovely yellow that goes great with blue! Mmm I wouldn’t say that! Start is a nice highlighting shade depending your skin tone! Hope this helps!?

  • Ruth

    I picked up two yesterday, one for me (of course!) and the other for my dearest friend in the entire world. I freaking love Gwen and remember having the tragic kingdom tape on full blast, riding down the road with the windows open, singing along word for word. And she totally got us! Heartbreaks, triumphs, being overprotected because of being a girl. and her style with those red lips and on point eyeliner! who didn’t want to emulate Gwen? I know i did!

  • Lizzie

    Thank you so much for this very detailed review. I love Gwen when she was in No Doubt and I was super sad when she left the group to go on her own. You are so right about how some of the colors look the same and don’t have enough gradation to make them look different. I felt the same about the Marc Jacobs palette that came out recently. I mean I love a highlight color but how many do you need in a palette. Packaging is lovely and the colors are nice. Although I’m surprised there wasn’t a satin taupe color. I also agree that they based it more on what Gwen would wear instead of her body of work. Too bad they didn’t include a liquid Perversion eyeliner to go with it. That would have made for a much more interesting palette. The price is good for how much shadow you get and I think for the collector it’s worth it but I have enough neutral palettes and I think I will hold out for the new Too Faced Bon Bon palette. Hope to see your review on that one.

    • Isabella Muse

      My pleasure Lizzie. I do too! She’s a class act. I was too, I really liked her with No Doubt! I really liked the Marc Jacobs Palette but it has no rhythm or reason to it, kinda hard to see which colors go with which! It’s a mismatch of shades 🙂 I think a brush or eyeliner pencil would have def made things all the better! Ah yes! Coming soon on the Bon Bon palette! 🙂 I’ll def review! Thanks for commenting today! Happy Early Thanksgiving 🙂

  • genevieve

    As much as I wanted to love this palette – I can’t. Many of the shadows simply wouldn’t show up on my fair skin and would actually look like I didn’t have eye shadow on at all. It really suits her look – pale eye shadows, black liner and bold lip.
    Secondly, as you have mentioned, many of the shadows look the same to me. And not being a fan of matte eye shadows – it would be a waste of money.
    I am just hugging my UD Spectrum palette.

  • Lauren

    This is a big miss for me. I love Gwen Stefani, so I totally would have bought it, but as an NC30, I think a lot of the shades would look chalky on me. I’m simply not going to wear a bright blue. I have several blue eyeshadows that are gorgeous swatched (e.g., UD Evidence), but I never actually use them.

    Instead, I’m going to snag the new chocolate bar palette.

  • barbara

    I was debating on getting this, but when Sephora had it for vib rouge yesterday I went ahead and ordered, I don’t want to miss out and then wish I had it, like I did with sugar pills Edwards scissorhands. I figure if I don’t like it I will just return it. I do wish, however, that there were some bolder colors. There are a lot light colors that almost look all the same. oh well. worth a try, 🙂

  • Anna

    I know that I’m a wee bit late with this, but…well, I’m a Brit (we get our UD goodies little under a month later :))

    I actually wasn’t going to buy this palette, as on first glance I was slightly disappointed with the (lack off?) colour range and how a lot of light colours-including white-don’t show up on my porcelain skin tone.

    Then I saw your eye look, and it’s so pretty (your skills do UD justice, sweetie :)) and I’m a sucker for a pretty pink colour and a gorgeous gold.
    Do you think the pink shade can be built up to look highly pigmented? Or maybe with a setting sprayed brush it can be made to look more vibrant?

    I struggle with a lot of UD mattes going chalky once on my very dry eyelids, so I try to steer clear of using many matte shades.
    Sorry for the essay, sweetie; just excited to receive my palette come Wednesday XD

    • Isabella Muse

      Hi Anna! Happy Holidays! I’m the one late now replying to you! 🙂 Of course! You can def build the shade up! Try using a white primer stick under it to intensity the shade or use sponge eyeshadow applicators they are great for packing colors up. I don’t think it is chalky, it’s probably more frostiness which I also experience myself! :-/ If you have drier lids try using a little tiny bit of eye cream on them in the morning prior to eyeshadow application, follow with a nude/sheer cream eyeshadow or base, and follow that with primer. It should prep them well for shadow! 🙂 I hope you are loving the palette!

  • debra

    I had said at first that this was not for me.there were so many mixed reviews on this palette.i went to ultra because I wanted to see and look and feel the palettes.i saw this and fell in love.i brought it home and just used it.i am pale skin but am cool coloring.i really like it.the shadows went on well and I actually used some of the blue in corners.so if you hesitant ,go look and try it…

  • Mari Calikes

    Hi, just wondering where you purchased the heart necklace that you’re wearing in the pictures?

  • Linda M Anderson

    I love your writing. I was riveted to the descriptions and loved the personal element at the last. You are fun.

    • Isabella Muse

      wow thanks Linda that’s a lovely compliment 🙂