Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

I got my greedy little hands on the Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow Palette ($49) and squealed in delight at all the glitter! The Moondust Eyeshadow Palette launched with the Urban Decay Fall 2016 and includes eighty glittery eyeshadow shades that will leave your lids with a sparkly mess of absolute joy.

Yes, there’s fall out. Yes, there’s lots of glitter. Yes, there’s sparkle. No, this isn’t for the glitter/shimmer haters. Yes, this is for those of us that like to sprinkle shimmer on our corn flakes in the morning! Yes, you should insert wacky, “Hey girl! Is that glitter on your eyelids or do you just naturally sparkle like that?” memes here.

I’m actually a lover of the original Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow formula but I realize it isn’t an eyeshadow that everyone loves. From the glitter to the denser formula I think Moondust Eyeshadow is an acquired taste which is why I was surprised that Urban Decay went with an entire palette’s worth of the formula. Also, keep in mind, Urban Decay has been rather tame lately with all their “Naked” releases. The Moondust Palette might be a prelude of daring, vibrant things to come from Urban Decay who has been playing it safe the last couple of years. If I’m right this is great news for the color addicts out there.

Something that does deserve mentioning is the fact that the single Moondust Eyeshadow shades and the ones found in the Moondust Eyeshadow Palette are quite different. I find the singles are much more denser where as the ones in the palette are considerably more softer and dare I say they look like they have even more glitter than the originals.

Let’s take a look!

The Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow Palette is a 10th Anniversary Palette and is filled with eight all new shades of Moondust Eyeshadow. Each shade weights in at 0.02 oz versus the single size of 0.05 oz so, they are less than half the size but you still get a good deal of product for the $49.

The palette is done up in a gunmetal glitter shade with a raised texture but no worries, the glitter doesn’t shed all over everything when handling it. There’s also a very generously sized mirror inside. I wish they included a brush but I’m not bothered much by this since application is best with a sponge applicator in my opinion.

Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Galaxy, Granite, Lithium, Vega)

Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow Palette (Specter, Element, Magnetic, Lightyear)

The good news about this formula is it isn’t a chunky glitter bomb. This is a refined micro-glitter which I find easier to apply with a lot less mess compared to a chunky glitter eyeshadow. Granted, there’s still fall out during application but that’s easy to avoid with a good cream base and the use of a sponge eyeshadow applicator. You do have to ditch your fancy makeup brushes here and just make due with a cheap sponge tipped eyeshadow applicator for application to get the most out of the formula. Patting them on gently with that application and building slow will product the best results. You’ll struggle to pick up color and you’ll also end up with way more fall out using a regular brush. Some people prefer using fingers for application but believe me try the sponge and you’ll be happier! They also layer very well over cream eyeshadow if that’s the route you want to take but don’t worry, they have plenty of pigmentation all their own. I find the glitter is a little more refined in the singles versus the shades in the palette which seem to be absolute glitter bombs. They also have a way softer texture compared to the denser formula of the single potted shades.

As I mentioned above fall out is an issue so, I would recommend a good base like Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eyeshadow in Vanilla or MAC Paint Pot in Soft Orce and don’t forget eyeshadow primer as well! I had absolutely no issues with wear or fading nor creasing but remember I have drier eyes and rarely have issues with creasing. The shades are quite pigmented! It’s not a bunch of sheer glitter here, the color you see in the pot is exactly the shade you’ll see on your lids.

Wearing Specter and Element

Wearing Specter and Element

Wearing Lithium

Wearing Lithium

There’s no lies here, the Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow Palette is filled with application drama and it isn’t a palette everyone will find wearable particularly for daily looks. But if you love glitter and shimmer as much as I do I’m sure this will be very appealing and fun to use. A little patience during application will produce some really great eye looks. I think it’s a slightly unusual Fall release but I’ll take glitter in my eyeshadow anyway I can get it. And this packs plenty of it into some gorgeous stand out shades (Element needs to be made permanent! Can’t be without this gorgeous sparkly copper!)!

Will you be hauling it!?

The Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow Palette is available now at urbandecay.com, Sephora.com, and Ulta.com.