Urban Decay Shadow Box Review & Swatches

The Urban Decay Shadow Box is a brand new, Ulta exclusive eyeshadow palette filled with a dozen Urban Decay Eyeshadows. You’re getting both brand new shades (three never before seen shades) in this palette as well as shades that you may already own or have wanted to own.

Let’s take a look!

Urban Decay Shadow Box

At a glance the Urban Decay Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette is a total win. It’s travel friendly, portable, plus it houses 12 shades of Urban Decay Eyeshadow. What’s not to love?! If you’re plots and plans involve purchasing an iPhone 6 Plus today I’d say that this has the feel and size of that phone, perhaps it’s a little smaller. It fits comfortably in my hand and at first I was delighted I’d have 12 shades of shadow to tote around with me when I travel in such a small, easy to carry around palette. I placed a blush on top of the palette in the pic below so you can get an idea of the size.

It comes in a sturdy cardboard box with a full size mirror and a magnetic closure that features a claspe of Urban Decay’s chunky initials gracing the front of the smoky purple compact.

Things get a little weird quickly though…

There’s variety here but not necessarily value. I’m so used to Urban Decay gifting us with full size shadows in their palettes that I just assumed I’d be getting the same with the Shadow Box. Unfortunately these shadows weight in at 0.01 oz each. Compared to past shadow palettes this is grossly overpriced. To add insult to injury I fear the shadow formula is quite different from what I personally know and love about Urban Decay Eyeshadow.

It’s a funny thing because many of the shades in this palette I already own and all those singles shades have a soft, creamy velvety texture with great color pay off. Those single shades cannot be compared to the textures and pigment you’ll find in the Shadow Box though. I thought these were considerably drier, a bit on the stiff side, and not nearly as intense as the original versions. Urban Decay has always toed the line in the shadow formula with a creamy consistency formula that’s very buttery smooth showing the characteristics of a cream shadow but having the wear and ease of application of a powder. Unfortunately, these shades are not in any way like that. Even shades I know and use often like Smog seemed a little drier and a little less pigmented. I felt like the shades were not only dry but also lacked the intensity and vibrancy that the brand’s eyeshadows are known for!

Urban Decay Shadow Box Swatches (Lost, Freelove, Moonshadow, Baked Cowboy)

Urban Decay Shadow Box Swatches (Smog, Blackout, Flash, Mushroom)

Urban Decay Shadow Box Swatches (Sin, Indo, Bordello, Tornado)

I admit it was confusing. Either Urban Decay has gone with a new distributor for their eyeshadows or perhaps the palette shadow formula has just changed to keep costs low!? It’s anyone’s guess but most Urban Decay Eyeshadow fans will likely agree that the Book of Shadow Eyeshadow formula isn’t quite what we know, expect, and love from the brand.

The Urban Decay Shadow Box will likely gain attention due to its portable size and variety of color that’s for sure! But I think true fans of the brand will have a head scratching moment after trying it and left to wonder what exactly happened here?

The Urban Decay Shadow Box is available now, exclusively at Ulta and Ulta.com.