Urban Decay Heavy Metals Eye Shadow Palette & Glitter Eyeliner: Review & Swatches

It is no secret that I have a lot of makeup but every so often something really amazing comes along that is totally irresistible. The Urban Decay Heavy Metals Collection was released during the holiday season (when glitter and glitz was all the rage) and the colors are seriously gorgeous! I haven’t been this excited about makeup since UD released Naked Heat (which I still use every week) but these metallic pigments are all about dramatic jaw-dropping color worthy of the red carpet.

These amped-up chrome shades have a rich velvety texture that applies like a dream with incredible color payoff. The formula is full-coverage, intense, non-creasing and long-lasting so no matter how hard you party they never falter.

The shadows are sheathed in a metallic purple case and the tray slides out completely so you can use it like a painter’s palette and unleash your creativity. For makeup artists, this design is practical but for travel and storage the packaging is a tad bulky. The large mirror in the middle lets you get up close to perfect your blending technique.

The right side features warm gold, champagne and sultry bronze tones that I can’t get enough of. These are my signature shades because they look lovely on the skin and transition from day to night. Although the colors are referred to as “neutrals” they are definitely not flat or boring. The shimmer is radiant and highly saturated so I balance them by using matte shades in the crease for more contrast. The shadow I’m most intrigued by is Afterparty – a coppery bronze with mesmerizing red undertones. Although some of the finishes look quite glittery, the color applies smooth and consistent with very little fallout and a beautiful iridescent sheen.

The left side of the palette contains magnificent jewel tones. Some people might reserve these bold pigments for parties or special events but I’m not afraid to wear them on a weekday. The sparkling teal-blue (Amp), potent purple (Metalhead), smokey garnet (Punk Rock) and glistening emerald (Mullet) are incredible but I think the yellow gold and silver are a bit redundant.

If you crave spectacular shadows that make your eyes look phenomenal, I highly recommend Heavy Metals. It retails for $72.00.

The collection also includes the Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner ($23.00) in 11 shades that remind me of tinsel. The best thing about this formula is that you don’t have to deal with messy fall-out. Once dry, the glitter stays put all day with no scatter.

Since the base is clear and the brush is thin it can be difficult to create solid lines. If you want a lot of sparkle you may need to apply several coats but it's easier to layer over liquid or pencil eyeliner for more consistency.

The liners make fantastic overlays – coat the brush with a generous does of glitter and dab it on top of your shadow for a pop of radiance. You can enhance any pigment with a few swipes and I’ve even used it on my lips!

Urban Decay is available at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, UD stores and online at urbandecay.ca. Sign up for the Beauty Junkies Rewards Program to earn and redeem points!