When this first came out, I was skeptical that a palette with six shades of black-ish eyeshadow could be worthwhile. I mean, how many variations of black eyeshadow does one gal need?! Black eyeshadow and more black eyeshadow sounds like a recipe for a raccoon look. I felt like the one black shadow I had was plenty--I'd probably lose or break it before I used it up--and most of you probably feel the same way. 

Then I swatched it at my local Sephora. And I decided I needed every single one  of those gorgeous shades in the Urban Decay Black Palette. I hadn't realized that there was a void in my shadow collection that would be perfectly filled by this palette. These shades are all gorgeous blackened jewel tones, with and five of them have shimmer to them. And the texture and pigmentation were beautiful. I bought the palette that same day that I swatched it, and haven't regretted it one bit. 

The Urban Decay Black Palette is one of my favorite palettes because it's perfect for creating a smoky eye, setting liner, or creating a dramatic look. It's been discontinued, so grab one while you still can from Urban Decay's sale page for only $16.00.
Urban Decay Black Palette
$16.00 (SALE PRICE) for 6 shadows (0.04 oz. each), mini 24/7 eyeliner (0.03 oz.), mini Primer Potion (0.13 fl. oz.); originally priced at $34.00

  • Black Dog: matte black
  • Barracuda: shimmery gunmetal grey
  • Jet: shimmery blackened purple
  • Sabbath: shimmery navy
  • Cobra: shimmery blackened olive with gold
  • Libertine: shimmery blackened green

For all six shadows, the texture is smooth, the pigmentation is above average and buildable, and the length of wear is great. The packaging is typical of Urban Decay's earlier cardboard palettes with magnetic closures. I like the packaging, especially since it has a mirror inside. Although most UD lovers probably have a bunch of mini 24/7 eyeliners in Zero, and mini Primer Potions in various shades, they're still nice additions to this set.

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L to R (no flash): Black Dog, Barracuda, Jet, Sabbath, Cobra, Libertine
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L to R: Black Dog, Barracuda, Jet, Sabbath, Cobra, Libertine
Seriously, this palette is a MUST HAVE. It's one of my makeup staples, and I use it all the time. I'm seriously considering buying a back up palette, in case I drop mine or something. It's not a palette that works well on its own, but it definitely rounds out my eyeshadow collection nicely.
 
 
Eyes:
  • Concrete Minerals Eye Primer
  • MAC Pressed Pigment in Warming Heart (lid)
  • MAC Eye Shadow in Club (crease)
  • MAC Eye Shadow in Plumage (outer V)
  • Ulta Automatic Eyeliner in Teal Blue (lower lashline)
  • Essence get BIG! lashes Volume Boost Mascara in Black


Face:
  • Mary Kay TimeWise Foundation
  • Benefit Boooing Concealer
  • Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint in Fetish
  • Hard Candy Blush Crush Baked Blush in Living Doll


Lips:
  • Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment
 
 
As 2010 comes to a close, I'd like to share a few of my favorite beauty products.

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  • CARGO Essential Palette in Cool/Neutral

    This palette means that I can still look decent even when I've only gotten 3 hours of sleep, and can barely keep my eyes open. It's a lifesaver. The colors are nice and neutral, and I always bring it with me when I travel.

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  • Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden

    The packaging is ADORABLE (although it does make it difficult to use up every little last bit)! The Eden color is nice to throw on even without eyeshadow because it brightens up the whole eye area!



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  • MAC Prep + Prime SPF 50

    I always wear sunscreen on my face, but have had a hard time finding one that doesn't make my face greasy. I loved Shiseido's SPF 55 lotion, but it was discontinued this year. The replacement: MAC Prep + Prime with SPF 50. And I love the glittery black tube!

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What were your favorite beauty products of 2010?
 
 
Hi there gals! I am so excited because Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse for me to wear glittery false eyelashes all day :) This is my first attempt at false lashes, but it turned out decently (at least, I think so).
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Products used:
  • Face:
    Sephora Matifying Powder Foundation in D22
    Clinique Brow Shaper in Charcoaled
    Hard Candy Baked Blush in Honeymoon
    Maybelline Dream Mousse concealers in Cream and Beige
  • Eyes:
    Tarte Lifted natural eye primer
    Stila Runway Look palette
    Stila Smudgepot in Black
    Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Zero
    Maybelline XXL Volume+Length waterproof mascara (lower lashes)
    Lorac Special Effects mascara (top lashes)
    Duo waterproof eyelash adhesive in Clear-White
    Ardell lashes in Romantic
  • Lips:
    Avon U by Ungaro lipstick in Ungaro Pink
    MAC Dazzleglass in Like Venus

 
 
My New Years Eve was spent downtown doing a 5K run! I had five of my wonderful friends running with me. We arrived downtown around 10 pm, and hung out in the pre-race area watching karaoke and a costume contest. I glammed up my gals, using some glitter liquid liners (Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter in Glam Rock and Metalhead and Hard Candy Walk the Line). We lined up at the starting line just before midnight and counted down to the new year.
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