In the Spotlight: Urban Decay Book of Shadows Volume II

The Urban Decay Book of Shadows Volume II ($48) is the second installation in Urban Decay’s Book of Shadows series. The palette offers 16 gorgeously pigmented eyeshadows, half of which are new and exclusive to the palette, a travel size version of the cult favorite UDPP, two travel sized 24/7 Eye Pencils, and a look book.

On to the packaging

The packaging is rather simple and dainty with peacock feather prints but is at the same time awfully bulky and heavy. With that said, this palette isn’t exactly something you’d like to tote around on a daily basis. The 16eyeshadows, 2travel sized 24/7 eye pencils and travel sized UDPP are all housed in a drawer that doesn’t slide off as breezily as I wish it would. Other than these minor complaints, Urban Decay is a little more generous this year by including a ginormous mirror and a look book that’s kept inside a secret compartment.

On to the contents

The palette offers an assortment of colors ranging from neutrals to bright and fun hues. AC/DC, Nylon, Mushroom, Sphynx, Jinx, Homegrown, Misdemeanor and Perversion are new and exclusive to this palette. The existing eyeshadows are Sellout, Gunmetal, Ecstasy, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Half Baked, Twice Baked, Flipside and YDK. The palette also includes two 24/7 eye pencils and a travel sized bottle of the UDPP which make this palette handy when traveling (NOTE: Traveling, meaning that you’ll throw this huge book into your luggage, not your purse).

At first thought, $48 for a 16pc eyeshadow palette with some extras on the side may seem a little too pricey for some. But if you examine the palette, you’ll be surprised to discover a huge amount of savings that this palette offers. Let me show you how much you can save with this palette by doing a little bit of math.

The eyeshadows in the BOS Vol. II are .03oz each, whereas a single eyeshadow (not the deluxe eyeshadow) that’s .05oz retails for $16. With only a .02oz difference, let’s put the eyeshadows in the BOS Vol. II at $10 a piece. The travel sized UDPP included in the BOS Vol. II is 3.75ml. On the other hand, the full size UDPP that’s 10ml sells for $17. In this case, let’s put the travel sized cult favorite at $6. Finally, we come to the two travel sized 24/7 eye pencils that are .8g each. The regular 24/7 eye pencil that’s 1.2g is $17 while a mini 24/7 eye pencil is $4. Wondering how I come up with $4 for the mini 24/7 eye pencil? Simple. Divide $36 to the nine 24/7 eye pencils included in the 24/7 Super Stash Set and you’ll end up with $4. Now we can assume the worth of the travel sized 24/7 eye pencil at $8.

The equation:

2 .8g 24/7 Eye Pencils x $8 = $16

1 3/75ml UDPP x $6 = $4

16 .03oz eye shadows x $10 = $160

Total: $182

You read that right, ladies. By purchasing this palette, you save a whopping $134, give or take. Now if that’s not enough to convince you to shove this palette to your cart, I don’t know what will. Just think about it this way: the 16 eyeshadows included in this kit make this palette worth your every penny. Now think about the add ins. Don’t you think Urban Decay was nice enough to add in a few extras for you for being a good girl?

On to the quality

Urban Decay is known for highly pigmented eyeshadows that have a smooth creamy and buttery texture which was not sacrificed with this palette. They apply smoothly and beautifully and can easily be blended. They won’t crease nor fade given that a good base/primer is used underneath. On the other hand, if you’re not big on eyeshadows with a shimmery, frosty and/or metallic finish, you may not like this palette. But if you love colors and shimmer, I tell you, this palette worth your $48. The inclusion of two other cult favorites, the UDPP and 24/7 eye pencils, makes this palette of even greater value. Since I’m quite certain that we all know how amazing Urban Decay’s 24/7 eye pencils are, I won’t go on and talk about these anymore. If you haven’t tried Urban Decay’s much talked about eye pencils, you can read my review on these by clicking here.

On to my gripes

I commend Urban Decay for including a look book in this palette; however, it would have been so much better had they included some how to’s because, let’s face it, one can get lost in a sea of 16beautiful eyeshadows.

The colors are beautiful and highly pigmented; however, an inclusion of a highlight shade and/or matte eyeshadows could certainly make this palette even better.

Yes, the packaging is pretty as it is, but I would love it even more if the eyeshadow box is detachable from the rest of the packaging just like how it is with my Too Faced Glamour Revolution Palette.

On to the swatches

This is an incomplete swatch. I couldn't fit the last four colors on my arm.

First Row

Second Row

Third Row

Fourth Row

A side by side comparison of the travel sized 24/7 eye pencil and mini 24/7 eye pencil

A side by side comparison of Bourbon & Corrupt

Must-have or pass-up? Let me know in the comments!

(I'll try to include a breakdown of the shadows included in this palette, although that would make this review even longer. If you think it is needed, let me know by writing it in the comments section)