Urban Decay Backtalk Palette & Lipstick

Urban Decay eye and face palette is another item I caught and released into the wild. Or rather got it in PR, tested and admired it, then gave it to a friend whose complexion suited it perfectly.

I actually had high hopes because when I first opened the package it was late in the evening and the light made the colors lean murky mauve. It was still very pretty the next day as I swatched it the next day, even if there was some weirdness (see below), but it was the final test of getting the colors on my eyes that made me realize that we were not meant to be.

The Backtalk palette was inspired by one of Urban Decay's best selling Backtalk lipstick. The lipstick is nude rosy mauve in the Comfort Matte formula, and despite its name it's an accommodating and unassuming color that fits everywhere. I wear it as my "nude" color (while Hideaway is my usual pick for a more distinct look). In any case, Back talk is an awesome color and a palette centred around it is a great idea.

There were quite a few unfavorable reviews of the Backtalk palette around the web. People didn't like the packaging design with the removable mirror in the middle. I thought it was a nice touch, actually. The palette lies flat in front of you and you can place the mirror exactly where you want it. The fact you cannot close it back without returning the mirror to it slot seemed to me quite clever as it prevents you from forgetting it in hotel rooms and such.

The other issue people complained about was pigmentation, and here I have to object. The swatches you see below were done with a basic stiff eye shadow brush, not with fingers. When testing makeup looks on my eyes I've used even softer brushes and had no issues at all. The very soft texture might blend into oblivion if one spends a long time fluffing them into the crease, but that's not the mandatory method to do makeup. I will say that a good eye primer is a must. Urban Decay's own Anti-Aging Primer Potion was my obvious choice and it worked.

I had one serious issue with the eye colors in Backtalk. A couple of them changed when applied. The most obvious example is Backtalk itself, that's supposed to be a pink mauve and ended up oxidizing into a coral during the few minutes between swatching and taking the photo below. It was even more pronounced on my lid which is significantly darker than my arm.

Here's a list of the eye shadows and my impressions:

3 Sheets- a silky soft matte in a doll skin pink.
Bare- a shimmer pinky beige, applies better than swatches.
Curve- a harder texture shimmer mauve.
Backtalk- see above. I don't even know what to say.
Shade- a satin berry. I'd take a blush n this color.
Attitude- a gleaming warm pink that's almost coral.
WTF- matte milk chocolate.
180- satin rich plummy brown.

I've managed to create three very distinct looks with the palette. Unfortunately none of them was flattering on me, which is why I let it go. My guess would be that those with blue or green eyes/porcelain skin/ undertone that isn't an ashy olive would be able to wear these eye shadow beautifully.  They really are pretty and there's enough contrast and distinction between the offered shades.

We've already established that I'm a sucker for blush palettes. I wish the face part of Backtalk was released separately, because I would have gotten it for the various layering and mixing options as well as for the Cheap Shot blush, which is a satin rhododendron color. The other shades are Double Take, another warm mauve that becomes coral terracotta on my skin (really nice in a blush, satin gleam finish),  Low Key, a shimmery peach that would work as a highlighter on deep skin tones and is a nice blush or blush companion for me, and last: Party Foul, a beige pink shimmer highlighter for me, or a blush for very fair skin.

I think there's a slight disconnect between the face and the eye portions of the palette. The blushes and highlighters would work for a much wider range of skin tones, while the distinct pink tones of the eye shadows require that one can really rock them. Or maybe I'm just jealous of those who can.

Some people griped that the formula is not on par with other Urban Decay shadows. I don't know. at this point there are so many UD eye shadows in various configurations that I'm not sure which ones are considered iconic. I have a handful of singles, mostly duochromes, which are gorgeous yet overpriced in my opinion, a Naked 2 and Naked Basics 2 palettes that are I love for their ease of use and blendability (many disagree), and a few limited edition colorful palettes, each offering eye shadows in multiple finishes and formulas. Backtalk is somewhere in the middle with its soft colors and even softer texture. I was happy to let it go to a better home, but 'm not over Urban Decay quite yet (which explains why I'm seriously eyeing the new Beached palette).

Bottom Line:
If the colors are your thing it's worth swatching them when you're at Sephora. Or just wait until it's on sale, because you know it's going to happen.


Urban Decay Backtalk Palette (limited edition, $46, made in the US with US &/or imported ingredients) is an urbandecay.com and Sephora exclusive). Backtalk Lipstick ($18, made in USA) is permanent and also available from Ulta.