Monday 26 September 2011

It's Here! Urban Decay Book of Shadows Volume IV: Swatched.

After all of the online anticipation leaking over from it's recent launch in the States... the Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. IV finally launches in the UK this week and I managed to get my mitts on one to show you ahead of it hitting the shops this Saturday.
The latest Book of Shadows is bigger and better than any of it's predecessors. Vol. IV brings you into the virtual dimension of beauty, allowing you to scan unique QR codes on your smart phone to access 5 different makeup tutorials based around the 16 eyeshadows, liquid eyeliner, mascara and primer potion that make up the kit.
It comes with a mini portable speaker and audio cable to plug into your phone, and a special cradle to hold your phone next to the built in mirror, allowing you to create the 5 looks even more easily!
I have to say I'm totally taken by this show of gadgetry. I love the novelty value of this palette, but if you're not interested in the gimmicky side of things... as expected from Urban Decay, the makeup doesn't disappoint either.
Ten of the sixteen shades are totally new and exclusive to the Book of Shadows Vol. IV, two previously only available in other limited edition palettes and four classic shades from the permanent collection.
  • New Shades: HiJack, Missionary, Bender, Crystal, Lost, Blue Bus, Gravity, Bust, Midnight Rodeo, Zephyr
  • Previously Limited Edition Shades: Cobra, Skimp
  • Permanent Collection: Baked, Sin, Midnight Cowgirl, Gunmetal
 There is a lovely selection of brights vs. neutrals (Urban Decay are often guilty of doing either/or!).

Most of the eyeshadows have lovely pigmentation and texture, as you'd expect from Urban Decay. Bust, Missionary, Hijack and Lost (all of which are new to this palette!) being the stand out shades for me.
Left to right: Blue Bus, Gunmetal, Cobra, Baked, Bender, Gravity, Lost, Hijack
Left to right: Midnight Cowgirl, Sin, Midnight Rodeo, Crystal, Bust Missionary, Skimp, Zephyr

Two of the new shades didn't meet my high expectations of Urban Decay eyeshadows though... Blue Bus and Crystal both look beautiful in the pan but are really quite sheer upon application. The texture of Crystal also leaves a lot to be desired. It's very hard in the pan and difficult to work with.

The permanent shades included are some of my all time favourites from Urban Decay. I use Sin and Baked on a regular basis in my other palettes, so they make a welcome addition to this one.

As for the rest of the goodies? It's good to see a little change with the inclusion of a 24/7 liquid liner instead of the usual 24/7 pencil liners.

The mini mascara and primer potion make a lovely addition to the kit, especially if you're travelling.
Overall, I'm seriously impressed by this palette.

Yes, the tutorials are a gimmick... Yes, the Naked palette is better for everyday... but in my opinion it's the best mixture of day to nightime shades we've seen in a Book of Shadows yet, and it's fun! At £46 It's a bit more pricey than its predecessors, but definitely one to add to your Christmas lists! I'm pretty sure any girl would be happy to find this in her stocking.

The Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. IV will be available in Debenhams and House of Fraser stores from the 1st October priced at £46, or buy it online HERE (with free delivery).
*Press Sample
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48 comments

  1. Wanna get this!! Looks amazing!!!!!!

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  2. This palette is lovely! Sin is my all time favourite colour from UD - happy to see it appear in here. Mission and Bender are nice additions too. Might just have to add this onto my ever-growing wish list! x

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  3. Wow they give you so much more for the price this time...I have the Book of shadows vol 3 and I'm lost in how to use the colours (wish i bought the naked pallette) but these colours look alot more workable

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  4. Weird you're only getting it now... We've had it for a couple of weeks in Ireland I think! :)

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  5. do you ever blog about any thing you weren't sent for free?
    your blog seems like a big advert now:(

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  6. So many reviews on youtube say it's not worth the money, that most of the new shades aren't very pigmented and you really have to dig into the palettes to get any of the shadow on your brush and one girl her box fell to bit as she was reviewing it, the speaker thing didn't work and she paid US$60 for it at Ulta and they won't replace it as they don't sell it anymore and UD washed their hands because it was bought at Ulta and not on their website.

    I think you're better off getting the 15th Anniversary Palette and/or the Naked palette they are much better and for those of us who are paying for these and not receiving them free to blog about and say how much we love them, this palette is really not worth the money (in my opinion).

    Karen

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  7. I agree with what pollyyyb123 said.

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  8. i love the packaging, but the actual colours of the shadows don't overwhelm me...

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  9. thats so amazing, unfortunatly, im a sucker for gimmicks!!!!!!!

    niaslocket.blogspot.com

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  10. Omg, i would die if a could get my hands on this. Too bad, but in Slovenia we can't buy this, and even if i could, i'm so broke right now i couldn't even buy it if it was half the price :(((( It is just sooooo pretty :)

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  11. Not quite convinced by this one, rather prefer the eyeshadows from the 15 anniversary palette

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  12. @pollyyyb123 @Karen Thanks so much for the feedback girls... It is a difficult balance to make when blogging... As I try to update my blog every day for you now (which was much requested in the past) It means that I do include quite a lot of things that I don't own (i.e. perfumes which I sometimes review based on testers) or products that are sent to me via PR companies. Please rest assured, I only EVER review products that I think you (as readers) will be interested in hearing about, and I only ever say EXACTLY what I think of the products. If I don't like a product, regardless of whether I've bought it, been given it, or don't own it all... I will (and do!) say so. My blog is often an outlet where I tell you all about upcoming products I'm excited about also, so if you don't want to see that kind of post then just let me know.

    As for the quality debate for this product. I have two of the three previous Book of Shadows (both of which I bought) and I can say the quality of the packaging compares to them. I agree with the poor quality of two of the eyeshadows (big bus and crystal, as mentioned in the post) but all of the others are lovely.

    Sorry for the longwinded response, I hope that answers some of your questions. It's great to get some feedback (and even nicer if it's put nicely)

    Fx

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  13. It looks fantastic!! This is on my wish list!!
    Thank you for sharing Fleur xxx

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  14. Oh my gosh, this is amazing! The colors are incredible! I am officially in love... ;)

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  15. The packaging is so pretty! I love the butterflies. Midnight Rodeo looks fab for everyday wear and I'm really drawn to Bender as well. A little pricey, but looks worth it!

    Mollie xo
    molliemuses.blogspot.com

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  16. ooh WOW im gonna have to get this the packaging is sooooo pretty and the colours look amazing x

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  17. Looks so amazing! Really really after this now.. My only decision now being: do I go for the coveted Naked Palette that I've wanted for years or skip it altogether and get my paws on this!

    www.boscy.blogspot.com

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  18. Great palette ;)
    xx
    http://www.norabrownsugar.blogspot.com/

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  19. WOW I'd love to try this palette out! I must say I have been pretty loyal to my naked palette for the past year though! xo

    http://vogueinstinct.blogspot.com/

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  21. Hey

    Wow! I love this palette, lots of lovely colours but i did notice that you put blue bust and big bus which i found quite amusing hehe lol in your description, one where you've swatched the colours and the other is where you've taken a picture of all the colour altogether :) x

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  22. that is GORGEOUS! definitely the best palette so far for a good mix of colours!

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  23. Fleur, whether you're sent items or you purchase them, I love your blog regardless. I think you write beautifully, take gorgeous photos, and are so informative. I was trying to decide either to get this palette or the Naked palette, and I ended up getting the naked palette. I'm quite pleased with it!

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  24. One word: wow!

    www.sandra-thepuzzleofmylife.blogspot.com

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  25. Fleur, I read your blog as I do others because I enjoy reading them and they contain products I am interested in buying myself and it's good to get an opinion, you also take good photo's of the products and are great at writing :) I couldn't care less if you bought the product or were sent it, I am only interested in what you have to say about the product as I value your opinion. I really enjoy reading your blog, keep up the good work and please don't ever feel you have to justify yourself, you come across as such a nice person who I enjoy reading about and also watching on You Tube :) take care and thanks for another great blog post, with love and thanks, Zoe xxxx

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  26. I'm confused! Debenhams have been selling this palette for the last few weeks.

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  27. This is a great palette, i bought it in Debenhams a few weeks ago though, I live in Ireland so maybe in came out here first?

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  28. Change the position of Crystal and Lost and I would kill for the bottom two rows.

    By the way, what do you think of the mascara? I've never tried any Urban Decay mascaras, but I've heard that they aren't really up to the usual standard that UD sets.

    Thanks!

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  29. I have been contemplating getting this for a few days now!

    http://roxyhurley22.blogspot.com/

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  30. I need this book of shadows in my life! And also the packaging is beautiful x

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  31. i dont think its quite for me, i just think alot of the neutrals look like a very similar shade of pale cream... at least the naked palette went through a scale of different shades, i think i would have prefered a more even mix or pale, mid-tone and darker colours, but thats just my personal opinion, plus i feel like UD keep pushing the prices up and they are really hitting their ceiling, :D

    www.missmathful.blogspot.com

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  32. http://daniellebaskerville.blogspot.com/

    This is gorgeous. I really want one!!

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  33. I dont understand why people are complaining that you get things for free!? I think that it is good that companies see you as someone who is is able to get the word about their product out! I guess it shows that you are a highly respected blogger and if it wasnt for some of your posts I wouldnt even know about upcoming products and I certainly wouldnt have known about this one! Although at £49? big ouch! Im not sure I will be buying this for myself, One for the christmas list maybe :D

    Joselin
    xxx

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  34. Looks a great palette, so many mixed reviews!! The only UD palette I own is the NAKED and couldn't be without it now! x

    www.jessicabeautician.com

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  35. wooooooooooooooooooo i love this and cant wait to get my hand on itxxx omg i am so exited if you could only see my face now xx

    my blog : http://ravingbeautyx.blogspot.com/

    Lauren x

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  36. i absolutely adore urban decay and this palette looks amazing! i wear UD shadows everyday and these shades look stunning!
    awesome review xx

    my blog: http://kleigh47.blogspot.com/

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  37. It's beautiful, I love it!!!

    http://brookeandmckenzie.wordpress.com/2011/09/27/undatable_men/

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  38. WOW I am so going to ask my boyfriend to get me this for christmas. If its anything like the naked pallet it is amazing.
    Yet another great post fleur.
    sal x
    beautethoughts.blogspot.com

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  39. I love this!! I cant wait to get it!!
    It will look amazing next to my Naked palette and Fun palette!!

    Check out my blog -

    lovefayexoxo.blogspot.com

    lovefaye xoxo

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  40. I am not as impressed with this Book of Shadows as their other ones. I really don't like the thing where you can hook up a phone (I don't have one) and I think that it's REALLY too gimmicky and therefore too expensive for what it is. The 15th Anniversary palette was a lot better. I think that they really need to change or step up their next Book of Shadows!

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  41. I saw this at Ulta and almost got it purely because of the beautiful butterfly packaging! so pretty and the colors are fab! i love urban decay palettes! :) x

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  42. Bigger? Yes! Better? Abosultely not! Who needs a palette with an iPod port?

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  43. I'm so jealous :D I wish I could buy UD in Germany. But I love the colours and the package. they are always so creative.

    love Mimi
    http:/powderpuffgirl89.blogspot.com/

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  44. Fleur, you did it again. I wasn't gonna buy the UD 15th anniversary palette, but when i saw your post on that, I just couldn't resist the temptation. Now this BOS.. OMG... gonna run to the store as soon as it launch. LOL ^^

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  45. I absolutely love this set, the only downside im seeing in the neutrals, though gorgeous, there was alot that look to similiar so I wish they had more choices like your top swatch. but still this is a beautiful set and im a sucker for makeup sets!

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