I’ve got to admit that I had to have a really big think about whether to post anything at all on the Urban Decay Vice Lipstick collection – 100 brand new lipsticks in a multiple of finishes. Why? They’re designed to look like bullets, and I just think… really? In fact, all UD lipsticks are designed in a bullet like shape (well, most lipsticks are.. hence the term ‘bullet’) but the new ones are more so, when ideally, anything going forward should probably resemble physical bullets less. For many obvious reasons.
I get it that the roots of Urban Decay are all about the badass and the edgy and going against the grain – who needs make up to look pretty? It should speak to our rebellious side or our sexy side – but not, er, our inner killer. In light of more recent events, I’m wondering if this launch has been scaled right back because I feel it’s been rather quiet for such a huge product number. Anyway, you can read into it what you will, but massive UD fan as I am, I felt quite sad when I saw these. Guns stopped being Calamity Jane amusing way back and now they’re just a symbol of awfulness. I’m not sure how you go from Alice In Wonderland to this. Anyway, my view but entirely your choice – I imagine plenty of people won’t really think twice about it or maybe take it as seriously as I have. Make up sometimes can get you like that.
The colours, right to left: Backtalk (comfort matte), Pandemonium (mega matte), 714 (mega matte), Firebird (cream) and Big Bang (metalic).
And the same order from bottom to top in the swatch. I can’t knock these for colour saturation – they’re super dense and power-packed. They have a very low scent which is a good thing – and they have proper shade matched labels which is quite rare. I only have five here – the Firebird label isn’t a good colour match to the lipstick inside (although it is truer to the swatch) but all the others are spot on perfect.
They’re £15 each HERE.
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17 comments
Hi Jane. This is a most interesting take on the UD lipstick launch. I have to say that I didn’t see it this way at all, even though I live in the States, where, as I’m sure you know, gun violence is a major, MAJOR issue. Because most lipsticks have always been in the “bullet” format, I initially didn’t give this packaging a second thought. When I did think about it, I saw it more in the vein of the Biblical idea of turning swords into plowshares. (No, I am not religious.) What if our weapons were really as harmless as lipsticks?
I can remember a former incarnation of UD lipsticks where the case had a dagger-shaped handle. It was very unwieldy and I actually had one confiscated at the airport!
My personal feeling is that we sometimes look at the small picture rather than the big one. While I know that you have strict laws in the UK, what we need here, IMO, is a laser focus on enacting better, tougher, gun control legislation. Focusing on anything else is, I think, a distraction, and will not serve the memories of those killed in Orlando, your recently assassinated MP, or any one else for that matter.
And now that I have bored you, and, no doubt everyone else, with my thoughts on THAT subject, I will say that I have already bought several of the new lipsticks, and I LOVE them. I think that UD has hit a real home run with these and that they will be a major success. The pre-launch hype here in the States was massive, and for once the promises and the reality match. A rare thing in the beauty industry.
Not bored at all.. very interested to read your views. x
I’m not a fan of the packaging… I really don’t like the bullet shape, which is such in poor taste for a makeup product (or anything, really). And on a practical note, they’re also very difficult to open.
Such a shame because the product inside is beautiful and great quality…
I see what you’re saying about the cases resembling actual bullets, but in all honesty I’d rather every bullet in the world contained lipstick rather than what they do contain.
good point.
You’re right after the events in Florida and Yorkshire it doesn’t look edgy it looks embarrassing.
I’m in complete agreement. I’m a fan of UD makeup but I will definitely not be buying these lipsticks. It’s in such poor taste. I want things in my makeup kit that make me feel good. Not products that remind me of violence. Such a shame…
Are you sure the labelling of the swatches is right to left?
Great colours, but I am really not a fan of guns/bullets as code for edgy. Didn’t like Madonna’s gun heel shoes, don’t like these.
I think so.. I will double check in the morning – thanks for flagging.. I will definitely double check x
Oh my, I love the look of these, especially backtalk! Great pictures and post<3
FloralsAndCoralsx
I can definitely deal without the bullet. The packaging should be changed asap. The shade firebird is amazing. Hope UD makes some major changes.
Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com
Hi Jane I completely agree bullets cause so much destruction and suffering and make up is about people feeling good about themselves so it’s a No from me
I also wanted to mention that the shell casing packaging is a reference to Urban Decay’s original lipstick cases. As such, it’s easy to see why they chose to revisit it for their 20th anniversary lipstick revamp. And while I’m most certainly not a gun advocate, I do insist that focusing on the shape and design of a lipstick case is a distraction. It does nothing to address the real and serious problem of gun violence as we know it here in the States, IMO. Even if UD did change their packaging, which I can’t imagine them doing, this would do absolutely nothing to solve the problem. Because it is NOT the problem. The US Senate voted down extremely tepid gun control legislation last night because they are the puppets of a very powerful gun lobby. THAT is the problem. While I certainly can’t speak to UK politics, those of us who live here in the States should focus less on Urban Decay and more on how our elected representatives voted last night. And then we need to take that knowledge with us to the voting booth in November. That’s where meaningful change takes place.
I’ll shut up now. Sorry for the rant, Jane. Feel free to delete if you wish. I will not be offended if you do.
As if I’d delete you! Well, what I think is small steps are better than no steps – you’re right that it’s not going to do anything for the wider issue but I think it’s perfectly okay to object to it on the grounds that it’s tasteless given our circumstances. Don’t forget this is a UK and US audience and our gun problems in the UK are different and the representation of guns is percieved differently. Like, there isn’t anyone really PRO the right for everyone to carry firearms in the UK so maybe it just seems more shocking to us because it’s not at all the norm. But I think you’re wrong actually to see it as a distraction – it’s highlighting a massive issue in a small way to people who may not think twice about guns and what they really represent.
I was at an Urban Decay counter today and was talking to the SA about the debatable taste with these lipsticks. To my astonishment she opened a drawer and showed me an over shoulder bullet holder that they had been given to display them! She said she hadn’t been keen on wearing it and that because of “recent events” they weren’t being made to use them. I would have taken a photo but didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable but just couldn’t believe the crassness of this.
Oh Jesus! What an awful way to confirm that they are indeed designed to resemble bullets! D: No wonder they backtracked on that one fast!
I don’t like this idea of “weaponising” makeup. The implication is that lipstick is part of your “beauty arsenal”, as though wearing makeup is an act of aggression.
I don’t think the purple shade is anything I would ever wear, but backtalk is right up my alley!!
Kathy x
http://www.alongcamekathy.blogspot.co.nz