Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks Review and Swatches

Affiliate linksLiquid lipstick emerged as the hottest makeup trend in 2016 and looks like the craze is here to stay! I am definitely loving it and was super excited when I heard that Urban Decay is expanding its Vice Lipstick lineup to include a brand new liquid formula.

via Urban Decay Cosmetics Instagram

The new Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick is available in a range of 30 shades and two finishes—comfort matte and metallized. From neutrals with an Urban Decay edge to bold brights, there’s something for everyone.

I picked up a few shades of the new Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks last weekend (with high hopes!) and now that I have tried and tested them all, I am ready to share my thoughts. Read on…

Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick formula claims to be waterproof and life-proof, with a transfer-free finish for a super long-lasting wear. It also promises to be intensely pigmented while being comfortable and non-drying which sets it apart from other matte liquid lipsticks.

Does it really live up to all these claims? Well, yes (for the most part), but things seem to vary between different shades and finishes. The three shades I have are Amulet, Crimson and Trivial (from top to bottom in the image below).

Amulet is described as a brick rose with a matte, metallic finish. This is a really gorgeous brown-ish mauve shade with a lightweight and smooth, non-drying formula that doesn’t emphasize my lip lines and wears pretty comfortably. It doesn’t give complete coverage in one coat but a second layer makes it opaque.

It lasts for at least 5-6 hours, holding up really well through coffee break and a full lunch – no touchups needed and no dried-out lips! I am not a big fan of metallic finish lipsticks but totally digging this shade….it makes a bold statement without a vampy vibe!

Trivial is a warm rosy pink nude with a hint of pearly shimmer but dries down to a matte, metallic finish. This is another beautiful shade that goes on smoothly and evenly, with full color coverage in 2 coats. This shade is also non-drying and wears comfortably without a tacky feel but doesn’t last very long….it’s gone in 3-4 hours max and even earlier if you had a coffee break or snacking. I like this shade for everyday wear and really wish it lasted longer!

Crimson is a rich red with matte finish. It’s not too warm nor cool and would be a flattering red for most skin tones. The problem, however, is the formula which can be slightly streaky and needs a bit of finesse to apply smoothly and evenly. It’s especially hard to control along the edges. Also, it has a thick, tacky feel on the lips throughout the wear time that’s anything but comfortable! Although it doesn’t make my lips feel like sandpaper, it is drying for sure especially during these winter months.

Crimson does have opaque pigmentation in one layer and lasts super long through meals and everything in between…so it practically lasts all day until you take it off. In fact, I had a hard time removing it with micellar water and had to use a creamy cleansing balm to get it off completely. So, if you are looking for a long-wearing red, this is your shade!

Regarding the color, Crimson is a little too bold for me….way out of my comfort zone! When I picked it up, it looked more of a rich tomato red but on my lips, it looks (at least to me) much deeper and louder! I will be returning this shade.

Another thing worth a mention is that the formula of these Vice liquid lipsticks is completely waterproof. I ran tap water over these three swatches on my hand and was happy to see that there was no smudging or running. They did not budge until I rubbed them off with an oil-based cleanser! Here are the swatches:

Overall, I think that Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks are definitely one of the more comfortable matte liquid lipsticks out there. They don’t have a crazy long wear time, but they feel good and the formula won’t leave your lips begging for moisture. That said, it can still be a hit or miss for you depending on the shade you pick up. Luckily, I found two shades that are right up my alley and I can see myself wearing them frequently!

Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks are available now at Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s and Nordstrom for $18 each.

Need a little help picking up the perfect shade? Check out these lip swatches of Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks (for 25 shades) that will make the selection easier for you!

Which of the Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks are you planning on picking up? Do you like any of the shades above? I’d love to hear your thoughts!