Two of my favourite things are Game of Thrones and makeup. So when I heard that Urban Decay – also my favourite make up brand – were releasing a limited edition, Game of Thrones inspired collection, I had to get my hands on it. I tried the eyeshadow palette, and here are my thoughts.
At £45 (minus 10% with my student discount) I certainly felt like I was getting a makeup palette that was a lot more expensive. The box is absolutely beautiful, and it makes me happy when makeup brands don’t skimp on the packaging. It is shaped like a book with a black spine, adorned with black house sigils from Baratheon to Targaryen, and inside is a mirror (a decent-sized mirror, I should add), a beautifully painted map of Westeros and a pop-up Iron Throne. These little extra features make the purchase all the more special, especially for super fans like myself. It feels like a makeup product and a piece of fan merchandise all in one.
Another thing that really impressed me was the range of colours, inspired by both the cold, dark North and the exotic brighter settings in Game of Thrones. The colours are situated in groups of five, in four sections: White Walkers, House Stark, House Lannister and House Targaryen. From frosty silvers and blues to glittery golds, the range of colours and choices was impressive. Each section is instantly reminiscent of the theme. White Walkers include the sparkly azure blue ‘Frozen North’ and the shimmering silver ‘Free Folk’ – fit for a Night Queen! The House Stark theme features a gorgeous red wine shade inspired by the leaves of the Weirwood tree, and House Lannister keeps its theme in check with gold, red and rusty brown – true colours of the ferocious house.
They look gorgeous on the palette, but I wondered if the colours would translate as strongly as I applied them. With some eyeshadows you feel like you’ve applied ten layers and it still isn’t popping, but there was no need for that with the Game of Thrones eyeshadow palette. I first tried ‘House Targaryen’, a sandy brown colour with a hint of shimmer, and was amazed by how rich it looked after just one application. I didn’t have to put on any more, and I blended it with a little bit of ‘Casterly Rock’ – and a little bit was all I needed. Urban Decay have never disappointed me before with the quality and richness of shadows, and they still continue to impress me.
I came upon this unintentionally, but have never looked back. I couldn’t find my regular highlighter, so I dabbed a little bit of ‘King’s Landing’ across my cheek. And what do you know – it works as a highlighter! It’s a pale gold, and therefore quite similar to a classic highlighter colour. It was subtle enough to use on my cheek, and I got compliments throughout the day. ‘Hardhome’ is another shade that works as a highlighter too, as it’s a light shimmery silver with a shell pink tint to it. I have very pale skin, but if you have a darker complexion, the gorgeous peachy-pink ‘Bay of Dragons’ would work on you. Now I’m not so gutted that I didn’t manage to get my hands on the Mother of Dragons highlighter palette!
I have loved using this gorgeous eyeshadow palette, but if I had to bring up one con, it’s that it is not really appropriate for everyday wear. Out of 20 shadows, there are only three matte ones, and the other 17 are shimmery. There are also a few really dramatic shades that I have not felt brave enough to wear yet, such as ‘Take the Black’. I wore a little bit of ‘House Targaryen’ to work and it felt suitable (as I said, a little bit is really all you need) but generally, these shades are more suited for a going out look. As someone who loves make up and finds nude shades boring, I will continue to use this palette as often as I can, but if you like to keep things neutral, this maybe is not the palette for you.
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