URBAN DECAY ALICE IN WONDERLAND THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS PALETTE - REVIEW AND SWATCH

I'm a tad late to the Alice in Wonderland party, but I just had to do a review on this beautiful palette. The previous Alice in Wonderland Urban Decay palette is one of two limited edition palettes I hadn't gotten hold of, so I wasn't going to let this masterpiece slip through my hands! I reluctantly refused the lipsticks due to money, but I would've had them a heartbeat. I picked this up a few weeks ago at my local House of Fraser. Let's start on the exterior. How beautiful is the packaging! Potentially one of the most beautiful yet, even though it's gone back to its old school cardboard packaging. The rainbow kaleidoscope pattern which is made of flowers and butterflies is perfection, and looks stunning with the mirror and logo in the middle.

Once opened, but before getting into the palette, there's a large decorative mirror with the words 'We're All Mad Here' printed on the mirror. As gorgeous as the mirror is, it's not overly practical and when using this palette I tend to use a big mirror or a previous Vice palette. When you open up the top there's also two doors which open up to a 3D butterfly which flutters its wings when you open the doors. It's a really lovely touch and adds a little magic and mystery to the palette, which suits it so well. I think Urban Decay had absolutely nailed the packaging. I thought I was going to be slightly upset about the cardboard packaging, but because of it's bright, interesting patterns and pretty motifs I can forgive and forget. What I also love about this is you can pull the palette straight out, so you've not got your mirror or butterfly flapping around.

When you open the palette section up, it's almost 3D looking due to the white and black blocks. However its as flat as any other palette! Unlike many palettes I have, the groups of colours go diagonally, representing a certain theme or character. There are some absolute killers in this palette so I'm so happy I picked it up. The brush is also so dainty and pretty and gets a not of use too. I find the shorter brush is good for packing on colour, and the fluffy side does a good job at blending.

 ALICE

L-R - Looking Glass, Reflection, Dormouse and Metamorphosis.

LOOKING GLASS - Looking Glass is a pretty pale shade which is great for the pale princess out there. This is a great base colour and perfect all over and then adding Chessboard in the crease. Looking Glass has a smooth application and applies as a sheeny, soft pearl.

REFLECTION - This is such a pretty colour! It looks so delicate washed over the whole lid giving a peachy pop of colour. This is a matte shade with great colour payoff.

DORMOUSE - Is another one of my to go to crease shades. It has a satin finish and blends well! It's a great all-round brown shade that I constantly go to when I need a brown. 

METAMORPHOSIS - This pretty periwinkle shade is a shade I've not seen before, and it was one of the reasons I went for this palette. It seems to have a mint/blue shimmer that is hardly there when on the lids, but adds a little brightness. I adore this on the bottom lash line!

 MADHATTER

L-R - Hatter, Gone Mad, Paradox and Cake.

HATTER - Hatter is faultless. It has the perfect satin texture with insane pigmentation. I wish I wore greens as this is the perfect one. I might try popping this on the lower lash line with a bold black liner for a crazy yet wearable look. I need to use this shade!

GONE MAD - I'm so happy that this dark purple shade has good pigmentation! It's a really lovely deep purple shade which has great colour pay off and is super buttery. One of the most pigmented shades in the palette - Good job Urban Decay!

PARADOX - I love peachy/orange shades at the moment and this is going to be a much loved shade! Like almost all in the palette it applies well, has great pigmentation and amazing colour.

CAKE - I can appreciate this this has crazy pigmentation and buttery texture, but the colour isn't my cup of tea. The shade looks beautiful and if you love pink, you'll adore this.

 MIRANA

L-R - Lily, Duchess, Kingdom and Chessboard.

LILY - Lily is perfection - It was so hard to photograph so the picture doesn't do it justice! Similar to the shifting shades in the Urban Decay Oz Glinda palette, this has a pretty pink shimmery shift. However this is far more buttery and pigmented. I just adore this all over the lid or in the corners. On my pale complexion it looks so delicate. I would never go for a pink shade, but this really brings out the blue in my eyes in a subtle, interesting way.

DUCHESS - This again is very similar to Lily, with the fact that it has a shimmery pink shift. This is a really pretty peach shade and looks gorgeous all over the lid with Chessboard in the crease. Because it has that pink shift to it it makes it look really interesting on the lids. An absolute winner.

KINGDOM - This is a really pretty tan shade which is great over the lid. It's a really lovely buttery shade that goes well on the lids.

CHESSBOARD - This matte brown comes off more orange hued on the lids than in the swatch. This is my most used shade. I'll use this in the creases or under my eyes to make the blue in my eyes pop. It's beautiful to blend and so easy to apply. Easily my to-go-to brown shade at the moment.

 IRACEBETH

L-R - Heads Will Roll, Bandersnatch, Salazen Gum and Royal Flush.

HEADS WILL ROLL - I've worn this a fair few times now, and I love it! This palette has really made me experiment with colour which is so cool. A palette should inspire, and this one does just that. This bright aqua shade is a satin shade with fine shimmer. This is a dream to blend and applies effortlessly.

BANDERSNATCH - This is another unique shade which is one of the reasons I went for this palette. It's so beautiful! It's a unusual navy shade that isn't too dark that you mistake it for black when on the lids. It's a matte shade and blends well.

SALAZEN GUM - Oh boy. Where do I begin. Holy moly. Isn't this one of the most perfect things you've ever seen?! This metallic finish shade is to die for. It's buttery, it goes on like a dream, the colour and pigmentation is out of this world. I have only good things to say about this gorgeous shade!

ROYAL FLUSH - This frosty shade is perfect for all over the lid or the inner corners. I tried using this as a brow bone highlight, but for me the sparkle is a little too chunky to achieve a barely there but bright highlight. Still a pretty shade to sweep over the lids.

TIME

L-R - Time, Dream On, Chronosphere and Mirror.

TIME - Time has insane pigmentation and shimmer. This is one of my favourites in the palette, and I'll try more smokey eyes because of it. This shade is a dark navy with pretty bright navy shimmer. This is lovely as an alternate to a black smokey eye or great for darkening up a blue eyeshadow in the outer corners.

DREAM ON - I don't like this shade at all. I don't know if it's the unusual lilac hue that I can't get to look nice on my eyes or the sheerness of it. I'm not 100% sure if I'll reach for this again or try to make it work. A little disappointing, but the other shades in this palette forgives it.

CHRONOSPHERE - This is a really creamy deep golden brown shade. This is great partnered up with Kingdom. Great pigmentation and looks pretty on the lid!

MIRROR - I love this grey taupey shade! I love this all over the lid with a bit of Time to make it more smokey. It's a really unique shade and applies well.

Overall I am so happy I picked up this palette. This is a really awesome all round palette and you can achieve so many different looks. From very natural matte eyes to crazy colours and dark smokey eyes, this is a look for everyone. You can get this for £43, although it may be sold out in many places now.