Makeup Musings

There are very few makeup blogs that have survived over the years. That is understandable. As people change, so do their relationship with the topics they blog about. Since starting this blog a couple of years ago, I want to say that while I am still an unabashed makeup lover and enthusiast, my makeup consumption as a whole has changed. A struggle with subscription boxes, discount products, etc., and two years of a global and ONGOING pandemic have caused a slight shift in priorities.

But this is still the makeup spot. So let's chat. 

Like I did, you may have found yourself gasping in delight at the promo images of the new Urban Decay Cyber palette when they first released. The holographic, Y-2K aesthetic might have triggered memories of frosted lipgloss and the Xenon Disney movies. However, the actual swatches of the palette were not provided for a while. 

I could do the whole timeline, but from a consumer point of view, it's a valuable lesson. If the company is withholding information, and reviews come in slowly and sluggishly, it's because they either 1.) suck or 2.) influencers weren't paid enough to pretend it doesn't suck. 

Urban Decay has had a particularly rough track record with non-neutral palettes lately. Who would have thought? 

However, it bears reflection. The palette was first teased on Trendmood's ig on August 18, with a release date of September. It ended up going for sale late September. Temptalia only posted (her very negative) review today. Even browsing through the Instagram tag, no one was talking about this palette. 

A Lesson in Smart Shopping

Think about the Wired palette UD droppped last year as a reboot of their cult-status Electric palette. Who is talking about that palette now? Who was then? Not very many people. It came and went like a ship in the night. I have a feeling that the Cyber palette, quite sadly, will end with a similar fate. 

Does this mean you should buy it on sale, when it inevitably is sold for 50% off? That's still like $25.00, though. Temptalia's review does a thorough shade by shade breakdown, so you can make your own choice. However, there are so many brands doing duochromes that I am fascinated by the failure of this particular palette and think that there must be better options for people. 

I mean, you can even spot the hard pan in the promotional imagery! How did this happen??

This failure is especially disappointing, because there is a growing market for "elevated" neutral palettes that contain complex shades and textures that can still be complimented by a neutral color scheme. I consider myself to be one of those people. The Cyber palette was going to be the one palette I treated myself to this year, after a big miss with the Melt Cosmetics She's In Parties Palette (long story short with that one- I keep being drawn to cool tones because of my skin tone, despite the fact that warm tones are for the best). 

If you are still hankering for a palette LIKE the Cyber palette, the new Coral Blossom palette by Dominque Cosmetics bears some resemblance:

I also think palettes by Kaja and Adept Cosmetics are really good choices for those who want to add a pop of duochrome goodness to a neutral-based look. 

On my own wishlist, which appears to be quite over the top and a bit delusional for me in price range:

The Danessa Myricks Lightwork III palette. 

The PMG Celestial Odyssey palette

The Amunet Nu palette from Adept Cosmetics. Adept takes a long time to ship, which may not be the worst thing for those on a low-buy. 

What do these three share with the Cyber Palette? The possibilities for blending neutrals with muted colors and rich vibrant duochromes. Where does the Cyber Palette fall short? Quality and vision. No matter how much it is discounted, I would say it is a safe skip.

Thanks for reading, friends!