The Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette: Everything You Should Know (Update)

UPDATE (October 26, 2016 11:03 a.m.): Now that we are fully informed on how to use all of its rainbow shades, we can finally get our hands on the Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette. It's now available for $55 on urbandecay.com. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty pumped to start experimenting with the palette. Warning, a metallic rust shade, and Mean, a shimmery neon green, look right up my alley. I may just have to break this out for Halloween (and you should do if you plan to be a unicorn or try out galaxy makeup). Let the ROY G BIV wonderment begin!

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Just when I'd finally recovered from how #blessed I felt that the Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics palette was launched, another new palette is on its way to sephora.com (and into my heart) on October 26 for $58. I've already added it to my makeup wish list for fall. Unlike the variety of matte neutral shades that make up the new Naked palette, the Full Spectrum eye-shadow palette literally covers the entire color spectrum, from candy-apple red to obsidian black. According to Urban Decay's recent Instagram post on the upcoming launch, 18 of the 21 shades in the Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette are new, and with that many choices, I'll be able to create almost any look my little palpitating heart desires.

The vivid colors are, admittedly, a bit overwhelming. I can already hear most of my friends complaining: "This is the palette of my unicorn dreams, but I have no idea what to do with that bright yellow or neon green. Pass." TBH, I thought the same thing. To find out how to make the best use of the vivid shades, I asked pro makeup artists what they would do with the new Urban Decay palette if it were in their kits.

"I would use Jones [a golden orange] all over the lids with Bump [a matte white] pressed into the inner and outer corners. Then, I would blend Platonic [a shimmery black] along the lower lash line." —Ashleigh Ciucci

"I'd go for the smoky-eye look with a warm color for a sexy rock-and-roll look, or one of the purples, which is trendy right now. Apply the eye shadow all over the lids, top and bottom—especially in the crease area. Make sure to blend and blend some more. Take a black or dark brown eyeliner, draw in the inner rims, top and bottom, and follow with mascara. If this is an evening look, you can do a soft highlight and contour, followed by a neutral blush like a bronzer. If this is a daytime look, skip the previous step altogether. Just go for a natural lip." —Min Min Ma

"I have one of the Vice palettes, and I love it. I recommend using one color at a time because it looks more polished. I love using a bright color—like a brick red—all over the lid and lower lash line, then using a blending brush to soften up edges." —Azra Red

"I actually recently re-created Pep Gay's hot-pink eye from the Tadashi Shoji spring 2017 show for a photo campaign, and that's exactly what I would do with the palette." —Stella Kae

John Lamparski/WireImage

"An easy way to use these would be to try one of the bright shades as a liner. First, wet an angled brush, like . Then dip it into the color of your choice and apply it like a liner. Another way is to add one of the blues or teal to the crease. Start lightly and build to your desired look." —Joseph Carrillo

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Watch a makeup artist talk someone through her first smoky-eye look:

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"I’m a little obsessed with the top row. I would smoke out a combo of the burgundies, rust, and khaki greens for a bold eye. For a softer look, I would do a sheer wash of one of those colors and top with the silver or gold shades." —Joanna Schlip

"I suggest going across the spectrum and using all of the different colors to create a gorgeous mosaic eye. You can also use the same shade wet and dry to get a beautiful differentiation. The wet version of the color will deliver a way more intense deposit of color." —Rebecca Perkins, cofounder and head makeup artist of Rouge New York

"Well, first of all, I want one—bad. I love having color like this in my beauty toolbox. Adding a spot of color to your look can be as simple as a touch of purple or green on the lid. They could be layered under a neutral shade to utilize the colors in a more subtle way. Plus, the pinks and oranges are great to use on cheeks." —Molly Stern

"This is the ultimate bright palette. We all need one, and this Urban Decay palette is gorgeous. I love to use brights in a monochromatic way, like one color—I like to use blue—for a bold eye. This technique keeps the look from getting too busy and therefore keeps it elevated and not cheesy. It's also important to keep your skin superlight and fresh so the eyes don't look too heavy." —Katie Jane Hughes

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