Did you ever think you could own a Jean-Michel Basquiat anything? Now you can, because the iconic artwork of the late Jean-Michel Basquiat inspired Urban Decay’s newest collector’s collection, and everything in it evolved from the late Basquiat’s enduring art.
For those of you who do not know, Jean-Michel Basquiat rose to fame in the 80’s Art Scene in New York City. His Graffiti was a fixture around New York City, and he challenged the status quo of the art world, using color in non-traditional ways. He will always be remembered as one of the most famous artists from the 2oth Century. 
When the Basquiat estate asked Urban Decay if they wanted to collaborate a makeup collection based on the artist, Urban Decay jumped on it, because Basquiat represents the non-conformist pioneer of the art world that Urban Decay embodies in the makeup world.
The collection includes eye liner pencils, two eye shadow palettes, three lipsticks, and a blush palette. I am reviewing the Urban Decay X Jean-Michel Basquiat Gallery Blush Palette ($34). The entire collection, including the Gallery Blush Palette is an exclusive limited edition, so jump on it before it sells out. It is too good to pass up this collection if you collect eye palettes, makeup in general, or love anything “Basquiat!”
The packaging is awe-inspiring. First, the canvas-like texture and the attention to detail is commendable, it is an embossed surface that feels like a canvas.
The packaging is a mini-reproduction of Basquiat’s artwork. There is a cutout on the back of each box, so that you can actually display Basquiat’s art work on a wall in your house. You’ll have your very own mini Basquiat collection! It doesn’t get much better than that! Plus the canvas wrapped packaging features reproductions of some of Basquiat’s most iconic artwork.
Basquiat’s Artwork becomes Makeup. Urban Decay’s Makeup becomes Artwork. Pretty intense this collaboration!
The Gallery Blush Palette is beautiful artwork integrated into a makeup palette. The palette includes two blushes, a highlighter and a bronzer.
X-Rated is the only color in the palette that is not new. It is available in the regular Urban Decay range of blushers. It is a light to medium cotton candy cool pink with a cool blue undertone. It is semi opaque, not sheer, but not as pigmented as the rest of the shades. However, it is buildable, and it has a smooth, velvety texture.
When I went outside into natural sunlight, the shade appeared more sheer, inside it looked more pigmented.
JAW BONE
Jaw Bone is a medium-dark red-toned brown with warm undertones. It has a matte finish. It is very pigmented. It is finely milled, feels silky to the touch, and blends out well. Use it as a bronzer, or as a contour. Either way, it is a beautiful shade.
Jaw Bone swatched in natural sunlight.
Now’s The Time
Above the shade Now’s The Time, look at the corner of the mirror. There is a Basquiat Crown drawn in black, on the mirror. The attention to detail, the artwork itself, is everywhere!
Now’s The Time is a pale gold highlighter with warm undertones. It has a subtle peachy shift. It is a shimmer.
Now’s the Time highlighter swatched in natural sunlight.
Again, very pigmented. It is a gorgeous highlighter shade, even prettier than champagne. I’ll be using it a lot this summer.
NOTTO
Noho is a medium-dark raspberry shade with subtle cool undertones, and a semi-matte finish. It is intensely opaque. It felt smooth, a finely milled silky feel. It applies beautifully.
NOHO swatched in natural sunlight
Everything in this palette revolves around Basquiat’s art. It is amazing. The colors are bold. They feel buttery and creamy. They are gorgeously pigmented and they are so easy to blend. There is no fallout! They are reminiscent of the Nars blush palette collection, the pigments, the highlighter, and the way the pans are set up is super gorgeous. Urban Decay really stepped up their game and went all out for this one, and they did a remarkable job, all the way around.
I love the crown on the palette, placed at the opening divider between the top lid and the bottom palette. Next to the Crown is an arrow pointing up, maybe it’s there saying “open me!”
The ingredients include Urban Decay’s Afterglow Formula, which is supposed to be sheer, yet non were sheer. Just the X-Rated shade was much lighter than the others.
The colors are universal, meaning they are good for all skin tones.
Of all the makeup collaborations out there, this is the best I’ve ever seen. I love that Urban Decay and the Basquiat Estate have made it possible , using a different platform to bring Basquiat’s works to all of us, where they can be appreciated and everybody can know his work. Pretty cool, huh? I’ll be reviewing the rest of the collection in a few days.
You ARE Awesome!
Did you know Basquiat’s artwork before Urban Decay introduced it to you? Let me know in the comments below.
xoxoxoxoxo
Sookie
