About three years ago, I started using nail polishes from Urban Decay, and at that time, the line consisted basically of nail polish and few a lipsticks. Well, times have changed, and the line has expanded and is still one of my all time favorite brands. As a makeup artist, I use many different brands of makeup, and I have found that the quality of Urban Decay's products stand up against any other.

I know that the colors may sound bizarre (my favorite nail polish is Roach), but the colors are great! Sandy Lerner, who functions as the CEO of Cisco Routing Systems, founded the company. Since she was unable to find nail colors aside from the "normal" colors such pinks and reds, she decided to make her own alternative colors in greens, blues, and purples. I know for many of you green and purple nails and lips may sound garish, but that's what makes the line fun. This line is not for the shy or timid makeup wearers by any means! Many of the colors are not of the ordinary, but the quality of the products are extraordinary, and reasonably priced.

Today, Urban Decay has almost a full line of cosmetics consisting of:

• Nail Polishes ($9) - Awesome intense nail colors that last! Not much more to say.

• Body Haze (All over shimmer sticks) ($18) - Body shimmer that can be used on the face, as well as shoulders, legs, and other body parts you want to glow.

• Shadows/Potholes ($14) - These are excellent. A fabulous array of colors, and the staying power of these are outstanding. The shadows can be applied sheer or layered for intensity, and the textures shadows are really smooth and easily blended. The ability to easily intensify the colors makes them great for every complexion. The potholes can be applied either wet or dry, and used as eyeliners. I even worked out one day wearing Route 66 Pothole, and it stayed on through the sweat and tears!

• Eye Gunk (Liquid Liner)/Mascara/Eye Pencils ($12) - Great eyeliner and mascara colors for a funky night out, and your basic black and brown (a.k.a. roach). They wear nicely, and I like to layer one of the colors over black so that you don't look totally ridiculous. The eye pencils have a great texture: not too soft and not too hard. They are self-sharpening, can be used on lips, and also wear very well. If you choose to use one of the more fun colors like Shattered (a shimmery light turquoise), apply along the base of the lashes, smudge it in really well, and top it off with black mascara. Keep the rest of the eye nude or apply a neutral color such as ABC Gum shadow on the lid.

• Lipsticks ($13)/Lip Gunk (lipgloss) ($12) - A wide variety of colors from neutral to completely outrageous! They have a satiny texture and intense color. As with all Urban Decay products, they wear fairly well without being too drying. The glosses provide a high shine while delivering a major dosage of color! They wear like most glosses, but are also really conditioning for the lips.

• Lip Pencils ($12) - Just like the eye pencils, great textures and wearability. Because they are self-sharpening, they are easier to blend so that you don't end up with that dreaded lip liner ring. Actually, I like to use them alone with a clear gloss.

Lipsticks: Gash, Roach, Asphyxia
Lip Gunk: Kiss, Metropolitan
Shadow: Snow, Metropolitan, Piccadilly, ABC Gum, Floormat, Roach
Potholes: Route 66, Westside Highway
Bodyhaze: Smog

To get an idea of the colors, check out the Urban Decay website. Their colors and description are really close to the real thing. Being as dark as I am, colors that are my favorites are great on black skin, as well as all other skin tones.

Next time you pass Urban Decay at Nordstrom, give it a try. Don't be intimidated - the colors are only as wild as you apply them.