This eyeshadow palette has been on my wish-list for two long years. You can’t buy Urban Decay in New Zealand and, despite reading umpteen blogs singing the palette’s praises, I was nervous at the prospect of spending NZ$100 on getting an item shipped over from the UK/Australia without having the option of ‘trying before I buy’. Anyway. I finally got one… Knowing what I know now, I wish I’d just bitten the bullet two years ago and just bought it!
This palette, is one of the world’s best ever selling eyeshadow palettes and has 12 gorgeous colours neutral tones. There’s three matt colours, the remainder range from sparkly to light frost finishes. There’s an abundance of looks you can achieve, from neutral day-appropriate, right through to dramatic smokey eyes. For the last two weeks I’ve created looks from this palette, I don’t think I’ve done the same look twice.
The colours all have great pigmentation: One dab in the pan with a good eyeshadow brush, a pat on the eyelid, good to go: The application is too easy. The swatches on my arm show how good they are, noting I did use a primer underneath the eyeshadows (I used Urban Decay Primer Potion – you can read the review of that here). The quality of these eyeshadows is outstanding.
Urban Decay have two palette’s in the ‘Naked’ range, the original is simply called, you guessed it: Naked. Click here to suss that one out. I really wanted to get Naked 2 over the original version as the second palette’s shades leaned warmer, whereas with my dark colouring and slightly olive skin (I’m a ‘winter’ skin tone) I knew the second palette would work better on me. That said, I’ve got the original on my Christmas wishlist.
If you are interested in investing in either the original Naked or Naked 2, you can get them here in NZ from Gracie Lou. Beauty Bay sells the first Naked Palette only (at the time of writing) for AUD$64 with free delivery to NZ! Otherwise, check out Sephora or major department stores.
There’s only two criticisms I have of the palette. The first is that I’d like one less shadow with sparkle, replaced with one more that’s matt. Secondly, not so much as a criticism, rather a disappointment, which is the brush. In one word: CRAP. I’ll keep it because it looks nice in the tin, but it’s only good for decoration on my opinion! Lucky the palette came with a travel sized lip gloss, which is fabulous. That made up for it.
My five favourite shadows
Foxy – A skin coloured neutral which I put all over the lid – it’s a great base colour which makes it easier to blend any other colour out that I put on top.
Half Baked – Metallic gold. I LOVE this in the corner of my inner eye – it’s an instant eye brightner. Gorgeous.
Tease – Far from dull, this matt mushroom coloured neutral is a great transition shade, perfect for the crease. It has almost a slight purple undertone.
Busted – A deep burgundy/plummy brown with a satin finish: Sensational packed on the lid for a smokey dramatic night-appropriate look.
Pistol – A steel/khaki grey colour with a satin finish.
So, top marks Urban Decay, you score a 4.5 out of 5 for this palette. Bring on Christmas so I can get Naked!
