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- Urban Decay's Naked palettes have a cult following for a reason. Each features a relatively neutral color scheme, so all the colors work for daytime or nighttime looks.
- Compared to competing brands I've used, these palettes are the most versatile, pigmented, blendable, and practical for my daily needs.
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Their popularity makes sense. Many of them boast long-lasting formulas, customization options, and a wide array of colors, making them a great value. But while endless options are nice, it can be tough to find the right palette, especially one full of colors you actually want to use.
That's why I'm loyal to Urban Decay's line of Naked eyeshadow palettes, which each include 12 mostly neutral colors in a combination of shimmery and matte finishes. Though powdery in consistency and texture, the formula is easily blendable, simple to use, and highly pigmented. The palettes can easily take your looks from day to night, and they last seemingly forever.
Here's what sets Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palettes apart:
Urban Decay Naked palettes offer a wide range of colors and finishes.
Each color-centric palette includes 12 hues and a myriad of finishes, be it matte, shimmery, or metallic. You can pair neutral nudes, taupes and browns with fuchsias and cranberry reds. The sky's the limit — whether you're a curious novice, dedicated expert, or somewhere in between. Over the years, I've used them for "no-makeup" makeup, dramatic smokey eyes, and getting a warm-toned glow.
Urban Decay now offers five thematic Naked palettes at Sephora, plus minis with fewer shades. Some are definitely more glam with metallics and deeper tones, and some are decidedly more neutral with light golds and beiges.
The colors are highly pigmented and easily blendable.
When eyeshadow is described as highly pigmented, that means it's intense and saturated with color. Not surprisingly, Urban Decay reigns supreme in this category. Since the shades are richly concentrated, they won't fade, and I don't have to waste product trying to build coverage.
The shades blend seamlessly with the included brush, but the formula doesn't smudge after application. There's also zero fallout or dust, so you won't end up with raccoon eyes. Without these concerns looming, I can cake my face in peace.
The slim packaging is great for storage and travel, and a large mirror and eyeshadow brush are included.
Bulky packaging is a bane (I'm looking at you, Morphe). Fortunately, the sleek Naked palettes can be stored in tight spaces, such as carry-on luggage, makeup bags, purses, and my former forced-triple college dorm.
Each palette contains a large mirror and double-sided eyeshadow brush with soft bristles. Though you can easily find these tools elsewhere, they're convenient to have in one place. The brushes evenly distribute the color, so it's unnecessary to splurge on expensive alternatives. I especially appreciate the mirror while mixing and matching shades in transit.
Though pricey, these palettes are long-lasting.
Compared to drugstore options, you'll have to pay a pretty penny for a Naked palette. The full-sized palettes range from $44-$54, while the minis are under $30.
I find the palettes to qualify as a worthwhile, long-term investment. This past fall, I was using the same Naked3 palette that I had purchased in 2015. It has endured what I can only describe as precarious conditions, but it never shattered and the colors never grew dull or muddied. When I say they last for a long time, I really mean it.
The bottom line:
A company doesn't earn cult status at random. The Naked eyeshadows represent Urban Decay's steadfast legacy: continued innovation, clever design, and makeup that works. If you want variety, pigmented shades, and slender packaging, you know what to do. The ROI is well worth it.