Meanwhile, eight eyeshadows later…
I don’t even know how this happened.
OMG!
I started with two neutral browns from the new $55 Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics Palette, which is a new holiday palette from UD (you can sign up to find out when it’ll be available), but then 45 minutes had gone by and I’d burned through almost the entire greatest hits album from The Cure.
I fell into the Eye Makeup Black Hole, which happens to me periodically…and by “periodically,” I mean all the damned time.
But isn’t that always the way it is with these Urban Decay Naked Palettes? You go in fully intending to do a simple look with just two of the shadows, but lo and behold — POOF! — there went half the day.
Or is that just something I do? A lot?
It’s been six years since the original Naked Palette dropped like the bikinis and briefs on a nude beach, and UD is still playing with the brown/beige/taupe theme. This one’s all about those neutral matte powder shadows.
Well…most of them are matte. There is one highlighting shadow that does have some very subtle shimmer (which was a brilliant addition, BTW!).
The Naked Ultimate Basics Palette is like the lovechild of the matte Naked Basics Palettes and that very first Naked Palette from UD, but before we discuss the pink elephant in the room, here are the basic details…
- It’s $55 and arrives in mid-September (you can sign up to be alerted when it drops).
- It’s part of the permanent collection.
- It comes with a dual-ended brush and a nice, big mirror in the palette.
- The packaging is similar to the Urban Decay Naked On the Run Palette but smaller and thinner.
- It comes with 12 all-new shades that are exclusive to the palette, including…
- Blow — a light nude demi-matte
- Nudie — a soft pinkish nude matte
- Commando — a light taupe-brown matte
- Tempted — a pale brown matte
- Instinct — a medium pink-taupe matte
- Lethal — a reddish brown matte
- Pre-Game — a pale yellow matte
- Extra Bitter — a burnt orange matte
- Faith — a medium warm brown matte
- Lockout — a rich netural brown matte
- Magnet — a smoky gray matte
- Blackjack — a warm black matte
- The shades are very neutral, with the exception of burnt matte orange Extra Bitter, which is kinda similar to MAC Saddle and leans pretty warm on me. But sometimes I like a touch of warmth in the crease and on my lower lash line, especially when I’m wearing bronzer.
Something like Extra Bitter would tie a look together in a neat bow.
- They feel gloriously soft.
- The shades are more pigmented then I expected them to be based on how light they look in the pans.
- They have great staying power and last 10-12 hours for me.
Pretty enticing, right? Whenever I see neutral palettes like this one I get the same feeling that I get when I look out my window and see a cat. 🙂 Something primal takes over, and I’m overcome with the need to pet them and play with them and just get on that sh*t.
I can’t stop myself! I NEED to befriend them all.
But I guess the big question is this (a.k.a. the pink elephant in the room): with all of the neutral palettes out there in Makeup Candy Land, is this one worth your hard-earned tacos?
I think so. I’ve used this palette five days in row, and it’s well on its way to earning a prized place in the drawer where I keep my makeup must-haves.
You have to really like mattes, though…but I do. I think they get along well with mature skin and don’t call out fine lines as LOUDLY as most shimmers do.
Also, if you don’t have a deep crease (hooded eyes), neutral mattes like theses are great for creating what looks like shadows and an illusion of deeper set eyes.
They’re handy, is what I’m saying, and I wear them often.
I gotta say, though, I didn’t expect the browns to show up well on my skin because of how light they look in the pans, but surprise! — they look darker once you buff and blend.
I really like these browns, and GIRL, I can wear me some browns. They are all closely related enough that you can use them to create nice transitions from dark to light. They make it easy to bang out brown smokey eyes with smooth gradients (my favorite!).
And the other colors in the palette — like the beige, gray and black — complement the brown shades perfectly.
I also think it was clever of Urban Decay to add Blow, the demi-matte nude with a little shimmer, because, well, let’s face it… It saves me from having to dig through my bag to find an inner corner highlight shade.
It has an interesting finish that’s reflective but subtle, and it’s definitely NOT so shiny that I’d call it a full-blown shimmer.
If UD made an entire palette of demi-mattes like this one, I’d be all over it like Drake on Rihanna in every video.
And then there’s the wear time! These shadows do not crease on my dry lids at all. I tried them with a number of bases (NARS Pro-Prime, a few MAC Paint Pots and various other cream stick shadows), and these hug and won’t let go.
It does really help if you unload your brush before applying them to your lids because, purr usual for UD shadows, there tends to be more fallout with these than most eyeshadows, but I’m willing to put up with it.
If you’re a fiend for browns and have hooded eyes and/or mature skin, this one’s a handy palette of long-lasting shadows to have around.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
What’s the delightful pink on your lips, Karen?
Thanks, KayN! That’s my new lipstick obsession, NARS Apoline. Do you want me to link the review? Let me know!
Thank you, no, I found it! What a perfect pink on you. I am just a touch darker than you (between NC42 and NC45, depending on the season) and I wonder if it would look as good on me or be a bit light. Well, if nothing else I’ve got an excuse to head to Sephora!
Hi KayN,
I think you’ll definitely be able to wear this shade. If you end up giving it a try let me know how it goes! 🙂 P.S. It looks beautiful layered with NARS Chihuahua.
Karen, you look so radiant and gorgeous! I love your K pendant necklace.
This looks like a good palette for the basics. I’d buy it.
Hi Chris,
Thank you! The K necklace is by Kate Spade.
I think you’ll get a lot of use from this palette, especially when you’re working with your clients. 🙂
I’m loving these swatches and your eye look! I do like mattes, but still deciding if I need this or not.
I feel like this is a great pallet for someone looking for a solid travel companion. Its got versatility AND a mirror large enough to do your entire face in if packing and conditions are tight.
Awesome review. I would put it on my Xmas wish list but I don’t think I’ll be able to wait that long!
Magnet & Extra Bitter are beautiful. I’d get the palette for those two alone. But I don’t think I’d know what to do with it. I’m sure that sounds crazy pants. I think it’s because I love me some shimma & I somehow forgot that this is an all matte palette. I’ve got an all matte palette from Lorac that I don’t show nearly enough love & it’s a beaut. Bonus that this is permanent, though. Because a woman reserves the right to change her mind (and buy all the palettes!) ?
Was the wear time with a primer?
I’ve been working long days and these stay on for a good 10 hours. I have dry skin on my lids!
I’m not typically a matte lover, but I adore the Naked Basics palette so much, I’m seriously considering this one.
Hi Rachel,
Yeah, I like the Naked Basics palettes too. They seem to fly under the radar!
Love that they included a demi-matte eyeshadow so that you don’t have to reach for another palette to complete your look. So convenient! Also, all the colors look very wearable and perfect for everyday.
I love it too, so handy!
It looks like a good work-day basic, and I love the outer packaging. It would have been fun if they had thrown in another, deeper shimmery shade though, maybe a taupe?
OOH! I suppose you could throw MAC Satin Taupe up in the mix. That would be pretty!
Ooh! Satin Taupe would be a fabulous addition. I was also looking for another taupe in the palette. But bringing along a small quad of accompanying colors wouldn’t be that hard to do at all. I’d buy single duplicates now that they’re only $6/ea just to have a handy small side palette to go with this. Gesso, Nylon, Satin Taupe, Brule, Jest, Sable…they’re are all fantastic options!! So many to choose from! LOL. I’m a neutral fiend, too!!
(PS. I adore your Kate Spade monogram necklace!!)
”like Drake on Rihanna in every video” Hahahaha 🙂
I quite like the look of this palette.
It’s so true though! I want them to get married already. LOL
I am a friend of the browns, with mature skin and all that, but I never got into these UD palettes. They are pretty, but I don’t see myself reaching for them on a daily basis.
I still think they’re fun to play with! You should try it sometime.
I am really not a matte girl so I will for sure pass on this. I am that girl that is just fine with one or two mattes in a palette of twelve.
I totally get it! For years I wasn’t a matte person either. Sounds like one of the original Naked palettes would be a great fit fo you!
I fear on the whole this would be too warm for me.
There are lots of cool tones!
If indeed this will be in the permanent line up, then I will wait until it’s in Sephora and I can swatch it in person. Although it does sound tempting for my mature, hooded eye lids. I guess it just depends on how much deeper these appear on the lids considering how pale I am.
Loving the pink lipstick on you. I need to check that one out when it hits the NARS counter in my local Nordies.
Hi Tatiana,
It’s permanent! I got confirmation from UD. 🙂
Woohoo! I love permanent products.
I just had to tell you that I love this makeup look on you, Karen. It’s so flattering, and you look so pretty and fresh (as in, not overdone). Plus, your skin looks so luminous.
You always create gorgeous looks with the neutral browns so it’s no wonder you love them! 🙂 I’m sorry it took up more time than you’d planned but the results are stunning!
Aww, thanks Kim! One of these days I’ll learn to knock out one of these multi-shadow looks in less than 45 minutes, LOL!
Hope you’re having a nice day so far. Is it Friday yet?
Oh boy I think this one is going on my wish list! Love that they added the one light shimmery color, I’m with you on having to dig for that every time. I have the Naked Basics 2 and use it almost daily. 🙂 And those blown out browns look lovely on you!
Thanks, Trude. You know I love me those blown out browns! 🙂 If you end up grabbing it, let me know what you think!
Oh, I definitely want this palette so I am glad that you mentioned it will be permanent.
I wish they had added my favorite eyeshadow CRAVE (from the 1st Basics palette).
Karen I hope they hear you because if they made an all
demi-matte/semi-matte palette I too would probably buy it if it had several light nude shades to use all over the lid & include the shadow CRAVE (my favorite to use as eyeliner).
Oooooooh, looks like a must-have! Even though I already have way more neutral palettes then I know what to do with, I /wants/ it!
Now let’s hope I get the job I’m applying for and I can spend part of my 1st paycheck on this beauty!