You probably all know by now how I get around hyped-up products. Some of the most hyped-up products in the beauty world are the infamous Urban Decay Naked palettes - when I heard of a new one being released, as well as the fact that it was an all-matte palette, I knew I needed it. I probably have enough eyeshadow to last me a lifetime, but I just couldn't resist. Enter the Naked Ultimate Basics Palette.
I used to have the Naked2 and Naked3 palettes, but I've since passed them on to more loving homes - I found myself passing over them because I just wasn't feeling the super shimmery shadows anymore. As I've figured out my makeup "aesthetic" as time has gone on, I've found that I much prefer mattes over shimmers on my eyes. They just look more sophisticated, classic, and effortless to me. Getting rid of my Naked palettes certainly left a void in my collection, so I thought it was fate when this matte palette was released. You get 12 shades just like in all the other Naked palettes - 1 demi-matte shade and 11 mattes. And this time, all the shades included are entirely new. There's a mixture of both warm and cool neutrals, so I think the palette will suit many different skintones and preferences. I like how this palette is different than the previous Naked palettes in that it's a square shape rather than a long rectangle - I think it makes it easier for traveling as the mirror is much larger.
R to L/Top to Bottom: Blow, Nudie, Commando, Tempted, Instinct, Lethal
R to L: Pre-Game, Extra Bitter, Faith, Lockout, Magnet, Blackjack
The palette is full of super pretty neutrals, from the cooler-toned plummy ones of the top row to the warmer burnt oranges of the bottom. The shadows live up to the usual high quality of Urban Decay - they're creamy and incredibly pigmented. The darker shades, especially Blackjack, are a little powdery, but they still apply nicely to the eyes without becoming patchy. My favorite look so far has been using most of the shades in the top row, as I love me a plummy nude eye, but I also can't wait to try some warmer looks using the shades in the bottom row (how dreamy does Extra Bitter look though?). They last incredibly well without fading or creasing on me too when I use a primer - my makeup is on for upwards of twelve hours a day during the week, and my eyeshadow will look the same when I wash it off as it did in the morning when I applied it. For me, that's pretty impressive. Now that I have this in my collection (as well as ABH Modern Renaissance - check out my review), I've been able to go through my unreasonably large palette collection and pass on a few to friends and family. Now that's the sign of a good palette.
Have you tried the Naked Ultimate Basics Palette yet, or are you over the Naked palette hype?