The day the folks at Urban Decay sat down with 12 shades of brown, beige, charcoal and black eyeshadows, tossed them into a palette and decided to give it a really risque name… like… “Oh I don’t know, lets call it Naked!” is a day that has gone down in the annals of makeup history. The demand for the Naked palette was so high after it was released, they had to shut things down so they could make more. Palettes were FLYING off the shelves.
And when that wasn’t enough, to speed up turnaround and manufacturing time even more quickly, they had to remove the very serviceable dual ended 24/7 eyeliners included in the original Naked palette, and replace it with a brush that I’ve heard is quite craptactular.
The era of the neutral/nude palette was born.
And now, every one and their mother and sister compares every single neutral or nude looking eyeshadow palette to Naked. “How does this compare to Naked?” is easily the most asked question the minute a brown/beige palette is shown to the masses. I seriously dislike that. Naked is a good palette on its own and every other one stands on its own merits.
But how do the other brands react? Oh by coming out with their own version of the Naked palette of course. Ho hum.
Most recently, I came across these two.
Nude Tude eye shadow palette from TheBalm (thanks to Marina) and more facepalmingly BUTT NAKED Eyes Makeup Palette by NYX Cosmetics (thanks to Little Miss Megsy for the heads up)
I don’t know why NYX felt the need to come up with a Butt Naked eye makeup palette when they had very serviceable neutral eyeshadow palettes in Bohemian Rhapsody (which I happen to like) and Caviar and Bubbles. Both are pretty names for pretty neutral palettes. They also previously had a palette called Nude on Nude if I recall correctly.
Sleek Makeup has a neutral palette which they call Au Naturel i-Divine which I think is a pretty name, despite it being just another permutation of the whole Nude or Naked trend.
In the recent past, Bobbi Brown had a whole Nude collection but that didn’t invoke a large copycat following. I don’t even remember much from it or if anyone actually had anything good to say about it.
Rumours are, Urban Decay is coming out with Naked 2. I wonder if that’s its name – Naked 2 – or if they were bummed (hur hur!) that NYX pipped them to Butt Naked.
But really, does this whole “Naked” trend bug you as much as it bugs me? A neutral palette is fine by me, its the name that I wish would be more original. Its like the whole crackle polish trend. Start one and everyone goes mad making a version of crackle, crack, shatter, etc etc polish. Did I miss any other Naked or Nude or In the Buff or perhaps BUTT NAKED eyeshadow palette out there? I’m sure I did, so ready, go! Share if you have come across one I haven’t! At least I know which to avoid.
Paris B
I can totally see where you’re coming from. However, just for arguments sake, Love it or hate it, the names are still getting attention! So much so you’re writing a post about it. It’s like a celebrity looking for more news about themselves. Bad news is better than no news! 😉 I didn’t know half of the naked wannabes until they are mentioned here. Out of curiosity, I might just google them to see what they look like. I’m not bothered by the names. They can call it Full Monty for all I care. It’s the colour combination of a palette and the quality of the shadows that count for me 🙂
Am actually very happy with the newest incarnation of neutral toned palettes. They do tend to have a better mix of colours than the old days when everything was just tonal shades of brown LOL That said, I think a Full Monty palette would be a much more imaginative name (and cuter) than just yet another “naked” or “nude” 🙂
I guess these companies don’t want to lose out and want to jump on the bandwagon by coming out with their cheaper version of the naked palette? I own the naked palette, but I don’t even reach out for it much because I’m not a neutral colors kinda girl. I like my colors – purples, pinks, green, orange, YEAH!
I hope Naked 2 (if there really is) will be more adventurous… but then, it won’t be called Naked anymore, will it?
I actually find myself reaching less and less for the UD Naked palette when I realize more and more that its such a generally warm toned palette that doesn’t sit well on my skin. Sigh. Perils of running headlong into a trend 😛 I read that Naked 2 has lighter shades. I’m not sure how that works but its definitely coming. I do hope it will be cooler. I would prefer a cooler toned neutral palette in shadows of the same texture as that of UD’s in the Naked palette 🙂
I heard that Naked Palette 2 has already been released in the USA! looks similar but with different eyeshadow names.
Haha that would be quite funny to be honest. I read it was due out by year end so it sounds about right although I also read it was supposed to be lighter. Ah well won’t speculate till its all over the internet 😉
As much as I like the “natural makeup” trend, I never found in my heart to buy the starlet UD Naked Palette. I think I’ve already got a fair share of neutral tones – maybe a bit too much (NYX’s One Night in Morocco set and Ellis Faas’s 104 and a whole lot more but they’re everything but matte) – and I’m a colour addict. I’m trying to tone down a bit since I got a new job, so I’m wearing something between naked and casual. I do like better the Balm’s palette because of the darker – and sexier – shades. I guess I’m just not a naked girl: I’d rather cover myself in clothes. 😛
I personally love all the neutral palettes, and the whole trend. It’s makes finding the prefect neutral palette for anyone so easy. It is a bit annoying that its all compared to the naked palette but not enough to complain about it. Now I can find a neutral palette from high-end to low-end in basically any price range. I also like the the funny Naked inspired names, it makes buying makeup fun and I feel sexy wearing the eyeshadows.