Urban Decay Naked 2 : The Sequel everyone’s been waiting for

If I had an award to give for the most boring name for a sequel, the award would go to Urban Decay for Naked2. Its not even Naked 2 : Return of the Neutrals or perhaps Naked 2: Because once just isn’t enough. Its just Naked 2.

But what a sequel! It literally had everyone on the edge of their seats waiting with bated breath as news about Naked 2 was leaked out. There were rumours it would be a cooler toned palette – right up my alley! If I had a complaint about Naked (The Original) it was that it was too warm. There were also rumours it would be more matte. But I didn’t hold out for that. What is Urban Decay if not shimmery and sparkly?

And then the photos of the palette leaked out and I felt a little crestfallen. At a glance, it looks just like the Original palette. It wasn’t cooler in tone, and neither was it more matte. It just looked … the same. And really, there is no real reason why you need two palettes. One is enough so just choose either since they are both permanent.

I got my hands on this one a little while ago through a friend in the USA, but have taken a while to blog about it because I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Also, I knew it was coming into Malaysia – I just didn’t know when. So it gave me a great excuse to sit on things. However, The Naked 2 palette launched here over the weekend so its probably an opportune time to tell you about the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette 🙂

I like that its a tin palette. Its sturdy and reminds me of my pencil case from school. Compared to the Original palette which was a dust magnet with its velvet cover, Naked 2 is sleek and compact.

Size wise, its the same. However, don’t be too pleased about it lasting forever in a tin box. The hinge is a plastic strip. That means that with a lot of use, you may expect it to break and fall apart.

I’m not sure why Urban Decay didn’t use a regular pin style hinge which makes more sense to me. It also clicks shut in the front and it is very stiff so opening the tin is a bit of a challenge.

The Original Naked palette came with a dual ended 24/7 Eye liner pencil (later replaced with a brush) and the iconic Urban Decay Primer Potion. Naked 2 comes with a dual ended synthetic brush and a lipgloss. I’d have preferred if they didn’t come with either, to be perfectly honest. I do not think much of the brush and I dislike the lipgloss. If they had to include something the Primer Potion would be better – I’m not a fan of UDPP but girls with oily lids will appreciate it.

Spot the difference? (Top: Naked 2 Bottom: Naked)

Naked 2, despite rumours to the contrary is a balanced warm and cool palette. The inclusion of a black (Blackout) is a good move because it does double up for lining. There is a repeat shade – Half Baked – which I didn’t think much of in the original and still don’t think much of it now. Otherwise, the textures are mostly shimmery with a few matte shades tossed in there, and is a fairly decent neutral palette…. if you do not already own one. If you do, I suggest you save your money.

Swatches Left-Right: Foxy (Matte), Half-Baked (Shimmer), Bombshell (Shimmer), Chopper (Shimmer), Tease (matte), Snakebite (Shimmer), Suspect (shimmer), Pistol (Shimmer), Verve (Shimmer), YDK (Shimmer) Busted (Shimmer), Blackout (Matte)

All the shimmer colours were swiped just once so you can see quite clearly that Urban Decay’s strength lies in their shimmer shadows. Matte colours had to be layered to get the colour to show up but Foxy right on the left wouldn’t show up at all no matter what I did. Its a decent blending shade but otherwise fails to show on my skin. Blackout swatched patchily. Its fine when you use a brush to use it as a liner, but I do find it otherwise not of very good texture.

As noted above, if you already have a neutral palette, or already have the original Naked palette, Naked 2 doesn’t add anything. But if you do not have  a neutral palette and want one, then its worth considering because its quite good value – RM179 or US$50 for 12 colours.

Naked2 comes with a mini lipgloss. Hate it 😛

No seriously, I dislike it. Its got a strange sweet minty taste and smell and although it looks red, goes on my lips looking like nothing. I don’t know what the verdict is on this one, but for me, bleh…..

I’m also not keen on the included brush as I’ve said above. Its a synthetic bristle brush and if I were at home, I’d just use another brush. The bristles do not pick up colour very well and neither do they deposit nor blend very well. I get a better effect using a natural hair brush. However, if you commute or travel a lot, the brush is fine for that. Saves you carrying one anyway because the flat side can be used for shading and lining while the fluffy end can be used to blend.

And really, that’s what I think the Naked 2 palette is good for ultimately – for travel. The tin is sturdy and will bear some beating. The brush included does its job and the colours are safe for work and can be amped up for play. Its a very versatile palette just as the original palette is.

I’ve read some complaints about how the colours are all so light but I didn’t think so. I think there is a good mix of light and medium shades in there and if you mix the colours, you can get some pretty dark shades going. I think it is, overall a good and versatile palette, just not worth having 2 of 🙂

In a nutshell

Yet another neutral toned palette from Urban Decay. There is a fair mix of warm and cool shades as well as light and dark shades. Most of the colours are shimmery which I personally think is UD’s forte as their shimmer shades blend easily and are smooth. The matte shades by comparison tend to be chalky and apply patchily. The packaging this time is sturdy and the inclusion of the brush and a tin palette makes this a very good palette for travelling with. The colours can be used for work or play. However, if you already own neutral palettes or the original Naked palette, I’d suggest you save the money. However if you are a fiend for neutral palettes, then go right ahead and get this because no one could talk you out of it anyway 😉

Pros: Versatile palette in terms of colour and texture, Tin case makes it sturdy and less grotty looking, Brush included is serviceable on the go but otherwise do not do the colours and textures justice, Shimmer colours are soft and pigmented and blend very easily

Cons: Lipgloss is colourless and sweet and icky, Hinge of the eyeshadow tin could break in due course, Brush does not do the colours and textures justice, Matte shades apply a little patchy

Here is an idea on how I wore the Naked2 palete.

I think I used Snakebite blended with Chopper or Half Baked and I used Foxy to just tie the colours together, and lined with Blackout and Verve on the lower line. Its not overly shimmery and looks natural enough if that’s the sort of look you’d like to go for. Its also very quick and absurdly simple to achieve because the colours do blend easily and well 🙂

And just to put things in context, the rest of the face. Lips is with the lipgloss included and I switched it up later for something brighter. Cheeks feature Benefit Hervana.

As I’ve said, you do not need both Naked and Naked2 in your life. If you already have the first, I’d say save your money. If the 15th Anniversary palette was still around, I’d say grab that one because its one of the best UD palettes I’ve ever come across – perfect mix of neutrals and colour. But if you are a fiend for neutrals and a UD fan anyway… well I’m not going to talk you out of this because you already know you are going to get it, right?

In my case, for some reason after all these photos were taken, the original Naked palette has disappeared. My resident Pixies must have spirited it away so I’m left with just Naked2 for now. Maybe one day it’ll turn up but who knows eh? I’ve lost a lipstick pretty much the same way and its never turned up since 😛

Are you planning to get the Urban Decay Naked2 palette? Or perhaps you already own it – what are your thoughts on it?

Paris B

Urban Decay Naked2 Eyeshadow palette Price: RM179 /US$50 Availability: Sephora Starhill and KLCC (quantities are limited but the palette is permanent so wait for restocking) Limited Edition: No