About a year ago, I bought Urban Decay Naked Basics during a trip to Ulta. I put it away and pretty much forgot all about it. My head was turned by other “more exciting” palettes.
I’ve had a pretty stressful month, and truth be told, I haven’t really been in the mood for brights and glitters. I’ve been in a more subdued frame of mind. If I was going to wear makeup at all over the last few weeks, it was going to be neutrals and mattes. So I rediscovered Urban Decay Naked Basics.
First, I love the size of this palette. It’s about 2 x 5 inches. Although I own a few larger palettes, I like the small ones. I don’t get overwhelmed by the number of shade choices. This one has six shades. And it’s easy to pop in my bag to take with me. Yet each of the pans is Urban Decay’s full size: 6 x 1.3g or 6 x 0.05 US oz.
Second, I think the rubbery copper-colored case is attractive, too. Of course, copper is one of my favorite shades, so no surprise there.
The shadows go on easily, feel and look velvety/not powdery, show up without having to pack them on, blend easily, and last over my Urban Decay Anti-aging Primer for hours and hours.
The shades are:
- Venus, off-white/pearl-colored demi-matte shade that’s good for the inner corner or for highlighting
- Foxy, cream bisque
- Walk Of Shame, “very light nude” according to UD; I call it peach
- Naked2, taupe according to UD, I call it cafe au lait
- Faint, a milk chocolate brown
- Crave, deep, dark brown/black.
Here are the shades in a photo from when I first bought the palette.
Over time, Faint developed some grey streaks that have not affected the color. Strange.
Next, I tried to make swatches. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find my eye primer so I made the swatches on bare skin. I apologize. In the dim winter light, it is difficult to see them.
I strongly recommend wearing these over eye primer so they’ll show up if your skin is light.
Next, I thought I’d try finger swatches, but again in the dim winter light, it’s difficult to see the differences between the shades. Boo. In reality there are discernible differences.
I’ve been wearing Foxy, WOS, Naked2 and Faint the most, which makes sense for my subtle neutral mood. But if you use Venus to highlight the corners and Crave to create a smokey eye, you can really amp up the volume. Here, I’m wearing WOS and Faint on the lid, and Faint in the V and crease.
Next, I’m wearing WOS on the lid and Faint in the V and crease for a light look that goes with my peach sweater.
Urban Decay is a cruelty-free brand. It’s made in the U.S. It’s priced at a reasonable $29. And it’s available at Ulta, Sephora, and on urbandecaycosmetics.com.
I’ve ended up liking this little gem so much, I may have to eventually spring for the new-ish Naked Basics 2! 🙂
Do you own Naked Basics or Naked Basics 2? When do you reach for them?
INGREDIENTS
VENUS / FOXY:
Talc, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Stearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, PTFE.
WALK OF SHAME / NAKED 2 / FAINT:
Talc, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Stearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, PTFE.
CRAVE:
Talc, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Boron Nitride.
All Shades May Contain:
CI 77019 (Mica), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491/77492/77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 75470 (Carmine), CI 77742 (Manganese Violet), CI 77007 (Ultramarines).
Allison, my best palettes ever!
Being the Naked Basic 2 even better that the original (read, light colors more pigmented).
Hugs from Italy!!
Anna, I am so happy to hear from you! Naked Basics truly is a go-to palette that you can easily wear all the time. Glad you love it too! I have to take a look at Naked Basics2 soon especially since you think it’s even better! xoxo to you!
I never went for these two neutral palettes as I have the Two Faced Matte palette and it has a few more colors than just the tan/brown neutrals. I do love my UD #1 and #3 palettes though so you never know .. I may pick up the neutral palette one day 🙂
Monica
MonicaP recently posted…L’OREAL 5 pc Mauve Lip Set from All Cosmetics Wholesale
I have Viseart’s Neutral Matte Palette and TF Natural Palette and a tiny neutral travel duo from Stila, but these shades are different from those. Also, I believe I bought this one first but just never used it. When you look at it in the palette, it does seem very muted, but it suits my mood right now. If you do buy another neutral palette some day, Monica, try to find the hard-to-find and expensive Viseart Neutral Matte Palette because it’s the best there is.
These shades are way too natural for me. I liike my brights.But they look great on you! Strange about the gray streaks though,,,
gio recently posted…Product Review: Nars Blush/Bronzer Duo In Orgasm & Laguna
Gio, I don’t think of you as a brights favorer, but absolutely why not! With your coloring, brights are beautiful! It is definitely strange about the grey streaks. So much time went by between when I first purchased that I didn’t think I could do anything about it. Fortunately, they don’t seem to affect the color.
Did you contact UD about the gray streaks? Decent palette for neutral makeup lovers.
Kim recently posted…IT Cosmetics New Year, Your Most Beautiful Skin 5-Piece Collection in Rich {Swatches}
Kim, that’s a good idea that never occurred to me. Unfortunately, I had the palette for quite a while though I wasn’t using it between the time I opened it and it was fine and the time I reopened it and saw the grey streaks. Fortunately, the grey steaks don’t seem to affect the color. Maybe I should email UD and just ask why it happened.
While I’m a fan of Urban Decay, I’m getting tired of their Naked line and hope to see something vibrant again soon!
Krystal E recently posted…Morgan Taylor Watch Your Step, Sister!
I’ve heard other people say the same thing, Krystal, about all the Nakeds. I’d be shocked if they don’t have another bright palette like the Vices or something else in the pipeline.
I think that this is the perfect neutral palette! It’s so well edited, and perfect for daily use! I think that I need to finally get this!
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…Beautybox Five January 2015 | Unveiling and Review
It was the first palette I bought from Urban Decay, Lola, because of the price point and the neutral matte shades. I figured it was something I “needed” to own. I’m so glad I rediscovered it because it is so wearable!
This one is my FAVE. I thought I’d like #2 better but nope… the original takes all the wins.
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…Marsala Inspired Makeup feat. Urban Decay Vice 3 + Illamasqua
I haven’t scrutinized Basics2 yet, but I don’t feel that I need it since I have so many neutral palettes and I also bought On The Run recently. I’m glad you feel that the original is the one!
I do not own any UD palettes! O.o
Destany recently posted…WIN your own bottle of Mentality Destany!
You’ve been strong then, Destany!
Urban Decay eyeshadows are awesome! This is definitely perfect for everyone! <3
Shipra recently posted…Kat Von D Studded Kiss Cathedral Lipstick Photos, Swatches, and Review
I agree. It’s neutrals would look great with all skintones.
I agree with Kim about contacting UD about the color change in Faint. I would be put off by it – who knows what is causing that. After getting UD Pulp Fiction, I’m telling myself that I don’t need any more just neutral palettes like that. I am, however, a SUCKER for a neutral palette with a few pops of color. They are my siren song.
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…Blemish-Busting Makeup Favorites!
I probably should contact UD, Nidia. Maybe I’ll email them later. I don’t really expect them to do anything about it because too much time has gone by since I purchased it. The Pulp Fiction collection was great. I drooled over it, but I have a lot of neutrals too and I own 3 of the red Revolution lippies so I didn’t pounce.
This is seriously my favorite neutral palette to pair with brights!
Phyrra recently posted…Best Ways to Wear Marsala
I would never have thought of those two together, but it definitely makes sense 🙂
I use the first Basics and Naked 3 daily when I’m working!
Eugenia recently posted…Marsala Look- Makeup Wars
The two UD palettes would look great together!
lovely! I still need this 🙂
It’ll still be there when you want it. It’s such a versatile little palette.
I own Naked palettes 1, 2 and 3, but not this. I really want it, though!
Chris25 recently posted…LOTD: Wet n Wild Ravin’ Raisin & NYX Golden Prune
Chris, I don’t have any of the 3 big Naked palettes, lol! Just this one and On The Run. I just love travel-size palettes, lol.
I always take this palette with me when I travel. It’s a great nude palette.
The size is just perfect for travel and it’s quite versatile considering it has only 6 shades
You can never go wrong w/ a neutral palette. UD makes the one of the nicest neutral e/s for everyday wear
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…Guerlain Les Tenders Spring 2015 Makeup Collection Feat. Meteorites Compact 3 Medium and Kiss Kiss Rosy Silk
I agree, and I love how this brightens up my eyes especially when I’m feeling under the weather
I passed this up b/c I thought it was boring, guess I made a mistake. What lippie are you wearing? It’s gorgeous on you!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Fashion Flash!
I thought it was boring too, Cindy, but I bought it anyway and then it sat around for about 9 months before I used it. Now, I’m glad I did. It really brightens up my eyes. The lipstick is Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Get Ready. And thank you!
Would love to see the Viseart palette in person, online it looks quite similar to the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral palette, only the Viseart is probably WAY better (and for $80 – it better be .. lol).
Monica
MonicaP recently posted…L’OREAL 5 pc Mauve Lip Set from All Cosmetics Wholesale
The Viseart palettes are supposed to be sold at Sephora but they are always out of stock, unfortunately. Today, I got an email from Alcone Co.http://www.alconeco.com/viseart-eyeshadow-palettes that the Viseart palettes including the new ones that are satins/shimmers are in stock for $75. Plus they offered 15% off for those who subscribe to their emails. I would love one of the new ones!!
I still haven’t added this to my collection- but the more I see it reviewed the more I realize I totally should!
Bailey recently posted…Aveeno Positively Nourishing Moisturize Shampoo & Conditioner
Bailey, I find it to be very useful for everyday primarily and I love the size of it for travel, but chances are you may already own something similar.
I adore the Naked Basics palette. I recent got the 2nd one as well, and they’re both great. I reach for many of the lighter ones to act as a skin tone evening color before I apply other shadows, but the palette is used in my everyday routine more often than not.
http://www.divaandthedivine.com
Brianna E recently posted…Tieks by Gavrieli-Review. Are they Worth it?
I have to check out the shades in Basics2. Using the lighter shades as a base is a great idea!
This is the only Naked palette that I don’t own!! lol
You probably have a million palettes with these shades already, Laura 😉
Urban Decay eyeshadow is always a must! I love the super rich pigment and the beautiful colors. I hope your month improves!
Jamie recently posted…#ManiMonday: Rescue Beauty Lounge Wild Raspberries Grow from A Poem Collection
I’m glad you like UD Naked Basics, too, Jamie! And thanks for the good wishes. I hope things improve too 🙂
Ooo, now that’s tempting !!
M.
MonicaP recently posted…L’OREAL 5 pc Mauve Lip Set from All Cosmetics Wholesale
This is very lovely on you!
Thanks, Justina 🙂
I have the Naked on The Run, but none of the other Naked products. I’ve heard amazing things about the Basics, and I’m so tempted to purchase it!
Kristin Bassett recently posted…Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation
I also have Naked On The Run, and I’ve gotta review it soon. Naked Basics is quite different from it: matte and lighter. I like it, but then I am a matte favorer. It may not be bold enough for some women.
I have both of these but I regret to say I haven’t had the chance to try them yet.
Polarbelle recently posted…The Tarte Cosmetics Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette, Swatches, Review, and Palette of the Season!!
It took me almost a year to open mine, Shelley!
This is one of my favorite palettes
Betzy recently posted…New Years Relation Resolutions – Getting Ready On The Go Tips
Glad you love it too, Betzy!
I don’t have this one but I have Naked 2 Basics and it’s been my most used palette since the moment I got it. And I am not even a huge fan of matte shadows. I can’t rave enough about it!
Agata recently posted…How To Chase Away Winter Blues With Blue Makeup
Oh, no, Agata! Now you’re going to make me have to have that one, too 😉
Pretty! These Basics palettes seem to have great shadow staples.
Kristina Vieweg recently posted…Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup ft. Hourglass, Bite Beauty, Winter Moisturizers & More!
Yes, I’m surprised at how much I like this little palette after letting it sit around for so long!
I love the Naked Basics palettes, I own both and they are fantastic for everyday use. Really complements any make up look and skin tone.
I meant to take a look at Naked Basics2 when I was at Ulta using my 20% off coupon today, but I forgot and came home with Lorac Unzipped Gold!