Let’s talk about one of my favorite makeup brands for a minute shall we? Let’s talk Urban Decay (and how far behind I am on reviewing their new releases, whoops)! Urban Decay is my favorite brand for eyeshadow, so you know I want to try that thing once it is out. And especially this particular palette: Urban Decay Naked Reloaded. Why? Because the original Naked palette was not exactly my favorite: much too warm toned and not necessarily my most used eyeshadow palette (even though by now it is my oldest one). So when they put that one to rest and released this one, I was excited, because this color story looks like it is much more up my street.
Review: Urban Decay Naked Reloaded eyeshadow palette
I buy my Urban Decay palettes from two places: Ici Paris XL or their official Dutch website. For an Urban Decay palette this one is not as expensive as the other ones. Where most of their Naked range retails for around the €55 euro mark, this retails for €46. So that is quite a bit cheaper than the original Naked line. However does that also mean that the quality of this palette is up to par since it is so much cheaper? Let’s find out!
What does this palette have to offer?
This palette is being marketed as their updated version of the original Naked palette. But if you put them together you will see that the two are nothing alike. If you were hoping to find the same tones and colors as in the Naked 1 but with a more updated twist you would be disappointed. The packaging is also very different. Where the original Naked palette came in a velvet and cardboard palette, this palette is also cardboard but lined with cheap looking padded fabric. So I am not a fan of the outer packaging, but perhaps what’s inside is more to my liking.
What is the color story like?
Where Naked 1 featured lots of bronzes, golds and browns, this palette features none of that. This palette is more rose gold, copper and browns and that is far more in line with what suits my complexion. I always struggled using Naked 1 and not look like a vamped up vintage filmstar. Sure that’s a pretty look, but I found it too glam for everyday and not ‘naked’ on my fair, cool toned skin. This palette suite my undertones much better and so I feel that for me this palette suite the ‘naked’ bill far better. Another aspect I appreciate is that there are 6 mattes and 6 shimmers, which makes it an equal split.
What are the swatches like?
I know finger swatches are not necessarily the best indication of eyeshadow performance, but at least it gives you an idea. As you can see these shades go on easily with just a swipe of my finger. Two shades look a bit lackluster, Dreamweaver and Blur, but on the eye these performed just as well as the other shades. The shimmers in this have a rich texture, but they are a bit flaky so fall out can be a tricky thing, so you do well to pack on the shadow before blending them in. The mattes are smooth and I like how the shades you might use most just as a cream base color and transition shades all have slightly larger pans. In short, a clever layout with a great formula so far.
3 looks, 1 palette
As is customary with my eyeshadow palette reviews, I always try to do a few looks that use all the shades in the palette. Today’s review therefore features 3 looks with the Urban Decay Naked Reloaded palette: from warm toned copper to cool toned smokey.
The one shade in this palette that I would like to skip? Retro. This coral tone seems a bit astray in this palette. It just doesn’t really fit with the rest of the colors and so I struggled coming up with how to use it. In the end I paired it with some of the mattes and very basic shimmers and I think the look came out well. Still, like in the ABH Sultry (many people have compared Retro to Bloom), it is the shade I know I will reach for the least as I just feel it doesn’t really go.
I knew when I bought this palette that I had to feature that deep shimmering copper brown. I don’t love warm tones, but if they have a reddish undertone they bring out the green in my eyes, which is why they are usually quite flattering on me. However, this is not a unique look. If you already own Naked Heat by Urban Decay, then you may be able to copy this look quite easily. Still, this is more muted and toned down and definitely more wearable for everyday.
If I had to pick a favorite look it would be this one. Can you guess why? Because it is cool tones of course! I put Dreamweaver all over the lid and as you can see I had no issues working with that shade. I would recommend using your finger or a sponge tip applicator to create this sort of impact though. It is perhaps a little bit smokey, but it is good to have that option.
My final thoughts
Do I like this palette? Yes and no. I certainly like this more than the original Naked palette. I can see myself using this more and where in the OG I only used four or five shades from the palette, here I feel I can use at least 11, all 12 if I push myself. What I am not a fan of however is how many shimmers in the palette have the same amount of depth to them. The shimmers all show up quite dark on my fair skin. This has been my issue with several Naked palettes and this is no different.
Reputation and Burn, while looking very distinct in the pan, translate very similarly on the eye and all the other shimmers that I would want to put on my lid are just a bit too dark, turning every look I do with this into a smokey eye. Not very Naked! However is it possible to do a simpler look with a lighter shimmer? Sure it is, but the tones of those shimmers are the kind that I would never put all over my lid such as a gold and a very bright, nearly white shade. I would have loved to have something in between.
Would I recommend the Urban Decay Naked Reloaded eyeshadow palette?
Yes and no. Just like with my final thoughts, I think this palette has to be right for you for it to work. This is not a Naked palette for everyone, which is something I hope Urban Decay will do some day. If you are fair like me, this palette can be too dark and sultry (but still pretty), if you have a very warm skin tone or if you are on the deeper end of the spectrum, I fear this may look ashy and just not as pretty. This palette is therefore mainly aimed at light to medium skin with a neutral undertone. If you are overly warm or overly cool, this palette just won’t tickle that same itch. However, perhaps you are someone who does not own any Urban Decay yet or perhaps you missed out on the original Naked palette and you would like to try the brand, then I think this is a good place to start.
2 responses to “Urban Decay Naked Reloaded eyeshadow palette review”
I think it’s a bit too warm for my taste, but I love the 3rd cool toned look you did with it.
Yeah I like how this palette just gives you many more options than the original.