The Dreamy Naked 2 Palette

Owning an Urban Decay Naked Palette is something I've lusted after for a pretty long time. I've never felt like I could justify spending that much amount of money on a palette when a) I already own a countless number and b) the money could come in very useful elsewhere! But my friends know me just too well, and as a little present for making it a year past my stroke and getting ready for uni, they bought me the Naked 2 Palette! It was such a lovely thing and something I totally did not expect. But has the palette I placed such high hopes on lived up to my expectations?

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THE SHADOW NAMES

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I needed to start with this, I couldn't not. The naming of their shadows is something Urban Decay does very well. They're all so unique, and don't just represent the colour, they seem like they represent the way that colour acts - I'm not explaining myself very well here, but I just love the names. Busted - a rich, glittery brown; Snakebite - a gorgeous, risky copper; Tease - the matt nude; Half-Baked; a glistening gold, tan; Blackout - the matt black, perfect for liner!

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THE VERSATILITY

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Following on from the names, the colour themselves are just as varied. This results in a whole array of looks, perfect for anyone! I've worn this on so many occasions from a day at work, to a night out - but more importantly, when me and my friends went away we were all able to use this palette and all came up with such varied looks from a gold smokey eye, to a dark smokey eyes, to a winged liner, to a subtle brightening look!

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THE PIGMENTATION

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Good. To be honest, I expected more from the paler shades, they need to be built more than the bolder ones, but I don't feel like it's a problem. The colour in the pan transfers perfectly to the lid - doesn't look different in anyway like some shadows do.

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THE TEXTURE

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Creamy, silky, blendable, with good staying power. The texture of these shadows are some of the loveliest I've ever tried, they are just so soft. I think the product feels even more luxurious than it did before once you know how great the texture is!

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THE PACKAGING

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This has to be one of the best things about this product. The wide mirror and shadows are all enclosed in a gorgeous nude tin case. It also comes with such a soft, double ended brush - one that I actually use! It's not like those silly round sponges on a stick that always fall apart and have no uses for anything that you get in most palettes. It's an actual, proper blending brush and one I've become a big fan of. Although for the price, I'd expect it to be the real deal...

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THE PRICE

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This product retails at £38. Pricey yes, but in line with something you'd expect for Urban Decay. They're a high end brand so were never going to be something that everyone could afford, and at the cost of nearly ten MUA palettes or five from Sleek, it's not going to be an impulse purchase. If you're thinking of buying one, and hesitant about the price, I'd recommend you go to UD counter and get swatching to see which suits you best and how much use you'd get out of it, don't impulse buy!

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THE VERDICT

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I am so grateful to my lovely girls for getting me this gift! It has bought a lot of happiness into my life. Personally, I don't feel like I'll be one for collecting the whole set, now the new smokey palette is out my bank balance just couldn't take the hit, however, I think this is perfect if you're a fan of eye shadow and know you'll get use out of it and don't mind spending a bit more money. Or you could always put it on you're Christmas list (is it too early to say that?!)

Hope you've enjoyed this blog post. Writing this was a dream of mine, and as soon as I unwrapped the tin of happiness I knew it would be up on the blog in no time!

P.S It also came in a lovely little box with four primer samples. It says each should provide a weeks worth of shadow primer! This is a perfect bonus and in cute little sachets they'd be perfect for travelling!