Given my unhealthy obsession with Urban Decay’s Naked palette, it was only a matter of time before I tried out its sequel, the Naked 2, equipped with twelve brand new eye shadows.

I have mixed feelings about the palette, though. Although the colors are beautiful and highly pigmented, there’s a bit too much shine for my taste. Don’t get me wrong: I like shimmer. I just prefer a more subdued, matte look for my everyday routine. And because of the excessive amount of shimmer and glitter in this palette, some of the shadows are more prone to fallout, which can be unfortunate when you’re rushing to do your makeup and don’t have time to clean up the under eye area before you leave.

Even though I wasn’t a big fan, I’ve warmed up to this palette and would definitely use it for night looks. For example:

Step 1: After priming your lid, use a standard shadow brush to apply Suspect all over your lid. Always remember to gently tap excess off of your brush before using.

Step 2: Apply Tease with a blending brush. Work the shade into the crease in a C shape facing inward. Blend out any raw edges by applying Foxy with a tapered blending brush.

Step 3: Apply Busted over the Tease shade with a blending brush. Focus on applying the Busted on the outer third of the lid, don’t work it all the way inward.

Step 4: For a glittery finish use an angled blending brush to apply a tiny amount (you don’t want glitter overload!) of YDK shade on the top part of the lid, right below your brow bone and right above your crease. Blend out any raw edges with Foxy, patting it all over your brow bone with a tapered blending brush.

Step 5: To finish off the look use a precise eyeliner brush (angled or pointed – I recommend angled) to apply black gel eyeliner on the upper lash line, about halfway through (look straight ahead at the mirror and use your pupil as the midpoint). If you want a more intense look draw the eyeliner all the way in. Line your lower lash line too and use a pencil brush to smudge out the harshness of the eyeliner. Clean up the under eye area using a cotton ball and eye makeup remover. Curl your lashes and apply mascara.

 

Products used:

Urban Decay Naked 2 palette: Suspect, Tease, Foxy, Busted, YDK (makeup courtesy of Tori de Metz)

Gel Eyeliner: Stila Smudge Pot in Black

Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion

Bronzer: Physician’s Formula

Mascara: Maybelline Great Lash “Lots of Lashes”

Foundation: Maybelline Dream Mousse foundation

Blush: BareMinerals Fruit Cocktail

 

featuring Isabella Villa