The Urban Decay Holiday 2016 collection brings new members to the Naked family
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After so many years of Urban Decay causing a beauty frenzy with each new Naked palette release, you wouldn’t think they had many surprises left for us. I mean, how many ways can you reinvent Naked?
Apparently, a lot! The Urban Decay Holiday 2016 collection brings us a treasure trove of brand new Naked options. Get ready to spend a bundle, Naked fans. There’s something for everyone here!
If you love matte eye shadows as much as I do, check out the shadow palette of your dreams: Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics Eyeshadow Palette ($54).
Look at that gorgeous gold embossed lid. It’s as heavy and solid as it appears, and the entire underside of the lid is a big mirror you can actually use. Tucked inside are 12 brand new matte neutrals. Don’t bother checking your other Naked selections for alternatives; these colors are all freshly minted and exclusive to this palette. That’s right, even if you already own Naked Basics and Naked2 Basics, you need Naked Ultimate Basics!
Even a matte lover like me must admit that their downside can be uneven application. But not with this palette! You don’t have to worry about spotty color thanks to UD’s proprietary Pigment Infusion System™, some kind of magic that makes their matte shadows velvety soft and super blendable. I’ve never used matte shadows as easy to work with as these. They blend seamlessly, making it easy to create contoured neutrals or smoky drama.
The top row contains shades that lean on the cool side:
Blow (light nude demi-matte)
Nudie (soft pink-nude matte)
Commando (light taupe-brown matte)
Tempted (pale brown matte)
Instinct (medium pink-taupe matte)
Lethal (reddish brown matte)
The bottom row contains the warmer colors:
Pre-Game (pale yellow matte)
Extra Bitter (burnt orange matte)
Faith (medium warm brown matte)
Lockout (rich neutral brown matte)
Magnet (smoky gray matte)
Blackjack (warm black matte)
No matter what your skin tone, this versatile range of colors will work for you. The warm colors even blend with the cool ones. This palette is a whole world of matte fun, and I could play with the selection all day. The included brush is high-quality, not just something you’ll use in a pinch.
But if you’re worried that all this matte color might be a little boring, remember, we’re talking about UD here! Their second holiday palette offers up the opposite of the Naked Ultimate Basics…
Check out three shades of sparkle: the Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Trio ($36). It’s a limited edition trio of UD’s Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder for Face and Body featuring three exclusive shades and a double-ended brush.
Pyrite (frosty gold champagne with gold glitter)
Oasis (marbled frosted taupe—very sheer with silver glitter)
Twilight (iridescent pink glitter)
UD might say “microfine shimmer,” but I describe the three colors as: sparkle, sparkle and sparkle. Yes, there’s a whole lot of glitter going with this palette! Although I love the look of glitter, we all know it can be unforgiving for aging (eek) skin. But just a touch of these colors on cheekbones or collarbones is so pretty.
Pyrite, Oasis and Twilight
A closer look at Pyrite, Oasis and Twilight
Because I am wary of going full-on sparkle, I was curious to see what my teenage niece thought of this trio. She and her perfect skin fear no glitter, so she was a lot more liberal with her application. She even applied it on her body over lotion and wore it on her eyes over a UD shadow base. We agree that the baked formula gives very sheer color payoff (UD compares it to the intensity of a loose powder), but the glitter is in full effect for all three shades.
If you love mattes, go for Naked Ultimate Basics. If you love shimmer, get the Naked Illuminated Trio. And if you love everything UD, grab them both… and do it soon before the shelves are stripped bare.
we heartsters, which is the must-have Naked for you?
Melissa loves road trips, bargain shopping, drive-in movies, lip gloss and rock ‘n’ roll. She lives in Baltimore with her precious pups Zeus and Bellarina.
skin tone: NC25
skin type: dry to normal
favorite beauty product: skincare
Yay! I was excited to see this and not disappointed either. What fun colors for the holidays for sure! Love to get my mitts on this beauty! Urban Decay Holiday ROCKS it! Oh, and it’s going on my wish list. :)
Oh behold, the shadow palette is amazing! Looks like we are in for another great year of holiday goodness and UD doesn’t disappoint, again!!
Be Still My Holiday Loving Heart . . . my favorite makeup buying season has arrived.
This is a great collection.
I loooove Urban Decay, and love their NAKED eye shadow palettes. I’m definitely looking to get my hands on this new one!!!