A review on some of the products I got on a recent Sephora Haul. :)
Okay, I didn't get the Naked original palette during the haul.
I just couldn't help taking a photo of the two palettes together. :D
I also got the Naked2 Basics palette, but I forgot to take a photo of it until later at night :P
So here's a photo of all my Naked palettes together :D
I also got the Too Faced Chocolate Bar!
NAKED ORIGINAL PALETTE (link)
What it says on the box:
It’s the palette that revolutionized
neutrals forever. Loaded with 12 bronze-hued shadows in an insane range of
textures only Wende and our product development team could dream up—including
matte, satin, shimmer and sparkle—Naked proves that neutral is anything but
boring. From the palest champagne to the grittiest gunmetal, it’s all here.
Whether you’re going for a laid-back, beachy vibe or black-tie drama, you’ll
definitely look better Naked.
Every shade features our Pigment Infusion System™, a vehicle for color that
holds tightly to pigment and gives the formula its glide. The proprietary blend
of ingredients allows color to weave itself through the Eyeshadow formula. What
does all that mean? Insane color payout. Sparkle that doesn’t fall. Color that
stays on your lids. And a velvety, suede-like smoothness and blendability.
The chocolaty velvet case is emblazoned with the word 'NAKED' in gold foil
lettering. (Just wait 'til your friends see you pull this sexy thing out of
your bag. Jealous!) The mirrored case also includes a professional-quality,
cruelty-free double-ended shadow/blending brush AND an Eyeshadow Primer Potion
sampler with resealable samples of ALL FOUR formulas (Original, Sin, Eden and
Anti-Aging). Each sample holds about a week’s worth of Primer!
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(Left to Right)
Virgin, Sin, Naked, Sidecar, Buck, Half-Baked |
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(Left to Right)
Smog, Darkhorse, Toasted, Hustle, Creep, Gunmetal |
What I say:
This was the very first Naked palette I had gotten. It had taken me ages to decide between Naked and Naked 2 and reading reviews online didn't really help much either as there was a 50-50 chance that one blogger would sing praises over Naked, and another blogger would be gushing over Naked 2. I tried to read reviews from bloggers of similar skin tone and eye shape as me, but even their recommendations were half and half. What got me to choose Naked in the end was actually the enthusiastic Urban Decay promoter at Sephora. While I was tottering around between the two palettes again, swiping shade after shade on my skin, walking away and coming back to the palettes, this nice nice lady was attending to another customer (while the rest of the Sephora sales assistants were busy trying very hard to ignore my presence - thank you very much for your help ladies). Once the Urban Decay promoter had wrapped things up with the customer, she immediately came over and asked if I needed any help in choosing the palettes. After asking some questions to get an idea of the kind of customer and user I was in terms of eyeshadows, she recommended getting the Naked palette as the colour range was more workable and friendlier for a noob eyeshadow user. She also highly recommended the palette as it was also more popular (according to her experience) among a wider variety of customers. Hence, I was sold. I gladly and confidently placed the palette into my basket and headed for the checkout counter.
Upon reaching home, I did what probably every person did when they have just bought a Naked palette - youtube and google for tutorial videos. Subsequently, I realised that a lot of the tutorials were made for people with deepset eyes, and if I tried to copy what they did, I ended up making a huge mess of my eyes and confused myself with identifying my crease, my lid, and all those complicated words associated with applying eye shadow. I realised I had to re-define my search terms and search for tutorials made for hooded double eyelids or simply adding the word "asian" to the search engine. And voila, the results were much more easier to work with, and I had managed to create looks ranging from simple everyday eyes, to a little more edgier and smoky eyes. However, I have to admit, there's still much to learn about making a mean smoky eye - I feel that I tend to border dangerously between almost-there-smoky-eye, and any more would just pitch me straight into panda eye. This isn't a problem of the palette, but rather more of the technique of the user. In this case, I signed up for a smoky eye class from Roseanne (link). I have yet to arrange a date and time to attend, but I hope this will help me achieve the smoky eye look. :) I've attended her basics eye shadow class and I went away learning so much more about the application of eyeshadows now. So I'm pretty psyched about this upcoming smoky eye class. :)
NAKED 3 PALETTE (link)
What it says on the box:
Experiment with 12 NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN (and insanely
beautiful) rose-hued neutrals—from pale, shimmery pink to deep black matte with
rosy red micro-glitter. It's finally here: the long-awaited follow-up Naked and Naked2
(two of the industry's all-time bestselling palettes)! And this time around,
we're giving you a dozen NEW ways to get Naked. (Yes, we loaded this palette
with 12 NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN shades.)
Choose from every finish imaginable: ultra-smooth mattes, gorgeous pearls and
glimmering metallics. From the palest, shimmery pink to deep, warm black, these
neutrals will make you want to get Naked all over again. Every shade features
our Pigment Infusion System™, the proprietary blend of ingredients that gives
each shade its velvety texture, rich color, serious staying power and
blendability.
Naked3 includes a NEW double-ended shadow/blending brush AND an Eyeshadow
Primer Potion sampler with resealable samples of all four formulas (original,
Sin, Eden and Anti-Aging). Each sample holds about a week's worth of
Primer!
Our art-school-inspired tin case is a gorgeous rose-gold color (a subtle hint
at the shades inside). Embossed on top with a big "Naked3" and cool
facets that beg to be touched, it's sure to inspire lots of jealous
stares.
What You See Is What You Get: Strange (pale neutral pink matte-satin), Dust
(pale metallic pink shimmer w/iridescent micro-glitter), Burnout (light
pinky-peach satin), Limit (light dusty rose matte), Buzz (metallic rose shimmer
w/silver micro-glitter), Trick (light metallic pinky-copper shimmer w/tonal
micro-sparkle), Nooner (medium pinky-brown matte), Liar (medium metallic mauve
shimmer), Factory (pinky-brown satin), Mugshot (metallic taupe shimmer w/slight
pink shift), Darkside (deep taupe-mauve satin) and Darkheart (smoky black matte
w/rosy red micro-sparkle).
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(Left to Right)
Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit, Buzz, Trick |
 |
(Left to Right)
Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Darkside, Darkheart |
What I say:
I picked this up during a Sephora Members Private Sale this month. I was absolutely delighted when I received the email announcing the private sales where everything is 20% off. I have had this palette in my wish list for quite a while. In fact, I was initially drawn to this palette when deciding which Naked palette to buy for the first time. But subsequently, this was placed on my wish list instead as a majority of the reviews had recommended getting either Naked or Naked 2 first before getting this palette. Naked 3 consists of gorgeous pink, rose-golds, and sunset-colours, and these aren't exactly the colours you'd reach for to make a smoky eye effect. Some of the reviews had also mentioned that everyday looks are also hard to achieve for this palette and that it's catered more towards special events and cocktail parties. However, during a recent basics eyeshadow class I attended that was conducted by Roseanne (link), I had the chance to try out the Naked 3 palette on my eyes for the first time. Under her guidance, it was easier to pick out colours and the result was really good! I found myself thinking that I think I can make the colours in the palette work for me. And hence, the Naked 3 palette shot up to the top of my Sephora wishlist.
The case of the palette is so much sturdier (and prettier too!) than the Naked palette. It also consists of the same duo eyeshadow brush and comes with the same 4 samples of their eye primer (primer potion). On the side, I highly recommend their primer potions - they are so workable and easy to blend without making you feel like there's stuff on your eyelids. I picked up a full sized version of the Primer Potion in Original too during this month's private sales.
Once again, I went on a youtube spree looking for tutorials, and I tried an everyday look for today's movie date. I loved loved, absolutely loved, how the colours turned out. This palette is a must-have for those who like things a little more feminine and sweet. In fact, you can also go edgier with a rosy+smoky eye effect too with the colours on this palette (especially with Darkheart - what a gorgeous red-black shade!).
What it says on the box:
When UD junkies cried out for a palette of
matte neutrals, Naked Basics delivered—and left them begging for MORE shades.
(And we couldn’t deny them!)
Cooler in tone than the original, Naked2 Basics complements Naked2 perfectly.
We loaded this indispensable palette with six TAUPE-hued matte neutrals,
including five never-before-seen shades. These shadows are neutral enough for
anyone, from cool skin tones to olive complexions to darker skin.
So versatile you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it, Naked2 Basics is the
kind of palette you’ll reach for again and again.
Every shade in Naked2 Basics features our Pigment Infusion System™, the
proprietary blend of ingredients that gives each shade its velvety texture,
rich color, serious staying power and blendability.
While many brands’ matte shadows tend to be chalky or powdery, EVERY shade in
Naked2 Basics has a rich, buttery feel for the perfect application. It even
includes one shade with a slight satin finish, Skimp, that’s ideal for
highlighting and adding dimension.
Like the original, Naked2 Basics comes in a sleek, soft-touch case that has a
suede-like feel and a slight sheen. It’s small and compact so it travels well,
yet we still packed it with six FULL-size shadows.
What You Get: Skimp (pale nude satin), Stark (nude-pink matte), Frisk (warm
gray matte), Cover (muted red-brown matte), Primal (muted brown matte) and
Undone (deep, smoky brown matte).
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(Left to Right)
Skimp, Stark, Frisk, Cover, Primal, Undone |
What I say:
The pigments in the naked2 basics palette were...a little disappointing. I felt a difference in the shadows' textures in comparison to the other two Naked palettes as I was picking the colours up with my fingertips to do the colour test on my forearm. The powders were drier-similar to how a compact powder foundation would feel. I had to swipe my fingertip against the pot several times to get enough shadow to show up on my forearm. In fact, some of the shades ended up becoming chalky/powdery as I was swiping.I have yet to try it on my actual eyelids, but I'm just not having that good an impression on it so far. Nevertheless, I will update this post again once I've done so.
The selection of colours in the palette was what made me decide to pick this palette up instead of the naked basics. It had a dark black (Undone) which could actually compliment Naked as the original palette didn't have a black. In addition, I had also thought that the taupe shades could help offset Naked which is known to be warmer in shades compared to Naked 2 which was touted as having more taupe shades. So the Naked2 Basics was like getting the Naked 2 that I didn't have. In addition, Naked Basics had three shades which kind of disappeared into my skin tone when I had tested it out at the store, and no way was I forking out $45 for just 3 shades that I can work with.
TOO FACED CHOCOLATE BAR PALETTE (link)
What it says on the box:
The Chocolate Bar
experience begins as soon as you open the palette and the smell of sweet
chocolate envelops you. The eye shadows are pigmented with pure,
antioxidant-rich cocoa powder and includes 16 matte and shimmer shades of
natural browns, delicate pinks and luscious plums. Includes our signature
how-to Glamour Guide with three looks to get you started.
What I say:
This was an impulse buy when I was shopping during the Sephora Private members sale. I was always drawn to Too Faced Natural Eyes palette ever since my first Sephora members' sale - but up till now, I have yet to actually buy it. So as usual, I was admiring the colours from their Natural Eyes palette and contemplating whether I should just get the palette in a final attempt to stop pausing there each time Iw walk into Sephora or whether I should get the Naked2 Basics palette, which I had placed in the middle of my Sephora wishlist after reading reviews on how convenient and friendly it was for travel and for simple fuss-free days. This time round, the Sephora sales assistants were much more friendlier (this was at a different store), and the young lady actually highly recommended getting the Naked2 basics rather than this one. She had emphasized quite a bit that the colour payoff and application of the Naked2 basics were much more better than the Natural Eyes palette and that the Natural Eyes palette had more glittery shades than matte so it wasn't that feasible for workday looks either.
However, as I was admiring the Natural Eyes palette before the sales assistance came up to me, I had gotten a whiff of something...sweet. I was thinking to myself, "wow, that smells like some really nice hot chocolate. I wonder who is drinking that in the store? Maybe I should get a cup myself afterwards,". Then I realised it was coming from the display shelves just above the Natural Eyes palette. As my eyes (and nose) drifted towards the scent, I found myself looking at the Too Faced Chocolate Bar and Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar palettes. The Chocolate Bar palette was a number one favourite of a youtube beauty blogger that I often watch - Soyoung (Soyoung's Beauty Room), and I was quite curious to know why. Hence, I spent some time swatching the colours on my arm and as each swipe I was thinking, "not bad...not bad at all". However, I held myself back from buying the palette despite being drawn very much to it. I told myself not to buy on impulse - so I had initially walked away, purchased my Urban Decay Primer Potion and Naked 3 palette and walked out of the store...to my yoga class in the next building. On the way to yoga, and after yoga class as I was walking back to the store (I was still undecided between the Natural Eyes and Naked2 Basics), I went on an intense google search about the Chocolate Bar palette vs Semi-Sweet. Eventually, I succumbed and picked up the Chocolate Bar palette (after having read raving reviews compared to Semi-Sweet, and also influenced by Soyoung) and the Naked2 Basics.
The colours of the palette are also pretty workable. I have yet to search on youtube for tutorials, but I can't wait to try out the palette. Each time I open it up, I get a whiff of warm, good quality hot chocolate perfect for a winter night (unfortunately, Singapore doesn't have winter). But I still enjoy the smell very much. Some of the shades are little chalky and hard to pick up such as Strawberry Sorbet (that was disappointing as being one of the few bright pops of colours in the palette, I'd expect the shade to pack in intensity - but on hindsight, perhaps it was meant to be used as a highlighting colour? The colour payoff after all, appears to be a rather pastel pink). I will update this once I have tried it.
Would I buy it again: Yes for Naked and Naked 3; Maybe for Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palettes, Probably Not for Naked2 Basics
Price: (From Sephora) Naked Basics 2 SGD$45, Naked & Naked 3 SGD$83, Chocolate Bar SGD$69
*If you're a Sephora black member, take advantage of their members sale - you get 20% storewide!
Verdict: 9/10
Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product!
♥ Apple
