In Which We Get Naked for the Third Time (Urban Decay #Naked3 Review & Swatches)

There’s something to be said about an item—particularly a new beauty item being hard to get that makes us go crazy…lol. I mean, I bet none of us were thinking “You know, I sure wish Urban Decay would come out with a third Naked palette” like three months ago—but they dropped it on us, it sold out like Michael Jackson tickets in the 80s again and again, and we all clamored to get our hands on the rosy-toned neutral eyeshadow palette. I count myself in this group of course. You guys may not see it, but behind this computer I go HAM for limited edition beauty products…lol. It’s actually quite sad…lol. But one night while up drafting posts and work for other sites, I looked up something on Sephora.com around midnight and noticed the Naked 3 palette was for sale. You don’t want to see how I damn near knocked my Mac off my desk in excitement. So sad. So sad.

But anyway, it finally came and what’s funny is that I also ordered a Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Cleanser but somehow it broke and leaked all over EVERYTHING in my box (some of the gel even leaked through the shipping box) but miraculously my Naked 3 went unscathed. It’s bulletproof, yo!

But yeah, anyway, I opened it up and on first inspection I loved it. There’s 12 pinky neutrals ranging in texture from mattes (3–although Darkside is semi-matte with a little shimmer) to shimmers (3) to intense shimmers (5). SUPER pigmented and butter soft as to be expected from UD shadows. And even better it’s one of those palettes that works on EVERYONE. Yes, everyone. From the fairest of fair to the deepest, chocolatey skin—everyone can wear these colors. I appreciate it mostly because I often don’t reach for rosy-toned eyeshadows very often and yet here’s 12 of them for me to mix and match to my heart’s content.

The first six shades are the lightest and pinkest in color. These are pretty, soft neutrals on lighter, medium, and tan skin. If you have darker skin—ranging from light brown to very deep—don’t even think for a second that these colors will look “chalky” on you. Nope. I’m not a huge fan of seeing a pinky white matte color as a single wash on darker skin tones, but I am a fan of using them as a “base” so to speak to intensify whatever shade you put on top. These shades are also best paired with deeper colors on darker skin. Just don’t dismiss them or you’ll miss out on using some great colors.

The last six shades are more in the pinky-brown family. These are pretty soft neutrals on light brown and darker skin tones. On lighter skin they’re more dramatic and more sultry. Don’t you be afraid of them either ;) Pair them with one of the lighter shades or ease your way into them by using them as liners.

Overall this palette is amazing and I’m glad I bought it. It comes with a dual-ended brush, but to be honest, I seldom ever use the brushes that come in eyeshadow palettes so it’ll probably remain in the plastic untouched until I remember it’s there and throw it away. There’s also samples of four of the Urban Decay Primer Potions inside as well.

Oh, how does it compare to previous Naked models?

I don’t own the original Naked palette. I did buy it among the craziness of its first launch because EVERYONE had to have it, but it was just too warm-toned for me. Naked 2 with its cool-toned neutrals was wayyy more my speed. I was going to do comparison pics but then I realized I’m in Georgia and my Naked 2 is at home in Queens chilling…lol. But I feel they’re different enough where you can own both and not feel like you wasted your hard earned coins.

All I have right now of my own pics of the Naked 2 Palette is this eyeshadow look my makeup artist pal Neema Ali did on me for my Cover FX event I hosted at Sephora.

Naked 3 also makes for an amazing present if you can get your hands on one.

Click any of the pics to enlarge

Bottom line: I’d say it’s worth the hype. You can get TONS of looks out of it for work, the weekend, and special occasions. Don’t feel bad if you can’t seem to get to snag one—at some point the supply will increase the demand and you’ll be able to waltz into any Sephora or Ulta and grab one.

Price and where to buy: (see widget below)

More Urban Decay…