Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review

Today is the day, the day in which the eagerly awaited Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette goes online for sale within the UK. A beautiful array of deep yet neutral eyeshadows that will easily take you from day to night with ease, all encased within a visually stunning case. No other palette out there in my opinion quite makes creating a smoky eye as easy as this does. If you are on the fence (and I don't blame you, the Naked launches have been thick and fast) about the newest Urban Decay launch, or simply need a little more persuasion let me share a few thoughts on Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette and of course swatches too.

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review
Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review

So yes Urban Decay Naked Smoky is now on sale via Urban Decay, it will then go on counter the 1st of August within the UK should you want to see it in person before coming to a decision. As you can see Naked Smoky comes presented within a plastic case that features a rather visually striking "floating smoke" print, I find it embodies both the theme and shades of this palette wonderfully. In my opinion this is the best Urban Decay Naked packaging to date; the case is durable yet lightweight (ideal for travel as is the brush), as an added bonus it contains not only a large full sized mirror but also a duo ended blending brush. The concept of the Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette is of course to allow the creation of smoky, vampy eye make up not only achievable from one kit but easy. Unlike past Naked launches, Smoky contains a step by step guide for various looks, which is easy to follow and a great source of inspiration.

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review
Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review

In my opinion one of the major selling points of Urban Decay Smoky is that it features an equal proportion of warm and cool shades, as well as matte, shimmer and glitter finishes. Initially this does appear to be a deep, evening ready kit but if you look closer a good few of the shades are light and not all that far removed from either of the Naked Basics Palettes nor Naked 1 or 2. In terms of value I would say that Smoky offers the most bang for your buck; day, night, sculpted and barely there eye looks are more than achievable with this palette - I consider it to be a do all, suit all array of eyeshadows and the one I would see as the safe investment.

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review
Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review
Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review

As to be expected the formulation of all twelve shades within Urban Decay Smoky are good to great - the shadows are well pigmented on the whole (a few mattes are a little chalky), easy to apply and blend, soft (there is a little fall out, especially with the matte shades but I find that is the norm with all brands) and long wearing, more so if teamed with a primer. Surprisingly the brush included within the palette is a surprise hit, a duo ended soft, synthetic brush that has been especially designed to help with blending and of course smoking out the eyeshadows. I would happily purchase the brush as a standalone product - it is the good!

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review
Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review
Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review

The twelve shades within Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette are:

- High (champagne shimmer w/micro-glitter)
- Dirtysweet (medium bronze)
- Radar (metallic taupe w/iridescent micro-glitter)
- Armor (metallic silver-taupe w/tonal sparkle)
- Slanted (light metallic grey)
- Dagger (medium charcoal w/micro-shimmer)
- Black Market (jet-black satin)
- Smolder (deep plum-taupe)
- Password (cool taupe matte)
- Whiskey (rich brown matte)
- Combust (soft pink-taupe)
- Thirteen (light beige satin)

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review
Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review
Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review
Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review
Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review

As you may have noticed most of the shades are not re-promotes from previous Urban Decay Naked Palettes; rather Smoky contains nine never seen before eyeshadow shades and three palette exclusives too! The Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette will undoubtedly be a sell out but in this instance I do feel it merits the success - as said above the broad range of shades and undertones allow this to cater to just about every complexion, age and eye make-up needs for that matter.

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette Review

Now over to you; will you be purchasing this in the coming days or have you grown tired of the Naked franchise? Do you think there is room for a Naked 5 palette, if so what route would you like it to take? I'd love a jumbo, all matte palette but then again I am fairly boring when it comes to eyeshadow.

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette £38 via Urban Decay - link.

This post contains a press sample.