Eyeshadow Review - Naked Basics Palette by Urban Decay

I don't claim to have any training in how to apply makeup (unless you can get degrees from Pinterest), but I do think I look okay most days. I'm still not feeling great, but I have an intense love for my everyday eyeshadow, the Naked Basics Palette by Urban Decay, and who doesn't feel better when they talk about makeup!?*

So this palette is basically a scaled down version of this one (both images from www.sephora.com - I have a problem...):

And this one, the original:

I like both of these, but there are some downsides. First, they're each $50. If you know you love the colors, and you'll use all of them, that's a great bargain. If you don't think you'll ever wear that shimmery blue, or you don't know if you like the consistency, or you have allergies and aren't sure about Urban Decay, then it's a little pricey. Second, I am not a fan of glittery eyeshadows for every day wear. For special occasions, for fun nights out, sure, but not for 8 am in the office. Which is where this little problem-solving beauty comes in:

The Naked Basics palette runs about $27 at most retailers (Ulta, Sephora, etc.). It has 6 shades, a good sized mirror, and what seems, after 6 months and a ton of trips and general clumsiness, to be a really good and sturdy case.

The colors are:

Venus - A very lightly shimmery white that I tend to use in the inside corners of my eyes and, on occasion, as a highlighter under my eyebrows.

Foxy - A yellowish color that I don't use often by itself, but that I blend with the other colors sometimes, especially in the summer.

Walk of Shame (W.O.S.) - A great, light beige neutral. Good highlighter, especially when you don't want any shimmer.

Naked 2 - This color is what I use everyday first. It's just good for getting my eyelids the same color before I put anything else on, and, even when I don't wear anything else, this gives me a little color.

Faint - A darker brown color that I use on the crease of my lids usually. Mixed with the Foxy it's really pretty and a nice subtle smokey color.

Crave - BLACK black. Like, really black. It's nice and matte though, so sometimes I make a gray shadow with it and Venus or Foxy, and sometimes I actually put it really close to my eyelashes and do a kind of "faux liner" move with it. 

(I was going to post pictures of me wearing it, but taking a picture of your own eye is really hard. If you know me in real life, you've seen me wear it every day.)

I can toss this in my purse, it's not too expensive, it's easy to come up with color combinations, and it cuts out the need for any more products that I would have to take the time to apply or carry around with me. 

My cousin was concerned that the cakes would crack or break up, but I've thrown this in my purse, in a weekender bag, in multiple makeup bags, and on my vanity, and I've taken it to 4 different countries and several states, both in cars and planes, and it's been fine. That's not saying they won't break, but I haven't had it happen yet. :)

*Urban Decay doesn't pay me, they have no idea who I am, and I didn't get this palette for free or a reduced price. I just like talking about pretty stuff.