Review: Naked 3 Palette

Back in January, I redeemed my Shoppers Optimum points for a few things, one of them being this palette.  I’ve been using it off and on since then and figured it’s time for a review.  While this isn’t a newly released palette (by any means – it was officially released way back in 2013), it’s one that I’ve been interested in a for a while, especially because I love the Urban Decay’s original Naked palette.  How did it fare?  Keep reading to find out!

ABOUT

From the Urban Decay website:

“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.”

PRICE

$66 CAD / $54 USD for 0.6 oz / 12 x 0.05 oz

COMPARABLES

PACKAGING

This palette is housed in a rose gold, art-school inspired textured tin case.  Inside is a generous mirror that spans the length of the palette and it includes a double ended brush.  People often complain about the brushes they include in palettes but I rarely do – more times than not, I use and enjoy them and find them to be good quality, as is the case with this one.

Overall I like the packaging of this palette; while it is a little bulky, I find it secure and sturdy which makes it great for travel.  I’m a fan of the design because not only is it pretty, it’s also unique in the midst of all of the cardboard palettes out there.  My only complaint is that it isn’t the easiest to open – it’s a little sticky and stiff but I don’t consider this a big deal.

SCENT

There is no noticeable scent to these shadows.

SWATCHES & SHADES

From top to bottom: 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).

From top to bottom: Strange (pale neutral pink matte-satin), Dust (pale metallic pink shimmer w/iridescent micro-glitter), Burnout (light pinky-peach satin)

From top to bottom: Limit (light dusty rose matte), Buzz (metallic rose shimmer w/silver micro-glitter), Trick (light metallic pinky-copper shimmer w/tonal micro-sparkle)

From top to bottom: Nooner (medium pinky-brown matte), Liar (medium metallic mauve shimmer), Factory (pinky-brown satin)

From top to bottom: Mugshot (metallic taupe shimmer w/slight pink shift), Darkside (deep taupe-mauve satin) and Darkheart (smoky black matte w/rosy red micro-sparkle)

FORMULAS & PERFORMANCE

It’s hard to breakdown the different formulas in this palette according to Urban Decay’s description of the formulas so to simplify it just note that there are only 2 true matte shades in here and the rest are a mix of satins, shimmers with glitter, metallics, metallic shimmers and mattes with glitter.

I was interested to see how this palette would compare to the original Naked palette, which is one of my favourites. The one I own is one of the very first released and it was, and still is, very well-loved by me.  However, I’ve heard that Urban Decay changed their formulation a few years in and the newer palettes did not reflect the same quality – which is irritating to say the least.

Unfortunately I’d have to agree with the fact that this isn’t quite up to same quality level as my original Naked palette; while I found most of the shadows in the original to be creamy and smooth, there are a few misses, oddly the first 3 shadows. Specifically Strange, which I found to be quite chalky and lacking pigment and Dust, which is slightly gritty and works best as a glittery top coat.  I also found Burnout to be a little chunky.  Otherwise, I find the remaining shadows to be on par with the formula of the original palette.

Overall blendability was pretty good and I liked that I could build up the shadows without them becoming muddy.  Fallout is definitely an issue, particularly with any of the shimmer or glittery shades – ensure you have a large fluffy brush on hand to wipe away excess shadow afterwards (you will need it).  I think the metallic shadows are the standouts in this palette – aside from Dust, I find them all to be smooth, creamy and exceptionally pigmented.

I must say that I enjoyed the versatility of this palette; I was able to make a variety of looks – some more natural, some for glam but ultimately I think it offers a great variation of shades that are perfect for everyday use.  My favourite shades are Buzz (metallic rose), Trick (metallic gold) and Mugshot (metallic taupe).

As usual, I paired these shadows up with my Too Faced Eyeshadow Insurance Eye Primer and they lasted me a good 7 hours minimum before I started to see some fading. Note that I have exceptionally oily eyelids and I cannot wear eyeshadow without a primer underneath (otherwise I end up with creasing within an hour of wear).

QUICK SUMMARY

PROS

  • Sturdy and pretty packaging
  • Includes a good quality brush
  • Lovely array of rosy and neutral shades
  • Overall good quality shadows

CONS

  • A few dud shades (Strange, Dust)
  • Lots of fallout
  • A little pricey

VERDICT

Despite this not being as good as my original Naked palette, I am pretty happy with it.  I love the shade range – it’s fantastic for travel because I can do anything from a romantic rosy eye to a dramatic smokey eye.  I think if you enjoy a neutral and rosy eyeshadows, it is one to consider.


What’s your favourite Naked palette?

Comments

  1. polishedandinspired says

    I’ve never really been interested in the Naked 3 palette but wow, the swatches are seriously gorgeous!
    Totally agreed with you on the original – I think it’s a classic, and even though people think the Naked palettes are boring now, I think we can’t forget that they were THE original neutral palettes!

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