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I only own two products from Urban Decay but I absolutely love them – Naked Skin concealer and Electric Palette! I’d recommend the concealer to anyone (it’s just my favorite formula), and for someone who likes bold colours Electric Palette is a must have!
What made you try UD in the first place, Tova?
Ohh well there’s a lot of hype around it of course. I needed a new concealer and I had heard good reviews for UD’s so I just went for it. As for the Electric palette, it was one of the more easy accessible bright palettes and I didn’t have anything like it!
Gotcha! 🙂 Those are two interesting products to start with (to me at least!), so I was super curious. Thank you for indulging me 😉
No Naked 2 for cool eyes? I’m a big fan!
I think Naked2 works, but I don’t think it’s that cool-toned (personally) and I remember a lot of cooler-toned readers weren’t that thrilled with it (that it wasn’t genuinely cool-toned, same situation with Naked3).
I agree, Christine. I wouldn’t consider it cool toned enough to put in that list.
I found Naked 2 to still be too warm to be called cool. About half the shadows worked on me. I think Naked 3 works because almost everyone looks good in pinks/peaches/taupe-y shades even if they are a bit warmer. While not cool themselves, perhaps “warm tones that look better on cool toned people than our other offerings” would have been a better marketing pitch!
Your assessment is so interesting!! I am also a cool toned person and I love Naked2, mainly for the Tease/ Snakebite/ Suspect/ Pistol/ Verve/ YDK colors. I don’t think they are cool per se, but they are cooler than the first Naked palette, which I think is gorgeous but don’t use as much as the second one.
I have Naked3 and I have used it maybe once. I just can’t seem to make it flatter me. Maybe I haven’t tried the right combinations though…
Naked Basics for sure! I love the Naked Basics 2 but I think the original fits a better range of skin tones.
Those are nice companion palettes for someone who likes mattes!
If someone had never tried UD before, I’d recommend one of their travel sets that had several things they could wear, such as the Naked on the Run set. For newbies who maybe aren’t used to spending so much on one product, this would let them try some eye shadows, a blush, a bronzer, an eye pencil, and a lip product.
UD’s old Shattered Face Case is what got me hooked!
Great idea! I think whatever-the-palette-of-the-moment is could work as well.
Definitely get a Naked palette, be it the Original, 2, 3, or Smoky! One caveat however with 1 or 2, make SURE you really know your true undertone! I say this because swatched on the back of your hand or arm, they don’t seem too different, but applied is another story! I genuinely wish I’d have gotten Original instead of 2.
I would also say to try their lipsticks and blushes, because they are beautifully pigmented and have VERY comfortable formulas. Some of my favorite picks are Rapture blush, Liar and Catfight Lipsticks, and the Matte Revolution lipstick in After Dark.
Single eyeshadow picks: Roach, Sin, Rockstar, X, Fireball, Dive Bar and Tonic! And I desperately want to see UD release Junkie as a single, too!
Naked1 is still my most used out of the Nakeds, being warmer-toned. I like the other two, but Naked1 has my heart! I think it is the “safest” to start with if you are definitely warm-toned.
I really wish I would have listened to my daughter back when I was deciding! She told me flat out to get the Naked 1 because I was warm-toned!
Second Junkie as a single. It’s such a gorgeous, rich shade. This needs to happen!
Rachel, yes it does!!! That’s another perfect green!
Seconding Roach – both for the eyeshadow single and the eyeliner. They’re gorgeous!
Nice list. Hmm, Mushroom (eyeshadow) looks like cool grey on me, weird.
Also, I have 5/7 of your eyeliner picks, and I only have 6 of them total, so looks like I made good choices!
The nature of taupe! Undertones matter sooo much!
I find mushroom to go fairly neutral when paired with cool shadows on my cool skin and warm when paired with a warmer cheek or lip.
I have the same experience! I would say both the eyeshadow & eyeliner are about the closest thing I have to truly neutral (On me). They’re basically the warmest I can go, so I use them whenever I want to look warm-ish. The eyeshadow works for me, as long as I don’t sheer it out above my crease. Actually, Sin is like that for me, as well, and they pair up quite nicely!
I love all these UD picks, especially Mushroom and Rockstar! My favorite, though, is probably the 24/7 pencil in Sabbath. It’s one of the deepest blues I have found, and I love to use it on my upper lash line during minimal makeup days.
Oh god yes, Sabbath! I have a few blue eyeliners but I keep coming back to that one. I have dark blue eyes, and it really works for me!
super agitated that UD Tonic eyeshadow IS ALWAYS OUT OF STOCK >:( !!!! RWARRRRRRRRRRRRR
🙁
Love your Tina avatar!
I was in Sephora last night with my best friend, a die hard MAC fan like myself, and I sold her on the UD Gwen palette! I am new to the brand myself but I think the eye shadows and/or palettes will become a staple purchase for me. My favorite makeup products are eye shadow and lipstick, and I really like UD’s eye shadow palettes, so I would tell someone new to the brand to start there.
Their eyeshadow palettes are a nice place to start! I think if they’re not looking for just neutrals, the LE palettes can be a good place to go assuming one is out at the moment (but they seem to come often enough!).
I absolutly love the eyeshadow primer potion and can’t use eyeshadow without it because my eyelids are so oily – that was the product that caught my attention in the first place. Now, I’m the proud owner of a Naked 1, Smoky pallete, several eyeliners and, most recently, I discovered the Perversion mascara….just in love with it! Maybe I’ll try the concelear next time since I’ve read such good reviews.
Their primer potion was such a huge, huge product when I first started using makeup. Oddly enough, the original creases on me, but Eden/Sin work well!
Outside of the color arena, I’d recommend the UD original eye primer, it’s fantastic!! I also agree that an all-in-one like Urban on the Run would be great for a new comer to the brand.
Well worth trying!
Love UD line all of it. Always big on the lipsticks and 24/7 eyeliners. There’s nothing I wouldn’t recommend except that I would say the Nakeds are good for warm undertones so maybe try something like Smoky or Vice first if not.
Good call, Karen!
Great list! Bust is a wonderful eyeshadow shade that doesn’t seem to get much love. Virgin is the quintessential highlight shade, and I know a lot of people who wear Sin or Half Baked every single day. Ladyflower is a major fave in the lipstick category, and the eyeshadow primer is an essential workhorse product.
I loveee Ladyflower!
I love Urban Decay. I am WAAAY past their target market, I’m sure but that doesn’t stop me. I’d recommend either the original Naked Palette or either of the Naked Basics (my personal preference is Naked2Basics), UDPP for sure and also their newer lipsticks (Manic, F-Bomb and Rapture are my favourites). I also like their new blushes as well.
They have some really good products! I think that shows in how many people they appeal to 🙂
Any of the Naked palettes, I have and love them all. My skintone is quite neutral so that could be the reason I like them all.
Perversion eyeliner, it is fantastic, so rich and so black.
Lipsticks Venom and F-bomb.
I don’t think my choises, except for the Naked palettes are for anyone who might be intimidated of strong colours.
I must try the blushes, Bittersweet is very tempting. I also need to get the foundation I was trying, it looked so good. Must find the little jar so I can see the name of it.
Venom is so pretty! I like the finish on that one a lot.
I would recommend either Naked 1 or 2 depending on your skin tone definitely. These are holy grail palettes of perfect quality. If you are into colours – the Spectrum palette has it all, especially if you are cool toned. Even though I prefer cool toned colours I do love Mushroom…. As for their other palettes, I would check out how many of the colours you would actually use and see if it is cost effective for you to buy (Vice palettes, book of shadows etc.)
Spectrum is an amazing palette! Wish it was permanent!
Gosh, that would depend on their stash! I’d recommend trying the base products, one of the Naked Basics if they were short on neutrals, and depending on their coloring or preferences the lipsticks, glosses, eyeliners, and eyeshadows. I have yet to try to try the new blushes though they look rather exceptional. I like about 80% of what they put out, so it’s a safe bet to recommend most of the collection!
That’s a good idea!
Eyeshadow: Freelove. Blush: Indecent. And one of my HG lippies of all time: Manic (original Revolution). Must-haves!
Manic is gorgeous!
These are all great products, I think, though I don’t own every single one.
*I’d recommend grabbing the Gwen Stefani palette while it’s out. It’s more varied and versatile than first meets the eye (sorry about the pun). I’ve seen some pretty dramatic and colorful looks done with this, as well as easy daytime neutral and glamorous pin-up style eyes.
From the permanent Line:
*Grindhouse pencil sharpener. One of the best I’ve ever used.
*Primer Potion. I like Too Faced Shadow Insurance better, but PP is a close second.
*Really, most of their single eyeshadows, eyeliner pencils, lipsticks and lipliners. Of course, UD does great nude shadows, but they also make fantastic blues, greens, teals and purples whereas most brands have major fails with these shades. Woodstock is an amazing hot pink shadow. UD’s 24/7 eyeliner pencil in Perversion is my HG black pencil liner. Roach is my HG brown eyeliner pencil. I also love Deep End, Woodstock, Chaos, Tornado, and Psychelic Sister. Rapture, Sheer Rapture, Sheer Coral, Liar, Anarchy, 69, Gash, and F-Bomb lipsticks (I haven’t tried any of the mattes yet).
*Ozone is a great lipliner to start with, as it goes with anything and can also be used as a primer over the entire lip.
*The Electric Palette is a must-have for brights lovers.
*Afterglow Blush, especially Rapture and Bittersweet. I think they’re both beautiful, unique and high-quality. I’d steer people away from the Flushed palettes. I think they’re awful.
*Subversion lash primer and Perversion Mascara.
*Anything from the Naked and Naked Basics eye palettes, just make sure it work with their skin shade and undertones. I didn’t get Naked,Naked 2, or Smoky, as I felt they had too many of the kinds of medium-browns and grays that go muddy on me when I use them together. I think they are all nice palettes, though. I prefer Smoked to the Smoky palette, as I like more color variety. I think Smoked is an excellent palette. The original Naked Basics is my favorite from the Naked line, and I find it incredibly versatile. I also like Naked 3 a lot. Naked on the Run is an excellent travel palette.
The Gwen Stefani palette is definitely worth a look from a quality perspective, probably most so if you are fairer in coloring!
Grindhouse – very true – no other pencil sharpener is worth bothering with!
I would recommend starting with one of the Naked Palettes, then add some of their singles ( Dive Bar, Tonic, Backfire) and if you like sparkles, Moondust shadow in Vortex is my fave, and Bittersweet Blush
Great advice, Katherine!
I use a ton of urban decay but what got me started on them was the 24/7 liners. The array of colors is just fantastic and you’re not really a UD junkie unless you have about 5 in various versions of purple. For someone new I would agree that the naked basics are great introductions because you won’t error on the side of too much satin or shimmer which looks terrible on woman of a particular age when applied incorrectly. Also their all nighter liner is the only one that lasts in my waterline all day and I love that you don’t have to sharpen it.
I’m so glad you found a good eyeliner that stays on your waterline, Lexi! That is a product that can be tough to find.
Great selection! I have several of the Warm picks myself (Lounge, Catfight, Scorch) and I’m thrilled with them all. I’d also recommend Voodoo or one of their other purple 24/7 liners, and Smog as a versatile bronze liner.
Smog is a gorgeous shade in eyeliner and shadow form!
I’m so crazy about the five waya series and still follow old post to complete my stash
which to me is nearly perfect with all the reviews you share with us
having said that
I still dont own original naked palette
you think I should buy that ??
I have naked 2 n 3 , smoked n vice 3 , pulp fiction ….
naked original and naked smokey are missing
m most worried about the original though
pls pour in your suggestions
as far as my two cents
UD revolution in shades like Anarchy , Catfight , Jilted , Gash are my absolute fav
1993 and bad blood is another stunner
love palettes like smoked and UD 3
and linersssssss
mars , deep end and covet 🙂
I think you would like the original, but I bet you have a lot of dupes in other palettes!
Most of the entire line is fabulous . I would tell them what not to buy to help them out. If they wore contacts , I would not recommend Perverson. Way too creamy. I would not recomend the cheek highlighters and the naked smoky.
They have a lot of good things for sure!
I’d definitely recommend the Sheer Revolution Lipstick formula, the Naked palettes and the Primer Potion!
What are your favorite Sheer Revolution shades, Melissa?
I suggest their eyeshadow in Sin. I’m on my third pan.
That is a classic shade!
Dang, I really wish I could have read this post before I bought Naked 2. I’m definitely warm and I didn’t understand why the colors always looked a little funky on my eyes until just now. Do you have any recommendations on how to make the shades look a little more cohesive in a look Christine? Maybe by adding in another (warmer) color? Any advice appreciated 🙂
ps what are some really good UD singles? I’ve really been wanting to get a few!!
What kind of colors are you into? Finishes? Undertones? They have a pretty big range, so let me know a little more about preferences so I can suggest a few 🙂
Have you considered taking some of the Naked2 colors and pairing with one or two more overtly warm-toned shades in your stash? Might not be ideal but it could work. You could also use a warmer cream eyeshadow as a base underneath!
I’m looking for some neutral shades I could use every day, or some really special shades that you feel that they do really well and would be hard to find elsewhere. I’m thinking matte, because most palettes are filled with shimmers and I have trouble doing a completely shimmery eye with all sorts of glitter in the crease (I just feel like glitter gets everywhere). Thanks Christine!!
Hi Amy!
For matte and neutral, here are some of their bests: ABC Gum, Buck, Desperation, Riff, Tease!
Thank you so much for responding!! I’ll be sure to check some out
Oh great, thanks for reminding me how much more stuff I want from Urban Decay! 🙂 I love their lipsticks. My favorites are Anarchy, F-Bomb, Venom, Liar, and Matte Bittersweet. I’m in love with Bittersweet, and I need to get more of their mattes since they are so beautiful and comfortable. And the Naked palettes. When I started wearing makeup again regularly, I didn’t have any good neutrals, so I got Naked 2 and it has worked really well for me (my skin tone is kind of neutral but leans just a little cool).
Sowwie 😉
Naked2 is a great palette. I still like it, but Naked1 is definitely a little more flattering, I think (for my warm-tones and for warmer-tones — generally, of course).
I’ve been a big fan of Urban Decay ever since they came out with their subversive and unusual color names. I didn’t use to wear much makeup, but I always had something Urban Decay around.
I would recommend any of the eyeshadow singles. My favorites are Roach (the best!), Mildew, Lounge, and Scratch. The new Afterglow blushes are also great. I love Rapture.
I’m so glad they finally came out with a proper blush range!
My favs: Electric palette, Vice palettes. Mildew, Roach, Zodiac, Ether, Haight, Gravity, Loaded, Snare shadows. Blackheart/Darkside, Stash, Oil Slick, Black Velvet, Junkie 24/7 liners. Anarchy, Black Mail, Bad Blood, Venom lipsticks. Rush, Black Mail lip pencils. Aura illuminated shimmer powder.
Great picks, Alice! Junkie is a great eyeliner.
I recommend the eye primer, setting spray and certain eyeshadows, not my favorite formula but like Mac, it’s a reliable formula for certain shades. I like Roach and Toasted the most.
Eye primer is my holy grail though. I swear twelve hours of wear and when I take off my makeup, everything has faded except my eyeshadow and eye liner. It’s holy grail status for me that I have not tried anything else. I purchase this and only this.
Roach and Toasted are some great shades 🙂
Christine, thank you so much for taking the time to do this! So helpful <3
My pleasure, Brooke!