Naked2 Palette

Alright friends, I took the plunge. I bought the Naked2 palette (by Urban Decay) this morning. It's a good thing I didn't think twice about it because yet again, it's out of stock already! As an original Naked palette owner, which many of you may be as well, I thought I might dedicate a post to exactly what made me pull the trigger on getting the second one. So let's get to it!!

First off, I have to give major props to Leesha (aka xsparkage) for posting such detailed swatch photos on her blog. (*If you too are interested in a more in-depth look at the palette and how it compares to the original, check out her post here). It really helped me see the differences in hue that the new palette offers. For instance, (gonna borrow her photo so to better explain here):

While I totally get the initial reaction of, "Girl, how many shades of brown do you really need?" – The major difference I noticed right off the bat between the two palettes was the original palette offers more pink or mauve-hued as well as gold/tiger eye shades, and the new Naked2 palette offers more options in copper, khaki and grey shades.

I'm speculating, but I think Urban Decay wanted to step up their game vs. Sigma's Bare palette which offers specifically brown's, beige's, black's and grey's. Spooky similarities to note:

^ UD 'Foxy' vs. Sig. 'Approach' • UD 'Tease' vs. Sig. 'Act' • UD 'Pistol' vs. Sig. 'Snoop' • UD 'Blackout' vs. Sig. 'Control'

Tiffany (aka MakeupByTiffanyD) gives a nice overview of the Sigma Bare palette in a PLL tutorial here, and makes a similar point that the original palette doesn't not offer any similar tones that are in the Bare palette, especially not matte ones. I'm still in agreement with Tiffany that the Naked2 palette still has not provided a good go-to grey (particularly a matte grey), which makes either the Bare palette or MAC's 'Silver Ring' worth-it purchases.

Another observation, as a girl who has olive-toned skin but does lighten in the winter, and dark hair and hazel eyes – the original Naked palette strikes me as a palette more conducive for summertime, and the Naked2 palette more appropriate for autumn and winter. During the summer when I (like most girls) sport more skin and white, the original palette feels like a better match. *My summer go-to look: Virgin - inner, Sin - outer, Toasted - crease.

I feel like the shades of the Naked2 palette overall have a cooler, more earth-toned vibe to them vs. the warmth injection of the original palette. As someone who definitely capitalizes on layered looks and overall earth-toned and black fashion in the colder months, I'm looking forward to sporting looks from the Naked2. (*I've been dying to try this copper look that Ingrid (aka MissGlamorazzi) did a tutorial on a few weeks ago, and now I feel like I can with the coppery shades from the Naked2!)

Overall, pretty excited to try it out and if I had to say the shades I'm looking most forward to playing with, they'd be:

Those shades also stick out to me as being the most different from the original palette. Also, I'm ultra glad Urban Decay decided to include a double brush this go around (*cough* Sigma palettes *cough*), especially considering some of the cooler tones will require blending out.

So! That's it for now – more to come when I actually get the palette in the mail :) Can't wait!

By Popular Demand: Full (Everyday) Makeup Routine

First, I'll kickoff by saying my facial cleansing routine is not included here. Obviously, begin any makeup application to a clean face :)

Face & Foundation:

• Step 1: Apply Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel to face and neck. (*Depending on what the outcome of your skin evaluation is via Clinique.com - "Find Your Routine", the DD Lotion product might be recommended for you vs. the Gel).
• Step 2: Apply Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Roller to under eye area and gently blend in with index finger.
• Step 3: Squirt about a 1/4 of a dime-sized dot of Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + liquid foundation onto the back of your hand, then take index finger and dot your face– try to keep most of the product away from the edges of your face so to avoid awkward lines.
• Step 4: Rinse the Beauty Blender under warmish water and squeeze out until its expanded and is damp, not soaked. Gently work the foundation into your face by stippling the Beauty Blender around. *Use the tipped end to blend areas like the inner eye and nose creases.
• Step 5: Apply Covergirl Smoothers Concealer stick (in 'Neutralizer') to areas of redness or blemishes that need further attention. Again, blend the concealer in with the Beauty Blender.
• Step 6: Finish off by setting your foundation with a light amount of Maybelline Dream Matte Powder, using a kabuki-style brush.

Facial Accents:

• Step 1: Contour your cheek area, upper corners of the forehead and a light swipe on the bridge of the nose with a bronzer. *I prefer a product with no shimmer, so I use BareMinerals All-Over Face Color in 'Warmth' and apply with a smaller contour brush.
• Step 2: Add some pink to the apples of your cheeks with Revlon ColorStay Mineral Blush in 'Petal' (020), using an angled brush.
• Step 3: Then, for just a teensy bit of highlight, I lightly dip my same angled brush into the Urban Decay Naked Palette colors 'Virgin' and 'Sin' and apply on the uppers of my cheek bones.
• Step 4: I give my brows a quick comb with a mascara sample wand.
• Step 5: And finally, to fill in the brows first run a thin tapered brush or liner brush in a light amount of water, just to dampen it– we're not water coloring here. Then, with the damp brush pick up a swipe or two of the 'Buck' color in the UD Naked Palette and fill. Use water and shadow as needed.

Simple Eyes Routine:

• Step 1: Prime your lids with a light amount of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion.
• Step 2: Using a brush apply Maybelline Matte Expert Eyewear Shadow in 'Campagne Fizz' (30) to entire lid up to but not through the crease.
• Step 3: Using a crease brush apply a light swipe of the color 'Naked' from the UD Naked Palette.
• Step 4: Using Maybelline Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner in 'Blackest Black' line your entire upper lid, giving the outer lid a slightly thicker line than the inner. Then, 'dot' about 4 dots on the lower lash line and smudge with a liner brush– connecting the 'V' of the outer eye. (*For an additional visual element, you could wet your tapered or liner brush and pick up a small amount of the 'Gunmetal' color from the UD Naked Palette and run that along the outer lower lash line).
• Step 5: Curl your lashes.
• Step 6: Apply mascara. I prefer a thick (but not clumpy) look on the upper and very minimal on the lower, so I first apply Revlon Grow Luscious by Fabulash in 'Black/Noir' for volume, and then a second coat to separate using Maybelline Colossal Volum Express in 'Classic Black'. I also use the Maybelline mascara for my lower lashes.

The Final Touch – Lips:

• Step 1: Swipe a balm using EOS Smooth Sphere in 'Sweet Mint'.
• Step 2: Add a light touch of color with Urban Decay Lip Junkie Gloss in 'Wallflower'.

And there you have it– a full start to finish, relatively simple makeup routine! I know it seems like there's a ton here, but I have to tip my hat to the Urban Decay Naked Palette. We created a highlight, brow fill, shadow AND liner looks all using one product!!

What about you all out there? What your routine? Any favorite product raves? Things you can't live without? I'd love to hear!