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!