Naked palettes are a hot commodity for the eyes of makeup lovers everywhere. Urban Decay's signature bronze-hued palette has received much praise for its versatile hues and easy application. But how do you know which shades to use to create your own unique look? To help you on your way, here are some helpful thoughts on the subject from a makeup artist familiar with the tool.
For a smokey eye, a strong-black base is essential. Black brings dimension to the eyes and sets off the other colors in your look. It also enhances your eyes' naturally dark color and makes your eyes appear greater in person. If you have light eyes, however, you should consider adding a darker shade like blue charcoal to neutralize them. (Note that blue charcoal should not be used if you have blue eyes; it will make your eyes appear blue instead of black.) After your base color, select one or two lighter neutral shades for added definition and to frame your eyes. Next, add a dark shade at the lash line for depth and definition. Alternatively, if you want a dramatic yet soft look, avoid defining your eyes and instead apply a soft focus layer over the entire eye area. This prevents excess definition while allowing the spotlight to land where you want it- on your own beautiful blue eyes.
If you're new to Naked and already feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities, don't worry- so does the makeup artist who helped make these suggestions. She recommends starting with four key Naked hues: Costa Rica, Smog, Honey and Cook Islands. These pale yellow-golden tones blend well together and neutralize any natural color in your eye. (For blue eyes, use Steel intensity or White Rabbit as bases.) Next, apply neutral Steel intensities in various browns to form your base. To add definition, apply Honey or Cook Islands as lighter shades above this base. For extra depth, apply a dark brown color at the inner corner of each eye and along the lash line above your base shade. Mashing up pop culture references with edgy urban style, Naked's creators have an undeniable flair for creating unique looks.
When applying Naked shadows to the eye, it's common to make mistakes that result in an unappealing shadow look. To avoid this pitfall, consider what each shade does before choosing where to place it in your eye design. For instance, Smog sets off other hues well; however, it can appear harsh on its own when applied directly onto the lid without any lighter shadows underneath it. To soften its appearance, consider applying higher tones above it such as Cook Islands or Coal intensity (Amarinth intensity works too). Avoiding extremes - such as layering all dark shades - creates a more natural but still striking look that any woman could achieve with these shades alone.
The Naked palette is a wonderful way for beginners to start their own unique look without spending hours applying different shades of makeup individually. With Urban Decay's Naked palette in hand, you have everything you need to create numerous variations of smokey eyes that look natural yet stunningly defined at the same time. After experimenting with these suggestions - and learning from common mistakes - you'll soon see for yourself just how easy creating a highly personalized look can be!