Urban Decay Naked Palette 1 and 2

I’m a gal who likes her colorful eye shadows. I love the vibrancy, I love to create a make-up look to go with different outfits or if I’m decked in all black (the majority of my wardrobe) the colors can add some much needed variety.

However, colorful make-up isn’t always appropriate. The problem is that it’s so easy for neutrals to come across as boring or lackluster. That’s why I’m always so excited when I am able to find palettes like these two from Urban Decay. 

You have a wide range of shades (browns, beiges/gold, blacks/grays) and they’re both incredible. The colors complement each other well (and will work for either warm or cool complexions,) leaving you with endless possibilities. The only thing one might have trouble with is that while there are a few matte shades included, most of these will be metallic/shimmery. You might have trouble if those just aren’t your thing. My personal favorite shades are Half-Baked (included in both kits,) Chopper, YDK, Buck, and Gunmetal. 

Swatches of original Naked Palette

Swatches of #2

Both kits also come with a handy little eye brush. Number two's brush is also double sided, with one end for blending. Awesome for application on the go!

So while I can continue buying my colorful shadows in single shades (or custom palettes!) I’m pretty much set when it comes to my neutrals, thanks to the two Naked Palettes.

Final Verdict: Love it!

Monochrome Madness- Beautiful Blue

A fun blending technique I like to use for my eye make-up is using one color in varying shades to create a look. It’s dramatic and over the top, but you need not worry about color coordination. For this particular tutorial I’ll be using blue.

What you’ll need:

Eye shadow base/primer (Urban Decay’s Primer Potion)

Periwinkle blue shadow

Navy blue shadow

Turquoise shadow

Baby blue shadow (make sure this is lighter than your periwinkle)

Navy liner

Royal blue liner

Blue mascara (not pictured, d’oh!)

Step 1-

Apply some eye shadow base to your lid only.

Step 2-

Cover your lid with the periwinkle blue.

Step 3-

Apply your base in a thick diagonal stripe starting from the corner of your eye.

Step 4-

Fill the stripe with the navy blue.

Step 5-

Fill in the rest of your area (crease to brow) with base.

Step 6-

Fill it in with the turquoise.

Step 7-

Dab some baby blue in the inner corners of your eyes.

Step 8-

Line your bottom lid and waterline with the navy liner.

Step 9-

Line the top lid with your royal blue liner, then bring it back around to the inner corner of the lower lid, to bring the look together.

Step 10-

Sweep some blue mascara on to finish!

Cotton Candy Lids

Missed the county fair last time it was in town? I did. No corn dogs, no cute petting zoo, no roller coasters, no tilt-a-whirl, and no beautiful, pastel toned cotton candy. While there’s not much I can do about it until next year, I am cheering myself up with this lovely little cotton candy inspired eye tutorial. I decided to use a sparkly theme for this, but you can choose matte tones if you’re fonder of those. To join me, you’ll need:

Eye lid primer (Nars Smudge Proof Eye shadow base)

Turquoise Eye Shadow (L’Oreal Bright Shadow Duos in Showy, lighter shade)

Magenta Eye Shadow (L’Oreal Bright Shadow Duos in Reckless, lighter shade)

Light pink Eye Shadow (NYX Trio Eye Shadow in Cherry/Cool Blue/Hot Pink)

Baby blue Eye Shadow (Ditto)

Indigo Eye Shadow (Instant Beauty Loose Powder in Screaming Purple)

Black gel liner (Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Blackest Black)

Lavender pencil liner (YSL Pencil liner in Purple Silk)

Black pencil liner (YSL Waterproof pencil liner in Velvet Black)

White Eye Shadow (Estee Lauder eye shadow in Tranquil Moon)

For the tools, you’ll want either sponge-tip applicators or whichever brush is more comfortable for you to apply an even wash of color. You’ll also want a couple of angled brushes. Don’t forget to include your favorite mascara (YSL Singulier Waterproof in Vibrant Black!) 

Step 1-

Totally optional, but I love how purples and lavenders look with green eyes, so I threw my contacts on!

Step 2-

Prime your lids only! You’ll want the most vibrant color here.

Step 3-

Apply turquoise eye shadow to the inner half of your eye. Try to make it even and don’t be afraid to deposit a lot of color. You want this to be bold. It’s okay if the color fades a little bit towards the middle, though.

Step 4-

Fill in the other half of your lid with the magenta eye shadow. If the eye shadow base is too dry at this point, consider adding a little more. Otherwise, work through Steps 3 and 4 quickly! My suggestion is to prime and paint one eye at a time.

Step 5-

With your brush, lightly blend the line where the two colors meet. It should turn a lovely shade of purple. You’ll want to create a gradient effect.

Step 6-

Dab some of the light pink shadow along the area you painted magenta, in the crease. Make sure the two colors blend.

Step 7-

Do the same with the inner corner of the crease and the baby blue shadow. The final effect is to have the darker shades fading into the lighter ones.

Step 8-

  Line your bottom lids using the indigo shadow. If you’re using loose powder like me, you might want to add a little primer to avoid fall out. If not, just make sure to keep a steady hand and dab off excess product before you bring it to your eye.

Step 9-

Liner your top lids with black gel liner. Be careful to keep the liner relatively thin.

Step 10-

Extend the black liner outwards, in a cat-eye shape.

Step 11-

Use your lavender eyeliner to draw in a connection between the black liner and the indigo shadow. The soft texture of the pencil should allow you to create a gradient effect between the two colors.

Step 12-

Add a small dab of white shadow in the inner corners of your eyes and sweep it over your brow bone, above the pink and baby blue. This will bring the look together.

Step 13-

Wrap things up with a sweep of black pencil liner on your water line and mascara.

Enjoy!