Getting NAKED twice

 Although the Urban Decay's Naked 2 palette hype is over, I thought I would still do a review, especially for those with dark skin tones.

Clockwise: Packaging - the original - Naked 2

Compare and contrast
I found that N2 shadows were more pigmented than the first and easily lifted from the pan with a light touch of the brush (some times I make a mess if I don't tap the excess off properly). My pan's weren't filled to the rim as they were in the original - did anyone notice this?

Original palette swatches

Naked 2 swatches

• Foxy unique to N2
• Half Baked is a repeat
• Booty Call is a peachier version of Virgin (Naked 1), only its slightly warmer
• Chopper is more orange than Sidecar (Naked 1)
• Tease unique to N2
• Snakebite is not as golden as Smog (Naked 1), but it’s nowhere near as dark as Darkhorse (Naked 1); however, if you mix both Smog and Darkhorse together, you get something similar to Snakebite
• Suspect is little more beige compared to Sidecar (Naked 1).
• Pistol unique to N2
• Verve unique to N2
• YDK looks pretty similar to both Sidecar and Toasted (both from Naked 1). I think Sidecar is the closest match.
• Busted is quite similar to Hustle (Naked 1), but less red-toned
• Blackout unique to N2

Packaging & Extras

The original palette comes in a velvet covered cardboard case with magnetic locks. Below the 12 shades, there is a slot the eyeshadow brush that comes with the palette. In the inside lid, there is a small mirror, but I've rarely made use of it considering its small. The palette also comes with a travel-size Primer Potion.

I prefer the Naked 2 packaging, because its sturdy and the mirror is huge! The shadows sit inside a hard metal case and snaps shut. Its definately easier to travel with as I don't have to worry about the box getting damaged or shadows shattering. Again the palette has a slot for the duo blending and shadow brush and comes with a sample Lip Junkie in the colour Naked (I'm repurchasing that!!).

I rarely use the brushes that come with the palette as I find that they are slightly rough and not the best to blend. The original palette brush is a packing brush which is compact and has smooth bristles, its great to apply any eye shadow. The duo brush in N2 (blending and packing) bristles, although descently sized, have course hairs and I find that it doesn't help in applying or blending the make up. But, if you dont have an alternative brush set, these will do the job fine. You don't have anything better to compare to, right!?

The Primer potion only comes in the first palette and is a great eye shadow primer. Although small in size, it helps the eye shadow stay on and reduces creasing throughout the day. The second palette doesn't come with the primer potion, instead they give you a small sample Lip Junkie in the colour Naked. I really like the texture of the balm as it gives a nice pink hint to my lips, isn't sticky, has a minty smell and keeps the lips cool (and tingly?!). Glad that Urban Decay didn't double up on the primer again, because for those of us who have both palettes, this would have been a disappointment. But for those who don't, I do recommend the primer over the lip junkie. So maybe, if you asked for my opinion, when it comes to the extras and brushes, the first one wins!

Verdict
I like both palettes and if you are a beginner or just want my opinion on which to purchase, I would suggest the second one (even though you don't get the primer). The colours are fairly similar to the original, but appear to suit darker skin tomes better and you get a range of mattes and shimmers. I have played more with N2 due to this reason BUT, I need both for some reason :p

Swatching the shadows - original (left) vs Naked 2 (right)

Hope this helped some of you and for those who have both, I would love to hear your fave :)
xS
*Photos courtesy of my husband

Foundation review & matrix

Hi everyone, I haven't blogged for a while and its been about a month since the last post! I've been a little busy with myself and Dineish - started to get back into reading again (at the moment its The Palace of Illusions by Chitra B Divakaruni - I am a of fan of books by Indian authors), been busy setting up our house (we bought a buffet, which I am totally in love with and can't wait to add pieces to), sewing (found a Spotlight in Singapore to repair some damaged clothes) and in general enjoying the post-studying phase of my life!

End of rant/update.

Anyway, my friend made a good point the other day during our Skype sessions about make-up for women of color and the limited information that is out there about what suits and doesn't.
There are so many makeup gurus on YouTube, both professionals and amateurs, who give people advice about makeup trends and how-to's, but I rarely find a guru with skin color who actually suits my skin tone! Maybe its because many of them are much lighter than me. This is not to say that there aren't Indian/Asian girls doing a similar thing, but I find that there are a very few that I would go back to (Uma Preve is great though and I think she is my match).

I am not a pro to give anyone advice about what will suit you the best. To be honest, its hard to say without having a look at you in person. So I suggest you consider the following before going out hunting:

• Skin type - are you oily, dry or combination? If you're oily, look for "oil-free," "oil-control" or "mattifying" foundations. For dry skin, try and go for moisturizing foundations with "hydrating" or "moisture-rich" formulas. Foundations containing glycerin glide on easily. For combination skin, determine if you're more oily or dry and work from there. Cream-to-powder bases work great for combination skin. Mineral foundations work well on all skin types, especially sensitive skin. 
•  Coverage - do you want a light, medium or full coverage? If you have good skin, but want to even out a few ruddy areas, consider a light coverage or just use a concealer to cover up marks and some loose powder to set that. For women with really uneven skin tone or blemishes, consider a medium to full coverage foundation. Some women swear by mineral foundations, so you might want to try these out as well.
• Under tones Go for the yellow-based foundations, which look most natural on all skin tones. However, if you're very fair, try a pink, cooler shade.

Foundations I use regularly

I don't have a wide range of foundations, because I generally tend to stick with what works best with my skin (oily remember) and repurchase it.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC4 ($47 SGD) - I use this for occasions where I know I'm going to doll up and want full coverage. The foundation gives me a natural matte finish and medium-buildable coverage with SPF 15. It's light on my skin and although its long-wearing, I have to set with powder. It helps minimize imperfections and has a smooth finish. It's oil-free; absorbs and disperses oil (reduces shine on my T-zone).

Clockwise: applied with MAC 187 stippling brush - packaging - almost blended into skin

bareMinerals Matte SPF15 Powder Foundation in Medium Tan ($35 SGD) - I use this on a daily basis with my Stila foundation as a setting powder. It gives buildable full coverage and guarantees to absorb excess oil without drying out my skin. I use it on its on after moisturizing for days when I want to give my skin a break and allow it to breathe. And even then, it looks like I have flawless skin (so glad that I use this more often, because the liquid foundations were clogging my pores).

Clockwise: applied with Coastal Scents Kabuki brush - packaging - completely blended into skin

Stila Perfect & Correct foundation in Tan - ($60 SGD) - I use this every day to work with my bM powder foundation and its great. It gives me a mediun coverage enough to cover any imperfections I have and because the formula comes with primer and moisturizer (explains the swirl), I find that it helps against the shine and nourishes my skin at the same time. It has a mousse-like texture and blends smoothly and lightly onto the skin - minimal effort.

Clockwise: applied with MAC 187 stippling brush - packaging - blended completely into skin

Along with these foundations, when I need the extra coverage (when I'm going all out) I use:

• Prime time primer by bareMinerals to reduce oilyness
• bareMinerals All Over Face Colour in warmth as a contour
• bareMineral Mineral veil as a loose powder at the end
• Skindinavia No More Shine finish spray to set my make up to avoid it moving throughout the day

Foundation matrix (who put this together is a genius!!)
For those of you wanting to try out any of the above products, I would definately recommend them to you. My favourite has to be the Stila, its so light and doesn't damage my skin.
If you know what colour you are in a certain brand, then follow the link http://www.temptalia.com/foundation-matrix and enter a few basic details to find out what other options are available to you. This matrix suggests other brands of similar colour to you and is great if you are an online shopper like me because you avoid buying a product that doesn't match. *Make up is very expensive in Singapore (so I always buy online).

Hope this helped some of you :) Please let me know if you guys use other products that are great I would love to try them out!

No amount of makeup can mask an ugly heart.

- Kevyn Aucoin