February 13, 2019

Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.
4 stars out of 5

Urban Decay Naked Reloaded is a new neutral 12-pan eyeshadow palette that the brand created to flatter all skin tones, ages, and genders. Sounds quite MAC of them doesn’t it? But more importantly Urban Decay looks like they took a lot of inspiration from Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Sultry Eyeshadow Palette when creating the new Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette don’t you think? Most people are getting that vibe because the shades are quite a like especially with that pop of peachy coral from the shade Retro. In my opinion, the shades do run a long the same lines but I think that ABH has a lot more texture, sparkle, and a slightly better formulation.

I do think on some levels calling this Naked Reloaded can be a little misleading. People will instantly jump on this because they have a passionate love affair with the original which was discontinued late in August (there was even a faux funeral for it led by Nicole Richie). But I think it’s really on a completely different level in comparison. The shades seem less warmer in my opinion and aren’t your traditional round of brown neutrals. When I think Naked Reloaded I think of some variation on the original palette but I think this is pretty far removed from the original. What do you think?

Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette arrives in a soft, brown padded compact featuring brown orchids decorating the front. The palette is made in the USA and assembled the Dominican Republic. It has a full-size mirror and 12 eyeshadows but does not come with a brush nor an eyeliner. I think the Naked Palettes have gone through a number of small changes over the years including price, packaging, content, and size. For example, the recent Naked Cherry Eyeshadow Palette contains 12 eyeshadows but costs $49 and the Naked Smoky Eyeshadow is $54 also containing 12 eyeshadows. These both include a dual-sided brush and a slight difference in size with the Naked Cherry having a total of 0.492 and and Naked Smoky having 0.50. One does wonder at the price jumps…! In 2010 though, that’s when things were great as the original Naked Eyeshadow Palette had a dual-ended eyeliner plus 0.73 oz of eyeshadow for $44 dollars which later was raised to $50 minus the eyeliner to include a brush. Packaging has changed dramatically as well with the original having a velvet lined compact and later being changed to a tin with newer editions featuring plastic. Naked Reloaded is a little different in the fact it goes back to material packaging like the original It’s a nice, fresh take on the Naked Collection and I’m enjoying the packaging. In terms of pricing and size there is some variation there as well! They decided to make a few shades that they felt would be used most bigger. Blur and Bribe are both 0.049 oz each and Barely Baked and Retro are 0.045 oz each. The other eight shades are 0.038 oz each. The price is $44 just like the original Naked Eyeshadow Palette but obviously you get a lot less. It’s interesting to see how things have changed over the year in terms of what you get.

Quality is another thing that has changed for Urban Decay over the years. L’Oreal purchased Urban Decay from a private firm and for me this is when things changed. I don’t feel like Urban Decay has been serving up their best quality in recent releases. They have a lot of products they launch only to clearance them out within several weeks of launching them. This is pretty common in the makeup and beauty world lately but also, still a little shocking to see at times. I expect the very best from Urban Decay. I remember the excitement of purchasing an Urban Decay Eyeshadow and how I knew it would be super pigmented and velvety with flawless application. Nowadays it can be a hit or miss situation with their launches. And instead of excitement I find myself bracing for a poor experience and not getting my hopes up for a good one.

I’m relieved to say aside from one shade that the Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette delivered a good formula. Dreamweaver was the single shade in this palette that I felt was awful. It’s a chunky, sheer mess that adhered poorly to lids. Aside from that I felt they did a good job overall, with the formula and texture of the eyeshadows here. The mattes were soft and silky, the metallics velvety, and the shimmers did have very minimal fall out with an easy to blend formula. It’s nice to see this after dealing with the poor formula in Naked Cherry!

It’s interesting the way this palette works as there’s so many different looks you can create using these shades. You can go for a light neutral eye with some of the lighter colors or a deeper brown smoky look or even a warm natural look. I have admit I did struggle slightly wondering where I’d place Retro but I had the same experience with the pop of coral in the ABH palette. Of course, my looks below are a bit boring and uneventful as I’m still settled into the learning curve with this palette and trying to figure out which shades work well together. I have to admit I did struggle a little bit with the shades…there are certain shades that do go well together and others I sat and was like, “Hmmm how would this work together?” But that’s a personal issue as I always find pairing up eyeshadows a little challenging!

Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Reputation, Burn, End Game, Dreamweaver)

Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Distilled, Bucked, Boundaries, Blur)

Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Bribe, Barely Baked, Angel Fire, Retro)

They are right about some of the larger shades being essentials as I can see myself very easily hitting pan on Blur and Boundaries. Boundaries is a lovely terracotta that’s perfect as an all over color wash for a natural look. Blur is a great color wash/prepping shade as well!

For those unsure if they want to purchase the Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette because they already own the Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Sultry Eyeshadow Palette I think you can safely do so. Yeah, it’s true, the color scheme is sort of the same but I do think Naked Reloaded has a few shades that are different and they are a bit more refines with a lot less sparkle compared to ABH.

Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette didn’t disappoint. Yes, there was one shade that swatched, applied, and blended poorly but the rest of the palette had a nice round of eyeshadows that applied and blended well. I’m happy to have this one and I can see myself reaching for quite a few of these shades often and would even buy some of them as singles should they become available.

I don’t think it brings anything new or terribly unique to the table but Naked Reloaded will fit into your collection if you can’t get enough neutral, nude shades!

Urban Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette launches 02/18 at the following retailers:

Where to buy

Ulta Sephora Macy’s

Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette is a 12-pan eyeshadow palette that contains all new shades for Spring 2019. This palette is $44 and contains no extras such as a brush or eyeliner as past Naked Palettes have. Overall, the formula on these shades was very good! Buttery, smooth, and silky with good application and blended well however, one shade was the exception which was Dreamweaver. This shade was a chunky, sheer mess that didn’t apply well or adhere to my lids. There’s some fantastic essentials shades in this palette that will create a variety of looks including a nude, natural one as well as a smokier brown look!

Pros

  • Good for formula that was a vast improvement compared to the recent Naked Cherry release.
  • Fantastic essential shades that work well at creating a natural eye look!
  • Nice packaging!

Cons

  • Sadly, doesn’t contain a brush nor an eyeliner as past Naked Palettes have.
  • Does look a lot like the ABH Sultry Eyeshadow Palette but has less pop and more subtly for a more natural eye.

Who

Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette should be an easy pick up for anyone who likes neutral eye looks plus fans of the brand will flock towards this one!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Lauren

    I like it and I’d like to see them make some eyeliners to go with it.

    By the way, weren’t there three Naked palettes that were hinted at in some leaked documents last year? One of them I know was Cherry, but I can’t remember the other two (Reloaded must have been the other one).

      • Denise

        I kinda think this *is* Naked AF. I’m betting Urban Decay saw which way the social media winds were blowing, and changed the name! Take a lesson, Too Faced.

        • Isabella Muse

          I was thinking the same exact thing! I think they did a quick switch and bait because there were spoilers ahead of the launch!

          • Lauren

            That makes total sense that this is AF. So, maybe they will change the name of Honey?

          • Isabella Muse

            it’s possible. I feel like when that info leaked they rushed cherry to market which I’m using at a major excuse for the crummy formula. That being said, it’s possible that Honey might just change too! Maybe they”ll call it Naked Gold or something instead of Naked Honey! I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.

          • Lauren

            Oh, and Retro, Reputation and Burn would break as lipsticks, and Barely Naked and Angel Fire as lip glosses.

            Common, Urban Decay!

  • Terri Wells

    I think I want this now that I’ve seen your review and swatches. I do have the Sultry palette but I don’t think they are that much alike. This looks like a great go to every day palette.

    • Isabella Muse

      I don’t think so either. I feel like the Sultry palette is a big richer and contains a bit more sparkle in comparison! Def! Some of these shades will work great for daily looks!

  • Denise

    “Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette arrives in a soft, brown padded compact featuring brown orchids decorating the front”�

    I’m so disappointed that it’s not a hard case a la Naked Heat and Cherry. It could have been gorgeous AND durable.

    • Isabella Muse

      Agreed! The packaging is still quite pretty but I wouldn’t mind a tin or a hard plastic! It would store/travel easier!

  • Cil

    I bought Naked Heat. Worst palette ever. Fool me once. Shame on you. Fool me twice. Shame on me.

  • Ester

    I think I’d rather go for the upcoming neutral palette by Too Faced over this one.

  • Barbara B

    Dreamweaver was the shade I was looking forward to most based on the pictures lol!

  • Kaflene

    It’s beautiful. Considering getting this for a friend’s birthday.