Urban Decay Smoked Palette

 Since starting my new job, I've been trying to get out of the makeup rut that I've been stuck in for a while. I'm trying to say no to neutral eyeshadows, full coverage bases and 'your lips but better' lip colours. I was trying to think about the products I used the most, and amongst them, my Naked 2 palette stood out. I really love my Naked 2 palette, I get so much use out of it, the colours are so wearable, and the formula is out of this world. Urban Decay eyeshadows really are the most pigmented, and buttery shadows that I've ever used. NARS are a close second, but Urban Decay are cheaper and nicer.

So despite the fact I've been avoiding the shops and sales like mad (once I start spending I am incapable of stopping) I decided to pop by my local Urban Decay counter for a little peek. 

Now, my one bug bear with the Naked 2 palette is the packaging, I find it doesn't always stay shut in my bag, and some of the individual shadows are slipping out of the pan, so whilst I considered the build your own palettes, the packaging is pretty similar. I very nearly was taken in by the Dangerous Palette, but all the colours are dark, so you'd still need another palette for lighter colours. Plus it comes with the same mini lip gloss that came with the Naked 2 palette, and whilst I like that, I do already have that.

I then stumbled upon the Smoked Palette. It's got four shadows more than the Dangerous Palette, a 27/7 glide on eyeliner in black, which I've wanted forever, and a sample size of the Primer Potion, which again I've been desperate to try. It's in a zip up palette, so no falling open here.

 Kinky, Freestyle Mushroom, Backdoor, Blackout

 Barlust, Rockstar, Evidence, Loaded, Asphalt

 Kinky: is a light, neutral matte shade, that looks great across the lid, or as a highlight colour.
Freestyle: is a more pinky toned version of Kinky. A great base colour.
Mushroom: a grey taupey shimmer. I literally love this colour.
Backdoor: a dark matte brown. Works as an eyebrow shade for me (handy for traveling) but also a great crease or liner shade.
Blackout: this colour is actually in my Naked 2 palette, but I use it loads, it's the darkest matte black, that is a great defining colour, but you can blend it out too, to a dark grey.
Barlust: is a dark metallic brown, which is slightly golden toned. Gorgeous.
Rockstar: I'm so excited about this colour. It's a gorgeous jewel toned deep amethyst, with a silver shimmer.
Evidence: an intense blue shimmer.
Loaded: a beautiful emerald green shimmer.
Asphalt: a dark grey shimmer that looks beautiful as a defining colour paired with Mushroom.

I've been wanting to try the 24/7 liner in Perversion for forever, and it's fourteen pounds on it's own so what a bargain. This is a darkest matte black, the pencil is crazy soft, but once the colour sets, it's going nowhere. 

As an added bonus, this set contains a mini Primer Potion which I have yet to try, but also comes with a little book with suggested looks to try, an illustration and step by step guide, which is great if you don't know where to start. 

And the best part? It was in the sale for £29, only £4 more than the Dangerous Palette.

So there we go, my latest palette obsession. What do you think of Urban Decay eyeshadows?