Last Thursday morning, I just happened to catch Kandee Johnson's blog post saying that a second edition of Urban Decay's celebrated Naked Palette was to be released that very same day on December 1st. The urge was overwhelming...I immediately logged onto the Urban Decay website... but found nothing about the Naked 2 palette being released, just a teaser for an upcoming product that lead you to a link to Urban Decay's e-mailing list. And what do you know? A few short hours later, I got an e-mail from UD! Here is where UD's genius marketing ploy...ehh i mean strategy... comes into play. They make you pine for the Naked Palette and Naked 2 by making you think them seem so whimsical and intangible...like the unicorns of makeup or something lol. It seriously only took me two seconds to jump on my computer and phone and attempt to log on to UD's website...but the servers were going crazy and I couldn't get in. Finally, after attempt five or six, and after trying to get my husband to illicitly log on to the site from work, I managed to get through! Whew. I was definitely relieved and ecstatic to have gotten that order confirmation and to know that that baby was on its way! Wow, I sound like a nerd.
Now, as I'm sure you all remember, the release of the first one in 2010 caused virtual mayhem. Everyone was clammering to get their hands on one but UD just couldn't produce enough supply for the demand. At that time, the Naked Palette came with a double-ended 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in shades "Whiskey" and "Zero". I had one UD trainer tell me that the old-school factory in Germany that made the pencils just couldn't manufacture the pencils quick enough to fill all the palettes. I, however, was lucky enough to get mine early on at Sephora. Obviously, being my greedy self, I snagged two. LOL. And no, I didn't sell them on e-bay for double the price. Even though I hoard cosmetics, I rarely ever find something that's HG status...something that I know I can rely on like a good friend, will probably never tire of and use consistently. The Naked Palette is one of those one-in-a-million finds. 
I heart this thing like crazy... I can't tell you enough! The best thing about this palette is the value. And I preach this to everyone and anyone that seems interested in getting this product. It includes 12 FULL size shadows (single UD eyeshadows normally cost about $17), a double-ended 24/7 eyeliner ($18 on its own) and a mini original primer potion! The newer ones come with a Good Karma eyeshadow brush (which retails for around $26). If you were to buy each eyeshadow individually, that would easily add up to $200 plus. So for $44-$48 I would say that that this palette is a pretty good investment, especially considering how often I reach for it. The colors are suited for any look you want to achieve. You can go from barely-there, low-key and demure, to sultry, smokey and bold...all with the help of one little case.
From left to right: Virgin, Sin, Naked, Sidecar, Buck, Half Baked, Smog, Darkhorse, Toasted, Hustle, Creep and Gunmetal.
Now onto Naked 2. Honestly, my first reaction was that Naked 1 and Naked 2 are oddly TOO similar. One apparent difference is that Naked 2 has a matte cream and a matte black shade (two AWESOME and very useful colors to include in an eye palette). The second big difference is that Naked 2 leans towards cooler colors, although there are a few warm shades in there (Half Baked for instance, a complete REPEAT color from the first palette!). Naked 2 also comes with a mini Lip Junkie lipgloss, instead of the Urban Decay Primer Potion. While the lipgloss is a nice rosy-nude color, I'd rather have an eye primer to go with my eye palette as they kind of go hand-in-hand. I guess UD is trying to promote their other products since UDPP is already a staple in most makeup lovers' kits. I really like the the brush that came with Naked 2. It's dual-ended, one side to apply color and the other for blending. UD's Good Karma brushes are all vegan so they're synthetic but they are so soft and durable. My purchase also came with a free sample 24/7 glide on eyeliner in ElDorado, a vibrant yellow-gold.
24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in ElDorado and Lip Junkie lipgloss in Naked
The quality of the shadows in Naked 2 is just like every other UD shadow, the color pay-off is excellent, they can be applied and blended easily and they stay put for a long time, especially when worn with a primer. Out of all the colors, I think my favorites are Pistol, a metallic taupe-silver, and Snakebite, a brown bronze with gold flecks. However, if I had to choose between Naked 1 and Naked 2, I would have to go with Naked 1 hands down. I like that Naked 1 has warmer, golden shades that complement my tan complexion and brown eyes. Still, I've only used Naked 2 twice since receiving it, so it may very well become a fave once I discover some awesome color combinations! All-in-all, I would say that Naked 1 and Naked 2 are similar enough that if you already own the first, you don't need to run out and buy the new one immediately. 
Naked 2 swatches (left to right): Foxy, Half Baked, Booty Call, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout (so sorry for the poor swatches. Some of the glitter from another shade transferred on to Blackout, but it's actually a very MATTE and very DEEP black)
Living Proof Full Thickening Cream...For me, this hair thickening cream is like a salon in a bottle! I simply work a nickel size amount in my palms and then apply to my hair, paying special attention to the areas by the roots. Then I use a wide-toothed comb to distribute the product evenly throughout. When I have some time to do a little something-something, I'll also blow dry my hair after spritzing on some heat protectant spray and it adds lots of bounce and shine to my otherwise limp locks. 
Almay One Coat Tripple Effect Mascara...I strayed away from this mascara for a while but this really is HG status! Besides lengthening, thickening and curling lashes all-in-one swipe, it conditions them with aloe vera and vitamin B5. My eyelashes should be thanking me now! I've noticed that in just a few weeks, my lashes look and feel healthier. I like to use the color Blackest Black for drama.
Urban Decay Naked Palette...This palette has hands-down saved me from laziness this past month. I just haven't had the interest in scavenging through my makeup kit. The Naked Palette has enough shades to mix it up every now and then but is still safe enough so that I don't have to think to much when I'm combining colors. Love, love, love the combo of Toasted, Hustle, Darkhorse and Sin for a plum-brown smokey eye.
Bio-Oil...After I somehow unknowingly scratched myself weeks ago, I was left with a 1.5" scar on my right hand. I thought it would go away on its own, but after a week, I realized it was probably here to stay. Applying bio-oil 2-3 times a day has dramatically reduced its appearance and I'm hoping it will go away within a couple of months with continued use. I haven't tried the oil on stretch marks or anything, but I suppose it'll have similar effects on other superficial scars and marks if you apply it religiously. Oh! And it smells SO GOOD. But that's just me. 
4. Read and write more...reading and writing are things I love to do but haven't had time for in the past few years. I resolve to read a new book AT LEAST once a month and to take some time out each day to write even a few sentences.
