Vacations are synonymous with summer in many parts of the world, especially those parts that get downright chilly in winter, but I like to set aside some time for a quick trip or two each fall.
Temps are usually a little cooler, the crowds a little smaller, and, beauty weirdo that I am, I like being able to use the season as my rationale for wearing smokey eyes almost every day, and in all of my vacation pics. 🙂
LOL! I had a feeling you’d understand. Now let’s pinky shake for being makeup nerds 4eva!
Thanks to Urban Decay, I think I may have found a perfect palette to take on my next fall foray. It’s called Smoked, sells for $49, has smokey eyes written all over it, and arrives at Sephora and Ultra stores, Macy’s and the Urban Decay website later this week.
Comprised of mostly neutral colors with a few smouldering jewel-toned shades, lacking any electric hot pinks or teals, it seems almost subdued for Urban Decay, but not at all in a bad way.
These are colors a rock goddess might wear to a black-tie affair with fishnets beneath her formal gown and heels bristling with chains and spikes.
It’s as if a warlock took Urban Decay’s Naked and Naked2 palettes, dropped them into a boiling cauldron, added the Black and 15-Year Anniversary palettes, let that stew for a few hours, and then poured the mixture into the Midnight Emergency Kit’s packaging.
The sleek zippered case contains 10 Eyeshadows, five of them new and five repromoted, but all of them in Urban Decay’s new eyeshadow formula; one full-size 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion (repromote), an inky black the color of a starless sky at midnight; a travel-sized Primer Potion (repromote), and a booklet called the Smoked Get The Look Book, with 12 step-by-step smokey eye tutorials (new).
Truth be told, I’d probably leave out the Primer Potion, as I have a tough time blending shadows on top of it (I don’t think it’s “slippery” enough for me), but I do know many gals who swear by it. If I were going on, say, on a 10-day trip to Italy this fall (hi, El Hub! Hint-hint!), that’s the one piece that come with the palette that I might just leave behind.
Ah… I can see it now — traipsing across the country on a quest to find the perfect pasta, and eating plate after plate of fettuccine, fusilli, spaghetti, ravioli and linguine with clams, perhaps while wearing a look like the smokey cat eyes I’m wearing here.
And I wouldn’t even have to worry about having to reapply after having that second cannoli because these easy-to-blend shadows, which exhibit very little fallout, stay put for at least 12 hours without fading or creasing.
My lower lash and water lines, however, might need a quick touch-up with Perversion pencil after 5-6 hours, but I can live with that.
If I happen to be in a more dramatic mood, because lawd knows that nothing goes with bread, wine and cheese like two smouldering smokey eyes (LOL!), I could even follow one of the tutorials in the Get The Look Book, or line my lash and water lines with Perversion, and then smudge one of the shimmery shadows along the lash lines.
Swatches from the left: Kinky (a new soft ivory peach with a matte finish), Freestyle (a new light pantyhose nude with a matte finish), Mushroom (a repromoted warm gray with a shimmery finish), Backdoor (a new true dark brown a matte finish), Blackout (a repromoted blackest black with a matte finish), Barlust (a new dark golden brown with a metallic finish), Rockstar (a repromoted deep aubergine with a shimmery finish), Evidence (a repromoted a deep navy blue with a shimmery finish), Loaded (a repromoted deep emerald shimmer with a metallic base), Asphalt (a deep gunmetal with silver micro glitter and a metallic base) and Perversion (a repromoted matte carbon black)
I feel like Urban Decay hoped the Smoked palette would appeal to a wide variety of guys/gals, and I think it does. They kept the colors from venturing too far toward warm or cool, making them suitable for a wide range of skin tones.
Big points for portable packaging, a flexible range of colors, wearable finishes, and great quality and longevity from the shadows and liner. Smoked should also be a great palette for newcomers to the brand, specially ones eager to perfect the art of the smoky eye, but obsessive collectors might be turned off by the repromoted shades.
If you already own the Black palette, Naked, Naked2 and 15-Year Anniversary Palettes, you probably already have these shades, or ones very close to them, in your stash.
PRICE: $49
AVAILABILITY: Coming to Sephora and Ulta stores, select Macy’s stores and online this week
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Phyrra says
July 2nd, 2012 at 5:50 pmI love how you did your liner in the look above. the colors are nice, but I already own most of them.
Phyrra recently posted … Share Some Love <3
Karen says
July 2nd, 2012 at 6:49 pmHi Phyrra,
Thank you, my friend!
I’ve been meaning to tell you that your hair looks so pretty. I love how you always change it up.
Crystal says
July 2nd, 2012 at 5:56 pmI can’t wait for this! So glad Loaded is in the palette. I’ve been wanting that shade!
Crystal recently posted … Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer or Olay Complete Combination/Oily Moisturizer?
Karen says
July 2nd, 2012 at 6:48 pmHi Crystal,
Loaded is a good color! I bet Jewel tones look great on your skin tone. 🙂
How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun?
Amber says
July 2nd, 2012 at 5:58 pmThis is the _perfect_ smokey/kitten eye! Would you pretty, pretty please do a tutorial on this look?
Karen says
July 2nd, 2012 at 6:47 pmHI Amber,
Thank you! I’ll try to schedule in some time this week. 🙂
Summer says
July 3rd, 2012 at 3:22 pmOMG, PLEASE! You always are so photogenic and pretty, but you look absolutely stunning in these shots. Would love to emulate your look here!
Jess Lee says
July 3rd, 2012 at 3:03 amOhh yes i sooo second a tutorial too! u look just gorgeous!
Lorraine ER says
July 6th, 2012 at 8:48 pmMe three (or four!) I noticed this on your eyes in another post and was thinking how amazing you looked! I plan on getting this palette and would love to hear what you used.
Lucy says
July 18th, 2012 at 5:01 pmI quintuple the request for a tutorial for those gorgeous cat eyes! You look so amazing! Actually, I’d like to know ALL of the makeup that you wore for this look. I love the lips, cheeks, everything!
Katherine G says
July 2nd, 2012 at 6:29 pmLooks like a great kit! I actually have the Perversion eyeliner from their Christmas eyeliner gift pack that also included Woodstock and Junkie (my favorite green eyeliner). I like it, it wears well all day, and usually fades only a little bit on the waterline. I was attracted to UD for the bright colors like Woodstock, but I’ve bought great neutrals like AC/DC, and Pistol. I would probably buy the kit (if it’s not out of stock like the 15th Anniversary one was every time I wanted it 🙁 ). You look amazing as always! Love the way the kit looks on you 🙂
Karen says
July 2nd, 2012 at 6:46 pmHi Katherine!
Oh, Junkie is a great color! I love wearing it with golds.
Do you have their Bourbon liner? It’s this really beautiful brown with golden flecks. Amazing!
Katelyn says
July 2nd, 2012 at 6:35 pmIs this limited edition? My bank account is already hurting from Heavenly Creatures 🙁
Karen says
July 2nd, 2012 at 6:46 pmHi Katelyn,
I’m pretty sure it’s limited edition.
Chelle says
July 2nd, 2012 at 6:47 pmKaren, dear you look stunning! Even still I’ll skip this palette.
Anna says
July 2nd, 2012 at 7:03 pmYou look gorgeous!
Heidi says
July 2nd, 2012 at 7:09 pmNice palette! I love Mushroom and Rockstar.
Paris B says
July 2nd, 2012 at 7:11 pmI quite like the colours in this one. I like it can go smokey or not but I’m not a fan of the packaging 🙁 I wonder if Evidence is as blah as it is in the 15th Anniversary palette. I remember the texture as being a bit of a dud. Still, I think its worth taking a look when it gets here. p/s you look fab in these shots and I love your earrings! 😀
Paris B recently posted … Your Say: Do you toss out your mascara after 3 months? It could be 3 months too early!
Alison M says
July 2nd, 2012 at 7:23 pmI love that you went with a smokey romantic look. Sooo pretty, very “vacation in Italy” 🙂 The liner is perfect with the color scheme. This looks like a great palette, but the zipper? I’m not diggin’ it.
BeccaTheCyborg says
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:01 pmOMG. You look so gorgeous in those pics! I know the palette wouldn’t suit me much, but you’re making me want it!
Missey says
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:05 pmYou did a perfectly gorgeous smoky look using this palette…glamorous but still understated. Which colors did you use?
Quinctia says
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:06 pmHmm…this isn’t all that much more than getting Mushroom and the Perversion liner separately…must think about it.
Teri says
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:18 pmOh gosh Karen, you look sooo sexy! I love your look, seriously wow! I love the palette, although I can see that some ppl that already own previous palettes from UD would be a bit less enthusiastic about it. I might buy it though, especially now seeing the pictures!
Teri recently posted … Mac Zoom Waterfast Lash
Raven says
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:20 pmI wonder if you can compare this palette with UD Black palette? Namely Rockstar vs Jet, Evidence vs Sabbath, and Loaded vs Libertine.
Lat says
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:37 pmWhat sizes are the shadows? Not that it matters much, I never hit pan on anything really…
Rae // theNotice says
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:37 pmHmm. I’m not crazy about this palette, but I absolutely love the look you’ve created with it! What a chic, glam smokey eye — I feel like you should be starring in a spy movie or something, gathering intel at a fancy soirée 😉
Rae // theNotice recently posted … Marcelle Cleopatra Rouge Xpression Lipstick swatches
antara says
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:52 pmlove the way you have given the liner a smoked effect….http://makeupveda.com/makeupveda/index.php/using-joomla/bath-n-body/165-fabindia-lemongrass-stimulating-and-refreshing-soap-review
antara recently posted … Lakme Shimmer liner Pink Crystal
musical says
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:54 pmSmokin’ HAWT! Girlfriend, that look is perfection! I echo Rae, that’s one film noir/spy movie lead star worthy look!
Hope your week is off to a fun start! xoxo.
Satvi says
July 2nd, 2012 at 9:01 pmYou look amazing!
lovenectarlove says
July 2nd, 2012 at 11:35 pmOhhhhhhh yeaaaaahh! This will be my first Urban decay palette! 😀
Nicole says
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:07 amAhhhhh I love this! Already wanted perversion and rockstar so this is perfect. Out of the shades I only have mushroom, but I love that anyway so a double is welcome. I hope I can find this in my ulta or sephora this week, I desperately want to take this with me on vacation, and I leave friday!
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
July 3rd, 2012 at 2:04 amOMG your hair looks SO va-va-voom in these pics Karen. Love it! And the eyeshadow is fab too of course. Lovely as always
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
July 3rd, 2012 at 2:47 amYou look gorgeous, Karen!
The only color in this palette that I want and don’t yet own is Loaded, so I think I’ll just purchase that separately at some point. I’ve never thought I am an avid collector of UD palettes, but now come to think of it I do own both Naked palettes and the 15th Anniversary one. More shadows than I can ever use up in 2 lifetimes!
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny recently posted … Make Up For Ever Black Tango & Aqua Shadow Swatches
Jen says
July 3rd, 2012 at 2:56 amI feel like this is what the Black Palette should have been. If I could trade them out, I would! But, as it stands, I already have the Naked, Black, and the 15th Anniversary, so I should probably skip this one.
Jen recently posted … From winning to whining
artemis says
July 3rd, 2012 at 3:29 amyou look so pretty with this look! i love the lips too 😀
Anitacska says
July 3rd, 2012 at 5:06 amThis is definitely a pass for me.
Anitacska recently posted … Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder 04 Sun Blondes Review and Swatches
Nina says
July 3rd, 2012 at 5:37 amWhat a pretty palette — this is what I hoped MUFE’s Smokey Eye palette would be. Y’know, the one that was never released in the US.
I do have Naked 1 and 2 — but id buy this because of the convenience of a zippered case. The Naked 1 and 2 arent exactly travel friendly, but this one is!
Melissa says
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:26 amGorgeous pictures Karen. Another great palette from UD!
Melissa says
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:27 am“Hi El Hub, Hint Hint” LOL you are so cute! lol
Lisa S. says
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:11 amOk, Karen you look amaze-balls! I saw this palette on somewhere else and kinda dismissed it, but your making me take a second look. Not that I’ll look as good as you! :0)
Tone says
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:18 pmOh my, I adooooore this look on you, you gorgeous woman!
Amanda says
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:21 pmI’m really digging the packaging but I think I’ll pass on this one. The colors are a little too dark for my liking.
Amanda recently posted … MAC Heavenly Creature Collection Pictures and Swatches
India says
July 3rd, 2012 at 2:51 pmNice palette…
I love you lip color! What are you wearing?
Karen says
July 3rd, 2012 at 3:07 pmHi India,
I’m wearing Urban Decay’s Naked Lipstick topped with UD Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss in Max.
Summer says
July 3rd, 2012 at 3:24 pmThis needs to show up at my Macy’s/Ulta/Sephora NOW, for the love of God! I am so excited at how universally flattering these colors are. Yay!
auroragyps says
July 3rd, 2012 at 4:27 pmI think I have all the colors I like from this palette, so I won’t be getting it. I will say I love the zipper closure on it though. Very cool. They used to sell the UD mini polish sets in little silver & clear zipper cases and while I don’t have the polishes anymore, I do still have the case… I keep my crochet hooks& misc needle work stuff in it. 😀
Natasha says
July 3rd, 2012 at 5:09 pmOOOOH! This looks perfect! I’m heading off to Beijing for 2 weeks in August and have been looking for the perfect palette for traveling. The colors look great — neutrals and also a nice plum and green — both of which are staples in my life. And since this is my birthday month, I can totally justify buying this! Yippee!
BTW, I went to TJs today and they were OUT of coconut water floes…. I was so disappointed. But I guess that means I’ll just have to find the time to return in the near future. It’s always fun food shopping at TJs… even if the girls don’t like their cat food.
Karen K says
July 3rd, 2012 at 6:32 pmOh yes! Please do a tutorial on your look. It is gorgeous!
Natasiarose says
July 4th, 2012 at 8:52 amThis is one of my all time fab eyeshadow looks on Karen ever! I need this palette!
Bonbonroz says
July 5th, 2012 at 1:51 amThis palette is great! I hope it comes out soon here in France!
Penelope says
July 6th, 2012 at 12:09 pmIt’s beautiful, but it just makes me sad. Urban Decay is no longer cruelty free. On top of it, check out their Facebook page – they’re treating people who are upset about it like absolute garbage. It’s a shame because this palette looks like a lot of fun, but I just can’t support them anymore.
katie says
July 9th, 2012 at 9:51 pmi’m so immature. i see “backdoor” and that it’s a dark brown and i’m just like… please… please don’t tell me they were going for a tongue in cheek bhole reference. i mean, i know UD does a lot of drug/sex references, but COME ON. please just tell me i’m being immature.
Your Cosmetic Ally, Joanne says
July 10th, 2012 at 10:48 amthis looks nice and i love the zipper casing! but i don’ t think i’ll get behind this craze because it reminds me of one of my inglot palettes that i created
kindone67 says
July 11th, 2012 at 10:10 amHi Karen: (1) Will you post what items you used to create this look? Do you think this particular eye kit is necessary to dupe the look? (2) Would you ever post pics of you and El Hubs? You always speak so affectionately of him. As usual, great and helpful review. Thanks!!!
Emily says
July 16th, 2012 at 10:24 pmThis is gorgeous, I love Urban Decay. Does anyone know if this palette is limited edition?
Kiran says
April 20th, 2015 at 6:15 amI had been eyeing this palette for a long time and finally had the chance to buy it. Cant wait to try it out.
Kiran recently posted … Revlon ColorStay Eye Liner Black-Review,Photos,Swatches