Clearly, UD has a thing for Bing…cherries. Based on the packaging for new Naked Cherry collection, Bing is bomb, and I can appreciate that. I mean, I get it. I see the connection. A deep, dark, purplish Bing makes sense for a makeup collection, but I still like Rainiers more. They’re sweeter, man! And I love that red and yellow ombre action #importantfruitopinions.
(Quick makeup query: Years ago MAC also released a cherry-inspired collection. Can you remember what it was called?)
No reds, but plenty of pink and plum
Surprise! — there’s not a lot of red in UD’s new Naked Cherry collection.
LIKE NONE.
Red eyeshadow is on trend right now, but if you were hoping for seductive scarlets, vampy vermilions and ruby reds in this release, sorry.
The collection, which has been out about a week now, includes an eyeshadow palette ($49), a blush/highlighting trio ($34), two eyeliners ($21), three lipsticks ($34), and a cherry-scented setting spray ($15).
Judging by the name — Naked Cherry — you may have quite naturally expected there to be copious quantities of crimson in this collection, but these pretties are predominantly pink, rose, purple and mauve. Even more shockingly, no orange-y browns in the eye palette!
I know; am I still in the normal reality?? When was the last time UD released a palette without an orange-brown?
Quick take: shockingly wearable
If you’re craving something kind of different that isn’t filled with typical browns, AND you like wearing purples, AND you can see yourself venturing into the Land of Mauve and Rosy Tones, the Naked Cherry palette is worth a look. I like it.
The Naked palettes are Urban’s take on neutrals, and Naked Cherry still seems, well…neutral. I thought I would have a hard time with it because whenever I wear red, or reddish eyeshadows, I look sick and/or tired, but that’s not a problem for this palette, since these shades do not have red undertones. There are just plenty of wearable purples, plums, burgundies, roses and mauves.
Oh, and kisses of copper, beige and peach to break things up a little.
The palette appears to be similar to Backtalk (which caused a minor uproar among people who were expecting a straight-up red eye palette when it was recently launched), but… Anyway, you could stick the eyeshadows from Naked Cherry into the the Balktalk palette, and they’d appear to fit right in, but they are quite different (see the swatches below). These colors are more than different enough to stand on their own.
All 12 eyeshadows in the palette are new, and most of them are mattes.
As for the rest of the collection…
Regarding the highlighting blush palette, the blush is darker than it looks in the pan, and both of the highlighters are frosty… I don’t see myself wearing them a ton.
Same goes for the lipsticks…although, if the cherry on the cap isn’t the cutest?! The lipsticks are very ’80s, especially light beige Juicy and hot pink Devilish.
Fros-TAY.
I mean, they look cool in pic, but when I wear them in real life I feel like my hair should be spiral permed, coated in stiff Depp gel and radiating two feet from my head. Also, the darkest lipstick (Cherry) does look like the skin on a Bing. I’ll give it that.
My big issue, however, is with the cream finish, which moves…a lot. And if I’m gonna wear a color this dark, you better believe it’s gonna 1) be a matte and 2) be locked down.
Among the Liners, Love Drug is a shimmery purple (without red undertones, so it’s super wearable), and Black Market is a gorgeous gunmetal gray. Both of them are pigmented, but neither one really wants to last on my water lines or lower lash line (the upper lash line is fine, though).
Also, the cherry setting spray is basically just All Nighter with a cherry scent… No big whoop.
Where to find it
The collection is ripe for the picking at Macy’s, Ulta, Sephora and urbandecay.com right meow.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Sarah says
Man, UD used to be my JAM. But over the last couple of years, I’ve really outgrown the brand…I just feel like I’m past the age where I want so much shimmer in my makeup. Seeing these swatches just kind of reinforced it for me. Pretty colors but so. much. frost.
Karen says
It’s really different now. I miss their quirky releases, like the single eyeshadows with unique art and those silly Pocket Rocket lipglosses with the half naked dudes. Everything now is very polished and “edgy cool girl,” and while I get that aesthetic I miss the weird stuff. lol
Monika says
I miss those Pocket Rocket lip glosses with the half naked guys on them, too! They were so fun, shimmery, and stupid. Urban Decay is barely any fun anymore, and it’s huge bummer.
Karen says
I miss that about them too. I like their new stuff but miss the sense of whimsy!
Kristy says
I like this palette. I don’t see why the uproar, since if it were straight-up cherry reds it wouldn’t be “naked”, would it? It is still essentially neutral, but in blush and wine tones. I think it’s very pretty.
Karen says
Oh, there are people who are crabby about it, especially in the reviews on Ulta’s website.
I think it’s very pretty too. And surprisingly wearable!
Jade says
*squeals* just got this today and love it! It is shockingly wearable which totally surprised me. I also have Backtalk and feel like it is definitely more wearable than the Backtalk palette (which I do like by the blush is where it’s at for me).
I think I also just really like the UD Naked layout. It is all in order from light to dark and everything goes with everything else and it all makes sense to me and makes my heart happy. That may be crazy but it’s so satisfying!
Have you heard they took out patents on Naked Honey and Naked AF as well? Interested to hear about those!
Karen says
That’s too, too funny, because MAC also did a Naked Honey collection back in 2009. Looks like they’re getting a LOT of inspo from old school MAC launches!
Suzanne C says
My skin has pink undertones, so pink, etc. shadows can be a bit much on me sometimes. I’m going to have to check this one out in person to see if it will work on me.
I’m going to do my official “directly in the path of a Category 4 hurricane” makeup tomorrow. I’m not sure exactly what the situation calls for. Everyday neutrals or full-on smoky eye? Dark matte lip or tinted balm? All I know is, if CNN or the Weather Channel comes to town, they aren’t catching me looking all to’ up, lol. 😉
Karen says
LOL, I’d go with a full-on smoky eye because why not! Hope you all are OK.
Nicole says
Hah. Florida Hurricane pummeling the coast? You know you gotta go with smoky girl. 😀 (I’m in Jax waving at you and hoping you are ok)
LindaLibraLoca says
Hm, maybe the Cherry lipsticks is one that tempts me, but other than that I am not really feeling it. Like you I prefer my cherries red and sweet.
Kristen says
I’m actually pleasantly surprised with these swatches! In the promo pictures this palette definitely looked more red-based, but I’m happy that it’s more pinky and purpley. Red eyeshadow always seems strange to me, like your eyes look irritated or they’re struggling through allergy season, you know?
Karen says
I know, me too. It’s gotten SO popular over the last few years. Crazy!
Tatiana says
Not gonna lie. I’m bummed that the original Naked went away and I didn’t hear about it in time to get a backup. It’s my go to palette. These colors do nothing for me, except make my eyes itch and make me look like I have pink eye.
Can’t deny that the colors are pretty. Just not for me. I hope UD continues to do well.
Rachel Runyan says
I think this collection is really pretty, though I’d skip the cherry-scented spray. I hate artificial cherry scent with a passion.
Karen says
It smells tart! So not too offensive. But it doesn’t really add to the experience. LOL
Fern says
Cult of Cherry! I still have the Kirsch Mattene lippy and Plum du Bois blush, which was my second MAC blush (after Peachykeen). And I’m pretty sure I made those purchases after reading your blog post. Wow! that was ten years ago! You’ve been a part of my life a long time! =)
Karen says
You got it! I think I have those quads around here somewhere, hee hee. I miss that old packaging.
Can’t believe 10 years have passed by in a flash!
Nicole L Standfast says
Cult of cherry? From mac
Karen says
Yes girl! You got it!