Naked Basics Eyeshadow Palette Tutorial

Urban Decay has had huge success with their Naked line of eyeshadow palettes. Most popular are the warm-toned 1, cool-toned 2, and rosy-toned 3, but my favorite is the Naked Basics palette, a small box containing 5 matte neutrals and one satin-finish highlighter. This is the perfect palette for anyone-- warm-toned or cool-toned skin, makeup maven or beginner, drama queen or natural Nellie. Today I'll show you how to create a classic look using this palette that can be worn with any makeup style. Try pairing it with a deep dark lip and some false lashes for drama, or with a swipe of lip gloss and a touch of blush for a natural, defined look.

Step 1: Prep & Prime

Start with clean, dry lids. Apply an eye primer or shadow base before you start. I like Too Faced's Shadow Insurance and Urban Decay's Primer Potion applied with Real Technique's crease brush, or a similar fluffy or flat concealer brush. MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study or Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded are nice bases for this look. They're both satin-finish neutral champagne cream shadows that don't crease. You can also use regular ol' concealer.

Step 2: Base Shadow

Using a fluffy eyeshadow brush, apply Foxy all over the lid from lashline to brow.

Step 3: Contour Your Eye

Using a fluffy eyeshadow brush, blend Naked 2 all over the crease area including just above it.

Step 4: Define Your Crease and Lower Lashline

Using a crease brush or a small eyeshadow brush, blend Faint into your crease, and then sweep it from your outer crease under your lower lashline.

Step 5: Define Your Outer V

Using a small crease brush or small eyeshadow brush, blend Crave into your outer V.

Step 6: Highlight & Blend

Touch up the Foxy on your inner lid if needed. Using a tiny brush, apply Venus to your inner eye and blend it slightly out along the upper and lower lashlines. Apply it also just below your eyebrows on the browbone.

Take a clean brush and, using windshield-wiper motions, blend everything seamlessly together.

Step 7: Finishing Touches

Curl your eyelashes and add eyeliner. Brown pencil along the upper & lower lashlines for a subtle look; black pencil or liquid for a more dramatic look. Black or brown mascara is the finishing touch!