Urban Decay Smoked Palette: Review & Swatches

Urban Decay's latest 'must have' eyeshadow palette is called 'smoked'. As the name would suggest, it's the smokey eye's answer to the Naked palette... a selection of 10 shades that will allow you to create a whole range of smokey eyes varying from classic black, right through to more vibrant colours including deep aubergine and metallic emerald.

The packaging is similar to that of last Christmas' 'Emergancy' kit: a soft zip-up layer encasing a sturdy cardboard insert. Personally I'm not a fan of either the material or the bulkiness of the palette. I think the packaging for both of the Naked Palettes is much more convenient and user-friendly.

That aside, the shadows themselves are lovely, as you would expect from the brand.

Smooth and very heavily pigmented. Mushroom, Asphalt and Loaded are particularly lovely in formulation. 

The mattes, as always, are slightly less impressive. but still amongst some of the best available on the market. Urban Decay really do nail it when it comes to eyeshadows. There are no super-glittery, fallout-prone shades in this palette either... very impressed.

The palette comes with a full size 24/7 eyeliner in perversion, a deep matte black. I'm a big fan of these eyeliners already and think it's a great addition to this palette. A black eyeliner is an essential ingredient for a good smokey eye after all!

It also comes with a mini-sized primer potion (in the new packaging - horaay!) so that your shadows last all day and a booklet showing you various different looks that can be created using the palette, and step by step instructions for doing them yourself.

All in all, this palette is an absolute gem for those of you who frwuently sport a smokey eye. If it's your go-to eye look then I'd have to say this palette is a must have. It has everything you need for only £35 and would make a fabulous gift.

Having said that, for me personally... I don't think this palette would get much use. I love my neutrals, and for that reason, the Naked and Naked 2 palettes will remain my go-to Urban Decay palettes. Either way, another very impressive release from Urban Decay. They're certainly on a roll at the moment!

You can purchase the Smoked palette now, £35 from Debenhams.