All Things Gold Can Stay: NC25

Most of you have heard of the Naked palettes. More specifically, there are 3 Naked palettes: Naked, Naked 2 and Naked Basics. In my humble opinion, there is absolutely no need to own all 3 of the Naked palettes (unless you have money to throw around). Many have said that the first Naked (1, or the original) palette is better suited for those that are more neutral or cool toned and the Naked 2 is more for those that are warm toned and the Naked Basics palette is an all matte neutral small, convenient palette that's easy to carry.

I own the Naked 2 and the Naked Basics palettes. I also own the Lorac Pro palette.

If you are thinking of only owning (1) ONE universal palette, I'll share with you my comparison of the Naked 2 -vs- the Lorac Pro below and hopefully it will help you decide which is a better choice.

Urban Decay NAKED 2 ($50):

PROS: This is great palette with 12 shades of warms and neutrals that's mixed with shimmers and mattes. The first shade, Foxy is the perfect brow highlight shade and the last shade Blackout is the perfect black to seal your liner with. It's versatile and multifunctional. The case is durable and sturdy, made of a metal tin (beats the cardboard stuff anyday). It comes with a dual ended brush and it also comes with a mini lipgloss. Let's be real, no one is getting the Naked 2 for the gloss or the brush though. It also comes with a HUGE mirror, which is great for travel/on the go. The textures of the shadows are buttery soft and glides on smoothly.

CONS: To maximize the use of the colors, especially the lighter colors, I would definitely suggest using a primer or a base. The lighter colors does not show up as well without it. I do experience slight fallout with the shadows, this also might have to do with the fact that the shadows are so buttery soft (which is a good thing). I just suggest that you do your eye makeup first. Color variety is lacking for the cost. These are just your basic neutrals and warms. You will not be able to create any colors that are fun and vibrant with the Naked 2.

Lorac Pro ($42)

PROS: This is a great palette with 8 mattes and 8 shimmers (which totals 16 shadows, compared to Naked 2's 12). The price is cheaper than Naked 2 as well. I love the fact that you so many mattes. Matte shadows are hard to find, has anyone noticed that? Also, the color spectrum of the Lorac Pro is amazing. You have your lights and you have your darks. The number/variety of looks you can pull off with the Lorac Pro is probably higher than with the Naked 2. The colors were easier to blend compared to the Naked 2 and the payoff was also better.

CONS: The packaging can be a lot better. I feel as though if I dropped my palette, it will break and shatter into a million pieces. Other than that, really that's the only con I can think of.

So the winner of the Palette War? LORAC PRO!

If you are in the market for one palette, one palette to rule them all...Lorac Pro is your best bet! Just try not to drop it.

You can find this product at:

Sephora: Naked 2 for $50 or Lorac Pro for $42

I give Naked 2 a 8/10 and Lorac Pro a 8.5/10

As a warm-toned Asian (NC25 in Mac), Paint Pot in Soft Ochre is about the best thing since sliced bread for me.

How much do I love Soft Ochre? Let me count the ways:

It's a base: it makes my eyeshadows THAT much more vibrant and colorful.
It's a primer: goodbye primers, since I've been using Soft Ochre, I haven't had the need for my primers. Before you say anything, let me just preface by saying, I GOT SOME GREASY LIDS. Eyeliners transferring? Check! Eyeshadows creasing? Check! Eyeshadows disappearing at the end of the day? Check! Obviously, you can still feel free to use your primer, but this particular shade of Paint Pot takes care of everything for me.
It's a concealer (for my eyelids, don't be confused, I only use it on my eyelids): I take it all the way up to my brows though, this means it conceals the redness of when I have just plucked my brows.

What else do you need to know:

It goes on creamy and dries fast. Very fast. So blend it out right away and let it set and then do what you have to do afterwards!
Store it upside down (this is what's been rumored on the web, do a search if you don't believe me), but I honestly haven't had mine long enough to know, nor have I been storing mine upside down!
Soft Ochre vs Painterly: as with all Mac products, they breakdown their line to NC or NW (though newer products are more neutral)...these two popular paint pots are just that. One is more yellow/warm toned and the other is more pink/cool toned. I obviously love Soft Ochre because it suits my skintone better.

So to my fellow NCers (in skintone), Soft Ochre is the way to go!