You know that feeling when you find a piece of clothing that just fits perfectly? That’s what happened when Urban Decay dropped the Naked Honey eyeshadow palette. It wasn't just another launch in a long line of Naked sequels. It felt different. While the original Naked was about those taupes and the Naked Heat was all about scorching oranges, Honey hit a sweet spot—literally. It brought back a sense of luxury to everyday makeup that felt accessible but also a little bit "extra."
Honestly, the world of beauty moves fast. One minute everyone is obsessed with cool tones, the next it’s all about neon. But gold? Gold is permanent.
The Naked Honey eyeshadow palette tapped into a specific desire for warmth that didn't feel like a sunset. It felt like jewelry for your eyelids. If you’ve ever tried to blend out a cheap gold shimmer only to have it look like craft glitter, you know the struggle. This palette solved that.
The Texture Science Behind the Glow
Urban Decay uses a proprietary Pigment Infusion System. This isn't just marketing fluff. It’s the reason why the matte shades in this palette don’t feel like chalk when you rub them between your fingers. When you look at shades like Sweet or Swarm, they have this velvety slip. They’re "ultra-creamy," a term people throw around way too much, but here, it actually applies.
I’ve seen dozens of palettes try to replicate this specific honey-drenched gradient. Most fail because they make the yellows too "primary school." The brilliance of Naked Honey is the undertone. It’s mustard. It’s amber. It’s burnt sienna. These are sophisticated shades that work on a surprisingly wide range of skin tones. On deeper skin, the golds like Honey and Golden pop like 24-karat metal. On fair skin, the softer mattes provide a contour that looks natural rather than muddy.
Why 12 Shades?
A lot of modern palettes are giant. They have 35 shades, half of which you’ll never touch because they look identical once they’re on the eye. Urban Decay stuck to the 12-pan format for a reason. It’s a curated journey.
Starting from the left, you get the "brighteners." These are your Flyby and Sweet. Then you hit the transition "hive." This is where Swarm and Keeper live. These two are the workhorses. You’ll hit pan on these first. They create the depth. Then, the center of the palette explodes into the metallic golds. Amber, Golden, and the namesake Honey.
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Honey is the standout. It’s a metallic gold with a slight green-yellow shift that makes it look like real, molten metal. It isn't subtle. If you want subtle, go buy a beige single. This is for the person who wants their eyes to catch the light across a room.
Then you finish with the "sting." Queen, Hive, and Sting. These are the deep, chocolatey, woodsy browns that keep the palette from being too one-dimensional. Without these, the palette would just be a yellow mess. With them, it's a complete toolkit for a smokey eye that looks expensive.
Common Misconceptions About the Yellow Undertones
People get scared of yellow. I get it. We’ve been told for years that yellow makes you look tired or sickly.
That's the big mistake.
The Naked Honey eyeshadow palette isn't "yellow" in the way a lemon is yellow. It’s ochre. It’s deeply rooted in earth tones. When you blend Keeper into the crease, it doesn't look like you have jaundice; it looks like a warm shadow. It mimics the natural warmth in the skin.
One thing most people get wrong is thinking this is only a "glam" palette. It isn't. You can use Flyby and Swarm for a five-minute "no-makeup" look that just makes you look awake. Use a fluffy brush. Keep it light. It’s the most underrated way to use these specific pigments.
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The Competition: Does It Hold Up?
Let's talk about the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam or the Natasha Denona Bronze palette. Those are heavy hitters.
Soft Glam is pinker. It’s romantic. Bronze is much darker and more intense. The Naked Honey eyeshadow palette sits right in the middle. It’s more "sunny" than its competitors. It’s more cheerful. While some palettes feel heavy and moody, Honey feels like a late afternoon in July.
Also, we have to talk about the brush. Usually, palette brushes are garbage. You throw them away immediately. But the double-ended brush in the Naked series is actually decent. One side is a tapered crease brush that’s stiff enough to deposit color but soft enough to move it. The other is a smudge brush. It’s practical. It’s not just a filler item.
How to Get the Most Out of the Metallics
If you’re just swiping Honey on with a dry brush, you’re missing out. Here’s the pro secret: use your finger.
The heat from your skin breaks down the waxes in the shimmer shades. It makes them melt into the lid. If you want that "foiled" look—where it looks like a solid sheet of gold—spray your brush with a bit of setting spray (All Nighter, obviously) after you’ve picked up the product. Do not spray the palette itself. You’ll ruin the press. Just the brush.
Then, press it. Don't swipe. Press.
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This technique creates a multidimensional shine that reflects light differently than a dry application. It’s the difference between looking like you’re wearing makeup and looking like you’ve been professionally done.
Practical Steps for a Perfect Honey Look
Don't overthink it. Most people mess up by trying to use all 12 shades at once. You don't need to.
- Prep is everything. Use a primer. These shades are rich, and gold has a habit of migrating if it doesn't have something to grip onto.
- The "Base" Move. Take Swarm on a big fluffy brush. Run it through the crease. Go higher than you think. This creates the "halo" effect.
- The "Depth" Move. Take a smaller, denser brush with Sting. Focus only on the outer corner. Make a little "V" shape. Blend it inward but only halfway. This creates the almond shape that everyone wants.
- The "Star" Move. Take Honey on your ring finger. Press it right into the center of the lid.
- The "Pop" Move. Take Flyby—the lightest shade—and put it in the inner corner of your eye. It opens the eye up instantly.
The Longevity Factor
One reason this palette remains a staple in kits is the stay-power. Some glittery palettes look great for an hour, then you find glitter on your cheeks, your chin, and somehow inside your contact lenses. The Naked Honey eyeshadow palette pigments have a weight to them. They stay put.
If you're working a 10-hour day or going to a wedding, you can trust this. It’s reliable. That’s a boring word in beauty, but it’s the truth. You want reliability when you’re paying this much for a palette.
Final Thoughts on the Golden Standard
In a saturated market, the Naked Honey eyeshadow palette stands out because it didn't try to be everything to everyone. It picked a lane—rich, warm, golden neutrals—and it mastered it.
Whether you’re a makeup pro or someone who just wants to look a little more "alive" on a Monday morning, these shades offer a versatility that’s hard to find elsewhere. It’s a palette that feels both nostalgic for the golden age of glam and perfectly suited for the modern, glowy aesthetic.
Stop avoiding the yellow tones. Lean into the amber. It’s the most flattering thing you’ll put on your face this year.
Next Steps for Your Beauty Routine:
- Check your current collection for "dupes" before buying; you might have the browns, but you likely don't have the specific Honey metallic.
- Practice the "finger-press" technique with your existing shimmers to see how much more impact you can get.
- Pair this palette with a warm nude lip—anything with a peach or terracotta base will make the gold tones in the eyes pop significantly more than a cool pink.