Thursday, May 16, 2013

Natural Tones

It was the Pixiwoo girls that first introduced me to MUA more than a year and a half ago when they featured the Heaven and Earth eyeshadow palette in one of their videos. Since then, I've read countless blog posts praising MUA eyeshadow palettes as a cheap but good quality alternative to the Urban Decay Naked palettes (with Undressed being modelled off the original Naked, and Undress Me Too the Naked2 palette). I own and adore both Naked palettes, so I never felt compelled to try out a more affordable version (especially when it involves buying online — something I try to avoid unless desperate, which seems to be quite frequently). What really pushed me over the edge though, was recently watching Fleur De Force's £20 Makeup Challenge where she raves about Heaven and Earth and uses 4 shades from it as part of her look. Once I started to properly inspect swatches of Heaven and Earth, I realised practically all the shades appealed to me.






The palette consists of 12 shades — 3 highlight shades, 5 medium shades and 3 darker shades. Each individual eyeshadow doesn't have a name, so I've labelled them 1 to 12 for convenience.

In the top row, shade 1 is a frosty pale champagne/off-white, 2 is a warm, copper-tinged light-to-medium brown, 3 is a dirty yellow gold mixed with a hint of olive, 4 is a pearlescent light pink, 5 is a warm, dark chocolate brown and 6 is an amber/orangey-gold. On the bottom row, shade 7 is a medium-to-dark chocolate brown, similar to the second last shade on the top row but lighter, 8 is a neutral, light-to-medium beige/brown, 9 is a pale, frosty peach, 10 is a cool, silvery, purplish taupe, 11 is a warm, medium-to-dark bronze, and 12 is a slightly ashy dark brown with silvery glitter.

My most used colours are 2, 5, 8, 10 and 11. I tried 3 and 6 as all-over lid colours, but still prefer the other more neutral (read: beige/brown) shades. The shadows aren't uniformly pigmented and some of them were surprisingly difficult to swatch (2, 3, 8 and 10 in particular). Generally, the highlight shades (1, 4 and 9) have excellent pigmentation, with 9 being the clear standout for whatever reason. Shade 5 and 6 also have better than average colour payoff. Surprisingly, I haven't experienced all that much fallout, unlike with my Sleek or Wet n Wild eyeshadow palettes. Though all the shades are shimmery, they're more of a subdued, satin finish and aren't as intensely metallic as say, the Sleek i-Divine palette in Storm.





Are these shadows comparable to the Urban Decay Naked palette? I would say a resounding no. Anyone who has experienced both palettes will know what I'm talking about. The MUA simply doesn't hold up to Urban Decay's stunning pigmentation, metallic depth, blendability, smoothness and lasting power. But for the price I paid (under $10), I'm satisfied with the quality and shade selection. There's a good mix of safe, everyday neutrals that you can use for almost any occasion. For the sheer ratio of potential all-over lid colours in one palette, Heaven and Earth is worth having in your collection.

32 comments:

  1. I won this palette in a giveaway a while back and I'm so happy with it! MUA isn't sold in the US, and I hate ordering online for something so inexpensive. I agree that it isn't the same quality as UD, but it still is great for the price.

    :)

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  2. Glad you liked it Lena. I'm yet to try the Undress palette I got along with the Undress Me Too one, I was so disappointed at the latter that I feel reluctant to even swatch it. I prefer palettes that have at least one matte colour to even things out a bit, this palette is way to frosty for my taste. Thanks a lot for the review darling, have a great day ^^ xx

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  3. I love the MUA palettes, they're incredible for the price. I must say I haven't tried the UD ones, but I'd definitely like to! x

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  4. This is an awesome palette. I think every beauty blogger has :) such a cult favourite that delivers every time, its not on the naked palette level but for the price.. It is definitely a must have.

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    BreezeyBee Blog

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  5. These are lovely shades, great for the budget conscious. I'm too happy with my Naked palettes though! xx

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  6. I've got the MUA Undressed palette which I think is amazing, the pigmentation of the colours are great :) this looks like a lovely palette as well, may have to check it out :D xx

    louiseloveslipstick.blogspot.co.uk

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  7. I really do think that the MUA palettes are lovely if you can't afford something like Urban Decay. Glad you got your hands on this one because all of the bronze, copper, and gold colors are so gorgeous <3

    Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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  8. This is nice, even though it doesn't and cannot compare to UD. I find these colors are very wearable and less than $10 is perfect for someone who just wants it :D

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  9. I'm definitely interested in getting this as I can't afford a Naked palette at the moment, but I think for the price this palette is awesome! xxx

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  10. I have a few MUA palettes but not this one.. I figured I have so many neutral palettes and singles already, I wouldn't bother too much. Although after using UD Naked and MUA Undressed I do agree that it does not compare to UD in terms of quality - pigmentation and longevity is definitely more prominent in UD!
    Although this is still a really lovely palette!
    xx

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  11. I have this palette as well and tbh I don't think the shades suit my colouring. I love the naked palette though, thinking of purchasing the second one too, xoxo.

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  12. I'm not head over heels with this palette like I am with my Naked palette, but I do like the rightest (top and bottom) two shades. For the people who can't afford the Naked palette, it's quite lovely.

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  13. This palette is gorgeous! There are quite a few items from the MUA website that I want to pick up! I need more money though haha!

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  14. I got the Undressed palette but found myself not reaching for it too often. Totally agree with you regarding the quality and pigmentation. Colors are nice but they are not even close to being as smooth and silky as the UD's ones.

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  15. The pigmentation seems quite impressive although some of the colors look to similar for me and there isn't much of a variety in terms of finishes. I've disliked most MUA products I've tried in the past so I'm hesitant about trying the eyeshadows since I'd have to order them online xx

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  16. I got this palette some months ago and I use it everyday to go to work. I'd say it's amazing for the price but the quality is not the best.. after trying sleek and Urbam decay palettes I think this one has less pigmentation but its less powdery than sleek palettes x

    http://holaflo.blogspot.com.ar/

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  17. I guess naked palette is still the ONE! ^_~

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  18. Beautiful palette and swatches. I kind of like that all these neutral palettes are actually quite different once swatched. You now need theBalm Nude Tude to round out the collection. ;)

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    Replies
    1. HAH! I couldn't possibly ;) I'm dying for that stupid NARS And God Created the Woman eyeshadow palette, but it's $95 here and like, sold out :\

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  19. Shades of brown are my favorite eye shawdow colors to wear!

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  20. I love the look of shade number 10, however having the naked palette makes me not feel the need for this one.

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  21. The pigmentation and the shimmer on these look really pretty! But I think I have too many neutrals xD I really like Shade 10 though!

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  22. I have this but dont reach for it enough! I have so many neutral eyeshadows and I recently bought the too faced natural eye palette as well! Someone stop me!

    Leanne @ Leanne-Marie | Beauty, fashion & lifestyle. x x

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  23. Did u pick this up from MUA or another site?

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  24. I actually picked up this palette when MUA had a half price and free international shipping sale! At a mere 2 pounds (basically $3) this was mine! I wanted to have Undressed but it had ran out which was a shame, but I really love the neutrals in Heaven and Earth. I love playing around with all the shades and pigmentation and longevity are excellent considering its price! I really want to give Sleek's Storm palette a go though, perhaps as a birthday treat to myself soon....

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  25. a girl can never have too many neutrals!

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    http://yourbeautyfixreviews.blogspot.com/

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  26. Obviously this palette never compare quality, and pigmentation of a palette of UD. Personally if I will buy pallets after seeing many reviews and have been fully tested if I want something more economical and good quality opt for Sleek.
    But I consider it a good choice for those wishing to try shades similar to the UD palette. Thank you very much for your detailed review.

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  27. The colours in this palette are really pretty, and although I don't own anything from MUA I would have to agree on the quality alone of the Urban Decay Naked palettes are worth having but this is great for those on a budget. xx

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  28. I feel like the only person in the universe who hasn't caved in to the Naked palettes yet! I've decided I finally will do the deed when I head to Sg Sephora in July - there obviously are no substitutes!

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