Crown Over Exposed Eyeshadow Palette (UD Naked 3 Copy Alert!!)

  I've had my eye out for the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette almost since its inception, like many of you, but unlike many of you, I haven't been able to pull the trigger on a $54 palette of shades I wasn't convinced would work on me.  In my eyeshadow world of taupe and... well, taupe, shades of pink, rose, and mauve feel a little extreme.  Still, I love my Naked 1 palette and something about those beautiful rosy hues kept calling my name...

Crown Over Exposed eyeshadow palette

  Enter gloss48.com and a weekly special on Crown Brush palettes.  Read what the g48 ladies have to say about these palettes {HERE}-- they sold me!  The Crown Exposed collection is a set of Naked 1, 2, and 3 copies, on special at the time for $17 plus shipping.  I had to go for the 3 copy, called Over Exposed.

  I'll be the first to say I'm not an eyeshadow aficionado.  I only have Naked 1 and Naked Basics so I can't speak to how close the colors in Over Exposed actually are to Naked 3, but I'll also say that I don't care.  It's close enough for me.  (Nouveau Cheap has a great comprehensive comparison {HERE} if you're interested.)

Crown Over Exposed eyeshadow palette

  Aside from the packaging, black metal with a coppery shimmer and a hard plastic interior, which is fine but decidedly less luxe than Naked 1, the biggest difference I can see is that the Crown shadows are numbered, not named.  Over Exposed comes with a dual end brush which I rather like, and is a good intro to Crown's core product, anyway, which are makeup brushes.  The mirror is a little on the wonky side but I never use my compact mirrors when applying eyeshadow, anyway.  

Crown Over Exposed eyeshadow palette

  The biggest question, of course, is how these shadows apply and wear.  To me, they feel silky smooth and are nicely pigmented (natural skin tone taken into account).  I experience fallout with these but I do with my Naked palettes, too.  Nouveau Cheap states that primer is a must-- I honestly can't be bothered with another step at this stage of the game and I've been perfectly happy with how these shadows wear without it.  They've lasted through work days and evenings out without looking any worse for wear-- i.e., I've not noticed creasing or fading.  These are quality shadows, in my opinion.  

Crown Over Exposed eyeshadow palette

Crown Over Exposed eyeshadow palette

  Bottom line?  This palette is a win.  I love it.  The colors are beautiful and neutral and best of all work perfectly with a red lip (which I admit was my main concern).  If you're interested in the Naked palettes but aren't interested in the price, or just have reservations and want to give a reasonable copy a shot, I highly recommend the Exposed line.  Over Exposed is still available on gloss48.com (<<--- personal referral link) for $21.95 plus shipping & handling, as is Under Exposed (Naked 1 copy) and Pure Exposed (Naked 2 copy).

  Thank you for reading, as always.  You all are so much appreciated.  Have a lovely day! ♥♥