Urban Decay Naked 2 v. W7 In The Buff

Ahhh make-up, I do love you. I love you more when you are affordable. I love you more than that when I see cheaper versions of already existing palettes. After seeing the video thumbnail from LetzMakeup on the W7 'In The Buff' palette, I could see it was a dupe for Urban Decay's 'Naked 2.' I immediately bought one for me and one for my mummy in order to compare these almost identical palettes. 

Left: Urban Decay Naked 2. Right: W7 In The Buff

Each palette contains a range of cool toned eyeshadows in a spectrum of neutral colours from shimmering greys and browns to matte creams and a deep black. Both palettes are visually tantamount to each other.

Above: Urban Decay Naked 2. Below: W7 In The Buff

Top row from left to right: Urban Decay Naked 2 - Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout.
Bottom row from left to right: W7 In The Buff - Buff, Camel, Sand, Dust, Chocolate, Topaz, Earth, Storm, Silk, Wave, Thunder, Onyx.

Seriously, did they fall out of the same factory? Ah, I could spend ages talking about this but that is another story entirely. Even the name, 'In The Buff' is a brazen homage to Urban Decay's Naked namesake. There are some small details that are different, but they are not excessive. The packaging of Naked 2 is superior as the tin casing is thicker and the insert for the shadows is sturdier. The brush with Naked 2 surpasses the quality of the brush from In The Buff. That being said, In The Buff is an ideal palette and one end of the brush can be utilised somewhat. Overall, these are minute character differences that are most certainly not distinguishable deal-breakers if you were to opt for the for the cheaper alternative. The product quality of In The Buff is impeccably comparable to and equally as pigmented and long-lasting as Naked 2. Just take a look at the swatches to see for yourself.

Top row from left to right: Urban Decay Naked 2 - Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout.
Bottom row from left to right: W7 In The Buff - Buff, Camel, Sand, Dust, Chocolate, Topaz, Earth, Storm, Silk, Wave, Thunder, Onyx.

Even wearing separate palette colours on each eye is, in essence, undetectable. 

Left eye: Urban Decay Naked 2 -  Pistol (lid), Tease (crease), Foxy ( brow highlight), Blackout (liner).
Right eye: W7 In The Buff - Silk (lid), Chocolate (crease), Buff ( brow highlight), Onyx (liner).
Note - no primer or base colour on either eye.

Top eye: Urban Decay Naked 2 -  Pistol (lid), Tease (crease), Foxy ( brow highlight), Blackout (liner).
Bottom eye: W7 In The Buff - Silk (lid), Chocolate (crease), Buff ( brow highlight), Onyx (liner). 

In my opinion, both palettes are as equally beautiful as the other. However, the one major difference is  the price tag. Each of the three Naked palettes retails for £37/ $52, including the Naked 2.  For UK customers, Urban Decay Naked 2 is available in store and online in Debenhams and House of Fraser. In the US, the Naked 2 is available via Urban Decay's online store as well as many other retailers including Sephora and Ulta. Urban Decay is almost ten times the price of W7's counter-offering as it can range between £4.50 to £5.50 depending on the seller and postage costs. In The Buff is currently available (click here for more information) for purchase from local pharmacies throughout the UK and Ireland as well as from eBay, Amazon , Beauty Box Shop, Peacocks,  W7 Beauty Outlet and Xtras - my teenage make-up haven where I spent many Saturday afternoons purchasing Laval's entire lipstick collection. (Damson Crush, anyone?)  FYI, I still do that and I'm 27. Some things will never change. 

Both palettes are great for all make-up addicts and will appeal to novices and professionals alike. So, save your money and invest in some good quality brushes to aid your application of this palette, because let's admit it, the sponge tip applicator that accompanies In The Buff, belongs in the bin. But overall, In The Buff, you win.

Eyes: W7 In The Buff -  'Buff,' 'Sand,' 'Chocolate,' 'Topaz' and 'Onyx,' MUA extreme felt black liner, Sugrapill 'Poison Plum' and 'Dollipop' eyeshadows, MUA 'Royal Blue' intense colour liner. Lips: Left lip - MUA 'Pink Me Up'  lip liner, Tanya Burr 'First Date' lipgloss Centre lip - Right lip -  MUA 'Rendevous' Power Pout. Right lip - MUA 'Pouty Pink' matte lipstick.