Worth It: A Dozen Shadows For Your Wandering Eyes

Much unlike many a magazine editor who recommends you buy all sorts of crap that they most likely got for free, your Jezebel staff doesn’t get jack shit (other than books, unsolicited). And that’s how it should be. But on our own time, in our personal lives, we still buy stuff. So this is Worth It, our daily recommendation of random things that we’ve actually spent our own money on. These are the things we buy regularly or really like, things we’d actually tell our friends about. And now we’re telling you.

For as long as I can remember, I have been on the hunt for the perfect eyeshadow palette. And it must be a palette. I’m in pre-hoarder stages as is; the last thing I need is more individual cases of eyeshadow piling up on my already disgusting “vanity table” (dresser). No, it must be a palette. Many colors, one case. Efficient. Perfect for travel. Perfect for every day, perfect for every night. Perfect forever. Yes, a palette.

In the past decade alone, I’ve spent way too much money on my quest, throwing away cash on everything from Maybelline to Dior, Lorac to MAC. And not a single one of these suitors brought me satisfaction (Lorac, you came close, but ultimately I was faking it). Even with Smashbox primer, the colors never looked as nice on my lids as they did in the palette. Even you, Dior. Your pigment was half-assed.

And then, on a day just like any other, I went to the Sephora website (this act alone is what makes the day like any other). And right there on the site, under “must haves” — because one must — I found Urban Decay’s Naked palette. Ooh, interesting. Pretty. The reviews are great. In a moment of hope, I went to the store, tested a few shadows (and, oh, 900 other things), and thus began the first day of the rest of my life.

Since buying this palette, I have not touched another shadow, not even my MAC Brown Down, which I’ve used for at least 5 years. Urban Decay covers all of the bases. The palette also includes a quality shadow brush and some primer. But I don’t even bother with that stuff unless I’m headed for a long night out. This shadow lasts through my entire, greasy-lidded workday without any extra help. (Update: Apparently there’s a ton of video tutorials based on this palette and this palette alone— I’d no idea. Here’s just one of many. Happy procrastinating to you all.)

At $48, the purchase itself is not cheap. But with 12 shades — shades that are really pretty, work for day and night, and actually look just as good on your eyelid — you’re getting a great value. We’re talking high-quality powder, the kind that makes you feel like you’ve wasted so much time and money just to live a lie.

Urban Decay Naked Palette, $48 at Sephora.com.

Worth It only features things we paid for ourselves and actually like. Don’t send us stuff.