A versatile neutral palette with skin-like undertones for smooth, lasting looks that suit all occasions and skin tones.
A neutral palette built around skin-like undertones sounds like a slam dunk. After weeks of testing the Too Faced Born This Way The Natural Nudes palette, here is how it really performs and who will love it most.
Overview
The Too Faced Born This Way The Natural Nudes palette aims to be your everyday neutral wardrobe, designed around the idea that eyeshadows should echo the undertones of real skin. Inside you get a curated grid of light to deep neutrals with an even split of mattes and shimmers. Each matte is paired with a complementary luminous shade, so you can quickly build depth and add light where you want it. The packaging is slim but sturdy, with a full mirror and a layout that makes intuitive sense whether you are a beginner or a pro in a rush.
Too Faced markets the formula as soft, blendable, and infused with skin-friendly elements inspired by the Born This Way complexion line. In practice, the palette delivers a modern mix of buttery mattes and gleaming shimmers that lean sophisticated rather than glittery. Undertones include neutral beige, rosy pink, peachy warm, and golden brown, arranged from fair to dark so you can scale a look from barely-there definition to soft glam. Think office-friendly eye for day, then a quick pop of shimmer and a deeper crease for evening without switching palettes.
The overall vibe is polished and wearable. You will not find neon brights or heavy sparkle toppers here. Instead, the finishes prioritize smoothness on the lid and believable, flattering color. If you have tried neutrals that looked chalky or orange, the born-this-way approach to undertone mapping will likely feel more natural.
Who it’s for
This palette is ideal for shoppers who want reliable, refined neutrals that work quickly and photograph well. It is especially good for:
- Everyday makeup wearers who want one palette for work, weekends, and low-key events.
- Beginners who need an easy map for where each shade goes. The matte and shimmer pairs simplify decisions.
- Fans of soft glam. You can build drama, but the finishes skew smooth and elegant rather than glitter-heavy.
- Mature lids seeking non-chunky shimmers that do not emphasize texture.
- Anyone who appreciates undertone-aware neutrals that do not pull too gray or too orange.
It is less ideal if you want ultra-cool taupe grays, smoky charcoal and black, or bold color stories. The depth range is better than many classic neutral palettes, but there is no jet black, and the deepest browns require a little patience to blend to full opacity on dry skin. If you love mega-foil metallics or chunky sparkles, you may find the shimmers a touch too refined unless you amp them up with a damp brush.
How it feels and performs
Texture and application: The mattes feel silky to the touch with a soft-pressed formula. Expect some powder kickback in the pan when you dip a fluffy brush. That powderiness translates to easy blending on the eye, especially if you work in light layers. The light to mid-tone mattes build evenly from a wash to medium opacity. The deepest mattes are richly pigmented but can grab on bare, dry lids. A thin layer of primer or a light dusting of translucent powder helps those darker shades glide and blend without patchiness.
Shimmers and metallics: The shimmers are smooth and luminous with fine reflect, not gritty glitter. They deliver more of a creamy sheen than a high-shine foil. With a normal brush, you will get a polished glow suitable for daytime. For a more amplified evening look, press them on with a fingertip or a slightly damp flat brush. That small change turns the softer sheen into more dimensional pop without emphasizing texture.
Blendability: Shade transitions are where this palette shines. Because the undertones are thoughtfully spaced, you can layer neighboring mattes and get a seamless gradient with very little effort. If you have struggled with neutrals separating or going muddy, the built-in pairings make it easier to place mid tones and deepen the outer corner cleanly.
Fallout and mess: There is a bit of powder kickup in the pans, and a few of the brighter shimmers can drop micro-sparkle during application. Tap your brush and do eyes first if you plan to build a glam look. Once on the lid, fallout is minimal as long as you press shimmers onto a set base.
Longevity: On primed lids, I averaged 8 to 10 hours before any fading. The shimmers hold their sheen most of the day, then gradually soften without obvious creasing. On bare, oily lids, the mattes last around 6 hours and the shimmers can crease by hour 5. A basic primer easily fixes that. Setting spray helps lock everything in if you run warm or live in humidity.
Photography and real life: The undertone-first curation pays off in photos. Looks read polished under bright overhead lighting and natural daylight, with skin-complementary warmth that does not skew sallow. In person, the effect is tastefully enhanced eyes, not heavy makeup.
How to use for best results
Prep: Start with a thin layer of eyeshadow primer. If your lids are dry or textured, let the primer sit for 30 seconds, then dust a whisper of translucent powder over the crease to prevent grabby blending with darker mattes.
Map by pairs: Use the lighter matte of your undertone family as a base and transition. Tap the paired shimmer over the mobile lid to bring light forward. If you are fair and cool, a rosy matte plus its soft rosy shimmer will look fresh and awake. If you are medium to tan with warm or olive undertones, reach for the golden or peachy mid tones and their companion shimmers. For deep skin, start with a rich brown or espresso-toned matte to sculpt, then add a copper, bronze, or rich champagne shimmer to the center of the lid for contrast.
Everyday eye in 3 minutes: Blend a mid-tone matte through the crease with a fluffy brush. Pack the coordinating shimmer across the lid using a flat brush or fingertip. Smudge the same matte along the lower lash line. Add mascara. If you want extra polish, tightline with a deep brown.
Day to night: For evening, deepen the outer V with one of the darker mattes, then press a brighter shimmer just on the center of the lid. Mist your brush with setting spray before picking up the shimmer to get a more reflective finish that still reads refined.
Hooded or textured lids: Keep the brightest shimmer on the mobile lid where it flashes when you blink, and place a satin or softer shimmer toward the inner corner. Avoid pulling shimmer too high into the crease, which can emphasize folds.
Brush guide: A medium fluffy brush for crease, a smaller detail brush for outer corner, and a flat shader for shimmers will handle 95 percent of looks. If a deep matte looks patchy, switch to a denser, smaller brush and build slowly. The formula rewards light layers.
Custom eyeliner: Use the deepest matte with a damp angled brush to tightline. It gives definition without the starkness of a liquid liner and harmonizes with the rest of the look.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Thoughtful undertone range that looks skin-like. Easy-to-blend mattes and refined shimmers. Pairing system speeds up application. Wear time is strong with primer. Packaging is slim, sturdy, and travel friendly.
- Cons: Some powder kickback in the pan. Deepest mattes can grab on bare lids. Shimmers are elegant but not ultra-foiled unless applied damp. No true black for high-drama looks.
Final verdict
The Too Faced Born This Way The Natural Nudes palette succeeds at what most people actually want from neutrals: believable undertones, smooth blending, and a finish that looks like you, only more polished. The layout makes it fast to use, the color story suits a wide range of skin tones, and the textures flatter real lids, including mature eyes. It is not the palette for theater-level metallic shine or extreme smoky depth, and you should plan to use primer if your lids are oily. But for everyday to soft glam, it is dependable and easy to love.
If you are building a streamlined kit and prefer neutrals that enhance rather than overpower, this is a strong buy. It will not replace specialty palettes for bold color or dramatic foil, yet it earns a permanent spot for its undertone harmony and stress-free application.
See also
If you are comparing classic neutral staples, our Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette Review breaks down how Naked’s cooler taupes and mid tones stack up against Born This Way’s undertone-mapped range. To keep your finished look locked in without dulling shimmer, see our test of the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray Review.
Rounding out a polished base can make neutral eyes pop. For long-wear, skin-like coverage, explore Urban Decay Face Bond Waterproof Foundation Review and our guide to the Best Foundation for Natural Look, then brighten strategically with the cult favorite covered in our Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Review.
FAQ
Is the Too Faced Born This Way The Natural Nudes palette good for mature lids?
Yes. The mattes are finely milled and the shimmers are smooth with a soft sheen, so they do not emphasize texture. Keep the brightest shimmer on the center of the lid and use a satin or softer shimmer near the inner corner for the most flattering effect.
How can I prevent fallout from the shimmers in this palette?
Tap excess off your brush, press shimmers on with a fingertip or damp flat brush, and do your eyes before complexion if you plan a glam look. A thin layer of primer also helps shimmers cling and reduces drop during wear.
Will the shades show up on deep skin tones without looking ashy?
Yes, if you build from the deeper mattes first. Start with a rich brown or espresso matte to structure the crease and outer corner, then layer a bronze, copper, or deep champagne shimmer on the lid. Avoid using the palest mattes as transitions on their own, and instead use them sparingly to soften edges.
How does this palette compare to other popular neutral palettes?
This one leans undertone-aware with an elegant shimmer formula. It has fewer ultra-cool grays than some classic neutrals and no jet black, but the trade-off is smoother blending and easy day-to-night looks. If you prefer high-impact foil or edgy cool tones, you may want to supplement with a second palette.
What brushes or tools work best with these formulas?
Use a medium fluffy brush for crease work, a smaller detail brush to deepen the outer corner, and a flat shader for shimmers. A fingertip or a slightly damp brush intensifies shimmers without fallout. For soft liner, an angled brush dipped into the deepest matte works well.
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