Thursday 8 May 2014

Review: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Foundation


I'm going to start this review by admitting that this foundation was very much an impulse purchase. I usually research every product before I buy, but I was easily convinced from just ONE Youtube video. I took the above picture just minutes after doing my makeup this morning (I can't believe I forgot to put on lipstick). The Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Foundation is very different from any other foundations in my collection. For starters, it's extremely runny and comes out of the pump as a straight up liquid that could easily run off the hand and onto the floor if you aren't paying attention. Secondly, it has a little ball inside the bottle which helps to mix up the foundation which you have to shake before using. Not that there is anything wrong with that, just thought I would mention it as a unique feature. Here are my thoughts on the foundation:

PROS:
  • It's marketed as having a semi-matte finish and I would have to agree that it's certainly not dewy. Somehow it manages to give a really healthy glow while still maintaining a very natural looking semi-matte finish. It definitely lives up to it's "naked skin" claims as it looks very skin-like and un-cakey. 
  • Light to medium coverage for those who are looking for that (definitely my favorite coverage level). One layer creates a light coverage base for those who have really good skin. I like applying a second layer for medium coverage that covers up slight redness on my cheeks.
  • Love the pump and the design of the bottle. 
  • Has a very subtle, but pleasant fragrance.
  • Has an extensive shade range with the shades ending in "0.0" having a warm tone and shades ending in "0.5" leaning cooler. My shade is 1.0 meaning that it is the lightest shade that has a warm tone. 
  • The "ultra-definition" properties make it photograph beautifully.
  • Feels incredibly light and un-cakey on the face. Pretty much feels like you aren't wearing foundation.

CONS:
  • For some reason, I find that the foundation wears off quickly. I love the look initially but by the end of the day it seems to be worn off completely from the center of my face (literally disappeared from my cheeks, forehead and nose) while still being intact on the perimeter of my face. I'm not sure if it's because I have combination skin (with an oilier T-zone) or because I don't powder to set the whole face. 
  • Provides no coverage for blemishes. It doesn't even conceal the redness surrounding a spot. I need to use a heavy duty concealer to cover my blemishes and scars, and I need to use much more concealer than I would with other foundations. 
  • I'm still not 100% convinced that it was worth the $45 price tag.

All in all, I'm really on the fence about the foundation. If I could figure out a way to make it last all day, I would be thrilled with the product. It seriously looks so beautiful on the skin and I just wish I could figure out a way to make it last. I've tried using primers in underneath, which didn't seem to extend the wear time of the product. It's quite possible that my skin has become oilier in these (slightly) warmer months and perhaps I need to start using more powder than a sheer dusting on the T-zone in the mornings. I really want to figure out how to make this foundation work for me, as I think it has a beautiful finish that none of my other foundations can achieve. Another point to mention is that I generally have long work days, so I need products that last without any touch ups. A part of me feels a little let down by the Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Foundation, yet I take it as a challenge to figure out the best application for me and my skin. 

Have you tried the Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Foundation? Has anyone else experienced it wearing off throughout the day? Am I doing something wrong? Please let me know in the comments below. 

Thanks for reading.

2 comments:

  1. You have flawless skin! Super jelly. I haven't tried this and probably wont because I like more full coverage foundations and I'm a greasy monster! lol. Have you tried the Estee Lauder Double Wear? It's the only foundation I've tried that lasts a 12hr shift.

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    1. You are so sweet... but it's all about the camera angles hahaha. This foundation is definitely not for you if you like full coverage. I do own Estee Lauder Double Wear but I tend to use it for special occasions because I find it a bit heavy on my skin for daily use. It's definitely one of my favorites though, I can always depend on it for a flawless finish. Thanks so much for commenting Julia :D xo

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