Urban Decay

First Look: Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation

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My sincere journey into makeup started with the classic bareMinerals by bareEscentuals (ancient post linked). At the time, I wasn’t wowed by the product, but I wasn’t dissatisfied, either. I used up my pot and did not repurchase.

Prior to that, half-assed attempts at evening out my complexion when it could use a little help were met with Physician’s Formula Mineral Wear Loose Powder. I haven’t used it since I started, “sincerely,” using cosmetics, but it is a good product (unless they’ve changed the formula sneakily; I don’t think they have).

At some point, I was curious about Urban Decay’s Surreal Skin loose foundation (long since discontinued), but I never got to check it out because there wasn’t an Urban Decay counter nearby and there was a dearth of Sephora and Ulta locations in my vicinity at the time.

So, what’s the common factor here? Powder. My early forays into makeup were solely about ease-of-use (even if it meant the color match wasn’t quite right, or that it didn’t wear super well). Not that I feel liquid or cream foundation difficult to use…they just take slightly more effort to blend in, usually. A few months back I went to an Urban Decay event at Sephora with a friend; there, they slapped their new Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation on me. I liked it, but wasn’t in the market at the time.

Naked Skin Ultra Definition - First Look - BoxNaked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation

A dear friend asked for some suggestions on something to help even her out, was lightweight, simple to use, etc. My experience with bareMinerals ended up being that it oxidized quite quickly on me – and other users report the same results, so I am hesitant to recommend it to anyone with more than a modicum of oil in their skin. Based on my experience with the Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder, I included that in my suggestions to her.

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Urban Decay Freelove Dupe

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I can never hope to be a massive repository of dupe information like Temptalia is, but if I notice something neat, I’ll point it out.

So, recently, I hosted a giveaway for a single pot of Urban Decay’s Freelove eyeshadow. Freelove is a lovely pinky-peachy-gold with a frosty, satin finish.

Urban Decay Freelove Dupe (Freelove)

I love it.

I was in Ulta redeeming my birthday freebie last month when I came upon a display of the Nyx Prismatic shadows. Nyx Prismatic Golden Peach caught my eye and looked familiar, so I swatched it and found that it was an Urban Decay Freelove Dupe!

It’s SO close to Urban Decay Freelove but only 1/3 of the price ($6 vs $18)! Main difference is that Golden Peach is a tad more shimmer. Temptalia’s reviews of each suggests that Golden Peach lasts a bit longer on the lid than Freelove.

Urban Decay Freelove Dupe - Nyx Prismatic Golden PeachNyx Prismatic Golden Peach – an Urban Decay Freelove Dupe

Unfortunately, my hasty store swatch was not photo-worthy. I didn’t buy one for myself since I already have Freelove (and I’m not a dupe hoarder) BUT if I didn’t already own it and needed to decide between the two, I’d probably go with Golden Peach.

So if you missed my giveaway and can’t justify dropping $18 on a shade (I can’t either – I bought them half off), don’t despair – get this! NYX goes on sale at Ulta fairly regularly, too (40% off or BOGO 50% off are common)!

NEW Urban Decay Naked Palette

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Urban Decay just announced on their Facebook the latest addition to the Naked family, which launches July 8…

NEW Urban Decay Naked Palette - Naked SmokyNaked Smoky – the NEW Urban Decay Naked Palette

Looks like we’ve got some warm, some cool, some dark, some matte in there. It’s a good mix, but not really necessary if you’re already armed with an arsenal of neutrals.

Personally, I only own Naked and Naked2 Basics. I want Naked2, but probably wouldn’t purchase Naked Smoky for myself. As someone who doesn’t tend to rock dark or smoky looks often, it wouldn’t be great for me – and between my other palettes, I have a good enough range. The packaging looks pretty cool as compared to previous iterations, and it comes with a dual-ended blending-and-pencil brush.

Urban Decay hasn’t released pricing info on Naked Smoky yet, but I would expect it to ring in at $54 like the others. Will you buy the new Urban Decay Naked Palette?

 

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked

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Last Friday I launched a giveaway for an Urban Decay 24/7 Lip Liner and Revolution Lipstick in Naked. If you haven’t entered, yet, go do so – entries close April 3!

The Ultimate Pair - Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick and 24/7 Lip Liner in Naked

I mentioned in my February Favorites that I was really loving the Revolution Lipstick in Naked – so when I was planning the Vernal Equinox Giveaway, I decided to pick up one of the sets for myself. Exclusive to Ulta, the Ultimate Pair set from Urban Decay features a 24/7 Lip Liner Pencil and a Revolution Lipstick in Naked. They also offer a red version with shades 69 and F-Bomb, respectively.

The Ultimate Pair - Revolution Lipstick in Naked

The value of this set is unbelievable – $26 for both the full-sized lipstick (regularly $22) and lip liner (regularly $19). I was originally planning on a self-imposed no-buy for myself for March, but this was too good of a deal on something I already really wanted, having the wee version of it.

The Ultimate Pair - Lipstick in Naked

I own wee versions of the Revolution Lipstick in Naked and, courtesy a friend, Catfight. Given that, I already knew the formula was nothing short of amazing. Being simultaneously creamy and long-lasting is no small feat, but these lipsticks feel great and don’t need to be reapplied frequently – and it isn’t just because this is a, “user-friendly,” whose wear is naturally less noticeable; hot-pink Catfight holds its weight in the longevity arena without looking prematurely worn.

Revolution Lipstick in NakedUrban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked

Packaging

The Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked is the first full-sized tube I have from the line. When I unboxed it, I was pleasantly surprised at the weight of the tube – to me, heavier-weight packaging feels sturdier and slightly more luxe. I’ve talked about packaging before – heavier, sturdier package make me feel like my product is safer.

Color & Finish

This warm-ish mid-tone pink that has a creamy, almost-but-not-quite glossy finish. It catches light nicely without looking wet. I find it very flattering on my light, neutral-to-warm skin (NC15-NC20ish in MAC at the moment). It gives you a pretty, polished look without screaming for attention. It’s pretty much appropriate for anything life might throw at you…with the exception, perhaps, of a Rocky Horror reenactment.

Wear & Longevity

On me, applied after I’ve fiendishly consumed my morning coffee or tea, I find that Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked wears for about 3-4 hours before needing to be touched up, persisting even through drinking water. Wear is described without the 24/7 liner that came in the set. I’m not crazy about liner for lighter, neutral lipsticks like this, so I’m still trying to figure out how I like it best.

The Bottom Line

From the two shades I’ve tried the formula seems consistent in terms of application and feel once its on. From reading, I discovered that longevity wasn’t quite the same throughout, but you’ll have that with different levels of pigmentation. The quality, overall, is absolutely there and if you’re in the market for a fantastic lipstick, I recommend (any) of these. Personally, I still struggle with the idea of paying $22 for a single lipstick – MAC at $16 is the high end of, “I’m OK with this,” for me but this lipstick is really good. Since I was able to get it and the liner for $26 as part of The Ultimate Pair set, it was easier to deal with. I would still hesitate to pay full price for another lipstick by itself even though they are crazy good… Instead, I’d opt to wait for a 20% at UrbanDecay.com, or using Ulta points for a discount, or the semi-annual VIB sale at Sephora.

February 2015 Favorites

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February 2015 Favorites 
February 2015 Favorites
1. Sephora Teint Infusion Foundation, $24 / 2. Conair 1875 Watt Tourmaline Ceramic Dryer, $30 /
3. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked, $22 / 4. NYX Ultra Pearl Mania Pigments, $3

It’s already time for my February 2015 Favorites – and here I was last month mentioning January being cold. That was cute and misguided of me.

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Worth it? Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer

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Urban Decay Naked Skin ConcealerUrban Decay Naked Skin Concealer

Urban Decay recently released a new concealer to flesh-out (ha) their Naked Skin line of products. Keeping with the line’s aesthetic, Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Concealer is packaged very similarly to the Naked Skin Foundation – a simple, cylindrical tube with a clear body and chrome-colored cap. It has launched in eight shades – fewer shades than I’d hoped for, because it still means women of color and the ghostly pale are kind of screwed for now.

I recently had the opportunity to try it at during a Naked Skin event at my local Sephora, and wanted to share my experience with it.

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