By Amy Blaney
Urban Decay, one of the most popular brands around, is known for creating high quality makeup products. For many, the brand has some ride-or-die products, and some that fall flat.
Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation
When I first heard that Urban Decay were launching a full coverage, matte foundation, I was excited to get my hands on it. The All Nighter liquid foundation promises long–lasting and full coverage for €34.
This foundation comes in 24 shades and is oil free. A point I will stress about this base is that it is very full coverage, and if that is not what you are after, then it may not be the foundation for you.
However, if full coverage is your game, then I think this foundation will please a lot of people.
I would recommend shaking this product before use because it is quite heavy. I have oily skin, and I found it very easy to blend and apply. It covered every mark on my face, including spots, and even freckles.
I personally love a matte foundation, but you need to blend quick because it’s fast drying. Otherwise, it will set into fine lines around the eye area. Due to the drying matte formula, I wouldn’t recommend it for those with dry skin.
However, my biggest problem with this foundation is the oxidation. Throughout the day, the colour became slightly orange, which isn’t a big deal for everyone, but, personally, I try to avoid foundations that oxidise in this way.
Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation
This foundation is slightly more expensive at €36, but is by far my favourite Urban Decay foundation. For me, this foundation ticks every box for my oily skin, and was badly needed from Urban Decay.
Looking back at their other foundations, The All Nighter was a bit on the thick side, and Naked Skin could have given us more coverage. This is the perfect in–between foundation that is light–weight, long–wear and gives good buildable coverage.
One of the unique things about this foundation is the amazing shade range – 50 shades and 25 matching concealers! Picking a foundation shade can be tricky, but this range makes it simple. It’s broken down into 9 different intensities, 3 master tones and 7 undertones, a perfect shade for everyone.
It’s certainly not as matte as the All Nighter foundation. Instead, I would describe it as a more natural real-skin matte effect which suits every skin type. It’s also cruelty free and vegan!
Urban Decay Stay Naked Correcting Concealer
The brand launched a matching Stay Naked Correcting Concealer along with the Stay Naked foundation. The concealer comes in 25 shades and is 25% more pigmented than the original Naked concealer.
It is an improvement from the original Naked concealer, with more pigment and a wider shade range. However, less expensive brands are producing better quality products at a lower price. In this case, I think you’re paying for the Urban Decay brand name, rather than a unique and high-quality product.
Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Setting Spray
This is by far one of Urban Decay’s best products. I have tried many settling sprays, and this is definitely the best.
Basically, this spray sets and extends the wear of makeup, and features temperature control technology that works to lower the temperature of your skin to keep foundation, eyeshadow, blush, and concealer in place—even in hot and humid conditions.
The product is a good investment at €31. I bought mine a year ago and its only half gone. If you’re on the fence about trying this product, it also comes in a €12 travel size, which I never travel without.
The Chill setting spray and the De-Slick setting spray are also fantastic Urban Decay setting sprays. The latter setting spray is a great matte option for those with oily skin.
Urban Decay Naked Illuminating Shimmering Powder
I have never been a huge fan of Urban Decay’s highlighters, bronzers or blushes, simply because alternatives that offer the same, if not better, quality are available at a cheaper cost. I bought the Urban Decay Naked Illuminating Shimmering Powder for €29 and, honestly, I wasn’t blown away. The product is intended for face and body, but the specks of shimmer are quite thick, and the pigment is disappointing. The highlighting effect it promises is minimal, but instead, I felt like I had put glitter on my face.
If you do not like chunky glitter as a highlight, which I personally don’t, then I wouldn’t recommend this product. I use it as a body highlighter instead, though a nice touch to this product is the mirror and brush contained in the packaging.
And there you have it: the best (and worst) that Urban Decay has to offer. Happy shopping!
