Roll up, roll up, it’s time for another in-depth look at a foundation. This time it’s my favourite brand, the ubiquitous Urban Decay under scrutiny.
Urban Decay’s major coup is without a doubt the Naked franchise. It’s spearheaded an obsession for neutrals and led to endless imitations from rivals yet Urban Decay remains the original and the best (in my humble opinion).
Three years ago, Urban Decay added another family member to the Naked range which is the Naked Skin foundation. Admittedly I made an attempt to get colour matched at an Urban Decay counter in Birmingham’s Bull Ring shortly after the base was launched but the sales assistant giving me a sample of a shade too dark. I lost interest and then got distracted by a heap of other foundations that have since followed but Naked Skin was always at the back of my mind and I vowed to make a conscious effort to try it.
That conscious effort came a couple of weeks ago when I visited my local branch of Debenhams (just before I went to the gym across the road) to buy Urban Decay’s holiday palette, Spectrum (Uhhmaayghuddd! More about that in a separate post.) Can I just say how ecstatic I am since a Debenhams opened 3 miles from where I live and it houses a huge Urban Decay counter? I can feed my addiction without stomaching a trip to Oxford Street and in such peaceful surroundings too with second-to-none service.
Hopping onto the stool, I was matched with shade 6. It’s a touch light but I have to bear in mind my tan from Barcelona in September hasn’t faded completely. The liquid foundation is quite thick but blends seamlessly and adjusts to your skin almost instantly. It is like another layer of skin hence the name ‘Naked Skin’.
This foundation gives a demi-matte finish, which is something I’ve never tried as I usually prefer a dewy look but I really liked what I saw in the mirror and instructed the UD girl to bag up a bottle.
Now I know it was presumptuous of me to make a decision on a whim. I always advise people to go away and see how the foundation looks in natural daylight, artificial light and generally how it performs before making the commitment to purchase but in this instance, I had a gut feeling Naked Skin would not let me down. The difference from wearing it was so profound, giving my skin luminosity and a flawless finish plus it felt very comfortable and strangely different to the other foundations I’m used to.
Happy with my UD stash, I headed off to the gym. With a full face of make-up. Brilliant. An hour later (including a strenuous 30 minute session on the rowing machine), the foundation hadn’t melted. In fact it hadn’t budged one bit so I can confirm Naked Skin passed the gym sweat test with flying colours. I don’t think you could get any more hardcore in testing a foundation than by busting a gut in the gym.
Since then I’ve taken to wearing it every day, some days for 12 hours and the foundation has stayed put. With light-diffusing spheres in the formula, Naked Skin’s ability lies in transforming complexions to give natural looking skin that’s illuminated and bright. Infused with an anti-wrinkle peptide called Matrixyl 3000 (fancy!), brightening Litchiderm, antioxidant green tea and vitamins, this foundation is loaded with nourishing ingredients whilst giving you a flawless finish.
Another testament to Naked Skin came in the form of a compliment from a colleague who said I looked great when I’d barely had 3 hours sleep the night before. I think that may have something to do with the light-diffusing spheres to help blur imperfections.
The foundation comes in a tall, sleek bottle with a pump so it’s hygienic and economical to dispense just the right amount required. Coverage is medium to full and there are 18 shades in total covering peachy, yellow and cool tones. It’s also oil-free, fragrance-free and paraben-free. My skin type is normal (with some dehydration) so this will definitely suit skin types of this sort as well as combination though I am guessing oily skin should be able to handle this since there’s no conflict here but always get a sample if you’re in doubt.
Price wise you’re looking at £27, which seems to be standard with mid to high end foundations. I love it and am putting it on my shelf of favourites. I’m just sorry it took me three years to sort myself out with one.
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