Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer Review, Photos, Swatches
Thursday, April 15th, 2010
The Tinted Moisturizer Challenge: Urban Decay Urban Defense
Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($32.00 for 1 oz.) is new for summer from Urban Decay. It’s a sheer, lightweight tinted moisturizer that provides a touch of color to even out the skin tone with a slightly dewy finish.
Active Ingredients: Octocrylene (8.0%), Octinoxate (7.5%)
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Glycerin, Silica, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Litchi Chinesis Pericarp Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Montmorillonite, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyenthanal. May contain CI77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI7749/77492/77499 (Iron Oxides).
On the SPF front, octocrylene is a chemical sunscreen that covers the UVB spectrum and short UVA (but not long UVA). The formula also contains dimethicone, so those who are sensitive to silicone-based ingredients may find it irritating. It’s high enough on the list that I was a bit concerned for myself, but I didn’t notice any skin issues (well, no more than usual!) after using this for a full week.
Urban Defense feels and looks natural and doesn’t feel greasy. It absorbs and dries down quite fast, and if you have very, very dry skin, you’ll still want to use a moisturizer first before layering this on. However, even though it feels lovely on, it does have a bit of a dewy finish. In real life, I think it reads dewy, but in photos, I found it made me look oily. Either way, I still preferred it with a dusting of translucent setting powder on top! (Check out the before and after photos at the end of the post!) It also lasted me six hours or so without ever looking greasy or fading (I never seemed to wear it longer than that while I was testing it!), which was definitely nice!
There are four shades, and while none seemed overly warm-toned to me, they did seem a little more yellow based. I think those with redder or cooler undertones may find that these aren’t perfect matches. I would recommend trying in-store (or buying from a retailer with a good return policy) if you have particularly red, pink, or cool undertones.
- Halo is the lightest and I think is neutral enough to work on both cool and warm toned skin, but it may not be light enough for our ultra pale friends. I think if you fit into MAC’s NC/NW15-20 range, this would be the best fit for you.
- Bodyguard is the next lightest, described by Urban Decay as “medium light,” and it’s the shade I use. I’m NC25 in MAC, and I find Body Guard to be a decent match, if a little light. Ideally, I’d probably mix a bit of Bodyguard and Bulletproof together, but since the pump is such an issue, it’s not really possible.
- Bulletproof is a medium shade, but it’s actually a big step from Bodyguard. It didn’t work for me as NC25, so I’d imagine it’s more around those at the NC/NW30-40 level.
- Forcefield is described as medium dark, and it’s not too much darker than Bulletproof. It’s noticeably darker, but it doesn’t seem as big of a leap as from Bodyguard to Bulletproof. I would say this would suit shades around the NC/NW40-45 level.
But the biggest issue and problem with this product is the packaging. It is a pump packaging that dispenses about 10 times too much product with a single pump. It takes a very gentle hand and patience to pump out just enough (and still, often a bit too much) for your needs. I did one solid pump and it was tinted moisturizer for DAYS… enough to cover my body.
This was a pretty big deal to me, because it squeezes out a ridiculous amount. I think this product would have been much better in a tube or in a pump that doesn’t squeeze out a week’s worth at once. (Personally, I also don’t dig the label–seems like the printer was low on ink!)
I’d also love to see a more expansive shade range, because fitting so many varieties in skin tone shades and undertones into just four is a bit frustrating for some.
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- Product: 27/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 2/5
Recommendation: The feel and coverage of Urban Defense is right on, but the packaging is such a disappointment that it really takes away from the product itself.
Availability: Urban Decay
See more photos & swatches!
OMG MA! NO FOUNDATION!
Urban Defense applied… no concealer or powder
Set with translucent powder!
No foundation vs. Urban Defense
This is why setting powder rocks [no foundation vs. Urban Defense + Powder]!
Disclosure
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Wow, the setting powder really makes a difference- you go from looking shiny and oily (urban defense - cheeks, forehead, nose) to looking totally beautiful, with those areas looking highlighted dimension-wise, not with shine!
this has basically turned into my HG face product, i have sensitive, oily acne-proned, 33 y/o skin... this lasts me all day... i apply without moisturizer and finish with tatre's pressed powder. i HAVE used this with a primer and it seems to last longer, but it DOES last long enough without primer. i love that it gives a lot of coverage for a TM but not so much that i feel like i have a ton of gunk on my face. the finish is perfect and the halo color is a great natural looking match for my fair/light pinkish skin tone.
its the spf that annoys me. I NEED UVA/ UVB!
honestly, you look better without the tinted moisturizer...!
I got mine today. meh..it's okay. the darkest one barely suits my skin complexion. I don't care if they are "testing it out" they should test it on a wider variety of complexions. -_-'
I feel like that's an easy excuse, even though it may be valid - it still doesn't take away from the fact that it's not going to fit everyone! I was afraid that the darkest wasn't going to work that well, because it's really not *that* dark. I'm sad to hear that it's not so hot on you. Do you like the texture/feel or is that just so-so for ya?
I highly doubt that is the reason why they don't have a wider variety. Their concealer pencils are extremely selective as well. I'm returning mine..the darkest is WAY too light for me. I'm a BIG UD fan, but I think it's horrid how they completely exclude WOC for their face products[although most of makeup world does so as well too often]. I'm about a NW45ish so once I brown from summer, I can kiss my tinted moisturizer goodbye until winter. lol. I do actually really like the texture and sheer coverage, the pump does suck as you mentioned before though! :[
No problems with the pump?! Lucky you!! I've gotten the hang of it, for the most part, by now, but it's still a pain in the butt!
totally agree that the pump sucks..I transferred the excess on a lil container..but love that forcefield is a perfect match for me!!
Hmm...maybe I'd try Halo. Not too big on anything that costs more than twenty bucks, though, ha ha
I'm looking for a new tinted moisturizer with lots of spf - this might be worth a look (I'll pump into a teeny jar!)
I'm a fan of Urban Decay on Facebook. People mentioned the limited color selection, and they stated that it was because they wanted to sort of "test" the product out on consumers before they made more shades. Just a little! FYI :)
Thanks for the review. I really like pump bottles. esp the MAC pump that it sold separately.
My pleasure, DoDe!
I'm so glad you did a review on this. I saw it online and was interested in it. Thanks!!!! :)
No prob, Vanessa!
I ordered this during the F&F..I'm excited to try it..I use Laura Mercier TM in fawn and love to mix it with MAC lustre drops in sun rush..I am hoping that forcefield is a good match..thanks for a detailed review and the equivalent MAC shade..you are the best!! I don't have LM translucent powder..only owns LM secret brightening powder..I hope I could set this with either MUFE HD powder or MAC MSFN..
I'm sure either HD Powder or MSFN would work just fine to set :)
You've convinced me I should add powder into my mu routine. Not crazy about this tinted moisturizer, but I want to thank you for doing the challenge! I'm looking forward to finding a great TM for summer.
No problem, Ada :)
It's funny how the shade that you (and I) would use is the one that seems to have pumped out the most in the swatch above. Lol. It really is amazing how much better it looked after you applied the setting powder BTW!
LOL, that's not even a full pump! But that was my second pump ever of the product. No, I lie, I think I pumped Halo first fully, and it was like SPLAT.
Ok, if it made YOUR skin look like that pre-powder, I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole. I don't like tinted moisturizers in general, because they offer no coverage at all, and they make my face look like the Exxon Valdez spilled on my face.
Hey KT! Korres' Tinted Moisturizer dries pretty matte, so if you ever *are* in the market for a tinted moisturizer, you might like that one!
Hey Christine, what kind of setting powder do you use? Do you think pressed powder could be used for the same function? The problem for me is that I have very dry skin, so I find powder always exacerbates the dryness and emphasizes the dry patches, but I want something that will set my foundation, and I was wondering what you were using. Thanks!
Hi Chrissie, I use Laura Mercier's Translucent Setting Powder, which is a loose powder. I think pressed can do it, too (I just prefer loose) :) I would just go light and then spritz with water (or a setting spray, whatever you fancy, but water will work just fine) so it doesn't look powdery.
Nice :). I love the comparison pictures. Totally passing up on this product but I'm still itching to buy something before FF sale ends :). Maybe I'll replace Flipside 24/7 since mine is broken. Any other similar e/l you can think of with a shade like that?
Hmm, nothing better than Flipside. I say go for the original :)
I was actually pretty excited for these, but now I'll pass, I have enough shine as is! LOL.
plz tell me what is the difference between a tinted moisturiser and a littel foundation mixed in ur regular moisturiser???
It's the same thing - you can do it yourself or buy it already done for you (in a sense), so that you don't have to worry about proportions.
i see what u mean about products having a pump dispenser. i tried one of the new pump dispenser blushes from MUFE at sephora the other day , and man ... it pumped out so much that i had to wipe a hude amount off , in order to rub it in the skin. what a mess. not a good idea , especially if the product is soo expensive (ex like makeup forever).
I found the MUFE pump a lot easier to manage than UD's. At least with MUFE, once you make the mistake of pumping out too much, it's easier to just pump a little out. I find the UD pump really hard to push a little bit - it's more like all or nothing.
Oooh, tinted moisturizer challenge! I like :) Just curious... which translucent powder do you use?
Laura Mercier's! :)
SO excited to try this out! I love Urban Decay and tinted moisturizers :) I hope it's not too yellow on me!
you look so pretty & much better without foundation!!!!!
Really? I have such splotchy cheeks, so they definitely need a little somethin' to even them out! I like me best with a little foundation set with powder :)
You do a wonderful job showing how makeup improves your skin, in a natural way, in this post. You take the unevenness and "correct" it without going overboard and while still looking natural, it's beautiful :) and helpful, so thanks.
Thanks, Rosie! :)
hey Christine I have a problem. I used the Mario Bedescu drying cream or mask overnight. I believe it was the cream. I woke up and washed it off and noticed extreme redness. The redness went away but it left a brown light brown mark (maybe a chemical burn) It is light but I can see it and if someone looks closely they can too. I am not so happyy..Help me! I like going without foundation but now I cant!!! I know u r not a dermatoligist but I trust u!
I would use burn cream to help ease it, and I imagine it should fade in time. I would avoid putting too much makeup on it, as it heals. But with something like this, I would talk to a doctor or the pharmacist!
thank u!! will do..
I love Urban Decay but I'm not sure about this. I'm a little disappointed. I also saw the labels for the finishing sprays; they're not the most aesthetic looking labels. Anyways, I was wondering, for someone who is looking for a more matte finish, what oil-free tinted moisturizer would you recommend? And thank you for your amazing reviews!
I like Korres' for something with more of a matte finish - but their shade range is even worse at just 3! :(
Great review- your before and after shots are very helpful. I am also loving the full face shots in your lipstick reviews. I have to say, your skin looks better before the TM! Lucky you :)
Oh Urban Decay and their crap packaging, I'm sure they design it so you have to repurchase sooner!
speaking about packaging and UD . when the hell are they going to come out with an e/s palette container that u can put your singel e.s in ? they came out with a boxed one like a year or 2 ago , and havent seen one since. bc id hate to depot mine and put it in a mac palette bc they have such cute token packaging, but i want a container to put it in ! am i right everyone?
I'm really not liking some of UB's packaging as of late! Not a fan of this packaging, and the Stardust packaging looks really cheap, in my opinion.
I didn't mind the Stardust packaging, but yeah, this definitely looks a little cheap (I think it's, perhaps, the choice of color mixed with the label itself). It looked/felt more like a lab sample than a finished product, lol!
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