Urban Decay Naked Skin Liquid Foundation Review, Photos, Swatches
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup ($39.00 for 1.0 oz.) is supposed to be a “weightless” and “invisible” foundation with a “luminous, demi-matte finish” and “buildable coverage.” There are eighteen shades to choose from with shades ending in zero indicating a warm-toned shade, and shades ending with a five are for cooler complexions.
I used 4.0, which was somewhat too yellow on me (compared to my natural skin tone)–I’m actually curious whether 3.5 or 4.5 would be a better match for me. I ended up blending all the way down my neck to help it match my skin better. It is also more forgiving, because it is a lighter coverage formula, so it does sheer out. The consistency is thin, liquidy, but it doesn’t feel watery or runny. It’s easy to apply, spread, and blend out without using more than you need. While it is naturally a sheerer foundation, it does build to light-medium coverage and covers my natural redness, a few acne/post-acne marks, and evens out my skin tone overall. You can definitely see the impact foundation has in the before and after photos!
The foundation dries down (without using powder) within ten minutes or so, and what you see in photographs is a semi-matte finish where there is enough luminosity in the finish that it doesn’t look flat. It’s not sticky, and it’s comfortable to wear because it doesn’t feel heavy or mask-like. It’s supposed to have “light-diffusing spheres for a soft-focus finish,” and what it actually translates to is smoother-looking skin, even if you don’t really have it. On my normal-to-dry skin, it wears well for seven and a half hours, then it starts to fade around my t-zone, but it looked rather nice even nine hours later–it didn’t turn patchy or fade too noticeably.
Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup
PPermanent. $40.00.
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup
This is one of my favourite foundations ever! Is the formula new with the fall collection?
It’s not! It’s been on my list to review since it launched–no seriously, the photos of the bottle were taken probably a day or two before the launch–but I don’t like reviewing foundation. It’s so hard to review! I reviewed it now, though, because the powder is new and I wanted to wear the powder of the foundation to maximize my coordination 🙂
Well I love foundation reviews so thank you!
Haha fair enough! I’m glad you liked it, and I’ll definitely have to check out the powder now 😀
It looks really good on you. I had a sample of this foundation and I liked it as well. I may purchase this one.
Thanks, Esmeralda!
Am I wrong or is this the first time you’ve reviewed a foundation? This is excitinggggggg 😀
I’ve reviewed foundation in the past, I just do not review foundation frequently 🙂
Thanks for the review! I have been wanting to try this foundation when my current one is done. We have similar skin types so I hope it will work just as well! It’s at a great price too! 🙂
No problem, Heidi! Let me know if it works out for you!
Naked skin reminds me of MAC face & body. I have almost identical results with them, although I feel like Naked lasts a bit longer on me. Lovely foundation if you have fairly good skin.
F&B is more watery to me, though I like the foundation!
have you tried rubbing F&B between your fingers for about 20 seconds before applying it to your face? It turns to a different consistency when you do that 🙂
Sorry, may I know what the effect might be? 😀 I heard a lot about rubbing the foundation but I just thought it would b sapped completely by my hands :”D
I would LOVE to see more foundation reviews! With product swatches of all the shades you have on hand included in the review. I also love seeing the before and after pic of you. This is extremely helpful if youre trying to buy a foundation online. Thanks!!
agree!
I tried this foundation in the fall (had a complimentary makeover at Sephora and actually asked that they use this foundation so I could “road test” it) and I was really pleased with it. In fact, I liked it so much that when I finish up my Guerlain LdeP, I might well replace it with Naked, since there are so many more shades to choose from AND it’s considerably less expensive (a lesser consideration than the variety of shades and the excellence of the product but still a factor).
Glad you like it so much, Mariella!
I got a sample of it (the shade 2.0 was good for me, but it was their Smart Sample Card, so I also could’ve grabbed up to 8.0). So nice. So incredibly nice. My MAC foundation (the Face + Body) is cheaper for more, but it’s not this nice.
I want to get it, but it’s just so much money.
I wanted to love this as they DO have my shade in 1.0 but the coverage is lacking for me. I need something that covers redness.
Yeah, it’s definitely a light coverage foundation! I have some redness but not enough where it’s like, “Hey, that’s a cute blush you’ve got on!” so that’s probably why it was enough for me.
I love mixing this with Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer for summer, and wearing it alone the rest of the year. It is fantastic.
Ooh, I wouldn’t have thought to mix this with a tinted moisturizer!
I think for this type of coverage and finish, I would stick to NARS Sheer Glow foundation where the colour choices are a better range for me personally. NARS has some very yellow based colours too, but covers the neutral territory better IMO.
I think NARS’ range is larger? I could be remembering wrong, though. I want to say it’s 20+ and yes, I’m too lazy to check at this very second 😉
I believe NARS has 22 shades, and they cover neutral & peach undertones in addition to the “standard” pink & yellow.
I’ve had my eye on this foundation for a long time. It looks really really good on you, Christine!
Thanks, Catherine!
Oh wow, it’s very yellow. But that’s good, I need that.
I got this in .5 a while back for summer. The only time I can use it is when I have a “tan”, which on my skin is near impossible. I wish they made a -.5… It looks amazing on the skin and keeps shine at bay. Such a shame it’s too dark.
Bummer!! I really thought that 0.5 would be light enough for most!
I’m sure it is, for most people. I’ve got a record 2 foundations that match me, with an additional 10 or so that I’ve tried that are too pink, yellow, or dark. I will be excited when Sephora gets the new shade sensor thing. The UK has something similar and have had it for a while. People must like it since it seems Sephora has adopted it. It will be so cool. It takes multiple pictures of your skin then goes into the Sephora database to find the foundation that best matches your skin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WsLKYJ5_DQ This is the link to the video where Lisa Eldridge uses the foundation matcher.
.5 was too dark for me too! 🙁 It was such a bummer
You look great without makeup. I’d love to know more about your skincare routine. You’ve probably posted about it before, but I somehow didn’t notice it. About the foundation, it’s lovely on you (wrong shade or not) but I think it has too much sheen for my super oily skin.
It changes every 4-6 weeks (well, some component does, not all of it), so it’s nothing consistent!
I like this foundation a lot when I’m in the mood for sheer coverage. It feels so lightweight and comfortable. The lasting power on my oily/combination skin is a little low though.
Revlon’s Nearly Naked (which seems to clearly be trying to imitate this foundation) has a sort of similar feeling formula. Low coverage and a light feel on the skin. I like both.
Does Nearly Naked wear any longer on you?
Can’t say I’ve noticed one lasting better than the other. Perhaps UD’s Naked Skin feels a bit more moisturizing (moisturizing being a very relative term as I don’t need much moisture so I notice right away when something is even modestly moisturizing) so I expected it to have shorter wear than the Revlon, but on my skin they’re about the same.
Good to know that they seem to be about the same 🙂
I love it! I purchased it when it came out last year and it’s been my everyday foundation. My shade is 6.0
Love this but if had horrible white cast in photos for me….I am Mac NC 30ish and use shade 5.0 and it matches beautifully….any recommendations?
You just want to avoid any foundation with physical sunscreens like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as both of these usually are the culprits for flashback.
All the shades that end in “.0” are yellow/warm toned, while the “.5” are more pink/cool toned. I’m 4.0 and it’s perfect for me. I love this foundation, especially now that my face has cleared up significantly. Goes on very smooth and natural. Huge UD Naked line fan 🙂
Looks good on you, but I don’t think it’ll fare well on my combination-oily skin. I’ll stick to Guerlain’s Lingerie de Peau. 🙂
I have very oily skin and this stays on better than any foundation I’ve ever used. Even without powder, though I often use Urban Decay’s De-Slick spray and/or a primer.
Looks great! In the future, could you post ingredients lists (or a picture of them) for foundations? That would be so helpful!
Hi Kelly,
I usually don’t receive boxes, just the products from brands – so I don’t have a list. I believe Sephora and Urban Decay both list it, though. Here’s what Urban Decay lists:
Aqua (Water/Eau), Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tribehenin, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. All shades may contain: CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491/77492/77499 (Iron Oxides).
hello! excuse me, but just recently I heard about this substance called ‘Butylene Glycol’ is kind of ‘harmful’ ingredient?
Idk, it’s still on debate whether BG is a harmful ingredient or not.
this is the first article that I read, I can’t guarantee its accountability but it does keep me aware of MAC’s products now!
http://seshetscollection.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/understanding-the-label-mac-concealers/
omo, I’m surprised to see the list of ingredients you’ve written, Christine! T_T that’s because I’m one of the people who uses UD Naked Foundation and it feels great on me.
Hi Bella,
I am not a chemist, cosmetic scientist, or doctor, so I could not answer for you. I would suggest looking for someone with that background to help you. None of the sites I often reference or the books I use for cosmetic ingredients suggest it is harmful.
You might find this site for European regulations/ingredients helpful: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/ (I tried to find out if it was actually banned and was not able to figure that out.)
And this one said it could be used in some capacity in Europe: http://cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient_more_details.php?ingredient_id=480
Bella, I am no expert either, but a lot of people have a tendency to assume any product that has anything to do with petroleum is bad. That’s like saying all plastic is harmful to have near food because plastic comes from petroleum. But in reality, plastic and cosmetic ingredients are both quite different from petroleum even when they’re related to it.
I just read the other day that some of the pesticides “organic” farmers are allowed to use are just as likely to cause cancer as the “chemical” pesticides in non-organic farming. Just because something does or doesn’t sound “natural” doesn’t really tell you whether it’s safe, unfortunately.
Thank God! I was nearly convinced by it and almost avoided MAC cosmetics 🙁
I have a sample of this foundation & now I think I need to dig it out. I remember thinking it was okay when I first got it, but you have me wanting to try it again.
I LOVE this foundation. It looks so beautiful on the skin and my shade (0.5) matches my skin perfectly. I usually build this up to medium coverage, but it never feels heavy or cakey whatsoever. The only downside is that I can’t use it on days I know I will be hot/sweaty/super oily, but other than that, it’s the best!
This is my favorite foundation. I’ve gone through three bottles. I think they recently raised the price, though, which makes me sad. Because of that (and my recent unemployment) I may have to try another foundation when I run out :(. Though, this is worth the money if you got it.
@yellowlantern said that Revlon’s Nearly Naked is very comparable 🙂
I had an allergic reaction to this. It looks beautiful on you though
I adore the consistency and finish of this foundation! I just wish 0.5 matched me. I really struggle finding a foundation that’s even “good enough”. why can’t companies tailor shades on the lightest end of the spectrum more often?
Sam, look at this video by Lisa Eldridge. It might help you 🙂
http://www.lisaeldridge.com/video/22873/foundation-solutions-for-very-pale-skin/
I simply ADORE this foundation! It’s my everyday one at the moment. Are there similar foundations (foundations with similar effect) to UD Naked Skin?
From what I’ve tried, MAC Face & Body.
Thanks, Christine! Does MAC Face and Body work well on normal to dry skin?
I didn’t have a problem with it when I wore it!
This is the best foundation I’ve ever used (granted, I haven’t used many…). 🙂 I use 0.5 and it’s perfect. It’s very light feeling; I feel like I barely have anything on. And it evens out my skin tone fantastically, without being too heavy or mask-like. <3 this foundation!
So glad to see you review this – this is one of my favorite foundations!
I’m curious to find out – what did you use to apply this? I go back and forth between a sponge and a foundation brush.
I used Urban Decay’s brush that they recommend – I think the Optical one?
Love this foundation! I find it’s coverage more buildable than other foundations I’ve used in the past, which saves me some time in the morning with skipping concealer, except for the dark circles under my eyes.
When this was released they were given away samples so you could try it first. I was matched to shade 4 and it turned out to be way to yellow and too warm for me. I went back and explained the problem and another sales assistant matched me to shade 3 and gave me a sample of that. It turned out to be too yellow and slightly on the pale side. So I never got the foundation. Possibly 3,5 would work. I have pink undertones.
I’ve been in love with this foundation for about a year now, and I’m so happy to see you review it! Thanks!!
I’ve been eyeing this for awhile, so I might have to consider it for fall. I think their 0.5 shade is actually fair and cool enough for my skin, too, which is harder to find than people think!
Love this foundation! You can get more coverage if you layer it or apply with a beauty blender stripped into the skin.
I would defiantly try the 4.5 because even though it has a cooler undertone it is still very neutral. I have a lot of pink/red that I like to cover up and the .5 doesn’t add to that like NW does for me. I think this has longer wear and more coverage then face and body for sure.
I really like the way the foundation looks on you 🙂 I know I love it on me. I think it pairs well with the powder.
You look so pretty! It really seems to be a great product. Do you know if it’s non comedogenic?
I don’t think Urban Decay uses that term to describe the formula, but you can find the full list of ingredients on their website if there is something in particular that breaks you out!
That looks really nice and dewy. I can’t believe that the formulation would last that long. Yep…may just have to get that one. lol.
Lovely look on your skin despite the fact that you said that the colour was a bit too yellow for your skin tone.
I’m surprised I tried this out in the store and I hated it. It was really runny and didn’t cover up anything. Guess it just didn’t work for my skin.
Is it similar to the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation?
Hi Sadie,
I haven’t tried that foundation, but reader @Yellowlantern said it was comparable 🙂
We both have the same coloring. I use 3.5. When I am a little more tan, I like to mix in 8.0 to adjust the color
Thanks, Monica! 🙂 Will have to try!
Christine, I would suggest 3.5. I’m kind of the same way – I went through a whole bottle of 4 and wore it with a whitish powder that counteracted the yellow somewhat. 3.5 was more or less just right, You’re darker than I am, so 4.5 *might* work well… but it looks to me like 4 is the right depth for you, and anything higher might be too dark. (But consider the source – I have NEVER found a shade of foundation that was quite my color, so I’m always having to use powders, bronzers and highlighters to make it work.)
I’m on my second bottle of this one. Love the light diffusing properties.
I am annoyingly “medium” at a glance, but the majority of my face (and my neck) is closer to light-medium but the edges seem to be slightly darker and yellower. I almost always end up mixing foundation or going lighter and using a darker powder to get it just right. When I was younger and never wore SPF, I feel like my yellow tones were more apparent but after wearing SPF religiously, I’m more neutral-warm – definitely warmer with yellowy tones but not with strong yellow undertones. I usually end up doing like two pumps of light-medium and one pump of medium across a lot of foundations.
Thanks for the tips 🙂
i seriously did not like this foundation…i tried so many different methods (brushes, sponge, fingers, etc) to get it on my face and all of them were an epic fail…maybe its just me…but i returned it and got the too faced airbuffed bb cream instead and that is my new love all around…do a review on that!!!
This is my favorite foundation and I am glad to see you review it! I use shade 1.0. I love how you need so little for such good coverage and that if my skin isn’t acting up, it works as concealer too.
I don’t like this foundation. I found that if i don’t wear a good primer under this it sinks into any lines on my face. I never thought I had wrinkles until I tried this foundation and I don’t have wrinkles with any other foundation.
I have normal to dry skin. I am NC35 and purchased 5.5 in Naked Skin. The color match was fine, but I did not like the finish of the Naked. It seemed too matte on me and settled into fine lines I didn’t know I had:(. I prefer Mac Mineralize Moisture Foundation for a dewier (sp) finish.
Hi Christine, what shade are you wearing?
I used 4.0, which was somewhat too yellow on me (compared to my natural skin tone)–I’m actually curious whether 3.5 or 4.5 would be a better match for me. I ended up blending all the way down my neck to help it match my skin better.
I wanted to like this foundation so much because it does feel very light-weight and the scent isn’t bad either. But with my super fair and pale skin, I’m already down to 0.5 and it still turned super yellow probably from oxidization.
Do tell us whether 3.5 or 4.5 suit your skintone better if you do try them! 🙂
Hey Christine – this looks exceptionally good on you. I wonder what sort of weather you’re testing this in?
Thanks! I live in California, so it’s sunny and warm here.
i really wish you got to swatch 3 and 3.5 as well. i’m waffling between those ones. so SA’s say 4.0 looks good on me but other says 3.0 looks better. i read the 0.5 numbers are more pink so i couldn’t really settle with a 3.5 unless it was really in the middle of 3.0 and 4.0. any thoughts on this?
Hi Jenn,
Sorry, I haven’t seen 3.5!
alas, 🙂 thanks for all the swatches and hard worfk. ive been reading your blog for forever !
My pleasure!
Thank you for reading, Jenn! 🙂
I absolutely love this foundation however Its not my everyday foundation or something I reach for a lot. It depends on the day for me. I like the coverage because it is build-able. There are days where I don’t want to wear a full coverage. btw it looks amazing one you 🙂
Hi! For someone who has a birthmark to cover (on the face) what foundation and concealer would you recommend? I am clueless since I’m just starting on makeup! If it helps, my birthmark is bluish-black and I’m olive/tan skinned. Thanks!
Are you trying to cover your birthmark or let it show through?
I’m trying to cover it! 🙂
I’d go with either CoverFX or Dermablend – you’ll want something with full-coverage for your birthmark, BUT unless you need full coverage everywhere, I would go for a full-coverage concealer or only use a full coverage foundation for those spots you need extra coverage for and then a lighter weight foundation everywhere else!
I just bought this! And It feels really nice. I love that its not so thick.. because those kind have good coverage.. but up close it can look thick and cakey or noticable. So Im excited to use this!
I have a lot of veins showing on my cheeks, do you think this would coverthem?
No – this is a lighter coverage product!
I just went to Sephora and tried out the Colour IQ, the 4.0 came back as one of my matches. I’ve been wearing the sample for 3 days and love it, I think I’m going to have to bite the bullet and purchase!
How well do you think this would hold up on combo/oily skin? MUFE HD invisible cover foundation doesn’t last on me, even with their primer. I love the HD powder though.
If MUFE HD doesn’t, I’m not sure this one will — they’re not the same but due to the feel and finish, I think you may have similar results with this, too. and I don’t have oily skin so it’s hard for me to tell you based on experience, though!
Hello Christine, I need help to determine the closest shade for me in this foundation. Since UD is no where near I live, I’m planning to buy this online, just have to choose the right shade for me based on reviews etc. I’m Asian so my skin has yellow undertones, medium toned NC35 in MAC. I use MUFE HD #140, Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation in Honey, and Clinique Even Better Foundation in 65 (Neutral). What shade do you think would be the closest match for me in UD Naked Skin Liquid Foundation? I know it’s either 5.0 or 6.0, I’m torn between these two, because on one hand I hear that this foundation finishes in a powdery formula that usually leaves skin look darker, so I leaned towards 5.0. However, I saw a beauty guru on YouTube with similar skin tone as mine using the shade 6.0 and she took a flash photo of herself wearing this foundation and it clearly shows that the shade is too light for her. I’m confused.. LOL
My guess would be 6 – only because 4 is too yellow on me, and I’m NC25/NC30!
Christine, do you think this shade is too dark for you?? Because just like you, when I tried this, my face looks slightly darker but idk whats wrong (whether the shade/the undertone)
Also, I want to ask if you know whether this foundation oxidizes/not because my friend always talks about this foundie oxidizes and that foundie doesnt. She said that I can see it when I wear it all the way and my face will go darker as time goes by, but sdriously I cant tell
Hey Bebe,
It’s not too dark, just too yellow 🙂
I don’t have issues with foundations oxidizing on me usually – so I haven’t had that issue with this!
I’ve been using this since summer ’12 and I love it!! Perfect coverage for my skin and it wears nicely 🙂