Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder ($34.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a new (and permanent) product being added to the Naked Skin range this spring. It’s supposed to be a “silky, weightless formula” that gives a “luminous, demimatte Naked finish” while setting makeup, reducing shining, and blurring flaws. There are five shades in the formula (see this post for Urban Decay’s recommendations).
It’s an incredibly finely-milled loose powder; it almost melts into skin because it is so, so fine. It feels like silk, and it blends and disappears into skin seamlessly. No matter how much I applied, it never looked powdery or cakey. My normal-to-dry skin looked nearly flawless after applying this, and it mattified a good deal, but it didn’t leave my skin looking dull or flat. The effect is quite lovely, especially for anyone who is looking to minimize the appearance of their pores, as this powder does an excellent job of blurring and smoothing the skin. It’s a very breathable, featherweight formula, too, so it doesn’t feel heavy or like you’re wearing powder at all. As a setting powder, it extends the wear of my foundation by an hour to an hour and a half and does minimize how much shine comes through overall.
I used Medium Light, which looks a bit darker than Medium to me. The differences between Medium Light, Medium, and Medium Dark are very slight; Light is definitely lighter than the rest, and Dark is several shades darker than Medium Dark. I even swatched Medium Light and Medium next to each other, and there’s almost no difference in lightness/darkness, just that Medium Light has a stronger yellow undertone, which is hard to see except at a very severe angle under bright light. Each shade is very forgiving, as they are translucent (as described), so the color looks invisible on skin.
Compared to the Pressed Finishing Powder, I think these allow for a more natural finish, probably because of the loose consistency, it applies less as you go along than with the pressed. The Pressed is slightly more matte in finish when applied, and it seems to have a stronger tint/amount of coverage (though still sheer).
Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
PPermanent. $34.00.
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Light Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Light Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Medium Light Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Medium Light Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Medium Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Medium Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Medium Dark Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Medium Dark Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Dark Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Urban Decay Medium Light Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Just Foundation / Set with Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
Do you think this will work well for oily skin? I usually use Maybelline Dream Matte but I want to try a loose powder!
I think it would, but I’m normal-to-dry (more normal right now, though). It minimizes and reduces the shine overall on my forehead, which is where I get oiliest.
oh wow these look amazing!!
They give a really nice finish!
It looks a little bit powdery to me in the photo but that maybe because it’s semi-matte yet your skin still has a slight glow to it. Trippy! I also don’t see a difference between Medium-Light, Medium and Medium-Dark lol! What happened there?
Yeah, in the pots, I can see a little more difference between Medium Dark and the other two, but applied… none!
Wow, your skin looks flawless indeed!
Thanks, Shivani!
Do you think this powder would be good for setting and highlighting purposes on top of the under-eye concealer? Can´t seem to find a powder that doesn´t take away that nice highlight I create with my concealer, and that doesn´t settle into fine lines.
It’s going to diminish some of whatever highlight you’ve created with your concealer, as it is a powder so it’s going to absorb some of the “shine” aspect of a highlighter if it’s coming from a liquid/cream consistency! What brush have you been using with powders you already have? You might want something super feathery and not so dense so you can apply just a light dusting, which might let the highlight still come through slightly!
I´ve been using both Mac 224 and Real Teqniques Contour Brush. Do you have any tips for a light eyeshadow/powder that would work, and available international? I would love to have Mac Emphasize that Jaclyn Hill raves about, but I can´t get Mac Pro beacuse I live in Sweden…
You might like one of Hourglass’ Ambient Lighting Powders, because they absorb oil well but impart some luminosity!
I’m very excited about this powder! It comes in such a pretty jar, too.
The jar is actually very nice – it feels sturdy, a little luxe, and I thought the UD logo was a nice touch (on the inside).
This sounds really nice, but $34 for 8 grams!! Wow, that’s really expensive for loose powder… And I feel that loose powder gets used up pretty quickly, I feel like this wouldn’t last me long enough.
I don’t know if I’ve ever even come close to finishing a loose powder! And I’ve used some for extended periods of time – 4-6 months every day! Are you using them as foundation?
Must.resist….hate loose powders…yet..these are calling my name………
You could try the pressed version they have, though it’s a little more mattifying and seems to have more coverage.
http://www.temptalia.com/product/naked-skin-ultra-definition-pressed-finishing-powder
How much tint is there to this product? I was wondering if this could be used as a very light foundation if you have good skin and are just looking for a little something to blur pores and very lightly cover the skin.
Very, very, very little tint. These sheer out to a barely-there veil of product.
Looks like Urban decay is hopping on the finishing powder bandwagon after Guerlain’s perles started it, and Hourglass made it very popular with the ambient lighting powders
Although, I think this is very different from both of those products as this isn’t luminizing at all – Guerlain’s Perles aren’t really a setting product, and they add sparkle/sheen, and the Ambient Lighting Powders have some sheen/luminosity. This would be more comparable to the majority of setting powders on the market that set and smooth skin – like NARS’ Crystal powders.
If you had to compare it to the NARS Reflecting Loose Powder in terms of blurring and making your face appear “flawless” as a setting powder, which one would you recommend more?
They look the same on me – it would come down to whether you want a translucent (white) powder vs. tinted.
Excellent point! Based on that, and the fact that I’m currently using ELF translucent mixed with a touch of my Everyday Mineral powder in toffee, and it’s really working for me. Hmmm… as much as I love UD, I think I’m gonna pass on this for the time being
Looks interesting. Christine, which do you prefer, this or NARS Translucent Crystal Light Reflecting Setting Powder (loose)? 🙂
I can’t really tell a difference between the two, so I would use them interchangeably!
These look lovely, although I am not really a great foundation/powder person. Which Foundation are you wearing though looks gorgeous and luminous on you?
Guerlain Parure de Lumiere + Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Liquid Illuminator
OMG Christine!!!! Your skin looks photoshopped, this looks sooo good on you (i seriously thought my eyes were getting blurry hahaha)
P.S. what foundation is that? SO pretty and dewy!
Guerlain Parure de Lumiere + Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Liquid Illuminator!
LOL, I was like, “Oh, man this looks fake!”
Ohh I’ve been looking for a new setting powder! How does this compare to Urban Decay’s other finishing powder?
The textures are similar, but the pressed version seems to have slightly more coverage and looks more matte applied – http://www.temptalia.com/product/naked-skin-ultra-definition-pressed-finishing-powder
Um…. this sounds TOO GOOD. Must try for sure.
The blurring effect is amazing!
YES PLEASE!!
Hi!
How does this compare to Nars Light Reflecting Loose Powder?
Thanks!
They look the same on me, honestly! If I had to pick out a difference, perhaps NARS’ is more mattifying. The most obvious technical difference is UD’s powder is tinted and NARS is translucent (white).
I am so excited to see a new product released in the UD Naked range! They are some of my favourites! I am really curious to try this product given your A+ recommendation now!
What’s your favorite product in the Naked range?
Wow your skin looks great!
Thanks, Danielle!
Thanks for your review, Christine!
They look very promissing!
What color would you recommend to somebody thats MAC NC 35-ish? (I will have to buy it online it will help me a lot)
Medium Dark would be the best bet. Medium and Medium Light would be too light, but Dark would be too dark.
Holy wow! I’ve never bought powder or foundation from UD before, just eyeliner and setting spray, but this looks incredible. It really does seem to have a blurring effect, and doesn’t look too matte. I normally prefer pressed powders for convenience but I’ll be buying this for sure! Thanks for a great review as usual, your blog has shown me so many awesome products I wouldn’t have tried otherwise 🙂 xx
No problem, Floz!
You might want to check out the pressed version of this as well, especially if you can compare in store – I find the pressed is more mattifying and has a little more of a noticeable tint/coverage. http://www.temptalia.com/product/naked-skin-ultra-definition-pressed-finishing-powder
Wow! Very very nice! This is DEFINITELY on my list. I’m a finishing and setting powder obsessee (don’t ask, I don’t know why) and this looks so nice!
I also love that they have a good range of shades!
No worries, I love a good finishing/setting powder, too 🙂
This looks nice. What kind of brush did you use to apply this?
I used Hakuhodo J104!
I love the packaging! Its looks very classy however I’d like to see a better color range!
Yeah, I don’t know why the MediumXYZ shades are so clustered!
What foundation are you wearing? This looks wonderful
Guerlain Parure de Lumiere + Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Liquid Illuminator
Wow! I will def be buying this!
Hope you love it, Lizzi!
Man, Urban Decay is KILLING it. Ever since the release of Naked, they’ve had awesome product release after awesome product release. They’ve raised the bar on quality for products across the board (eye pencils, lipsticks, eyeshadow, and now base products).
Now let’s hope they expand their shade range!
Oh crud, another product to put on my wish list! Seriously, this looks stunning on you (though pretty much everything looks good on you!).
Aw, thank you Nicole 🙂
It’s so exciting that another promising face powder has been released! I picked up the NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder and the Guerlain les Voilettes Evanescent Pressed Powder upon your recommendation, so seeing another good review is spurring my cosmetics addiction 🙂 Which shade do you think would be most suitable for NC25/MUFE HD 120? Thank you in advance and I hope you have a terrific week!
Medium Light or Medium – they’re both so similar and very sheer that I think either would be fine. Although, if you already have NARS + Guerlain, you don’t NEED this!
i also have the NARS and the Guerlain, but i’m always looking for something even better. how does this compare to the violettes pressed powder (other than the obvious pressed vs. loose)?
I think Guerlain’s more mattifying 🙂 More coverage, though both are still really sheer/barely-there!
I think I’d rather go for the pressed powder over these. I haven’t tried either, but pressed just seems easier.
After using a lot of loose ones over the years, they’re all about the same. I think you usually get more product with loose, though, so that’s one advantage 🙂 Pressed is nice if you want to carry with you for touch-ups!
I don’t think the Light will work for me. I’m 1.0 in their foundation so I’ll have to see if this imparts too much colour in person. 😉
Let me know if it does work for you – would be good info to have 🙂
Hi Christine,
How would you compare this to the Laura Mercier setting powder? I love the LM one..wondering if this is better or at par..Thanks for the amazing review 🙂
I haven’t used Laura Mercier’s in a long time, but I find this along with more recent loose setting powders (like NARS’) more blurring and lighter weight. LM’s is good, though!
How would you compare this to MAC mineralized skin finish? Or prep and prime?
I don’t like MAC’s MSF Natural – it is a little dry and powdery. I don’t think I’ve used the Prep + Prime powders or at least not in a long time.
How does this compare to BareMinerals Mineral Veil, Christine?
🙂
Hi Varika!
Unfortunately, I’ve only tried their shimmery ones!
How about their regular loose powder foundation? I’m trying to figure out just how sheer this new stuff is lol
This is very, very, very sheer. As sheer as you can make something that has a tint at all.
When are these released?
January 14th at urbandecay.com, January 2014 (no specific date) everywhere else.
I agree your skin looks flawless! So beautiful. 🙂
How would you say this product compares to MUFE HD Finishing powder?
Could this powder be worn alone?
I think it is more blurring/finer 🙂 I think you could wear it alone, but it will be very, very sheer coverage (if that’s what you want, i’ll work!).
Do you prefer this to the Guerlain Voilettes?
I would use them interchangeably – don’t know I would say one over the other. Guerlain’s is more mattifying.
Oh my goodness…! I recently got my shade “Color IQ” matched at Sephora and came home with the UD Foundation. I LOVE it and have been wanting a nice setting powder to finish it off. I’ll definitely be picking this up! Although, I am shade 4 and wonder if Medium Light would be juuuust a tad too light for me? Hmm…
I don’t think it would be too light, but they’re very sheer so very forgiving either way!
Holy crap :O
I’ll have to wait for more reviews and see how people with oily skin like these, but this looks amazing!
Fingers crossed they report good results!
I like how it leaves a natural looking glow behind on the skin. I need to get my hands on this! *_*
Yay!
These look great – I’m glad they have a super pale one! I wonder if the mattifying effect might not attack my dry skin a bit though – might have to be localised application to oilier areas!
My guess is if you dust it all over, probably not, but if you pat it on for heavier coverage, it might emphasize more obvious signs of dryness like flakes! Usually with these really, really fine/silky powders, even when I’m somewhat dry (I’m normal-to-dry), I haven’t seen any problems!
Wow this is gorgeous. How does it compare to the Chanel loose powder. I have he chanel but this is tempting for he blurrrr.
I think I’ve only tried one loose powder by Chanel, Reverie, which I didn’t like as it had a lot of glitter that looked like random speckles of dirt all over my face.
this looks so good on you. I really don’t like loose but i bet this would be nice for the warmer months when you still want liquid but a lighter application to set. I have medium in the pressed because they seemed to apply sheer, but it was thinking of getting this in medium light if i did try it. To get more of a translucent effect, what do you think? I wear 3.0
I’d go Medium Light if you are 3.0!
thanks, i was thinking that might be a better match to get less of a color. i wonder why the pressed shades are different. I remember in store swatching medium light and light and they all blended in and seem forgiving.
Hi Christine!!If you had to choose between NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder and these, which would you pick and why? I have oily skin and I am really comfused with all these amazing powders:)
NARS’ might be a little more mattifying, but they’re really very similar. I believe NARS contains a little more and is the same price, though!
Christine your skin looks almost unreal, it is unbelievable. it looks much better than nars, guerlain and hourglass finishing/ setting powders. Maybe it is the foundation, I don t know, but you really look amazing!
I use the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose powder, and it’s $44 for 1oz of product here. Three times more product than this one! The finish is absolutely stunning, though! Perhaps worth a shot.
Your skin has been looking beyond perfect lately, and it was honestly perfect before! Gorgeous airbrushed finish. Would you credit a change in skincare products, or these different setting powders over the last little while (Hourglass, Geurlain, UD, etc.)?
I liked Laura Mercier’s formula for a really long time, but I find some of the newer setting powders to be more blurring and finer/less powdery in a sense. Just… more refined? I guess. Laura Mercier’s setting powder is still really nice!
I have about 95% less acne, as I added a topical antibiotic to my routine (per doctor’s prescription) – wouldn’t attribute any improvement to makeup at all or any of the other skincare products I’ve used, just the prescription product!
Happy with the NARS or Chantecaille products I already use and with light skin added colour isn’t important to me, but this looks like a really nice quality product.
There are so many great setting/finishing powders on the market, so it’s nice to see an option by UD, for anyone who might not have tried the others!
Which one do u like more? This or the laura mercier translucent setting powder?
This one – I stopped using Laura Mercier’s awhile ago as I found better options.
Hi Christine! First of all let me say I love your blog, i’m here almost every day looking at your wonderful reviews of new products 🙂 I was just wondering if the loose powders are good for someone with sensitive and acne prone skin?
It would just depend on what your skin is sensitive to – I would check the ingredients!
These look AMAZING! When will these be released Christine?
It’s on UD’s site now!
It does make you look flawless!
Does this photograph well? As in it won’t make me look too pale or ashy under harsh lights?
I guess it depends if you like how it photographs above 🙂 Because that’s how it looks – nicely I would say!
It looks really natural to me! I seem to prefer more demi-matte looks over completely matte. I look old( as in wrinkly) if my face is completely matte.
I usually add back highlight where I want it (rather than all over), even if I use a totally matte setting powder!
Hi Christine! These look so beautiful!
Do they work as a powder foundation? Or would you recommend them more only as a setting powder?
There’s no real coverage, so it’s not a powder foundation – just a setting powder!
What brush did you use to apply this? What brushes do you recommend to use with this powder to get the best results? Im super oily in my t-zone and chin would this powder be good for that? Your skin looks amazing.
Hakuhodo J104, which is usually what I use for powder these days… or a fan brush for lighter dusting!
I’m not really oily, so while it should help with oiliness, I can only test its limits/abilities on it so far. I get a little oily on my t-zone after 6-8 hours if I wear full makeup, and it did reduce shine and stretch out the wear of my foundation!
hey christine! do you know if any of these will be available in canada? i was really looking forward to trying the UD beauty balm but was kinda disappointed it’s not available here. hopefully this whole new line will be different? 😀
I don’t have an international release date, unfortunately!
Hmm…. How well would this work over other foundations? Im currently trying wTarte amazonian clay foundation and usually use mac sff
I wore mine over Guerlain and MUFE, and it was fine!
Which one would you recommend for someone who is NC-15?
The Light one would be the only one that could work.
Thank you very much!
Thanks for this review.
If you wouldn’t wear fondation/blush, would you find a difference between this new loose finishing powder and the Razor sharp?
Razorsharp would have a little more coverage, and it was a heavier powder from what I remember.
What I find to be particularly interesting is that they both contain the same ingredients.
Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder (from UD’s site): Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isoceteth-10, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate. May Contain: Mica, CI77491/77492/77499 (Iron Oxides), CI77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride).
The only difference between the products is the +/- section, which I suspect has only to do with the different shades of the product. I’m really glad they expanded the shade range, however, I noticed they are charging more for less product. Razor Sharp is 0.42 oz. at $31, while this one is 0.28 for $34.
I hope this that Temptalia’s recollection is correct in regards to the heaviness of Razor Sharp vs. this one. I’ll be sure to sample up at Sephora before I buy so I can compare the two. Hopefully, any extra milling will be worth the price difference.
I’m currently looking for a finishing powder and I was just wondering how this compares to Guerlain Les Voilettes Translucent Compact Powder except for the obvious, this is loose and the Guerlain one is pressed?
Guerlain’s is more mattifying and will give a little more coverage.
Which one would you recommend for NC40-42ish skin? I usually don’t use powders, but this one seems like something I would like!
Dark is the only one that might work, but it might be too dark.
Bonsoir,
Pensez-vous qu’on pourra les trouver prochainement dans les Sephora de France ??
Merci
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Not sure exactly what that translates to, but if you are looking for this at Sephora France, I don’t have an international launch date unfortunately!
HOLY HELL WHAT. Your skin LITERALLY looks photoshopped with this on. Incredible.
Right? Crazy!
Do you know when this will be available in stores at Sephora?
UD didn’t give a specific date!
These look amazing, I love the NAKED collection! I’m a bit scared of using setting powders though. I have thin, sensitive, acne-prone skin, oily around the cheekbones and tzone. I’ve been using Bareminerals regular foundation and –while I love it because it doesn’t give me the pimples– it seems to settle on the wrinkles around my mouth making them deeper and worse if i use it daily. I switched to Too Faced’s BB cream and only use Bareminerals on special occasions. Do you think this UD powder will work ok on top of a BB cream? Any breakouts after using it?
I think it would over a BB cream! Products don’t typically break me out – I haven’t had any for-sure product-related breakouts in a long time, just hormonal acne.
Which would you recommend–this product or the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder? Why?
If you’re trying to add luminosity, then Hourglass. If you want something that mattifies without being flat, Urban Decay.
I don’t know how I missed it but I didn’t realize these were as new as they are when I found this today….the feel so freaking silky! I thought how are these not more popular. Obviously I see now there new and I’m sure will be raved about everywhere before it’s over with. I love the HD (but even smoother) type feel without it being white…
They’re SO soft, right? It’s insane!
What color would you recommend for my NW30 skin, Christine? I’m thinking of replacing my MUFE HD and picking this up during the friends and family sale.
Probably Light Medium!
Would you recommend light or medium light for NC20?
The lightest shade!
I know this is old, but wow! You look absolutely flawless! I’d think you were in a magazine!
Must trade in my pressed!
Thank you, Kat!
Would you recommend this for wedding photography? Would it look nice if set with a setting spray like Mac Fix Plus or UD AllNighter?
I think it should work for photography. I think it would be fine if you used either to set!
I’m shade NW20 in MAC – tossing up between medium light or medium? Which do you think would be best on my skin?
I’d probably go Medium Light!
Does this have flashback because it has silica in it? I really hope it doesn’t because products with silica make me look sooooo washed out-like an icky whitish lavender color if they have flashback. I love this review by the way! Your skin looks so flawless! How much did you have to apply to see the effect? I am seriously considering getting this product! 🙂
I haven’t had any problems myself with it! I don’t use much, but it’s hard to really quantify it – I definitely don’t think I have to use a lot!
I’m sold! this gives an ethereal quality to the skin that looks refined and elegant. I’m mac nc30 so the medium light would do just fine. Thanks Christine!
No prob, Yelitza!
Does anyone know how well this does in flash photography?
Oh never mind just read the comment above answering my question!
Glad you caught the answer, Aamina! 🙂