Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer Revamp

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Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer

Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer

For summer, it looks like Urban Decay listened to consumer feedback and repackaged their Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer! They initially launched it last year (and I reviewed it in full here), and I hated the packaging. It came with a pump dispenser, which inevitably dispensed far too much product, and the packaging itself seemed a bit cheap–the label appeared faded. This is such an upgrade!

From last year’s review:

  • 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.

For a full review for the formula and see how it wears, head on over here. I’m still waiting for official details from Urban Decay regarding availability, launch dates, and pricing, but I imagine it should be around $32 (which is what it is now).  From what I could tell, the formula felt the same, but again, I’m waiting to hear more 🙂


Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer


Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer


Bodyguard, Halo


Bulletproof, Forcefield

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About the Reviewer

Christine has normal-to-dry skin with areas of dryness (cheeks, nose, and under the eyes). She has a light-medium skintone with subtle, warmer yellow undertones. Her best foundation matches include: Tarte Rainforest of the Sea in Light-Medium Neutral (best match), Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup in Desert Beige 2N1, Giorgio Armani Maestro Glow in 4.0, Hourglass Warm Ivory Vanish Seamless Finish, Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous in Dusk, MAC NC20/NC25, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Liquid in Y305 (140). (For more information, please check the FAQ.)

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40 Comments

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megan

Gosh I’d love to try UD tinted moisturizers….but even the darkest shade is too light for me! What’s with m/u companies? They never have tinted moisturziers that are dark enough!

Amanda Enn

I don’t know… the shades seem a bit dark, but I’d imagine I’d be the shade bodyguard. I have oily skin though, and I want a formula that would help keep shine away, and I’m not sure if this will help that or not. I definitely want to try this though, but for $30-ish I’m not sure.

Melissa

So excited to see all of this. Bodyguard will probably be perfect for me, and the fact that it wears well and doesn’t stick around and be greasy makes it sound perfect! Yay for new useful packaging!

Rachel

I really commend Urban Decay for listening to their customers and changing the packaging of this and the primer potions! Now if only they would stop putting Midnight Cowboy (Rides Again), Uzi, and Maui Wowie in their palettes I would love them forever!

Brenda

I really want to try this because I’ve heard good things, and I’m sick of wearing a heavy foundation….but I HATED their Surreal Skin foundation, so I’m afraid to try this out. Has anyone used both? Do they feel the same?

zombiilove

I’d love to try it, but the lightest shade is too dark! And I bet the formula contains silicones too! Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a tinted moisturizer (or foundation) without silicones? I haven’t yet!

In-Ka

Hi Zombiilove,

The formula obviously contains Dimethicone as per the ingredients published on the packaging. This is not a “bad” silicone. The whole buzz out there is about Cyclomethicone which is to be avoided in cosmetic products. You can find a lot of info online 🙂

Ingrid

I use the MAC tinted moisturizer and luckily it isn’t as dewy as the pictures in your initial UD review, so I don’t usually need setting powder or anything after 🙂
But I do like the idea of a glowier look. I really like YSL’s Teint Parfait for that, I think. It’s not a moisturizer, but it looks great mixed with one! Sadly it’s sorta pricy, so I might give Halo a go!

Laia

I’m NW30 and looks like Bodyguard would be nice for me atm, but I would need Bulletproof during summer. Yay at getting ridiculously tanned :p

Bailey

Would you recommend this to other tinted moisturizers, or do you favor another brand? I’m so overwhelmed by all the different brands that I can’t decide which to try!

In-Ka

Dear Kae-Toya, the fourth ingredient is: PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil which is quite different from just Castor Oil …
And by the way the whole idea with the oil free is cosmetics – isn’t it just another marketing trick? See this from paula Begoun:

“Oil-Free is a Bad Joke”
By Paula Begoun

But the joke is on us, because while “oil-free” is a meaningless claim it may mislead consumers into buying products that can actually clog pores. There are plenty of ingredients that don’t sound like oils but that can absolutely aggravate breakouts. On the other hand, not all oils clog pores.

Melissa

I just wanted to pop in a comment here to thank you for posting about this–I’ve been on a quest to find a good tinted moisturizer with decent SPF, and originally had dismissed UD’s based on your original review of the packaging. But now that it’s in the classy little tube, I grabbed some, and it’s PERFECT. Seriously, new holy grail product–no powder, nothing else on my face, just wash, toner, this stuff, and my face is flawless. Thanks for helping me find it!

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