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While beauty lovers flock to tinted moisturizers and skin tints for summer, I need a little more coverage and prefer to stick with a lightweight foundation. But most of my favorite foundations with full coverage feel like they’re melting off my face in the sweltering heat. I needed a formula that was weightless, lasting, and just right for me. That may seem like a tall order, but thanks to TikTok, I discovered that Urban Decay has the products to fit my needs.
Urban Decay’s Face Bond Foundation ($40) has been creating a buzz on social media for its wide range of warm, cool, neutral, and olive undertones. The formula is self-setting with a blurring effect, waterproof, and long-lasting without smudging or transferring. Not only did I find the perfect foundation for me, but it’s become a staple in my summer beauty routine, especially on hot, humid days and while on vacation. Read on for my full review of Urban Decay’s Face Bond Foundation.
About Urban Decay Face Bond Foundation
Lightweight liquid formula provides medium buildable coverage with a natural matte finish. Available in 40 shades across 4 undertones – warm, cool, neutral and olive. Contains 3% Niacinamide. Ideal for normal, oily, combination, sensitive and acne-prone skin. Vegan and cruelty-free. PS Photography | Anvita Reddy
What I like about Urban Decay Face Bond Foundation
For most foundations, I am a neutral skin tone ranging from tan to medium dark, but in Urban Decay’s Face Bond Foundation, the shade 25 Medium Deep Cool Olive is an ideal match for me. It’s rare to find a shade close to my actual skin tone and I never thought of myself as an olive skin tone, but this shade blends with my complexion and becomes one with my skin.
I’m obsessed with a flawless, soft, glamorous look, so I love the natural matte finish of this foundation. I was amazed to see how it blurs my skin without the need for a setting powder. It evens out my complexion and barely makes my pores visible. While it may look like I’m wearing a full-coverage foundation and heavy makeup, the formula is incredibly light and the texture is like a serum. I’m also impressed with how well it stays on, especially in sweaty 80-degree weather. It doesn’t stay completely matte all day (more on that later), but it stays on unless you touch your face with your hands.
As well as the formula and finish, Face Bond’s packaging is also convenient. The slim bottle is perfect for travel and takes up very little space in my makeup bag. All other foundation bottles are too bulky, so I save this product for travel. The unique dropper tip makes it easy to apply the foundation without a nozzle or pump and prevents accidental spills.
How to use Urban Decay Face Bond Foundation
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Face Bond Foundation comes with a precision dropper so you can apply the foundation evenly all over your face and blend it with a dense foundation brush. Depending on the time of day and your skin’s needs, you can prep your skin with a hydrating serum or moisturizer, then apply a hydrating primer or a sunscreen that doubles as a primer.
This foundation can be applied in three different ways depending on your coverage needs. For a more natural, bare-skin look, the brand recommends applying a few drops of the formula to skin, applying the dropper to the areas you need the most coverage, and blending with a sponge. For medium coverage, the brand recommends buffing the product in with a dense brush. For fuller coverage, apply the formula directly to your face and dab it into your skin with your fingers.
The brand suggests looking at the veins on your wrist to determine which skin tone is closest to you. If you have blue/purple veins, you’re probably cool-toned. If you have green veins, you’re probably warm-toned. If you have blue/green veins, you’re probably neutral-toned. If you have teal/a mix of blue and green veins, you’re probably olive-toned. You can also take a skin tone quiz to find out what works for you.
What to Consider Before Trying Urban Decay Face Bond Foundation
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The coverage of my foundation is still there, but I can see small wrinkles appearing around my laugh lines, chin, and under my eyes. I’m also seeing a bit of foundation transfer from the bridge of my nose onto my sunglasses. I can see that my skin doesn’t stay completely matte at the end of the day and looks a bit shiny and dewy.
While this foundation did not come off completely when I wore it during water activities, rubbing my eyes or trying to wipe off excess water does affect coverage. If you want to maintain coverage while in the pool or ocean, it’s best to pat dry or let your skin air dry to maintain as much coverage as possible.
This foundation is designed for normal to oily skin types, however those with dry skin can use it after proper skin preparation by adding hydrating skin care products and a primer to their routine.
Where can I buy Urban Decay Face Bond Foundation?
Urban Decay Face Bond Foundation is available to purchase at Sephora, Ulta, Amazon, and the brand’s site.
evaluation:
★★★★☆
Anvita Reddy is an Assistant Editor at PS Shopping. She is passionate about products and passionately reviews everything from furniture, mattresses, homewares, cookware, technology and more. Having struggled with acne since her teenage years and into adulthood, she is an expert in beauty. She has tried skincare, makeup, haircare and countless other beauty products.
