January 21, 2010

Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder Review

So you love HD powder do you?��� I think it’s taken the makeup world by storm although I’ve always been a tad skeptical about needing it since I’m not on a model, actress, etc…..honestly this mug o’ mine is not going to be on the big screen anytime soon. I will say I’m a little fan girl when it comes to MAC Prep + Primer Transparent Finishing Powder.

Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder is the next generation HD powder to hit the scene. But with so many HD powders saturating the online world what makes Razor Sharp so special?

Check it after the jump!

Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder is a translucent powder to provide many of the same benefits of any other HD powder on the market today. Offering a soft-focus finish to skin even under bright, unforgiving light. But of course it’s designed for stars and celebs who live their life under bright lights and make appearances daily on our big old HD TV’s. Folks like this have to look uber polished and perfect! Now don’t let that sway you much as it’s easy enough to take advantage of Razor Sharp for yourself to create a more flawless you.

How’s it work?

It’s a high-tech finishing powder which contains silky, micro-fine particles to fool scrutinizing eyes with an optical blurring miracle that gives skin the appearance of an airbrushed finish.

Now, funny, as Urban Decay suggests using Razor Sharp on bare skin and in fact I find this is the best way to use it. Go sans foundation and apply some of this as your base, proceed to following up with a light sweep of blush or cheek stain and indeed you’ll be looking all kinds of wonderful gorgeous. Unlike most HD powders it does not sport a pure white color. Although transparent, HD powders are normally a chalky white shade that actually will indeed show up in photos if not blended out correctly, hello Nicole Kidman drama. Urban Decay Razor Sharp sports more of a nude, fleshy shade which blends flawlessly into the skin for a good even finish so you aren’t left looking like you just clapped together two chalkboard erasers right in your face.

I was curious about the tiny refreshing water particles that “burst” when the powder is applied but I didn’t really experience this effect so questions of whether the powder was cooling or moist feeling are answered with a nay. It’s smooth, it’s lightweight, and it doesn’t settle onto dry patches however it does not sport a dewy or moist formula.

The overall effect of the powder is it basically perfects skin. It blurs imperfections such as fine lines, dullness, and just general skin woe and creates the illusion of a more photo ready face. I prefer it on bare skin as it really does excel at creating a fresher more natural looking finish however it easily works in conjunction with your entire face regime and can be used as a finishing powder if you so desire.

The powder comes housed in a jar with a puff applicator. Twist one side to open and the other to close. The puff seems considerably larger than the one that Urban Decay Surreal Skin sports and doesn’t have the slight dome shape. It has a flat top which I like as it seems to create a smoother finish when applying.

Overall, it creates a nice, flawless looking complexion. I like it and it’s become a daily use for me. I actually particularly like smearing a little concealer on, some of this, a bit of cheek stain, and gloss and I’m good to go, no nonsense makeup that makes me look perfectly flawless.

Likey!

If you’re not happy with your current HD powder or you haven’t tried HD powders before I’d suggest trying this out, quite good stuff. I’ll even go so far as to Muse Approve it for purchase, loves it!

Anyone haul?

Have a future purchase in mind?

HD powder lover?

Do share!

Available now from Urban Decay.

Disclosure: The following item was provided to Musings of a Muse by a PR firm for review purposes. For further information please see my FTC Guidelines or my Disclosure/Disclaimer posts.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Anastasia

    Well, give that it’s more than one ingredient, it already beats MUFE HD powder in my book. Still, mostly silica, but worth taking a look.

    • the Muse

      Hey anastasia 😀 How are you? miss ya around here! Def worth a look and yes much more than silica! MUFE HD has never won me over so this is a good follow up!

  • steelnpurple

    Ohhh I like the sound of this!
    But when someone reviews and writes “flawless” and the review is for a face product, I’m sold. LOL!

    • the Muse

      LOL stealnpurple! I hear that!

      I really like this b/c of the shade…it’s not a chalky white color like most HD powders, it’s a transparent nude, slightly fleshy shade. It doesn’t look unnatural on but smooths on nicely and creates a good solid look! Sometimes I look tired in the AM and just doesn’t something for my skin!

  • SoVeryFabulous

    Another product goes on my never ending wishlist. Did you use this with primer as well, or just over moisturizer?

    • the Muse

      freshly moisturized face soveryfab…just enough you are dewy but not greasy if that makes sense. you can go with primer if you have larger pores 🙂

  • Nia

    I have been waiting for your review! After reading it I will give it a try.
    In my heart there is always room for some UD 😉

  • Gia

    ooooo I want! How do you apply it with the puff/sponge thing? Do you pat it or swipe it around? Do they only have it in one shade? I’m very pale don’t want too dark!

    • the Muse

      hi gia

      i pat first than swipe around 😀 one shade only hun as it’s transparent 🙂

  • suz

    I LOVE transparent powders!! I don’t know other powders just look weird on my skin…and make my face look dull….:/ don’t know why…maybe I am missing something before putting colored powders on :/

    • the Muse

      hey suz face powders are tricky sometimes. too much and it looks dry and mask-like, too like and no coverage…so totally understand!

  • Abby

    I’ve been trying to decide between trying this and the Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup in the same applicator. I know they have a return policy, but the idea of returning used makeup seems kind of skeevy to me. Any chance you’ve tried the other?

  • Li

    I’ve been waiting your review on the UD powder since I’ve ordered this with the new Book of Shadows. I’m planning on using this like I use the MUFE powder – applied over bb cream with the MAC 187 brush. I find that the sponge it comes with is not comfortable to use. I might use the powder alone one of these days when I feel brave. Thank you for your review!

    • the Muse

      hey li!

      I think that’s a great idea as the sponge gets a little bit gross after use so a brush is great plus it gives me precise application with a brush 😀

      You’re most welcome! come back and tell me how you like it!

  • Heather

    How would you compare this to the MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder? I’ve been on a quest for a while to find a finishing powder for myself. I’ve read loads of reviews on the ELF’s High Definition Powder too. That one is easiest on the wallet, but still, I wonder which is the best, haha 🙂

    • the Muse

      Heather haven’t tried the ELF but def tried the MAC p and p. Did you read my review? it’s a bit different as P and P is white, chalky, needs a bit more blending action plus a brush of course and it’s loose powder which…mmm depending how you see it could be a mess to work with. This formula is great for use on it’s own which I wouldn’t try with MAC P&P the formula also feels a little lighter weight and less blending is required, also easy application with the sponge.

      Dunno if this helps 🙂

      • Heather

        That definitely helps. I hadn’t read your review yet on MAC Prep and Prime, but I did go by the MAC counter a few weeks ago and asked for a sample. The girl seemed a little reluctant to even give me a sample, kept complaining about how messy the powder would be to get into the sample jar. Haha, I guess I should have listened cause the first time I tried to use it it went everywhere. I’m definitely interested in this Urban Decay Powder now, thanks to you and your AWESOME reviews 🙂 I think between what great stuff I’ve heard on the ELF one and this one, I may go for this one 🙂 Thanks for all your help and for answering my silly questions 🙂

  • Fiona

    Hey Muse,

    When you do reviews, would you be able to include pictures of the boxes and/or ingredients list? If so, that would be awesome!!!

    Thanks in advance.

    • the Muse

      hi fiona, I’ll consider it in the future but no promises. I have enough work to do with posts, pictures, uploading, watermarking, etc…if I have to worry about typing out ingredients and taking photos of the box and the list of ingeds I may go nuts 🙂

    • the Muse

      hi angela I guess most makeup is 🙂 too good to be true that is. It depends really as things work differently for different people. I’ll see about doing some before and after shots. Cheers!

  • Bakeneko

    I like the look of this. It kind of reminds me of Prescriptives Magic Powder…

    I’ve tried the ELF HD powder and the Smashbox HD Dual Finish Micro Powder.

    I think the Smashbox one is awful. The delivery system is terrible, the brush is poor quality and the powder doesn’t seem to do anything at all (I’m normally a big fan of Smashbox).

    In my humble opinion the ELF powder is much better. I’m not usually a lover of cheaper make-up ranges but I like a couple of the brushes from ELF and I can never resist buying some of the rather interesting looking studio items. They are a bit hit and miss but there are some decent things there if you’re on a budget…

    • the Muse

      yup should be fine del 🙂 it’s transparent so you should be fine 🙂

  • Charlene

    Hey Muse! I just bought this and I ain’t really sure how to use it. Do I leave the cap ‘open’ as I powder my face? Someone said a little goes a long way but I don’t really see any difference?

    • the Muse

      hey charlene no close it as you’ll look ghastly with too much on. I open it and tap it on both cheeks, close, and blend. You prob won’t see a difference much unless you are looking really hard also I find it looks best in natural sunlight. Hope this helps!

  • Kay

    Hey there 🙂

    The cream to powder foundation has FINALLY appeared in the UK! But I’m thinking of only getting this or only getting that for now. Which would you recommend as first choice?

    • the Muse

      hi kay. awesome glad it’s your side now! It’s really hard to say considering it’s two different products. Do you need a foundation or do you need a setting powder? If you need a new foundation go with the cream to powder foundation and if you need a setting powder go with the razor sharp 😀

      Hope this helps!

      • Kay

        Hey hey

        I could probably use both really! I think what I might do very sneakily is wait until my Easter holiday when I’ll have more cash and get both at the same time 😛 So I may just live without for a few weeks then revel in the glory of two new toys! Tehe ^-^ Am loving the cream to powder though so that’s probably my preference if I get one!

        • the Muse

          lol kay both is good 😀 loving the cream to powder myself particularly on my dry skin at the moment as it feels so d-lish going on!

  • RL

    hey, i was just wondering: do you think this would be good for absorbing oil? Cuz my skin is super oily and i usually use super matte loose powder by MUFE (dunno if you’ve tried that) a few times a day and i’m looking for a new one…

    • the Muse

      no RL I wouldn’t use it for that hun. Use a loose or pressed powder but don’t use this as this is more for perfecting imho not for mattifying so much.

  • RL

    Thank you muse! I ended up getting it and you’re right, it wasn’t so absorbing, or at least not the most absorbing powder I’ve ever used. But I use it anyway cuz it’s kinda a yummy silky powder, I just put some mattifying lotion underneath

    • the Muse

      hey rl! naaa def not great for oily my dear. but good for perfecting 😀

  • Tara

    do you have a hd finishing powder rec for dry skin? I’ve used straight silica from coastal scents and loved the look but it did dry my skin, at least in winter. Also a bit too white, and i have pale skin.

    • the Muse

      mac has a transcluent I like Tara, also a big fan of Morgan Schick Whisper Set Powder!

  • Tracy Christian

    Hey Muse, I’m in the market for a finishing powder. Trouble is everything I try leaves a whitish cast. I’m African American with pretty dark skin. Any recommendations?

    • the Muse

      Tracy def not an expert with this hun perhaps a MAC powder that suits your skin tone or if you wanna go cheaper Black Opal from your local drugstore?

  • Sarah

    It seems to me that you will break out in a few weeks if you don’t clean the puff somehow…do you clean it? With what, shampoo/spray/something else?