May 8, 2014

Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm3

Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm will be launching shortly with the Urban Decay Summer Nights Summer 2014 Collection. This BB Cream is a follow up to Urban Decay’s original Naked Skin Beauty Balm that launched for Spring 2013.

Although not a traditional BB Cream the original formula impressed me. You do have to keep an open mind with Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm because this nor does the original formula actually offer the coverage of a more traditional fully pigmented Asian BB Cream.

This new formula actually adds radiance to skin. The texture is pretty much identical to the original but the shade is very slightly darker and it has fine silver shimmer.

Take a look!

Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm

Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm does multitask as it acts to prep skin if you choose to use it with another foundation product. It also acts to hydrate skin with a nice dewy finish as well as protects with an SPF (SPF 20).

Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm acts more as a sheerer tinted moisturizer than a Beauty Balm or BB Cream. This had me worried when I originally tried the formula but actually ended up liking it. I think the Illuminating formula has even less coverage so this is more like a liquid highlighter than an actual foundation product. If you already have good skin free of blemishes, redness, darkness, etc…and you just want something to enhance your natural skin tone you’ll enjoy this product.

You aren’t really limited to using it all its own but I think the nicest effect is when it is used on bare, naked skin. It’s a product that will give you a your skin but better type of finish. Perhaps you have duller skin, smaller pores, and a bit of unevenness. This won’t completely even out skin tone but it will blur the appearance of smaller pores and act to illuminate lackluster skin. The shade seems a hint darker to me than the original shade of Naked Beauty Balm. It’s a peachy beige shade with orange-y undertones. Urban Decay says it contains champagne colored pearls but I don’t really get the champagne shade from it at all. It does lighten slightly when I apply it. I find you have to be lighter handed during application as it does have very fine silver shimmer which translates heavily in the finish. A little does go a long way as that shimmer does capture the light and reflects a bit too shimmery when you over do your application.

Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm swatches

Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm Swatches

When Urban Decay originally released this product they called it a retoucher and that’s very accurate as it gives skin the benefits of naked, natural skin with illusion of a smoother, softer look. I think the Illuminating formula adds a touch of radiance that the original lacked so skin has a hint of a glow. Mind you I think the glow isn’t from just the silver shimmer but the finish on a whole has a nice hint of radiance to it.

The consistency of the product is a gel which is highly blendable with a dewy but doesn’t leave a shiny or greasy look behind. It has a peppermint scent which I really like but those with sensitive noses might not love this.

I personally suffer from drier, dull skin that’s blemish-free without visible pores. Now that the warmer weather is here my skin is showing some signs of oiliness at the forehead and t-zone. This eases my dullness, doesn’t cling to my drier area, and gives my skin and a just washed my face kinda glow. I know that sounds weird….! But that’s exactly what it looks like. With a little cheek stain, clear gloss, and a dot of concealer under my eyes I can pull of a very nice no makeup look using this!

Of course, if the shimmer or the lack of coverage it offers scares you it’s easy enough to use under or over foundation. Simply apply it as a prep for your foundation OR apply your foundation prior and use this on top to add a bit of radiance.

The shimmer in Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm might scare some folks but if you’re careful during application it might not bother you. If you’re headed into a purchase keep an open mind and consider this as more of a liquid highlighter of sorts but not necessarily a product that acts as a BB Cream or a tinted moisturizer as it really does not offer coverage. If you’re looking for radiance with a natural finish you’ll like this.

The new Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm launches next week at urbandecay.com and soon after at Sephora, Ulta, Macys, and more.

Do you use the original Naked Beauty Balm?

Love it?

Not so much?

Think you’ll try this version?

Do share!

Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm5

Urban Decay Illuminating Naked Beauty Balm6

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

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

  • Alex

    Daaaang, I was hoping it wouldn’t be orange. The original balm UD put out, though pretty sure makes me look like a carrot, I am that pale.

    In my mind I was hoping this could help me look like Edward Cullen in the sunlight, but, alas seems not.

  • Veronica

    They need to release more shades, IMO. I like the effect of the product, but it turned my NW10/15 skin orange when I tried it! :O The Naked line could use some more cool- tone friendly shades in general.

  • Sara

    I have the same problem as the ladies above with these “one shade” products. They ALWAYS lean too warm on my cool, fair skintone. I’m shade #1 for the Clinique Even Better foundation and C3 for the L’Oreal True Match. I wish more products out there were cool toned…

  • Vanita

    I will probably use this as a highlighter versus all over the skin. I do like the slight shimmer.

  • Cindi

    Same problem. I’m super super white, and UD BB makes me look a bit orangey.