Dang, I like how my skin looks with this stuff on. As far as natural-looking finishes, the new Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizers with SPF 20 have got it on lock. Two layers applied with my fingers right after I cleanse and tone, and my skin looks fresh like morning dew (and not in a sequins and disco-ball sorta way).
I don’t usually think of subtle when I think of Urban Decay. The way these tinted moisturizers glow is so refined and quiet that I would have guessed they were from Bobbi or Laura. What a really nice surprise.
Just in time for warmer spring and summer weather, the new line comes in four shades: Halo (a sheer alabaster for fair skin tones), Bodyguard (a sheer nude for fair and medium skin tones), Bulletproof (a sheer sand for medium skin tones) and Forcefield (a sheer fawn for medium and dark skin tones). I think my tan NC35 skin falls somewhere between Bulletproof and Forcefield, so I’ve been mixing the two.
Swatches from left with the flash: Halo, Bodyguard, Bulletproof and Forcefield
Swatches without the flash
Wearing Bulletproof with a bit o’ Forcefield mixed in
Urban Decay suggests layering these for heavier coverage, but I’ve found that anything beyond two layers feels somewhat thick to me.
PRICE: $30
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Sephora, Ulta and select Macy’s stores, and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hey Karen!
These seem great. But would you recommend this for girls like me with really oily skin? Or would Laura Mercier’s Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer be better? (I also need some coverage, acne and acne scars SUCK!) Thanks so much, I’m definitely going to need some tinted moisturizer when heading to Cali in June, and I’ve been debating between the two!
I’m wondering the same thung
I prefer Laura’s because I like the coverage and find it easier to work with. You might want to give it a spin first, though (if you go to the counter or Sephora they’ll make you a sample — just ask). Some girls feel like it’s very heavy on the skin, but I don’t have that issue.
These sound nice! But the shades all look pretty warm to me?
These is that they look really yellow, but on my skin a lot of red comes out. You’ll probably want to swatch it first to see if it happens on your skin!
Whatcha up to tonight? Is the hubby home to help you with the lil’ one?
I hope he makes you some orange chicken soon!
We are just hanging out, watching tv. The hubs is here to help 🙂 and my little one is napping on my lap!
What are you up to tonight? Anything fun?
Your skin looks fabulous Karen! It doesn’t even look like you’re wearing any makeup! I just wish that the tinted moisturizer came in more colors because I can tell Halo will be way too dark and yellow for my skin.
Thanks, Jessi. I here you about the limited color selection — wish they had more!
Hi Karen! These seem lovely but I wish they would be avaliable here, Sephora here doesn’t carry UD, so sad. Have a great week!
That’s a bummer, Nina. It’s always easier when you have it around to swatch… are you thinking about picking one of these up?
Yeah, but there’s nowhere around here that I can. Do you know a place that ships them internationally though? I checked with UD’s page and they don’t..
I love the no-makeup look this gives to your face! Price-wise its justified too considering LM is $42 🙂
Do you think you might give it a go, Appu?
intriguing! However, my next TM purchase will be Jouer 🙂
Ooh, nice! I’m going through a Jouer phase right now. What else do you like from the line?
is it the same formula and just different packaging? i didnt hear too many good things about the original urban defense TM
Hi Claudenka,
Yes, it is. I’ve heard that it can oxidize on some people and can be challenging to work with… didn’t really have those issues with these, though.
thanks so much for the reply, karen!! i was super curious….wonder why the changed the packaging
these tend to oxidize a bit on me… but i’ve found that if i put a spritz of All-Nighter on over it, viola, no oxidization!
It looks great on your skin! Do you know what the sunscreen ingredients are?
If it’s zinc or titanium I’d probably keep this away from flash photography
Hi Jen,
They are titanium dioxide and iron oxide. 🙂
Looks fab! I need to start testing summer tinted moisturizers because LM doesn’t always work for me when it is too sticky out.
Have you ever tried Tarte’s? It feels very light on the skin. 🙂
Nope. Will get a sample of that too on my next trip to Sephora.
I love the SPF 20!! Will look for these when they come out for sure!
Yay! 🙂 Hope you had a nice Monday, Tracy.
Too bad they only have four friggin’ shades! That’s ridiculous…the lightest shade is too dark for me, and many of my friends say the darkest shade is too light for them! Lame. >.>
you look awesome! i think this is going on my list for Thursday! 🙂
The packaging reminds me a lot of Stila’s Illuminating TM packaging.
I think I’ll get a sample of this next time I’m at Sephora. I’ve really been interested in finding the best TM for me 🙂
I’m on the fence about Urban Decay moisturizer/foundation. It always seems too heavy on me. But I’ll give these a looksy, see if they’ll work. I’m a big fan of SPF 20!
I want to try these, but I’m not sure if there’s a good match for NC50.
Have you ever tried Stila’s Illuminating Foundation? Hands down, it’s my favorite foundation. It’s perfect for when my skin isn’t in good enough shape to get away with just tinted moisturizer. It has light to medium coverage with just a hint of a glow to it — not so much that you look shimmery, but just like your skin is flawless and radiant. It works on me all year round on all parts of my face, which throughout the year ranges from modestly oily on my chin to extremely dry under my eyes, so I think it’d work on just about everyone without particularly oily skin. The shade range isn’t perfect (I have to mix about 1 part 20 Watts with 2-3 parts 30 Watts, and I’m NC20-25), but there are more than four shades, and the results are good enough that I’m willing to deal with an extra step in the morning.
Anyway, I figured that since the UD tinted moisturizer sounds pretty similar, you might want to check out the Stila foundation. I’ll have to check out the tinted moisturizer for when I want something a little bit more lightweight, but something tells me that I’m going to be in between shades, too. The first shade looks way too light for me, but I think I spend too much time indoors to hit the second shade, lol. I suppose I could break out the self-tanner, but it just takes so much effort…
Tigger is sitting by me and Gizmo has been coming and going. We’re watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, haha. Tiggy thinks the queens are fabulous!
*sigh* why is it so hard for comapny’s to release TM’s that are dark enough for black women?! I would love to try this but even the darkest one is too light!
I just said the same the same thing. Honestly I have started ignoring companies like that.
Hey karen! So I was wondering if you knew of any cheaper, tinted moisturizers that have good staying power and dont make my face look oily, I tried the Covergirl Aqua smoothers but it made my MSF Natural look cakey and powdery. Thanks!
Sweeet! I’ve been looking for a tinted moisturizer & this seems perfect. I love how natural it looks!
I guess none for us dark skinned black girls!
I’m so excited for these. I LOVE tinted moisturizers, I can’t wait to try UD’s!
This is just what I need in my life since summer is rolling around and the “Southern Humidity” is picking up!! Does anyone know how much this costs at Sephora?? I need to get some asap!!
Hey girl,
Question: if you have to choos between bulletproof and forcefield to create a natural look, which one will u choose?
I’m gonna follow your pick blindly just because we have the same skincolor. Lol
Well, right now, probably Bulletproof. But if you asked me around June, I’d pick Forcefield, since I get tan in the summer. If you plan on using this in the warmer months and you get color you might want to go with the darker option. You could also use Bulletproof and then warm it up with a little bit of bronzer on top. 🙂
how are you nc35? my face is the same shade as yours and i’m nc40 in studio fix fluid & nc42 in mineralize satin finish