URBAN DECAY Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powders

[Purchased]

Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder (0.20 oz) retails for $29 USD ($35 CAD) and is available in two shades. It is said to be "a lightweight, baked powder for face and body with a sophisticated, microfine shimmer that instantly leaves skin with an iridescent shimmer."

* Aura is described as a soft pink shimmer w/ golden iridescent sparkle. [P]

* Luminous is described as a champagne shimmer w/ iridescent shimmer. [P]

"Dust on Urban Decay’s Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder for Face and Body to give you a sexy, just-finished flush. This lightweight, baked powder has a sophisticated microfine shimmer that’s smooth and silky, with light-reflecting particles that leave a luminous, radiant look. Formulated to give the color payoff of a loose powder and the convenience of a pressed powder, this shimmering powder comes in a gorgeous box that makes the perfect gift. It features a generous mirror and a brush—housed in a separate compartment underneath the powder. This smooth, silky powder contains light-reflecting particles that create a luminous, radiant look. Simply brush on this powder wherever you want to create an instant glow."

The packaging is a thick cardboard box that features two compartments; the top section contains a mirror and the highlighter and the bottom section contains a brush. While it is convenient, it is fairly bulky so it may not be as easily stored as you had hoped.

Aura is a soft, peachy pink with warm undertones, gold shimmer and a frosted finish. (4/5)

Luminous is a soft, champagne beige with warm undertones, white shimmer and a frosted finish. (4/5)

The texture felt chalky straight from the pan, but was incredibly soft, silky and finely-milled once on the skin. Both shades had good color payoff and the shimmer was noticeable once applied. I found the shimmer and texture of Aura was a lot finer than Luminous, so it looked more natural. The product applies and blends out easily, leaving a very sparkly almost metallic finish to the skin that doesn't emphasize the look of pores or imperfections—surprisingly.

Because these products are a baked powder they are quite delicate and there is a lot of excess, loose powder flying from the compact regardless of what type of brush you use, whether it be a fluffy brush, dense brush or even the brush that comes housed in the compact. With that said, the powder also doesn't adhere to skin very well. Just like in the pan, there will also be loose powder sitting on your face that's best to remove or blow away as it may transfer to other areas of your face, hands, clothing, hair, etc. (If you tend to touch your face, these highlighters may be a pass unless you like shimmer everywhere!)

Another great way I've been using these powders is to lightly mist an eye brush and apply the product to the center of my lid—they add a little something extra to even the most neutral of looks!

Overall, these highlighters look absolutely beautiful once swatched. For those that love an intensely sparkly highlight you will definitely love these face powders, but for those looking for a more natural appearance, you should probably take a raincheck.