During the same shopping trip in which I bought my new Urban Decay Eye Shadows, I also picked up a container of this Urban Decay Universal Loose Powder in the one and only Nirvana shade. For I had the opportunity to watch a friend get a make-over using this powder, and I was amazed at how this yellow based powder totally neutralized any redness she had on her face. Otherwise, I probably never would have considered paying $20 for any other regular face powder. But since I, too, have problems with red, sensitive skin, especially in the summertime when warm weather really makes me turn red alot, I decided right then and there that I just HAD to give this trendy new product a try. Read on to find out more about this one world, one powder cosmetic.


~~~The Face Powder~~~

This Urban Decay Universal Loose Powder is one of the best make-up finds I've discovered in a long time. According to product advertising: This oil-free powder works for any skin tone. The lemony hue brightens and evens out all kinds of complexions. Excellent for skin that changes tone with the seasons or for those who just want gorgeous, natural-looking skin. It makes the skin look absolutely perfecto. Universal Loose Powder doesn't feel heavy or overdone because the powder particles are micronized, as in microscopic. So they float on the face and feel light. Apply it with the cute purple puff that comes with, or dust it on with our 100% cruelty-free synthetic brushes. Universal Loose Powder comes in only one shade: Nirvana. And Nirvana is what you get when you use it. It's a beautiful lemon-y shade that works on ANY skin tone, so you can use it year round (without foundation in the summer!). NIRVANA: yellow enhances a world of skin tones. Now granted, it does take awhile to get over the fact that I'm purposely placing something YELLOW on my skin since my intention is to look more naturally tan and not any other color. But once I set my foundation with a light dusting of this very light face powder, my skin looks far from yellow, that's for sure. So without a doubt, I've definitely found a keeper with this Urban Decay Universal Loose Powder.


~~~Packaging, Price, & Availability~~~

Pick up a 7g (0.25 oz) small container of this Urban Decay Universal Loose Powder online at places like sephora.com for $20.00. Yeah, that's alot of money initially to pay for a loose facial powder, especially considering how small the package is, but if you are serious about neutralizing any redness you've got going on, then the investment is definitely worth it in the end. The top of the silver twist-off lid has a clear star in the middle while the bottom section that holds the powder is also clear so that you can see how much powder is left. A sifting section with holes in it covers the powder to keep too much from spilling out at once and there's also a too cute purple puff that comes included, although it's truly basically useless when it actually comes down to the application process. I prefer using a large powder brush instead when using my new Urban Decay Universal Loose Powder. Purchase some today by copying and pasting the following URL into your computer's web browser:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P34406&shouldPaginate=true


~~~My Experience~~~

Since I've always preferred loose facial powders over the pressed kind anyway, this Urban Decay Universal Loose Powder in the yellow Nirvana shade is right up my alley! The powder itself is super fine which does make it a challenge sometimes not to waste a bit during the application process since it tends to fly away off the brush. But just a light dusting of this super light powder blends on smoothly over foundation or even just a moisturizer if you are going for a more natural look. The powder covers the areas of the face prone to turning red, like my cheeks and forehead especially and does not look yellow at all when applied. And although it doesn't really absorb oil like some other face powders containing corn starch do, this oil-free powder still looks fresh and even when applied to shine prone skin. So if oil-control is more important than toning down redness, then another choice might be better. But if a ruddy skin tone is your main concern, then you've just got to try this Urban Decay Universal Loose Powder at least once!


~~~Ingredients~~~

Nirvana: Talc, Mica, Silica, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Triclosan, Yellow 5, Lake (CI 19140:1), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499).


~~~Overall Recommendation~~~

Even though it is a bit on the pricey side, I can still highly recommend this Urban Decay Universal Loose Powder to anyone with red undertones to their skin. For the yellow based powder not only neutralizes redness upon contact, but it also creates a flawless look with it's light yet even coverage. And since it's oil free and far from being heavy, there's no worries about it clogging pores or causing breakouts. For this powder is so fine that it's almost as light as a layer of air covering your face. My only suggestion for improvement would be to make the flat purple puff more poofy as it's too small otherwise to be of use. So if the puff were both cute and functional, using a large powder brush when applying this amazing Urban Decay Universal Loose Powder would only be optional and not a necessity. Good luck and happy Beauty product shopping :-)


***For more information on this as well as other Urban Decay products, check out their website online at:

www.urbandecay.com


Urban Decay Cosmetics
6100 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 430
Hollywood, FL 33024-7900
(954) 986-7522


***Information in italics borrowed from their website:

http://www.urbandecay.com/ProdDtl.cfm?ID=24



Recommended: Yes