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Urban Decay’s foundation releases have been sparse lately, and the last one I tried was the All Nighter, which I likened to applying face paint! That foundation is undeniably one of the highest coverage options I’ve ever used, and while it provided a flawless finish, it’s just not the kind of coverage that I feel comfortable with at this stage of my life.

The Face Bond Foundation is designed to be an all-in-one serum that blurs imperfections while providing a self-setting foundation experience. It boasts medium coverage while maintaining a lightweight feel, and it promises a matte, natural finish that stands in stark contrast to the heavy All Nighter Foundation!

This foundation is designed to be suitable for all skin types and includes 3% niacinamide, a well-known skincare ingredient that aims to gradually improve skin texture with consistent use over four weeks. While I’m skeptical about the effectiveness of skincare ingredients in foundation, it’s reassuring to see niacinamide listed among the top ingredients, as it certainly can benefit the skin.

One aspect that intrigued me about this foundation is its “self-setting” feature, which allows it to dry down to a powder-like finish that is waterproof, sweat-resistant, and transferproof! Typically, I reach for a powder to set my liquid foundations because I dislike any sticky or tacky sensation on my skin throughout the day.

I really appreciate the precision nozzle design! While some may prefer traditional pumps, I find this type of nozzle to be incredibly practical, especially after experiencing clothing mishaps with pumps and droppers in the past. Foundation stains are notoriously difficult to remove, and they seem to happen on my clothes when I’m wearing light colors like white or beige! Additionally, I found the packaging to be compact and easy to store, fitting perfectly into my acrylic organizer drawers.

I’m glad I waited to complete this review because my initial assumption was that this would be my go-to foundation. However, after using it several times, I’ve come to realize that it can be too drying at times. Although it was a great option during the summer months, I haven’t reached for it since then.

In the photo above, I am wearing the foundation alone in shade 14 Golden Medium. You can see that it did a decent job of concealing the redness around my nose. Fortunately, I noticed minimal breakdown of the foundation by the end of the day.

Although I don’t rigorously test the claim of 24-hour wear since my lifestyle doesn’t require it, if a foundation can last through a standard 12-hour day without major issues, I consider it a success! While I wouldn’t describe the finish as completely flawless by the end of the workday, I did appreciate the level of oil control.

In this image, I’m sporting the foundation with blush, showcasing its matte finish. While it looks pleasant, it’s not necessarily the finish I desire for my skin on a daily basis.

Final thoughts on Urban Decay Face Bond Foundation: This foundation is my go-to during the summer when everything feels sticky and uncomfortable. It’s quick and easy to blend, and the fact that it doesn’t require setting powder is a tremendous advantage! As someone with normal to dry skin, I need to ensure that my dry patches are well-hydrated, as this foundation can cling to them, particularly around my nose. Overall, I plan to revert to this foundation as soon as the weather warms up to the 20s, but for now, I’ll stick to my liquid foundations or thicker stick foundations!