Urban Decay Face Bond Foundation Review

AD info | This product was very kindly sent to me by Urban Decay without obligation to review. Any opinions expressed in this post are honest and completely my own.

This may come as a shock, but I’ve never tried an Urban Decay foundation. Well, until now that is! The brand released their self-setting Face Bond foundation in early 2024, and it’s safe to say that opinion is pretty divided. Some are obsessed with it, some really don’t get on with it… either way you can’t deny that this is a completely revolutionary product, in terms of both formula and packaging.

Not only did I want to see which camp I’d fall in to, I also wanted to put Urban Decay’s claims to the test. Does this foundation really control oil without the need for a setting powder? And can it really last all day without budging?

If you’re curious whether it ticked the boxes, keep reading!

What is it?

Setting the standard for foundations to come, Urban Decay’s Face Bond is a medium coverage foundation which really pushes the limits of what a base product can do. It’s formulated with a self-setting powder to keep oil at bay. It’s also waterproof, humidity proof, sweat proof and transfer resistant, so you know this is staying on all day!

Urban Decay claims this has 24-hour wear, which seems quite possible given the above! The Face Bond foundation isn’t meant to mask your skin though. It’s designed to be as hardwearing as possible, while still feeling lightweight and breathable.

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the patent pending precision dropper! Urban Decay has gone all out with the packaging on this occasion too, making the foundation application process as smooth and fuss-free as can be.

Application

With its innovative precision dropper, Face Bond promises easy application and no mess. I have to say, this is probably my favourite thing about this foundation. You have complete control over how much you dispense so it feels like you’re not overdoing it or wasting product.

I’m definitely prefer a light base, using the smallest amount of foundation that I can, but it’s very easy to apply too much when you’re using a pump or a pipette. This dropper means that you can apply just a little at a time, adding more in the areas that need it.

It also feels more hygienic than a pipette dropper because your face/hand/brush doesn’t actually touch any of the product inside. I’m a big fan!

Formula & coverage

I don’t usually get on with matte foundations because they can sometimes feel a little chalky on the skin. The self-setting feature of this one worried me at first too – what if this feels super powdery and uncomfortable?

I shouldn’t have had any concerns about Face Bond though, because this is probably the most natural feeling matte foundation I’ve tried. It’s thin and lightweight with a soft-touch feel. The formula itself is almost serum-like so it spreads easily into the skin and can be blended with ease.

This foundation is also really buildable, meaning you can start with a drop or two and layer up without disturbing any makeup underneath.

I usually go for a thin layer of this, but on the occasions when I have applied more, it does a great job of covering redness, spots and other areas of unevenness.

Urban Decay suggests using a damp beauty sponge for the lightest, most natural finish, a brush for slightly more coverage, and then your fingers for maximum coverage.

My personal preference is to initially rub the foundation in with my fingers and then use a sponge to sheer it out a bit.

Finish & wear

Face Bond has a pore-blurring effect so it really does smooth out the skin quite nicely. For a matte foundation, it’s not overly thick or heavy and it looks surprisingly natural on the skin.

With my combo skin, the Urban Decay Face Bond Foundation wears beautifully in my T-zone. I don’t get that usual shininess that tends to pop up on my nose and forehead during the day, and it doesn’t really look like I’m wearing makeup in these areas either.

Unfortunately, in the drier parts of my face (like my cheeks and jawline), I find that the foundation does crease and separate a little. It doesn’t look terrible but it’s definitely not as flawless as I’d like my base to look!

If you’re someone with moderately oily skin, I reckon this foundation will suit you down to the ground. It’ll offer that soft, shine-free finish without sitting heavy or looking cakey.

If your skin is particularly oily, I think this would work well too but you may see some shine peeking through after a long day. And if your skin leans dry, I would probably recommend skipping this one and opting for a more hydrating foundation formula instead.

Shade range

The shade range for this foundation is pretty expansive. There are 40 shades, which the brand categorises into Fair, Light, Medium, Medium Deep and Deep. There’s not a huge jump between each one but I do think there’s probably room to add a few more shades in between.

The undertone offering is really commendable too. There are cool, warm and neutral shades for every skin tone category. It’s not uncommon for fair foundations to lean very pink (cool), and for deeper foundations to lean red (warm), so I love that Urban Decay has tried to offer something for everyone.

I also think it’s great that they’ve focused in on olive undertones, adding Chromium Oxide Green pigment to make these shades look as natural and skin-like as possible.

My only gripe is that the shade names are quite confusing. 02 and 05, for example, are both called Fair Neutral, so you have to double (if not triple) check which one you’re picking up!

Overall thoughts: Should you buy Urban Decay’s Face Bond Foundation?

Face Bond has loads of merits. I love that it’s long wearing, has a huge shade range and a really comfortable formula. It’s matte but not chalky, and offers a decent amount of coverage.

I also think it’s great for travelling. The bottle is slim so it’ll slip into the side pocket of any bag, and (because of the precision dropper) you have the added comfort of knowing this isn’t going to leak everywhere.

Unfortunately, though, I don’t think this foundation is suited to my skin type. I’d rather use a dedicated setting powder (than have a foundation that absorbs oil for me) just because I can then avoid the dry parts of my face. I typically don’t powder my cheeks and jaw, and this is where I felt the foundation separated the most.

If your skin is oily, this would be a great option for you. But if your skin is dry, I would maybe bypass this one.

Have you tried Urban Decay’s new Face Bond Foundation? Is it on your wish list? Let me know in the comments!