Urban Decay New Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss

Yes, it snowed again. Sadly, this snow claimed a victim, the husband of a Facebook friend - someone I like and respect. I have learned that he was shoveling snow, just like the rest of us this morning, when he had a heart attack. It sure was a reminder to me to live every day as if it were your last. You never know.

I realize after that intro, it seems trivial to talk about lip gloss. I had a hard time working up the spirit to write this feature, so I'll dedicate it to Kathleen.

Urban Decay, trading off their Naked franchise, recently introduced a new, permanent lip gloss in nine luxurious shades. A gloss and a rich lip balm in one, this super-nourishing gloss has an addictive, creamy texture and a gorgeous, high-shine finish. Perfect for complementing the always-popular Urban Decay smoky eye, the Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss ($20) feels so luxe that you’ll want to keep applying it all day. The makeup junkies at Urban Decay painstakingly crafted this formula, obsessing over every last detail until it was just right. Laced with ingredients that are good for your skin, the formula includes Hyaluronic Filling Spheres, vitamin E, avocado oil, and shea butter to hydrate and condition lips. Rosehip seed oil provides an extra hit of vitamins, including vitamins A and C.

In a clinical study of 30 participants who used Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss, these results were reported immediately after use.

• 86% of participants had a significant improvement in the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
• 76% had a significant improvement in volume and hydration.
• 86% said their lips felt nourished.

You may ask me, "Why should I care if participants felt that way immediately after application?" The only answer I can give is that you get a nice jolt of moisture when you use Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss.

The bottle features a pretty, highly metalized champagne cap and overshell with a cool “Naked” cutout effect. As pretty as it is, it’s also practical. You can see the shade through the “Naked” cutout and the little window at the bottom (so it’s easy to spot the right shade in your bag). The extra long, flocked paddle applicator also picks up a generous amount of gloss for even color. It has a slightly curved or upward arc to it, which seems to cover the lips in one swoop.

I purchased two shades from Urban Decay: Liar and Naked. Liar is shown in my photo on the left, with Naked on the right. I took photos in full sun. My swatches were taken at the same time. Liar is shown at the top of my arm, and Naked is shown below.

Both are very light. Liar has more color than Naked, which makes sense. Both are sheer and shiny. Liar, described oddly as a mauve pink, is my favorite, mostly because Naked disappears on my lips.

Naked is described as a nude pink with pink pearly. You can see the glistening pearls in my photos. They add a generous sparkle to the otherwise nude color. Now that I have seen these two, I will not fear ordering the darkest shade, Beso, described as a deep mauve-pink. However, I took a look at Temptalia's swatches, and I saw little difference among the new shades on Christine's lips. I'm not sure I need more than two of these lovelies.

Liar and Naked offer average wear. Although they are supposedly scented with a light mint, I can't taste anything. Because of my sinus infection? Who knows? Generally, I dislike mint tastes in my lip products, so whatever exists in this one is very light to evade my attention.

You can find these Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss at Sephora and Urban Decay. Sephora appears to offer one shade you can't order at Urban Decay.

Photo at top courtesy of Urban Decay; other photos by Best Things in Beauty