ILIA Uptown Nightlite Bronzing Powder Review & Swatches

Uptown

ILIA Uptown NightLite Bronzing Powder ($34.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a medium-dark brown with warmer, more golden undertones and a natural matte finish. I found that it seemed to take on some of the natural finish of my skin (read: not flat or 100% matte!) but didn’t stick/become difficult to do so.

The consistency was soft, smooth, and finely-milled, but there was light powderiness present in the pan. I found using a lighter hand and applying the product, then building up if necessary, was best when working with this formula. It had rich color payoff, rather than buildable as marketed, which was the big “con” of the formula. It stayed on well for eight hours before fading noticeably.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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Makeup Geek Burnished (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
Cover FX Sunset (P, $38.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
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MAC Baiana Bronze (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
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Formula Overview

$34.00/0.42 oz. - $80.95 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be "super creamy" with a "luminous finish" with intensity that you can "dial up" for more color. I wouldn't describe the formula as buildable; it was quite pigmented where a little went a long way, so you would want to use a lighter hand, especially if you wanted more buildable coverage out of this formula.

The texture was soft, smooth, and fairly blendable without being too powdery nor too firmly pressed into the pan. It wasn't as blendable over bare skin as I would have liked, but I didn't have any issues blending it out over matte or set foundation. It is not completely unexpected that a more-matte finish didn't blend as readily over bare skin, but it was an area it could have performed better in. The formula lasted eight to nine hours on me before fading visibly.

Browse all of our ILIA NightLite Bronzing Powder swatches.

Ingredients

Mica, Zinc Stearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Ethyl Macadamiate, Tocopherol, Malic Acid. May Contain/Peut Contenir (±): CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides).

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.