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Huda Kattan of Huda Beauty has gone viral for her loose setting powder, many times over. This month, she released Ube — a new lilac-toned color —which was said to help dark under-eye circles. We put it to the test on six different skin tones.
Hanna Flanagan, shopping writer and editor
Would you buy it? Right now? Probably not. In six months? Definitely.
The bright pink looked too red on my very fair skin, but I think it would be much more flattering if I had a tan. This shade was a lot more wearable than I thought it would be, though, based on how it looks online and in the package. It’s quite subtle. I also love the fact that it visibly brightened up my under-eye area, as you can see in the photo. (I’m wearing my usual Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder on the left side and Huda Beauty on the right.) It has a smooth finish and doesn’t look cakey or settle into fine lines.
Bianca Nieves, shopping editor
Would you buy it? Not really.
While I liked how it brightened up my under-eye area (I’m wearing just my Nars concealer and Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter on the left versus the Huda Beauty on the right side), I’m more of a dewy-skin girl. I didn’t like the overall finish and the feeling of powder on my skin. Plus, even if it doesn’t appear as purple on the skin as it looks in the packaging, I paired it with the Huda blush filter in Ube Cream, and it was a bit too pink for my liking.
Emily Leibert, writer
Would you buy it? Surprisingly, yes.
I was so prepared to dislike this, and on first wear, I was not at all convinced. I found the violet tones way too overpowering for my complexion. But I fell in love after a second try paired with a Patrick Ta cream blush. If you don’t already have a cult-favorite setting powder, this might be a really fun entry point.
Danya Issawi, fashion writer
Would you buy it? Yes.
The difference between my left eye, where I’m wearing the Ube powder, and my right eye, which has my Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer on, is noticeable. Sure, it’s subtle, but my under-eye hollows are a source of insecurity for me (shout out to my dad for these genetics!) and this powder, with whatever delicious witchcraft Huda and her team pumped into it, smoothed them out and somehow made them look more plump. I also loved how this made my blush and under eyes meld seamlessly. The instructions for baking tell you to let the product sit for a few minutes, then buff off the powder with a fluffy brush, and I just threw all that out the window (sorry, I don’t like a well-set/baked under eye on me!). I took my puff, dipped it into the powder, and blotted a bunch of it off on the back of my hand before applying this product under my eyes. If you prefer a more natural-looking/skin-like finish, be very light-handed with this. A little goes a long way.
Chinea Rodriguez, shopping writer
Would you buy it? For the right occasion.
I was initially afraid of the color but once you apply, even if you dab on a lot of product with a powder puff, it doesn’t look cakey, dry, or bright pink like it looks in the packaging. It’s very matte but comes in handy if you get oily and crease throughout the day. I like that it brightens my under eye but also blurs my pores that some products tend to emphasize. I also like that it gives me that airbrushed look. All that being said, it’s more suitable for a full face of matte makeup, which I rarely tend to wear, I prefer a more dewy look and tend to skip powder or use a very light hand and setting spray to keep my face from looking too matte. But if I have a special occasion, I’ll definitely be reaching for this to set my under eye.
Asia Milia Ware, beauty editor
Would you buy it? I would. But not to wear it during the wintertime.
I use the Hude Beauty Kunafa shade daily because it’s complementing to my skin tone. I like the Ube shade but wish I would’ve applied my blush on with it for this look, it would’ve warmed the brightness up a bit. I don’t mind the pink hues, but this one is a bit more lilac on my skin tone than other pink powders. I later applied my favorite Haus Labs blush over the powder and I liked it a lot more. It’s something I’d wear more in the spring or summer.
