NABLA CLOSE-UP Collection Review

The NABLA CLOSE-UP Collection consists of a variety of products to create a flawless base, first launching the CLOSE-UP Concealer and the Baking & Setting Powder. Then, the range was expanded further with the CLOSE-UP Futuristic Foundation and Smoothing Pressed Powder along with many application tools such as Brushes and Make-up Sponges. For today’s post, I’m going to review the entire CLOSE-UP Collection.

 

 

CLOSE-UP Futuristic Foundation

The NABLA CLOSE-UP Futuristic Foundation (€25,90 Euro/30 mL) is described as a weightless foundation that evens out the complexion with a second-skin, luminous matte finish. The product is formulated with a high-tech copolymer that provides a soft, fluid texture with a great blendability, smoothing the skin for a soft-focus effect. The foundation has a medium, buildable coverage, suitable for all skin types and comes in 20 different shades.

The foundation can be applied using the Flawless Precision Makeup Sponge (€8,50 Euro) or the Foundation Buffer Brush (€13,50 Euro). There is also a Mini Foundation Kit (€27,00 Euro) available, containing a mini CLOSE-UP Futuristic Foundation (10 mL) and the Foundation Buffer Brush.

 

 

The NABLA CLOSE-UP Futuristic Foundation shades are divided in four different groups: Light, Medium, Tan and Deep. Each of the groups have 5 different shades. Here are swatches of the Light and Medium group, described as follows:

L10 Light – Very fair complexion with warm yellow undertone
L20 Light – Very fair to fair complexion with neutral undertone
L30 Light – Very fair to fair complexion with cool pink undertone
L40 Light – Fair complexion with warm yellow undertone
L50 Light – Fair to medium complexion with warm peach undertone
M10 Medium – Fair to medium complexion with neutral undertone
M20 Medium – Medium complexion with warm yellow undertone
M30 Medium – Medium complexion with neutral olive undertone
M40 Medium – Medium complexion with warm undertone
M50 Medium – Medium to tan complexion with neutral olive undertone

 

Here are swatches of the Tan and Deep group, described as follows:

T10 Tan – Medium to tan complexion with warm golden undertone
T20 Tan – Tan complexion with warm undertone
T30 Tan – Tan complexion with warm olive undertone
T40 Tan – Deep tan complexion with cool red undertone
T50 Tan – Deep tan complexion with warm undertone
D10 Deep – Tan to dark complexion with warm undertone
D20 Deep – Dark complexion with cool red undertone
D30 Deep  – Dark complexion with warm golden/olive undertone
D40 Deep – Dark to very dark complexion with cool red undertone
D50 Deep – Very dark complexion with cool red undertone

 

Here is a before (skin prepped with skincare and a hydrating primer) and after using the CLOSE-UP Futuristic Foundation in M30 Medium (M40 Medium would have been a better fit). I’ve tried applying the foundation using the Foundation Buffer Brush but I’m really bad at applying foundation with brushes, so I switched using the Flawless Precision Makeup Sponge. The sponge is nicely bouncy and applied the foundation evenly.

It was difficult at some areas like my cheeks to make the foundation stick, which isn’t the fault of the sponge but more because of the foundation itself. I do feel like foundation sits more on top of my skin during the initial application but looks much better after it has settled on my skin for a few minutes. On me, the foundation has a light to medium coverage, evening out my skin with just a tiny bit of rosey-ness peeking out of my cheeks. The finish looks natural and does have a second-skin effect.

 

 

CLOSE-UP Concealer

The NABLA CLOSE-UP Concealer (€15,90 Euro/4 mL) is described as a full coverage, long-lasting concealer. The product is can be used to cover imperfections such as dark circles, redness and discoloration with a plumping and smooth effect, giving a natural skin-like finish. The concealer is suitable for all skin types and comes in 12 different shades. I’ve received 8 of those shades.

The concealer can be applied using the Concealer Brush (€9,50 Euro) or the Smooth & Blend Makeup Sponge (€8,50 Euro).

 

Here are swatches of 8 shades of the NABLA CLOSE-UP Concealer, described as follows:

Porcelain – Very fair complexion with pink or yellow undertone.
Light Ivory – Very fair complexion with neutral undertonee
Ivory – From very fair to fair complexion with a warm or neutral undertone
Light Peach – Fair complexion with neutral undertone
Cream Beige – From fair to medium complexion with neutral, yellow or orange undertone
Golden Beige – Medium complexion with yellow, golden or olive undertone
Medium Peach – Medium complexion with golden or cool undertone
Amber  – Medium-tan complexion with warm undertone

 

 

CLOSE-UP Baking & Setting Powder

The NABLA CLOSE-UP Baking & Setting Powder (€18,00 Euro/30 g) is described as a translucent, loose powder that sets make-up, giving the skin a silky-smooth effect with a soft-matte finish, suitable for all skin types. The product can also be used with the baking technique, reducing the visibility of pores and expression lines. The powder is also great for touch-ups, refreshing make-up without looking heavy.

The powder can be applied using the Powder Brush (€14,50 Euro) or the Smooth & Blend Makeup Sponge (€8,50 Euro) shown previously.

 

 

CLOSE-UP Smoothing Pressed Powder

The NABLA CLOSE-UP Smoothing Pressed Powder (€22,00 Euro/11,5 g) is described as a lightweight and super fine pressed powder, formulated with ingredients that minimizes pores and fine lines for a soft focus and natural matte finish. The product melts into the skin with a creamy touch and controls shine. The product is suitable for all skin types and is available in 3 different shades.

The pressed powder can be applied using the Big Powder Brush (€14,50 Euro) or the Precision Powder Brush (€13,50 Euro).

 

Here are swatches of the NABLA CLOSE-UP Smoothing Pressed Powder, described as follows:

Light – Very fair to fair complexion
Medium – Medium-light to medium-tan complexion
Dark – Dark to very dark complexion

 

 

Here is a before (foundation applied) and after using the CLOSE-UP Concealer in Cream Beige and Golden Beige (applied 3 dots for both shades underneath each eye) using the Concealer Brush to distribute and work the concealer on my skin, then the Smooth & Blend Makeup Sponge to blend. The concealer has quite a strong scent, which reminds me of Coconut and has a thin consistency. It dries very quickly so it was kind of difficult to use the brush on it’s own (which isn’t my preferable application method anyway). Even though the concealer was basically dry after using the brush, I could easily blend further using the sponge, which has the same, bouncy texture that the previously mentioned sponge has. Unfortunately, the concealer creases quite a bit, even after setting and does not have a full coverage. Even though my dark circles ar reduced, they are still visible.

I’ve set the concealer with the CLOSE-UP Baking & Setting Powder using the Powder Brush. I like the powder, it gives a beautiful smoothing effect and does not give any flashback. The brush is okay, it’s soft but not really special.

Finally, I’ve applied the NABLA CLOSE-UP Smoothing Pressed Powder in Medium to set the foundation using the Big Powder Brush on most of the areas and the Precision Powder Brush on the narrower surfaces like the creases of my nose. I really love the powder, it feels super creamy and smooth, doesn’t give any flashback and gives the skin a matte but still healthy looking finish. I find it to be perfect to use for touch up. Both brushes are very soft and I really like how they look.

 

Here are all the CLOSE-UP base products combined with a complete make-up look. The make-up such as blush and bronzer blended perfectly with the base.

 

Here is a comparison of the initial application and after about nine hours. Aside from my shiny T-zone, everything looks pretty good! I actually think that the makeup would look almost the same if I had powdered using the CLOSE-UP Smoothing Pressed Powder in Medium in between so I’m really impressed with the longevity.

 

To summarize, I unfortunately do not love the CLOSE-UP Futuristic Foundation and CLOSE-UP Concealer. Both are okay and long-lasting, but have their flaws. The foundation looks beautiful but is difficult to apply in some areas and while the concealer smells amazing, does not have enough coverage and creases on me.

Fortunately, I really like both the CLOSE-UP Baking & Setting Powder and CLOSE-UP Smoothing Pressed Powder. These powders have a beautiful finish, blend perfectly and do not give flashback.

I also love both the Flawless Precision Makeup Sponge and the Smooth & Blend Makeup Sponge. I feel like both sponges have the same bouncy and soft texture that easily blends cream product but have a different shape, so it’s all up to your preference.

 

The entire NABLA CLOSE-UP Collection is available at NablaCosmetics.com and at Boozyshop.nl.

 

 

Which of the products from the NABLA CLOSE-UP Collection are you most curious about to try out?

*These products were PR gifted. Please check out my disclosure page for more information.