From the Archives: FACE - NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Hello hello! 

A little while back I took some photos for a review my 'Holy Grail' Foundation but sadly I seemed to have misplaced one of the 727476327 SD cards I own. Finally, I found it the other day. On my other laptop, ha!

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation? What can I say? I've been using this for well over a year and that in itself says quite a lot about just how good this really is. I purchased mine in the shade 'Barcelona'. Funnily enough, while in Barcelona recently I was foundation-less and went bare faced.

At the make up counter, I was initially matched to 'Syracuse' which in my opinion, was faaar too dark for me. This is why I rarely ask for, and always reject, assistance at Make-up counters. I'm sorry but if I want to look like an Oompa Loompa then I'll ask for it, okay? 

Back to the foundation, the shade Barcelona has peachy undertones, perfect for folks that are between NC37-NC40 in MAC and have uneven skin tone. This definitely offers some form of correction and makes skin look as even as possible. Once I've applied the foundation, it actually appears to adjust to my skin tone, like magic! Any uneven skin tone I have seems to almost vanish.

For those of you who simply cannot be bothered reading the rest, check below for the summarised, bulleted bit, I can imagine this will come out being rambly, haha. 

Here's what NARS have to say about it:

"A glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage that immaculately evens skin tone. Replete with skincare benefits and the NARS Complexion Brightening Formula, it leaves skin hydrated, more luminous, softer and smoother. Used daily, Sheer Glow Foundation improves the skin's brightness and texture.

• For normal, normal-to-dry and dry skin types
• Hydrates for softer and smoother skin
• Contains powerful anti-oxidants to protect against damaging free radicals and turmeric extract to improve skin's radiance and tone
• Dermatologist tested. Non-comedogenic. Fragrance free. Consumer Testing Results:
• 100% skin felt soft and smooth
• 96% evened out skin tone
• 96% would recommend Sheer Glow to a friend" 

 Niiice.

Tone, Consistency and Application:

The tone is quite warm, almost golden brown looking with a slight peach tint to it as mentioned above. The consistency is quite runny but don't let that fool you in to applying layers and layers. I either apply this with the fingers or my ELF Studio Powder Brush. I use my fingers for when I do my make up in the morning for work or the weekend and only need 1 pump! FYI, you need to buy the pump seperately. 1 pump is enough to cover my entire face as luckily, my skin is relatively clear and don't need as much coverage and like it to look as natural as possible.

For special occasions or going out, I use 2 pumps for that 'done up' look without it looking cakey.

 

Formulation, Finish and Longevity:

The formulation is definitely buildable and it blends like a dream. When blending either with fingers or a brush, it seems to melt into the skin without settling into pores and leaves you with a flawless look.

I'd have to say even though it's named "NARS Sheer Glow", there is nothing Sheer about this foundation unless you use a small amount. This gives medium to full coverage if you use the usual 2 pumps (as with most foundations). Even with the 2 pumps this feels incredibly light on the skin, pretty much the exact opposite of MAC's Studio Fix Fluid. 

For those days where I get the odd spot, I find I don't need to use concealer which is a bonus! That's how awesome this stuff is. Once I've applied it, my skin looks incredibly natural, looks super skin-like and looks incredibly ORGASMIC! The glow it gives it just enough without looking like an oil slick.

 NARS recommends this foundation for peeps with Normal to Dry skin and I totally understand as to why, by midday my skin looks super glowy, maybe a little too glowy for some folk. But a dusting of powder fixes that.  For those of you looking for a Matte finish, this is not the foundation for you. With this, skin looks hydrated and dewy. did I already mention that?

The longevity of this is absolutely fantastic! I find it lasts throughout my whole day and at the end of it, you find your skin looks dewy providing that you've dusted a little powder on top. However skin does still look stunningly flawless.

Would I re-purchase?

I already have. I can't look back now.

Although in between I have tested out other foundations such as Christian Dior's Diorskin Nude Fresh Glow Hydrating Make Up in shade 040. Yep, as much as I love NARS, the beauty junkie within me can't stop experimenting with others brands, ha!

Diorskin gives the same finish as NARS but not enough coverage which I'm not too bothered about, however, the shade is not for those with uneven skin tone, it will not attempt to correct it. It's more for people that have almost perfect looking skin.

What I love most about NARS Sheer Glow is the shade Barcelona. For women of colour, I too share the pain of the lack of colour range out their for us. Sure, while MAC, Bobbi Brown, and many others brands now have a huge colour selection but they only 'almost' match, and for me that's just not good enough.

So congratulations NARS. You've finally hit the spot.

Priced at £29.50. Some would say it's on the pricey side, but as I use one pump, this foundations lasts me an age. A worthwhile investment if you ask me!

To summarise:

Pros:

• Medium to full coverage that looks like actual skin, yet provides enough coverage
• Finish looks skin-like, dewy and most importantly FLAWLESS
• Provides you with even looking skin if you've chosen the right shade. The peachy undertones in Shade Barcelona helped even out some of the uneveness
• This does not oxidise like MAC's Studiofix Fluid
• Does not contain SPF, perfect for photographs to avoid the white cast some SPF'd foundations can give
• Longevity is excellent, at the end of the day, skin looks dewy yet FLAWLESS
•  Blends into skin seamlessly and does not settle into pores.
• Can be used on Oily/Combination skin in my opinion. Providing that you set your make up with a bit of powder
• Feels light on the skin

Cons:

•  Priced at £29.50, some would argue this is on the expensive side. But if you use let's say a pump at a time, this should last you a while.
• May not be suitable for Oily skin typed folks. It may make you look 'too glowy' that some percieve as 'Shine' but can easily be fixed with some powder
• Does not contain SPF. Also a pro but for those of you looking for SPF in your foundation, this is not for you. 
• It does not come with a pump. You will need to purchase this. I bought mine for £3.00 from the NARS Counter in Selfridges.

Now, as I've already talked about the foundation, thought I may as well show you what else I'm wearing, and no I'm not about to go all pervy on you... I mean my make up silly! ;)

So, a few special mentions down below:

MAC Eyeshadow in Beauty Marked

 

Isn't she just beautiful? However, I do know that others are disappointed with this. It looks purple in the pan but upon application it looks black/charcoal with hints of glitter in. I personally do not mind this. Sometimes I use this as a wash all over the lid or in the crease.

 

In this case, I've used it in the crease and it doesn't appear to be purple toned.

 

EYES:

MAC Eyeshadow in Brulé - all over the lid

MAC Eyeshadow in Beauty Marked - in the crease and lined under the eye

MAC Pigment in Vanilla - inner corner highlighter

Clinique Brush-On Cream Eyeliner in True Black

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Black

FACE:

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Barcelona - Obvs!

MAC Prep and Prime Powder

MAC Sheertone Blush in Gingerly

 

LIPS:

Rimmel Colour Show Off Lipstick in Kiss Me

I heart this lippie. It's a semi matte lipstick with amazing pigmentation but fades throughout the day, they don't call touch ups touch ups for nothing. The colour is absolutely gorgeous though. It's pink with coral undertones.

Unfortunately, Rimmel have discontinued the Colour Show Off range, so I turned to my best friend, eBay. They sell these for around £2.50. Bargain! 

 

And there you have it! I applaud those of you that managed to make it this far, this post is rather lengthy. 

But yes! All in all, NARS Sheer Glow is my HG foundation. I think I'd cry if they discontinued it. NARS, I plead you, please do not let this happen!

Have any of you found your holy grail foundation? 

You have read this article Asian Skin Tone / Beauty Marked / Blusher / Brulé / Clinique / Eyeshadows / L'oreal / L'oreal Voluminous Mascara / Lipsticks / MAC / MAC Gingerly / MAC Vanilla / Mascara / NARS / NARS Sheer Glow / NC37 / NC40 / Prep and Prime / Rimmel with the title From the Archives: FACE - NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. You can bookmark this page URL http://clothingfashion2012.blogspot.com/2012/09/from-archives-face-nars-sheer-glow.html. Thanks!