Review: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

You know, I actually got people stumbled upon my blog researching for this foundation so I figured it's probably time for an in-depth review. My "first impression" post is here along with photos of me wearing the foundation. It has been three months since then and my opinion has changed dramatically.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Product description: A glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage. This Sheer Glow Foundation enhances, without masking, your overall natural complexion. The weightless formula hydrates the skin while complexion brightening properties improve skin brightness, radiance, and texture, leaving skin with a luminous, sensual glow.Suitable for normal, normal-to-dry, dry, and very dry skin types.

Price: $42/30 ml at Sephora

Shade
There are 15 shades available to choose from at Sephora and I have to say I like their shade selection a lot better than MUFE's. I think NARS did a great job with the colors as I find them quite realistic. I got mine in Stromboli which is accurately described as "medium with olive undertones." Compared to MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC37, it definitely is a greener shade of yellow which happens to mimic my actual skin's undertone. I was so happy that Stromboli matches my skin color perfectly. Unfortunately, my love for this foundation stops right there.

Application & Consistency
It's thin and it resembles MAC Studio Fix Fluid in terms of consistency. It spreads out easily but it dries and becomes creamy way too quickly so you're gonna have to be fast when blending it. It also doesn't necessarily set or sink into skin. Rather, it just sits on top of the skin like a layer of mask; a light touch with a finger can easily smudge and ruin it.

Application will be streaky and troublesome if you insist on using your fingers. I find the stippling method using a flat top or a skunk brush to be the best way to apply this foundation.

For the price, I kind of expect something better than this. I personally think that a good foundation should "melt" into the skin and be easier to apply. I guess this consistency is only good when you're a model and has to look perfect in front of camera doing photo shoots (because the mask-like finish does make your skin look flawless on pictures), but for everyday-wear, I think it's just too much.

Ingredients are printed at the back of the carton box

Coverage
This might not be for you if you have discoloration on your skin because yes, it's sheer. I can see right through this foundation my redness and acne scars. In the end I find myself having to apply more product to get a better coverage but it results in tacky, unnatural finish. Perhaps this foundation is more suitable for people with flawless skin to begin with.

Finish
The finish isn't glowy or dewy whatsover. It's matte and it comes with a slight greasy feel. I really don't enjoy the greasiness so I always use finishing powder on top of it. My skin type is oily but since I've been using topical acne treatment, some parts of my skin became quite dry. This foundation definitely emphasizes dry and patchy skin. However, it doesn't seem to accentuate fine lines.

Oil Control & Staying Power
I'm not impressed at all with the staying power. My skin is oily and I live in a tropical country so you should count those into your consideration but really, I thought it would hold up a bit longer. It fades at the tip of my nose and on my chin within a couple of hours and that is with the aid of primer. Without primer, I'm sure it would slide off of my skin even faster. It doesn't offer much oil control either. I'm not sure which type of skin would benefit from this foundation; too greasy for oily skinned people yet it emphasizes dry skin? If you have normal, balanced type of skin, you might be one of the lucky people that can actually pull off this foundation.

Packaging
It doesn't come with a pump which is a big minus considering its price. It definitely can get messy if you're not careful with how much you pour the product out. The cap is also made out of the same rubber material that other NARS products have which make it so easy to get dirty. I wish NARS would reconsider the packaging because it sure can use some improvement.

Pros:
- wide range of shades,
- no offensive smell,
- easy to spread out on the skin,
- smooths out pores and fine lines,
- looks great in pictures if applied right.

Cons:
- doesn't contain SPF,
- application can be tricky,
- feels heavy and greasy,
- sheer coverage,
- tends to look unnatural/cakey when more product is applied,
- weak staying power,
- packaging gets dirty easily,
- doesn't come with a pump.

wearing NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Stromboli

Overall
This foundation really reminds me of Make Up For Ever HD Foundation which I'm not a big fan of either. Both foundations offer the same type of coverage and finish (though NARS might be a little less matte than MUFE HD) but both are probably only good for photo-ops. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this for daily wear as it feels heavy on the skin and might eventually cause breakout. In my case, it did cost me little bumps on my chin (go ahead, scrutinize the picture above and I bet you'll see them, haha) so now I only wear it when I go out for short periods of time.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation can be purchased at Sephora or NARS' website. I purchased mine through a seller at Female Daily Market Plaza.

Have you tried it yourself? What do you think about it?