A brand that needs no introduction, NARS is a definitive cult classic and earned a permanent place in the hearts of lots of people, myself included. The latest addition to their champion’s league-worthy line of complexion products is the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation.
The innovative formula contains skincare ingredients and is supposedly improving your skin’s clarity after 6 weeks of daily use. I mean, this sounds interesting because this means we can wear makeup and still get a clear complexion. Let’s find out if this bold statement is true!
- Stays on all day flawlessly
- It doesn’t look patchy on drier spots
- A very lightweight, comfortable formula
- Evens out skin tone and blurs imperfections
- Quite expensive
- NARS is not cruelty-free
NARS is a real expert when it comes to complexion products, and even though I trust them, I’m always a bit hesitant when it comes to makeup products that claim to have skincare benefits too. However, I’m always in to try new NARS products!
NARS is one of the first brands I fell in love with when I was super young, but I never was able to purchase their products, so I just had to stare whenever I saw the brand online or in some stores. I still get those exciting feelings when I now see NARS products in my drawers, because it always makes me think about little me. Wondering what my first NARS products were? The Orgasm Blush and the Radiant Creamy Concealer!
I had to share a little sentimental, personal story with you before diving into this NARS Light Reflecting Foundation review lol, but I won’t bore you any longer; let’s go!
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
The NARS Light Reflecting Foundation is a medium, buildable coverage foundation with a natural finish. It is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin, and acne-prone skin. NARS is promising us the following on its website: “This innovative blend of makeup and skincare instantly blurs imperfections, smooths the look of textured skin, and helps conceal blemishes, dark spots, and redness.”
“Visibly improves skin’s clarity after six weeks of daily use, even after makeup is removed. Powered by advanced skincare ingredients that help defend against environmental aggressors and blue light, it immediately strengthens the skin’s barrier to help maintain its moisture. Breathable and all-day wear available in 36 shades.”
Best Suited For
Suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin. On top of that, it’s also acne-prone friendly.
How To Use
- Prepare skin for smooth makeup application with your favorite primer.
- Lift cap straight up (do not twist) to expose pump, then dispense 1-2 pumps of Light Reflecting Foundation.
- Start applying at the center of the face and blend out with your fingertips, sponge, or brush.
- Set foundation with your favorite setting powder for longevity.
- This product comes in a recyclable glass bottle. When finished, remove the pump and recycle the glass bottle.
Things To Note
What surprised me is that this foundation is vegan. I checked the ingredients lists, and I could only find Glycerin, which can be animal-derived or plant-derived, on the ingredients list and so this product seems to be really vegan. Sadly it’s not stated if the Glycerin is animal-derived or not, so I’m not 100% sure though.
But the reason why I thought this was surprising is that NARS isn’t considered a cruelty-free brand. They test their finished products on animals when required by law and sell their products in China, where animal testing is required. NARS is not cruelty-free, nor is its parent company Shiseido.
Where To Buy
The NARS Light Reflecting Foundation retails for $49, contains 1.0 fl. oz./30 ml, and is available at the NARS website, Sephora, Nordstrom, and Cult Beauty.
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation Review
Over the years, I got pretty good at guessing the right shade, but I struggled to choose between the shade Mont Blanc and Gobi. Based on the swatches, Mont Blanc seemed the right shade, and Gobi looked pretty yellow. Mont Blanc was described as very light with neutral undertones, and Gobi was described as light with neutral undertones, so make sure to read the shade description as I felt this was more helpful!
I always pick a neutral-toned foundation, so based on the description and having a feeling that Mont Blanc would be slightly too light, I ended up with Gobi, and thankfully, it’s the perfect shade for me.
I usually use a brush when applying foundation, so I did now too. I used the Sephora Pro Foundation 70 Brush, and it applied the foundation wonderfully. I’ve also tried a sponge which is my second application choice, and this also looked great, so both tools are definitely a great option. I didn’t use my hands because, well… I don’t like applying products with my hands, lol.
The formula is lightweight, and one pump would be enough for light coverage if you want a little more coverage, no problem! It’s a very buildable formula and doesn’t end up looking cakey. In the photo below, I added a second layer but used about half a pump instead of a full one. So with one and a half pump, you pretty much have a medium coverage that still looks natural.
As you probably can tell., the foundation evens out my skin tone, blurs imperfections, and doesn’t look patchy on my drier spots (around the nose and eyes/cheeks). You can still see the freckles on my nose, which I like. However, the day before this look, I got a facial and had some impurities removed, which caused little red spots – the foundation covers them perfectly. So I really love how this foundation covers what I want to cover (imperfections), blurs the skin but doesn’t completely cover my freckles. Exactly how I like my foundations!
If you wear this foundation, it feels like you’re not wearing anything at all. It’s a lightweight, comfortable formula that stays on all day. NARS called it breathable, and yes, it is precisely that. It feels like my skin still can breathe even though I wear quite a few products.
Moreover, the products I used on top of the foundation all worked very well; I’ve tried creams, powders, liquids, everything, and the foundation stayed in place perfectly every time. Not only did it stay in place, but the products also looked great on top of the foundation.
The skincare benefits part is a tough one to judge as I always neatly do my skincare routine. I’m unable to tell if my skin is in a good state because of that or the foundation. However, I can say that this foundation is not harming my skin, either. Maybe it’s my skincare routine and the foundation together making my skin happy? Who knows… I wish my skin could tell me, lol. Anyway, my skin has been in a very good state lately, with a pretty even texture and minimal to no (visible) impurities.
Final Verdict
I can’t say enough positive things about this foundation. I don’t have any negative points at all. I would say that the only thing that bothers me is that NARS sells its products in countries that still test on animals. This brand is so good that I just can’t let go of them, even though I want my makeup collection to be cruelty-free.
I have high hopes for a cruelty-free future, so let’s see. Other than that, I just can only say that this NARS Light Reflecting Foundation is absolutely amazing and a must-have in your collection.
Specifications
| PRODUCT NAME | Light Reflecting Foundation |
| PRODUCT BRAND | NARS |
| PRICE | $49 |
| WEIGHT | 1 fl oz / 30 ml |
Ingredients
Water/Aqua/Eau, C9-12 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Undecane, Tridecane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Diisostearyl Malate, Glycerin, Synthetic Wax, Sodium Chloride, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Tocophero, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Sea Water/Maris Aqua/Eau De Mer, Trisodium Edta, Barium Sulfate, Alumina, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, [+/-(May Contain/Peut Contenir): Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)].
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Nars is one of the best!
Federica
http://www.federicadinardo.com
Couldn’t agree more! 🙂
I’ve had my eye on this foundation for a while now and after reading your review, I want it so much :'( it looks amazing on you. You definitely picked the perfect shade! I’m really into light-medium-coverage foundations nowadays, so this is right up my street. I might have to ask for this for my birthday!
I couldn’t recommend this more, it’s so worth the money! Sounds like a perfect birthday gift to me. 🙂
I love this foundation! NARs are one of my fave beauty brands 🙂 x
mia // https://miasdiyprojects.com/
NARS is such an amazing brand, I love them too! 🙂 x