Narrowing down the best NARS foundation was - I won't lie to you - quite a fun little task. The brand makes some of the top foundations on the market, much loved by makeup artists, celebrities and every member of the woman&home beauty team. There is a buy for every finish you're after, whether you want a super glowy look, a lightweight foundation, or a sleeker, more matte finish. Really, I was spoilt for choice.
According to the brands' national makeup artist Cherelle Lazarus, there are a few reasons why the brands' bases have such a stellar reputation. "What sets NARS foundations apart is the assortment of shade range and the skincare-first formulations," she says. "The aim is to create a second skin finish - you want it to look and feel like your skin."
In my experience, you don't have to learn how to apply foundation like a makeup artist to get it right with NARS - the products work just as well with novice hands as they do with pro tools. But with a couple of options to choose from, a number of which are considered among the best foundations on the market how do you know which is the best NARS foundation for you? Allow me to go through each one for you to make the decision as easy as possible.
The best NARS foundations for every makeup look
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RRP: £39
Shades: 36
Finish: Radiant
This is, hands down, the best NARS foundation. It's my personal favourite foundation - not just NARS - of all time. That's no mean feat - I am a base obsessive, and I am really fussy. It ticks all my boxes and is surprisingly long-wearing, considering how moisturising it is.
Usually, foundations blended with skincare ingredients come at the cost of longevity - those hydrating ingredients mean it's more likely to slide down your face. This, somehow, miraculously manages to soothe and treat my skin, without fading by lunchtime. The fact that it includes so many skincare ingredients means that it's the best foundation for mature skin on this list, as well as the best foundation for dry skin.
Buy if: You want a foundation with skincare benefits
Avoid if: You have oily skin
RRP: £39
Shades: 36
Finish: Radiant
This foundation promises a lot - glowing skin, full coverage and up to 16 hours wear. Really, this is the tick-list of everything I want from a foundation, so I had high - but slightly cynical - hopes. Seconds after applying, I decided that this might very well be the best NARS foundation of all of the options I tried. It's gorgeous - glowing and sheeny, and it takes very little effort to build to higher coverage in the areas that need it. Even the best full-coverage foundations often come at the cost of cakiness, but that wasn't the case at all with this glowing buy.
I was swarmed with compliments. I really did find that it lasted all day, with my skin looking flawless from 7am to 9pm. A slight word of warning - you may need to shake it so that the formula is properly mixed up - my first couple of pumps came out a bit watery. I applied the first time with my fingers, and the second with a brush - both gave pretty similar, gorgeously glowing results.
Buy if: You're looking for a full coverage foundation that lasts all day.
Avoid if: Needing to shake the bottle before application will frustrate you
RRP: £38
Shades: 40
Finish: Radiant
At first glance, this felt quite similar to the Light Reflect, but the difference was in the texture. It's lighter and sheerer, which makes it a good option if you're looking for the best lightweight foundation. While testing, I found it gave my skin a natural glow. Usually, I find sheer foundations a bit too sheer, but this, combined with a touch of your best concealer, will give you a good amount of coverage.
NARS' National Senior Makeup Artist Rebecca Moore says the included skincare ingredients make it ideal for dry, dull skin. "It's packed with glycerine, turmeric, and Vitamin C, and it'll even out the complexion tone over time whilst keeping the skin hydrated," she says. "It's perfect for skin that has challenges with rosacea, pigmentation, or eczema."
Buy if: You want a hydrating but lightweight formula and a glowy finish.
Avoid if: You don't want to purchase the pump separately.
RRP: £31
Shades: 34
Finish: Soft matte
One of the best foundations for oily skin, this had the least 'slip' of all the other bases on this list, I was pleasantly surprised as I worked it into my skin. It was definitely matte, but it wasn't pan-faced or flat. My skin looked immaculate, and it was really easy to build up to full coverage on the areas that needed it.
I didn't notice it settling into creases or wrinkles, and it kept my face looking pretty pristine all day long. While I don't see this replacing my beloved Light Reflect as my daily go-to, I'd definitely say this is the best NARS foundation for long-lasting makeup looks and for fans of a matte base. It's probably the best matte foundation I've tried for a long time - my skin looked skin-like, and not chalky.
Buy If: You have oily skin and are looking for a long-wearing foundation
Avoid if: You don't enjoy a matte finish
RRP: £37
Shades: 16
Finish: Radiant
While not technically a foundation, this is one of the best tinted moisturisers on the market, so I couldn't talk about the brands' base options without mentioning it. If you're weighing up foundation vs tinted moisturiser, this would be a great place to start - it's the perfect hybrid. It has more coverage than your usual tint, but it has more skincare benefits than your average foundation. Most notably the bonus of SPF30, which is ideal if you're looking for a foundation with SPF.
As for the formula itself, it's silky smooth and a dream to blend - it applies just as well with a brush as it does with fingers. I love that it has buildable coverage, which is unusual for a tint. If you want quite low-key, comfy coverage, this is the best NARS foundation for the job.
Buy if: You're looking for an oil-free skin tint with SPF
Avoid if: You want fuller coverage
RRP: £31
Shades: 8
Finish: Soft matte
Another one that isn't technically a foundation, but it's so fab it has to make it to the list. Most of the best NARS foundations have a radiant, glowy finish that oily skin may not enjoy. That's where this super powder comes in. Dust all over your favourite foundation, and it promises 24 hours of shine-free wear (although we've never worn a foundation for that long to know if those claims are valid).
The perfecting powder can be used alone for a natural, soft matte finish or over foundation to set your makeup. Although it's not a foundation, it does have a fair amount of pigment with a medium coverage. It's easily buildable, so if you want fuller coverage in targeted areas, you can use a precision brush to cover any blemishes or hyperpigmentation. Infused with niacinamide and a talc-free formula, it may be matte, but it is not at all drying or cakey.
Buy if: You want a shine-free, matte finish
Avoid if: You like a glowy look
What is the best Nars foundation?
When I started getting my thoughts together for this list, I was pretty convinced the overall winner would be Light Reflect - it's been my go-to favourite for months, and I had sort of already decided that it couldn't be topped.
While I'm still very loyal to Light Reflect, I was also so impressed by the Natural Radiant Longwear, it was a very close second best NARS foundation. The finish is flattering and radiant, it has truly impressive staying power that gives great coverage.
Really, I was impressed with every buy on this list, for one reason or another. I think if you're looking for a new foundation, whatever your preference for coverage, finish or skin type, NARS has a brilliant option for you.
How we tested the best NARS foundations
To find the best NARS foundations, I tested every base that the brand sells. They currently have four foundations, one tinted moisturiser and a setting powder so I used them all a couple of times to really get to know each one inside out, and to weigh up their pros and cons.
I used them all in the same conditions - after using the same primer and tried all options with a couple of different application methods. In the pictures, I'm wearing the same primer, concealer, blusher and bronzer, so you can see the differences in coverage and finish without having any other elements to change how the foundation looks.
If we're a similar complexion and you're wondering how to find your foundation shade, most of these were the shade 'Deauville', which is the perfect match for me.
Which NARS foundation is best for mature dry skin?
The best NARS foundation for mature or dry skin (or indeed both) is NARS Light Reflect Advanced Skincare Foundation. It's infused with a cocktail of skincare ingredients to treat skin, and the light texture also means it won't cling to dry patches or sit in wrinkles.
"The NARS Light Reflecting Foundation has to be the perfect foundation for mature, dry skin," agrees NARS' National Senior Makeup Artist Rebecca Moore. "The advanced hybrid formula makes sure the skin looks perfected whilst being treated. Apply a small amount of product in the palm of your hand and warm the product up with your fingers. Begin by applying the foundation in the centre of the face and blend out - this created a natural, second-skin makeup look."
What is the longest lasting NARS foundation?
"Natural Radiant Longwear foundation is the most long-lasting NARS foundation," says Moore. "Remember to add a light amount of coverage and build more in the areas you find challenging - skin should look like skin!"
I'd also add that the Soft Matte is pretty durable too, if you want a long-lasting but matte finish.
What’s the difference between NARS Radiant and Sheer Glow?
The difference between NARS Radiant and Sheer Glow comes down to two main things - the coverage, and the longevity. NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation is high coverage and designed to last up to 16 hours of wear, whereas NARS Sheer Glow has a very light coverage, and it won't last as long on the skin due to its moisturising properties.
What skin type is NARS foundation good for?
"At NARS we have Foundation that suits all skin types," says Moore. "If you have quite dry skin the NARS sheer glow is perfect as it's packed with glycerine which helps to hydrate the skin over time."
Moore continues, "Anything between dry, combination or normal skin types you can either use the Light Reflecting Foundation or Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation as they both look naturally hydrated, which one you decide to wear will come down to your preferred coverage."
"Lastly, if you have quite oily skin, the NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation is great for you. The oil-free formula will help create a smooth complexion that gives a natural soft-matte finish," says Moore.
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