Our beauty editor's NARS Tinted Moisturiser review puts this radiance-boosting base to the test

Before diving into my NARS Tinted moisturiser review, it's probably good to clarify something: I’m not really a tinted moisturiser person. My favourite foundation or base makeup products are long-wearing with high to medium coverage – not exactly things these lightweight formulas are known for.

To me, even the best tinted moisturisers have always sat in a sort of airy-fairy space, embodying the romantic idea that all you need is a quick swipe of tinted moisturiser and a slick of rosy lip balm to be ready to face the day. If you have been blessed with the kind of flawless skin that you can barely perceive a pore upon, let alone a blemish or a spot of hyperpigmentation, then, sure, I can see why you wouldn't give this approach to makeup. But that’s never been me.

My skin is combination with congestion, a chance of blemishes across the t-zone, dehydration and dryness towards the outer edges. It’s prone to redness in hot or cold temperatures, too. So, it’s fair to say that, in the foundation vs tinted moisturiser debate, my usual stance is firmly on the side of the best foundation.

All this meant that the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser was going to have to pull out some serious stops to win me over. As the makeup lovers among you will know, this is not a new product, rather a long-time fan favourite. It relaunched in the spring of 2021 with a wider and more inclusive shade range, which has garnered it more fans. Would I be one of them? Let's see…

Our beauty editor’s NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser review 

NARS Tinted Moisturiser specifications

• RRP: £38
• Number of shades: 16
• Coverage: Medium, buildable 
• Finish: Radiant
• Extra features: SPF 30 PA+++, antioxidants

My first impressions of the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser

NARS makeup just looks trustworthy. Across the entire range, packaging is understated yet premium, with a monochrome colour scheme that isn't trying too hard to impress. The Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser comes in a cardboard box with the ingredients list and usage instructions on it, a hallmark difference between prestige and drugstore foundations or tinted moisturisers. As for the actual product, the squeezy tube lends itself well to the different ways you could use it. 

Knowing how to apply tinted moisturiser comes down to quantity as well as method. Here, you’re in control as to how much you can get out in one go – it's possible to squeeze the smallest, just enough-to-blur-a-dark-circle amount out at a time. Alternatively, if you want to layer it or if you want maximum coverage in minimum time, you can be more heavy-handed. 

Soft tubes normally get my vote over glass bottles for two reasons; firstly because they’re lighter and smaller and secondly because there’s no chance of them smashing in your makeup bag. This tube is plastic, with no on-pack indications that it’s recyclable, which could be a turn-off for more eco-conscious shoppers.

As for the formula, this velvety-smooth tinted moisturiser is as substantial in formula as it is in feel. With a product of this price, you’d expect more than simply pigment suspended in moisturiser and, thankfully, NARS does deliver. An SPF of 30 offers a good level of protection from UVB rays (the kind that cause sunburn), which is pretty standard across a lot of base products. But what sets it apart is the inclusion of PA+++, which refers to the level of protection from UVA rays – AKA the ones responsible for the majority of skin ageing.

That said, it’s worth noting that to get the amount of protection specified on the pack, you’d need to apply as much tinted moisturiser as you would sunscreen. Most of us wouldn’t layer on quite that much (which is why you should always apply a dedicated sunscreen as the last step of your skincare routine before makeup) but NARS' Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser is lightweight enough to layer up nicely. 

There is also a small amount of vitamin C (less than 1%) in the formulation for a bit of added brightening, but at this level you’re more likely to only benefit from its antioxidant protection that helps to shield the skin from things like pollution. I hadn’t heard of the French Polynesian Kopara (which NARS spotlights as a hero ingredient) before, but a little research tells me this is a natural sugar discovered in the place where brand founder François Nars likes to vacation. It’s there for its moisturising benefits, working to hydrate and soften skin.

How does the NARS Tinted Moisturiser perform?

I first picked up NARS' Tinted Moisturiser on a day when my morale was low. I’d had a busy week fuelled by junk food and very little sleep and my skin was showing as much. It was tired and bland with two angry spots. I was in a hurry, so not expecting much I smoothed this tinted moisturiser on with my fingers in a kind of haphazard way. 

Upon sitting back to admire my minimal handiwork, it was as if I was suddenly looking at my skin under soft mood lighting rather than the harsh glow of the big light. My tiredness was zapped and my skin looked fresh, healthy and glowing. I looked genuinely rested. The coverage is far more generous than you’d expect from a tinted moisturiser, which I loved. As this isn’t a foundation, it still wasn't quite pigmented enough to fully disguise the two uninvited guests on my cheeks, but it definitely gave my concealer a leg up.

As the texture is so light, I also found my skin didn’t feel suffocated or cosseted, just nourished and soft to the touch. As a result, I think it would work well during all seasons, helping to avoid the overwhelming feeling of foundation during the summer months and restoring vibrancy to skin that’s been robbed of moisture and sunlight during winter. 

I tried a couple of different shades when working on this NARS Tinted Moisturiser review (Gotland and Alaska) and found both to be pretty stretchable. But even with the shade extension, looking at the range there are still only four shades that I would consider to cater to the deeper end of the skin tone spectrum – which is disappointing and does mean, unfortunately, that this product won’t be for everyone. 

My standard gripe with tinted moisturisers is how quickly they disappear. I understand that the aim is to have something that still leaves your skin looking like skin, but if it looks as though you aren’t wearing any makeup at all after 10 minutes, then it’s a waste of time and money. The good news is that the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser does stick around for long enough to earn its keep. By the very end of a long day, it wasn’t hugely visible on my skin, but I do think it’s unfair to expect that from a tinted moisturiser. If longer wear is your aim, then I would point you in the direction of one of the best lightweight foundations instead. 

As the formula is so lovely, light and spreadable, it’s really easy to pat on a little more as and when you feel you need it. There’s no need for a brush (unless you really want to use one) as melting and pressing it into your skin with your fingers gives such a seamless finish. I have found in the past that some tinted moisturisers cake or congeal when you try to apply more, but that’s not the case here. 

Should you buy the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser?

It felt unlikely that NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser had earnt itself such a cult following without good reason, but it really did impress me. I love that the coverage is fuller than your average tinted moisturiser and goes the distance during the day.

This is the sort of base you want on your side for days when your skin is feeling tired and lacklustre, bringing with it a rested, healthy glow that’s hard to come by without a little extra help. The SPF 30 is a welcome add-on for extra protection on top of your daily sunscreen, too. If you’re committed to wearing foundation but looking to convert to tinted moisturiser, this would be an excellent place to start.