Face Off: MECCA HQ Tries Every Single NARS Foundation

Described by the brand’s founder François Nars as “the key to modern makeup”, foundation is the most personal step of your routine. Your skin type, skin tone, usage and desired look and finish are all factors to consider when choosing your formula. NARS’ extensive foundation range is rooted in Mr Nars’ belief that complexion products should enhance the skin’s beauty by balancing colour and creating a dimensional, even tone. There’s a reason why NARS was one of the seven original brands stocked at MECCA’s first store in 1997.

To see what’s what in the world of NARS foundations today, we rallied five faces across MECCA HQ and put every kind of coverage to the test. Here’s what they had to say.

A fan of foundation that lets her skin look (and feel) like skin, the medium coverage of the Light Reflecting Foundation was a winner for the Brand Experience Specialist. Its buildable formula was easy to apply and contains light-reflecting particles (hence the name), giving Ebony a “really nice, all-day glow.”

As someone with dry skin, Ebony was worried it would settle into any dry patches throughout the day, particularly after an early morning application. However, the inclusion of 70 percent skincare ingredients provided a boost of moisture: "I continued receiving comments all day about how fresh my skin looked – always my first sign of a good foundation!”

She added, "This is a great all-rounder, perfect for someone who loves natural, skin-like makeup with a subtle glow.”

Wary of the potential heaviness (read: an overdone base) that can come with a long-wear foundation, Head of Category, Alison, was pleasantly surprised by the finish of Natural Radiant Longwear. “I was super impressed with the coverage. It sat well on the skin and didn’t feel cakey or dry,” she said.

A busy morning meant she applied it in a rush using her fingers – coincidentally, Mr Nars’ preferred method of application! – a process that she described as super quick and easy.

But the best part? Longwear’s ability to, well, wear for a long time: “I’ve stopped using long-wear foundation because I really didn’t like the heavy, matte finish,” explains Alison. “This has converted me back to long-wear – the finish was pretty much the same as my lighter foundation! It appears you can achieve a radiant glow that lasts all day and evening with this product. Love!”

If the thought of wearing a foundation everyday sends you (and your pores) into a pre-emptive breakout, Marketing Graduate India recommends NARS’ iconic Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30. “It's perfect for everyday wear or instances you'd want something lighter on the skin, like a beach day or any day in Australian summer!”

She found one layer provided “beautiful, sheer coverage”, while still giving her the ability to build it up in areas she wanted more.

The oil-free formula also played nicely with India’s combination skin type: “I tend to get oily around my T-zone and dry in other areas, so my face can end up a bit of a mess at the end of the day,” she revealed, adding, “I found that the hydrating formula was perfect for my skin, as I didn't end up as a disco ball or a flaky mess by the end of the day.”

This is a secondary sunscreen, designed to complement your primary SPF as top-up protection.

All day wear and oil control? Say less! Design Lead Dimi was suitably impressed by the new NARS Natural Matte Longwear Foundation. "It was very easy to work with and wore beautifully throughout the day — I even received a few compliments.”

Having tried a few others from the NARS foundation range, she was used to the brand’s glow-giving formulations. The more matte finish of this product was a welcome change, providing all-day oil and shine control with a natural, blurring result that still had a subtle glow.

In the era of dewy skin, the thought of wearing a matte foundation might sound like a foreign concept. But don’t let it put you off. The lightweight formula means it doesn’t feel cakey or dry and doesn’t settle into pores – instead instantly blurring any texture. According to Dimi, “It’s like wearing a filter!”

It’s not a NARS foundation test without including the cult classic, Sheer Glow. Since its launch, beauty lovers everywhere can't get enough of its buildable, brightening formula and lightweight feel. Head of Personalisation and Customer Product, Sandi, was no different.

“It’s clear why it’s such an all-time favourite! It’s easy to use and lovely on – whether it’s for a day in the office or heading out with friends,” she said.

The sheer coverage was a hit for Sandi, giving her the flexibility to ramp it up – or tone it down – depending on her needs: “If I want a little less coverage, I can mix it with my moisturiser or build it up for an evening event.”

A quick and easy fingertip application provided a seamless finish and wore nicely throughout the day without breaking down – consider Sandi part of the Sheer Glow club!