NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

A standout star of the brand’s coveted complexion products, this foundation has a permanent place in many people’s heart and makeup bags alike. I am someone whose skin is acne-prone but very dehydrated so this foundation really appealed to me as I have seen many glowing reviews about the coverage, wear and formula. As this foundation is on the pricier side (it has taken me a while to splurge!) you must also be curious whether it is worth the money.

Read on to hear about how I got on with the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation…

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You need to know…

Price: £33.50/$47

Shades: 40

Available at: Ulta, Sephora, Cult Beauty, NORDSTROM

What it claims: “A sheer, buildable foundation with a natural-looking finish that immaculately evens skin tone. Complete with skincare benefits and the NARS Complexion Brightening Formula, it leaves skin hydrated, softer, and smoother. An artistry essential for creating a natural finish, when used daily, Sheer Glow Foundation improves the skin’s brightness and texture. Ideal for evening the complexion with a natural, lightweight glow.”

Packaging

This foundation comes in a 30ml glass bottle with a matte black screw-on lid. One downside is that it does not come with a pump. Although it can be bought separately it is an inconvenience which I thought Nars would have changed due to the popularity of this foundation. Because of this, I find the packaging gets very messy as I do pour out more than I use a lot of the time – so I would advise you to buy one of the pumps to have more control over the amount of product. This is particularly important with this foundation as it is quite expensive so I would not want to waste any of it.

Shades

There are 40 shades in the range which is a generous amount but the distribution of them is slightly off. From glancing at the website I would say there are many more fair to light variations than deeper ones. This has been extended from their previous range of 20 shades which is a good step in the right direction.

Application

Although Nars says to apply this product with your fingers personally I would not as that can be a very messy approach and will leave your face rather streaky. I prefer to opt for my Real Techniques Complexion Sponge as it distributes the product evenly and leaves an overall smoother finish. A little bit of this foundation really does go a long way so you may find it lasting you quite a while! When I use this foundation I will set it with my Too Faced loose powder lightly as this still allows the natural glow to peek through but increase longevity and reduce transferring.

Formula

This is a water-based foundation so you will find it is a little on the runny side. Nars says it has a sheer coverage but I beg to differ saying it is buildable to medium as my skin looks almost flawless, covering the majority of my discolouration and acne scarring! The luminous finish is hydrating for those who lean towards the drier side of skin types. Because of that, you will definitely want to set it with powder otherwise it will transfer. Even when set the glow will still peek through so this may not be the optimal foundation for oiler skin types.

Wear

This foundation looks so smooth and buttery on the skin on the first application. As suggested by the name it is very radiant and will continue to be more luminous throughout the day – that may be a concern for those who are oiler if you do not want to touch up during the day. Personally, I do enjoy the glow as I wear the product as that makes my face look healthy and youthful.

Pros

Large shade range
Great coverage for everyday to evening wear
Gorgeous luminous finish
Stays smooth throughout the day without going cakey

Cons

More expensive
No pump – can get messy

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation is a gorgeous product that I will continue reaching for especially in the warmer months where I want my skin to truly glow. I notice my skin looks so healthy and radiant when I catch glimpses walking past a mirror. If you have been hesitant to give this a go I urge to take the plunge as there is a reason it has been a cult classic for years. If you have oilier skin I would still urge you to try Nars complexion products as they are phenomenal but instead give the Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation a go as it will still deliver a luminous finish whilst being designed for normal to oily skin.