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NARS review: “I tried £300 worth of makeup from the brand - here’s what I loved”
What's really worth investing in...
Chances are, you've already heard of NARS, the famous matte-black compacts are often spied backstage at fashion week, or in the kits of our favourite Makeup Artists. So, it's no surprise that the brand has an excellent rep - across the beauty industry and beyond. But which of their products are worth the investment? (Because, let's be honest, they aren't exactly cheap)
NARS have all bases covered, from an exceptional range of foundations including matte, glowy and sheer formulas, to a stunning collection of ultra-pigmented blushers. The eye offering is just as awesome, from creamy shadow sticks (that won't budge) to a mascara that gives the most dramatic lash look we've come across.
Whilst NARS is known for its classic formulas (and chic packaging), the brand tends to fly under the radar at times, so I decided to try as many products as I could get my hands on, in order to bring you a definitive review of the very best from the brand. If it's made this list, trust me, it's worth adding to your stash...
I’ve always been a foundation gal, I can’t help it. I like my skin to look even and glowy, so my makeup bag is never without a solid, medium-coverage foundation – ideally with a radiance-boosting, satin coverage (spoiler alert: scroll a little further down to see my current fave).
With that in mind, I wasn’t expecting to love the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser, like it? Sure. But, love? Well, no one was more surprised than I, to find that after a few wears, this tinted moisturiser is now my most-reached-for product.
The lightweight formula takes just a second to blend out, yet it somehow still manages to neutralise the redness across my cheeks, even out my skin tone, and give a subtle glowiness that can only be described as a 'post-holiday, week-on-the-beach, eaten-all-my-greens' – kind of glow.
NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation
As I’ve just shared, finding an exceptional, not-too-heavy, satin foundation is something I’m always on the lookout for. So of course, I fell hard for the NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation.
Yes, the Tinted Moisturiser is my everyday essential, but this foundation is my special occasion pick. There are 36 shades to choose from and it offers beautiful coverage with zero cakiness, a healthy (but not greasy) glow and exceptional staying power. The skincare-based formula gives a blurring, smoothing effect to the complexion, plus it actually works to improve skin health over time.
Many beauty brands have concocted many eyeshadow sticks over the years, but the vast majority tend to be shimmer finishes. Whilst I love a bit of sparkle every now and then, my lids have been crying out for creamy matte eyeshadow sticks, in a range of neutral shades to give my everyday eyes a bit of definition.
NARS’ Total Seduction Eyeshadow Sticks do just that (and more). With colours ranging from taupe and caramel, to rich brown and inky black, these matte shadows are just what my makeup bag has been missing. Oh, and the formula is exceptional – long-wearing, crease-free, highly pigmented and blendable.
I’m not an easy customer when it comes to mascara, I love my highstreet formulas and very rarely bother experimenting when it comes to my lashes (if ain’t broke…) that said, this has become one of my faves. It gives such an OTT lash look, making it perfect if you’re going out-out or to a festival.
I'll be honest, it's not my go-to for everyday use, the bristle brush and jet-black formula give such a full, dramatic, lifted finish, it's more of a special occasion mascara.
NARS Powermatte Lipstick in Dragon Girl
Finding a bold matte lipstick that doesn’t dry out your lips (and is comfortable to wear) isn’t a simple task. Yes, there are a lot of options out there, but getting a formula that checks every box - from a stunning shade selection to a velvety, comfortable, long-wearing formula, is about as easy as finding your soulmate on Hinge (tricky, but not impossible).
Luckily, the search is over, because NARS’ slim Powermatte lipstick, does it all. Glides on effortlessly, gives a long-lasting ultra-pigmented pop of colour and keeps the pout hydrated and happy. The shade Dragon Girl, is a stunning poppy-red hue that brightens up the whole face.
An icon for a reason, the NARS Laguna Bronzer has been a favourite of mine for years. From the classic, ever-chic NARS packaging, to the matte (but not flat) formula. It gives a lightweight wash of warmth to the skin, that can easily be built up into a stronger bronze, or kept subtle for just a hint of sunkiss. There are 9 shades to choose from, but my go-to is the original Laguna shade (02) with its neutral undertones and a hint of gold to give skin a bright, radiant glow.
I recommend this concealer to anyone dealing with breakouts, the coverage is second to none, it has a mattifying, smoothing finish that seamlessly blends into the skin and acts like an eraser for any blemishes or pigmentation spots. Pat a little onto the area you want to conceal, and just like that, it’s gone! You only need a teeny-tiny amount thanks to the pigmented formula, so the little pot will last ages.
Having recently upgraded their formula, NARS’ blushers now last for up to 16 hours on the skin - pretty impressive, huh? The silky powder is uniquely weightless in texture, it feels so comfortable to swipe on and blends like a dream. There are 20 shades to choose from, including the brand’s famous pinky-gold ‘Orgasm’ hue. My personal fave? The matte mauve pink, ‘Behave’, it gives just a gentle pinch of colour to the cheeks.
We all know NARS for their exceptional makeup products, but trust me, you do not want to miss their brush selection. The synthetic fibres are beautifully soft, yet crafted to pick up just the right amount of product and distribute it easily and effectively.
My favourite is the large, fluffy powder brush, it’s wonderful for sweeping on bronzer or giving skin a wash of setting powder.
Victoria Jowett is an award-winning journalist and the former Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work in beauty journalism and oversees the skincare, hair, makeup and fragrance content across all of Cosmopolitan’s platforms. She's worked in the beauty industry for over 13 years (and tested 1000s of products), making her an expert when it comes to recommending beauty brands that truly work. Having started her career working weekends on a makeup counter, Victoria began interning at the likes of AnOther and IDOL magazine, before landing her first Beauty Writer job at weekly fashion magazine, LOOK. Joining Cosmopolitan in 2016, Victoria has always remained a beauty fanatic and has been lucky enough to interview everyone from Britney Spears to Kourtney Kardashian about their beauty routines. Follow her on LinkedIn.
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