NARS is one of the most coveted and well-respected beauty brands out there. With years of experience under their belt, they’re known for providing beautiful products and formulas that stand the test of time. NARS is a brand I always keep an eye on, and my collection is scattered with their classics. Let me take you through my favourite products and touch on the ones that didn’t work for me and why.
A Must-Have: SOFT MATTE COMPLETE CONCEALER
If you’re like me and suffer with breakouts, you need this concealer in your makeup collection. It took me years to pick this product up, and I wish I’d had it sooner. It’s so full-coverage that the smallest dot can cover the most irritating of spots, and given you need so little it never looks thick or texturised.
If You Have Dry Skin: SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION
The Sheer Glow Foundation is an iconic product. Even if you’re not that into makeup, you’ve most likely heard of it. As a long-time wearer of Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation, I’d heard many times that Sheer Glow was very similar in formulation. Personally, while Sheer Glow looks stunning upon application, I don’t agree with this statement. Let me explain…
Sheer Glow has a more liquid consistency than Luminous Silk, and therefore isn’t quite as creamy and doesn’t provide as much coverage. While this suits many people, I have combination skin with an oily T-Zone, so I found that Sheer Glow, as a finer and more glowy foundation, broke up quite intensely in these oilier areas – irrespective of the type of moisturiser used or how much setting powder I applied. Luminous Silk, on the other hand, lasts all day on me with minimal or no powder.
Simply, if you have dry skin you’ll probably love Sheer Glow. If you have oily or combination skin, however, it may not be the right foundation for you.
A Best-Seller For A Reason: RADIANT CREAMY CONCEALER
Again, another industry icon. The Radiant Creamy Concealer is possibly the most loved concealer on the planet. With a mousse-cream texture, it provides brilliant coverage without being drying or thick. Given the huge shade range it can be used for evening out the complexion, as well as highlighting, sculpting and bronzing. If you have super, super dry skin you may find this concealer to be a little dry, but it’s worth trying nonetheless.
Not For Me: PORE & SHINE CONTROL PRIMER
While I adore so many NARS products, the Pore & Shine Control Primer just didn’t work on my skin. While I do have dryness, my T-zone tends to be fairly oily – and although I tend to skip primer altogether, I was curious to see how one would work. Unfortunately, it made my skin look exceptionally dry, cakey and texturised. While I know this product works phenomenally for others, if you skin has texture, I’d recommend giving this product a pass.
A No-Makeup Makeup Dream: HIGHLIGHTING POWDER
If you love natural makeup, or you prefer a highlighter which is seamless, smooth and chunky-glitter-free, then these Highlighting Powders are a must-have. With a fine and silky texture, the formula glides onto the skin, giving an effortless glow that doesn’t look fake or exacerbate your skin’s texture like some highlighters can do. My favourite shade has to be Capri, a gorgeous pale nudey pink.
An Iconic Staple: ‘ORGASM’ POWDER BLUSH
When I tried a sample of this iconic blush shade, I absolutely loved it and immediately bought a proper one. The subtle golden sheen and warm pink flush make this a universally flattering tone that’s particularly suited to spring and summer makeup.
An Unfortunate No-Go: MATTE BRONZING POWDER
While I know a couple of people who love these bronzers, for me this product just doesn’t look good on my skin. I found the formula to be difficult to blend, and their powdery nature caused my texture to show quite badly.
Invest Now: SMUDGE-PROOF EYESHADOW BASE
Another brilliant and must-have product. Nobody wants to spend time doing their eyeshadow for it to crease and look messy within a few hours. This primer is the best product to quickly get yourself a canvas which will allow your eyeshadow to look perfect and precise all day long. What’s more, it comes in a translucent option, as well as four skin-toned colour ways, so you can pick the one which suits your complexion and preference the most.
Not My Favourite: CLIMAX MASCARA
Don’t get me wrong, this mascara is far from being a bad product. It does the job, but doesn’t ‘wow’ me. Whether a mascara works for you largely depends on how you prefer your lashes to look: I love having thick, fluffy, volumised lashes, whereas this mascara focus more on separation and length. If the latter is the look you’re after, this mascara could be right up your street. If the former is what you’re after, just keep reading…
Depends: CLIMAX EXTREME MASCARA
If there was ever a makeup product to create a love-hate debate, it’s the Climax Extreme mascara. Given the sheer size of the bristles and the inkiness of the formula, it can quickly become an all mighty mess. However, if you’re careful and persevere, it will give you the most dramatic, volumised lashes you can possibly get without using falsies. While my lashes do look amazing while wearing this mascara, it’s hard to get on and also hard to get off. But it did pass the cry test!
One Of My Favourite Products Ever: AFTERGLOW LIP BALM
The Afterglow Lip Balms are the secret cult favourite of the beauty industry. With a range of gorgeous colours, including a completely clear option, these oil-based balms are an amazing product to have in your handbag for a quick and reliable fix of hydration, shine and – if you want – colour. They give a beautiful cushioned look, and my favourite shade has to be Fast Lane, a mauve-pink.
Beautiful, But Shade Dependant: AIR MATTE LIP COLOUR
Presented in the cutest colour-coded paper-bag-like packaging, the Air Matte Lip Colours burst onto the scene with a stunning range of shades. Usually when testing new lip products, I tend to purchase at least two: one of the lightest shades, and one slightly deeper – just to see whether the formula is consistent across the board. In this case, I found inconsistencies. The lightest shade, Yours Truly, was so difficult to apply – no matter the method, it was patchy, streaky and looked dry. However, Joyride, a pinky coral, was a completely different story – smooth and even, with a lovely texture and feel. All in all, based on my experience, stick to the mid-tones and vibrant shades.
The Best Liquid Lip: POWERMATTE LIP PIGMENT
With the finest, almost water-like formula, these lipsticks provide intense pigmentation with the smallest amount of product. Without being thick or heavy on the lips, they’re long-wearing and comfortable, and come in an abundance of neutral and bold shades. Given how little you need per wear, the product lasts a long time. The packaging is also super luxurious and sleek.
Leave a Reply