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NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation may have just made it onto my favorite foundations’ list.
As someone with dry skin, I love a matte finish the key to pulling off matte foundation on dry skin is starting with a well-moisturized base and a foundation that’s not too drying. NARS soft matte may be just the foundation you’re searching for.
What the brand says
On NARS’s website, they describe the product as “A FULL COVERAGE, NATURAL-LOOKING MATTE FOUNDATION THAT RESISTS SHIFTING SHADES THROUGHOUT THE DAY DUE TO OXIDATION, AND FEATURES COMFORTABLE 16-HOUR WEAR.”
NAR’s website also mentions that it is oil-free, humidity-proof, and transfer-proof.
| PRICE | SIZE | SHADE RANGE | APPLICATOR |
| $42.00 | 1.5 fl.oz. | 34 Shades | Squezze Tube |
This is the 2nd NARS foundation I’ve ever purchased and to be honest the price point has always held me back. Typically I shop for foundations with a price point of around $35 but I finally gave in.
I’ve heard so many good things about this foundation I absolutely had to try it.
Forgetting what shade I had purchased from the Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation, I swatched both the shades Namibia and Zambie in store.
Zambie was a bit too dark but Nambia seemed to be the closest match. Surprisingly, when I got home I realized I had picked up the correct shade (the exact shade I purchased in the Natural Radiant Foundation)!
Nambia is described as “deep with a warm undertone, and a red tone.” When first swatching the foundation on my hand I thought it had more of a yellow undertone which is what I usually go for.
After getting home and applying a full face of the foundation, I felt like it did oxidize/get darker once it set, despite the anti-oxidation claim. I will definitely test out another shade during my next trip to Sephora just to be sure.
Fluid ounces are not usually a detail I pay attention to when shopping for a foundation but maybe they should be.
The Soft Matte Foundation retails for $42 with 1.5 fl. oz. while the Natural Radiant Foundation retails for $50 with 1 fl. oz. Soft Matte Foundation will definitely give you more for your money.
Packaging
The foundation bottle has a soft matte feel to it which I love. Since the bottle is squeezable you’ll probably be able to squeeze a good bit out compared to glass bottles.
Formula & Coverage
The coverage is listed as medium to full, buildable coverage. I love the coverage of the Soft Matte Foundation! My biggest concern is covering up uneven dark spots and hyper-pigmentation that I usually have around my cheeks and jar line.
This foundation left me with a beautiful even coverage with one layer of foundation. Because my skin is dry I would not try adding any extra amounts, a small amount does go a long way with this product.
Although it is matte and matte is typically not recommended for dry skin this foundation still felt comfortable. I ended up straying some of Tacha dewy skin mist just to give my skin a little more moisture.
Because I have dry skin I’m always curious to know what the base of the foundation is. One of the first ingredients in NARS Soft Matte Complete foundation is dimethicone (a silicone-based polymer), making it a silicone-based foundation.
Is NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation Right for You?
If you have oily or combination skin I think this foundation would be perfect for you. If you’re like me and have dry skin you may be better off with NARS Natural Radiant Foundation. However, if you still desire a matte look it is totally due-able, you just need to take a few extra steps to assure that flawless finish.
