NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

[Purchased]

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (1.0 oz. / 30 ml) retails for $45 USD ($57 CAD) and is available in 20 shades. It is said to be "a glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage."

* My Shade: (Light 1) Siberia is described as a light w/ neutral balance of pink & yellow undertones.

"This Sheer Glow Foundation enhances, without masking, your overall natural complexion. The weightless formula hydrates the skin while complexion brightening properties improve skin brightness, radiance, and texture, leaving skin with a luminous, sensual glow. Suitable for normal, normal-to-dry, and very dry skin types."

Before I get into the review, we should note that my skin type is dry. Extremely to mildly dry, depending on the day/season and I only sometimes get oily in my forehead and nose area.

QUICK OVERVIEW ↓

Coverage: light-medium, buildable

Finish: satin, natural

Wear: 7.5 hours before requiring a touch-up

Ideal Skintype: normal, combination, dry
+ Photographs nicely, no flashback

The packaging is a glass bottle with a silicone textured lid that pops off to reveal a screw on cap—meaning this foundation does not come housed with a pump, but one can be purchased separately ($6 USD, $8 CAD) from the brand. This foundation is fragrance-free and should be shaken well before use.

The formula is your typical liquid consistency of a foundation (not too creamy or too runny) and has a light-to-medium coverage that can be built, but only to a degree. It yielded a strong, medium coverage at most. The finish, despite the name, is a soft satin-matte that provides a natural sheen to the skin, so you won't be left looking flat.

It applies easily to the skin—both with a brush, fingers or a sponge—without requiring much work to blend or diffuse around the edges of your face. The foundation is easy to work with, as it doesn't set immediately, so you're left with enough time to build the coverage if desired without the product becoming cakey. It never feels heavy or greasy on the skin before setting, once applied or throughout wear, it has a very light, silky texture.

While this foundation isn't a sheer coverage and it doesn't provide a dewy glow to the skin—like you'd expect from the name—the finish of the foundation does let your natural skin show through, which is where the glow comes from, your own skin! Even with a heavier application, my freckles were still visible, but any redness or imperfections prior to application became undetectable. It helps perfect and even out your natural skintone, while still appearing as if it were your skin.

This foundation is more forgiving towards dry and/or acne prone skin, as it does feel lightly moisturizing on initial application, but not enough where combination or oily skin types should steer clear. This foundation sat and blended nicely across my skin without looking flaky or scale-like, but on extremely dry areas or healing blemishes, the product tend to cling and accentuate the dryness. Of course, moisturizing and exfoliating skin prior to application does help prevent these issues.

Powders and concealers pair well with this foundation without moving or disturbing the product. I still felt the need to apply concealer to my dark circles and under eye area, but I didn't apply concealer for any extra coverage on other areas of my face where I'm typically more flushed. Setting powders and powder foundations work great to set this foundation, especially if you do require a bit more coverage—powder foundations do the trick wonderfully! Keep in mind, if you do have drier or acne prone skin, those problem areas may end up getting kicked up, flaky and accentuated—there's no real way of avoiding that when it comes to dry skin and powders.

The foundation wore well over time, I didn't notice that it made me excessively oily in my t-zone and only around the +6.5 hour mark did the product begin to break down around my nostrils and separate lightly in my expression lines—which happens with any and every product, it has nothing to do with the foundation, it's just my skin. In a whole, the foundation held up well for +7.5 hours before I felt any real need to touch-up my face.

Overall, this foundation is a lot more forgiving when it comes to dry and/or acne prone skin (especially in comparison to the All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation) and while I personally prefer a heavier coverage, this foundation was easy to work with and build. As you would expect from NARS, the range of shades and undertones is phenomenal and finding a shade light enough for my skin was a breeze! My only true downfall with this product is that it doesn't come housed with a pump, like the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation does. Regardless, it looks and wears nicely on the skin and I recommend checking it out, especially if you sometimes struggle to find the right undertone balance.

Available now from Sephora!

CLINIQUE Pop Lip Colour + Primer Lipsticks

[Purchased]

Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer (0.13 oz.) individually retail for $18 USD ($21 CAD) and are available in 16 shades. They are said to be "a rich, weightless formula that fuses bold, saturated color with a smoothing primer."

* Beige Pop (04) is described as a light, pinkish nude creme. [P]

* Berry Pop (15) is described as a rich, dark berry creme. [P]

* Cherry Pop (08) is described as a rich, blue red creme. [P]

* Fab Pop (12) is described as a light, pink creme. [P]

* Grape Pop (16) is described as a neutral, blue purple creme. [P]

* Plum Pop (14) is described as a soft, neutral plum creme. [P]

* Sweet Pop (09) is described as a bright, yellow pink creme. [P]

* Wow Pop (11) is described as a bright, blue pink creme. [P]

"This lip color delivers a lightweight formula that lasts for up to eight hours. It glides on effortlessly, creating a modern-velvet finish that keeps lips comfortable while color stays true. This product is allergy tested and 100 percent fragrance-free."

The packaging is half reflective silver and half color-coded depending on the shade—which is incredibly useful. As expected with Clinique products, these lipsticks are fragrance-free and have no taste. The formula was smooth, lightly moisturizing and had good color payoff, despite some of the lighter shades falling into lip lines over time. They have a thin, weightless consistency that makes applying easy, without the product tugging or dragging.

Beige Pop is a light-medium, peach beige with warm undertones and a creamy, glossy finish. This shade applied smoothly, mostly even and semi-opaque. My natural lip pigmentation did show through in some areas and the color liked to lightly settle into fine lines and imperfections over time. Beige Pop wore well for +3.5 hours before fading. (4/5)

* Bite Retsina was similar, more brown.  Kat Von D Noble was less pink, matte.  Too Faced Melted Chihuahua was darker, more brown.

Berry Pop is a medium, brightened, red-berry with warm undertones and a creamy, glossy finish. This shade applied smoothly, mostly even and semi-opaque. It had nice pigmentation but the color lightly grabbed to any imperfections, making it appear slightly darker in those areas. Berry Pop wore well for +5 hours and left behind a faint stain. (4/5)

* MAC D For Danger was light, cooler, more muted.

Cherry Pop is a medium, brightened, vivid red with cool undertones and a creamy, glossy finish. This shade applied smoothly, evenly and mostly opaque. It was the best performing shade of the bunch and the smooth, creamy consistency made it very comfortable to wear. Cherry Pop wore well for +6 hours and left behind a stain. (5/5)

* Too Faced Melted Velvet was lighter, warmer.  Too Faced Melted Strawberry was lighter, more pink.

Fab Pop is a light, baby pink with warm undertones and a creamy, glossy finish. This shade applied smoothly mostly even and semi-opaque. Due to the thinner consistency, this particular color quite a bit of slip which caused it to settle into the fine lines of my lips almost immediately after applying—applying a lip pencil beforehand helped prevent this. Fab Pop wore well for +3 hours before fading. (4/5) *I experienced the entire lipstick breaking out of the tube  from the base the first time I went to swatch this shade. Fortunately, my local Sephora swapped it for a new one and I haven't had issues since.

* Kat Von D Lovesick was warmer, matte.  Kat Von D Melancholia was lighter, more yellow toned, matte.

Grape Pop is a light-medium, muted lavender-pink with warm undertones and a creamy, glossy finish. This shade applied smoothly, mostly even and semi-opaque. The pigmentation of this particular color was really nice, but the payoff felt more sheer than it should. Grape Pop wore well for +5 hours before fading. (5/5)

* Too Faced Melted Violet was lighter, brighter, more purple.  MAC Heroine was darker, cooler, more purple.  MAC Men Love Mystery was cooler, muted, more purple.  Sephora African Violet was brighter, cooler, matte.

Plum Pop is a medium, muted pink-plum with neutral undertones and a creamy, glossy finish. This shade applied smoothly, evenly and mostly opaque. It had a thicker consistency than the rest which stopped the color from settling into fine lines, but I felt it accentuated imperfections more easily. Plum Pop wore well for +5 hours before fading. (5/5)

* Too Faced Melted Fig was cooler, more purple.  Kat Von D Mother was brighter, cooler, more pink.  Sephora Marvelous Mauve was muted, more brown, matte.  Sephora Pink Souffle was lighter, more pink.

Sweet Pop is a light-medium, candy pink with cool undertones and a creamy satin finish. This shade applied smoothly, mostly even and semi-opaque. Yet again due to the pale nature and thinner consistency, I found the color did lightly settle into fine lines over time, but not nearly as bad as the others. Sweet Pop wore well for +4 hours before fading. (5/5)

* Kat Von D Lovesick was lighter, cooler, matte.

Wow Pop is a light-medium, brightened pink with cool undertones and a creamy satin finish. This shade applied smoothly, evenly and opaque. It had great color payoff, although it felt more sheer than you'd expect. Unlike some of the other shades, I experienced very little product pulling into lip lines over time. Wow Pop wore well for +5.5 hours before fading. (5/5)

* MAC Candy Yum Yum was darker.  Kat Von D Backstage Bambi was darker, warmer, matte.

Overall, while these lipsticks didn't perform as described—ie. smoothing, velvet finish, bold color, 8-hour wear—if you compare them to your average lipstick, they are a nice formula nevertheless. The Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer's provide a nice, creamy pop of color, they are incredibly comfortable and lightly hydrate lips during wear. I will definitely be reaching for these on days where I want a hydrating, low maintenance lip color; and if that sounds like you, these are definitely worth checking out! (**Shades contain Carmine and Red Lake 6, 7, 22, 28 and 30 Pigments)

Available now from Sephora!

SEPHORA COLLECTION Cream Lip Stain

[Purchased]

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain (0.169 oz.) individually retail for $13 USD ($16 CAD) $14 USD ($18 CAD) *price increase as of Dec. 2015 and are available in 14 shades. They are said to be "a lip stain in both matte and satin finishes that provide a beautiful, long-lasting color."

* (01) Always Red [P]

* (03) Strawberry Kissed [P]

* (06) Pink Soufflé [P]

* (07) Cherry Blossom [P] 

* (08) Whipped Blush [P]

* (12) African Violet [P]

* (13) Marvelous Mauve [P]

* (14) Blackberry Sorbet [P]

* (15) Polished Purple [P]

"This high-coverage lip product features avocado oil for a texture that transforms as you wear it: when applied, the initial cream texture becomes a silky, lightweight stain. Lips achieve stunning color and feel soft and comfortable. Available in an array of rich shades, including both matte and satin finishes, with intense color that stays put."

The packaging is a standard, plastic lip gloss style tube with a flexible, doe-foot applicator. They have a powdery, vanilla scent than can be noticed on initial application quite easily, but does fade over time. The formula is highly pigmented, easy to apply and dries within 30 - 60 seconds of application. With most liquid lipsticks, the color does cling to lips but never feels drying or uncomfortable. These typically wear between 6 to 8 hours on their own, but layering products, like glosses, can cause the wear time to be cut down drastically.

(01) Always Red is a medium, brightened scarlet red with warm undertones and a soft, matte finish. This shade applied smoothly, evenly and had fully opaque, rich pigmentation in a single swipe. I felt it had a thicker consistency than the other shades, but that didn't effect the application or wear time. Always Red wore well for +7 hours and left behind a faint stain. (5/5)

 * Kat Von D Outlaw was warmer, more orange toned.  Kat Von D Nosferatu was darker, more red.

(03) Strawberry Kissed is a medium, strawberry red with warm undertones and a matte finish. This shade applied smoothly, evenly and had rich, opaque pigmentation. It had excellent performance throughout wear; it wasn't streaky or patchy once dry and it didn't crack or flake over time. Strawberry Kissed wore well for +7 hours and left behind a faint stain. (5/5)

* Kat Von D Bachelorette was cooler, more pink.  MAC All Fired Up was brighter, cooler, more pink. MAC Impassioned was lighter, brighter, cooler, more pink.  Too Faced Melted Strawberry was brighter, more vivid, glossy.

(06) Pink Soufflé is a light-medium, pink mauve with warm undertones, pink sheen and a satin, matte finish. It applied smoothly, evenly and fully opaque. While this shade had rich pigmentation, it also had an incredibly fine micro-sparkle mixed in. On close inspection, it was ever-so-lightly streaky in some areas and I did experience cracks in some of the fine lines of my lips over time. Pink Soufflé lasted +6 hours before fading. (4/5)

* Kat Von D Lovesick was lighter, cooler.  MAC Please Me was lighter, more yellow toned.  Clinique Plum Pop was darker, muted, more plum.

(07) Cherry Blossom is a medium-dark, watermelon pink with warm undertones and a matte finish. This shade applied smoothly, evenly and rich, opaque pigmentation. It had excellent performance during wear; it was never streaky or patchy and it didn't flake or crack once dry. Cherry Blossom wore well for +6.5 before fading. (5/5)

* Kat Von D Mother was darker.  Kat Von D Lovesick was lighter, cooler.  Too Faced Melted Fig was darker, muted, more plum.

(08) Whipped Blush is a medium, brightened, neon pink with warm undertones and a matte finish. This shade applied smoothly, evenly and fully, richly pigmented in a single pass. While I didn't find this shade to be difficult to work with, despite being such a vivid color, I did experience light cracking in the finer lines of my lips during wear. Whipped Blush lasted +7 hours and left behind a faint stain. (5/5)

* Kat Von D Backstage Bambi was lighter, cooler.  MAC Pink Pigeon was darker, warmer, more muted. MAC Candy Yum Yum was lighter, brighter, cooler.

(12) African Violet is a medium, brightened, fuchsia purple with warm undertones and a matte finish. This shade applied smoothly, evenly and nearly fully opaque. It had rich pigmentation and left a very soft sheen to my lips, almost as if there was a fine micro-sparkle mixed in, but none could be detected from the tube or brush—it was only once the product was applied. African Violet wore well for +7 hours and left behind a faint stain. (5/5)

* Kat Von D LUV was brighter, more purple.  Kat Von D Susperia was darker, cooler, more purple. Kat Von D LUV (Lipstick) was darker, muted, more purple.  MAC Heroine was darker, cooler, more purple.  Too Faced Melted Violet was lighter, brighter, more lilac.  Clinique Grape Pop was lighter, warmer, muted.

(13) Marvelous Mauve is a medium, dusty rose with hints of pink, warm undertones and a matte finish. This shade applied smoothly, evenly and had rich, opaque pigmentation. Again, this was another shade that had excellent performance during wear; it was never streaky or patchy and it didn't flake or crack once dry. Marvelous Mauve wore well for +6.5 hours before fading. (5/5) *My best friend, Vic (cities-to-dust), absolutely adores this shade; chances are if she's wearing a lipstick, this is most likely it!

* Kat Von D Lolita was muted, more brown.  Clinique Plum Pop was warmer, more pink.

(14) Blackberry Sorbet is a medium-dark, muted berry red with purple micro-sparkle, warm undertones and a matte finish. This shade applied smoothly and even for the most part. While it did have rich, opaque pigmentation, it did appear ever-so-lightly darker in some areas at close inspection. This was another color to have a very fine micro-sparkle mixed in that left a soft sheen to lips. Blackberry Sorbet wore well for +6.5 hours and left behind a stain. (5/5)

* Kat Von D Exorcism was darker, more burgundy.  Kat Von D Wolvesmouth was lighter, warmer, less opaque.  MAC Instigator was darker, cooler, more purple.

(15) Polished Purple is a deep, darkened purple with neutral-to-warm undertones, purple, blue and pink micro-sparkle and a metallic finish. This shade applied smoothly, evenly and had opaque pigmentation. There were times that the product did apply thinner/lighter around the edges, but this could be easily corrected by applying a second coat to clean up. It leaves the most unique, metallic finish to lips that didn't emphasize imperfections. Polished Purple wore well for +7 hours and left behind a faint stain. (5/5)

* Kat Von D Poe was blue, less opaque.  Too Faced Melted Villain was lighter, warmer, muted, more fuchsia.

Overall, these liquid lipsticks are truly one of a kind! While they do dry matte, they are comfortable to wear and are insanely forgiving when it comes to dry, chapped lips or imperfections. They don't overly accentuate those problems due to their softer appearance on the lips. If you're a fan of liquid lipsticks in general, or you want to love the traditional mattes (ie. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks) but they just don't work for you—these are a great alternative, they are affordable and are definitely worth checking out! (**Shades may contain Carmine and Red Lake 6, 7 Pigments)

Available now from Sephora!

Tutorial | Autumn Glam

[Disclaimer Policy]

Hey guys! Here's a fun tutorial showing you two different looks for fall—an eye catching highlighted eye and a glittery glamorous eye! It's so simply to really spice up a look by adding glitter... Pumpkin colored glitter. Get it? Pumpkin spice. Oh, I'm funny. (...Not actually.) As always, be sure to LIKE! this video if you want to keep seeing tutorials!

Products Featured:

EYES:

• Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Palette in Cover
• Inglot Freedom Eye Shadows in #37, #326
• Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion
• Make Up For Ever Smoky Stretch Mascara
• Lit Cosmetics Clearly Liquid Glitter Base
• MAC Glitter in Reigning Riches
• Lotus Lashes Brush-On Lash Glue
• Lotus Lashes Mink Lashes in 504

FACE:

• NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Siberia
• MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW15
• MAC Studio Fix Powder in NW15
• Sephora Collection Contouring 101 Face Palette
• Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Moonstone
• Urban Decay Afterglow Blush in Rapture

LIPS:

• Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Blackberry Sorbet

BROWS:

• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Auburn
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Auburn
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel in Auburn

Disclaimer: All product(s) featured were purchased by me for personal use and/or sent for consideration. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Stretch Mascara | Lengthening & Defining Mascara + Comparison

[Press Samples / Purchased]

Make Up For Ever Smoky Stretch Lengthening & Defining Mascara (0.23 oz) retails for $24 USD ($28 CAD) and is said to be "a mascara that creates infinite length, precise definition and expert separation."

"Smoky Stretch Lengthening & Defining Mascara is formulated with a Flex Control Complex, which elongates lashes while creating ideal definition and separation. Designed to grip lashes at their base and effortlessly comb through each and every one, this innovative comb brush gives lashes an irresistible, naturally-enhanced look."

The packaging is a long, slim black tube. The applicator wand is quite thin and features plastic spike bristles. The formula had no scent and is also said to be ophthalmologist tested and safe for contact lenses. Unlike many mascaras from the brand, Smoky Stretch isn't currently available in a waterproof version.

As some of you may know, the Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara ($24 USD, $28 CAD for 0.23 oz.) is one of my top 3 favorite mascaras—of all time! It separates, darkens, defines and adds major volume while leaving your lashes feathery and flexible. It has a fat, tapered spoolie-style applicator that does come off rather intimidating at first, but it makes coating and flaring out your lashes easy. With all that said, you can probably guess that I was extremely excited and had high expectations for another mascara that promised to deliver length, opposed to volume.

The Smoky Stretch formula lengthens and defines lashes nicely. It didn't supply any volume or make them appear fuller, despite the fact that it separated my lashes, but not nearly as much as I expected. The product and wand coated them easily, evenly and left them looking intensely black. Once dry, my lashes were left with a nice hold while remaining flexible and weightless—I didn't find that they fell flat, or lost their natural curl as time went on.

When I tried applying a second coat, both when the product had begun to dry and once it was fully dry, I found it was difficult to stop my lashes from sticking together. They weren't clumpy, by any means, but they did end up looking rather spiky, sort of like the "tarantula lashes" trend.

Regardless, the Smoky Stretch Mascara held up well over time. I didn't experience any color transfer to my lids or lash line. It didn't run or bleed as the day went on, either, even though it's not a waterproof formula. The only noticeable wear was a few small flakes of mascara on the tops of my cheeks around the +8 hour mark.

Overall, this mascara does what it says, for the most part. It noticeably lengthens lashes and adds color and definition—this will be great for those with shorter, fuller lashes. However, for those with sparse and/or thinner looking lashes, I'd recommend straying over to the Smoky Extravagant Mascara over this particular one, as it may end up enhancing the sparseness rather than improving them and making it appear as if you have more. Regardless, I'm a fan of Make Up For Ever Mascaras and I do recommend giving their line a go if you're in the market!

Lotus Lashes | New Styles & Lash Glue

[Press Samples]

Lotus Lashes recently introduced their own Brush-on Lash Glue ($8 USD for 0.17 oz.) and 4 new lash styles into their line of handmade, cruelty free mink lashes. The new styles individually retail for  $24 USD and are said to be "light weight, comfortable to wear, long lasting, reusable and hypoallergenic."

The brand now carries 16 lash styles in total and come in 3 different volumes. Here's a list of the ones I have to share with you today...

If you're interested in seeing the original lash styles, be sure to check out the original review!

* 83 is described as a medium volume mink with a wispy pattern to give you a natural look that's perfect for everyday wear. They are longer towards the center, like your natural eyelashes, and adds length and volume.

* 102 is described as a medium volume mink with an intricate criss-cross pattern that will give you extra thickness and definition at the roots. They are layered with fringed ends to enhance the natural beauty of your eyes. 

* 504 is described as a medium volume mink with a wispy pattern for natural, everyday glamour. They are textured and longer at the center and outer corners for an eye opening effect. 

* 45 is described as a high volume mink with a cross-cross V pattern to give a full, textured effect. They are longer at the outer corners to create a beautiful, winged-eye look.

"We want all of our customers to feel more beautiful and confident, so we have created a lash that is perfect for every lifestyle and eye shape. All of our high quality lashes are lightweight, making them easy and comfortable to wear. Handmade with cruelty free mink, our lashes are long lasting and reusable. Lotus lashes can be worn up to 25 times. Because our lashes are sterilized, hypoallergenic, and made with no added chemicals or dyes, they are suitable for contact wearers, or people with sensitive eyes. Our lashes come in no fuss; compact and lightweight packaging that can be used to store your lashes when you are not wearing them."

The lashes come housed in cute pink packaging with gold detailing and a bow, it's luxurious yet cute. The bottom of the box also features the style number. These mink lashes are "sterilized, hypoallergenic and made with no added chemicals or dyes so they are suitable for those with sensitive eyes."

I've been using the brands lashes for over half a year now and they've easily become my go-to lashes for any look, whether it be natural or dramatic. They are unlike any synthetic lash I've ever worn. The mink lashes are extremely lightweight, soft and blend easily with your natural lashes. The band is thicker than your average lash band, but this ensures they will remain durable and last through more wears.

With that said, the brand states that their lashes can be reused up to 25 times. I typically find myself disposing synthetic lashes every 3 - 5 wears, but I've worn multiple different Lotus styles and they've all surpassed that with 10 - 15 uses, showing no physical damage, stray hairs or displacement. I've had the occasional one or two "hairs" shed, but I'll be the first to admit it was due to user error, not the quality of the lashes themselves.

Dimensions for each style are listed on the website, which helps you get a better idea of the best lashes for your eye shape. I typically have to cut the lashes down band-length-wise, but I appreciate the fact they are extra long and require that extra step. It makes the lashes feel custom and I love the option of adding the trimmed section to my lower lash line for a more dramatic effect.

The Brush-on Lash Glue ($8 USD for 0.17 oz.) has a thin, brush applicator that makes applying adhesive to lash bands easy and precise. It has a very subtle scent, not as strong or potent as DUO. The glue is latex-free, waterproof and sulfate/paraben free. My favorite part about this adhesive is that it first applies an iridescent, opal-type shade, but turns completely clear once dry—it was a nice surprise to the standard off-white color you see from other brands. The formula becomes tacky after 30-60 seconds and once dry, I didn't experience any irritation or my false lashes lifting over time. The glue is easy and gentle, like typical lash adhesives, to remove both from your eyes and from the lash band after use.

Overall, I'm a huge fan of the new styles (despite the $4 increase) and the lash glue was an excellent addition into their line. The new styles definitely have a very modern, full, wispy lash feel to them and they make achieving that flawless "lash extension" look easy and painless. So, if you're a false lash fan or they're a staple in your make up routine, I would highly recommend checking out the original and additional styles!

Available now from Lotus Lashes and be sure to check out their Instagram!

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation

[Purchased]

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (1.0 oz / 30 ml) retails for $48 USD ($59 CAD) and  is available 20 shades. It is said to be "an oil-free foundation that delivers full, natural-looking coverage with one drop, for lightweight, 16-hour wear."

* My Shade: (Light 1) Siberia is described as a light w/ neutral balance of pink & yellow undertones.

"Achieve full-coverage, lightweight foundation that leaves a natural finish. Highly pigmented and perfectly balanced, this breakthrough, full-coverage formula builds and blends effortlessly. Its Even Tone Technology instantly neutralizes redness and dullness, while it works to reduce discoloration for more even, uniform skin. Perfect for all skin types, it features Weightless Long-wear Technology, an exclusive blend from NARS with flexible polymers and treated pigments that move with the skin while providing 16 hours of staying power."

Before I get into the review, we should note that my skin type is dry. Extremely to mildly dry, depending on the day/season and I only sometimes get oily in my forehead and nose area.

QUICK OVERVIEW ↓

Coverage: full, buildable, easily sheered out if desired

Finish: satin matte, natural

Wear: 8 hours before requiring a touch-up

Ideal Skintype: normal, combination, oily
+ Photographs nicely, no flashback

The packaging is a frosted, glass bottle with a silicone textured cap. The foundation comes housed with a pump which disperses a nice, controlled amount of product in one go—achieving half a pump is possible. My preferred method for applying foundation is with a dense brush or my fingers. With both methods, two pumps was enough to cover my entire face, however my desired coverage required three to four. This foundation is also fragrance-free.

The formula is a thinner, liquid consistency and has full, buildable coverage that can be easily sheered. The finish is a soft, satin matte that provides a light sheen, so you're not left looking flat. It applies incredibly easily across the skin and doesn't require extra work to blend out streaks or diffuse the product around the edges of your face. It absorbs/sets rather quickly. It never feels heavy—so the weightless claim is true—restricting, or greasy/cakey before setting.

The nicest part about this foundation is while it does have a full coverage, your natural skin still shows through—just perfected looking, more even and flawless. My freckles were still lightly visible after a heavier application, but any redness and imperfections prior to application were undetectable.

This isn't the greatest foundation for dry and/or acne prone skin, as it tends to accentuate drier patches. While it never looks flaky, it does make those areas appear scale-like. Applying a generous amount of moisturizer minutes before application did help slightly with dryness, but it's a nice foundation in the sense that it doesn't necessarily require a primer. When I tested this product both with and without a primer or base, the wear time and overall look of the foundation didn't differ.

Powders and concealers work and layer well over this foundation without moving or disturbing the product. I didn't feel I needed any extra coverage on my face, besides a concealer to my dark circles and under eye area. Both powder foundations and setting powders work flawlessly to set the product, but again, if you have drier or acne prone skin, those dry patches will still show through—there's no real way of avoiding that.

The foundation wore incredibly well over time. I didn't notice the foundation made me oily in my t-zone but around the +6 hour mark, the product did break down around my nostrils and lightly separated in expression lines—which happens with any and every product for me, so this wasn't a real surprise and we can't say it was strictly the foundation. In a whole, it held up well for +8.5 hours before I felt any real need to touch-up my face.

Overall, I appreciate that this foundation comes with a controllable pump that disperses the right amount of product. The range of shades is also phenomenal—I usually struggle to find a light enough shade, but finding a perfect match to my skintone was a breeze! This foundation applies and wears beautifully, but it isn't the best for dry or acne prone skin since it does accentuate those problems. It is a nice foundation and just the range of shades alone is worth checking out, especially if you normally struggle to find the right undertone balance.

Available now from Sephora!