Saturday, 16 March 2013

Nars - Sheer Glow Foundation Review

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In my search for a new foundation (as my previous favourite is now discontinued), my friend recommended me to try the Nars liquid foundation range. This particular foundation is one type of foundation from the different ranges Nars offer. The Sheer Glow foundation has been great for uses in flash photography and light everyday wear.

The Nars Sheer Glow foundation provides a light sheer satin look that appears dewy and fresh. I have purchased this foundation in the colour Fiji (FYI).





What I love about this product:
  • It applies effortlessly (best applied with your hands to warm this product up)
  • Illuminates the skin
  • Lightweight and is great as a daily liquid foundation
  • Can be used for flash photography
  • Optional use of pump (purchased separately for a few dollars more) or with the standard lid that comes with the original packaging)
    • The pump is also TWIST LOCK! It pumps out just enough product in one pump to cover your face.
  • It is travel friendly! (You can pack this baby up like how it is seen above or with the attachable pump)
  • My skin is soft and doesn't break out with this formula
  • It applies evenly
What I dislike about this product:
  • It was slightly more transferable than my Shiseido Dual Balance foundation (meaning it can come off/transfer onto clothing)
  • There is slight build up after a 6+ hour wear (which is fanstastic wearing time!)
    • It just means it would be recommended to have this foundation set with a primer or powder (such as the Nars Loose Powder or Shiseido Translucent Powder)

My recommendations:

Use it a as light daily liquid foundation with or without a setting powder (to provide a longer wear). This foundation provided enough coverage for photography and provided a very natural look. I would recommend using a primer with this to also prolong the wear and evenness to your appearance.

To ensure you have a even and natural tone, make sure to warm the product in your fingers and work from the middle of your face outward. I would also recommend purchasing the pump, as it was affordable and assisted in reducing product wastage. The pump feature is also a quick and easy way to assist you in your application process (if you are applying it with your fingers).

Would I repurchase this? Yes. Although I am still in the process of testing it with different methods of application (with primer and setting powder) I would recommend this for flash photography (as it has no SPF) and as a daily lightweight foundation. I would also recommend it for those with sensitive skin.

If you are interested in getting this, the Nars cosmetics link for this particular product can be found below. 



Until next time,

Harublossom88



DISCLAIMER: Please note that all items have been purchased by me (unless otherwise stated). Opinions provided in these blog entries are my own and are by no means affiliated with or against the manufacturers provided. Anything not purchased by myself will also be my true and honest opinion. Please speak to the manufacturer if you have other queries about their products and services.




Nars - Loose Powder Review

I have to say that for a long time I have been wanting to try out Nars cosmetics. It is only recently that I have had the opportunity (as I was waiting to use up previous makeup or purchasing it for important flash photography moments). I must say I am impressed by the range and selection of colours (which have provided an opportunity to match my skin colour or style of makeup finish - whether it was matt, powder, liquid etc).

This review is on the Loose Powder in the colour Beach. There are 6 shades to this range and the powder is available in loose or pressed powder form. I have chosen the loose powder (as I have heard that it provides more uses than the pressed version). Both versions are triple milled to provide a soft and fine powder that is effortless to use.

The Nars loose powder provides a sheer coverage and is great to help set your liquid foundation. It does not contain SPF (that will reflect white in flash photography) and blends well into my foundation and natural skin tones. This powder texture is lightweight and easy to apply (I use a kabuki brush by bubzbeauty). 

Fun fact: Did you know that Nars was a subsidiary of Shieseido cosmetics?



What I love about this product:
  • It applies effortlessly
  • Application options
    • You can use this with the mesh (seen in the picture above inside the powder section with the black square borders)
    • You can remove the mesh and use it with the plastic divider (to prevent too much powder being used at once)
    • You can use it without the above two with the straight powder (as seen in the second picture below)
  • Lightweight and is great for setting liquid foundations
  • Can be used for flash photography
  • Comes in a pressed or loose version
  • Illuminates the skin
What I dislike about this product (Loose Powder Ver):
  • It was easily transferable (meaning it can come off/transfer onto clothing easily)
  • The loose powder does not have a lock or resealable lid
  • As the powder is fine, you MUST have this container upright once opened or you will have powder come out the sides of the container
  • It can look slightly "cake faced" after wearing it for a long period of time (meaning it can have a bit of build up in certain areas of your face)
  • Make sure to set the loose powder on something stable, as the powder can become easily airborne (so make sure not to have a window or fan on nearby!)

My recommendations:

Use it a as light coverage with or without liquid foundation. I definitely prefer to use this for photography purposes and use a Shiseido translucent powder as my everyday setting powder (Shiseido TP has SPF15+). The colour is great and if you don't have dark acne scars this powder is great for a everyday lightweight use without a liquid foundation.
I feel that this loose powder version provided the best results when I was wearing it for short periods of time and not in sweat inducing weather (summer just finished here)!

I definitely love this powder for photography and would consider using the pressed version to allow for easy transport. Would I repurchase this? I'm not sure. I am still in the process of testing it with different methods of application (with primer, liquid foundation or without) and am in the early stages of using it (I have used this for about 3 months+).

If you are interested in getting this, the Nars cosmetics link for this particular product can be found below. 



Until next time,

Harublossom88



DISCLAIMER: Please note that all items have been purchased by me (unless otherwise stated). Opinions provided in these blog entries are my own and are by no means affiliated with or against the manufacturers provided. Anything not purchased by myself will also be my true and honest opinion. Please speak to the manufacturer if you have other queries about their products and services.





Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Check In

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Since my first post, I have been MIA. Events have happened since then which prevented me posting on this blog. Anyway a quick fill in... I have been spending up a storm lately on cosmetics. More reviews and information about these coming soon! 

Here's what to look out for:
- Nars Haul
- Nars reviews
- Dior palette review
- MAC 'Archie's Girls' review
- Lipstick review
- Laneige review
- Face mask review


Until next time,


Harublossom88


P.S. - I know that many of these have been already released about 6 months prior to these reviews in the U.S., but these have only just started arriving on our shores (in Australia).



DISCLAIMER: Please note that all items have been purchased by me (unless otherwise stated). Opinions provided in these blog entries are my own and are by no means affiliated with or against the manufacturers provided. Anything not purchased by myself will also be my true and honest opinion. Please speak to the manufacturer if you have other queries about their products and services.