NARS • Powder Foundation • Powder

white05mustang on 5/13/2013 12:06:00 PM more reviews by white05mustang

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I have been using Bare Escentuals (loose) powder foundation for years (in Fair), and I felt like my face just didn't look as flawless as it could. I was oily by the end of the day even with finishing powder. I switched primers a while back to the NARS pro-prime pore refining primer and I loved it so I decided to try out the powder foundation. I have been using this foundation for almost a month, and I constantly get compliments now on how "put together" or how flawless my face looks. I love this foundation. It isn't harsh on my overly sensitive skin and it stays put just as well as a liquid with a primer, finishing powder, and setting spray. I am fair, but have a lot of pink in my skin and it is hard for me to find a very fair foundation with pink undertones (no yellow/orange), but the Mont Blanc is perfect for me. I will definitely repurchase this.

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viikee on 4/12/2013 2:13:00 PM more reviews by viikee

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

i have to admit i am a little undecided with if i really like this product or not. ive gone through 2 compacts so far and i think i might just stick with my drugstore compact powders. ive tried many different brands and if you like the NARS powder but not the price the drug store dupe you can find is by rimmel "stay matte". the good thing about this compact is that i find it does last longer then usual (meaning the actual product in the packaging)

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bootyliciousbaby on 4/5/2013 2:12:00 PM more reviews by bootyliciousbaby

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is a very natural looking, sheer coverage powder foundation. Use a dense brush for more coverage. Wide selection of shades. I got compliments on my skin while using this. I said it was foundation but no one believed me. All in all a great product, no complaints, except maybe the price!

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nlakhani on 3/21/2013 6:52:00 PM more reviews by nlakhani

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

i bought this powder with high hopes but was disappointed..

very expensive and didnt combat shine or grease and felt slightly heavy on my skin. i got a mini breakout on my skin and believe this powder could have caused it because as soon as i reverted back to mac blot powder my skin was better.

the packaging was very bulky amd not slim line enough for every day compact or portability.

will stick to mac make up! always does the job and great price.

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missmelsie on 10/29/2012 3:02:00 AM more reviews by missmelsie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium Brown, Cool   Hair: Black, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this powder because I wanted a very light coverage foundation, and have been finding that liquid foundations make me oily and don't give me a natural look. I have a bit of an uneven skin tone and some dark acne scars and I just like to look more even and natural.

I purchased Syracuse, as it's a perfect match for me in the Sheer Glow formula (for reference, I find Syracuse too light for me in the Sheer Matte formula and am NC43/44 in MAC). I found Syracuse in powder foundation incredibly dark, at least several shades too dark for me - which is even more surprising considering it's low coverage!

This stuff didn't last more than a few hours on me, didn't look that great on my skin and didn't cover or even up anything. The only thing this overpriced powder is good for is as a setting powder. It's not bad for touch ups (as it does deposit a bit of colour - more so than a normal finishing powder) but you definitely can't get any mileage out of it as a foundation on its own.

I'm really disappointed as the "best" powder foundation I've tried is still MAC Studio Fix Powder, but that breaks me out so I'm trying to find an equivalent. Sadly, NARS doesn't have it.

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RiaRich on 9/26/2012 1:54:00 AM more reviews by RiaRich

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Medium Brown, Warm   Hair: Blond, Kinky, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Tried this once back in June and experienced a minor breakout. I put it away somewhere and just happened to stumble across it last week, convinced myself that this wasn't the culprit.

Well I tried it again, but this time for a week straight. My face has 3 cysts now....if you have sensitive skin as I do, please test for a few days on a small patch of your face. Also, after about 3hrs of wear my t-zone became extremely oily. Not a 'wow' powder at all, save your money.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Xxkonixx on 8/7/2012 5:15:00 PM more reviews by Xxkonixx

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I've only used it for one day and i returned it because it makes my face much more oilier than usual. It touched up liked 5 times in the morning coz my face is just so shinnny and it's the kind of greasiness that i can feel. Besides that i still think it's a great powder foundation, has broad spectrum spf 12 which is one of the reason why i wanted to try it. Powder extremely fine milled, beautiful finish but did i mentioned that the powder costs 65 cdn plus tax here in canada...!!?? Althought it didn't work for me but i would still recommend this product for othersss........

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soulsucker on 7/17/2012 4:26:00 AM more reviews by soulsucker

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Oily, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

After Chanel discontinued their TeintControle powder no 6, i been searching for my HG powder. tried MAC C40, just abit dark...BB too light, like no coverage.Clinique too ashy.I've got medium with golden yellow complexion which is hard to match.
so, when a friend recomm me this, i was like cool. i bght Tahoe shade.
It matches perfectly in the sunlight but under dim yellow light, i looked dark. this powder is so light, i barely feel anything...lighter than a pressed powder? so i wonder whether is it worth it?

This doesnt control oil at all and doesnt last. why are other reviewers said its lasting??

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helloroo on 4/30/2012 9:25:00 PM more reviews by helloroo

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

UPDATE: I tried to use MAC Studio Fix because it was more cost effective...nuh uh. Broke me out and the NARS powder foundation out performs it. I have stopped using it though because I find that it fades throughout the day even with primer.

This is HG material for me. I was in a foundation rut and discovered this on a whim. I was color matched in Santa Fe (which has peachy undertones) but I chose to get Barcelona which suited my NC 30-5 skin a lot better. I can't describe how this powder literally melts into your skin...it's like you're not even wearing make up! I use a flat top brush to apply one layer, put on concealer, then add another layer of foundation and this does not get cakey at all. NOT ONE BIT. I love it so much. I've honestly never felt this way about a powder foundation before. Looks great in sunlight, those awful bathroom lights, etc. For reference, I have normal/combination skin and this did not make me any oiler. Also, I have light acne scarring and this covered it seamlessly.
The price is quite hefty...$45.
Packaging: I thought I would hate this because it is really bulky but the large mirror inside is a definite plus. It comes with a sponge, which I don't use.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

littlecrush on 4/9/2012 9:42:00 AM more reviews by littlecrush

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this powder because I am a cook and working around grills and steam while wearing liquid foundation with my oily skin is NOT a good combination.I'm still working on my skin so that I'm comfortable going out bare-faced but until then this works just fine.It isn't full coverage but I don't need that;I just want something light.It evens out my skin and keeps me from looking like an oil slick by noon.I have the shade Syracuse and it's a perfect match.Looks natural and also has an spf.This will work great in the summer as well for lighter daytime looks.I know it'll hold up in the summer if it does while I'm slaving over grills and hot food for 8 hours a day.

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jjenny on 2/29/2012 6:35:00 AM more reviews by jjenny

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

nice colour match, doesnt control my oils... BROKE me out in like... 2 weeks but i use it when im jus going out to dinner with my frends cause its only 2-3 hours... by that time my face starts getting oily...

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nailgrl81 on 12/28/2011 10:59:00 PM more reviews by nailgrl81

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I really like this powder. It gives my skin quite a natural glow and although it is expensive ($45, $35 for refills), you only have to use a minimal amount to make a difference. I have no issues about buying it again, because I know it will be a long time before it finishes up.

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danaedwards on 12/27/2011 9:14:00 PM more reviews by danaedwards

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I really like this foundation, it goes on very smooth and helps even all of the skin imperfections on my face. I can really notice the higher quality after switching over from department store brands. I did get this at a cheaper price since I shop on a military base, but I'm not sure if I would pay the full price for this product.

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DisneyAnimeFan92 on 9/25/2011 1:24:00 AM more reviews by DisneyAnimeFan92

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I read the reviews for this product after an SA at Sephora already recommended I buy it and matched me with the right shade (Cadiz), and I was so surprised at all the negative reviews. There's a lot that I love about this powder, so here's a summary based on the things everyone seems to be disagreeing about.


Coverage: Unlike many of the other reviewers, I found the coverage to be excellent for a powder foundation. Since it is a powder, I don't expect a completely flawless face from it -- for that, I would need both liquid and powder combined, possibly with a little concealer underneath. I have some acne, quite a few acne scars, and my skin tone is slightly uneven. This powder gets rid of roughly 95% of what I want covered, and that is perfect for the everyday wear that I need from my foundation.


I should also note that when I tried applying this with my kabuki brush, the coverage was almost nonexistant. It was only by using the sponge that comes with the compact that I was able to get the coverage I wanted, and after that, it was smooth sailing. I applied a thin layer to my entire face, then went back and added more to problem areas that needed extra coverage, and it adapted to that without caking up or making me look overdone.


Oil Control: I have VERY oily skin that destroys any foundation I attempt to put on my face, whether it's liquid or powder. This powder did pretty good with oil control and didn't melt away when I was sweating (and believe me, I sweat a lot). There was some oil breakthrough after 2-3 hours, but I didn't look like an oil slick, or even feel the need to really touch up. The oil combined with the powder and made my skin look dewy, not greasy. There was also surprisingly little transfer, and for once I got the feeling that if I hugged someone, I wouldn't leave half my makeup on their clothes.


Lasting power: The lasting power on this is also pretty good, considering how oily my skin is. I LOVE that it does not oxidize, something that every foundation I've tried seems to do at some point. Cadiz is a perfect match for my skin tone, and it stays that way all day instead of getting 2 shades darker out of nowhere. Touch-ups are required after about 3 hours if I want to keep every last acne scar covered, but the overall effect of the powder lasts all day, and it doesn't disappear and show everything by the end of the day.


Price: This is probably the only downside to the product. It is very expensive, and the refills other reviewers have mentioned are no longer available. Whether or not I buy this again will depend largely on how long it takes me to hit pan -- if it happens quickly, I may need to search for a cheaper alternative, and if it takes awhile, I might be willing to shell out the $45 when the time comes. My skin is a medium/dark brown with yellow and red undertones, and this is the ONLY powder I have tried that perfectly matches that description and gives me the coverage I want, so if that is still true when I run out, that makes it very much worth the extra money I spent on it.


Overall, this is a great product that does everything I expected it to do. It's light, comfortable to wear, hasn't broken me out like my last powder foundation (a review on that is coming shortly), matches my skin tone, looks natural, covers what I need to have covered, and is perfect for both everyday wear at school and work and for a night out. I will continue to use it and most likely repurchase,

12 out of 13 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

zigglemonster on 8/27/2011 9:06:00 AM more reviews by zigglemonster

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

This powder has too light of a coverage for me. It doesn't even cover redness on the cheaks. The finish isn't that great either as I find this clings in patches around different areas of the face, probably the dry areas. Would not purchase this, and its ridiculously expensive for something so light.

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furnando on 7/7/2011 10:01:00 PM more reviews by furnando

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Black    

I love this to set my liquid foundation! However, like everyone else mentioned, this offers very little, if any coverage. However, if you use a sponge you might be able to get a light medium coverage from this. I do like that its quite sheer because I don't want a powder that would drastically change the color of my foundations. I still love my Lancome Dual Finish Powder, but the NARS Powder is just as great. They both are my HG in setting powders. I love the packaging for NARS as always, and would probably pay the extra $10 for another compact instead of just buying a refill...

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*TOP REVIEWER* Katie75007 on 6/3/2011 5:42:00 PM more reviews by Katie75007

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight   Eyes: Blue    

I like this more than I did initially (when I found it to be too drying); I find that it comes in handy for touch-ups and leaves a nice finish on its own, but I definitely have to agree with the below poster regarding coverage. To me, this offers only slightly more coverage than a finishing powder or mattifying powder; it does not cover nearly as well as some powder foundations (which is fine with me, but if you need the coverage, you might want to avoid this particular version).


I do find that it can be a bit drying -- but I love it for the color match. NARS Siberia is one of the few colors that actually matches my skin (NW5-10ish). I prefer Sheer Glow or Firming (liquid) foundations, but I keep this in my bag for post-gym touch ups (or touch ups in general). While the Powder Foundation in Siberia runs darker than the liquid, it still works for me. It does not leave the flawless finish that other powders do, but it does mattify and leave my skin looking more even-toned. It's a bit expensive, but I would probably buy it again. I do like that refills are available from NARS (albeit for not much less than the entire compact), which makes me feel less wasteful than having to repurchase the entire thing.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

missshari on 4/27/2011 10:47:00 AM more reviews by missshari

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

This is more of a powder than a powder 'foundation' as it doesn't offer very much coverage espescially in comparison to mac studio fix powder. I use it to set my foundation as it's not enough by it's self. Don't like the rubbery packaging either as it gets dirty. I like that it has spf12 but wouldn't buy it again.

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pearce38 on 4/15/2011 12:03:00 PM more reviews by pearce38

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Use NARS products a lot as I have olive skin found them best brand for colur match and excellent quality so to me somewhat explains price tag. Purchased powder foundation in Syracuse gave skin nice warm colour slightly darker than my natural colouring but looked fine. Did apply with brush found need to use sponge provided to give extra coverage on my open pores on cheek /nose/chin. Very good covering under eye circles as well result. I agree with others say could be cheaper do not get much product for money but can get refill think £10.00 less. In good sturdy compact dropped it and phew not cracked! I find best to use primer underneath as quite dry I use Laura Mercier at present and use with nars catus flower cream blush amazing colour!

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BeautifullyNatural25 on 4/8/2011 8:33:00 PM more reviews by BeautifullyNatural25

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

For me this is more of a full coverage powder rather then a powder foundation as described. I used to use MAC mineralize skinfinish natural in light medium before transitioning to this in. This says powder foundation but i find it rather sheer and lightweight and very light and natural almost medium coverage this is why i prefer it over my foundation or concealer on hot sweaty days. This powder however is amazing for absorbing oil and sweat on hot days and is great for combination/ oily skin. (my mom has dry skin and she uses it and finds it works well too for shine). This powder is very expensive thought at $45 +tax a piece but it seems to last a while and the quality and result are great especially for summer where you don't want to cake your face with foundation and just want a natural concealer and powder coverage. Lastly just for referance if your ordering online. I'm asian and Nw20-Nw25 in MAC and for this i use fiji, sweden, and laponie. Laponie and sweden are made especially for asian skin tones and are sold on narscosmetics.com only.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No