A weightless, translucent powder for all skintones that creates a soft matte finish that looks luminous in any light.
This setting powder enhances the look of foundation without a trace of color, extending makeup wear thanks to the NARS exclusive Light Reflecting Complex™, which optimizes light-reflection on the skin. Its silky powder is infused with Photochromic Technology, which diffuses light and adjusts to new sources of light throughout the day. Soft, silky and luxurious to the touch and undetectable on the skin, this weightless formula applies evenly and blends effortlessly.
Fine lines, wrinkles, and pores optically fade as skin is visibly smoothed.
Additionally, revolutionary microfine mineral powders are loaded with glycerin and antioxidant vitamin E to help guard against dryness and keep skin comfortable all day. Ideal for touch-ups, it helps regulate shine throughout the day and seamlessly sets foundation.
This product is paraben- and fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.
I love setting sprays over setting powders because I have dry skin and setting sprays or facial mists give me that dewy finish. Also I am not much into liquid foundation, so most of the time a powder foundation or a powder with decent coverage is my choice of base. This gets little difficult for me because I live in a place that has real cold weather and have dry skin.
This summer though I had some fun road trips planned to places with hotter climates and with tinted moisturizers, sunscreens and natural skin oils, a setting powder was the way to go.
NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder was my choice of pressed powder and as much as I wished it worked for me, it didn't. I am so sad it didn't work! This is not a new product, but I review whatever I own and use, be it new or be it old.
Color: Stark white with very fine micro shimmers, The website says Translucent Crystal
Texture and Consistency: Super soft, smooth, satiny and velvety to touch. Non powdery or chalky, the product is very stiff and hard in the pan.
Fragrance/Scent: It has some scent, not odorless but very difficult to specify. Nothing offensive. On application non of this is detected.
Application: I used this to set my make up at the end. I tried using it with both the sponge/applicator and with few different powder brushes. I chose brushes with different shapes and different density of bristles. The most challenging part was getting the product on the brush. It was a nightmare! There was absolutely no product on the brush, though I could get some swatch on my fingers for the first 2-3 times. Later I could not even get the product on my finger tips.
Feel and Effect on Skin: I honestly don't know if any product touched my face or not. It did not itch my face nor made it dry, an issue that I usually face with setting powders. Also there was no blurring or any visible, noticeable change on my face.
Packaging: The packing is lovely. It is the usual NARS matte black, rubberized case, with a pretty good size mirror. It comes with a sponge applicator and is nested in a black case. Very chic and easy to travel with.
Verdict: In the store, I tried both the pressed and loose versions of these powders, but just for portability and ease of application I chose the pressed one. The NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder was pretty good. It did not leave my skin itchy or dry. I didn't use it much to comment on the effect of the loose powder. So I think the powder is too compactly pressed. It would had been absolutely OK if I didn't see it on my brush, had it shown any effect on my face, but it did NOTHING!
In the past MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Micro finish Powder had not worked for me. It made my skin itch bad and made it super dry. It left a white cast on my face. I must admit though at that time I didn't had the right powder brush too. Later I tried tarte Smooth Operator™ Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder and with right tools I made it work but it was a messy affair. The loose powder flew every where!! It did not leave any white cast on my face nor made me look ashy. I need to try their tarte Smooth Operator™ Amazonian Clay Pressed Finishing Powder now.
I might try the NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder in future if they come up with a travel size but for now this NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder is a total dud!
I have heard lot of good things about the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, a cult classic. It comes in a travel size too, so I might give that a try. I love Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder and have been using it since ages!
What are your favorite setting powders?
Disclaimer: The product is purchased by me. The post contains Affiliate links.
