Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder review and comparisons.

Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder .

Lately, I been feeling as if something has been missing from my makeup routine (aka: I need to experiment with a new item).  So when countless YouTube personalities raved about the amazing airbrushed look Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder ($34 US/ 7g) gave their complexion, I knew I needed to give this “amazing product” a try.  I mean, how wonderful and exciting could a setting powder possibly be? Pretty darn amazing 🙂

Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder .

Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder .

The Pros:

1. Nars has created a pressed version of the typical loose silica setting powder.
2. The packaging is thin with a sizable mirror.  Ideal for carrying in a makeup bag.
3. The nylon pouch is very well made and washable.  Thank goodness not another useless velvet pouch (they get dirtier than the actual compact).
4. A thin sponge is included for easy touch-ups during the day.  Works well to conceal pores using a press and roll method.
5. This powder is finely milled and featherlight…an invisible veil of radiance covers the skin!
6. Photographs beautifully if applied lightly.
7. The powder is firmly packed into the compact.  Swirling your brush in the compact will not result in powder going everywhere.
8. Formulated without sparkle, glitter or shimmer.
9. The powder will not leave your skin feeling dry or give the appearance of caked-on makeup (presumably due to the high levels of glycerin and squalane in the formula)
10. The formula does not contain parabens or fragrance.
11. If properly applied, this powder does diffused the appearance of pores (sweep your brush across your face rather than buffing the powder onto your skin).
12. A beautiful luminous sheen is left on the skin, while providing oil control.
13. Suitable for dry and oily skins.

Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder packaging.

The Cons:

1. The amount should be larger considering one will use this everyday, several times a day.
2. May turn ashy on darker skinned beauties if used in abundance.
3. The typical Nars rubberized packaging will get dirty very quickly.
4. Flash-back will occur if too much product is applied.  In natural lighting the powder is invisible, however because this powder is silica based, it will reflect and give off a white case in flash photography.  Tread lightly my peeps.

Comparisons to Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Powder:

Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder vs. Hourglass Diffused Ambient Powder.

Hourglass Diffused Light (reviewed here) has a noticeable yellow base color, has micro-fine shimmers, brightens the complexion, but is not meant to control oil.  Nars is a true setting powder, completely invisible if applied properly and will prolong the wear of your makeup.  Lately, I find myself using Nars Light Reflecting Powder more so than Hourglass Diffused Light.

Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder vs. MAC Prep-n-Prime.

MAC Prep-n-Prime is very inconvenient to use, not travel friendly, leaves a white cast on the skin and does not control oil as well as Nars.

Compact sizing and thickness. L-R: Nars, Hourglass, and MAC.

Clearly the winner in the packaging category is the Nars compact.  I am told (by a Sephora employee) the Hourglass baked powder is very delicate, it has a tendency to crack easily, hence the bulkier protective packaging.

All swatches in natural lighting: L-R: Nars, Hourglass, and MAC.

All swatches taken with flash photography: L-R: Nars, Hourglass, and MAC.

Each swatch is applied heavily to show on camera and to illustrate why one should be light-hand with the application of any setting powder.  In natural lighting the Nars powder is undetectable.  However with the introduction of flash photography, Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder strongly reflects light and gives off a white cast to the skin if applied heavily (as does Hourglass Diffused Ambient Powder and the MAC Prep-n-Prime powder ).

Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder ingredient list.

I like to apply Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder with my Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush (using a downward sweeping motion in all directions) after my foundation, before my powder blush and bronzer.  I then use my Skindinavia Setting Spray to harmonize the entire look.  Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder is very handy to use for touch-ups throughout the day; it performs similarly to oil blotting papers.

Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder Powder used all over the face.

Nars Cosmetics can be found at Lord & Taylor, Saks, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Sephora and narscosmetics.com.

THE VERDICT:  If makeup could talk what would it say?

Makeup would tell you this is a very well executed attempt at a pressed translucent setting powder.  I prefer the look of my makeup at the end of the day when I use Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder.  Just to add a splash of reality to this glowing review, no one product will work magic on enlarged pores and problem skin.  Those are issues to address with a dermatologist and/or nutritionist.  Personally, this little puppy does exactly what I want it to do…it keeps me looking polished, smooth and radiant.  What more can I ask for?  World peace, government resolution, and economic stability would be nice….I guess Nars will have to do for now.  Be well and stay safe.

-M-

*Ifmakeupcouldtalk.com is not affiliated with any brands mentioned, all products were purchased by me.  Compensation is not given for any reviews.  Click on each photo to enlarge. *Click on the rose highlighted words to take you to a direct link to each product. *All photos are property of Ifmakeupcouldtalk.com unless otherwise noted.