The Nars Light Reflecting Foundation Gets A Lot Of Hype, So We Put It To The Test

I'd hazard a guess and say from all the products in your make-up arsenal, you are especially picky over your foundation. If you just nodded your head in approval, rest assured you are not alone. There are many beauty products that I can take an 'I'll make this work' can-do attitude to, but my foundation isn't one of them. For lack of a better term, foundation is the foundation to any make-up look (that's not counting a good skincare base, of course). It can determine the overall tone, texture and finish of your base and needs to marry seamlessly with all the various products that it lies beneath. One such foundation that ticks all those boxes? The NARS Light Reflecting Foundation, £41.

NARS certainly has a penchant for developing industry standard, best-selling foundations, which is why the Sheer Glow Foundation has earned itself classic status and a reputation of being in the back pockets of celebrities and professional make-up artists aplenty – everyone from Molly Mae to Zendaya has declared themselves a fan. When the brand decided to launch a newer and arguably more sophisticated Light Reflecting Foundation to its portfolio in 2022, it shook up the foundation category once more.

What does the Nars Light Reflecting Foundation do?

What sets this foundation apart from others on the market is its considered formula. It's described as an 'advanced makeup-skincare foundation' according to the brand's website and it's not hard to see why. Packed with biomimetic oat to clarify and calm, Japanese lilyturf to strengthen barriers and retain moisture, as well as cacao peptides and milk thistle to protect against environmental aggressors, it puts skin health before all else.

Then there is the use of clever cosmetic tech to enhance skin luminosity. Photochromic technology features powders to correct the tone of your complexion in response to intense lights like camera flashes to keep your base photo-ready, while a light reflecting complex made up of light activated micro optical prism, algae extract and Polynesian seawater help skin to capture light and reflect radiantly.

The combination of skin-first ingredients and tech geared towards creating a lit-from-within glow ensures it blurs imperfections, smooths over texture and corrects everything from blemishes to redness, making it perfect for every day wear as well as occasions that call for a touch of glamour.

Our Verdict

This foundation had me at 'skincare make-up hybrid'. With an acne-prone temperament, I always look for base products that can enhance the look of my skin while helping to improve its condition overtime – something which NARS successfully tested during its clinical trials. I personally found that the medium, buildable coverage, which leaves a second-skin natural-looking finish, worked especially well on my sensitive skin and most important left my skin feeling breathable and comfortable. Something that is made possible with its non-acnegenic formula, which means it won't clog your pores. The thing that really tips this foundation into star status for me are the shades on offer. NARS and an inclusive shade range go hand in hand, after all it has long offered the promise of a 30+ wide shade range that caters to all. I landed on Stromboli, a medium with warm yellow undertones which has become the benchmark with which I compare all other foundation shades.

Shop: NARS Light Reflecting Foundation

Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia UK's Beauty Writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).