NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder - review

I’m on a permanent lookout for a perfect powder for me. And I met this one absolutely by chance. I mean I knew the Nars brand before and use some of their products with pleasure. In my makeup pouch there are such faves from NARS like Blush in the shade Madly, Nars Pore & Shine Control Primer, a divine Soft Matte Complete Concealer and such outsider like All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. One day I’ll write a review of all of them.

So, I bought this powder by chance when the Nars products were 50% off in one of the stores.

★ PRODUCT ★

NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder:

PRICE: $37 (full size)

WEIGHT: 10g

★ PRODUCT SAYS ★

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. One of the best parts? 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.

 

★ INGREDIENTS ★

Polymethyl Methacrylate • Triethylhexanoin • Dimethicone • Cetyl Ethylhexanoate • Hydrogenated Polydecene • Polyethylene • Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate • Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline • Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Candelilla Cera/Cire De Candelilla • C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters • Sodium Magnesium Silicate • Glycerin • Tocopherol • Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil • Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters • Water/Aqua/Eau • Sodium Hyaluronate • [+/- (May Contain/Peut Contenir): Mica • Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891) • Iron Oxides (Ci 77491) • Iron Oxides (Ci 77492) • Iron Oxides (Ci 77499) • Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163) • Carmine (Ci 75470)] •

 

As you can see, the list of ingredients is really talc-free! For me this is important! Before this one, I used to have several similar setting powders from Innisfree (No sebum mineral powder) and Holika Holika (Sweet Cotton Sebum Clear Pact), which used to clog my pores and made my skin acne-prone (unfortunately, these brands don’t state the list of ingredients on their packages, so I don’t even know if there was talc in them or not).

 

★ DESIGN ★

It’s standard for Nars - black thick paper box with a plastic jar inside, which is see-through at the bottom with a rubber top cap. It has the Nars lettering on it. The lettering doesn’t fade over time but the top cap magnets all the stains easily like all the other products from the brand.

The jar is light, almost lightweight. Inside there’s an inner sifter so as not to let the powder come out.

There’s no puff provided. The sifter holes aren’t big or small, they are really user-friendly. But there’s no more additional protection inside, so the powder easily comes through those holes.

So, I don’t recommend you take it anywhere with you or throw somewhere. Keep it at home, on your beauty table, otherwise, the powder can be spilled into the top cap.

 

★ COLOR ★

Crystal

Actually, it’s white, like flour.

 

The grain is the finest. It applies with the gentlest veil on my skin and never makes my complexion appear whiter.

There’s no smell or fragrance.

 

★ HOW TO USE ★

Apply it gently with a puff or a brush. I use a brush and apply it with a veil layer over my foundation.

 

★ IMPRESSIONS ★

The powder has turned out to be decent and very convenient to use.

 

• It isn’t a problem to pick the powder with a brush. It doesn’t dust and goes a long way. The coverage is thin and smooth. I don’t detect it on my skin.

• It doesn’t clog my pores

• The coverage is invisible. Even within the first seconds of application, it still doesn’t feel like that I applied some flour over my skin, which is so common for other powders.

• It doesn’t “eat up” or change the color of my foundation

• Good setting. It doesn’t sit in my pores. My skin looks sleek and smooth

• No skin drying out or dry patches defining, if you have them

• Even though the product is supposed to be glowing, it doesn’t shine or anything. Yet, my face still doesn’t look dead matte. My makeup is always so natural with it on.

 

My skin is mixed and more oily and thanks to this product and the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, I forgot what blotting paper and compact powders are. My makeup stays put the entire day. And even when I work out, I still look good.

‼︎!BUT, one should not expect any miracle from this powder, it won’t solve all your skin problems - like pores erasing or skin texture smoothing out. No! In reality, it won’t ever do anything of that kind. Its main aim is to set your makeup, leaving it fresh and not overweight. And it does this job nicely!

As promised, BEFORE and AFTER shot:

OVERALL: I liked this powder for its setting properties. It extends the wear time of my makeup without my pore clogging. I’ll keep on using it gladly!