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| Above: NARS All Day Weightless Luminous Foundation in Santa Fe. |
Happy February, lovelies; I hope your month is off to a marvelous start! The Internet has been abuzz with praise for the freshly-released NARS All Day Weightless Luminous Foundation (available at Nordstrom, Sephora, NARS.com and Barney’s NY. Being the foundation-phile that I am, I couldn’t wait to try it for myself. In turn, I was finally able to procure it this weekend (thanks to my brother for picking it up for me as I stayed home on the verge of catching a cold!) and promptly spent the better half of Sunday swatching each of the 20 shades for your viewing enjoyment. Although I haven’t owned this formula long enough to be able to extend an official assessment, I will say that my initial experience has been a positive one thus far. That being said, I felt it imperative to share the spectrum of swatches right away, especially for those of you not near to a NARS counter!
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches of EVERY shade, initial impressions, images of the foundation in action as well as the Bottom Line…
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| Above: The NARS All Day Weightless Luminous Foundation comes in a weighty frosted glass bottle. |
Official details (courtesy of Nordstrom):
NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation offers you full, natural-looking coverage with 16 hours of weightless wear. Highly pigmented and perfectly balanced, the breakthrough formula builds and blends effortlessly with just one drop. It features advanced flexible polymers that move with your skin, providing extraordinary breathability and comfort. Even Tone Technology is designed to instantly neutralize redness and dullness while working long-term to reduce the appearance of discoloration for more even, uniform skin. Gold and green pigments in a perfect four-to-one ratio optically manipulate how light reflects off skin’s surface, evening out the complexion for instant luminosity. Green pigments negate redness on contact while gold combat dullness. Scarlet spidering root extract helps reduce the appearance of discoloration and reveal brighter, more even skin over time.
How to use: Shake well. Apply one pump of the foundation into your palm. Start by warming the foundation in your hands. Then, working with your fingers, apply a small amount in the center of the face and begin pressing onto the skin working outward in sections. To achieve the most natural result, start with a minimal amount of product and gradually build to desired coverage. Work quickly to blend product, as it perfects and sets in moments.
Ingredients
Aqua, Triethylhexanoin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Silica, Talc, Dimethicone, Peg-5 Glyceryl Stearate, Isostearic Acid, Bentonite, Stearic Acid, Behenic Acid, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Batyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Curcuma Longa, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Serralysin, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Trisodium Edta, Ascorbyl Glucoside. [+/- (May Contain/Peut Contenir): Ci 77891/Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491/Iron Oxides, Ci 77492/Iron Oxides, Ci 77499/Iron Oxides].
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| Above: The pump dispenser is precise…one pump of product is enough to cover the entire face! |
My initial thoughts (in no apparent order):
- This foundation is very fluid in texture…it glides onto the skin with ease, but sets within a few seconds
- Despite its fluid and virtually weightless texture, the coverage is surprisingly substantial…it is easily medium to full in a single application
- I have tried applying this both with my fingers and a Beauty Blender…both work beautifully
- I highly suggest shaking the bottle lightly before dispensing the foundation
- One pump will be enough to cover the entire face (for most people); resist the urge to apply more than necessary, just because it feels so thin!
- This is delightfully unscented and doesn’t contain sunscreen (thank you, NARS)
- The finish is natural and skin-like, borderlining on a satin-matte
- I haven’t used powder to set this…I think that would ruin the very natural finish; I did, however add a bit to my nose a few hours into wear (just because I was taking pictures)
- Once it sets, it doesn’t seem to budge…it also doesn’t appear to transfer, pool in pores or slide around the face
- In terms of longevity, I got 7-8 hours of flawless wear (even in warm, sunny weather); I am sure I’ll have a 16 hour day soon to give it the proper wear time test ; )
- All in all, I daresay it is living up to the buzz!
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| Above: The 20 shades ensures that most (if not all!) skintones will find a befitting match. |
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| Above: Light, medium and dark, courtesy of Mont Blanc, Santa Fe and New Orleans. |
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| Above: Swatches of the first 10 shades (light and medium) in direct sunlight. |
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| Above: A closeup of the first five shades. |
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| Above: A closeup of the next five shades. |
Shade Descriptions (per my experience):
- Siberia: Lightest neutral beige for fair skin with neutral undertones (@N/NC/NW 10)
- Mont Blanc: Light neutral beige for fair skin with neutral to rosy undertones (@N/NW 15)
- Gobi: Light warm beige for fair skin with neutral to yellow undertones (@N/NC 15)
- Deauville: Light neutral beige for fair to light skin with neutral undertones (@N/NW 20)
- Fiji: Light neutral to warm beige for fair to light skin with neutral to golden (equal parts yellow and peach) undertones (@N/NC 20)
- Ceylan: Light neutral to warm beige for light skin with yellow undertones (@NC 20-23)
- Punjab: Light warm beige for light-medium skin with neutral to peach undertones (@N/NC 25)
- Vallauris: Light neutral beige for light-medium skin with neutral to rosy undertones (@N/NW 25)
- Santa Fe: Light neutral beige for light-medium skin with neutral to yellow undertones (@N/NC 25) **This is my best shade match, as Punjab is a bit too peachy/deep for me
- Stromboli: Warm beige for medium skin with olive/very yellow (undertones (@NC 30-33)
- Barcelona: Warm beige for medium skin with golden (equal parts yellow and peach) undertones (@N/NC 30-33)
- Syracuse: Deeper beige for medium-dark skin with tan undertones (@N/NC 35)
- Tahoe: Deeper beige for medium-dark skin with caramel undertones (@N/NC 40-42)
- Cadiz: Deep beige for medium-dark skin with neutral to rosy undertones (@N/NW 40-42)
**The darker shades are very similar to one another in terms of depth; in turn, there is a significant jump from Cadiz to Macao, yet little differentiation–aside from subtle undertone variances–from Macao to Benares. Khartoum, however, stands alone as the deepest, richest brown.
- Macao: Dark beige for medium-dark skin with yellow undertones (@N/NC 45)
- New Guinea: Dark beige for medium-dark skin with neutral to rosy undertones (@N/NW 43-45)
- Trinidad: Dark beige for dark skin with yellow undertones (@NC 45)
- New Orleans: Dark beige for very dark skin with yellow undertones (@NC 50)
- Benares: Dark brown for very dark skin with neutral to golden undertones (@N/NW/NC 50)
- Khartoum: Darkest brown for the deepest, richest skin with netural undertones (@N/NC/NW 55)
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| Above: Swatches of the second 10 shades (medium and dark) in direct sunlight. |
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| Above: A closeup of the first five shades. |
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| Above: A closeup of the first five shades. |
The images that follow reflect the NARS All Day Weightless Luminous Foundation in Santa Fe in action in various lighting situations…
Other Product Used:
- Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge…reviewed HERE
- By Terry Terrybly Densiliss Primer…reviewed HERE
- Beauty Blender
- Becca Lowlighting/Hightlighting Perfecting Compact…reviewed HERE
- Jenny Patinkin All Over Face Brush…reviewed HERE
- Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush in First Love…reviewed HERE
- Surratt Beauty Surrealist Skin Concealer #5…reviewed HERE
- Tom Ford Cream Eye Color in Spice…reviewed HERE
- NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Himilia…reviewed HERE
- Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara…reviewed HERE
- Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Pencil in Pillow Talk…reviewed HERE
- YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #22 Nude Indeed (full review soon)
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| Above: In outdoor lighting…no flash. |
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| Above: In direct sunlight. |
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| Above: In outdoor lighting…with a flash. The flashback is virtually nonexistent (likely due to the absence of sunscreen in the ingredients list)…much appreciated. |
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| Above: Outdoor lighting…mixed sunlight, no flash. |
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| Above: Extreme closeup…no flash. I appreciate the way it smooths and evens the skin while still looking like skin! |
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| Above: Outdoor lighting…with a flash. |
–Shop the Post–
Bottom Line: I hope you found these swatches helpful…I will continue to experiment with this foundation (so far, so good) and weigh back in later on this month. In sum, the NARS All Day Weightless Luminous Foundation (available at Nordstrom, Sephora, NARS.com and Barney’s NY) is excellent for those seeking medium to full coverage with a natural finish and immense lasting power!
Good things ahead this week, including some new product procurements, my January Favorites video, a skincare update and a FOTD…
I am also working on another round of responses to your lovely emails and comments ; )
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
© 2012-14 Beautyprofessor® All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, reprint or republish content and/or photos without author’s written permission.
Comments (61)
Thanks for this review! The swatches are glorious and very true to what I know from the Sheer Glow. However, I think there is some confusion in the medium/tan shades. I am NC35 (strong yellow undertones) in winter and NC40-42 in summer, depending on holidays etc. Stromboli is a perfect shade for me for most of the year; at my darkest I mix it with 1/3 Syracuse. Macao is much, much too dark for NC 40-42; it's almost a pure milk chocolate brown in the swatch. Just going by the swatch of Stromboli compared with my own, I'd say the shades correspond pretty well to Sheer Glow, do you know if this is true? Sounds like a foundation I want to try anyway :).
My pleasure, Bella!
Thanks for weighing in on the shades! I haven't yet compared it to Sheer Glow but plan to soon ; )
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
I tried this the other day while I was in Sephora and wasn't sure about it. I have combo skin and this accentuated dry patches, maybe it was the Sephora lighting but it looked horrible on my skin. I would see this working for oily skin but not sure how it will perform for dry skin. I find that the formula is very similar to the YSL Fusion Ink which I love so I might just get a sample and try one more time 🙂
Beti
http://makeup-sessions.com/
Hi Beti,
Thanks for sharing your experience! Also, it is wonderful to connect with you here ; )
Happy weekend…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Thank you Rachel for this post,
I love Nars foundation, a bottle sheer glow in is always in my collection. I wear Deauville now and Santa Fee in summer. The new one sounds really promising and looks so natural on your face, like nothing. Hope you feeling better!
Greetings from Germany
Susanne
My pleasure, Susanne and thanks for your well-wishes…I am finally feeling back to normal!
Have a beautiful weekend, my friend…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Rachel! This foundation looks lovely on you.
I got this like a week ago and have been playing with it, so will share with you guys my thoughts, as they might be useful.
– The shades on this foundation run differently than the shades on the Sheer Glow. I am a Deauville here, and noticed that it is lighter than the Sheer Glow Deauville. So if anyone is interested, I suggest to try to get a sample of a couple of shades first and do not use the same shade of your Sheer Glow if you own that one.
– This foundation clings on dry patches like crazy, so prepping the skin is crucial. Yet, if you prep enough, The foundation, on me, sits on pores, so I have to use a primer. A thin layer would do the job. I noticed that if I don't use my army of serums and only moisturize, it won't sit on pores, but I can't do that… So I prime with ant silicon based primer.
– Have to avoid any water based gels right underneath the foundation or else will make it separate and act crazy.
– Avoid any water based product on top of the foundation, or will make it milky and will run.
I am absolutely in love with this foundation, and like you said, one pump does absolutely the job. I haven't used a beauty blender for Im afraid will absorb too much the foundation since is so liquidy. Only use my fingers or a buffing brush. You are supposed to warm it up with your fingers and work this way, but we all know Nars says the same about all of his foundations.
Hi Andrea,
Thank you ever so much! Thank you for sharing your comprehensive thoughts on this formula…a foundation is such a personal type of makeup and these details will be great for those seeking to gain a spectrum of experiences/opinions!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
First, you look wonderful as usual. I received a sample in, Ceylon. It is everything you said. I really like the fact there is no fragrance. Fragrances often give me headaches. This foundation certainly held up in the Florida humidity. It didn't oxidize on my skin either. I am amazed by the great coverage and the natural appearance. Thank you for doing this review.
P.S. do feel better.
Hi Jan,
Thank you for your kind words and I am grateful to say that I am finally feeling better!
I am glad we are of like mind about fragrance in foundation…it is generally something I avoid (though I make a special exception for By Terry!). Thrilled that you loving this formula!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks for this review! I am going to have to try it myself. One question: I heard that the shades might be off a little from the NARS foundation shades with the same names from their other foundation lines (sheer glow & sheer matte). Can you comment (particularly as to stromboli)?
Hi Krystle,
My pleasure! I wish I could answer your question, but I haven't had the chance to compare the shades in the two formulas. I hope to, however…will report back soon ; )
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks for all the lovely swatches and your initial impressions of this foundation. I cannot wait to give it a try at my local counter. Hope you managed to fight off that cold. Stay well.
Thank you, Tatiana…so glad you liked the post. So appreciate the well wishes…I am finally feeling back to normal!!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi BP ! Happy February to u as well. Thanks for still working even thought u were under the weather. Hope your feeling better. I'm very excited to try the Nats as u know anything w the word luminous or glow gets my attention! It looks amazing on u. Very natural and radiant. Trying to track down peau vierge #2 is getting hard. 🙁 if u know anyone that has the 1 ounce please let us know. Otherwise I'll have to make the splurge for the 2oz. I just remembered that the 1oz lasted me an insanely amount of time so I was gonna get that again. Thanks so much. Xo
Hi dear Lynn,
I hope your week was wonderful…mine improved as I began to finally feel better ; ) Thanks for your swet words! Ahh…the Peau Vierge. I spent some quality time with LMdB's Mikey Castillo last night and have it on good authority that the 1 ounce bottle should return to counters in the next few weeks. I have the 2 ounce tube right now and it is lasting me forever!
Have a beautiful weekend, my friend, and talk soon…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Rachel
I so appreciate how you always swatch all colors in your posts. It is so helpful to see this.
My pleasure, Anon…thanks for taking the time to share your comment!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi rachel! Great review! Do you think you could help me pick out a shade, we dont have a nars store here. Im fawn in tom ford perfecting foundation and nr 30 in chanel perfection lumiere.
Hi Linda…thanks!
I would recommend Ceylan (closest to TF Fawn) or Fiji (more like Chanel #30).
Hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
You are a Beauty Warrior!! Thank you for the time, effort, focus & passion on all things beauty!!
You are too kind and I am honored by the distinction, Rose!!! Thank you!!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Wonderful! Thank you so much for this review. I was waiting to try it! It sounds dreamy. Now I need to make up my mind about my perfect match: Im thinking either Gobi or Deauville. In any case, I can just order both from Sephora and return the wrong color.
Happy Monday BP!
Thank you! It is truly my pleasure! Have you found a match yet? Thoughts?
Hope your week has been fantastic!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hiii have you tried the sheer glow from nars? How do you think this compares?
Hi Anon!
Not yet…I want to juxtapose the two soon!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Been mixing foundation colours all the time (yes, it's hard to find the right colour for me) and I heard that Nars is famous for their range of colour in their foundation colour spectrums. Any idea what colour I would be if I'm asian skin toned (warm?yellow?), wear Ivory in Clinique even better foundation, n.3 in Charlotte tilbury's light wonder (or 4?), cashew in laura mercer flawless fluid? I tried the temptalia foundation match and got deauville (I am doubtful) for the Nars All day weightless f. , is it correct? Thank you!
P.s: discovered your blog recently and loving your thorough posts!
Hi Robert,
Yes, the NARS foundation shade spectrum is quite comprehensive! I actually think you'll find a match in Deauville…it is very close to CT Light Wonder 3 and 4!
I hope that helps…thanks for your kind words about my blog…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
I really need to get my hands on a sample of Siberia!
Indeed, Clever Girl!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Thank you for your effort.
Hmm, siberia seems interesting, now I need to track down a web shop that ship to Norway.
My pleasure! I wish the best in tracking this down!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Thank you for another wonderful review! I can't wait to try this foundation. I went to Sephora last week but somehow missed the Nars section until my way out, and a quick swipe on my hand didn't do it justice. Plus I hadn't read your review yet, so I didn't shake it first! Rookie mistake. 😉 Hope you are staying warm and dry on this chilly Sunday! xo, Blondie, Esq.
Thank you, my friend! Yes, shaking it makes a world of difference ; )
I hope you had a marvelous wekeend…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Very helpful review! Which color do you think would be best to blend Macao with? I feel like it would be a tad bit dark for me. I have yellow/warm undertones so I was leaning more towards Tahoe than Cádiz to mix it with. I have to order online since there is no Sephora here I can't ask for samples
Glad to hear it! I would suggest Tahoe as it has the yellow tones you describe!
Hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
I am the shade Barcelona in the Sheer Glow however I was matched to Punjab in the All Day Luminous (I was very confused!). So I went home with the sample and still wasn't sure…so I went back and got matched to Santa Fe which I found to be slightly too cool toned. Should I bother going back to be matched to another shade?
I would see if I could get samples of a few shades in your color family and try them all at home in different lighting situations…finding the perfect match is essential when it comes to foundation!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
I'm LOVING this in depth review! Stumbled across your blog after googling shade recommendations for my nc40. Will surely be following your blog from now on. Thanks for all the details and pictures. I'm sold on this foundation – will be picking up a sample from Sephora today, before I splurge on it 🙂
xxxo, Vanessa
Glad to hear it, Vanessa…thanks so much for sharing!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi! I love how thorough your posts are! They're really helpful, thank you so much 🙂
I wonder if you can help suggest a shade that is closest to Linen (21) in Dior Forever. We don't have nars counter here.. I'm Asian with yellow undertone. Do you think Fiji or Ceylan would be a good match? Also, how do you think this one is compared to Dior Forever? Thanks!
Hi Natashia,
Thanks so much for the kind words. I would suggest Fiji as Ceylan is lighter than Dior Linen! This is similar to the Dior Forever (in terms of coverage) but with a more natural finish!
I hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Your blog is perfect! The swatch comparisons (visual and written) are so helpful. Its convinced me to go to Sephora for a sample of Syracuse bc I recently purchased Tahoe, and love it but i always feel darker or fake tanned a little. Maybe bc its caramel undertone as you described as opposed to tan like Syracuse. I only need a quarter or half shade difference. Thanks for being so thorough! Would you say this foundation looks better as the day progresses? I always feel like its so noticeable but after a few hours looks so much better.
Thanks so much, Amber! Glad to hear that the swatches were helpful for you. I do agree, this formula tends to look more natural as it melds with the skin over the course of wear!
XO,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi
Which of these shades do you think would suit me, Im about an nc35 warm undertone , Also if you could tell me which shade I should try out in the radiant creamy concealer too?
Thank you so much
Hi Anon,
I would recommend Barcelona! I don't have swatches of the concealer so unfortunately, I cannot steer you in the right direction on that product ; )
Take care,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi! I have notification on for this post and thought I could help you. I'm also an NC 35 right now, and use Ginger in the Radiant Creamy Concealer 🙂 It has a golden undertone so it great for our color.
Hello (:
I have Mac studio fix NW20 and Estée Lauder double wear 2n1 desert beige.
I really want to buy Nars all day but we don't have it in my country… 🙁
Can you please help me what Shade I need?
Tnx
Hi,
I would recommend Deauville!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi i use Nars sheer glow in Barcelona, what shade would I be in Charlotte Tilsbury Light wonder and Magic Foundation? Thank you
I am guessing you'd be #7 or #8 but I haven't yet swatched the Magic Foundation (only in Shade #6, which I own).
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
while searching for the Nars All day luminous….I found out your blog! Love the way you have given in depth reviews…I am an NC40 generally and when tanned – NC 42 – I am matched to Syracuse….Syracuse and Barcelona are very similar…Syracuse matches perfectly….while applying it looks darker…but it beautifully blends in and adapt to my natural skintone….I love the way it looked… 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experience Renji…so glad you found your way here!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Feel Unique finally got the Nars brand and I was able to get my hands on a bottle of Siberia. First time I got a perfect fit in foundation.
Hi I use Santa Fe and the shade is perfect for me. I am always unsure of which undertones etc I have, all I know is that Santa Fe is perfect for me. I want to buy a shade darker though for the summer when I am tanned. Which shade do you think? I'm thinking maybe Barcelona??
Hi Debbie,
I would indeed recommend Barcelona!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi great review!! I am a 120 in makeup forerever ultra hd foundation. I originally purchased Punjab but that shade is a bit dark for me with a noticeable peachy undertone. I am very yellow undertone. Which shade would you recommend?
Thanks, Bianca…I would recommend Santa Fe!
xx
–The Beauty Professor
First of all, thank you for this amazing blog, it is always a pleasure to have all the colors watched together and having an idea of comparison with other foundations. During the summer time I am matched as Stromboli which fit me perfectly as it has strong yellow olive undertones that my skin has but unfortunately this shade is too dark in winter which shade would you recommend me? Apparently I am currently NC25 in Mac Pro Longwear (the only time I tried it, it seemed that it also misses a little of yellow), I tried Punjab, it is still a little too dark and have way too much peachy undertones, I looked almost orange with it. Fiji was either too light or miss that olive undertone, I couldn't figure it out but was less bizarre on me. I was thinking of using Ceylan as it is describes as medium with yellow undertones but I'm afraid it will be too light (maybe I can try to mix it with Stromboli), what do you think? I am always having such a hard time to find a foundation because of my undertone and the rare foundations that do have a shade including olive undertone are always darker than me…
Hi Amina,
Thanks for your kind words! I would suggest Santa Fe!
xx
–The Beauty Professor
Hello,
I just wanted to say thanks for sharing details about the other shades much appreciated.Alot of time people just focus on their shade and not shades for people of colour which you didn't.This helped me to decide which shade to pick.