I’ve been wanting the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (Php 2,550) for the longest time and I finally bit the bullet and bought it about a week ago. I was shade-matched to Punjab or the “Medium 1” shade of the range, which by the way has an impressive array of skin tones and colors.
The Sheer Glow has a “complexion brightening formula” and is meant to deliver “immediate hydration” and to even out the skin tone, brightening up the skin and giving it a radiance. When used daily, the skin’s texture is supposed to “improve over time, becoming softer, smoother, and more luminous.” The Sheer Glow foundation also provides “weightless and buildable coverage with a natural radiant finish.” It’s meant for Normal to Dry skin types.
The foundation is thicker than my usual picks of light-medium foundations—definitely not sheer. It’s not too opaque and sheer, but it covers up a great deal of imperfections, sometimes not even requiring concealer anymore. I’ve applied it with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and my fingers but I prefer using the brush.
Worn alone:
Worn under Physician’s Formula Youthful Wear Cosmeceutical Youth-Boosting Powder in Translucent Matte and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Mood Light, after 6-ish hours:
Worn over Rouge Bunny Rouge Prelude in the Clouds Aqua Primer:
Worn over y.e.t. Cosmetics Fill It Up Primer, and under UD All Nighter Setting Spray. 10 hours after application and a Phoenix show:
Worn over Ahava Travel Size Essential Day Moisturizer, normal to dry:
I freaking love this foundation. It’s not sticky and I almost never have to set it, especially if I won’t be sweating too much. It blends in nicely and easily, and matches my skin tone. I do not really like that it doesn’t have SPF (so I have to put an additional layer of product to my face). I feel like it doesn’t play too well with my skin–I’ve been having a few spots appearing here and there—but that could also be due to the fact that I’ve been wearing foundation pretty often, though I have to switch it out every few days since liquid foundations can be too heavy on my skin. I also haven’t been diligent with my skin care routine, oops. I’ll post an update if I continue to break out.
Another gripe is that it… doesn’t come with a pump.
They sell it separately (I bought mine at about Php 395) and I only did because I’m clumsy and will probably spill the foundation at some point in my life and also because the pump is actually very good and useful.
Another maddening thing about the design of this product is that after installing the pump… YOU CAN’T PUT THE CAP BACK ON. The cap is a cube with a smaller opening in the middle that serves as the original cover of the foundation. I found a way to remove the inner cap—BUT THE PUMP IS STILL TOO BIG TO FIT INTO THE CAP. Frustrating! The nozzle swivels into a locked position, so there won’t be spillage inside your bag or whatever, but the counter testers have proper caps. I don’t know why this design is so flawed. But anyway. The foundation.
The foundation is great, definitely something I would recommend. I see the big deal~ now. It takes a while to blend in and make it streak-free, but the overall effect is quite nice.
Some swatch comparisons with some bases I still have:
Swatched, L-R: NARS Sheer Glow (Punjab), Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum (53), Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow (Cheers to Me… Champagne), AHAVA Light Foundation (Sand), Maybelline 8-in-1 BB White (02 Natural), Maybelline 8-in-1 BB Cream (01 Fresh)
Have you tried NARS Sheer Glow Foundation?
NARS is cruelty-free.
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Softly Sometimes 
Hey Carina, the foundation sounds good, but the packaging will most probably drive me insane! It’s not very well thought-out. I do not want to pay extra for a pump, and if I do I want the cap to still fit! But it does look great on you even after 6 hours!
I know, it’s so frustrating! Hahaha it looks so lame with no cap on. D: Thankfully the pump is really great.
Hmm, that’s so strange about the pump and cap not working together… Shouldn’t they include a fitting cap with that pump that they sell separately then? Surely it wouldn’t cost them anything.
I don’t know what they were thinking here, honestly. I mean, they already have a design for the cap that fits the pump, as these are what they have in-store. SO. Yeah. What’s up with this, NARS?
I also have NARS Sheer Glow (we’re the same shade, actually!) and the pump/cap thing drives me NUTS! I was travelling with it and it wasn’t until I was packing that I realised the cap didn’t fit back on, so I resorted to taping the pump down to its locked position. For a relatively high-end brand, you’d think they’d pay more attention to packaging.
Cool! Hello, shade-mate! 🙂 Yeah, it’s so frustrating to me. D: I just want a nicely-designed cap, dammit!
Carina, can you please do an eye make-up tutorial for your 3rd look here. Thank you 🙂
Will do! 🙂 It’s super simple lang. I’ll try to post it this weekend. 🙂
I was actually matched to Punjab, too. I tried at the counter and really liked it, but I have several foundations on the go so decided not to purchase. I think when I finish one, it might be next up! Love all the looks here, too 🙂
Thanks, Laala! 🙂 I don’t know why I caved, I have several foundations, too. D: Haha
I use this exact same shade! Love it because it looks like skin when applied, so not at all masky. I have a suggestion that might solve your lack of SPF & breakout issues – try the Nars Pro Prime Multi Protect SPF 30 primer underneath. SPF, a protective barrier between your skin & whatever ingredient is irritating you + bonuses – your foundation will last longer & “read” even more skin-like & natural. HTH
Aw, I’ve heard such great things about that primer! Once I use at least one of mine up, I’ll look into that one. Thank you for the help. 🙂
This is the same exact one I’ve been wanting to purchase too. Thanks for the review… very helpful!
You’re welcome! I hope it works out for you. 🙂
Shame about the pump issue, otherwise looks like a nice foundation. Steph x
Yeah 😦 That’s probably the only con I have, especially since this is pretty pricey.
Great shade match but I do see how thick it is in your photos… Perhaps because I’m used to seeing you with sheerer foundations? Too bad about the pump, that would drive me crazy.
I think it’s most seen in the one where I wore it with the RBR primer! I am so annoyed with the pump issue. D: And yet… Hahaha.
Looking good on you. I’ve been wondering about this and the hype, too! Nakakaasar yung pump issue though! Haha but if it’s this good, then sige. :p
It’s super good! I like it a lot. I guess enough to buy it, even with the whole pump thing. Endless frustration!
It looks beautiful on you. I do want to try the Sheer Matte though because I’ve got oily skin.
Ingrid from YouTube actually compared both: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB2sXddGLGs
She’s oily but she prefers the Sheer Glow. 🙂
i think it looks amazing on you even when worn alone. 🙂
Thank you Maxine! 🙂
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