Sunday, June 9, 2013

NARS Haul! Foundation and Concealer

**I kind of forgot about this post (opps!).  Work and life have been so busy that I've become such a poor blogger.  I really wanted to share this because I would love suggestions how to control oil for this foundation!

After an innocent trip to the mall, I left with an unintentional Nars haul.  Well, kind of.  For me, it's really that simple.  During the school holidays, I decided to go to a nearby shopping centre to do some browsing and maybe pick something up.  I didn't really plan on spending anything.

Mini Nars Haul
While there, I decided to go to Mecca to swatch some products.  I was eagerly waiting on my Stila Convertible Color blushes (see haul here) and wanted to look at them.  Again.  On a whim, I asked if I could get matched to the Nars Sheer Matte Foundation so I could purchase it online.  I was quite confident I was going to be Mont Blanc, but I wanted to be sure.  The sales associate (who was amazing!) decided to try the Sheer Glow on one half of my face and Sheer Matte on the other side to see how they compared.  I thought the matte would be best for my oily skin, but the sales associate said that the Sheer Matte doesn't sit as nicely on some skin and she was so right!  The difference between the two foundations was astounding!

Sheer Glow Mont Blanc

With the pump!
Sheer Glow looked flawless on my skin.  Sheer Matte appeared to seep into my skin and to be honest, just didn't look that amazing.  Certainly not $68 amazing.  Seeing how lovely the Sheer Glow looked and the outstanding service I received (taking off my makeup, putting serum, moisturiser and primer to prep my skin, foundation, concealer, powder and blush) I purchased the foundation from Mecca.

Radiant Creamy Concealer in Light 2, Vanilla
The concealer, the new Radiant Creamy Concealer, is what I have been looking for!  It's long lasting, full coverage, a perfect skin match, great for under my eyes and on spots.  I did not walk away with this the day I got my makeup done.  I bought it the next day.

The applicator
I have had two main issues with my purchase of Nars Sheer Glow.  The first was fairly easily resolved, but it took some effort.  The pump.  Why this foundation does not already come with a pump is a mystery, especially considering the price.  Why Mecca is not supplied with adequate stock is another one.  The Mecca store I bought the foundation didn't have any.  I went into the city the next day and they didn't have any.  They offered to check the two nearest stores.  Nada.  The following day I called the last store in Western Australia and after checking and re-checking their stock, they found one.  ONE! I asked them to put it on hold and I drove 35 minutes to retrieve my prize.

The second issue has been oil control.  Sheer Glow is by the far the worst foundation I own at controlling oil.  I can feel my skin getting oily, which I honestly cannot stand.  I've tried different setting powders designed for oil control, different primers and blotting papers, but every two hours or so I have to touch up my face.  Does anyone have recommendations to help?  Especially if you have oily skin yourself?  The Nars primer felt nice, but I don't know if that would help with oil any more than Porefessional or Models Prefer Mattifying Primer.

Overall, I love the look of this foundation, but I really need to make it work better for my skin.  On the other hand, the concealer is just perfection.