NARS Sheer Glow. Yes/No?:

I apologise for the lack of updates, a lot going on right now, but since I already had the photos taken, here's another of my foundation reviews, this time for the cult favourite NARS Sheer Glow.

This seems to be a love it or hate it kind of foundation, with most people loving it. Me? Sadly I'm among those who don't love it and it has since been passed on to another user. I did however give it a very thorough try for many reasons, especially since the shade Siberia is probably the best match I have ever found in a foundation with absolutely no orange tones.

This product is dermatologist tested, non comedogenic and fragrance free. It retails for £29 per 30ml.

The Packaging:

The main concern Sheer Glow users seem to have with the packaging is the lack of a pump. I actually purchased a pump seperately, with a price tag of £5 - a little extortinate in my opinion, but it will last you a while since you can just switch it to your new foundation when you run out. The price of the pump has recently changed to £3, a little more wallet friendly. If you choose not to buy the pump you have a simple screw topped lid topped with a satin finish, somewhat redundant larger lid.

Pump aside, this foundation is packaged in a glass bottle. Initially I thought "Wow this is a small bottle", but it holds 30ml which is pretty much the normal amount when it comes to liquid foundation. The glass isn't frosted so it's easy to see how much product is left and it's stamped with the NARS logo. I like the packaging, it's simple and sleek and there's no complaints here.

The Formula:

Sheer Glow is one of the thicker foundations I have tried. It's not super thick, but it's definately thicker than most in my collection. Not necessarily a bad thing, just an observation. There is no particular scent here either.

As you can see, this foundation is a great match for my super pale skintone. It's perhaps looks a little too cool for me in this swatch, but once blended it's a perfect match and any redness in my skin is neutralised by the lack of it in this shade, Siberia.

Application & Finish:

Okay here comes the part where Sheer Glow started to let me down. For me, it's neither sheer nor glowy, the very two reasons I was attracted to it in the first place. It actually offers me a lot of coverage and on my skin it dried to a matte almost cakey finish regardless of application technique.

I tried everything; my trusty Cover FX pointed foundation brush, MAC #190, Beauty Blender and even my fingers but there was no way this formula was going to work with my skin. Although it's marketed towards normal to dry skin types it instantly highlighted any dry patches on my skin and sunk directly into my pores (something which no other foundation has ever done, I might add). I had streaks galore and had to use a magnifying mirror to make sure they were sufficiently blended before heading out.
Did it at least last all day after the nightmare application? No. On my skin, it wears off in patches leaving me with red flaky cheeks, chin and nose. Overall, a disaster.

The worst part? Although NARS claim that with daily use Sheer Glow will improve skins brightness, radiance and texture, it actually irritated mine and upon removal I was left with patchy, sensitive and red skin. I tried to stick with it but after about a week of daily use I just couldn't be bothered with it anymore and it was passed on.

Before/After:

It actually doesn't look so bad in this image and the perfect colour/neck match is very apparent. I tried to capture the dry patches this foundation gave me on camera, but it proved almost impossible. Still, the overall finish this foundation gave me is visible and had it not have caused me a plethora of other problems I might have actually quite liked it. That is, if I had not been expecting something sheer or glowy ;)

I will give NARS a big thumbs up for it's extensive shade range. Never before have I found a foundation this pale, but for now I will give this brand a miss when it comes to foundations and stick with my trusty Yves Saint Laurent, who never lets me down.

Click for my previous foundation reviews:
Estee Lauder Lucidity, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser, Lancome Teint Miracle and Yves Saint Laurent Teint Resist.