Product Reviews

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 24 Review and Swatches

January 10, 2015

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 24 is a revamped version of the former Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 12. Silky and ultra-fine to the touch, the medium buildable foundation claims to offer versatile coverage and shine control with broad spectrum SPF 24 that lasts up to 12-hours.

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 24 in Light 5 Fiji

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 24


The NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 24 contains NARS’ exclusive Light Reflecting Complex to optimize light reflection and enhance skin’s translucency, along with Luminosity Enhancing Technology (a blend of 17 amino acids, Vitamin C derivative and Marine Fennel) to promote cell renewal and help reduce the look of hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. It is non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested and formulated without Parabens, Oil, Alcohol, Fragrance or Talc.

There are 15 shades to choose from, which is slightly more limited compared to the other NARS foundations. Colors ranged from light to medium-dark shades in both warm, neutral and cool undertones. For my NC30 skin, Fiji is a good match.

Light 1 Siberia – Light with neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones

Light 2 Mont Blanc – Light with pink undertones

Light 3 Sweden – Light with yellow undertones

Light 4 Deauville – Light with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones

Light 5 Fiji – Light with yellow undertones

Light 6 Laponie – Medium with yellow undertones

Medium 1 Punjab – Medium with golden, peachy undertones

Medium 1.5 Vallauris – Medium with pink undertone

Medium 2 Santa Fe – Medium with peachy undertones

Medium 3 Stromboli – Medium with olive undertones

Medium 4 Barcelona – Medium with golden, peachy undertones

Medium/Dark 1 Syracuse – Medium-dark with brown undertones

Medium/Dark 2 Tahoe – Medium-dark with caramel undertones

Medium/Dark 3 Cadiz – Medium-dark with caramel and red undertones

Medium/Dark 4 Macao – Medium-dark with yellow undertones

The foundation comes in a portable black compact about 2 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches. On the inside sits a mirror on top, a thin pan in the middle that holds the powder and a dual-sided applicator at the bottom. The applicator has a softer plush side that acts as a puff and a flatter side that can be used as a sponge.

As much as I loved the sleek packaging, it was not user-friendly at all. Whenever I opened the compact, little pieces of powder would break off from the edges of the pan, creating a not-so-pretty mess. Plus once the powder cracked (like those that shattered on their way to me in the picture below), it was impossible to salvage it. I ended up turning over half of these into loose powders *sob*

I am, however, pretty impressed with the formula. While most powders tend to cake and look dry on my dehydrated combination skin, this glided on smoothly with a satin finish that looked like skin. The powder felt super lightweight, non-drying and held up for over 10 hours without causing flakes or grease.

The foundation can also be applied dry for a natural luminous finish or wet for a soft-matte finish. I personally prefer using a dampened sponge for the heaviest coverage, although the coverage in general was still on the lighter side.

Overall, I have a love-and-hate relationship with NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF24. The silky smooth, non-drying texture and natural, buildable coverage are definitely its strongest suit. I love it for those good skin days when all you need is a little something to even out your skin or as a setting powder over liquid or cream foundation. However, the horrible packaging really needs to go!

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 24 compact

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 24 shades

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 24

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 24 in Fiji review

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 24 in Light 5 Fiji

nars-day-luminous-powder-foundation-swatches

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation swatches

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF24 is available at narscosmetics.com, Nordstrom and Sephora for $48.

Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for consideration only. It may also contain an affiliate link, which gives us a small commission if you purchase the item. Please see our Disclosure for more information on our posting policy.

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