Nars Radiant Cream/Creme Compact Foundation(Approx $3.23 per gram)
*Compact sold separately for $10
CRUELTY FREE!!!
Nars Radiant Cream Compact is certainly on the extreme end of cream foundations! The texture and formula are truly one of a kind and will undoubtedly prove to be a perfect match for some.
Keep reading to find out if Nars has created your perfect cream foundation!
Claims & Promises:
Nars claims that their Radiant Cream Compact Foundation will "brilliantly even skin with a lightweight luminous finish" with the "supple feel of a cream foundation". Suppossedly Nars' "advanced Emulsion Technology" may be used wet or dry and will "provide weightless medium buildable coverage."
The most interesting part of Radiant Cream's description is that it claims to boost moisture levels by 80% over a period of 12 hours which essentially will plump up skin and make fine lines less visible.
Formula & Shades:
Assuming that you believe the idea that Radiant Cream Compact is a moisturizing foundation, it would certainly be safe to assume that the formula is on the heavier side and "wet" (if not borderline greasy like Mac Prep + Prime BB Compact.)
Interestingly enough though, Nars Radiant initially has an almost dry feel; like a lightweight, airy, mousse. It actually has a pretty incredible feeling & texture. It's blendability is absolutely exceptional and it melts in to skin while providing a fair amount of additional hiydration,
Nars Radiant Cream can be built up to full coverage with minimal effort and it can be sheered out if you're looking for light coverage as well.
Nars has stayed true to their format and released Radiant Cream in 20 well chosen shades that will accomodate nearly every skin tone and undertone.
Just like with Nars Sheer Glow Foundation and Nars Sheer Matte Foundation, I find that my ideal shade match is somewhere between Light 1 Siberia and Light 3 Gobi. I can actually wear either shade but I usually end up mixing them to give my face some level of definition.
Most people won't need to go through the hassle of mixig two shades and it;s more than likely that many people will find at least one but possibly two or three suitable matches for their skin.
If you've already found a shade match in another Nars foundation that would be a good place to start with the Radiant Cream shades since Nars is unusually consistent with their shade line ups.
Finish & Performance:
Because of the satin finish that usually coincides with this type of formula, this isn't a foundation that's going to be ideal for those with oily skin.
Those with dry skin will probably rejoice at this formula and find it especially helpful in the winter when skin is drier and looking for extra moisture from any and every source possible.
If you have normal skin and find the formula to be too hydrating than you can always set it with powder or a silicone powder alternative like Mally's Poreless Face Defender.
Almost any setting product will help reduce the foundation's chances of creasing into fine lines and wrinkles. It's not a formula that is especially prone to creasing but if your skin isn't dry enough to absorb all of the emollients and/or you apply it all at once in large amounts you may want to take some preventative measures.
Compatibility & Other Uses:
Another way to prevent creasing is to use a long-wearing concealer either under or over the cream foundation around your eyes or anywhere else you want to prevent creasing.
Because of the smoothness of the formula, I actually have employed Nars Radiant Cream for an additional use- refreshing my makeup.
On days when when I decide to wear a long-wearing or matte type of foundation formula I often find that my makeup dries out 6-8 hours after application. This is a particularly constant issue in the winter when I should just wear a more hydrating formula to begin with but I tend to seek a long-wearing option.
Anyways, instead of opting for a refreshing spray or something along those lines, I find that Radiant Cream is an exceptional substitute. It re-hydrates my makeup and provides additional coverage that allows for a seamless day to night transition in terms of coverage.
Depending on how badly my skin and makeup have dried out, many times the end result once I add the cream is more on the matte side than the dewy side which proves that Radiant Cream does have a fair amount of versatility provided you seek out it's strong points and don't try to make it into something it's not.
Swatches of (Most) Shades
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| Nars Radiant Cream Compact Foundation Swatches of Shades; ' Light 1 (Siberia); Light 2 (Mont Blanc); Light 4 (Deauville); Light 5 (Fiji); Light 6 (Ceylan); Medium 1 (Punjab); Medium 1.5 (Vallarus); Medium 2 (Santa Fe); Medium 3 (Stromboli); Medium 4 (Barcelona); Medium/Deep 1 (Syracuse); Medium/Deep 4 (Macao); |
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| Nars Radiant Cream Compact Foundation Swatches of Shades Light 1; Light 2; Light 4; Light 5; Light 6; Medium 1; Medium 1.5; Medium 2; Medium 3; Medium 4; Medium/Deep 1; Medium/Deep 4; (L1- Siberia, L2- Mont Blanc, L4- Deauville, L5- Fiji, L6- Ceylan, M1- Punjab, M1.5- Vallarus, M2- Santa Fe, M3- Stromboli, M4- Barcelona, MD1- Syracuse, MD4- Macao)
Shade Descriptions:
Sibera-Light 1: Light Skin with Neutral Balance of Pink & Yellow Undertones
Mont Blanc- Light 2: Light skin with Pink Undertones
Deauville- Light 4: Light Skin with Neutral Balance of Pink & Yellow Undertones
Fiji- Light 5: Light Skin with Golden Peachy Undertones
Ceylan- Light 6: Light/Medium Skin with Yellow Undertones
Punjab- Medium 1: Medium Skin with Golden Peachy Undertones
Vallarus- Medium 1.5: Medium Skin with Pink Undertones
Santa Fe- Medium 2: Medium Skin with Peachy Undertones
Stromboli- Medium 3: Medium Skin with Olive Undertones
Barcelona- Medium 4: Medium Skin with Golden Peachy Undertones
Syracuse- Medium/Deep 1: Medium Deep Skin with Brown Undertones
Macao- Medium/Deep 4: Medium Deep Skin with Deep Yellow Undertones
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Final Verdict:
There's no doubt that Nars Radiant Cream earns it's place as a great foundation but it's a foundation for those with very specific needs valentines day 2015.
If you like the idea of a hydrating cream foundation but find more traditional formulas like Mac Full Coverage too heavy or dislike the feeling of formulas like Mac Mineralize/CK One Water Fresh Makeup than Nars Radiant Cream Compact is certainly an option worth exploring.
Nars did a fantastic job with the shade range (as usual) and overcame many of the typical obstacles cream foundations usually come with and that makes Nars Radiant Cream Foundation a fantastic choice.
If you have oily skin or are prone to break outs you may want to consider Nars Sheer Matte Foundation which is a [unique] long-wearing formula. If you're looking for lighter coverage or a less hydrating formula you may find that Nars Sheer Glow is a more balanced foundation option.
Note: If you're looking for a hydrating base to wear under your favorite foundation OR you're not especially messy OR you use your fingers or a foundation brush to apply you don't need to purchase the additional compact and the "refill" by itself should more than suffice since it comes in an enclosed case.
When you have the chance could you please add the Shade "Light 3 Gobi" to the swatches? It would be a great help in order to see the difference in shades. I'm especially curious as to how it compares with "Light 4 Deauville" and "Light 6 Ceylan".
ReplyDeleteAlso, what is your personal preference on how to apply this product on the skin? Would you recommend any brush for it?
Thank you very much for this insightful review!