Nars Sheer Glow Review

I gave into the hype and purchased this over a week ago and have worn it enough to give you an informed review. I purchased this because I was having a bad skin week, and decided my usual light coverage foundations and tinted moisturisers just weren't cutting it and that I needed something "special".

I know that the question everyone is dying to know is.... Is it the best foundation I have ever tried? Personally, the answer is no, I do like it and think it's beautiful and is one that I rate highly, but I'm not infatuated with it


I went into SpaceNK thinking I was the shade "Barcelona", I was so wrong, it looked way too orange on me, and the shade "Punjab" was a perfect match. I'm quite light at the moment as I haven't had a holiday in ages and I have ended my relationship with fake tan for now. (Let's see how long that lasts!)


This is what the packaging looks like, I really hate that it doesn't have a pump as it gets quite messy. But, hey I can live with it.


The shade "Punjab" isn't too pink toned or too yellow, it seems to have the correct amount of yellow for my olive skin. The texture of this is quite thin, not gloopy at all.

It blends out quite well on my hand.


On initial application to the face, it looks very glowy and dewy but after about 1 minute it dries quite matte. This will vary depending on what kind of a moisturiser you wear underneath, it will obviously look more glowy with a rich moisturiser and more matte with a light moisturiser.

When I first tried the Nars sheer glow, I felt a bit ripped off. I felt like it was almost the exact same thing as the Bourjois 10hr sleep effect. Now that I worn it a few times, I don't find them that similar, The 10hrSE is a bit more dewy than this and doesn't last as long on the skin. I also find the sheer glow to be a little bit similar to the Bobbi Brown moisture rich foundation.

BREAKDOWN

  • COVERAGE: I honestly thought this foundation was medium to full coverage, I can safely say that this is light to medium coverage. I had a few scars on the right side of my cheek and it did nothing to cover them, I had to apply concealer on top.

  • LONGEVITY: This did last all day, it didn't disappear on me even though I didn't set it with powder.

  • TEXTURE / FINISH: Light feeling on the skin, it dries quite matte after it has settled on your skin. It doesn't feel or look heavy or cakey at all. It actually looks quite beautiful.


So what did I dislike about it?

The application! For me, no matter how I applied it, it looked streaky on my skin and it took a lot of blending to get it too look good. I used it with the everyday minerals kabuki which used up too much product, a normal foundation brush, my hands and a 187. I'm not too sure why this happened to me, maybe it dried too quickly before I could blend it in properly, I just don't know. For the first couple of days I was looking in the mirror and noticing gaps where the foundation should of been, it didn't look too great as you can imagine! I found that my hands were the best tool to apply because of the warmth from my fingers.

  • OVERALL: I do think it's a lovely foundation, I can't really fault it apart from my personal blending issue, but I wont be repurchasing, I really do prefer Bobbi Brown foundations.

Price: £29.00

Have you tired Nars Sheer Glow, if so what's your experience been and do you have any application tips?

Comments

Dandelion said…
i ordered it couple days ago in the same color really excited to try... i hope its not too sheer
Hollywood said…
I am glad you don't like so I won't need to spend so much money on a foundation =)
Muhsine Emin said…
@dandelion no it's not too sheer, it does cover but it's def not a full coverage foundation.
Muhsine Emin said…
@Hollywood lol :) I may have saved you money - go me! But, i'm sure you'll find another product to spend it on! x
Unknown said…
Looks great! But I prefer foundations with a little bit more of coverage...
Great review as usual!!
XX
Εvi said…
After this review I'm more drawn to the Bourjois 10h sleep effect foundation- if it fails to deliver its claims, at least it's not that pricey ;)
Anonymous said…
I have the sheer glow and sheer matte. Im 'punjab' in sheer matte and 'stromboli' with sheer glow. i thought id be barcelona too at first! but apparently it depends on your undertone?! anyway, i always prefer a really sheer coverage and i like to apply with a foundation brush or a sponge xD.

i agree with the matte finish for the sheer glow, though i dont think its too matte, just a soft natural matte xD. i will re-purchase, they're both my go-to foundations when i want to wear foundation xD.

XOXO
Mia said…
Have you tried applying the foundation with a damp sponge, like beautyblender? I use the beautyblender because sometimes my skin is a bit on the dry side and the damp sponge really helps with the application being a lot more even and leaving my skin look more dewy than matte.
Muhsine Emin said…
@Mia no I haven't, I shall try that method, it sounds like a good idea. Now all I have to do is buy a beauty blender or something similar :) x
Rica said…
I've been using it since last November. It's lovely, but too bad the MUA gave me the wrong shade. I should be Fiji instead of Ceylan, but oh well. It's not horrible, I can still put it off with bronzer and setting powder. Anyway, I was told that it's made for applying using finger, so maybe that will help you blend the foundation in? I've done it ones, it still looks great!
x
Rica
Nikki said…
I was looking at this today..It could be my next foundation to try. The fact Ive bought about 5 diff foundations in the last 2 months is a bit scary though!
Its a shame it didn't work for you, but I'm glad you pointed out that it isn't that dewy (like I expected it to bed), because my oily skin may just be able to get away with that..
Thanks for the review, its something to think on :)
Tottering along said…
I've never tried it, just because of the name "glow", my skin is awful and I want someone to cover my blemishes and if I want glow I can add it where necessary. It's something I said I would try when my skin has stopping being horrible to me.
great review! i dont think ill be getting it afterall. id rather spend the money on makeupforver HD or something else!
JustAGirl said…
I adore Nars Sheer glow..only works if I use my finger tips to put it on though.
Sheefa F said…
Thanks for the genuine review hun! Its hard to see the 'glow' in the finish though. I would have got it just to get that glow but I will be skipping it for sure. I prefer BB foundations too :)
x
Imo said…
I was recommended this by one of the NRS makeup artists at an event in Libertys last year in the Summer. He said the best way to apply this is with the hands as you said it warms it up and its much easier to apply this way.

:)

x
Shannon said…
I was thinking about getting this foundation but I can safely say I'm going to stick with my good old Revlon colourstay :D
My foundation has to be full coverage because I have really bad dark circles and acne scars. Thank you so much for a great review ! :D x
Anonymous said…
I had streaking issues with this foundation as well. Did you have any problems with flash photography and this foundation? I found that it would make my skin appear whiter than it is. They matched me as Mont Blanc which looked normal in sunlight but crazy white in pics. Deauville was better for me but still showed up crazy white in pics...
I agree with Mia, I use a sponge to apply this as it's the only thing that gets it flawless on my skin :) x
Muhsine Emin said…
thanks for the responses girls... :)

@prettyaspeaches yes I did actually, that's why I didn't include a pic in the review, it didn't look that great in pictures but in natural light it looks perfectly fine.
Anonymous said…
i've only tried a sample of it but so far so good! i've only ever used mineral foundation or mac studio fix foundation so i actually thought the coverage was on the fuller side. in fact, the first time i tried it, i put way too much on because i overestimated the word "sheer." haha!

i do love it and i'm excited to get a full size!

-dani
http://onemustbe.blogspot.com/
Sara said…
my application tips:
use a mac 190 for light coverage .
with this it will be streaky so i usually blend it in with a sponge or my fingers.
or use a mac 109 for heavier coverage, this will blend it in better and leave it less streaky but again you will need to blend it round the nose with either a sponge or your fingers.
hope that helps :)
LDEE24 said…
im the same shade as yourself, i wasnt amazed by it..until i got the 109.it transforms it. love this foundation now, shame about the price x
Anonymous said…
Thanks fro the review, seems I will pass on that foundation if application is the problem ;)

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All your readers are welcome too!

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Sami said…
I really love the Nars Sheerglow but I have to agree with you in that it's difficult to blend into the skin! Which means that I don't use this when i'm in a mad rush lol
Sami xx
Anonymous said…
I am curious about this foundation as along with one of the Chanel ones, it seems so well talked about but £29! That is a lot of money to pay for a foundation that is not perfect for you! I tried Bourjois 10 hr recently and unless I'm having a very, very low key day then I only feel comfortable wearing 10hr if it is mixed with another foundation.
Georgina said…
I am having such a hard time at the moment with foundations going patchy - I was going to purchase this but now I am thinking twice about it...! Thank you for the informative review as always xx
Unknown said…
I am a big fan of BB foundations, second for some of the Chanel ones, VitaLumire and Teint Inocent.
Funny I've been thinking... should I buy the NARS?
Because the MUFE was so crazy everywhere and when I bought I was YEAHHHH!!! OK!!! Great foundation but I've tried better ones, for my taste anyway.
I will not rush to buy this one now, but I'm very curious to be honest :)
Great post. xx
Anonymous said…
I have a NARS Sheer Glow, too. I use it with Sigma SS187.
I usually pour very little aomunt of foundation on the back of my hand, and dampen a brush on there. Then I put foundation with stippling and buffing(circular) motion. I repeat this about 2 or 3 times.
I think Sheer Glow dries so fast, so the key of good finish is "quick" motion.
Fiona M said…
it's interesting that you compared it to bobbi brown moisture rich, because I have that foundation and really don't like it. It does feel very rich on my skin, really far too heavy for me. I've been trying to use it up though because I'm trying to finish some things in my drawer!! I still think I might try sheer glow when I finish up the BB one...
The Beautyzine said…
I went to sephora a month ago and the SA said I was punjab and gave me a sample even though I had a feeling this wasn't going to work for me. I went home and tried out and omg this was waaaayy too yellow and dark on me. It looked so horrid lol...
I know that Nars does recommend application with your fingers. It warms up the products so that it spreads smoother. It's interesting that it wasn't enough coverage for you. Now I'm not saying that it covers up EVERYTHING, but my skin actually looks pretty darn good with no concealer, just the foundation.

Now granted, I haven't tried too many other foundations besides MAC, but this one is PERFECT for me. I still apply it with a skunk brush, and it's wonderful. I personally am loving this foundation so much. I'm sorry that it's not as stellar for you.
Diana said…
i actually loved this foundation but after using it for a day it broke me out which is so weird because no other foundation does that anyway thanks for the review anyways :D
Menena said…
I have tried it and I LOVE it. I also tried applyign it with every single brush imaginable but I think this foundation was made for applying with the fingers (hence the no pump). But thats just my opinion. I have super oily skin and it makes my skin incredibly flawless Healthy and shine free for hours, which is very rare for me.
ArtDonatella said…
I got a pretty big sample of this too...and I don't like it either, it is very streaky, you are right. And for that ridiculous price, I've seen better to be honest, like the latest long wear Clarins one
Mari said…
Oh, I am so tempted. It is a bit too pricey for me though. And all the comments are not 100% good, so that is holding me back as well :)
Sandra said…
agreed agreed agreed! it's a bit overhyped. although I don't have any problems blending (I always use my fingers and I warm it up between my hands a bit before applying), on me I find that it settles in strange spots after a long day and looks really bad when I have dry areas... usually around my chin area.
like you said, great product, but I will still be hunting for others :)
StuddedLilly said…
i have used liquid foundation before(but not the NARS one), i would slightly mist the brush(i use MAC 109 brush)with water before dapping it into the foundation, that helps it blends a little better. hope this helps :)
and i love your blog!

xxjess
Aloha, I have nominated your for an I Love Your Blog award, because, well, I love your blog, hahaha! Have a looksee at sprinkleofglitter.blogspot.com

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Marisa said…
I think it's too expensive for a foundation, so I don't think I'll ever use it \: Many youtubers are talking about how the neutrogena healthy skin foundation it's a perfect dupe for the Nars sheer glow, so Maybe I'll try that one (:
After I spent so much on MAC foundations I really made a promise to myself to only buy drugstore or cheap foundations ahah

I recently tried the Revlon Photoready and the Maybelline dream liquid and I'm in Love with the two foundations!
Anonymous said…
Having been seduced by a number of wonderful reviews for Sheer Glow, I bought some from Space NK today.

I selected shade Fiji which is fair with yellow undertones.

Here's hoping it is beautiful and not another expensive mistake...
Morgan said…
I personally really reccomend trying the neutrogena healthy skin, it has a better color selection and i think it wears much nicer, and is a better price. seriously! give it a try..! wayyyyy better than nars sheer glow
Jane said…
wow your the first person ive heard say they're not a massive fan. Im desperate to try it out too though. lol. im a sucker for hype
klovesydsydsyd said…
Hey, Have you tried applying it with a brush like the 109? I've heard that is the best way to apply it.
I have been using sheer glow for about 6 months and it had been fine until very recently. It is quite drying on my skin, which has a tendency to get quite dehydrated, and I am no longer loving it like I did :(
I am quited tempted to try one of the Chanel foundations instead. I don't like getting dry patches on my face as it ends up lookign like I am trying to cover spots - not a good look!
Noniek said…
I do love this foundation, it looks natural on my skin :) I'm using Ceylan for my mac nc25.
XoXo Shana Lee said…
I too fell for the Nars Sheer Glow hype(Isoooo want to love it-I think it's for prfect young skin), it's nice on me, but with a lot of prepping; moisturizer and Giorgio Armani prep n prime, then Korres. I was told by the sales clerk that NSG is meant to be put on with your fingers and not a brush, so I do. I still feel if there are any skin imperfections they can be seen, along with streaking as you stated. I agree, this is a light to medium coverage, however I think it can be built up. THe reasons I like it is it is light with decent coverage, it contains the oilin my skin; as the day goes on my skin appeared to have more of a glow. Is this my favorite, well not really. After swatching several of my foundations recently on my arm, I found that Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation was the nicest looking, although I do not feel it contains my oil like Nars or Mac. Chanel Luminous Long Lasting Foundation reminds me of NSG, however it will catch on dry areas even with prep and prime. Most recently I tried Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk Foundation and LOVED it! Once I empty a couple of my others this along with Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Foundation are next to purchase!
Unknown said…
@prettyaspeaches

Im a Photographer and Ive been a Photographer for years
the lighting thing is WRONG!
people who are originally light toned to begin with will appear light in cam,OBVIOUSLY!..Alek wek still looks dark in any bright lighting,so does wesley snipes and others.. the brighter the better when it comes to lighting because it brings out your true tones.Personal preference. WE HUMANS ALSO DONT TAKE PICS IN THE DARK! Ive seen pics where its a group photo and the light people appeared pale and darker toned people still appear darker toned. Its a basic concept.
Dark skin will appear dark skkin regardless, light skin will appear light on cam regardless! Lighting doesnt change skintone, if that were the case wesley snipes and the rest of black celebrities would be looking caucasian. please dont say "lighting" it is not lighting! Pale people will appear pale on cam, dark skinned people will appear dark. lighting only brings out the true tones.

White or Light skin shows out better in front of the camera then dark skin. It has to do with reflection of light. White or light skin reflect light 100 fold better then dark skin (which absorbs it). And if you know anything about cameras u know the object that is being captured by the camera has to reflect the light projected unto it in order to be caught by the camera lens.



also NARS can not be and will never be comapred to neutorgena. thats like comparing louboutins with payless shoes. you get what you pay for.
also, keep in mind
lool fiji is too light for NC20? NC20 IS WHITE AS HELL!!! anything nc40 and up is light on the skintone range! fiji would suit people of that complexion
What a person puts on their face is their business and their personal style.What articles like yours do is give ammo to trolls online to go to youtube and write mean comments to people. Im middle eastern for example and alot of middle eastern women wear alot of heavy eyeliner,heavy eyeshadow, the lip liner is strong,etc...thats not a "mistake" thats how we choose to wear our makeup. And Articles like the one youve written is very disrespectful. That you would take a photo of celebs and trash them. they look perfectly fine, ive seen folks wear paler.In general,I disagree with telling anyone how to wear their foundation,blush/powder/eyelin­eretc. Everyone has their own style. Many light people tend to go light/lighter or mix it with a luminzer to make themselves brighter/radiant/porcelin like. An example would be dita von teese, who stays out the sun to maintain her light skintone and wears light foundation. Others prefer to be dark/darker andsunbathe or use bronzer all over their skintone. Different people have different preferences. I hate bronzer. But maybe there is someone who loves that deep bronzed look. I cant go to them and say "dont go soo deep in the bronzer" and say its "constructive". There are soo many different styles.who is anyone to tell someone theyre wearing a too light or too dark foundation, because there is no such thing. Nicole and Sam from pixiwoo(huge makeupartists in Britain) sometimes wear paler or darker foundation and it looks gorgeous! as long as people blend it to the neck its fine....some people prefer to look bright/light/white/porcelain/bronzed/darker/suunkissed and radiant. Live and let live! also, many people's necks or faces are lighter/darker than other parts of their body! some people choose lighter or darker foundations in respect to that! leave it be.
to tell a person it would be too light is rude as hell! considering the fact some folks dont want to look muddy and orange

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