Newness from NARS: Soft Matte Complete Foundation

I’m all over a new foundation when it comes from NARS. Known for their skin-perfecting formulas, I was excited to try the new NARS Cosmetics Soft Matte Complete Foundation.

I should preface this post to say that I normally have skin that is on the normal to dry side; I don’t typically reach for matte foundations. I am always afraid of a matte makeup product of any sort settling into my lines or pores and making my dry skin look older than it already is. As this foundation is from NARS and this new foundation was developed to coincide with the best-selling Soft Matte Complete Concealer, I went into testing Soft Matte Complete Foundation with an open mind.

Soft Matte Complete Foundation is billed as a full, natural-looking coverage foundation with breakthrough matte technology. It is quite full coverage and absolutely looks natural on the skin. It feels velvety soft and does not feel like I am wearing more than a lightweight moisturizer on my face. It is made with NARS’ exclusive Anti-Oxidation Complex to help prevent color shifting and to help protect skin from pollution and blue-light damage. Along with the new Hydramatte Balancing Complex, it works well for even my normal to dry skin. It balances excess sebum while keeping skin hydrated with a combination of micro-algae and Bio Hyaluronic Acid. If you do deal with excess sebum and oil, the oil-absorbing powder will help to create a smooth, mattified, second-skin look. It is not too matte, even for me. It is more of a soft-focus, filtered finish that I can appreciate.

It is best to apply this liquid foundation with your fingertips, working from the center of your face and then work outward, pressing the foundation into the skin. Once I had this applied, I did go over it with a large foundation blending brush to even it out. on my face and blend it down a bit onto my neck.

It is very long-wearing and does not wear off behind the mask which is a huge plus these days.

I have applied NARS Cosmetics Soft Matte Complete Foundation on bare skin (as recommended) but I like it over a primer best. I tried it with this one and this one, and like it with the later the best, for a smooth even finish on my normal to dry skin.

There are 34 shades of NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation and it sells for $40 here and here; it is a great price point. If you haven’t tried Soft Matte Complete Concealer, now is the perfect time to find your perfect pairing. There are now 30 shades of the concealer and it layers beautifully both under and over the new foundation.