Project Focus 10: Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder

~ stashy

Happy 1st day of February!  Continuing with the next item in Project Focus 10, today we’ll look at the Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder:
focus10_nars_powder_2
This product retails for $44 for a 10g jar. In Canada, it’s available at Sephora, Hudson’s Bay or Holt Renfrew.  I purchased mine from Sephora.

focus10_nars_powder_6
I’ve had this in my stash unopened for more 2 years… it was only when I finished my Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder that I finally decided this could be opened.  Although this powder isn’t meant specifically for the under eye area, that was the purpose I wanted to use it for – due to its purported light reflecting properties:

This invisible silky powder is infused with Photochromic Technology to diffuse light and adjust to new sources of light throughout the day. Fine lines, wrinkles and pores optically fade as skin is visibly smoothed.

After using the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder for so many years, I’d become accustomed to the luminous appearance of my under eye area. The Nars powder is nowhere near as glowy as the LM, it has no visible shimmer, but provides a satin finish on the skin.  As a setting powder for under eye concealer, I find it to look slightly dry. It does set the concealer wonderfully but can tend to accentuate fine lines by the end of the day.
focus10_nars_powder_3
But as an overall face powder, it is where this powder perform best – as claimed, it does diffuse the look of pores and lines. It also helps to keep oil from shining through for quite a while – relative to the MAC Studio Sculpt Defining Powder which I am using concurrently – it delays the need to blot my face by an extra 2 hours.
focus10_nars_powder_4
I’ve worn this powder over BB creams and various foundations and it performs equally well on everything – it does not look cakey or heavy over base products. I normally use a large fluffy brush (lately it’s been the Inglot 1SS Powder Brush) for a light dusting, and for a heavier application, I use a powder puff and press the powder onto the skin.

Tip: When you first open any loose powder with sifter jars, instead of peeling off the clear sticker cover to expose all of the sifter holes, only peel off a section.  This will only expose 2-3 holes and limit the amount of loose powder from dispensing out.  If you’ve already peeled off the cover, you can always re-cover the holes with clear tape. 🙂
focus10_nars_powder_5
I’m unsure if I would repurchase this product once I finish it. It’s a good face powder but I really wanted a powder for setting under eye concealer.
focus10_nars_powder_7
Pros:
• Sets foundation without adding any colour
• Does not look heavy or cakey
• Reduces the look of fine lines and pores
• Keeps shine at bay

Cons:
• Loose powder format is messy and not travel friendly
• Expensive
• Can look dry under eye area

Stash worthiness: 8/10

I’ve been using this for about 2 months now and will reserve this as an overall face powder. I’m still on the hunt for a good under eye setting powder in my stash. >:D

Bonus: here’s a quick comparison of the Nars powder to other loose translucent powders I have: MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder, and the e.l.f. High Definition Powder:
focus10_nars_powder_8
I felt silly even swatching translucent powders, but here’s what I managed to capture:
focus10_nars_powder_9
Out of the 3, the Nars looks the smoothest and did not settle into fine lines.

Tidbits on the other Project Focus 10 items:
• I didn’t reach for the Smashbox Double Exposure palette once this week! I’ve been too distracted by all the other pretties lately. 😳
• I brought the Shu Uemura brow:sword pencil on an overnight away from home and it was a fantastic travel companion – having that built-in spoolie is so handy.
• I’m trying to not spoil the upcoming reviews but I can’t help myself! The L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly mascara is shocking the heck out of me with its awesomeness. I have not reached for any other mascaras this week.

Please go check out my collab buddies for their Project Focus 10 post:
♦ Ingrid of Curly.Spring.Blossom
♦ Jodi of A Brash Attitude
♦ Joy of Styled With Joy

I’ll be announcing the winners to my Favourite Things Giveaway at noon today (EST). Be there or be square! 😀

50 thoughts on “Project Focus 10: Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder”

  1. Great product and by the way, I’m a great fan of compact powder as they are travel friendly and fuss free but if it is a case of use at home, then I completely agree that it is a perfect staple in your beauty wardrobe.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Me too, I normally get pressed powders but I prefer loose for setting under eye concealer – I find the loose powders slightly more refined and less likely to make that area look dry. I have combo skin type so setting the t-zone at least is a must for me!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I like pressed powders too, and I thought about buying the pressed version of this but the MUA told me she preferred the loose one because it doesn’t have the fillers like the pressed version. She said the finish is more chalky with the pressed version so I took her word on it. But yes, for the purse, I definitely use pressed powders!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

          1. Hahahha! Yes.. Hubby is pushing me to get my domain before someone takes this name.. Been wanting to change since forever and finally did! 😍

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply

              1. Yay thanks!! Im hosting my very first giveaway too just to kick off my new identity.. It’s not as grand as yours though but we’ll see how this goes!😍☺️

                Liked by 1 person

                Reply

    1. Sometimes I envy dry skin but I’ve heard that oilier skin type age well, so there’s that! 😛
      Do you even need powder at all? I’ve used some foundations that give a perfect finish without the need for powdering.

      Like

      Reply

      1. I never powder unless I’m going out and need to ensure my makeup stays put. Dry skin can be very annoying because foundation may cling to dry spots and sometimes it can look dull. The one nice thing is that I don’t have an issue during the summer months, but then again, summer is short lived 😛

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  5. I love this powder but like you not for setting my under eye concealer. I like this one as much as my LM translucent powder but for different reasons.
    I have computer problems this morning, I’ll be posting in the afternoon !🙏🏻
    I won, I won !!! Thank you so much … Darn you said noon and it’s just 10:30 !!!(oops! 😛

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes I was wondering where your PF10 post was! Wagging my finger at your computer!
      This powder is really good – how does it differ from the LM Translucent?
      Only 40 more minutes to go… cross your fingers! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. That’s a good question !🤔 Nars is more luminous … I would have to try them both on half my face !!! They feel differently ! I haven’t tried the Nars one for months since I’m so in love with the Lancôme Dual Finish Powder on top of my BB … You got me there 🙄

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

    1. The LM Secret Brightening is just for the under eye area (it’s quite a small jar). It’s a bit too glowy for all over the face, although I have used it at the tops of my cheeks before. I’ve heard good things about the LM Translucent powder so maybe give that one a look. It’s $46 for that vs $44 for the Nars, however, with the LM you get a puff included, if that’s important to you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Yes, the elf is quite mattifying. It is also the finest powder of the bunch – there’s no filler at all so it’s just silicon and silica. It is probably the driest looking of the bunch, however, it also makes the skin look airbrushes. I hate the container though – I’m thinking of depotting it into another container. Give it a go if you’re curious, it’s very economical.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I wasn’t initially planning to compare them but since I’ve myself been comparing the loose powders since December (trying to replicate / replace the LM Secret Brightening effect), I thought I’d include them. I still have a few more loose powders in my stash to test out lol.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. I tried so hard to get into translucent powders, and while I liked the way they make my skin feel soft and smooth, I prefer the little extra coverage from a regular (colored? haha) powder.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes, I can definitely appreciate wanting the extra coverage from regular non-translucent powders. I just like switching things up – when I’m having good skin weeks I wear less coverage. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  10. Great tip for covering up the holes on a loose powder! I have a small travel size of the Laura Mercier translucent powder (didn’t want to commit to a full size when I’m just trying it out) and I find way too much comes out, despite how small it is! I’m going to add some tape to it for sure!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m replying to such an old comment but I just noticed I never replied to you! I hate not replying to every comment – I’m sorry I missed this! 😛 I’m glad you found the tip about covering the tape over the holes to be useful – did you end up doing that with your Laura Mercier looser powder?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. I love the NARS powder – as you said, it’s great for diffusing and making the skin look more even. I don’t have good skin due to several previous years of poor sleep habits 😦 and it’s resurfaced again! AAAGH. I used to use pressed powder but have switched to loose as I find it just leaves a nicer finish.

    Can’t wait to try the LM – didn’t realize it was “glowier” than the NARS! Love your review.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Sorry i’m replying to such an old comment.. somehow I missed this. I remember you saying the Nars one smelled like coconut? I notice that it smells like cooked rice, lol!
      I’m planning on “Frankening” a couple of loose powders I have in my stash for an under eye powder – stay tuned!

      Like

      Reply

  14. Have you tried the elf high definition undereye setting powder I think that’s what it’s called. It’s the little tiny one lol. I have it and it’s okay lol its inexpensive so eh lol. I’ve never tried any of these but I do want to lol! I also have the RCMA no color powder and it’s lovely! I also use the airspun translucent powder for the under eye 🙂 … great review!:D 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I haven’t tried it but I’ve heard it’s good! I want to do a big Elf order! So many things that I want. We don’t have stores that sell Elf here! I also want to try that Airspun powder, but again, not available in stores here! 😫

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. That’s insane are you serious !!!! 😮 elf is like in every single store here as is airspun ! You should wait until elf had those crazy 50% off sale and order everything lol!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

          1. That sucks !:( I understand the feeling though. I’ve been dying to get stuff from zoeva but seriously 15 dollar shipping is RIDICULOUS!!!

            Like

            Reply
  15. Pingback: Project Focus 10: The Final Chapter | stash matters
  16. Pingback: Favourites Lately: Early 2016 | stash matters
  17. Pingback: Review: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer | stash matters
  18. Pingback: Too Faced Born This Way Concealer | stash matters
  19. Pingback: Back to MAC again! | stash matters

Leave a Comment: