Product Review: NARS Makeup Primer with SPF

Reviewer: Cinnamon Kitten

Brand: NARS
Name: Makeup Primer with SPF
Size: 1.7 fl. oz / 50 ml
Price: $33 USD

"Combines soothing and hydrating ingredients with a full spectrum of sun protection to create a perfect canvas for natural-looking and long-lasting foundation application. The translucent, lightweight formula is designed to be applied before makeup or worn alone to prepare, nourish and hydrate skin, while helping to ease redness, reduce inflammation and improve the skin’s overall texture and quality. The unique dual protection formula offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays with a combined SPF 20 and PA++, while additional antioxidant protection helps to fight free radical damage. Whether worn under foundation, powder or alone, the result is translucent, healthy looking skin." (from the NARS site)

Ok, ever since I fell in love with Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer, I haven't been able to put on makeup without primer on my face. It makes the makeup last so much longer, mattes down my oily skin a bit and also smoothes out the skin and the makeup seems to go on much more smoothly and requires a much lighter touch.

I did stray away from Smashbox to try Quo's Face Primer, which wasn't as good, but for the lower price, a much more economical choice. I jumped at the chance to try out the NARS primer, to see how it stacked up against the others.

To Purr About:
- extremely light formula goes on easily, a little goes a long way
- is a cream, which is different from both Quo and Smashbox, which are both gels
- no fragrance
- dries almost instantly into a smooth, slightly (extremly slightly) rubbery feeling
- makeup goes on smoothly and lasts quite a long time
- added bonus of SPF 20
- comes in a tube, rather than a pump bottle (like Smashbox and Quo) which means you can get every last drop (whereas I find the Smashbox and Quo collect in the square bottle corners and are impossible to get out)

Claws Out:
- a little more expensive than the Quo primer (but cheaper than Smashbox)

Final Comments:
The price falls right in between the other two primers I've tried, so it's a nice medium option. I LOVE that it comes in a tube since I can never get to the corners of the square Quo and Smashbox bottles to get the remainder product, which means it gets wasted. And the added bonus of SPF is really nice too.

I've become a real fan of NARS products and this primer doesn't disappoint.

Rating (out of 5):



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image: narscosmetics.com