This Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser shade extension seems to have come just at the right time. It’s that time of the year where we are heading outside, putting on makeup but are in no way rushing to go back to the cakie foundations some of us were used to doing on the daily. After months of lockdown, letting your skin breath is a privilege and a lot of us have found this time to fall back in love with our most natural selves.
As the world is starting to open back up though, that’s not the say we can’t head out and present our best selves… That’s where a good tinted moisturiser comes in.
Nars has just launched a more inclusive shade extension for the iconic Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer available at Space NK. The oil-free tinted moisturiser is now available in 16 shades for all skin types, with a formula that is designed to be buildable, rich in antioxidants and packed with ingredients like French Polynesian kopara to hydrate and condition, for the appearance of a smoother and softer complexion and vitamin C to brighten the skin. It is also infused with SPF 30/PA+++, which makes it the perfect add on for all of those outdoor get togethers, where more people can feel like their best selves, exuding radiance, while staying protected.
In true GLAMOUR fashion we have gathered five people to try out the new shades and here are our thoughts.
The Product:
The Reviews:
Shei Mamona, GLAMOUR’s Beauty & Entertainment Assistant
Shade: Havana
Me and tinted moisturiser have a love hate relationship. The concept is great, something sheer, lightweight, non-ashy and moisturising, so usually I’d be sold. However, what usually happens is that I am often left with very little coverage, and my skin doesn’t feel moisturised or protected in the slightest. That just feels like an unnecessary step for someone that wants to do no makeup-makeup. So my pursuit for the ideal tinted moisturiser has been long and arduous. There have been a few that I have been enjoying, but nothing I can commit to everyday. So hopefully this will do the trick.
I’ll be honest, although the texture is lightweight, on application the product is actually not as sheer as I’d imagined. It gives light to medium coverage, but it’s buildable, which is ideal for those working around things like skin pigmentation, yet it’s not cakey. This is a gentle alternative to foundation and the fact that it has SPF 30 makes it all that much better. When i first applied it to my cheeks with a makeup brush it looked too light for my complexion, but after a bit of blending it really just started to look like my own skin. You’ve done it again NARS! When they said ‘your skin but better’ they were not playing.
Rating: 8/10
Elle Turner, GLAMOUR’s Deputy Beauty Editor
Shade: Norwich
I love NARS tinted moisturiser. To me, it’s the ultimate no-makeup makeup base. It gives enough coverage to hide redness and leave complexions looking beautifully balanced and even, but it lets enough of your skin and freckles show through to pass for great skin, rather than a great foundation. It won’t cover spots (that’s what concealer’s for) but it will stay put thanks to the non-oily, non-slippy formula and it has the added bonus of some extra SPF protection (although I still like to use a separate facial SPF to ensure my face is generously coated).
As for the shades, NARS has revamped its offering, keeping 6 of the best-sellers and adding 10 new shade extensions to fit a wide range of skin tones more seamlessly and fill in the gaps that were missing. I’ve always worn Finland during the winter and switched to Groenland for summer. I have a neutral undertone, so both have always worked for me, but they are a bit of a leap since Finland has a yellow undertone and Groenland is more peach.
Now, each has a new counterpart so you can stick to the same shade family as your skin tone warms up and cools down throughout the year. Gotland is for fair skin with a peach undertone (making it a great winter alternative to Groenland) and Norwich is for light skin with a yellow undertone (making it a seamless step warmer from Finland). I tried Norwich, which given how vitamin D-deprived my skin is right now, was a bold choice. It’s slightly warm for my current skin tone, but because the beautiful formula blends so deliciously into skin, you can’t tell. It just looks like I’ve been finally catching some rays in a pub garden – and I’m very much on board with that.
Rating: 9/10
Bandi Manzini, GLAMOUR’s Partnerships Director
Shade: Guernsey
Whilst I’ve always been a stalwart supporter and true aficionado when it comes to NARS Foundation, the new tinted moisturizer was a first for me in that arena where NARS is concerned.
It promises a lot in one little tube: vitamin C, broad spectrum sunscreen and oil free buildable coverage. So far so good. It was when it came to the shade range that I found myself slightly disappointed. With only truly 2 dark shades to choose from it felt like my options were very limited. The darker of the two shades had the red undertone which my skin needs albeit it was too dark so I went for Guernsey with the neutral undertone as the shade was closer to my skin tone.
Application wise the consistency was lovely and light and non greasy and very buildable, which is always a plus. The product adequately covered my skin but i did sorely miss having just that little bit of extra punch where undertone is concerned.
I think this product is good for light everyday home use and the draw is the SPF, vitamin C and hydration properties. i would have loved to see a few more truly darker shade option with more nuanced undertone options-I live in hope that they’ll expand the range.
Rating: 6/10
Sophie Wilmore, PR Assistant
Shade: Mykonos
I’m trying to at least give my skin a fighting chance until June, so a new tinted moisturiser sounded like the perfect low-key base product to bridge the gap between life indoors and going back outside. I haven’t fallen hard for one before, so I prepared to be non-pulsed. Now, I think it’s safe to say I just hadn’t found the one.
A hybrid of skincare and makeup, this felt like an additional layer of skincare, maintaining hydration and protecting against the sun with SPF30. There are long-term benefits, too, according to the ingredient list – vitamin C will fade dark spots and pigmentation over time to even skin tone. I generally try to avoid products containing oil, so bonus points to this for having none.
This gives my skin the lift it needs right now – glow, evenness and a healthy finish. A little goes a long way – with buildable coverage, any imperfections were covered, though I did have to conceal under my eyes (what’s sleep?). I applied with a brush for a seamless finish, but you could melt in with fingers for a natural tint. I love that it still felt like my skin, but enhanced. Maybe I’ve been converted.
Rating: 8/10
Rosanna McLaughlin, GLAMOUR’s Senior Advertising Manager
Shade: Groenland
I’ve always loved NARS and this product has definitely converted me to the world of tinted moisturisers! I normally prefer a little more coverage but after a year of no make up and staring at ourselves on Zoom, the NARS tinted moisturiser is the perfect “no make up, make up” look to ease myself back into real life!
The name “pure radiant” does not disappoint as it leaves the perfect dewy glow with an added bonus of SPF 30 as we head into summer, plus the lightweight formulation means a little goes a long way! This is definitely a great every day option for me and I will be adding it straight to my makeup bag and encouraging my friends to do the same!
Rating: 8/10
For more from Glamour UK Beauty & Features Assistant Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona
