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Home » Face » Foundation » Lazy hazy days call for a light comfortable base in NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Lazy hazy days call for a light comfortable base in NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

March 14, 2016 Paris B 18 Comments

I remember a while ago, when there were a couple of MWS readers who were very passionate about this particular product. (I have forgotten who, so if it’s you who sic-ed me onto this, please holler!) If there was one product from NARS I should try, this Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer would be it! They swore up and down that it was the best they’d ever used, and that I’d love it, so I just HAD TO GET IT!

nars radiant tinted moisturiser finland
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Naturally, being suggestible, the next time I had the opportunity, I picked up a tube! Haha! And you guys say I’m the enabler?! 😛

In a world populated by BB and CC Creams, I thought it quite refreshing to find a product that calls itself an old-fashioned “tinted moisturiser” We don’t see many of them these days do we? If a base product is lighter than a usual foundation, it either gets tagged with a double alphabet, or likely be put in a cushion – that latest craze which I’ll get to at some point 😉

With a tinted moisturiser, you know where you stand. At least, I do! I therefore know not to expect a product with the coverage of a foundation, but one that is also more hydrating. Yet, you might like to know that this is one of my favourite quick-to-go bases for lazy days 😉

I got mine quite a while ago. When I first bought mine, Finland (Light 1) was the lightest shade available, which as you can see in the swatch below, has a warmer base tone. I believe they’ve since expanded the shade selection, but don’t quote me. I can’t quite keep up.

I’m pretty regularly a Light 2 (Mont Blanc) in NARS foundations, where Sheer Glow is a very good match, as is my exalted Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla (Light 2). However, I noticed that my shade selection skews a little in the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer as well as in the Velvet Matte Skin Tint. In both, I have to level down. I’ll be telling you a little more about the Velvet Matte Skin Tint soon, but if you’re wondering about shade selection, level down.

To give you an idea of how Finland compares to other shades in the NARS bases that I own, as well as with other similarly textured bases, here are some swatch comparisons.

nars pure radiant tinted moisturizer finland swatch
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You may notice how NARS Finland has the strongest yellow tones. It’s actually a fairly neutral shade, but does look more yellow compared to others I wear. As it is fairly sheer, I get away with it. I had no choice really, because at the time, that was the lightest option I had. It works, and I have no complaints.

Next to the Sheer Glow in Mont Blanc (Light 2) as well as Velvet Matte Skin Tint in Terra Neuve (Light 0), you may notice how both those shades have a more pink tint, which actually suits me better, but due to the texture, it doesn’t make too much of a difference. The Guerlain Baby Glow foundation in Light comes in significantly more pink-toned, with much higher coverage, while the Urban Decay Naked Foundation is lighter in texture.

As the name of the product implies, the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, has a light coverage. What it does for me, is even out skin tone with a natural finish. As I have fairly normal skin that otherwise tends to slight dryness (I’ve managed to balance it out a lot with my favourite hydrating serum), this sits well on my skin without feeling drying. It doesn’t turn oily either, although it will naturally fade off more quickly than a proper foundation would.

To give you an idea of how it looks on me, here’s the usual unretouched before-after photos.

nars pure radiant tinted moisturizer before after photo
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You may see that what this tinted moisturiser does, is even out colouring, subtly covering up redness, so I just look a little less tired. Pigmentation and blemishes aren’t covered (coverage is fairly light), but I can address that with concealer if I really wanted. If I wanted even better coverage, I usually dust some powder over to set and add a bit of coverage. What I end up with, is a very natural base, that doesn’t look heavy or made-up. In fact, this is my default base technique these days, so I feel always feel like medium-high coverage foundations are too heavy on my skin. But it’s just a personal preference, primarily due also to the abnormally HOT weather we’re having these days.

I tend to use this a lot on weekends, or light makeup days, when I can’t really be arsed to do my makeup. So I put this on, conceal, powder, draw in my brows, slap on a strong lip colour and a blush and I’m usually good to go. I like how this keeps my skin feeling comfortable, although I can’t in good conscience tell how those with oily or combination skin will fare since that’s not my skin type – if you have this skin type and have tried this, please weigh in and share your experience, k? 🙂

So for me, I like this a lot, and to all of you enablers who have been egging me on for years to give this a go – I did it, I get it and I love it as much as you do! 😉

IN A NUTSHELL

The NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is a lightweight base product with fairly light coverage, that is buildable but only to a degree. The texture is fairly emollient and feels very comfortable on my skin. I use either fingers or a brush to apply and it works well either way. I wear Finland (Light 1) which at the time was the lightest shade available. The shade range now boasts 12 shades. I find that I have to level down from my usual NARS foundation shade (Light 2) for a better shade match. While coverage is light, it does a good job to even out skin tone and gives skin a healthy, natural finish that isn’t matte, nor as the name implies, too shiny. That said, I have normal-dry skin so this sits very well for my skin type, even in the hot and humid climate I live in. There is SPF30 but regulars will know how I feel about sunscreen in makeup by now – it’s not sufficient, use a separate sunscreen. This is makeup, pure and simple. Good, but still makeup.

PROS: Nicely formulated creamy texture without feeling heavy on skin, Evens out skin tone well although coverage is fairly low, Not greasy or sticky, Easy to apply with fingers without being streaky, High sunscreen for lazy ones, Gives skin a healthy, radiant even toned appearance without looking oily or greasy, Works fine in hot and humid weather

CONS: Shade selection can be tricky if you don’t test it out first, A little pricey

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who appreciates light coverage bases, Anyone who wants a light textured base that feels comfortable on drier skin

PRICE: RM155 | US$44 | £29.50

AVAILABILITY: NARS boutiques and counters, NARS online, Sephora, Nordstrom

nars pure radiant tinted moisturizer in finland and spring 2016
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For anyone interested, here is the ingredient list of what’s in there.

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.4%, Titanium Dioxide 6.1%; Inactive Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Cyclomethicone, Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Fragrance, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisodium Edta, Aluminum Distearate, Talc, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Polysilicone-2, Vibrio Alginolyticus Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Alteromonas Ferment Filtrate, Sea Salt, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Bht, Algae Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Potassium Sorbate; May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.

Have you tried this tinted moisturiser and if you have, do you like it? Do you regularly wear tinted moisturisers?

I’m in a sheer base phase, so tinted moisturisers suit me fine. If I want more coverage where I need it, I dab some concealer, apply some powder and it actually looks good. Natural, yet polished. Not many brands do it anymore though – now it’s all about alphabets 😛 If you have tried this with oily or combination skin, please share your thoughts! I’d love to know if it’s as universally appealing as NARS claims it to be 😉

Paris B

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About Paris B

Paris B is a 40-something beauty and skincare enthusiast with a practical and very critical view of beauty products and the world of beauty. Her mission on My Women Stuff is to deliver clear, honest reviews and facilitate discussions about beauty trends and life, tempered with a healthy dose of humour. Let the buyer's remorse be ours not yours! When not testing the newest skincare creams and lotions, or playing with makeup, find her testing her culinary skills in the kitchen at Chez PB. Read more about us here or leave a comment below or connect with us on social media at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

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18 comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

  1. Bee says

    March 14, 2016 at 9:18 am

    I haven’t tried any of their base but I did try other products, weird I know! Nars is the first high end I tried & back in the day, my staple was chelsea lipgloss, Laguna bronzer, all about eve/alhambra duo eyeshadow & the multiple. I’ll wait for your review on their new velvet skin tint then I decide hehe

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 18, 2016 at 4:19 pm

      Haha what I’ll say is this Bee, if you have oily or combination skin, the Velvet skin tint will work better for you. This one, I think will just slip and slide everywhere! 😀

      Reply
  2. shusheshe says

    March 14, 2016 at 10:53 am

    I have it and like all other Nars base products, I can only use it when the weather’s cool. Otherwise it just melts off my face. If they fixed that issue otherwise I’d buy it again.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 18, 2016 at 4:20 pm

      I think it’s because it is meant to be more emollient. Do you have combination skin? I’m just curious because I have drier skin so it sits better for me, and I’m wondering how it fares for those with oilier skins 🙂

      Reply
      • shusheshe says

        March 18, 2016 at 5:22 pm

        My skins normal verging on oily on hot days. It’s not only NARS base products that disappears from my face on hot days, it’s pretty much most foundations from European/US companies. Chanel’s Aqualumiere foundation behaved the same way, so did Laura Mercier’s Tinted Foundation and Silk Creme Foundation. Bobbi Brown’s Skin Foundation did slightly better and I’ve recently been using Dior’s Forever which has been the best of the group so far but is a little heavier than I usually prefer that I might be willing to buy again in the future.

        Reply
        • Paris B says

          April 1, 2016 at 9:03 am

          Dior is releasing (or has released) a new Diorskin Forever which I have found to be higher coverage (like you) but too drying for me. But I know of friends who have oilier skin who enjoy using it. I think it’s just as tricky finding a foundation for oily skin as it is for dry skin! 😀

          Reply
  3. Tracy says

    March 14, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    Years ago I had an MUA apply it to my face and it got all over everything. My clothes, my phone. I’m not a fan of base makeup that transfers. Maybe she applied too much but it was enough of a deterrent not to try it again. Now you have me curious because you state that it’s lightweight. I might grab a sample and see how it goes because I’m looking for something quick and easy come spring/summer.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 18, 2016 at 4:22 pm

      Yikes! What a bad memory of the product Tracy! I do like to set this a little with some powder, just so it doesn’t travel. But it does seem ok for me so long of course, that I don’t go and get myself all sweaty and gross to start with 😀 Don’t use too much. I find just a little is quite sufficient, and I also like using a brush to lightly buff it into the skin instead of just using fingers 🙂 If you have oily-combination skin on the other hand, consider the Velvet Matte Skin Tint 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jasmine says

    March 14, 2016 at 5:59 pm

    I’ve not tried the Nars one but the Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser (oil free version) would be a good choice too! I would just put some loose powder over it to get a matte texture 🙂

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 18, 2016 at 4:22 pm

      You are absolutely right Jasmine 🙂 I like the Laura Mercier one too!

      Reply
  5. Lily says

    March 15, 2016 at 9:51 am

    I love this one, especially when my skin feels drier than usual! I have normal skin on most days, and sometimes. This one works great! The skin tint is a little drier, but when I’ve been sweating so much lately, it works quite well. I use the shade Finland for both 🙂

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 18, 2016 at 4:29 pm

      Nice! You’re right about this working better for drier skintypes. If I wear the Velvet Matte Skin Tint, I have to put on either a heavy sunscreen, moisturiser or base to get it to work, but when it does, it works quite well

      Reply
  6. Joann says

    March 15, 2016 at 10:24 am

    I love anything light weight. Sheer and natural? Count me in. I don’t actually wear a lot of make up, but I want something that is able to cover up redness and some pores.
    BUT I have combination to oily skin so I’ll probably try and get a sample to test out before I go ahead and purchase.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 18, 2016 at 4:30 pm

      Ooh yes absolutely get a sample first please! It has higher coverage than a tinted moisturiser like Laura Mercier, I find, but it can also be a bit rich. Some oily skinned gals have reported that it doesn’t work so well for them

      Reply
  7. Ika Roseworn says

    March 15, 2016 at 2:44 pm

    I am not a fan of Nars in general (their rubber-y packaging sh*ts me to no end!). However, I do like this product. It’s my go-to on my lazy days. It’s not so moisturising for me but the coverage makes my skin look flawless! And that’s a win in my books!

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 18, 2016 at 4:35 pm

      Ugh yes their packaging! For a moment, I was hoping that with the limited edition palettes, they were going to finally switch over to plastic, but I’m told it’s not the case. I guess that means I won’t be buying any/many anymore. This one is a winner right? I think there’s one in every (most) brands – and sometimes, it might not even be their star product! 😀

      Reply
  8. Anna says

    March 20, 2016 at 11:56 pm

    Dear Paris,
    what’s the name/number of the lipgloss and eyeshadow in your picture?
    Sorry for the off-top…

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      April 1, 2016 at 9:28 am

      Hi, no worries about going off topic! The lipgloss is Vida Loca and the eyeshadow is Kari, both from the Spring 2016 collection 🙂

      Reply

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Welcome to My Women Stuff, a beauty blog based in Malaysia, written by veteran blogger, Paris B. What you can expect is honesty, critical views & a healthy dose of shared life lessons sprinkled amongst beauty product reviews. What you shouldn't expect is a page filled with unnecessary narcissistic photos. MWS is a blog for those who love to read, because we love to write! Read More about MWS and Paris B

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