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

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!

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.

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.

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

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