NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation Review (Marquises) + Swatches

NARS Cosmetics has a solid reputation for high quality complexion products.  They offer a nice range of foundation products with sheer to full coverage, and typically 30+ evenly represented shades.

The brands’ Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation ($49) has been popular for years, but this year NARS introduced it’s Soft Matte Complete Foundation, giving combination/oily beauties just what they (or should I say we) needed.

Product Description

“Discover all-day satisfaction with a breakthrough in matte foundation: True color oxidation-resistant. Full, natural-looking coverage. Comfortable 16-hour wear. Featuring NARS’ exclusive Anti-Oxidation Complex to help prevent color shifting and to help protect skin from pollution and blue-light damage. New Hydramatte Balancing Complex balances excess sebum while keeping skin hydrated with a combination of micro-algae and Bio Hyaluronic Acid. Superior Oil Absorbing Powders create a smooth, mattified, second-skin look. Satisfying. Mattifying. The new take on matte. Available in 34 shades for all skin tones. Oxidation-resistant. Transfer-proof. Shine-proof”. (Product Description taken directly from narscosmetics.com)

Product Claims

• Medium to full, buildable coverage
• Natural soft matte finish
• 16-hour wear
• Oxidation-resistant
• Shine-proof
• Transfer-proof
• Additional Claims: Oil-free, Humidity-proof, Swear-proof, and Protects from pollution and blue light.

Product Review

My Shade: Marquises – Medium Dark 5 – For medium-dark to dark skin with golden undertones.

I picked up my Soft Matte Complete Foundation from Sephora in-store.  I was assisted by an associate who helped me with shade matching.

Usually I can tell what my shade is from the brand’s advertising and swatches on the Sephora website.  This time however, I wasn’t sure. There were a few shades that seemed to match my skin tone ( a problem that I am actually excited to have), so seeing swatches in person helped.

What drew me to this foundation in general, was the idea that I could get matte coverage that doesn’t look dry or cakey.

The beauty industry goes from one extreme to the next.  A few years ago, matte matte matte skin was in.  Now, its all about dewy, luminous skin.

The Soft Matte Complete Foundation seems like the best of both worlds and comes at the right time in beauty where 90s soft blurred glam is in.

Coverage, Finish, and Wear

I would agree that Soft Matte is a medium but buildable coverage.  For me, one layer of foundation did the trick and everything was covered.

If you have concerns about hyperpigmentation or acne scarring then you may want to go back and add foundation to those spots, but overall the coverage is as described.

Note: This foundation dries down fast so keep that in mind.

The finish on this product is beautiful…correction, its GORGEOUS.  The soft blurring effect is the best I have seen in a foundation in years.  My skin looks smooth and natural, and I am very impressed.

Now let’s talk about wear power.

Brand’s tend to overstate the wear power of their products (by alot), however I’m happy as long as I can wear the foundation for an entire day.

Sometimes that “day” is 8 hours, but sometimes it can be 12 hours.  I have never worn a foundation for 16 hours, but I did wear Soft Matte for 10 hours multiple times.

Note: The Pandemic is still very real for everyone around the world, so I give myself credit for wearing a foundation for 10 hours while mostly being at home.

After about 8 hours, I do start to notice shine between my eyebrows and towards the sides of my nose.  This is typical for me as I have combination skin.

A quick dab with tissue completely took the shine away, so I am confident that I could wear this product for upwards of 12+ hours. Does anyone need to wear foundation for 16 hours?! What disco parties are we going to?!

Take a look at my Product Review Logic page for more details on how I score products.

Is it Everything proof?

The NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation claims to be everything proof! It’s described as Oxidation-resistant, Shine-proof, Transfer-proof, Humidity-proof, and Swear-proof.

Oxidation resistant? Definitely, and I am happy about that.

Shine-proof? Mostly, but not 100%.  For oily skin this will perform better than most. For normal skin, you may not see any shine at all.  Dry skin beauties will also like this formula, but may want to wear a moisturizing primer for added moisture.

Transfer-proof? Surprisingly yes!

Humidity-proof? I’ll get back to you on that, its winter right now.

Sweat-proof? It’s winter and I always remove my makeup when working out.

Final Thoughts on the Soft Matte Complete Foundation

I love this foundation, it has great coverage and looks beautiful on the skin.  The shade I chose works well, but I do wish there was an option for my neutral deep skin tone.

Soft matte stays softly matte for longer than most of the foundations I own, but doesn’t feel dry or heavy at all.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nars Soft Matte Foundation non comedogenic?

NARS Cosmetics doesn’t directly claim that their Soft Matte Complete Foundation is non comedegnic.  The list of ingredients doesn’t show ingredients known to cause clogged pores or acne.  However, you can take a look at the ingredients here and read more about ingredients to avoid here.

Is Nars Soft Matte Foundation silicone based?

Yes, the NARS Soft Matte Foundation is Silicone based.  Silicone based foundations usually have that ingredient ( ending in -cone or -siloxane) listed as the second or third ingredient after water.  Beauties who are looking for oil controlling ingredients usually look to silicone based foundations.

Does Nars Soft Matte Foundation have SPF?

No, the NARS Soft Matte Foundation does not have SPF.  However, the brand does offer a Tinted Moisturizer (Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer) with SPF 30 for $45 in 12 shades.

Is Nars Soft Matte Foundation good for Oily Skin?

The NARS Soft Matte Foundation may be good for Oily skin as it has a “Hydramatte Balancing Complex, and Micro-Algae Extract [that] helps balance the appearance of excess sebum”.

Is Nars Soft Matte Foundation good for Dry Skin?

The NARS Soft Matte Foundation may be good for Dry skin with its “Bio Hyaluronic Acid, [which] helps hydrate skin and maintain its moisture balance, so complexion looks bright and smooth”.