The NARS Soft Matte Complete foundation redefines perfection.

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Typically when reviewing a new foundation for DreaminLace, I like to talk step-by-step through all the properties before assigning an overall grade. Today? I’m just going to cut straight to the punch:

You 100% need the NARS Soft Matte Complete foundation in your life.

I know, I know. That’s a dramatic claim, especially when NARS already has such a strong lineup of foundations. Their long-wear radiant foundation is a tried and true staple in my makeup collection I simply cannot live without. It’s perfect. And I honestly figured NARS could just stop there. No need to bother going back to the lab, looking to drum up perfection when perfection already exists – right?

Wrong. I was wrong. While close, the Long-Wear Radiant Foundation isn’t perfect — and it took meeting the NARS Soft Matte Complete foundation to make that clear.

SHOP THE FOUNDATION

NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation ($40)

NARSCosmetics.com • Sephora.com

What Makes the NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation So Perfect?

For starters, it’s face-mask approved.

Truly! Even in the extreme summer heat.

On many occasions, I’ve worn this foundation outdoors beneath a mask on hot, sweaty afternoons with the sun beating down on me. We’re talking extreme weather conditions. The kind so extreme you black them out and delude yourself into think summer weather sounds fantastic in February when in fact climate change is real and summer weather has become pretty miserable.

Even on those most unbearable of hot, humid and sweaty days this foundation stays put. And not only does it stay put, it doesn’t make a mess all over your face mask nor the collar of your shirt.

Lightweight, Full-Coverage

Usually, lightweight and full-coverage are oxymorons when it comes to foundation. It’s like a give or take situation, where those days you desire more coverage you make the sacrifice of a little comfort.

Well, no more because miraculously the NARS Soft Matte Complete foundation manages to do both exceedingly well. After smoothing the foundation across my skin, it sets and I forget it’s there. Even come 6, 7, 8 o’clock at night, many many hours later — the foundation continues to be light on my skin, providing coverage without making me feel weighed down. It’s remarkable!

NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation Review I DreaminLace.com #NARS #BeautyBlog — Directly After Applying

NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation I DreaminLace.com — Ten Hours Later

Hydrating Formula Without the Shine

Loaded inside the NARS Soft Matte Complete foundation is a “Hydramatte Balancing Complex” that nourishes the skin while somehow also absorbing oil and shine throughout the day. When first reading that I thought “Ha. Yeah, right.” but once again – miraculously – the foundation gets the job done.

In fact, I can confidently say this is the first foundation I’ve used (and I’ve used many) that’s truly hydrating and mattifying at the same time.

Makeup and Skincare In One

We all love a multi-use product, particularly when it’s a foundation that comes with skincare benefits. Well, good news on that front as the Soft Matte Complete foundation includes a blend of botanical extracts and antioxidants to protect your skin from pollution throughout the day. It also includes Bio Hyaluronic Acid to protect your moisture barrier throughout the day.

NARS Soft Matte Complete v. Long-Wear Radiant Foundation

Truth is, I love the NARS Longwear Radiant foundation so much, I didn’t think it was even possible for sometime better to come along. Side-by-side, it and the Soft Matte Complete foundation are quite similar. Both have great coverage, lasting power and keep unwanted shine at bay.

But, comparing the two, I have to declare the Soft Matte foundation as the ultimate winner. It’s 100% sweat and transfer-proof, offers more coverage and delivers hydration all for somehow $9 less.

NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation Rundown

Pros:

Full-coverage, build-able formula
Long-lasting
Impossibly lightweight
Transfer-proof formula that’s face-mask approved
Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid and botanical extracts to nourish and protect the skin
Heat and humidity-proof
Sweat-proof
More affordable than NARS other foundations at $40
Controls oil and shine throughout the day
Tube packaging limits product waste

Cons:

Limited shade range for dark skintones

Overall Grade: A

The one thing keeping me from giving the NARS Soft Matte Complete foundation a solid A+ is the shade range. The light and medium tones have a great variety of shades and undertones available, but that isn’t the case on the dark end of the spectrum. Hopefully NARS will expand the shade range, as the foundation formula is essentially flawless and I’d love everyone to be able to find his/her perfect match.

The formula itself defies logic it’s that good. It’s everything I could want in a foundation and it’s completely taken over my love for the Radiant Longwear foundation… which I truly didn’t think was possible. And while being transfer-proof isn’t something I normally insist upon, its a feature that couldn’t come at a better time as face masks become have part of our everyday attire this year.

The verdict? It’s a must-have. Gracious NARS. They’ve somehow outdone themselves yet again!

All the other 2020 foundation releases can just go home now. We’re done.