NARS Light Reflecting Foundation Review and Swatches
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I got so excited when I found out that NARS was launching a new foundation, as part of their new collection, because I love so many of their existing complexion products. I have been testing the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation and have a full review for you with swatches of all the shades. Enjoy!
What is NARS Light Reflecting Foundation?

‘Makeup that looks like skin. Acts like skincare. Feels light as air.’
- New foundation for 2022
- Available in 36 shades
- Medium, buildable coverage with a natural finish
- Uses an innovative blend of makeup and skincare
- Blurs the look of imperfections and textured skin immediately
- Conceals blemishes, dark spots and redness
- Skincare ingredients protect from environment and blue light
- Works to improve skin barrier to help retain moisture
- Suitable for most skin types, including sensitive
- Medium, buildable coverage with a natural finish
Key Features
- Photochromic Technology – “photo-friendly” powder that adjusts complexion tone in response to the intensity of light. This stops skin from appearing washed out
- Light Reflecting Complex helps reflect light like a prism
- Vegan formula, comprised of 70% skincare ingredients, and is clinically shown to immediately strengthen and enhance luminosity, and improve the look of skin’s clarity over time
- Contains over 81% naturally derived ingredients
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation Swatches
There are 36 shades in this new foundation. I managed to get small samples of each so that I could show you the swatches.
The shades
- L0 – Siberia Very light with warm undertones
- L1 – Oslo Very light with cool undertones
- L2 – Very light with neutral undertones
- L2.5 Yukon Light with cool undertones
- L3 Gobi Light with neutral undertones
- L3.5 Salzburg Light with warm undertones
- L4 Deauville Light with neutral undertones
- L4.5 Vienna Light with cool undertones
- L5 Fiji Light to medium with warm undertones
- M1 Punjab Medium with warm undertones, and a golden tone
- M1.2 Patagonia Medium with neutral undertones
- M1.5 Vallauris Medium with cool undertones
- M2 Santa Fe Medium with neutral undertones, and a peach tone
- M2.5 Sahel Medium with warm undertones, and a peach tone
- M3 Stromboli Medium with warm undertones, and a yellow tone
- M3.5 Vanuatu Medium to medium-deep with warm undertones, and an olive tone
- M4 Barcelona Medium to medium-deep with warm undertones, and a golden tone
- M5 Valencia Medium to medium-deep with warm undertones, and a peach tone
- M6 Aruba Medium to medium-deep with cool undertones
- MD1 Syracuse Medium to medium-deep with warm undertones
- MD2 Tahoe Medium-deep with warm undertones, and an olive tone
- MD2.3 Moorea Medium-deep with warm undertones
- MD2.6 Huahine Medium-deep with neutral undertones
- MD3 Cadiz Medium-deep with neutral undertones, and a golden tone
- MD3.3 Caracas Medium-deep to deep with neutral undertones
- MD3.6 Belem Medium-deep to deep with warm undertones, and a red tone
- MD4 Macao Medium-deep to deep with warm undertones, and an olive tone
- MD5 Marquises Medium-deep to deep with warm undertones
- D1 Manaus Deep with cool undertones
- D2 New Caledonia Deep with warm undertones, and an olive tone
- D3 Iguacu Deep with neutral undertones, and an olive tone
- D4 Namibia Deep with warm undertones, and a red tone
- D5 Zambie Deep with warm undertones
- D6 Mali Very deep with neutral undertones
- D7 Anguilla Very deep with neutral undertones
- D8 Majorca Very deep with cool undertones
My Review

- Beautiful dewy and hydrated finish
- Comfortable and light on the skin
- Easy to apply and blend
- Instantly blurs and smooths the skin
- Lightweight texture
- Invisible on the skin
- Doesn’t settle into my pores or fine lines
Now, because of the name, I kind of knew I was going to love the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation before I even tried it! I already really appreciate NARS’ take on skin, so I was super excited to get involved with this new launch!
I wasn’t disappointed because the foundation really does give skin light. Yay!
What are the shades like?
I am pleased to report that I am shade Deauville, which is usually my favourite NARS shade all year round (Radiant Longwear). I should point out that I tend to only have one foundation shade as I never sunbathe, so my skin stays the same colour.
I feel Deauville in the new formula is a tiny bit richer, however, the finish is so natural that I think the shades will be pretty flexible.
What skin type is it good for?
I have combination skin and find it really good on my skin type. I have been testing it for a while and find that I can get away without powdering which is always good news for me.
I think this is probably perfect for dry or mature skin types. Oily skin types that don’t like too much glow may not love it as much.
Do you need to powder it?
I am combination skin, as I said, and I have mainly been skipping powder. If I was expecting a super long day, I give it a light powder on the t-zone. I like to avoid powder for maximum dewiness.
If you are oily, you will probably want to set this with powder.
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation vs Sheer Glow
This has been a big question! For me, I find that Light Reflecting brings more of a light to your skin, almost like you’re sitting in front of sunlight, or even a ring light. Sheer Glow gives more of a traditional glow that looks a little more like makeup.
In my opinion, the new formula is a lot lighter in feel and texture and there is much more emphasis on skincare.
Is it easy to apply?
I have been using a buffing brush to apply NARS Light Reflecting Foundation and I find that it melts into my skin and blends out really easily.
What is the coverage like?
What I love about this foundation is that is keeps your skin looking just like skin, yet it is amazing for covering redness and blurring out pores, fine lines and imperfections.
It’s a medium coverage foundation, and is totally buildable without ever getting cakey. I can use one pump for my whole face, and then I just add a touch more to go over where I have extra redness and pigmentation.
It completely covers redness and has a lovely fading effect on pigmentation, making my complexion more unified.
What is the finish like?
I absolutely love the light that this brings to my skin. It has the most amazing glossiness, that isn’t greasy or oily, but beautifully dewy and juicy. It is really brightening, and I have skipped concealer on a few days when I haven’t been doing much.
All in all, this is my kind of foundation, and if you love makeup with skincare, and a juicy dewy finish, I think you could love it too.
Before & After Photos
I decided to go with Deauville, which tends to be my favourite shade in NARS foundations.
Where to buy it
The new NARS Light Reflecting Foundation launches 1st February 2022 at narscosmetics.co.uk and nationwide from 1st March 2022. RRP £37.50
In case you want to explore more NARS makeup, check out all my reviews.
Comments are closed.
3 Comments
I am going to have to try this soon, I usually adore Nars base products!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
How would you compare it to Surratt Dew Drop Foundation?
they are actually very similar in lightweight texture and both lovely and glowy. NARS is better value for money as Dew Drop is very small and I prefer the NARS packaging. Hope that helps? xxx