NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation Review

A major foundation release is not one I’m going to miss and that’s exactly what the new NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation is! It’s the base pair to the brand’s Soft Matte Complete Concealer, which has raving reviews.

The big question is does the foundation live up to the Soft Matte Complete Concealers standard or will it drag down the line? Continue reading this review to find out!

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The NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation

The NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation is full coverage, transfer-proof, oxidation-resistant foundation with big claims! It lasts for at least 16 hours with a natural-looking matte finish.

So if you love a full glam look with your makeup, this sounds like the perfect product for you. I was super excited to get my hands on one of these because they haven’t actually been released yet to the public.

It’s great for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin types. I have combination skin and this foundation seems ideal for me!

This foundation has loads to brag about! It’s humidity-proof, transfer-proof, and sweat-proof making it ideal for the hot summer weather.

But that’s not all, it’s formulated with micro-algae and bio hyaluronic acid to help absorb excess sebum and keep your skin hydrated.

NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation comes in 34 shades with a good, nice range of undertones. And if you’ve ever tried a NARS complexion product before, you can’t deny they make pretty incredible and realistic undertones.

If you struggle to find the right shade for your skin, check out my post on the most inclusive foundations.

The NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation swatches

It also contains oil-absorbing powders to help create a smooth finish. A lovely thing about this product from the get-go is that it is vegan and gluten-free! Perfect to even consider trying it. Now, we know all that but more importantly, is it all it says it is? We’ll see.

Packaging

The foundation comes in an upright clear matte plastic tube with a black matte cap stamped with the NARS logo. Minimal, clean, very on-brand for NARS.

At $40 in the US, or roughly £31, you get 1.5 oz / 45 mL of product. It’s not cheap, so naturally, expectations are high.

If I’m being picky, the soft plastic packaging makes me judge the product a little harder. At this price point, I expect something that feels more premium.

NARS is reliable and consistent, but let’s be honest, it doesn’t quite sit in the luxury category. And when you’re charging luxury-adjacent prices, details matter.

Formula & Application

When it says full coverage, I didn’t expect it to cover the deepest voids in my soul, but jokes aside, this foundation really is opaque. You’ll need no more than half a drop to cover the entire face and have it last all day.

The formula spreads easily and stays full coverage even with just one layer. Build it up and it looks like a perfectly blended painting. Flawless, sculpted, but never mask-like.

It’s made with micro-algae to absorb excess oil and hyaluronic acid to replenish hydration. Whether you use a sponge, brush or even your hands, the result is the same: weightless, opaque and smooth.

It doesn’t oxidise, which is a must in any foundation, yet something many brands still struggle with. After a few minutes, it dries down to a soft matte finish. Not powdery, but velvety, almost rubbery to the touch.

On the skin, it looks like really well-cared-for skin. The best part? You barely feel it.

Check out some of my other foundation recommendations here

Wear Test

The application and formula have impressed me so far. The finished look is gorgeous, my skin feels like it can breathe while still looking polished and healthy.

What really stands out is how consistent the texture looks across my face. I have both oily and dry areas, yet there’s no patchiness, flaking, or settling into fine lines. It also does a great job of minimising the appearance of pores without feeling like it’s sinking into them.

The NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation before and after

The foundation feels completely weightless. You could easily wear it on its own with brushed brows, lashes, and a swipe of lip balm and call it a full makeup look.

That said, once the midday heat kicked in, I did start to get a little shiny. The oils aren’t fully locked in, but the foundation didn’t melt, separate, or feel heavier. A quick pass with blotting paper fixed it instantly, and after that, it stayed impressively transfer-proof.

Is It Worth It?

NARS has created a really great foundation. It reaches up to one’s expectations and the soft matte finish is one that can be compared to a lot of high-end brands.

That being said I don’t think it’s for oily skin and it’s definitely questionable whether it’s for combination skin.

Final Thoughts

NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation is a great foundation for those with dry or dehydrated skin. If you have oily or combination skin, check out these full-coverage foundations for oily skin.

Are you a NARS fan? Check the NARS Liquid Blush.

VIEW ON SEPHORA

Hollie xx

About Hollie

Hi, I’m Hollie, and I’m passionate about everything beauty. Over the last decade and a half, I’ve tested thousands of products to bring you the best of the best! I also love bringing you fun and creative beauty looks. Learn more.

Beauty profile – 35, dry, aging skin, focused on aging well with a healthy glow and natural makeup look ✨