Oct 17, 2015

NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder Flesh & Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder



I have been using this NARS powder combo for some time now. Neither on its own is perfect, but together? It comes quite close.
Some might think using two different setting powder is unnecessary and even bothersome, but I find this is a great way to perfect complexion without looking too done. I usually skip concealing, so this makes up in a sense.






(ingredient list)


I would call NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder a happy medium of silicone based HD powder and traditional talc-based powder. The top ingredient is talc, but silica and dimethicone are following not far behind. It controls oil fairly well yet it does not feel tight nor dry. Plus it comes tinted so you can expect some coverage and color correction.




Flesh is the second lightest shade from the range and has a great neutral undertone - a really pretty color that is not too yellow nor too pink. It is a close shade to my natural skin tone. The evening-out effect is great but not so much with color corrections because of that. I think NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder Flesh would be a perfect pick for both NC15 & NW15.






I mainly use this to set my liquid foundation applying with a fluffy synthetic brush (Real Techniques blush brush is currently my powder brush. Does anyone else think they make brushes a tad too big in general, or is it just me?). 
NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder is also great to neutralize that white cast from the use of an all-mineral sunscreen, which comes in handy on a low key day when I skip foundation.







I like NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder and have used up a whole tub a few times, so initially I wanted a pressed version which I could carry around for touch-ups. This didn't pan out so well because the packaging is a bit awkward not to mention the applicator is practically useless (oh, no other sponge will fit in due to the slim compact with no give).
Interestingly, NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder isn't all that same as the loose powder and still works best to set the base. It smooths out the surface and minimizes the looks of my pores. If that's not enough, it also adds the most subtle kind of sheen so that I can easily skip a highlighter.






On its own, each of them gets a solid A-, and together it bumps up the end result to an A.
However, I don't think I would repurchase this combo very soon, only because I know a better option with a better price point. And I have to make a note that the loose powder jar isn't very convenient to use since I have to bang it pretty hard to get the amount I need each time. The pressed setting powder? The corners of the pan get inevitably stained over time, and the OCD in me silently hates it.



Thanks for reading!
Do you set your foundation with powder? What's your favorite if any?




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Join the conversation!

  1. This looks like a great combo, I think my favorite powder now is the DoDo 3W Clinic Natural Makeup Powder is excellent for me and like all the loose powders maybe a bit messy but I love it!
    xx

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    1. DoDo makes great powder products! I remember loving their powder including the legendary Ppalgantong powder.
      I agree with you. Loose powder gives so much more natural finish although it can be a bit messy sometimes. :)

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  2. Some day I will pick up that Light Reflecting Powder! Everyone who uses it loves it!

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    1. I think it is the subtle sheen what people like. Plus it's not drying at all. You'd enjoy it. :)

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  3. One of my friend is a huge fan of that NARS loose powder, and she keeps telling me that I need that in my make up life, lol. Your post just made me want to try it even more xD
    I do set my foundation with loose powder , my current favorite is the Koh Gen Do Maifanshi loose powder and Ben Nye banana powder for my under eye area. I use pressed powder too, but mostly for touch up. I am currently having Rouge Bunny Rouge pressed powder in my on the go make up bag :)

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    1. Usually, I am the same way. Pressed powder is for touch-ups (and the packaging needs to be pretty since I need to flaunt it out whenever I fix my makeup. LOL)
      I really like silicone based powder although there is some downside of it. I think I'd go back to my very favorite Chacott powder once I run out of these. The combo is great, but I really don't have time to go through an extra step! ;p

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  4. I've been reading good things about the Light Reflecting Powder. I guess I can tolerate some stains at the corners ;-) I'm now using the Hourglass Diffused Light. I didn't like it initially, but now that my skin is more normal instead of combination, I appreciate it more. I'm going through the phase of killing all powders. I promised not to buy any until I'm down to my very last one. Once this is done, I'll be onto the Chanel poudre universelle and also Dior Nude Air compact. Both are lovely, and I think the big tub of Chanel loose powder especially will last me a while. After I'm done with these last 2, I'll be able to try the NARS one.

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    1. LOL at "killing all powders"! I am usually pretty good with using up loose powder but always have a hard time with pressed ones. You just reminded me that Chanel does some nice powder things. My daily touch-up powder is the discontinued Poudre Douce in Lila (it is a pale shimmery lilac), and I have a big tub of loose powder as well (this one has micro-glitters, though).
      I love the color range of the NARS Soft Velvet powder, but I still prefer the original HD loose powder. I'm too attached to my silicones. ;-)

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  5. Sounds like a good combo, I tend to prefer the finish of loose powders but find it easier to use pressed ones, I'm really liking the new RBR pressed powder, its a good one for dry skin x

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    1. Oh, I hear the new RBR powders (in fact, both loose and pressed) are wonderful, and I have no doubt. I've used the previous version of the pressed powder and it is most pampering powder I've ever used. The color range is pretty awesome for fair gals, too. :)

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  6. Both sounds like the perfect combo but I would have expected to be perfect by itself especially for that price point. My skin bounce between dry and veryyyy dry so I rarely use powder but whenever I do, it would be Rimmel Stay Matte or Physician Formula loose powder. Recently I received a HD powder by City Colors Cosmetics and it's soooo good that I use it almost everyday.

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    1. I think anything with HD in the name is silicone based, and I like that kind since it isn't as drying as talc or rice powder ones. Glad to hear you've found a non-drying option!
      Like you said, the price point kind of sucks for this combo. I have no complaint but probably switch to something else once I run out. ;p

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  7. Good to hear you like these, I had been wary of NARS powders due to very mediocre experience with their traditional loose powder. I actually just started using a giant powder brush from IT, haha feels nice sometimes, but definitely not very precise application, so I use smaller brushes when I just want to target my T zone, or I just use a sponge to press powder on as sometimes that works better for me.

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    1. I haven't tried the traditional ones. I think what's particularly great about the new loose powder from them is the color range. The Flesh is really pretty and there are a good number of light-to-medium shades in various tones.
      I think using a different brush on a certain part of your face is a brilliant idea. I shall adopt this! :)

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  8. I haven't tried either one of them but I sure have heard great things about them! You are not alone in using a combination of powders to set because I do the same thing, too, and for the very same reason and that is to prevent the final look from being too thick. :) I didn't know the pressed powder compact comes with a little pouch, too. Very cute! :)

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    1. Yes, the pouch is quite cute that I saved it (it isn't all that practical, though).
      The pressed powder acts more as a subtle (a very subtle) highlighter, but it works great to smooth out the surface. Silicones are really necessary evils..? I try to stay away from them, but it is so hard when it comes to makeup! ;o

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  9. Not trieed this but I have heard great things about these products :)
    At the moment Im not using any foundation at all... have not done that for years. I have tried some but all that I try end up breaking me out and I have just decided that I will spare my skin from that ;)
    NARS is a brand that I would love to try cause I have heard so many awesome things about the brand :)
    xx

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    1. I wish I could skip foundation for myself! Honestly, applying sunscreen takes too much of effort that I'd love to just dust powder over and go.
      I like NARS base makeup lines since they have an excellent colors for fair/light shades with yellow undertones. :)

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