Nars Firming Foundation in Barcelona Swatch and Review

Nars Firming Foundation in Barcelona Swatch and Review

I received a bottle of a Nars Firming Foundation as a gift with purchase and was wondering why the GWP was so generous—a regular-sized bottle!—when someone let me know that the Firming Foundation had been discontinued, hence, their being given away. I’m not sure if this foundation is still being given as a freebie with purchases or if it’s still available for sale at local Nars counters at the moment, but I say, get it while you can. For a product that’s being discontinued. I don’t think it’s bad at all.

Product claim:

NARS Firming Foundation lifts, strengthens, and protects the skin with a patented Polypeptide Firming Complex. Appropriate for all skin types, this naturally pigmented blend offers lasting coverage while restoring new levels of beauty to the skin. In addition to firming, powerful antioxidants will combat free radical damage to improve the skin’s health and reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion

The Firming Foundation is in an opaque, matte black bottle, which looks pretty cool although it’s not too practical because you won’t be able to see how much is left inside. It’s nice that the bottle has a pump, unlike the Sheer Glow Foundation which you have to purchase a separate pump for.

I have this in the same shade as the Sheer Glow Foundation I got, which is Barcelona. The Sheer Glow in Barcelona is not an exact match for my skin tone as it’s a touch dark, though still wearable for me. Barcelona in the Firming Foundation though is a little lighter, making it a much better match.

The Nars Firming Foundation has a bit of a thick, creamy texture. It doesn’t feel dry and as I mentioned it’s more on the creamy side, so even if it’s a little thick, I don’t find it too difficult to smooth on and blend. I prefer to use my fingers to apply it, as I’m able to finish putting it on more quickly that way, and I’m able to blend it thoroughly onto my skin.

One thing to note about this foundation though, is that it will emphasize any remotely dry areas on the face. The sides of my nose and mouth are always dry, and they look even more flaky and obvious after applying this product. Putting a heavy moisturizer or moisturizing mist on those areas then using the Firming Foundation doesn’t work so well either because it turns the foundation greasy. So exfoliation is necessary prior to using this foundie.

I do love the soft, skin-like, semi-matte finish it has on my skin. It looks very natural, and it’s neither too matte nor too dewy. It provides medium coverage, at best. It’s able to even out most of my skin tone and cover redness, but doesn’t totally conceal pimples or dark acne scars. Staying power is good  on me: 5 to 6 hours with no smearing, patches, or settling into lines or pores. Plus points too that it doesn’t make my skin oilier, which happens with the Sheer Glow foundation.

Nars Firming Foundation in Barcelona – Pros:

• Sleek packaging.
• Bottle already has a pump.
• It’s unscented.
• Texture is thick, but creamy and not streaky.
• It doesn’t make my skin itchy or red.
• It did not contribute to any additional break outs on my skin.
• Has a natural-looking finish.
• Feels light and comfortable on the face, even in humid weather.
• Doesn’t make my face oily or shiny.
• It’s locally available.

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