NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30/PA+++, my review

A tinted moisturizer which keeps its cards well hidden… Here’s my review of the new NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30/PA+++.

When the temperatures begin to seriously climb over here (yep, summer is definitely here in Dubai!), I like to lighten the texture of my foundation. And if in addition, it contains a high UV protection and I don’t have to layer too many products on my skin in the morning, it’s perfect. With this heat, you really appreciate a good 2-in-1 product! wink

A few years ago in France, I discovered the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++ and it was one of my favorite products for warmer days.
It’s an oil-free formula that was perfect for my skin type and the French summer temperatures, but since I have been living in Dubai, I need to use a product that is more heat resistant and also waterproof because it’s also super humid over here (heat and humidity aka the makeup killer combo).

When I saw that NARS launched another tinted moisturizer, more matifying, I knew that I had to try it and make the ultimate crash test during Dubai’s summer! wink

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30/PA+++, presentation:

What the brand says about it:

“An oil-free skin tint to protect and perfect with medium, buildable coverage and a soft-matte finish.

This oil-free formula wears comfortably, maintaining skin’s natural moisture barrier while working to control shine throughout the day. Transparent Blurring Powders help to blur imperfections, even the look of skintone, and smooth the appearance of pores and fine lines. The powders’ unique, spherical shape compresses like a cushion, delivering a velvety-smooth, touchable feel and superior comfort on application. Vitamins C, E, and broad spectrum SPF 30 protect against free-radical damage caused by environmental stress.
Simply touch and go for an effortlessly perfected look.“

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30/PA+++ is a UV protective matifying tinted moisturizer, specifically aimed for combination to oily skin. Although it’s supposed to be a tinted moisturizer, the coverage is quite strong, it’s not sheer at all.

The texture is quite specific, very rich in silicones, and it really glides on the skin and leaves a matte finish but not powdery, more velvet-like.
The matte effect is not dull at all and it’s quite luminous thanks to the soft focus effect powders that help to even out the skin tone and blur the pores. It’s an oil-free formula, so it’s perfect for combination to oily skin.

It’s also supposed to be long lasting, which is always nice especially here, where the temperature already exceeds 40 degrees.

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30/PA+++, my test and thoughts:

– Formula:

The brand speaks about a UV protective formula with SPF 30 and PA +++ but also some antioxydant vitamins A and E to fight the damages of pollution on the skin. It’s always good to have an extra dose of protection and also, I don’t use my daily UV protection when I apply this tinted moisturizer because I feel sufficiently protected (and also, you know… #lazy).
It’s supposed to be matifying with some pink fruit extracts to minimize pores and control the shine. I didn’t really notice any effect on the size of my pores to be honest but it’s true that I don’t need to touch-up too much with powder during the day. The matte finish lasts pretty well on my skin!

– Color range:

12 shades from the lightest to the darkest. As often with NARS, there is a wide choice. I own the shade Alaska (light 2), a neutral beige with a yellow undertone, and it’s good match for my skin tone (I am a NC20-25 in MAC).

– Scent: 

The formula is scented, a rather pleasant scent, not too overpowering and it doesn’t last after the application.

– Packaging:

I love this 50ml tube, I find it so convenient! It’s super easy to travel with, it’s the one I took with me during my recent trips to Europe. However, I’m not a fan of its typical NARS rubberized finish, such a dust/ dirt catcher. It gets messy and dirty so easily… uneasy

– Application: 

It’s really super easy to apply! Well at least, if you use the proper technique…
NARS used soft focus blurring powders in the formula. The spherical shape of these powders compress like a cushion, and gives this plumping texture when you apply it, especially when you use your fingertips.
The brand strongly recommends using your fingertips for the application because the texture needs to be slightly warmed to completely blend into the skin. I tried an application with a brush or a Beauty Blender and I wasn’t convinced by the result, I could see that the product was emphasizing my flaws. But when applied with the fingertips, it blends completely for a true second skin effect.
Usually, I start by quickly spreading it on my face and I just press the product with my fingertips to blend it into my skin.
Quantity wise, I usually use 1 small drop of product. No need to put too much, the coverage is really enough with a small amount of product and if you apply too much, it tends to be more visible on the skin, and you don’t want that!

– Pigmentation and coverage:

It has a medium to high coverage, which is very surprising for a tinted moisturizer. It looks more like a real foundation to me…

– Finish:

The finish is very nice and natural. It’s a luminous matte finish, and it really blurs the pores. However, I don’t think it’s super suitable for dry or dehydrated skin. It tends to emphasize the dry patches.
It’s very lightweight, you barely feel it, it’s quite imperceptible. Perfect for summer! wink

– Lasting power: 

The lasting power is pretty good. After a few hours, it gets a little shiny in some areas, obviously, but I still would describe it as a long lasting product.
Also, because my skin is oily, I still need to set it with a loose powder, despite its matte finish but I don’t think it’s absolutely mandatory, especially for combination skin. It’s just that I’m used to it! wink

– Value for money:

The price is pretty average for this kind of brand ($44).

Finally, here are the swatches:

As you can see above in the pictures, it’s quite creamy at first but it blends on the skin very easily. The color appears a little too yellow on my forearm but it matches my skin well on the face, I swear! wink

And on me:

Yeah so sorry, I should have warned you because it’s a little scary.
So on the first picture on the left, there is nothing on my skin (apart from my pores, my dark circles and my pimples) and on the second photo on the right, there is only the NARS Velvet Matte tinted cream Skin Tint SPF 30 / PA +++.
You can enlarge the image by clicking on it if you want to see the details (but I beg you not to do it, I don’t really assume my huge pores and my nasty zits).

GOD BLESS MAKEUP! Seriously! So, here is the result with a full face of makeup.
On my lips, it’s one of my favorite lipstick of all time (it’s in my top 10) (no idea which lipsticks are in my top 10, I’m not able to choose between all my lipsticks but I just know it has to be in it): Fanfare by MAC.

So, in summary:

[wprs-pros][wprs-cons]

This is a good protective tinted moisturizer, which is almost as opaque as a foundation while remaining super lightweight on the skin. But I really think that you need to have a combination to oily skin to fully appreciate this product.

The NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30/PA+++ is available on nars.com and on sephora.com for $44.

And you, have you tried this NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30/PA+++ ? Thoughts?

Photo credit: bonnie-garner.com