It’s extremely rare that I carry makeup with me other than lipgloss, and for a very practical reason. I’ve had too many accidents in the past where a container has come open during passage and lost its load all over the contents of my handbag (not to mention the bag itself), and not only is that not something I want to deal with, but it’s a waste of product.

Leave it to a great brand like NARS to solve that problem. They’re now making palettes that have a zip-around closure to keep them secure no matter where they might be stored, saving beauty lovers on the go a big headache when something spills. Hopefully more brands will follow suit.

Shop NARS via Nordstrom.

This week, I am trialling two of the hottest foundations out on the market (and two with some of the biggest hype).

Today it’s NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. On Wednesday, I will trial Sheer Glow’s reputed dupe in Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation. On Friday, I’ll have a complete comparison of the two.

Read on to find out my thoughts.

Packaging

The packaging on this is ordinary to say the least.

The rubber packaging, so synonymous with NARS, is like a magnet for dirt. And it drives me crazy!

To add injury to insult, this is pumpless. Which would not be a problem if the formula was thick. However, as I’ll discuss below, this formula is very runny. Which makes getting it out of the bottle problematic. I’ve lost count of the number of times a huge glob of foundation has come running out of the bottle. I believe NARS is bringing out a pump shortly.

Product

As I mentioned, the formula on this is runny. Which takes some getting used to but it isn’t a problem except for those moments where you get globs flying out.

Application with this product is an absolute breeze. Fingers, brush or, in my case – beauty blender – whatever tool you use to apply, it will look great.

Which comes to the foundation itself. I absolutely LOVE this foundation. Not only have I found a perfect colour match (I am a MAC NC30 normally and wear Punjab in Sheer Glow), but this just makes my skin look like….. heaven.

As you all know, I have adult acne. I don’t want to hide my skin, but I don’t want all my flaws on display. This is like a soft focus camera. It just evens out all my redness and makes my skin look normal. In short, it looks like my skin but just a better version of it.

I wear Monistat Shafing Gel as a primer, apply this and then set with a finishing powder. It lasts all day and I only start to get some shine around 2pm.

It’s simply amazing.

Price

This is definitely at the high end of the foundation range at $42 (an eye watering $100 here in Australia). But for the finish I get, it is worth every single cent.

$42 – NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

I recently received this in a gift pack so put it through its paces. Would Super Orgasm be as good as Orgasm.

Packaging

This is NARS packaging at its best. It feels robust and strong and comes with a fantastic little mirror. Some don’t like the NARS rubber outer but I like that it never slips out of my hands and feels strong.

Product

This is a beautiful peach colour. It really lifts my skin and gives it a natural glow.

The only thing I don’t like about this? The shimmer fall out. Seriously, I wipe this on and I end up with mounds of gold glitter down my front. I’ve gone to the lengths of putting a hanky or napkin over my chest just to catch it all.

Price

This isn’t cheap but you don’t need alot and I suspect it’s going to last me a long time. And really, for that flush, I’d pay four times the amount.

$26 – NARS Super Orgasm Blush

Another day. Another winning combination from the fabulous Francois Nars.

This kit comes with everything you need to get that lovely springtime flush:

- 0.16 oz Deep Throat Blush (peach with shimmer)
- 0.08 oz Bettina Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (natural rose beige sheen)
- 0.14 oz Mini Orgasm Multiple (peachy pink shimmer)

So Famous Set

$44 – NARS

There’s a reason why I’m all about nail polishes this week, and that’s because there are so many gorgeous collections out there.

The NARS Spring Collection is here and, with it, the amazing Purple Rain.

This is my must have for 2010. If I don’t get it…. well, the tears will flow. Put it that way. PURPLE RAIN TEARS.

Purple Rain

$16 – NARS

If you’re having one of those days where your skin just looks dull and lifeless, then NARS’ Illuminator in (the oh so classic) Orgasm is for you.

I use this on my eyes, face, even decolletage and it really is the perfect skin pick me up. Especially good if you’ve been drinking the night before and looking particularly horrid (I speak from experience).

Orgasm Illuminator

$29 – NARS

I think the words NARS and Temptation were super glued at birth. Everything something comes out of Monsieur Francois Nars’ studio, I’m immediately desperate to have it. For a man, he seems to have an uncanny knack of understanding women.

NARS Temptation is two of NARS’ best sellers rolled into one. The classic Orgasm Blush and Orgasm Nail Polish. A must have for this Spring.

Temptation Gift Set

$30 – NARS

Feeling a little poor after the holidays? Want to get a little something luxurious for yourself without breaking the bank. Sephora’s got just what you need.

They’re offering the NARS Custard & Ginger Duo Concealer for only $10, far less than what their cosmetics normally retail for. Why? Just because. So don’t ask too many questions – enjoy it while it’s there.

Sephora, $10.

So I’m somewhat hyperventilating right now at this sneak peak of their Spring 2010 Collection. My goodness, these are amazing.  The lacquer and lipstick immediately jumps out at me and tugs on my wallet.  What catches your eye?

I stray every so often and try something new but, time and time again, I will always go back to my tried and trusted NARS Concealer.

Not only is it beautiful quality, but it’s so convenient. I’ll let you guys in on a little secret. I apply this on the train into work. Because it’s shaped like a lipstick, it’s perfect for touch ups on the go. And it fits beautifully in the handbag.

Just dab some on the area you’re looking to conceal, and blend gently. If there was ever a must have product, this is it.

Concealer

$22 – NARS

If you’re having a day where you just can’t be bothered with full makeup, but you also don’t want to go out ‘naked’, this is a great set for you.

Included here are a highlighting blush duo and a lip gloss, all for a super price.

Love Me Set

$29 – NARS

Isn’t it great when products that we already trust and love come out with new colors to add to our ever-growing vanity menageries? It’s hard to find a lipstick with the right consistency, that doesn’t wear quickly, and that doesn’t dry out your lips on contact, and when you do, you never want to let it go (or at least I don’t). Having already found a formulation that I love makes me loath to try other high-end brands in search of a color missing from my collection; this stuff gets expensive after a while, you know.

Which is why I’m so glad to see NARS Lipstick in Fast Ride on the list of new arrivals at Sephora. Their lipstick is velvety and rich, and I know it’s something I’ll use repeatedly, which makes me less scared to fork over $24 for a new color. And I’ve been looking for a dark, blue-undertoned red to experiment with for fall, and this slightly sheer version may be just what the doctor ordered.

I suspect that it will bring out the green in my eyes, but the limited opacity won’t overwhelm my pale skin. I may go for something more matte and thick later, but this color looks like a perfect introduction to try out the look. Sephora, $24.