Can I just take a moment to absorb that I now, finally, own something by Nars? Yeah, I will, thank you. Being a university student, it isn't always the easiest to splurge (although lately it seems to be no problem for me, my wallet and I need help) especially when one has been eyeing products from a brand such as Nars. I have been humming and hawing for the longest time on whether or not to dive into their much coveted lipsticks, blushes or foundations but never really had the monetary resources to completely enter Nars-icism - partly because I spend money the moment I get it, lunches and brunches are expensive okay? Then the opportunity arose when I bought my ticket to an upcoming ball and I realised I needed a setting powder which wouldn't flashback on camera or make me look too caked up. As you can see I chose to buy the Nars Translucent Crystal Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. What a name.
First off, that packaging. The compact comes in a cardboard box with some cardboard shock proof stuff around it and also has a pouch for travel, equipped with its own slim powder puff/sponge. I have yet to try the sponge but I've heard it works like a dream for this powder. I have also heard that the rubber-ish compact is very prone to fingerprints. This I don't doubt as I have already experienced similar with some Topshop compacts. To give the gorgeous sleekness of the product clean I have been trying to use clean hands and the like whenever I touch this. Yes, I'm weird but I really covet Nars so...yeah.
First off, that packaging. The compact comes in a cardboard box with some cardboard shock proof stuff around it and also has a pouch for travel, equipped with its own slim powder puff/sponge. I have yet to try the sponge but I've heard it works like a dream for this powder. I have also heard that the rubber-ish compact is very prone to fingerprints. This I don't doubt as I have already experienced similar with some Topshop compacts. To give the gorgeous sleekness of the product clean I have been trying to use clean hands and the like whenever I touch this. Yes, I'm weird but I really covet Nars so...yeah.
On the powder itself, it is definitely an unusual one. I've read somewhere that the white tablet-esque thing you see is pretty much very compacted silica with some special micro-fine shimmer technology. When you first see it, it quite literally looks like plastic with some very light, pretty blue and green running through, but as I have already extensively researched around this product I knew that I had to get passed that top filmy layer before getting to the good stuff. To do that, just swirl a clean kabuki brush all over the powder until you can see a notable difference in the texture of the powder in light. That's when the magic of Translucent Crystal comes.
When I use this, I always wait for my foundation to dry a little before tapping a powder brush on the powder about three times, then dust it all over. This only needs to be done twice as you can quickly over do the look and end up looking fluorescent in flash photography. I like that it's okay when you over do this a little too much during the day, you'l just look really glowy without highlighter. What I also love about this is that it is so light and easy to wear during the summer months, and although its not sweat proof, it is definitely a good factor in controlling oil and blurring of fine lines and even pores. Even those with dry skin like me are able to lightly dust this on a have some optical blurring on the skin without the enhanced dry spots. Love, love, love, Translucent Crystal is now firmly in holy grail territory.
Now I know you could be tempted to stick your fingers in a start swatching straight away, however that is highly inadvisable as you pretty much come up with nothing, as well as add some oils to the top layer of the powder which if built up enough, in time will result in a dreaded layer of unusable powder. Just save yourself the trouble and always use clean brushes with this. I specifically purchased the Ecotools Large Powder brush to use with Translucent Crystal and make sure I always spot clean the brush after use, and of course wash every two weeks alongside my other brushes.
I have thoroughly enjoyed using this miracle worker and would recommend it to anyone who wants some gorgeous base on their face. This retails for $46 after recent, heaven blessed price drops at Mecca Maxima and Mecca Cosmetica.
Rating: 4.8/5 (I think I prefer some Hourglass powders, but the 0.2 off comes from the fact that this is so easily ruined and I hate having to scrape off layers from powders)
Until next time! xx
When I use this, I always wait for my foundation to dry a little before tapping a powder brush on the powder about three times, then dust it all over. This only needs to be done twice as you can quickly over do the look and end up looking fluorescent in flash photography. I like that it's okay when you over do this a little too much during the day, you'l just look really glowy without highlighter. What I also love about this is that it is so light and easy to wear during the summer months, and although its not sweat proof, it is definitely a good factor in controlling oil and blurring of fine lines and even pores. Even those with dry skin like me are able to lightly dust this on a have some optical blurring on the skin without the enhanced dry spots. Love, love, love, Translucent Crystal is now firmly in holy grail territory.
Now I know you could be tempted to stick your fingers in a start swatching straight away, however that is highly inadvisable as you pretty much come up with nothing, as well as add some oils to the top layer of the powder which if built up enough, in time will result in a dreaded layer of unusable powder. Just save yourself the trouble and always use clean brushes with this. I specifically purchased the Ecotools Large Powder brush to use with Translucent Crystal and make sure I always spot clean the brush after use, and of course wash every two weeks alongside my other brushes.
I have thoroughly enjoyed using this miracle worker and would recommend it to anyone who wants some gorgeous base on their face. This retails for $46 after recent, heaven blessed price drops at Mecca Maxima and Mecca Cosmetica.
Rating: 4.8/5 (I think I prefer some Hourglass powders, but the 0.2 off comes from the fact that this is so easily ruined and I hate having to scrape off layers from powders)
Until next time! xx