Read ALL about my review process including how I take swatches, photos, and more here.
Due to my current lifestyle (I work from home) I only have two makeup styles: 1. no makeup whatsoever or 2. full beat. I USED to do no-makeup makeup looks and work-friendly makeup looks that took only 5-10 minutes to complete back when I had a corporate job, but now sometimes I’m in my pajamas until 2 P.M. and I’m not trying to put makeup on even when running errands. So when I do wear makeup, I’m going all out—lashes, highlight/contour, etc. I like to be glam—but my version of glam is more of an approachable glam.
So you can imagine that sheer foundations don’t really have as much usage in my makeup stash. Typically I use Cover FX Total Cover Cream (because I can vary coverage). But when news of NARS Velvet MATTE Skin Tint hit, I was all like “A MATTE tinted moisturizer?!?! YES, PLEASE.”
But then soon after I wasn’t as hyped. I know how tricky tinted moisturizers can get when it comes to deeper skin tones. I used to LOVE MAC Select Tint (I’d mix NW45 and NW50 together for a perfect shade) but then they changed the formula and the deepest shade available would make me look like a ghost. And let’s not forget how other brands do when it comes to lighter weight foundations for those of us about my skin tone and darker. SIGH.
See my fave light summer foundations for dark skin here
I received NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint in shade Polynesia Dark 1 for review consideration. On first glance it seemed a tad light but it has some warmth to it so it actually worked out pretty well for me (see what other foundation shades I wear here). I still had to warm my perimeter with my Cover FX P125 mineral powder (the Covergirl Queen Collection Ebony bronzer or Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder in Ebony #08 are alternatives) so that it looked more like my natural coloring. See why this process is necessary for many women of color here.
I LOVE the finish—it’s the perfect kind of matte: not casket-sharp and not a weak matte either. This is great for those of us with oily skin but if you have dry skin and like a matte finish, it could work (probably not in the winter, but in the warmer months it might). It has just enough coverage to even out my skin and cover some of my dark spots (I’m currently dealing with the worst hyperpigmentation I’ve had ever in life thanks to some reoccurring pimples on my forehead and chin that keep sprouting more dark spots just as the previous ones fade—I’ll do an updated post on what I’m doing to get rid of them in a few months) and I didn’t feel like I needed to add any extra concealer to cover them. I did highlight my face (see what I use and the technique here) and contoured with the Cover FX powder I mentioned earlier to add dimension to my face because the Velvet Matte Tint alone made me look flat.
We all have different makeup styles so obviously you don’t need to do extra highlighting and contouring when wearing this, but I would say at the least you may need a bronzer to warm the perimeter of your face.
Because of the SPF in this formula, it can look a little off in pictures depending on the lighting. You definitely do NOT want to use flash when taking pics while wearing this or you’ll get an unfavorable image…lol.
I did have some very noticeable oil breakthrough and I was in the house most of the day. I’m guessing once outside I’ll be fine (it’s been SUPER cold—like if it’s 45 degrees it’s “warm”) and in warmer temps I’ll have to make sure I use an oil-control moisturizer (like this one) underneath.
The pic on the right was taken right after application—it does oxidize some after application
After adding highlight/contour as explained above
P.S. Bear in mind how light plays a factor in how these show up in pictures on me. Also ignore how red my arms look in the swatch pics…lol. That’s a peril of swatching red lipsticks.
Bottom line: I really love NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint. If you’re looking for something for everyday makeup that’s easy to apply (I used my beautyblender but your fingers can also work), then give this a whirl. This is definitely something you want to try before you buy if you can because once it warms to your skin it can take on a different look.
I personally may not wear this often but that’s only because I have a specific makeup style—and that doesn’t take away from it being a good product. This would be awesome for when I travel though. I mention that because some of you guys will ask me months later if I still use something I reviewed—if I don’t it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with the product—I review TONS of stuff for this blog and there’s a lot of great products out there so you guys have tons of options. Sometimes I wind up using the same product all the time out of habit and some products are great products but don’t necessarily fit into my lifestyle. Make sense? Good.
Price and where to buy: $44 for 1.7 oz. Available January 15, 2016 at NARS Boutiques and narscosmetics.com Available February 1, 2016 at Sephora, department, and specialty stores.
I am sooo interested in getting this but I have a feeling I’d need one shade darker. I’m waiting for my Sephora to stock it so I can swatch it!
Author
Yeah, that’s the thing that SUUUUCKS about tinted moisturizers—so few options for deeper skin. The shade I have is the deepest, but try it on it store to see if it warms up enough on you. Have you tried the Iman BB Cream? I reviewed it here: https://www.thestyleandbeautydoctor.com/2013/01/iman-bb-creme-review/
LOL I know exactly what you mean about makeup styles! When I was in between jobs I started blogging full time and I would often live in my pajamas or run all my errands bare faced. I will do a quick natural look for work because I don’t need to wake up any earlier than I already do lol. But I definitely prefer to be beat! If I’m gonna wear makeup, I want it to be glam. This looks like a pretty nice summer foundation though. I may need it for my quick looks for work. The finish is beautiful and the formula sounds nice too. I’m just nervous about the color now..
“I LOVE the finish—it’s the perfect kind of matte: not casket-sharp and not a weak matte either. ” my fav line…
Gabriel Coombs
ahhhh they are sooooo naughty want this badly!! I would have if it had come before my haul hahaha. But going to the store to be matched for foundation so I may or MUST have to get this too! <3 <3 The Style and Beauty Doctor
Can’t wait to try
Love how it looks on your skin!, very fresh and matte but not that matte that you get that “dry” so that’s where the velvet comes in haha. But I see what you mean about try before you buy-as it warms on the skin, does sound like a quick application on t he go which I like! Thanks so much for your review!!! The Style and Beauty Doctor!
Kibra Yemane I usually don’t do matte but I love me some NARS Cosmetics so I may need to try this. But looks perfect for what we were talking about.
I’ve noticed that the last 2 Nars complexion launches, Nars didn’t go deep with dark initially. After the demand, then we got more range. I think that it Marketing 101, for sure.
So before you add eyeshadow and liner you look like you are about to head to 3rd period AP English class or something…I’d be asking for your ID for sure if you were trying to get into the club.
Author
LMAOOOO!!!! One of my friends says I look like a grown-up baby…lol. I can see it. I swear eye makeup makes me look more grown up…lol.
Hi hun love your face and reviews but I’m still not getting it with this one I don’t know if it’s the lighting or what?? I don’t think this was maybe the right tone for you I’m chocolate complexion aswell and I found polynesia okay but coverage abit bleh have you got any pictures after it’s oxidized? And could you expand on consistency a little bit id love to try this product.
Author
Hey Anne!
Thanks for reading and loving my face…lol.
I explained all of your concerns in the post including why it may look off to you in the picture and what I did to get it to work better for me—please reread the post.
I don’t have any oxidized pictures—even if I did it would be more confusing because those pics would be taken hours later with even more changes in lighting.
We can be similar in complexion but different in undertone—I lay out as much as I possibly can in reviews—it’s equally as important to read the review thoroughly because pics won’t always tell the full story (see more about that here: https://www.thestyleandbeautydoctor.com/2014/09/heres-review-process/). But with as much as I lay out in reviews, you still have to try it out on you—especially foundation. If you live near a NARS counter or Sephora, get a sample and see how it wears on you.