I already had this post in the works, but I decided it was time to finish it since NARS recently released its new Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation. With this new release, they have also expanded the shade range for the Light Reflecting Powders (both loose and pressed).

This Sleeper hit is a little different because I already knew I liked this powder in the shade Sunstone, but the color was a little too orange for my coloring. After debating for a long time about the translucent color, I decided to just give it a try. I often jot down notes on my makeup just in case I decide to write a blog post about something in the future. When I reviewed my notes, this powder not only kept coming up, but I was also pleased with it every time I used it.

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**NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder, $42.00

As you can see, I used this powder before taking any photos of it. I know it looks a little gross, so you’ll have to forgive me. But I want you to see what the product looks like, and it seemed silly to clean it off.

I do have dry skin, so finding a setting powder that works for me can be challenging. The **Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder ($42) has what I would call a satin finish, but it definitely has a nice luminosity to it. If applied heavily, it can look more luminous, but it is never over the top. I do not have any issues with it clinging to dry patches or making any areas of my skin look dry. I was nervous that the crystal shade would make me look ashy, but it truly looks translucent on me.

Although you can see a shiny quality to this powder when you look at it closely, it does not look glittery on my face. The closest product I use that is similar is the Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder (discontinued). The NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder is not as glowy as Laura Mercier Candleglow, but it still gives a sheen and radiance to my skin. The interesting thing to me every time I use this is that it doesn’t look like powder has been applied. It doesn’t mattify or sit on my skin like a typical powder,r and my skin still looks very natural.

The Light Reflecting Setting Powder does a nice job of actually setting my foundation. I typically pair this with the NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation, and that formula tends to transfer a lot. This powder manages to keep the NARS Natural Radiant Foundation from transferring as much, which is great. I also like that it takes away any tacky feeling that would cause color products to skip or go patchy.

Update October 22, 2025: If you are looking for a talc-free powder, then this won’t fit the bill, although it appears that way since the word talc isn’t present on the ingredient list. The Nars Light Reflecting powder contains Magnesium Silicate, which is talc according to The National Library of Medicine. For my talc-free recommendations, click here.

Update October 7, 2025: You can see a picture of me wearing the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder over the NARS Light Reflecting and NARS Natural Radiant Foundations in my Morphe Cloudlight Soft Glow Veil Powder Review. I am wearing the powder in my review of the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation as well. Lastly, you can see me wearing the Light Reflecting Pressed Powder over the Patrick Ta Major Skin Hydra-Luxe Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation.

Update April 29, 2025: I discussed the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder in a round-up post about powders. If you are curious how it compares to other powders for my dry skin type, you can click here.

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What Brush Will Pick Up The Powder?

A common complaint in reviews for this product is that it is so firmly pressed in the pan that it doesn’t pick up easily on a brush. I do not have that issue, but if you are experiencing it, try again with a dark-bristle brush. With darker bristles (and the translucent color), you can see how much powder is on the brush. As you can see in the image below, it does transfer onto my brush. This is the amount of product on a Sonia Kashuk medium powder brush after only one dip into the pan. I have also been able to use the NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder with natural hair brushes with the same results.

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Comparison to NYX HD Finishing Powder in Banana

I am providing this comparison only because it is the only other powder I own that is somewhat translucent. They are not dupes or even similar, but I hope that seeing them next to each other will give you a point of reference for color and finish.

New Powder Shades and Corresponding NARS Foundation Shades

UPDATE January 3, 2024: Since I started using the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder in the now discontinued Sunstone shade, I have purchased this powder a few times. I’m still very impressed by what this powder does, but at times it is more mattifying than what my dry skin needs.Without the benefit of a tint (Crystal Translucent shade), it ends up looking too dry on me, so I made the switch to one of the newer shades called Shore. If I hadn’t tried the color shore, I don’t think I would’ve realized the Crystal Translucent shade was making my dryness look worse (especially in winter). Shore is a little peach for me, but it usually still works out fine. This is the setting powder I use when I can’t afford to take chances and need my makeup to look good and last.

According to the Macy’s product listing, I should be using the new shade shore based on using the foundation shade Tahoe.

• Crystal – Very light to light: For foundation shades Sibera, Oslo, Mont Blanc, Yukon, Gobi, Salzburg, Deauville, Vienna, Fiji, Punjab, Patagonia, Vallauris, Santa Fe, Sahel, Stromboli, Vanuatu, and Barcelona.
• Shore – Medium to medium-deep: For foundation shades Valencia, Aruba, Syracuse, Tahoe, Moorea, Huahine, and Cadiz.
• Mesa – Medium-deep: For foundation shades Caracas, Belem, Macao, Marquises, Manaus, and New Caledonia.
• Sable – Deep to very deep: For foundation shades Iguacu, Namibia, Zambie, Mali, Anguilla, and Majorca.

So there you have it. I was worried that I’d have trouble with the crystal shade of this powder. Fortunately for me, it not only works well, but it has also become a go-to product. I just love this powder, and I’m really excited to see an expanded shade range.

**Ulta Website

	$ 42.00 Sale Price $ 42.00 Regular Price
NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder – Crystal

**NARS Website

	$ Sale Price $ 42.00 Regular Price
NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder – Pressed, Crystal

**Bloomingdale’s Website

	$ Sale Price $ 42.00 Regular Price
Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

**Nordstrom Website

	$ 42.00 Sale Price $ 42.00 Regular Price
NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder in Crystal – Fair To Medium at Nordstrom

If you like this kind of content, I have three other versions that you can check out by clicking the following links: Sleeper Hits: MAC Next to Nothing Bronzer and MAC x Selena La Layenda Highlight, Sleeper Hits, Vol 2: MAC Bougie Babe, Dare to Diva, and Hollywood Heroine, and Sleeper Hits, Vol 4: Tom Ford Eye Color Quads Honeymoon, Golden Hour, and Peach Dawn (Swatches and review).

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Have you discovered any unexpected favorites lately?

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If you’d like to check out more of my content, here are some places to start. 

• Blush Index
• Brands A-Z
• Bronzer & Highlighter Index
• Brush Index
• Concealer Ranking
• Eyeshadow Index
• Foundation Round-Up
• Lipstick Index
• Makeup Storage and Organization Ideas
• My Favorite Makeup
• Powder Round-Up

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