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What’s up makeupandthecity, if you saw my last two PR review’s with NARS (NARS – Velvet Matte Foundation Stick / Elephant in the blog | MAKEUPANDTHECITY) and SMASHBOX (SMASHBOX – STUDIO SKIN SHAPING FOUNDATION STICK | MAKEUPANDTHECITY) I thought to myself that, they are both similar in the fact that they are stick foundations double sided with unique ends (blender sponge or contour shade) I have tested both one on set and at home and one just at home to keep the playing field fair I wont say which was taken to set.
So – I will brush up on more facts about each item and then give my opinion but in the end it will be for you too decide for yourself which company came out on top.
Both of the products give a medium buildable coverage but with the NARS I wouldn’t say that you need to go back into the skin and reapply product in any area, as you would do with SMASHBOX for sure, the latex and anti-bacterial blender on the NARS foundation stick is absouloutly genius and to make it anti-bacterial was even smarter (replacement blenders for the NARS foundation stick are only $6.00US) As most of NARS complexion products it’s finish is matte, where SMASHBOX likes to give the more natural finish, SMASHBOX is oil-free but it seems to be that as you wear throughout the day it becomes patchy and oil appears to show due to a wax that they use in the product I believe so there have been times that I wish that SMASHBOX did have a sponge component to re-buff the product into the skin mid-day.
If we are being honest ➡️ I am not much of a fan of a cream contour and find the contour side to break off very effortlessly with SMASHBOX, when you use SMASHBOX be prepared to still need to go in with a concealer for certain area where as with NARS I found that you didn’t really need to go in with a concealer which is a huge plus for me being a guy I don’t want everyone to be able to tell that I have makeup on my face. I’ve always found NARS to be a little more seamless with there products and do active case studies with men and woman but SMASHBOX creates and tests their products at SMASHBOX STUDIOS – so I guess it would come down to, do you like the idea of active case studies where a product is judged and complaints and nice comments are used to fix if need be, or have a team who have been working behind the lens, and a MUA for years tell you something is perfect to their level of standards.
NARS – What it does ➡️
This all-in-one matte foundation stick and pro tool offers all-over coverage or touch-ups on-the-go. Its soft-matte finish and creamy, blendable texture layers easily for medium to buildable coverage. Matte Rebound Powders enhance the glide and comfort of wear, while mattifying the look of skin. Elastomer micro beads provide extreme flexibility and elasticity to help prevent creasing by adapting to movement without settling into lines or wrinkles. Ginger root extract and vitamins A, C, and E support natural antioxidant protection and defend skin from environmental damages while helping to improve the appearance of smoothness and evenness. The foundation can be applied multiple ways: with fingertips, directly from the stick, or with the included removable Touch-Up Blender, to create various effects.
SMASHBOX – What it does ➡️
This is an all-in-one stick that gives you coverage and sculpting on the quick. The foundation side gives you medium, buildable coverage with smooth blendability and a natural-looking finish. Use the soft contour side for a perfectly coordinated contour shade that adds dimension in seconds, while it shapes and sculpts with the angled tip. Each end delivers lasting coverage that will not settle into pores or fine lines while allowing color to stay true. Both formulas moisturize the complexion, and offer coverage that stays sweat-, humidity-, and water-resistant.
I personally think its a no brainer which is the better product and what you will use more often! I mean, who wouldn’t want an anti-bacterial mini beauty blender added to the end of their foundation stick.
⭐NARS⭐ Velvet Matte Foundation Stick ➡️ $45.00US for 0.31 oz/ 9 g
Smashbox Studio Skin Face Shaping Foundation Stick ➡️ $42.00US for 0.26 oz/ 7.5 g Foundation, 0.14 oz/ 4.25 g Soft Contour