What is the best foundation of the year so far?

The search for the perfect foundation is ongoing. In reality, one day’s perfect foundation (or one season’s, for that matter) is not another’s. A formulation that looks chic and perfect in winter can appear heavy and mottled when summer comes around. With that in mind, we can assume the perfect foundation for everyone and every occasion does not exist.

However, I can say with confidence that if the new NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation (€45 from Brown Thomas) is not the perfect foundation, it comes close.

If the trend for bases with high coverage irks you, seek elsewhere. If, on the other hand, you find the concept of a buildable medium-to-full coverage base which comes in thirty-three shades and applies best (and most easily) with fingers, then this is the foundation for you.

The original concept for this product stemmed from the enormous popularity of NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (€29.50) and comes in twenty-two shades. I keep one in my handbag at all times (for top-ups and the submission of weird red bumps that spitefully appear the moment you leave the house), and one in my makeup bag. It provides the perfect blemish and undereye coverage with sine-free, invisible texture, and the lightest shade, Chantilly, is actually light enough for the palest Celtic complexions. The deepest, Dark Coffee, works ideally for deepest skin tones.

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The Radiant Longwear Foundation is in the same vein as the concealer but with a softer, dewier texture. Since the coverage is so good, ensure to moisturise richly before applying. For the best finish, apply with fingers and lightly buff over the top with a clean, fluffy brush.

This works ideally for evening, too. It photographs beautifully, boasts excellent wearing time and looks fresh for hours. You can build it to cover your skin completely, but a thin veil will even complexion and give the impression of perfect natural skin. This is undoubtedly the foundation of 2018 so far.