Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen is a sheer foundation that looks and feels amazing, especially if skin is combination to oily. That's why it's so disappointing to report that the formula has two weaknesses that keep it from earning our recommendation—the amount of alcohol present poses a risk of irritation and it doesn't provide sufficient UVA protection to make good on its anti-aging claims. See More Info for further details on both of these drawbacks.

Normally, we do not penalize the ratings of makeup with sunscreen on the basis of their broad-spectrum protection (or lack thereof) alone. After all, whether a foundation (or BB/CC Cream) makes good on its performance as such is typically the main concern most have when shopping for such a product. However, as NARS makes specific, anti-aging claims around its ability to provide UVA/UVB protection, we had to take it into consideration.

Even if we disregarded its inability to make good on its anti-aging claims, the amount of alcohol is concerning. As the second inactive ingredient, you can detect its scent—over this product's added fragrance. The alcohol helps this foundation set to its matte finish faster, as does the dry finish silicone that precedes it, but there are other formulary ways to get this effect without exposing skin to the problems alcohol presents.



It's truly a shame because from an esthetic perspective, NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint is amazing. It's a joy to blend, its matte finish (which holds up over oily areas quite well) looks fresh and dimensional rather than dry or flat, and the coverage, while not getting past the sheer-to-light range, still manages to blur imperfections and minimize the appearance of pores.

Our assessment of the shades reveals NARS has lost none of his touch creating real skin colors that lean to the warm side—a benefit for most skin tones. Shades are available for fair (but not porcelain) to dark (but not ebony) skin tones, with only a few minor missteps. St. Moritz is slightly bright peach; Cuzco is noticeably peach and definitely not as natural-looking as it could be; Martinique has a reddish-copper tint that's limiting but not unworkable for some dark skin tones.

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen is worthy of its accolades when viewed from an esthetic perspective—great lightweight texture, easy to blend, natural-looking, pore-blurring coverage, and a beautiful warm-toned range of shades for most skin tones. But the amount of alcohol it contains poses a risk of irritation, even if your skin is oily, and you're shorted of its anti-aging promises due to this formula's lack of good enough UVA. For preferred options, check out our round-up of foundations with sunscreen for oily skin.

PROS:
Beautifully light texture is a pleasure to blend.
Sets to a powdery matte finish that looks fresh and dimensional, not dull or flat.
Very good range of shades.
Long-lasting matte finish helps control excess shine.
CONS:
Does not supply sufficient-enough UVA protection to make good on its anti-aging claims.
The amount of alcohol poses a risk of irritation.