This entry is a follow-up to a previous post highlighting Estee Lauder, the first cosmetic company I worked for. Feel free to check it out here.
After 6 years of working for Estee Lauder and seeing my hours slowly dwindle due to the economy, I felt it was time to move on to another brand. I was wanting to work for a smaller company and
NARS is a company I have always admired. Upon receiving a job offer from them, I jumped at the opportunity to work for this great company.
If ever there was a makeup match made for me, it would be NARS. I absolutely love everything about this line! At first I was skeptical of some of the simplicity in the line - No foundation brushes?? Only two formulas of foundation and one concealer??? You don't contour the eyes?? Whaaaa...? It went against everything I was ever taught. However, after delving into the line and forcing myself to look at makeup from a different perspective, I was amazed at how many new opportunities were opened up to me.
Once I learned more of the background of the line, I was really hooked. The company was started by makeup master Francois Nars who initially launched 12 shades of lipstick that were sold exclusively at Barney's. From there, it gradually attained cult status as they added iconic products such as Orgasm blush, Rated R eyeshadow, and the amazing Body Glow, a divine Tahitian coconut oil.
Francois began doing makeup at an early age and quickly rocketed to success upon moving to New York from his native France. In New York he gained notoriety after doing makeup for 18 CONSECUTIVE covers of Vogue. He propelled Madonna into her era as the material girl by transforming her look and helped launch the careers of then unknown models such as Naomi Campbell (featured in a few early NARS ad campaigns) and Kate Moss.
The philosophy behind NARS is simple - it's just makeup, have fun with it, wear what makes you feel beautiful. One of the fun things about the line is that literally every item has personal significance to Francois and each color tells a story. Francois personally names all of the products and the titles can be grouped into a few basic categories:
Classic Movie References such as Shanghai Express, Pillow Talk, and Funny Face
Moods, Feelings, or Emotions such as Orgasm, Desire, and Zen
Iconic Women such as Marlene Dietrich, Blondie, and Edie Sedgwick
Exotic Locales throughout the world such as Mediteranee, Kuala Lumpur, and South Pacific
A few other fun facts about the line:
-The compacts have a unique velvety feel to them so that the experience of applying and wearing the product is full sensory.
-The iconic white NARS logo on black background pays homage to Francois' childhood days when he would sketch on a chalkboard.
-The tester unit you see in stores is evocative of a sushi platter because the initial meetings between Francois and Fabian Baron (the artistic mastermind behind the branding of the product) took place at a sushi restaurant.
These days, Francois is a bit reclusive, spending half his time in the South Pacific and the other half in New York. Although he sold the company to Shiseido over 10 years ago, he still retains creative control and continues to photograph each and every ad campaign for the company.
The following are my favorite, must have products from NARS.
Skin
1.
Body Glow II is a beautiful coconut oil body treatment that has been processed in a French Polynesian tradition. It has a wonderful fragrance due to the Monoi de Tahiti oil as well as the rare Tahitian Tiare flower that has macerated in the oil.
2.
Essential Vitamin Serum is a lightweight serum that is applied over your moisturizer each morning and evening. The potent blend of vitamins brightens, protects, and firms the skin.
3.
Mud Mask is made of seaweed, Masada Mud, natural botanicals, and minerals designed to offer deep purifying and brightening of the skin. I like to use it as a spot treatment on blemishes too. The best thing about this mask is that it is not overly drying and can be used by virtually anyone.
4.
Aqua Gel Hydrator is a lightweight gel cream made up of 87% water. Massage a generous amount into your skin at night, alone or on top of your regular moisturizer, and let it go to work the entire night as you sleep. Your skin will be freshly plumped and re-energized when you wake up in the morning.
Cheeks
1.
Maldives Multiple Stick is a gorgeous pink champagne. I like this color because it is flattering on virtually every skintone. My favorite way to use this color is to stripe the product on the forehead, cheekbones, nose, jawline, and chin and then carefully blend the foundation into the cream. The result is the most beautiful, luminous skin you can possibly imagine.
2.
Torrid Blush is a lovely coral shade with a gold shimmer. I say, "Move over, Orgasm! There's a new blush in town." This shade is just as flattering as Orgasm but it has more pigment and less frost for those of us who like a more natural finish to our blush.
3.
Exhibit A is hands down my favorite NARS blush of all time. When applied sheerly, it lends such a cheery pop of color to the skin. This shade has also been voted the best color for dark skin. I recommend applying it with the Yachiyo brush which I will outline under my favorite brushes.
4.
New Order is a recent addition to the line but it has quickly become one of my favorites. It is a beautiful blend of a pearly lilac and gold powder with a fine gold sparkle. I like to apply it on the cheekbones for a whimsical touch of fairy dust.
5.
Doucer is a gorgeous sandy pink blush. I often use it as a contour shade or to deepen some of the lighter shades of blush such as Deep Throat.
Lips
1.
Dragon Girl Velvet Matte Lip Pencil is one of the brightest reds I have ever seen. I love this pencil because it is such a pigmented red yet it won't bleed like a traditional red lipstick. Rumor has it that this shade is Gwen Stefani's preferred red.
2. The
Dolce Vita line of products is right behind Orgasm in popularity. There is currently a lipstick, gloss, Velvet Matte Pencil, and a blush. This shade is routinely voted as being the most universally flattering shade of lipstick. I personally prefer the pencil version myself as it has a certain softness that isn't as present in the lipstick or gloss. This product is great on it's own or as a base to add natural warmth to any other lip colors.
3.
Easy Lover lipgloss is a beautiful sheer fuchsia giving the right amount of brightness without being overdone.
4.
Greek Holiday is an amazing peach gloss that shimmers and shines like you wouldn't believe. I like to mix it with deeper glosses to give them a softer finish.
5.
Moon Fleet is similar to Greek Holiday but with a more glittery finish. All the little flecks of gold and platinum feel galactically fantastic and this seemingly simple lipgloss is a definite show stopper!
6.
Striptease is quite possible the greatest nude gloss of all time. While most nude glosses are sheer, Striptease is opaque and milky and everything a nude lip should be.
7.
Barbarella is a really flattering peach lipstick that screams 1960's bombshell. Tres Sexy!
8.
Roman Holiday is the perfect Barbie pink - not too bright and not too Grandma rosy, just the right amount of bubble gum.
1.
Rue Bonaparte is one of the new Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliners. A lot of people use a white pencil to brighten the rim of the eyes but white isn't always flattering. I prefer the fleshy shade of this pencil as it will cover red better and this long wearing formula will stand the test of time.
2.
Kitty Eyeliner is an amazing shade of turquoise eyeliner. It's so fun to use on it's own, to brighten a smoky eye, or, for a truly dramatic look, with Mediteranee eyeshadow duo, also outlined in this section.
3.
Lili Marlene cream eyeshadow is the perfect base for a smokey eye. It will make your powder shadows last for hours as well as give them a beautiful smokey depth.
4.
Portobello eyeshadow duo may look unassuming but it is the perfect set of soft neutrals. Not too warm and not too cool, I love these for a sophisticated natural look or for a perfect blend when transitioning from one color to the next.
5.
Jolie Poupee is hands down the greatest set of purple shadows of all time. My favorite is the shimmering, electric purple but the dusty orchid is very complimentary and shouldn't be overlooked. As with all NARS eyeshadows, try applying these with a damp brush for more intensity.
6.
Key Largo is a duo I go back to time and time again. The soft peach is perfect for highlighting a darker skin or to give evenness to a mature eyelid. The bronze is simple and sexy either on it's own or with darker browns and coppers for a burnished look.
7.
Alhambra is a perfect shimmering pair of gold and champagne. I use these all the time to add pops of light to the inner eye, tear duct, center of the eyelid, and the arch of the brow.
8.
Rated R is probably the most iconic shade of eyeshadow made by NARS. Often imitated, this is the original and the best. Believe me, I've tried the knockoffs that other companies have produced and they fall short. While these shades aren't necessarily meant to be worn together, rock on if you want to take it there! This duo constantly reminds me that makeup should be fun and shouldn't be taken so seriously all the time.
9.
Mediteranee is a stunning duo of burnt orange and gold. These colors are beautiful when applied sheerly but I love to apply them in a smoldering, vibrant manner. They are even more amazing on blue eyes!
Brushes
1.
Eye Shader Brush is made from pure sable and is my go to brush for depositing lots of color on the eyes. It is one of the more expensive brushes that I own but it is so worth the price.
2.
Angular Eye Shader can be used to define the crease but I like it best for sweeping color along the lash line. It is a must have for a well blended smokey eye.
3.
Large Dome Eye Brush is a wonderful brush for blending. You can use it all over for a sheer layer of color or to create softness in a more dramatic look.
4.
Botan Brush is a part of the Kabuki line of brushes that NARS has to offer. This brush made me fall in love with powder foundations. It is very large and seems awkward at first but once you see how comfortably it fits in your hand and how well it blends, you will be hooked! It's also great for bronzing large areas such as the chest and arms.
5.
Ita Kabuki Brush is a small, flat brush perfect for apply and blending powders and blushes as well as contouring the cheeks. It can also be used to blend eye colors. The entire line of Kabuki brushes are exquisitely hand made in Japan in traditional Geisha methods. You won't find anything else like them on the market!
6.
Yachiyo Kabuki Brush is a domed brush ideal for highlighting, contouring, and blending. The handle is flexible and wrapped in black wisteria. Because of this flexibility, it is great for applying some of the more dramatic blush shades such as Exhibit A. Simply hold the very end of the brush handle between your thumb and forefinger and tap the brush against the skin allowing the brush to bounce back. The movement should be all in the wrist as well as the kinetic motion of the brush. You'll know you have mastered this technique when the brush is bouncing rapidly against the skin.
To finish off, I leave you with some of my favorite NARS campaigns as well as the wisest words about makeup I have ever heard.
"Don't be so serious. It's only makeup"
Francois Nars
NARS throughout the years
Amy Gillespie, makeup artist, NARS, cosmetics, beauty, fashion, product recommendations
