Little J in Nars

I'm glad you're not wearing that raccoon makeup anymore, because you looked like one of the Incredibles. (Quote from Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl)

Taylor Momsen wanted a smoky, strong eye - her signature look,” said NARS Makeup Artist Sharon Brown. “I used Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil to rim her eyes and smudge over the entire lid.” Blue shadow was layered for a pop of color. Finally, Cyprus, a bronze shadow with shimmer, was added for a flawless transition into her next outfit. “She was wearing a beautiful dress with copper accents later that night so I wanted the look to work well into the evening.” With the eyes as the focus, the cheeks were kept soft and highlighted, and the lips were delicately glossed with a new sheer pink grapefruit shade for spring.

Skin

Mix NARS Firming Foundation in Deauville and NARSskin brightening serum to create an even base with a subtle glow
Apply NARS Duo Concealer in Custard/Ginger as needed Blend NARS Cream Blush in Penny Lane into cheeks
Highlight cheekbones with a soft blend of NARS Blush Duo in Hungry Heart

Eyes

Line the top and bottom lashes with NARS Eyeliner Pencil in Black Moon
Smudge Black Moon over entire lid [“For Taylor’s eye makeup, the darker the better,” said Sharon.]
Apply slate blue side of NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Underworld for a pop of color
Layer NARS Single Eyeshadow in Night Flight, using cobalt blue pearls to accentuate Underworld
Top with a light dusting of NARS Single Eyeshadow in Cyprus
Highlight brow bone with NARS Single Eyeshadow in Aybssinia

Lips

Line lips with NARS Lip Liner Pencil in Tonga (Summer 2009)
Apply NARS Lip Gloss in Sweet Revenge for sheer color (Spring 2009)


Credit: Nars and Style.com

“The look is inspired by 1930’s photographs – sepia tone shading but with a slick gloss on the eyes to make it modern.”
Charlotte Tilbury

Eyes: Dusk cream colour base- blended through crease, over lids and along lower lash line to create shading and depth.
Copper Walnut PRO Gloss mixed with a bit of Reflects Gold – applied from lid to brow for a wet look on the eyes.

Face: Fast Play lipstick – blended onto the apples of the cheeks.
Pearl cream colour base – swept over cheek bone, bridge of nose, and bow of lips to highlight.

Lips: Half and half lipstick – lightly patted onto the lips

Credits: MAC and Elle

Don't Call It a Comeback: Francois Nars returns to fashion week with Marc Jacobs...

Dont call it a comeback
I been here for years
Rockin my peers and puttin suckas in fear (LL Cool J)

Marc Jacobs went in a very new direction with his collection and show. The beauty inspiration was far from the days of Dick Page. This year Jacobs managed to charm Francois Nars back to the tents.
This is fairly gasp worthy.
He has not done runway in ten years.

Mr Nars worked with 65 models creating individual looks for each girl. It was wild, crazy and familiar. It was the 80's all over again.

Show: Marc Jacobs

Lead Artist: François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics

Trend: Night clubbing – theatrical makeup – strong eyes, porcelain skin


Inspiration: The Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 collection paid homage to the New York night club scene of the 1970s and ‘80s. Drawing inspiration from these decades and the works of Sprouse, St. Laurent, and Halston, François Nars took into consideration each model’s individual beauty before creating a separate edgy look, reminiscent of the past but still very modern. "We are doing quite an eclectic look," he said. The inspiration for diversity came from Nars’ book XRAY. “[Marc] wanted to keep that feeling,” said Nars, “the variety of looks, the same way we do the campaigns for NARS.” Overall, it was important that each girl look beautiful, even with strong theatrical looks. Much like the fashion, Nars emphasized having fun with makeup for the coming year, despite the times we live in- “It’s a good antidote.”

Look: Focusing on an edgy, night clubbing look, strong eyes and bold color were a major theme. Black shadow laid the foundation for creating the dramatic eye, to which the artists added cobalt blues, deep greens, bright purples, reds, fuchsias, and glitter. “There is a wide variety of color,” said Nars, “it’s whatever looks good on the girl.” For many of the models, porcelain skin was a key component, allowing the black eyes and bright colors to pop. “You want to play with makeup,” says Nars, “makeup is a great accessory - that is the message.”

Credits: Nars,Wikipedia and lyrics from LL Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out

NARS Backstage Trend Report: A/W 09 Thakoon

Show: Thakoon

Lead Artist: Diane Kendal for NARS Cosmetics

Trend: Smoky eyes

Inspiration: The collection took inspiration from the 1940’s, reflecting the surrealist images of photographer Lee Miller. Combined with a bit of 80’s rock and roll glam, makeup artist Diane Kendal created a strong look without being too girly.

Look: “The look is all about the eyes with soft matte lips for contrast,” said Diane Kendal. To bring strength to the face, Diane focused on creating smoky eyes and full brows, while downplaying the lips and keeping skin fresh with a light brushing of blush for a healthy glow.

Face

· Use NARSskin Hydrating Moisture Cream to moisturize entire face
· Apply NARS Concealer as needed, to cover any imperfections
· Use a minimal amount of NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (NEW for Fall 2009)
· Lightly stroke NARS Blush in Gilda on the apples of the cheeks

Eyes:

· Use NARS Eyeliner Pencil in Mambo to line upper lashes and crease
· Blend over entire lid and up to brows, keeping dense color by lashline
· With Mambo, line lower lashes and gently blend
· Use NARS Single Eyeshadow in Bali to fill in brows
· Draw a very thin line on upper lashes with NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Black (NEW for Fall 2009)
· Curl lashes with NARS Eyelash Curler

Lips:

· Apply NARS Lip Therapy Treatment in Rain to entire lip
· Lightly pat a small amount of NARS Concealer over Rain to take down color

Credit: Nars, Wikipedia and thephora.net

NARS Backstage Trend Report: A/W 09 Hervé Léger


Show: Hervé Léger

Lead Artist: Diane Kendal for NARS Cosmetics

Trend: Strong brow, dewy skin

Inspiration: For Fall 2009, Hervé Léger drums to the beat of an urban tribe with a gradient palette of earth tones polished by rich shades of deep ebony. Makeup artist Diane Kendal drew inspiration from Helmut Newton photographs, using the concept of a brave warrior - strong and fierce. “The collection is very hard and sculpted so we wanted to keep the skin neutral and show strength through the eyebrows,” said Diane.

Look: The focus was a very strong eyebrow with glowy skin, communicating strength without being too bold. “We created very fresh, dewy skin by using the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. It really allowed the skin’s natural highlights to shine through,” said Diane.

Face

· Use NARSskin Hydrating Moisture Cream to moisturize

· Apply NARS Concealer as needed, to cover any imperfections

· Use a minimal amount of NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (NEW for Fall 2009) to even skin tone

Eyes

· Brush brows to define natural shape

· With NARS Single Eyeshadow in Bali, fill in brows

· Brush again for even, natural look

· Apply gentle dusting of NARS Single Eyeshadow in Sophia to entire lid, blending up towards brows for natural shading


· Curl lashes with NARS Eyelash Curler

Lips

· Apply NARS Lip Therapy Treatment in Rain to entire lip

· Use NARS Concealer over Rain to mute color

Annie's Thoughts: I think this foundation looks so damn promising. I love the dewey finish on the models skin.
The Helmut Newton reference threw me a bit.
I thought the makeup look was more Peter Beard.

Credit: Nars

The Force at Rag & Bone: I find your lack of faith disturbing

A trip to Japan got Marcus Wainwright and David Neville's creative juices flowing. "I've always wanted a samurai sword," enthused Wainwright backstage, "and I've always loved Star Wars." (quote on style.com)

Credits: Wikipedia and style.com