As a self-described minimalist, you’d think that my makeup collection would be just that, minimal. Still, there are certain things that I like to indulge in and makeup is pretty high on that list. Even though I love makeup, if you took a look at my collection, you’d see that all of the products have something in common; sleek, high end, minimal packaging. I am a sucker for beautifully packaged cosmetics (and skincare) that also perform well and live up to it’s aesthetically pleasing exterior.
One brand that has proven that it can both look good and deliver in performance is NARS Cosmetics. I have been a fan of Nars for years. One of my first loves was their Orgasm illuminator. I am a fan of anything that promises to give me a lit from within subtle glow and their illuminators do just that. Since falling for that, my arsenal of the sleek, matte black packaged beauty products has grown into a full on collection. What I love about Nars is that their products are universal; they work for everyone. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I haven’t met a product from the beloved brand that I didn’t like.
NARS Cosmetics was founded in 1994 by a Frenchman and makeup artist named François Nars. Nars Cosmetics is behind the looks at several fashion shows during past fashion weeks, including Phillip Lim, Thakoon, Alexander Wang, Rodarte and up until they created launched their own beauty brand, Marc Jacobs. NARS is all about color but also enhancing natural features.
Complexion: NARS Cosmetics makes my favorite base products of all time. First up is the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. I have gotten countless compliments every time I’ve worn it. I have recommended it to my sister and my friends and they all fell in love with it. The things that make this product so well received is the easiness of application, the range of shades, the SPF of 30 and the matte finish. It also reduces hyper-pigmentation, leaving you with a more even skin-tone after continued use. It is perfect skin in a bottle. Something that I have gotten into solely because of Nars is foundation. I was extremely anti-foundation before discovering the NARS Sheer Glow foundations. I thought that all foundations would give me cake face until I ran out of my Nars tinted moisturizer. I started using my sheer glow that I purchased but never actually wore. I blended out a few drops onto my face and it looked amazing. Here’s my tip: add a drop to a buffing brush and dot it once on your forehead, both cheeks, nose and chin. Then, blend until it is all even. And now, you are done. Just add a swipe of my favorite concealer, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, under the eyes and blend it in. The concealer is true to its name; it’s very creamy, making it easily blend-able.
From left to right: Orgasm Illuminator, Laguna Illuminator, Maui Multiple
Highlighters: I didn’t know if I wanted to include the illuminators under complexion or cheeks so they get their own category. As I mentioned above, I live for a lit from within glow. My friend says I love “glimmer glimmer shimmer shimmer”. I don’t agree with looking like a disco ball, but I love do a subtle, healthy glow. Enter NARS illuminators. I have the illuminators in Orgasm which looks like a rose gold highlight and Laguna which gives a bronze colored glow. I love to stipple these above my cheekbones. They give me a luminous glow that I give me a flawless looking complexion. I had the Orgasm shade forever but I lost it and I think I nearly had a mini heart attack. I would not shut up about it going missing so my friend got me a replacement and I have been content ever since.
Cheeks: Nars is famous for their blushes. That’s usually the first thing one thinks of when they think of NARS. Nars blushes are so pigmented, they come in the prettiest shades and they last forever as far as wear time and shelf time. I don’t know if I’ll ever hit pan on my Nars blushes. The most famous of all of the NARS blush shades is Orgasm. It is a peachy pink shade with very fine gold shimmer running through it. Plus, it looks great on everyone! I have the single blush and it’s also in my NARS x Guy Bourdin palette. Another shade that I love, especially in the warmer months, is Luster. It’s a neutral but slightly shimmery color. I like to wear it when I just want a healthy glow. I just got Deep Throat in a Sephora 500 point perk and I love it. It’s a warm peach with a little sheen to it. I want to wear it everyday. I would recommend any of these blushes to someone who hasn’t tried any from NARS before. Or try to get your hands on a blush palette when they release the next one. I would also recommend trying one of the NARS Multiples. They are a multi-use product that can be used as eyeshadow, lip color and blush. I have one in the color Maui. It’s a rosy pink that I use mainly as blush. It’s so easy to pop on and go.
From left to Right: Rikugien Satin Lip Pencil, Turkish Delight Lip Gloss, Cruella Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, Laguna Lip Gloss
Lips: Some of my favorite lip products are their lip pencils. I have the satin formula and the matte. The NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella is the perfect matte red lip color. I grab this one whenever I want to add a pop to a more dressed down look. I’ve worn it so much and still have so much left. Since it’s in pencil form, it’s extremely easy to apply, even on the go. Though I am a matte-loving girl, during the warmer months, I like more of a luster to glossy formula. The NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien is a pinky brown color that I also received in a 500 point perk from Sephora. It’s a great color for everyday. I also have two lip glosses that I love in Laguna and Turkish Delight. Laguna was limited edition-it came in a 500 point perk at Sephora- so I’m very careful about when I wear it. It is a bronze colored gloss that mimics the color of the famous bronzer shade. I hope they decide to add it to the permanent line. I got Turkish Delight in a lip set from Sephora. It is a soft pink color that I love for an everyday neutral look. Nars recently reformulated their glosses so I’ll be testing out the new ones soon.
From left to right: And God Created Woman eyeshadow palette, Mekong single eyeshadow, Ride Up to the Moon palette
Eyes: NARS is, hands-down, my favorite brand for eyeshadows. Their eyeshadows literally feel like velvet. They are buttery smooth and very pigmented. I have two palettes (And God Created Woman and Ride Up to the Moon) and one single (Mekong) and I am obsessed with them all. I don’t always wear eyeshadow, but when I do, it’s usually these. I want every single color they make. If you’re in the market for a new eyeshadow, please go by your nearest Nars counter or boutique or to Sephora and swatch one of their eyeshadows. You won’t be disappointed. I also use their Smudge Proof Eyeshadow base to keep everything in place all day long. They also just released their dual intensity eyeshadows that can be applied dry for a sheer wash of color or wet to intensify it. I can’t imagine them creating an even more pigmented formula of eyeshadows but they have. I have to get my hands on them.
xo, The Luxe Minimalist
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