A refreshing palette of natural shades, the upcoming NARS Spring 2015 Color Collection is characterised by an ethereal quality.
Disrobed tones in spectral effects expose a new natural state. The look begins with a provocative pink shimmer on cheeks. The barely-there effect extends to eyes, where a bold beige base sets the stage for burnished neutrals with lucid depth. Lips are undone in tan pigments topped with a whisper of opalescent gloss.
It’s so lovely to see such starkly neutral colours amidst the brights and pastels of spring; they’re a visual relief, if not a clean canvas for—and a complement to—stronger chromatic offerings.
In the collection are:
- NARS Porto Venere Eye Paint (S$40)
A pale pink cream eyeshadow, its hushed tone is beautiful to behold. I love how its gentle quality is evident from first swatch. You could use this soft and velvety crème on its own to brighten the lids or as a base for powder eyeshadows.
- NARS Liguria Lipstick (S$38)
Described as a nude caramel, the yellow undertone is quite hard to pull off.
- NARS Guyane Lip Gloss (S$37)
So pretty in the tube, this milky seashell pink might not translate well on the lips; I think it’s best to use it in a soft layer, so that it comes off more translucent. A slick of it would be nice with smokey eyes too.
- NARS Vent Salé Lip Gloss (S$37)
A silvery white with multi-coloured sparkles, this is a delightful twinkly topper for other lip colours.
- NARS Valhalla Single Eyeshadow (S$38)
A soft, shimmering pink-peach, this shadow single is of the swipe-it-on-and-you’re-good-to-go variety. An easy colour to wear for a barely-there/your-lids-but-better look on fair skintones, it will show up more obviously on deeper skintones.
- St-Paul-De-Vence Duo Eyeshadow (S$50)
A shimmering nectarine on the left and a chestnut on the left, this pair offers more depth and dimension to the eyes.
- NARS Reckless Blush (S$50)
Shot through with silver sparkles, this sheer flesh-toned blush with a pink undertone is more suited as a highlighter on me. The overt shimmer is daunting at first glance but it can be easily buffed away.
[The products look much more cool-toned in the second photo than in the first, though the swatches are fairly true-to-life. The first photo is more accurate, where the products are concerned.]
Here’s how this nude look was created on Tilda Swinton, François Nars’s current muse. (I believe Act 1 refers to the NARS Eye-Opening Act campaign visual.)
For Act 2 of NARS’ ‘Portraits by The Artist’ starring the inimitable Tilda Swinton, François Nars chose a study in nudes for eyes, lips and cheeks.
To achieve the look in the campaign image, skin was first prepared with Pore Refining Primer to create a smooth canvas. Next, Siberia All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation was blended into the skin. Vanilla Radiant Creamy Concealer was dabbed under the eyes and used as needed to blur any imperfections. The skin was set with a dusting of Soft Velvet Loose Powder. Then, Reckless Blush was swept lightly into the hollows of the cheeks to add warmth while subtly illuminating the complexion with soft pink shimmer.
For the eye look, Porto Venere Eye Paint was blended from lash lines to brow bones for a richly opaque, pale pink base. Next, the upper lashes were lined at the roots with Via Veneto Larger Than Life® Long-Wear Eyeliner. Starting at the outer corners of the eyes, the line was extended into a fine wing and, for graphic impact, a strong arc of liner was drawn from the outer wings to the upper inner corners of the eyes, clearing the crease. To balance the intensity of the upper lids, liner was softly sketched onto the bottom outer lashes. A single coat of Larger than Life® Volumizing Mascara, applied with a back and forth curling motion of the wand, added final dramatic definition to the eye.
To complete the look, Belle De Jour Velvet Matte Lip Pencil was sketched onto lips to neutralize natural color, while creating a rich base. Lips were then outlined and filled in with Liguria Lipstick for a sophisticated, nude finish.
In Singapore, this collection will be available from March 2015 at Tangs Orchard.
