The morning after doing the makeup for Erdem’s Fall 2014 runway presentation at the Believe in Fashion Charity Luncheon, International Lead Makeup Stylist for NARS, Jane Richardson, put on an intimate class at Holt Renfrew for a privileged little group of beauty aficionados. Since my entire makeup drawer is a #NARSissist episode of Hoarders: Dangerous Liasons with Laguna Bronzer, I was obviously thrilled to be among the chosen.
Jane walked us through the NARS Summer 2014 signature look using limited edition colour palettes from the Adult Swim collection. Who knew chartreuse eye shadow could look so chic (and less Mimi Bobeck). Jane’s motto: “Think like a makeup artist.” And, play, play, play! She spends 10 minutes every night before bed playing with colours and techniques. Here are some of the insider tips she shared with me:
Powder: Francoise Nars says it is a makeup artist’s best friend. Try the Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder.
Bronzer: I asked Jane how to update my bronzer addiction. She offered two solutions. First, use a bronzer gel like NARS Illuminator in Laguna and mix it in with you moisturizer for an all-over glow at the beginning of your makeup application. Second, with the help of the new NARS #21 contour brush, find the hook under your cheekbone and place the bronzer in a horizontal line from there and sweep it back up your ears. Next, place it at your temple (a healthy dose, she put more than I thought she would), and lastly, at your jawline. You basically want to draw a number 3 from your forehead to your cheek to your jaw on each side. Instead of Laguna, she suggested NARS Contour Blush in Paloma. Two shades make for an easy blend.
Eyes: So Jane basically rocked my world using the NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil to create an effortless smokey eye. She traced it from the crease down to the lash line and BOOM! It’s like working a Kindergarden colouring book.
Illuminate: I’ve recently discovered the power of the illuminator thanks to NARS sending me the 413 BLKR Illuminator (available exclusively online). Jane used NARS Copacabana with her fingers. Basically you’re going to smear the illuminator on your T-Zone. Your forehead, the bridge of your nose, above your philtrum, and your chin in an even line like the sun is shining on it.
Lips Secret: Jane told me something I ran home to try – and I haven’t stopped doing it since! Instead of putting on your lipgloss LAST, she told me to try putting it on first. Then, layering a NARS Velvet Lip Pencil on top. The effect? Satiny lips. I love doing NARS Istria Lipgloss with NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Roman Holiday on top. I may even love it more than bronzer.
Check out some of my rapid snaps from the event!
