Sephora x NARS Limited Edition Sculpting Stick

Last week I had the pleasure of being introduced to Gillian Okopny, national lead makeup stylist for NARS cosmetics. What I speculated would be a presentation of the new NARS Sculpting Stick, turned into a lovely 20 minute makeover. Needless to say, Gillian and her detailed expertise, left me looking like I just stepped off my (make belief) yacht in the South of France. What a life!

Amongst the chaos at CFTO Eaton Centre Sephora – with Madonna playing on the speakers, and girls absentmindedly bumping into each other while looking for the right shade of eyebrow pomade – I sat in the studio chair, and eased into relaxation while Gillian worked her magic.

First, she began by prepping my face with the NARS skincare line. She was trying to achieve a radiant glow, so it was imperative to start with a hydrated, dewy base. She took her time and delicately worked each product into my skin; I sat with my eyes rolling into the back of my head as her feather-light touch gave me tingles (TMI). Seven minutes (in heaven) later, my face felt replenished, already radiant – and we’d only just begun!

She then dabbed NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer on my skin, followed by NARS creamy concealer. This combination is so light and flawless on the skin, you actually forget that you’re wearing makeup! Once the skin was prepped, it was time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the limited edition Sculpting Duo Stick! This double-ended cream-to-powder stick comes in three combinations of highlighter and contouring shades: Copacabana+ Sidari Beach, Flamenco + Oahu, and Hot Sand +Laguna. That in mind, the NARS philosophy is that there are no rules with makeup – and the Multiples are designed to be used any way you like. Highlight shades can be used on the cupid’s bow, or centre of the lip, inner corner of the eyes, brow bone, cheek bones, etc. Darker shades can be used to contour, bronze, on the lids, etc. Did I mention, all of them are safe to use on the lips as well?

She used the Hot Sand+Laguna duo on my face, the lighter shade on the high points of the face (the nose, cheekbones, brow bone) and the darker shade just within the hallow of the cheekbone. THAT’S IT! As soon as I saw my reflection I got a terribly beautiful case of narcissism. How appropriate. I couldn’t stop checking myself out!

She finished off the look with the Hardwire eye shadow in Earthshine, which looked like wet out-of-the-pool eyelids. (The previous week I was testing out how to make my eyelids look glossy, and I put lip gloss on them… this is a much, much better alternative.) Then she went in with the Multiple Stick – another great love of mine – on the apples of my cheeks, and my lips. Gillian set the whole look in place with the Soft Velvet Loose Powder, and voila! My cheekbones were popping, my face was aglow, and I wondered, who the H is this girl staring back at me!?

You ever have those moments where you think, “Damn I look good” and then you start to giggle at yourself because you look just SO bea-u-ti-ful? That’s what happened to me, and I’m not even ashamed. A slew of selfies later sent to every one I know, and the praise just kept rolling in. My surprised mother even said, “Is that you? You look so pretty” … I’m still not sure if that was a compliment, because it sounded like a complisult (compliment+insult=complisult).

My final thoughts: The Sculpting Stick is like the nicer sister of contouring and strobing; it is the best of both worlds, without the confusion and superfluous amount of makeup on the skin. It combines the effects of a chiseled and slim face, without a ton of products, brushes or expertise, in one handy portable little stick. NARS just made contouring, strobing, chiseling and sculpting so much easier, and actually accessible for anyone! For that, and so many other can’t-live-without-products, I will forever be indebted to François Nars and his brilliant team! S/O Gillian, hope to see you soon! Now excuse me while I run out and purchase the entire stock for fear of ever being without this Sculpting Stick!

xoxo Beauty Girl Lucy