Beauty and the Brand: 2015

Saturday, 2 May 2015

Final Word

"I don't really think you can put a definition on beauty, it is more of a state of mind than just an external thing."

- Francois Nars

References

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For Beauty and the Brand I decided to focus on the brand Nars. I chose to look into this brand because it was one that I had heard of but wasn’t familiar with. The research I have carried out has given me a better understanding into the brands style, ethos and products.

I started my research by looking at past collections. This helped me to find the style of the brand and to see what the message was that they are trying to portray in the advertisement campaigns. Firstly, the makeup style is very natural and basic focusing on either the eye or lip. The skin is always fresh and flawless creating a canvas for the application of colour. Even though Nars was sold to Shiseido, Francois Nars still acts as the creative director, mainly photographing the collections and models. The input Francois Nars has in the brand is great to see as sometimes the brand created changes with a change of hands. The input that Francois Nars still has on the company allows the style he created for the brand to live on. The style here is being clean and fresh. Francois Nars is a firm believer in playing with colour and textures creating an appeal to the consumer. This appeal comes in the form of the names that the products have; each one their own individual character.

The collections brought out always have flawless makeup and tones that work well with the model and surrounding. Nars are creating a high end persona about the brand and this appeals to people who enjoy makeup and don’t mind spending that bit more on quality, which is what you receive at Nars. The advertisements are on a high end scale with the mood of the images, the styling and background being anything but cheap. Nars would do this to appeal to the higher end market for which the brand is a part of.

Through my research I brought a few items from Nars so that I could understand the quality of the product. The products available are versatile, for instance the Dual Intensity eyeshadow and blusher can be used wet or dry depending on what look you want to create. A versatile product like the Dual Intensity is a great idea as it saves the customer from buying two different products to create looks. This product will save on money and space in the makeup drawer. I think its refreshing to see a brand thinking of new ways to create exciting products that can be used in different ways. As well as creating fresh looks in their advertising they also create fresh products. The collaboration collections that Nars bring out are so vibrant and interesting, especially the Andy Warhol collection and most recently the Christopher Kane collection. These collaborations link the brand in with fashion and art and show to the consumer what inspires the brand. The collections show the inspiration from the brand and in turn creates an inspiration for the customer.

Researching into the brand made me realise how important every aspect is, from packaging to the design of a website. Nars has managed to create a consistent brand. Consistent being that the products are always to a high standard, new packaging is introduced to appeal to a wider audience and the standard created is always pushed and explored. Although Francois Nars is now the creative director and produces the photography for the brand, he has managed to set up an experienced team around him who share the same values as Nars. I think the introduction of Andrew Gallimore as brand ambassador will help to continue spreading and showing what Nars can do. Gallimore is a trusted Makeup Artist with a huge following, therefore will bring possible newcomers to the brand.

Overall, I am glad that I chose to research into Nars for Beauty and the Brand as it has introduced me to a brand full of interesting products and concepts. Francois Nars has created a inspirational brand that not only focuses on the quality of makeup but also on other aspects like art and fashion. The brand is one that just gets better with each collection and idea that comes.

Project Evaluation

When I carried out my initial research into Nars I thought that the makeup looks created were always natural with earthy tones and dark lips. However, with more research I came to realise that the brand have a love of colours and textures. Therefore I decided that for the images that I wanted to create based on the brand needed to have a range of textures, use of colour but also create the natural, flawless makeup that Nars produces.

For every look that I created I decided to use dewy skin to give the models a healthy glow but to also give the final images a high finish to them. The high finish was something that always appeared in Nars advertisement campaigns as they want to advertise to the high end market and appeal to those who enjoy makeup. To create five looks really increased my skills and engaged me more as I had more looks to think about and plan. The amount of photoshoots also helped to create contacts with photographers and stylists.

The first look I did was Daytime. I decided for this look that I wanted the attention on the eyes and the skin. This shoot was after my initial research into Nars where natural eyes and attention to the skin was the main point. The hair for the shoot was also natural, I wanted to show the modern woman who wouldn't have hours in the morning to prepare her hair. The background was a dark green to bring in some earthy tones that represented daytime. The colour of the background contrasted well with the colour of the eye makeup which helped bring the image together. I was pleased with how this look turned out as the lighting caught the highlight in the eyes and on the face nicely. The team I used was very professional and helped me with what would work well with the poses and how the lighting would effect the makeup style I wanted to create.

The second shoot was evening look. The idea for this look was to take the daytime woman and move her effortlessly into the evening. For this I placed the hair into a twisted fishtail plaited bun and had brown eyes lined in black with dark lipstick. The lighting consisted of red gels over one light to create this red hue across half the body and face as though the model has gone out and is being illuminated by the club lights or lights in the street. I am happy with how the shoot came out but think that the lighting could have been a darker shade of red and also have a light on the background because the background was grey which didn't contrast well with the red. I also think that the lighting gels blurred out the makeup a bit and didn't show the highlight that I had created.

My third shoot was a skincare shoot. The concept for the skincare shoot was clean and freshness. As Nars packaging for the skincare is all white, I thought it was best to follow this and create a fresh feel. I brought a variety of bath bombs from lush so that I had multiple colours in the bath. My original idea was to just have cloudy water but when we were shooting the cloudy effect didn't last long and didn't appear very well on camera. So we added some more bath bombs until we created a dark blue colour. It was best to add a swirling effect by adding a new bath bomb just off camera. I enjoyed this shoot as it was something I had always wanted to do but never had done before. The only thingsI would change for next time is probably to shoot from above so that I could get a front on shot without the model being angled. Also, I think I would chose a model with longer hair so that I could style that more and get some more texture into the image. Overall I am pleased with how they turned out especially as we only used natural lighting, which I thought would make the images look too flat.

My high Summer shoot was inspired by Nars love of colour. I wanted to bring the background into the makeup so that the image worked. I used orange and pink tones and create highlighted skin. I wanted the images to have a high end feel about them to reflect upon the images that Francois Nars creates. My model had short hair which I intended to put into a roll at the front however on the day I decided that sleek hair would suit the finish I was aiming for. These images came out well, however, if I was going to re-shoot I would try and find a better quality orange eyeshadow as the one I used was hard to build up to darker shade and didn't stay in place for long.

My final shoot was Spring / Summer. At the last minute my model pulled out which meant I had to find someone and quick. The makeup was made up of pink tones and dewy skin. However, because I used natural lighting it dulled out the highlight that I had created. The hair was long, dark and left natural which worked well against the dark green textured backdrop. I think that this shoot made me realise that sometimes it is better to shoot in a studio and incorporate the background later in photoshop because the lighting available to me blurred out the makeup I had created. I found that the pink smokey eye and highlighting around the cheeks was lost. I am disappointed with this final image but it has taught me that sometimes natural lighting will work and other times it wont. Next time, I would need to find a more reliable model so that the design I created would work better.

Overall, I am pleased with the work I have produced and have learnt many things. I found that sometimes the eyeshadows needed to be of better quality so it was easier to build up and not so time consuming when I have a time scale. I think that I have used my time wisely, creating images that I think reflect upon the brand Nars. The project has taught me new skills and has made me more organised. I am glad that I chose the brand Nars because they create interesting advertisements that have inspired me to push myself a bit more.

Francois Nars

In 1994, french born Francois Nars created the brand NARS after becoming frustrated in his profession as a makeup artist with the lack of product available. Nars released twelve lipstick shades, a far cry from the over forty that are available today. Francois Nars built up a celebrity following before launching NARS by working with Vogue and Elle. NARS are featured on the catwalks of one such celebrity who follows and has supported nars since the beginning, Marc Jacobs. NARS is now owned by Shiseido, however Francois Nars still has input into the company by acting as creative director and the photographer for the advertisement campaigns. By taking a step back this has allowed Francois Nars to move to a beautiful island in the French Polynesia where his love of photography takes up most of his time. Francois Nars has since made four books based on his photography and love of makeup.

Price Point and Packaging

Nars is a high end brand therefore their price point is a lot higher than highstreet brands. The cost of some products could be a shock to some people, however for what you receive I think that the price is reasonable. The products last for a long time if used correctly making the amount you pay for it worth it.

Lipsticks and Lip liners range from £18.00 - £24.00. The prices seem quite steep, however the prices vary on the quality you are paying for. I found that the packaging on £24.00 Audacious Lipstick is a lot better than that of a £20.00 lipstick. The finish on the packaging is of a better quality than that found on the lower end of the spectrum. The lower end price range packaging comes in a smaller size in a plastic casing. The rubber packaging that is normally found on Nars products isn't there, however the casing can still become very dirty whereas the Audacious packaging stays clean. I do however think that a lip liner for £18.00 is quite steep and I'm not sure how Nars can justify this other than the quality of the liner that you receive. I think if you looked hard enough you could find a cheaper, yet same standard liner on the market.

Blusher sells at £23.00 and £30.00. £30.00 for a duo of blushers and £23.00 for a single. I personally would not spend £30.00 on a blusher however you do receive two colours that work well together creating form on the face. £23.00 for a blusher is a lot to spend. The blusher comes in 30 shades. A lot of option to choose from. The packaging for the blusher is plastic with a rubber coating. Nars signature packaging.

Foundation sells at £23.00 - £33.00 depending on what coverage you want. The foundation comes in a glass container with the rubber lid. Unfortunately Nars do not have a pump with their foundations so you have to buy one separately. This means however that you are unable to take the foundation with you, so if touch ups are needed you simply can't. The packaging is heavy but the glass makes it seem as though there is more foundation in there when there isn't. The bottle is too bulky to fit in a makeup bag so it needs to last all day without the need for touching up. Considering the blusher sells at £30 I expected the foundation to cost a lot more. The quality of the foundation is good with build-able coverage.The tinted moisturiser is a lot easier to carry around because it comes in a small tube made up of the same texture as the rubber packaging.

Eye products range from £18.00 - £25.00. The lower end of the spectrum for single eyeshadow, shadow pencils, eye paint and primer. The higher end of the spectrum for duo eyeshadow. The pricing for the eyeshadow seems reasonable because Nars are know for their high quality eyeshadow. There is such a selection of colours, finishes and forms that the pricing makes sense. Although there are so many shades to choose from it would be hard to decide what to spend the money on! The packaging for the shadows is the same as the blush, plastic with the rubber coating. Signature Nars!

Overall, the price point for Nars is quite steep. For example, it is unusual to find a blusher costing the same as a foundation. I believe the higher the price, the higher the quality and quality is what you receive. For a high end brand such as Nars the price point is normal and as to be expected. The packaging Nars uses coincides with their clean image. Simple yet practical. The only downside is that the rubber gets dirty quickly with other makeup and foundation finger prints. Yet overall as a brand the whole image is of quality in every aspect.

Review: Nars Catfight Semi Matte Lipstick

Nars Semi Matte Lipstick in Catfight is my go to nude daily lipstick. The texture and colour is rich creating a beautiful semi matte finish. I find that this lipstick require no touch ups and lasts for a long time. No bleeding into the lines of the lips occurs which is a plus for a daily lipstick. The lipstick is nourishing, the nourishment lasting even after the lipstick has gone. The Semi Matte Lipsticks come in 15 shades, limited compared to the audacious collection which is a shame for someone who prefers the semi matte. The colours though are equally gorgeous, coming in the usual plastic rubber casing. Once again the casing can become quite dirty so cleaning is a necessity unlike with the packaging from the audacious collection. The lipstick sells at £20.00 which is a lot for one lipstick, but for the finish and quality you receive, it is money well spent. Catfight has lasted a long time for me as well even though I use it daily, which makes it's value for money astounding. The Catfight colour creates a natural pink shade which compliments many different skin colours. A quality so rare with bare lipsticks. One of my favourites from Nars!

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Review: Nars Lipgloss in Sixties Fan

Nars Sixties Fan Lipgloss is a dark burgundy shade described as pomegranate by Nars. The high shine gloss creates a lip stain of colour that can be built up or used over lipsticks. I found that this shade is perfect on top of Nars Charlotte Audacious Lipstick. The two work well together and create a beautiful colour. The lipgloss lasts for a long time with few reapplications needed. The gloss itself isn't sticky unlike most lipglosses from other companies which is brilliant on windy days! The size of the lipgloss is perfect to fit in the makeup bag and can be easily found with the rubber lid. This lipgloss can be worn alone or over a lipstick depending on the desired finish. Application is easy with the tear drop applicator. This is definitely a lipgloss that I would buy again at a bargain of £19.00. It is worth the money for what you recieve.

Review: Nars Charlotte Lipstick

Nars Audacious Lipstick in Charlotte is a dramatic burgundy shade encased in beautiful magnetic packaging. The lid to the lipstick is magnetic and joins to the main lipstick body, a clever technique to make sure the case is securely closed. The packaging isn't made up of the normal rubber encasing. This time it is a shiny plastic, quite heavy compared to other Nars lipsticks but a lot more luxurious. The Audacious Lipstick collection is made up of 40 colours, a far cry from the 12 Nars first started with. The texture of the lipstick has a very creamy texture which makes the lips feel nourished. The only problem with it being so rich is that it tends to bleed, therefore a liner has to be used. On the website Nars claims that one stroke produces rich colour and all day wear. I don't agree with this statement because in order to get the rich colour the lipstick needs to be built up otherwise it just looks like a lip stain has been applied. The 'all day' wear only lasted a few hours before touch ups were needed. I found that when applying the lipstick it didn't apply the colour evenly even though the lips were prepped and in good condition. The consistency of the lipstick is a little too rich for my tastes, however if you're after a rich lip stain affect than this colour would be perfect. I can't fault the colour of the lipstick, although there are others on the market similar to 'Charlotte', I still prefer Nars Charlotte.

Review: Nars the Multiple in Luxor

The Nars Multiple is a multi purpose stick that can be used on lips,cheeks, eyes and also body. Nars Multiple is packaged in a plastic casing with the iconic rubber surrounding. The problem with the rubber casing is that it gets dirty easily. Furthermore, it is quite bulky for the makeup bag taking up room. A smaller version would be helpful, however, I think that the Multiple is a necessity in my makeup kit. The creamy texture allows for the product to be easily blended to create highlights, perfect for creating a healthy summer glow. The product is best applied with the fingers as the warmth from the hands blends down the product. However, it can be applied stick straight to face and then blended but I find for the best result, use the fingers to apply the product. I have the Nars Multiple in Luxor which is a gorgeous light pink shade. I mainly use the Multiple to highlight my cheeks as I find the creamy stick is best for creating a shimmering tone. As seen in the last image, the Nars Multiple in Luxor is subtle. A small layer creates a nice highlight but it can be built up to create a more extreme look if desired. The Multiple comes in 13 other colours and retails at £29.00. In my eyes it is worth the money as it can be used in multiple different ways. Nars has now also introduced Illuminating Multiple and Matte multiple. The Illuminating Multiple works as a highlighter for the eyes, cheeks and lips. At the moment, the Illuminating Multiple only comes in one colour, 'St. Lucia'. Perhaps the Illuminating highlight the product produces gives the cheeks a holiday glow. The Matte Multiple creates a matte finish for the cheeks and lips. The Matte Multiple can be used wet or dry to create a difference in texture and finish. Used wet, the colour blends into the skin creating a second skin finish. Used dry, the colour appears vibrant. Once again the product is suggested to be applied with the fingers to create the best possible finish. I admire how Nars have evolved this iconic product into a wider range of mediums and colours allowing for there to be more choice. Which after all is why Francois Nars created the brand, to have more choice available to the makeup world.

Friday, 1 May 2015

Technical File Sign Off Sheet

Saturday, 18 April 2015

Marc Jacobs Fall / Winter 2015 Featuring Nars

Fall / Winter 2015 saw Francois Nars iconic look come to Marc Jacobs catwalk. Gorgeous matte skin with a brown eye and dark lip brought attitude to the winter collection.

Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2015-2016 Collection - New York Fashion Week

Marc Jacobs Fall Winter 2015. Viewed 18/04/15. Available to view: http://www.fashionisers.com/fashion-news/marc-jacobs-fall-winter-2015-2016-collection/

François Nars (Nars): “I always try to build a strong look. One of the first things I heard from Marc’s mouth was this idea of a sophisticated woman, with of course Diana Vreeland as a base and the book Swans—taking it from there and making it more modern and more edgy. Whatever you do, make it something eye-catching. We have a very dark eggplant lip, very matte—no gloss. There’s also a matte face with no shine and very structured eyebrows, not too thick and not too thin, just a very defined line. We’re using this beige-taupey color, which becomes kind of silver almost because we’re applying a lot of gloss over the eyelid. Absolutely no blush or mascara, just to bring a little bit more strangeness to the eye. Because the lips are so important and intense, it’s important to balance and do something that’s not too obvious, cosmetic, traditional, or commercial.”

Dark, dramatic and glamorous was the main focus of this makeup look. The hair was brought to the top of the head and twisted which gives the connotations of a head wrap. The hair almost acts as an accessory as the only jewelry seen is a choker. From the neck up no jewelry is used which makes it seem as though the hair pulled forward is the main focus and any other accessory would take away from the fierce effect created. I love how fierce the makeup appears to be whilst having feminine floor length skirts. A strong look but chic.

Marc Jacobs Fall Winter 2015. Viewed 18/04/15. Available to view: http://www.fashionisers.com/fashion-news/marc-jacobs-fall-winter-2015-2016-collection/

I based my timed assessment on Marc Jacobs and took inspiration from the sleek hair and glossy eyes.

Thakoon by Diane Kendal Autumn / Winter 2014 Featuring Nars

Makeup artist Diane Kendal lead the Autumn / Winter 2014 makeup backstage at Thakoon at New York Fashion Week. The makeup created here consisted of chocolate winged liner and creamy skin with slick, textured hair. Kendal used Radiant Creamy Concealer over Sheer Glow Foundation to create the dewy skin effect. Mambo Eyeliner Pencil was used to create the winged liner under the lower lash line.

Thakoon Autumn / Winter 2014. Viewed 18/04/15. Available to view: http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/autumn-winter-2014/ready-to-wear/thakoon/backstage-photos/gallery/1112815

Thakoon Autumn / Winter 2014. Viewed 18/04/15. Available to view: http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/autumn-winter-2014/ready-to-wear/thakoon/backstage-photos/gallery/1112844

The flawless skin created by Nars creates a natural finish with an artistic twist using a chocolate colour liner on the lower lash line. The makeup reflects upon the collection giving an earth tone to a collection featuring various textures. Mambo eyeliner pencil works well with the colours, textures and materials used throughout the autumn / winter collection.

Thakoon Autumn / Winter 2014. Viewed 18/04/15. Available to view:http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/autumn-winter-2014/ready-to-wear/thakoon/close-up-photos/gallery/1112783

Phillip Lim Fall 2015 Featuring Nars

"3.1 IS ABOUT CLOTHES THAT REFINE INSTEAD OF DEFINE. A REFINEMENT THAT’S A BIT CLASSIC IN ATTITUDE, BUT IMPARTS A SENSE OF INDIVIDUAL STYLE, WITHOUT LOOKING OR FEELING FORCED. CONFIDENT, CHIC, AND MOST OF ALL, EFFORTLESS. " - Phillip Lim

Designer Phillip Lim unveiled the Fall 2015 collection featuring makeup by Nars. The makeup created reflects the ethos of the brand; classic, chic and effortless.

Phillip Lim Fall 2015. Makeup by Nars. Viewed 18/04/15. Available to view: http://www.style.com/beauty/backstage/2015/phillip-lim-donna-karan-fall-2015-makeup

The makeup for the fall show featured matte skin, natural eyes and a bold red lip using Nars VIP Red. Creating a classic chic look to bring the makeup trend into fall 2015. The semi matte lipstick created a polished look on a matte canvas. The makeup reflects upon the ethos that Lim created for the brand - 'Classic in attitude.' The VIP Red by Nars definitely creates an attitude to what would be a bare natural look.

Phillip Lim Fall 2015. Viewed 18/04/15. Available to view: http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/3-1-phillip-lim/collection/17

Phillip Lim Fall 2015. Viewed 18/04/15. Available to view: http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/3-1-phillip-lim/collection/19

VIP Red works well with the collection Lim has created as aspects of red can be seen throughout from dresses to clutches. The lipstick is a versatile colour and works well on every skin colour. The makeup is kept simple and effortless to reflect on the clothing Lim creates. Furthermore, a more intricate makeup style would have taken the attention away from the clothes.

Nars Brand Ambasador

Andrew Gallimore. Viewed 15/04/15. Available to view: https://twitter.com/inyourlap

In 2015, Nars signed Andrew Gallimore as their new brand ambassador, bringing an exciting new interpretation and direction to the brand. Gallimore recently was the first brand ambassador at Dior so brings experience to the table. With over ten years of expert experience, Nars have appointed one of the most talented makeup artists to grace our world to date.

It is not hard to see why Nars chose Gallimore to be their new ambassador. Gallimore is a frequent behind the scenes at fashion weeks and has worked with many famous faces earning recognition in the makeup industry. Andrew Gallimore by Rankin, the book, shows just how creative, surrealist and thought provoking this ambassador is. The book created through the collaboration between Gallimore and Rankin holds pages of unusual works. When studying, Gallimore was interested in the concept of facial decoration using inanimate objects to create art on faces, this included objects such as rubber and thread. Which has evolved into creating shapes and abstract images by using makeup. Creating fine art through beauty has allowed the idea of beauty to be challenged, meaning the boundaries of what can be achieved and accepted have changed.

Being an ambassador for a company means that the artist now promotes the products and becomes the brand. Anything that Nars stands for, Gallimore will now stand for too. So anything Gallimore now produces will reflect back onto Nars as a company. Gallimore will reinforce the ethos of Nars at any event, interview and media venture he takes on. As Dior's first ever brand ambassador, Gallimore definitely has the experience to bring more to Nars.

Andrew Gallimore by Rankin. Published by Rankin Publishing Ltd. 2014.

The cover shows the creativity that Rankin and Gallimore share. The intricate detailing and use of colour used within many pieces of work show why Nars were drawn to Gallimore to reinforce their love of colour.

"Andrew's affinity for bold, boundary pushing artistry marries beautifully with the philosophies François Nars established the brand with 20 years ago, which we still embrace today," says Frederique Lampert, Nars regional executive director for Europe. "I am confident that Andrew, with his natural talent and impressive technical ability, will greatly benefit the brand in the UK and continue to elevate Nars as a make-up artistry brand." (http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/news-features/TMG11354661/Andrew-Gallimore-goes-to-Nars.html)

Dual intensity Eyeshadow and Blusher Campaign

Spring 2014 saw Nars introduce Dual intensity Eyeshadow. The single eyeshadows can be used either wet or dry depending on the finish desired. The eyeshadows claim to last all day with their 'smooth transformative texture'. Nars also released an 8 shade palette of the eyeshadow, with new shades that can also be used dry or wet. The campaign for the eyeshadow was modelled by Daria Strokous who previously modelled for Nars. The campaign was once again shot by the fabulous Francois Nars.

Dual Intensity Eyeshadow for Nars. Daria Strokous. Viewed 18/04/15. Available to view: http://models.com/Work/nars-cosmetics-nars-dual-intensity-eyeshadow-spring-2014

The images for the campaign really make sure the attention is all on the eyes. The eyeshadow used is intense and glamorous, pulling the eye colour out. I personally love this eyeshadow because the intensity can be changed which is great for altering from day to night looks. The colours are beautiful and can be built up or left subtle.

Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow. Viewed 18/04/15. Available to view: http://www.temptalia.com/narsissist-dual-intensity-eyeshadow-palette-reviews-photos-swatches

The eight shade palette seen above consists of Dual Intensity Eyeshadows in Andromeda, Europa, Himalia, Ursa Major, Subra, Giove, Lysithea and Sycorax. The shades are also available as singles in a larger portion. The consistency of the product is fine which allows it to be so versatile. As well as Dual Intensity Eyeshadows, Nars has just introduced Dual Intensity Blushers which can also be used wet and dry. Dry gives a healthy blush to the skin whereas applying the product wet allows it to blend into the skin, which Nars describes as a 'second skin'. The Dual Intensity Blusher comes in six gorgeous shades, Adoration, Craving, Fervor, Frenzy, Jubilation and Panic. Dual Intensity Blushers come as two shades in one, which is great for contouring and creating various shades. The two colours in the Blusher palette consist of different shades of pink and browns which can be used together or separate. The pigments in the palette are lightweight and fine like the eyeshadow palette which creates a 'barely there' finish. The design of the blush features ridges which creates an interesting texture when opening the palette. The blushers are available online now and can be pre-ordered for when you run out. Perfect!

Nars Dual Intensity Blush. Viewed 18/04/15. Available to view: http://thedailyself.me/beauty/nars-newness/

Thursday, 16 April 2015

Spring / Summer Final Image

Spring / Summer 2015 Final Images.

Spring / Summer Test Look

The idea for my Spring / Summer look consists of a pink smokey eye with pink cheeks and a red lipstick. I want the colours to contrast well with the background of green texture that I am going to use. I think that pink eyeshadow could be darker around the crease to really define the eye. So for my final shoot I will find a darker pink shade to help achieve this. I am happy with the rest of the makeup.

Spring / Summer Facechart and Hairchart

The products used for Spring / Summer Nars inspired shoot are as followed:

- Bourjois Happy Light Serum

- M.A.C Strobe Cream

- Kryolan Ultra Foundation

- M.A.C Pro Conceal in Light

- Illamasqua Translucent Powder

- Benefit Dandelion face powder

- M.A.C Lightscapade

- M.A.C Lip Liner in Nightingale

- M.A.C Mineralise Rich Lipstick in All Out Gorgeous

- Makeup Revolution in Iconic Pro

- HD Brow Palette

- Benefit They're Real Mascara

- M.A.C Prep and Prime Lip

Step by Step:

- Cleanse, tone and moisturise the skin paying close attention to any dry patches. The aim of the look is to create dewy skin.

- Apply Bourjois Happy Light Serum across the face once the moisturiser has set in.

- Mix M.A.C Strobe Cream with the Kryolan Ultra Foundation to create a healthy glow.

- Conceal any imperfections or dark circles by using M.A.C Pro Conceal in Light.

- Set under the eyes and the nose with Illamasqua Translucent Powder.

- Next, lightly contour with Kryolan Ultra Foundation. Lightly so that the healthy glow still comes through.

- Apply Benefit Dandelion on the apples of the cheeks.

- Highlight around the face by using M.A.C Lightscapade and a bit of M.A.C Strobe Cream to make the skin dewy.

- Fill in the brows with HD Brow Palette.

- Create a pink smokey eye using the pink tones in Makeup Revolution Iconic Pro Palette.

- Curl the eyelashes and apply Benefit 'They're Real'

- Apply M.A.C Prep and Prime to the lip to get ready for the lipstick.

- Line the lips using M.A.C Nightingale.

- Use M.A.C Mineralise Rich Lipstick in 'All Out Gorgeous'.

The Spring / Summer hair I want to create is natural with waves at the front to frame the face and makeup. I want the hair to be natural to create a fresh spring feel to the image.

Spring / Summer Moodboard

Above is the moodboard for my initial idea for a spring / summer shoot inspired by Nars. I want the shoot to be based on pastel colours inspired by the new Christopher Kane range for Nars which shows that neutrals can create the perfect base. The makeup is going to be natural with a flash of colour either over the lip or the eye. The skin will be dewy with a healthy glow to reflect the spring summer look. The hair will be styled fairly naturally at the back, with the front sections before the ear plaited into a twisted edge fishtail braid on either side of the face to add texture to what is going to be a soft image.

The background for my spring summer shoot will be a wall of flowers and green colouring. I am shooting outside so will be using natural light. I have decided to do this to create texture to the image to contrast against the dewy skin that I will be creating.

Review: Pro-Prime instant line and Pore Perfector

In 2014 Nars released Pro-Prime Instant Line and Pore Perfector, a little white stick of pure genius. The product is to be used before applying the base makeup to smooth the skin of unwanted lines like laughter lines and frown lines and also reduces the sign of pores, which is a god send. The product doesn't cake the skin but literally hides everything as if you are blurring on Photoshop. The Pro-Prime and Pore Perfector lasts throughout the day and doesn't need to be touched up, although the product is of a handy size that won't take up that valuable space in our handbags! Like any stick though it is vulnerable to breakage so pulling up the necessary amount would minimize the risk of this. The perfector sells at £20 which I think is fairly reasonable for what you get. You are paying for quality and a product that really works.

Nars Pro-Prime Instant Line and Pore Perfector. Viewed 16/04/15. Available to view: http://www.girlsofto.com/nars-spring-2014-collection/

Assessment Images and Moodboard

The moodboard above shows my inspiration for hair and makeup for the timed assessment. My makeup and hair is based on Nars doing a catwalk show for Marc Jacobs, for which Nars is a regular behind the scenes. The makeup is going to consist of dewy skin, dark lips and natural eyes. The hair is a slick back ponytail, which will be plaited in a twisted edge fishtail plait.

Facechart showing the look I want to aim for in my assessment. In depth makeup list and the hair drawing will help me to get the idea from paper to face.

How to- Hair: Twisted Edge Fishtail Plait

- Brush the hair thoroughly to get rid of any knots and tangles.

- Place a small amount of gel onto the palm of your hand and work through the top of the hair including the roots.

- Brush the hair up into a high, sleep ponytail.

- Part the ponytail into two sections.

- Start the braid off as you normally would, taking a strand from the right over to the left, and the left over to the right.

- Repeat this twice.

- Take a piece from the right, instead of placing over the top onto the left section, take it behind and place into the left section. Repeat with the left section, taking it behind to the right.

- Repeat this twice.

- Alternate the placing of hair from infront and behind.

- Each section needs to be repeated twice, so two from the left and two from the right.

- Tie the plait with a hairband once you are about two inches away from the ends of the hair.

- Spray the ends of the hair with Kryolan Dark Red.

- Secure the hair style and any wispy pieces of hair with hairspray.

I made sure to have in depth step by steps so that I could get every aspect of my idea right. By writing a product list it ensured that I would not forget anything and everything would be prepared for the day.

I got my model to fill out a consultation form because I had never worked on her before therefore I needed to know about her skin, the condition of her hair and also if she had any allergies. If anything came up during the application of makeup I would write it down on the sheet to keep everything up to date.

Above are my final images from my timed assessment. I managed to get everything finished on time. Being organised helped with this. The makeup is as I imagined. Very effortless with neutral colours and flawless skin. My favourite part is the hair. I love the 3D aspect of the plait, which creates texture against the sleek hair.