Nars Spring / Summer 2011

Nars Spring Summer 2011. Iris Strubegger. Viewed 18/02/15. Available to view: www.models.com/work/franois-nars-nars-ss-11

Nars Spring / Summer 2011 saw Nars bring out a collection based around the colours of Spring. Vibrant jewel and earthy tones make up the 11 piece collection, with 5 limited edition products included. 

Trio Eyeshadow in Calanque.

Eyeshadow Duo in Bateau Ivre and Nouveau Monde.

Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Celebrate and Hollywoodland.

Lip Gloss in Angelika, Nana and Superorgasm.

Lipstick in Tzigane - Pure Matte Lipstick in Madere.

Nail Varnish in Desperado.

Calanque, Bateau Ivre, Nana, Tzigane and Desperado are Limited Edition Products. 

Angelika and Superorgasm are repromotions. 

Nars also introduced Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils in 6 shades ranging around natural colours to compliment the spring summer hues. 

The collection was modeled by Iris Strubegger, an Austrain Model. Strubegger made a comeback to modelling in 2007 after taking time out to study. In 2011, Strubegger modeled the Spring / Summer collection for Nars. The model had worked with Francois Nars before for the cover of Russian Vogue in the January of 2011. The cover was shot by Francois Nars, showing off his photographic expertise. Strubegger had quite a masculine look in 2011, with short dark hair and strong bone structure. In the advertising images, Strubegger has been dressed in a white shirt and tie for one shot playing on the masculinity. The clothes then change to a sexier outfit as the makeup becomes more intense. The difference in looks shows how versatile the products are and that any women can wear the products. Continuing with the theme that Nars like to empower women to be themselves. 

Iris Strubegger for Nars Spring / Summer 2011. Viewed 18/02/15. Available to view: www.models.com/work/franois-nars-nars-ss-11/131588

Iris Strubegger for Nars Spring / Summer 2011. Viewed 18/02/15. Available to view: www.models.com/work/franois-nars-nars-ss-11/37242

The advertising campaign shows Iris Strubegger sunkissed by Nars products, shielding her eyes from the 'sun', giving the whole image that Summer Vibe. Each image is focused on one area of product that Nars is trying to sell. For example, the first image on this post is focused on the eyes, the second on the lip and the third on the skin base. The basic white backdrop to the advertising campaign shows Nars clean, sleek approach to how they sell their makeup. A busy backdrop would have taken the attention away from the makeup and would not have fitted in with the Nars style. 

In Store Presentation

 Nars presentation in store follows a chronological order of the products you would use first when making up your face. Starting with skincare and primer, to foundations and tinted moisturisers, to cream blushers, powders blushers, contour kits, highlighters, lipsticks, lip-glosses and nail varnish. The set up is easy to follow with all the products in easy access for you to swatch to your hearts content! New products are based at the front of the concession in order to be the first thing that you see when arriving to the Nars counter.

Nars point out their 'Cult favourite' blusher on every counter.

The stand then leads to all things lips, however this stand seemed low on stock. Nars has evolved their initial 12 shades of lipsticks into a wider range of shades. 

Above is a range of Nars brushes called 'Kabuki Artisan Brushes' inspired by Kabuki theatre. The brushes price at £32-£43 and are made from animal hair. The quality of the brushes are amazing which is not unexpected from Francois Nars, after all, 'You cannot achieve good makeup without good tools'! So if you are against the use of animal hair in make-up brushes then look away! In my opinion the brushes are beautiful and quite different from the usual. Although I prefer to use Vegan brushes I would definitely want to try the brushes. 

The next new product to be advertised is the 'All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation'  modeled by the wonderful Tilda Swinton. The foundation promises 16 hours worth of wear with natural coverage. If it's anything like Nars other foundations then it will deliver on it's promises. 

The last product to be displayed on the 'New' section was this eye shadow palette. Eight versatile shades of Nars perfection. The blurb below the palette is brilliant wit, perhaps aimed at the upcoming Valentines day? The words make me want to buy this palette now as I am convinced of it's worth without even trying it. Eight shades that can be taken from day to night, wet to dry. What more do you want from an eye shadow palette than versatile shades that can effortlessly take you through the day!?

Overall, the product presentation in store is effortless for ease to the customer. The products are well labelled and displayed in a chronological order that makes it that much easier to find what you are looking for, unlike in some other stores where the makeup is here, there and everywhere. Obviously on some concession stands there is limited space, but Nars have used theirs well in a practical way. The whole presentation encourages the customer to return as everything is so clean and chic, giving the customer confidence in the quality of Nars.

Ordering Online

Like all Make-up brands you can buy Nars online. On Nars own website they have a 6 product policy where you can't order over 6 products at each given time. There is no reason given for this, perhaps it is because of the cost of shipping. In store there would obviously be no limit on what you can buy, depending if the product is in stock or not. There is a website for each part of the world for the customer to get delivery to their own country: 

United Kingdom : narscosmetics.co.uk

USA : narscosmetics.com

Canada : narscosmetics.ca

Europe: narscosmetics.eu

Delivery is estimated within 3-4 days costing £7 to be shipped. Orders over £50 are free to ship. The cost of shipping and estimated delivery time is pretty standard and normal to buying online. If, for some reason there is a problem with the order there are contact details on the website. Usually, companies offer some kind of compensation like £10.00 of your next order. As far as ordering online is concerned, Nars is much the same as other companies, fast delivery and helpful service. 

Customer Service Experience

As part of my research behind the brand Nars, I decided to go to a few concession stands to see what the customer service was like. 

The first stand I went to was in John Lewis, Oxford Street, London. At first the Nars concession was hard to find, obviously they sell a lot of makeup products in John Lewis so we had to hunt around for the stand. The stand itself was quite small with limited Nars products. The make-up artists were reluctant to come over unlike on other concessions where they engage with you straight away. The concession wasn't busy  so I thought they would have made a bit of conversation. When I then asked for some products, she looked bored and reluctant to get them, not asking if I needed anything else, therefore it felt like we kept bothering her to get some products. I then asked for a lipstick shade and was told someone was bringing stock up from downstairs but I was welcome to wait whilst she did. I asked if she had any information on the brand that I could take away for my research and was told to Google the PR brand in charge of Nars and they would send me something. Whilst I was waiting, my friend brought some items from the neighbouring counter who said she could call down to the stock room for me to find out if they have this particular lipstick shade. So in total I waited around half an hour to be told by someone who doesn't work for Nars that they could call down to the stockroom to check. Whilst I was being told this, I looked over to the Nars counter to see that the makeup artists were doing each others makeup, ignoring the customers around them. In the end I paid for my products with someone who doesn't work for Nars. Perhaps they were having an off day but it definitely wasn't the customer experience I was expecting when I walked into the concession. 

I then went to House of Fraser to see if they had the lipstick in stock. Once again they were reluctant to come over and didn't acknowledge any of the customers lingering around the stand. Even though it was quiet. I then went up to one of the ladies and asked for the lipstick shade, she was very helpful and checked on the stands but didn't check in the stockroom. It was as though checking in the stockroom was a huge task for them. So I decided to leave and order the lipstick online instead. 

My overall experience at the concessions was quite poor and not what I would expect from such a high end brand. My experience online shopping has been slightly better but not quite. I ordered a few products receiving free shipping. I got the usual confirmation that they had received my order and would receive another email when it had been packed and shipped. I waited around two weeks and then received an email saying my order hadn't been shipped yet. Obviously not an email you want to receive after two weeks, but they offered me a £10 discount on my next shop which I used to buy the lipstick that was 'Out of stock' in store. Result! 

My experience has made me want to look into what kind of training staff receive. Is there more emphasis on the product knowledge than customer service? If so, why? Or was my experience a one off?

Nars Pro-Card

Nars currently offer a Pro-Card for 'creative professionals' to give a certain amount of discount based on the level of experience. This Pro-Card also allows for the holder to gain priority access to new product launches and invitations to Pro only events. Unfortunately this card is only available in the USA. Many companies like Nars offer a pro card to help out those in the industry. The scheme gives discount which makes the products more affordable, as a make-up artist will tend to use more of the product more often. It's a shame Nars do not offer the card worldwide as it would be something very helpful!

In order to receive the card you have to fulfill a list of requirements for Nars to look over and approve before receiving the card. 

Professional Discount Program

The NARS Professional Discount Program is available to creative professionals by way of three categories. This program is currently only available to current US residents. Please select the discount that best fits your profile by referencing the below requirements and submitting proof of criteria with your application.

40% - Celebrity, editorial, film, TV or union artists.

Must provide TWO items from the below list.

Magazine Tears

Must be from the past 12 months (please include the full shoot, your credit, and the cover of the publication with date visible)

Contract/agreement

Must be dated within one year for TV or Film (call sheet, deal memo, contract); must have contact details on official company letterhead and include a contact for verification

Agency Representation

Must be listed on agency’s website roster and provide agent’s contact information

Union Card

Must be current

30% - Bridal/ special events artists, creative professionals (theatrical performers, models, hair stylists).

Must provide ONE item from either the 40% or 30% lists:

Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Nail Technician License

Must be current and legible

Website 

Must include your name and be current.

*Social Media platforms/pages are not accepted (IE. Facebook, Instagram)

Proof of LLC

For business owners

Performers/Actors/Models

Call sheet dated within past year from an accredited production or theatrical company or agency with proof of fulfillment of the corresponding job

25%* - Students enrolled in or recent graduates of an educational makeup program.

(This programs membership expires after 1 year)

Must provide ONE item from the below list:

Certification

Must list a minimum 40 hours completed and be dated within one year (please include a copy of your certification, school website, registrar contact and scanned diploma)

Current Enrollment

School ID and proof of class schedule/transcript

(please include school website, registrar contact)

To enroll: Send the completed application, signed agreement, a copy of your driver’s license and your requirements to:

NARS Cosmetics - 900 Third Avenue, 6th Floor - New York, NY 10022 Attention: NARS Professional Discount Program

Upon approval of your application, your e-mail address will be linked to the discount and you may immediately begin purchasing products at www.narscosmetics.com. You will also receive a NARS membership card in the mail for your personal use at our freestanding boutique locations. If you have any questions please e-mail artistprogram@narscosmetics.com.  

Review - Nars Purifying Foam Cleanser

'A refreshing, foaming cleanser that lifts away makeup and impurities with botanical exfoliating spheres to gently smooth the skin's surface. Enriched with Wild Rose and Peony extracts, it soothes skin and reduces shine.Contains the NARS exclusive Light Reflecting Complex™ designed to restore skin's youthful radiance and reflect light like a prism.

Ideal for normal to oily/combination skin and seasonally oily skin

Dermatologist Tested & Non-Comedogenic

Synthetic Fragrance Free, Paraben Free, Alcohol Free, Oil-Free'

If like me, you are always on the look out for the perfect cleanser to battle the effects of winter then look no further. Nars Purifying Foam Cleanser is now my go to product to wash away the day. The cleanser activates by rubbing between the fingers creating the foam. Lightweight and beautiful smelling, the cleanser gently exfoliates away any dead skin whilst cleansing impurities. The Wild Rose and Peony extracts are gentle on the skin. Even though the product is fragranced, the natural extracts make it gentle on the skin, unlike chemical fragrances. Because I have sensitive skin I was a bit cautious of using the cleanser as it is fragranced however no irritation occurred. Although my skin did become quite dry around the nose area after a few days of using the cleanser daily, which is quite surprising as the 'Non-Comedogenic' quality should not strip the skin of its natural oils. Therefore I just use the cleanser over my t-zone to reduce the area of shine. The result of cleansing the face is a squeaky clean finish, quite literally! I am so impressed with this product, how well it cleanses and the finish it gives to the skin, especially in these harsh winter months. The cleanser sells at £21.00, which is definitely more than what I would normally spend on a cleanser. This was to be expected though as Nars is a high end brand. Surprisingly though, you only need a small amount of product on the end of your fingers as a little bit goes a long way. Therefore I think that the purifying cleanser is definitely worth the money and should last a long time, or at least until these winter months are over!