Outrageous image: how to become successful?

It is difficult to calculate the formula for success in a crowded cosmetic market – what can make a customer stop her eyes on this particular brand? What will make her come back for a new remedy? What will make her trust? Famed makeup artist and photographer François Nars seems to have come up with the perfect equation.

Having worked as a make-up artist for many of the world’s top glossy magazines, he wanted to create cosmetics that would meet his personal high standards. And so the American brand NARS was born. In laconic, pleasant to the touch black packaging – silky textures and memorable shades. The make-up maestro himself can personally vouch for the quality of each one, but this is not necessary – NARS has a huge army of loyal fans. But one of the main features of the American brand is the names of products and shades. These are not dry figures or abstract epithets. Each name of lipstick, blush and shadows has its own story. And this is not just catchy – it creates a special mood while using such a tool.

Pass the tests

• Are you ready to change your look?

Francois Nars comes up with the name of each shade on his own, based on his impressions and associations. So, he called the lipstick of a deep wine shade Trans-Siberian. It was he who, after a trip to Russia, was inspired by the cold beauty, but the passionate nature of Russian women. Shadows of All About Eve (“All about Eve”) – homage to the famous Mankiewicz film with Marilyn Monroe in the title role. A duet of beige and pink shades would suit her character perfectly. And last year, the makeup guru launched the Audacious lipstick line, with forty shades each bearing a female name. The perfect way to try on multiple looks! For example, fiery red Carmen (“Carmen”) will add sexuality to even the simplest image, and soft pink Brigitte (“Brigitte”) will make lips sensual, like Brigitte Bardot. A separate pleasure is to find your name among forty options. Immediately there is a feeling that the famous Nars created this lipstick personally for you.

Read more:

• Am I beautiful or ordinary?

But NARS also has less romantic names. Rated R (“Adults Only”), New Lover (“New Lover”), Deep Throat (“Deep Throat”) – and these are just a few shades that do not hint, but directly talk about sex. This is to be expected – makeup and sexuality are inextricably linked. What, if not jet-black arrows or scarlet lipstick, can make a woman a sensual seductress? François Nars understands this and suggests that a woman always feel sexy – a soft pink blush called Sex Appeal (“Sexual Appeal”) will increase inner sexuality and self-confidence in the same way as bright smokey eyes.

But Orgasm blush remains the main character. The permanent bestseller of the brand, they have been attracting women with their bold name for many years. And the history of its creation is simple – Maestro Nars thought about creating a universal shade that would suit everyone. The name “Orgasm” immediately came to his mind – it definitely adorns any woman. As a result, by mixing cool pink and warm peach pigment, Francois got a blush that looks flawless on any skin tone. And the golden glow in Orgasm highlights the cheekbones, making them expressive. Every year, “orgasmic” blushes are becoming more and more popular – lip glosses of the same name, liquid blushes and a multifunctional product for lips and cheeks have already been added to their “family”.

In a word, whether you want romance of travel with Vent Salee lip gloss (“Salty Wind”) and Laguna bronzer powder (“Laguna”), or playful mood with Sex Machine lipstick, Francois Nars has thought of everything. The guru himself encourages us to experiment: “Don’t be too serious, it’s just make-up!”