All that glitters is not always gold
MY best beauty memory of Nars is that for nearly a year, the only lipstick I wore was the brand’s iconic Schiap. Named after the late designer Elsa Schiaparelli, Schiap is a neon fuchsia. I dare say it takes a lot of courage to wear Schiap, particularly if you’re dressed in ordinary clothes.
It is this same spirit of boldness and courage that I see in Nars’s Holiday 2019 collection, which is called Studio 54, inspired by the infamous nightclub of the 1970s and 1980s.
“Nars gives beauty lovers exclusive access beyond the velvet ropes of Studio 54 with limited-edition pieces inspired by the famed nightclub’s sparkling scene. Shimmering finishes and unexpected formulas are featured in a collection of provocative lipsticks, scintillating eye and cheek palettes, explicit mascara and mesmerizing must-have accessories. Partygoers will find endless possibilities for expression with iconic shades, seductive bolds and cult classics, all arriving just in time for the holidays. Disco. Decadence. Step inside the Studio 54 for Nars collection—once in, anything goes. Excess yourself,” Nars said in a press release.
#ExcessYourself is the hashtag for the collection, and it’s about being out of the box.
For the campaign, Nars Philippines chose Raymond Gutierrez and Liz Uy as its ambassadors.
Nars Philippines Brand Manager Sam Gallardo said Gutierrez and Uy were chosen because they embody the brand’s philosophy of being bold and audacious.
“I think makeup is a tool that we can use to express ourselves,” said Gutierrez.
Uy shared a tip on how she works with fallout from glittery eyeshadow: “I just use petroleum jelly. The glitter sticks to it, and when it falls, I just use lint remover or masking tape.”
The Studio 54 collection has glitter everywhere, from the packaging to the actual products. We looked at the products and picked the best out of a collection that’s already beautifully curated.
n Nars VelVet rope VelVet Matte lip peNcil Box. Liz Uy picked this as one of her favorites and her choice is justified. Housed in a lovely glittery purple case (with a built-in sharpener) are four lip crayons. The shades would make a great introduction to Nars: Bad Girl (a cooltoned dusty pink), Dolce Vita (a wonderful nude), Dragon Girl (a beautiful red that’s famous for being Taylor Swift’s favorite) and Sex Machine (a pink mauve).
n Nars studio 54 audacious lipstick iN carMeN. Every year, I become obsessed with lipstick and for 2019, it happens to be Carmen. This is actually part of the regular Nars Audacious line, but in Studio 54 packaging. Anyway, Carmen is described as a “geranium” but to me, it is a neutral bright red.
n Nars outshiNe lip Gloss set. I am not the type who applies lip gloss over lipstick, but I do appreciate the look, just not on me.
I love how this lip gloss comes in a sequined pouch so it’s perfect for gifting. You can also divide the glosses—Star Love, On the Radio and Triple X—and give one each as a Christmas gift to three people you love. It’s not an inexpensive gift, but this is Nars and it’s a really good brand.
n Nars Free loVer cheek palette. This palette has six pans containing blushes and a highlighter. The blushes are mostly matte corals and pinks. There are two with shimmer. This would work for those who know how to combine blushes. It would also make a great gift for a makeup artist.
The Nars Studio 54 Holiday 2019 collection is available at Adora Greenbelt, SM Megamall, Central Square, Power Plant Mall, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Alabang and Rustan’s Cebu. n