Available in The Beauty Source, Rustan’s this November, the NARS Sarah Moon collection was inspired by the translucence, delicacy and beautiful silhouetted imagery of wintertime.
Originally a fashion model turned photographer in the 60s, Sarah Moon moved on from being the object of the camera to capturing her own images from behind the scenes. The French visual artist is known for “edgeless†imagery, where subjects appear to be in constant motion. Tying all her collections together are the concepts of the evanescence of beauty, the uncertain and the passing of time — a recognizable visual stamp that has resulted in ethereal photographs.
(French fashion model and photographer Sarah Moon)
Once a fashion photographer himself, Sarah’s fellow Frenchman François has always admired her. “Sarah is a poet, a sculptor, a painter. I have been fascinated by her work for many years. I love her vision of beauty, her sensibility, extreme perfectionism and refinement,†he shares.
The collaboration between the two lovers of beauty resulted in a limited edition Sarah Moon collection of matte lipsticks, blushes, eyeshadows, eyeliners and even nail lacquer and lashes.
Select members of the media were invited to an afternoon beauty session at VASK, Bonifacio Global City, for the collection’s launch and a much-anticipated Q&A with Samantha Perez, national makeup stylist for NARS Cosmetics, UK.
The expertly styled lady offered key tips for ladies in Manila hoping to rock matte lipstick — the Sarah Moon collection’s key item — and other NARS products coming their way.
On wearing matte lipstick: The basicsÂ
1) MoisturizeÂ
Although matte lipsticks have been around for ages, “the formulation has been improved over time, so that it’s not as drying or strong as it used to be,†Samantha explains.
She emphasizes that although matte formulations have now become milder and kinder to ladies’ ever so delicate lips, this shouldn’t stop them from the number one rule in sporting matte: moisturize before application!
A colorless balm is best to apply so that a lipstick swatches on perfectly without dulling its color, but matte-wearers can also choose one that is softly tinted to serve as a complementary base for their matte lippies.
2) Exfoliate
Many women forget that lips, just like the rest of their faces, need to be exfoliated once in a while. After all, they’re also covered in a layer of skin that collects skin debris and could hold some amount of makeup residue over time.
“The better the base, the more beautiful the finished product will look like,†Samantha says with full honesty.
Logically, dry skin on your lips might result in the flaky or bumpy appearance of matte lipsticks, so exfoliating is certainly one way to prevent this. Exfoliating can be done thrice a week every other day, and always use only a mild exfoliant.
(Sarah Moon for NARS Glass Metropolis Mini Audacious Lipstick Coffret)
3) Meeting halfwayÂ
“Sarah Moon is a very moody collection, it’s full of strong emotion,†points out Samantha. Imagine Little Red Riding Hood walking on freshly fallen snow on the way to her grandmother’s house — that’s the vibe and pop of color you can expect from Sarah Moon.
Hence, its unapologetic reds and full blocks of color can be rather intimidating for some women who haven’t fully dove into the matte wave, so she suggests first trying out NARS’ other new “soft as clouds†collection, Velvet Lip Glide.
With more than ten different shades of an innovative glossy and matte combination finish, it’s a great way to transition to, or to test the waters of, the world of matte lipstick. The product delivers the color impact and stay of matte formulas, while feeling as soft and supple as a gloss.
4) “It’s essentially paint.â€Â
That’s what makeup comes down to at the end of the day, according to Samantha.
And with the art that goes behind its mixing, matching and combining paint, the same boundless possibilities apply to lipstick. “I always combine to create shades that are unique to me and what I’m in the mood for,†Samantha says.
If a matte lipstick is too red, mix it in with some nude to dull its brightness or some pink to feminize its fierceness, for example. Or perhaps, consider dabbing clear gloss on the middle of your lips while sporting a deep plum or brick brown matte to soften an otherwise strong look. Basically, anything goes, but limit combinations to just two products so as not to overdo it.
(New NARS Velvet Lip Glide come in more than ten shades)
On wearing makeup in a humid and tropical setting
1) Different formulations, different purposes
There’s a reason why foundations, concealers and creams don’t only come in multiple shades, but also come in many different lines and collections; every one of them has a different purpose.
“NARS ‘All Day’ Luminous liquid foundation, that is your answer,†chuckles Samantha, who claims to always research the climate of the country she’s visiting so she can pack the most suitable makeup products with her.
All other products (for the eyes, lips and cheeks) can be universally worn, but it’s the base that makes all the difference and — literally — holds everything together. The NARS foundation she mentioned is, in fact, NARS’ anti-humidity foundation that puts a stop to unwanted oiliness, shine and sweat and is a godsend for ladies in the tropics.
2) All in the fingersÂ
Interestingly, Samantha explains that NARS makeup artists, more often than not, use their fingers to apply products (although NARS does have a lovely selection of makeup brushes).
“This is because heat from fingers activates products more,†explains Samantha.
By using fingers to apply makeup, ladies can press product onto their faces with the right pressure, little curves and corners can be covered and, like Samantha said, the heat actually softens the product, making easier for it to glide it onto skin and adhere to it (she cites that adherence is one of the top complaints of women who live in warmer places). This is in contrast brushes that deliver more product more loosely, resulting in a finish that doesn’t adhere as strongly.
(Sarah Moon eyeshadow and blush shades may look very dramatic at first, but translate beautifully when applied)
On overall skincareÂ
1) Hydrate
“François NARS was a firm believer of natural beauty. He wanted skin to look like skin and wanted it to have that glowing, natural look,†shares Samantha, who agrees that skin — and women’s faces — should never disappear under countless layers of makeup.
The best way to achieve this is to care for skin from the inside out, ensuring that it will need the least coverage and correction as possible. Drink lots of water to help keep complexions supple and smooth, and your skin will take care of the rest.
2) Give skin time to healÂ
While this is mostly true for ladies who frequent the beach and poolside to keep a tan all year round, Samantha suggests to let skin breathe and go makeup free once in a while to every makeup-wearing woman.
Giving pores time to see the light of day lets skin cells rejuvenate (all that dabbing, stroking and swiping can, collectively, take its toll on the face). Skin can also be thoroughly cleansed between days of wearing a full face of product, ensuring that no residue remains.
For more information visit: www.NARScosmetics.com, Facebook.com/narscosmetics, Instagram.com/narsissist @NARSissist.
(All four shades of Sarah Moon matte lipstick)
