For those of you who visit here regularly, you know that I am not that fussy when it comes to my beauty regimen. I keep it simple because it’s a necessity. Being a hands on mom of four kids doesn’t allow me much time to primp before I bolt out the door (usually late for a meeting at school).
But that being said, I also like quality make up because my skin is so sensitive. I have used the same moisturizer that I have been using since I was 16 years old, just adding eye cream and concealer as I got older. But as we age, I have always said that I would like to grow old gracefully, by not trying too hard to defy age…rather I would like to look good where I am at…40 is good. 40 is very good. I am blessed to have these 40 years behind me where I have learned and grown into the person that I am today.
So, when it came to an invite to a beauty event (my first for the blog) for the new launch of the NARS Audacious line of lippies and the celebration of Francois Nars’ influencing make up lovers everywhere for the past 20 years, I was up for the drive to Makati to learn more about the brand that I had often been curious about.
Francois Nars began working in the fashion industry in the 80’s. He moved to NY from his home country of France, and hit the scene with Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle. By the 90’s he was collaborating with well known designers like Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, D&G, and Anna Sui for their runway shows. He has worked with Versace, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Barneys for advertising campaigns and created make up for the some of the most iconic celebrity magazine covers ever created.
The NARS Audacious Lipstick Collection is only available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source.
But it was in 1994 that he launched his 12 iconic lipsticks at Barneys that led to his launching of full line of NARS Cosmetics.
I just love that it all began in NY for him!
Since his launch of lippies he has been a driving force behind bold runway looks of fashion designers as well as the more natural and traditional looks. Beauty experts know and love the colors he is known to play, often being inspired by island colors giving way to bold statements and shocker looks.
screen shot from www.narscosmetics.com
It was really nice to meet many of the brand managers behind the successful lines in Rustan’s. I’m familiar with many of these brands so meeting the people who are passionate about them was a treat because I got to learn some fun facts and details about products I love.
Brand Manager Marla gives opening remarks and introduces the guest of honor for the night, Jenny Smith.
I was happy to learn that guests could try on the new hues of creamy lippies just upstairs in the Nova Gallery.
It was interesting to learn that each of the 40 new colors are named for Francois’ muses.
Jeri felt that Natalie would look good on me. I said I was willing to try something new so we went for it.
Truth: I’m more of a lip gloss kinda girl than a lipstick lady. Jeri shared with me that wearing a darker lipstick shade usually makes one look older, and that wearing a lighter shade can shave a few years off your look. So we opted for a lighter pink-coral like, Natalie.
Soon after I finished trying on this new shade of lipstick (which reminded me of one of my beautiful girl scouts from New York) we were introduced to Jenny Smith.
Jenny kept it short and sweet as the opening of the celebrations here in Manila and she shared that she would be giving make up tips and lessons in Rustan’s The Beauty Source on Wednesday AND Friday this week.
I wanted to make sure to say a quick hello to a fellow New Yorker and while I probably could have chatted quite a bit longer about all things New York and Manila with her I kept it short because I knew she had lots of people to meet.
You can check out the make up tutorials by Jenny and other stylists here.
If you would like to see Jenny in action, make sure to reserve your slot for her Shangrila Mall appearance by email, so you can attend her workshop for FREE by visiting The Rustan’s Beauty Source Faceboook page.
Photo Credit: Rustans The Beauty Source Facebook Page
Attending this event was a bit out of my comfort zone, but it’s also something that I value because if you look your best, you will feel better too. And sometimes putting the right look together can be as simple as having the right shade of lipstick. As for me, I think my horizons have expanded and I will be more willing to try bolder colors, maybe even from this Audacious Collection for my own lipstick kit.
