A special treat today, readers of Raging Rouge! Jenny Smith, a Makeup Stylist and Trainer for NARS cosmetics, has agreed to share her tips and tricks with us! Jenny’s work has been seen in magazines such as Brzilian Vogue, Cosmopolitan, WWD, GQ Europe and Fashion Week Daily. Naturally, her talents have also been showcased on many a runway, including: Vivienne Westwood, Anne Klein, Alvin Valley, Banana Republic, Charlotte Ronson, Reem Acra, Willow, Sophia Kokosalaki, Thakoon, Michon Schur, Twinkle by Wenlan, Nicole Romano, Gemma Kahng, Lyn Devon, Betsey Johnson, Van Cleef and Arpels, 3.1 phillip lim, Cynthia Steffe, Tibi, Doo.Ri, Frank Tell, Alice Ritter, Erin Fetherston, and Lela Rose!
Q: What are some of the fresh new makeup looks for this Spring, and how can we achieve them using NARS products?
A: Some of the fresh new makeup looks for Spring feature brighter colors for the eyes whether full power for a tropical effect, a brighter eyeliner against a neutral or gold shadow and even a very neutral ivory eye with 2 or 3 coats of mascara for an eye opening effect and lengthy lashes.
For a tropical eye, use whatever tone makes you feel like you’re going on vacation. This can range from tones of blue, green, pink, gold or orange. Some of my favorite Nars shades and combinations of cream shadow as a base and set with powder are as follows:
- Klondike Cream set with Persepolis Powder Duo.
- Cosmic Girl cream set with Misfit Duo.
- Penelope or Pearl Beach cream set with Divine Duo or Emmanuelle Single Powder.
- Corfu or El Dorado cream set Goldginger Single or Balthazar Duo.
- El Dorado single set with California single.Remember that some of these colors are bold, so start with concealer for brightening around the eye, on the lid and then the cream shadow. Use your finger with the cream for a sheer effect from lashes to brow. This creates a base to hold the powders. It also brightens the shadows to show their true pigment.Next, because bright colors are a new thing for many women, use your everyday neutral gold or ivory to set the cream and diffuse the effect of the brighter colors listed above. Now the brighter color can go on either as a liner or in the outer corners of the eye. They also work well for a smokey summertime eye. Smokey is about the application, not the shade. If the shade ends up a little too bright in comparison to what you are used to, add a black eyeliner.Eyeliner is an easy way to change your look with a minimal amount of work. My favorites are Nars eyeliners in Kitty, Kaliste, and Sandstorm. Kitty is an electric blue and makes the eyes look whiter when used on the inner rim of the bottom lash line. Kaliste also looks great inside the eye and can be set with Thunderball shadow (wet or dry with brush #2). Pair these with your everyday neutrals for an updated look. Sandstorm is a gold pencil eyeliner that is modern against a cool colored shadow like a silvery blue. Try Cyclade cream shadow, set with Heart of Glass powder and finish with Sandstorm pencil. Using opposite colors give an unexpected modern twist for a new look.
A clean, open eye look is easy to achieve with Alahambra Duo Shadow. Use the champagne tone on the lid and the metallic rose mist on the inner corner of the eye and up by the browbone for a pop. Voila! A clean open eye! Finish with 2 or 3 coats of Nars Waterproof Mascara. This is fantastic during allergy season and in the summer for the beach because it won’t clump or flake and you can add layer on top of layer for a lengthy look. Timeless glamour!
Q: Many have been raving about using colors like blue and green on the lids this Spring. How can one embrace this trend without appearing old-fashioned?
A: The easiest way to embrace the blue or green trend for eyes is to keep it minimal or dark for sophistication and sexiness. Avoid the old fashioned look by wearing a bright eyeliner along the top lashline or inside the lower lashline for a sexy effect. Also, for evening or a smokey eye, wear the Nars Black Cream Eyeshadow, Zardoz as a base first on your lid to darken the brighter shade and add dimension to the eyes. Another way to make the bright eye colors like blues and greens look sophisticated is to wear Nars Laguna or Casino Bronzer for a healthy skin look and finish with a peachy cheek and lip. Pink on cheeks and lips may feel old fashioned with a blue shadow. Try a warmer blush for a summer glow like Orgasm, Torrid, Gina or Gilda.
Q: What are your personal favorite beauty products, by NARS and by other brands?
A: Some of my favorite products from Nars start with the skincare. When skin isn’t looking or feeling healthy, makeup can’t look its best either. I love the Nars Hydrating Freshening Lotion which takes the place of toner and face scrub. It gently exfoliates the entire face, neck and I even use it on my lips! Also, because I travel a lot, I use two special masks. Nars Aqua Gel Hydrator is an 87% water mask that goes on at night and literally plumps and fills in lines, imperfections and dehydration for the most amazing morning skin! I can’t live without that or the mud mask. Nars Mud Mask detoxifies and hydrates in one quick step. Its a great spot treatment for blemishes too.
No one can top Nars makeup shades, pigments, longwear, luxurious textures and blendability. Nars makeup is second to none.
Nars Mascara and eye makeup remover are my absolute favorites for sensitive eyes. These are a staple that I can’t live without.
My favorite lip treatment is Clinique Superbalm because it is a treatment and gloss in one. It feels like it stays on forever too while it hydrates.
Bobbi Brown makes the best concealer/blemish treatment stick you can find. It conceals and heals in one step.
Bumble and Bumble surf spray gives the sexiest beach hair look during the summer. Great on a quick morning! Their styling wax is also incredibly light and easy to work with.
Frederic Fekkai technician shampoo and conditioner is also another favorite of mine. Every time I stop using it and try something else, its like a whole new experience.
Q: I’m a big fan of using products in “off-label” ways… such as eyeshadow on cheeks. Any fun “off-label” tricks you can share with us?
A: One of my favorite off label tricks is using dark lipstick over a clear or sheer gloss. The gloss subdues the intensity of a sometimes seasonal dark lip.
Q: Can you give us a forecast for Summer? What must-haves should we stock up on now, to be ready for July?
A: Summer forecast includes bright lips, bronzer and a glow for cheeks.
Use Nars Powder Foundation for an even skin tone and sun protection. Laguna Bronzer for a natural bronze goddess look, Orgasm multiple for a glow on cheekbones, and finish with a bright lip. Matte lips work well in humidity, but you can also substitute a brighter coral, pink or red gloss if you prefer. Colors to try: Nars Heat Wave, Jungle Red, and Manhunt lipsticks. Velvet Matte Lip Pencils are a thick liner and lipstick pencil in one with a silky, matte finish. Try Cruella or Red Square. If you prefer a gloss, try Babe, Scandal, Hotwired or Frisky Summer. Bright lips and clean skin work best with a clean eye. Try the new shadows in Abysinnia or Alahambra for a bright, open eye effect.
