If I were to stop writing about beauty tomorrow–BAM! No mas! Show’s over!–there are many high-end makeup and skincare brands that would suddenly cease to exist for me. When they come across my desk for free? Sure! Why not? But if I were given the choice of spending $300 of my own money on, say, the newest placenta cream…nah, I’ll pass.
Armed with the knowledge I’ve acquired over the years, most of what I’d actually buy for myself would be a combination of drugstore and Sephora goodies. However, there are one or two brands that I’d gladly shell out money for, because they’re that good.
First on the list? NARS. Their formulas are top-quality, their shades are scrumptious, and the makeup is simply fun to use. I’m addicted to their lipsticks, their blushes (hello, Orgasm), their bronzers, their eyeshadows…basically, everything. If I could only choose two makeup brands to use, forever–because obviously bareMinerals would have to be first on the list–NARS would be a very, very close second.
In celebration of their 20th anniversary, NARS is launching The Audacious Lipstick Collection. It’s (count ‘em) 40 shades of lipstick launching today at NARS boutiques, narscosmetics.com, and Barneys New York. Charlotte Rampling is the face of the collection, which tickles me pink. I love that they used an actual icon, instead of a throwaway pop tart. The case features magnetic closure, and the lipstick bullet itself is emblazoned with the NARS logo. Each lipstick retails for $32.
Also available today? The NARS Vault, a limited edition curated set of 10 lipsticks and 10 nail polishes in a keepsake box with a large mirror etched with a quote from François Nars. It’ll be available at Barneys New York. Price is on demand, which is not-so-secret-code-for: expensive as hell.