For many of us, NARS products mark a particular moment in our makeup history. Maybe it was our first swipe of the Radiant Creamy Concealer, the pop of Orgasm Blush on our cheeks, or the full-coverage finish of the Longwear Foundation. These are products we’ve built memories around, and many still have a place on our vanities today.
Launched in 1994, NARS became a go-to during the full-glam era of a decade ago, when makeup was all about the cut crease, matte base, and overlined lips. Its products promised staying power and coverage, and we relied on them to hold up through the day.
Recently, members of The Beauty Edit community gathered at LOOK At Me, SM North EDSA, for an intimate session revisiting some of the brand’s most sought-after products. This time, the focus was on a more restrained approach to makeup, with NARS sharing techniques for achieving its take on a natural-looking base. Guests also had the chance to browse and shop their favorites.
The Look, Step by Step
The session, called Face in Focus, put the spotlight on complexion. Led by NARS field coach Rachelle Raza, the masterclass explored how to achieve a natural-looking finish through strategic placement and a lighter hand. The main lesson? In NARS terms, natural means restraint.
Raza started with skin prep before applying Natural Matte Longwear Foundation in thin layers. Her advice was to begin at the center of the face and blend outward, building coverage only where needed.
Concealer, meanwhile, serves two purposes: brightening and covering imperfections. Raza applied the Radiant Creamy Concealer at the outer corners of the under-eyes and around the nose for a subtle brightening effect. For spots and blemishes that need more coverage, she reached for Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Custard. Her tip: use a concealer a few shades darker than the skin to cover a blemish, then layer one that matches the skin tone over it for a seamless finish.
Powder is where a matte base can go from polished to cakey, so application matters. Raza swirled a brush through the Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder, tapped off the excess, and buffed it onto the skin in circular motions. A smaller brush helps with more precise application under the eyes and around the nose. To finish, she misted the face with Light Reflecting Makeup Setting Mist to help meld the layers together.
For color, layering creates dimension without making the look feel heavy. Raza applied The Multiple in Dolce Vita first for a soft, blurred flush, then topped it with Mad Love Blush to set the color and add a hint of shimmer. Both were placed on the apples of the cheeks and blended upward and outward. Laguna Bronzing Powder added warmth, starting at the temples and sweeping along the jawline in circular motions for a diffused, seamless finish.
The final touch was Afterglow Lip Balm. Dolce Vita complemented the mauve-pink tones of Mad Love Blush, while Orgasm echoed the warmth of the bronzer for a more coordinated look.
Natural Matte Longwear Foundation
₱3,150, LOOK At Me PH
Radiant Creamy Concealer
₱1,900, LOOK At Me PH
The Multiple Dolce Vita
₱2,250, LOOK At Me PH
On The Floor
The masterclass may have wrapped up, but the beauty talk carried on. Guests swapped recommendations, compared swatches, and explored the NARS lineup, with makeup artists on hand to help them find their shades. Others took their time trying products and enjoying the afternoon’s activities, making the most of a session that was as much about discovering new favorites as it was about sharing a love for makeup.
