allure.com December 2009 issue is celebrating the 15th anniversary of makeup legend Francois Nars. He has an intriguing story on coming from small town France to the worldwide fashion stage—and why he credits his mother with much of his success. He dishes on some of his favorite products (why Orgasm blush looks good on everyone) and his most famous images. The Allure December 2009 issue hits stands November 24.

From left: Francois Nars, MADONNA, 1991 “I know every inch of her body from applying makeup.”

Here is a sneak peek to the article by Lindsy Van Gelder in Allure:

The word “genius” is flung around the fashion world like confetti at a parade, usually as an adjective (as in “J’adore that genius lipstick”). But if there’s anyone who deserves the noun form, it’s François Nars. Younger fans of Nars’s 15-year-old cosmetics line might be forgiven for not having realized that there is indeed a man behind the compacts. “I don’t like to make too many appearances or talk too much to people,” Nars acknowledges. Somewhat reclusive for the past decade, he leaped back onto the fashion-genius radar earlier this year with his work at the Marc Jacobs fall and spring shows.

Victoria Beckham, best known from ‘Spice Girls’ and the wife of English soccer player David Beckham, is gracing the cover of Allure Magazine August 2008 Edition.

I must say, it is not a bad shot for Victoria, she looks pretty and natural. Her makeup was done by makeup artist Scott Andrew, and here is the scoop according to Allure Magazine:

To create Victoria’s natural look, makeup artist Scott Andrew brushed metallic beige shadow on her eyelids, lined her eyes with black pencil, applied a creamy rosy blush on the apples of her cheeks, and blended a beige lipstick with a pink lip stain to make her lip color.

“I just make the best out of what I have. I’m not out-of-the-ordinary-looking at all. I’m incredibly ordinary,” says Beckham.