Best foundation of the day and on Marta Walsh’s Best Foundation List of all times: L’Oreal Magic Smooth Souffle. It feels super light on the face yet it covers perfectly (like its slogan it looks like ‘Magic’) all imperfection on the skin. But the best thing about this foundation is that it’s so matte you can even skip a face powder which is un-heard-of with some other brand foundations.

L’Oreal Magic Smooth Souffle Makeup Foundation in Sun Beige

Most of them I find feel are too shiny and wet after I apply…

In fact I love it so much I wish L’Oreal comes up with a compact version of this for the purse on-the-go. My shade (see pic below) is Sun Beige. L’Oreal Magic Smooth Souffle Foundation in shade Classic Tanwas way too dark for me. This is my 3rd tube. In fact, I’m struggling to switch.

Christina Ricci Wears NARS to the 2010 MoMA Event!

Christina Ricci attended last night’s (June 1st, 2010) show closing celebration of Marina Abramovic’s “The Artist Is Present” at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. “I wanted Christina’s look to exude edgy classic noir,” says NARS National Makeup Artist Francelle . “It’s all about the eyes. We kept them classic but infused edginess by adding green tones.”

Face

· NARS PRO-PRIME Skin Smoothing Face Prep

· NARS Siberia Sheer Matte Foundation

Eyes

· NARS PRO-PRIME Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

· NARS Galapagos Eyeshadow

· NARS Misfit Duo Eyeshadow

· NARS Aigle Noir Soft Touch Shadow Pencil

Lips

· NARS Harlow Lip Gloss

NARS Cosmetics can be purchased at www.narscosmetics.com.

Multi-platinum singer and songwriter Beyoncé wore NARS cosmetics on the red carpet at today’s Billboard Women In Music Awards, where she received the award for “Woman of the Year.” Beyoncé’s celebrity makeup artist Jackie Gomez explains her look: “I loved the color of her dress so much so I wanted to mirror the effect that it had against her skin- the Cleo Duo Eyeshadow (see image below on right) was perfect.” And, Jackie informed us that Beyoncé is a BIG fan of NARS!

The following NARS products were used to achieve her look:

-NARS Sedona Sheer Matte Foundation
-NARS Sedona Powder Foundation
-NARS Albatross Highlighting Blush Powder

-NARS Cleo Duo Eyeshadow
-NARS Orgasm/Laguna Blush Duo (one of Beyoncé’s personal favorites)
-NARS Copacabana Multiple
-NARS Belle de Jour Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
-NARS Honolulu Honey Lipstick
-NARS Chelsea Girls Lip Lacquer (another of Beyoncé’s personal favorites)

All products are available at www.narscosmetics.com

Show: Marc Jacobs Spring 2010
Lead Artist: François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics
Trend: Theatrical Makeup

Inspiration: The look of the Marc Jacobs collection was inspired by the contemporary dancer, Martha Graham: Old-fashioned and theatrical but graceful and precise. At the same time, however, there was a darker side that was shone through: a quality of gothic romance. Ballerinas with a sense of mystery- as if part of them, along with some of their makeup, had been left behind on stage.

Look: Left-over stage makeup. The models weren’t meant to have perfect makeup- rather, they were meant to encompass a “just came off-stage” effect. “Dancers in theater and opera always have white faces, pointed lips and an eye that is drawn outward, not upward-it’s very theatrical, very ballet,” said François Nars. He stressed the importance of the eye for this look, noting that “the shape of the eyeliner is important- it should open the eyes, especially underneath. The slashes of white is something they used to do in the 70s- it brings a 3-dimensional feeling to the makeup.”

 Below are some key products and steps for recreating the look:

Face:

· Blend NARS Siberia Sheer Matte foundation onto the face
· Set with NARS Snow Loose Powder for a white, pirouette-clown look
· Subtly contour and highlight, if necessary, with NARS Hungry Heart Blush Duo

Eyes:

· Dust the white shimmer from the left side of NARS Pandora Duo Eyeshadow on the eyelid
· Use NARS D.Gorgeous Single Eyeshadow (NEW for Spring 2010) in the crease

Using the NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Nuits Blanches on the top and bottom lids, follow the shape of the eye, elongating it just past the outer corners but keeping the line straight and out, never moving upwards. (Can we fix the bullet I can’t get the same one to work?)

· Use NARS Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil to enhance the eye
· After applying two sets of false eyelashes, apply one coat of NARS Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara followed by one coat of NARS Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara

Lips:

· Apply NARS Pop Life Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (NEW for Holiday 2009) to upper and lower lips, adding an extra layer on the top lip. Dab your finger along the lower lip to lightly fade the color so that the top lip is darker.

NARS products are available at www.narscosmetics.com

The Show: Maria Grachvogel
Lead Artist: James Boehmer, NARS Cosmetics International Lead Makeup Artist
Trend: Bold Red Matte Lips and Strong Brows

Inspiration: Maria Grachvogel used iconic references of Princess Margaret as photographed by Lord Snowden and Tippi Hedren in “Marnie” to convey the mood of her collection in a modern way- polished yet glamorous.

Look: The look is polished and strong- inspired by a glamorous and modern twist of Hitchcock’s femme fatale. “This look is not about the glowing skin underneath- it’s about the makeup- the brows need to be long and sketchy and the lips need to be rounded and bee-stung,” said lead artist James Boehmer. A flat, matte lip paired with a strong brow was balanced by a bare eye. “The lip,” James warns, “has to be really rich and vibrant- the focus is getting that rich lip otherwise the look can appear as if something is lacking.”

Below are some key products and steps for recreating the look:

Face:

· Use NARS Concealer to cover imperfections
· Layer NARS Sheer Matte Foundation over the entire face
· Set with NARS Eden Loose Powder for a flawless, matte finish

Eyes:

· Dust NARS D.Gorgeous Eyeshadow (NEW for Spring 2010) on the eyelids
· Coat lashes with NARS Eden Loose Powder, caking them to appear thicker but at the same time lightening them for a completely bare eye
· In small strokes, fill in brows with NARS London Eyeliner Pencil, avoiding any dramatic arch but instead drawing it flat out towards the temples

Lips:

· Heavily line and fill in lips with NARS Amazon Lipliner Pencil, accentuating the cupid’s bow and rounding out the bottom lip
· Apply a layer of NARS Dragon Girl Velvet Matte Lip Pencil to create a bright red hue

Cheeks:

· Apply NARS Nico Blush to give a subtle hint of highlighting
· Dust Desire Blush in round, circular movements onto the apples of the cheeks
· Finish with NARS Taj Mahal Blush, blending it in with the pink cheeks and up towards the temples

NARS products are available at www.narscosmetics.com