NARS - Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself

The other night I was invited to Harvey Nichols in Knightbridge to check out the new NARS makeup book, plus to experience one of their amazing 'MakeUp Your Mind' masterclasses for myself!

In 2001, François Nars published Makeup Your Mind, a best selling beauty manual featuring glossy photographs uniquely overlaid with clear instructional guides. The first in a series of three books, featured professional models photographed 'before' (without makeup) and 'after' (with makeup), demonstrating the transformative effect of makeup effect plus instructions on how to achieve the looks at home! 

In his new book, Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself he takes the before-and-after concept to the next level by transforming 56 real women and men scouted on the streets of New York City. The people vary in age from 16 to 64, and represent a wide range of countries including Russia, South Afrika, Guatemala and Sweden. I love the fact that in François books, he doesn't just write about the makeup application, but shows readers how it’s applied by including “before” and “after” pictures overlaid with clear paged diagrams, it gives you a great instant visual of the transformation!

"My hope for this book, and for my makeup, is to give you the information and tools with which to express yourself in as many different ways as you can dream up" - François Nars

At the event I got to have a good look through the book and check out all the amazing transformations!
Then I got told to pick a look that I liked, for one of their talented makeup artists to transform moi :)
I chose a look called 'the Ballerina' because I really liked the soft eye matched with a bright pink lip!This is me at the end of my Makeup Your Mind Masterclass showcasing the finished look! I really loved the result, because it's quite different to my usual makeup looks! On my lips he used the new 'Carthage' Pure Matte Lipstick, which has just launched as part of their Summer 2011 Collection. I want.... ;)

Also check out this cool website they created for the the Makeup Your Mind book! Here you can select some of the looks from the book and 'try it for yourself' - it will provide you step by step instructions how to recreate the look!

Inspiring customers to have fun with different makeup looks, you can now experience one of these great Makeup Your Mind Masterclasses for yourself at Harvey Nichols at only £35 for a 2 hour class, which is redeemable on product! Plus you will leave with a personalised face chart & complimentary travel size 'Orgasm Illuminator'.

If you are looking for a beauty manual book then I think Makeup Your Mind; Express yourself is fantastic because it provides very detailed instructions to create so many different looks ranging from natural and demure to dazzling and outrageous. It's also lovely to see the looks on real men and woman with different skin tones, face shapes, ages and ethnicities. I also really like that on the clear overlay it will say 'champagne eyeshadow' for example so if you don't have the particular NARS product used, you can still recreate the look with a similar product that you do own.  The book provides insider knowledge from François but also encourages people to be who they are and express their individuality through makeup. In a recent interview with François he talked about how he came up with the looks for each subject:
"Instead of crafting each look based on what suited the individual's personality, I focused on bringing out her or his natural beauty, rather than concealing it. Ideally you want someone to say to you, "you look great!" rather than, "your makeup looks great". You should always see the person first and the makeup second" I think this is SO true!

Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself (£29.99) is available now at Harvey Nicols and narscosmetics.co.uk 

Plus check out this amazing video tutorial by Sam of Pixiwoo, where she recreates an emerald green eyes look from the book! xoxo