François Nars, makeup extraordinaire and founder of NARS Cosmetics, recently launched Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself, a picture book illustrating the transformative power of makeup through instructional diagrams and sketches. This is Mr. Nars’ second book and represents the joining of his two loves- makeup and photography- for a brilliant, mesmerizing outcome.  Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself (and Makeup Your Mind) are must-haves for any beauty junkie!  Here’s an exclusive Q&A with Mr. Nars about the launch of his new book.

GE: Why did you decide to create a sequel to Makeup Your Mind?
FN: We originally planned Makeup Your Mind as a three-part book set. The first book featured models, the second showcases real people, and the third will feature notables, tastemakers and celebrities. This felt like the perfect moment to come out with a book focused on real women and men wearing NARS. It was nice to have the opportunity to showcase NARS on every-day beauties—to make NARS feel more accessible.

GE: How is this book different from the original book?
FN: While Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself is a continuation of the first book, it features more inspiring and complex looks. The difference lies in the people featured: they’re everyday beauties hand-picked from the streets of New York City. They represent a range of ethnicities and ages, as one of my main goals this time was to capture as many different people as possible.

GE: How did you come up with the looks for each subject?
FN: 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.

GE: What’s your advice for real women reading this book?
FN: Regardless of what look you are trying to achieve, less is more. Always go for transparency no matter what—even with very intense colors.

Book signing of Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself

Visit makeupyourmind.com to take part in the global gallery NARS created to showcase looks from the book, and to compete for your chance to win a trip backstage with NARS at New York Fashion Week!  To purchase the book, visit narscosmetics.com.

Images courtesy of: Nars Cosmetics

Brooke Burke glowing in Temptu foundation and Korres blush

Q: Would love to hear a little bit about how you got to where you are today.  How many years have you worked as a makeup artist for?

A: About 12 fabulous years!
Q: Did you receive your training in school, or are you self-taught?
A:  Several years ago I went to a school named Make-Up Designory (MUD) where I met a lot of great people and received a top-notch education.  I took the Journeyman Program (which includes character makeup artistry and fashion makeup artistry).
Q: Does MUD have a career center to place students with jobs?
A: Yes, they kind of hook you up, especially with student films.  I started off that way- doing a lot of films- and then I hooked up with a couple of photographers and did a lot of testing with modeling agencies.  Eventually, I ended up working for E! Television and when the department head went on maternity leave, I took over.  I was there for about seven years and while running the department, I met Brooke.  She took me onto the set of her shows Rockstar: INXS and Rockstar: Supernova, and since then I’ve done most of her television work.
Q: Very cool, and inspiring!  What advice do you have for someone trying to break into the industry?
A:  The one thing I didn’t know back then is that you can actually earn a living as an assistant.  Call agencies and try to assist as much as possible because I know a lot of people who started as assistants and had jobs passed down to them.  And you can learn so much from other makeup artists, don’t just do your own thing. There’s always something to learn from other artists, actors and talent.
Q: Is assisting a full-time job?
A: It is a full-time thing.  Always be available and never turn down a job, even if you’re working for free because one job will lead to another.  I know people who did low budget independent films and then worked with an actress who just happened to move on to be the next big thing.  Be nice to everybody, and don’t be a diva.  Remember, it’s not about you, you’re there to provide for your talent.
Q:  Do you have a particular brand that you favor?
A:  Hmmm, there’s not one particular brand, every brand offers something good.  Right now I really love the Temptu airbrush system sold at Sephora.  I’ve been airbrushing for years and this is a no-brainer system.  There’s no mixing and no cleaning up because everything comes in easy, convenient cartridges.  I’m loving it!
Q: Can you talk about the products you used on Brooke today?
A: I used so many different things, a lot of mixing.  Her foundation is Temptu airbrush, and on her cheeks and lips I applied Korres, a natural line.  The blush is shade 44, an orange.
Q: So you really like Korres.  Do you favor eco-friendly and natural lines?
A: Yes, I do.  I prefer eco-friendly lines and Korres has really gorgeous shades.
Q: What mascara did you use, because Brooke’s lashes look fierce!?
A: Thanks! Her lashes are called Fairies.  They’re strip lash and I like them because they’re not a thick, solid lash, but more sparse and fluttery.  I get them online (madamemadeline.com) and I’ve seen them at beauty supply stores. I’m all about finding tools online and at 99-cent stores!
Q: Thanks so much, Marylin! It’s inspiring to hear how you’ve made it so far- thanks for the advice!

Many times over the years I’ve sat and observed my grandmother apply her makeup as a true artist would.  Not a day has passed in fifty years when she hasn’t applied Lubriderm to her face and body.  Dotty swears that it has dramatically decelerated the aging process and leaves her with silky smooth skin that I, in my youthful twenties, would kill to have at her age.

Grandma's Magic Fix!

As she has gotten older, she has simplified her routine by using only colors and products that she knows flatter her.  She is an inspiration and I’ve asked her to share her key beauty tips and tricks.

Q: What beauty tips can you offer readers?
A: “The main thing is to keep your skin clean and to drink lots of water. Not only does water flush out toxins on the inside, but it keeps your skin clear and fresh.  Fragrance is lovely, but make it very subtle by applying it only to pulse points. My main piece of advice is to have a positive approach to life because inner beauty is displayed on the outside.”

Q: What is your morning beauty routine?
A: “I wash my face with Cetaphil and leave it on a tad longer for lubrication, and then rinse it off.  I then apply Lubriderm, but only a little so it doesn’t block my pores.  For foundation, I use L’Oreal Visible Lift Line Minimizing Makeup, but once again, only a little so it doesn’t settle into wrinkles.  Sometimes I put a touch of Lubriderm on top to make my wrinkles less conspicuous.  I then use my Lancome brow pencil and put shadow in the crease of my eye, typically a pretty blue.  Then I put a different color on my lid, usually a white shadow so it looks as though light is illuminating on to the eyelid with just a suggestion of blue in the crease. I then use Rimmel black eye liner on my top lash line and brown on my bottom lash line- black is too harsh on the bottom.  My Lancome mascara comes next (they have they best mascara!).  For blush, I apply it lighter towards my cheekbone and with more intensity towards my ear.  I then use a Lancome lipstick in a very natural color, typically in the rust family, so that I don’t accentuate the lines and wrinkles.”

Q: How do you feel the ideal of beauty has changed over the years?
A: “Oh, the change is tremendous!  People are far more casual now; there’s a stronger tendency towards natural beauty. It seems to me that it is about keeping yourself clean, neat and comfortable.  Hair is much more casual now.  The styles used to be more formal, but now it’s always loose and long.  The face makeup I see girls wear [note: in Phoenix, Arizona] seems to be more natural.

Kate Bosworth is the essence of natural beauty

Q:  Who is your beauty icon?

Audrey Hepburn

Grace Kelly

Elizabeth Taylor

A: I love a more natural, yet elegant look.  Grace Kelly was beautiful, as was Audrey Hepburn.  Audrey was so classy with a simplistic elegance.  To me, Marilyn Monroe is not my beauty icon because she was very flashy and overly sexy.

Q: What is your advice to younger generations in terms of beauty?
A:
•    If you go out of the house, you should have your best foot forward and be as presentable as possible.
•    Keeping your weight down is important for not only appearance-sake, but for health as well.
•    It is essential to eat nutritiously and drink lots of water. Water is very good for the skin- it washes away impurities, both inside and out.
•    Exercise is important to keep your body fit and as a tool to relieve stress and circulate blood up to your head, which allows you to think better.
•    When you look well, psychologically, you feel good about yourself.  When you feel good about yourself you can conquer the world. You become confident, and the most important thing is what you think about yourself.  Have a good attitude. People like to be with people who have a good, healthy, positive attitude.  And remember, life is exciting, you never know what is around the corner!

Thanks for the advice, Dotty!

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