Type Subsidiary Key people Louis Desazars, CEO Founder François Nars | Industry Personal care Website narscosmetics.com Parent organization Shiseido | |
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Products Cosmetics and skin care Founded 1994, New York City, New York, United States Profiles | ||
Nars cosmetics docutorial
NARS Cosmetics is a French cosmetics and skin care company founded by make-up artist and photographer François Nars in 1994. The cosmetics line began with twelve lipsticks sold at Barneys New York. Since then, NARS has created various multi-use beauty products and now is a subsidiary of Shiseido.
Contents
Best worst of nars cosmetics
Founder
François Nars was born in Tarbes in the South of France and grew up influenced by his mother Claudette and her collection of designer clothes. She also helped him acquire his first job as an assistant to some of Paris’ top makeup artists. After graduating from Carita Makeup school in Paris, Nars moved to New York in 1984 and became known for his love of color and modern style. He also worked with photographer Steven Meisel and hair stylist Oribe Canales. In the eighties and nineties, they produced many magazine editorials appearing in American Vogue, Vogue Italia, and Elle.
Very quickly, Nars' popularity grew among fashion designers like Marc Jacobs for his ability to create looks that captured the story and feel of their designs. Celebrities like Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista also sought out for him. His philosophy towards makeup was to use makeup to explore the depths and nuances of individual character, and as a makeup artist, Nars was frustrated by how little selection there was for makeup artists.
In 1994, François Nars launched NARS cosmetics. In 1996, he started his first advertising campaign doing the photography for the ads himself.
He later photographed for several editorials for major magazines, and has published five books on his photography. Although the company was sold to Shiseido in 2000, Nars remains as the artistic director, in-house photographer, and copywriter for his brand.
Branding
NARS’ minimalist matte black, rubber packaging was created by Fabien Baron, who Nars met on a shoot in 1989. Said Nars, “Fabien was the only person I wanted to do the art direction of the line...He was my only choice. Ever.”
NARS' "Orgasm" blush is one of the company's best-selling products, being Best of Sephora's Best Blush for 2006, 2007, and 2008. NARS has since developed an "Orgasm Collection", including blush, lipgloss, multiple use cream sticks, illuminators, and nail polish.
Distribution
In the United Kingdom, Nars products are sold in Space.NK, John Lewis, Harvey Nichols, and Selfridges and are favourites of Madonna and Victoria Beckham. In the United States, NARS products can be found in 42 states and the District of Columbia. They are sold at Sephora as well as in department stores, including Lord & Taylor, Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom. In Canada, NARS can be found in the department store Holt Renfrew as well as Sephora and The Bay. In Australia and New Zealand, Nars products are sold exclusively at Mecca Cosmetica and Mecca Maxima.