How do you keep up your passion for makeup?
Luckily I work for a really good brand. François Nars is always coming up with great visuals for us to be inspired by, and working backstage at fashion shows is always inspirational. And great products really help. I trust in them and they still inspire me.
The inspiration for makeup is always driven by the people around you. Creativity is a collaborative effort. I’m lucky to be working with great stylists and photographers.
How do you come up with each makeup look for fashion shows or editorials?
The stylist or designer always has an idea what they’re looking for. And then we keep playing with it, putting things on and off again until that moment when they see what they want. At the end of the day, we’re bringing their vision to life. It’s about stretching and flexing and bending their idea. Sometimes, not often, you end up in a completely different place.
What’s your role at NARS?
I’m one of four international lead makeup stylists at NARS dotted around the world. Whenever there’s a new launch or opening in a new country, we go and spread the word about NARS. So a huge part of my job is to really understand what it is about NARS and be able to communicate it on a higher level. My role circulates between trips, photoshoots, being backstage, doing demo to press, filming how-to videos, teaching and looking after a school program in the UK. It’s lovely and varied.
What is so special about NARS?
NARS was was in my kit when I was working as a freelance artist. I’ve always loved it because of the integrity of the products. François is what makes the brand special. There’s hardly any product that doesn’t work because François is still driving it. He’s there to ensure the products that are brought to life are professional quality. He’s still involved in the naming of products and how they look and feel. That really makes the difference.
Your favourite NARS products
The creamy concealers. They have such a great texture. If you make a mistake in your makeup you can clean up with them. On a day when I’m not comfortable with using anything I’ll just use it as foundation, although don’t do it too often or it’d be quite expensive. I love how they look on the skin. They’re absolutely beautiful.
Illuminating Multiple Sticks for cheeks, eyes and lips. I tend to use a lot of those specifically copacobana which gives this milky, white light glow on the skin.
NARS has a professional image. Professionals love it but it’s also have a brand that ordinary women can use, that they don’t think is beyond their reach. And the fact that many can be applied with fingers also appeals to a lot of women, so they don’t feel intimidated having to use a brush.
The colours may look intense but they are also highly pigmented, which means they can go on a lighter version of what you see. They blend well and look better on the skin.
A makeup tip from Jane
When you do makeup, you always blend and buff. Use loose powder!
If you have any texture problem like rosacea, using a powder will not only set your makeup but give you a lovely soft finish.
