Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself [Hardcover]

Francois Nars (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 19, 2011

From François Nars, one of the most respected and imitated cosmetics designers in fashion today, comes a totally new, revolutionary instruction manual on makeup for today’s woman. Established in 1994 by renowned cosmetics designer François Nars, NARS Cosmetics is one of the most recognizable and coveted cosmetics and skin-care brands, with a huge international following. Nars’s visionary approach to makeup and innovation within the industry has forever changed the face of beauty. Here Nars combines his expertise in makeup and photography to create a makeover manual that transforms the application of makeup into the ultimate form of self-expression. The book celebrates Nars’s unrivaled vision as a makeup artist, providing visual and textual narratives of his cosmetic process, inspiring readers to re-create his lessons on their own, and featuring examples of the newest, freshest looks and color palettes popular today. Employing Nars’s own before and after makeover photographs of a variety of models of all different ages, races, and skin tones—and combining these images with the designer’s instructional sketches on transparent overlays—this volume is the definitive do-it-yourself guide for anyone interested in the transformative power of cosmetics.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

François Nars was born in the South of France and attended the Carita Makeup School in Paris. He moved to New York in 1984 and debuted his first line of lipsticks a decade later at Barneys New York. Nars is the current president and creative director of NARS Cosmetics.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 273 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli; Spi edition (April 19, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847836452
• ISBN-13: 978-0847836451
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 1.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Smashing Success! A must own. April 22, 2011

By Kit422

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Nars has surpassed his former book with this sequal. Express yourself shows real women from a full range of ethnicities (finally including south asian and middle eastern women as well) as well as a wide range of ages. As opposed to the models he used in the last book, this book uses normal people: teachers, artists, students, etc. These different "palates" make for unique looks that are inspirational to all makeup lovers. The looks are also less dramatic and more applicable to everyday makeup users and the play-by-play descriptions of what products were used and exactly how they were places allows us to peek into the makeup genius's process and recreate the looks at home. He retained the excellent idea of before and after photos - done in equivalent lighting as well as the transparent page between that demonstrates the application. Thank you Nars - well done!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A huge step up from the last book June 1, 2011

By The Mariners Fan VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Finally, I have been waiting for this book to come out! It is a huge step up from the last NARS makeup book, which unfortunately left me feeling very disappointed. The book itself is a hardback binder with wire spirals, this makes it really easy to turn pages and keep them open, just in case you want to copy along. The book is set up in sections: Introduction, How this book works (which is important to read), Tips before you begin working, Skin, "Play" looks", "Perfect" looks, and "Polish" looks.

In the beginning of the book, there are just quick little tips on eyes, face, and skin which I found to be really helpful. And it isn't just those typical basics, I mean for example: beginning with a light color on the lid, blending is key, eyeliner pencil can be used for more than just lining, explaining the density of brushes and which textures of products work best with them. Of course he elaborates, but just briefly enough to give you information. I appreciated that. Now on to the fun part, the makeup! Just like before, both pages are a before and after with a little clear sheet to go on top of the after page. What is written on this clear sheet, is the placement and name of the product used. Very simple and easy to follow.

The one thing that separated this book from his last, was the use of a wider variety of models. More african, middle eastern, latino, and asian women were included. I truly appreciated this because, all skin color should be celebrated and Nars realizes that. In addition to adding more skin color diversity, the entire polish section is dedicated to older women. Basically I love the book, I am a NARS fanatic and I'm pleased to see a whole new set of looks I can create using the makeup! The book is definitely worth more than what amazon is charging which makes it a great deal :)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but light on wearable natural/daytime looks February 7, 2012

By selkie

Format:Hardcover

On the positive side, there's a nice variety of ethnicities and a wide age range among the models. It was really nice to see sections featuring women over 35 (woo-hoo!) There are both written instructions at the end of the sections and diagrams on transparent overlays over the faces of the models, so you can see what goes where. But the lighter, more doable looks are outnumbered by heavy, dark, intricate looks. I was expecting more of a balance, I guess. There isn't much here you can wear for daytime...for one thing, it'd take you half an hour to get your makeup on. Some of these looks involve blending 3 shades of eyeshadow, like mixing paint. I'm mystified by the dark, heavy makeup on some of the women nearing forty and above, because if anything ages you fast, it's harsh heavy makeup.

It's still fun to play with the looks, and some are adaptable to something more wearable. I've learned some new techniques. The book is still worth buying...I just wouldn't spend full price for it.