Janice asks…As a makeup addict I was wondering if there really is a difference between NARS make up, which every make up artist worships, and something less expensive but good quality like MAC or Lancome. Is NARS really worth the price?
The Right Brain replies:
For those of you with no NARS knowledge, here’s the quick scoop from their website:
At the heart of NARS is François Nars’ mission to empower women to experiment and have fun with makeup by teaching them how to enhance their natural beauty and individual characteristics. An iconoclastic philosophy, Nars believes there are no rules when it comes to beauty; whatever makes you look and feel good is right. NARS has the ability to be many things to many people: a stylish accessory, a guilty pleasure or a makeup wardrobe staple, but it’s a certain allure imparted by François Nars that makes NARS a state of mind and a lifestyle brand for the future.
NARS Knowledge
All this philosophy aside, are NARS products worth more because they’re “better” formulas? Probably not but it depends on what product you’re talking about and how you define “better.” Let’s look at a couple of examples.
If you’re looking at a product that is primarily functional, like the NARS bodywash, then the answer is no. As you can see from the ingredient list, NARS is selling a combination of betaine and lauryl sulfate – the same kind of basic detergent formula that many other companies sell for shampoos and body washes for much cheaper.
Aqua (Water), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Poloxamer 184, Menthol, Citric Acid, Trisodium EDTA, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Barbadensis Extract), Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia Ternifolia Nut Oil), Sodium Benzoate, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum (Fragrance)
There’s no way that this kind of formula is worth $38.00!
On the other hand, if you’re looking at a product that is more experiential, like a color cosmetic or fragrance, it may be worth more to you. These products may not be technically or functionally better but they may offer you a sense of style or a color or a packaging element that you can’t find anywhere else. And that elevated experience is worth something extra. How much is that sensory aspect worth? Only you can decide. (Still, $23.00 for a lip gloss seems a bit steep!)
The Beauty Brain’s bottom line
Be choosey – if you find the perfect blush from NARS that you can’t get anywhere else then maybe it is worth the cash. But don’t waste a lot of money on their other products, like the bodywash example above, because they’re really nothing special.
By the way, NARS products are fomulated by Shiseido, so you might check out their products to see if you can find on that’s similar but cheaper!
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Or you might find a name you can’t get anywhere else. I have to admit I tried on NARS orgasm blush the other day in sephora. I’ll have what she’s having…
I tend to be willing to spend the most on any type of foundation (including tinted moisturizer) because it’s so hard sometimes to find that combination of the right texture and a color that truly looks natural. Nars powder foundation was the first foundation I ever bought.
I will say I’ve never bought a nars product I didn’t like–but that doesn’t mean they’re worth it. I have a stick concealer, cream eye shadow and lipstick (in shrinigar–a shade of dark mauve pink that I wear all the time). I like the lipstick the best.
I don’t agree. NARS eyeshadows are the best pigmented ones in the cosmetic industry, they are absolutely perfect!
I’m definitely a fan! My favorite lipsticks are always from NARS. I’m pretty picky about lipstick: I don’t like formulas that are heavy or have a scent. Their lipsticks never disappoint me on these two fronts. Actually, my “holy grail” for lipstick is the NARS color Dolce Vita. I once read it was a “go to” favorite by professional make-up artists because it’s a color that looks good on just about anyone. I think it’s definitely my perfect color so I’m never without it. I also like NARS “The Multiple” in Orgasm for my cheeks: very pretty; very natural!
Yeah, it was “the multiple” that I tried on at Sephora. It did look pretty good. Maybe I’ll check out Dolce Vita. I look best in cool tones. “Shrinigar” is a slightly cool pink. I agree with you, I never like lipstick with a heavy fragrance or icky taste.
Can someone tell me why it is when a product like Nars has a good soft touch shadow pencil they have to discontinue it and bring out a very much inferior sparkle one that gets sparkles all over ones face, and you have to sharpen after every use????? horrible!!!
Why do these company’s have to discontinue a product if they want to bring out a new one can they leave the old one in as well?????