saturated pigments that ensure long wear, in Besame Mucho,
a nearly neutral deep rosy beige that complements a range of
skin tones. Killer Shine glosses, which can be worn alone or layered on top of the lipstick, are also an all-new formula, infused
with nourishing camellia oil. They lend dramatic dimension to
the lips. Both of these products exploit Klein’s fascination with
the extreme reflectivity and texture of patent leather and latex.
On the subject of extreme shine, special mention should also
go to the nail polishes in the collection. NARS is already well
known for must-have nail polishes, but when a new shade is
released, and it’s a shimmery slate blue inspired by the unique
saturated yet dark color spectrum of Klein’s work, fans take
notice. The formulation is impressive: the glossy finish is long
lasting, the application idiot-proof, and the dry time remarkably
fast. Possibly the most surprising formula is the Dual-Intensity
Blush in Vengeful, a dark brick-red color paired with a white-gold
highlighter. In the package, this hard-edged, very graphically
presented blush looked intriguing, but also intimidating, perhaps not like anything one would actually want to wear. In reality,
the product melts into the skin, delivering a unique, fevered
flush. NARS blushes are known for their fine texture, which can
be used to render a believable or dramatic look, and this version
does not disappoint. “The wet/dry formula is a completely new
approach to blush. What I love about makeup is that it lets you
express yourself and, in a way, this blush takes that concept to
another level. Apply it wet for this watercolor effect that is so
38
unexpected. Apply it dry for bold, beautiful color. There are so
many possibilities,” says Nars. The white-gold highlighting powder that accompanies the blush, however, is far from natural. It
gives a strobe light effect best reserved for evening, and an evening out somewhere avant-garde at that. But this collection is all
about stylized dr [XK[