StyleNest catch up with Jane Richardson, International Lead Makeup Stylist for NARS Cosmetics. Jane´s work has graced the pages of countless publications, including Vogue, Elle and Harper´s Bazaar, and she has worked beautiful and famous faces such as Diane Kruger, Laura Bailey, and Tilda Swinton. She has created looks for many catwalk shows and design houses, including Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, and Alexander Wang. She is now a valued member of the NARS artistry team, one of the most well respected brands in the world.
We chatted to Jane about her advice for starting a career in the beauty industry, a typical day working for NARS, and her can´t-live-without make up products.
What is your first memory of make-up?
My mum was an Avon lady so I remember playing with the tiny lipstick testers that she had and being fascinated by all the colours!
Any career highlights that you can tell us about?
I have been lucky to have had so many great experiences and worked with so many great people that this is really hard to answer. I guess I would have to say that working with Tilda Swinton and Olivier Saillard on The Impossible Wardrobe at the Palais de Tokyo and being part of the team when François Nars returned for the first time in 10 years for the Marc Jacobs show were both pretty incredible.
Any advice for any budding make-up artists out there, or those who want to break into the beauty industry?
Be gracious and respect everyone that you work with. That, and be ready to clean brushes and eat baked beans!!!
What are your must-have make-up products that every woman should have in their make-up bag? Any product recommendations for us, from NARS, or any other brands that you love?
-Primers make a huge difference to how your complexion products look. I use the multi-protect Primer every day as it has SPF. I would always recommend using an SPF (separate to your moisturiser) daily as soon as you can to protect your skin and with most women being too busy to put too many products on this is perfect.
-Make sure that you have a good concealer as it can make such a difference under the eyes. I use Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer over my foundation or simply on its own if my skin is good (try Honey if you are fair and have blue under the eyes as its pink tones will be much more effective than a yellow).
-The Multiple Stick. A Nars Classic for the eyes, cheeks and lips. I have South Beach in my makeup bag and simply swipe on and blend with my fingers either on its own or under powder shadows or blusher. Great if you are on the go!
-Black Eyeliner. Use along the upper lash line and create a flick to open up the eye, at the roots to make the lashes look thicker, on the upper waterline to make the eyes appear brighter or all around the upper and lower waterline for a smoky effect. However you use it it will always be the perfect ‘final touch’.(use Nars Larger Than Life Longwear Eyeliner for smudge proof application)
-Mascara. Need I say more?
-Red Lipstick. If you can only put one thing on make it a bold lip! Brightens and lifts the face in an instant! (try Nars Audacious Lipstick for one sweep application!!)
NARS have just launched the Audacious Lipstick Collection, and in a statement François Nars said that the lipstick is still his favourite product from NARS. What are your favourite products from the range?
If it’s the brand …You would have to fight me for my Nars Eye-makeup remover Luminous Moisture Cream, Multi- Protect Primer, Vanilla Radiant Creamy Concealer, Snow Loose Powder, Nico and Orgasm Blusher, 413 Bleeker Velvet Matte Lip Pencil and if the Audacious Lipstick range… Lana and Raquel Audacious Lipstick!!
When working, do you have a favourite look you like to create?
I have to say that I don’t have a favourite. Creating new looks is the fun part of being a makeup artist!
How would you describe the NARS woman?
Elegant and modern.
How would you describe your own style, in terms of both fashion and beauty?
I’m not sure I have a certain style when it comes to clothes but if it’s black and looks a little different I’m in! As far as beauty is concerned I do love a lined eye and bold lip.
What do you decide on first, your make-up look, or your outfit? How much should one complement the other?
I think I may be like most women who get up, get washed, do their makeup and then stand aimlessly in front of their wardrobes wondering what to wear! I only ever think about my outfit and makeup when I am presenting but wish I would do this daily. It helps to take a moment to think about how you want to feel that day. If anything, leave something from your makeup unfinished until you are dressed (whether it be blusher, lipstick or even mascara) and only complete it (or change/leave it) when you have seen yourself in a full length mirror. Hair also plays a big part and there should be a balance between them all.
Who are your beauty and make-up inspirations?
People. I can find myself staring at someone wondering what colours they used or how they did something. If you have been that person, I can only apologise!
Whose look do you particularly admire?
I love Diane Kruger, Effortless!
Who are you favourite designers to wear?
Ann Demeulemeester, Christopher kane and Erdem.
What is your own beauty and make-up routine?
I cleanse with a wash twice at night and once in the morning with either Nars Gentle cream Cleanser or Elemis Pro collagen cleansing balm. I then use Nars Total Replenishing Eye Cream before applying Nars Luminous Moisture Cream (am) and NeoStrata cellular restoration (pm). When travelling I will take Shiseido Benefiance Pure retinol Intensive face mask and Bliss Triple Oxygen eye masks with me as well as Bliss the lovehandler as between them they make me look and feel more energised!
My makeup is pretty much complexion, a bit of blush, defined eye and bold lip.
Most women today are very short on time. Do you have any make-up tips for how we can look fabulous in just 5 minutes?
Nars Audacious Lipstick in a bold shade! Even if you simply conceal and powder, add a little blush and put on some mascara, finishing it with a sweep of bold colour will take you straight to fabulous. Most women are afraid of wearing a bold as they feel self-conscious and worry about it bleeding or ending up on their teeth. By selecting a long wearing product (either Audacious or a matte texture lipstick) you can be confident it won’t move but wear it for three days (not three minutes!) before deciding to ditch it. Once you do you will be surprised how you feel naked without it!
If you could give us a secret piece of make-up advice, what would it be?
Try your newly brought products in the evening (just before you take your makeup off ‘play’ for a few minutes) and even practise for a few nights before using it in the morning. This way you will learn about the product, how to ‘fix’ any mistakes and avoid any stress first thing. Even better is that you won’t see it drop to the bottom of your makeup bag never to be seen again!
What is a typical day, if there is one, working for NARS?
There is no typical day, which is exactly how I like it. I could be working on the laptop preparing a presentation or writing a quote, testing products, working backstage or on a shoot, flying, attending events, talking to press or teaching. Who knows?…
You travel all over the world for NARS, what places are in your secret address book?
SO many amazing places but Kyoto and Marrakech would be at the front of that book.
Any favourite spots to visit when you are back in London?
I love walking along the Embankment down towards the Tate and London Bridge. At night it is simply magical!
And finally, how do you spend your perfect day off?
My perfect day off would have to include a Pilates class at Heartcore, a treatment at the Elemis Day Spa and dinner with my boyfriend.
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