Save your pennies – NARS Cosmetics is coming to Kuala Lumpur!

Alrighty, I briefly mentioned this earlier this week but let’s make this official. This is the biggest news to hit the local beauty scene since the opening of Sephora Malaysia, I’m sure many will agree. Never have I felt this level of electric excitement sparking through the beauty industry at the mere whisper of the brand name.

NARSssssss……

A famous makeup artist whom I met again at the pre-launch party, who I’d only ever seen with a very serious face prior to this, had the biggest grin on his face. It wasn’t just the drink talking either. It was the thrill of a makeup artist who knew that he could finally get his hands on all his favourite products right here in Kuala Lumpur, without having to make that trip down cross the causeway to our neighbour, Singapore or overseas. He was very pleased.

Yes makeup mavens, if you did not already know this, NARS Cosmetics is coming to town, with the first store slated to open at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur in November 2013.

I don’t have a lot of information for you right at this moment. All I can tell you is what we were told at the pre-launch. The first NARS Cosmetics store (yes, store!) will be at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur targeted to open in November.

There will be another 3 stores or counters slated to open thereafter in the following months, so I think we will see them pop up in most of the popular shopping malls around the Klang Valley by next year.

When I posted this picture on Facebook, a friend remarked that she thought FELDA had branched into makeup HAHA! Ok, it’s quite deceptive I agree, but I’m sure all of you didn’t make that mistake 😉 Plus, you don’t get more Malaysian than FELDA.

I picked up a Lip Satin Lip Pencil recently overseas due to all the hype, and I’ll be giving that a whirl soon. I just HAD to see if it was worth all the raves or if it might just fall flat for me.

They certainly got a lot of attention although I’d say most of the attention was focused on the blushes. Tell me who doesn’t want a touch of Orgasm on their cheeks?!

I, on the other hand, was more interested in checking out the new Radiant Creamy Foundation compacts. I worked out that I will be a Mont Blanc in this which is great, because we don’t get any lighter shade locally. This one gets loads and loads of raves everywhere so I’m curious to see if I’ll like this as much as I like the Radiant Creamy Concealer. It comes in a compact and you can buy the refills separately. Considering that the compact is made from the same rubberized material that all NARS compacts come in, I’m going to pass on it. It’s no secret that I absolutely abhor the packaging of NARS products. I’m just curious to see how well they’re going to hold up in our weather before falling apart like mine have.

The NARS Fall Collection for 2013 was on display and there will be a selection of brand new Eye Paint Gel Liners in very bright, vibrant colours. They swatch very creamy and are long lasting.

Couldn’t get better pictures because the crowd was insane but you can check it all out yourself in November when the store opens 🙂 No prices yet. No one seems to know, but I’m told to expect it to be priced higher than MAC (naturally) but lower than a luxury brand like Guerlain so that’s quite a big price range right there!

PB briefly reviews NARS

For me, NARS has always been hit or miss. I used to love their blushes. I had a humungous collection of them way back in the day of every colour you could think of, from the light baby pink Desire to the brick red Exhibit A. I later gave them all away and whittled down my collection to just a few that I will use.

The lipsticks are alright. Nothing I’m too crazy about (you can read my review on Manhunt and Gipsy), I love the Radiant Creamy Concealer but you already knew that, and I’m also a big fan of the Tinted Moisturiser which I hope to tell you about soon (Thanks for pushing me in this direction, Sze Ling!).

Eyeshadows are to me also hit or miss. Dogon is beautiful but I believe, limited edition. I have another in Tzarine which is also quite lovely but also quite limited edition and also the deep coloured Rajasthan. I had a couple of others in shades which looked terrible on me so I eventually gave them away too (Mediterranean is noteworthy, being a burnt orange and mustard yellow – I think I lost my mind during that period :P) There’s one called Kuala Lumpur which I would have picked up out of pride, except that the colours don’t suit me one bit. Quality is touch and go. Feels a bit dry but works best with a brush and a lot of blending.

I had the Orgasm Illuminator which I too gave away because it couldn’t work for me. I refuse to try the Multiples (although there’s one called Malaysia!) because I naturally dislike stick face products but they are popular. Sheer Matte foundation was a disaster for me but I’m assured that Sheer Glow will be much much better.

For me therefore, NARS has been a hit or miss brand. I can’t say I’m a huge fan, but the ones that work for me work very well. Those that don’t, fail in a spectactular way. But if you’d like to see some pictures and thoughts on the blushes and shadows  I have, please feel free to tell me and I’ll oblige 🙂

What I think I’m pleased about is being able to check out in person just how much a hit or miss a product can be, without having to take a gamble online or overseas. That, and knowing that Malaysia Multiple and Kuala Lumpur eyeshadow duo are finally where they belong 😀

Are you bouncing in your seats in excitement? Do you have a favourite NARS product?

If anyone loves the Orgasm blush, please raise your hand! I can make it work, but it’s not my favourite. I’ll show you my fave another day 😉

Paris B

NARS Cosmetics will have its store in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur in November 2013. More details will come as we get them