How to create the perfect make-up base

Italian version on Lolaglam!

The art of creating the perfect make-up base according to Jane Richardson - Global Artistry Director of Nars Cosmetics

Skin comes first. This is the unique key to a perfect make-up look and if there is a makeup artist who perfectly acknowledges this evidence is Jane Richardson, NARS COSMETICS Global Artistry Director. "It's all about recreating the texture of the skin", she tells me while her fingertips move unabated all over my face, there's no need for sponges or brushes to create the perfect make-up base, the contact of fingerprints with the complexion delivers the most real result.

Hands and fingers: Jane Richardson unique tools to create the perfect makeup base

Under Jane Richardson magic touch creating the perfect make-up base is so effortless, the face lights up with the Copacabana Multiple Stick, the cheeks naturally flush with a couple of drops of Orgasm Liquid Blush, skin texture comes to life while her fingers tirelessly tap the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer and blend the Radiant Creamy Concealer, and the palms of her hands warm up the complexion to, finally, fix the result. 

It is almost a vision, rather than a technique. Certainly not a trend, but an interpretation à la Jane Richardson that, personally, I find to be extremely performing, as well as perfect for women on-the-go. Say bye to brushes and sponges, you already have everything you need in “handy” to create the perfect make-up base.

Jane Richardson reverses the rules to create to the perfect make-up base

But it does not end here. As you might have understood, there is another detail with which Jane Richardson plays: the order of application of the products that she inverts with au naturel logic: first she puts the highlighter, then the liquid blush and "on top" the foundation and the concealer. “In this way everything looks more natural", color and dimension take shape under the foundation as the flush appears on the skin and light reflects on the complexion.

And if it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words, a video (even if inspirational) should really give the idea of the art of creating the perfect make-up base according to Jane Richardson.

Photo and Video by Stefano Sciuto for Lolaglam

Jane Richardson's must-have products to achieve the perfect complexion

Copacabana Multiple Stick

Perfect to highlight the complexion, Nars Cosmetics Multiple Stick in Copacabana has to be applied directly on the higher planes of the face (cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupid's bow) and blended with the fingers. Its weightless texture blends with the skin giving life to an extremely natural effect. For those who cannot give up sculpting, Jane Richardson recommends to mix two highlighters (Multiple Stick in Copacabana and Hot Sand Illuminator) to create the illusion of a natural dimension.

Orgasm Liquid Blush

Hyper-pigmented and weightless, Nars Cosmetics Liquid Blush in Orgasm gives, indeed, the idea of the most exciting and natural flush, ever. 

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

More than a moisturizer, more than a foundation, the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (in the video in the shade St. Moritz) is that game-changer product that combines treatment and makeup, speeding up the morning cosmetic routine. Its oil-free formula infused with natural and mineral active ingredients not only offers a SPF30 protection but maintains optimal hydration, reduces hyper-pigmentation and dark spots and revitalizes the complexion. The result is a perfect but natural skin.

Jane Richardson suggests to apply Nars Cosmetics Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer zone by zone, always with fingers, using a lighter hand around the mouth and chin.

Radiant Creamy Concealer

Lightweight but buildable, Nars Cosmetics Radiant Creamy Concealer is the secret of many make-up artists. Jane Richardson's advice is to always use two nuances when woking the eye area,  keeping the lighter nuance in the inner and outer corners and the darker in the center. In this way you will naturally conceal dark circles.

Loose Powder: Light Reflection or Soft Velvet

It does not matter which powder you choose, but how you apply it. Jane Richardson, in fact, suggests to apply the powder on the entire face, insisting on the T zone (you can use a cotton swab or a powder puff to help you) and then warm the whole face with the palms of the hands. In this way the powder will enter the pores, blending with the skin, and will stay put all day long.