Hello! 

Right after I returned from my trip, I found myself really busy, and seriously spoiled by all the NARS festivities.  On the 14 November, a small group of us had the chance to meet with Mr Francois Nars in person, at his MBS suite, and had a one hour chat with him. It is an understatement to say that I was nervous meeting the creator of the brand which I have been raving about for years and years in this space.  However, all the nerves was put to rest when he greeted each of us, and seemed quite amiable. He spoke candidly, and came across really warm and friendly.  From discussing his inspiration to giving beauty advice, you can't help but be in awe of him.  So humble, and yet so great at the same time. This will go down as one of the highest points of my blogging adventure!

I shall now share with you some highlights of the interview/ chat.  

Is there any product or innovation that you are especially proud of: 

The new Tinted Moisturiser is really incredible, it took us many years to perfect the formula and the shades, I am very happy with it.  It is doing incredibly well in America and many other places, and also in Asia. I am also really happy with the new skincare, we have work many years on the new formula and packaging, and I am really happy with the new technology and the products.  So those two products, for makeup, the Tinted Moisturiser Pure Radiance, and the new skincare of course. 

If there was a product that could instantly make us look made up, what would it be? 

You need a good makeup artist, that could help!  To look instantly made up, I would say, a great lipstick.  Even if you don't wear any makeup, the first lipstick you pick, makes you look made up right away.  It is so easy to use, and gives you an instant makeover.  And you can use it as a blusher too, if you need a little colour. 

How do you stay so fresh looking without any signs of aging?

I definitely try to take care of myself. I work out, I eat very healthy, I am more or less a vegetarian, but I eat fish and sometimes chicken, lots of vegetables and fresh fruits.  In general I don't drink much alcohol, unless for special events.  I use and love skincare.  So that's very important to take care of your skin.  I take multi-vitamins.  I drink (everyday in NY) wheatgrass juice.  It is a great detoxifier and great for the skin.  Drink lots of water.  

How do you stay creative and inspired over the years? 

You know, I have three million eyes, so I try to stay open, always stay fresh, and I am never 100% satisfied with what I do.  I always feel we can make better, we can do it better, we can improve, I can take better pictures, do better products... there is always this 5% that we can always make better.  So that's a drive, that keeps me going.  Always keep your eyes open to the places you travel, wherever in the world, find inspiration in the places you go, anywhere that I am (in NY, Tahiti, Singapore, etc) Going to the museum, theatra, opera, walking down the street, looking at people... nature is also a key ingredient in the research that I do. Everything inspires me. I love Asia, I love coming to Asia, I love the culture, lifestyle, nature and everything here.  So I hope I am going back to NY with all these inspiration.

Which are your 5 must have skincare items?

I love the Aqua gel, I use it in the plane.  The water content is so high, it really hydrates your skin.  I discovered that I love the Tiger Balm in Singapore, it is great for the lower back, neck, anywhere you experience pain.  I love the new face mask, it has a nice cleansing effect. It is great to have after travelling.  A great fragrance, I can't live without having a great fragrance on me. it makes you feel fresh, I love Hermes fragrance and Diptyque fragrance a lot.  Coming next year, we will have the first new NARS fragrance.  And lastly, I love the regular chapsticks.  A great simple lipbalm. 

Photoshop is so pravalent probably overused.  It sets up unattainable expectations for women. What are your thoughts on Photoshop?

Photoshop, unfortunately, sometimes is needed.  I think it is almost like plastic surgery, it needs to be used very carefully, and not overused.  In photography, sometimes you have to retouch because there is skin imperfection, sometimes you have a red eye, a blood vessel, little things like that need to be re-touched. I try as much as possible not to over re-touch, in the early years, we have done campaigns, we show the freckles, I would love to do that again, because I like to show things that are very rarely shown on cosmetic campaigns.  I think there are many lies in the industry, I get shocked when I see mascara ads.  We never re-touch lashes in our campaigns.  You have to be as true as possible.  You want to keep it as real as possible.  Otherwise you are lying to the consumer.  

What is the most important beauty advice you can give to women? 

I have probably said it a couple of times before, the best beauty advice is to be loved.  For a woman, if you are in love, you always look more beautiful.  But if you are not in love, there are great products to use...there is always NARS..(everyone laughed).  Happiness makes you look more beautiful. 

I will also be sharing the NARS counter launch in a separate entry, and perhaps do a quick haul entry of the MASSIVE amount of stuff I bought during the media priority shopping they arranged for us on the morning of 15 Nov before the counter opened to the public.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone at NARS, especially Candice and Charmine from Shiseido, who took really good care of us, and so thoughtful and giving us the chance to be part of these special journey to launch NARS in Singapore.  I am sure by now, many of you have visited the TANGS counter, admired and hauled your NARS goodies home.  Be sure to let me know what you bought, and what are your fave NARS items! 

Hope you enjoyed reading this entry as much as I have recounting it!  :) 

Thank you very much for reading! 

p/s all pics here taken with my iphone5...awesome much!