Back in the day, when Nars’ iconic blush Orgasm hit the market it caused quite a stir. Not only did the name itself prove to be risqué, but the color was supposed to resemble the peachy-pink glow that is obtained only by reaching that particular state of completion.
I was so naïve in thinking that everyone thought I was a total Samantha from Sex in the City whenever I wore it, when in reality, I was more like a female version of Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory.
Since then, I really haven’t really been taken aback by any Nars products. The market is so over saturated with beauty products and cosmetic companies, that you really have to create something spectacular, or get on the right Beauty Influencer’s radar, to capture the public’s attention again.
Well, Nars has risen like a Phoenix from the ashes back into the beauty world. They released an entire collection around their little baby, Orgasm, to reawaken the interest of their past customers and also lure the newbies in with suggestive videos such as this one on their website.
Leading up to their Orgasm release, they also released a line of highly Instagramed NARSissist eye and cheek palettes with the tag line #areyouaNARSissist.
Last month, they also debuted a series of liquid blushes that promised to give you a flushed, natural look that can be easily built up as needed. The formula swatches are highly pigmented, but when applied with a beauty sponge or brush, deliver the perfect glow. If I can describe it, without making you all go “Is she drinking?”, I would say it provides a subtle touch of color with just the right amount of BAM!
As I write this blog, NARS has also gotten themselves into quite a marketing quandary. This past week, they announced that they will now be selling their products in China. What’s the big deal you ask? Well, local laws in China mandate that cosmetic companies test their products on animals before being sold in their market. NARS, a previously Cruelty Free brand, decided to backtrack on their animal testing stance in order to get a piece of that China pie. This move has brought on major criticism from other Cruelty Free brands, such as Kat Von D Cosmetics, and prompted an immediate boycott of their products from many of their customers.
NARS responded to all the backlash with an Instagram post stating (paraphrasing here) that they love animals, but love money just a little bit more.
Only time will tell if this move will have an impact on NARS. Their Orgasm Collection remains, for the most part, sold out and they are about to drop a set of Liquid Matte Lipsticks in a few days, so we will see the public response to that in our Instagram feeds and YouTube channels soon. However, if there is one thing we all know, controversy is not always bad to the bottom line.
What are your thoughts on this move by NARS? Will you still be buying their products. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Happy Hump Day, my friends!
Maritza
The Beauty Swatcher 