In a beauty industry where brands constantly strive to go viral on TikTok or follow fleeting trends, NARS stands out by doing the opposite. Known for its rebellious spirit, NARS has launched its latest product, Explicit lipstick, featuring multi-talented artist Ciara as one of its ambassadors.
Explicit lipstick joins NARS’ bold makeup line, which includes iconic products like Climax mascara and Orgasm blush. Although NARS was founded 30 years ago with an initial lineup of 12 lipsticks, the brand hasn’t introduced a new lip product in nearly two years. Explicit lipstick, available in 36 shades from striking red to soft rosy nude, is designed to be infinitely refillable and contains hydrating ingredients like rosehip seed oil and hyaluronic acid.
In a significant move, NARS has enlisted three celebrities — Ciara, along with actors Pom Klementieff and Camila Morrone — to promote Explicit. This marks the first celebrity collaboration for NARS since Naomi Campbell fronted its spring 2019 campaign.
Refinery29 spoke with Ciara about her beauty philosophy, makeup essentials, and her longstanding affinity for NARS products.
Tell us a bit about your beauty philosophy and how it has changed over your career.
Ciara: It has definitely evolved over the years. I’ve figured out the perfect balance of adjusting my makeup for different settings: high fashion glam, live TV, or the red carpet. There are different levels to the face beat. Embracing myself in my “less is best” form is important, understanding that makeup is there to accentuate who you are, not to define your beauty.
What does it mean for you to be the face of NARS? Are there any products that you’ve used and loved over the years?
NARS set the standard for high-quality, performance beauty products. The brand’s luxurious aesthetic and high-fashion touch are unparalleled. François Nars achieved this beautifully. To be part of this campaign, especially since NARS hasn’t engaged with beauty ambassadors since Naomi Campbell, is a proud and honored moment for me.
How do you use makeup to express yourself both while performing and in your everyday life as a mom?
I’m a natural glam girl. The Radiant Creamy Concealer is my go-to. A good concealer can lift your face, especially under the eyes and T-zone. My makeup artist, Yolonda Frederick, taught me that a good mascara and a peachy nude lip are all you need for natural glam. For showtime, I embrace dramatic makeup. A bold eye look transforms you on stage, accentuating your features on camera.
What song from your playbook best captures the overall vibe of your NARS campaign?
“Goodies” encapsulates the essence of this collection because you’re getting the best colors and high-performing products. This campaign is a dream come true, and I’m thrilled to share new music with my fans while having fun with makeup.
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