The Best NARS Products Have Serious Staying Power

NARS holds a special place in my earliest makeup memories. Growing up in the mid-’90s, I recall sneaking into my mother’s jade-green acrylic makeup case, drawn to the brand's products, including its famous powder blushes with their daring names that were too risqué for my young eyes.

While my current makeup collection is far more diverse, and my heavy-makeup teenage phase is behind me, there are still occasions, like attending the Met Gala, that demand makeup that truly lasts. My relationship with makeup has evolved significantly, but one constant remains: blush is an essential for me.

The aesthetics of the '90s consistently resurface in fashion, film, music, and beauty – though, in my opinion, they never truly disappeared. When it comes to beauty trends from the mid-’90s to the early 2000s, few brands are as synonymous with that era as NARS. Founded in 1994 by French editorial makeup artist and photographer François Nars, the brand emerged at a time when matte complexions, softly blended blush, vampy or neutral lips, and heavily smoked eyes were in vogue. Despite the high-impact products used to achieve these looks, the overall effect often felt effortlessly chic.

Vogue's Favorite NARS Products

François Nars's background as a photographer offers insight into the brand's enduring philosophy on makeup. NARS quickly became renowned for its long-wearing, highly pigmented cosmetics that performed exceptionally well, not just throughout long days but also under the harsh glare of flash photography. This commitment to performance is still evident in many of the brand's formulas today, even as its approach has modernized since the '90s.

Current NARS complexion products, such as the Light Reflecting Foundation, represent a significant departure from the heavier, full-coverage formulas popular in the '90s. These modern formulations better align with the 2020s trend towards skincare-infused, skin-like complexion solutions. Consequently, NARS's formulas have helped set a new standard for skincare-makeup hybrids. The same can be said for its Orgasm blush – a matte, peachy-pink pigment that has remained a bestseller for over 25 years since its 1999 debut. Whether you're inspired by past decades or simply seek makeup that lasts and enhances your skin, we've curated a selection of the best NARS makeup formulas for your consideration.