Nars to Launch New Skin Care Line

Perhaps best known for his wearable color cosmetics and their imaginative names (Orgasm blush, anyone?), François Nars feels strongly that even the best shades can’t hide neglected skin.

To that end, he is launching NarsSkin, a nine-stockkeeping-unit skin-care collection, which will be on counter in August at Saks Fifth Avenue and elsewhere in September. It is an overhaul and an updating of the brand’s skin-care offerings, complete with new formulas and packaging.

“We developed a skin-care line that focused on light-reflecting properties with anti-aging benefits,” said Nars. “Simplicity was also very important to me, getting to the root of the products and their function as reflected in their names — I don’t like it when beauty becomes too complicated. We really have a line that stands by itself — it’s a light catcher. Light is a key element to the entire line because it plays a huge role in how healthy skin can look. Skin care should reflect the light and makeup should catch it.”

Proper skin care can also allow for more seamless makeup application and prolonged foundation wear, he noted. “When I launched Nars in 1994, one of my biggest goals was to also create a skin-care line one day,” he said. “With the new NarsSkin, we wanted to keep the spirit of the original skin-care line but develop improved formulas. It not only aligns with my philosophy that beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin, but also my obsession with light. The new skin-care line, in a very simple way, helps to achieve better skin. We also improved the packaging. It almost looks like a white pearl. It really gives the idea of transparency and fragility of the skin.”

One of the key ingredients in the line is the proprietary Light Reflecting Complex, which is utilized in every sku unit. It is said to provide essential moisture and minerals to the outermost layer of the skin, stimulate natural exfoliation and cell turnover, and optically enhance light reflection with Light Active Micro Prism, a part of the complex.

“François Nars has always been passionate about skin care and the need for luminous skin to serve as the foundation for beautiful makeup,” said Louis Desazars, chief executive officer of Nars Cosmetics. “As a brand rooted in makeup artistry, it’s important that the skin-care line reflect that. NarsSkin addresses what customers want most — youthful luminosity and skin care that enhances their makeup application and wear.”

The line is comprised of Optimal Brightening Concentrate, $72 for 1 oz.; Gentle Cream Cleanser, $29 for 4.25 oz.; Purifying Foam Cleanser, $29 for 4.9 oz.; Double Refining Exfoliator, $34 for 2.8 oz.; Multi-Action Hydrating Toner, $32 for 6.7 oz.; Total Replenishing Eye Cream, $55 for 0.52 oz.; Luminous Moisture Cream, $62 for 1.7 oz.; Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturizer, $58 for 1.8 oz., and Aqua Gel Luminous Mask, $39 for 2.6 oz. It is expected to appeal to consumers in their 20s through 50s.

The line will be carried in about 200 department and specialty store doors in the U.S. after its one-month exclusive at Saks Fifth Avenue. While Nars and Desazars declined comment on the line’s sales projections, industry sources estimated that the line could do $15 million at retail globally in its first year on counter. It will be promoted through sampling, direct mail, in-store merchandising and events.