Shoe Enough! It’s Pierre Hardy’s Limited Edition Collection for NARS Cosmetics @PierreHardy @NarsAssist, #NARS

When I first started covering the backstage at Fashion Week, years ago, I quickly realized that nails, hair and makeup really were an important part of the fashion show, even if those past the front row never got to see the artistry of the hair, makeup and nails.   But today, beauty is not just a part of every designer’s vision, it’s an essential part.  And, of course, accessories are part of the looks on the runway, as well.

In that spirit, NARS cosmetics has collaborated on a unique collection with famed shoe designer Pierre Hardy!

This collection was inspired by the Pieree Hardy Summer 2013 shoe collection. In fact, Hardy has been quoted as saying that he tool real leather samples from his shoes to make the nail colors. I haven’t seen the shoes, but I’m guessing from the photo at the top of the article, that it won’t be a stretch to mix and match your nails with the shoes, if you’re lucky enough to snag a pair from the collection. The focus is on nail poilsh, but there are also two

bright blush shades featuring Hardy’s signature cubic print.  The rest of the collection consists of six nail polish duos packaged in a miniature shoebox and dust bag (a nod to the designer’s footwear packaging). All shades are limited edition and become available TODAY, May 1 at www.narscosmetics.com.  One of the duos, the one I think will transcend seasons,  is the stunning  “Venomous” pairing of gunmetal and black polishes, exclusive to the NARS website and NARS boutiques.

The Advice Sisters initially tried out one of the nail polish pairs at a NARS event for Fall 2013  (and I can’t tell you anything about those collections yet, but trust me, you’re going to want all of it)!   NARS Nail polish is a little splurge that you can enjoy every day, every month of the year. Some of the pairings seem more suited to the cooler months, such as the  exclusive Venemous pairing I mentioned above. I also think SHARPLINES (peach, and deep burgundy) seems well suited to a transition into the cooler months. But, since it’s just starting to be “Spring,” I opted to try VERTEBRA LEFT (dusty rose ) and VERTEBRA RIGHT (coral). The coral is a creamy, bright,  Summery coral, while the dusty rose is soft and subdued, almost a taupe-ish mauve —  a nice counterpoint. I’m assuming since the nail polish bottles are named with “left” and “Right” that, like shoes,  the designer intended for them to be worn on the right hand or the left hand,. At the NARS Fall launch event, however,  some editors chose to paint every other nail a different color, and I opted for ring finger accent nails in the dusty rose, while the rest of my nails are now sporting the coral. But you can wear them alone, together, or with other combos.  Nail polish is meant to be fun, and creative. If you don’t like how your selection turns out, you can always remove it and do something else.

I also tried the “SHARKS” duo.  SHARKS LEFT (yellow,) and SHARKS RIGHT (lavender).  Yellow, even a light lemon yellow like this one, could be tricky, but NARS manages to make yellow not just wear-able but versatile. NARS knows how to get you to love yellow. There’s the bright  yellow eye shadow (Fashion Rebel Dandelion) in the shadow duo NARS has for Summer 2013. And there was “15 Minutes,” nail polish in the Holiday/Winter 2912 collection. This polish was more yellow than the creamy yellow of Sharks, but less bold than the Fashion Rebel Dandelion eye shadow. You’ll see more yellow from NARS in the future, too because it’s a color that stands out and shows you are fashion forward. But NARS, just knows how to make it flattering.

The other nail polish duos in the NARS Pierre Hardy Collection are:  ETHNO RUN (bright orange, deep navy) and EASY WALKING ( rose gold, pearly camel). NARS polishes, like the makeup and skincare, are high performing. They’ll last for days and keep their shine as long as you don’t do what I did, and soak in a hottub for an hour. An additional coat brought back the luster.

The blushes look like they will both flatter a tan, but I didn’t try them. They are:   BOYS DON’T CRY (pink grapefruit) and ROTONDE (tiger lily)

These are not going to last for long, because I know collectors are going to snap them up. So if you want to get yours run to your nearest NARS boutique of www.narscosmetics.com and get yours. The nail polish pairs are $29.00 for the pair, or $41.00 each for the blushes.