NARS Matte Multiples

Contour shades: Cappadoce, Altai, Vientiane | Cheek shades: Anguilla, Laos, Siam, Exumas

wearing Anguilla on my cheeks and lips and Copacabana Multiple as a highlight shade

New NARS Cosmetics Matte Multiples £30, exclusively available online from Space NK 
Launching nationwide on NARS counters from May 2014

The original NARS multiples have become quite the cult product over the past couple of years and one of the more coveted items in any beauty enthusiast’s makeup bag. The likes of Orgasm as a cheek colour and Copacabana as a highlight shade have become classic additions to my makeup routine and the Multiple formula is a firm favourite of mine due to its shimmering, sheer finish and creamy texture.

This week however, NARS have released a whole new range of their classic Multiples with a brand new matte formula that can be used dry for a soft yet vibrant effect or wet for a vivid finish that melts into the skin. These seven new multiples are broken down into three contour/bronzing shades and four bright cheek colours and, as the swatches suggest, they all have a very strong pigmentation and a velvety texture to apply. I know some of you might think their intense colour and matte finish might be a little scary initially (this was my initial thoughts also) but I was lucky enough to speak with Jane Richardson, NARS’ International Lead Stylist, who was able to dispel my original fears. Jane offered me some top tips and techniques to share with my readers to ensure you get the most out of the new matte multiples whether you want a vibrant pop of colour or a more sheer wash and lit-from-within finish. She has also included some great tricks on using the new matte multiples in unison with some of the original multiple classics to combine colour and highlight.

The Matte Multiple can be used wet & dry:
Simply wet the surface and in circular motions move your fingers over the surface to pick up the product. If using for the first time try on the back of your hand so you can see how much water to use to get the look you require. Using wet allows for a sheer veil of colour either on key areas of the face to warm (3 bronze shades) or over the cheek area for a gentle flush. Use dry to create more depth or if you prefer a matte finish. Simple use your finger or apply straight from the stick and blend.


The difference between the matte multiple vs original multiple:
The matte multiples are a long lasting formula for the cheeks and the lips only and can deliver a matte or sheer finish depending on how you use it. The Original Multiple is for the cheeks, eyes, and lips, feels creamier and delivers a shimmer finish depending on which shade you select. 


How to contour with the matte multiple:
First feel your cheek area and take a moment to move along the cheekbone, feeling its high and low points. Use your finger, pick up the product dry and push in and up underneath the bone in a flicking motion. This allows you to get the best application that suits your own face. Depending on how your face is you might find it more flattering to start where the cheekbone hooks on your cheek and work back to the ear or the ear working inwards. Try both ways and see the difference. Blend. 


How to use as a pop of colour (sheer or bold)
Try using the Matte multiples wet for a sheer wash and apply to the cheek area after you have applied your foundation and before you powder for an almost lit from within feel. Use matte for more of a brightening and lifting effect. If you want to give the feeling of lifting try applying the colour a little higher than you would normally.


How to use with the matte multiple together and layered with the original multiple:
Apply the new Matte Multiple wet or dry depending on the finish and use the reflective Original Multiples to highlight (Copacabana or Luxor) areas such as the top of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupids bow and chin.

I absolutely love the versatility of these new matte multiples, cheeks and lips sorted in one portable product, and particularly rate the bronzing trio as a contour stick to define and sculpt the face. Bronzing powders can only do so much but there is something so natural and effective when using a cream product to contour your face and the consistency blends so easily into the skin, the finish is absolutely flawless. The cheek colours are so fun to use and I love the fact that you can alter the intensity ever so slightly by using them wet or build them up when dry to give your cheeks or lips a true pop of colour. Unsurprisingly Anguilla is my absolute favourite shade from this new collection – a warm pink that looks equally pretty on the cheeks and lips and works beautifully when used with Copacabana highlighter for a pink, champagne-shimmer.

If I haven’t convinced you by now to head straight to Space NK and spoil yourself with a weekend treat then you could get your hands on a whole set of the new matte multiples just by entering the interactive Instagram challenge hosted on the NARS Facebook competition. Open now until Monday night, NARS invites all its UK fans to pick a shade from the NARS Facebook page which inspires them the most and then share an Instagram of colour that exudes in their everyday life, using the hashtag #NARSMULTIPLE. NARS will select the most creative submission each day as the winner so best get instagramming girls!

What do you think about the new Matte Multiples? What shades are you most excited about?

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