ROAD TEST: Multiple Choice - An Outsider's Take on NARS' Multiple

I worked for a popular cosmetics brand for almost 4 & 1/2 years and have been totally in love with it. But going freelance recently has opened my eyes to the world. I'm stingy by nature and I would go for products that would be uber useful for me and would eventually "pay for itself." That being said, I went on a road test to see what the best product would be for a simple college student, now that school's in. I decided to go and check out the NARS counter first, since I've always been itching to see what the beef was about with the blush called "Orgasm." What I would eventually discover is that you can walk away from a NARS counter with a multiple orgasm - specifically, a Multiple in Orgasm. What's a multiple? It's a stick that you can use on your eyes, cheeks and lips - gives you a subtle, sheer glow effortlessly.

Okay, so all that talk about the product is nonsense until we try it, yes? So, I gave the NARS Multiple a try - testing whether it's claim to be multi-purpose is indeed true.

ROAD TEST 1: DANELLA, 18 years old, COLLEGE STUDENT


Danella's a sophomore in college, so I decided to make her look very simple and easy for a college student to do. You'll notice a streak on her nose - I forgot to take her photo earlier and was able to swipe some tinted moisturizer on her face already. I used Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Nude. I lightly dusted powder foundation in Laponie on her T-Zone and cheeks.








Danella's brows naturally have a shape to it, so I just filled in by using Laura Mercier's Brow Definer in Fair. The brow definer is a solid cream in a tiny pot. Application is usually by dipping an angled brush to fill in the brows. Since we're going for a more casual, lesser planned and fussed over look, I placed some of the product on a mascara wand and brushed the brow. It helps fill in gaps and at the same time, softens the her features with a lighter brown tint to her brows.








I wanted this makeup to be as realistic as possible - quick and easy, because she's just in college after all. Here's Danella's final look. Still the same girl, just prettier. I was surprised that the Multiple was smooth and emollient. I expected it to feel a little bit sticky or greasy. Unlike other multi-purpose products I've tried, the multiple didn't feel weird when applied to the lips.

Here's a summary of the products I used:
1. NARS Stage Beauty Duo
2. NARS Larger than Life Volumizing Mascara
4. NARS Multiple in Orgasm (used on the eyes, lips and cheeks)
5. NARS Pillow Talk Lipgloss



ROAD TEST 2: CLARIE, 25 years old, CHEF/ARTIST

Clarie's routine is basically dictated by her work as a chef. Always behind the scenes, chefs like Clarie usually put more importance to the output of their craft rather than how they look in the process. Clarie shares that it's a treat to be made up once in a while to escape the heat in the kitchen. Pun intended.

Since Clarie is also a visual artist, she was game enough to let me experiment with colors that she wouldn't usually go for. I also wanted her to look made up, fresh yet simple. I wanted her to look prettified without knowing what exactly was different.



I used the Multiples in Clarie's eyes, lips and cheeks as well. I used South Beach, a warm apricot shade on her eyelids to even out the skin tone and to grab the eyeshadow better as well. I used Portofino, a shimmering coral for her lips and cheeks. Corals are great for those who prefer subtlety.

Here's Clarie after the makeover featuring NARS Multiples. :)



Products used on Claire:
1. Stila 1 Step Foundation in Medium (this is amazing stuff!)
2. Laura Mercier Soft Brow Definer
3. NARS Capone Powder Foundation
4. NARS Sweden Powder Foundation
5. NARS Bysance Duo (Yellow)
6. NARS Key Largo (Brown)
7. Laura Mercier Eyeliner
8. NARS Portofino Multiple Cheeks/Lip
9. NARS Southbeach Multiple
10. NARS Chihuahua Lip Gloss (over Portofino)



I fell in love with the Multiple with the makeovers I did for Danella and Clarie. I have never tried the product prior to this and I am very much impressed and convinced. Priced at Php 2250, the Multiple can deliver great texture and payoff to the eyes, cheeks and lips. Just a note, some of the Multiples have shimmer, while some have none. I personally like the ones with shimmer as the glitter particles are not too large and provide dimension to the area it's applied on. Just a tip, use a spatula to scrape off a bit of product to be used on the eyes, cheeks and lips. Not only do you save on product, but you also observe hygeine practices even if you only do makeup on yourself. I particulary use a butter scraper and a metal spatula. The plastic variety is widely available too. Just make sure that you sanitize your tools prior to makeup. This makes a world of difference too. :)

Pictured above: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Nude, LM Lash Curler, NARS Multiples in (L-R) South Beach, Orgasm, Tuomata and Portofino, Stila One Step Foundation, Laura Mercier Brow Definer, NARS lipgloss in Pillow Talk and Chihuahua (top to bottom)

NARS, Stila and Laura Mercier are available at Rustan's Department Stores.