Tilda Swinton for NARS, new NARS for the New Year.

By Laura Medina

Francois Nars might had finished off this year with the eternally smoking Charlotte Rampling representing his equally sultry Fall Collection, so wise of him.

But, he's starting the New Year with an actress who's just as clean, classy, timeless, yet bold, the striking Tilda Swinton.

Simplicity may be the key for both Tilda and NARS' Spring 2015 Collection.  Still, simplicity doesn't mean weak.  Both the Tilda and the Spring Collection speaks volume of quality.

The theme is that of quiet chic.  Not screaming for attention but of allowing quality, a.k.a. "the work," to speak for itself, much like the spokesperson, Tilda Swinton.

Francois, 

 “I love [Tilda’s] bold style and really admire her work,” Nars told WWD, adding that he chose the fiftysomething Swinton in part because of the roles she chooses as an actress, such as in the films “We Need to Talk About Kevin” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”

“As an actress, she brings such strong personality to the camera,” continued Nars. “And as a woman, she lives the experience of transformation and expression.”

The mutual admiration society is, well, mutual. “I met François only recently, having long been an admirer of his from afar for many years,” Swinton said. “I liked him immensely and immediately and we were eager, from that first session, to do more things together. [The shoot was] the greatest of fun — supremely nice people, full of ease and play.”

Nars, unlike most makeup artists, shoots his own campaigns. He shot four portraits of Swinton — the ads will run from January through April — each portrait revealing one of the four ma

The actress is much like NARS' new, upcoming foundation, All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (New for Spring 2015; for now try Sheer Matte Foundation)

NARS has a slew of new stuff arriving just around the corner, say next week...

For y'all  traveling, which is most of us right now, NARS has a new compact, all-in-one travel palette for the "cheeks & lips" type of girl, say like this scribe...

NARSissist Blush, Contour and Lip Palette 

 

According to Francois, a NARSissist is ....

 

"NARSissist (NARS∙is∙sist) (n.) - lives by her own rules, not afraid to express herself in every look, mood or attitude.  Effortless charm with a bottomless makeup bag. Always in touch. Never without a touch-up."

 

Sounds pretty much like this on-the-go, jet-setting scribe.

 

The NARSissist’s spring arsenal of covetable color keeps her must-haves close at hand in an exclusive blush, contouring, and lip palette that give her more face time—in no time. The limited-edition palette features three must-have blushes and two essentials for contouring, Albatross Highlighting Blush and Laguna Bronzing Powder. Finish the look with Istria Lip Gloss.

PALETTE INCLUDES: Enrapture Blush, Enthralled Blush, Roman Holiday Blush, Albatross Highlighting Blush, Laguna Bronzing Powder and Istria Lip Gloss

PRICE: $59 Available February 1, 2015 at Sephora and March 15, 2015 at NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com

Since it wouldn't debut until February, come to think of it as a nifty office/purse staple year-around.

One to watch. Eight to swatch. The NARSissist keeps her eyes (and options) open with the Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette that change her look, wet or dry, day to night. Double-takes never looked so good. The limited-edition palette features eight dual-intensity eyeshadows with riveting range from delicate peach pink to fierce black orchid and a specially designed wet/dry eyeshadow brush. 

Thank God, cosmetic companies are thinking of the real-life modern woman, busy as she is chic.

Along with Smashbox, NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette can used light when dry and dark or eyeliner when wet.  Simple as that.  Double the look for half the money and the weight while getting twice the space.

Shades include: Europa, Himalia, Ursa Major, Subra, Andromeda, Lysithea, Giove, Sycorax PRICE: $79  

Available: January 1, 2015 at NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com February 1, 2015 at Sephora, specialty and department stores.