Francois Nars

François Nars (born in Tarbes, France, near Biarritz) is a revolutionary French makeup artist, photographer, creative visionary, and author of iconic beauty books. Encouraged by his mother, he studied makeup in Paris before moving to New York in 1984, where he collaborated with legendary photographers like Richard Avedon and became the go-to artist for designers like Marc Jacobs and Anna Sui BrainyQuote+15Stylectory+15+15. In 1994, he founded NARS Cosmetics with just twelve lipsticks at Barneys New York—rapidly growing into a global brand that transformed the beauty industry +6+6Stylectory+6.

As an author, Nars published two highly creative books: X-Ray (1999), a collection of his stylized portraits, and Make‑Up Your Mind (2001), a thoughtful manifesto on beauty philosophy and art +15+15+15. In 2009, he released 15 × 15, celebrating his favorite creative collaborators on the 15th anniversary of his brand +2+2+2. Through these works, he weaves together concepts of color, composition, identity, and inspiration—offering readers an immersive journey into the mind behind the makeup.

François Nars’s quotes convey his bold, artistic, and empathetic sensibility. He believes: “If vanity makes you feel good and makes you productive, I think it’s a good thing.” +15+15Harper's BAZAAR+15 On authenticity in beauty: “My goal was always to make the girl look real and look beautiful. It didn’t matter how much makeup. Sometimes it was none at all.” BrainyQuote+2AllGreatQuotes+2BrainyQuote+2 Another principle: “When it comes to beauty—whatever makes you look good and feel good is right.” Goodreads Additional favorite lines include: “Makeup is about balance. When the eye makes a statement, the lips should be quiet.” and “Find your own way, have an open spirit, and believe in your own beauty.” AllGreatQuotes+3+3+3 These reflections showcase Nars’s belief in personal expression, timeless elegance, and the artistry behind empowerment through beauty.