How NARS Makeup Artist Janice Daoud Does Fashion Week

Photo: Courtesy of NARS

As lead makeup stylist for NARS, Janice Daoud’s job is to communicate the standards and values that the brand’s founder, François Nars, bestowed on the company at its inception. No easy task! But Daoud has met the challenge with ease, with her work being featured in top magazines like ELLE and InStyle, and on the runways at Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Rodarte, and the Vera Wang bridal show to name a few. When she’s not busy working on editorial shoots or backstage for NARS, she’s gussying up stars like Kim Kardashian, Amanda Seyfried, Demi Lovato, and Chanel Iman. For Daoud, makeup isn’t just a passion—it’s a way of life. Read on for her New York Fashion Week survival guide.

This season I’m doing makeup at… New York and London Fashion Week. Alexander Wang, Thakoon, Rodarte, Rag & Bone, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Erdem, and a few more.

I fill my bag with… bottled water, almonds, my two phones, my schedule, and my good luck charm.

My go-to outfit is… James Perse oversized black tees, slim black pants, and an Acne biker jacket or a Helmet Lang Blazer.

The only shoes I’ll wear are… Isabel Marant boots, since I can’t wear heels backstage. They’re super comfy and look good.

I snack on… the snacks I carry with me, and munch on them throughout the day until I can have one good meal at the end of my night. I try not to snack on the food they provide backstage since its mostly sandwiches, cookies, and croissants.

Four weeks before fashion week, I… start reorganizing my kit. I have Kit OCD. I try to organize and condense as much as possible so that I don’t have to carry around 50 plus pounds of makeup. I also like for it to look pristine, so I’m always finding different ways to house the products inside.

The night before, I…. meditate and go to sleep early. My call time can be as early as 6am, so I always try to get a good night’s rest after clearing my mind.

In the morning I eat… a protein shake and a banana.

If I have a minute to workout I… do a few yoga poses to help stretch out my back and legs, and I travel with a jump rope so I try to do three to five minutes each day.

You’ll catch me reading…  WWD to keep up with all the shows from the day before.

I get around in… a taxi or car service, since I can’t walk to shows with my kit. Walking and exploring Manhattan is my favorite thing to do.

The only way I can clear my mind is… by taking a long hot shower at the end of the night.

My coffee shop order is… grande skinny vanilla latte, hold the foam.

The product I can’t do a show without is… NARS Sheer Glow foundation. I use it at most of the shows since it’s sheer, fresh looking, and radiant.

My current favorite makeup look is… bleached brows or bold brows with a rosy stained effect cheek and lip.

The makeup look I’m bored to death of is… graphic liner.

If I’m losing my mind I repeat…. a prayer. It calms me down and centers me.

The song that pumps up my energy is… currently “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. I can hear it on repeat all day long.

My favorite part about fashion week is… the backstage madness. It gives me a rush. And then to see everyone’s hard work walk down the runway—it’s the best feeling. And, of course, the fashion!

But I can’t handle the… no taxis around after the show, especially when I’m trying to get to my next one.

I wind down with a glass of… Riesling, or a crisp pinot noir.

When it’s all over, I can’t wait to… get a body massage, from head to toe!