About NARS US
NARS Cosmetics is a French cosmetics and skincare company founded in 1994 by make-up artist and photographer François Nars. The brand launched with just twelve lipsticks sold at Barneys New York and has since grown into a globally recognized name. NARS is now a subsidiary of the Japanese multinational cosmetic company, Shiseido.
NARS is acclaimed for its bold, high-quality products, artistic aesthetic, and wide range of colors, which appeal to both professional makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts. Its minimalist, matte black packaging is iconic, and products like the Orgasm Blush and Radiant Creamy Concealer are bestsellers. The brand embraces individuality, self-expression, and a high-fashion, forward-thinking approach to beauty.
NARS US Affiliate/Influencer Program Overview
The NARS US program often operates as an Influencer/Creator Program in addition to a traditional affiliate structure, focusing heavily on social media presence. It aims to partner with individuals to promote the brand and products through authentic endorsements.
| Factor | Detail |
| Industry | Personal Care, Beauty, Cosmetics, Skincare |
| Product Type | Makeup, Skincare, Brushes & Tools |
| Affiliate Program Type | Influencer/Creator Program, Traditional Affiliate (often through a network) |
NARS US Affiliate Program Offers
The program provides affiliates/creators with resources and benefits to help drive conversions, along with clear guidelines for participation.
| Offer Detail | Information |
| Promotional Materials | High-quality product photos and videos, real-time analytics dashboard, dedicated affiliate manager support, monthly performance reports. |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | Varies, typically 4 to 30 days depending on the specific network or program you join (4 days being a common quoted duration for the brand direct program). |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), Blogs, and professional content sites. |
| Accepted Countries | United States (US) and Canada (CA) are commonly cited for the main program, but check specific terms. |
| Explicit Content | Generally not accepted. Content must align with NARS brand values (high-fashion, artistic, self-expression) and adhere to professional content quality standards and FTC disclosure compliance. |
| Religious or Political Content | Typically not accepted. Content must align with the brand’s core values, which focus on beauty and artistry, not political or religious commentary. |
NARS US Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The program offers a performance-based commission structure.
| Payment Detail | Information |
| MLM | No. This is a direct brand affiliate/influencer program, not a multi-level marketing scheme. |
| Commission Rate | Varies, commonly cited between 5% to 15% per sale (e.g., 10% base, with 15% for top performers). Traditional affiliate network rates may be lower (e.g., 2%-8%). |
| Commission Structure | Percentage-Based Commission on sales generated through affiliate links/codes. |
| Payout Frequency | Typically Monthly. |
| Payout Methods | Varies, often includes PayPal or Direct Deposit (bank transfer). |
| Minimum Payout | Often cited as $50. |
Suitable Affiliates for NARS US Affiliate
The NARS program is specifically geared toward individuals who have a passion for beauty and an established online presence. It is a great fit for:
- Bloggers: Especially those focused on high-end makeup reviews, tutorials, and beauty trends.
- TikTokers, Influencers, & YouTubers: Creators who produce high-quality, authentic makeup demonstrations, tutorials, GRWM (Get Ready With Me), and product reviews for beauty/makeup content.
- KOL (Key Opinion Leaders) & KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Individuals with significant, engaged audiences in the beauty niche who can authentically endorse prestige products.
- Livestreamers: Those who can showcase live product application and wear tests.
The program is less suitable for purely technical roles like Video Editors (unless they also create content), or marketers whose primary skill is in paid search (NARS often has a strict policy against bidding on their brand terms). A minimum follower count (e.g., 5,000+) is sometimes required for the influencer tier.
NARS US Affiliate Software
NARS US may utilize both methods. They are known to partner with major affiliate networks like Rakuten, CJ Affiliate, or Impact for their broader affiliate program, which provides the software platform. For their direct Influencer/Creator Program, they may use specialized third-party influencer management software or a Custom/In-House Affiliate Management Software that integrates directly with their e-commerce platform.
3 Alternatives for NARS US Affiliate Program
Here are three alternatives in the prestige and popular beauty/cosmetics niche that you can compare to the NARS US affiliate program:
| Comparison Factor | NARS US (Prestige Makeup) | Sephora (Beauty Retailer) | Charlotte Tilbury (Luxury Makeup) | Tarte Cosmetics (Clean/Trendy Makeup) |
| Average Bill (Est.) | High (Prestige brand pricing) | Medium to High (Curated multi-brand offerings) | High (Luxury brand pricing) | Medium to High (Popular high-quality products) |
| Entry Fees | Free to join the affiliate program. | Free to join the affiliate program. | Free to join the affiliate program. | Free to join the affiliate program. |
| Withdrawal Threshold | Typically $50 (Varies by network/platform). | Varies, commonly $50 or $100. | Varies, commonly $50. | Varies, commonly $50. |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly (Standard for most networks). | Monthly (Standard). | Monthly (Standard). | Monthly (Standard). |
| Commission | 5% – 15% (Varies by program/tier/network). | 5% – 10% (Varies by product category/network). | Typically 8% (Standard rate). | 8% – 10% (Varies by network). |
| Conversion | Moderate-to-High (Strong brand recognition, high demand). | High (High customer traffic, wide selection). | Moderate-to-High (Strong brand loyalty, celebrity association). | High (Trendy products, clean beauty appeal). |
| Marketing Materials | High-quality images/videos, dedicated support. | Product data feed, exclusive promotions, seasonal banners. | High-quality imagery, exclusive access to promotions. | Product feed, exclusive affiliate offers, coupon codes. |
