NARS

NARS Finally Makes Liquid Lipsticks…and Nails It!! Introducing the NARS Lip Covers From the Under Cover Summer 2016 Collection

April 22nd, 2016 by Adia Goss 39 Comments

NARS under cover collection — How gorgeous is the packaging for the NARS Under Cover summer 2016 collection?

I am about the new NARS Under Cover summer 2016 collection and the brand’s first foray into the liquid lipstick market.

Their new Lip Covers are incredible! They’re vibrant and long-lasting like a liquid lipstick, but with none of the dryness and discomfort, so basically exactly what you’d expect from NARS.

I have to admit that I am totally biased when it comes to NARS (here’s another post with my favorite NARS products), but even so, I really do feel these are awesome.

The Under Cover summer 2016 collection includes four of these new Lip Covers, four Dual Intensity Eye Shadows (I LOVE this formula!) and two Dual Intensity Blushes. This post is all about the Lip Covers, but stay tuned for reviews of everything else. For now, I’ll just say that the whole collection is gorgeous. If anything looks irresistably interesting, snatch it up! The collection is limited edition, and the products are available now at the NARS website (and coming soon to other retailers).

So, the Lip Covers — Do Not Disturb, Get Dirty, Members Only and Overheated — I really like this formula, and I hope they add more colors in the future (fingers crossed!).

I think the shades NARS chose to release with the collection are pretty interesting. There are two nude shades (Get Dirty and Overheated) and two red shades (Do Not Disturb and Members Only).

On the one hand, I appreciate that they’re giving us two variations on each color family, especially since it’s so hard to find a good nude, but on the other hand, I want even more variety, because the formula is that great.

Here are swatches of the Lip Covers, and I did these with a heavier hand so that you could see the texture and finish.

They look glossy in the pics, but once they dry down on your lips (which takes just a couple minutes), the finish looks more satin than glossy.

NARS Under Cover — Swatches of the NARS Lip Covers (L to R) in Do Not Disturb, Get Dirty, Members Only and Overheated

And here’s another shot with different lighting:

I think orangey red Do Not Disturb looks very similar to Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in Orange Shot (which I reviewed a couple weeks ago).

Wearing Do Not Disturb from the NARS Under Cover collection. — Wearing NARS Do Not Disturb from the NARS Under Cover summer 2016 collection

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My Most-Used Makeup Products at the Moment

April 14th, 2016 by Adia Goss 28 Comments

I’m always trying new products, but I thought it would be fun to share what have been my most-used makeup products lately. For me, these are the products that “just work,” and they’re the things I reach for when I want to throw something on my face without having to give it any thought. The colors are just right, and they help me achieve my signature look — glowy skin and pinky/nude lips. 🙂

Foundations

I am a sucker for glowy, lightweight bases, and I’ve been constantly reaching for PUR Minerals HydraFluid Water Serum Foundation in Tan and NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Annapurna, which may be a tad too light for me, but it’s sheer enough that it still works.

The PUR Minerals foundation is amazing, by the way. Here are swatches and a full review. It’s available now at PUR Minerals for $39.

No brand matches my skin as well as NARS, and I love that NARS Pure Radiant has SPF 30. This was one of my first high-end foundations, and I’ve repurchased it time and again and will probably continue to do so because it’s a great everyday foundation. It’s available now at NARS Cosmetics for $44.

And, just to make sure my face is seriously glowy, I also like to use Pixi by Petra Glow Mist. It adds glow and helps my makeup last a bit longer. It’s definitely one of my favorite facial mists, and it’s available now at Target for $15.

most used makeup — L to R: Swatches of PUR Minerals HydraFluid Water Serum Foundation in Tan and NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Annapurna

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4 Lipsticks I Love That No One Ever Talks About

March 25th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 31 Comments

Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint in Fiery on my lips

Well, I’m sure that some people did talk about them back when they were first released, but they seem to have fallen into oblivion in favor of more recent launches…

We beauty lovers are a little like spoiled children sometimes, don’t you think? We like our brand new toys for about 10 seconds, and then we want newer, shinier things to keep ourselves entertained. 🙂

But today is a different day, and I’m bringing back the love for four these not-so-recent lipsticks I absolutely adore!

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick Carthage Maybelline Superstay 14H Fuchsia Forever Tarte Matte Lip Tint Fiery Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick Rebellious Rose — Clockwise from the top left corner: Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Rebellious Rose, Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint in Fiery, Maybelline SuperStay 14HR in Fuchsia Forever, and NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage

Swatches NARS Pure Matte Lipstick Carthage Maybelline Superstay 14H Fuchsia Forever Tarte Matte Lip Tint Fiery Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick Rebellious Rose — L-R: NARS Carthage, Maybelline Fuchsia Forever, Tarte Fiery, Estée Lauder Rebellious Rose

1. NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage ($28)

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Life’s a Beach of Champagne Peach With the NARS Hot Sand Collection

February 18th, 2016 by Karen 16 Comments

Billed, first and foremost, as a celebration of a NARS cult classic, the brand’s Illuminator in Hot Sand, the new NARS Hot Sand collection is that and more, like, it’s also an opportunity to say, “Oh, hello! It’s you again?” to two popular NARS re-promoted regulars, Orgasm and Laguna, except that this time they aren’t in the same duo…which does make them kindasorta different (I guess?).

The collection also gives us a glossy, creamy highlighting stick in a peachy champagne shade and a good excuse to take the new Hanamachi Kabuki Brush and rub it all over yo’ face like a cat all up in your grill…

Nothing in the collection, however, feels like walking on actual hot sand, which is a good thing, because that, my friend, would be absolute misery.

Because have you ever trekked barefoot across a sweltering beach?? It’s not fun at all… It’s right up there with cleaning a dirty toilet (bluh) or trying on skinny jeans in terrible lighting when you’re feeling extra bloated.

No, this release is all about peachy, highlighted eyes, cheeks, skin and lips. And good old reliable (or, played out, depending on your point of view) Orgasm and Laguna.

So, yeah, I wouldn’t recommend walking across hot sand under any circumstances, but I can recommend giving a few things from this five-piece collection a try.

The NARS Hot Sand Illuminating Multiple ($39)

If someone turned one of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders into a creamy stick, it would be a lot like the NARS Hot Sand Illuminating Multiple. It has that same gorgeous, subtle ability to highlight skin without leaving it looking greasy or frosty, and I think you’ll like it if your pores and fine lines are often an issue (because it doesn’t highlight either of them for me), or, if you just like highlighters that don’t put it all out there, if you know what I mean.

Like, if this highlighter were your secret admirer, it would write you a sweet poem in iambic pentameter and slip it under your door, instead of texting you an unsolicited dirty picture of its naughty bits.

Anywho…for a very subtle highlight, I like layering it beneath my foundation. I’ll swipe the stick directly on my cheekbones, then blend it out with the Hamanachi Kabuki Brush, also from this collection.

The Hot Sand Duos ($42 each)

nars hot sand duo — NARS Hot Sand/Laguna Blush/Bronzer Duo ($42) on the left and NARS Hot Sand/Orgasm Blush Duo ($42) on the right

With the Hot Sand/Orgasm Blush Duo, one side has a peachy champagne powder version of Hot Sand, and the other has an Orgasm blush… I like this one mostly because of Hot Sand, which shines more intensely than the Hot Sand Illuminator, but by no means would I call it frosty. It’s still subtle and on par with something like the new Hourglass Ambient Strobing Powders.

I think it’s very pretty and very beachy, boho glam, and it lasts all day long.

As for Orgasm blush…yep, it’s a classic, and I love how my face looks lively and fresh when I wear it, but how many pans of Orgasm blush does one person really need? I kinda wish NARS had released Hot Sand all by itself, instead of pairing it with Orgasm…

And in the Hot Sand/Laguna Bronzer Duo, you also get the same Hot Sand powder, except with NARS Laguna, instead of Orgasm. Aaand again, I’m still wishing that Hot Sand were sold individually, even though Laguna is a bronzing favorite of mine. It isn’t too cool toned or warm, so I can use it to bronze and/or contour.

The Hanamachi Kabuki Brush ($42)

nars hot sand lip gloss hanamachi kabuki brush — NARS Hot Sand Lip Gloss on the left ($26) and the NARS Hanamachi Kabuki Brush ($42) on the right

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Day in Beauty, Vol. 8: A Cute Cat Clutch, Misa Jewelry, and a NARS Spring 2016 Makeup Tutorial

February 4th, 2016 by Karen 34 Comments

Um…will you be my Valentime?

Yes, girl, I said “Valentime.”

V-Day hints and Misa Jewelry

Not to drop hints or anything…but OK, I’m dropping mad hints right now, to whom it may concern. 🙂

(Ahem! That’s probably going to be you, El Hub.)

To make it easier for him (El Hubster) — you know, just for ideas — I sent him some links this morning, like, “Hint, hint! Valentime’s Day is right around the corner!” and one of the links was to Misa Jewelry.

I found out about them from my friend Erika at Makeup Bag (she just started posting on her blog again, BTW, which I’m very excited about!). Check out her recent lifestyle posts about gold tableware lust and the craziness that is ironing your bedding.

Anyway, the jewelry. It’s got a beachy-ish, Hawaii vibe and these neat organic shapes.

I’m all about that branch series… I just think the pieces are so dainty and different.

It’s fine jewelry, so it’s kinda expensive, but some of the items (I spotted a few in the branch series) are a relatively doable splurge. I’ve got my eye on the Roots Vine Necklace ($175 for the sterling silver version) and the Twig Ear Pin ($165).

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NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30 in Action!

January 8th, 2016 by Karen 22 Comments

There’s a video review in this post, but if it’s not appearing, you can click here to watch it on YouTube.

Well rock my world, why don’t you, NARS!? I’m officially in lurve with new NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30, and because it helps sometimes to see a product in actual action (I got ‘chu, visual learners!), here’s a video showing it do some work.

For a while now I’ve been all about skin that still looks like skin, and this new NARS tinted moisturizer offers just that. It does many of the same things as the brand’s epic Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (blurs pores, evens skin tone, looks HELLA natural), but instead of a dewy finish, the finish is matte.

If you want a full review (including swatches of all 12 shades), check it: NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30 Makes Makeup Life Easier With Sheer, Natural Coverage.

How do you feel about NARS Pure Radiant, and, since we’re on the subject, how do you feel about tinted moisturizer in general? Inquiring minds want to know.

As always, thank you for watching!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

NARS Spring 2016 Collection First Impressions & Swatches

January 6th, 2016 by Karen 16 Comments

There’s a video review in this post, but if it’s not appearing, you can click here to watch it on YouTube.

Ya know, I never would have thought to wear icy mint with rose gold — never in a million years! — but because NARS is NARS, for some reason, they go together. Who knew?! I sure as heck didn’t.

I really appreciate how NARS gets me out of my usual color comfort zone, and it’s their unexpected color combos that I think make their seasonal collections some of the most interesting ones around.

This year for spring 2016 we get a small, succinct NARS launch of nine products — about half of them eye products, half lips products, and a powder blush — mostly in sweet rosy and beige tones.

There’s also that icy mint up in the mix and a shimmery blue for a fun, springy touch.

I tried something a little different with this video by filming my first impressions as I use each of the products.

Um…please excuse mah crazy hair! It’s been raining cats and kittens here in NorCal this week, and I haven’t wanted to bother, LOL!

The NARS Spring 2016 Nouvelle Vogue collection…

Tarvos Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow, an icy mint ($29)
Cressida Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow, a shimmering midnight blue ($29)
Kari Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow, a soft rosy pink ($29)
Hammamet Duo Eyeshadow, a matte beige and a bronze rose ($35, limited edition)
Impassioned Blush, a pink orchid ($30)
Instant Crash Lip Gloss, a soft shimmering apricot ($26, limited edition)
Vida Loca Lip Gloss, a guava ($26, limited edition)
Rosecliff Lipsticks, a soft rose ($28)
Banned Red Lipstick, a mulled wine ($28)
Available January 15 at NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com, and February 1 at NARS counters

As always, thank you for watching!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30 Makes Makeup Life Easier With Sheer, Natural Coverage

January 5th, 2016 by Karen 31 Comments

nars velvet matte skin tint spf 30 review — The new NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tints ($44 for a 1.7-oz. tube), coming in 12 shades January 15 to NARS boutiques and the NARS website, and February 1 to NARS counters

It’s a bold statement to say that I love a foundation after only using it three or four days, but that’s all the time it took for me to see how NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30 rocks.

I put it through its paces last weekend on my three-day trip to Monterey and Carmel, and I can’t remember the last time I thought my skin looked better, whether in real life or pics. I think when you’re on vacation — and, assuming that you’re wearing makeup on that vacation because, let’s face it, on some vacations, like beach vacations or long walking tours, you don’t always want to wear makeup, especially a full face of makeup — that’s a good time to really test a new foundation, because you’re out and about for long stretches of time and probably taking hundreds of pictures along the way.

Also, and maybe this is just me, but I don’t like to spend a ton of time on my makeup when I’m on vacation, especially first thing in the morning. I can usually tolerate spending about 15 minutes (ideally less), but then I want to be out the door because adventure awaits!

I can say with absolute certainty that new NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint — which is really just a fancy name for a tinted moisturizer with an almost fabric-like matte finish — is the sh*t. Based on the crucial vacation/low-patience-for-makeup test, it totally checks off all the right boxes.

In some ways, NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint is a lot like that superstar of the NARS foundation line, Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, of which I’ve gone through bottles, and on which I’ve gotten many friends hooked. And, mind you, these friends don’t even wear makeup on the regular, but they still love Pure Radiant.

Yup, it’s that good, and this new one, Velvet Matte, is just as great, if not better.

Like Pure Radiant’s finish, this one looks like real skin, but it still evens out your skin tone. Also, again like Pure Radiant, Velvet Matte Skin Tint contains broad-spectrum SPF 30, along with extra skincare bells and whistles like vitamins C and E.

“This oil-free formula delivers NARS’ signature natural-looking finish and shine control with the skincare benefits of an all-in-one treatment. NARS’ innovative Velvet Illusion Complex Technology creates a soft-focus effect with a soft-touch feel. Transparent Blurring Powders instantly enhance the look of skin by helping to blur imperfections and even tone — naturally dimensional skin that doesn’t look flat, masked, or chalky.”

–NARS PR

The coverage is sheer but build-able up to medium, by the way, so don’t expect it to cover every single freckle or imperfection. My freckles and moles peek through, but I’m totally fine with that right now. I’ve been loving a more natural look lately, but I think you really have to like that whole, “What, me? Am I wearing makeup?” look to appreciate the finish.

nars velvet matte skin tint spf 30 swatches — NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint swatches from the left: Terre-Neuve, Finland, Alaska and Groenland

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