NARS

Latest Loves: Body Oils by Fresh, NARS and Ren

June 23rd, 2015 by Karen 25 Comments

For reasons that elude me (I think it has something to do with the heater in the house), when summer arrives, my scaly alligator-like arms and legs become slightly less…alligator-like. My skin isn’t quite as dry, so I’ve swapped out the heavy-duty body creams I used in winter for lighter, but still moisturizing, body oils. They keep my skin satiated and, more importantly (haha), when I wear dresses, the oils give my arms and legs a snazzy sheen.

I keep a small arsenal of oils on my bathroom shelf and alternate among them depending on my mood. I also think they look pretty cool in mah bathroom. 🙂

Here are three of them I’ve been loving lately…
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How to Keep Your Makeup Looking Fresh in Hot Weather

June 17th, 2015 by Karen 35 Comments

how to keep your makeup fresh in hot weather — Sweating like Keith on the banks of the Mississippi…

There was a moment last week on Magazine Street in New Orleans when El Hub and I were sitting at a booth in a cafe while sipping iced strawberry lemonades to cool down when I officially realized just how unfathomably hot and muggy summertime New Orleans is/was. I was leaning back in the booth and spacing out, just staring blankly at a ceiling fan and the artwork on the walls when I leaned forward, and I felt the back of my sticky, sweat-soaked dress literally peel away from the vinyl.

Yup, ’twas pretty gross.

I think I sweated through that entire trip, but I also got some extra sweaty hands-on experience getting my makeup to stay put in hot, humid weather.

Gotta love silver linings. 🙂

I could’ve just gone barefaced and not worn anything, but where’s the fun in that?

Things to help your warpaint last through hot and/or humid weather…

Primer
Powder
Setting spray
Blotting papers (which we’ll talk about in a minute)

For me, these are all hot-weather non-negotiables.

In cooler climates, when it comes to makeup improv and leaving things out of my routine, I usually have a more go-with-the-flow attitude, but when faced with extreme heat and humidity, I think it really helps to use these products if you don’t want your makeup to slide off your face.

Primer

Starting with primer, I used two last week (the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Smoothing Primer and NARS Pro Prime Smudge-Proof Eyeshadow Base pictured above), one for my face makeup and one for my eyes.

Really, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of different kinds of primers out there, but I look for ones that do these two things to really help my makeup last longer: 1) smooth out the surface of my skin, and 2) latch onto whatever I happen to layer on top of them, be it BB cream, foundation, concealer, powder, what have you.

To apply a face primer, I blot my skin first with a tissue to remove any excess oil or moisture. Then I massage the primer on my oiliest spots — my cheeks, nose, chin and forehead.

After that, I do the same thing with eye primer, blotting first, then applying it to my lids, into my brows (to help my brow products last longer), and under my eyes (to keep my concealer in place).

I give them about five minutes to absorb, then blot one more time with a tissue before applying my foundation, concealer, etc., on top.

Powder

mac mineralize skinfinish natural — MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Tan and a Chanel travel-size face brush

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The NARS Numéro 2 False Eyelashes: For Lashes That Long for Length

May 22nd, 2015 by Karen 13 Comments

nars numero 2 eyelashes — Wearing the NARS Numéro 2 false eyelashes ($20, one of eight styles)

Should you ever feel like your makeup mojo has pulled an Elvis and left the building (or has just gone on temporary hiatus), I highly suggest applying a pair of false lashes — the longer and more luscious the better, like the reusable Numéro 2 Eyelashes by NARS ($20 each, and one of eight styles).

“A medium-length false lash set with uniform volume from corner to corner, Numéro 2 Eyelashes’ full span expertly walks the line between boldness and subtlety. Designed to become a lash wardrobe staple. Named for the second model to walk the runway in a fashion show lineup. Versatile, reusable. Made for everyday use.”

—narscosmetics.com

I swear, whenever I wear the Numéro 2s, I feel like my eye makeup and I go into lady boss mode. It’s kind of like swapping out your off-white lunch lady comfort shoes for a pair of black patent-leather stiletto heels… Meow! Don’t mess with this girl, because she has claws, and she’s not afraid to use ’em. 🙂

The Numéro 2s are one of eight new reusable (you just have to be careful with them), natural-fiber false eyelash styles from NARS, all of which have their own distinct flava, and they’re one of my favorites in the line.

nars eyelashes numero 2 — NARS Eyelashes Numéro 2

See how the lashes are about the same length all the way across the spine? The Numéro 2s are designed to fake a full, lush fringe, and my lashes certainly feel lush when I wear them. Because they’re hella long.

Not like Beyonce-writhing-on-the-floor-in-a-video long, but probably too long to wear to your in-laws’ house for Tuesday dinner.

They’re probably better for wearing to a club with friends on a Friday night, or for sitting in your office while your cat takes a nap (which is happening where I am right now).

I really like the length of these lashes, because they’re noticeably long, but I don’t see them out of the corner of my eye, so they don’t interfere with my peripheral vision (an actual problem with some false eyelashes sometimes).

They’re reasonably lightweight, too, although not as lightweight as my go-to Eylure 117s. They aren’t uncomfortably bulky, but I can definitely feel them on my lash lines.

If you’re gonna wear them out (and I think you should!), here are a few things that might help…
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Coral, Bronze and Gold: A Natural, Summery Face of the Day With Tom Ford Summer 2015, NARS Eyelashes, RMS Beauty, Paul & Joe and More

April 21st, 2015 by Karen 12 Comments

tom ford naked bronze — A Face of the Day with some products from Tom Ford Summer 2015, NARS Eyelashes, RMS Beauty and more

My father-in-law does this thing where he answers every “when” question with the word, “Tuesday,” like, “When did you guys go to that dinner?”

And he says, “Tuesday.”

Or, “When was that storm you mentioned?”

To which he says, “Tuesday.”

And he giggles every time like it’s the funniest joke in the world.

Big sigh…

Buuut, I’m borrowing the joke today! 🙂 Basically, I was in the mood to wear something natural-ish, summery and spiced up with sparkling garnish because, dude! — as my father-in-law might say, it’s Tuesday, and Tuesdays are the best days to wear glitter.

I used quite a few new products, too (some of them from Tom Ford Summer 2015!), along with some older faves like Diorskin Air Nude Serum for this bronzed brown and gold eye with pink cheeks and coral lips.

A trick for mornings when you wake up with puffy eyes…

I had majorly puffy eyes this morning thanks to my spring allergies, so to offset that puffiness I deepened my crease with a matte brown. Instead of using an eyeshadow, though, I grabbed Tom Ford’s Terra Bronzer.

Yup! I used it as a transition shade, which I like it for, as it isn’t orangey. It’s more of a golden tan warm matte brown, and I think it layers and blends beautifully.

I really didn’t want to accentuate my puffy lids, so I kept all of the shimmers/glitters on my “mobile lid.”

Yup, mobile lid. It’s the part of the lid that moves when you blink. You can see it when you look straight into a mirror and blink. That part that moves is your mobile lid.

Anyway! For this look, I did a matte in the crease and kept the shimmer confined to the mobile lid. The combination of shimmer on the lid and matte in the crease appears to deepen and define the crease.

Or at least that’s the idea.

IMO, the best thing from Tom Ford Summer 2015

For the shimmer, I used Tom Ford’s Cream and Powder Eye Color in Naked Bronze. I dabbed the cream bronze shadow on my lids with a finger, let it dry, then went back in and patted the glitter eyeshadow in the center of my lid to create a focal point.

I really like Naked Bronze, by the way. It’s annoyingly expensive ($60), but it’s so pigmented that I don’t have to use much, and both the cream and the glitter layer and blend sans drama. Even if you did use a ton, it would probably still look effortless.

I think Tom Ford’s cream shadows are among the best products in the line, and if I were to choose one thing from the Summer 2015 Collection, it would be one of the Cream and Powder Eye Colors.

Cream blushes: a makeup tip

For cheeks, I also turned to Tom. I dabbed golden pink Cream Cheek Color in Pink Sand on the apples of my cheeks for a soft, subtle sheen and some natural pink color.

My favorite way to apply cream blush is to do it right after foundation. That way the foundation is still a little wet and the cream blush blends into it more easily. If, on the other hand, I wait until my foundation is dry, the blush seems to sit up on top of my skin where it looks more obvious.

For this look, I stippled the blush with a Real Techniques Multi Task Brush.
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NARS Enters the False Eyelash Fray With the New NARS Eyelashes False Eyelash Collection

April 17th, 2015 by Karen 13 Comments

We should totally make False Lash Fridays a thing.

You know, like how people do Flashback Fridays on social media? Like that, but we’ll all wear false lashes, and then go about our regular business.

We could posslby even start with these new NARS Eyelashes ($20 each, and being added to the permanent collection).

Wait — say whaaaat!?

Yup, NARS is jumping into the false eyelash fray with a new line of reusable, natural-looking, natural-fiber lashes coming out next month (available in eight styles). How very Shu Uemura of them, right?

They’re all supposed to look reasonably natural, or natural-ish, so there are no insane glitter styles with rainbow gems at the tips.

They also don’t come with lash glue, just as a heads-up, so you’ll need to already have/procure some. A lot of the department store brands (MAC and Shu come to mind) don’t include lash glue with their falsies, so it’s not uncommon…but sometimes it’s still a little inconvenient.

The new NARS Eyelashes ($20 each)

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NARS Summer 2015: Christopher Kane for NARS Collection [VIDEO]

April 6th, 2015 by Karen 6 Comments

Alien astronomers scanning our solar system with their interstellar radio telescopes from their galaxy far, far away will see the Earth glimmering like a pulsar when the new NARS Summer 2015 Christopher Kane for NARS collection materializes on counters April 15.

Because the release is hella glitter-ful, and yes, I just made up that word.

But this is good glitter we’re talking about — captivating, sparkly and complex. Sandwich it between the neon brights and soft nudes in the collection, and you get the new Christopher Kane for NARS.

To followup on last week’s pre-release review, here’s a video in which I ~~ramble on nonsensically~~ talk a little bit more about the collection and the pieces I like best.

The collection arrives April 15 (also known as tax day), at NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com, and May 1 at department stores, specialty stores and Sephora.

As always, thank you for watching! I hope you’re having a great Monday.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The Christopher Kane for NARS Collection Travels to the Outer Limits of Glitter

April 1st, 2015 by Karen 38 Comments

nars summer 2015 christopher kane collection review — NARS Summer 2015 — NEONEUTRAL — The Christopher Kane for NARS Collection

Like Saturn’s rings and the Kuiper Belt, the Christopher Kane for NARS Summer 2015 Collection has layers upon layers…

First, there’s Scottish fashion wunderkind Christopher Kane himself, the 32-year-old force behind this cosmic cosmetics collaboration with NARS.

Second, THE NAMES. I think homeboy might like some sci-fi (me too!), because the 10-piece release has product names like Outer Limits, Starscape and Parallel Universe. The NEONEUTRAL theme combines the countervailing concepts of vibrant, electric neon and neutral nudes, so it’s almost like eating a multilayered cake in a single bite (yes, my tummy is currently rumbling).

The NARS Summer 2015 Christopher Kane for NARS Collection
Available starting April 15, 2015 at NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com, and May 1, 2015 at department stores, specialty stores and Sephora.

Coupled with the cool black and hot pink limited edition packaging, there’s a lot going on. The collection includes pieces for eyes, lips and cheeks — two Eyeshadows (one a Duo and the other a Single), two powder Blushes, two Multiples and four Lip Glosses.

Let’s paint our faces, shall we? 🙂 Starting with the eyes…

The Christopher Kane for NARS Summer 2015 Collection: Eyes

Sparkling from a galaxy far, far away, these Eyeshadows bring the glittery noise. Glitter is definitely up in this mix.

In these pics, I’m wearing both of the Parallel Universe Duo Eyeshadows as liners, and the Outer Limits Single Eyeshadow on my lids, and thank goodness I did my eyes first, because there was glitter all over the place. And there’s still glitter all over the place. There’s still glitter in one of my eyebrows, in fact. It’s still there now.

So…fallout is an issue for these eye products, but here’s the thing: the glitter is freaking beautiful.

I don’t think these pictures do it justice. The Single, Outer Limits, is this beautiful multi-tonal rose gold with pink and bronze and orange. Really, really super cool, and I like the Duo, too.

Yes, you probably will have to contend with glittery fallout, but there are some things you can do to minimize the glittery pain.

Here’s also a quick video overview of the collection…

It’s like showing up to play in a basketball game. If you show up in high heels and a miniskirt, you’re not gonna be able to play correctly. Well, here you have to know that you’re going to be dealing with fallout, so use something like a flat eyeshadow brush to press and apply the shadows (wetting the brush head will also help), or your fingers to press and apply, because if you use a fluffy domed brush to swirl, swirl, swirl, the glitter’s just gonna get all over the place.

The Christopher Kane for NARS Summer 2015 Collection: Cheeks

First, the two powder blushes in Starscape and Silent Nude.

OK, Silent Nude? First of all, that name makes me think of weird dirty movies. 🙂

The color is a matte beige, and it doesn’t really show up on my skin. I tried wearing it as a bronzer, and it just… It’s probably better suited to interstellar lasses with lighter skin. I don’t see a lot of orange in it, for what it’s worth.

Starscape Blush, I love, but choose your brushes wisely if you’re going to wear this highly pigmented neon pink; otherwise, you could look like a scary horror movie clown. I used a duo fibre brush loaded with very little product for it — just a nanogram.