I wish you could come over so we could swoon over swatches of the NARS Holiday 2011 collection and eat some Trader Joe’s Mango Bars (warm out here in Nor Cal today).
I guess a virtual visit will have to do. 🙂 Come on in, but please take off your shoes first, and um, excuse the knife near the front door.
I watched five minutes of American Horror Story last night (bad idea!), and now I’m afraid of strangers with bloody foreheads showing up on my doorstep.
NARS Holiday 2011 swatches
Swatches from the left: Mandchourie Duo Eyeshadow, Ponderosa Cream Eyeshadow, Campo De Fiori Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner and St. Mark’s Place Larger Than life Long-Wear Eyeliner
G-Spot Multiple (left) and Miss Liberty Highlighting Blush (right)
Joyous Red Lipstick (left) and Albatross Lip Gloss (right)
Endless Night Nail Polish (left) and Space Odyssey Nail Polish (right)
Wearing Mandchourie Duo Eyeshadow, Campo De Fiori Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner and St. Mark’s Place Larger Than life Long-Wear Eyeliner on my eyes; G-Spot Multiple and Miss Liberty Highlighting Blush on my cheeks; and Joyous Red Lipstick and Albatross Lip Gloss on my lips
At first I wasn’t sure how the pieces would fit, but once I swatched it and put it on, the entire collection as a whole made more sense to me.
I’m especially loving the lighter shade in the Mandchourie Duo Eyeshadow, which applies as a shimmery golden dove gray with hints of blue. Gorgeous!
More detailed reviews in the next couple of days, but for now, let me know what strikes your fancy.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Haha, nice knife! But I thought you were happy to see me. 😛
LOL!
Miss Liberty is stunning! It’s one of those blushes that keeps you guessing if you’re actually wearing something or not. I like it! Subtle and glowy. 🙂
Scherbie is purring beside me so she must approve as well.
Aww, Sherbie. Did she go outside for a walk today?
Yes she did. Well, she ran out when I opened the door as I was leaving for work. When I got home, she ran in. She gave me her “love face” and was purring. 🙂
She such a good girl. <3
Right now your nephew Tabs is on my lap making biscuits like it's his JOB!
LOL! I love deep cat lady conversations.
Is it chocolate chip? My favourite!
Yes! With semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Is there a chance you have Koh Lanta to compare to Endless Night? I’m wondering how similar they are. Thanks!!!
I’m so sorry, Polish Jinx. I wish I had that shade but unfortch I don’t have it on hand for comparison.
Did you get a chance to see/swatch the Arabian Nights eyeshadow trio?
Not yet! Hopefully soon.
G-Spot Multiple looks a lot more color-infused than I thought it would be.
Guess what’s in the oven right now? Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!!!
Oh, that sounds so good! We need a virtual afternoon snack session. The kitties are also invited, of course. Tabs will bring the gravy!
Oatmeal chocolate chip is the bomb. Everytime I see oatmeal raisin I’m disappointed. I don’t want healthy shriveled fruit in my cookies, I want chocolate!!
I watched the premiere of American Horror Story and thought it was boring.
G-Spot, Orgasm, Deep Throat, what’s next? Nars’ marketing team sure knows how to name their products. heheh…
Well you’re a lot tougher than I am, I guess. I was (and still am) freaked out!
Love the look of these swatches, Karen! I was so determined to hate G-Spot (I mean, really? Did they HAVE to name it that?) but it actually looks quite pretty – eep!
Ponderosa looks incredible, too – I can’t wait until it’s available in-store so I can give it a swatch!
LOL… they do have a penchant for cheeky names, it’s true.
How have you been?
Ridiculously busy! Still reading every day, but I feel like I never have time to comment on anything anymore,
More importantly, how have YOU been doing? Nerves still shot? 😛 (I can’t watch horrors AT ALL – True Blood is more or less my limit, and even then, there are always a few scenes that squick me out!)
The red lipstick and subtle but fabulous. It suits you very very well. How’s Marin’s favorite Tabs doing? Say hi to him for me.
Hi Bing,
He’s being a very good boy, for once! I think it’s because he got extra gravy last night.
Have a great Friday!
Very pretty! I especially like the blush.
I only saw the first five minutes of AHS last night too before I fell asleep. Now I’m waiting for my husband to get home b/c there is no way I’m watching it by myself! 🙂
Me too. It is really very subtle and so pretty!
Everything looks so good, that eye duo is just gorgeous! I haven’t watched American Horror Story yet. I’m so scared my best friend and my husband love that stuff. It’s on my DVR waiting for me….
Don’t do it! Well, unless you wanna get really freaked out…
Happy Friday!
The Campo de Fiori eyeliner looks interesting 😀
The Joyous Red lipstick, too. But I don’t think I could pull off red lipstick. Even red lipgloss makes me look weird… 🙁
Ha. I haven’t subscribed to any cable TV provider right now, so I basically cannot watch anything. I don’t even know there’s a show called American Horror Story if not for reading your blog. I believe Asian horror TV programs or movies are even scarier though~ 😀
Hi Let,
This is a surprisingly wearable red. If you find the color too much, you could always do something like a stain by dabbing the lipstick lightly on your lips.
Hmm, also another red to consider is NARS Dolce Vita. It used to be scared of red, too, but it changed everything for me:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/cosmetics/nars-unsung-hero-dolce-vita-lipstick/
Hey Karen,
Thanks for your suggestion! I saw your swatches of Dolce Vita and I have to say, I’m interested 😀
I’ll check it the shade out when I visit Sephora (maybe next week? lol). I might get it during the F&F sale haha 😀
You look *gorgeous*, Karen! I especially love the last pic, :). The Mandchourie duo looks kind of amazing! I’m kind of tempted to pick it up, even though I basically never buy NARS eyeshadows because they’re so expensive.
Hi Liz,
It is all sorts of gorgeous, especially the lighter shade. How often do you wear blues/grays? If they’re everyday colors for you, it might be worth the splurge.
Or… you could use the duo as a motivational tool to help reach a goal. You know I’m all about makeup bribery to get things done, LOL!
The St. Mark’s Place liner is STUNNING!
I told myself I wouldnt look at Karens swatches because I knew this would happen… I’m totally in love with it too! Unless this pencil performs truely phenomenally, someone needs to find me a cheap color dupe asap!
Yep, Karen’s swatches are super dangerous! But we love ’em!
<3 <3 Thanks Heid!
Hi Adrienne,
The NARS Larger Than Life Pencils are really, REALLY phenomenal. Some of the best I’ve ever worn, even. I did a post a while back on another purple from the line:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/nars-larger-than-life-eyeliner-doesnt-stop-for-breakdowns/
Welllll… Sephora does have Friends & Fam coming up soon….
Karen, you devil you 😛
Very pretty! That blush is really nice! I wanna check that duo eyeshadow out too
It’s gorgeous! Especially the light shade.
The shades are gorgeous– Especially the duo
Vancouver’s cold and rainy already, I envy the warm weather you have there because my cold topped off the gloomy days here D:
Hi Ange,
I just thinking of your lovely city. I watched an episode of No Reservations featuring Vancouver a few weeks back and am longing to go back!
How long have you lived there? Do you like it?
The lippie is calling my name!
It’s a beautiful red. I think you should answer the call!
I need that lipstick! Especially today- need the extra makeup love to cheer me up. My baby kitty was meant to arrive yesterday but her interim (human) mama has decided she can’t let her go just yet, so now I’m waiting to hear if she’s coming home with me at all 🙁
Hi Anna,
Think positive thoughts. She’s just spending extra time getting ready to meet you. I hope your kitteh comes home soon!
Aw, thanks Karen! I really hope so too! She’s the spitting image of a much tinier Tabs, you know!
She arrived yesterday morning 🙂 I am so in love.
G-Spot Multiple is gorgeous!
Yes! Do you think you might pick it up?
Mandchourie Duo Eyeshadow. I will own you 🙂
The lighter shade in the duo is really, REALLY beautiful. You will love it.
I wish g-spot didn’t have that name!
Haha. Nars is naughty like that!
i think the delivery guys are going to think twice before ringing that doorbell.
I like both eyeliners- I’m a sucker for gold/bronze and also of purple so this is right up my alley.
Me too! Hmm… do you have MAC Powersurge? If you like gold/bronzy shades you might really love it.
Thanks for the tip- will check it out next time I’m at the counter.
I did an Unsung Heroes on it a while back:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/mac-makeup/mac-unsung-hero-powersurge-eye-kohl/
It’s seriously my fave MAC shade. I’d freak out if was ever discontinued!
Love this look on you, Karen! Are the polishes one coat in the photos? I’m curious how Space Odyssey looks when fully opaque.
Hey Peach,
They’re both two coats!
That duo and new multiple are tempting but I saw pictures of Arabian Nights and I fell in love
Yeah, the trio looks cool. I can’t wait to see it in person.
ooh all looks so pretty! can’t wait for holiday 😀
Me too. Love the makeup during this time of year!
I like both eyeliners!
Yea, what’s with that G-spot name? If I purchase it, then probably I would just laugh like crazy each time I use it. I am not prudish but really….. Lol!
NARS is famous for their cheeky names. 🙂
I just heard a noise by the door and thought the SAME THING! I watched both AHS episodes today!
Are you liking the series? I don’t know if I can handle watching the rest of it.
The blush looks beautiful!
Super pretty. 🙂
Hm I think I like the colours better in the pots than swatched.. It all seems a bit darker than I expected? Still veeery pretty though..
Hi Advah,
I really liked this one once I got it on. What colors are you digging so far?
The lipstick, multiple and blush! I expected the blush to be peachier and the multiple lighter though. That lipstick remains drool-worthy.
I built up the Multiple for this swatch — you can easily take it down by dabbing it lightly on cheeks. It looks very natural on!
Theeeeen…it’s going straight on my must-check-that-out list! 😛
Damn, woman! Are you cutting down sugar cane with that thing? Zombies and strangers with bloody foreheads, take notice! HAHA! I’ll have to check out AHS. My ghosty friend watches one of the Paranormal shows and she said she had to close her bedroom curtains with a clothespin in the middle of the night because she was convinced some evil was watching through the tiny crack.
I think the G-spot and highlighter combo looks really good on you. How did you find the wear time on G-spot? I only have one cream blush and it seems to fade after a couple of hours (I only break it out in the winter when my cheeks get a little dry, but it’s definitely not long-lasting). 🙁
If you watch it don’t do it before going to bed!
I had really good wear with G-Spot; it stayed on all day yesterday on my uber dry cheeks. I know what you mean about some cream blushes not lasting long, though. Some of the really slippery ones can disappear like THAT. What’s the name of the cream blush you currently have?
I love the silver and charcoal eyeshadow swatch, it looks like it could produce a lovely smokey eye. The Space Odyssey polish looks lovely too. Is it possible for you to do an opaque swatch of it or is the polish naturally sheer?
Love the colors! Would you do a tutorial for this kind of look sometime? As much as I love makeup, I’m still a newbie and can’t figure out how to do a subtle smokey eye like this one.
OMG love the colors on you! Are you getting Arabian Nights too? I ordered that and Mandchourie yesterday and I can’t wait to see them in person!
Very pretty stuff!!! Do you open the door sharpening the knife lol
Wow, I am so blown away by how pretty your FOTDs are, esp. how beautiful your skin is. BTW are you still using the MAC Studio Sculpt foundation and your combo of Mineralize Skinfinish Natural and Careblend Pressed powders?
super awesome FOTD, Karen! and this is another awesome collection from NARS!
Thanks for the pics and swatches. It seems the colors are similar to a couple of years ago. Would love to see the Arabian Night swatches and how they compare to the Night series shadows/
Damn girl, all those NARS goodies look awesome on you! Especially the cheek and lip.
I really, really want the multiple and the cheek highlighting blush, can’t wait til these are available!
Do you think Miss Liberty would make a nice blush for fair ladies? The term “Highlighting” and “Blush” together equal a little confusion for me! Many “highlighters” for most people are blush on me! haha, I don’t want disco cheeks though!
Miss Liberty reminds me of Sex Appeal blush, but with sparkles~
I love your blog btw 😀
Ha! Ha! I can’t stop laughing!!! You are so hilarious!! I love reading your blog! Tx for making my day! Now got a work! MU actually 😉 Xoxo
Am new to your blog and I love it! Particularly appreciate all the swatches you do, it is incredibly helpful and you have a great sense of humour!
How did you get those gorgeous blonde highlights in your hair? It makes your tan skin really pop!
Hi Nicole,
Thank you! This was a while ago, and I wish I could say that I did it myself, but my friend (who does hair) worked her magic. If you live the SF Bay Area I’d be happy to give you her contact info! She’s in the North Bay and totally worth crossing the bridge for. 🙂