Today I live in the burbs about 30 miles north of San Francisco, but back when I did live in the city, it was smack dab in the middle of the dot-com boom, and the place was hoppin’.
Rental rates were out of control! Dot-coms were shooting up everywhere you looked, and housing of any kind was hard to come by. I struggled to find a place to live and eventually ended up renting a room in a sketchy house out in SF’s Sunset District, living with a cavalcade of characters, like the DJ/herbal enthusiast (let’s just say she wasn’t growing rosemary, if you know what I mean), and the kleptomaniac.
Honestly, I have no idea what I was thinking when I signed that lease. It wasn’t one of my better life decisions, but the rent was cheap, and I was hell bent on moving out of my parents’ house.
Which brings me to the new NARS ValparaÃso Pure Matte Lipstick for Spring 2012…
Behind the sketchy house was a massive raspberry bush that had completely overtaken the yard, and in the middle of it, the branches parted to form a tunnel.
I never explored the tunnel because I was convinced it was filled with rats, but I always wondered… Where did it lead? Probably just to the back fence, but naturally my overactive imagination entertained the prospect of an entrance to Narnia on the other end.
Regardless, there was definitely something magical about that bush because it produced berries all year round — rich raspberries, like $25 NARS ValparaÃso.
For gals who feel that rich raspberry mattes belong in fall, you know François. He’s not afraid to break the rules. 🙂
To me, ValparaÃso isn’t a typical moody berry at all. When I look closely at it, I see a touch of silver glitter. A nice surprise. The flecks are almost microscopic, but I like that they’re there.
Most years, by the time spring rolls around, I’m usually ready to shed my dark lippies and embrace lighter pinks and corals, but the more I spend time with ValparaÃso and its ethereal glitter, the more I can see myself wearing it throughout the year.
As for the technical details, ValparaÃso is both unscented and unflavored, with a relatively light formula (for a matte lipstick) that still manages to last between 5-6 hours on my lips, as long I sip my gin and juice through a straw (kidding!). Of course, after peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I do have to reapply.
Another lovely surprise this spring from NARS. 🙂
It seems like many of the pieces from this launch have some kind of surprise, like Gaiety’s soft sheen and Mexican Rose’s saturated stain.
They’re keeping me on my toes, and I like that. This collection is shaping up to be one of my favorites of the season so far.
PRICE: $25
AVAILABILITY: Coming to NARS counters and online January 13
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Guess what? (It’s almost Friday!)
I like it how you call it “this spring”! It really brightens up my day:)
I think I will get this and wear it till Fall comes again!
But knowing I’ll probably use a couple times then save till fall. Haha!
I still have NARS Carthage from last summer, barely worn. So it’s gonna be on my radar again soon. 🙂
Gorgeous!!!
“Of course, after peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I do have to reapply. ” This is why I love your blog, lol. Thanks for the review!
I ate one today! Normally I’m a Skippy kind of girl, but I used some peanut butter from Trader Joe’s and it tasted like the nectar of the gods. For real. 🙂
Karen, thats just the Puuuuurrfect way to sum up Nars!
Personally I think I might be scared to wear that shade come any seaon, Being so pale I don’t think it would do me much good, esp since I always focus on my eyes and leave my lips nude or just glossed!
That said you are a beauty that seems to be able to pull off just about any shade, you lucky thang! Looks gorgeous on you!
I’m dying for that new benefit blush you posteda while ago.. Gosh that seems like forever ago! I seem to spend forever waiting for things to be released!
That’s gorgeous, and just what I’ve been looking for.
This is HOOOOOOOT on you! I don’t think it’s too vampy for spring at all! Good job for not giving us typical “meh” spring colors, NARS!
This is a great color for you – it really brings out your highlights which, btw, still look awesomely vibrant. Pinks and reds are fast faders, as you know. Nice job on keeping yours bangin’! 🙂
that is a gorgeous lipstick!
Ooh, that’s pretty. I love that it doesn’t look at all dry, unfortunately whenever I try out matte lipsticks, I seem to always manage to pick out the driest ones possible. I’m going to have to invest in this one 🙂
I love berry shades, this one is gorgeous!
I have to agree with others – it’s gorgeous!