It seemed like the right thing to do.
Yesterday afternoon I watched Roman Holiday (for, oh, I dunno, the ninth or tenth time) while painting my nails with NARS Roman Holiday Nail Polish from the new $49 Modern Future set.
I was also wearing Roman Holiday Blush and Roman Holiday Lipstick (also from the same set) on my cheeks and lips.
It just made sense. I mean, I could have watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Sabrina instead, but that would have been totally weird… Watching Roman Holiday seemed like the right thing to do. 🙂
Which reminds me, please, PLEASE tell me you’ve seen this movie. Breakfast at Tiffany’s seems to get more love, but Roman Holiday gets my vote for best Audrey Hepburn movie, ever. She even earned a Best Actress Academy Award for it.
If you haven’t seen it, do it! Audrey plays a princess who goes rogue by taking an unsanctioned, impromptu vacation from her life as a royal public figure. During her adventure she hangs out with an American newspaper reporter, played by Gregory Peck. The sets, the clothes, the dialogue, the ending — SO GOOD. Just watch it already!
And if you can, watch it while you’re wearing NARS Roman Holiday Blush, Lipstick and Nail Polish. It’s, like, extra poetic that way.
Roman Holiday is a cool pastel pink with slight purple undertones…but don’t let that description scare you! — because it’s actually really pretty and wearable.
Originally, the color only came as a lipstick, but NARS turned it into a blush and a nail polish for this LE holiday set.
Roman Holiday Lipstick
When I’m in the mood for a smooth, easy-to-wear cool-toned pink that doesn’t shimmer and isn’t too shiny, Roman Holiday Lipstick’s sheer pink wash rules. I can literally (well…) throw it on without having to use a mirror. I also like that it’s a build-able sheer, so you can intensify it by adding another layer. I also think it looks super pretty with NARS Angelika or Easy Lover Lipgloss on top.
The set includes a full-size 0.12-oz. tube.
Roman Holiday Blush
Cute like a tiny newborn kitten, the Roman Holiday Blush that comes with the set is small. The pan contains 0.12 ounces, so it’s kitten-sized compared to a full-size NARS blush pan, which houses 0.16 ounces.
It’s so cute! I want to put it in the crook of my arm and sing lullabies to it until it falls asleep…
This highly pigmented pink matte sheers out beautifully, without creating any drama or looking patchy. I usually apply a single layer with ye olde blush brush.
Roman Holiday Nail Polish
NARS decided to spice things up a bit with the nail polish, giving it secret silver shimmer (a very Chanel-esque move) that really reveals itself when you see your nails in full sunlight.
The formula is on the thicker side, so you might want to remove any excess polish from the brush before applying each layer; otherwise, things get goopy fast.
I sure love the color, though. The faint purple keeps it from being a basic Barbie pink. The bottle in the set is full size (0.5 ounces).
Considering that a full-size tube of NARS Lipstick costs $26 and a full-size bottle of NARS Nail Polish costs $20, you get a pretty good deal with this set, since it also comes with the blush and a reusable tray…which I’m going to repurpose as a cat treat holder, obvs. 🙂
I’m not over the moon about the triangular gift box it comes with, though. Points for uniqueness, but really, how the heck are you supposed to wrap it? But other than that one geometric quibble, I love this set.
PRICE: $49
AVAILABILITY: Limited edition, and available now at NARS boutiques and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
More movie fun!
We watched a great one on iTunes last night called Chef. It stars Sofia Vergara, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson and Jon Favreau, who plays a celebrity chef at a turning point in his career after a not-so-great review from a famous food blogger.
It’s not just a movie about food, either, although there is a lot of that. It’s also about the relationship between a father and his son, and the unexpected twists and turns that happen during the in-between times when life can get kinda messy — which I can totally relate to.
There’s also an a epic grilled cheese sandwich sequence which will haunt my dreams until the end of time… You’ve been officially warned! Don’t watch this movie on an empty stomach! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hi Karen, I was wondering where you were today! I see you curled your hair? Very pretty! I think the nail polish is my fav piece from this set.
Btw, last week I got Nars Angelika lipgloss 🙂
Hi Agata,
I did! I finally had some time this morning to whip my mane into submission, LOL. I used the 1-inch barrel Conair curler I got from Ulta a few weeks ago. It works like a charm!
Angelika is a great color. What do you think of the texture? It’s lovely, isn’t it?
I am glad you like your new curling iron. See, I can’t make a regular curling iron make work for me, my hair gets indented from the clamp.
Angelika is a beautiful shade and the formula is absolutely flawless!
Ahh, I know what you mean. Do you end up using a glove with yours? When I tried using a clipless one, it came with this goofy glove, and for some reason I just couldn’t make it work!
I love Angelika too. Now you need Greek Holiday next!
The glove is kind of pointless to be honest and I don’t use it. I can’t say I have never burned my fingers because I have but practice makes perfect. I just find it really easy to roll my hair around the wand and I hold on to the plastic thingy at the end so I don’t burn myself. If you still have yours you should give it a try again, I am sure you can make it work 🙂
You are much more coordinated than I am. I would need two more sets of hands to make that clipless iron work, LOL!
That looks so pretty on you Karen! For some reason cool pastel pinks remind me of winter, they look good with a grey or white chunky sweater! I also loved the movie Chef, saw it in the theater! Did you see Gone Girl yet? Also amazing!
Hi Rachel,
Ya know, I would’ve never thought to pair this lip/cheek combo with a gray sweater. That sounds purr-fect! Now I have an excuse to go to the mall. 🙂
I have seen Gone Girl, and I thought it totally did the book justice. Did you read the book beforehand?
I confess, that movie must have escaped me. Will fix that soon, but not wearing this set. Whenever I wear pink , I look like Barbie gone wild… Suits you though.
Hi Lindalibraloca,
Barbie Gone Wild?! I think that would be a good thing! Actually a great thing. Then again I like to pretend that I have a pet unicorn named Giselle…
I hope you watch this movie soon. It was filmed entirely in Rome and the sets and settings are beautiful. It’s black and white, so all of the textures pop. 🙂 Plus Audrey rocks some bold brows and cat eye liner.
Have you seen any good movies lately?
No, no movies for me at the moment, as I am a new working mom (little Bean is 8 months today <3 ), signed up for an exam coming up in early november and started a beauty and mommy blog in august.
But come november I will light some candles, cuddle up on the couch and binge watch! Would actually be nice to have a pet unicorn to keep me company then…
I just read Gone Girl. I’m usually though not always disappointed w the movie. This one is a nice presentation of the book though, Karen? W your seal of approval im going to have to check it out. I have to say the book totally threw me for a loop. I read it in two nights after I put my baby girl in her crib. That first night it really hurt me to have to put it down. Have you read any other of Ms. Flynns novels?
Hi Amanda,
I was the same way! I literally could not put it down once I started reading it. It took me about a day and a half to blaze through it.
You have to watch the movie; I think you’ll like it. Gillian Flynn also wrote the screenplay, which is part of the reason why I think the movie is so successful in capturing the book. I get really bummed when movies don’t do the original book justice, and this one totally does.
As for her other books, I’ve read Sharp Objects and Dark Places — they’re both fast and entertaining (and at some moments very unsettling) books.
How old is your baby girl, by the way? Is she your only child?
Oh man, I loved Chef and I’m still dreaming about that grilled cheese a couple months later! I really liked the road trip part of the film because they went to two of my favorite cities: New Orleans and Austin! It was fun seeing all the local joints they went to.
Hi Kalli,
I can’t even think of that grilled cheese sequence without drooling. Mmm… melted cheese. Did you catch the part at the end where Jon Favreau is watching and learning how to make a grilled cheese?
I was thinking this would be a good Christmas gift, but the wrapping would be awkward! I think a gift bag is in order. The colors are pretty. I especially like the nail polish. Tabs looks fierce with his bling. 🙂
Hi Ruchita,
A gift bag is a great idea. Saves you time on the wrapping, too. (And it’s reusable… another plus!)
How are you and the kitties doing?
Everything’s going great! I was just thinking that it’s Mingy’s four year “anniversary” that he first started showing up in our garage. I don’t remember the exact date, but it was definitely in October. I’ll have to do something special for the boy – although he’s quite spoiled as it is. 🙂
Hope you and Tabs are doing well! Is he going to dress up for Halloween this year?
You have to make him “special” gravy. Or perhaps incorporate a party with hats! 🙂 OK, that sounded a little too crazy cat lady, but I think it would be fun!
Tabs is going to be rockin’ some fun costumes this year. I just hope that I can bribe him with enough food so that he actually stays in them!
Speaking of food… I was in the mood for some homemade chocolate chip cookies but didn’t want to actually bake them, so I picked up a bag of these Nestle Toll House Ultimates Chocolate Chip Lovers Cookie Dough from Target and HELLO DELICIOUS COOKIE CRACK. They’re pre-portioned cookies in a square sheet. All you have to do is break ’em apart, put them on a cookie sheet and stick them in the oven for 14 minutes. They are great if you need a quick cookie fix.
I’ve actually thought about the party hat idea before! Cat ladies think alike. 🙂
I’ve considered getting costumes for the cats, but since there’s 3 of them, they might attack me in my sleep! I found some cute Halloween themed collars on Etsy I might buy.
That cookie dough sounds amazing! I admit sometimes I’ll just eat chocolate chips straight out of the bag, but this sounds even better!
and.. just when I thought I had my list somewhat in check. Thought this would be a pass for me but now I want this too! Haha.. you have become quite the enabler for me Karen. 😉 tsk tsk
I know a pink-obsessed friend who would be THRILLED to get this for Christmas 😀
Oh, I love Roman Holiday. Another Audrey movie that I really enjoy, but that doesn’t get a ton of love (that I know of) is Charade. I’m not sure how you can go wrong with Audrey, Cary Grant or Gregory Peck. 🙂
NARS Roman Holiday is a bit too pink for me but I can see how some people would love it. I’m pretty excited to have placed a Sephora order this AM and gotten the Marc Jacob’s O!mega mascara with my VIB points. I’ll let you know what I think in a couple of days. Oh, and Happy Friday!!! 🙂
I had high hopes for this set but I was hoping the lipstick would be warm toned and more pigmented. I like the nail polish though
Hi Denise,
I hear ya. How much pigment were you hoping for? If you want full opacity, then you might want to check out the Illamasqua Glamore lipsticks. I’ve been testing them and they’re completely full coverage. They’ve got a few warm pinks, too.
Ok I wil. Thanks Karen!!
I wasn’t sure about the blush but your swatches are making me want this set again lol. It looks a little darker than I thought. I’ll have to check it out soon
It looks so pretty on you, I love it! And I totally agree.. Roman Holiday is my favorite movie of hers. Now I want to watch it again after watching that trailer 🙂
Such pretty color, I love me some pink and no, I can never have enough pink and that pink really is beautiful! And now I’ll go download the movie since you kind of made me feel like I really missed out on something great 🙂
Love, Stefi
http://www.brighteyesandglossylips.com
I totally agree that Roman Holiday is far superior to Breakfast at Tiffany’s! My favorite is actually probably Sabrina, followed closely by RH, and then BAT rolls in last place.
I have been eyeing this NARS classic lipstick shade for awhile, but never took the plunge. With this set, maybe now’s the time. I just wish the blush was full sized! But you’re right, it’s still a solid value.
That polish is AWESOME! The lipstick and blush is a no for me I triesd it on in Nordstroms and I scared myself! Maybe I’ll buy the set and sell off the other items!!