NARS

A Pink and Bronze Face of the Day Using the NARSissist Eye Palette, With Help From MAC and Urban Decay

January 23rd, 2014 by Karen 25 Comments

A few things…

First, this morning I tried on a pair of skinny jeans I ordered online and got stuck in them.

Seriously.

Apparently, I wasn’t paying close enough attention and ordered the wrong size.

Yeah…

I’d managed to shimmy into them up to my thighs when I realized that something was very wrong, and if I’d kept going, I’d need prayer and the Jaws of Life to get out of them.

Lesson learned here, kids. If you’re going to purchase the Citizens of Humanity Avedon skinny jeans, go up at least one size.

Second, SWV lives!!!

I found them while channel surfing last night. SWV Reunited on WE. The combination of early ’90s R&B and reality TV gets me weak in the knees… I can hardly speak. I lose all control. Then something comes over me… 🙂 Hahaha!

Third, I realized this afternoon that pinkish bronze metallic eyes are totally fun. And not too hard to create, believe it or not! I got the idea from a pink and bronze eye look I saw on UD’s website.

For this face of the day, I went with a few products from MAC, NARS and Urban Decay.

[Continue reading…]

Unsung Makeup Heroes: NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation

January 20th, 2014 by Karen 14 Comments

“Feline enthusiast.”

“Beauty addict.”

“Beyonce advocate.”

“Defender of dental floss.”

“Hater of the word, ‘panties.'” (YUCK! I can’t even stand seeing it in print.)

“Advocate of enabling (primarily in the makeup arena).”

“Enemy of under-eye circles.”

Like you, I wear many badges, and I wear them all with pride. 🙂

“Foundation philanderer.” I’m growing quite fond of that one, too.

Interestingly, I’m able to remain committed to the same cat for seven years (I don’t count my dalliances with Charlize and Orangey, my two favorite neighborhood kitties), yet I’m unable to stay with the same foundation for more than a few months.

Weird.

Just when I think I’ve found THE ONE, I stumble on to something else, and frequently describe it as having, air quotes, “changed my life.”

As of now, that distinction goes to NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation, and yes, it really has “changed my life.” 🙂

At least I think it has… I certainly love it; that’s for sure.

Yeah…I’m kind of on a serious NARS kick right now, and Radiant Cream has something to do with it.

It’s a great little foundation, especially if you like medium-to-full coverage and have combination, or straight-up dry, skin.

I’ve been fiendishly obsessed with MAC Face & Body for the better part of a year, and I still love it…but I’ve temporarily set it aside in favor of this. For now. I mean, I still have mad love for Mac Face & Body, but like I said — I’m on a serious NARS kick.

This stuff handles my combination dry/oily skin like RyGos handles ab work — beautifully. Even the dry parts. It smooths and evens out my skin tone without catching on any flakes or drawing attention to my dry or scaly bits (gross, but true). Great coverage, and it looks natural.

Wearing NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation in Barcelona

[Continue reading…]

Watch Out, Pores! The New NARS Pro-Prime Instant Line & Pore Perfector Has It In for You

January 17th, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

Took me a hot second to get around to trying NARS Pro-Prime Instant Line & Pore Perfector, NARS’ newest face product, because, let’s be real, I get REALLY easily distracted by pretty colors (see: High Seize, Final Cut, the NARSissist Eye Palette), and Instant Line & Pore Perfector is un-remarkably colorless.

But, I finally took it out for a spin this week, and I’m glad I did.

The name pretty much says it all: Pro-Prime Instant Line & Pore Perfector. A colorless primer in stick form, you use it target specific areas of the face where you want to smooth out fine lines and pores.

According to NARS, “line and pore-filling microspheres” in the formula, along with hyaluronic acid, smooth skin and gently plump fine lines. The stuff also has something called “spherical line smoothing powder,” which makes wrinkles less visible by a trick of light. They evenly reflect it and brighten up the dark areas within the wrinkles themselves.

The formula feels like a lightweight, non-sticky, non-greasy balm. Just glide the stick on top of wherever you want some smoothing, and then pop your face products on top.

I’ve been using it as a spot “perfector” this week on top of my usual primer, MAC Natural Radiance. After I work a dollop of Natural Radiance into my skin, I swipe Instant Line & Pore Perfector on my cheeks, under my eyes and around my mouth — the places where my pores and fine lines need serious mellowing. Then, I blend it in with my fingers.

[Continue reading…]

For the NARSissists Among Us: The New $49 NARS NARSissist Cheek Kit

January 13th, 2014 by Karen 31 Comments

NARS NARSissist Cheek Palette and Mini Blush Brush — NARSissist Cheek Palette and Mini Blush Brush, $49

Because, ya know, what the world *really* needed was another NARS blush palette with Orgasm and Laguna.

Le sigh…

I ya, NARS, and I love both of those shades, but it sure would be nice to see a blush palette without the usual suspects.

NARS Cosmetics is bringing out your inner NARSissist with the introduction of the NARSissist Cheek Palette. Named for and inspired by the brand’s devoted fans and cult followers, this inaugural palette showcases the brand’s most iconic products and beloved shades for cheeks.
— NARS PR

OK, sure, the new NARSissist Cheek Kit does also come with Devotee, a limited edition shimmery peachy pink highlighter, and a cute mini blush brush (so soft!), so it’s not simply Orgasm and Laguna (silver linings, right?).

Might be something to consider, especially if you’re trying to streamline or don’t have any of these shades.

The whole kit and caboodle arrives February 1 exclusively to Sephora and sephora.com.

NARS NARSissist Cheek Palette on the top and Eyeshadow Palette on the bottom — The NARSissist Cheek Palette on the top and the new Eye Palette on the bottom

NARS NARSissist Cheek Palette Swatches from the left: Devotee, Orgasm and Laguna — Swatches from the left: Devotee, Orgasm and Laguna

The New NARS NARSissist Eye Palette Plays Like a Compilation of NARS No. 1 Hits

January 13th, 2014 by Karen 42 Comments

I think of two things when I hold the new NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette in my paw…

The first one is awesomeness, as in the state of being awesome.

The second one is Greek mythology.

Remember Narcissus? He was the guy so enamored with his reflection in a pool of water that he couldn’t leave it, and eventually, um, he died.

Seriously, dude? You couldn’t even take a break from admiring yourself to at least eat some fruit??

Anyway, I remember reading that story for the first time in fourth grade, which was during the height of my Greek mythology phase, and thinking, “Wow…Narcissus must’ve been really, REALLY cute. I bet he looked like Michael J. Fox.” LOL!

Oh, NARS…

Not gonna lie, I could spend hours cooing at this palette like I’m Narcissus at that pond. “Oh, sweet palette… You’re such a gorgeous palette. Yes you are! I lurve you sooo much.”

Essentially, it’s the brand’s version of a neutral/Naked palette, and holla! — it’s kind of amazing.

NARSissist (NARS∙is∙sist) (n.) – lives by her own rules, not afraid to express herself in every look, mood or attitude. Effortlessly captivating with a bottomless makeup bag.

NARS Cosmetics introduces the NARSissist Eye Palette, named for and inspired by the brand’s devoted fans and cult followers, this inaugural palette will set the stage for future NARSissist products to come.

— NARS PR

The limited edition palette plays like a compilation of NARS No. 1 hits. Most of its 15 powder eyeshadows hail from the NARS single eyeshadows permanent line, while a handful of them appear in NARS permanent eyeshadow duos.

There is also one formerly limited edition shade, Bad Behavior, a deep pewter from the Guy Bourdin holiday 2013 collection.

The whole enchilada: 15 shades

All About Eve I: a flesh-toned neutral (permanent)
Ashes to Ashes: a shimmery violet-based brown (permanent)
Fez: a velvety cocoa (permanent)
Bad Behavior: a deep pewter (limited edition; this is the one from the Guy Bourdin holiday collection)
Bali: a neutral matte brown (permanent)
Brousse II: a shimmery blackened violet (permanent)
Coconut Grove: a deep brown infused with reflective particles (permanent)
Dogon II: a charcoal black (permanent)
Madrague I: a matte cream (permanent)
Madrague II: a matte caramel (permanent)
Belissima I: a shimmering beige with subtle glitter (permanent)
Mekong: an espresso infused with gold (permanent)
Lhasa: a lavender grey (permanent)
Pandora II: a matte black (permanent)
Nepal: a soft, sheer rose (permanent)

Nepal! Lhasa! Coconut Grove! The darker shade from the Dogon duo! OMG! I can’t even…

If I were ever to make a list of my end-all, be-all, must-have NARS eyeshadows, so many of these colors would make the cut. It is literally (OK, figuratively) my NARS eyeshadow palette dream come true.

[Continue reading…]

With Provocative Pink Pairings for Cheeks and Lips, the NARS Final Cut Collection Arrives in Time for Valentine’s Day

January 10th, 2014 by Karen 29 Comments

NARS Descanso Satin Lip Pencil — Wearing the new NARS Final Cut collection on my cheeks and lips

Right now, the only thing that sounds better to me than biscuits, mashed potatoes and buttered corn (I love KFC’s sides!) and my booty on the couch is the NARS Final Cut collection.

Key words: pink, blushes, lip pencils and illuminators. And pink.

NARS Final Cut Collection — Eight of the 9 pieces in the new NARS Final Cut collection

Grabby hands! I haz them. 😀

In Final Cut, a limited edition release coming arriving next month, NARS re-imagines pink lips and cheeks with modern femininity. Like @ss-kicker boots worn below a frilly lace dress, the colors are edgy and fierce.

Nice.

The collection includes four Blushes, four Satin Lip Pencils (my favorite formula in the NARS lip product line) and one shimmery liquid Illuminator. And yes, pink.

Lots and lots of pink.

The nine-piece NARS Final Cut collection…

Sex Fantasy Blush: a pale lavender pink ($29)
New Attitude Blush: a cherry blossom pink ($29)
Final Cut Blush: a peachy coral ($29)
Love Blush: a tea rose ($29)
Adelaide Illuminator: a shimmering lavender pink ($30)
Stourhead Satin Lip Pencil: a pale lavender pink ($25)
Villa Lante Satin Lip Pencil: a cherry blossom pink($25)
Torres del Paine Satin Lip Pencil: a peachy coral ($25)
Descanso Satin Lip Pencil: a tea rose ($25)

Each of the blushes has a matching lip pencil, with the idea being that you can wear matching sets of coordinating colors together — a lip pencil with its matching blush. Or, of course, you can mix things up and wear any of the colors together. The liquid highlighter goes with everything.

Here are pics and impressions on eight of the nine pieces (I’ll post my thoughts on the fourth blush, Final Cut, soon). In a word: beautiful. In two words: absolutely beautiful. And four more words for good luck: super wearable, super flattering.

NARS Sex Fantasy Blush — Sex Fantasy Blush

NARS New Attitude Blush — New Attitude Blush

NARS Adelaide Illuminator — Adelaide Illuminator

NARS FInal Cut Satin Lip Pencils — The FInal Cut Satin Lip Pencils

[Continue reading…]

Anchored in Bold, Bright Shades, the NARS Spring 2014 High Seize Collection Sets Sail for Spring

January 9th, 2014 by Karen 41 Comments

Anchors aweigh, NARS fans! This is your captain speaking. Before we cast off, I’d like to thank you for choosing Tabs the Cat Tours (a division of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC) for your travel needs.

It should be smoooove sailing up the coast this afternoon, and as we cruise into spring, you should see plenty of shimmery finishes, metallic moments and splashes of sheer color off the starboard bow.

I’d like to remind you to please wear your life jacket at all times. It is of the utmost importance, as we may experience sweeping moments of makeup ecstasy.

Our destination: the dreamy plums, turquoises, golds, pinks, greens and peaches in the nine-piece NARS spring 2014 collection. Hold on to your makeup brushes, because we’re heading into High Seize!

NARS Spring 2014 Collection High Seize — Set sail for High Sieze with the nine-piece NARS spring 2014 collection

The entire NARS Spring 2014 High Seize collection includes…

CHINA SEAS DUO EYESHADOW ($34): An iridescent turquoise with gold infusion and an iridescent plum
KAUAI DUO EYESHADOW ($34): A gold lamé and an iridescent smokey orchid
KHAO SAN ROAD LARGER THAN LIFE LONG-WEAR EYELINER ($24): A metallic aquamarine
PUERTA DEL SOL LARGER THAN LIFE LONG-WEAR EYELINER ($24): A parrot green with shimmer
ANNÉES FOLLES LARGER THAN LIFE LIP GLOSS ($26): A sheer violet
BIMINI LARGER THAN LIFE LIP GLOSS ($26): A sheer pink guava
TIMANFAYA SATIN LIP PENCIL ($25): A mandarin red
NĀ PALI COAST MULTIPLE ($39): A shimmering rosy peach
WIND DANCER NAIL POLISH ($19): A cantaloupe

NARS China Seas Duo Eyeshadow ($34)

Please direct your gaze to the starboard side, as we plunge into the life aquatic with China Seas, the first of two eyeshadow duos in the collection.

Submerge your lids under its shimmery iridescent turquoise. Then, take a dip in its sparkling, iridescent reddish plum…

Both of the shadows in this duo will lap your lids with a soft sheen. I like how they blend seamlessly into each other — but please, do be careful of the fallout. A bit of powder finds its way onto my cheeks whenever I forget to tap off my brush before applying, but it’s not enough to need a life preserver.

MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

NARS China Seas Swatch — China Seas Swatch

NARS Kauai Duo Eyeshadow ($34)

Hold on to the railing, friends, because we’re heading into some exciting big waves courtesy of the thrilling Kauai Duo Eyeshadow, which makes a splash with its mirror-like shine and bold pigment.

This duo is the flashier of the two. Every time I see that shimmery metallic yellow gold and iridescent smokey orchid sparkling on my lids, my breath catches, and I feel so alive! — like the time I paddled into a six-foot wave and actually surfed the damned thing (I even dropped in, OMG!).

Grab this one if you want to focus attention on your eyes, but more mature NARS fans might want to go easy on it by wearing these shadows close to their lids or lash lines, since the high-shine finish just loooooves to point out fine lines.

MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

[Continue reading…]

5 Permanent Line Products I’ve Been Loving Lately From MAC, NARS, YSL and Perricone MD

January 2nd, 2014 by Karen 26 Comments

Hey, gurl! Hey! Let’s talk about beauty…

Hmm… Being a day late and a dollar short to the show, I should probably stop telling people that I’m watching Breaking Bad. I mentioned it to my brother the other day, and the first thing he said was…

**WARNING** **SPOILER ALERT START** **WARNING**

The first thing he said was (STOP HERE IF YOU DON’T WANT ANY SPOILERS!)…

I’m serious! Skip this entire gray box. DON’T READ ANOTHER LINE!

The first thing he said was, “Did you get to the part where Jesse’s girlfriend O.D.s?”

Uh…No, Al. I actually had not gotten to that part. 😕

Then I mentioned it to my mother-in-law, who’s never even seen the show but heard a few things through the grapevine, and she said (MORE SPOILERS!!!), “Isn’t that the show where the guy dies at the end?”

**WARNING** **SPOILER ALERT END** **WARNING**

Yeah… Insert mouth agape [HERE].

I think it’s the universe’s way of telling me that I should stick to talking about other subjects — subjects like makeup, and these five permanent collection products I’ve been loving lately.

1. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Gloss Stain in 7 Corail Aquatique, $34

Wearing Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Gloss Stain in 7 Corail Aquatique on my lips, MAC Cantaloupe Blush on my cheeks and NARS Galapagos Eyeshadow on my eyes

So, earlier this week I go to Sephora to get a birthday gift for my mom, and wouldn’t ya know it? Two tubes of Corail Aquatique mysteriously find their way into my basket/heart.

One for Mom, one for me. 🙂

My mom is so funny… I know I’m probably going to have to encourage her to wear this light pinkish coral glossy stain, because whenever I get her anything higher end than drugstore, it usually ends up displayed in the bathroom like a fancy trophy.

She never actually wears it, LOL!

The Pur Couture glosses, which apply as a gloss but wear down to a stain, are part of YSL’s permanent line, and I’ve loved them for a while.

I’ve been putting Corail Aquatique through its paces lately.

No — literally, its paces. I wore it on my walk yesterday. I think it’s a really lovely everyday lip color.

2. MAC Powder Blush in Cantaloupe, $17

MAC Cantaloupe Blush — Cantaloupe Blush (MAC Pro)

OOOH, GURL, don’t even get me started on coral Cantaloupe Blush. As Tabs would say, It’s “purr-fection!”

As a MAC Pro product, warm pinkish coral Cantaloupe is available at Pro Stores and online (but not at regular MAC stores and counters).

Officially, it’s billed as having a Satin finish, but I feel like it looks more Matte in pics… Frankly, I don’t care what they call it, because I just call it awesome and forgiving. Really forgiving, especially when you have pores the size o’ Lake Michigan (like me).

If the Magnetic Nude blushes weren’t always distracting me, I’d probably be wearing Cantaloupe 24/7.

LOVE IT!

3. NARS Coconut Grove, $24

OK, so I’ve had rich dark chocolate Coconut Grove forever, but I only recently fell in lust with it. I’ve been going through something of a brown eyeshadow phase (there are just so many great ones out there, and they’re so versatile!), and I guess I re-discovered it.

It might also have something to do with all of the chocolate I’ve been eating lately…

Anywho, Coconut Grove — bangin’ for brown smokey eyes. It has slightest sheen — barely noticeable — but enough to keep things interesting. It also prevents it from looking like a flat brown matte.

Super pretty layered on top of black or dark brown creamy kohl pencils and cream eyeshadow bases.

[Continue reading…]