NARS

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

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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.

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Sun-Kissed Peach, Gold and Cocoa Colors Bask on the Beach That Is the New Limited Edition NARS Loves Miami Set

December 3rd, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Wearing the new NARS Love Miami set on my eyes, cheeks and lips

Even though I’m feeling like this because it’s hella cold here today…

Wearing the new NARS Loves Miami set makes me feel like this…

It’s one of those sets that makes you (me) wish you (I) lived someplace tropical during the winter — someplace where its golden shimmer and glitter and peach and brown shades (with a shot of violet) would play well with your perpetual tan, which, of course, you earned through regular after-work surf sessions…le sigh!

Um, did I mention that it’s cold here today?! Well…cold by Northern California standards (the high was 54 and the low was 30, and yes, I can hear you laughing from here).

I think the lack of warmth in my extremities right now might directly correlate with my sudden interest in makeup with a warm-weather theme.

NARS Love Miami: A three-piece set — Clockwise from the left: Eye & Cheek Palette, Orgasm Nail Polish and Orgasm lip Gloss

The three-piece limited edition holiday set contains some of Miami’s bestselling shades, like peachy pink Orgasm Nail Polish and Lip Gloss, and an Eye & Cheek Palette with glittery pink Fathom Eyeshadow, shimmery sugared cocoa Kalahari Eyeshadow, matte deep violet Daphne Eyeshadow, shimmery dark brown Cordura Eyeshadow, peachy pink Orgasm Blush and golden brown Laguna Bronzing Powder.

NARS Love Miami: Eye & Cheek Palette — Eye & Cheek Palette

NARS Love Miami: Orgasm Nail Polish — Orgasm Nail Polish

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What’s Small, and Yet Also Larger Than Life? The New NARS Voyeur Mini Larger Than Life Eyeliner Coffret

November 5th, 2013 by Karen 9 Comments

When Juliet asked, “What’s in a name?” girlfriend could have been talking about the new NARS Voyeur Mini Larger Than Life Eyeliner Coffret, because first of all, what’s a coffret? And second, what’s both mini and larger than life at the same time?

Weird. But also cool.

This $49 coffret is a satin and patent heart-embellished makeup pouch, and it comes with five little Larger Than Life Eyeliners.

It’s available now online and at NARS counters and boutiques as part of the Guy Bourdin collection.

What do you think? Good deal or bad? The website says it’s a $62 value.

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You Can’t Help But Notice This Beautiful, Bold Stranger: The New $35 NARS Beautiful Stranger Nail Polish Set

November 1st, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

The new $35 NARS Beautiful Stranger holiday nail polish set, the only nail set in the Guy Bourdin collection, comes with four nail polish minis packed with pigment.

Shameless Red, my favorite of the bunch, could have been called Shameless Coral, and I would have liked that because I have no quarrels with corals. I love coral, and this one feels very tropical to me. It reminds me of hibiscuses.

The purplish shade, Dance Dance Dance, despite its awesome name, is probably my least favorite one. I had to apply three coats because I saw some streakiness after two.

Oh, I’m not wearing a base or top coat with these…only because I didn’t want to take the time. I would for normal wear to eek out as much longevity as possible.

NARS Shameless Red Nail Polish, a bright pink — Shameless Red Nail Polish, a bright pink (two coats)

NARS Lost Red Nail Polish, a bright red — Lost Red Nail Polish, a bright red (two coats)

NARS Dance Dance Dance Nail Polish, a bright purple — Dance Dance Dance Nail Polish, a bright purple (three coats)

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A One Night Stand With the NARS One Night Stand Cheek Palette

October 31st, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

Filed under “Conversations I Have With My Pan of NARS DOLCE VITA Blush”:

ME: We have to talk.

NARS DOLCE VITA: OK. About what?

ME: Our relationship.

NARS DOLCE VITA: Alright, that was ominous… Should I sit down?

ME: If you want.

NARS DOLCE VITA: Are you breaking up with me? Is this a breakup?

ME: Oh, gosh, no! I still think we should see each other. It’s just… I dunno. I need more…

NARS DOLCE VITA: Space?

ME: No! Excitement. I was going to say “excitement.”

NARS DOLCE VITA: So what — are you a swinger now? You want to start seeing other blushes?

ME: No. I mean, I want to stay together, but it’s been 12 years. I just think we should…re-evaluate our status. Maybe switch to something more fluid? Like an open relationship?

NARS DOLCE VITA: Oh, I get it. Open. OK, just don’t tell me about your one night stands.

ME: Not even the one I’m having right now with the new NARS One Night Stand cheek palette?

NARS DOLCE VITA: Wait — what? Are you? Is he that limited edition holiday palette?

ME: Yes. Six blushes total, and three of them are new.

NARS DOLCE VITA: Oh, great.

ME: I actually think you two would get along.

NARS DOLCE VITA: Right! So, tell me about him.

ME: Well, the new ones are shimmery alabaster Devotee Highlighting Blush, bright pink Mistinguette Blush and fleshy pink Goulue. You already know the others — golden brown Laguna Bronzer, golden peach Orgasm and sheer peach Deep Throat.

NARS DOLCE VITA: Do you…love this palette?

ME: I don’t know. I mean, I probably would if all of its shades were new. I do really like the highlighting blush. It reminds me of NARS Albatross, only more pinkish beige? If I could have it in a single…

NARS DOLCE VITA: OK, stop. Fine, I’m willing to try. If this means that much to you, we can try sharing, but I’m not making any promises.

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Dolce Vita Takes Center Stage in the NARS Splendor in the Grass Cheek Palette

October 29th, 2013 by Karen 27 Comments

It’s hard to say what’s more splendid about the new NARS Splendor in the Grass Cheek Palette ($49) — the fact that it comes with one of my favorite NARS Blushes, Dolce Vita…

…or the fact that it doesn’t come with Orgasm.

Don’t get me wrong — I love NARS Orgasm, but sometimes it’s like the Kardashian sister of the NARS Blush family. It’s everywhere! And you just can’t escape it no matter how hard you try. (SIDE NOTE: anyone else out there convinced that Kris Jenner is a Svengali marketing genius?)

As the largest pan in the palette, dark rosy pink Dolce Vita takes Orgasm’s place on center stage, but truth be told, I can see how it might look a little dark and scary at first glance.

Give it a chance, though, ’cause it’s all kinds of awesome. When my default blush, MAC Blushbaby, is out of reach, I’ll often grab Dolce Vita.

It’s easy to blend, I barely have to use any of it at all, and it works with almost every eye and lip color combination.

And I think the other two blushes in the palette — Sex Appeal, a subtle, appealing peach matte and Angelika, a sheer pink with golden glitter — are just as fab.

Oh, and psst! You can blend them with each other and Dolce Vita to create custom cheek colors.

Last (but not least), the highlighter, golden Albatross. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just not a prime candidate to wear highlighter because of how shimmery they are, sweep this one on your upper cheekbones and down the bridge of your nose. It just might change your mind.

NARS Splendor in the Grass swatches from the left: Sex Appeal, Angelika, Dolce Vita and Albatross — From the left: Sex Appeal, Angelika, Dolce Vita and Albatross

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For the Lipstick Commitment-Phobes, Introducing the New NARS Guy Bourdin Promiscuous Lip Pencil Holiday Set

October 25th, 2013 by Karen 41 Comments

When it comes to lip products, “I’m not a player, I just crush a lot,” she said, quoting Big Pun as she poured her 40 on the ground (RIP).

This does not, however, apply to other aspects of my life, although it briefly did when I was in my early 20s. That’s when I had my YOLO moment and tried being a player. The results were…disastrous. (This was around the time I dated that boy I met dancing in the cage. Oh, gawd!)

I quickly learned that I’m built for long-term monogamy when it comes to real relationships, but I’m kind of a ho as it pertains to lip products. 🙂 I’ve been known to have a new crush every day!

Enter the cheeky new $45 NARS Guy Bourdin Promiscuous Lip Pencil set, which kisses lips this holiday season with five NARS Lip Pencil mini faves (all existing colors).

No need to commit to just one color when you have…

Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in New Lover, a golden strawberry pink
Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Never Say Never, a pink lilac
Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Sex Machine, a pink mauve
Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita, a dusty rose
Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella, a scarlet red

And the minis come in their very own black zippered makeup pouch, complete with shiny blue lips.

Um…weird! They look like my lips do after I have a blue raspberry Icee (I was craving one today).

I kind of wish the lips were red, though, like the box in the Fling set, but maybe that seemed too matchy-matchy to the peeps at NARS.

Whatevs, I think the set’s still more fun than Fling. It has more intense brights, like Cruella and Never Say Never.

The bulk of the set is comprised of colors from the Velvet Matte collection and ooh! — I love the textures. The pencils feel smooth on my lips, not heavy at all, and they aren’t the least bit drying. We’re talking very comfy mattes, and they last from 4-5 hours.

The Velvet Lip Gloss in the set, New Lover, has a shorter wear time of 2-3 hours, but I’m cool with that because I really like how it looks. It sure is shiny, and it’s nowhere near as thick or heavy as some glosses. It’s one of those great neutrals you can just throw on when you have to get up early for work but didn’t sleep well the night before.

But here’s a brief warning from one cat lady to another: if you’re wearing this, kitty fur will definitely cling to your lips. Yes, it’s kind of sticky.

I really like this set and can see myself wearing these glosses down to nubs, but since there are no new colors here, you may already have some of these shades in your kit.

I recommend it more for NARS newbies who want a grand tour of some of the brand’s greatest Lip Pencil hits. All in all, it’s full of win, even with the weird blue lips.

PRICE: $45
AVAILABILITY: Coming November 1 exclusively to Sephora and sephora.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen