New In / Nars Dual-Intensity Blush in Frenzy

I'm a BIGGGGGG Nars fan and I've been wanting to try these new Dual-Intensity textures since the eyeshadows came out; then, I decided to go for a blush, since I'm pretty loyal to Urban Decay (eyeshadows-wise).

I got to say that the product looked a bit waxy in the pan - and wasn't the easiest to pick up with the brush ( I used a Real Techniques Blush Brush, I don't know, maybe I should try a different brush) but eventually the colour was on my cheeks!

It's definitely buildable, in the sense that goes on really sheer at first - again, may be a brush issue - but that way you have great control on the modulation and it applies uniformly. 

I eventually chose Frenzy and as soon as I opened it, I regretted it: it looked too orange and - the highlighter part, too gritty.

BUT!!! on application it just transforms beautifully - it's such a surprise and gives an instant glow to the cheeks in a healthy and natural way.

I now really love it and I reach for it nearly on a daily basis and especially when I'm in a rush as it's foolproof to apply and very flattering.

Have you tried the Dual-Intensity range yet? Love or Hate?

FOTD & OOTD / Wedding Guest

Hello lovelies!
I attended an amazing wedding at the weekend - some dear friends got married in a beautiful Scottish location, the bride was stunning and we had a fantastic time.
Since I got all dolled up, I thought I would take full advantage of the occasion... and make a post out of it! :P

***
Dress: Oasis
Earrings: Swarovski
Nails: Revlon by Marchesa Nail Art 3D Jewel Appliques in Royal Burgundy


Face - Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in deauville, Urban Decay Dew Me Moisturizing Make Up Setting Spray, Benefit High Beam, Mac Sheertone Blush in blushbaby, Guerlain Meteorites Perles in teint rose', Kiko Fierce Spirit Sun Bronzing Blush in 103 mariachi pink;
Eyes - Urban Decay Naked 3 palette, Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo in permanent taupe, Kiko False Lashes Concentrate Building Base Mascara, Neve Cosmetics Pastello Natural Eyeliner in cincilla', Chanel Inimitable Mascara, Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara;
Lips - Neve Cosmetics Pastello Natural Lipcolor in sfilata/amaranth, L'Oreal Paris Glam Shine Balmy Gloss in mad for pomegranate.

Shopping My Stash / #11

This week, I've been using the MeMeMe Seventh Heaven primer which never fails to keep me matte; I used it to 'counteract' Daniel Sandler Invisible Radiance Foundation (link) dewiness (I haven't been feeling in the mood for this look in winter) but still providing a good coverage; I also set my base with Mac Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in medium. All together a pretty full face but still quick and easy to achieve every morning.

I skipped the highlighter and only used Nars Blush in Sin (link) which is winter epitomised!

On the eyes, I played with different combinations of browns and greens from the Urban Decay Oz Theodora Palette (link) and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in zero which stands even the wettest of days.
Finally on the lips, I used Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 096 macaroon (link): the berry/brown shade works really well with Sin and it's moisturising for my wind-battered lips :(

Have you used any of those products before?

Recent Loves / Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose

I kinda of what to end this post here and just leave you with these images because this colour simply speaks for itself!

I'm not one to shy away from bright lips in autumn/winter and it's a disgrace that forgot about this beauty for so long (I clearly have too much sh*t - I can't explain it, otherwise).

I bought the Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose when it first came with the Spring 2012 Collection but - not to worry - it's now part of the permanent line.  

I bought it for the shade, obviously, which is a bright magenta with cool undertone.

What makes it so wearable is the shiny finish and it certainly lives up to it's name; because of the glossy formula, it can be applied sheer but you can definitely dial it up too, to achieve a more opaque result. 

I'm really impressed with the formula because it applies evenly and it's lightweight as well; it also contains Vitamin E, hyaluronic spheres and phytosterol esthers - all delivering hydration and creating a barrier to protect from environmental agents.

I guess that the only downside is that it needs sharpening which seems obsolete considering the twist-up mechanism used by other similar products.

Anyway, Nars is probably my favourite make-up brand and I'm eager to try more of these; there are different versions too - the Satin Lip Pencil in Lodhi is top of the wishlist!

Have you tried these pencils yet?

FOTD - Coral Eyeshadow

Face: Clinique City Block Sheer Spf25, Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder DoubleWear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Mac Cremeblend Blush in Something Special, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal, Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder in Brightening Nudes;

Eyes: Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr in On And On Bronze, Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 29 Intensive Coral, Kiko False Lashes Concetrate Building Base Mascara, Clinique High Impact Mascara, Revlon GrowLuscious Lashliner in Expresso;

Lips: Revlon ColorBust Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie.

Shopping My Stash / #5

Still pretty keen with mineral foundation lately - I find that the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF30 + Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF15 in real sand are the perfect combo!

For the base, I also used Stila One Step Correct Colour Corrector to even out skintone and Topshop Blush in butterscotch as an highlighter. I hit pan!!! I don't think it has ever happened before - I do love this item and I will have to limit the usage now, since I think it's discontinued. :(

Finally added a touch of Neal's Yard Remedies Mineral Blusher in 54 peony which is an iced pink and cool toned.

For the eyes I went with this FOTD look, using Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in 003 Bad Girl Bronze on the upper lid and Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 014 Bright Blue on the bottom; I like the motorized brush of the Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect mascara but I think it's a bit drying and hard to remove.

The lip were effortlessly simple with 100% Pure Lip Glaze in peach bellini.

What have you been wearing lately? :)

FOTD - Saturday Shopping

Face: Murad Skin Perfecting Primer Dewy Finish, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 5, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in medium, Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF30, Clinique Fresh Bloom Blush in 1 peony, Benefit Sun Beam, Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel in 65 Sable d'Or;

Eyes: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Clinique Brandied Bronze Palette, Revlon GrowLuscious mascara, Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil in black fire;

Lips: Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in mexican rose.

Recent Loves / Nars Cream Blush in Cactus Flower

I bought Nars Cream Blush in Cactus Flower probably over a year ago, but I haven't really used it much since then; I have only started reaching out to it recently.

It's extremely pigmented but it's not one of these staining products so it's easy to blend and correct, if you happen to apply too much.

The formula is moisturizing, enriched with vitamin E and leaves a silky feeling on the skin; the packaging is the typical Nars black trademark compact, with a good size mirror and a generous amount of product - This will last a lifetime!

It's a poppy red with gold shimmer and I think the red/gold combo works brilliantly together!

It actually looks grittier in the pan and, once applied to the cheeks, it just leaves a beautiful flush with a luminous finish.

I think this blush is great for every season: cream blushes are perfect for a dewy summer look, but I can see it working really well for a 'snow white' winter look, too.

Personally, I love red blushers but I find that - in powder formulations - they appear even more powdery than other colours, so I'm glad this is part of my collection and will be much loved!

What do you think of Cactus Flower? :)

Shopping My Stash / #2

For the past hot hot days, I've been using Clinique City Block Sheer Spf25 as a primer/spf protector. I think this may be discontinued which is a shame because it's not greasy and slightly tinted so great to use on its own too.

Then, I chose Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe which is my favourite foundation of all time and never disappoint. I set it with a light veil of Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder in Brightening Nudes. I love the brightening effect and it never looks cakey.

On the cheeks, I used Ruby & Millie Face Gloss in ; this product is kinda of prehistorical! I have had it for ages and as you can see used it and abused it. I literally slap it on and doesn't even need blending - beautiful beautiful natural glow. I also added some extra glowiness with Benefit Sun Beam, on the cheekbone.

Kept the eyes minimal: I applied a quick wash of Neal's Yard Remedies Mineral Pressed Eyeshadow in 76 Oats to the eyelid which is the perfect neutral colour and rimmed my eyes with Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil in Black Fire.

Finally, I chose Lancome L'Absolu Nu in Rouge Nu for the lips! I kinda have re-discovered this lipstick recently - it's the perfect red lipstick for every day and I wore it to the office all week. It's very moisturizing and takes seconds to apply in the morning.

Shopping My Stash / #1

I recently started a new job - I used to work from home for years but now that I need to go to the office, I use make up pretty much everyday.

I enjoy reading the 'shopping my stash' posts from other bloggers so I decided to start this series too... 

This past week, I've been loving wearing... not all at once, mind you! ;) ---->

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow: I wasn't really blown away by this foundation at the beginning... but I've grown to like it. It does last all day on me and the spf25 comes in handy now that is 'summer' (brackets needed for Scotland);

Mac Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in medium: I have just been using this as a setting powder to prolong the longevity of the foundation. It can look a bit cake so realllly soft hand;

As an highlighter I chose Benefit Moon Beam and kept my lip neutral with Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Colour spf12 in #18 Soft Nude to complement the colourful eyelook.

For the cheeks, I've been rotating between Clinique Fresh Bloom Blush in Peony, Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Exposed and Nars Blush in Sex Appeal; I forgot how pretty Peony looks! it's half highlighter so looks really radiant and fresh on the cheeks. The Tarte blush (with the Buxom lip cream below) are new acquisitions from a US swap: couldn't wait to try them out but I will share the swap in more details soon. :)

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Cream in Mudslide: as I said this is new but I already want more from this line. I've been using it as a lipgloss to top up the lipstick because it can be too brown for me and mudslide adds the perfect touch of pink!

For the lashes it's been Pur Minerals Big Blink Mascara all the way and to conceal my under-eye area:  Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection in medium and Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink.

For the eyes, I've been choosing between these combos: 

1) Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion + Clinique Colour Surge Eyeshadow Palette in Brandied Bronze + Collection 2000 Idol'Eyes in Bling

2) Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24hr in Permanent Taupe + no7 Stay Perfect Liquid Eye Liner in Mermaid + Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil in Black Fire

3) Rimmel Scandal'Eyes Eyeshadow Stick in 003 Bad Girl Bronze + Neve Pastello in Petrolio

Do you use any of these products? 

FOTD - Pur Minerals palette

Need an haircut!!! O.o

Face: Nars Sheer Glow foundation in deauville, Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm, Estee Lauder DoubleWear concealer in 07 warm light, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Mac Blush Ombre in azalea blossom, Dior DiorSkin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder i 002;

Eyes: Pur Minerals Beautiful Creatures palette (shades secret and fantasy), Kiko Building Base mascara, Soap & Glory Thick & Fast mascara, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion;

Lips: byTerry Aqualip Jelly Tint in 101 dancefloor flirt.

FOTN / Urban Decay Theodora Palette

Face: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder DoubleWear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Mac Mineralized SkinFinish in soft & gentle, Guerlain Meteorites Perles in 01 teint rose', YSL Blush Radiance in 02;

Eyes: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Urban Decay Oz the Great and Powerful Theodora Palette (west, beware, spell), Revlon GrowLuscious Lashliner in expresso, Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect mascara;

Lips: L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in 301 dating coral, Mac Archie's Girls Lipglass Lipgloss in kiss & don't tell.

FOTD - Blue Eyeliner

I had a go at the blue eye look on Easter Monday - it was a sunny afternoon and seemed a good day for experimenting ;)

I just used the blue pencil on the lower waterline and I got to say that I'm pretty pleased - I like it a lot!

That lip butter is not working out for me, tho - far too pale for my skintone. :(

Face: Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer, Nars Pure Radiance Tinted Moisturizer SPF30 in light 2 Alaska, Becca Fine Pressed Powder in Sesame, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection in medium, Mac Blush Ombre in Azalea Blossom;

Eyes: Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in 003 Bad Girl Bronze, Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 014 Brigh Blue, Revlon GrowLuscious mascara, Mac Paint Pot in Painterly;

Lips: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake.

*** I'm off to Amsterdam soon - cya in a few days :) ***

FOTD - Grey eyeshadows

top/bottom, left/right: ysl stain, nars blush, pure kajal, nars shadow, chanel shadow

Face: Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer, Make Up For Ever HD Foundation in 117 , Nars Blush in Sin, St Tropez Skin Illuminator in Violet;
Eyes: Chanel Ombres Perlees de Chanel palette (dark grey), Nars Ramatuelle palette (silver grey), Pure Kajal in grey, Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect mascara;
Lips: Ysl Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in 17.

Haul / House of Fraser

'Evening Ladies!

Just a quick heads up: if you're on O2 and download their priority moments app, there's a promo code to use in House of Fraser. You need to spend £40 and you'll get a voucher worth £15 (to be spent in January 2013)... not bad at all. 

Anyway, I was in town on Saturday and went to pick up a couple of things that I've been wanting to try for a bit - It was also 10% off beauty department... double whammy!! ;)

Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer

I swatched this in SpaceNK few months ago, just out of boredom, and I was hooked.

It made my skin looks so healthy and radiant (dah!) and it went straight on my wishlist.

I have also seen it in many youtube videos and it does make the skin look beautiful.

It's a rosy/champagne shade and it's supposed to shine through your foundation and - as you can see in the picture below - it makes a huge different to my hand. I can't wait to try it out!!!

Nars Blush in Sin

I've been pondering to buy this one for a while; I tend to prefer warmer toned blushers so I pretty much checked it out every time I'm at a Nars counter but I was never convinced enough to buy it. 

Until the lovely saleslady tried it on me - It was instant love! I couldn't believe how this cool shade suited my skin in such a discrete way.

Sin is a deep plum, berry shade with just a tiny bit of gold sheen - Perfect for winter!

I can see myself pile it on my cheeks until march - definitely a new staple in my collection.

About the voucher: last year, I treated myself to a Bobbi Brown lippie - I'm thinking of getting another lipstick... Tom Ford anyone??! :D