Nars One Day Sale!

I have Friday off so I am VERY tempted to go hit up this sale! What would YOU get?

My Favorite Makeup Brushes

These are my absolute favorite brushes. 

First - Brushes for the face

Nars Loose Powder Brush - This is perfect for a light dusting of powder to set your foundation.  Usually I would be using nars loose powder.  Its the perfect denseness (is that a word?)  for loose powder.

If I am buffing in a powder (like MSF natural) I used the Mac 183 brush.  This is great for bare minerals as well, or even if you are buffing in a liquid foundation.

For blush I use the Nars blush brush, I used this in a circular motion when putting blush along my cheekbone.

For bronzer - Nars Bronzing Brush - I LOVE this one.  its super dense and amazing for applying bronzer!

Nars Concealer brush - I honestly use my fingers most of the time for concealer, but if i am taking the time to do a really good job, this would be the brush I reach for.

For Eyes

The basic brush that I use the most

Mac 217, I use this for everything.  Laying down shadow on the lid, crease work, you name it and this brush can do it.

mac 224 Brush - for larger blending areas, i might used i after using the 217

Nars Eye Contour Brush- this i used for smaller crease work, like if i am blending in a darker color in the outer V

Mac 219 Pencil Brush -  This is very similar to the brush above, but i use this for highlighting on the brow and in the inner corners

Nars Smudge Brush- This is such an awesome brush!  its perfect for when you are doing a smokey eye and want to smudge shadow as a liner, or ever to smudge your eyeliner you have already put on

Nars Push Eyeliner Brush - I use this everyday.  I prefer to use powder as eyeliner, so this is essential.  this is the best thin eyeliner brush I have ever tried, and i have tried a few.   A lot of them have frayed over time, so they loose the sharp line.  This one I have had FOREVER and its still in perfect shape.  you can use it dry or if you want the thinnest line ever (the kind that you can barely see and looks like your lashes but better) this is for you!

Mac 266 Brow brush - one I don't use a ton, because i don't fill in my brows all that much, but is great when I do use it

I also got this mini brush set from the local CCO - its great for traveling.  Also the 187 is what i use for my nars sheer glow foundation.  its amazing! best foundation brush I have ever used. The other brushes are pretty good. I picked this set because it seemed to have a good variety for when i travel!

Mac 187

Mac 275

Mac 212

Mac 219

Mac 168

That is all ladies!  what are your favorite brushes??

Nars Sale! 18% off

Nars is currently having a promotion offering 18% of purchases of $75 or more!

here is the code!

09922CP


I ordered, Elsa Eyeshadow Duo, Masai Lipstick, a new eyelash curler (my shu uemura finally kicked it), and a foundation pump!

Nars Favorites Haul, Review, and Swatches!

So about two months ago, there was a coupon code for Nars for 20% off!  At the time there was nothing new out, but I was just itching to get a few things for 20% off!  So I got a few things that I needed back-ups of.  So these are all products I have had before and used up! So I obviously really like them all!

Swatches below!

First up, Copacabana Multiple.

This was probably one of my first purchases, 10 years ago when I discovered Nars. Its described as a glistening pearl, which I think is the perfect description.  Its a great cream highlighter for cheekbones, brow bones, and anywhere else you want to highlight!  I also like to wear it over my eyelids and smoke out a powder liner into it.   It creates a great semi smokey eye with a pearlescent sheen- almost wet looking. I think it looks awesome!

Galaxy Girl Lipstick

This is described as a baby doll pink with flecks of gold.   Its very sheer, and leaves a slight pinkish tint, with the slightest golden glow.  This also is an item I started purchasing about ten years ago!  Sometimes I layer Baby Doll lip lacquer on top for more of a pink punch. 

Belle Du Jour Lipstick

This is described as an "innocent nude beige."  This is a more recent purchase, and I didn't use to wear nude lips as much.   Its probably my favorite nude lipstick.   I feel like a lot are too light and make it look like your lips match your face.  Belle Du Jour just neutralizes your lip color and doesn't make you look washed out.

Night Flight Eyeshadow

This is one of the Night series, which are almost all black eye shadows, with another color glitter thrown in. Night Flight is described as a black with blue cobalt pearls.  This is my favorite of the night series, and I used it as eyeliner regularly.  I prefer using powders as eyeliners as I think they look more natural, since you can smudge them into your lash line more so than a pencil.   They are also easier ( I think) to wing out, or smudge, to accomplish many different looks.

 I recommend the entire Night series! They are great!

(one warning - they seem to crumble easier than other shadows, may have to do with the mixture of the "pearl" glimmer in it.  Be very careful as it will make a MESS of your makeup if  Night Series Eyeshadow breaks inside it!)

I also purchased Scopios and Aigle Noir Soft Eyeshadow Pencil

I havent had a chance to play with them, but they are gorgeous colors.

Here are swatches!

from left to right

Aigle Noir  Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil

Scorpios Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil

Night Flight Eyeshadow

Belle Du Jour Lipstick

Galaxy Girl Lipstick

Copacabana Multiple

Nars Limited Edition Lipgloss at Sephora

On July 29th, NARS will roll out five limited edition lip glosses at Sephora. Each will retail for $24 and is named after one of their most popular blushes.

Oasis - plummy mauve with gold shimmer.

Luster - sheer muted tangerine-peach with copper-gold shimmer.

Super Orgasm - sheer played down pink with gold shimmer.

Angelika  - semi-sheer brightened blue-based pink with very subtle silver shimmer.

Albatross - sheer white-gold with pale gold shimmer.

Nars lip glosses are hit or miss for me.  Some are amazing, and some are so sheer, that I don't think they are work the money.  My favorites right now are Sweet Revenge (a sheer pink grapefruit) Sunset Strip (tangerine with gold shimmer) and Sweet Dreams (pink grapefruit with gold shimmer) Hmmm see a pattern here? I will have to get some of the new glosses just to change things up!  I am curious to try Luster, Super Orgasm, and Angelika.  I will be sure to post swatches and my review when I get them!  Cant wait for them to arrive at Sephora!

What are your favorite lip glosses for the summer? 

Nars Fall 2010 Haul!

I am so excited I got my Nars Fall 2010 makeup in the mail! 
I ordered Tzarine and Rajasthan Eyeshadow Duo, Strawberry Fields Lipgoss, Daphne Eyeshadow, Douceor Blush.

My favorites of the collection are definitely Rajasthan and Douceor.

Daphne is very chalky, and doesn't have almost any color payoff. You have to mix it with a primer to get it to stick.  How they got the vivid color in the campaign photo I have no idea!

Here's the pictures and swatches!

Tzarine - a very pretty color, but I prefer darker blue/greens

Rajasthan - a metallic beigeish and a midnight blue/green 

Ive used it for a simple eye using the gold as an all over wash, and the darker color as liner.

Its also great for a smokey eye

Daphne (must have gotten other eyeshadow on it during swatching)

I thought this would be my favorite, but it was actually very disappointing.  Its completely chalky, and doesn't "stick" to your skin if you understand what I mean.  You would have to use it wet (I mixed it with Nars Eyeshadow Primer) to get any color payoff, but it would most likely be hard to blend then.  I will keep playing with it and report back.

Douceor - a very pretty non shimmery blush.  This is a great color for probably all skin tones, but is especially flatter on pinker skintones, because it balances out the pink with the brown tones in the blush.  Its definitely going to be one of my favorites!

Strawberry Fields

Very pretty and pigmented lipgloss. Scares me a bit becuse it is a little darker than  I had expected, but its the most perfect bright pink.   Hopefully I will have the guts to wear it!

left -Strawberry Fields, Daphne,

top right - Rajasthan, Tzarine under it

Here I have on Rajasthan Eyeshadow and Douceor Blush. The blush is a great color anyone with a pink undertone. It tones down the pink in your skin

And here is Strawberry Fields Lipgloss

I would love to hear from other people that got items from the Nars Fall 2010 Collection! please comment with your experiences!

Nars Fall 2010 Collection

As I've mentioned before, I LOVE Nars!  I always get so excited when I start seeing info on the new collections.   Nars has new collections ever season, but they are relatively small (compared to Mac at least). 

From the pictures I've seen I will most definitely be getting the blush, the purple eyeshadow single, both eyeshadow duos, and the lipgloss.   In my experience, Nars eyeshadow duos are sheerer than the singles, which I prefer.  Some of the singles lately have been chalky, and hard to blend.   I will be getting the purple anyway just because I LOVE purple!  The rest I will have to see in person before I can decide! 

The Nars 2010 Fall Collection will be available on July 15 online, and in August in stores.  

(Usually its available at department stores a few weeks before it hits Sephora, so it wouldn't be available at Sephora until mid to late August)

Here's pictures and descriptions of the collection!



Douceur Blush ($26.00)-soft pink brown


A soft pink-brown hue that lightly imparts a honeyed brown kiss of innocence on cheeks. Unique to the Fall 2010 collection, the powder is lightly etched with the NARS logo. Use to contour from the apple of the cheek upward; warm forehead, jaw line and nose.

Daphne Eyeshadow ($23.00)– royal purple


Style icon. Designer. Model. Heiress of haute couture. Named after Daphne Guinness herself—François Nars’ inimitable muse—this hypnotizing matte, deep-violet single eyeshadow exudes excitement. Apply liberally across the lid up to the brow, blending outward. Head-turning.

Mangrove Eyeshadow ($23.00) (Limited Edition)– rich lemon yellow -green

The magnificence of this tropical tree, captured in the softest, mellow yellow laced with lime. Richly pigmented and crease-resistant, use this single eyeshadow to highlight the inner corner of the eye, as a bright base shade for the lid or to diffuse a deeper shade by sweeping it into the bridge.

Coconut Grove Eyeshadow ($23.00)– chocolate brown

Grooving in the Grove—Miami’s magical neighborhood on Biscayne Bay—has attracted musicians, artists, and writers for decades. Dense, dramatic, and daring, this dark chocolate-cum-taupe confection increases depth on the lid and doubles as a lash liner when used wet.

Rouge Basque Lipstick ($24.00) (Limited Edition)– a quintessential red

Inspired by the inside cover of a book from the famed French countryside, François Nars envisioned the quintessential red from the Basque region. The result is lipstick with a luminous satin finish. It is as deeply pigmented as the region’s history and as bold as the wine for which the area is known. Pair with NARS pencils, or apply with a NARS lip brush.

Strawberry Fields Lip Gloss ($24.00) (Limited Edition) strawberry purple shade

Imagine juicy, mouthwatering strawberries, just picked. Then delight in the serious, yet sexy shine of this bright pink confection. Worn alone or over NARS lip products, the gloss’ Vitamin-E enriched formula seals in moisture. Lips feel supple and hydrated.

Palladium Soft Touch Shadow Pencil ($24.00) (Limited Edition)

Once the NYC hot-spot, characterized by glamour, glitz, and decadence. This sparkling turquoise soft touch shadow pencil rocks with all the vibrancy and sex appeal of its namesake. Layer it with other NARS eye products—or go it alone—to line, accent, highlight or illuminate unforgettable eyes.

Tzarine Eyeshadow Duo ($32.00)(Russia inspired) – bright yellow and bold gold gray

Love, sex and power. Russia’s empresses had it all. Inspired by royalty, the eyeshadow duo pairs the majesty of platinum gold infused with silver reflections with a bold, steel grey. Swipe and shadow along the upper lid or smudge along the lower. Positively regal.

Rajasthan Eyeshadow Duo ($32.00) Limited Edition(Indian inspired) – golden light and cool blue ink


Sacred temples and scorching deserts. Bengalese tigers and Bagaru prints. India’s largest state fascinates and tantalizes. Like its namesake, the Rajasthan Eyeshadow duo is an exotic palette, playing glazed almond against cool charcoal. Worn solo, blended or layered, the look signals drama.