Spring Preview: NARS Spring 2010

Baby, it's cold outside! Spring weather may not be for another 3 months (please be kind Mother Nature!), but Spring collections will be available soon. Forget about the frigid cold for just a moment and let your eyes gaze over the pretty little things from NARS coming out this Spring!

Inspired by Catherine Deneuve’s role as Lucille in La Chamade, the NARS Spring 2010 Collection features soft, sexy shades that are as elegant as they are versatile.

NARS Camargue Duo Cream Eyeshadow, $32 USD

Named for the deep, dancing, sun-cast hues found in the French river delta, this pairing of golden moss and sienna, with multi-colored reflections comes in a soft-blending, glistening cream eyeshadow formula.

NARS Kuala Lumpur Duo Eyeshadow, $32 USD

Like its Malaysian city namesake, this perfectly harmonized gold infused rose and boysenberry pairing is influenced by contrasts—rich and subtle, traditional yet modern.

NARS D. Gorgeous Single Eyeshadow, $23 USD

This dusty lilac powder eyeshadow yields just a hint of flirtation, but never misses its mark.

NARS Glitter Pencil, $24 USD

This bright sky blue, silver glitter-infused hue delivers powerful, vibrant color that slides on smooth and remains creamy for blending.

NARS Lip Gloss, $24 USD

Easy Lover- Serious luster meets sexy color in this ultra-sheer hot pink lip gloss.

 

NARS Lip Gloss, $24 USD

Ophelia- This high-shine strawberry nectar lip gloss is deliciously sweet and seductive.

NARS Cruising Lipstick, $24 USD

This subtle, sexy pink lipstick hue provides a sheer natural long-lasting color.

NARS Purple Rain Nail Polish, $16 USD

This intensely gothic purple is a bright and audacious shade destined to become a modern classic.

What do you think of NARS' Spring 2010 collection?

I LOVE NARS shadows and will be checking out Duo Shadow in Kuala Lumpur - such pretty shades. I used to adore NARS lippies but noticed after a few months they started to smell waxy, but I am so crushing on that Easy Lover gloss! And the Purple Rain polish is just fabulous!

The Spring 2010 collection will be available on January 15, 2010 at narscosmetics.com.

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Beauty Feature: Beauty In A Recession

Beauty products will always have a place in our lives because for some of us, we would die without it! No matter how bad the economy is you can always count on a blush to perk you up or a pretty gloss to put a smile on your face. Let's be realistic though. As much as we'd like to go crazy on the newest beauty launches, it's just not financially sensible for some of us. Look on the bright side - this is the perfect time to rediscover an oldie but goodie (not too old!) and make it new again! Here are some tips on what to splurge on and how to maximize what you already own!

Steal: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a cleanser I always have in stock. It's so versatile and works for all skin types especially those with sensitive or severely dry skin. You can use it with water or wipe off with tissue when water and a sink isn't available. It can also be used as an eye makeup remover - just dab a pea size amount onto a cotton pad and wipe. Another great trick I learned from a makeup artist I was assisting is to mix Cetaphil with brown sugar to use as an exfoliant for the face or lips! It effectively and gently removes dead skin cells, makes your skin soft, and smells yummy.

Steal: Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion has helped me get over some irritating, bumpy moments. When my skin has had it with being a guinea pig, it gets back at me with a red, itchy rash usually around my eyes, cheeks, and mouth. Cetaphil lotion always brings my skin back to normal and clears up those rashes. I've even started using it as an eye cream on my son and it has helped clear up the dryness around his eyes. You can also use it as a body moisturizer. Mix this with a shimmery pigment powder and use it to highlight anywhere you want some sexy shine! Add a bit of this to your favourite liquid or cream foundation to make an instant tinted moisturizer! Also available with SPF!

Splurge: When it comes products that help the performance of your makeup, I always like to spend a little more. Cargo blu_ray High Definition Mattifier is both a makeup primer and a mattifier so you're getting more bang for your buck. Your makeup will apply beautifully, last longer, and keep the shine away!

Splurge: If you don't have a good base then the rest of your look will just fall apart. I never like to skimp out on a good foundation. I just discovered Era Everyday Foundation and I've fallen in love! You may remember this one-of-a-kind airbrush, wear/water resistant oil-free foundation used by celebrity makeup artist, Carmindy from What Not To Wear. I tried it on a few clients who also fell in love with the flawless, yet natural feel and look of the foundation. It literally takes seconds to apply whether you spray it directly on the face or onto a sponge. It can also double as a concealer - just dab more on the areas that need extra coverage. The brand also carries a heavier version for more problematic skin, Era Face Foundation. Available everywhere and in Toronto, at Lift Beauty Boutique.

Splurge: It's hard to find a really good product that you can truly use on your eyes, lips and cheeks. I love multi-use products like NARS's makeup staple, The Multiple and now available in the Multiple Duo! They come in a variety of colours and give your skin a radiant, glowy finish. Just swipe on your eyes with some mascara and liner, dab it on the apples of your cheeks for fresh pop of colour, and slick onto the lips - your look is complete and all with one stick. The Duos give you even more choices so you can use one colour on the eyes and another on the lips. You can also use it to contour and highlight the cheeks. For a full colour finish on the lips use with a lip liner and a non-shiny lip balm. For a glossy finish, swipe on a clear shimmery gloss over top. My tip: finish the eyes and cheeks with a translucent powder for long-lasting effect.


Steal: If you love to have fun with colour and like creating a variety of looks on your eyes, CoverGirl's Eye Enhancers are a real steal! Colours range from neutral to tropical and come in shimmery, metallic or matte textures. You also have a choice of getting a single pan or a palette of 4 shadows. Use them wet for intense colour and as a liner or dry for a more natural effect.


Steal: You don't have to spend a lot of money to give your skin a luminous finish. Pigment powders can be messy but they can be used in many ways. I've become a fan of CoverGirl's TruBlend Mineral Blush and Bronzer. The Mineral Blushes go on great as a sheer blush, as a finisher after your makeup has been applied to brighten up your look, mixed with a moisturizer to highlight the cheekbones and anywhere on your body, or added to a clear gloss for a custom colour! For a faux tan use the Mineral Bronzer on the high points of your face with a brush, mix with a moisturizer for a bronzy glow, mix with a clear gloss for a sun-kissed hue on the lips, layer over top of a cream shadow for a bronze finish on the eyes, or mix with a liquid/cream foundation! Comes in a jumbo-size container so it will last for a while!

Steal: When it comes to my mascara, I've found drugstore brands are superior to the higher end lines. In the world of tube mascaras (mascaras that wash off with water, don't smudge or smear), L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara at $13 plus CDN is considered a steal when compared to other tube mascaras. You get a nourishing lash primer and the blackest black mascara all in one! Plus, you don't have to spend extra money on an eye makeup remover because it comes off with lots of warm water!

Steal: I've experimented with many natural products from head to toe but when it comes to the lips I'm all about it. Maybe it's because I ingest so much lip gloss and lip balm on a daily basis?? For something all-natural without a heavy price tag try a line like Kiss My Face. They carry everything including a great selection of lip products. I am loving the Sheer Organic Shine in Ruby. It's a gorgeous shimmery medium-pink that has a minty non-sticky finish. I'm dieing to try their Organic Lip Balms. Stay tuned for my review and colour swatches!

The bottom line is to be creative and come up with new ways to use the existing products you own. What would you splurge on and what do you consider a steal? Makeup Junkie wants to know!

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Makeup 101: NARS for Salma Hayek Golden Globes 2009

“Salma’s makeup look was directly inspired by her dress,” said NARS Makeup Artist Matthew Vanleeuwen. “She chose a very neutral colored dress and wanted to make sure her makeup look would pop. I made her eyes the focus and added a lot of rich, jewel skin tones and fresh color to her cheeks and lips. Her look was very classic and chic, with some modern textures.”

Below is Matthew’s step-by-step to recreate Salma’s look:

Eyes:
• Apply the China Blue Single Eyeshadow to top and bottom lash line [Matthew’s tip: “I love using navy colors because
they make the whites of the eyes pop.”]
• Next, use the Corfu Cream Eyeshadow as a base, all over eyelid
• Use the golden champagne side of the Alhambra Duo Eyeshadow on lid
• Then, use the Bengali Single Eyeshadow all along the lash line, rubbing it into the lash line, deepening the outer corner
of the eye, creating shading
• Curl the eyelashes and apply 2 coats of Black Orchid Mascara on lashes
• Go back over top lash line with the Night Clubbing Eyeshadow and use what is left on the brush under the eye to define
it [Matthew’s tip:“This shade is perfect to create a smokey eye – it gives a rich sparkle at the lash line with undertones of
green and gold.”]

Complexion:
• Use the Brightening Serum to make skin glow and apply the Makeup Primer
• Apply the Firming Foundation and set with the Loose Powder

Lips
• Use the Marnie Lipliner Pencil and Tutti Fruity Lipstick
• Next, mix the Boogie Nights and Greek Holiday Lipglosses and apply them over the lipstick
Blush
• Apply the Desire Blush to the apple of cheeks [Matthew’s tip: “I use a powder brush to apply blush. I find that a bigger
brush makes a much softer wash of color.”]
• Next, use the Laguna Bronzer with short, back and forth stokes from the back of cheekbone forward, to blend

www.narscosmetics.com

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Makeup 101: NARS Tutorial Healthy, Radiant Complexion!

NARS junkies your prayers have been heard! After high demand, NARS has created four foolproof videos providing step-by-step instructions to achieving flawless skin, rosy cheeks, pouty lips, and sultry eyes. The first two videos are now live on NARScosmetics.com! Video 1 features Senior Stylist, James Boehmer, giving tips and tricks on using concealer and foundation.

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Beauty Review: Summer Fun With Nars

Shall I gush more about Nars? If you haven't noticed, this summer is all about colour. Colour on your eyes, colour on your lips, and colour on your nails - and not necessarily all at the same time. When I received Nars' Duo Eyeshadow in Bysance and Sheer Lipstick in Nouba I thought it couldn't be a more perfect palette for some summer fun!

Nars Duo Eyeshadow Bysance ($24 USD): I adore this duo of shimmering marigold and iridescent iris together. At first glance, these pretty brights might scare you away but when swiped over the eyes gives a sheer wash of colour. For summer, you want to wear colour but you don't want it to look heavy which is why Bysance is such a perfect choice. Each shade is buildable so if you want to go more intense at night you can. Both can be worn anytime of the day. For day, I like to swipe the marigold across the lid and on the inner bottom corner. Then, I use a damp liner brush with the iris shade and apply it as a liner. For night, play up your looks by swiping the iris shade all over the lid, into the crease, and the bottom lash line. Apply the gold in the inner corner to make the eyes pop. Smudge some black liner into the lash line and in the waterline for a bit of smolder. Finish eyes with lots of mascara.

Nars Sheer Lipstick Nouba ($24 USD): When you wear bright colours on the eyes, you want to keep your lips soft but not totally pale. Absolutely pale lips will wash you out and don't balance the overall look. Nouba, a ginger with shimmer, is lovely and neither too pale or too dark for this colour palette. The texture wasn't as sheer as I expected and applied more like a semi-matte. I don't usually go for lipsticks that have a shimmery or frosty finish but this one makes the lips sparkle without having to apply gloss. It's a warm neutral that can go with any look.

Happy shopping! Have you tried these products from Nars? Love it? Hate it?

For more information on Nars products visit www.narscosmetics.com

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Beauty Review: Summer Flush With Nars Blush/Bronzer Duo!

I don't know what it is, but every time I open up a new Nars product my heart does a little flip. The combination of beautiful colours, fantastic textures, and sleek and chic packaging will do that to you. When I first learned of the "everyone must have this" Orgasm blush, I just had to have it. It was pretty, but took a few swirls to show up on me. I kept it anyways because I knew it would be gorgeous on my fair-skinned clients - and it is. I had heard rave reviews of Laguna blush but wasn't in a hurry to buy a new bronzer.

When I had the chance to try Nars Blush/Bronzer Duo in Orgasm/Laguna ($37 USD) I was excited, but knew I probably wouldn't use Orgasm on myself. Laguna bronzer is ideal for fairer skin tones, but the golden bronze shimmer (no orange muddy mess) actually shows up on me. It seems the only place I'm getting sun on my face is my nose so the rest of me is pretty fair. Sin/Casino blush/bronzer duo is better for darker skin tones and would probably work on me too. I decided to give Orgasm another try and this time the peachy-pink shimmer actually showed up on me. Using Laguna as my base deepened the blush colour and gave me a beautiful summer flush. My skin looks bronzey and glowy just the way I like it. I love the sleek compact with the huge mirror - thin enough to keep in your purse and the mirror is big enough so you can see your whole face. I also love having a combination of blush and bronzer together. When you're in a hurry, you want everything in one place and don't want to carry a lot around with you. Convenience and the perfect summer flush? A match made in heaven! Happy shopping!

Have you tried Nars Blush/Bronzer Duo? Love it? Hate it? Stay tuned for more Nars beauty reviews!

www.narscosmetics.com or www.sephora.com

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Beauty News: Nars Fall 2008 Collection Launches Early!

Yes, you read it right! All you Nars junkies are in luck because Nars' Fall 2008 collection will be available online July 15th - two weeks early! The makeup gods are listening! Feast your eyes on the Fall collection!

Nars Duo Eye Shadow in Cordura (shimmering warm rich brown, shimmering sooty dark brown)

Nars Duo Eyeshadow in Isolde (frosted ginger and shimmering copper)

Nars Single Eyeshadow in Fez (velvety cocoa)

Nars Blush in Dolce Vita (dusty rose - on my lust list!)

Nars Lipstick in Beautiful Liar (sheer spiced coral)


Nars Lipstick in Senorita (sheer shimmering cherry blossom)

Nars Lipgloss in Female Trouble (lilac mauve)

Nars Nail Polish in Rebel Yell (dusty pomegranate)

Hurry and be the first to snatch up these lovelies! Visit www.narscosmetics.com to purchase the collection! Happy shopping!

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Adventures of a Makeup Junkie: When Packing Your Entire Stash isn't an Option (Part Two)

In my last post, I detailed how hard it can be for a makeup junkie to pack for a long trip away from her stash. My goal was to pick what I consider to be absolute necessities for a five week trip and have them all fit in a medium sized makeup bag. I already shared my picks for eye makeup, now on to the lips!

3 Lipglosses: Sheer, Nude and Tangerine
Mascaraholic picks: MAC Pink Grapefruit (Limited Edition!, $16.50 CAD), MAC Tendertone in Tread Gently (Limited Edition!, $17.50 CAD) and Nars Lip Lacquer in Chelsea Girls ($28 CAD)
Orange lips are one of the hottest trends for this summer. Full on orange may not be for everyone, but have no fear! MAC's gorgeous Pink Grapefruit Lipglass from the Neo Sci-Fi collection is a shimmery sheer tangerine that is perfect day or night. It may be hard to track down but it's definitely worth the hunt (note to Canadian readers: Pink Grapefruit is still available at maccosmetics.com). MAC's Tendertones are love. They're glossy, make your lips feel soft and luscious and have an SPF of 12! Tread Gently is a bright, shimmery light lime in the pot but on lips it's sheer with golden shimmers. It looks great alone or on top of another colour. I keep it on me with a retractable lip brush so I can reapply throughout the day. Chelsea Girls is a nude beige gloss that can be layered for intensity. It's one of those products that I frequently fall in love with all over again every time I use it. Pat on a light layer to wear during the day or layer on for a pretty nude lip!

4 Lipsticks: Pinks, Rose and Nude
Mascaraholic picks: MAC Slimshine in Gentle Simmer ($17.50 CAD), MAC Lipstick in Jubilee ($16.50 CAD), MAC Lipstick in Party Mate ($16.50 CAD) and Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita ($30 CAD).
Gentle Simmer is a perfect everyday sheer pink and I love Jubilee as a nude that's not too beige and not too pink. It looks great with a smokey eye. Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils are my latest obsession, I love a matte lip but I hate how drying most matte formulas can be. Not the Nars Velvet Mattes! Dolce Vita is a lovely dusty rose that seems to flatter everyone who tries it! Finally, Party Mate, from MAC's Naughty Nauticals collection is a fun, bright shimmery pink that I'll be saving for nights out.

1 Lipliner: Clear
Mascaraholic picks: DuWop Reverse Lipliner ($21 CAD)
I'm not a big fan of coloured lipliner, but I love clear lipliner, especially when wearing gloss. I find that it helps the gloss stay on much longer and of course, keeps it from migrating outside the lip line, all without having to worry if the colour matches or not.

What are your vacation necessities? Which products would you bring along? What would you leave at home?

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Celebrity Beauty Style: Sun-Kissed Beauty Hayden Panettiere!

Hayden Panettiere, actress and singer, has graced the cover of many magazines this year. Not only does she star in the popular series Heroes she is also the current face of fashion brand Candie's. She always looks gorgeous no matter what she’s up to and she’s definitely following the summer trend of natural, glowing makeup. Here’s how you can achieve a look like hers:


1. Face: Skip the foundation and go for something a little lighter like a tinted moisturizer. There are tons on the market but my fave right now is Dior’s HydrAction Deep Hydration Skin Tint. Not only does it even out skin tone and correct imperfections, it contains SPF 20 to help protect against the sun. Only problem, it comes in 4 shades which may make it difficult to find your perfect match. In that case, try Stila’s Sheer Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 Oil Free, which is slightly sheerer but has a higher SPF, perfect for those of you who are sensitive to the sun.

2. Cheeks: For a pretty glow try NARS blush in Torrid, it’s very similar to the ever popular Orgasm but is a little more on the coral side and the gold flecks really stand out. Apply to the apples of your cheeks for that fresh, sun-kissed look.

3. Eyes: Using the new Lancome Brazilian Earth Colors palette, designed by top model Daria Werbowy (who is from Mississauga!), you can achieve a natural but defined eye. Apply the taupe shadow to the full lid and contour with the darkest brown in the crease, don’t go too high on the brow bone as this look is meant to be as natural as possible. Highlight the eyes with the shimmery yellow on the inner corners and on the bottom lash line for extra sparkle. Line the eyes with a dark liner, Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Liner in Star Black or Pearly Brown are great options because they are water and sweat resistant. Last step is to apply a few coats of your fave mascara, Dior Diorshow Mascara always does the trick.

4. Lips: Finish off the look with a glossy gloss, try a champagne nude colour like Sephora Ultra-Shine Lip Gloss in Silver Toupe 17.

by Shiv

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Beauty Review: Nars Takes Me To South Beach!

I've never been to South Beach, but I live vicariously through my precious Nars Multiple in South Beach (it's almost the same right??)! This is one product that I always have to have in my makeup bag. For a long time it sat at the bottom of my bag untouched. The Multiple is iridescent and beautiful on flawless skin, but shimmery textures can enhance problem areas. A spotlight on a red, irritated pimple? Not so pretty! Thankfully, my skin has made peace with me and I've been able to resurrect this little tube of radiance again.

The Multiple is a cult classic. This cream-to-powder multi-purpose stick is one of the reason's why I fell in love with 3-in-one products. The Multiple comes in many gorgeous shimmery shades. The convenient stick can be easily swiped on the eyes, cheeks and lips - no brush necessary. Blend with your finger and you're ready to go! South Beach is a shimmering apricot that perks you up and gives the skin a sun-kissed peachy glow. I love the way it makes my skin look. It is the perfect colour to compliment bronze skin. It also looks great with a pink blush over top or on the lips with a shimmery gloss over it. On the eyes, it's great as a base for powder shadows. It intensifies the colour and makes it last longer.

It's nice to know I can get a little South Beach sun any time I want!

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