NARS: Summer 2011 Collection Haul

Hi Everyone! Here is my NARS Summer 2011 Collection Haul! The products I got: *New Order Highlighting Blush *Dogon Eyeshadow Duo *Wonder Lip gloss *Blush/Bronzing Trio LE I was really excited about this summer's NARS collection. I did not get all of the products from the collection, only the items I felt were right up my alley! I can't help but purchasing any new blush that NARS comes out with. What can I say...I'm just a blush junkie!! The Dogon duo has great colour payoff and the product goes on with ease. The swatches of all these products are below. Double click on the photo if you wish to enlarge it to get a closer look. Bottom line: I love the LE blush and bronzing trio from Sephora...it has my favorite 3 products on the go. I just throw it in my purse and I am ready for touch-up's anytime!! The product I was not satisfied with is the Wonder lip gloss, I was never a fan of the consistency of NARS lip gloss. And even though I like this colour, it reconfirmed my dislike of the product!!

Are y'all planning to purchase anything from the collection? If you already have, what do you think about the products?

Have a fabulous day!!

NARS: Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself

What the website says:

Introducing Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself, the new book by Francois Nars.

This book brings together Francois two passions- makeup and photography- to spectacular effect. Taking the before-and- after concept to the next level, Francois turns the lens on real women and men revealing the powerful role of beauty in personal transformation.

Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself transcends the scope of basic manuals by providing an array of inspiring looks that showcase the limitless possibilities of makeup. The book not only provides insider knowledge from Francois himself, it also encourages people to be who they are and express their individuality through makeup.

What's the cost?

$45 + Complimentary Shipping

Do y'all think this would be a good read?

Review: NARS Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo in Orgasm/ Laguna vs. E.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder: THE BATTLE!

Happy Cyber Monday!!  I hope ya’ll also had a fabulous turkey day…I was full for a few days after mine- LOL!!  J  Now let me get to the good stuff…

Items that are battling it out:

1)      0.16 oz. mini NARS Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo in Orgasm/ Laguna ($39 for .35oz nearly double the size than the mini in my pics…)

2)      e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder ($3)

L: NARS   R: E.L.F.



NARS





E.L.F.



As you can see the packaging is very similar; both are sleek, black and compact.  They also both have a mirror included on the inside, for quick on the go makeup application.  The one thing I really like about e.l.f.’s packaging is that it isn’t rubber like the NARS…so it doesn’t keep your fingerprints, etc. on it!  I hate that about NARS packaging, because your product looks like you’ve had it forever even after one day due to all the fingerprint marks!! That’s one of my biggest pet peeves :P

 Enough about the packaging, let’s get into how the actual product compares.  As for the blush shades, the colours are similar.  However, they are not an exact match.   E.l.f.’s blush is a beautiful peach/pink toned blush with more of a matte finish.  On the other hand the NARS blush is also a very beautiful peachy/pink, but it has sheen to it.  It is nowhere near matte… 

 

E.L.F.

The e.l.f bronzer is a deep bronze matte colour; it can be used as a bronzer or even a contouring powder.  I personally like to use a matte colour to contour; one with shimmer just doesn’t give me the same “she was born w/ perfect cheekbones” effect!!  As for the NARS bronzer, it is VERY light in comparison to the e.l.f. bronzer.  It is a nice light brown colour with shimmer, seems like it would be great as an overall bronzer. 

L- E.L.F and R- NARS



NARS



RESULTS:  Personally, I feel they are 2 completely different products, that don’t really mimic each other.  The e.l.f. is more pigmented and matte and may be a better match for women who are of a bit darker skin tone.  While the NARS is a little less pigmented (as seen in the pics) and full of shimmer and sheen, it would work on many skin tones.  However, if you have lighter skin, you may want to opt for this one.  So if you don’t have the $39 to spend on the NARS, go ahead and give the e.l.f. blush/bronzer duo a try first…and for $3 you just can’t go wrong!!

All the swatch pics are HEAVILY swatched on NC 37 skin.  I am in no way affliated or being compensated in any way to review these products.

                                                X + O,

                                                 --S

Review: NARS Albatross vs. E.l.f. Gotta Glow: THE BATTLE!

Hey Everyone!

Today I decided to review something I received in my gigantic E.l.f. haul from the other day.  I haven't posted from that haul yet, but I've been tackling the items bit by bit.  I've had the NARS Albatross for sometime, and honestly I rarely use it.  It's not that I don't like it, I just don't find myself reaching for it.  

E.l.f.'s packaging is very similar to that of NARS.  The major difference in packaging is the weight, the texture of the casing and the clear window that elf uses.

Once you open up the case, the highlighter itself also appears very similar.  At first sight, the ELF highlighter appears a little more yellow.

Note that these were swatched heavily! 

Again, you can see that the elf highlighter appears a little more yellow. 

The texture of the NARS Albatross was obviously smooth and non grainy.  The elf highlighter was smooth yet, nothing compared to the Albatross.  I did not have to use much of the Albatross to get that beautiful sheen that you see here. 

Price:  $3 vs. $26

So?  Whatcha think?  There are some obvious differences between the two but if you're not willing to shell out the money for the NARS Albatross, why not pick up Elf's Gotta Glow? 

xoxo
-C