NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils

Never have I heard such a buzz about lip pencils. Get your's now at all NARS counters.

xoxox

Nars Spring 2011 Collection

Trio Eyeshadow

Calanque (Limited Edition)

Eyeshadow Duo

Bateau Ivre (Limited Edition)
Nouveau Monde

Soft Touch Shadow Pencil

Celebrate
Hollywoodland

Lip Gloss

Angelika (Repromote)
Nana (Limited Edition)
Superorgasm (Repromote)

Lipstick

Tzigane (Limited Edition)

Pure Matte Lipstick

Madere

Nail Polish

Desperado (Limited Edition)


This collection will be available sometime this month!

NARS Primer Review

I hate it. I do. I really, really hate it. I am always looking for the next best thing so, after I ditched my Smashbox primer, which I also hated, I ventured into Sephora and found a new primer to play with. I found that the NARS Primer did nothing, absolutely nothing. It did not make my make up last longer. It does not make my make up go on smoother. It did not even have a nice texture, like Smashbox Photo Finish primer did. I generally like to look decent by the end of the day and unfortunately, NARS did not help me achieve this goal. Do not get me wrong, I love NARS. I swear by their blush, lip gloss and lipstick. I have also tried their eyeshadow, which is not bad, but I cannot bring myself to buy any other eyeshadow except Mac’s. I really wanted to love this, because I do really love NARS. On to the next!

NARS Bento Box for Holiday 2010

Throughout all of his extensive international travels, Founder and Creative Director François Nars has always found Japanese culture to be a great source of inspiration, specifically the concept of Kabuki makeup. Years ago, after traveling to Japan, François brought back a small, porcelain pot with a red film of color– Kabuki makeup for the lips.


Debuting this holiday season after years of development is the NARS Bento Box Set – a limited edition set of two Kabuki cups that were hand-poured with a new exclusive-to-NARS lipstick formula in highly pigmented shades containing Vitamin E. Housed in a handmade bento box, the set also comes with a Kabuki lip brush, designed for precise application by dipping the brush into the cup and blending until desired coverage is achieved.


Fusing two inspirations together, François chose Daphne Guinness to once again be the face of NARS with her evocative portrayal of classic theatrical Kabuki makeup.


Only one thousand sets were created for sale in the United States and will retail for $125, and just over two thousand in total were created worldwide.

Read My Red Lips

Here is a post that I did for From LA, with Love last week. Since red lips are a HUGE trend for fall, I thought I would share it with my lovely Primped & Proper readers. Enjoy beauties.

I am a makeup fanatic. Red lipstick is crucial to have in your beauty arsenal. If it’s good enough for Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, it’s good enough for you. Red lips are a staple in the fashion industry and should be a staple in your makeup bag. You can rock a lightly pigmented hue during the day and a more scarlet, deep-ruby shades for evening.


There are three different types of red - true-reds, orange-reds, and blue-reds. You don’t need to worry about the colour of your hair or your eyes - just the undertone of your skin. Determine whether the undertone of your skin is neutral, yellow, or pink. If you have neutral undertones, go for true reds, yellow and olive undertones, you should try orange-brown reds, and if you have pink undertones, try going for blue-reds.

Here are some great picks:

Yellow Undertones - Orange-reds

NARS Heat Wave, NARS Shanghai Express, Vincent Longo Fore-Plush, MAC Chili, MAC Fresh Moroccan

Pink Undertones - Blue-reds

NARS Scarlet Empress, Laura Mercier Seduction, MAC Russian Red, Chanel Shanghai Red, YSL Pure Lipstick Star Red

Neutral Undertones - True Reds

NARS Fire Down Below, NARS Red Lizard, MAC Ruby Woo, YSL Rouge Pur #13, Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick Insolence De Rouge 522

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick for Fall 2010

The NARS Pure Matte campaign, photographed by Creative Director and Founder François Nars, features Canadian model Heather Marks. Under Nars’s direction, makeup artist Diane Kendal designed a makeup look that emphasized a bold and matte lip. The end result is audacious, sultry and sophisticated.

Kendal began by applying Siberia Sheer Matte Foundation to the center of the face and blended outward. Vanilla Concealer masked imperfections. Snow Loose Powder was pressed into skin and the Botan Brush buffed away excess powder. Using the Yachiyo Brush, she applied Desire Blush to the apples of the cheeks and blended up towards the temples. For the eyes, Abyssinia Single Eyeshadow was brushed onto the lids with the Eyeshader Brush, followed by Blondie Single Eyeshadow into the crease with the Large Dome Brush to achieve depth. The inner corners were highlighted with the left side of All About Eve Duo Eyeshadow using the Eye Contour Brush. Iceberg Eyeliner Pencil lined the inner membrane of the lower lash line and Nuits Blanches Eyeliner Stylo created an impactful upper lash line. Brows were defined by applying Blondie Single Eyeshadow with the Brow Brush. To complete the look, two coats of Larger than Life Lengthening Mascara were applied to the lashes. Jungle Red Lipliner Pencil was used to define the shape of the lips. To create the luscious matte hue, Vesuvio Pure Matte Lipstick was swiped directly onto the lips.

Pure Matte Lipstick ($25.00)

Volga Deep aubergine
Bangkok Soft rose
Tonkin Cinnamon plum
Terre de Feu Black cherry
Tashkent Nude beige
Vesuvio Full bodied red

The Beauty of the World Cup

I am so happy that Spain won! I spotted this article, shortly after Spain's victory, on Style.com, and I thought I would share it with my fellow beauty addicts!


The Netherlands: Orange County
Why the orange uniforms if the Dutch flag is red, white, and blue? Orange is actually the color of the Dutch royal family and is the shade synonymous with national pride. - NARS Cosmetics' semi-matte hit Heatwave.


Spain: Finger Wave
What better way to stick it to rival Dutch fans on Sunday than to give them the hand—a well-manicured hand, that is, featuring a fresh polish job courtesy of OPI's España collection. Go with Manicurist of Seville.

via: Style.com

NARS Cosmetics Fall 2010 Preview

The eye shadow shade named for Guinness is a rich, royal purple. “When I started thinking about colors that meant Daphne to me, purple felt right — and when I tried it on her at the shoot, I immediately knew it needed to be named for her,” said Nars. Guinness wears it in the campaign along with Mangrove, a new eye shadow in an yellow-green hue; Douceur blush, a soft pink-brown, and Rouge Basque Lipstick, a “quintessential red” inspired by the French Basque region. The eye shadows will each retail for $23, the lipstick for $24 and the blush for $26. “Daphne’s like a painting in this image,” said Nars, who used a set of mirrors to reflect Guinness’ image from every angle. “Since Daphne was the inspiration for the campaign, I thought, ‘Why not have more of her?’” — WWD

NARS Pro-Prime™ Collection

NARS has included two new products to their already incredible collection of make up. Here is the low down on the new goods via narscosmetics.com…


The NARS Pro-Prime™ collection puts the artistry of François Nars at your fingertips. Makeup will look fresh and professionally applied for hours on end.

Pro-Prime products soothe and prepare skin with natural botanicals and vitamins while creating a protective base for longer-lasting, natural looking foundation application and wear



Skin Smoothing Face Prep

Get closer to an Immaculate Complexion with NARS Skin Smoothing Face Prep. With one application, skin is smoother and the appearance of fine lines and pores is minimized. A truly multi-use product, it may be used before primer to create a flawlessly matte finish or used throughout the day to combat shine and rejuvenate the complexion. Apply to fine lines, large pores or rough spots for an instant smoothing effect. For all skin types.
• Instantly resurfaces skin for a smoother and more even appearance
• Creates an impeccable matte finish leaving skin comfortable, not dry
• Can be applied under or over makeup
• Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. Fragrance free. Non-comedogenic


Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

No smudging, creasing or caking. The NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base is the insider trick of the trade. Never looking heavy-handed, this lightweight eye primer creates a seamless canvas that keeps cream and powder color looking brilliant, fresh and just applied, all day.

A polymer and mineral powder blend creates a firm grip on color ensuring hours and hours of gorgeous wear. Fortified with special deep-sea and antioxidant rice extracts, the Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base dries on contact and keeps the delicate eyelid smooth and prepared for color application.
• Extends the wear of eyeshadow, eyeliner and eyebrow pencil
• Instantly transforms to a matte finish and preps skin for color application
• Maximizes color intensity
• Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. Fragrance free

Nars is set to release a new collection of limited edition lip glosses based on five of their most popular blushes: Albatross, a luminous shimmer, Angelika, a cotton candy pink, Oasis, a sparkling pink champagne, Super Orgasm, a peachy pink shimmer, and Luster, a sheer golden Apricot. The formula will be light and buttery as well as hydrating. If you are worried that your lips will be too matchy –matchy with your blush, don’t be. The colours will be sheer and subtle and will not overpower your look, but will only enhance it. The glosses will be exclusive to Sephora, and available for purchase starting July 29th.

NARS Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment

NARS Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment nourishes and hydrates chapped lips, while giving a sheer yet noticeable tint. Infused with SPF 15, the rich and creamy texture protects lips throughout the day. Wild Mango Butter, with superior moisturizing benefits, leaves lips feeling soft and supple, while repairing dry or scaled skin. Vitamin E, Polar Berries and Acai Oil provide antioxidants and long lasting hydration for the lips.

The convenient slim-stick can be applied directly to lips or with the NARS Retractable Lip Brush for more control. No matter the usage, NARS Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment is sure to provide kissably soft lips.

Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment
Aurore Seashell pink
Greta Mauve
Paloma Cantaloupe
Lara Pastel pink
Angelique Strawberry
Bianca Pearl

NARS Belle du Jour Collection

Cream Blush
Enchanted Sheer, subtle peach-beige

Cream Eyeshadow Duo
Burn It Blue Iridescent blue / aqua teal

Cream Eyeshadow
Cayenne Deep brown

Lipstick
Love Devotion Coral

Lipgloss
Coup de Coeur Browned pink

Multiple
Lamu Bronze

Nail Lacquer
Versailles White gold

This collection will be available in May!

How much is your face worth?

A fellow beauty blogger and addict did this and I thought it was very interesting, so I thought I would try it and share.

This is my routine, not on a daily basis, but on days where I have the energy/care.
I usually only wear a few things when I am going to work, but on the weekends I go all out and use everything listed.

Face
Nivea Moisterizer $9.99
Make Up Forever HD Primer $37.00
Make Up Forever Concealer $36.00
MAC Studio Fix Foundation $35.50
MAC Prep + Prime Finishing Power $25.00
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion $22.00
YSL Touché Éclat $50.00 – for touch up threw out the day/evening

Cheeks
NARS Blush $30.00
NARS Bronzer $38.00
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish $32.50

Eyes
MAC Eyeshadow $17.50 x 2 colours $35.00
Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara $9.99
Talika Eyelash lipocils $40.00

Lips
Rosebud Lip Salve $7.00
MAC Lip Gloss $16.50
MAC Lip Stick $16.50
Dior Lip liner $26.00

Grand total without tax…
With lip gloss $424.48
With lipstick and liner $450.48

On a day where I am just going into work my grand total without tax is $184.98. There is a huge difference between the days/nights where I get all dolled up and days that I do not. What can I do? I just love make up!

How much is your face worth?

NARS Spring 2010 Collection

The Rundown:

Lipstick

• Cruising – subtle nude

Lip Gloss

• Easy Lover – sexy bright pink

• Ophelia – strawberry nectar

Nail Polish

• Purple Rain – bright purple (TMG Fave!)

Mono Eyeshadow

• D. Gorgeous – pale lilac

Duo Eyeshadow

• Kuala Lumpur – rose gold and wild berry mix

Cream Eyeshadow Duo

• Camargue – champagne gold and warm brown.

Eye Pencil

• Bains Douches – sky blue with silver

Available January/February 2010 at all NARS counters.

NARS Holiday 2009

Hey ladies! Here is what the collection has to offer:

NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil

Sure to be a favorite for the holidays, the soft touch shadow pencil is a new addition to the NARS product line that offers a convenient delivery system and multi-purpose formula. Available in three playful shades:

Goddess – A cool, divinely ethereal, glistening pink champagne that’s worthy of worship.

Aigle Noir– A smoky, bold black infused with gold shimmer named for the dark, noble raptor that soars the Himalayas – graceful and rare.

Skorpios– An irresistibly iridescent copper named for the alluring Greek isle of the famous and flamboyant.

NARS Duo Eyeshadow

Brousse– Deep, subtly shimmering hues of eggplant and the darkest wood create an earthy, yet sophisticated palette

Eurydice– Bordeaux with hints of iridescent blues and coal rich with metallic greens make for a modern holiday pairing

Taiga– A surprising contrast of bright, yet intense hues in the sheerest of textures

NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow

This shimmering, spicy pine cream eyeshadow is named for the monsoon – natural and unpredictable

NARS Rouge Andalou Nail Polish

Lasting and lustrous, like its namesake region – this classic, incandescent candy apple red nail hue is sultry, sexy and steeped in tradition

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

Pop Life– Coat lips instantly with this bold, bright and modernly matte holly red hue that slips on with a velvety texture

Toundra– This richly pigmented Barolo wine shade is creamy, long-lasting and matte for strong, seamless color

NARS Luxor Multiple

An iridescent pink to be used on eyes, cheeks, lips and body for dynamic highlights and a perfect, glowing complexion.

Makeup Junkie Heaven: Murale

I have been meaning to post about Murale for about a week now; better late than never, right? Murale opened up to the public on September 4th and I decided to drag my boyfriend for a little shopping spree on the 5th. I absolutely loved it. It is very similar to Sephora, but it is less crowded with fixtures so it is much more shopper friendly. It is packed with great brands such as Nars, Benefit, Smashbox and much more. They also have a full range of Chanel and YSL make up, something that Sephora in Canada is lacking. The store is also fully equipped with any brand of perfume or cologne that you may be looking for. The store also offers some great services such as personalized beauty services by Murale, Benefit Brow Bar, professional skincare services by Natura Bisse, Sensation Chocolat Paris and Clarins, and professional botanical skin care services by Darphin. Murale is located at Shops at Don Mills and is owned by Shoppers Drug Mart so with every purchase you can collect Optimum Points! Be sure to check it out!

xo

NARS Fall 2009 Make Up Collection

Ladies, here are the details for the NARS Fall 2009 make up collection...

NARS Fast Ride Lipstick - This seemingly dark purple may intimidate, but swipe it across

the lips and its true shade is revealed: a sheer mulberry. A color that falls somewhere

between an intense plum wine stain, and a moody, deep violet. I will definitely be getting this lipstick.

NARS Silk Road Duo Eye shadow - This new shade mirrors the hues from

traditional damask fabrics. Classic meets edgy in this new duo — an icy pink is paired with

a warm rose gold with golden flecks.

NARS Brumes Duo Eye shadow - These new hues perfectly capture the moody shades of a

cool twilight sky. Brumes pairs a velvety matte charcoal with a sparkling, blue state for a

smoky eye that is both confident and serene.

NARS Indian Summer Duo Eye shadow - A typical Indian summer comes as a surprise,

balmy sunshine meets brisk fall. Swipe the summery, frosted champagne shimmer

up to the brow, and line the upper lid with the autumnal

deep, matte mustard for a striking look, appropriate for every season.

NARS Mekong Single Eye shadow - This is the perfect

addition to the NARS woman's adventurous palette.

The intense, blackened espresso hue scattered with rose gold is a

study in contrasts. Applied liberty across the lid it exudes a sexy attitude, or applied

lightly, a simple, fashion-forward sophistication.

NARS Tokaido Express - This new hue is a cult classic in the making. Named after Japan’s

most heavily frequented high-speed rail route, this lacquer is an opulent blackened

amethyst doused with ultra-fine gold dust particles. This shade is to die for…I definitely

need to add this to my collection.

NARS Fall 2009 Collection is available online now at

www.narscosmetics.com and will be available in August at

NARS counters and at Sephora.com.

I love NARS so much and this collection excites me so much!!

xo

Kiss Kiss - Top Ten Red Lipsticks

Red lipstick if such a potent weapon, it was once outlawed for it's power over men. Needless to say, every woman needs at least one in their make up bag. Here is a list of top ten red lipsticks...

Max Factor Vivid Impact Lip color - Ms. Right

Laura Mercier - Mistress

Chanel Rouge Allure - Lover

MAC - Ruby Woo

Shiseido - Valentine

YSL Rouge Volupté - Red Muse (the catwalk color for fall 2009)

NARS - Jungle Red

Guerlain Rouge G - Gala

Revlon - Fire & Ice

Maybelline Color Sensational - Red Revival

If you don't have a ravishing red lipstick in your make up bag, one of these colours is sure to please...

xo

Flawless Finish: Primer

I am a true believer in using primer. It is not necessity, but it is great for special occasions or long nights. It allows you to obtain a flawless finish that lasts. Primers are not only just for grasping onto make up, many brands offer color-correcting formulas, such as green formulas that counteract redness, apricot hues help with dark spots and other annoying flaws and lavender that help with natural yellow undertones. Make Up For Ever and Smashbox (shown above) both offer different hues for different issues. 

For those of you who require a heavy duty mattifier that's ideal for smoothing scars, wrinkles or large pores, try silicone based primers. Below is an excellent one by Benefit called Dr. Feel Good.

If you have normal to oily skin, your best bet is to go with something that is lightweight. Try a gel based primer such as Nars Make Up Primer shown below. 

xo

Perfect Match: Bronzer & Blush

Here are few tips for applying bronzer and blush. Always apply bronzer first, wherever the sun would naturally hit. Try applying on your forehead, nose and chin, when using powder. If you prefer gel bronzers, apply to your entire face. After you have applied bronzer, dust on blush on the apples of your cheeks. Bronzer and blush are a perfect combination; bronzer gives your face an entire glow and blush brightens you up. 

For a great bronzing powder try....Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna...

For a perfect gel bronzer try.....Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Brush...

Secondly, the right blush...try Nars Orgasm...possibly the most popular blush around, and generally flattering on almost all skin tones. 

For something, not so peachy pink, try Nars Madly, my personal favourite. 

xo