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NARS Heat of the Night Summer Edit Collection

April 24, 2019

NARS Summer 2019 Edit Heat of the Night Collection

NARS is killing it this season with yet more pretty palettes for summer. They just launched called Heat of the Night Summer Edit with two Face Palettes in Summer Lights and Hot Nights along with new colors of Satin Lip Pencil and Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. The palettes are truly phenomenal in terms of pigment, blendability and color selection. They’re pretty for summer to add warmth and glow. Lip pencils offer bold color deeper than I’m used to wearing but are still nice everyday kind of neutrals. The collection is limited-edition and is available now at Sephora and NARS.

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Summer Lights Face Palette

NARS Summer Lights Face Palette review

The Summer Lights Face Palette ($59 for 3.2 g x 4 eyeshadows, 7.1 g x 2 for cheeks) is the lighter option of the two palettes with four eyeshadows, a soft highlighter and matte bronzer. Everything is a powder formula with super soft textures that are easy to blend. If you already own the Skin Deep Eye Palette you might want to skip both of these as you’ll find similar color options. However these palettes do have a really nice lighter shimmer shade for eyes combined with the cheek colors they make for excellent travel companions. In the Summer Lights Face Palette:

  • Rainwater Eyeshadow is a shimmery taupe beige
  • Hibiscus Eyeshadow is a yellow bronze shimmer
  • Papeete Eyeshadow is a terracotta bronze
  • Hei Eyeshadow is a satiny cool brown shimmer
  • Paper Flower Highlighting Blush Powder is a warm champagne shimmer
  • Destination Unknown Bronzing Powder is a neutral soft matte brown

The Beauty Look Book NARS Summer Lights Face Palette review

NARS Summer Lights Face Palette swatches

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Hot Nights Face Palette

NARS Summer Hot Nights Face Palette review

The Hot Nights Face Palette is the deeper option of the two with bolder eye colors ($59 for 3.2 g x 4 eyeshadows, 7.1 g x 2 for cheeks). It’s not too dark for me to wear I still prefer the lighter option. I think this will definitely work better for deeper skin tones to show up more. Colors in the Hot Nights:

  • Pacific Eyeshadow is a pink champagne beige shimmer
  • Paradis Eyeshadow is a violet bronze shimmer
  • Maeva Eyeshadow is a reddish cranberry shimmer
  • Black Sand Eyeshadow is a deep purple shimmer
  • Tautira Highlighting Blush Powder is a shimmering rose gold tan
  • Manihi Bronzing Powder is a matte medium bronze

The Beauty Look Book NARS Summer Hot Nights Face Palette review

The Beauty Look Book NARS Summer Hot Nights Face Palette swatches

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Velvet Matte Lip Pencils

NARS Summer Velvet Matte Lip Pencils

There are four shades of Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. These have medium coverage with a velvety matte finish. The pigment is buildable to cover the entire lip.

  • Good Times is a nude beige matte
  • Take Me Home is a terracotta color
  • Promiscuous is a hot bright deep pink
  • Dance Fever is a 90’s matte brown

NARS Summer Velvet Matte Lip Pencils swatches

NARS Summer Velvet Matte Lip Pencils swatches

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Satin Lip Pencils

NARS Summer Satin Lip Pencil review

I haven’t used a Satin Lip Pencil in so long I forgot how much I liked the creamy formula! They have a nice shine finish and very pretty smooth coverage. Colors run darker than I’d normally wear but they’re a nice bolder option for summer:

  • Balboa is a plum cream rose
  • Giusti is a medium rose
  • Golden Gate is a cool grey mauve pink
  • Exbury is a soft creamy warm rose

NARS Summer Satin Lip Pencil swatches

NARS Summer Satin Lip Pencil lip swatches

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Makeup look wearing the Armani Power Fabric Balm in 6.5 (review here), La Mer Loose Powder to set, NARS Summer Lights Palette on Eyes and Cheeks, Tom Ford Emotionproof Mascara, NARS Take Me Home Pencil. Top by Nation LTD.

NARS Summer Lights Makeup look

Overall a solid collection of easy to wear bronzey shades for summer. I tend to like brighter lighter colors for lips so most of the lip colors were outside my comfort zone. They’re still neutral and easy to wear for a more dramatic but still neutral lip look. I really like the Summer Lights Palette – it’s enough to give me a complete beachy bronze look. I feel like I need a little more color so I’ve added blush in addition to the palette, but other than that these make for great summery looks. The compacts are sturdy and have large enough pans to dip a brush into. Yet they’re compact enough to travel with.

Quality and lasting power is really good, true to NARS powder shadows and lip pencils. For me the palettes lasted all day on the face for a good solid 7 hours without fading. Lips are always tricky to test as I’m constantly snacking, drinking or wiping my face to do swatch tests. They do stay put as long as your lips don’t touch things.

You can find the NARS Summer 2019 collection out now. Available at Sephora and NARS.

 

 

NARS Summer collection provided courtesy of NARS for review consideration.

NARS

NARS Fever Dream Collection Review

April 17, 2019

NARS Fever Dream Collection Review and Swatches

There’s a lot of newness from NARS this spring to summer. I’m working my way through all the launches, I feel like I just blinked and so many palettes just popped up! I have a look at the Fever Dream Collection which is a Nordstrom exclusive. There is a super cute mini nude Lip Tint Trio called Lusted which has three sheer glossy lip tints. I was sent the two limited-edition eye and cheek palettes and they far surpassed my expectations! For those who want that neutral look that isn’t too warm or red-pink like the colors that seem to have flooded the market in the last year this collection is worth checking out. In today’s post:

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Lip Tint Trio

NARS Fever Dream Lusted Lip Tint Trio Review

The Fever Dream Lusted Lip Tint Trio offers three neutral nudes in a sheer glossy tint with a balmy feel. The same formula launched in the Lip Duos from Exposed Collection from Ulta (reviewed here). Colors in this trio include:

  • Stoked a neutral nude pink
  • Hot Memory a sheer warm nude peach
  • Escape Plan a sheer pale peach

NARS Fever Dream Lusted Lip Tint Trio Review swatches

Colors are very sheer and offer a soft wash of color. I think they’re perfect for an effortless nude but I think some of you may find them too sheer for your liking. For me they’re truly your lips but better kind of tints. If you need more pigment I’d recommend opting for some of the Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss neutrals like 714 Caresse or 716 Caramel (reviewed and swatched here) or NARS Velvet Lip Glides (some swatched here) which offer more coverage. Lasting power is not extensive. I can get a couple hours of wear but need to reapply which I actually don’t mind. The mini size means I’m going to use them up easily! There’s no scent or taste.

Swatch comparisons:

Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss and NARS Lip Tint Trio Swatches vs Velvet Lip Glide

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Lost in Luster Face Palette

NARS Fever Dream Lost in Luster Palette Review

Lost in Luster Face Palette is something I had low expectations for because I swatched it in store and it had really poor color payoff. The pans must have been hardened though from testers being touched by so many fingers though because I tried mine at home and was pleasantly surprised. It’s a true neutral with four shadows, a soft highlight and the perfect soft pink glow for blush. The eyeshadows need a creamy base to show up on my lids but they apply really nicely as long as my eyes aren’t dry. I feel like the eye will need another deeper shadow or liner for a complete look. The perfect liner to add to this is the Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon in Ro(Cocoa) which is my favorite neutral taupe shimmer liner to wear for something that isn’t black or brown. Colors in the palette:

  • As You Please is a soft beige brown (applies more true to pan on the eyes, for some reason it darkened on my arm swatch)
  • Let Go is a medium taupe brown matte
  • Dazed is the perfect champagne shimmer
  • Free Fall is a neutral taupe shimmer
  • Free to Fly is a cool champagne pink shimmer highlighter
  • Crush is a soft warm pink shimmer blush

NARS Fever Dream Lost in Luster Palette Swatches

Below wearing the Lost in Luster Face palette on eyes and cheeks, Lips have Stoked and Hot Memory layered together. Foundation worn is the NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation in Punjab and Vanuatu mixed. Concealer to cover redness is the Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger. Tank is an older style from Madewell. Nail polish is OPI Tiramisu for Two.

NARS Lost in Luster and Hot Memory Lip Tint

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Wild Thing Face Palette

Wild Thing Face Palette is the warmer option. Don’t let the orange blush scare you because it is easy to blend and adds nice warmth. Still I think if you’re fair you might find this a little too warm. If you’re medium or deep skin this is going to be a really lovely neutral warm bronze peach palette. I wish I had brought this with me to Miami because it has everything for a complete look.

NARS Fever Dream Wild Thing Face Palette Review

Colors in this one include:

  • Alive is a warm brown matte
  • Psyched is a a deeper matte warm cocoa
  • Erratic is a shimmery neutral warm gold
  • Lala is a shimmering warm neutral brown
  • No Limit is a shimmering soft gold highlighter
  • Goddess Complex is a golden orange shimmer

Swatches:

NARS Fever Dream Wild Thing Face Palette swatches

NARS Fever Dream Palettes

Overall a solid easy to wear collection of colors perfect for spring to summer. Based on everything I’ve tested combined with a peek at what’s coming out for summer I can’t say that I’d call any of these absolute must-haves just based on the unique factor. Colors are standard ones that I think can be duped with previous launches and existing colors. Still performance, quality and pigment for the palettes are excellent. They’re easy to wear and each option has enough for a natural glowy look without being overdone or too frosty. Colors are perfect for the beginner makeup wearer and size is ideal for travel. There are new summer palettes out which I’ll be reviewing soon which have a similar concept (eyes and cheeks) for a more bronzed look. I haven’t tested them yet so keep an eye out for the review.

I really love the lip tints but they are sheer and so natural looking you might think they’re too sheer. If you’re into the no makeup makeup look they will be perfect for you. Otherwise I’d say pass.

I get tons of emails from new readers asking for recommendations on what to wear for something who is just getting into makeup and wants to know what to wear for a natural goof-proof look. I think this collection fits that bill. Even with all the dupes I find myself really loving how effortless Lost in Luster is!

 

You can find the NARS Fever Dream Collection out now at Nordstrom. Everything is limited-edition.

 

NARS face palettes provided for review. Lip trio purchased by me.

NARS

NARS Exposed Collection Review + Swatches

February 22, 2019

NARS Exposed Color Collection Review Spring | The Beauty Look Book

The NARS Exposed Color Collection just launched with limited-edition shades for lips and cheeks. There’s an Exposed Cheek Palette ($59) and three Explicit Color Lip Duos ($22 each) with mini-sized Velvet Matte Lip Pencils and Lip Tints. Swatches of everything below. The collection is exclusive to Ulta Beauty and online at NARS Cosmetics.

NARS Exposed Color Collection Review Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

The Exposed Cheek Palette has that unique cream to powder finish NARS has in their dual intensity blushes, but most of the colors are satiny and glowy in finish (versus frost). It has a similar texture and pigment level to their Holiday Hot Tryst Cheek Palette, but the colors aren’t as shimmery for spring. Colors have medium but buildable coverage. On my skin tone the two pinks look nearly identical, if you’re fairer I suspect you’ll see more of a difference. The exterior packaging is so pretty with the pink, orange and pearl swirls.

NARS Exposed Cheek Palette Review

Colors include:

  • Tell All is a shimmery champagne
  • Now or Never is medium nude peach
  • Give It Away is a soft brown rose
  • Make You Mine is a perfect apricot peach
  • Come Hither is a shimmery pink rose
  • New Fling is a deeper shimmery rose

NARS Exposed Cheek Palette Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

For lips they have three Explicit Color Lip Duos with a small miniature Velvet Lip Glide and a new formula called Lip Tint. The pencil and gloss match each color in color. I owned Sex Machine many years ago and it’s been a while since I looked into the pencils in general. The formula is on the dry side for my lips, color is sheerer for the lighter natural shades, but the reds and bolds have phenomenal coverage and color payoff. I wish the neutrals applied better alone for me. The Lip Tints are medium-sheer almost balmy like glosses. They have a very lightweight almost slip like feel. I love the effect when the pencil and gloss are layered. It feels comfortable and cushiony, but so much so it feels like it’s going to slide off my lips. Good news is the colors do stay put but they’re not transfer proof.

NARS Explicit Lip Duos Exposed Collection | The Beauty Look Book

There are three options:

  • Intriguing is a beige rose
  • Sex Machine is a neutral mauve pink
  • Dragon Girl is a red with pink tones

NARS Explicit Lip Duos Exposed swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Colors layered together on bare lips:

NARS Explicit Lip Duos Exposed Collection | The Beauty Look Book

Two makeup looks below wearing:

NARS Exposed Makeup Looks | The Beauty Look Book

NARS Exposed Color Collection Review Spring | The Beauty Look Book

Overall fresh and pretty for spring! Colors are very wearable and I love that they aren’t overly frosted but still glowy. Love the concept of matching pencils and gloss to layer together. I’m not sure I would call any of these must-haves. Even though the palette is super wearable I feel like the colors have a similar vibe to previous NARS launches. I’m not the biggest fan of the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil formula but I really like the three colors for this launch. The Lip Tint has an interesting feel – it’s super lightweight and glossy. I would have preferred them in the Velvet Lip Glide formula instead for more impact but it’s still nice and fresh for a spring feel.

You can find the NARS Exposed Collection out now. Exclusive to Ulta Beauty and NARS Cosmetics. Have you checked out anything yet? What did you think?

 

 

NARS Exposed Collection provided for review.

Lips NARS

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions + Multi-Use Gloss for Spring

February 20, 2019

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions and Multi-Use Gloss | The Beauty Look Book

For spring NARS has launched 9 new shades of their classic Lip Gloss ($26 each) formula alongside 5 shades of a new gloss called Multi-Use Gloss ($26 each). These launch soon on February 24th at NARS Boutiques and online at NARS, and will also be available at all other NARS retailers later this spring (current backorder date at Neiman Marcus is 03/07/2019).

Lip Gloss Shade Extensions

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions Review and Swatches

The NARS Lip Gloss formula has been a long time favorite of mine even with several reformulations. It’s a classic medium coverage lightweight formula that has a wide range of finishes. There’s no detectable scent or taste. Nothing fancy or extra added, just your classic kind of gloss you can wear for any occasion. The new shade extensions are almost all creams with one sparkle. They come with a sponge tip applicator for precise color application. Some of the lighter shades need a little more blending to smooth out but in my testing every single color is amazing.

  • Sexual Content is a bright fresh warm pink
  • No Regrets is a medium caramel brown
  • Pulsion is a light nude pink cream
  • Outrage is a light milky orange peach, can be a little streaky, but blending creates the prettiest baby peach
  • Fever Beat is a plum rose cream
  • Love Me Do is a pastel baby pink
  • Mythic Red is a soft pink mauve (no red like the name might imply)
  • Color Me is a milky lavender, also a little streaky, extra blending required
  • Sexy Time is a gold sparkle

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions Review and Swatches

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions Swatches

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions, Sexual Content, No Regrets, Pulsion, Outrage, Fever Beat, Love Me Do, Mythic Red, Color Me and Sexy Time

Close ups of each color, lasting power is fairly good for a lip gloss. They stay put for hours as long as you don’t touch them to a cup or snack. Otherwise you’ll have to reapply as there will be transfer, but this is expected with any gloss.

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Sexual Content

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch No Regrets

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Pulsion

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Outrage

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Fever Beat

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Love Me Do

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Mythic Red

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Color Me

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Sexy Time

NARS Multi-Use Gloss

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Review and Swatches

The Multi-Use Glosses come with a spatula applicator. These are meant to be worn on eyes, lips and cheeks. As with any other gloss product I have not been able to bring myself to wear them anywhere except the lips. These have a clear base loaded with different sparkles. The formula is a unique super smooth gloss with a lot of slip to them. They’re very sheer on my lips, almost clear – depending on the light you can see various flashes of sparkle and shine. I like these alone or on top of a lip pencil. For a more visible sparkle though I think Pat McGrath’s Lust Gloss in Aliengelic or Pale Fire Nectar are more my thing. Lasting power is average, it will stay on my lips but isn’t transfer proof and fades after a few hours.

  • Starbabe is a sheer white gold glitter
  • First Time is a silvery glitter
  • Relentless is a iridescent pink sparkle
  • Redemption is a light pink gold glitter
  • Working Girl is a sparkling gold

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Review and Swatches

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Review and Swatches

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Review and Swatches

Closer up swatches, note I take my swatch photos with a flash which washes out the sparkle a little bit.

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Swatch Starbabe

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Swatch First Time

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Swatch Relentless

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Swatch Redemption

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Swatch Working Girl

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions and Multi-Use Gloss | The Beauty Look Book

I really cannot express how happy I am that gloss and shine is back in for lips! I think this launch gives us a lot of fresh beautiful colors to brighten the complexion. The colors have a nice range from neutral to brighter options, every single one is wearable. My top 3 picks are Sexual Content, Mythic Red and Pulsion. I am undecided about the Multi-Use gloss. I like the concept and quality is there, I just don’t feel like they’re something I’d use a lot. I think it’s nice to have one of the pink ones for layering on top of other lip colors, but for eyes and cheeks I just can’t bring myself to put gloss on my cheeks.

There are a few more formulas I’m still working my way through testing from other brands. I do think you should put these on your radar for when they officially launch in stores and online. I have a hard time finding bright fresh pinks like Sexual Content – most are too bright, too fuchsia or too cool but this one is just perfect. Bright but not too bright for me.

The new NARS Lip Gloss and Multi-Use Glosses are expected to launch soon. Original launch date was listed as 2/14 but I confirmed with the team there was a slight delay and their new anticipated launch date is 2/24 for NARScosmetics.com.

You can find NARS at Nordstrom, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Barney’s New York and NARS.

New launches featured are press samples from NARS.

 

NARS

NARS Skin Deep Eye Palette + Super Radiant Booster Review

January 14, 2019

NARS Skin Deep Eye Palette and Super Radiant Booster Review | The Beauty Look Book

NARS recently launched a couple new things including their Skin Deep Eye Palette ($59 for 12 x 0.12 oz/ 3.5 g) + Super Radiant Booster ($30 for 30 ml/1 fl oz). I bought them the minute they launched and they are both really lovely. Thoughts, review + swatches on each one below. I think the products and formula are excellent with naturally flattering easy to wear colors.

NARS Skin Deep Eye Palette and Super Radiant Booster Review

Super Radiant Booster in Isola Rossa

The Super Radiant Booster in Isola Rossa is a fluid highlighter that is a soft gold shimmer. It’s described as “a universal rose gold” shade but to me it’s more golden on me, I barely see any rose. It has a very lightweight texture, it’s easy to blend and layer and dries fairly fast on my skin. Finish is luminous but dry down leaves little to no moisture which is a plus if you have oily skin. It almost has a powder dry down but it’s not dry or super matte.

NARS Super Radiant Booster Review and Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

I tried this as a highlighter. You can definitely mix it in with foundation but these days I wear medium to full coverage finishes. The added radiance will be more noticeable when mixing if you mix it with sheerer finish formulas. It was really easy to apply and blend with finger tips. I tried it over just foundation and on top of a foundation + powdered face. It applies nicely without disturbing or rubbing away your base which is a plus.

NARS Super Radiant Booster Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Swatched out of the tube vs blended:

NARS Super Radiant Booster Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

There’s no detectable scent to me. It goes on smoothly, there’s no streaking, no emphasizing of pores, it’s a beautiful color and product. Lasting power is really good, it stays put all day. The only thing I wish is that it came in the same packaging as their regular Illuminators so you can see how much is left/gone. There is a small clear strip at the base which is nice so you can see the color of the actual product. I’m not entirely sure what the difference is between this new Super Radiant Booster versus their original Illuminators. I personally feel this new one has a little more pigment and more radiance, but they seem really similar.

Color swatch comparisons to:

NARS Super Radiant Booster Swatches vs Charlotte Tilbury, Marc Jacobs, Fresh and L'oreal | The Beauty Look Book

Look wearing just the Super Radiant Skin Booster on cheeks to show you how it looks alone. More color added in the look if you scroll down. Also wearing:

NARS Makeup Look wearing Super Radiant Booster | The Beauty Look Book

NARS Skin Deep Eye Palette and Super Radiant Booster Review

Skin Deep Eye Palette

NARS Skin Deep Eye Palette Review and Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Nail polish is Samoan Sand, Eyeshadow Brush is Chanel

Next is the Skin Deep Eye Palette. I ran to my local stores to try and buy this as soon as it launched but none of the counters or stores near me had it. I ordered sight unseen online and it’s swatches a little different than all the promotional photos I’ve seen but I still really love it. NARS launched a few videos showing how this looks on a few different skin tones which I think are great to give you ideas on how to use. I fall somewhere in the middle of skin tone range and this pulls warm but not too warm. If you’re fair this will pull significantly more warm on you. If you’re deeper in skin tone I think this will be a winner and still show up on your skin. A couple of the colors have a similar vibe to the Loaded Eyeshadow Palette from a while ago. This year’s Skin Deep Eye Palette is a more modern rosy version.

NARS Skin Deep Eyeshadow Palette Spring 2019 | The Beauty Look BookNARS Skin Deep Eyeshadow Palette Swatches

This new palette has a mix of new and existing colors. All the shades performed really well with smooth even coverage and good pigment. Blending is easy and even though this pulls warm I still find it very wearable. I’m normally a little irritated when brands repeat a lot of shades but I think these are nice options to own.

Colors:

  • Taunt is a medium matte cream beige
  • Sophia is a warm soft brown
  • Whipped is a reddish matte brown
  • Undressed is a soft cool matte light brown taupe
  • Bali is a matte neutral brown
  • Icon is a shimmering champagne
  • Basic Instinct is a shimmering soft rose
  • Coconut Grove is a deep matte brown
  • Centerfold is a shimmery metallic grey
  • Calender Girl is a shimmering bronze gold
  • Faster Pussycat is a warm copper red shimmer
  • Unbuttoned is a shimmery deep brown

I really love this one. I think I could probably find similar colors in the palette in my existing stash but I love the overall look and feel of this one, it’s easy to wear and I love the pigment. Since this runs on the dark side I would have loved it if they had other variations like a Light or Medium palette. This one will suit a wide range of skin tones and I think it will show up even on deeper skin tones. I do think if you’re fair you might find this too deep. My favorite neutral eye palettes are still Urban Decay Naked2 and Naked3 but I get a little bored with using the same colors over and over again so this is a nice variation.

Wearing same colors as listed in the above makeup look photo, only difference is this one has the Hourglass Incandescent Electra blush added on cheeks for more color. Top is the One-Shoulder Sweater from Abercrombie.

NARS Skin Deep Eye Palette Makeup Look via Sabrina, The Beauty Look Book

Closer detail photos of the eye makeup. I’m wearing the colors Taunt all over the eye as a base, Icon and Basic Instinct Mixed applied 1/2 way up the lid, Sophia + Faster Pussycat mixed and applied closer to lash blended up, Faster Pussycat + Coconut Grove applied along lower lash line, Coconut Grove used as a liner.

NARS Skin Deep Eyeshadow Palette makeup eye look

NARS Skin Deep Eye Palette and Super Radiant Booster Review

Bottom line is I love both. The formulas perform really well for me and I’m really liking the overall look and vibe of the palette. Colors for both the eye palette and highlighter aren’t super unique but they work as is without any added mixing required. I think it’s really challenging for brands to create color palettes that are truly “universally” flattering but based on the videos I’ve seen I was really impressed to see how these perform on a wide range of skin tones.

I don’t know that I’d call these must-haves. I own a lot of other palettes and neutrals and I suspect you do as well. If I did some digging I could most likely find dupes. I am really happy with these purchases and have no regrets. The palette applies better than I anticipated. Looking at the compact straight out of the box I thought it would be a little boring and too dark but it turned out to be very wearable for me! I also don’t think we need any more highlighters but I don’t think there’s going to be any slowing down with the new launches. The Super Radiant Booster is really lovely. I love that it adds glow in a visible way without being too frosty. I love the dry down and color. It won’t disrupt your base if you apply on top. It’s a flattering color on my skin tone. So even with the million options I own I think this is a good one, but at this point it’s very hard for me to call any a must given all the other options that have been previously launched.

You can find both the NARS Skin Deep Palette and Super Radiant Booster out now. Both are limited-edition. I bought mine from Nordstrom and Sephora. Also available at NARS Cosmetics, Ulta Beauty, Bloomingdale’s, Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus and all other NARS retailers.

 

Eye Makeup NARS

NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette Review + Swatches

November 29, 2018

NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette review + swatches | The Beauty Look Book

NARS just launched a new eyeshadow palette today called the NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette ($59 for 0.05 ox/1.2 g x 12, made in Canada). It’s available exclusively at Sephora.com and NARS online for now, expected to launch in stores on 12/10/2018. I have a look plus swatches of this palette today!

NARS Ignited has a mix of mattes, shimmers, glitters and intense sheen shadows. It think it’s very much on trend with the pink and red eyeshadow colors that are “in” right now. If you already own a lot you may want to shop your stash. I find it similar to the Urban Decay Naked Cherry but the NARS Ignited Palette has more intense shine and sparkle with the shimmer shades. They have that same unique finish as some of their hardwired shadow singles.

NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette review + swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Colors all have really phenomenal pigment in this palette. I appreciate that especially since not all previous NARS palettes have had consistently good pigment or color payoff across all shades. The colors as I see them are:

  • Hammamet 1 is a soft peach tan matte
  • St Paul de Vence 1 is a satiny warm peachy pink with a sheen
  • Light Up is a glitzy pale pink
  • Atomic glittering pale pink
  • Sophia matte neutral brown
  • Supernova shimmery warm pink
  • In Heat duo chrome shimmering mauve
  • Ignition sparkling pink with glitter
  • Noumea matte warm brown
  • Fired Up shimmery red pink
  • Fuse sparkling glittery purple
  • Pointe Noir shimmery deep plum sparkle

 

NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette review + swatches | The Beauty Look Book

NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette swatches | The Beauty Look Book

I believe all the mattes in this one are available individually, the shimmers all look new to me. There will be some fallout with application on the sparkles when you apply, but once on the lids they stayed put all day without any budging. I did not need to use a shadow base or cream shadow stick to make them adhere although adding one will help if you have dry lids.

NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette | The Beauty Look Book

Larger swatches:

NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette swatches | The Beauty Look Book

This is the same size compact and pan size as last year’s NARSissist Wanted Eyeshadow Palette. The mix of textures and finishes is similar but color scheme is different. I have a side by side of the palettes below but could not fit them all on one arm to swatch side by side. I swatched them last year and the colors are a lot warmer or more neutral while this years’s NARS Ignited is more pink and plum.

NARS Ignited vs Wanted Eyeshadow Palettes

A quick look below. I’ve already lost my tan in the past week or so and have lightened a full shade, I used to wear the NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation in Vanuatu, I’m now Punjab*. Wearing the Foundation in Punjab, Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger, Hourglass Arch Brow Pencil in Soft Brunette, Ignited Eyeshadow Palette*, NARS Climax Mascara*, NARS Hot Tryst Cheek Palette* in Swindle and Untamed mixed on the cheeks, NARS Velvet Lip Glide in Roseland on the lips.

NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette review

One last look:

NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette review + swatches | The Beauty Look BookOverall solid performance for color payoff, pigment, smooth finish and lasting power. It has some beautiful finishes for the shimmers that have intense sparkle but apply nicely without having fall out after it sets. That being said I think it’s very similar to a number of other palettes out right now. I love more neutral tones so between Ignited and Wanted I prefer the Wanted, but they are different in overall undertone and color scheme. If you already own Urban Decay Naked Cherry I think you’ll find this one very similar. A quick look at both shows that NARS Ignited has more intense shimmer and pigment with the sparkles while the Urban Decay has softer shimmers. The one for NARS has more of a wow factor with the glitz and sheen, but it’s not too intense that I felt uncomfortable wearing it. It’s beautiful for sure – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed because it’s easy to wear and quality is on point, but check your stash to see how many pink/plum palettes you have if you’re concerned about dupes.

You can find the NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette available exclusively at Sephora.com and NARS online for now, expected to launch in stores on 12/10/2018. If you’re shopping at Sephora they’re having their Holiday Hooray event now for Rouge! Details and codes are as follows, offer is a one time use:

  • Rouge Members November 29 through December 12 receive $25 off $75 purchases or more with code 2018HOORAY
  • VIB Members November 30 through December 12 receive $20 off $75 purchases or more with code 2018HOORAY
  • Insiders November 30 through December 11 receive $15 off $75 purchases or more with code 2018HOORAY

What do you think about the palette? Do you like pink tones for eyeshadows?

 

NARS palette provided for review. Additional press samples have a * next to them.

 

NARS

NARS Holiday 2018 Collection Review + Swatches

October 28, 2018

NARS Holiday 2018 Collection Review and Swatches

Holiday beauty launches are in full swing and today I have a look at the NARS Holiday 2018 Collection. This is quite the massive launch with lots of palettes and sets. There are individual pieces as well and some of the products are exclusive to specific retailers. In addition a few items are online only so if you’re shopping places like Sephora or Ulta, I’d recommend checking online first and make your list to save a trip to the store! I received a large press package and dove right in to play! Due to the large number of items it has taken me a long time to swatch and test every single piece. There are some products I did not receive so check online for different variations and palettes.

What I have to review today:

NARS Holiday 2018 Collection Review and Swatches

For the cheeks there are three palettes. Hot Tryst, High Voltage and Orgasm Infatuation. I think there are two hits and one semi-miss. Thoughts and swatches below.

NARS Holiday 2018 Hot Tryst, High Voltage and Orgasm Infatuation Cheek Palettes

Hot Tryst has six colors with a texture/finish that reminds me of the dual-intensity blushes. They’re cream to power and all shimmery. Texture and finish is smooth with sheer-medium color. You can build more intensity with layering or a dense brush. Colors include a pale shimmery pink, soft muted pink, magenta shimmer, champagne gold shimmer, soft peach shimmer and a pink-red shimmer. This is my favorite of the three. Lasting power is excellent. I think every single color is perfect! Swatched with a heavy hand below:

NARS Hot Tryst Palette Swatches Holiday 2018

The next two are trios one is a highlighting palette called High Voltage with three pale highlighters in 1977 a pale champagne, Fort de France available individually, and queen a soft light peachy gold shimmer. I did not have time to swatch or pull side by sides but this has an exisiting shade and as a very similar vibe to two previous trios Banc de Sable and Reve Sale. If you have either of those or Fort de France, I think you can safely skip this one. That being said the colors perform well with soft sheer shimmer. If you’re one who doesn’t want frost and needs a subtle glow this is a nice option.

Then there is the Orgasm Infatuation Palette which is sheer on my medium tan skin. I can make it work better by layering or putting it on top of a cream blush. Based on the vast number of positive reviews on this I think I might have a dud or just be too tan. This has the classic Laguna Bronzer and Orgasm Blush, both of which swatch ok on the arm, but on the face apply sheer. There’s also an Orgasm Highlighting Blush which I find very beautiful and pigmented. It’s the perfect soft peachy highlighter which I hope they will consider making individually full size.

NARS Hih Voltage and Orgasm Infatuation Cheek Palette swatches

For the eyes the Provocateur Eyeshadow Palette was a surprising hit for me! I say surprise because at first glance the colors looked like they would be too cool. I was really impressed with the pigment and the mix of colors and the brick red layered make for an incredibly unique smokey eye. Colors include Vinyl a duochrome vanilla with pink shimmer, Endless Party matte deep red, Exploit a shimmering brown with blue-violet flashes, Screech sparkling silver, Smash it Up deep shimmery navy, Not for Sale deep plum. Pigment is smooth and some of the shades are sparkly but I don’t think it’s quite to the level I can call glitter. I don’t think I have anything like it! Scroll to the bottom for a look with this palette.

NARS Provocateur Eyeshadow Palette Review Holiday 2018

NARS Provocateur Eyeshadow Palette Review Holiday 2018

I was completely overwhelmed by all the lip options. There is a lot to process with the sets! Many of these lip colors are retailer exclusive and I have a few missing so definitely do some research before deciding on which one to buy if you’re interested.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Sets Holiday 2018

For the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil there are a few sets I have swatched. Update- lip swatches added! I found all of these performed well on the lips. They can look a little dry depending on what your natural lips look like. Pigment is even and smooth though and I find they apply smoothly.

Swatches below:

NARS Manic Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set with Spike, Chaos, Bondage, Vicious (Sephora exclusive) Riot Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set with Clash, Wasted, Riot and Rebel (Nordstrom exclusive)

NARS Manic Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set with Spike, Chaos, Bondage, Vicious (Sephora exclusive) Riot Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set with Clash, Wasted, Riot and Rebel swatches

Individually there are new Powermatte Lip Lusters which are shimmery versions of the Powermatte Lip Pigments. I think these are solid winners. The formula is shimmery and metallic but very wearable and lasting power is excellent. Anytime anyone asks for a recommendation on a good budge-proof lipstick I always say most lipstick is going to transfer, but the NARS Powermattes are good.

NARS Powermatte Lip Luster Review Holiday 2018

I’m in love with all but one of the colors which include:

  • Hardcore is a metallic pink gold copper
  • Shredded is a muted brown shimmer
  • Shatter is a shimmering mauve
  • Pierce is a metallic brick red on my lips
  • Combat is the perfect deep shimmery plum
  • Blackheart this is the only color I do not like, it applies and performs well, color is just very scary looking on my complexion

Swatches:

NARS Powermatte Lip Luster Review Holiday 2018

NARS Powermatte Lip Luster Review Holiday 2018

Then there are the Spiked Audacious Lipsticks in three shade options. Each color also exclusive to specific retailers. I do think this makes it a little confusing with all these exclusives. Sometimes it can be fun to hunt them down but for me during the holidays I don’t really want to be hopping from store to store! Online shopping does make it all a million times easier but only if you know what you want. Formula is true to the Audacious formula – super creamy, smooth, not heavy and has a slight sheen for a finish. Every time I wear one of these it makes me wonder why I don’t wear these all the time.

NARS Holiday 2018 Spiked Audacious Lipsticks Sheena, Nancy and Siouxsie

NARS Holiday 2018 Spiked Audacious Lipsticks Sheena, Nancy and Siouxsie

NARS Audacious Spiked Lipstick Swatches Holiday 2018

Then there are the Little Fetishes sets which have minis of cheeks and lips. These make for really cute stocking stuffers! A quick peek at the Laguna/Fort de France Duo and Mona/Rita Lipstick Duo. I didn’t swatch because I’m keeping these as gifts!

NARS Little Fetishes Laguna and Fort de France

Beauty look wearing the following items along with another closer look at my new highlights! Also I know in one of the photos it looks like I’m applying something on the cheeks with an eyeshadow brush – I assure you I’m not! It’s just one of the eyeshadow pictures I took but I was lowering the brush.

NARS Holiday 2018 Beauty Look

Worn on the face, press samples have a *:

That wraps up my NARS holiday 2018 collection review! There’s a lot to look at and as usual I would say my recommendations for palettes should be based on the colors you think you’re drawn to or think you will wear. Quality-wise most everything performed well for me. I would say the misses are the Orgasm Infatuation Palette, Blackheart Powermatte Lip Luster and if you have very dry lips you will need to use a primer under the Matte Lip Pencils but I think some of the colors and really good. My top picks: Hot Tryst Cheek Palette, Provocateur Eyeshadow Palette, Audacious Lipsticks in Sheen and Siouxsie and the Powermatte Lip Luster in Combat.

You can find the NARS Holiday collection out now. Everything is limited-edition. There’s a good portion of the collection you can find at NARS retailers but the exclusives are listed above. Available at NARS Cosmetics, Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York.

Have you checked out the NARS Holiday 2018 collection yet? What did you think? Was it a hit or miss?

NARS Holiday 2018 collection provided for review.