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Sabrina

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Color Focus: Taupe Eyeshadows

July 20, 2009

Here is a series on some taupe eyeshadows. For me there are numerous shades that could qualify as “taupe”, these mostly range from neutral to cool-toned taupes. For most of the pictures, I’ve included MAC Satin Taupe to help you gauge the colors in comparison to one another. Also note there will be some repeats in some photos!

MAC, Becca & FACE Stockholm Eyeshadows:

MAC Pigments, Paul & Joe Pearl Powder, MAC Solar Bits:

Bobbi Brown Metallic, Bobbi Brown Shimmerwash, Laura Mercier, Scott Barnes Eyeshadows:

Bobbi Brown (some repeats to include Fawn Shimmerwash):

More Laura Mercier & Scott Barnes:

Chantecaille Eyeshadows:

YSL & Chanel Eyeshadows:

Christian Dior, Calvin Klein (original discontinued line), NARS Eyeshadows:

Urban Decay & Giorgio Armani Shadows:

Jouer, Le Metier de Beaute, Shu Uemura & Trish McEvoy:

Better view of Jouer Amaretto & Espresso:

Dior Jazz Club Palette:

Palettes from Lunasol & Dior:

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Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives Haul Part 2

July 17, 2009

Part 2 of my haul includes:

Bobbi Brown Must Have Set, which includes:
* 7-well lip palette with lip brush (featuring Italian Rose Creamy Lip Color, Nude Pink Lip Color, Heather Buff Creamy Lip Color, Uber Pink Creamy Lip Color, Baby Peach Metallic Creamy Lip Color, Dusk Metallic Lip Color and Kir Metallic Lip Color)
* two-pan eyeshadow palette with Nude Beach Metallic Eye Shadow &Hot Stone Eye Shadow
* full-size Espresso Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
* mini black Everything Mascara
* new mini dual-ended eyeshadow/ultra-fine eyeliner brush

The entire set from nordstrom.com:

Close up of the lip palette:

Close up of Nude Beach & Hot Stone:

Close up of Espresso Ink:



Trish McEvoy Simplicity Little Black Card, set from nordstrom.com:

Top Deck includes: Weekend Allover Face Color, Natural Blush, Rose Quartz Glaze Eyeshadow, Iris Eyeshadow, and Navy Cream Definer



Bottom Deck includes: Pink Rose Lipstick, Jolie Lipstick, Simply Glamorous Lip Gloss, and 2 Brightening Line Minimizing Concealers




Chanel Rose de Vents Nail Polish:
L to R: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5



Chanel Rose de Vents Nail Polish swatches:
1. Chanel Rose Blossom
2. Chanel Rose de Vents
3. MAC Abstract
4. OPI Dancing in the Isles
5. Shu Uemura P927

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Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives Haul Part 1

July 15, 2009

I was able to pick up my pre-orders yesterday! Check with your Nordstrom – they called me to let me know they were able to ring up pre-orders in a way that you still get your points, but can pick them up early. What I ended up with:

Laura Mercier Renaissance Collection which includes:
* deluxe Flawless Skin Day Creme SPF 15
* full-size Undercover Pot UC-3
* exclusive full-size Pink Champagne Lip Glacé
* exclusive Renaissance Eye Color Duo
* mini Black Thickening and Building Mascara
* double-ended Secret Camouflage Powder Brush
* a mini velour puff

Entire set from nordstrom.com:



Renaissance Eye Color Duo & Pink Champagne Lip Glace:

Swatch comparisons – in the tubes these look really similar, but swatched you can see the differences:
1. Nars Dolce Vita Lipgloss
2. Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Lip Glace
3. Laura Mercier Blush Lip Glace
4. Chanel Glass Quartz Aqualumiere Gloss
5. Chanel Bel Air Glossimer
6. Chanel Giggle Glossimer

Lipstick vs Lip Glace Versions:
7. Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Lipstick
8. Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Lip Glace

Dior Mystic Violine Nail Polish 987 (nordstrom exclusive) vs. Black Plum 981 (fall 2009):

Black Plum (top) vs Mystic Violine (bottom & bottle):



Dior GWP with a $75 purchase:

MAC Lip Bag Sets in Baby Blooms (left) & Summer Crop (right):

Nars Modern Love Eyeshadow Palette:
Top Row: Alhambra, Jezebel and Habanera
Bottom Row: Tokyo, India Song and Pandora

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Color Focus: Dark Vampy Nail Polish

July 14, 2009

For makeup I’m obsessed with neutrals, but for nails, I’m obsessed with dark vampy colors and reds. Even though it’s mid-summer, I thought I’d share my favorite vampy colors to go along with the recent fall release themes like Dior Black Plum & Nars Tokaido Express. (Please excuse the messy manicures.)

***Note all pictures taken in direct natural sunlight. Also note the bottles shown don’t necessarily coincide with the shade on the finger directly above it. Bottles shown are notated in each category.***

Vampy Burgandy Shades (Sephora for OPI I’m With Brad & Chanel Vamp bottles shown):
1. Sephora for OPI I’m With Brad
2. Chanel Vamp
3. Chanel Rouge Noir
4. Chanel Cosmic Violine
5. Chanel Tulip Noir


Vampy Wine Shades (Dior Black Plum & Nars Gimme Shelter bottles pictured):
1. Nars Gimme Shelter
2. OPI NYPD Beet
3. Sephora by OPI Meet for Drinks
4. Dior Black Plum
5. MAC Boom!


Vampy Plums & Purples (Dior Licorice & Chanel Feu de Russie bottles pictured):
1. OPI Black Cherry Chutney
2. Nars Tokaido Express
3. Le Metier de Beaute Black Orchid
4. Dior Licorice
5. Chanel Feu de Russie


Miscellaneous Dark Shades (Chanel Nuit de Russie & Blue Satin bottles pictured):
1. OPI My Private Jet
2. Laura Mercier Caviar Dreams
3. Chanel Nuit de Russie
4. Chanel Blue Satin
5. Chanel Vendetta

Unfortunately for me this is how these blues/purples look on me without the sunlight:

I’m new to photographing nail polishes – so for more views or to check out these colors, I’d highly recommend checking out other various nail polish blogs for more swatches in case any of these look off on your screen! Or if some of the shades look identical, these blogs and galleries might help!

Some of my favorites:
* Community Nail Polish Gallery
* Scrangie
* All Lacquered Up
* Steph’s Closet Blog

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Nars Fall 2009 Tokaido Express Swatch + Review

July 13, 2009

Here’s a swatch of the new Nars Tokaido Express nail polish:

Overall thoughts: I have several other nail polishes from Nars that I really like (Saratoga, Madame Butterfly, Orgasm, etc.) and this is probably the worst in formula that I have. While the color looks rich and lush, the formula is very thin and streaky this application required 3 coats (I applied the third coat heavily). I normally don’t apply nail polish myself (due to the total lack of manicure/pedicure skills), so perhaps a more even finish would be achieved if done by a professional.

It’s very similar to Dior Licorice from last year’s Nordstrom Anniversary (comparison swatches coming soon).

So while you can get a nice rich finish, be warned that it will take several coats and that your first two coats might be streaky and uneven.

FYI the original Nars Fall 2009 post has been updated with this picture as well. Check a few posts down to see more of the collection.

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