Browsing Tag

Grey

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NARS Full Metal Jacket + Rescue Beauty Lounge Stormy

October 13, 2010

I was in the mood for stormy blue greys this past week as I was anxiously waiting for NARS Full Metal Jacket to arrive in the mail. As soon as it came I put the NARS on the fingers and Rescue Beauty Lounge Stormy on the toes. I rarely ever wear blueish shades on the fingers but both are lovely and I definitely see myself getting regular use out of these colors.

NARS Full Metal Jacket is a recent release from their Vintage Collection of nail colors. I had never paid much attention to NARS nail polishes (except Chinatown and Jungle Red) so I don’t remember this one being released before. NARS Full Metal Jacket is a cool frosty grey-pearl with a blueish tinge. It definitely requires a very steady hand for application. I had my nails professionally done to get a smoother application. When I swatched it on my own it was clearly streaky although it’s not something you can notice easily. This color is more on the sheer side. I have this on with 2 coats. I would have preferred 3 though.


Rescue Beauty Lounge Stormy is a color I have long resisted. I never understood the appeal to grey toned nails, but Chanel Particuliere changed that for me and ever since I have been curious about all types of greys. Smooth finish. Not quite as impressive as Chanel’s recent cream-finish shades, but almost. With 2 coats it gives full coverage that is smooth and glossy.

If I were to do my mani/pedi over again, I would have used RBL Stormy on the hands and NARS Full Metal Jacket on the toes. Neither are exactly office appropriate for a conservative business environment but not too in-your-face that it’s completely inappropriate.

A few comparisons:


One last view:

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Loving Right Now: Shades of Grey

August 24, 2010

As we transition to fall, I find that grey is a good safety zone for fashion and beauty when coordinated with other neutrals and even warm shades. Grey accessories also are great because they’re versatile in that they are easy to incorporate into everyday wear. For the kitchen, I lean towards clean white porcelain for my serving pieces. I have one small Le Creuset in Dune (yes, boring I know) which I love, but just added a beautiful grey Staub oval cocette to my kitchen. The items I’m loving right now:

Makeup: Sultry Greys for Eyes, Shades of Silver and Taupe for Nails – Nars Tzarine, Bobbi Brown Rock, Chantecaille Meteorite, Chanel Gris, Bobbi Brown Steel Cream Eyeshadow, Dior Argentic, Chanel Trapeze & Particuliere


See Trapeze swatched here. See Particuliere + comparisons/dupes here.

Clothes: In my closet there are so many shades of grey. J.Crew and Banana have some beautiful silk tops right now that are great for layering and transitioning from day to evening. They have a good range of greys right now. I’m in love with the Aluminum Blouses from Jcrew – they’re almost a blue-grey.

Left:
Banana Republic Tee
J.Crew Lace Skirt
Havaianas in Grey
MJ Large Single Bag

Middle:
Banana Republic Silk Cascade Ruffle Shell
(online here, dark grey worn is instore only)
Paige Denim
Banana Strappy Sandals
LV Pouchette

Right:
J.Crew Pippy Top Aluminum (see here)
J.Crew Pencil Skirt Grey
Michael Kors Pumps

Shoes: As much as I love heels, I’m more of a flip-flop sandal kind of girl. I think my Havaianas are my most favorite most-worn shoes. Tory Burch also has good sandals. I have yet to find a good pair of grey colored heels – most that are within my budget are too light for my taste.


Accessories:
Gucci Sunglasses found at Off Fifth for a steal (Originally $245, marked down to $90)! Marc Jacobs Large Single in Grey Fall 2010, my newest splurge


Kitchen:
Staub just arrived at Williams Sonoma stores and I must say they are beautiful. I have been a huge fan of Le Creuset, but having a smaller kitchen have held off on expanding my cookware pieces. I bought my first Le Creuset 3 years ago in the 2 1/4 quart size, little did I know just how little would fit inside (definitely not a full pot roast). But I’m drawn to things in a “mini” size – they’re always so cute! When I saw the trio of mini Staub cocottes at Williams Sonoma I knew I had to have them. They are running a promotion of the trio as a gift with the purchase of the 4 1/2 quart oval so it was the perfect excuse for me to upgrade to a larger cast iron pot. Now I can make a full pot roast 🙂 I think the little cocottes will be perfect for a side of baked mac and cheese. I really would have loved to get the basil color – it seems like the most beautiful shade of green – but alas, that is online only. I love the grey though!


Do you have anything grey that you love?

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Color Focus: Smokey Eyes Part 2 (Smokey Greys & Blacks)

June 23, 2009

After organizing of all my eyeliners, I decided to divide the blacks into two groups, Smokey Greys/Blacks and Black/Golds. I’ve also decided to use a few shades as a baseline which I feel are true blacks so you may see some repeats in the next few posts.

Part 2
includes the greys and true blacks.

Eyeliner swatches:
1. MAC Pearlglide Eyeliner – Wolf
2. Stila Kajal Eye Liner – Smoky Quartz
3. Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil – Stormy Grey
4. Chantecaille Precision Eye Pencil – Flint

5. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner – Gunmetal Shimmer Ink

6. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner – Graphite Shimmer Ink
7. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner – Caviar Ink (NOTE, the swatch looks brown next to black ink, but goes on the eyes more of a soft black without brown)
8. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner – Black Ink
9. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner – Black Shimmer
10. MAC Softsparkle Eyepencil – Night Sky (black with silver glitter)
11. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner – Ebene
12. MAC Eye Kohl – Smolder
13. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil – Zero
14. Chanel Le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil – Noir

Shadow swatches:
(note for the shadows, skin was prepped with Estee Lauder Idealist and Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Bamboo Beige to help the shadow adhere to the skin)

1. Chantecaille Shine Eye Shade – Meteorite
2. MAC Pigment – Sweet Sienna
3. MAC Frost Eyeshadow – Charred
4. MAC Veluxe Pearl Eyeshadow – Knight Divine
5. Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow – Silvery
6. MAC Velvet Eyeshadow – Black Tied
7. Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow – Black Star
8. Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow – Steel
9. MAC Pigment – Dark Soul
10. Stila AOS Powder – #13
11. Becca Eye Color (Shimmer) – Velvet
12. Shu Uemura Pressed Eyeshadow – ME Black 990
13. Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow – Zero
14. MAC Matte Eyeshadow – Carbon