The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Early Access starts today for Nordstrom Cardholders. At the top of my list each year for the sale are the Beauty Exclusives, Paige Denim and anything from Zella (I’m obsessed with their capris). The catalog arrived last week with a sneak peek. I’m happy to see there is a wider selection online and in stores. Be sure to check out the gift with purchase offerings too – store options may vary. On my wishlist and radar:
Dior has four Nordstrom exclusives this year. On my radar is the neutral Rosy Eye Reviver Palette and this peachy Majesty Nail Polish. I hope to check them out in person today.
Shoes are always good for fall preview. These Enzo Angiolini Manna Heels look like classic staples but might be too high of a heel for me. (Have you tried these before?) I’m in some need of a couple pairs of ankle booties. The Dolce Vita Kadie Bootie is exactly what I’ve been looking for.
Last but not least, Longchamp has several colors of their Le Pliage Expandable Tote for the sale in Black, Navy, Red and Slate. When we were in Paris, my husband and I picked up Expandable 21 inch version (not on sale) because our carry ons weren’t quite enough (after this purchase, we each had 2 bags to carry on flights). After using it for 3 weeks I’m a huge fan of expandable bags.
A few other things on my radar.
Are you shopping Early Access? What’s on your list?
This time of year many of my readers have asked for foundation recommendations as they have mentioned they need something new in their beauty wardrobe as we transition to warmer spring weather. There seem to be quite a few new foundation releases and being curious, I stopped by my local Nordstrom to check out some of the latest formulas. Right now Nordstrom has a foundation guide online with filters to help you find the best formula for you by category. You can also filter your search by price points, brand and store availability if you want to try in store. The three main categories they have include:
1) coverage – sheer / medium / full
2) finish – luminous / matte / natural
3) skin type – aging / combination / dry / normal / oily
For coverage I prefer a medium to full finish because I don’t have perfect skin, although it’s improved significantly over the past year. For finish I tend to prefer something luminous but not too glowy as mattes tend to make my face look flat. On skin type, I am approaching my mid-30’s so anti-aging is something I am concerned with, but I prefer to look for anti-aging ingredients in skincare. Aside from aging concerns, my skin is combination and sensitive. I have a roundup of some foundations that I have in rotation right now along with thoughts on each one I’ve tested by coverage type. I would say all of these have a natural to luminous finish.
Full Coverage:
Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil Free Foundation (I use Sand Beige)
Medium to Full Coverage:
NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (I use Punjab, sometimes I mix in Santa Fe)
Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation (my match is Bisque 4)
Sheer to Medium Coverage:
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (Groenland)
Chanel CC Cream (30 Beige)
Sheer Coverage:
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Sand)
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow (20 Beige and 30 Beige)
______________________________
Hands down, my current favorite formulas are from NARS. The All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation offers medium to full coverage with 2-3 pumps. It’s very concentrated so a little goes a long way and you need to shake the bottle before pumping out any product. I’ve found application works best by blending with fingers or a damp beauty blender. Having a good base for this is key. I really like the Dolce & Gabbana Primer or the NARS Pro Prime Radiance Enhancing Primers right now. For color I am closer to a NARS Punjab, but I tend to tan and lighten easily so I picked up Santa Fe to mix in for days when I feel slightly lighter.
The Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Groenland has been a long-time staple for me. I have Alaska to show below for comparisons, but my go-to shade for a long time has been Groenland. I like this because it’s not as rich as a traditional tinted moisturizer but has more of a lightweight foundation feel. It glides on the skin and covers in the most natural way melting into the skin. It gives the skin a radiant glow without looking too dewy or shiny. There is no shimmer in it but it still gives the face a luminous look while offering an impressive amount of natural coverage. I like this set with the NARS Light Reflecting Loose Powder or Hourglass Diffused Light.
______________________________
Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation is my second favorite for a medium to full coverage foundation right now. It covers really well, lasts all day and photographs nicely without giving your face a white cast. Being that it gives a fuller coverage compared to other formulas, it isn’t as fluid or liquid as other formulas and feels slightly thick, but it doesn’t feel heavy on the face. It lasts all day long without many touch ups required and holds up in warmer weather nicely. It is on the pricey side but I’ve had nothing but good experiences with this one.
______________________________
Next up is Laura Mercier. The Tinted Moisturizer is a classic cult-favorite in her line but I have a love/hate relationship with this one. There have been shade extensions and although the formula is sheer and very forgiving, I feel that there are only certain times during the year when I can wear this. Spring to summer is one when I have more color and have a better color match to Sand. Due to the sheer coverage I find this is good only on the good-skin days. If you’re one who only needs a light base and something to even out the skin naturally, this is a really good one.
The latest from Laura Mercier is her Silk Creme reformulations in the Oil Free and Moisturizing formulas. I tried the Oil Free at the counter since I just used up the Flawless Fluide in Honey (which a lot thinner in texture and quite fluid). For the Silk Creme, I am in between shades but the nice thing about the Silk Creme Oil Free is that it adjusts and warms up on the skin without oxidizing. These new formulas are designed to be “Photo Ready” that have a natural matte finish that is long-wearing. I found the Oil Free to be full coverage on my skin. It’s ultra concentrated and a bit on the thick side but a tiny bit goes a very long way and you don’t need a lot. I didn’t quite see a matte finish, on me it looked a bit dewy but it did last a remarkably long time (with powder to set of course) without budging or fading. The texture does feel a bit heavier than others so you will need to experiment with application. I decided on Sand Beige for now (it has a lot of olive), although I will probably need Cashew Beige (more golden) in the summer.
______________________________
Swatches Set 1 with NARS, Tom Ford and Laura Mercier:
______________________________
Chanel has some new shades of the CC Cream out this season (finally!). The formula originally came in two of the lighter colors in the US. This spring/summer they’ve added 30 Beige and 40 Beige. The color selection is still extremely limited so I am thrilled I was able to find a match to the 30 Beige. The Chanel CC Cream is something that offers medium but buildable coverage and contains SPF 50. It is on the semi-thick side like many CC Creams but it’s still has a lightweight feel. It’s very hydrating but not too moisturizing which is perfect for my normal/combination skin. If you have normal to dry skin and found that the NARS foundations weren’t moisturizing enough, I highly recommend you try the Chanel CC Creams – it offers a fresh glow with medium natural coverage that makes the complexion look healthy. I’ve swatched all three shade options below and compared it to other Chanel formulas as well.
Another favorite for me this time of year is the Chanel Les Beiges All-In-One Healthy Glow Fluid. This one has been listed as limited-edition since it launched last year so I’m surprised it is still available. This is a glow fluid tinted foundation that has a tinted moisturizer feel. It comes with SPF 15 and has a more lightweight texture compared to the CC Cream. It’s also sheerer in finish making it more forgiving in terms of color match, but they are all on the pinkish side. I am a 20 Beige right now, but I also own the 30 Beige and mix the two occasionally depending on my skin tone. Below are swatches of all the Les Beiges foundations (they skipped shade 50 for some reason). Also included are the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet foundations I’ve used in 20 Beige and 30 Beige.
______________________________
Swatches Set 2:
When it comes to base makeup, I’m not particularly adventurous in trying new brands. I usually stick to the ones I like and look for new releases because of formulas, color selection and texture. I have a lot of olive and yellow in my skin so many foundations turn pinkish on me. MAC and Bobbi Brown have really good color selections but I can’t wear the formulas (they irritate my skin with tiny red bumps). Armani has really good formulas but these days they often have a gap in color options and usually are missing my shade.
Recap of what I have in rotation below (you can click the icons to shop the formulas):
If you’re in search of a new foundation I hope you found this roundup helpful. Out of all the formulas my top three picks are the NARS All Day Weightless Luminous, NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer and the Chanel CC Cream (because I’m a huge Chanel foundation fan).
Do you have a favorite go-to foundation right now or do you switch things up this time of year?
This post was sponsored by Nordstrom. As always all opinions my own. All items purchased by me. For more information, refer to my disclosures.
Yves Saint Laurent has quite a few new items in the eye makeup arena this season. YSL has a diverse range of formula options to suit your personal taste and preference ranging from new eye primers, powder shadow palettes and new cream/liquid metallic shine eyeshadows. The three items recently launched include:
The Pop Water Collection (currently exclusive to Nordstrom) features 10 new shades of Full Metal Shadows ($30 each for 0.15 fl oz / 4.5 ml)
Two new Couture Variation Ten-Color Expert Eye Palettes ($95 each) in Nu (warm neutrals) and Tuxedo (dark dramatics)
Two Couture Eye Primers ($30 each for 0.18 fl oz / 5 g) in Fair 1 and Medium 2, formulas that claim to provide 16 hours of vibrant color and crease-free eyeshadow wear
Today I have a review of the Pop Water Full Metal Shadows and the Couture Eye Primer. The Pop Water Collection is currently exclusive to Nordstrom. A few weeks ago I reviewed and swatched my picks of the Glossy Stains and Nail Lacquers here. I’ve been wearing the Glossy Stain in Pink Rain and Wet Nude quite frequently as they give the lips a lush glossy look with a really pretty tint of color. The Full Metal Shadows are metallic liquid shadows that come with a beveled sponge-tip applicator. Some of them need a few pumps to mix the color up for the first use and get product on the sponge. I’ve been playing with all the colors and tested three of them on three separate full days. I am happy to report on the eyes they are truly long-wearing. They lasted from 5 am until late evening when I took my makeup off at 5 pm on one day, at 8:45 pm on a second day, and at 11:30 pm on another day.
Application-wise these swipe easily on the lids directly from the tube and are blendable with a finger. One swipe gives a soft wash of color that is buildable. The pigment on these is really good. Some are more glitzy than others but overall I found each of the colors I picked out wearable and suitable for everyday. The shimmer is smooth and even though some have a complex sparkle, the texture melts into the skin and blends in really nicely.
Here are all the colors swatched with different lighting so you can see how they look when light or a flash hits the shadow. Note these are swatched straight from the tube without any blending. Don’t be worried by the shimmer, the colors blend out beautifully and sheer out a little but they do not loose their pigment.
1 Grey Splash is a cool medium silvery metallic
2 Eau D’Argent is a cool metallic white
3 Taupe Drop is a mauvey silver taupe
4 Onde Sable is a sparkling champagne
5 Steamy Coral is a coral pink with shimmering pink flecks
6 Pink Cascade is a soft light pink metallic
7 Aquatic Copper is a metallic bronzey copper with gold flecks
8 Dewy Gold is a yellow gold metallic
9 Misty Green is a metallic green with some gold shimmer
10 Wet Blue is a bright shimmering blue
In direct sun vs with a flash:
The colors I picked out are on the neutral side:
Here is the beveled sponge tip applicator:
Swatched straight from the tube:
As someone who likes a good shimmer that isn’t overly frosted or glittery, I’m surprised I found these very wearable for me. The name “Full Metal” implies that these are highly metallic, which I do think they are, but the shimmer is refined and blends out really nicely to meld with the skin. The colors are layerable so you can control how much color you want on the eyes. I give these a huge thumbs up.
Next up is the new Couture Eye Primer. There are two shades in Fair and Medium, although Medium is still quite light. Medium is a creamy soft light beige with a hint of pearl to it. To the touch the product feels very emollient and like a cream/mousse hybrid and soft in the pot but it dries to a finish that won’t budge. The finish is slightly dewy but not overly glowy and really does stay put. These are designed to be a shadow base to extend wear or alone for a nude eye look. Given the lightness and pearl quality of Medium, I suspect it will be best for those with fair to light-medium skin. The pearl quality isn’t overly frosty but due to the pigmented nature of the product, I think it might emphasize lines if it contrasts with the skin – much like wearing a color of foundation too light for your skin will do.
I prefer the primer under powder shadow. It creates a good semi-creamy base to help shadows adhere and blend well onto the lids. I wasn’t able to test the 16 hour wear claim, but I did find it helped keep my shadow in place from early morning until late afternoon on the days I tested it (around 10 hours of wear). I wouldn’t recommend this for those with dry lids (the pearl quality can emphasize dry patches) but if you have normal-to-oily this is a good one to help keep the shadow stay put.
Another shot with softer light:
Here are swatches next to the YSL Touche Eclat in 5.5 which is the color I use. You can see that the Couture Eye Base in Medium is still quite light. I think the product will be perfect as warmer weather approaches. I do hope YSL will expand the color range as this is a good primer, but very light in color. One reason why I don’t like a lot of eye primers from other brands is the colors are too limited and fair making my skin look ashy or overly matte. The YSL Couture Eye Primer has a lovely pearl quality which gives this depth. If darker shades were released I would wear them as a nude shadow alone.
Bottom line love the Full Metal Shadows for their buildable coverage and long lasting power. My favorite is Onde Sable 4 even though it seems like your standard champagne shimmer, it has enough oomph to it to make it a bit more sparkly without being over the top. Taupe Drop 3 comes in close second because it’s a shadow you can wear alone for an eye look. Blend the color over the lids and then layer it more along the lash line for more color and depth. The Couture Eye Primer is a good one in terms of making shadow last, I do hope they expand the color range.
Have you checked out the Pop Water Full Metal Shadows, Couture Eye Primer or the new 10-pan Shadow Palettes? What did you think? You can find them all now online and in stores at Nordstrom (note there is a GWP going on while supplies last, details online).
This post was sponsored by Nordstrom. All opinions my own. All items purchased by me. For more information refer to my Disclosures.
Yves Saint Laurent Beauty and Nordstrom have an exclusive beauty release called the Pop Water Collection. It’s a release of new shades of Glossy Stains, Nail Lacquers and a new Metallic Eyeshadow Formula for spring to summer. The collection is currently available only at Nordstrom until mid-late April.
I picked up some of the items for lips and nails – all of which are fresh juicy bright colors really pretty to brighten up the mood for spring to summer. Here’s a quick look at what I ordered and have been testing this week:
First up are the new Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stains. If you’re a YSL fan you are probably already familiar with the previously released colors of the Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stains (original colors here, also rebel nudes colors here). I’ve had a couple of these over the past few years recommended highly by one of my best friends. She said these give the lips a juicy wash of color and feel really lush once you apply them. I’m not usually a fan of lip stains because they tend to look so dark on me, but I’m glad I tried these. The YSL Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stains have the right mix of gloss and stain so they are like a lipgloss but have enough pigment in them they look like a soft stain of color on the lips. At the same time they don’t look dark like traditional lip stains. The Pop Water Collection features slightly different packaging with the black YSL logo (versus the red in the older versions). It gives these a new updated edgy look.
The sponge tip is perfectly shaped to get precise application around the edges while the flat beveled parts allow you to fill in and cover the entire lip. It’s something you have to test in person to really see how well designed the applicator is.
There are two versions of the Glossy Stain this season. The Plump Up 200 is a hydrating plumper for the lips. It comes in a very pale soft pink shimmer but on the lips it’s basically clear. It is incredibly hydrating and does give the lips a pretty long-lasting shine. It makes the lips look full without making the lips tingle or go numb (huge plus for me).
Then there are the tinted versions. All are variations of bright summery colors but still very wearable (even for neutral lip lovers) The remaining 8 colors of the Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stains are all brighter colors. 203 Eau de Corail is a warm coral peach with a hint of pink, 204 Onde Rose is a medium red rose pink, 205 Pink Rain (my favorite) is a cool-toned bright pink, 207 Juicy Peach is a warm orangey peach, 208 Wet Nude is a soft peachy color.
I really like how these apply like a semi-thick gloss to adhere well to the lips. It transforms into a smoother feeling gloss once you let it sit. It has texture which keeps the lips hydrated and soft. One swipe gives a soft tint. Adding more swipes will intensify the color.
Swatches + close ups:
Lip Swatches:
For quick reference and comparison to other YSL products, the Glossy Stains are what I wanted the Volupté Tint-In-Oils to be (which turned out to be too sheer for my liking). By comparison, the Babydoll Kiss & Blush is creamier with an opaque finish making them suitable for lips and cheeks.
Next up are the new Pop Water La Lacque Couture Nail Lacquers (four translucent shades). Although I’m a huge fan of the YSL La Lacque Couture Nail Polish formula, I picked out two of the translucent ones to test out before splurging on all four. 63 Rouge Wet is a sheer jelly red, 64 Fuchsia Rain is a sheer jelly pink. Both have a see through formula which requires 3 coats for me to get a glossy smooth finish. The result is very interesting but I’m undecided on how I feel. I tried these layered over soft pinks and they transform the colors into brighter deeper versions and add a super glossy finish. I like the high shine these have. I wish all nail polishes had a finish this shiny.
Rouge Wet with 3 coats:
Fuchsia Rain with 3 coats, it looks very similar to Rouge Wet, but this one is slightly more pink:
Here is Fuchsia Rain layered over Rouge Pablo on the right side shows how it has a lush glossy wet shiny finish (which I really love):
Click icons below to shop:
Bottom line I’m in love with the Pop Water Glossy Stains. My favorites are Pink Rain and Wet Nude. These are scented with a soft sweet grapefruit scent but it’s not too overwhelming and actually is really pleasant (at least for me). I’m undecided about the Pop Water Nail Lacquers. They are definitely unique and fun for summer and I like the high shine they offer.
You can find the Pop Water Collection now at Nordstrom. Have you checked out this collection yet? If not are you a fan of the Glossy Stains? Which colors are your favorites? P.S. Nordstrom has Triple Points going on with gift with purchases online and instores. The online gift includes samples of Volume Effet Faux Cils Shocking Mascara (0.06 oz.), Forever Youth Liberator Serum (2 packets), Gloss Volupte in 3 shades and Touche Éclat in 3 shades with your $125 Yves Saint Laurent beauty purchase.
This post was sponsored by Nordstrom. All items purchased by me, all opinions my own. For more information refer to my disclosures.
Nordstrom Triple Points starts today March 18th through March 22nd. Card holders will receive triple points on all Nordstrom card purchases in store and online (restrictions apply). There are also a number of gift with purchase offers for beauty with individual lines while supplies last. Some gifts are online only, but be sure to check your store for special offers too. (You don’t need to be a Nordstrom card holder to take advantage of the gift offers.) I just placed an order for some Charlotte Tilbury for the gift of the mini magic cream + lipstick charm.
A few of the gifts that caught my eye that look interesting (there are 80+ offers online):
I might stop by my store to stock up on some skincare items I’m running low on. Do you have anything on presale already or plan on picking anything up?
Clarins has a new gift with purchase going on at Nordstrom right now with several travel-sized skincare sets to choose from as your gift. With any $85+ purchase you can pick one of three gift sets with promo code SUPER, FIRM or MULTI (enter the code at checkout). There’s a step up as well, if you spend an additional $15 you get a deluxe travel-size Tonic Body Oil (1 oz.). It also comes with a small red travel bag.
The gift options include:
SUPER comes with:
Super Restorative Day Cream (0.53 oz.)
Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream (0.5 oz.)
Hand & Nail Treatment Cream (1 oz.)
Beauty Flash Balm (0.53 oz.)
FIRM comes with:
Extra-Firming Day Wrinkle Lifting Cream (0.53 oz.)
One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser (1 oz.)
Moisture Rich Body Lotion (1 oz.)
Toning Lotion with chamomile (1.7 oz.)
MULTI comes with:
Multi-Active Day Early Wrinkle Correction Cream (0.5 oz.)
Instant Eye Make-Up Remover (1 oz.)
Beauty Flash Balm (0.53 oz.)
Moisture Rich Body Lotion (1 oz.)
I stopped by my local Nordstrom to purchase some items and went with the Super Set since I’ve received a lot of recommendations to try the Hand and Nail Treatment. I thought this would be a good time to try it in a mini. What I bought for the gift and step up:
I’ve been searching for a good face sunscreen that is lightweight, fluid and doesn’t turn my face white. I usually use the Chanel UV Essentiel SPF 50 which I adore but decided to try something new. I’ve been researching different sun screens and most of what I’ve tested in the store leaves a white cast on the skin. However the Clarins UV Plus HP Multi-Protection Day Screen SPF 40 does not. It has a lightweight fluid feel and leaves the skin with a slightly matte finish. I’ve been using this a few days and like that there’s no sunscreen scent, that it’s very fluid and feels weightless on the skin. There are two size options, the 1 oz is $25, and there is a 1.7 oz that is $40. I opted for the larger size since it’s something both me and my husband will probably share.
The next thing on my list was the Clarins Eclat Minute Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector. I was debating between these or the new Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors (in a twist up stick). I decided to try the squeeze tubes first since there have been so many raves. I picked up Rose Shimmer 01 which is a light iridescent baby pink that is a really smooth glossy baby pink. It has a soft vanilla scent that isn’t overpowering. It leaves the lips feeling plump and glossy but not tacky.
The third thing I picked up was the Water Purify One-Step Cleanser. I opted for the one for Normal/Combination Skin because of the fresh clean minty scent. It has a soothing feel on the skin and leaves it feeling clean without any residue. The rep emphasized it’s not a regular cleanser and won’t be sufficient alone, but is ok to remove makeup on lazy days occasionally or to refresh the skin.
You can find the Clarins gift with purchase online and in stores at Nordstrom right now, while supplies last. If you order online be sure to enter the code at checkout to redeem your gift. Codes are SUPER, FIRM or MULTI.
Do you have any Clarins favorites? I have my eye on those new lip balms, but I’d love to hear about what else you’ve tried and love.
Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. All items were purchased by me. For more information refer to my disclosures.
This month, NARS Cosmetics introduces a limited-edition collection called the Eye-Opening Act featuring Tilda Swinton as the face of the campaign. This collection focuses on creating different looks for the eyes with new products and colors.
All the items in the Limited-Edition Eye-Opening Act Collection are exclusive to Nordstrom through March 15 of this year:
I ordered some items sight unseen a little over a week ago and have been putting them to the test. I have my picks to share with you today. First up are the new Matte Velvet Eyeshadow Sticks. These are twist up creamy shadows that come in five colors. I’ve had really good experiences with the NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliners and Soft Touch Shadow Pencils so I thought these new shadow sticks might be a cross of the two products. I ordered Reykjavik, Flibuste and Dark Angel sight unseen.
The shades I ordered are quite intense and pigmented. I found Reykjavik (grey) and Dark Angel (brown) easy to apply straight on the lids along the lash line. They glided on without tugging. Flibuste (black) was a bit drier in texture and tugged a little bit on my eyes but I was still able to apply on the lash line fairly easily. The Velvet Matte Shadow sticks do dry very quickly and once they set they don’t budge. For me, these work best as a liner. I’ve played with these by using a small smudge brush to apply them (take the brush and swipe the shadow stick, then use the product on the brush to apply to the eyes). Or I’ve also applied these directly to the eyes and blend with the fingers or a blending brush very quickly.
I like the sleek and simple packaging but given the intensity and pigment of the colors, I feel these act more like eyeliners rather than eyeshadows and wish they came in the Larger than Life Eyeliner form for easier and more precise application. That being said, for any darker cream shadow I usually use a brush to apply (versus fingers) whether it’s a pot, twist up stick, chubby stick or compact form.
Here are a few swatched comparisons. I think the NARS Reykjavik grey is a phenomenal grey color. It’s my favorite out of the ones I’ve tested because it’s an intense grey without being too light or dark.
Next are the two Eyeshadow Palettes. These are my favorite items from the Eye-Opening Act Collection. Both are super compact and cute. I thought my favorite for sure would be the Yeux Irresistible but I actually really like Inoubliable Coup D’Oeil just as much, especially since it has a lot of new colors (versus repromoted shades).
Yeux Irresistible contains a mix of warm and cool. All the shades are available in other Single Shadows and Eyeshadow Duos with the exception of Colombo which is exclusive to this palette. For me this one has colors that will create a smokey or dramatic eye.
Here are the shades swatched with a heavy hand. If you’re familiar with NARS Eyeshadows you are well aware that they have a smooth texture with medium pigment that is easy to build. All the shades here perform just like the individuals. They glide on the eyes nicely and layer well with each other. There is only one shade I’ve found requires extra work. In my experience with Thunderball (the single), I’ve found it works best when packed on the eyes with a detail brush as a liner. If you apply with a regular eyeshadow brush all over the lids, you may find it looks uneven and chalky. I found performance to be the same with this palette.
All About Eve II is a cool shimmering champagne pink with finely milled shimmer
Jezebel is a reddish brown color with subtle shimmer
Thunderball is a matte navy teal grey
Colombo is a shimmering gold with a very soft texture
Brousse I is a shimmering plum
Coconut Grove is a satiny dark brown that acts more like a matte on the lids
___________________
Inoubliable Coup d’Oeil surprised me. With the exception of Luberon, all the other colors are very much cool-toned which can be hard for me to wear easily. That combined with the fact that I rarely wear green shadows on the eyes made me a bit hesitant to order this. I decided to give it a try and I’m really glad I did. Most of the colors with the exception of Pandora Duo are new and exclusive to this palette. The combination of these colors creates a unique and softly defined eye.
Dalliance is a sheer soft matte lilac tan, it goes on smoothly over an eyeshadow base
Pyla is a soft olive green with a slight grey tone and satiny shimmer
Sidi Bou Said is a dusty purple grape color with a satiny matte texture
Pandora I and II is a sheer iridescent cool white shimmer with a matte black
Lumeron is a shimmering coppery rose gold champagne
Last but not least is the new St. Lucia Multiple. This is a beautiful soft shimmering rose champagne. On my medium-toned skin it’s a highlighter color (I use the NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation and All Day Luminous Powder Foundation in Punjab), but I suspect on fair skin tones it will look more bronzey with more color. This one has a finely milled shimmer with a super smooth texture (no glitter). On my skin it’s light enough that I can wear it on the eyes without having to worry about getting that pink-eye look. On the cheeks it adds a very natural but visible glow to the skin. It’s really stunning. It’s a multi-dimensional color with lots of different colored shimmers in it. It has a rose base with champagne, silver, and pink shimmers that makes it glow. I found it sheer-to-medium in coverage. It’s not invisible on the skin, but it is on the sheer side for my particular skin tone. You can build the color naturally.
I’m really pleased with the eyeshadow palettes and new multiple. The colors in the palettes make creating an eye look easy whether you want something for day or night. There is a nice simplicity to the color combinations that will give you a classic look with a modern edge. The small size of the palettes makes these easy to carry with you if you need to travel or carry something with you to take you from day to night if you can’t make it back home to get ready. The new St. Lucia Multiple is really quite stunning. It is sheer but gives a really stunning glow. I have mixed feelings about the Velvet Shadow Sticks. If you’re looking for a more pigmented version of the Soft Touch Shadow Pencils, you will probably like the Velvet Shadow Sticks. I like the packaging design and the rich pigment. I also found lasting power very impressive (they don’t budge). I do think they set a bit too quickly for me and due to the intensity of the colors I think they work better as liners than shadows.
All the items in the NARS Eye-Opening Act are limited-edition. They are currently exclusive to Nordstrom counters and online. Have you checked out the collection? Or have anything on your wish list? I’d love to hear your thoughts?
This post was sponsored by Nordstrom. All opinions my own. All products purchased by me. For more information please refer to my disclosures.
