I got the NARS Ita Kabuki brush as an amazing gift-with-purchase at a recent Nordstrom Trend Show Event. It’s one of the NARS Kabuki Artisan Brushes and this one has a wide flat brush with black goat hair and comes in a nice black box. I love that the brush is extremely soft and feels so smooth on the skin. The shape intrigues me as I am enamored with odd-shaped brushes – however, there’s a slight issue: I do not know how to use this.
Do any of you have it? If so, how do you use it? I know it’s meant for contouring and highlighting but I still feel clumsy swiping it. It’s so wide that it covers my entire cheek and then some. I need to go back to the NARS counter to ask them to show me how it’s to be used. If any of you own this, I’d love to hear your tips on how you use this one!
I did have the regular Ita Brush before but never used it so I ended up gifting it away to another happy home. I do have to say I’m a bit worried about how I’m going to keep the handle clean and prevent it from getting sticky.
Have you ladies ever been to a Nordstrom Trend Show? For those not familiar, call your local Nordstrom and ask! I think Nordstrom.com has a list of events per store, so you can search in advance. The events vary per store, but it seems like the Nordstroms near me typically have around 2 Trend Show Events per year. They are a store-wide event that starts early in the morning (around 8 am) for an hour presentation featuring various products, trends and models wearing the season’s current makeup trends. They have raffle giveaways, coffee, cute gift bags. All you have to do is sign up in advance and you can get your makeup done at any counter too. Most of the lines usually have some sort of promotion or gift. They can be hit or miss. And also very crowded. On more recent events, if I can’t get the first makeover opening appointment, I’ve opted to skip the show and just get my makeup done during one of the later time slots to avoid the crowds and pushing (yes, sometimes pushing).
I’ve been to about 4 in the past few years and the ones I’ve been to are really fun (although extremely packed). The gift with purchases can be a hit or miss sometimes but recently, there was an incredible promotion going on with NARS. I was so excited to get my makeup done again but unfortunately I had last minute change of plans and wasn’t able to attend. Thankfully, my sales associate was willing to do a pre-sale for me so I was still able to get the GWP. The first level GWP was with a $75 purchase and the step up (to get the multiple duo and brush) was with over $150. Definitely well worth the purchase and much better than previous GWPs at other counters which have been a mini double-sided lipgloss with a $75 purchase which I think is hardly an incentive.
Here is the GWP: Mini South Beach Multiple, Multiple Duo, Full-Sized Mindgame Lipstick, 2 Mini Lipglosses, Kabuki Ita Brush
Dior has released a new lipgloss called Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss which comes in a larger tube than the regular Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect formula. Does this mean the original Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflects are going away? I’m not sure. There are quite a few of the same shade numbers in the new packaging/formula, just with different names, my SA did not know when I asked her.
The new formula retails at the same price as the old, even though the newer tubes have slightly more product. Both retail for $26.50, the new tubes have 6.3 ml/.21 fl oz versus the older tubes which have 6 ml/.19 fl oz.
Also, new and exclusive to Sephora for Spring 2010, there is a new Lip Polish called Petal Pink in #004 for $29.50. I wrote about the other 3 lip polishes last June, click here for the review/swatches.
L to R: Lace Beige, Pink Silk, Negligee Pink, Petal Pink
Close up:
Overall lovely with nice soft-medium pigment and smooth texture. The new Addict Ultra-Glosses range from cream non-shimmer to soft iridescent to super sparkle, so there’s a wide range to suit your sparkle needs. I picked the ones that were more subdued. (From Nordstrom.) If you own any Dior glosses, I suggest you go through your current stash and write down the numbers of the colors you own so you don’t experience the same “do I already have this shade” that I did while playing with all the colors.
(FYI those not familiar with Dior, most of their lipglosses are labeled by number at the bottom, the product name is typically only on the boxes, making it a challenge to remember what colors you have.)
The new Lip Polish in Petal Pink is fairly sheer. If I had tested it in-store, I probably would have passed. It is very dupable from other milky pinks, although it does give your lips that pretty youthful looking glow. These are pricey at $29.50, but this is due to the roller-wand and unique ingredients. I personally find the rolling wand a bit awkward to use since I’m not used to it. (From Sephora.)
I’ve posted about some tidbits about a few exclusive sets from Bobbi Brown & Laura Mercier in the past month and they are now all available online with full details. I also wanted to let you know about upcoming events that you might be interested in as well.
Current or upcoming events I know about:
* September 16th to 19th? – Bergdorf Goodman $25 off $100 purchase event. * Now until September 20th – Neiman Marcus Beauty Event, receive a leopard-print tote with 5 samples inside, each line has their own individual gift with purchase. You can find the list online or POSTED HERE. (Note that some of the gifts have already been removed from the website, which I assume they have sold out.) * September 24 to ? – Saks Beauty Event, at this time I don’t know what the gifts are. * Mid October – Neiman Marcus Incircle Event, which is a double points event for Neiman Marcus Card Holders, but open to anyone they have gift with purchases at this time as well
First – I want to let you know that each store I’ve been to have told me they only received 6 sets of each item. I’m not really sure if this is actually true, but just be aware that stock is limited. They can always try and locate the item at another store and have it shipped to you. But those who prefer instant gratification might want to keep this in mind.
* Bobbi Brown Black Plum Set $245 – Exclusive Navajo Eye Shadow, Ash Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, Exclusive Deep Plum Shadow, Natural Bronzing Powder, Washed Rose Shimmer Blush, Plum Blush, Brown Lip Color, Rose Petal Lip Color, and Pink Chandelier Glitter Lip Gloss + 5 Brushes.
Scan from Bergdorf’s Magazine which I feel is more accurate in showing the product colors, while the image from online shows a better picture of the brushes:
* Laura Mercier Essential Organizer $125 – 12 Eyeshadow Celestial, African Violet and Bamboo Luster Eye Colours, Black Plum, Buttercream, Cashmere and Coffee Ground Matte Eye Colours, and Sandstone, Baroque, Haze, Stellar and Sable Sateen Eye Colours + 3 double ended brushes, details a few posts below + more real pictures.
* Bobbi Brown Black Fawn Set $100 – “ Chrome 4 Pan palette filled with two neutral shades of Eye Shadow, exclusive Shimmer Lip Gloss (with protective cover), and for the first time ever, Bobbi’s Pot Rouge in customizable form (with protective cover). Also includes three mini brushes-Eye Shadow, Lip, and Eye Shader – and a Chrome faux-leather organizer.”
Not disclosed online, but it contains: * 4 pan palette with full sized Ivory Eyeshadow, Fawn Shimmerwash, Powder Pink Pot Rouge, and exclusive Paisley Rose Lipgloss * 3 mini brushes: eyeshader, eyeshadow, and lip
* Laura Mercier Gemstone Eye Collection $125– “A first for Laura, five perfectly paired jewel tone baked eye colours that can be used wet or dry create endless looks. Contour and define eyes with three expertly chosen double-ended brushes. The Gemstone Eye Collection contains the following mini Baked Eye Colours: Pearl, Tiger’s Eye, Deep Amethyst, Tourmaline and Malachite. A Black Thickening and Building Mascara and Black Violet Kohl Eye Pencil provide a final touch of drama. Various looks can be achieved using the double-ended All Over Eye Colour Brush and Eye Crease Brush, double-ended Smudge and Corner Eye Colour Brush or the double-ended Crème Eye Colour Brush and Crème Eye Detail Brush.”
* Eyes & Cheeks To Go Set $60 – Warm Eye Quad includes Bone Shimmer Wash, Copper Sand Shimmer Wash, and Gold Dust Metallic and Espresso eyeshadows. Pot Rouge in shade Blushed Rose. Cool Eye Quad includes Navajo Metallic, Gunmetal Shimmer Wash, Rockstar Metallic and Navy eyeshadows.
I’ve heard that for the holidays Nordstrom will have some exclusive items for Laura Mercier, but don’t have details at the moment.
Also if you shop at Bloomingdales, they will have their Beauty Benefits Event mid-october, but at this time I don’t think they will have any Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier Exclusives – but they will have gifts with purchases. Perhaps for the holiday collections they will though.
Dior just released a collection of single eyeshadows in a new formula called “1-Couleur Ultra-Smooth High Impact Eyeshadow,” retailing for $27.50. Dior released a few in the new formula in Argentic 056 & Trendy Taupe 066 with their fall 2009 Jazz Club collection in the US.
I bought these from Sephora.com because of the “ONLY AT SEPHORA” note beside each shade, but it seems like Sephora simply received the new eyeshadows first (similar to the release of the reformulated Addict Lip Color where they received the lipsticks first before other retailers like Nordstrom & Bloomingdales) since today, I now see the shades available at Nordstrom.com.
Nordstrom.com describes the product saying, “Dior takes shadow play to extremes with Color Extreme powder eyeshadow singles. Maximum color. Maximum wear. In a single sweep they’re on to stay for hours. The new innovative eyeshadow uses a new Japanese slurry powder process to create a formula that delivers maximum color payoff and extreme hold in just one coat.”
Sephora.com has decent product photos and color descriptions.
I ended up purchasing two of the shades Bronzy Night 486 and Beige Print 626. I had purchased Argentic 056 when the fall collection came out.
Additional product photos, swatches and scans/pictures from various magazines.
Swatches compared to a few other singles from the original single eyeshadow line:
1. Argentic (new formula) 2. Bronzy Night (new formula) 3. Beige Print (new formula) 4. Beige Sunshine (original formula for single shadows) 5. Brown Sequins (original formula for single shadows)
From Biteki September 2009: * Item #1 is Gold Touch 546 * Item #2 is Trendy Taupe 066
These come in the same size compact as the One-Colour Eyeshadow which retail for $25.00, I don’t know what the difference is in formula that would justify the higher price tag of $27.50 (which I think is really steep). I will have to play around with the colors a bit more to see exactly what the difference is, but initially, it seems that the new formula is more shimmery and the texture is highly pigmented and slightly creamy versus powdery like traditional eyeshadows.
Overall I’m really pleased with the pigmentation and the shimmer is finely milled so it’s not over the top or too subtle. I will definitely be on the lookout for the product instores to test out the other colors like Nude Luminescence, Ultra Violet & Brown Fever.
Hi all, I’m on a business trip so posting will be limited this week.
In the meantime, has anyone spotted this Bobbi Brown Nordstrom Exclusive set yet? I already have and love the Black Ink, but that eyeshadow looks intriguing. I stopped by a local Nordstrom to ask here, but the sales associate said they wouldn’t be getting it until October.
I got the NARS Ita Kabuki brush as an amazing gift-with-purchase at a recent Nordstrom Trend Show Event. It’s one of the NARS Kabuki Artisan Brushes and this one has a wide flat brush with black goat hair and comes in a nice black box. I love that the brush is extremely soft and feels so smooth on the skin. The shape intrigues me as I am enamored with odd-shaped brushes – however, there’s a slight issue: I do not know how to use this.
