Nars Dogon Smokey Look

Ahhh Nars Dogon, you are so lovely to work with. Decided to smoke out the duo-chrome taupe with the  dark blue/black.

Light side of Dogon on lid, Dark side of Dogon on outer-v, Rock & Republic Diffused to blend crease (a little), & Mac Phloof to highlight

The lid color changes in different lighting and angles. Hopefully the pictures capture it a little bit! 

A little blurry, with no flash.

Products

Face:

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer & a little bit of the mineral powder

Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

Revlon Age Defying Spa Illuminator in bare light (mixed a little bit with my tinted moisturizer)

Bobbi Brown Corrector

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer

Mac Refined Golden Bronzer

TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

Nars Mata Hari

Eyes:

Mac Painterly Paint Pot

A little bit of Benefit Skinny Jeans

Nars Dogon

Mac Phloof

Rock & Republic Diffused

Anastasia Brow Powder in Brunette

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in black ink

Covergirl lashblast volume

Lips:

Revlon Colorburst lipstick in Petal

Revlon Colorburst lipgloss in Pink Ice

Thanks for looking! Let me know what you think or how you'd wear Dogon!

Also, if you're in the US don't forget to enter my giveaway here before July 1st!

Nars Dogon Eyeshadow Duo

I finally got my hands on Nars Dogon last week with a gift card! This is one of the stand out items from the Nars summer 2011 collection and I have to say...it definitely did not disappoint. I am absolutely loving this duo.

Nars describes this duo as "metallic taupe with icy green sheen & charcoal black" That description is much to simple for the actual complexity of the colors.

No Flash

With flash, but this looks pretty close to real life

Please be patient as I attempt to describe the color, you are more than welcome to laugh at me! haha Dogon features a somewhat icy rosy/taupey/grey/silver base that flashes green/teal/gold? Yeah...that makes no sense in writing. But trust me, it IS beautiful. The pictures really don't capture it. On the right is a darkened charcoal/navy/teal blue with a hint of glitter. It's definitely not a plain black. The colors are wonderfully complex and the left side especially looks different in various types of lighting because of the "duo-chrome." If you google swatches of this duo the left side looks different on every skin tone! They look beautiful separately and especially layered on top of one another for a unique effect.

The left side does blend a little better than the darker right side, but as usual with Nars shadows the pigmentation is excellent and they are very easy to work with. Only thing is that the right side comes out more matte if you do not apply it carefully (blending it out too much diminishes the micro shimmer so make sure to pat!).

Now here's some comparison swatches. I don't have anything similar to the left side of Dogon so the comparison is a bit useless. I have no dupes to show you. I have read that Mac Club is similar because of the duo-chrome, but I don't own it so I can't tell you for sure. Anyway, you can definitely see how there is a green sheen in comparison to more typical taupe shades pictured.

Left: Nars Cairo is a light brown taupe. It's a staple taupe and has a bit of the rosy hues from Dogon but it's not similar at all really.
Middle: Bare Escentuals Night Owl is a darker more purple taupe. No icy green sheen here either!

Middle: Urban Decay Oil Slick is a shimmery black with silver shimmer. It's not similar to Dogon at all but I wanted to compare so you could see that Dogon definitely has a blue/teal tinge to it!
Right: This is the left column "crease" color in the Wet n Wild Blue Had Me At Hello Palette that you can see swatches of here. Wet n Wild is not as dark and is a much clearer, more shimmery blue. Dogon seems more navy/teal than blue in comparison.

Dogon is in the center! Very unique colors to my collection!

Dogon is limited edition (why, Nars, why!?) so if you're interested, definitely check it out soon! It's such a unique duo, I can see getting so much use out of it (especially for smokey night time looks!) Will post a look soon! Let me know your thoughts on the duo or what kind of look you'd do with it!?

Also, if you're in the US don't forget to enter my giveaway here before June 31st!

Nars Galapagos Swatches and Thoughts

Hello!! Sorry for the short absence, I haven't had much free time this past week because of end of the year stuff and i'm so happy and excited to say that I graduated from college last Thursday! Yay!!

Back to makeup, here's the beautiful Nars Galapagos that I treated myself to last week. I am absolutely in love...

Nars describes it as:

 "bitter chocolate infused with gold"

These pictures don't do the color justice at all! It's the most beautiful brown! You can sort of see the golden shimmer in the pictures, but it's even prettier in person.

The color is a gorgeous warm brown with gold shimmer. The pigmentation is excellent. It is not as smooth as my nars mekong (which is ridiculously buttery), but it is still incredibly soft, easily blendable, and pigmented. One thing that I was initially worried about with Galapagos was if the gold shimmer would actually show up on the eyes. It definitely does if you apply it correctly: packing it on with a shader brush (like the mac 239) over a good primer yields little fallout and makes the gold shimmer show up. Applying with a fluffy brush will not pack on the shimmer as much. One great thing about the gold shimmer is that it is very fine! You aren't going to see chunks of glitter on the eye, it just gives a nice sparkly effect on the eyes.

So far I've loved wearing this in the crease with lighter browns or shimmery champagnes on the lid. This week I'm going to experiment using galapagos in a REALLY brown smokey eye (and I'll post pictures when I do!) I really have no bad things to say about this shadow, it is so beautiful I think it would flatter any skin or eye color.

And some comparison swatches with my other brown shadows...

As you can see Nars Galapagos doesn't look like any of my other browns. In terms of color it's probably most similar to UD Darkhorse, since they are both deeper warmer browns, but Galapagos is a touch warmer and has the lovely gold shimmer. UD Smog is lighter and more gold, while Handwritten, has some red in it. As for the other Nars shadow, I was initially worried it wouldn't be worth owning both Mekong and Galapagos but they are really quite different. Mekong is much darker and cooler than Galapagos. I also think Mekong would be a little bit overwhelming as a lid color, whereas Galapagos could be pulled off being on the lid! I think they would look gorgeous together!

So overall, if you are a brown/neutral eyeshadow lover, Nars Galapagos should be at the top of your wishlist. I really love Nars eyeshadows, so if brown isn't your thing, don't hesitate to check out the other colors available!

Nars Mata Hari Blush

I'm almost through swatching nars blushes!! I believe Orgasm is the last one. Nars describes Mata Hari as a "Rose Petal Pink," and it's also the only matte Nars blush I own!

On my skin Mata Hari comes across as a dusty mauvey pink. I really like this tone of pink because it's not too bright, nor too cool toned. I find it to be very wearable!

The pigmentation is wonderful but when I first bought it I was having a lot of trouble applying. It just came across way too heavy. Then I discovered the skunk brush! Take a mac 187 type of brush to apply it and you get perfectly flushed rosey cheeks. This is definitely a blush I like to pair with purple or blue eyeshadow looks because of the mauve/plummy undertone.

The quality is on par with all the other Nars blushes I've babbled about: it lasts all day on my cheeks, blendable, and VERY pigmented!

Nouveau Monde Part 2, Smokey Edition FOTD

I hope I'm not a terribly boring blogger showing repetitive looks but...here's a second FOTD using Nars Nouveau Monde duo eyeshadow. I wanted to intensify the smokiness of this duo, so I added a bit of Mac Humid to the outer-v to make it more nighttime appropriate! I think it definitely enhanced the combo even more!

Also, I decided to search through my camera's manual and actually read it so I would know how to properly use it (only 8 months later hehe)...I changed some settings and I think the colors are much more true to life in the close up photos now.

Nars Nouveau Monde: lilac side on lid, olive side in crease, Mac Humid in outer v, Mac universal mix to highlight browbone

Products...

Face:

Laura Mercier Primer

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer & Mineral SPF 15 powder over top

Laura Mercier Undercover Pot

Mac Universal Mix pigment on cheekbones

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Amused

Nars Laguna Bronzer

Anastasia Brow Powder in brunette

Eyes:

Mac Painterly Paint Pot as a base

Nars Nouveau Monde, Mac Humid

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink

Covergirl Lashblast

Lips:

Revlon colorburst lipstick in pink ice (any suggestions for another lipstick or lipgloss for this look? Never know what to pair with my eyes and blush!)

Hope you like this look!

Nars Oasis Blush

Meet one of my favorite blushes ever, Nars Oasis...

Nars describes it as a "sparkling pink champagne"

Oasis is a gorgeous rosy/mauvey/raspberry with gold shimmer/glitter. Not quite pink champagne in my opinion ;) The color is sooo flattering and I can see it working on a variety of skin tones. It looks wonderful on pale tones (I'm about NC20-25 right now) but when my skin gets darker in the summer, it looks just as lovely. I tried capturing the gold shimmer in the photos, if you close up on them you'll probably be able to see them. Matte blush lovers probably want to stay away, but if you like a bit of shimmer and sheen on your cheeks Oasis is perfect. For the daytime, I just tap my brush off realllly well and have no issue with the glitter, it just disappears when you blend it into your cheeks.

On a side note, I thought in person Nars Sin and Oasis looked quite similar in the pan, but on me, Sin made me look a bit bruised--I think it had too much purple in it for me. I think Oasis could definitely work for those that felt the same way I did about Sin.

As usual with all my Nars blushes, the pigmentation is fantastic and it lasts all day for me. Definitely a must have in a blush collection (well, mine at least, I wear this one all the time!).

Purple Purple Purple FOTD

Here's a purple look I came up with today. I really wanted to play around with my new R&R tempting eyeshadow! I'm pretty happy with how it came out and I'm glad I was able to incorporate my new nars shadows as well from the habanera duo and nouveau monde duo. i love purples ;)

Nars Nouveau Monde lilac on inner lid, R&R tempting on lid, Nars Habanera plum on outer lid, R&R skintight as highlight

Products...

Face:

Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer in Nude mixed with Revlon skin illuminator in bare light

Laura Mercier secret camoflauge and secret concealer pot

Mac MSFN

Nars Laguna

Nars Deep Throat

Mac Hush on cheekbones

Anastasis brow powder in brunette

Eyes:

Nars Nouveau Monde lilac, Nars Habanera, Plum, Rock and Republic Tempting & Skintight

Mac Wedge to blend edges

Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner in black ink

Covergirl lashblast

Lips:

NYX nude pink lip liner

Revlon colorburst lipstick in petal

Revlon super lustrous lipgloss in pink whisper

(wasn't sure what to use on my lips today! lol)

I think I need to get my hands on a light, cool pink blush, maybe that would have complimented the look better! What do you think? i always have trouble matching my eye looks with blush and lips!

Until next time! thanks for looking!

Nars Luster Blush

Here is Nars Luster blush! Another one, like madly, that looks a little lackluster (heh heh) in the pan. But don't be fooled! Luster is a warm, frosty golden peachy apricot with subtle golden shimmer. There's no glitter in this blush, but it does give off a nice sheen. If you don't like shimmery blushes, stay away! For me, Luster is THE perfect golden goddess summer cheek, I always reach for it in the summer months. I especially love it when my skin is more tan; the golden shimmer is just stunning. It would be lovely on pale skin tones but with a lighter hand so it doesn't get too orange!

Nars description: "Sheer Golden Apricot." Pretty accurate description in my opinion.

Swatched on the left and blended on the right. The swatches above are more true to color!

Many makeup lovers online have said that if Orgasm didn't work for them, Luster definitely did. They both have a similar effect on the cheek as both are quite shimmery, but I find Luster to be much softer in texture. They both have peachy golden undertones & golden shimmer but Orgasm leans more pink while Luster leans more gold (at least on my skin-I'm about nc20-25 right now). Both gorgeous and different enough to justify having both ;) I forgot to swatch it with Madly, but Luster is much more shimmery and golden while Madly is beige.

As with all my other nars blushes the pigmentation and texture is perfect--smooth, buildable, blendable. This is definitely a shade, like orgasm, that will be flattering on most skin tones! If you're looking for a glowy blush, don't hesitate to try Luster!

Green Nouveau Monde EOTD

I decided to do a look using the green/olive side of Nars Nouveau Monde! I used mac humid in the outer-v to bring out the green tones in the nars shadow--the camera didn't pick up all the color, but it turned out much more green in person! A year ago I never would have touched green eyeshadow, but I really love doing looks with it now! I also used my bobbi brown chocolate shimmer ink--it's gorgeous but I always tend to use black eyeliner in my looks over any other color. Hope you like! :)

Mac Creme de miel on lid, Nars nouveau monde in crease and outer lid, Mac humid in outer v

Products used:

Mac Painterly Paint Pot

Mac creme de miel on inner lid and humid in outer-v (I got creme de miel at a CCO a few months ago but i think it is similar to something like ricepaper or nylon!)

Nars nouveau monde in crease and outer lid

Bobbi brown gel eyeliner in chocolate shimmer ink

Covergirl lashblast (orange tube!)

Anastasia brow powder in brunette

Thanks for looking!

22nd Birthday FOTN!

This is the look I wore out for my birthday night with some friends! I definitely wanted to go for a sultry, smokey eye using my new nars mekong! Hope you enjoy!

Mac Femme Fi as highlight and inner corner, Satin taupe on lid, Nars Mekong in outer-v

Products Used:

Face:

Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer in nude

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage and Concealer pot

Mac Mineralized Skin Finish

Mac Hush to highlight

Nars Laguna

Nars Orgasm

Eyes:

Mac Painterly Paint Pot

Stila Smudgepot in bronze

Mac Femme Fi, Satin Taupe, Wedge (to blend crease)

Nars Mekong

Anastasia Brow Powder

Lips:

Revlon colorburst lipgloss in Hot Pink

Thank you so much for looking!

Simple Sin/Mekong EOTD

Here's a simple eye look I did today. I wanted to play around with my Nars Mekong and came up with this for a shimmery, neutral daytime look! Can't wait to use mekong for a dark brown smokey eye in the future ;)

Urban Decay Sin all over lid, Toasted in the crease, Nars Mekong in outer v, Mac shroom to highlight

Don't mind the messy waterline!! :)

Products Used:

Mac Painterly Paint Pot

Urban Decay Sin, Toasted

Nars Mekong (applies like a DREAM!love it!i may have over blended it today but it's very vibrant in person!)

Mac Shroom

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner Black Ink

Covergirl Lashblast (orange tube)

Anastasia Brow Powder in Brunette

Thanks so much for looking!!

Nars Madly Blush

Here's my second Nars blush post. I got Nars Madly a few months ago when I wanted to find a nice neutral blush. I'm always drawn to corals and pinks, so this was a big change for me! At the time I debated between mac blushbaby (still pretty!), nars douceur (didn't show up on me), then i discovered nars madly and i'm so glad i did...

Nars calls it a "seashell pink" but on my skin it shows up as a beautiful, shimmery beige with a tiny touch of peachy-pink. Definitely more tan/brown than pink. In the pictures it does look like it could be worn as a bronzer, but i wouldn't: it's much too shimmery. It adds a perfect glow to the cheeks but I think it would be too much if used all over the face. It's also very pigmented so I have to be careful when applying it or it just looks muddy.

Definitely a perfect, neutral blush for a little cheek definition.I especially like using it with strong lip looks...it looks lovely with light shimmery eyes and red lips. As with all my Nars blushes, it blends beautifully and lasts all day. Madly is definitely another blush love of mine!