NARS Lip Lacquer

It's been over a month since NARS week and I am ready for some more NARS in my life.  I had raved about their lip glosses during that theme week and my overall love of the products has been noted many times.  One product of theirs that I feel doesn't get the press that it deserves is the Lip Lacquer.  I originally passed this product over for the lip glosses since I really dislike having place my fingers in a pot of lip gloss.  I wouldn't have even realized how nice this product is if I hadn't tried it out in many of the NARS palettes.  Do I still prefer lip glosses in a tube?  Yes.  Is this still an amazing lip gloss that it worth owrking around the packaging?  Yes.

Lip Lacquer is a shinier formula than the gloss and I find it to be less tacky also.  "High shine formula with sheer pigments of color for luscious lips day or night.  This super-shiny formula can be worn alone or over other lip products.  Unique texture prevents color from bleeding.  Transparent pigments for sexy shine.  Includes Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Avocado Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, and Jojoba Seed Oil."  This product is only available in eight shades at the moment and I wish that it would be offered in a few more, especially a cool toned red.

The shades are...

- Baby Doll - sheer cotton candy pink with a pearlized finish
- Caraibe - glistening nude
- Chelsea Girls - innocent nude beige with a creme finish
- Diablo - playful apple red
- Eros - raspberry rose with shimmer
- Galactica - sheer white with crushed Japanese pearl for the ultimate shine
- Hot Wired - fuchsia
- Sweet Charity - lilac mauve with pearl

The best known shade from this product is the Chelsea Girls, it is often used against a smoky or cat eye by the NARS makeup artist and I have found that this is the shade that most often appears in the palettes.  It has a bit of a nude tint with a medium amount of shine and works well with any type of eye makeup look.  Caraibe has much more shine to it and could be too much with a major eye look, it is the nude that is better nude to a neutral eye look.  My favorite shade of this product is the Baby Girl shade, it is bight pink but is sheer enough that it easy to pull off with either pale or tanned skin.  I was interested to the learn that Diablo is considered an "apple red" shade because it looks so dark in the pot that I passed it by on my search for reds, I will have to give this one another look the next time that I go to Sephora. 

I can get two finishes from this product, depending on my application method.  When I use a lip brush, the application is much more precise with a more pigmented finish.  When I dab it on with my finger, the finish is much sheerer.  I haven't noticed that much of a different in the shine factor during either application.  My favorite method is the fingertip method becuase I think the brush method can pile on too much product and I would use the lip gloss itself if I wanted this finish.

photo courtesy of Sephora

C.O. Bigelow Organic Lip Shines

C.O. Bigelow has introduced three more new lip shines for the spring season. Earlier, we looked at the new flavors in the Lemon Lip collection, all of which were more of a balm texture than a gloss. This time around, the lip glosses are much glossier while still mainting great hydrating properties. This time around, C.O. Bigelow has changed around a bit and introduced glosses that aren't part of the Mentha collection. I still love the Mentha collection but I was really excited to see flavors that stand on their own and aren't mixed with the mint. These new glosses also fall into the Organic line of glosses from this company, another plus. April is Earth month so any extra effort that can be put forward this month to buy more items that are "green" is much encouraged. And how easy is it to buy more organic lip glosses when they also happen to be fantastic?!

There are three flavors in this collection; Golden Peach, Ripe Blackberry, and Strawberries and Cream.  all of the glosses have the same texture and shine properties, so any is a great choice from that aspect.  "Our refreshingly delicious moisturizing Lip Shines are made with 92% organic ingredients and natural fruit extracts.  Treat your lips to 'good-for-you' ingredients, delicious flavor and a touch of shine!"

Golden Peach is a true peach scent, there is nothing super sweet or artifical about this one.  This is a perfect summer scent for anyone who loves peach or fruit-based scents in general.  This one couldn'y be any more spot on, it might just be the perfect peach scent.  Ripe Blackberry is my favorite of the three, even though I normally dislike berry scents for lip glosses.  Most lip glosses have fake, super-sweet berry scents.  This one is nothing like the others, it is just pure blackberry, sweet without being fake or syrupy.  I thought that I would hate this one but I love it the most of all of them.  The last scent is the Strawberries & Cream, the sweetest of the three.  This one reminds me more of strawberry ice cream instead of pure strawberry.  I was hoping that it would be more true to the strawberry scent and a bit less sweet but I still like this scent.

The blackberry is my favorite and I will be purchasing at leat two of these to keep for the whole summer.  I like both of the other flavors and wouldn't hesitate to buy both of them at any time.  I don't know if these are limited edition but it seems like Bath and Body Works rotates through their lip products seasonally.  This is a great addition to my lip gloss collection and I can only hope that Bigelow will do something like this again for summer.  Mango? Coconut?  Watermelon?  I can only hope!

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Fekkai Brillant Glossing Sheer Shine Mist

Fekkai's Glossing Cream has been a top selling products for years running and it spawned a second styling product in the Glossing collection about two or three years ago. This product did make the cut when Fekkai revamped his entire line, leading me to believe that it sold almost as well, if not as well, as the original Glossing Cream. This product of which I speak is the Brillant Glossing Sheer Shine Mist, a finishing product for creating shine on the hair cuticle. This product was the answers to the prayers fo the ladies that have fine hair since the traditional Glossing Cream performed best for medium to think hair and could overwhelm fine hair if too much is added. Since a pea sized drop is enough for thick hair, you can imagine how easily it would be for fine haired ladies to not have a good experience with the cream.

The Fekkai website prodvides a great description of this product, "Feather-light mist delivers an even veil of shine with encapsulated olive oil plus all day long protection. This last impression - leaves sheer shine to finish any style. Fekkai's legendary shine collection infuses new encapsulated Shine-Release Complex in its winning olive oil formula to renew shine all day, strand by strand, minute by minute." I first received a sample of this product at Bath and Body Works when it was released and then I recently purchased a full size of it from the Fekkai website, this is great for a light finishing spray in the warmer months.

This product is best used on dry hair as a finishing product, the cream could be used in this way or on wet hair as a defrizzing serum. This spray is best used when it is held about a foot from the hair. I spray it lightly on my hair then work it through with my hands the way that I would the cream version of the product. This spray still has olive oil in it for shine so if you spray too much, you will still end up with limp, sticky hair. I have found that less is more when it comes to all Fekkai Brillant Glossing products and I recommend playing with this product first (on day when you have nothing to do) and seeing how much you need for shine and how much is going overboard.

My hair is very thick so I will say that I still prefer the cream version of this product, my hair soaks it right up and I really have to try to go overboard on it. The spray is nice for those with finer hair or on very humid days. Looking at it from this point of view, I could also see this being a better product for those with shorter hair since even a pea sized drop of the cream might be too much.

photo courtesy of Fekkai

Kat Von D True Romance Eye Shadow Palette in Truth

If there is one product from the Kat Von D collection that is top notch and produces very few misses, it is her eye shadow palettes. The mascara was good but nothing amazing, I have been told the lipsticks are very oddly pigmented in some shades, but no one come up with anything against the True Romance Eye Shadow Palettes. I bought one of these palettes from the original product collection and am still using the product quite faithfully. One of Kat Von D's signature looks is the smoky eye so all of her eye palettes contain shades to create the look, the different shades make it appropriate for all seasons. This time of the year, she is releasing her palette that will create the lighter version of the look and this palette is just the product in her collection to do that.

 Kat Von D provides a quote about her palette, in addition to the usual product description for Sephora. She states that, "The illustration on the cover of this palette features a stylized pattern made up of vintage keys. 'The keys are displayed above my desk. I collect them because I love what they signify: romantic, classic, Victorian, antique, access to an old castle, fairy tales, or a secret compartment. Locks and keys fit together and symbolize love. A key feels like a special way to unlock what's otherwise forbidden...in the case of my palette it's about unlocking the soul and refining beauty.'"

"A smoky eye adds an instant air of mystery. Create your own or try a rocker chick look with this True Romance Eye Shadow Palette. Designed especially for Sephora by tattoo artist and reality television star Kat Von D, this artistic spectrum of shades brings a sense of edgy glam to your look", states the Sephora website about the palette.

 All of the shadows in the palette are the powder formula unless otherwise noted.

There are eight shades in this palette and here they are...

- Sugar Skull - vanilla
- Long Distance - citron -
 Snake Eyes - lime
- Finland - aqua (cream formula)
- Prague - plum
- Galeano - pale lilac
- Rehab - golden tan
- Sister - peach

I agree with this company that these are great shades for spring, they all are right on trend and they is a great variety in this palette which will appeal to tons of customers. But looking back on their description, I cann't really see how this palette could make much of a smoky look since the only really deep shade is the plum. however, I love the palette shades so much that I would certainly be willing to try to make the smoky eye with the plum and I won't be upset if it doesn't really work very well. I am really looking forward to working with the Galeano and Prague (lilac and plum shades) to make a purple eye this spring.

 photo courtesy of Sephora

Still working on this spacing issue. I am not the only one with this issue so hopefully Blogspot will start helping us out with this. I might be posting much until this gets resolved as it makes the entries unreadable...

Stila Live From the Red Carpet Collection

Spring is the season for awards shows! I have been spending the season following Anne Hathaway and Lady Gaga to see their looks and how I can make them for work the next time that I need to get dressed up. Stila has teamed up with E! network to bring out a whole makeup collection based on the awards shows and the coverage from the red carpet. I have visions of Joan Rivers and Fashion Police in my head right now so I want to see if this makeup collection would pass their inspection!

"Created in 1994 by a top celebrity makeup artist, Stila is well known for its modern, sophisticated, non-intimidating approach to beauty. The brand's innovative, multi-tasking formulas, eco-friendly packagin, and fashion-forward colors have cemented its place on the must-have lists of top beauty editors around the world and is the preferred, go-to brand for A-list celebrities. E! Live From the Red Carpet programming is known worldwide as the preeminent source for all things red carpet, featuring celebrity interviews, news, and coverage on the fashions from all of the entertainment industry's beloved awards shows. These two beauty and fashion icons have joined forces to launch an exclusive, limited-edition beauty collection, which lets every woman feel like a star. Introducing the Stila and E! Live From the Red Carpet Collection! Embracing all the excitement of the red carpet, Stila's Pro-Artists collaborated with the E! Entertainment team and created a collection of camera-ready beaut essentials. In each palette is a step-by-step tutorial created by Celebrity Makeup Artist, Sarah Lucero to help every woman achieve a radiant, red-carpet ready look.

" Here is the Red Carpet Collection!

Long Wear Liquid Lip Color - Bold lips are in this season and Stila hs the perfect product for you. Introducing Long Wear Liquid Lip Color. This long-lasting lip color formula glides on lips and stays put, delivering hours of intense moisture and rich, stunning, bold color with a matte, creamy finish. The weightless liquid moves with your lips to prevent color from transferring, feathering or bleeding and create captivatingly kissable lips. Enriched with ultra-conditioning Vitamin E and avocado oil, Long Wear Liquid Lip Color hydrates and seals in moisture so your lips look and feel iresistably soft all day.
- Fiery - the perfect red
- Caprice - hot pink
- Patina - warn nude
- Petal - pale pink
- Coral - shimmery coral
- Muse - natural mauve

Stunning Starlet Palette - Get camera-ready looks with Stila's new collection with E! Live From the Red Carpet. The Stunning Starlet Palette includes six eye shadows, a Convertible Color, Kitten All Over Shimmer Powder, and Glamoureyes Mascara, the beauty essentials to create an alluring look. Created by Celebrity Makeup Artist Sarah Lucerno, this palette includes a step by step tutorial to help achieve the Stunning Starlet look you desire.
- Paparazzi Eye Shadow - pale pink, base shade
- Red Carpet Eye Shadow - soft burgundy, lid shade
- Hollywood Eye Shadow - espresso brown, liner shade
- A List Eye Shadow - shimmery beige, base shade
- VIP Eye Shadow - shimmer violet, lid shade
- Backstage Eye Shadow - pewter slate, liner shade
- Kitten All Over Shimmer Powder - pink champagne
- Stunning Convertible Color - rose red

Glamour Goddess Palette - Get camera-ready looks with Stila's new collection with E! Live From the Red Carpet. The Glamour Goddess Palette includes six eye shadows, a Convertible Color, Kitten All Over Shimmer Powder, and Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner. Polished skin combined with bronzy, shimmery eye shadows create the perfect glam look. Created by Celebrity Makeup Artist Sarah Lucero, this palette includes a step by step tutorial to help achieve the Glamour Goddess look you desire.
- Glitz Eye Shadow - golden beige, base shade
- On the List Eye Shadow - pearly beige, base shade
- Golden Eye Shadow - warm gold, liner shade
- Flash - light peach with shimmer, base shade
- Star - bronzy peach, lid shade
- Glam - deep bronze, liner shade
- Kitten All Over Shimer Powder - pink champagne
- Glamour Convertible Color - brick red
- Lionfish Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner - bronze

Breathtaking Beauty Palette - Get camera-ready looks with Stila's new collection with E! Live From the Red Carpet. The Breathtaking Beauty Palette includes six eye shadows, a Convertible Color, Kitten All Over Shimmer Powder, and Lip Glaze. Shimmering skin and subtly glossy lips combined with rich purples, browns, and nude shadows create the perfect beauty look. Created by Celebrity Makeup Artist Sarah Lucero, this palette includes a step by step tutorial to help achieve the Breathtaking Beauty Look you desire. 
- Cinema Eye Shadow - pale nude, base shade
- Best Picture Eye Shadow - shimmery lavender, lid shade
- Film Eye Shadow black with shimmer, liner shade
- Academy Eye Shadow- pale gold, base shade
- Theater Eye Shadow - shimmery brown, , lid shade
- Drama Eye Shadow- rich purple, liner shade
- Kitten All Over Shimmer Powder - pink champagne
- Breathtaking Convertible Color - medium rose pink
- Guava Lip Glaze - rose gloss

 Camera Ready Blockbuster Palette - Get camera-ready looks with Stila's new collection with E! Live From the Red Carpet. Created by Celebrity Makeup Artist Sarah Lucero, this palette mimics the exact beauty arsenal that Pro Artists bring with them on red carpet house calls - you get all the tools of the trade. With 21 eye shadow shades, you can create countless looks to match your red carpet mood. This fold-out palette includes 21 eye shadow shades named after your favorite celebrities, 2 Convertible Colors in Lights and Camera, 2 Cheek Colors in Action and Flash, and a mirror. Shades range from beiges to pinks to purples to blues to greens and a deep black.

Music's Biggest Night Make Up Player - Music's biggest night is just around the corner and Stila is helping make sure that you can rock out to all your favorite award-winning tunes, in style! Our revolutionary makeup player makes it easy to listen to music wherever you are. Simply hook up your MP3 player or cell phone and your music will play from the speakers! This player also comes stocked with products that allow you to recreate the hottest looks from the red carpet in the comfort of your own home. Listen to music while you get ready for your own big night on the town.
- Kitten Lip Glaze - pink champagne shimmer
- Stingray Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner - deep brown
- Red Carpet Ready Palette - contains shades of neutrals and browns

Red Carpet Ready Eye Shadow Palette - Get camera-ready looks with Stila's new collection from the Red Carpet. Get gorgeous, celebrity beauty looks with this fun, multi-press eye shadow palette! Created by Celebrity Makeup Artist Sarah Lucero, this palette was designed to include essential eye shadow shades needed for any red carpet ready look. The universal shades in this palette can be worn wet or dry.

I like many of these sets but there is only one that I really love, the Breathtaking Beauty Palette contains the neutrals, plums and pinks that I love to wear and work with my skintone. None of these shades are all that unique so I might own all of them already and I will need to check this out before I buy anything from this collection. The other palettes are nice but there is at leat one major shade in each one that I wouldn't wear at all. The makeup and music player is the most unique concept that I have seen in years but it doesn't surprise me that the company that started the talking palettes would be the first to move into the direction. Time for me to ready for own red carpet appearance...

photo courtesy of Stila

Most Wanted April 2011

April is finally here and I am just waiting for the weather to get a bit nicer so that I can really break out my spring clothing and beauty products. I have been looking forward to MAC's release of Quite Cute since I first read about it last winter and now it is finally releasing in the first week of this month. Pinks have been my thing so far this season and MAC is just feeding my obsession for these products.

My Most Wanted for April 2011...

- Philosophy 3-in-1 in Lilac Blossom
- Bond NYC Madison Square Park
- Victoria's Secret Incredible
- Tarina Tarantino Floriculture Eye Shadow Palette
- Bath and Body Works Cherry Vanilla Shower Gel
- Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Amused
- Philosophy Keep the Peace Super Soothing Serum
- Ojon Color Sustain Gloss Finishing Hair Spray
- MAC Quite Cute Plushglass in Girl Hearts Boy
- MAC Quite Cute Nail Lacquer in Little Girl Type

Flower fragrances, cherry shower gel, lots of pink, and more neutral eye shadows. Lots of shopping this month...