Getting my daily dose of Vitamin D
Here's a look at what I'm wearing this evening.
Oh and I'm testing Laura Mercier's Silk Creme Foundation and Mineral Primer, too.
Got any special plans on this fine weekend?
NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadows
When we last visited these I was in the midst of testing -- I really wanted to see where the sparkle filled road would take me. And you're not imagining things, Desdemona crossed the Pacific late last week with other bits and bobs from Sephora :)
In short, these eyeshadows are shimmery, sparkly and for some, might even ignite bokeh magic. Be sure to get past the Creme Brûlée-like exterior in order to capitalise on these pigmented sparkle bombs. NARS newest formula is a massive improvement as some of his older eye palettes and eyeshadow singles left a lot to be desired; pretty in the pan, but impossible to work with. Then along came Kauai, which whet my appetite while I waited for the next course to arrive.
Here's a recap of six of the twelve shades, starting with the swatches.
NARS Dual Intensity swatches (dry on the left and wet on the right for each shade) from left to right: Europa, Himalia, Dione, Callisto and Phoebe
Late arrival: Swatches of Desdemona dry (left) and wet (right)
Europa
Europa in the pan seemed like it was filled with endless possibilities, but I think I had my blinders on when I selected this particular shade and I might even blame it on my excitement at the beauty counter. Europa is the base of the pyramid, a supporting player that looks more intense when applied wet.
Himalia
Not to be confused with Dione, colour-wise, Himalia is an excellent multi-tasker. Equal parts brown and beige, Himalia adds depth without closing your eyes in.
Dione
Dione is a cool, taupe-y beige with glints of silver, which are further enhanced just by adding water. Think wet, shiny sand.
Callisto
The apple of my eye. Callisto is an icy pink that immediately perks your eyes up without having to catch a few Zzz's.
Phoebe
I can't really disagree with Nars' bang on description of Pheobe, a deep shimmering amethyst that's waiting to dazzle your eyes.
Desdemona
Desdemona isn't tragic like her namesake, this rich burgundy is bold and makes no apologies. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Expect warm embers, not flickering flames.
Here are two different looks I put together for you to mull over.
Light, bright and glowing
Close up
This soft look is coupled with glowing skin, pink cheeks and neutral lips.
Colours used: Himalia, Dione and Callisto and a hint of Phoebe.
Dark magic
Close up
Another look, cuz I'm so proud of my blending
Neutral skin and lips to maintain focus on my hazel eyes.
Colours used: a matte taupe and vanilla from Bobbi Browns' Bobbi & Katie Palette, Desdemona, Callisto and Phoebe.
Tip: Temper the shimmer by using a matte eyeshadow as your base and work from there.
NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadows are like miniature Energizer Bunnies and will easily multiply if you're not careful at the cash register. Kindly pair these with an eye primer and you'll most certainly be set for the evening.
Want a tutorial, just say. I'd be happy to throw one together.
The Bagful breakdown:
Total amount for NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow:
Value for money spent (performance and quality):
Would another purchase be on the horizon?:
Night Fall Natural Mineral Mascara (bottom) and Pacific Ocean Shimmer Natural Shimmering Lip Gloss (top)
Why Dusty Girls you ask? Well this sister brand to Moogoo is emulating the skins' look and feel after spending a day in the country -- slightly dusty, but glowing. While I can't attest to this sort of experience personally having grown up in a fairly Americana suburb myself, I do, however, appreciate their ethos.
This petite makeup collection (eight items in total, with a few colour options) IMHO, targets three specific groups:
Imagine Britney Spears' "I'm not a girl, not yet a woman" country bumpkin charm prior to breaking up with Mr. JT.
The packaging
The packaging is sweet and easy to bust into if you're impatient like me; colour coordinated boxes, complete with application tips, house these goodies. As for the tubes, they are rubberised (similar to NARS) in order to assist maintaining a proper hold during application (klutz-free, for the win).
Application tips
Night Fall Natural Mineral Mascara
Night Fall Natural Mineral Mascara - Ahh, pitch black, clump-free lashes -- it's a mascara that lengthens and plumps, it's practically a dream. Then the nightmare rudely interrupts, prepare yourselves for panda eyes! Dun-dun-dun!!
Over the past several weeks I've worn Night Fall Natural Mineral Mascara out and about with Scott and during the day to work. For short stints this mascara is perfect, but after hour five or so you've reached panda bear territory.
Wearing Night Fall Natural Mineral Mascara
From another view
Pacific Ocean Shimmer Natural Shimmering Lip Gloss
Opalescent shimmer
Swatch of Pacific Ocean Shimmer Natural Shimmering Lip Gloss
Pacific Ocean Shimmer Natural Shimmering Lip Gloss - An easy-peasy gloss which leaves your lips looking like the crests on the waves of an ocean (hey, Hawaii). It's non-sticky, almost colourless, moisturising and lasts around three hours tops.
My lips, but better
Dusty Girls does not test on animals.
The Bagful breakdown:
Total amount for Dusty Girls' Night Fall Natural Mineral Mascara and Pacific Ocean Shimmer Natural Shimmering Lip Gloss:
Value for money spent (performance and quality):
Would another purchase be on the horizon?:
*PR sample provided – Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.
Kevin Murphy's Plumping Wash and Rinse and Kerastase's Elixir Ultime Sublime Cleansing Oil Shampoo
When I visited my hairdresser last month, she had two requests:
Second day hair really isn't my thing, but I'd like to tip my hat off to dry shampoo, inside out braids and ponytails for helping to mask what I feel can sometimes be a hideous situation. It'll take some getting used to, but I'll get there. If Claire asks me to go three days without washing, I might just sob.
Now the second request was admittedly tough, because I had loads of shampoos and conditioners cluttering the floor of my shower from attending various hair events and PR send outs. I'm not complaining at all, but the copious amounts of product far exceeds my precious head of hair. With Claire's assistance I streamlined my haircare routine and in the process, I may've kicked a few things to the kerb.
Kevin Murphy's Plumping Wash (Shampoo) and Rinse (Conditioner) - I picked these babies up last month and haven't looked back. The scent is sweet, yet smoky with a tinge of earthiness from the ginger root. Although, Scott told me my 'fresh from the shower' hair smelled like popcorn - go figure?! The absence of sulphates and parabens means you'll never reach a proper suds session in the shower and that's ok, because my hair feels properly clean, silky and fuller.
Here's what Kevin has to say about this plumping duo:
Nettle Extract
High in iron with stimulating properties, this extract reduces DHT. It is rich in Vitamins A and C, and a wide range of minerals including Iodine, Silicon, and Sulfur. It is a powerful source of amino acids that the hair follicles require for proper growth. It’s stimulating qualities also help increase the microcirculation to the scalp.Ginger Root Extract
High levels of zinc counteract DHT levels making this extract a growth accelerator and also reducing hair loss.Oleanolic Acid from Lovely Hemsleya root
Fights follicle ageing by fortifying the roots. It’s anti-inflammatory properties aid in reversing and preventing the damage caused by DHT.
Kerastase's Elixir Ultime Cleansing Oil Shampoo - A luxe PR send out I jumped at the chance to try. This stuff is crazy expensive, like wicked expensive, so much that I've never purchased anything from Kerastase; let's just say their prices will make your eyes roll to the back of your head.
This shampoo is pure liquid gold, a treat I look forward to when it's time to give my hair a proper washing. Sometimes I'll start with Kevin Murphy's Plumping Wash and then follow it up with Elixir Ultime Cleansing Oil Shampoo. I figure why not, because both brands suggest a double wash. Think peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and chocolate - they just make sense. This cleansing oil is infused with four oils (argan, camellia, maize and pracaxi) which work together to cleanse, condition, strengthen and protect your hair.
Whenever you look at this bottle, I want you to picture boxing gloves because it "floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee."
Sporting a fresher 'do
My hair will never be as lush as it once was prior the great fallout of 2010, but I do feel a glimmer of hope every time I spy whispy strands hovering about like a halo.
Nicole is a Melbourne (Australia) based beauty blogger who has a lifetime of experience admiring all things bright and beautiful in the world of fashion, makeup, handbags and more. She moved to Australia with her husband Scott in October of 2010 and has brought with her a passion for polka-dots, a mania for manicures, and a hankering for handbags. Bagful of Notions is dedicated to Nicole's adventures in these colourful worlds as she shares with you top beauty tips and delicious discoveries she's sure you'll enjoy!
A Melbourne-based beauty blogger and personal makeup shopper who considers herself as a local guinea pig, litmus tester, makeup cheater and your friend who will tell you when something is stuck between your teeth. Here's a toothpick.
