NARS | Bagful of notions

A glimpse at the lips: NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien

May 15, 2013 by nicole 2 Comments

Next time we’re in Tokyo together, can we meet up at Rikugien Garden? Let’s skirt around the pond, climb the hill and take in the greenery.

NARS Rikugien

NARS Rikugien

Instead of forcing us to use our air miles in order to check out thirteen different parks sprinkled throughout the globe, Francois Nars plucked his favourite trinkets from each one and brought them back home for our enjoyment.

With this newest installment, Nars is aiming for “high-impact intense colour” to last the day without sapping your lips of its moisture. As promised, Rikugien is long-lasting, but I do find that it can dry out my lips, especially during the last few hours of wear. Carry a clear chapstick to combat this potential issue.

While I do love a good lippie in pencil form, I wish this version twisted up in lieu of having to use a sharpener. I’m not too skilled in this particular department and more often than not, I manage to lop off the freshly sharpened tip.

Rikugien is the eye of the cherry blossom. Pull off those petals and have your Ariel moment.

Can you say, addicted?

Wearing NARS Rikugien

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien:

$25.00 USD / $39.00 AUS

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

8 out of 10 bags – Next time I need a fix, I’ll definitely place my order via Sephora.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

Currently testing NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Honey – wearing Honey in the photo featured above as well.

Filed Under: Makeup Tagged With: bagful breakdown, NARS, review, Rikugien, Satin Lip Pencil

You decide: which new makeup item is on your radar?

March 3, 2013 by nicole Leave a Comment

New releases

Filed Under: Makeup Tagged With: Benefit, MAC, makeup, NARS, new releases, poll, Stila

You decide: NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Cythere

March 3, 2013 by nicole Leave a Comment

NARS Cythere Call it intrigue, curiosity or whatever you want. NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Cythere spoke to me in the store; I immediately thought of champagne and bubbles when I swatched it on my hand. Now that I have it on my lips I’m starting to have regrets about my latest purchase.

Wearing Cythere on my lips

Filed Under: Makeup Tagged With: Cythere, NARS, poll, swatch, Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil

The look: from high-end to low-end beauty

January 28, 2013 by nicole Leave a Comment

Wearing a few good cheapies

Yesterday I laid out a price comparison and today I’m wearing three of the five cheaper items I purchased.

CG’s Country Woods in lieu of UD’s Naked

Covergirl’s Country Woods is just ok in my book. While I do like the neutral quad, I didn’t enjoy how powdery three of the four shades were; the vanilla hue out-performed the rest.

Essence’s Superfine Eyeliner Pen didn’t beat NARS’ Eyeliner Stylo

Essence’s Superfine Eyeliner only has two things going for it — price and colour. My fears were realised — the length of the tip was daunting, unwieldy and started to dry out amidst application. The pen began playing up on my left eye; this eye also happens to be the one I have difficulty applying liner on anyways — it was a double-whammy scenario. After three attempts, I finally got a semi-desired result.

Saving the best for last: Covergirl’s Clump Crusher by Lashblast beat its competition, YSL’s Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils

Easy to use, loads of volume, no clumping and stays put. Covergirl’s Clump Crusher by Lashblast crushed YSL’s Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils. Enough said.

A final look

Other items used to complete the look above:

Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream in I Want Candy.

NARS Lip Gloss in Greek Holiday worn atop I Want Candy.

Essence’s Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Bling Bling applied along the lower lash line.

Illamasqua’s Naked Rose on the apples of my cheeks.

Chanel’s Vitalumiere Eclat Foundation in B30 Beige-Sable applied all over. It’s a powder, but I smooth the finish by lightly misting water on my face.

What do you think? Does paying more money for makeup guarantee quality?

Filed Under: Makeup Tagged With: Budget Beauty, Chanel, Covergirl, NARS, review, Rimmel, Urban Decay

The ol’ switcheroo: from high-end to low-end beauty

January 27, 2013 by nicole Leave a Comment

This for That I love expensive makeup, but sometimes my wallet doesn’t allow for such things — especially when I’m attempting to save. Dupes for basics come in handy for the girl on a budget. For today’s exercise I’ve shopped my own makeup stash and came up with a few cost-saving alternatives; I firmly believe in having options

Chanel’s Illusion D’Ombre in Mirifique versus Essence Stay All Day Long Lasting Eyeshadow in Rock Chic

The only thing I can really afford from Chanel is their makeup and even this particular love affair comes at a major cost. Chanel’s Illusion D’Ombre in Mirifique retails for $48.00 AUS / $36.00 USD; the formula has a tendency to incite drooling, a gaping jaw and squeals of delight. Then there’s the realisation that you have to fork over dollars upon dollars you might not be willing to part with — this is when budget beauty brand Essence saves the day. Rock Chic sells for $5.50 AUS and passes for Mirifique’s doppelgänger. Both are creamy, black eyeshadows with silver glitter and no one will be the wiser.

NARS’ Eyeliner Stylo in Koala (gray) versus Essence Superfine Eyeliner Pen in black

While it’s not a dupe in terms of colour (Carpates would suffice), both felt tip pens are pliable, lay down colour upon touching the skin, however one of these is not like the other. NARS’ Eyeliner Stylo costs $44.00 AUS / $27.00 USD, whereas Essence’s Superfine Eyeliner Pen is available for as little as $4.95 AUS. My only concern with the cheaper formula is the feathering as seen in the swatch to the right, some clean-up might be required post-application.

YSL’s Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils no. 1 versus Covergirl’s Clump Crusher by Lashblast in Very Black

YSL’s Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils was a bit of a bummer for me — raccoon eyes aren’t cute. Here’s hoping Covergirl’s Clump Crusher by Lashblast (say that three times fast!) saves the day. The former is available for $52.00 USD / $30.00 USD and the latter was purchased on sale for $10.00 AUS and maxes out in price for $6.99 in the States.

Urban Decay’s Naked versus Covergirl’s Eye Enhancers 4-Kit Shadows
in Country Woods

Nude/bare is a thing and it’s an easy eye look to pull off during the day. Urban Decay’s Naked palette has been selling like hotcakes, but if the 12-pan palette overwhelms you in the variety or price department, a quainter quad should do the trick. Covergirl’s Eye Enhancers 4-Kit Shadows in Country Woods is a petite imposter — instead of paying $50.00 USD for UD’s Naked, try shelling out 9.76 AUS / $4.84 USD for Covergirl’s Country Woods. Virgin, Sin, Naked and Sidecar would blush from embarrassment.

Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Zero versus Rimmel’s Scandaleyes in Black

A lot of women who’ve had the pleasure of using Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil certainly know one is not enough; 24 shades round out this offering — at $19.00 USD a pop, your wallet will certainly shed a few tears. Kate over at La Beaute et le Blogueur sold me on trying Rimmel’s Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal (15 shades to tempt you with), that’s code for super soft eyeliner with high colour pay off! I purchased Scandaleyes on sale for $7.46 AUS / $4.49 USD. Btw, can you tell which swatch is which?

Let’s see how much you can save…

Total Savings Happy shopping!

I’ll post a look showing off my cheap dupes later today

Filed Under: Makeup Tagged With: Budget Beauty, Chanel, Covergirl, NARS, Rimmel, swatches, Urban Decay

NARS Luster Blush: for that sun-kissed sort of glow

November 11, 2012 by nicole 1 Comment

I’m beginning to build up quite the collection of NARS blushes. The compact is sleek and rubbery; it’s the sort of thing I don’t shriek about should I accidentally drop it on the floor. That’s not to say I purposefully go out of my way to let my notions hit the floor — however, accidents can and do happen. Unlike their eyeshadows, with NARS’ blush formula what you see is what you get. If you want that colour in the pan, By George, you can achieve just that.

Luster swatch

Luster is a “sheer golden apricot” hue I love to reach for now that the sun is shining for hours on end in the southern hemisphere. With my complexion being lighter these days I still yearn for that natural sun-kissed glow sans sitting in a tanning bed or hitting the beach — those days are over for me. With Luster I really don’t need much; whenever I go overboard I run the risk of making my cheeks look dirty. Believe me, it’s happened; if you happen to do the same, apply a small amount of powder foundation atop the blush in order to undo.

Sometimes I like to infuse a bit more pink into Luster by layering it under Illamasqua’s Naked Rose — the brown undertones of Naked Rose helps to preserve and combine with Luster. I see lots of potential in Luster’s multitasking abilities; bronzer, contour, blush or eyeshadow. Give it a whirl!

Wearing Luster on the apples of my cheeks

What’s your favourite go to blush for summer or winter for that matter?

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for NARS Luster:

$45.00 AUS / $28.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

8 out of 10 bags — Solid performer.

Likelihood to purchase:

I can’t get into the Andy Warhol collection. Nothing’s beckoned me.

Filed Under: Makeup Tagged With: bagful breakdown, NARS, review, swatch

Eyes to mesmerize: NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Koala

October 29, 2012 by nicole Leave a Comment

Did I ever tell you about the time I met and held a koala at work? Well, I did about a year ago. The funny thing about it all was before I moved here from Massachusetts, I think all of my friends and family fully expected me to be handed a koala bear and a kangaroo upon landing in Melbourne. Australia is very much a first world with a bit of old world mentality. I say this because I actually overheard a woman talk about going ‘walk about’ in the bush — much like a hiker who heads for remote trails, this woman took off for several weeks and took in the purest and most untouched parts of Australia. You really don’t see that happen often in the US, do you now?

Where was I? Ah yes, the koala. One of the executives’ wives of the company I work for rescues animals from the wild and takes care of them until they’re ready to be introduced to a wildlife reserve here in Melbourne. Last October I was fortunate enough to meet and hold this little bundle of joy.

Gae, the baby koala

A very top Australian moment for me

Now, you might be thinking what does NARS have to do with koalas? If you look up at the cute and cuddly Gae, you’ll notice it’s silky soft grey fur. Francois Nars encapsulated the colour and essence of a koala in one of four new shades found within his Eyeliner Stylo range.

Sharp, precise and easy to use, NARS Eyeliner Stylo is exactly those things. When it comes to liner, I liken myself to a bull in a china shop; I’m clumsy, unskilled and one of these days I just might poke my eye out. But with the Eyeliner Stylo, the skills come from the pen itself. The colour flows from the pen with ease and manages to follow the contour of my lids. Depending on the pressure you apply, you can go from thin to thick strokes easily and seamlessly.

NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Koala

The pen is mightier than the sword

Swatches of Koala

Koala lined on my upper lash line

Props to Kate over at la beaute et le bloguer for convincing me to add this to my collection. Be sure to check out her review and swatches of Carpates (the blackest of blacks).

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Koala:

$44.00 AUS / $27.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

9 out of 10 bags – easy and long-lasting. A must buy!

Likelihood to purchase:

Carpates (black), Nuku Hiva (brown) and Atlantic (deep blue) are next on my list.

What We’re Sweet On: A Liquid Liner For the Artistically Challenged

Filed Under: Makeup Tagged With: bagful breakdown, Eyeliner Stylo, NARS, review, swatch

Dupe of NARS American Dream Eye Shadow Palette

September 2, 2012 by nicole Leave a Comment

As I strolled through Mecca Cosmetica I spotted this…

NARS American Dream Eye Shadow Palette

NARS, I love you, but you make me feel like I’m looking at Urban Decay’s Naked Palette.

Working clockwise from the upper left corner, let’s breakdown the striking resemblance:

Belissma = Virgin (shade #1)

Alhambra = Half Baked (shade #6)

Silk Road = Sin (shade #2)

Galapagos = Smog (shade #7)

Bali = Dark Horse (shade #8)

Tzarine = Gunmetal (shade #12)

Urban Decay Naked Palette with flash (top) and without flash (bottom)

Urban Decay Naked Palette Swatches in sunlight (top) and indoors (bottom)

Please feel free to draw your own conclusions. I didn’t buy American Dream, because I couldn’t rationalise shelling out $85.00 AUS for something which closely resembles to what I already own.

Want to check out swatches of American Dream? Sabrina of The Beauty Look Book reviewed it on her blog recently.

So, what do you think? Coincidence, inspiration or a carbon copy?

Filed Under: Makeup Tagged With: dupe, NARS, Urban Decay

NARS Autumn 2012

September 2, 2012 by nicole Leave a Comment

Another season, another collection, lather, rinse and repeat. Believe me when I tell you, there are no complaints here. Out of the nine pieces NARS released, I fell for Outlaw, a “a soft rose tone with golden shimmer” blush and Autumn Leaves, a “shimmering warm brandy” lipstick. What can I say – I’m a sucker for NARS’ blush and lipstick.

NARS Fall 2012

Outlaw is insanely closely related to Orgasm; fruit-inspired, golden shimmer and that shade of pink which makes you say, “I’ll have what she’s having.” The light-reflecting shimmer highlights and illuminates and the fruitiness gives you that just-pinched/had a glass of wine rosiness. Outlaw doesn’t discriminate against skin colour and ultimately you are responsible for the amount of colour payoff during application. I used MAC’s brush 168, smiled and applied Outlaw to the outer portion of the apples of my cheeks. By the time PT rolled around, 11 hours later, last Thursday night, my cheeks were still awash with Outlaw.

Outlaw

Orgasm (left) and Outlaw (right)

Orgasm (left) and Outlaw (right) – swatches

Can you hear that rustling in the distance? No? Why, it’s Autumn Leaves! And that little girl pouncing and bouncing from heap to heap, can you see her too, messing up her dad’s hard work? Burnt orange, gold, honey, fiery red and mmm float and flit about in mid-air. Yeah, I checked the dictionary, mmm is a word Autumn Leaves makes for a great any time lip look and sticks around for three to four hours.