bright lights, big color monday - nars.

some makeup lines didn't need to create any special products to accommodate the bright color trend, because big color is just a part of their identity - and nars definitely falls into this category. below i've selected my favorite bold, yet wearable shades from their colorful line:

capucine lip lacquer is described as a sheer tangerine. and that is a very good thing - because orange is huge for lips, cheeks and nails this summer. while capucine lip lacquer definitely creates an orange lip, it also has a soft hint of pink, giving a pretty, punchy color. simply pair with a shimmering neutral shadow and a black liquid liner for compliments all day long (or night long, this look can work for either). $24.



nars' considers bloodwork lip gloss to be a red vinyl, and it absolutely true to form. most red glosses have just a hint of color and have way too much pink in them, but not so with bloodwork. it is a true blue-based, color rich and vinyl-esque gloss. if you want to channel dita von teese or gwen stefani's vixen lips, there is no easier or better match. $24.

cactus flower cream blush is a shimmering poppy. now, if you want to sell me a product this summer, describe it as poppy colored (or orange) and i'm all over it. you might as well just take the money from my wallet now. poppy is in bloom, in a big way. it brings color and life to fairer skin tones. $24.



crazed blush, a raspberry red with shimmer, is one of my seasoned favorites. i have always been crazed over crazed. this color is definitely not for someone who likes a subtle look and please, please, please, be light-handed in your application. with those warnings in mind, and now beauties i would never lie to you, and men love it when i wear this blush. each time i've worn it a man has complimented my face! $25.


kitty eyeliner pencil is a turquoise blue and is the right single step to achieve summer's bright eye trend, blue rimmed eyes. contrary to popular belief, blue liner is great for blue eyes, as long as their is contrast between the shades of blue. since this blue is so different from the grey-blue hue of my peepers, it really accentuates my color. $20.

all featured products are part of the regular nars color line, available at narscosmetics.com and sephora.com.

final image credit: bellasugar.com

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nars' shanghai lily product review.

using high sheen nudes to contour the face, cheeks and eyes is what makeup is all about right now. and not one to miss the trends, i've been working on my perfect contoured eye.

despite the semi-goth promo picture for the nars spring collection (which i still love), shanghai lily is actually comprised of mostly neutrals. after swatching the alahambra eyeshadow duo ($31), i could not believe the amazing sheen of both colors, without being at all glittery or sparkly. the two colors can work together to create a contoured eye by putting the color on the right side of compact on the lid and the color on the left in the crease. then just a add a little black liquid liner at the lash line for depth. the look is super neat and crisp.

i have been rocking it for the last two weeks, coupled with the stolen kisses/pampa lip gloss/lip stain gloss ($28). at first glance i thought this lip stain/gloss set would be waaaay too dark for me, but is the perfect compliment to my light skin and auburn hair. oh, and i have, of course, i have been finishing this look with the multiple in orgasm ($36.50). it is the perfect look to wear to la office and to carry you into a glamorous evening.

all products mentioned are available at narscosmetics.com and sephora.

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vote for your favorite spring collection.

every day i get better at using the internet. i've added a quiz (!) so you can vote for your favorite new makeup collection.

take a minute to adjust your gaze to the right side of the screen and cast your vote. who needs hillary, barrack, mike and rudy, when we have prescriptives, nars, lancome, and mac?!

image: yawp.com

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nars' shanghai lily.

love LOVE love this black widow promo pic - high drama gets me everytime. the nars spring collection, shanghai lily, is full of fine neutrals with pops of unexpected color.

i have already reviewed the multiple in orgasm (see that here)and am very excited that soon i will be reviewing other pieces from this collection as well - keep checking back for that. in the meantime, as beauty addict was the first to point out, you can muse about the discrepancies between the nars site and sephora's list of which products are part of this collection. sephora's interpretation includes a bit more color, while the nars site is more neutrals-oriented. i think i prefer the sephora version, but both look lust-worthy.

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nye 2008 looks: glossy red lipped queen.

makeup loves me's second new year's eve 2008 look - glossy red lipped queen.



the look: the focus of this looks is a fire-engine red lip. this lip makes you look polished and well put-together, but it is actually a very quick look to create.

what it says about you: having shiny red lips is classic and pretty.

how i created it:
skin:
prescriptives custom blend foundation

prescriptives custom blend bronzer

cheeks:
CARGO blush in coral beach

eyes:
on lids: MAC fluidline in uppity (tip: gold or white on the eyes is a perfect compliment to such an orangey red)
on lashes (top and bottom): lancome courbe virtuose

lips:
nars cosmetics lip lacquer in flare up


previously:
the VS angel
still to come:
smoky eyed vixen
winter white
and a bonus feature on how to cure hung-over skin.

the new year is almost here, beauties!

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nars monoi body glow II.

at first i wasn't totally sure how to use nars monoi body glow II. my first observations were that it looked gorgeous and smelled even better (and from last week's scented lotion reviews i think everyone knows how picky i am about fragrance).

but after playing with it for a week, i've found that it has tons of uses, including:

1. as a body moisturizer. it's an oil, so a little bit goes a long way and has a lot of sheen.
2. as a bathroom decoration. this is one product you will not be ashamed to have splayed on your sink.
3. as a bath oil. (this is my favorite idea).
4. as a fragrance. you can just dab it on your pulse points and smell like a vanilla and gardenia goddess all day long.
5. as a solid version for uses #1 and #4. at 72 degrees this liquid product becomes a solid. you can either re-liquefy it by rubbing with hands or running the bottle under hot water, or just used as a semi-solid!

want one? again, narscosmetics.com and sephora are your best friends on this one.

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nars the multiple and lip gloss: in orgasm.

the release of the nars multiple in orgasm was a highly anticipated and punned-upon occasion.

the multiple is a cream stick highlight that can be used on cheeks, eyes, body, etc.

orgasm is nars' hit, "universally flattering", blush color.

while i enjoyed the powder blush form of orgasm, i didn't loooove it as much as some people. well, now that i've tried the multiple, i'm happy to say i do loooove this version. while orgasm gives a peachy, somewhat beachy, glow, i actually think it works better as a winter color than a summer color. i've been feeling a bit dull/pale lately. turns out highlighting my cheeks with orgasm was just the thing i needed to change that.

the orgasm lip gloss is sweet and girly and not at all sticky. perfect for an everyday look. my favorite not-so-everyday lip gloss is also nars. babe is a shiny orange red that brightens the face and helps make you the talk of your (holiday) party.

nars products are available at sephora and at narscosmetics.com

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