NARS Anna, Audrey, Dominique, Vivien Audacious Lipsticks Review + Swatches

Surprise! I'm still alive! It's October which means I've had a birthday and an anniversary to celebrate, which means gifts! And, thus, makeup!

NARS Audacious Lipsticks
NARS celebrated their 20-year anniversary with the launch of 40 brand new, permanent lipsticks last month. NARScosmetics.com describes them as:

"Single-stroke coverage so shamelessly seductive in touch and texture the sensation is audacious. Forty shades of unabashed luxury for unstoppable impact."

I wanted all 40 immediately, but I slowly brought my list down to a more reasonable 14. I'm kidding! I'm the proud owner of 4. The lipsticks retail for $32, so plan accordingly.

NARS Anna, Audrey, Vivien, Dominique Audacious Lipsticks
NARS Anna, Dominique, Audrey, Vivien Audacious Lipstick swatches
NARS Audacious Lipsticks have a creamy satin finish which makes them incredibly comfortable to wear. I didn't experience any feathering with the four shades I own, and each lasted about four hours between eating and drinking. Vivien and Audrey both left a slight wine-colored stain: Vivien's stain was more berry, and Audrey more rosy. They are super pigmented — you can easily overdo it when applying if you're too heavy-handed. I got a little excited so my lip swatches have all been blotted.


Anna Audacious Lipstick The official NARS color description is "smokey rose" and I'd say that's pretty accurate. It's a muted, slightly purple rose with cool undertones, and it has quickly become one of my favorites! This shade is available at all retailers that carry NARS.

NARS Anna Audacious Lipstick

Audrey Audacious Lipstick The official NARS color description is "red currant" and I find it to be the perfect muted rosy red. It's bold without being too bright, with the slightest touch of cool undertones. It's available at all retailers that carry NARS.

NARS Audrey Audacious Lipstick

Dominique Audacious Lipstick The official NARS color description is "pink lilac" but I find it to be a muted, greyed lavender purple. It's awesome and I am 100% OBSESSED. This shade is available exclusively at Barneys and NARS (and is currently sold out on both websites).

NARS Dominique Audacious Lipstick

Vivien Audacious Lipstick The official NARS color description is "red plum" with which I completely agree. It's surprisingly dark and vampy in some light. This shade is available exclusively Barneys and NARS (and is currently sold out on both websites).

NARS Vivien Audacious Lipstick
Bottom Line: These lipsticks are absolutely fantastic. They're everything that everyone has said about them, and much, much more! $32 for a lipstick is a high price to pay but the quality is truly there. At least they're not Tom Ford prices! I can't wait to pick up a few more. The range is so large, I can't help but keep looking...

I overcompensated in the hydration department in preparation for these swatches so my lips are a bit prune-y. Sorry? Here are my bare lips for reference:


Just as a note, my skin tone is NC25 in MAC Mineralize Moisture, 2.5 Warm Sand in Bobbi Brown, and Medium Ivory in Laura Mercier.

Are the NARS Audacious Lipsticks on your radar? They should be! I'd love to know what you think and which ones you're considering!

MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection Swatches + Review

This! Collection! OMG! I gladly never get sucked into the hysteria surrounding MAC's limited edition collections but this spring something happened. Three back-to-back collections caught my eye, some for actual product and others for packaging (there's no denying it) but Alluring Aquatic was IT, the perfect combination! MAC Alluring Aquatic Lipstick, Extra Dimension Bronzer, Bronzing Powder
My original plan was to get one blush and one lipstick. After seeing swatches of the two blushes in the collection, I decided I had something similar enough to pass on the shade I preferred because I'm trying to make smarter makeup decisions and only get what I need ("need").

MAC Alluring Aquatic Lipstick, Extra Dimension Bronzer, Bronzing Powder
I went for the purple lipstick, go figure. Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer and Golden Bronzing Powder ended up in my cart along with the lipstick somehow? I couldn't help myself! That compact!

MAC Alluring Aquatic Goddess of the Sea Lipstick
Goddess of the Sea Lipstick (Cremesheen) is described as a dark vibrant violet but I'd say it's more of a berry-plum on me. I adore this color! Like other Cremesheens I own, this one was very creamy and comfortable to wear. It applied nicely, a little sheer but totally buildable.

MAC Alluring Aquatic Goddess of the Sea Lipstick, Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer swatched/blended, Golden Bronzing Powder swatched/blended
Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer is a very pretty, sheer but easily buildable, very slightly rosy-peach bronze. It shows up nicely on my skin but I have to be completely honest here, I know the least amount of all when it comes to bronzer! I think it suits me quite well nonetheless, and gives a nice subtle sheen to the skin. MAC description: Golden bronze with a touch of fine shimmer.

Golden Bronzing Powder surprised me given how shimmery and orange its twin in the permanent line is. There are shimmer particles in this one, but it's soft and flattering. It leans pinker on my skin than Aphrodite's Shell which was another surprise given its name. MAC description: Muted golden tan-beige with shimmer.

MAC Alluring Aquatic Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer, Golden Bronzing Powder
Now let's have one final round of applause for the gorgeous metallic teal packaging "elegantly accented" (lol) with water droplets...

MAC Alluring Aquatic Goddess of the Sea Lipstick, Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension, Golden Bronzing Powder
Were you lucky enough to get ahold of the collection during MAC's online release last week? Nordstrom and Macy's both launched online yesterday, and it's set to be in stores on Thursday, May 22nd. What will you be getting, if anything?

...I thought I was done but I ordered two more lipsticks and my very first lipglass yesterday. This collection left me with so little willpower!

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted?

I skipped out on my blog and social media spaces, and before I knew it, it was May! Time totally got away from me but look who's back from their well over a month-long break from the internet! It's me... Had I planned better (or planned anything at all) there would have been a scheduled post here and there, but I guess my mind decided it was time for a break and immediately switched to vacation mode. My mom and step dad also visited from Maryland and, as should be expected, she and I gravitated to our natural habitat:


ULTA, swiftly followed by Sephora.
I love seeing and reading about what other people are buying even though I'm not one for posting hauls myself. But it's literally all I can talk about right now! I've been a model US consumer thanks to my hoarding of any and all gift cards I'm lucky enough to receive from my loved ones. The same gift cards I obsess over while trying to find that perfect something worthy of their use.

Sephora's Chic Week sale got the best of me (who could resist 15% off?). Beyond that, I finally cashed in a three-year-old Caron's gift card at a Lancôme counter during a loaded free gift with purchase promotion. Plus, I had some credit on HauteLook and MAC released two new collections that made my eyes turn into actual hearts. I couldn't even fit any more makeup in/on/around my vanity (entire apartment) if I wanted to! Because of all that there will probably be some upcoming mini reviews.

Things will be back to normal shortly. I just didn't want to pretend I wasn't gone for forever. If you're reading this, thanks for sticking around!

Stila's Latest Trend for Spring: Tri-Lined Eyes

Last weekend I went to a great event at Sephora for a mini Stila makeover and introduction to their expanded collection of eyeliner new for Spring 2014. I have to be completely honest here, I got suckered in by the promise of a free Smudge Stick but the three beautiful looks on the invitation didn't hurt!

I walked out with a fresh face, samples of their One Step Correct Primer and new CC Cream, and obviously a few new eyeliners. As soon as I got home I dug into my four In the... Palettes to see what colors I already owned, and now I've got quite a little collection growing.

There will be a few more of these events this month so check their events page to see if any are being held in your city.

This is such a quick and fun look to do. I knew I had to recreate it and show you how to do it yourselves. It's as easy as smudging some liner, applying a bit of thick liner, then another finer flick of liner on top. Done! At Sephora the defining line was made using brown but I'm more a black liner kinda gal. It's a little Halloween-y now, right? Oh well! On my lips I'm wearing Bite Beauty's Luminous Crème Lipstick in Cin Cin.

Products Used:
L'Oréal Infallible Eyeshadow in Iced Latte
Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Gilded
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Amber
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Intense Black
Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara
e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit in Medium

Step 1: Pat base (Iced Latte) onto eyelid with finger and blend.
Step 2: Apply bronze (Gilded) to eyelid and smudge with finger to crease.
Step 3: Line upper lash line with orange (Amber) — make it thick.
Step 4: Apply brown (Eyebrow Powder) to crease for soft definition.
Step 5: Line center of lower lash line with bronze eyeliner (Gilded), smudge edges.
Step 6: Give yourself wings (Intense Black) following the edge of the orange line!

I'm definitely going to try the look with Emerald winged out and Melon on the lips. I just need to get myself some more of these liners and a Vinyl Lip Gloss or two! Have you tried any Stila Smudge Sticks or Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliners?

P.S. There's still time to take advantage of Stila's online sale going on now through tomorrow (3/14). Just use code "SPRING25" for 25% off plus free shipping with no minimum. Don't miss out!

Get the Look Beyoncé wore to the FLOTUS' Birthday

I interrupt my regularly scheduled Beyoncé Get the Look post to bring this special Beyoncé Get the Look post in time for Valentine's Day! I was asked to recreate the amazing glittery eye Beyoncé wore to the FLOTUS' 50th birthday party last month and I wanted to save it for a ~special occasion~ because it's such a stunning look.

Charlotte Tilbury tweeted one of her gorgeous quads was used to achieve Beyoncé's look so I immediately set out looking for similar colors in my collection. My version leans a little pink but the general idea is the same! On my (chapped) lips I'm wearing Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Pink in the Afternoon (good lookin' out, winter).

A friend of mine also suggested using L'Oréal Infallible Eyeshadows which totally could work by layering Smoldering Plum/Bottomless Java, Amber Rush, and Eternal Sunshine. I don't own all of those shades but I'm pretty sure you'd get a similar look.

Products Used:
e.l.f. Eyelid Primer
Black Opal Color Splurge Eyeshadow Duo in Brazen Flame
ULTA Eyeshadow in Chianti
EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dust in Cran-Me-In and Peach Attitude
Sonia Kashuk Eye Shadow Quad in Bronzed Beauty
Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeliner Pencil in Bronze
benefit They're Real! Mascara
e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit in Medium

Step 1: Apply burgundy (Chianti) over eyelid and outer crease with a fluffy brush.
Step 2: Soften edge with nude (SK Quad Nude) and blend upward to brow bone.
Step 3: Pat cranberry (Cran-Me-In) onto inner & outer eyelid with eyeshadow brush.
Step 4: Pat rose gold (Peach Attitude) onto center of eyelid with eyeshadow brush.
Step 5: Pat gold glitter (SK Quad Glitter) onto center of rose gold with finger.
Step 6: Apply burnt copper (Black Opal Duo) to crease and blend with crease brush.
Step 7: Apply rose gold (Peach Attitude) as highlight to tear duct.
Step 8: Line lower lash line with brown eyeliner, set with brown (SK Quad Brown).
Step 9: Line upper lash line with brown (SK Quad Brown) using liner brush.
Step 10: Line waterline with brown (Bronze) waterproof eyeliner.

I'm aware that this look would have been 1000% better had I worn falsies. My new goal for 2014 is to enroll in False Eyelash Academy and get my masters in False Lash Application Sciences.

Get the Look from Beyoncé's "Haunted"

In this installment of I'll Never Be Bey But That Won't Stop Me From Trying I try my hand at the beautiful metallic, high glitter, smokey eye accompanied by a blood red, high shine lip in Beyoncé "Haunted":


BEYONCÉ "HAUNTED"

My version is dialed down with less glitter and foiling action simply because I don't own many glittery products. You could easily play up that effect by using Stila's Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow in Titanium and/or Metallic Cobalt if you have $32 to blow on a single eyeshadow, or NYX Roll On Shimmer in Onyx and/or Platinum for a more affordable $3.99. I tried to make up for my lack of glitter by distracting you with wannabe red carpet finger waves. Did it work?

Beyoncé's eyes are rimmed with heavy black liner which I promptly rubbed away after applying. Some things I'll never be comfortable wearing and black liner on my waterline is one of them! On my lips I layered Beautique Lip Crayon in Blackberry, Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in On Fire Red, and Bobbi Brown Clear Lip Gloss.

Products Used:
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Black Bean
Stila In The Light Palette
Lancôme Color Design Eyeshadow in Drape
MAC Eyeshadow in Electra
NYX Ultra Pearl Mania in Silver Pearl
L'Oréal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara in Blackest Black (GARBAGE)
Jordana 12-HR Made To Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil in Black Point
Anastasia BH Brow Powder Duo in Dark Brown

Step 1: Apply black base (Black Bean) onto eyelid and outer 1/2 of lower lash line.
Step 2: Apply white sheen (Drape) to outer crease through brow bone to tear duct.
Step 3: Pat blue silver shimmer (Night Sky) on eyelid with an eyeshadow brush.
Step 4: Pat black (Ebony) on outer 1/3 of of eyelid with an eyeshadow brush.
Step 5: Build black (Ebony) in crease, and blend upward with a blending brush.
Step 6: Pat silver frost (Electra) onto center of eyelid with finger.
Step 7: Pat silver pearl (Silver Pearl) onto center of silver frost (Electra) with finger.
Step 9: Apply blue silver shimmer (Night Sky) to lower lash line with a pencil brush.
Step 10: Smudge outer edge of lower lash line and blend upward.
Step 11: Tightline upper lash line with black waterproof eyeliner.
Step 12: Line waterline with black waterproof eyeliner.

Smoked out eyes like Beyoncé's look from "Haunted" are still relatively new to me. I like that it's a sickness veil (sort of) because I don't think you can tell I was totally under the weather in these photos. Or can you?? Either way, I hope you dig it and try it for yourself. Sick or not!