NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo ($33.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “shimmering chartreuse” and “electric cobalt blue.” This is the first NARS product I ever looked at–back when I just started getting into makeup–though I did not purchase it at the time. I remember feeling like if you wanted to wear bright eye makeup, you had to have this.

The chartreuse is light-medium mix of yellow and green with a yellowy gold shimmer. It reminded me of MAC Double Feature 2 and Inglot #343 (this is matte). The color payoff is good, and the texture is very soft and finely milled.  The cobalt shade is described well by NARS; it’s blue, it’s purple–no, it’s a harmonious blend of the two with an icy blue shimmer. It is on the sheerer side and has a dusty feel, which is a bit of a bummer. It’s not as blue as Inglot #369 or MAC Winkle. On the other hand, MAC Cobalt is darker and purpler.

Per NARS’ website, their eyeshadows are supposed to be long-wearing and crease-resistant. In my experience, they still need to be worn over an eyeshadow base for all-day wear, but alone, they wear seven to eight hours with subtle creasing. They don’t fall apart immediately after application, but an eyeshadow base is recommended for best results.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo

Go to Source

At the ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2′ New York Premiere last month, Emma Watson paired her slicked-back pixie cut with a defined gold and black cat eye and nude lips. I loved how powerful the look is and those golden foil on the outer corners are such a nice accent! Read on to see my step-by-step tutorial on how to recreate this gorgeous eye makeup.

Step 1. Prep the eyelid with a primer to ensure more vibrant and longer-lasting color.

What I Used: NARS Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base

Step 2. Apply a golden yellow eyeshadow onto the inner corner of the eye. Wet the brush for more intensity.

What I Used: MAC Golden Lemon Pigment

Step 3. Pat a metallic charcoal eyeshadow onto the remaining eyelid.

What I Used: MAC Knight Divine Eyeshadow

Step 4. Sweep a black eyeshadow onto the crease. Drag it past the outer corner for a cat-eye shape. To copy Emma’s look down to a T, drag the color from the inner corner towards your brow as well.

For the perfect cat-eye shape, hold a Kleenex or apply medical tape under the eye before you apply the color. Alternatively, clean up the line with a foundation brush or sponge dipped in foundation.

What I Used: NARS Pandora Duo Eyeshadow

Step 5. Apply the golden yellow and charcoal shadows on the lower eyelid.

What I Used: MAC Golden Lemon Pigment and NARS Pandora Duo Eyeshadow

Step 5. Run a black pencil eyeliner along both upper and lower lashlines.

What I Used: NARS Via Veneto Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner

Step 6. Go over the line with a black liquid liner to add drama and staying power.

What I Used: Jealousness WaterProof Eyeliner in Smoked Black BK-II

Step 7. Apply tiny pieces of gold foil on the outer corner of the eye. Don’t have any handy? Dab some of the golden yellow eyeshadow with a damp brush instead.

What I Used: MAC Golden Lemon Pigment

Step 8. Coat your lashes with black mascara. Add fake lashes as desired.

What I Used: CoverGirl Natureluxe Mousse Mascara in Very Black and Jealousness Fake Lashes in Bewitched JS-507

Done!

Extra Tips On Nailing The Look
* When working with very dark colors on the eyes, do your foundation and concealer last to avoid a massive cleanup.

* To prevent colors from turning muddy, always start with the lighter colors before moving to the darker ones.

* Since this is very defined, strong look, do not worry too much about the blending. Just make sure you keep the undereye area as clean as possible.

NARS Pandora, MAC Golden Lemon and Knight Divine

Go to Source

The new mark. Fall 2011 i-mark metallics Eyeshadows I have been dying to see are finally here!

Jazzy is a frosty violet that flashes pink. It is similar to MAC Stars ‘n Rockets eyeshadow, only a bit frostier. The texture is slightly chalky but pigmentation is decent and very buildable.

Truffle is a shimmery bronze gold just like my favorite, now-discontinued Jane Magical Mushroom eyeshadow. It has a really chunky texture (think MAC Kitschmas pigment chunky) that does require a bit of layering and blending to get smooth, even color.

Lava is a dark olive green with very fine gold shimmer. It has the most buttery texture out of the three and applies with great pigmentation.

Overall, these are some really gorgeous, wearable colors that I can’t wait to wear for fall. However, their textures do seem to vary a lot by color. I would recommend using a primer underneath and a dense eyeshadow brush like MAC #239 for application.

Overall Rating:

mark. i-mark metallics will be available September 2011 at meetmark.com or through a mark. rep for $5 each.

Disclosure: The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. Please see my Disclaimer for more information on my posting policy.

Go to Source

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4 Review, Photos, Swatches (Part 1)

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4 ($64.00) is a limited edition makeup palette slated for a September launch. It contains 16 eyeshadows (0.03 oz. each), one Liquid Eyeliner (0.058 fl. oz.), Original Primer Potion (0.13 fl. oz.), and Supercurl Mascara (0.18 fl. oz.). The palette also contains a mini-speaker along with QR codes so that one can watch video tutorials designed for the palette. The value breakdown goes like this: $163.20 worth of eyeshadow, $18.00 worth of liquid eyeliner, $6.68 worth of Primer Potion, and $12.00 worth of mascara. Though you cannot purchase the items separately even if you wanted to, it amounts to the equivalent of $199.88.

Because of how photo-heavy this review is, and how long it is, the first eight eyeshadows are reviewed in this post, while the second set of eight will follow. The overall review for the palette along with packaging is included in this post. Because there are differences in quality for each shade, I have listed a pigmentation and texture score for each (both scores are out of 10), which I then averaged across all sixteen shades to give the scores found in The Glossover below.

Blue Bus is a cool-toned, blue-based purple with a soft, frosted finish. This is a new and exclusive shade. The payoff is disappointing–it’s dry, stiff, and applies unevenly. It lacks the density of other Urban Decay eyeshadows along with the smoothness that comes from a softer powder product. The color is very similar to MAC Parfait Amour. Inglot #379 is similar in color but matte, so it has a darker appearance. (7/5)

Gunmetal is a darkened blue-based gray with a silver shimmer and sheen. This is a permanent shade. The color payoff is good, though it feels a touch less soft compared to the pot version of Gunmetal. Inglot #451 is similar but slightly darker–has more of a black base. (9/8.5)

Cobra is a dark, cool-toned brown with a mostly matte finish that’s layered with green-gold shimmer. This shade is a repromote from the Black Palette. It doesn’t reflect very green when I swatched it–more like a brown with gold shimmer. The color payoff is decent but it has a drier texture. If you wanted more of the color in the pan, Laura Mercier’s Pine Bronze is similar. Wet ‘n’ Wild Comfort Zone has a shade that is similar in the pan but also swatches browner–they are surprisingly similar. Milani Melange is also similar but has a blacker color base. (9/8)

Baked is a bright copper with a high frost finish. The color payoff is excellent, and it has a dense, buttery texture that applies very smoothly. This is a permanent shade. It is similar to Giorgio Armani Gold Blitz, Inglot #405, and MAC Amber Lights. (10/10)

Bender is a dark, forest green with a subtle green-gold sheen. The finish is a softened frost. This is a new and exclusive shade. It is one of the best performing shades in the palette–very buttery and smooth, while the pigmentation is tops. It is more yellow-based compared to Make Up For Ever #310. It has less green and more olive compared to Inglot #418. It is very similar to MAC Humid. (10/10)

Gravity is a plum-tinged medium purple with a frosted finish. This is a new and exclusive shade. It has decent color payoff, but it applies unevenly and splotch in places (see the bottom half of the swatch). Make Up For Ever #142 is similar in color but has a matte finish. theBalm All the Way Annie is a touch plummier. It is more pigmented than Milani Purr-fect Purple. It is not as intense as Urban Decay Psychedelic Sister, but it is darker (and plummier) than Urban Decay Ecstasy. (7.5, 7.5)

Lost is a dark bronze brown with subtle red undertones. It has a frosted finish. This is a new and exclusive shade. The color payoff is beautiful here–like Bender, it is one of the better quality shades in the palette. The texture is soft, smooth, and buttery. It is darker and browner compared to MAC Sable. It has slightly cooler tones compared to Inglot #422. There is a darker quality and a more reflective finish compared to Milani Rich Java. (10/10)

Hijack is a bluish-teal with a silvered sheen–a part frost, part metallic finish. This is a new and exclusive shade. The pigmentation in this shade was good, and it applies smoothly overall. The color is very similar to Bare Escentuals Vapor. It is darker and less teal compared to Urban Decay Aquarius. (9/9)

I’m usually really impressed by Urban Decay’s palettes, because the majority of the eyeshadows are high-quality with excellent color payoff, even if a few textures may be more prone to fall out because of the inclusion of glittery shades. I found Blue Bus, Crystal, and Skimp to be difficult to use, while Cobra and Gravity have a few concerns The standout shades were Baked, Bender, Lost, and Zephyr in terms of pigmentation and texture. If one wants a neutral palette, Urban Decay’s Naked palette does it better. If one wants pops of color, the 15th Anniversary Palette does it better. Last year’s Book of Shadows Vol. 3 was much better (and still available at urbandecay.com).

The packaging is extremely bulky–it’s large and heavy. If you thought prior Book of Shadows editions were bulky, then you will loathe the size of this one, as it is 1 3/4″ wider (only marginally taller). I had issues sliding the drawer out, because the mini-speaker tends to get caught against the top. The drawer was not glued in, though, so it did pull out all the way for removal. The top flap opens up with pop-up butterflies, small-sized mirror, and a pocket for your phone along with instructions for using the QR codes. The upside of bulky cardboard packaging is that it will absorb impact better than a hard plastic case would if you were to drop it. I dropped mine a few times on the bathroom tile to no ill effects.

I didn’t play around with the technology too much myself, as I relegated that duty to our resident tech guy (I was busy cropping photographs). I did watch some and saw how it all came together. I think it’s an interesting concept, but in reality, it ends up more gimmicky than useful. The drawer is so large to accomodate a mini-speaker, which does enhance the sound of the videos, but your phone would likely do an adequate job with its own speakers. The QR codes are a bit close together, but it is a minor concern. We have iPhones here, so that is what we tested it out with, and if you have a case around yours, you’ll need to remove it or else the plug will not connect properly.

Where to Buy: September 2011 @ Urban Decay

See photos & swatches! 

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Blue Bus Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Blue Bus Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Gunmetal Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Gunmetal Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Cobra Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Cobra Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Baked Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Baked Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Bender Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Bender Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Gravity Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Gravity Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Lost Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Lost Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Hijack Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Hijack Eyeshadow

Go to Source

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4 Review, Photos, Swatches (Part 2)

Here is the review for the second half of the Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4 ($64.00) limited edition makeup palette. For an overall review of the product, along with packaging, please see part one. Because there are differences in quality for each shade, I have listed a pigmentation and texture score for each (both scores are out of 10), which I then averaged across all sixteen shades to give the scores found in The Glossover below.

Midnight Cowgirl is a warm, pale, peach-gold with a frosted finish. The color payoff is really lovely, as it is rich and buttery, though it does have flecks of gold micro-glitter. This shade is part of the permanent range. I find the majority disappears before you even apply it, but you may find that some fall out underneath the eye. It is a bit lighter than Bobbi Brown Desert Sand. It’s similar in color but lighter compared to Urban Decay Blunt. It’s also a lighter, less brown version of MAC Retrospeck. (9, 8.5)

Sin is a pink-tinged champagne with a frosted finish and rather metallic sheen. This shade is part of the permanent range. Urban Decay Scratch is much pinker. Giorgio Armani #8 is similar but more metallic in finish. Inglot #397 is similar in color, less pink-tinged. (9.5, 9)

Midnight Rodeo is a sparkly taupe brown. It does have glitter, but it’s subtle and doesn’t seem as large as Urban Decay’s other glitter-finished eyeshadows but may still have some fall out. The color payoff is good, and the texture is fairly smooth. I thought Urban Decay Toasted might be similar, but it’s not–much browner, less of a taupe. theBalm Insane Jane is grayer (more cool-toned), while Inglot #402 is nearly indistinguishable from Midnight Rodeo. This shade is a repromote from the 15th Anniversary Palette. (9, 8.5)

Crystal is a bluish-purple gray with a silvered sheen. It lacks pigmentation, and the texture is dry and stiff to work with–you’ll have to pack it on to achieve the color you see in the pan. This shade is new and exclusive to this palette. Inglot #420 is similar but darker and lacks the bluish tones. Urban Decay Stripped has less purple and is much, much darker. (5, 7)

Bust is a softened, gray-tinged taupe brown with a soft, frosted finish. This shade is new and exclusive to this palette. It has a really smooth application with a buttery texture, while the shade itself has excellent color payoff. NARS Grand Palais is slightly browner, MAC Street Cool is darker and browner, MAC Satin Taupe is much, much darker, and Inglot #402 is warmer and less gray. It’s like a frosted version of Urban Decay Shakedown. (9.5, 9)

Missionary is a soft, beige-taupe with a frosted finish. It’s like a lighter version of Sin. It has good color payoff, but it’s not fully opaque. This shade is new and exclusive to this palette. It is pinker than MAC Butternutty. It’s a little lighter and has more of a sheen compared to Urban Decay Virgin. (9, 9)

Skimp is a beige-peach with a pearled sheen. The color payoff here was a bit sheer, and the texture surprisingly dry. This shade is a repromote. It is similar to Bare Escentuals Serendipitous. It is a little lighter than MAC Brule. (8, 8.5)

Zephyr is a warm white with a golden sheen. It has good color payoff, but it is a bit powdery. This shade is new and exclusive to this palette. It less yellow compared to Urban Decay Vanilla and MAC Nylon, but it is comparable to Bare Escentuals Breathtaking. (9, 8.5)

Where to Buy: September 2011 @ Urban Decay

See photos & swatches! 

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 4

Urban Decay Midnight Cowgirl Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Midnight Cowgirl Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Sin Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Sin Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Midnight Rodeo Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Midnight Rodeo Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Crystal Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Crystal Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Bust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Bust Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Missionary Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Missionary Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Skimp Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Skimp Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Zephyr Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Zephyr Eyeshadow

Go to Source