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By Nita J., Virginia, Makeup Artist

Nita J is a strong advocate that true beauty lives in each and every individual. To her, makeup just enhances beauty and should never be used to mask the beauty that a person was born with. With her knowledge of makeup, cosmetic brands, marketing and the beauty industry, Nita J hopes to contribute as much as she can and instill in the minds of others that confidence and true beauty is soul-deep. You can check out her portfolio and her blog!


Transform Your Glow by Mixing Illuminators with Foundation

No matter what time of year it is, I find that most clients always want to accomplish a natural “glow” with their look. I personally have always liked a nice healthy, glowing complexion when doing my makeup on a daily basis, so I love trying out new products that would be me achieve this. An awesome tip that I tried once, fell in love with and kept it within my normal routine, is mixing a good illuminating product with foundation.

When you think of “glow,” most would reach into their beauty bag for a bronzer, which is perfectly fine. I tend to use an illuminating lotion rather than a bronzer because, for one, it blends into your foundation for a more seamless glow, and two, it looks more natural and tends to look a little more radiant.
When choosing and illuminating products, it’s best to use something that is sheerer (so that it doesn’t alter the color of your foundation), light, and doesn’t have a ton of shimmer, to give a more natural effect.

Think about it; when you “glow” naturally, your skin doesn’t produce large particles of glitter, right? Something with just a hint of shimmer will do the trick. There are many products out there that would help with this trick, but after trying numerous products, there are two in particular that I just love and can’t get enough of:

Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion ($26.00) comes in three shades: Diffuse, which gives off a nice pearly effect, Flash, which has a hint of soft pink, and Glow, which is a soft, golden bronze. These are all great shades because of the lightweight feel and consistency of the lotion.  They also do not change the color of your foundation. I have found that “Flash” works on many of my clients, no matter their skin tone, and I reach for it all the time. All you need is just one to two pumps of the product and you get an awesome glow. I like to mix the lotion with foundation before applying to the face. This is definitely something that I keep in my personal kit as well as my professional kit.

This is another great product that will beautifully transform your foundation and give you a subtle glow, but make a great statement. This NARS Illuminator ($29.00) comes in four shades; a soft pearl shade called Copacabana, Laguna, which is a soft brown with golden shimmer, the best-seller, Orgasm, which is a peachy-pink lotion with a little shimmer, and Super Orgasm, also peachy-pink but with more of a golden, shimmery finish. All of these are great, but I have discovered that Copacabana and Orgasm looks amazing on just about anyone I apply it to. Just a very small amount of this product is needed to achieve a beautiful glow. Again, mix with foundation before applying to the face for maximum results!

With all of the illuminating products out there, what are some that you have tried and fell in love with? I’d love to know!


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This year I am torn up about the Laura Mercier Holiday Collection.  Because I want it all!  Seriously, there isn’t one piece in this whole holiday makeup collection that I don’t absolutely love!

So lets start with the two large sets above which are $98 each. On the very top is the Luxe Color Portfolio which includes 6 eye shadows, 3 liners, a shimmer/blush powder and a blush powder. Along with that you get 3 eye shadow brushes too.   The base is a hard brown fabric case trimmed with a snakeskin print.  Shown on the bottom is the Luxe Eye Portfolio and it includes 12 eye shadows, some of which can be used as liners and three brushes.  The hard case of this one is an all-over snakeskin print.  Very chic.

 

Outer case of Laura Mercier Luxe Color Portfolio

 

 

Laura Mercier Holiday Collection Color Portfolio

 

 

Laura Mercier Brushes – Pony Tail, Crease and Eye liner

 

I bit the bullet and purchased the Luxe Color Portfolio and I haven’t been disappointed once.   As you can see, I even used it before I took photos because I had a family wedding to attend out of town and I knew I wouldn’t get the images taken beforehand.  This is definitely a set that can be used past the holiday season and into any time of the year.   The browns, taupes, plums, pinks and rose tones of the eye shadows are very, very pretty.   They have a nice shimmer to them – not glittery and really a nice glow to them.   The three liners in brown, black and plum work for any look and the eye liner brush include is perfect for doing the tightline liner technique.  I like to use the light pink blush for a shimmer and the more vibrant pink shade as the blush.  When applied lightly, the bright pink shade is not overpowering, but just a nice flush of color.   The three brushes are great quality and although it says they are mini brushes – they handles are not very short and the brush heads are full sized.

 

 

Above is one of the Petite Eye Color Trios.  This one is Smoky Mauve and there are two others – Smoky Taupes and Smoky Neutrals.  On my hand is the Smoky Mauve swatched.   These mini sets are only $25 each and do not include a brush.  They are tiny enough to put in a small clutch and take with you for touch ups that might be needed throughout the night, or even as a great set to keep in your desk.   Perfect for a day to evening look.

Laura Mercier Mini Lip Glace Sets

For the lips, she created this mini lip glacé set with five high shine colors.  The range of shades are from L-R Rose (shimmer), Blush, Quartz (shimmer), After Hours (shimmer) and Sparkling (shimmer).  This set of 5 minis sells for $48 – great to keep for yourself or share as stocking stuffers.  They have in them anti-aging, plumping and anti-oxidant ingredients – we all love that!

More of her holiday includes an eyeliner set, baked eye color palette and a fabulous makeup brush set.

Baked Eye Palette $48

 

 

While normally I am not a big fan of dual ended brushes, since these come in a case I don’t mind that they are dual ended.   So in all you get nine brushes for a whole face look encased in this chic snakeskin bag for $85.

Along with all this wonderful beauty, Laura Mercier has her yummy, luscious bath and body sets for holiday too!

Images:  Laura Mercier and Fab Over Forty
Lip glosses and Trio Color Set received by PR as consideration for review.

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This year I am torn up about the Laura Mercier Holiday Collection.  Because I want it all!  Seriously, there isn’t one piece in this whole holiday makeup collection that I don’t absolutely love!

So lets start with the two large sets above which are $98 each. On the very top is the Luxe Color Portfolio which includes 6 eye shadows, 3 liners, a shimmer/blush powder and a blush powder. Along with that you get 3 eye shadow brushes too.   The base is a hard brown fabric case trimmed with a snakeskin print.  Shown on the bottom is the Luxe Eye Portfolio and it includes 12 eye shadows, some of which can be used as liners and three brushes.  The hard case of this one is an all-over snakeskin print.  Very chic.

 

Outer case of Laura Mercier Luxe Color Portfolio

 

 

Laura Mercier Holiday Collection Color Portfolio

 

 

Laura Mercier Brushes – Pony Tail, Crease and Eye liner

 

I bit the bullet and purchased the Luxe Color Portfolio and I haven’t been disappointed once.   As you can see, I even used it before I took photos because I had a family wedding to attend out of town and I knew I wouldn’t get the images taken beforehand.  This is definitely a set that can be used past the holiday season and into any time of the year.   The browns, taupes, plums, pinks and rose tones of the eye shadows are very, very pretty.   They have a nice shimmer to them – not glittery and really a nice glow to them.   The three liners in brown, black and plum work for any look and the eye liner brush include is perfect for doing the tightline liner technique.  I like to use the light pink blush for a shimmer and the more vibrant pink shade as the blush.  When applied lightly, the bright pink shade is not overpowering, but just a nice flush of color.   The three brushes are great quality and although it says they are mini brushes – they handles are not very short and the brush heads are full sized.

 

 

Above is one of the Petite Eye Color Trios.  This one is Smoky Mauve and there are two others – Smoky Taupes and Smoky Neutrals.  On my hand is the Smoky Mauve swatched.   These mini sets are only $25 each and do not include a brush.  They are tiny enough to put in a small clutch and take with you for touch ups that might be needed throughout the night, or even as a great set to keep in your desk.   Perfect for a day to evening look.

Laura Mercier Mini Lip Glace Sets

For the lips, she created this mini lip glacé set with five high shine colors.  The range of shades are from L-R Rose (shimmer), Blush, Quartz (shimmer), After Hours (shimmer) and Sparkling (shimmer).  This set of 5 minis sells for $48 – great to keep for yourself or share as stocking stuffers.  They have in them anti-aging, plumping and anti-oxidant ingredients – we all love that!

More of her holiday includes an eyeliner set, baked eye color palette and a fabulous makeup brush set.

Baked Eye Palette $48

 

 

While normally I am not a big fan of dual ended brushes, since these come in a case I don’t mind that they are dual ended.   So in all you get nine brushes for a whole face look encased in this chic snakeskin bag for $85.

Along with all this wonderful beauty, Laura Mercier has her yummy, luscious bath and body sets for holiday too!

Images:  Laura Mercier and Fab Over Forty
Lip glosses and Trio Color Set received by PR as consideration for review.

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NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo<
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.

THE GLOSSOVER
PRODUCT : 8.5/10
PIGMENTATION : 9/10
TEXTURE : 9/10
LONGEVITY : 8.5/10
APPLICATION : 4/5
PACKAGING : 5/5

FINAL THOUGHTS

Both shades are extremely vibrant and more in-your-face kind of shades, and while they can be used together, you could definitely pair them with other shades in your stash! I wish the cobalt shade was better, because it falls short of good.

OVERALL: B+

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

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


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My NARS Fall 2011 Night Series Collection order finally came today!

NARS Fall 2011 Night Series Collection Haul
The Night Series Palette is a gorgeous palette of six Night eyeshadows, including Night Star (shimmery peach with gold glitter), Night Clubbing (black with gold shimmer), Night Porter (black with green shimmer), Night Rider (plum with silver glitter), Night Flight (black with blue shimmery) and Night Breed (black with silver glitter).

NARS Fall 2001 Night Series Palette
NARS Night Series Palette

The Night Rider Nail Polish looks exactly like the Night Rider eyeshadow and is a beautiful shimmery soft plum color.

NARS Night Rider Nail Polish
NARS Night Rider Nail Lacquer

Did you pick anything up from the Night Series Collection?

The NARS Night Series Collection is now available at http://www.narscosmetics.com/ and Nordstrom for a limited time.

Disclosure: The products in this entry were purchased by me. Please see my Disclaimer for more information on my posting policy.

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