Making Peace with a Former Enemy...

Once upon a time, I loved lipstick - just adored it. I laughed at lip gloss, I thought I was too much of a lady to bother with glossy, juvenile lips. I also thought I was too cool and too much of a badass to be bothered with reapplying every hour, like you would need to with lip gloss. My favorite formula was something with a touch of slip, like a satin finish, but I was mad for MATTE lips. Yup, that's right the drier the better I thought. It was until I embraced gloss and all things moisturizing on my lips I said goodbye to matte. Plus, matte formulas was really doing a number on my lips.

Peeling lips + matte formula = lips that are just not cute to look at!

Many years pass by and I made my way with many glosses. I think I just started to get bored with glosses so I then ventured into the lipstick/gloss hybrids, the lip cremes. But even that started to lose my interest.

I ventured back to lipsticks because I was craving a more intense pigment versus color shock and gloss factor. I was also curious about current matte formulas. If technology is moving at warped speed, then surely the matte lipstick has to have improved just a little since we last met (more than ten years ago).

Glad to say it has and I discovered it in one of my go-to cosmetic brands: NARS.

As you can see, I'm starting a small collection consisting of the Velvet Matte Lip Pencils and the slim Pure Matte Lipstick. Both of these items are unscented.

Counterclockwise:
1. Montego Bay - soft pink
2. Valparaiso - raspberry
3. Cruella - scarlet red
4. Bahama - neutral pink brown
5. Train Bleu - deep aubergine

The Pure Matte Lipstick ($25/USD) wild mango butter to prevent dryness and peeling (two things my lips know very well), enriched with anti-oxidant properties: Vitamin C and acai oil . This is long wearing as mattes are and when it does settle it is not uncomfortable. Gloss is optional and I love them either way.

The Velvet Matte Lip Pencils are like oversized lip liners. NARS encourages the users to layer this with other lipsticks and glosses. I personally like to wear this on it's own, especially if I'm wearing the intense red, Cruella. But I do often reach for a gloss to top off Bahama or Train Bleu (this one especially is dark and needs a gloss to tone down the color). There are sixteen shades offered and yes, I would like to add more to my collection.

For Cruella, click here.
For a look at Train Bleu, click here.
And for Bahama, click here.

I am glad that I let go of my stubborn notion of what I thought matte is and gave these a shot. I now want to try out other matte lipsticks from other brands that I have had great luck with, like Chanel.

Here's another look at the Pure Matte Lipsticks:

I like that Montego Bay look like a soft pink in the case but on my skintone (NC42) it has a bit of a peach tone to it. Valparaiso (part of the Spring/Summer collection) is a bit more on the red side than it is pink. I really love these colors and the formula enough to look at more of the colors that are offered (twelve shades). 

Another reason why I am getting back into pigment saturated pouts? I am a huge fan of this beautiful and fashionable woman: Peony Lim. Her hair also one of the reasons I am darkening my hair back to one solid color again. 

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Yes, I love tinted moisturizer. The first one I used was twelve years ago and it was from Stila. It was adequate but when the brand took a different turn I lost complete interest. Then came the infamous Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer/Face Primer combo. It was love! But I think the love was more for the face primer. The tinted moisturizer was fine - had built in SPF 20 and didn't make me break out but the color was somewhat off and it made my forehead ashy. I would apply this everywhere except my forehead. I would just slather on extra SPF and applied bronzer at my hairline.

It wasn't really a loss since I found my recent favorite foundation, Chanel Perfection Lumiere. But on days (weekend) that I want less coverage even that lightweight foundation feels a bit much. I am so thankful I was given a sample of the latest NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer.

Image provide by www.nordstrom.com

I love this stuff. I was sad that my sample was gone in a week. Why do I love it? Well it has a built in SPF 30/PA +++ and still provides enough coverage without making my face feel cakey. It absorbs quickly and my skin feel comfortable. This moisturizer also claims to help reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots in just four weeks. I guess, time will tell as I'm only on week two and I haven't noticed anything different about my complexion just yet.

Kopara from French Polynesia (flat, gelatinous sediment found on the bottom of shallow lakes located on the  rims of the French Polynesian atolls) hydrates and improves skin's texture while mineral rich sea water revives and smoothes the complexion promoting a natural, brighter tone of the skin. This is also synthetic fragrance free but I keep thinking I smell a very light skincare type of scent. It does fade pretty quickly.

Honestly, I just love the color. Here's a color comparison:

Left - NARS Annapurna
Right - LM Caramel

Annapurna is medium with a peachy tone while Caramel is a light tan and best suitable for olive complexions. I do not have an olive complexion but for some reason I always thought I did. The peach undertone is suitable for my yellow undertones. Plus, my oil-free LM tinted moisturizer only contained SPF 20.

Even though this is a multi-tasking tinted moisturizer, it is recommended to use a primer beforehand to make sure this formula lasts the entire day. There are nine shades in this collection and I'm still shocked that I found a suitable color. Some brands offer more color options and I still had a hard time finding a perfect skin match.

So like I said time will tell if this moisturizer lives up to the claim but till then, I'm just happy that I eliminated my SPF step in the mornings and I can actually apply this to my forehead without worrying about my forehead looking gray!

This was purchased by yours truly at my local Nordstrom counter, $42/USD (price is also comparable to LM tinted moisturizers). 

LHASA...Nope, Not Another Review...

I think I may be the last beauty blogger on earth to pick up this eye shadow single from NARS:

Lhasa, from the Spring 2012 collection (vs. Ashes to Ashes).

I think my good friend, Dovey said it best when she mentioned it's "Ashes to Ashes cool sister" - couldn't agree with her more. Judging from my swatch shot - Ashes...is a bit more plum, mushroom brown and Lhasa is definitely on the lavender grey side.I often find myself agreeing with her as we share the same taste in colors! She wrote an awesome review on this shade, as many other bloggers, so I am not going to sound like a broken record. I just wanted to share my 'Lhasa LOTD (look of the day), in case you were curious to see this on a darker, NC 42 user.

This is a cool, dove gray shade. It takes at least four generous layers to get this to show on my lids. It looks even more awesome on top of a charcoal or taupe cream shadow for an easy smoky eye. But to wear this solo and you are either the same skin tone as me, a little lighter or a little darker - be prepared to do some work to get this shade to work for you!

But I love this shade and I'm glad I followed my heart by purchasing it.

I went with a nude, pink lip but I can also see this paired with a deeper plum or wine lip.

Solo or combined with a cream shadow, it's an easy shade to pull off if you are willing to put in the time and experiment with it. After all, isn't that what makeup is all about?

This was bought by yours truly at Nordstrom, SF - $24/USD.

Summertime in January LOTD

Here in SF we have reached temperatures in the 40's and rain - it is not fun and yes, I am thankful it wasn't snow. Either way, we are freezing are asses off! I didn't retreat to dark colors or ignore bronzer - I brought Summer to me, well Indian Summer since Summers in SF can be foggy.

On my eyes I used MAC Sumptuous Olive on top of Indianwood Paint Pot for a golden olive eye. Using a combination of two NARS bronzers warm up my complexion - Irresistiblement as a blush and Casino to contour. On my lips is MAC Chestnut Lip Pencil, NARS Hot Vodoo, copper frost and top with NARS Sweet Revenge Lipgloss, a sheer pink grapefruit.

Also, I started adding a drop of NARS Illuminator in Copacabana with my Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer. This gives me a better glow versus adding a drop of the same Illuminator liquid to my foundation.

This golden bronze look helps keep me warm, well my infinity scary and wool pea coat does most of the hard work!

Day 2 - Aubergine Lips

Aubergine....sounds so much nicer than eggplant lips, don't it?

Meet Train Bleu, NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

I know it's really dark.

It's pretty dark on the lips, too!

As you can see, it's a color that you need super smooth lips to pull off. I apologize, obviously someone hasn't been exfoliating regularly. Yes, I disgusted myself after looking at this picture. Also, this is too much color for a day at the office. Date night, it's on - especially since Mr. Lex tells me he likes a dark lip. But I would still need to tone this down because it reminds me of my high school goth girl days!

I hope he's down for this dark a lip!

So how did I tone this baby down? With a pink pearl shimmer gloss, of course!

After blotting and applying two light layers of gloss, I got a shade that is office appropriate.

Again, eyes are kept very nude and simple. I used a berry blush with gold shimmer (NARS Sin). I really love this look. Eggplant is a very tricky shade to wear because it's very easy to go into Goth Girl territory.  I'm not 16 anymore and I want to look vampy, not like I work at Hot Topic!

Here's a swatch on my NC 42 forearm:

Day 2 - successfully toned down a vampy eggplant into an office friendly berry shimmer!

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, $24
Available at fine department stores offering the NARS collection, Sephora and online.

Moon Fleet

Remember when I posted a sneak preview of my mini NARS haul last week? Well here's one of the mysterious items uncovered from the box. If you are familiar with NARS box sizes and one of my obsessions, then you already know it's a LIP GLOSS!

(MOON FLEET)

Moon Fleet is a pretty much a sheer gloss with loads and LOADS of finely milled gold and silver glitter.

See how sheer it is? You can barely see it on my arm. Well you could if I took this picture in bright, outdoor lighting.

Here's how it compares to NARS Greek Holiday and Urban Decay's XXX Shine in Baked:

(with flash)

Greek Holiday - sheer pink with gold glitter
Moon Fleet - sheer gold with gold and silver shimmer (easier to see when compared to other glosses)
Baked - bronze, deep sheer gold with lots of gold glitter and minty feel and scent.

The one thing in common these glosses have is the glitter shift. I just thought it was glittery shadows that would leave glitter fallout on your cheekbones. I find that the glitter from glosses like this wind up and settle either above my lip line or on my chin when the color fades. This is annoying and not very attractive, in my opinion. However, this will not stop me from purchasing sheer glittery glosses like this.

Would I wear it alone - no. Like I said it's very sheer and it doesn't show up very well on my brown pigmented lips. It also can accentuate any dry spots on my lips. I like layering this on top of my NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bahama, a brownish-pink. I also am curious to see what this looks like paired with my collection of reds and orange lipsticks. I layered this on top of NARS Ophelia gloss, light strawberry pink. I liked the results - the pink gave the sheer gold some depth.

My final assessment - I will be pulling out all my lipsticks and lip pencils because I'm not ready to throw in the towel just yet.

Moon Fleet is part of the NARS permanent collection. I bought this online but it is also available at Sephora (and Sephora JC Penny's) and all fine department stores that carry the NARS line
$24/USD/.28oz

Smog

Apparently, the marketing group at Urban Decay has a different concept of what smog looks like.

vs.



Image courteousy of U.S. EPA


Hmm...I'll have to rethink my argument.

Urban Decay's smog color is definitely a sexier version of what I recall from spending summers in Southern California with my relatives as a little girl. UD's Smog is a deep brown with a golden shimmer and irridescent sparkle, a very sensual looking bronze and one of my all time favorite UD eye shadows so you know I was super excited to find this shade as a liquid liner.

Lately, I've been eye lining obsessed and as a fan of the UD 24/7 collection, you know I couldn't wait to get my hands on a bottle of this stuff. Especially since I got over my fear of liquid liners. Okay so this may not be the first time I've used one but I usually favor pencils. Liquid sometimes accentuates any dry flaky parts of my eye - making any eczema outbreaks in this area look that much worse. Also, I'll forget I'm wearing it and rub my eye. It's usually not a pretty look after I realize I just ruined a perfectly black lined eye.

As you can see - no irritated looking eye here:

Other products used:
MAC Espresso e/s with #266 brush - eye brow
TFSI primer
NARS Biarritz - lid to browbone
NARS Cyprus - lid to crease only
Chanel Inimitable Noir Mascara

The brush tip is pretty flexible and since I like a more firm, felt tip I was a bit worried. Would I be able to have any control of this brush?

I have been using this for the past week and I now feel pretty confident using this but if you are a pro with type of liquid liner than this will be a cake walk. Just do remember to shake the bottle well before using. This is an easy color to wear. It's subtle, therefore low maintenance. I love this shade best with nothing more than MAC Indianwood Paint Pot on my lids and lots of layers of black mascara.

Other colors used:
NARS - Larger than Life Lip Gloss - Place Vendome
Chanel Joues Contraste - Rose Tourbillon (cheeks)
It is long wearing after it sets (takes about 55 seconds) and it will stay put. Glad to report that it doesn't irritate my eyes and I've been having bad bouts of allergies lately. It took some gentle rubbing with my Neutrogena oil-free eye makeup remover to get it all off. And once the color lifts, it flakes off.

Final assessment: I am thinking about which color to try next.

You can find this at Sephora, participating Macy's and online/$18 USD.

Larger Than Life: The Lip Gloss

I apologize now if this turns out to be a half-assed assessment. I want to just give my initial thoughts about this Sephora exclusive gloss from NARS.

The color I went with is Place Vendome, named after a square in the 1st arrondissement in Paris; I am also proud to say that I did visit this area when I went to Paris for the first time four years ago. This gloss is a bright raspberry color that will carry you from late Summer into Fall. 

I do like that the packaging is more transparent and has a smooth feel (aside from traditional, rubbery top) - you can see the color of the gloss better vs. the original (almost) rubbery tube. Sometimes, I wish that the original tube wasn't as opaque and milky, as it can distort the true color in the tube. However, it's not the biggest issue for me because I own many NARS glosses, this is just me trying to nitpick anything I can about the packaging.

Here's a swatch on my (NC42) arm:

And with flash:

(Sorry if color is a bit off - you will see below that it leans on the bluish, cool side on my lips)

The one thing that concerned me was the lilliputian brush tip. I prefer the doe foot applicator instead but I'm willing to give this a fair shot. 

I like that the brush is a bit stiff. I feel like I'm lining my lips rather than just slopping gloss on them. You get a more precise application. I'm a bit concerned though that because of the small brush, I'll need to dip the wand back into the tube for more product. Will this cause me to go through my gloss quicker than the regular NARS glosses that have the doe foot applicator? 

The gloss is just a touch lighter in feel than the regular NARS glosses but if I were to compare this to the sheer pink Easy Lover gloss, it is way lighter. I still don't understand why that gloss along with Babe and Ophelia feel so thick on my lips (but even those feel lighter in comparison to the MAC Lipglasses). Larger Than Life gloss feels comfortable on my lips like a Dolce and Gabanna gloss but I still feel that the D&G gloss is superior in terms of pigment. Then again, as reviews are subjective, it all depends on the color you choose and how naturally pigmented your lips are. Mine have a natural brownish-pink tint. Place Vendome gives me a nice red-raspberry stain once the color settles. The gloss is also unscented, which is not a deal breaker for me. If anything, I get suspicious of scents - I will experience mini-hysteria fearing that the heavy scent is going to make my skin react in a very negative way.

I can't exactly comment on wear time for now but I can give you a sneak preview of how it looks on my lips:

(someone needs to exfoliate!)

It's a pretty color. It leans on the cool side for me, which isn't bad at all. It definitely brightens my face. I feel like I could wear this with a semi-smoky eye and still be daytime, work appropriate. 

My Final Assessment - I will report back after wearing for a full day. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they do not make my lips freak out. Also, not sure why this is $2 more than the regular glosses when it contains less than the original (.0.19 oz vs. 0.28oz) I have high hopes that it can live up to it's claim of long lasting power - it shoulders a large responsibility since I now consider the Larger Than Life Eye Liner my NOW go-to black eye liner.

Okay maybe I am placing too much responsibility on this product. After all, it's only lip gloss, right?

Bought by yours truly - Sephora online, $26USD/.019oz.

Larger Than Life: Long-Wear Eyeliner

First, it was about the Orgasms, this past summer we were yearned for Laguna and now we want to be LARGER THAN LIFE!

Sitting alongside the Larger Than Life Mascaras are the new Larger Than Life Eyeliners. They come in nine fabulous colors. I thought I purchase the black pencil, Via Veneto because it's usually a staple in everyone's makeup bag. I feel that if the black liner doesn't deliver then I become dubious of the rest of colors offered.

I am glad to report that I'm in love with this new eyeliner and I cannot wait to try the other colors. My current go-to black pencil was MAC's Power Kohl Liner in Feline. It's pitch dark black but it also smudges like a MoFo so I am constantly reapplying this to my lash lines and water lines.

I applied this look - MAC Woodwinked on my lid, Soba in the crease and Arena on my browbone (on top of TFSI) - around 6:15AM. This looked stayed in tact past my treadmill running session at 1:00PM. This new NARS liner glides on easy without any tugging or resistance. It goes on pretty opaque and does not budge once it sets. I was most impressed that even my waterline still looked pretty good - I just touched that area up a bit.

Another added bonus that I love about this pencil is that it swivels and it also comes with an attached sharpener (on the end of the pencil) so you can restore the original sharp tip. It's not as delicate as the Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof pencil. I think I broke most of the tip off than I actually used when I tried to sharpen it. It pisses me off thinking about it considering how much they cost - $29! I even like this better than my old favorite, MAC's Technakohl liner in Graphblack. Yes it's inexpensive, it swivels and doesn't require a sharpener but if you like having a fine tip to your  eye liner then this pencil would frustrate you. Also, Via Veneto goes on a whole lot darker in just one swipe. I would have to trace at least 2-3 times to get MAC Technakohl in Graphblack to look as dark (see arm swatch below).

Here's Via Veneto right between MAC Technakohl Liner in Graphblack and UD 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Oil Slick. It looks like a strip of black leather between these two liners.

I got geeky and timed all three pencils to see which one set the quickest. Via Veneto did win with a drying time of a minute and ten seconds. Next was Graphblack -one minute and thirty-four seconds and surprisingly, the UD pencil took almost two minutes to set.

My Final Assessment - I'm trying to decide which color I will buy next! There is also the Larger Than Life Lip Gloss, a Sephora exclusive. I am eagerly waiting for my next mail haul to test that baby out!

This was purchased by yours truly at Sephora in JCPenny's, $23USD. Also available online.

Rose Tourbillon...a closer look

I wanted to share my initial thoughts on my first Chanel blush. At this point, I'm really wondering why it took me so long to purchase one. I guess, I am just really loyal to what I already like - NARS blushes and the few MAC blushes that are currently in my stash. I guess Chanel still intimidates me a bit. I don't feel like I'm really a Chanel type of gal - I'm a bit rough around the edges while the Chanel lady is pristine, elegant, drinks tea and doesn't stomp around like a Clydesdale horse when she walks. Plus, sometimes I feel that the colors don't always suit me - I really have to dig around and try a lot of colors to find something that will work.

That's okay because I have developed a patience and willingness to try and find a treasure that will work for me.

Like this:

Looking at my stash, I noticed that I don't have a whole lot of bright, hot pink, fuchsia blushes. From my understanding this was originally released as an Asia exclusive item. Since, I'm not the biggest Chanel fan it slipped my beauty radar. But once my favorite Chanel S.A. - the delightful, Ms. M - showed it to me, I was smitten.

I also want to give a special shout-out to Pink Sith for piquing my curiosity even more!

It pulls warm on my NC42 skin. I don't even mind the rose scent. It has a very fine, subtle shimmer. It's lovely. I don't have to dab this lightly on my cheeks like I do with my favorite blushes from NARS, that has the tendency to go on quite dramatic if you are not careful.

Here's the 3 hot pink blushes I currently own - clockwise from upper left:

MAC - Mineralize blush duo - Two Virtues
Chanel - Rose Tourbillon
NARS - Desire

Here's a little lineup on my forearm:

L to R:
Two Virtues
Rose Tourbillon
Desire

An almost Chanel exclusive face:

Eyes:
Chanel Illusion D'Ombre - Emerveille (lid to browbone)
NARS - Cyprus - crease
NARS - Biarritz - browbone
MAC - Fluidline gel liner - blacktrack - top lash line only
Chanel Inimitable - Noir/NARS Larger than Life Lengthening Mascara

Face:
Laura Mercier Oil-Free primer/SPF 20 tinted moisturizer - Caramel
Chanel Jouer Constraste - Rose Tourbillon

Lips:
Chanel Rouge Allure - #10/Attitude

I think Ms. M would be proud that I have this many Chanel products on my face today!

Final assessment - I now want this blush!

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre

Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon but that's only because I have an extremely soft spot for cream shadows. I have this romantic notion that with the sweep of a finger, I can have that almost natural eye look in just 2 minutes. But no matter how hard I try, I will need at least three other products to get my eyes look semi-awake!

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Emerveille does a great job of getting me look awake with just mascara (well almost, I still need to have a perfectly done brow!)

I tried to hold out and snap a picture of this lovely peach shadow before dipping the brush into the mousse-like texture but I am an extremely weak individual!

(I love the little brush it comes with)

And here it is compared to my beloved soft peach gold MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque.

Here's a swatch on my NC42 forearm:

L to R:
Emerveille, Rubenesque

Emerveille pulls on the cool side compared to the warm golden sheen of Rubenesque. It almost looks like a peach champagne shade with a lovely finely milled shimmer. Normally, this would make me walk away but there's something about this that I just love on my lids. Yes, it gives me that "my eyes but better" look.

Which is a good thing when you barely had six hours of sleep because you have to retrain yourself to sleep regular hours during the week coming off a vacation week.

Here it is on my lids and Chanel Inimitable Mascara - Noir on my lashes/NARS Larger than Life Lengthening Mascara - Black layered with it. MAC Espresso e/s on my brows.
I used the brush included with the shadow pot. Then I blended the color with my ring finger to my brow bone to diffuse any harsh lines or deposits of color settling in one spot.

For just a hint of definition/color - I added NARS Outremer (bright true blue) on 3/4 of my lower lash line and the outer corner of my top lashline with a dry slanted brush (MAC #266). I will wet the brush next time to see if I get more of an intense color. I didn't add any other shadow. I think this is as basic as it gets for me.

I am happy with my color choice and I cannot wait to pick up another one (or two) of the new Chanel Illusion D'Ombre. I am even more thankful that these are permanent and I don't have to rush back to the counter.

As if that's the only reason I need to run back to the Chanel counter!






Purchased by yours truly at Nordstrom, $36 USD/14oz.

I'm back!

So I had a lovely time off in Disneyland and visiting with my relatives in Orange County. I did make time to do some quality outlet shopping as well as picking up a few things at the local Nordstrom on the first official day of their annual Anniversary Sale.

I just wanted to share a few pictures of some of my loot - yes, I realize I said SOME...

(NARS velvet matte lip pencil - Bahama, shadow - Outremer, Chanel Illusion D'Ombre - Emerveille)

And yes, the Nordstrom Exclusive NARS palette for the anniversary sale:

(NARS - Bright Lights, Big City)

I love this palette because it consists of NARS single shadows and surprisingly, I don't own any of them until now.

I also picked up a Chanel glossimer from the Fall collection, #158/Braise, copper rose with gold shimmer and I am waiting for the Chanel  Rose Tourbillon Joues Contraste (blush) that's a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale exclusive. It'll be the one thing I'm waiting for in the mail. I'm super anxious about this because it's my first Chanel blush. Now I just have to decide what my first Chanel eye palette will be - any suggestions?

I even bought three new pairs of shoes - 1 pair from the Citadel outlet and 2 pairs from the Nordstrom sale. I promise pictures will be coming soon. I'm really excited to bust these out - like 'first day of school excited' but I still have to remind myself that technically it's still Summer and I need to enjoy the long days even though the sunny days are far and few between here up North.

The weather was perfect while in Anaheim - mid to upper 70's for the most part. I got lucky on Sunday, the fog actually burned off and we had lovely clear skies and got to enjoy a lovely sunset from our front window.

Unfortunately, the mini princess was sick the entire vacation but she did manage to enjoy herself while seeing the Disney Princesses and riding the carousel (a total of 6 times over the course of a 2-day visit).

Here she is seeing the BIG 3 - Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora

I think she's mad at me for not buying her a tiara to go with her Princess dress.

And for her 4th birthday (next year) maybe I'll splurge on a makeover at this place:

I better start saving up now - they mean serious business in that shop!

June Favorites

I never post my favorites for a particular month and since it's the first week of July, no time like the present to reflect on what I was crushing in the month of June!

Special thanks to the very cute and not so mundane, Dovey for influencing me to look at what I loved in the month of June.

Plus, I need to save up for my upcoming family, Disney adventure (YAY) and I previewed some serious products at Nordstrom for their anniversary sale - LOOKING AT YOU NARS LIMITED EDITION PALETTE and what could possibly be my very first Chanel blush!

I know it's a hefty list but these are the items I have been reaching for most days last month - especially on weekends and lazy weekday mornings!

I broke it down just to make things easier on everyone:

Top Row:
UD Rollergirl palette (Crush, hot pink gloss, Lip Junkie deluxe sample size not shown)
NARS Dogon Duo
NARS Irresistiblement Bronzer

Bottom Row (L to R)
Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer in Caramel
LM oil free primer
NARS Copacabana Illuminator (I use a drop with my tinted moisturizer for a touch of iridescence)

Clockwise from upper left:

NARS Multiple in South Beach
MAC Fluidline liner in Blacktrack
Chanel Bronzer - Bronze Corail
MAC #266 - to apply gel liner - I use a different #266 brush for my brows
NARS Stylo Nuits Blanches
NARS lipstick - Hot Voodoo
MAC lip pencil - Chestnut
NARS gloss - Sweet Revenge
MAC Lipglass - Evolution Revolution
Laura Mercier - Ambre Rose

And two items that deserves a special shout out:

Left to Right:
NARS Taj Mahal
NARS Gilda

I think the break out star has been my NARS Multiple in South Beach, a lovely shimmering apricot, just because I never really understood the proper way to use it. Now, I can't leave the house without it on my face. I love patting it on tops of my cheekbones to my temples or I use it blended on my apples layering another blush on top of it - this is how I get NARS Orgasm to show up on my warm skin. Another stand out is a product that I haven't used in ages but use to wear daily more than ten years ago - MAC Chestnut liner. This intense brown liner warms up the pink copper NARS Hot Voodoo lipstick.

It should no surprise to anyone that my summer choices consist of peach, orange, coral blushes, or golden shadows. I am still trying to get the hang of the NARS Dogon duo because I still feel that the duo chrome (left) shadow side is light on me and I have to apply up to 3 layers of this color to get the intensity that I want. I do love the blackened blue (right) for summer smoky night eyes.

With Fall collections launching right now in July, I am curious to see what I'll be using the most. Even though, the weather in Daly City, CA is a constant sad, gray fog and I come to work in sunny 70 degree weather in SF, it'll be a struggle between moody, fall colors and happy, bronzey golds.