Hey Glossies,

The beauty destination today is Kuala Lumpur. Not the KL of Malaysia, where the residents are called KLites, where many visitors flock to the Butterfly Park and where the National Textiles Museum is located (my top 5 of things to do in KL)….One day though! The Kuala Lumpur as in the eye shadow duo (Rose gold / Boysenberry infused with gold) by NARS Cosmetics.

I received Kuala Lumpur as a Christmas gift (from myself).   I like this duo, though not unique.  The rose gold side is similar to MAC Expensive Pink e/s and the Boysenberry side is similar to MAC Cranberry or Sex-pectations e/s except it has flecks of fine gold glitter.

I have stated this time and time again, NARS lighter eye shadow shades are, ofttimes, blotchy on me. My remedy was to wet the peachy pink side using MAC Charged Water – Renewal Defense, which made the shadow, as it should, more intense.  Truth be told, I am not always keen on wetting shadows because, depending on the shade, the process can exaggerate the texture of the skin on my eye lids.  Despite my issue with wetting, I think it turned pretty cool.

The Boysenberry side is great, blends well.  The glitter really isn’t that oppressive.  The flash of the camera really highlighted the stray glitter, but when I looked into the mirror or in non-flash pics, I could not see much or any glitter.

FOTD Details

Face

• Primer
• MAC Select Cover-Up – NC50
• NARS Sheer Matte Foundation – Macao
• Clinique Blended Face Powder – Transparency 5

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Oil control lotion
• MAC GreasePaint Stick – Brown, Now
• Purley Cosmetics – CTP in Bronzed Brown
• NARS Kuala Lumpar
• Too Faced Duo e/s – Beauty Marrk (Pink side only)
• Laura Gellar Baked e/l – Dutch Chocolate
• Revlon Bronzed Copper e/s
• MAC Charged Water – Renewal Defense
• Shu Uemura Paint Liner – Brown (M)
• MAC False Lashes mascara

Cheek

• LORAC TANtalizer Baked Bronzer

Lips

• MAC  Velvetta Creme l/l
• NARS Sex Machine Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
• NYX La~La l/g

Non-Flash

Me singing "I Want You" by Cee-Lo Green

I am planning for the next beauty destination, where will it be???

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

Over the past few months, I have been excited by neutral looks. (Don’t get me wrong, I still love my greens, purples and pinks!) After listening to Beauty Talk with Illusions Cosmetics on Thursday, I wanted to try a more naked look than what I am normally do.

So a couple of years, I purchased NARS Voyage e/s.  The color is a soft sandy matte with flecks of gold shimmer.  I was rather excited about the possibilities of this shadow.  A great  shadow for a naked/neutral look.  Ok the problem…no primer/base would allow the shadow to NOT be blotchy looking.   I have sobbed a time or two in my face wipes mumbling “why can’t I make this shadow work?”  Then one day I heard a voice from on high or maybe it was Milan Rouge‘s post about using NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk that gave me inspiration. Four months later, I purchased pencil.  I finally gave it a go and it worked well. *Pop lockin’* Definitely a must-have!

My next challenge is to make NARS Night Star.  Stay tuned!!!

Face

• Primer
• Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse foundation – Caramel
• NARS Sheer Glow foundation – New Orleans

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Oil-Free Lotion
• NYX Jumbo eye pencil – Milk
• NARS Voyage
• Purely Cosmetics CTP – Bronzed Brown
• NARS Mekong
• Tarte EmphasEYES™ Waterproof Clay Shadow / Liner – Black
• Maybelline Falsies mascara

Cheeks

• Natural Glow

Lips

• Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick – Wild Plum

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

I was reading the current issue of Glamour magazine and I spotted an ad with Kim Kardashian rocking a smoky brown eye look.  My favorite thing about Kimmie  is her makeup because it always classic and flawless.

A smoky brown look

I am so all about using color and having fun that I forget about the dignity and elegance of brown.  I decided to recreate a softer look using NARS Pleasures of Paris palette.  (Sidebar: I love NARS palettes because the colors are quite functional for daily use.  I believe that Francois Nars really thinks about his customers (clients) and packages colors that they can really use.)

NARS Pleasures of Paris Palette Swatches (no base)

Fez e/s is a “velvety cocoa”  which is a tad deeper in person.  Mekong e/s is an “espresso infused with gold.” <— is my favorite dark brown shadow.  When it come out in the Fall ’09 collection, I scooped it up right away.  Definitely a must-have for all eyes!!  The Cordura e/s in the palette is actually part of a duo.  I think it is similar to Mekong (slightly redder and darker than Cordura).

FOTD

Face:

• MAC Select Cover-up – NC50
• Iman foundation stick – Earth 2 / Clay 5
• MAC MSF – Dark

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Oil-Free Lotion
• MAC Indianwood p/p
• NARS Fez e/s
• NARS Mekong e/s
• NARS Nepal e/s
• Maybelline Gel Liner – Black
• MAC Haute and Naughty mascara

Cheeks

• Lorac  TANtalizer Baked Bronzer

Lips

• Random Sephora lip gloss
• MAC Corps-de-Ballet lipglass

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

NARS Rajasthan and I are going to be booed up all season long.  It has to be one of my favorite NARS duos of all time.  I have worn it twice already and I plan to wear it again very soon.  Rajasthan definitely can be used for day and night.  The metallic beige on the lid can spice up any work (day) look and the deep green/blue/black on the lid will glam up the night.

FOTD

Face:

• Laura Mercier Primer
• MAC Select Cover-up – NC50
• NARS Sheer Glow – Cadiz
• NARS Sheer Glow – New Orleans
• MAC MSF – Dark

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Oil-Free Lotion
• MAC Indianwood p/p
• Purely Cosmetics Cream-to-Powder – Bronze
• Revlon Shimmering Sienna e/s
• NARS Rajasthan e/s
• MAC Deep Dark p/g
• Tarte EmphasEYES™ Waterproof Clay Shadow / Liner – Black
• Covergirl Exact Eyelights mascara – Black Pearl

Cheeks

• Lorac  TANtalizer Baked Bronzer

Lips

• Chanel Glossimer Coral Love #146

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

I finally tried NARS foundation and I purchased MAC’s Love Lace e/s.  More on the foundation later.

I do not own any color that is similar to Love Lace…the color reminds me of denim (a combination of navy blue and grey). I totally love the color and the texture.  Veluxe Pearl is my favorite MAC texture and can do no wrong. Initially, I applied Love Lace with no primer and I was pleased with color payoff.  (As long as I have used MAC, I have never sampled the e/s without a primer.)

On to the foundation. I went into a popular chain store to get matched to NARS.  The MA was pleasant.  She did not  the unthinkable, she did not remove the foundation to match my skin to the appropriate shading. I gasped and took the samples and left the store.  I thought, “Who the heck matches foundation without removing foundation? What if the customer/client is wearing the wrong shade to begin with?” Sidear: I am always telling my friends that they have to be active participants in the matching process because some MAs will not do the right thing.  I went to another chain store and tested and received samples of NARS Sheer Glow Foundation and I tried Macao, New Orleans and Benares.  The latter shades are too dark for most of my face, but New Orleans [Who Dat! ] and Benares work well on the lower part of my face. Macao works well on the rest of my face.

I like the fact that NARS really understands the intricate shading of WOC, even in the descriptions. Macao is listed as Medium-dark 4-Medium-dark with deep yellow undertone, New Orleans is Medium-dark 5-Medium-dark with yellow undertone and Benares is Dark 2 – Dark with golden undertone.

I am very pleased with NARS Sheer Glow foundation, which is neither sheer nor glowy.  The coverage is good, medium buildable. Definitely feels light against skin.  When I looked at my face, I forget that I was wearing foundation…it does look quite natural.  I love it!!

Face

• MAC Select Cover-up – NC50
• NARS Macao Sheer Glow Foundation
• Prescriptives Custom Blend Foundation (Base #5)
• Clinique Blended Face powder Transparency #5
• Prescriptives Custom Blend Powder (Base #5)

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Medi-Matte™ Oil Control Lotion SPF 20
• Stila Smudge Pot – Gray
• Purely Cosmetics CTP – Slate Blue
• MAC Love Lace e/s
• L’Oreal HiP Duo – Platinum (Side:Black with flecks of silver glitter)
• Smashbox Eyelights – (Peach side)
• Shu Uemura Paint Liner – Black
• Makeup For Ever Aqua Eyes mascara
• Barry M Kohl Pencil – Black

Lips

• MAC Tender Tone – Sweet Tooth
• Revlon Matte – Cocoa Craving

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

Recently, I went to the first holiday party of the season.  It was fun times with fabulous friends!!

I planned to do a smoky look with my newly-acquired NARS Night Breed, but I decided to use the L’Oreal HiP Duo in Electrified. Electrified duo =  plum-infused silverish-taupe and metallic plum.  I love this combo!!!

I also wore the FACE Atelier Diamond Pink lipstick.  I love pink lipstick because every woman, regardless of skin tone, can wear a shade of pink.   I like the Diamond Pink color because it is sheer yet buildable. The texture is great and when the color, finally faded, my lips were left soft and supple.

Face Atelier Diamond Pink Lipstick

On my face, I wore

• MUFE HD Foundation 177
• Clinique Clinique Perfectly Real Liquid Foundation – 47
• Napolean Perdis Foundation Stick #7
• FACE atelier’s Ultra Loose Powder – Translucent
• MAC MSF Natural – Medium Deep

I really liked the FACE Atelier Loose Powder. A little goes a long way, so to my Women of Color, do not fear this product does not ash.  Since the MSF Natural products do not reduce shine, I suggest wearing the Loose Powder under the MAC MSF Natural.  The Loose Powder kept shine at bay for hours and I love that. My skin is not oily in general, but since the weather has turned cold, the heat goes up and the sweat can begin. lol

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Mix Maven

Hello Glossies,

Happy 15 year anniversary to NARS Cosmetics!! Thank you, Mr. Francois Nars for creating such a luxe beauty brand.

There are two NARS books that I want…must have!! *Looking around at Santa* lol

I want the NARS 15 x 15 Project. This book is a collection of 15 celebrities commemorating 15 years of NARS Cosmetics.  The colors are vibrant, makeup edgy, yet flawless, and the best thing is that profits from the sale of the books equally goes to the charities selected by the 15 celebs.  Definitely worth the price. My fave picture is the one with Marc Jacobs. I love  that he is  wearing the Dovima nail polish, which I have and love!!  He is also looks fab in the rouge lipstick and his eyelashes melts my heart. LOL

I must confess that I do not own a lot of beauty books.  (I love collecting interior design books!!) So when I saw, Makeup Your Mind on QVC, I knew that this book had to be apart of my collection.  The book “is a comprehensive compilation of Before and After photographs, each containing instructional acetate overlays, covering almost every face type, complexion, eye color, and facial feature.” I just love the overlay idea!!

Need more NARS reading material, run to the closest newsstand or bookstore on November 24, 2009 and check out the fantastic article in the upcoming December 2009 issue of Allure Magazine celebrating the man, the myth, the legend, Francois Nars and his 15 years of rocking the world of cosmetics.

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

NARS and I are becoming BBFs (Best Beauty Friends).  I have been very pleased with the products, especially the mid-tone and darker eye shadows and the nail polishes. So I decided to pick up NARS Balthazar e/s duo.  From the first time I swatched it, I know that we were going to get on well.  In the post, “NARS Attacks”, I talked about how I would probably not purchase NARS again, but the possibility of changing my mind is always there.  Well, I am really enjoying NARS. :p I think that Balthazar would be flattering on all skin-tones.

I got a chance to see the NARS premiere show on QVC (<—my new must-see TV) and, of course, I was impressed with products that I have still have not tried (fo shame!)  i.e. the multiple sticks and e/l stylos. So I mozied on over to  Sephora to see swatch the stylos.  I am impressed with them. I left the Sephora and ran a few more errands the liners on my hand did not budge!

NARS Stylo - Blue Bayou and Nuits Blanches

FOTD

Face

• Clinique Supermoisture Makeup – Amber
• MAC MSF Natural – Dark

Eye

• MAC Matte Gel
• MAC Constructivist P/P
• Purely Cosmetics CTP in Copper and Bronzed Brown
• NARS Balthazar (both sides)
• MAC Mystery e/s
• LORAC Superstar Trio (gold)
• Shu Uemura Painting Liner  – Black
• L’Oreal Telescopic Explosion mascara

Lips

• Urban Decay Wicked l/l
• MAC Pink Manish l/g

Mix Maven

I know, I know there have been many Beauty Friends and Family sales going for the last couple weeks.  Well, there are more sales going on now.

My favorite Beauty.com is having a 20% off Friends and Family Sale, now until 11/6/2009 11:59 PST. FYI, NARS Holiday Collection is now available on Beauty.com. The great thing about Beauty.com is the 5% rebate that can be earned on each order.  I also use Ebates to earn an extra 6% rebate on my order.  The cool thing about Ebates is that I get cash back i.e a check.  I amazed amazed at how many Beauty e-tailers offer rebates through Ebates.

Also Makeup.com is having a 50% off sale (Coupon Code is 50OFF) on the Boutique Brands and 70% Off (Coupon Code is 70OFF) on the Prestige Brands until Sunday, 11/8/2009.   Please note that only items that have the coupon code near the price listing is on sale.  Ebates offers a 9% rebate on all Makeup.com purchases.   So stock up on the favorite beauty goodies.  ….Maybe get some gifts for the upcoming holiday season.

Happy Haulin’,

Mix Maven

I am really enamored with Young Punk m/es to the point that I compare everything to it.  So I noticed that the Black Violet side of NARS Brousse has tiny flecks of pinkish/purple glitter.  I thought, “Wow, this color looks like it could be Young Punk’s distant relative.”

I really got frustrated with this duo until I decided to use the Black Violet side all over the eye and used the Sable (brownish-taupe side) underneath the highlight color.

FYI, the lip color is really not that red.

Face

• Clinique Perfectly Real Liquid Foundation – 46 (N)
• Clinique Blended Face Powder – Transparency 5

Eye

• MAC Matte Gel
• MAC Groundwork P/P
• Purely Cosmetics CTP in Bronzed Brown
• NARS Brousse (both sides)
• TheBalm ShadyLady Mischievous Marissa e/s
• L’Oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner – Black
• Tarte lights, camera, lashes! mascara – Black

Cheeks

• NARS Torrid blush

Lips

• Stila Lip Glaze – Fruit cake

Mix Maven