NARS MAKEUP YOUR MIND EXPRESS MAKEUP

NARS MAKEUP YOUR MIND EXPRESS MAKEUP

This makeup book was released just a short while ago and while i couldn't wait for a UK release i ordered it from amazon.com! Woohooo! How come i can order a book from the states and have it arrive in 3 days and yet ordering something from London can take 5 working days! Argh!

Anyway ...

I loved the original book. But this book takes the what was great about the first and then goes far and beyond.

Using "real" women and not models, this book has women in their 20s right up 60s (granted only a few - but its a step in the right direction eh!). This book should inspire you to "rethink" your makeup and if not just be in awe of how amazing most of the women look.

Each section is split into 20s, 30s-40s and 50s plus.

Clearly the above sample is from the 20s section. Not every makeup look is suitable to everyone but you are sure to find a style to three here that you just love.

The pages are split into before:

Hair is always tied back and nothing else on the skin. The best thing about this is that you're not distracted away from the face.

The after shot comes in two forms:

A clear plastic overly is placed over the final shot showing you what product where used and where. Cool eh. So even if you don't want to go out and buy all the products featured you at least know where to put them and better still, the colours are explained as well as the NARS product names.

The final shot is without the plastic overlay

(Sorry about the shiny forehead - my camera)

Here are a few more shots to admire ...

The final two shorts make me just fall in love with makeup over and over again. When i first got this book i loved it but when i came to this photo i just couldn't stop looking at it. Perhaps it reminded me of why i like makeup the way i do, ie - certain looks over others. Its strong, yet bold but utterly wearable. There is no STRONG brow highlight. The cheek bones are highlighted - its just utterly breathtaking to me.

This, to me, is perfection. Its my ideal makeup. I adore it.

If you haven't yet please check out NARS MAKEUP YOUR MIND - along with Rae Morris Makeup Book(s) its worth every penny.

MAC BIG BOUNCE Review

MAC BIG BOUNCE!

So many people are getting excited about these and i can see why - or i could. I got the chance to test run these and sadly - they don't live up to the claims.

MAC claim these last for hours and give off a "luminescent" wash of colour. The second being true - the first, NO.

All the shades i tried they all creased. The only way to stop this is to use an eyeshadow on top. But whats the point of that? To build intensity? Might as well use a primer. 

THESE CREASE and they crease big time.

I wish i could come up with something really positive to say about these and with MAC offering so many great options these really are something to skip. With Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier and other companies offering amazing cream eyeshadows, this is really a big set back for MAC and cream eyeshadows in general. 

If you like these let me know, if you don't let me know :)

DIOR 1 Colour Eyeshadow

Hmmmmmm, i just don't know. I bought these for review only a week ago and i'm left undecided.

Firstly these retail at £20.50 each (i think) for 2.2g of product. This is high end.

Almost all shades contain some degree of shine but when on the browns (mostly) end up looking mostly matte (a good thing!).

Some shades are also HIGHLY shimmery - so something for everyone.

When i applied this to begin with a crease brush i was very disappointed with the pigment level. Nothing much picked up. I was thinking "are you kidding me" i just paid £20.50 for this! And i bought 8! I tend applied them with a standard eyeshadow brush and INSTANT PIGMENT! Much better.

These are without a doubt the creamiest eyeshadows i've used. They go on like a powder and the fall out is minimal. I love the intensity these provide and i'm impressed. These are not as good as DIOR 2 eyeshadows - which are amazing - but if you're looking for a high end purchase then you can do worse than this brand.

What is it with DIOR that just makes you feel "i'm worth it" - or is that L'Oreal?!?!?

NARS Portrait of Paradise Blusher Trio

Three iconic NARS products, one portable zip-around compact. Excited? Orgasm Blush, Albatross Highlighting Powder, and Laguna Bronzing Powder. Limited edition. 


I saw this today in John Lewis in Cardiff. I was buying some items to review and this beauty stood out. It actually stood out for three reasons. 


1. I like NARS.
2. Its much much bigger than i thought it would be. 
3. I don't normally like limited edition items. What's the point? If you really love it - too bad - its gone!


Retailing in the UK at £39.00 this is a medium/high end purchase. 


Providing you fall into the light/medium skin tone range this will work nicely for you. Its shame that another version of this doesn't exist for ladies of colour - as these shades will sadly not work on many deeper skin tones.


Everyone knows Orgasm so pointless going on. A peachy/pink colour infused with shimmer. Albatross highlighter which gives off a HIGH shine/shimmer glow and Laguna Bronzer.


My only pev is that do you really need - Laguna Bronzer (shimmer), Orgasm blush (shimmer) and Albatross (shimmer) - this much shimmer? I would have liked at last one shade pure matte but thats more a personal thing.


If this is something you think you like or have let me know.

New Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturiser

Bobbi Say's


SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free

Created for women with oily skin who want light moisture, sheer coverage and sun protection in one, Bobbi's new gel-based formula is the perfect alternative to foundation. Light and refreshing, it glides on smoothly, blends easily and provides a hint of coverage for soft, even and natural-looking skin. Vitamins C and E protect skin from free radical damage, while SPF 15 helps prevent sun damage.

My Thoughts: 

Designed to provide a HINT of colour for the most "natural looking skin". A gel based formula that is "oil" free for those of you with normal to oily skin tones.

This provides sheer to light coverage for those of you that prefer this type of product. 

As far as "how long will it last" that depends on your skin type. The more oily the skin type the less likely the product will hang around.

This is not a product for use on dry skins but Bobbi Brown does have a formula for normal/dry skins that is just as good as this one but in a more moisturising base. 

If you're looking for a product that this light and you're not a foundation girl, this is for you. 

On a more personal note - this is not something that i would buy. I tested it in store and while i can see lots of people would love it - for me its a miss.

If i wanted a tinted moisturiser i would rather buy a foundation and half and half with a moisturiser or sunscreen. The product would go further and you'd get better value for your money.

This retails at £27 / $40 for 50ml. 

What are your thoughts? Did you like the original? Do you prefer the new version? Are you a tinted moisturiser girl? Let me know... feed back is wanted :)