Nars Sin / Casino Bronzing Blush Duo Swatches

Hi lovelies,

I recently received my Nars Sin / Casino duo in my first ever swap on MakeupAlley and I'm so pleased to report it went as smoothly as can be.  I have featured this duo in a video on my YouTube channel, please click this link to view if you are interested.

I have been wanting to try "Sin" for a long time.  It's quite a unique colour and is very lovely although quite sheer on me, but as with most Nars products it is buildable.  On the Nars website it is described as "Berry with gold shimmer", I would say it is pale golden plum colour, it's really pretty and ideal for autumn.  It reminds me of Mac Trax eyeshadow as it has that same two tone colour effect but is a lighter in tone.

I'm not keen on too much shimmer so I try to tap those off before applying.  It is very finely milled and feels luxurious.  Even though it has a bit more shimmer than I prefer I have to admit it does give a lovely glow and colour to my cheeks.  It hasn't replaced my love for my Mac Plum Foolery blush, I'm quite loyal to this as I love the effect it gives my cheeks.

The Casino bronzer was the icing on the cake for me in this duo as I had no idea whether it would show up on me (Mac NC44, Nars Sheer Glow Cadiz foundations) so that I could use it for contouring, thankfully it shows up quite a bit and is buildable too, so perfect for contouring. 

On the Nars website it is described as "dark brown with gold shimmer", which is pretty accurate.  If you see the swatch below on my arm it looks like quite a warm colour, it compliments my skin which has yellow/olive undertones.  I don't notice any shimmer on my skin.

Below are some swatches which are video stills from my video mentioned above.

Right Nars Sin, left Nars Casino

Left Nars Casino, right Nars Sin



Left Nars Casino, right Nars Sin




I hope this post has been of some help to you :-)  Thanks for reading.

Diane x

FOTD Nars Gina, Estee Lauder Crystal Baby, Urban Decay Naked Palette

Below is the look I created today, photos taken from my video showing some of the products used in this link;-

Products and how to;

Eyes
UD Primer Potion
Mac Spiked eyebrow pencil on eyebrows
MUFE F&B foundation to even out tone, set with Benefit Powderflage
Urban Decay Naked Palette, Toasted on lid, Hustle outer V and crease, Buck Crease to blend Hustle, Naked as eyebrow higlight, 24/7 glide on liner in Whiskey on lower waterline.
Clinique brush on liner in True black upper lash line and lower lash line
Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

Face
Make Up For Ever Face & Body Foundation #18 & #26 mixed
Nars Sheer Loose powder in Mountain
Nars Casino bronzer in cheek hollows for contour
Nars Gina Blusher
Mac Vanilla pigment top of cheek bones for highlight
Eve Pearl Salmon concealer in Tan undereyes set with Benefit Powderflage

Lips
Mac Creamola lipliner all over as base
Mac Cork lipliner as outline
Estee Lauder Pure Colour Crystal lipstick in Crystal Baby

I hope you like this look.  Toasted eyeshadow is lovely, I don't think my pic does it justice and the EL lipstick is gorgeous.

Hope you have all had a lovely weekend and enjoy what is left of it.

Diane x

redherring Nail Collection

Yesterday I popped into my nearest Debenhams department store to see if there were any bargains to be had that I didn't see on the website, and I spotted a set of redherring nail polishes.

You may be able to see that it only costs £5 but as it was the last day of the sale, I got it for £4.50, that's 7 x 10ml nail polishes for £4.50, what a bargain.  In particular, I'm really looked forward to trying the 2nd one in from the left, light grey/purple matt colour, the darker plum purple and the glitter metallic deep purple I'm also eager to try.  I've no idea what the consistency will be like, the quality of the finish or the durability.  Will test them out and perhaps post about them again later.

They had lots of these on the shelf, with lots of redherring make-up sets (they looked like they were geared to teenagers) and lip gloss sets, but I decided to just stick with the polishes.

I can't believe they are such a bargain even before the sale discount, what that means in terms of quality I shall see...

Thanks for reading :-)

Diane x

Nails Inc, Benefit, Urban Decay - Debenhams Offer

The Debenhams 25% off sale with free UK delivery ends tomorrow 11th September 2010.

There is a Nails Inc. offer which is as follows;-

Nails Inc. Gorgeous Gift – Worth £35*

Free gift including 3 full size polishes and Kensington Hand Cream, is yours with 2 or more Nails Inc. purchases.

Including:

- Aubrey Walk – Dark Navy

- Drury Lane – Hot Coral

- Mulberry Walk – Mulberry Shimmer

- Kensington Hand Cream 50ml

*Value based on price per ml of standard selling item. One per customer, whilst stocks last.


There are other offers available, this link will take you to the offers page on the Debenhams website.
There are offers on lots of brands not only the usual high end brands like Estee Lauder etc but also includes Illamasqua.

I've placed an order for a few items myself, I can never pass up a good Debenhams sale especially when there is free delivery offered or I can get a find a free delivery code, plus where possible, I always shop online via the Topcashback website to earn money on the money I spend!  I like to shop savvy!!!

Happy shopping :-)

Diane x

Urban Decay Naked Palette Day time look for special occasion

I wore this look for family birthday celebrations held during the day.  I really loved the way it turned out so wore it to two different events within a few days of each other. 

I did a video on YouTube creating this look, I had to separate it into two videos as YouTube corrupted the sound after process, if you would like to check them out here are the links; Intro Day time birthday look Urban Decay Naked Palette, Intro Day time birthday look Urban Decay Naked Palette, Main Day time birthday look Urban Decay Naked Palette.

Here's the how to for this look;

Eyes:
Urban Decay Naked Palette:
Gunmetal lid, Buck crease, Naked eyebrow highlight, Darkhorse lower lash line, 24/7 glide on liner Whisky bottom waterline & Zero top waterline
Max Factor False lash effect mascara

Face:
Nars Sheer Glow Cadz
Nars Loose Mountain Albatross
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer Tan set with Benefit Powderflage
Bourjois Bronzing powder contour hollows of cheeks and temples
Mac Sunny By Nature MSF as bronzer on cheeks, temples and chin

Mac Gingerly mixed with Sunbasque blushes,
Mac Cremola lipliner all over as a base, Cork lipliner as outline, Shy Girl lipstick, Over Indulgence Creamsheen glass

I hope you enjoy this look, I know I did and will be wearing it again.  Not bad at all for my first look with my new Naked Palette, even if I do say so myself ;-)

Diane x

FOTD Megan Fox Inspired Look

Here is a look I created for my birthday night out, hope you like it.  I posted a tutorial on YouTube, please click this link Megan Fox Inspired Look to view.

What I wore and wear;-

Eyes:


Nars smudge proof eyeshadow base,
Mac Coral Crepe paint pot, on lid and up over crease
Mac Arena on lid
Mac Rule crease and just over, with Nars Bohemian Gold II (9947 palette) layered over the top
Mac All That Glitters inner corner highlight
Mac Ricepaper eyebrow highlight
Bobbi Brown Black Ink Gel Eyeliner top and bottom lash lines
Bobbi Brown Espesso eyebrows
Nars Night Flight (9947 palette) blended over gel eyeliner on lower lash line
Bourjois Regard Effet Metallic Eyeliner 54 bleu clinquant Waterproof in bottom waterline
Givenchy Phenomenon Eyes Mascara

Face:

Illamasqua Satin Primer
Make Up Forever HD Concealer 345
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation Cadiz
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer - Tan
Ilamasqua Libido Creme Blush layered over with Mac Stereo Rose MSF
Bourjois Bronzing powder hollows of cheek bones, temple, sides of nose and under jaw line
Nars loose powder Mountain

Lips:

Mac lip liner Cremola all over as a base, Cork as outline, Shy Girl lipstick, Richer Lusher Creamsheen glass

An amazing highlight and affordable too!

Whilst trying to create a low key and quick summery look I stumbled upon this little gem already in my collection but hardly used, it is a Barry M Dazzle Dust No.49 (Fawn). I put it on my eyelids, then decided to try it out on the tops of my cheek bones and up to my brow bone in a C shape as a highlight. I was so amazed at the lovely highlight it gave me, luminous glowing skin, just beautiful and it lasted all day, was so amazed I couldn't stop checking it (myself) out whenever I got the opportunity!

Here is a picture for you:

Left heavy swatch, right blended

I think this would work on most women of colour, tan skins and up, I'm no expert but possibly from Mac NC35 upwards range.  For reference I'm Mac NC44.

Barry M is available direct at http://www.barrym.com/ or from Superdrug and Boots here in the UK, cost for Dazzle Dusts is usually £4.50, although these stores tend to have discounts or 3 for 2 offers quite often.

I'm guessing you could also put a little of this on top of your lipgloss, (perhaps in the middle of your lips) to take it up a notch or even try putting a little in your moisturiser/foundation to get an all over glow but I'd be careful with that.

Thanks for stopping by and reading :-) 

Diane x