Saturday, October 16, 2010Y
NARS Haul from Taiwan
My NARS haul from Taipei. I am now a NARS convert!
My haul from NARS is rather huge... I have been lemming for NARS for about a year or so, and when I was at the NARS counter I had a had time controlling myself. I really wanted to get a few more blushes, eye shadow duos and palettes, but somehow I managed to restraint myself and got eight items (only!!).
I know that eight items may sound like a lot to some people but then I did budget on how much to spend at the NARS counter (I did spend within my budget) and I have been saving up on my trip for more than a year.
I got three
eye shadow duos, one
blush, one liquid foundation, one primer, nail polish and a palette.
The shades I got for myself are Taiga, Kalahari and Tzarine (which is new for Fall 2010).
Taiga is described as pale gold frost (left) and gold infused pewter (right).
Kalahari is described as gold confection (left) and sugared cocoa (right).
Tzarine is described as platinum gold infused with gold and silver reflections (right) and steel gray (left).
So far of the three duos I bought, I have only used Tzarine (tried it for the first time two days ago). The two shades are really very very pretty. However, the lighter shade is not as pigmented so I had to pack on a bit more for it to show up on my lids. The darker shade is rather pigmented and really showed up well. This eyeshadow is very easy to blend (even with fingers) and even though both shades are very shimmery and soft (but not crumbly), there are no fall outs (but that maybe because I used a primer underneath).
This are my initial thoughts, I shall update again once I used it a few more times.
I also bought the blush in the shade amour.
It is described as a peachy pink and has no shimmer. I swatched it with my fingers at the counter and it was very pigmented but the makeup artist at NARS assured me that it would not be so pigmented if I used a brush.
I also got the highly raved
Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base. This is more pricey than UDPP which cost $28 for 0.34 Oz., while this cost $34 for 0.28 Oz.. But I have to say its worth every single cent!
(click to enlarge for the description of this product)
Whenever I put on eye makeup, I will always use this eyeshadow base as it really helps my eye shadows to last the whole day! The eye shadow/eyeliner did not crease nor fade away even at my inner corners, my lower lash liner. However on some days my lower lash line did smudge a little, but its acceptable for me as no primer has ever helped my eyeshadow to stay and not crease for more than 4 hours.
If UDPP or TFSI did not work for you (they didn't work for me at all), then I suggest you might want to invest in a NARS.
One upsetting thing is that NARS is not available locally.. :~~~(
I also got the
Sheer Glow Foundation, which also had good reviews on the internet.
The makeup artist matched me to the shade Fiji but she recommended me to get Ceylan instead as this shade looks brighter, so when the product oxidises on my skin, I wouldn't look like my face is darker than my neck.
I also got a nail polish in Purple Rain which is described as Gothic purple (whatever that means). It is free from nasty stuff like Toluene, Formaldehyde and DBP.
This is really a very very pretty purple and it looks frightfully amazing on my toes! One of the purchase I didn't regret at all despite the hefty price tag.
It is not very expensive at $26, but I am not the kind who is willingly to pay more than $15 for a nail polish.
I only used once coat and the colour shows up very well and the formula is really opaque. I worn it for a week (it was cleaned off when I went for a mani/pedi last evening) and there was no chipping.
The last thing I bought (or rather, it was the first thing I got at the counter) is the Everlasting Love Bold Eye Palette. I had been lemming for this ever since I got it last year!!!! I finally got my paws on it!!
No reviews on it yet as I want to use it a few more times before writing. But one thing for sure, the black rubbery packaging is a dust/eyeshadow magnet!
Labels: Base Make Up, Blush, Eye Make, nail polish, NARS, Palette
9:14:00 am.
Thursday, October 07, 2010Y
Jill Stuart Haul from Taiwan
As promised, closeups of cosmetics I bought from Taiwan. First up, I shall start with my Jill Stuart items.
The items I bought are two Eye Jelly N and two Mix Blush.
♥ the packaging!
The shades I chose for the Eye Jelly N are 02 gold light (left) and 10 vintage decor (right). So far, I have only tried gold light (and I have been using it almost everyday), which like its name suggests, a light gold loaded with lots of fine shimmer.
After prepping my eyelids with NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, I pick up a tiny bit of this Eye Jelly N with my ring finger and using the dab and blend motion, spread it across my eyelids, concentrating more either on the front or the middle of the eyelids (depending on the look I am going for for that particular day), and for the other areas of the eyelid, just lightly blend across without picking up any more product from the pot.
As this shade is very shimmery, I don't suggest applying this shade evenly all over the eyelids nor using too much at one go as it might end up being too bling bling (a mistake that I made when I used it for the first time).
The packaging is so cute~~~!
♥ ♥ ♥ As you all know, all their Mix Blush come attached with a retractable brush.
This is the Mix Blush in shades 06 fresh apricot (above) and 07 lovely tulip (below). Both of which I have not even swatched yet. I don't think I will be using them any time soon, because I of my first-in-first-out rule (I still have a few more blushers to use before its their turn).
I didn't even swatch them at the counter, because my BF (who was waiting for me) was wearing a combination of "can't-you-hurry-up" and "you-are-buying-more?!"and "please-be-faster" look on his face.
Hopefully, I didn't pick out shades that don't suit me!
Look out for the next post, which will be on my NARS haul!
Labels: Blush, Eye Make, Jill Stuart
8:24:00 pm.
