REVIEW: NARS Isolde Eye Shadow Duo ($38.00)

NARS Isolde is absolutely A+++ in quality it is a shimmer shadow duo but that's what gives it its silky amazing molten metal finish!..

Now I find this duo to have quite a unique name...I wonder if it is a hommage to the legend of the Irish princess Isolde who was married to King Mark of Cornwall but there was a noble night named Tristan who was in love with her during medieval period during King Arthur's Reign........

A John Duncan-Tristan & Isolde (1912) Painting

 So the King was the one who 'deflowered' Isolde, so her Father sends her back to King Mark with Tristan as her escort.  They started off on the journey and Isolde had in her arsenal with one of her servants a powerful love potion which her Mom told the servant to give it to her on her wedding night....but of course things have to go wrong..so during the journey Tristan & Isolde drink the potion in error and that is it! Then this is were the adulterous love affair begins..They are love crazy! I read that some other sources say that Isolde gave Tristan the love potion on purpose..hmmmm

Tristan and Isolde as depicted by Herbert Draper (1863–1920)

Tristan & Isolde by Leighton (1902)

Isolde did marry King Mark but of course her heart wasn't in it, she only had heart & eyes for Tristan. King Mark discovered this affair but was forgiving but he had had to be the man and claim his wife so he banned her lover from his Kingdom of Cornwall.  Eventually Tristan ends up in an unhappy marriage and falls ill and finally sends for his love but his current bitter wife lies about Isolde's arrival to Tristan and he gruelingly dies before her ship makes it ashore...and soon Isolde's broken heart would overtake her. Tristan's bitter wife did feel guilty in the end at least.

Tristan + Isolde (1996) the Hollywood Movie Version

Now back to the gorgeous shadows in the Isolde Duo and I suppose I could see the colors of the shadows being taking from Medieval Era, if the Princess was super chic and color coordinated.  These colors are vivid vibrant metallic and I can only imagine them being used wet  and how much more that wound amplify the color. NARS describes it as a frosted ginger and a shimmering copper and I see they nailed it spot on.  NARS has a really great rapport with me with the consistent quality of their powder products. In the Isolde duo both sides are silky smooth and blendable and go well together for an all out simmering eye. I rate this duo 4 out of 5 stars and that's because the shimmer probably wouldn't appeal to all.

Thanks for reading as I really do appreciate your support and also check out my youtube channel.  The youtube link is at the top of the page w my face..just click it.

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REVIEW: NARS Rated R Eyeshadow Duo ($38.00)

I decided to finally review my collection of NARS Eyeshadow Duos as they have been sitting all prim and proper and even alphabetized in a box..On www.narscosmetics.com the duos are described the in the following manner:

"Modern, unique, sometimes unexpected color combinations of eyeshadow shades. Worn alone or together, all Duo Eyeshadow shades feature micro-fine powders that are highly pigmented, long wearing and crease resistant. Color glides on smoothly, evenly and blends effortlessly. The effects can be subtle or smoldering -- the options are endless.
* “Best Overall Eyeshadow” 2011 InStyle “Best Beauty Buys”

• True color application.
• Can be applied dry or with a dampened brush for stronger intensity.
• Multi-function use for shading, lining and highlighting the eyes.
• Classic, neutral, and fashion-forward shade pairings."

 

 

Now based on my own research,  I found that although these perform well wet with a damp brush, I wouldn't recommend it as the surface tends to harden from wet use.

Rated R always caught my eye with its vivid powder in the pans.  NARS describes the colors as a shimmering chartreuse & and electric cobalt blue. It either reminds you of the tropics or going to a rave. Although vivid they are, this shocking effect they possess does wear off as you wear it, even under a primer.  They are buttery soft in texture with micro flecks of glitter and apply smoothly. Maybe using the 'pat it on' technique may work better when applying these vibrant colors for more staying power.  I rate this one 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Tutorial: Wearble Bright Pink Eyes! Using NARS Carravagio

Okay, so I have decided to show my NARS eye shadow Duos some love as they have been sitting in my makeup box untouched for way longer than you'd like to know.. So this look I created using NARS Caravaggio & Surbaya.  I used the Guerlain Capri Palette as the highlight color and Urban Decay 24/7 Liners in Perversion & Stash to line.  I finished up with the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer then Chanel Sable Rose Bronzer with MAC Fleur Power on the cheeks and Ohhh la la the NARS Foreplay Palette Gold Color to Highlight.. Shall I say this was a fun and easy wearable look! Check out the video above..

REVIEW: GIVENCHY Eyebrow Show Powdery Eyebrow Pencil ($23.00)

Okay, now I will admit that i am not one who is used to doing my brows. I always felt like it wasn't necessary to do anything to them.  I wandered to the Givenchy display at Sephora and I saw the beautiful bronzers with the orange Liv Tyler there and I wasn't looking for any new one anyway...lol.  I decided to try this one, it was the 1st one I spotted and Givenchy Eyebrow Show #1 Brunette Show-Givenchy states that this shade is for hair shades from brown to chestnut.

Sephora.com describes it as
"This cutting-edge pencil has three advantages: it glides on gently, has a high pigment content, and is completely user-friendly. Comes in three shades that go perfectly with every hair color - Brunette Show for shades ranging from brown to chestnut, Brown Show for chestnut shades to dark blond, and Blonde Show for light blond to blond.

Sephora is the exclusive beauty retailer for this product.

Size: 0.03 oz"

 I went to the mirror and applied it and I was surprised at the softness to the look.  I didn't swipe it hard but with rather light swipes and they came out great. It darkened them without looking too dramatic, although you could press it harder to the skin for a more dramatic effect if it pleases you.   I rate this 5 out of 5 stars for not being over the top dark.

Thank you for reading and also check out my YouTube channel at the top under the title! :))) Xoxo

Chanel Fall 2012 REVIEW: Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss #68 TROUBLANT ($32.00)

I was surprised to see the Fall Color selections out so early....but wow, what a color I found which is like 'my lips but better.  At 1st when I wandered into Lord & Taylor, I was only looking to check out the new fall blush #72 ROSE INITIALE, which was a huge flop for me and I was shocked of the quality of the blush, it was the most chalky and dusty Chanel blush I have encountered. At the price point of $43.00 I expected sooooo much more as it looked so pretty on the website. So I had higher expectations with the glosses but then I saw the glossimer in Sweet Beige #297 and wanted to run for cover! My favorite Chanel Artist directed to to the Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss and I have purchased about five of those in the past and love them like I love coffee-hey four a day!..

Chanel.com describes their blushes the following:

"CHANEL reveals a next generation lipgloss – with colour so rich and shine so intense, it could only be inspired by the iconic lipstick, ROUGE ALLURE. Bold colour combines with the smoothest, silkiest gel texture for luxurious wear and deeply dramatic effect. Lips feel comfortable – never sticky or tacky – and look luminous, full and sensuous for hours. The double-sided, flocked applicator is beveled to deliver ultra-precise definition."

...So the beautiful Aiesha directed me to the gloss and  I was very optimistic as I love the formula. I slathered on #67 CAPRICE and I was like 'OMG, I look dead!'...so it was a no...and after the color looked so pink in the swatch and on the color sticker..darnit! So then I picked up #68 TROUBLANT, which at 1st I was saying, this is too dark but then I painted it on and I was enamored and told her to put it in the bag!

I wore this on Saturday night to dinner then to a bouzouki and I only reapplied it twice and it never caked up on me, as I mixed it over Chanel Rouge Allure in Kensington a super super bright blue pink. I love the Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss and recommend them as the formula really is in a category on its own for the non caking formula and the finish is to die for like painted liquid leather and all is beautiful from the packaging to the glass tube - so elegant and you feel good removing it from the makeup bag as it is soo chic!
 I rate it 5 out of 5 stars all around.

Thank you for reading my blog and check out my you tube channel as well the link is under the title. xoxo

REVIEW: Tarina Tarantino Jewel Eyeshadow Palette in Fantastical ($32.00)

 Yes!! I am so happy that I finally stopped skipping over this brand at Sephora, in which the Tarina Tarantino brand is exclusively sold.  I was the shopper who went looking for something specific but this time I was wandering aimlessly for my beauty fix.  So my aimless search led me to the Tara Tarantino display.  I am and always have been a sucker for a pretty, sparkly, shimmery, shiny, gleaming purple and so it led me to Fantastical!

I find the compact to be a bit bulky and and didn't exactly get the jewel reference as the only jewels I see are imprinted on the top of the compact in a holographic fashion.  So if you share my passion for sleekness in compacts you can see what I mean by bulky. 

Sephora.com describes it as:

"What it is:
A collection of sparkly eye shadow palettes that are like jewelry for your eyes. What it is does:
"My Jewel Shadow Palettes feature gemstone-infused shadows in six shade stories that work with any skintone. These extremely pigmented shadows give beautiful color payoff and blend easily with a velvety texture that stays on all day. Their compact size makes them perfect for makeup looks on the go." XOXO, Tarina Tarantino, jewelry designer and makeup artist What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens"

When you pop open the compact, you will admire the colors as they appear wearable and buttery soft in appearance......and they are! The color that attracted me the most was the light violet color which is iridescent in quality and gorgeous. Then you have the taupe color is muted and very wearable for most all I would say. The next is the lighter taupe color which I could see being used all over the lid as a base or a shimmer subtle night shadow on a light skin tone. The deep plum purple color is my baby as I love love love colors as this..I would say I have every Chanel Quad, MAC single and NARS duo which contains a color as this, and with all that said I do not find this color to be so unique as I had hoped because I have extremely similar.  Lastly, there is the pearly frosty center color which I used as a buffed out highlighter color and it's super soft and bright!

Overall I feel Tarina Tarantino is an awesome brand which doesn't get as much attention as it should, soft, pigmented, strong, blendable shades and all the colors in each and every quad can be worn in conjunction in various combinations.  The light violet color was the standout for me as I can not resist such toned shades.  I rate this palette 4 out of 5 stars-only because you can dupe the colors in this compact.

Thanks for reading. :))))


xoxo..also check out my youtube channel.

REVIEW: NARS Taj Mahal Powder Blush ($28.00)

Finally I made the time to review this amazing NARS blush in Taj Mahal from (www.narscosmetics.com). I think it's name speaks perfectly and for itself.  It makes you think of India, India, India!!!  As you can see the colors in the spices, it is like NARS took them and mixed them together and out came the powder blush...minus the aromas.  It appears to be paprika, curry, cumin, and saffron as the predominant spices in the photo. You can even see the orange inspiration in the clothing and in the earth itself, the clay, the makeup that adorns the women. 

Spice market, Udaipur, India. Photo

Indian Wedding Ceremony Venue

So when you see this color in the photo below, you see the comparison in the hue. Below are swatches of Taj Mahal and it is super super pigmented so i'm giving you guys a warning proceed with caution when swiping the brush because a little dab in the product will go a long way.  You will feel the amazing quality of this one as it blends and buffs out beautifully and I find that it makes me radiate and glow and is a definitely perfect color for summer and can double as an eyeshadow. There is no glitter only a gorgeous shimmer and NARS describes it as a "Blazing burnt orange with golden shimmer," which is spot on. See the beauty below. I would rate this 4 out of 5 stars, as it is a beautifully crafted and constructed color and blends amazingly well, but it may not be wearable on all skin tones..if you are a woman of color, this blush is a definite must!

Thank you for reading and you can also check out my
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/svetkey2/videos

XOXO-