Review-MAC BY Request: Candy Yum-Yum ($15.00)

So today when I heard the doorbell ring and I rushed out like a dog chasing the mailman as I had been tracking the package for a few days now with great anticipation....I open the signature MAC black box and low and behold, it's my By Request order with all pieces intact and as I ordered.

 MAC Candy Yum-yum is very stunning and striking as you can see upon just looking at it in the tube and this is it's 2nd release. It is like a swiping a neon pink highlighter across your lips..just kidding. It is a Matte and slightly creamier than it's 1st release with the Quite Cute Collection. It applies very saturated and pigmented. I rate this 4.5 out of 5 stars as it hits the mark for a lipstick but may not be wearable for all skin tones. You can see how I wear it in the video above and swatches below..enjoy

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REVIEW- CHANEL FALL 2012 : Chanel Fleur de Lotus Joues Contraste Blusher ($43.00)

 

    Happy Days Are Here Again!!!  My Nordstrom's order finally arrived today and I only ordered the Chanel Fleur de Lotus JC Blush.  I had very high expectations for this blush as it was described so eloquently by other reviewers.  Nordstrom.com describes it as:

 "A vibrant new shade of the classic Chanel blush enhances the cheekbones with joyful color. The unique formula offers buildable coverage, from natural to dramatic, for a flattering, youthful glow."

    Now I find that it does offer a youthful glow and a sheen but it is just sooo sheer on my dark skin as you will see below in the swatches in various lights.  The color is shockingly , stunningly, coral in the compact when you open it, and makes your eyes widen, your heart flutter and a gasp 'ohhh my god.' You are saying this because you get the strong rose smell or because the colors stuns you.

    I had  to build it and build it almost four times.  I love the final color that I had to build up to achieve.  I would say the same for the Fall 2012 Rose Initale which is powdery.  As for Fleur de Lotus it is a very soft powdery soft blush as I am not accustomed to in the baked editions as the US versions are always finely milled powder-I have a Europe Edition of Pink Explosion and I find it to be not as soft as this baked formula.. Perhaps they changed the recipe a bit.
    As always with Chanel, they never disappoint in their classically sharp well dressed packaging which always is the best in show! I rate this 3 out of 5 stars. I rated it for the sheerness factor but all other factors were on point.

 

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REVIEW: NARS Persepolis Eyeshadow Duo ($34.00)

NARS oh oh oh how I adore your lovely shadow duos..I picked this one up thinking 'oh my what a lovely named.' I love to experiment with jewel tones such as this, and surprisingly I love the sea green  color more!

www.narscosmetics.com describes their shadows in the following words:

"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."

The colors in this duo, Persepolis, are described as a shimmering sea green and a shimmering regal blue.  They described the colors perfectly. Now I wanted to dive a little deeper into the name as I love to 'try' and find a link. Now what I recalled from school, Persepolis is an old Persian City, situated 70 km northeast of the modern city of Shiraz in the Fars Province of modern day Iran. Evidence showed that the earliest remains of Persepolis date from around 515 BC but wasn't excavated in the1930's by French Archaeologist, André Godard.  Take a good look at the ancient city and just imagine women guilded in gold wearing the colors of the sea which shimmered and glisten in the sun:

Ancient Persepolis

Ancient Makeup (According to Hollywood)

Modern Day Persepolis

Now I found the NARS Persepolis Duo to be one which I love to wear, but I am more bias towards the sea green color as stated before as I like to wear it tight around my eyes, not all over the lid, and I fade it out a bit at the crease with the regal blue. The regal blue side is not as pigmented as it could be but when wet I could see it being a bigger star.  I rate this duo 3.5 out of 5 stars. I did find that it fades a bit quicker than other duos I have used from NARS so I end up having to take it with me for a quick touch up throughout the day. Swatches Below :)

Thank you for reading and also check out my youtube channel :) Click the YouTube box at the top of the page -XOXO

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.

XOXO-

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.