Today, I'm reviewing my three recent NARS acquisitions: Outremer Eyeshadow, Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base and G-Spot Multiple.
Outremer is a bold matte cobalt blue from the Fall 2011 collection. When examined closely under the light, it actually has a sparse scattering of very tiny shimmer particles but these are not visible when applied.
On Italian model Mariacarla Boscono in the ad, Outremer looks dramatic and yet incredibly chic and modern.
Outremer has a dry texture that takes some layering to achieve an intense, opaque finish. It is best used with a primer underneath as by itself, it tends to apply chalkily. Still, I love the shade as it is unique in my collection. Makeup & Beauty Blog has a good review of Outremer.
For this look, I applied the NARS eyeshadow base, followed by Outremer from the upper lashline to the crease, Addiction Blue Moon Eyeshadow in the middle of the upper lid and along the lower lashline, and the white shade from Lunasol Shelley Ocean over the browbone area.
The Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base lived up to its stellar reputation. It goes on colourless, dries down fairly quickly and enhances the lasting power and color payoff of eyeshadows. Although there was some faint creasing at the inner corners after about 8 hours of wear, the NARS base worked better than Too Faced Shadow Insurance in getting my Addiction eyeshadows from the Aurora Reflection collection to show up well. However, it is quite a bit more expensive than TFSI at US$24/25€ for 0.28oz/8g (whereas TFSI is US$18/16€ for 0.35oz/11g).
The applicator comes out of the tube cleanly with just a small dab of product on the doe-foot sponge, without any product gunking up on the white plastic wand. That is usually sufficient for one application on both eyelids.
G-Spot is the new Multiple from the Holiday 2011 collection. I've avoided purchasing Multiples up until now as I don't fancy the idea of using one cream product for both the lips and cheeks, plus they are horribly pricey at US$39/41€. The choice of the shade name also feels needlessly obvious and gimmicky. Nevertheless, the shade itself is actually very wearable.
Described as a "rich gold-infused rose", I was initially worried that it looked too warm for my skintone but it turned out to be very easy to apply and blend for a healthy rosy look. The cream texture does not feel oily at all. It also lasted well on my skin over eight hours of wear.
Below are the ingredients lists for Outremer, the Eyeshadow Base and G-Spot (in that order). Outremer was made in Canada while the other two products were made in the US. I purchased Outremer from ASOS.com (which ships NARS products only to UK and Ireland) and the base and Multiple from Sephora in France.
The L'Occitane has just launched its Shea Butter collection in scents inspired by Africa and a special limited edition Orbis Plane Soap (S$10, 100g). All proceeds from the Orbis Plane Soap go to Orbis, the only Flying Eye Hospital in the world.
If you are interested in the Paul & Joe spring collection, do check out Iswii.net for excellent swatches of the collection. The Collection Sparkles lipsticks and eye shadows are already in stock on ASOS.com.
Lancome will release its new Blanc Expert line on 22 February in Japan. It includes a UV Expert BB Complete cream with SPF50 PA+++ (5460yen, 30ml), a revamped Maqui Blanc Miracle Compact foundation and Blanc Expert Derm-Crystal Serum (11,550yen, 30ml). See pics from the Tokyo press event on Iroha Nikki, Purin no Yume and this Japanese blog. The new BB cream incorporates the aura technology from the Teint Miracle range and promises good coverage and high UV protection plus a light texture. The new Maqui Blanc Miracle foundation has SPF 35 PA+++ and will be available in 8 shades. It utilises a crystal aura technology with a new purple crystal light essence to counter skin yellowness and help the skin look more translucent and luminous. It also contains mineral pearl powder to absorb sebum and sweat, moisturising extracts of rose, lotus and mint, plus a triple amino acid powder complex.
Below is the short clip on the shooting of the ad featuring Emma Watson.
Essence's new trend collection for this winter is Crystalliced, featuring icy shimmery shades and dusky pastel tones.
The collection includes four Liquid Eyeshadows, three Lipglosses, a Snow Flake Mascara Topper, five Nail Polishes, a Liquid Highlighter, two Glitter Froster loose pigments and nail stickers.
Naturally, I couldn't resist picking up a few products to play with, especially since they are so amazingly affordable with pretty packaging.
The Lipgloss in 01 It's A Snow Woman's World is an intriguing sheer dusky lavender with violet micro-shimmer. This reminded me of MAC's Nico lipglass but without the glitter.
02 Diamond Dust Lipgloss is a sheer white gloss with sparkly silver shimmer.
03 Ice Crystals On My Window is a pinkish white gloss with pink micro-shimmer. The lipglosses have doe foot sponge applicators and retail at CHF2.95 (about S$4) for 7ml/0.23oz.
The Liquid Eyeshadows in 01 It's A Snow Woman's World and 02 Ice Eyes Baby (CHF3.75; 4ml/0.13oz) are sheer cream eyeshadows with doe foot sponge applicators.
The Crystalliced Liquid Highlighter (CHF3.95) is a typical pearly white liquid highlighter in a plastic pump packaging like the Vampire's Love Blush Gelee.
Swatched from left to right in the pic below: Lipglosses in 02 Diamond Dust, 03 Crystals On My Window and 01 It's a Snow Woman's World, Liquid Eyeshadows in 02 Ice Eyes Baby and 01 It's a Snow Woman's World, Liquid Highlighter.
All three lipglosses apply sheer with just the barest tint of color. I think these would work best over a lipstick to add glossy shine and some sparkle.
Both the liquid eyeshadows dry down to a semi-translucent finish with a light glimmer. These feel smooth and do not contain any chunky glitter bits.
All the products are made in Germany.
Japanese magazine 25ans has a write-up on the forthcoming launch of the Ladurée Les Merveilleuses makeup line. The name is inspired by the Merveilleuses of 18th century France, who were known for their extravagant, decadent behaviour and fashion styles inspired by the ancient Greek and Romans.
See more pics of the gorgeous line here (click on the blue tabs to scroll through the four pages of the article), Maquia's spring collections catalogue, Kuri's Beauty Report and Cafeglobe. In 25ans' interview with Ladurée Image/Communications Marketing Director Safia Thomass Bendali, she explained that Ladurée took their time carefully developing a makeup line that combined beauty with quality. The line places a great emphasis on blushes with three different formulas, as during the age of the Merveilleuses, blushing the cheeks was the main means of playing up one's feminine allure. Bendali also observed that while most Japanese women prefer basic shades, they often also want to try out new shades. The look of Les Merveilleuses is one of refined elegance, with the rouged cheeks balanced with lighter shades for the eyes and lips.
For the brand's debut at Mitsukoshi department store in Ginza, Tokyo on 29 January, there will also be a limited edition miniature size of the Face Color Rose Ladurée blush petals in a box (3360yen).
To end off the year, I thought I'd do a quick round up of ten beauty products that I loved in 2011.
Although Lunasol's perennial bestseller in Japan is their Skin Modelling Eyes #1 Beige Beige, it has always looked too bland to me. However, this year, their Ocean Scene Eyes EX01 Shelly Ocean from their summer 2011 collection turned out to be my most frequently used palette. This is quite unusual for me as I'm usually more drawn to teals and purples, but Shelly Ocean has become my fail-safe palette for every day wear. The complex dirty bronze shade always works like a dream for adding definition to the eyes or creating subtle smoky eyes.
For base makeup, my current three staples are Lunasol Under Eyes Base 01 Natural Beige, RMK Smoothing Polished Base and Maquillage Essence Rich White Liquid UV in OC00. The Lunasol Under Eyes Base covers up my dark circles very well, although like every other concealer I've tried, it does settle slightly into the fine lines after some time. The RMK base provides good oil control and coverage of pores.
Nothing perks up one's complexion faster than a slick of lipgloss. For that, I rely on Anna Sui Lip Gloss C #306 and Addiction Azalea Lipgloss.
Paul & Joe's lipsticks have always been a staple in my makeup pouch, thanks to their comfortable non-drying texture and flattering shades. This year, I loved Lipstick C #74 Lower East Side from the Manhattan collection. For staving off chapped lips, I've been using Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate & Grapeseed Lip Butter which has a lovely sweet pomegranate scent and no discernible taste.
Guerlain Meteorites in Perles de Nuit makes the skin look more polished with a slight glow. On days when I don't feel like wearing makeup, I just apply moisturiser or sunscreen and finish off with a light dusting of Perles de Nuit.
Dolly Wink Volume Mascara builds volume and length well and holds the curl of my lashes through the day. It does start to clump slightly when layered a few times, but this is usually easily rectified. The limited edition set with the eyeliner in the purple and green packaging is still available on Adambeauty.com.
2011 was a year that I'll always cherish for the many wonderful memories and experiences. Looking back, I think I spent more than four months of the year living out of suitcases as I got to travel to Kerala, Maldives, the UK, plus an extended sojourn in the south of France.
I spent a month in the charming seaside town of Villefranche (situated between Nice and Monaco on the Cote D'Azur) taking French lessons at this great school with stunning views of the bay.
The glorious view of the sunrise from my tiny studio apartment - moments like these were pure bliss.
To everyone who stops by Rouge Deluxe regularly, my heartfelt thanks for taking the time to do so. As my buddy Mag says, writing a blog can sometimes feel like one is just talking to oneself, but every once in awhile, a thoughtful comment by a reader makes us smile, and makes it worth the effort. Having done this for close to five years now, there have been several moments of wondering whether to continue. Some of my favorite blogs are now gone or inactive, like Jojoba's My Makeup Reviews, which is dearly missed. I figure I'll just keep writing as long as I enjoy doing so.
I'll leave you with my favorite song for 2011: Kelly Clarkson's Stronger. Whatever challenges 2012 may bring, stand a little taller and be stronger. Wishing you lots of love, laughter and happiness in the new year!
