After four years of beauty blogging, I finally caught the NARS bug! It all started with the Radiant Creamy Concealer several months ago, and since then, I have continued to discuss more NARS on YouTube land. I have yet to purchase a full seasonal NARS collection, but the much-hyped Spring 2014 releases of the
NARSissist eyeshadow palette and Final Cut cheek and lip products caught my attention. Due to these worthwhile purchases, I anticipate much more NARS in my future!
Now, the NARSissist palette is a great purchase based on numbers but seems to be hit or miss with many. I was quick to order it when it first launched because I wanted to expand my NARS eyeshadow collection. Since receiving it, I have loved experimenting with it. The palette has yielded consistently lovely results, so it is a winner in my book! I acknowledge that some of the shades are not as creamy as their full-size counterparts, but an eyeshadow primer will help smooth out the texture significantly (though I do not find it necessary on my normal lids). Overall, I can confidently say that I prefer the NARSissist to the Naked palettes.
As demonstrated in the tutorial portion of the video, the colors are well pigmented and easily buildable! Since I have discovered that many of the negative reviews are written by those who have merely swatched the palette, I will remind you again that swatching eyeshadows on the arms or hands is not necessarily representative of how they will perform on the eyes. I always encourage others to actually try on a product several times and give it a real effort before dismissing it! Just like with the Smashbox Full Exposure palette, I suggest breaking through the neatly pressed and packed 'seal' of the eyeshadows for best results. Note: I usually love applying eyeshadows with my clean fingertips, but with this NARSissist eye palette, quality eyeshadow brushes will make a noticeable difference in the color payoff and the ease of application/blending as well.
The Final Cut Collection's line-up is stacked with winners, but my favorites were the two that came home with me. The Final Cut blush only requires a tap of the brush, even when used with ultra soft squirrel mixes as I did. The Descanso Satin Lip Pencil is the perfect peach, the one I had been holding out for. It was totally worth the wait! I love that the Satin formula has a hint of glossiness and does not dry out my sensitive lips.
VIDEO: The tutorial for this look is more sultry than what I have been wearing regularly, but I wanted to share a look I have not worn in a while. I became so attached to the bronze color 'Fez' that I decided to create an entire look dedicated to it. The gleaming bronze and warm peachy tones of the blush and lipstick work in perfect harmony! Hope you enjoy it xo
Makeup Worn:
Chanel
MatLumiere in 40 + Chanel
CC Cream in 20
EM Michelle Phan
Concealer Palette in Light [blemishes]
NARS Radiant
Creamy Concealer in Custard [eyes]
EM Michelle Phan
Love Me For Me Compact in Linen 8
Tom Ford
Bronzing Powder in Terra
Cle de Peau
Eyebrow Pencil Cartridge in 204 and
Holder
NARS
NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette -- Madrague II, Fez, Coconut Grove, All About Eve I + Bellissima I [highlighter]
NARS
Eyeliner Stylo in Carpates
NARS
Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Via Veneto
NARS
Blush in Final Cut
NARS
Satin Lip Pencil in Descanso
Stila
Lip Glaze in Apricot
Dior
DiorShow Waterproof Mascara
Velour Lashes in
You Complete Me
*Use promo code RAEVELOUR to receive 15% off your purchase!
Eye Brushes Used:
Shu Uemura 10f
Hakuhodo J142
Bobbi Brown Blender
MAC 217
Earrings:
House of Harlow
White Sunburst Studs
Nails:
Chanel
Paradoxal
Shirt:
J. Crew
