the make-up blogette

NARS Summer Color Collection [Photos & Information]

the makeup blogette — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:33:24 PDT

NARS SUMMER 2013

Prepare yourself for a stunning summer. A modern spin on the sexy, furturistic glam of the 1970s, the Summer 2013 Color Collection brings a cool, nonconformist color palette to the warm weather season. Set off by a seductive, surreal glow, the look suggests a sophistication that's polished yet punk. Bold colors dart from an outrageous flamingo pink lip to eyes that flirt in seafoam green, dandelion and an African violet. An electric orange nail color that adds a striking finishing touch.

The effect is edgy, glamorous, and undeniably mordern. In other words, undeniably NARS.

Products List:

FASHION REBEL
The audacious color pairing in this Duo Eyeshadow lives up to its rule-breaking moniker. Dandelion and African violet shades can be worn solo, paried with softer hues, or layered for a shocking effect.

EUPHRATE
French for Euphrates, the river in western Asia that empties into the Persian Gulf, this richly pigmented Single Eyeshadow - a frosted mint steel hue - allows for a range of stunning eye effects, from soft and sheer to intense and fashion-forward.

TENDER NIGHT
On the lips, this irisdecent Velvet Matte Lip Pencil has a sweet, carefree quality about it. Wear alone or topped with gloss for a high-shine, shimmering pout.

PUERTO VALLARTA
Fake a beach getaway to the Mexican resort city that inspired this latest Multiple. Use on the face where the sun would hit, this shimmering tangerine shade delivers a seductive glow.

TOLEDE
Named for a former capital capital of the Spanish Empire, this versatile pink rose satin lipstick is the perfect compliment to a bold eye.

PARIS FOLLIES
This pink flamingo Larger than Life Lip Gloss is as vibrant and fun as the 1950s movie musical that lends its name.

BARROW STREET
This seafoam green eyeliner is as colorful as the New York City West Village street for which it's named.

MADNESS
You'll go mad for this nail polish, with its shocking electric orange crush hue.

A more wearable rendition of the Summer Colors is also available on the NARS youtube Channel

Available 1 June, NARS Store at TANGS Orchard.

NARS x Pierre Hardy Summer 2013 Collection [Photos & Information]

the makeup blogette — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:28:17 PDT

Pierre Hardy for NARS

An Ultra Modern Coupling of Conceptual Color

In a bold new collection for NARS, designer Pierre Hardy brings his fresh color palette to the iconic beauty brand. Inspired by his Summer 2013 shoe collection, Hardy's offering includes five color forward nail polish pairings and two richyly-hued blushes.

Nail Polish duos come housed in a small shoebox with dust bag (a nod to Hardy's own footwear packaging), while the high voltage blush go graphic with shimmering gold overspray of the designer's signature cubic print.

Price Info:

S$43 for Nail Polish Pairs
S$65 for Blush Palettes

From May 27, TANGS Orchard NARS STORE

Blush Palettes:

Rotonde [Tiger Lily]

Boys Don't Cry [Pink Grapefruit]

Nail Polishes Sets:

Ethno Run [orange, navy]

Sharplines [peach, burgundy]

Vertebra [coral, dusty rose]

Easy Walking [rose gold, camel]

Sharks [yellow, lavender]

The Shoes

Behind the scenes & collection inspiration:

As a student of fine arts, Pierre Hardy studied design, in addition to dance and architecture. During this time, he discovered shoes through working as an assistant, a position that quickly led to him designing the shoe collections for Christian Dior, a post he held for four years.

A graduate of the Ecole Normale Supérieure, Hardy went on to teach scenography at the rue Blanche School, then at the Ecole Supérieure d’Arts Appliqués Duperré.

Expanding his creative reach, Hardy produced illustrations for magazines like Vogue Homme International and Vanity Fair, and, for a time, served as Artistic Director of the fashion shows at the Hyères Festival in the south of France.

Pierre Hardy was named Creative Director of the women’s, then men’s, footwear collections at Hermès in 1990. In 2001 he also became fine jewelry Creative Director for the famous leather goods house. In 2010, the designer introduced the successful « Haute Bijouterie » Collection for the brand. For more than ten years, he has developed the shoe collection for Balenciaga.

In 1999, Pierre Hardy created his first collection of women’s shoes under his own name. A men’s line joined the collection in 2002 and in 2006, a bag line.

Celebrity fans of Pierre Hardy include Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Kidman, Kate Bosworth, Madonna, Demi Moore, Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

NARS & CAREY MULLIGAN AT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

the makeup blogette — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:07:20 PDT

The key NARS products used for Carey’s daytime look were Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Carpates Eyeliner Stylo, Rikugien Satin Lip Pencil, and Sex Appeal Blush. For the evening ceremony, Georgie created a bold-lipped look, a rarity for Carrie who usually opts for neutral color. The focus was Jungle Red Lipliner Pencil and Jungle Red Lipstick.

Beauty Inspiration: “It’s extremely light and sophisticated,” said Georgie Eisdell about the NARS look she created for Carey Mulligan. “We used a very fine liquid liner to create definition along her lashes, and polished the look with a light lip that has a bit of pink color but isn’t heavy.”

I watched The Great Gatsby just last night, totally captivated and drawn into the whole show...seeing as I think I have caught every single Baz Luhrmann and Leonardo collaboration, so I might be a little biased. And the fact that I studied the text 10 years back while in university sort of brings back a sense of nostalgia of those days.

I also enjoyed the music, the makeup and the costumes... and the characters themselves were all fairly well portrayed by the stellar cast. Go watch it!

Thanks for reading!

Dior Capture Lift: Small Face Beauty

the makeup blogette — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:23:40 PDT

CAPTURE LIFT 2013 ASIA

Nowadays, flawless skin, clearly defined facial contours, firm cheeks and a delicate chin finely pointed into the ideal V-shape are the ultimate assets for a beautiful small face.

Yet for some Asian women, even as young as 25, meeting this ideal can turn into a challenge. “Baby fat”, a U-shaped oval and a disappearing or double chin have them seek out expert solutions in the desire to create the ideal small-face Beauty.

I. DIOR CREATES AN UPLIFTING NEW ANGLE ON SMALL FACE BEAUTY

In 2013, Dior focuses its expertise on Asian skincare concerns and innovates with an avant-garde technology that targets small-face Beauty from a whole new angle: CAPTURE LIFT, a tailor- made line designed for Asian women.

With instant and lasting skincare action on the surface and deep down, CAPTURE LIFT directly targets the 3 main concerns for Asian women:

Accumulation of fat
Excess liquid
Loss of skin elasticity

To take small-face Beauty one step further, CAPTURE LIFT’s expert formulas combine 3 key actions: Slimming, Shaping and intense Lifting.

The triple-action result goes beyond slimming and shaping to stimulate and strengthen skin elasticity, thereby boosting springiness and lifting the skin into a long-lasting V-shape.

Applied with the exclusive Dior Motion & Repose ritual, CAPTURE LIFT is an uplifting new angle on small-face Beauty.

II. SMALL V-BEAUTY: THE EXPERT POINT OF VIEW

Edouard MAUVAIS-JARVIS, Dior Scientific Communications Director:

“Scientific studies have shown that the Asian skull has a specific morphology that tends to place the chin in a receded position, whereas Caucasian faces are more angular and tend to have more wrinkles. A receded position leaves extra room around the mandible where excess liquid and fat cells can accumulate, producing the “baby fat” look.

Even a small increase in facial volume can make the face look rounder and proportionally larger, creating a U-shape instead of a desirable V-line.”

The first step to remodelling and slimming any part of the body is to reduce volume by eliminating this fat and excessive liquid. But to achieve and maintain a beautiful new shape, the skin needs to be toned and tight enough to hold the repositioned volume in place. The exact same principle applies to achieving a lasting small face. This is why Dior CAPTURE LIFT technology combines not only Slimming and Reshaping but also reinforced Lifting power.

III. DIOR INNOVATION: AN UNPRECEDENTED AND COMPLETE ACTION FOR PERFECT SMALL-FACE BEAUTY

Specially developed by the Dior Innovation Centre, CAPTURE LIFT technology targets the 3 main Asian skin concerns, both on the surface and deep down for unprecedented Slimming, Shaping, and Lifting action

WITH CAPTURE LIFT EXCLUSIVE FORMULAS,
THE RESULTS ARE CLEAR:
- Instantly: the contours are reshaped.
- All day long: the face is visibly and comfortably uplifted.
- Day after day: the skin regains its elasticity, is effectively re-positioned and supported.
Beautifully defined, the face regains its ideal V-angle and a delicately pointed chin for a perfect small face .

• ON THE SURFACE STRETCH the face immediately

Dior Innovation: BI-SKINTM STRECH
Obtained from natural polymers, this exclusive technology forms an invisible film on the skin’s surface that creates an immediate stretch effect. The skin appears instantly uplifted and tightened.

Unlike classic tensors, Bi-SkinTM Stretch possesses a unique “shape memory”, allowing it to follow any facial movements and then spring back into its original shape without snapping. Shown to be 12 times more elastic than a classic Bi-SkinTM tensor solution, * it ensures a lasting V-shape that stays fresh and comfortable in any conditions.

The result: The skin is instantly reshaped and visibly “uplifted”, 21% tighter than before.**

* Instrumental test
**Dermatologist’s assessment of Capture Lift Ultra-Stretch Reshaping Serum on 34 Asian women, immediately after application

• DEEP DOWN

1) SLIM the face by reducing accumulated fat

Dior Novelty: V-SLIM

V-Slim helps to reverse the fat accumulation process by targeting a cell messenger called beta- endorphin.

Known for its relaxing, anti-stress action, beta-endorphin is released by keratinocytes and is shown to then be diffused to fat cells. There it promotes the elimination of fatty acids by breaking down fat and converting lipids into energy through lipolysis.

Thanks to the V-Slim ingredient, the release of beta-endorphin in keratinocytes is stimulated by up to 46%. * *In vitro test

The result: Fat-cell size decreases, slimming the face and readjusting facial volumes. 2) SHAPE the face by eliminating excess liquid

Dior Novelty: YEAST EXTRACT

When excess fat accumulates, the microcirculation network in the skin can easily get blocked, the blood vessels become heavy and the facial tissue swells, creating an excess of water and a voluminous “puffy” face.

Rich in polysaccharides and Vitamin PP, Dior Yeast Extract boosts the microcirculation network to restore an active and healthy blood flow to the skin. Fluids circulate freely and no longer seep out into the surrounding tissue, avoiding unwanted volume and puffiness.

The result: Facial contours and volume are re-shaped and refined.

3) LIFT the face by restoring the skin’s elasticity and spring.

Dior Innovation: ELASTEMTM COMPLEX

Reducing volume is just one step in the small-face Beauty process.
To create a lasting V-line, you must then tone and lift the skin to hold the V in place.

At the heart of the ELASTEMTM COMPLEX are two ingredients that target elastin, the protein responsible for suppleness and elasticity in skin tissue, to put the spring back in your skin for exceptional uplifting action.

• Spring Peptide is a polypeptide that stimulates synthesis of elastin to strengthen its resistance. It builds elastic bridges between the elastin fibres to reinforce structure and boost natural springiness.

• Dill Extract acts on the enzyme that “activates” the elastic fibres, restoring the skin’s functional elasticity by up to 29%.*

The result: The skin recovers its resistance, suppleness and spring for a truly uplifted V- line.

*Tribometer test measuring skin resistance/elasticity after friction (physical constraint)

IV. THE IDEAL SMALL-FACE BEAUTY PROGRAMME BY DIOR

Dior has developed a complete and targeted beauty programme composed of 3 expert products :

ULTRA-STRETCH RESHAPING SERUM

Highly concentrated in Bi-SkinTM Stretch

- Instant stretching effect
- Intensive long-term Slimming / Shaping / Lifting

ULTRA-STRETCH REMODELING CREME

Highly concentrated in ElastemTM Complex

Completes the Serum Performance:

- Restores skin’s elasticity and firmness for reinforced lifting action

V-LINER ULTRA-STRETCH CORSET MASK

Intensive weekly treatment

- Ultra-Precise
- Ultra-Intensive corset effect - Ultra-Immediate

Every CAPTURE LIFT product is infused with a fresh, tangy fragrance that boosts the impression of tonicity, with citrus notes over a floral rosy heart.
A pleasure that fast has you hooked and an excellent incentive to maintain this essential beauty ritual!

V. AN EXCLUSIVE BEAUTY RITUAL FOUNDED ON MOTION AND REPOSE

Dior puts the performance of CAPTURE LIFT technology at women’s fingertips with a unique beauty ritual that incorporates the Asian concept of Motion and Repose, complementary opposites as essential as Yin and Yang.

Applied for the very first time to the field of cosmetics, the exclusive Dior Motion & Repose ritual unlocks the synergy and harmony in the skin to optimise the CAPTURE LIFT effect.

Apply CAPTURE LIFT products with the exclusive motion massage to facilitate the absorption and performance of the active ingredients

With its expert knowledge of the morphology and needs of Asian faces, the Dior Institute has developed a series of exclusive motion massage movements incorporating a veritable “facial yoga” that warms the skin, boosts microcirculation and defines the facial oval.

Before Application:

1. Gently pinching the skin with the fingertips, make small outward circular movements, stimulating the skin and promoting firmness.

2. Pinching the skin between the thumb and forefinger, roll it between the fingers, starting from the chin and moving up towards the ears. Repeat several times to refine the facial contour.

Application:

3. Finally, apply the skincare from the centre of the face outwards, with a slight upward movement. Smooth out with a “fan” motion on the forehead.

Dior Capture Lift Product Fact Sheet

Capture Lift Ultra-Stretch Reshaping Serum $199
Capture Lift Ultra-Stretch Remodeling Creme $180
Capture Lift V-Liner Ultra-Stretch Corset Mask $168

Current Fave Scent: DIOR ADDICT Eau Delice

the makeup blogette — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:50:20 PDT

DIOR ADDICT EAU DELICE

Making women more beautiful and happier was an on-going quest for Christian Dior.
Every fragrance and every dress, every colour and every flower were chosen by the couturier- perfumer to enhance and charm.
Bursting with this energy, the Dior Addict woman is a beauty with a feline gait, a defiant glint in her eye and a sulky pout. In her wake, all is carefree and laughing seduction.

For her, a new fragrance has been created, with the seductive name of "Eau Délice."

Eau Délice is a voluptuous and fresh fragrance.
It springs forth, bursting with sassy youth.
A cocktail of joie-de-vivre under the Saint-Tropez sun.

Saint-Tropez & “ la plage des délices”

Red chairs on the terrace of the Sénéquier, the La Madrague beach, and the narrow streets of sunny charm... Saint-Tropez is the eternal port of casual elegance.

With her tousled blonde hair, the Dior Addict heroine seems to spring forth from the unforgettable images of “And God Created Woman.”

She too sets the screen on fire, shaking off convention and constraint, playing as she lives, and living true to herself.

She charms you then forgets you, leads you on without a care.

With her, Dior Addict continues the Tropezien myth that is cool and rebellious, light-hearted and carefree.

Dior Addict Eau Délice, easy living, easy loving.

With Eau Délice, François Demachy, the Dior Perfume Creator, has created a perfume with "instant charm" that embodies the youthful elegance of a confident young girl.
Its scent is instantly easy to live with and easy to love.

Behind this refreshing spontaneity, Eau Délice's composition is finely facetted. This addictive fragrance calls for a generous gesture, and boundless love:

"The name Eau Délice conjures up a precise image of the fragrance. It is a 'delicious' perfume that is appreciated once you have 'tasted' it."

Dior Addict Eau Délice, mouth-watering

A luminous chapter in the light-hearted saga of Dior Addict, Eau Délice is a striking scent composition.

A mouth-watering fruity and floral composition. A magic formula for a cool beauty.

A manifesto for joie de vivre.

Voluptuous Eau Délice emphasizes the sweet and sour notes of the Cranberry. This entrance is both sharp and delicate, opening onto a fresh floral heart note. It is here that Indian and Egyptian Jasmine Grandiflorum, and the rare and exceptional Mahoran Ylang Ylang bloom.

In the background, white musks add density, distinction and a cottony softness.
For light and soothing sensuality.

Dior Addict, a scent wardrobe

DIOR ADDICT is a scent universe as rich as a colour palette.
These winning fragrances invite change, prompting you to have fun with each moment of the day, varying your style and enjoyment.

Dior Addict Eau Delice
A new luminous, voluptuous and fresh scent.
She is as vivacious as a seductive Coral Red.
Her flower is the fruity accord of the sweet and sour Cranberry. She wears a sexy, fiery red dress.

Dior Addict Eau Fraîche

A bright, fresh and yet woody composition.
She is as radiant as a bright sparkling pink.
Her flower is the Freesia and she wears a diaphanous, swirling silk chiffon dress.

Dior Addict Eau Sensuelle

A Floral and sensual, harmonious and luminous scent.
She is as charming as a tender mauve.
Her flower is the Rose and she wears a silky, lilac-coloured dress.

Dior Addict Eau de Parfum

An oriental and modern, smooth and vibrant creation.
She is as deep as Midnight Blue.
Her flower is the opulent Queen of the Night, and she wears an intense blue, figure-hugging dress.

Why I love it?

It has a very unique fruity scent which still has that musky undertones. Even though it is an EDT, it lasts on me pretty well for a good 6-8 hours. I love how the scent changes on me throughout the day, slightly sweet and very warm (but not overpowering at all). It's been a long time since I enjoyed a scent like this (last one being YSL Parisienne) and I highly recommend it!

Price Information
(available 1 June 2013)

Dior Addict Eau Delice EDT Spray 20ml $78
Dior Addict Eau Delice EDT Spray 50ml $122
Dior Addict Eau Delice EDT Spray 100ml $178

Hope you find this helpful, and thank you for reading!

Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Control [Information & First Impressions]

the makeup blogette — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:04:41 PDT

CLARINS Body Lift Cellulite Control is the first slimming treatment that prevents and corrects the appearance of cellulite at every level-visibly smoothing hips, buttocks and thighs for a slim, beach-chic shape.

This expert body care helps streamline the silhouette's appearance and visibly reduces the look of cellulite. Resulting from a collaboration between Clarins Research and experts in the scientific field, this cream-gel is formulated using 9 plant extracts and is proven effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite over the course of its development.

Two key ingredients are at the core of Body Lift Cellulite Control’s slimming actions.

• Aquatic mint extract limits the multiplication of fat cells.

• Celosia Cristata extract slows the expansion of existing fat cells.

Smoothes the appearance of early and stubborn cellulite, the silhouette's appearance is reshaped.
- Minimises the apperance of even the most stubborn cellulite and helps maintain the skin's smooth aspect.
- A superficial tightening effect promotes skin that looks smoother on the hips and thighs.
- Visibly enhances skin firmness.
- Provides an intense feeling of lightness thanks to the fresh texture.

Exclusive - the Self-Massage Body Contouring Method
Simple & Effective, this application method helps enhance the effects of Body Lift Cellulite Control.

Lighten - promote lighter-feeling legs and thighs by stimulating microcirculation

Reduce - reduce the appearance of cellulite by activating the natural elimination of excess water and lipids through these exercises

Refine - Refine the buttocks, hips and abdomen by completing and the natural 'draining' process

Watch the following video for a quick demonstration:

Here's a quick comparison of the newly formulation Body Lift and the older version (which still works btw)

The new one has a slightly more gel like texture and is easily absorbed and massage into the skin.
I don't actually lie down and apply the cream like the video demonstration, but I do use my knuckles and really rubbed it into my problem areas on my buttocks and thighs.
I like the cooling sensation and the instant tightening feel of the cream.
Not too sure if I will see any actual slimming results, but I must say that I noticed a firmer and brighter skin texture. I have also been jogging quite regularly these days, so I hope I can see some results in a couple more weeks.

I also like the new packaging, the new packaging has this special dispenser which seems to have this extra stopper thingy inside the cap, and prevents any accidental spillage and clogging at the opening. I have been using this product twice a day, for over a week, but you can see how clean it still looks, thanks to the clever design.

Overall, I do recommend the Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Control if you want to improve your skin texure and overall silhouette - it is no subsistitue for a healthy diet and lifestyle, but an awesome extra booster to target your problem areas.

The Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Control retails for S$88 and is currently available at all Clarins counters.

Hope you find this overview helpful!

Thank you for reading.

Lancôme Vernis in Love: Boudoir Time Nail Art [Step by Step] & LOTD!

the makeup blogette — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:38:34 PDT

Hi hi!

Just sharing a simple nail art design which you can create with a few simple items - I have swatched all the Lancôme Vernis in Love, and thought I would share with you some nail art combinations incoporating the colors, and also some nailart supplies items which you might already have in your stash, or else you can go to somewhere like PNC or Daiso to get some of these items which I am going to use in my simple tutorial.

Links to my swatches:

Lancôme Vernis in Love: Jolis Matins [Photos & Swatches]

Lancôme Vernis in Love: Tonight Is My Night [Photos & Swatches]

Lancôme Vernis in Love: Boudoir Time [Photos & Swatches]

Nail Art products

Small Pearl Studs (available at nail art supplies store, such as PNC)

Lancome Vernis in Love 573B Bleu de Flore, 501B Aquamarine, base coat and top coat

A saucer filled with some water

Toothpicks to 'grab' the pearl studs

Topcoat and basecoat

It's very easy, as you can see in the steps below.
I wanted to go for a non-uniformed uniformed look - layering and alternating the two shades of blue in the design, and throwing in the tiny pearl studs to make the look a little more interesting. Also the pearl studs look neutral enough to go with any color combination, depending on the look you are going for.

There are some very beautiful purples in the Boudior Time polishes, but I decided to create my nail art with the blues instead.

I picked up the tiny pearl studs with the tip of a wet toothpick - this gives you control over where you want to place the stud.

A close up of the completed look:

So happened that I have a somewhat matchy top to go with the nail art design and the overall LOTD.
I would have gone all matchy with a teal/ blue eyelook, but I think I still want to go for a relatively office friendly look, with a warm gold eyelook and pink gloss.

And these are the products I have used:

Makeup products

Lancome Teint Miracle, set with Teint Miracle loose powder

Concealer -Teint Miracle Natural Light Creator Bare Skin Perfection Perfecting Concealer Pen

Lips - Gloss in Love 385

eyes - NARS Primer, Lancome Color Design 101 Bronze Amour

cheeks - Blush in Love 20 Pommettes D'Amour, Lancome Blush Highlighter 001

The overall look - you would also notice that I am wearing much more natural lashes, instead of my usual very thick ones.
The Teint Miracle foundation has a very radiant finish, but do also note that it was scorching hot when I took these LOTD pictures, so if I look a little 'too radiant' I blame it on the hot afternoon heat!

Overall, the nailart is something which I feel is work friendly, and also fun enough for when you want to go out after work...

And one last look:

Here are a few other nail art combinations I have created with the Lancôme Vernis in Love:

Thanks for reading! Happy mid Week!

NARS ON THE RED CARPET AT THE 2013 MET BALL‏

the makeup blogette — Sun, 12 May 2013 06:40:47 PDT

For the annual Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala on Monday, May 6th, Official Audi Fashion Festival Make-up Sponsor NARS Cosmetics created the makeup looks for the following celebrities listed below. This year’s event celebrates the unveiling of the museum’s newest exhibit, PUNK: Chaos to Couture.

NARS ON THE RED CARPET AT THE 2013 MET BALL

BLAKE LIVELY
Makeup Artist: Elaine Offers for NARS

Beauty Inspiration: " It starts with Blake’s signature approach: luminous beautiful skin,” said Elaine Offers about the look she created for Blake Lively. “We created a serious eye shape as a nod to the punk theme by building on a smoky eye and winging it outward. With the diaphanous layers of her skirt and a light lip, it comes together as being both glamorous and edgy.”

Key NARS products used:

Mesopotamia Eye Paint (NEW for Fall 2013; for now try Bali Single Eyeshadow) | Ubangi Eye Paint (NEW for Fall 2013; for now try Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil) | Black Valley Eye Paint

(NEW for Fall 2013; for now try Via Veneto Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner) | Floralies Satin Lip Pencil

Elle & Dakota Fanning
Makeup Artist: Erin Ayanian for NARS Cosmetics

Beauty Inspiration: “It was important for us to create something in harmony with the Rodarte looks that Elle and Dakota were wearing,” said Erin Ayanian about the makeup look she created for the Fanning sisters. “Dakota's look is softer, but Elle's is more tribal. We referenced the 80s film, Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains.”

Key NARS products used on Dakota Fanning:

Via Veneto Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner | Barrow Street Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner (NEW for Summer 2013!) | Penny Lane Cream Blush | Nico Highlighting Blush

Key NARS products used on Elle Fanning:

Soloman Islands Eye Paint (NEW for Fall 2013; for now try the vivid cyan blue side of Mad Mad World Duo Eyeshadow) | Jungle Red Lip Liner (used on eyes) | Isola Bella Satin Lip Pencil

EMILY BLUNT
Makeup Artist: Jenn Streicher for NARS Cosmetics

Beauty Inspiration: “It was Emily’s idea to do pink!” said Jenn Streicher about the look she created for Emily Blunt. “Her dress was black so we decided to bring out the theme of the gala by playing up her hair and makeup. This was pretty daring – we wanted it to be punk yet glamorous."

Key NARS products used:

Jardin des Plantes Satin Lip Pencil (used on eyes) | Desire Powder Blush (used on eyes)| Biscayne Park Satin Lip Pencil

SARAH JESSICA PARKER
Makeup Artist: Leslie Lopez for NARS Cosmetics

Beauty Inspiration: “ I had to make the punk look glamorous, ” said Leslie Lopez about the look she created for Sarah Jessica Parker. To create strong eyes, we used a plum pencil that is both intense but beautiful. No matter what the theme, I always want Sarah Jessica to look beautiful, so we softened the intensity of the eyes with a light mouth – Tender Night Velvet Matte Lip Pencil was the perfect, modern, approach!"

Key NARS products used:

Calabria Soft Touch Shadow Pencil |Gaiety Blush | Tender Night Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (New for Summer 2013)

SOLANGE KNOWLES
Makeup Artist: Benjamin Puckey for NARS Cosmetics

Beauty Inspiration: " I really focused on a strong eye with punk influences for Solange’s look. The smoky eye gave an edge to the whole look, which is very much what she’s into right now – a smoky eye with lots of lash. We felt it complemented the dress so well because of the black and blue print and chose a nude lip to keep the focus on the eye."

Key NARS products used:

Ubangi Eye Paint (NEW for Fall 2013: Available September 1; for now try Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil) | Brumes Duo Eyeshadow
Het Loo Satin Lip Pencil

KAREN ELSON
Makeup Artist: James Boehmer, NARS Director of Global Artistry

Beauty Inspiration: "The Julien Macdonald dress that Karen is wearing is so incredible on its own- I didn't think the makeup should be a distraction or too literally "punk," said NARS Director of Global Artistry James Boehmer on the look he created for Karen Elson. “The bonus is that she is wearing a septum ring- a nod to the punk era, so we chose a look that's quite healthy and radiant, with a defined eye and a grape-stained lip."

Key NARS products used:

Train Bleu Velvet Matte Lip Pencil | Radiant Cream Compact Foundation (NEW for Fall 2013; For now try Sheer Glow Foundation) | Iskandar and Black Valley Eye Paints (NEW for Fall 2013; For now try Campo de Fiori Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner and Carpates Eyeliner Stylo)

STELLA TENNANT
Makeup Artist: Uzo, NARS International Lead Makeup Stylist

Beauty Inspiration: "Stella was the inspiration behind her own look – you can just understand why she's a model," said Uzo about the look she created for Stella Tennant. "With such ornate tailoring from Christopher Kane, and really exquisite earrings, we needed to keep the look clean. It's all about healthy luminous skin with a simple statement on the eyes and a next-to-nothing lip. It's balanced, and stunning, like Stella."

Key NARS products used:

Coconut Grove Single Eyeshadow for brows | Black Valley Eye Paint (NEW for Fall 2013; for now try Via Veneto Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner) | Isola Bella Satin Lip Pencil

LOTD: Bloodroses & Cabana Boy

the makeup blogette — Sat, 11 May 2013 19:46:11 PDT

Hallo!

Yesterday we brought the Mother out for shabu-shabu dinner just in my area, and I decided to incoporate some of the new goodies which I have featured a few entries earlier - Kevyn Aucoin, Lancome and The Balm blushers.

I think I really like the Lancome x Alber Elbaz Wide Eyes Palette - it is very versatile, and the metallic sheen of each of the shades just instantly makes even a simple smokey eyes look instantly glam. In this LOTD, I have only used a mixture of shades 1 and 2 (indicated in the pic below) on my lids, and I used a matte brown (Naked 2) from my Urban Decay Basics palette to blend in around the crease. Then I quickly lined my upper lids with a black liquid liner, throw on the falsies and I am done. I did not use any browbone highlight as usual.

Kept the rest of the face very clean, I did not use my usual foundation, just BB cream and loose powder. The result is a very natural and dewy effect to my skin.
I knew I wanted to use my new lipstick, Bloodroses, so I applied it straight from the tube, and softly blend out the edges a bit.
I dusted my usual bronzer around my face, and followed with The Balm Cabana Boy on my cheeks. It is a plummy pink that seems to make my face look brighter.

All products used:

face - Ettusais Mineral White BB cream, Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder

concealers - YSL Touche Eclat 1 and 2 under my eyes, Benefit powerflage to set, cle de peau beaute to touch up some spots

* undereyes concealing tutorial here

cheeks - Dior Nude Tan 003 Zenith, The Balm Cabana Boy

*swatches of Cabana Boy here

lips - Kevyn Aucoin Bloodroses (swatches click here)

eyes - NARS primer, Lancome x Alber Elbaz Wide Eyes palette, Heavy Rotation liquid liner

* more swatches of the palette and another LOTD here

brows - UD Naked Basics palette, Shu Uemura Brow Manicure ash brown

lashes - Lancome Doll Eyes on lower lashes, my own customised falsies

lenses - Blincon dark brown

white tee - Alexander Wang

hair - overly messy and sticky due to over-zealous hair masking earlier in the day, boo.

That's all, and thanks for reading!

Lancôme Vernis in Love: Jolis Matins [Photos & Swatches]

the makeup blogette — Sat, 11 May 2013 19:30:40 PDT

Hi hi!

Good morning! Hope everyone is enjoying this Mother's Day Sunday. :)

Today, I have the upcoming Lancôme Vernis in Love - Jolis Matins shades to share with you. These polishes retail for S$30 each, and contains 6ml of product.

These shades are the 'In Love with Morning' shades - very fresh, classic and wearable.
I love the brushes on these polishes - they are paddle shaped, like the YSL and Loreal polishes.

The formula and consistency of these polishes are quite impressive. The color payoff is very intense, and application is a breeze, thanks to the brushes. I didn't have any problem with visible brushstrokes and streakiness.

Just a close up of the brush - and how it is able to cover my nail in one stroke.

and now for the swatches:

All swatches are taken with a base coat, two coats of color, and a top coat.
(except for 010M Cristal Quartz, which is shown on its own)

010 M Cristal Quartz
just a clear polish to give your nails a shine

020M Pure Narisse

A sheer cream shade, perfect for a french manicure, or just to give your nails a groomed chic effect
Bonus: this is not streaky at all despite the sheerness. Application is a breeze.

311M Jolie Rosalie

A creamy warm pink.
Perfect summer shade, great if you want to show off the healthy tan.
The formula is extremely smooth and creamy.

300M

Rose Plumetis
A rosy light pink with a subtle sheen. It is very opaque and creamy.

105M Corail in Love
A true coral which is not too orangey - salmon pink.
It is showing up a little muted here, but it's slightly brighter in real life.

154M Miss Coquelicot

A classic bright red, neutral undertone that suit all skintones.

and lastly, we have 179M Madame Tulipe
a rich deep red, with a cooler undertone. I love this shade.

a comparison of both the reds

My top picks among the Jolis Matins:

311M Jolie Rosalie
154M Miss Coquelicot
179M Madame Tulipe

Hope these swatches have been helpful, and thanks for looking!

the make-up blogette

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