the make-up blogette

NARS Spring 2013: Seduction Blush & Dressed to Kill Lipstick [Swatches & Comparisons]

the makeup blogette — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:50:58 PDT

Hi hi!

I got 2 items from the NARS Spring 2013 collection to show you today. For collection information and more swatches, click on this entry. The collection has been out for some time, and feature some very gorgeous and bold eye colors. But I am trying to stay away from stuff I wouldn't be using (do I need 5 green/ blue eyeshadows?) and pick up MORE stuff which I know I would use more often. I can always justify another red lipstick (top excuse - my sis is always wearing them anyway) or another blush (when you just have base and blush only on most days, blush suddenly becomes the focus of your face, after the brows).

The lipstick in dressed to kill was given to me during the NARS preview and it is a fuchsia red with gold shimmer. It has a satin finish.
I am sorry I don't have actual looks with both products (shock horror, no lip swatches too!), but I will try to post a quick look over this weekend!

A comparison with Joyous Red (from Fall 2011 I think) which is also a reddish lipstick with gold shimmer. Of course, they are not dupes, but just to show you the finish and texture.. Joyous Red is also one of my fave reds of all time.

As you can see, the gold shimmer is hardly visible when swatched, and also when applied on the lips. There is a slight sheen, but nothing that screams glittery, which I really appreciate.

Dressed to Kill is quite on the cooler side of the red spectrum, so if you are wary about this type of red, do try it out in store!

Next, is the blush in Seduction - I knew I wanted it the minute I saw images and information online. On the NARS site, it is described as a Sangria shade which is a deep wine color. There is a also a sheen to ths blush, a bold shade certainly. I ordered mine from SAKS.COM during the CNY period when they were offering free intl shipping (cos I had also wanted to restock my NARS ORAN candle).

I am glad I ordered this blush. It is a deep berry shade, and very intense. Best applied with a light hand, definitely.

I had to compare Seduction to Mounia which is one of my earliest NARS blushes, and long since discontinued. Both are rather intense reds, but nothing bright in the same family of their infamous Exhibit A.
Both has that sheen, and fine smooth texture.

Mounia is warmer, and redder while Seduction has a more rosy berry tone to it.

Here in this pic you can see the nuances of the two blushes better -

L - Seduction
R - Mounia

What did you get from the NARS SS2013 collection? Please share!

Hope this has been helpful, and thank you for reading!

NARS Spring 2013: Seduction Blush & Dressed to Kill Lipstick [Swatches & Comparisons]

the makeup blogette — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:50:58 PDT

Hi hi!

Dressed to Kill is quite on the cooler side of the red spectrum, so if you are wary about this type of red, do try it out in store!

I am glad I ordered this blush. It is a deep berry shade, and very intense. Best applied with a light hand, definitely.

Mounia is warmer, and redder while Seduction has a more rosy berry tone to it.

Here in this pic you can see the nuances of the two blushes better -

L - Seduction
R - Mounia

What did you get from the NARS SS2013 collection? Please share!

Hope this has been helpful, and thank you for reading!

Illamasqua Sophie Powder Blush & all my Illamasqua blushers swatched!

the makeup blogette — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 00:33:47 PST

I had ordered Illamasqua's Sophie blush online sometime back... a long long time back. Out of the 17 blushers they listed on their site, I have accumulated 12 Illamasqua blushers over the years, with a couple which are probably discontinued. I will be showing you all swatches at the end of this entry.

I love Illamasqua blushers because they are extremely pigmented, and they are very long lasting. Most of their blushers are matte - I only have 2 shimmering blushers from them - including Sophie. The other one is Ambition. I think I prefer their matte blushes - they blend into the skin beautifully, and even the palest pink shows up intensely on me.

SOPHIE is described as a Golden Coral Shimmer. The shimmer bits are more obvious in the pan and they don't really translate onto your skin. Unless you pile on a lot of the blush - but then the coral would be too much... so when you apply this lightly, the shimmer bits don't actually get picked up.

how it looks like overall - note you just need the tiniest amount when using these extremely pigmented blushers.

and an armful of all my illamasqua blushes and one lone bronzer swatched -

close up by sections -

Tweak - deep hot pink

Panic - true red (discontinued)

Ambition - neutral brown pink, shimmer

Sophie - golden coral, shimmer

Lover - Soft Apricot

Tremble - Soft lilac pink

Chased - Bright rose pink

Hussy - Bright candy pink

Bronzer Writhe - Golden tan

Rumor - Soft matte brown, contour shade

Katie (one of my faves!) - Soft Candy Pink

Naked Rose (one of my faves!) - Natural beige Pink

Hope you find these swatches helpful, and thanks for reading!

Illamasqua Sophie Powder Blush & all my Illamasqua blushers swatched!

the makeup blogette — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 00:33:47 PST

how it looks like overall - note you just need the tiniest amount when using these extremely pigmented blushers.

and an armful of all my illamasqua blushes and one lone bronzer swatched -

Hope you find these swatches helpful, and thanks for reading!

Nails Story: Some Color Comparisons

the makeup blogette — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 06:40:07 PDT

Hi hi!

This is a random entry comparing a few sets of similar nail polishes I have in my stash. And also to show off the amazing quality of my iphone5 which I bought yesterday (I got a 64GB, Black one, and for less than $2 LOL LOL LOL) so anyway, all the pictures in this entry and the next are taken with my iphone5. So happy that it is able to capture the shimmer and shine of all the different colors! Totally can use it during events, and take lots of awesome pictures, and with my bottomless pit of the storage...woots! I didn't think it was possible to make a better camera than the iphone4, but it is possible.. and I am still really impressed, and just super happy with my new phone.

So anyway... yes, first up, we have a pair of bright reddish orange - one from Deborah Lippmann Lara's Dream and Chanel's Holiday. I recently purchased Holiday - and then I realised, oh man, it is so similar to Lara's Dream. Not sure if it is apparent in the picture, but Holiday is slightly redder. I also prefer the formula of Holiday.

The angle in this picture makes the two look like total dupes. Well, I would say that they are 95% dupes.

Next, this set of comparisons, I gotten a couple of questions from girls asking how the Chanel Delicatesse compares to the Essie and the OPI shade. So here they are.

Essie All Tied Up - pinker and contains tiny tiny gold shimmer

Chanel Delicatesse - Creamy, browner

OPI Schapps Out of It! - Brighter than Delicatesse, contains very very tiny silver sheen

And here we have the greys, my fave comparison!

Deborah Lippmann Stormy Weather - Dark warm grey

NARS Galion - Blackened mysterious grey

NARS Storm Bird - Pearlie looking medium rich grey

YSL Stormy Grey - Medium cool toned grey with a subtle sheen

Current Fave is Storm Bird

The dark purples - all Chanel. (2 coats, no topcoat)

Paradoxal - brownish purple with a super pretty purple-y sheen

Provocation - Creamy berry purple

Rouge Noir - Blackened red purple, the darkest of all

Hope you find this entry helpful!

Thanks for looking!

Nails Story: Some Color Comparisons

the makeup blogette — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 06:40:07 PDT

Hi hi!

The angle in this picture makes the two look like total dupes. Well, I would say that they are 95% dupes.

Next, this set of comparisons, I gotten a couple of questions from girls asking how the Chanel Delicatesse compares to the Essie and the OPI shade. So here they are.

Essie All Tied Up - pinker and contains tiny tiny gold shimmer

Chanel Delicatesse - Creamy, browner

OPI Schapps Out of It! - Brighter than Delicatesse, contains very very tiny silver sheen

And here we have the greys, my fave comparison!

Deborah Lippmann Stormy Weather - Dark warm grey

NARS Galion - Blackened mysterious grey

NARS Storm Bird - Pearlie looking medium rich grey

YSL Stormy Grey - Medium cool toned grey with a subtle sheen

Current Fave is Storm Bird

The dark purples - all Chanel. (2 coats, no topcoat)

Paradoxal - brownish purple with a super pretty purple-y sheen

Provocation - Creamy berry purple

Rouge Noir - Blackened red purple, the darkest of all

Hope you find this entry helpful!

Thanks for looking!

Comparison of Chanel & Dior Taupe Brown Vernis

the makeup blogette — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:28:06 PDT

Hi hi!

Just a quick comparison and overview of my Chanel & Dior taupe brown nail polish. I have accumulate a bunch of these in my stash for the past couple of years from various collections, and so I will quickly show you them side by side.

First off, these I often find these colors very easy to wear, they might look boring to some people, but I personally think that they are more 'classic' than the typical reds and pinks. They (like the nudes) don't clash with your outfit, and don't take unnecessary attention away from your accessories and outfit. Whenever I wear a taupe brown (browny nude/ beige) you know, the more tanned nudes, I always get compliments and questions on what shade I am wearing. OPIs and Essies have several dupes too...but that's another story altogether.

The shades featured in this entry, and their availability

1. Chanel Particuliere - Permanent

2. Dior Trench - current season, Dior Nudeskin launch

3. Chanel Khaki Rose - Chanel's FNO special collection from 2 years aho

4. Dior Dune - Current season, Dior Nudeskin launch

5. Dior Bengale - current season, from Dior Golden Jungle collection

6. Chanel Khaki Brun - same as Khaki Rose

Formula on all these is fantastic, I have showed them with 2 even coats, no topcoat, and pictures are taken when the polish is semi-wet, which explains the ultra high shine.

First set of comparisons - the lighter browns, in particular Dior Trench and Chanel Khaki Rose.

I had first thought that Trench and Particuliere would be a total dupe of each other.. but Trench is slightly paler. Khaki Rose is warmer in tone. Dior Grege (not featured) is way paler, so I didn't include in this entry. Dior Dune is the darkest among all I am comparing.

another angle to show you the nuances of each shade

Just Khaki Rose & Trench.

Second set with the darker taupe browns. Khaki Brun contains some olive green tones, Dior Bengale is browner than Dune which looks more cool toned, even a bit of purpley undertone in shown in the pictures.

I think they are all different, but of course, I would consider them to be in the same family, and if you have a favourite, you defintely don't need to own all of them.

a last group shot!

I hope you find this helpful....and thanks for reading!

Comparison of Chanel & Dior Taupe Brown Vernis

the makeup blogette — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:28:06 PDT

Hi hi!

The shades featured in this entry, and their availability

1. Chanel Particuliere - Permanent

2. Dior Trench - current season, Dior Nudeskin launch

3. Chanel Khaki Rose - Chanel's FNO special collection from 2 years aho

4. Dior Dune - Current season, Dior Nudeskin launch

5. Dior Bengale - current season, from Dior Golden Jungle collection

6. Chanel Khaki Brun - same as Khaki Rose

Formula on all these is fantastic, I have showed them with 2 even coats, no topcoat, and pictures are taken when the polish is semi-wet, which explains the ultra high shine.

First set of comparisons - the lighter browns, in particular Dior Trench and Chanel Khaki Rose.

another angle to show you the nuances of each shade

Just Khaki Rose & Trench.

I think they are all different, but of course, I would consider them to be in the same family, and if you have a favourite, you defintely don't need to own all of them.

a last group shot!

I hope you find this helpful....and thanks for reading!

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense - My Current Collection & Comparisons

the makeup blogette — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 03:53:24 PDT

Hi hi!

As mentioned in this entry, I will be doing an overview - seeing as I think I have more or less completed my collection so far, I think I already have all the colors which I wanted, and unless there is a new collection coming - these 13 gorgeous pots will keep me happy for a long time to come.

I first came across the ETKs when they first launched in Hong Kong early last year. Started with 2, and gradually throughout the year, I purchased more and more during my travels and when kind friends helped with ordering and purchasing. The quality of the ETKs are amazing, and the colors are intense and long lasting. I normally use them dry, with a fluffy brush like the MAC 217. There is a little fallout, but it isn't very serious, and you can easily just sweep off any bits with a powder brush. I like to use the darker blackish shades as a base to make a pale eyeshadow look pow-wow, as shown in this tutorial HERE.

Product Description

This innovative hybrid texture, which is not a powder, nor a cream acts like a smooth, lasting color film. Each shade is intensified with a second pigment for a multi-dimensional effect. In just one swoop, create a wet, shimmering smokey eye. Base color covers eyelid, and second pigment adds drama to the contour.

The technology: Color-Fil^TM, for the first time in an eyeshadow. A new high resistance bi-polymer enables the formula to perfectly fit the color to the eyelid with cushiony suppleness, for a never seen comfortable long wear.

Twenty four hour color wear, crease proof, flake proof, waterproof and sweat-proof, Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadows slide on, stay on, but wipe off in an instant. Apply wet or dry with fingers or the Armani large eye contour brush.

My ETK Collection

Left to Right

Row 1 #02 Lust Red, #03 Purpura, #04 Pulp Fiction, #05 Gold Blitz

Row 2 #06 Khaki Pulse #09 Rock Sand

Row 3 #13 Black #15 Cooper Black #17 Silver

Row 4 #21 Obsidian Grey, #24 Smokey Cooper, #27 Oxidised Silver, #28 Rose Platine

#09 was gifted to me during an Armani event,

#17 is LE from last Christmas collection,

#21 is LE from the Bronze summer collection

#24, #27, #28 are LE from the latest Aqua Collection

Row 1 #02 Lust Red, #03 Purpura, #04 Pulp Fiction, #05 Gold Blitz

Row 2 #06 Khaki Pulse #09 Rock Sand

Row 3 #13 Black #15 Cooper Black #17 Silver

Row 4 #21 Obsidian Grey, #24 Smokey Cooper, #27 Oxidised Silver, #28 Rose Platine

not going to crowd the pic with ample shade names annotations but here they are

Left to Right

Row 1 - #13, #24, #15, #02

Row 2 - #03, #27, #04, #09, #38, #05

Row 3 - #21, #17, 07

Row 3 is the sort of random ones...

Row 1 are the blackish tinged ones

Row 2 we have the reddish taupey shades, and the golden metallic browns

As you can clearly see, none of them are really the same, and none of them look the same when applied on my eyes.

Left to Right

Row 1 - #13, #24, #15, #02

Row 2 - #03, #27, #04, #09, #38, #05

Row 3 - #21, #17, 07

and one with annotations, in case you want to save the image in your camera roll for easy reference :)

Sabrina from The Beautylookbook has an excellent comparison entry here

Iris from Rouge Deluxe has a very informative comparison entry here too

and to see all of my eyes to kill related entries, click here

Honestly, if I have to only keep one type of eyeshadow products, I will keep all of my ETKs.

Shall end this entry with some sneak peek pictures of a special Giorgio Armani press event I attended earlier in the week.

It was a lovely and elegant afternoon, totally enjoyed the good company, and basking in all the new upcoming fall makeup pieces.

The event was for their new Maestro foundation.

I will be featuring this new foundation in a couple of weeks.

Hope this entry has been helpful, and thank you for reading!

NARS Purple Rain Nail Polish [Swatches & Comparisons]

the makeup blogette — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 23:16:50 PDT

I purchased NARS Purple Rain in TW, and it is a gorgeous metallic rich purple, that leans slightly warmer, but yet not a plum shade. You will see that, in the comparison pictures, I can't seem to get enough of this type of color.

The consistency on this polish is awesome, it is almost a one-coater (like most of my NARS polishes, actually) and it is super smooth. The multi-color shimmer is quite visible, even in the shade. This color is very flattering on my skintone, and I love this both on my fingers and toes.

I seem to be posting nothing but nail polish entries lately....and I have plenty of makeup stuff to showcase, but at the moment, I am in the mood to play around with my new colors. I haven't been wearing makeup very often lately, and so photo opportunities are harder to come by. But we will get them up soon!

Here you can see the shimmers bits...it's gorgeous.

comparisons

it is very very close to Illamasqua Baptiste (which is just a tiny bit cooler in toned) I would say they are 95% match!

That's all, and hope this is useful!

Thank you for reading!