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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

NARS Review

About a week ago, I had the chance to attend a NARS workshop at Rustans Glorrietta. It was headed by International Makeup Artist for NARS, Marc Christopher Gale. There were only 4 of us, so we were lucky to have had Marc all to ourselves haha.

The main focus of the workshop was their skin care line. Its new to the Philippines. And I must say I love the Aquagel Hydrator. After slapping some on my face I thought, okay I look like a greasy pan. But the shine went away after a while and my skin felt instantly hydrated! Though its around 3,000-4,000 so I passed up on that.

We basically got to try out anything we wanted during the workshop, and though id love to do a review on the skin care line. I believe that skin products should be tested for at least 2-4 weeks before you can make a proper review on them. But here are some of the Products I got to try:

  • Sheer Glow Foundation in Barcelona


Image taken from Sephora

What Sephora says:
A glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildabl coverage. This Sheer Glow Foundation enhances, without masking, your overall natural complexion. The weightless formula hydrates the skin while complexion brightening properties improve skin brightness, radiance, and texture, leaving skin with a luminous, sensual glow Medium with golden peachy undertone

My thoughts:
- The color looked great and you only needed a small amount
- I found it cakey though and I found that it kind of emphasized flaws and lines
- It also creased on me


  • Concealer in Ginger and Custard

Image taken from Sephora

What Sephora says:
The essential must have product for women and men alike, Nars concealer boasts a creamy, yet lightweight texture enriched with vitamin E, for long lasting, crease resistant coverage. Packaged in a lipstick like tube. Nars concealer makes touch up applications effortless. Ginger for medium and olive complexions/ golden suntan undertones. Custard for light and medium complexions/ neutral-to-yellow undertones.

My thoughts:
-Marc told us to use the darker shade to neutralize the circles under the eyes and to use the lighter shade to blend and even out the tone
- I found the concealer sticks are a bit too dry and I hate concealers for under the eyes that are hard to blend. You really dont want to tug the skin under the eyes. Its too bad cause the shades were perfect for my skin
- I found that it creased a lot too! I had to blend over and over again.


  • Bronzing powder in Casino
Image taken from Sephora

What Sephora says:
Nars Bronzing Powder is a true brown-based bronzer with a gold shimmer fusion that's excellent for creating or enhancing the look of healthy, glowing, tanned skin. Dark brown with golden shimmer

My thoughts:
- Ive been lemming on this for the past 6 months hehe so its no surprise I went home with it.
- Casino suits my coloring perfectly. I look like I have the perfect tan!
- The shimmer isnt overpowering too, Ive also tried to use it to contour my cheeks and forehead and works really well.

  • Highlighter in Albatross


Image taken from Sephora

What Sephora says:
A soft, sheer pressed powder blush. A range of translucent, natural shades, each with a subtle pink for natural blush undertone, created to highlight the complexion. Designed to be worn alone or layered together for more depth, NARS Blush provides a health glow to flatter any skintone. Albatross is Sheer light golden Sheen.

My thoughts:
- A Very Beautiful highlighter
- Gives a subtle shimmer that helps define and accentuate features.
- I didnt think that the shade would look good on my coloring, but its very impressive. I have my eyes on this one next hehe



  • Blush in Super Orgasm + Angelika


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Image taken from Sephora

What Sephora says:
A soft, sheer pressed powder blush. A range of translucent, natural shades, each with a subtle pink for natural blush undertone, created to highlight the complexion. Designed to be worn alone or layered together for more depth, NARS Blush provides a health glow to flatter any skintone. Super Orgasm peachy pink with gold glitter, Angelika cotton candy

My thoughts:
- Nars is well known for their blushes. Super Orgasm is very similar to the cult favorite Orgasm. The first time I saw Super Orgasm I thought it would leave me looking like a clown. The glitters scared me off. But I was surprised that it was as good and as flattering as Orgasm.
- I wouldnt have thought of mixing Angelika and Super Orgasm but it was Marc who suggested it, and I actually do love it!
- For those who have not tried Nars blushes, they are very pigmented and the shades are all lovely. When applied lightly they give a natural looking glow to the skin.


  • The Multiple in Copacabana



Image taken from Sephora

What Sephora says:
Nars The Multiple is the original all-in-one, cream-to-powder, multi-purpose makeup stick. With fingertip application, The Multiple highlights, sculpts, and warms eyes, cheeks, lips and body in an array of shades from sheer accents to mauve and bronze. Copacabana is a Glistening Pearl shade

My thoughts:
- Im not a fan of this. but I only got to try Copacabana as eyeshadow base.
- This kept creasing on my lids so I dont suggest that you wear this alone as eye makeup.



  • Eyeshadow Duo All About Eve and Misfit


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Image taken from Sephora

What Sephora says:
Modern and creative combinations, expertly coordinated by Francoi Nars to take the guesswork out of pairing the perfect shade combination.

My thoughts:
- The e/s are very pigmented and easy to blend
- I do find that some of the colors dont show very well on my skin. The blue from misfit wasnt as bright on my lid despite the numerous layers of e/s base hehe. I think NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk would help make the colors pop more.
- I need more than just two shades when doing my eye makeup, so I wouldnt get these if I didnt have other e/s colors.

  • Black eyeliner



Image taken from Sephora

What Sephora says:
A felt-tpped liquid eye liner pen. This liquid eye liner pen allows for maximum control during application - ensuring a precise, even line with just one stroke.

My thoughts:
- I dont know if it was just the sample, but i did find it kind of dry so I had to go over and over on the line to get a decent pigmented line on my lashline.
- We were also told that this is best used slanted instead of using the tip


  • Lipstick in Schiap



Image taken from Sephora

What Sephora says:
A pure, creamy, ipstick formula for bold color. Nars Lipsticks are enriched with Vtamin E to icrease wearability and keep true color intact. Sheer finish creates he most natural, stained looking lips. Sme- matte produces velvety, full bodies lips. Finally, satin fashions creamy, moist looking lips. Schiap is Semi- matte fuchsia

My thoughts:
- Vibrant color!
- Didnt find it drying
- Lasted long enough. I ate dinner and I still had lipstick on (wasnt completely perfect, but not bad)


  • Moon Fleet Lipgloss



Image taken from Sephora

What Sephora says:
The portable tube and sponge wand make applying these pigment-dense glosses a snap. Moon Fleet is Clear with silver and gold flecks

My thoughts:
- Moon fleet is a great gloss to top over a lipstick. Its sheer but the subtle shimmer ads more dimension to the lips.


  • Eyebrow Enhancer in Ipanema



Image taken from Sephora

What Sephora says:
Nars Eyebrow Pencils are available in three natural shades to define and sculpt brows. Ipanema is a neutral ash brown shade.

My thoughts:
- This is one of the best eyebrow pencils ive tried.
- If you arent a fan of semi-waxy eyebrow pencils, this ones for you.
- This makes yur brows look naturally well groomed.
- I havent used a pencil for quite some time, so I did have a little difficulty applying it.
- I only wish it was a little cheaper haha.


  • Loose Powder in Eden



Image taken from Sephora

What Sephora says:
Translucent and extraordinarily lightweight, Nars Loose Powder sets makeup and creates a more natural finish. The enclosed powder puff can be used for medium to full application. For lighter coverage a loose powder brush is preferable.

My thoughts:
- Helped a little to prevent creasing
- But I think ive gotten so used to the RCMA powder that any other powder just doenst compare. For one, its isnt as finely milled.
- It didnt seem to go invisible after and I dont think the finish was very natural looking.



Final Verdict, I think ill stick to blushes, bronzers and highlighters when it comes to Nars. Though im curious about the cream shadow base that they have. The lipsticks and glosses are great too. Im still lemming on turkish Delight, but it was sheer when I tested it.




*Please remember that this is simply my own opinion of the products. Some products may not work for me but may work well for you.

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12 comments:

Carine said...

Thanks for all these reviews, I like that you're honest about the products.

Maui (Suushh) said...

Aw thank you Carine! :)

Kay said...

wow.. u've tried lots of Nars stuff dear.. inggit!

now, you're making me lem for the eyebrow enhancer.. my major pain area are my brows .. ugh!

thanks for the reviews maui.. :)

oh and I totally agree about the RCMA powder.. super fave.. now i dont even touch my other setting powders.. thanks sis ah.. amazing discovery talaga!

Golden said...

I don't own a single NARS product but I've read a lot of positive feedback regarding its blushes. You're so lucky! You got to try all these NARS products? Whoot whoot!

*~kAy~* said...

I actually really like the their concealers :P I have it in ginger :P you're right though, it does take a bit of work to blend :P but this is the only concealer that really hides my under eyes for now :p

You make me want to try their lipsticks now :)
sucks that their foundation is not too great...

Maui (Suushh) said...

Kay, really happy go to go to that workshop. Got to try everything I wanted without being pressured to buy anything hehe. And youre welcome! Glad you love it as much as I do!! :D

Golden, I really love the blushes! I do have a lot though so I havent purchased any other shade aside from Orgasm. Someday maybe? hehe

Kay, I love the color and I think it works well. I just wish it didnt crease as much. Probably best to warm the product too before applying under the eyes :) Id get custard and ginger if I wasnt too in love with cinema secrets color corrector palette haha

I like the foundations shade the finish wasnt as great as the one im using though.

Shen said...

I'm in love with NARS lip glosses. It has become a mission to collect them all. i don't know if it me, but everything I tried was just great with my skintone. :)

Their blushes lasts forever! it's really a keeper. my simple trick in buying expensive cosmetics is to divide the price for the times i will be using and guess what, NARS made the cut. :) I'm spending just about P3 everyday for using both my blush and gloss. :)

love the review and made me lem for more NARS. :)

Maui (Suushh) said...

Thanks Shen :) I havent tried a whole lot of their lipglosses but they do look nice :0 and the blushes are looovee! I will someday own an army of nars blushes haha :)

Viel said...

NARS is pricey, but a really good makeup brand... i use Orgasm as a blush and a powder foundation... in Fiji.

p.s.
not sure if you'd remember me... Viel from AAM :)

Maui (Suushh) said...

Hey Viel! of course I do! :) yeah it is a bit pricey love their blushes! I only have orgasm too and casino hehe

Viel said...

I think they also recently released a highlighter base in Orgasm (I think, because its the first time I've seen it at Sephora today)

Pretty and shimmery :)

Their lipglosses are great too.

buy viagra said...

hi girls, I think that NARS is an excellent make-up brand, their products are really good! My favourite is Moon Fleet Lipgloss, that gloss is just perfect, it looks gorgeous on my lips!

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