'Edge of Royalty' Look

'Edge of Royalty' Look

As requested by one of our own, Mercedes, here's a smokey purple look. Now you all may know of my love/hate relationship with purple looks...so I had to add a pop of blue to keep me sane. : )

Eyes:

PRIME:
I started off with NARS Smudgeproof Eye Shadow Base all over my lid up to the brow bone. I applied Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Eyeshadow in #02 Black (satin black) all over my lid and slightly into the crease as my primary base. Sonia Kaskuk Large Crease Brush

COLOR:
For the inner lid and tearduct area I used MAC Parfait Amour Eyeshadow (shimmery bluish-violet). MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
On the entire lid and slightly into the crease I applied MAC Push The Edge Pigment (shimmery deep purple). MAC 242 Small Shader Brush
To deepen the outer V I used Rock & Republic Fatalistic Eyeshadow (matte black). Sonia Kaskuk Large Crease Brush
On the browbone area for blending and highlight I used the matte nude eyeshadow from the Sleek Storm Makeup Palette. Sonia Kaskuk Large Crease Brush
For my lower lashline I used MUFE #167 Eyeshadow (shimmery bright blue). MAC 228 Mini Shader Brush

BROWS:
My brows are filled in with MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud and NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (matte blackened brown). Paula Dorf Eye Definer Flat Top Brush

DEFINE:
I lined my upper lashline with Wet 'n' Wild Crème Eyeliner in Black. MAC #266 Small Angle Brush
I lined my lower waterline with L'Oreal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Black. Sigma Eye Liner - E05 Brush
I used MAC PlushLash Mascara for my lashes and added Beautee Sense Erotica Eyelashes for effect.

Lips:

POLISH:
For my lips I used MAC Blooming Lovely Lipstick (creamy purple pink) topped with MAC English Accents Lipglass (creamy pink).

Face:

FINISH:
I primed my skin with MAC Oil Control Lotion. I used MUFE Mat Velvet + Foundation in #70 - Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush - for my face and set my t-zone with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Dark - Sigma Round Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush.

I used MAC Azalea Blossom Blush Ombre (satin purple pink) for my cheeks - MAC 129 Powder/Blush Brush and MUFE #1 Sculpting Kit for contour - Sigma Angled Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush.

Bye Bye Winter OUTFIT

Bye Bye Winter OUTFIT

Even though it is officially Spring, the weather is still cold enough to stretch the winter closet for a few more days.

I paired a simple ivory peasant blouse with frill detail and a cinched waist from Express with plain black jeggings from Forever 21. I added knee high black leather platform stiletto boots from Lui Chiny (Love My Shoes HAUL), My accessories are very simple (I love basic jewelry) - gold LOVE necklace from Aldo and medium sized gold hoops from Mandee.

NARS NIGHT PORTER Single Eyeshadow - THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...

NARS NIGHT PORTER Single Eyeshadow - THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...

Longwearing, crease resistant color in sheer wearable formulas. All NARS eyeshadows can be applied sheer or layered for a more dramatic effect. These richly pigmented powders blend effortlessly and can also be used wet for precisely lining the eyes.

• Richly pigmented, micronized powder formula provides improved wear and feel
• Effortless blending
• Multifunction: use as eyeshadow, eyeliner and on eyebrows

Size: 0.07 oz

Price: $23.00

Availability: NARS, Sephora, Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys, etc.

Nighlife Collection - Ultra velvet shades with tone on tone sparkling effects and high pay-off.

************************

My Four Ps

Price 
NARS Single Eyeshadows retail for $23 each for 0.07 oz of product. This is only $2.70 more than a M∙A∙C Eyeshadow per ounce which is not too bad if you think about it. But if I compare these to MUFE Eyeshadows which cost $19 for 0.08 oz then they are not such a bargain after all. However, I think these are priced right where they should be as a mid-high-end brand. After all high-end brands have $30+ eyeshadows. They are indeed an investment but are worth the price for quality.

Packaging

These eyeshadows come housed in a sleek velvety black compact with a mirror inside the lid. Inside the eyeshadow is protected by a clear plastic sheet with the NARS logo print. The drawback to the packaging is that you will not know the color without opening the compact or at least memorizing the color by the label on the back. also, the sleek black velvety texture of the case tends to get dirty with fingerprints and makeup residue. So if you are a clean-freak (present company included) then be prepared to wipe the package after use.

Product & Performance
The Night Porter Eyeshadow is a matte black infused with green shimmer. This eyeshadow is a part of the Nighlife Collection which has 'ultra velvet shades with tone on tone sparkling effects and high pay-off'.

The eyeshadow is velvety smooth and soft with fantastic pigmentation. When swatched the finish is shimmery but when applied to the eyelid it translates as more of a matte black with low-impact shimmer. The eyeshadow blends easily but since it is a dark, pigmented color you must be careful not deposit too much color. Also, if you use an eyeshadow base, the stickier the base then the trickier blending will be...but the more shimmer will show up on the eyelid.

The Night Porter Eyeshadow holds up very well through 8+ hours of wear but I must say the shimmer/glitter fades after just a couple of hours. If you want strong glitter then you will need to use a stickier base for the eyeshadow and/or apply a sealer (such as MUFE Eye Sealer) over the eyeshadow. That is a lot of work for the eyeshadow to look the way it does in the pan.
TIP: Spritzing your brush with a bit of water or MAC Fix + after picking up the NARS Eyeshadows helps to intensify the shimmer and keep it in place

Overall
While I love the color of this eyeshadow, I am not too fond of having to work harder for the green sheen to show up. It is richly pigmented but without the green shimmer it comes of as plain black. This is great for smoky looks but you keep a little work to keep the green shimmer. If you love smoky looks and you don't mind spritzing your brush for more intense green sheen then this is the perfect smoky green for you!

'Night Porter' Look

'Night Porter' Look

This look is really simple and yet again it's a smoky look. After using my new Guerlain Eyeshadows I think other eyeshadows are falling short. This is the problem with going high-end...you realize what you have been missing. My NARS Night Porter just didn't blend as easily in the crease area but alas what to do.

TIP: Spritzing your brush with a bit of water or MAC Fix + after picking up the NARS Eyeshadows helps to intensify the shimmer and keep it in place.

Eyes:
PRIME:
I started off with NARS Smudgeproof Eye Shadow Base all over my lid up to the brow bone. I applied MUFE #22 Aqua Cream Color (shimmery green) all over my lid and slightly into the crease as my primary base. Sonia Kaskuk Large Crease Brush

COLOR:
On the entire lid and slightly into the crease I applied NARS Night Porter Eyeshadow(black infused w/ green pearl). MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
On the browbone area for blending and highlight I used the matte nude eyeshadow from the Sleek Storm Makeup Palette. Sonia Kaskuk Large Crease Brush
For my lower lashline I used Bourjois Duochrome Eyeliner Pencil (shimmery lime green).

BROWS:
My brows are filled in with MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud and NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (matte blackened brown). Paula Dorf Eye Definer Flat Top Brush

DEFINE:
I lined my upper lashline with Wet 'n' Wild Crème Eyeliner in Black. MAC #266 Small Angle Brush
I lined my lower waterline with L'Oreal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Black. Sigma Eye Liner - E05 Brush
I used MAC PlushLash Mascara for my lashes and added Beautee Sense Adventurous Eyelashes for effect.

Lips:
POLISH:
For my lips I used Clé de Peau Extra Silky Lipstick in #103 (creamy nude pink). Definitely a 'my-lips-but-better' shade for me.

Face:
FINISH:
I primed my skin with MAC Oil Control Lotion. I used MUFE Mat Velvet + Foundation in #70 - Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush - for my face and set my t-zone with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Dark - Sigma Round Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush.

I used MAC Highland Honey Blush (matte pale peach) for my cheeks - MAC 129 Powder/Blush Brush and MUFE #1 Sculpting Kit for contour - Sigma Angled Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush.

Tokidoki Sodashop Palette - THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...

Tokidoki Sodashop Palette - THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...

Sodashop Palette ($225 value)

Simone Legno, the artist behind tokidoki, takes you back to classic Americano happy days with the Soda Shop Collection, created exclusively for Sephora. There's no interrupting good old fashioned fun when tokidoki's around.

Happy days are here again with tokidoki's Soda Shop Palette. The Soda Shop story is told with a winking sundae, a charming gumball machine, scary high-tops, a trucker burger, the jukebox man, and playful movie concessions.

This collection includes:

N Twelve smooth-blending and hydrating eyeshadows in: Skull Donut (nude vanilla), Patatino (shimmery pale golden peach), Riposino (medium brown), Ciccio (bronzy gold brown), Mummetto (dark brown), Mozzarella (shimmering dark brown), Tulipano (pale lilac), Nancy Rocks (purple), Romeo (plum), Ciotolina (shimmering mossy green), Arrosto (dark charcoal gray with shimmer), Forbino (dark purple with shimmer)

N Perfetto Eyeliner with a chisel tip (inspired by graphic artist pens) that can produce three effects: thin, bold, and a thicker, heavy line

N Nail file in the shape of the tokidoki character SANDy

N Removable tokidoki pendant magnet with a sheet of Soda Shop inspired tokidoki characters, sure to spice up any metal possession

N Collectible tin that can be reused to house your tokidoki treasures

Sephora is the exclusive beauty retailer for this product.

Price: $49
Size: 12 x 0.06 oz. Eyeshadows, 0.02 fl. oz. Eyeliner
Availability: Sephora

******************************* 

 

My 4 Ps

Price

This palette is priced at $49 for 12 X 0.06 oz. eyeshadows, a full sized liquid eyeliner and an assortment of collectibles. The set is valued at $225 but let's see what's it's really worth to us. These eyeshadows are slightly smaller than the full sized which are 0.07 oz each and cost $15. Essentially you are getting the amount of product in just over 10 full sized eyeshadows for a value of $154 and one eyeliner priced at $16 for a grand total of $170. It seems that they included all the bells and whistles in the value of the palette which is ridiculous if you ask me. Plus $49 may still sound a bit too steep for a relatively new brand on the scene especially when we pay the same or less for Urban Decay palettes. Any who, you still get a great value at $49 for $170 worth of product.

Packaging

The container is a metal tin that is adorned with tokidoki graphics. Inside you will find the 12 eyeshadows housed in a cardboard insert along with the eyeliner pen, nail file and various collectible magnets. The graphics carry over to the inside. This may be overkill for some of us with more mature tastes. This was definitely geared towards the young at heart. Great gift for a teenager but I would be iffy about gifting this set to anyone over 25 unless you know for sure this is their taste.

While the tin is definitely great for travel and a neat collectible...the overall set is bulky and excessive. I wish the eyeshadows were removable but alas you will need to destroy the cardboard insert to get them all out and into a more slim-designed palette. The nail file and magnets are cute but throw-aways if you are not into tokidoki collectibles.

Product & Performance

The real reason I got the palette was for the eyeshadows which have great color payoff and are absolutely beautiful. They swatch very well and blend easily together. They are very smooth and highly pigmented when applied to the skin.

The palette features an assortment of neutral colors and purple/burgundy tones with a couple of black shades thrown in. The finishes are also mixed here with both mattes and frosts which is always a good thing. This is a great palette for simple daytime looks and can easily be transformed to nighttime looks. The colors are both cool and warm toned and can be mixed and matched for complementary combinations.

Overall

I think this is a good value albeit not great. The packaging leaves a bit to be desired in portability but it's a cute collectible for those who are interested in tokidoki charms. The colors are gorgeous and very wearable with a good mix of textures. Since the colors are not truly unique, the selling point will be whether or not you already have similar shades in your collection or maybe you are just a tokidoki fan!

******************************* 

Pictures & Swatches

Skull Donut (nude vanilla), Patatino (shimmery pale golden peach), Riposino (medium brown),

Ciccio (bronzy gold brown), Mummetto (dark brown), Mozzarella (shimmering dark brown)

  

Tulipano (pale lilac), Nancy Rocks (purple), Romeo (plum), Ciotolina (shimmering mossy green), Arrosto (dark charcoal gray with shimmer), Forbino (dark purple with shimmer)

Skull Donut (nude vanilla), Patatino (shimmery pale golden peach), Riposino (medium brown),

Ciccio (bronzy gold brown), Mummetto (dark brown), Mozzarella (shimmering dark brown)

These colors are all beautiful dreamy neutrals with great color payoff.

Tulipano (pale lilac), Nancy Rocks (purple), Romeo (plum), Ciotolina (shimmering mossy green), Arrosto (dark charcoal gray with shimmer), Forbino (dark purple with shimmer)

Great purple/plum colors for a more dramatic look.

Perfetto Eyeliner - Burgundy wine shade. This takes some layering to get opaque but stays put once dry.

Plaid Sweater Dress - OUTFIT

Plaid Sweater Dress - OUTFIT

It's been a long time since the last OUTFIT post so here goes nothing. This is a plaid navy and white sweater dress (cheap old thing from heavens knows where) with a skinny black belt paired with black opaque stockings and ankle booties from Baby Phat. The angle on these heels are killing my feet by the way...the pain of beauty.

****Shout out to my photographer Jose B!****