NARS Nail Varnish in Mash

NARS Nail Varnish in Mash came out in Fall 2010 as part of their Vintage Nail Polish collection along with 4 other colors.

The color is an army green. Green with a gold undertone to it.

The application is light after one coat. I found that three coats gave the best coverage with the least amount of brush strokes showing through.

The application wasn't the best in terms of mid-range nail varnishes but the color is something that I haven't seen before, which makes me think you should snatch this up before it is gone for good!

This is still available at Sephora and NARS as of 11/19/2010.

Blushes I own to date

Don't mind the mess in the back =X I took this spontaneously (while I was studying heh)

From left to right:
MAC Get Away Bronze - I love this color. I tend to use it for a natural slight flush or in the winter I can use this as a slight contour color.
MAC Springsheen - Great every day color. It is infused with slight golden flecks. It is a sheertone so when applied there is a light sheen to it. Makes me look sunkissed
E.L.F. Candid Coral - Perfect shade for me for the winter. Subtle flush. The texture is actually quite nice and it blends onto the cheeks very well with little on the brush. A great bargain!
NYX Singe Eyeshadow in Tropical - I honestly don't use this one much since it really is an eyeshadow and the pan is small. It leans more toward orange.
MAC Bite of an Apple - Matte blush that gives a wintery feel. The color makes my cheeks look like I was standing out in the snow!
MAC Dame - Great for a subtle pink cheek. However, I tend to use Pinch O' Peach more since it is more pigmented. I find that with Dame I need to use more product to produce an effect. There are blue flecks in this.
MAC Pinch O' Peach - Gorgeous pink that is great for every day color
MAC Beauty Powder in Briar Rose - This is quite pigmented and I find that I do not need to use much of this to produce an effect. On the cheeks, the color actually is more pronounced than either Dame or Pinch O' Peach, even though it does not seem so swatched.
(not shown in first picture) Rock and Republic Kinky - Finally, this blush is VERY pigmented. A little really does go a long way with this blush. It is a vibrant, matte hot pink and great for a strong cheek. It is easy to overdo it, though, and look clownish, if you aren't careful.

I hope that helps!

Outfit of the Day

I am in love with fashion and an addict for makeup. It is true. Even though I am a full time student in the medical profession, I still make the effort to try and look pulled together no matter how little sleep I have gotten.

I wore this outfit and it really didn't cost much either!

H and M dress

Forever 21 Faux Leather Bomber and booties

House of Harlow Black Leather Necklace

REVIEW: Chanel Le Vernis in Rose Confidentiel

Today's review is Chanel's Nail Polish in Rose Confidentiel from the Fall 2010 Collection. As my previous post had stated, I finally broke down and bought 2 colors. There is so much hype about these polishes, but at $23+tax, it was hard for me to justify buying them. However, Rose Confidentiel appealed to me especially since this color isn't a typical color I personally would not wear.

Rose Confidentiel is a medium toned pink cream color. It has a bit of a brown muted undertone to it and looks very glossy without a top coat. This is perfect for the fall and a great transition color from summer to fall.

I especially liked the way it applied so opaquely. One coat of it was enough, but I always prefer extra so I did two coats. The application was extremely easy and the formula wasn't very thick or thin in particular. I noticed that the drying time was significantly faster than anything that I own (comparing to OPI, Essie, China Glaze). I also noticed that the "nail polish smell" was much milder as well, which is definitely a plus!

The color of the bottle is the most accurate. On my nails, it looks less pink than the picture portrays

MAC came out with the Viva Glam Cyndi and Gaga Lipglasses recently, so I moseyed on over to the store to check it out. I tried them both and personally, I liked the Cyndi lipglass WAY better. The color went on smoothly and didn't exaggerate every lip line to be seen within a mile radius. Excellent staying power too, depending on what you eat/do. I love the hydrating factor too since it is a lipglass.

However, I DO approve of the Gaga lipstick. The luster finish makes the bright pink shade buildable (read: one swipe is on the sheer side). Although, it tends to dry my lips out after long use. My lips are amazingly dry in nature. But the Cyndi lipstick is too bold for me, I don't know why.....

Stella McCartney Satin and Cork Quinn Pump

Ok, I had originally bought these in Houston when they were on presale at the Saks. However, since I was leaving the next day I couldn't pick them up before I left. So I had to wait. And I really don't like waiting =( They were FINALLY shipped to me!

Picture from the Stella McCartney Website

Look at them in ALL her glory! She was so beautiful! The heel is perfect height (just slightly below 4 inches). And they are so unique with the cork detailing in the front along with the heel. I love them so much that I already wore them out this weekend to dinner with the BF.

Chanel Le Vernis

I recently picked up 2 Chanel nail polishes (my first!) in Paradoxal and Rose Confidentiel. I am super excited about both. I have heard a lot of buzz about Paradoxal and I finally caved and bought it. Rose Confidentiel was more of a whim. I saw pictures on temptalia.com which were so absolutely beautiful that I HAD to pick this one up!

I will update when I swatch. Hopefully, that will be this weekend! And I will post my most recent beauty haul.

Tax Free Weekend Haul

YAY! Tax free weekend! How could I resist??

I had been holding off on the purchases until this weekend. And even then, I pared my list down and snagged only a few items. I definitely would have gotten more, but the BF was there to give me his huffs and puffs in Sephora and MAC.

First up is the LORAC Little Black Palette. It consists of 4 shimmer eyeshadows and a miniature eyeshadow primer. It has a black case that resembles patent leather over cardboard. This isn't the most travel friendly piece, however, since the shadows are spaced out so much and the primer takes up its own slot (unlike Urban Decay palettes).

These are the swatches from top to bottom. I think you can figure out which color is which though! They are pretty true to color in the box. I find that the shadows are extremely easy to work with. They blend easily and give great pigmentation. I had looked at the other palettes in the line, but this one stood out to me the most due to its high color payoff and creamy texture. The shadows itself seemed almost like a cream shadow texture. The finish is a high shimmer. A word of caution: due to the intense shimmer, these colors would most likely not suit mature or hooded lids.

The lightest shade works better, for me, as a inner tearduct highlight color. Not so well as under the brow. I think it would be too much.

Next up, Illamasqua Nail Polish in Untold. This nail polish was quite a let down. I am still thinking if I should keep it or not. The color is what is described on the Sephora website as "clear with red glitter." I was hoping it was a red with red glitter. This color is also the most widely duped as well. (Think: Zoya Nidhi, Color Club Yule Love it, or the most famous China Glaze Ruby Pumps) I currently have this color over OPI's Big Red Apple, so it looks great right now!
I ran into a friend on the street and she told me that BCBG was having a sale on their sale items! 50% off sale! I couldn't pass that up either! I ran to the shoes and picked these up. They are, to my dismay, slightly uncomfortable. But, since they are leather, I am stretching them out as I type.

Lastly, the MAC counter. As a makeup junkie, I really can not pass by any makeup counter without having a look. I was quite disappointed with MAC's Dame. While it is a lovely color, I just do not like the payoff of it. I feel as if I need to keep working the product on my cheek. After talking to the SA for a bit, I bought Pinch O' Peach. It reminds me of Dame but more pigmented with a slightly more red undertone.
Finally, I love MAC Get-Away Bronze from the To the Beach collection. I have been using it almost every day since I had first gotten it when it came out with the collection at the end of May. At the MAC counter, they had 3 left so I got myself a backup. This blush gives me a great slightly bronzed look.

I have even used this as an eyeshadow, when I was in NYC and managed to forget to bring ANY eyeshadow!

And that wraps my little haul up. While this says "weekend haul," it really was just a one day haul. heh

EOTD Something exciting

This isn't quite a normal day look, I would say. But I had some time to play with makeup while waiting for my boyfriend to get into town.

This works much better with matte colors and on lighter skin tones.

Eyes:

- Any base or primer (MAC's Paint Pots would work well)

- I blended 2 colors together (NYX Frosted Lilac and Coastal Scents 88 Palette middle purple color) since I do not own matte colors, which is what I was trying to achieve.

- Take the color up to the brow bone using patting motions

- Sweep the purple past the brow and up toward the temples

- OPTIONAL: line eyes

- I, again, blended two colors together (MAC Sweet & Punchy and Coastal Scents 88 Palette 3rd row, 3rd down yellow/green)

- Bring the color along the lower lash line and past the outer corner of the eye along the edge of the purple

- Apply neutral toned eyeliner along the lower waterline.

- Curl lashes and apply mascara

The rest of the face should look more neutral. For this look, it is best to have flawless skin, so use concealer liberally. For the cheeks, a light ginger or peach color works well and for lips, an orange-based peach toned lipstick brings the look together.

REVIEW: Urban Decay's NAKED Palette

Ok, so I am sure you have heard all extremely positive things about this palette. And rightly so. The first time I saw this baby I knew that I HAD to get it. I already own a couple Urban Decay palettes and eyeshadows and I am usually wowed by them, or at least I love the texture and color payoff.

I went around to several stores looking for this since the moment it hit stores, they sold out everywhere. I finally was able to pick it up at a local Sephora, where the SA had hid a few of the palettes so I could snag one!

The beauty of this palette is that it comes with 12 shadows and the highly-raved 24/7 eyeliner pencils in Zero (true black) and Whiskey (flat brown).

From left to right:

Virgin - nice, shimmery highlight

Sin - this works well as above the cheek highlight, I found out! Otherwise, nice on the inner tearduct area

Naked - this color is just a shade darker than my skin tone. It is, well, pretty much naked

Sidecar - one of my personal favorites out of this palette since it reminds me of MAC's Satin Taupe

Buck - I like this for crease color. It just slightly darkens the crease and brings a smoky brown eye together. Matte

Half Baked - while this color is beautiful, the perfect amount of gold and brown together with the silkiness and shimmer of the shadow, I wish it was a different color....

Smog - same as Half Baked. Obviously, it is a gorgeous color since it is in nearly every Urban Decay palette

Darkhorse - a nice, shimmery dark brown scattered with gold flecks. Another personal favorite

Toasted - a frost finish, this reminds me of MAC's All That Glitters or MAC's Pearlized Pigments in Scatterrays

Hustle - a frosty chocolate brown

Creep - glitter strewn black. I found this color to be a bit difficult to work with.

Gunmetal - blue grey color close to silver

Swatches correspond to the palette

Overall, I think this palette is great. It is versatile and you get good colors that have good payoff. The price is $44, which may seem high, but for 12 shadows, it is quite a deal especially for Urban Decay. Out of their palettes, this may be my all time favorite.

Oh, and the 24/7 pencils? Well, they are just about the easiest, smoothest eyeliners out there. They retail for $17! (Hefty!) But I do love these pencils. Since my lids are a bit oily, I set the liner with corresponding shadow.

Luckily, it will not be a limited edition piece so you can find it at Sephora, Ulta, or the Urbandecay website.

EOTD

My outfit had been looking a little....well, lacking in color. So, I decided to make it up through my makeup! I tend not to use primer....but I probably should have with this look since after about 9 hours I had some creasing.

NYX Jumbo Pencil as a base in Baby Blue

Coastal Scents 88 Palette 5th row from left, last one down all over lid

NYX Eyeshadow in Frosted Ocean for outer corner

MAC Blanc Type as highlight

MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow Trio in Togetherness (middle purple color) on the lower lashline

L'Oreal Lineur Intense in Black as eyeliner

Bare Essentials Buxom Mascara

I also tightlined using UD 24/7 Liner in Zero

This is with flash

Closed eye picture without flash in natural light.

Noir Jewelry RINGS

The first time I saw these rings, I knew that I would be lusting for more of them! Noir Jewelry is an affordable line that includes rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. However, for me, it was the rings that really got my attention.

I have never really been a ring fan, but, boy did Noir change that for me! Their rings are both edgy and girly, yet eclectic. The designs are stunning and fun.

Pave Pyramid Ring ($80)

Four Stud Pyramid ($50)

How cool is this one?! Brooklyn Bridge ($250)

Penny the Peacock ($150)

Lee the Bee ($95)

Aren't the pieces cute?! I am sure to order more for them ASAP!

You can get these from Noir's website, Shopbop, and Zappos.

EOTD using Maybelline Stylish Smokes in 02 Natural Smokes

Eye Of The Day shot using Maybelline's Stylish Smokes in 02 Natural Smokes.

Lid color is applied with a fluffy shader brush from eyeslipsface.com.

Highlight color is MAC's Blanc Type. I applied it underneath my brows and into the hollows near my nose for added dimension.

Crease color from the quad using a pencil brush from Studio Gears.

L'Oreal Lineur Intense on the upper lash line slightly winged out at the end.

Shu Uemura Lash Curler with Bare Essentials Buxom Lash Mascara.

I didn't use primer and there was no creasing or migrating of color.

I personally do not fill in my eyebrows every day since I don't find the need to. I usually fill them in if I have extra time or I am going out. I am lucky that my brows are pretty dense, so when I do fill them in I usually accentuate the beginning of the brows where I lack some hairs.

This look is a bit darker than I would usually go for a day time look. However, it is perfect for an evening event. Just thicken the eyeliner, darken the outer corner by placing more of the deep color, line the upper and lower waterlines, and smudge some of the darkest color on the lower lash line for the night, sultry look.

Alexander Wang Natasha Pumps

Let me tell you.....I have been lusting over the Natasha pumps for quite some time. I stalked them at Barneys, Shopbop.....and finally, on the Gilt sale on Monday. When I saw them, I knew that I *had* to get them. They are so edgy, yet feminine and chic! I love the structured heel!

These are 5" in height with a 1" hidden platform in the front.

When I get them in, I will be sure to write a detailed report about the pumps and the wearability!

More on Alexander Wang. I love this guy's clothes. Comfortable, chic, cool. He uses primarily black or neutral fabrics but back in his Spring 2009 collection he had bright colors. His more affordable line, T by Alexander Wang, is simple but he seriously knows a woman's figure.

He recently started his handbag collection and that has grown hugely popular (think the Rocco Duffel). The purses are adorable and wearable, especially his newer items. They really cater to every age! My mom even approved!

REVIEW: YSL Semi Loose Powder with Brush

Here is an elegant, sturdy loose powder that YSL has brilliantly produced. It is basically a loose powder that is as practical as a pressed powder.

You simply twist the black, plastic bezel clockwise to release as much or as little product needed. Every use is precise and none is wasted. I love the fact that the grate chops up the pressed powder underneath into a loose version without the mess of actual loose powders.

This instantly mattes your oil spots and gives a light, long-lasting coverage. It works well with foundation underneath for a heavier coverage.

YSL infuses this with its special "Bright Pearl Complex," which highlights the skin and gives a slight luminosity to it.

The brush that it comes with is quite wonderful. The bristles are soft, which allows for it to maneuver in the slight curvatures of your face.

I love the luxurious look and feel of the case it comes in, even though it isn't the most portable. I have fair skin (NC20) and I purchased this in No. 02 Sand. The drawback is its hefty price tag, but it comes with a lot of wonderful product (0.6 oz!). You can pick it up still at Nordstrom. I will definitely buy another and highly, HIGHLY recommend this product!

REVIEW: Omega Seamaster 300M

The James Bond watch, as it is affectionately called, is Omega's most known watch. I am by no means a watch expert or even connoisseur, but I can appreciate the beauty of this watch.

It has a diameter of 36.25mm (which is fairly large for a woman). I do love the fact that this spans across my entire wrist. The face is large enough so that I don't have to squint to tell time. The thickness is quite impressive yet not bulky.

This baby comes armed with a unidirectional rotating bezel for those days where you just need a stopwatch or timer, or if you really are diving and need to check out how much air is left in your tank! (That is what divers use the bezel for).

Something of note is the date indicator on the right side. It seems a bit small, but after noticing several other watches, the Seamaster does not have a magnifier over it (like, say, the Rolex Submariner).

The skeleton hands are a nice feature. They aren't too bulky due to the space in the middle.

Love the back! Look at the aesthetics!

The one complaint I have would just be the clasp. It is large and rather unattractive, but it's a good thing that is rests on the inside of the wrist. I much prefer the clasp (and strap) of IWC watches.

So to wrap up, I don't have too many complaints about this watch. It is an elegant yet sporty watch that can be men's or women's.

(Betcha would have never thought to see a watch review on here?)

Watches to be desired:

- IWC Portugese 7 day Reserve

- A Lange & Sohne 1 series

REVIEW: Maybelline Stylish Smokes in Natural Smokes Quad

Honestly, I use a wide variety of makeup from high end to drugstore. Really for me it is about the product. I don't believe that all of the high end products are worth it and some of the drugstore makeup just does not cut it.

So when I came across this quad, I thought "Well, why not." The colors seemed right up my alley. I love neutral browns, bronzes, and coppery colors, so this quad seemed to hit it.

Maybelline Stylish Smokes in 02 Natural Smokes

$: $4.88 at Target ($1.22 per shadow!)

The bottom left is a milky white highlight.

The upper left is a taupe color meant for all over the lid.

The upper right is a true brown with gold flecks for the crease.

The bottom right is a dark, matte brown for the outer corner.

I am not in love with the highlight. I find it too chalky and hard to work with. I much more prefer MAC's Blanc Type for better color pay off.

The taupe all-over-lid color is pretty good. A bit sheer but it can be built up to a good amount of opacity. However, I don't particularly like the sheen that it has. Almost like a metallic finish. It was a little bit over the top.

The crease color. Oh, oh boy. This is SUCH a good color! It makes the quad well worth it! The gold flecks in the brown make it such a lovely finish. It isn't too much of a metallic finish like the all over lid shadow, but it isn't flat either. I think this is the best one out of the quad. For me, this is perfect for the outer corner.

The matte brown meant for the outer corner is a tad too dark for my taste, especially for the daytime look. However, it would be great for a nighttime smoky eye.

Swatches:

From L to R: highlight, all over lid color, crease, outer corner

The picture accurately shows the 1st, 2nd and 4th colors. But the 3rd is a little bit more different in real life.

This would be best for travelling. I could probably use this every day, but I would opt for different colors.

Overall, I think that this is a good, inexpensive quad to have. A must have? Ehhh. If you are looking for a drugstore 4-in-1 eyeshadow for, say travelling, you should check this out.

What I have been on the lookout for...

Recently, I have been thinking about floral printed silk shorts. It looks chic and effortlessly cool. The summer weather has got me into gauzy, drapy tops, and linen shorts. Maybe this is a bit a la Olivia Palermo.

I went to Anthropologie and found a pair of what I had been lusting for! But I still left there empty-handed....

Images from shopbop.com

New Endeavor!

Hello all!

I will be dipping my toes into a blog, even though I know I will be busy this year with school. Just for reference, this blog will serve as a gateway for me to introduce beauty products, makeup, and (maybe I will dabble in a bit of) fashion.

Thanks for checking this out!

-Fuse