NARS Virtual Domination Blush Palette

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Nars Mata Hari

Hey All

Another one from my Space NK haul! That store could literally suck up all my wages. I got my first Nars item around Christmas last year and it was truly love at first use! The creamy concealer is only just running out and I have my back up purchased. It is THE best concealer ever and worth every penny. You can see the review on that here. It's holy grail now for me!

I knew I wanted to try a Nars blush. They are always mentioned and you never seem to see a bad review on them. I had really wanted Sin but it wasn't on the Space NK website. Everybody raves about orgasm but for me it didn't appeal. As my beloved dandelion (and I hadn't bought the Benefit blush palette at this point!) is running out I decided to go for a pink shade ready to replace that.

I didn't do my research and just gambled on Mata Hari. It isn't one I had seen before or one I'd read about but it looked like a nice pink so ended up in my basket.

As with all Nars products it does have the rubberised black packaging that will get grubby. I love that in their blushes there are full size mirrors. I'm a on the go make up girls lately and mirror's in products are always appreciated. 

Nars blushes are 4.8g and cost £22.50. For reference Benefit Dandelion is £23.50 for 7g. Nars Mati Hari is a lot more pigmented though. I've been so impressed with it. It's a really pretty slightly cool toned pink. I find I need the smallest amount of this to give a soft pink glow to my cheeks. I love the natural blush effect it gives!

In these photos it has been on for 7+ hours. It still gives a natural finish to my skin. I'm in love. I think this has knocked Dandelion of it's top spot which is a massive statement for me. I love that it can be built up for more colour if desired!

Now I just need more Nars blushes in my life! Any colour recommendations?

Love M

xxx

Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette

Hello everyone!

Hope your weekend is shaping up exactly like you wanted!

We've got a review today of a lovely palette from guess who..............well it's obvious really isn't it!
Urban Decay are the palette Kings and Queens and nothing that they've brought out has been even slightly disappointing; we all know about the Naked eyeshadow palettes and a little while ago they brought out the Naked Flushed* palette.

I'm sure you've seen it before as it as been a big hit but just incase you haven't lets just marvel at the beauty of the palette and the packaging.

The box fits in nicely with the Naked packaging theme and the palette itself looks exactly the same as the outer box. It has raised gold lettering on it and it looks simple but effective, which is pretty much how all of the Naked products seem to be.

Inside you can see the three products side by side and there is even a mirror in the lid which is HUGE and I absolutely love this. I have a pet hate with mirrors being so tiny inside palettes when they could fill it, such as this one (this includes the original Naked palette, i hate that it has such a tiny strip inside it!)

Swiped with my fingers you can clearly see how pigmented the powders are, L-R we have the blusher, highlighter and bronzer.

I've been using them daily for the last few weeks and I have to say I do quite like it. The bronzer looked a little orange in the palette to me but on my face it does a good job of contouring my face and making it look like it's got a bit of life and shape about it. I find it hard to go to wrong with it too which is great for my 6am rush!

The highlighter is something I love also, its not as glaringly obvious as MAC's MSF in soft and gentle and its not as gold either. It's very flattering, not at all glittery and you could get away with wearing this day in, day out without fearing of someone thinking your glittering like a disco ball at a serious 9am board meeting. It's very subtle and I often apply it to my cheek bones during the week let alone for a Saturday night out!

The blusher was initially something I struggled with as I must be used to being heavy handed. It is SO pigmented that on my super pale skin I found it hard to control and sometimes looked a little clown ish because I'd put too much on. After I'd rectified this problem and only applied to tiniest bit I can confirm that I had the perfect 'flush' and now I'm using so little I can definitely see that this palette will last me a long time.

I've looked at it from afar many times when walking through my local Debenhams with envious eyes as I've wanted to get my hands on it for a long time! I can say it doesn't disappoint and will be coming on many trips with me in future. The sturdy packaging and three in one palette means its perfect for weekends away and carrying around with you.

Urban Decay...........you've done it again!


L xxx

Hey all

Hope you are having a great weekend! I'm just off to my kickboxing fitness class before pizza and beer with Jenny!

I love all of the Naked Palettes and I love that urban decay are extending on from naked eyeshadows and creating a whole naked line that is so wearable.

I love the idea of having a bronzer, blush and highlighter all in one palette. This has been in my gym make up bag and handbag for the past few weeks. It's so much easier than carrying three products around.

The packaging is practical. Plastic means it's not going to get scratched, dented or broken. I love the huge mirror! I's been great for doing my make up on the bus!

I thought I'd show the product on as some of the colours can look scary in the pan and swatched, as with other urban decay products they offer amazing pigmentation.



Here is my skin with just foundation and powder.



The bronzer colour did concern me in the pan. It does look orange toned but on the skin it offers amazing pigmentation and gives a great contour. You only need the lightest touch. I love how it defines my cheek bones and I always swipe a bit in temples.



If you've read the blog for a while you'll know I'm the biggest fan of Benefit Dandelion. I wear it all the time. It's the softest pink. Lately I've wanted more colour and found Dandelion can be a bit pale. The blush has been perfect for these days. It adds a gorgeous rosy natural glow to the cheeks.



As L said the highlighter is much softer than Soft and Gentle which is a favourite of ours. I love that this is easier to wear for day to day. I'm someone who contours and highlights most days. I find my face can be a bit flat otherwise. (on my eyes is Naked 3! It's a beaut!)

I love how well the three colours go together and how easy they are to wear!

Urban decay are also bringing out the Naked Flushed palette in other colours so keep your eyes peeled for those! It's totally acceptable to own two flushed palettes right as I want the light one too!





This shows off the contour when blended is subtle. At first it looks scary but when blush is applied it gives a soft contour!

Love M

xxx

Benefit: Groovy Kind-a Love Make Up Kit

Hello!

I'm sure you've all seen the fantastic Christmas sets from Benefit this year, if not here's a link for you to browse at your leisure!

I have already purchased one of the tins (Love me B.right) which I will be reviewing very soon, but I couldn't resist but snap up this palette as well...

Groovy Kind-a Love is a beautiful palette containing an assortment of products. The back of the box shows the products, colours and names as below:

What excited me most was the dual blusher and the 4 eyeshadow colours, I don't own any eyeshadows from Benefit so I was really looking forward to trying them out.

It also contains the ever amazing Porefessional, Benetint and They're Real which I am a huge fan of.

The tin itself is small and beautifully formed, the pattern and outside images are really pretty and this would be great as a gift.
The inside is also displayed very well and would be a handy weekend kit or gift for someone who has never tried Benefit products before; or even for yourself as a payday treat like mine was. I'm such a bad saver!

Here's a closer look of the palette.

I love the arrangement and that the eyeshadows are in colour order, it would annoy me intensely if they weren't!
I also love that it comes with brushes making it a great kit for on the go or taking away with you.
Plus multi purpose products such as Benetint for lips and cheeks are great value too.

After applying my base as usual I then used the Dandelion and Gimme Fever blushers to give my face some colour and definition:

It's a beautiful colour and the shimmer is just enough to look like my skin has a glow but isn't glittery.
It's a gorgeous colour and I wish you could buy Gimme Fever separately!




I applied the eyeshadows in colour order, with Tickle My Ivory on the inner corner and Gilt-y Pleasure over the rest of the lid:



Shimmer Down was then applied to the crease and Kiss Me I'm Tipsy along the upper lashline:





These are such beautiful colours that can be worn day or night. They're perfect neutral colours for any outfit and occasion and I can see them getting a lot of use from me!

With They're Real applied the look is complete:






I do love how my lashes look with They're Real. They're lengthened, volumised and curled so I really cannot complain! I'd purchase this all the time if I could afford it but for the mean time the miniature versions are keeping me going as I've had a few different sets.



With Benetint applied as well this is a look I can see myself wearing regularly as it's pretty but chic.
I love the eyshadow colours a lot!

Do you like the palette from Benefit? It costs £29.50 and you can get it from Boots and Debenhams.

It's a great present for someone if you're stuck for something to buy and I would have loved to have received it if I hadn't have snapped it up myself already...

I've got my eye on Gimme Some Lovin' with Hoola and They're Real in, and also It's a Love Fest with Porefessional and Sun Beam (both £39.50)

Fingers crossed my mum will listen to my hints! Which would you put on your Christmas list??

L xxx