Lashing Out: Hourglass Film Noir Mascara

Falling in love with a new mascara is always a challenge for me. I'm a bit of a mascara snob, and demand a lot of performance from this product. Sometimes, I admit, my demands are a bit unreasonable. But it's my thing... so, yeah.

When Hourglass Film Noir Mascara was recommended to me, I wasn't very excited. I think the brand is decent... but with the exception of the primer, nothing  has really made me shout from the rooftops. And given my history with mascara, I wasn't so sure this one would live up to my expectations.

I was wrong.

The first thing I fell in love with was the size of the brush. It's long and thin, but still holds an ample amount of product. I've outgrown the large brushes with tons of product on them. I now prefer a thinner brush, because I can be very precise about placement.

Out of habit, I took a whiff of the formula. It's not entirely unpleasant, although it doesn't hold a candle to the rose scented wonders of Armani and YSL. It's just my thing. I like for products to smell good, but not overly perfumey. It's a thin line, and more companies cross it more often than not.

Now, here's why I love it. See how my lashes look like my LASHES, and not like they're coated in mascara? Love that! Half of those lashes aren't even mine... they 'created' by the mascara. It lengthens and slightly thickens without making it look like you've gooped on a ton of mascara to get the job done.

And, if that's not good enough, your lashes don't dry crunchy. I tested it by wearing it all day, then layering another coat on top at the end of the day. Worked like a charm. MOST mascaras can't boast this function. And although it's not waterproof (and not entirely smudgeproof, despite company claims), it does resist regular oil production during daily wear.

Overall, I'm a fan. I can wear this mascara with nothing else on my face, and not look like I'm wearing mascara. But it's not as Basic, as say, Shu Uemura (Mascara Basic) which used to be my former 'go to' bare-faced mascara. You still get a good boost of length and thickness.

You can find out more about Hourglass Film Noir Mascara HERE.

*pr sample

FOTD: NARS Autumn 2012

I know it's been while since I did an FOTD... life gets in the way. I've decided to try and do one a week. That way, I'm not rushing, and I'm not sacrificing anything else to get it done.
Anyway, I decided to use the Vente Glace duo for my first foray into the NARS Autumn 2012 Collection.

with flash

without flash (looks totally different, right?)

FACE

By Terry Cover Expert Foundation in Warm Copper

By Terry Voile Poudre Eclat in Apricot Sable

Illamasqua Blush in Expose

 EYES

NARS Vente Glace Duo:

Smoked Silver on Lids

Light Silver on Inner Corners

NARS Mekong Eyeshadow in crease and under waterline

Hourglass Script Eyeliner on lashline

Armani Waterproof Silk Eyeliner on waterline

Hourglass Mascara

LIPS

NARS Lipstick in Autumn Leaves

I'm working on getting better lighting. When I turn the flash off, I get much better definition in shading and coloring, but I lose the light so I looked 'shadowed.' But I find that the flash blows everything out and you really can't see the colors and gradation properly. Ehh, I'm working on it.

Eye Adore: NARS Autumn 2012

These are simply awesome. Like the Lip Collection from Autumn 2012, the NARS Eyeshadow Collection is well thought out, silky, pigmented, and long lasting. I am so impressed this season. NARS really did well.

High Society                   Vente Glace

High Society

Vente Glace

I absolutely love both of these palettes. Vente Glace is such a surprise. That darker, smoky silver color is just indescribable. I really don't think that pictures do it justice. And the lighter color is shot through with the palest iridescent blue... just amazing.

High Society features a surprisingly pigmented lavender. I honestly did NOT expect it to show up that well on  my warm skin tone. Lavender tends to disappear on me. The green shade is more of a 'dirty green'... very Autumn-like. And the purple is just a bit shimmery, but not over the top.

If you've never used NARS before, these palettes are a fabulous introduction. You can find out more about these palettes HERE.

Lip Service: MAC Ruffian

I initially intended to pass on these. But after an unfortunate accident involving a hot car interior and my MAC Siss lipstick, I needed a 'nude' replacement. And the other two... well... they just kind of ended up coming along for the ride.

From the Left:

Ruffian Naked

Ruffian Gold

Ruffian Red

Ruffian Naked

(What, you thought I was going to swatch that on my lips? Yeah... no)

Ruffian Gold

This is a dead ringer for Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in Brilliant. If you have that one, pass on this one. They are nearly identical in hue, texture, and finish.

Ruffian Red

Perfect orange based (?) red. Its very warm, and really perfect for the coming Autumn/Winter season. 

I'll get plenty of use out of all three. Although Ruffian Naked is more 'pink' than Siss, it'll still serve my 'nude' lip needs just fine.

Eye Adore: MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Creams

I JUST got around to getting the latest three Aqua Creams. 23, 24 and 25 are Summer Brights. 26 is a 're-do' of #19, which was pulled from the US Market after just a week in circulation. Lucky for me, I purchased during that week. So there is no need to get 26 this go around.

#23

#24

#25

Swatches (one finger swipe)

I LOVE that the yellow is a smooth matte color. I already have some very specific ideas for all three of these. When the plans become reality, you know I'll take a billion pictures and post them here. Ciao for now!

Lashing Out: LUS Eye Liquid Glue

This is kind of a big deal.

Anyone use MAKE UP FOR EVER False Lashes? You know that little tube of lash glue that comes with them... amazing stuff. The iridescent formula is thin, easy to apply, and there is NO wait time. For pros, this is huge because there's nothing more annoying than waiting on that glue to dry... especially if you're in a time crunch. And if you slap the lashes on too soon... they come right off. Boo!

LUS Eye Liquid Glue is the same formula as the MAKE UP FOR EVER version! It's the same color, texture, and performs the exact same way. And you get a LOT more product to boot! Plus, it's only 4 bucks. Not too shabby right? I am over the moon about this.

It comes with a lovely applicator and a tool to set your lashes just right. I'm so freakin' excited. I already tried them with a pair of falsies and I'm happy to report that this formula is excellent. Looks like my tubes of DUO will be set aside... at least for the time being.

You can find out more about LUS Eye Liquid Glue HERE.

Lip Service: NARS Autumn 2012

NARS has released a nearly perfect collection. No, I'm not kidding. The multiple is a little meh, and I'm not a fan of the Outlaw Blush, but otherwise... the new shadows and ALL of the lip products hit it out of the park. This collection is rich and pigmented, and I am in LOVE.

I'll begin with the lip products. Every single one is a winner for me. This is a 'brown based' lip collection. Somewhere in internet-world, a fair skinned blogger is screaming bloody hell because I feel like this collection was specifically designed for warmer skin tones. The brown base will make these colors go 'muddy' on many fair skinned beauties. Sorry ladies. You might be better suited to Chanel this season. Those colors are much cooler. NARS is distinctly warm for the coming season.

From the left: 

More Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil

Autumn Leaves Lipstick

Amsterdam Matte Lipstick

Tribal Rouge Larger Than Life Lip Gloss

More Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil

 

Autumn Leaves Lipstick 

(my favorite of the bunch)

Amsterdam Matte Lipstick

Tribal Rouge Larger Than Life Lip Gloss

I love them ALL. Autumn Leaves is truly my favorite... you know I never met an orange I didn't like. This is like Amber, with a shot of orange and gold. Just lovely. 

You can find out  more about NARS Autumn 2012 collection HERE.

Beauty Breakdown: Bronzed Birthday Girls

The twins blew in from the South of France, all tanned and excited about celebrating their next birthday. They wanted to know if I could do their makeup for the party?

Naturally, I said yes. As always, both had specific ideas about what they wanted to look like... and BOTH girls used Jennifer Lopez as a guide to explain their wishes.

Nina wanted a very cool bronze, with a strong line and very nude lip (even cooler than the one in the picture). So I did this:

(she's on the phone fussing at her sister)

FACE

Dior Forever Foundation in 40 (center of the face)

Guerlain Bronzing powder in 03 (around the edges of the face)

Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight (top of the cheekbones)

NARS Blush in Liberte

EYES

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eyeshadow in Bronze (lids/under waterline)

MAC Crushed Metallic Pigment in Gold (inner lid)

Armani Waterproof Eye Pencil (lashline/waterline)

Velour False Lashes in Naughty Me

LIPS

OCC Liptar in Memento

Chanel Glossimer in Gold Light

Shayla wanted something a lot warmer, but still really bronze and summery. And she was very specific that she wanted lots of gold in the inner corners of her eyes. Both of them had such deep tans this time, that I was able to use foundations that I normally use for myself.

 I feel like she's been tanning since Summer began LOL

FACE

Tom Ford Traceless Foundation in Praline

CARGO Blush in Laguna

EYES

MAC Eyeshadow in Mulch (lids)

Yaby Eyeshadow in Lemonade (inner corners)

Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Bourbon (waterline/under waterline)

Velour Lashes in Naughty Me

LIPS

OCC Liptar in Safety Orange

OCC Liptar in Cha Cha

MAC Lipstick in Ruffian Gold

I wasn't a fan of Shayla's lash placement in these photos, so I adjusted them before she left so that they literally ended where her eye did (pet peeve of mine). No time for a new photo though... they were rushing off to their party! I'm sure they both had a great time. In fact, I have proof! :-)

Shayla is in the skirt, Ninah is in the shorts

The twins, blowing out their birthday cupcakes

I love these girls. They're like little sisters to me now. They're always so happy and full of life. And they truly celebrate the blessing of waking up every day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLS!