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Product Swatches

The NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel Shade is Gorgeous on Brown Skin

April 15, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog, Makeup Looks, Product Swatches / 23 Comments

Remember my mini NARS Haul? I purchased the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in Macao along with the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel. If you’ve read my review of the All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, you’d know that I love it; it has been my go-to foundation of choice for the last few months. You would have also noticed the nice pink-beige lipstick I’ve been wearing, too, which is the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel.

NARS describes their line of 40 Audacious Lipsticks as:

Modern lipstick so shamelessly seductive in touch and texture the sensation is audacious. Unadulterated luxury glides on like satin across skin with single-stroke coverage. A spectrum of 40 shades for unstoppable impact.

Before I get into what I’m loving about the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel, can I just talk about the case? The NARS Audacious Lipstick case is a sleek, mate black metal case with magnetic properties. Have you ever had your lipstick cap come off while toting it around in your bag? Yup! It’s happened to me, and what a mess that was. Fortunately, with the NARS Audacious Lipstick I don’t have to worry about that. Never before have I had a lipstick case with magnetic packaging that aligns itself to snap close.

Now, we can talk about the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel. As I mentioned above, it’s a pretty, neutral, pinkish-beige lipstick. It’s a nice semi-matte formula that glides on smoothly, with a lot of impact in one swipe, which is very similar the the All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation since I only needed one drop of that. At least NARS is consistent, right?

If you have pigmented lips, you know that finding a lipstick with opacity of epic proportions to cover up that pigment and have the lipstick shade pop, can sometimes be difficult. I’m a brown girl, with slightly pigmented lips, and even with that, the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel shows up on my lips just as it appears in the tube, which is awesome.

Although the NARS Audacious Lipsticks are described as having satin finishes, I’ve found that, at least on me, the lipstick appears a little matte, which doesn’t bother me because I LOVE matte lipsticks. Even with this characteristic, I didn’t find the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel to be drying; however, I would suggest applying a thin layer of lip balm prior to applying the lipstick.

As far as the longevity of wear goes, the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel lasts at least 5 hours, even after eating and/or drinking. I like that it doesn’t feather either; however, I do line my lips with my favorite nude lip pencil.

Overall, I am completely satisfied with my NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel. For me, it’s the perfect nude shade for my brown skin. I like that on me, it doesn’t look pasty, and it complements any makeup look whether it’s a smoky eye or soft neutral look. It’s honestly the perfect everyday lipstick. I can’t wait to try out more of the other shades.

The NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel can be purchased for $32.00/ 0.14 oz at NARS or narscosmetics.com, Sephora or Sephora.com, Barneys or Barneys.com.

Do you own any of the NARS Audacious Lipsticks?

Which are your favorite shades?

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation ‘Macao’ Review

April 1, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, Makeup Looks, Product Swatches, Reviews / 31 Comments

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Just a few weeks ago, I introduced you to my new NARS Cosmetics purchases. One of the purchases was the new NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. It’s one of the most raved about liquid foundations on the market right now, and rightfully so. Keep reading to learn more about the foundation, and how well it worked (or not) for me.

NARS describes the All Day Luminous Foundation as:

Full, natural-looking coverage with unexpectedly weightless, 16-hour wear. Highly pigmented and perfectly balanced, this breakthrough formula builds and blends effortlessly with just one drop—the result of exclusive innovation uniquely designed to deliver long-wearing full coverage, weightlessly. Shake, pump and blend in sections for complete coverage that’s completely natural looking.

A photo posted by Makeupbykimporter (@makeupbykimporter) on Mar 2, 2015 at 6:33am PST

If you’ve been keeping up with me on Instagram, you’ll know that I’ve been testing out the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation since I picked it up. You’ll also know that I am a huge fan of it, for many reasons:

– It’s lightweight

– A little goes a long way

– Provides excellent coverage without looking cakey

– It’s long-lasting without having to do any major touch-ups

– It works well with my oily skin

Normally, due to some discoloration on my face, which is more prominent on my right cheek, I’d have to use a color corrector prior to applying my foundation. Using this NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation doesn’t require that step, which reduces my makeup application time. That’s a total plus if you ask me. Also, did I mention that instead of using who knows how many pumps or dime-sized amounts of other liquid foundations, I only have to use one, ONE drop of the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in order to achieve the coverage and look that I want? Yup! So just imagine how long it will take me (or you) to get rid of the bottle. You’re definitely getting your monies worth.

Speaking of the bottle. I’ve mentioned many times before that I love simplicity. The NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation is beautiful in all of its simplicity with it’s sharp lines, matte black cap, and frosted bottle. Simple and chic – just the way I like it. The pump dispenser releases just the right amount of foundation needed as well. I know that there are some instances when dispensers release too much product, which can lead to waste. We don’t want that.

Usually, as a woman of color, it’s pretty hard finding foundations that are a perfect match for my complexion. They’re either a bit too dark, the undertone isn’t right, which can make us look muddy. However, with the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, I was able to find my “perfect” match in the shade ‘Macao’, which is described as medium dark with yellow undertones.

After applying the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, my skin looks naturally radiant. I’ve received many compliments on how good my skin looked, too. I also liked the finish. It wasn’t dewy nor completely matte. My skin didn’t look dry nor did it feel tight.

And just to touch a bit on wear, I can see how the foundation may last 16-hours. I haven’t yet had a reason to wear it for that amount of time, but, I did notice that after my hour-long commute, and 8-hour workday, the foundation is still in place, even on my nose where foundation seems to always disappear. Surprisingly with my oily t-zone, I’m not even shiny by the end of my work day either. The most I’d have to do is use a blot paper once or twice, and that’s it. The real test comes once the weather warms up. If it doesn’t pan out, I still have my NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer.

Overall, I am in love with the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. It applies flawlessly, and makes my skin look amazingly radiant. If you’re in the market for a full-coverage, lightweight foundation that lasts all day, and is great for all skin types, I suggest checking out the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation.

The NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation is available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks and more in 20 shades, and costs $48/1 oz.

Tip: To find your perfect foundation match, instead of swatching on your hand or wrist, swatch the product on your neck. Your face, which is oftentimes a different shade than your neck, should match your neck once foundation is applied.

Have you tried the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation?

What do you think?

IT Cosmetics CC+ Your Way To Radiant Skin! 5-Piece Collection

March 26, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog, Product Swatches / 20 Comments

IT Cosmetics is back with another QVC Today’s Special Value. This time, it’s their CC+ Your Way to Radiant Skin! 5-piece Collection. This collection, available for one day only exclusively on QVC and QVC.com starting midnight (right now) March 27, 2015 features the following products:

Anti-aging Full Coverage Physical SPF50 CC+ Cream Illumination

This is one of IT Cosmetics’ number one selling products. It combines sun protection, full coverage foundation, brightening corrector, anti-aging serum, pore-minimizing primer, dark spot corrector, and moisturizing day cream all in one. The coverage is amazing, and you only need a little bit. It also doesn’t feel heavy on the skin either.

I can get away with the ‘Rich’ shade almost barely in the winter, but come the warmer months, when my skin is exposed to the sun more, I can see this shade not working for me at all.

Available in the following shades: Fair, Light, Medium, Tan, or Rich

Anti-aging Vitality Face Disc

This 0.78 oz compact features a Matte Bronzer, illuminating powder, and blush that are all formulated with anti-aging ingredients, and is talc-free.

For my complexion, as you can see from the swatches, the only thing I can really get away with using is the blush. .:Womp Womp:. I do love the texture of the bronzer and highlighter. I just wish it wasn’t a one-size fits all palette.

Eye Shadow Trio in ‘Pretty In Spring’

IT Cosmetics Eye Shadow Trios are amazing. They are highly pigmented, and apply effortlessly and smoothly. The Trio included in the CC+ Your Way to Radiant Skin! 5-piece Collection is rightfully named ‘Pretty in Spring’. It features three spring-ready shades: a cream shade; Blissful, pale rose shade; and Serene, a rich toffee shade. All help you create a beautiful, natural-looking, radiant eye look.

Heavenly Luxe Radiance Wand Brush

It Cosmetics has some of the best brushes on the market. I’m happy to see that the CC+ Your Way to Radiant Skin! 5-piece Collection has two brushes in the set. The Heavenly Luxe Radiance Wand Brush, is a soft, fluffy dome-shaped brush to help you effortlessly apply your bronzing powder, illuminator and blush.

Heavenly Luxe No Tug Dual Eye Shadow Brush

This is one of my favorite brushes from IT Cosmetics. It’s a dual ended brush that can be used for many things. I use the large, slightly dense brush head to apply and blend my eyeshadow, and sometimes my concealer. The smudger side, I use to smudge eyeshadow or liner into my lower lash line. This brush is perfect for applying makeup to the delicate eye area.

The combination of the five products in the CC+ Your Way to Radiant Skin Collection promise to help you achieve the most radiant and glowing skin. And then there are the added benefits of SPF50 UVA/UVB sunscreen, just in time for the warmer spring and summer months.

The CC+ Your Way to Radiant Skin! 5-piece Collection will be available on QVC or QVC.com for under $60 ($172.00 value). Product Code: A262750

Top 10 Favorite Winter Lipsticks

March 4, 2015 by Kim S. / blog, Miscellaneous, Product Swatches / 26 Comments

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Aside from my eyebrows, my lips are another thing that I can’t leave the house without dressing in one of my favorite lipsticks. A nice lip color can make a drab face look fab in seconds. This winter, I’ve been wearing a lot of vampy colors along with some fun shades like fuchsia, and brick red. Because who said winter lipsticks had to be dark? Being that I’m sort of a lipstick junkie, it was a bit hard to narrow down my list to 10 of my favorite winter lipsticks. Keep reading to see swatches of my Top 10 Favorite Winter Lipsticks.

1. Black|Up Cosmetics 32M

I’ve been wearing the heck out of the Black|Up Cosmetics matte lip color in shade 32M! It’s a gorgeous raspberry shade that looks amazing against my complexion. It’s a fun shade, and would make a great transitional shade from winter to spring.

2. LA Girl Glazed Lip Paint ‘Coy’

By now, it’s no surprise that I’m into purple shades, right? Yup! This LA Girl Glazed Lip Paint in ‘Coy’ is a beautiful violet. It adds some fun color to these gloomy winter days we’ve been having in New York. It makes me look forward to spring.

3. Black|Up Cosmetics 38M

Yup, another Black|Up Cosmetics lipstick has made the cut for a favorite winter lipstick, and this one is described as a bluish mauve. I love the way it looks on me. It’s flirty, and fun, and definitely takes my mind off of winter weather.

4. MAC Cosmetics ‘Rebel’

‘Rebel’ by MAC, which has a satin finish gives you dark lipstick without going too dark. If you’re into plum shades, this is perfect.

5. MAC Cosmetics ‘Diva’

My winter lipstick stash must contain a red. Although there are times I whip out my ‘Ruby Woo’ or another red, I sometimes go for a darker, more intense burgundy like ‘Diva’. Plus, there are days when I’m a total ‘Diva’ and wear it. LOL

6. Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Lacquer ‘Bordeaux’

I love this Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Lacquer in ‘Bordeaux’. I raved about it in my review of the December 2014 POPSUGAR Must Have Box (here). It’s great for those that love both glosses and stains. It lasts! The color is just beautiful.

7. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ‘Train Bleu’

NARS describes this shade of their Velvet Matte Lip Pencil as a “deep aubergine”. Train Bleu is one of my go-to shades to create a long-lasting vampy look.

8. Black|Up Cosmetics 2-in-1 Lip Crayon JUM11

This is another favorite winter lipstick shade for creating a vampy lip. Although similar in shade to the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, it’s not a full matte, the color is a bit deeper and more intense. It also applies like a dream!

9. Black|Up Cosmetics Lip Lacquer VL07

The Black|Up Cosmetics Lip Lacquer in VL07 is a vibrant, deep purple. If you’re into high gloss, then this is for you. It looks good both alone and over a lipstick.

10. MAC Cosmetics ‘Smoked Purple’

I told you I LOVE purple! ‘Smoked Purple’ has been a favorite of mine for YEARS! It’s the perfect, deep, eggplant matte lipstick. The color lasts all day, and applies evenly with ease. And even though I’m wearing it during the winter, which is known for drying out the skin, my lips do not suffer wearing this.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my Top 10 Favorite Winter Lipsticks. Did you notice a pattern? Most of them are matte, and some form of purple.