Happy weekend, all! This past week felt like 3 in 1, did it not? I’m happy to be kicking back with friends in Madison this weekend. Nothing like waking up to a fresh sunrise over Lake Mendota and going to bed with the glow of the Capitol building shining bright. I really miss this town.
Here’s a few reads that I caught this week. It’s a quick list, but they’re good!
Behold the NARS Matte Multiple. Yeah, you heard that right. They’re not out until next spring, but these cheeky tints made their debut on the runways this past week.
Beauty Bets is giving away a tube of Strivectin’s newest miracle cream. Get on it!
The 101 on why chia seed oil will make your skin glow.
Loved this read on how the duo behind theSkimm get shit done.
Love this R29 list of Chicago food bloggers that may not be on your radar, but should be.
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale puts all others to shame. Next season’s boots on sale? And a whole host of beauty exclusives? Done. It also happens to fall on or around my birthday, so I usually find myself with a few new Nordstrom gift cards burning a whole in my pocket. I did some sale scouting this past weekend and pulled together a few of my top picks!
I have a tradition of checking out NARS fall collections at the start of every anniversary sale. The soft neutral matte shadows — Yamal and Namibia – majorly struck a chord with me as did the ‘Baiser de Feu’ Lip Bag, which was created for the Anniversary sale. The colors span neutral, pink and red and the tote with some sage advice from Francois is too cute!
The Anniversary Sale is the smartest time to buy a watch. I haven’t for a few seasons since I wear my silver Michael Kors constantly, but this chain link rose gold bracelet watch is really tempting me! After sale, the price goes up by $75 so I should probably make that decision soon.
I have my tradition with a visit to the NARS counter, and my husband has his own in menswear. He always buys jeans and the process is always ridiculously easy. I should know better that it won’t be that way for me, but I’m always inspired to try on jeans after watching him fit into every pair he brings in the fitting room. While I struck out with a few, I tried on this skinny dark rinse by MOTHER at the urging of the sales consultant and loved them. They hug all of the right curves and give me a skinny feeling.
This Deborah Lippmann ‘Space Oddity’ trio is maybe my favorite thing at the sale! The rose gold glitter completely did me in. And little Lippmanns are the cutest bottles of polish there ever were.
My first Sultra Bombshell changed my hair game forever. It’s definitely a splurge, but worth every penny. Even sweeter when Nordstrom decides to put it on sale for a few weeks. The new 1.5 inch barrel Bombshell is a must-shop for me.
Like clockwork, the vamped-up plum pout reappears every fall. It’s like the falling temps signal that it’s OK to go dark again. It’s a look I associate with that season, which is why I wanted to wear it instead in the smack dab of summer. What makes this look so powerful (and feel so comforting) in October and November has the opposite effect in the heat. The bright sun and exposed limbs somehow lend a more vibrant look to one that is usually dark and broody.
If trying this out during peak sweat season just doesn’t feel right, follow these steps. I promise you, it will be way more interesting than you think!
Go matte. As counterintuitive as it may seem, the more matte your lipstick, the more seasonally appropriate it actually is. I find I don’t need any help with the glow or dew in the summer, and a glossy vamp lip can feel a little one dimensional. I’m loving the BECCA Ultimate Matte Lip Colour in Antoinette. It’s ultra matte but somehow hydrating, too.
Shimmer on the lids. A statement lip can carry itself, but to soften the look even more, I’ve been wearing a shimmery bronze on the eyelids. Nothing smoky or extreme, just a soft wash of color that balances out the matte texture on the lips.
Bronze away. I skip blush altogether a lot in the summer but especially when I’m wearing a dark lip. It feels more natural to be bronzed to all get out this time of year and definitely isn’t the way I’d wear this in chilly weather.
Go berry vs. brown. I think the undertone of the lipstick increases the wearabiility. Opt for something with more berry or red undertones versus brown or black. If it’s too dark, it may wash you out or make the look dated.
Any time the temp hits above 85, I know I have my work cut out for me. Looking (and feeling) put together in the summer requires some premeditation. I know I’m going to sweat (tote around the deo) and I know my thighs will rub together (can’t fight heat expansion). But wearing primer, even if just under CC cream, sunscreen or bronzer, keeps my face from looking like it is melting off. Don’t think of it as wearing another layer — this is the one that counts. Primer helps fill pores, smooth skin and make for an even canvas for whatever you need to layer on top of it. I’m in the pro-prime camp. I’ve narrowed the field down to two vastly different formulas that I think cover all summer woes.
Matte skin is never my default since I want all the radiance I can get, but I cannot deny the need for BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector on those awfully hot days. My pores appear massive in that kind of weather and this formula is designed to control excess oil and stand up to humidity. The bonus? You can dab on throughout the day like you would blotting paper and it doubles as an eyelid primer.
On the flip, we have NARS Light Optimizing Primer, the newest in the brand’s pro-prime lineup, which gives skin the luminosity that I crave. The slight iridescence in the formula is the perfect balance of white/champagne/pink tones to light up the skin. It also extends the longevity of your makeup but in a dewy way. This formula practically doubles as a highlighter and it doesn’t hurt to have the added SPF 15.
I’m feeling especially triumphant about today’s beauty find: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. You see, I have been testing this on and off for a good month and feeling just so-so about it. I pretty much love everything that NARS puts out for complexion, and it was seriously stumping me. The texture was lovely, although it does dry quickly. The finish was fairly luminous. I’d found a good match in the shade Custard. And the world — my friends and bloggers I totally respect — were singing its praises. But on me, it seemed to lay flat and almost cakey. If at first you don’t succeed, right? It started with a better color match. Custard is perfect for blemishes and redness on my face, but I needed something a little brighter for under my eyes. I tried the lighter Vanilla and patted it on using only my fingers. In that moment it ALL clicked. I’d been sweeping it on with a fluffy brush for weeks and as a result, wasn’t getting that “one with skin” effect. Oh, now it is on! It covers and brightens and wears all day without really looking like I’m wearing concealer at all. The warmth from my fingers is the key here. And now everything this concealer touches turns flawless. Sometimes I forget there is no tool that can match my own digits!
First, let’s appreciate the giant feathered mohawk situated atop Sarah Jessica Parker’s head. You can’t say she didn’t own the punk theme of Monday’s Met Gala. Second, let’s admire her flawless makeup, especially the plum eyes and soft lip. I’ve been curious about the NARS Tender Night Velvet Matte pencil that launched with the brand’s summer collection.
Mainly, is it wearable? For daytime? Anytime? By normal people? I mean, you wouldn’t think so at first glance. Which is why I was so excited to see SJP rocking it at the Met. She shows just how pretty and wearable Tender Night can be. It’s more interesting than a beige-hued nude and way more modern. I think it looks phenomenal coupled with her plum lids, courtesy of NARS Calabria Soft Touch Shadow Pencil.
The beauty at the Met Gala was all sorts of incredible. Here’s a round-up of my favorite looks!
Emily Blunt wore bright pink lipstick on her eyes. And it looks great… (Politics of Pretty)
Some serious punk-inspired nail art – I’m partial to Sienna Miller’s spiky mani. (Beauty Sweet Spot)
Anne went platinum blonde and killed it. (Beauty High)
Miranda Kerr is maybe the perfect woman. I appreciate her glamorous waves, styled with Davines products. (Beauty Blogging Junkie)
I love her signature red pout, but Tay is really working the nude lip and inky eyes. (PopSugar Beauty)
There’s one in every eye shadow palette: a dark color meant to be used as a liner. I have the hardest time making these colors work. Applying wet is an option, but I find the color fades quickly. Layering them over another eyeliner is usually the route I take, but then I’m just wearing two eyeliners. This predicament is mine no more since discovering Manna Kadar Cosmetics Transfix. It’s a clear gel that turns any eyeshadow into a long-wearing eyeliner. And, guys, it works! I’m talking busy work day, cardio workout approved level of werk.NARS Mekong, one of my favorite colors that never actually resembled what it looked like in the pan when worn, is now the eyeliner I always wanted. The NARS Night Series shadows are the sparkly intense liners Francois intended them to be. And, Bobbi Brown Caviar and Espresso, which appear regularly in her palettes, have been given a new lease on makeup life. Manna Kadar packaged it in a skinny tube with a brush, but I find I get the best mileage dabbing a few drops on the back of my hand and then using this brush to dip in shadow and then apply along the lashline. It keeps the actual product clean and gives me a little more control. It’s really nice to dust off these darker shadows I’ve been ignoring for so long!
Let’s take a look at the COOLEST makeup bag EVER. I’d been hanging on to a Sephora gift card that was just begging to be spent. I intended to pick up a new eye primer and then I stumbled on this holographic bag that was calling out to me! The rose gold piping and sometimes pink, sometimes orange holograph exterior is just too cool for school. Even my husband was prodding me to get this. Genuinely, too. It’s like we were both under a holographic trance. Side note: I’m not sure when he became such an awesome shopping partner, but I’m totally enjoying this new era. He’s also the one who gave me the gift card, this past Valentine’s Day.
We drove down to the Shops at North Bridge for this excursion, and in order to get validated parking, I “needed” to make a Nordstrom purchase. Finally, the Deborah Lippmann Staccato polishes were out, so I splurged on the minty Rockin’ Robin. I’ve only been waiting for these to come out since February! I also snagged a tube of the new Supergoop CC Cream. It’s only been a few days, but I’m really liking it so far. With all of the BB and now CC cream madness, I’ll be sure to let you know where I stand on the subject soon.
Benefit devotees will likely recall when the brand released a lip version of its cult classic Box o’ Powders, ala Hoola, Coralista, Dandelion. Now, that same soft and silky Ultra Plush Gloss formula is available in a handful of bright shades packaged in a fancy new art deco-inspired tube. They look almost neon in the tube, but fear not, the resulting lip color is a more subtle dewy hue of the same color family. Lips look drenched in moisture and there’s a natural plumping effect that comes with all that gloss. The bright pink coral ‘Poutrageous’ (oh, that name!) is my favorite of the bunch. A close second is “Kiss You” a purple that imparts a cool orchid hue on my lips. For more oomph, layer these over lipstick. I’m wearing NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Yu today (see pic here) and after about an hour, it turns into a lovely stain. A fresh coat of Lollibop (the bright pink Ultra Plush) is the perfect refresh throughout the day. If you thought Yu was bright before…this brings it to a whole new level of awesome.
You can check out the full Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss lineup here.
I treasure my NARS lip pencils — Matte, Gloss and now Satin varieties. Within this repurposed NARS candle (how meta of me) are several tiny pencil nubs hidden from sight. It’s a very loved collection. Naturally, I was anticipating the launch of NARS Satin Lip Pencils and debated for hours over the exclusive Pinterest boards that debuted the collection. The reds looked perfect – and we know how I feel about NARS reds – but the pinks really spoke to me. And the neutrals? So MANY options. One more pink, another peach and of course a version with a cognac twist. So I was saying…hours? Yes, the life a NARS lip devotee. In a late night online spree, I ordered the shocking pink Yu, pinky nude Biscayne Park and the rose pink Rikugien. The colors are even prettier in person and feel smooth on lips. The Satin Lip Pencil is a happy medium between the Velvet Matte and Velvet Gloss fomulas. There’s nothing sheer about these, which I love. Yu is a major bright but surprisingly easy to wear, and apply. I can’t resist a staple nude, and Biscayne Park is just that. Rikugien fits into my spring lip wardrobe seamlessly — it’s fresh and rosy. To see swatches, click on over to my Instagram. As I lamented there, these have the potential to drain my beauty funds. Any recs on colors to try next?
Fact: there is a singly universally flattering shade of eye color for every woman. I’m talking one perfect match for all, regardless of skin color, tone or lid shape. This uber-flattering color is none other than rose gold. It’s like the LBD of shadows. Whether you have skin like Nicole Kidman or Kerry Washington, or somewhere in between, rose gold will work for you. It fuses the best of pink and gold, leaving out the sometimes tough to wear red and brassy tones. It’s never too pale or too dramatic. And importantly, it’s never boring. As winter drags on (and on and on), I’ve been counting on the brightening effect rose gold lends. With a wee bit more bronzer than a cloudy day calls for, it’s almost as if it the sun is shining out. If we pretend is it true?!
In low to luxe fashion, I’ve pulled together the rose gold eyeshadows that have a place in any woman’s makeup bag.
File this under worth a trip to Walmart: Drew Barrymore’s Flower Beauty Color Play Crème Eyeshadow in Wild Geranium. The gel consistency is unexpected and it feels much more luxe than its $8 price tag.
Eyeshadow in stick form is especially convenient. Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow, $20, in 30E and Laura Mercier Caviar Stick, $24, in Rose Gold are top notch. The creamy formula makes blending a breeze with your fingers and they’re both incredibly long wearing.
Benefit is introducing new (and major adorable) packaging this month as well as a brand new formula of eyeshadow that is beyond smooth and finely-milled. There are 12 colors in total, but the soft rose gold Nude Swings is a must-have.
My long-time favorite NARS Alhambra Duo Eyeshadow allows for a truly custom rose gold shade. It’s rose gold dissected! Sometimes I swipe a bit of both colors on my brush and apply, other times I layer them directly over each other on the lid and of course I wear the colors on their own because I can. At $34, this is more luxe than the others but it’s like three shadows in one.
Note to fellow blue-eyed beauties: the additional bonus of rose gold is that it really makes your eyes pop!
There are two products that have seamlessly made their way into my daily beauty routine. Individually, they’re great. But together, they are even better. They are Benefit fakeup concealer and NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. Fakeup is incredibly moisturizing with a vitamin E-packed hydrating outer layer and a light-diffusing inner core. It reminds me of a tube of lip balm!
The dewy finish lends a freshness to the skin that my winter skin really needs. I am not plagued by dark circles, but the under eye situation tends to be a little dull. I almost never set my concealer but I can’t resist sweeping NARS Light Reflecting Powder over the top of fakeup. It feels wrong to call it a powder because it doesn’t act like a powder. It is weightless and feels invisible to the touch. I will sweep my fingers across the pan and I’m all why can’t I feel anything? It’s an exciting innovation! NARS infused it with a light reflecting technology that actually adjusts to new sources of light throughout the day. The formula is never drying — not even under the eyes — thanks to glycerin and vitamin E. It’s perfect with fakeup because it doesn’t change the way it looks just how long it wears. I use a double-ended eyeshadow brush from Mally to apply. I like to pat it on with the flat side and blend it out with the fluffy end.
I’m pretty fixated with the NARS “not a powder” Light Reflecting Powder for all over, but is especially phenomenal under the eyes. I think I must not be the only one, since every time I go to Sephora it’s sold out!
Pinterest is basically like one giant shopping cart, even though I definitely pin outside my monthly budget parameters. So it is absolutely thrilling that NARS is selling its highly-anticipated Satin Lip Pencils via Pinterest before they hit anywhere else. A touch genius, don’t you think? NARS teamed with three popular pinners and had them create shade-inspired boards (reds, nudes and pinks). A click-through to the product image on the board brings you to a special purchase page.
The only question now is what color do I want to try first? I love anything NARS Velvet Gloss or Matte so Satin is a sure thing. If only I could adopt my Pinterest mentality and go off-budget!
The Satin Lip Reds: Luxembourg, Palais Royal, Majella, Golshan
The Satin Lip Nudes: Biscayne Park, Het Loo, Isola Bella, Floralies
The Satin Lip Pinks: Lodhi, Rikugien, Hyde Park, Jardin Des Plantes, Yu
On pictures alone, I’m most interested in the pinky nude Biscayne Park, watermelon Luxembourg and coral Lodhi. What shades are you pin-ing for?
NARS launched a new concealer this week and Café Makeup shared her thoughts and swatches of all the shades! (Café Makeup)
I dragged my husband to no fewer than 10 pharmacies while in Paris a year ago. This shopping list from team Birchbox would have been so handy! (Birchbox)
When you live in the Midwest, it is practically a medical necessity to travel south to a warmer climate for even a few days. By mid-February, I’m usually at my breaking point with winter. This year, my husband and I are seeking refuge in Miami. Per usual, my vacation makeup bag is packed to the brim. Here’s a peek at what I brought!
Let’s take a look at the COOLEST makeup bag EVER. I’d been hanging on to a Sephora gift card that was just begging to be spent. I intended to pick up a new eye primer and then I stumbled on this 
