NARS Spring Beauty

As it turns out, splurging on your birthday is very common. Not only did I read it in a mainstream newspaper, I can confirm it. Last summer, I bought myself a few treats on my birthday: a lipstick, a blush and a necklace. I had been eyeballing each for months, and used my birthday as the reason to pull the trigger.

Who knows? I may treat myself again to a little something this year. I would not be unhappy with any of the following three of  NARS spring wearables:

1) Exposed Cheek Palette $59 - Contains 6 lightweight buildable pigments that delivers a sheer wash of color. It flatters all skin tones and can be applied wet or dry for different effects. 

The 6 shades are: 

• Tell All (pearlescent golden pink)
• Now Or Never (satin terracotta)
• Give It Away (satin nude)
• Make You Mine (satin peach)
• Come Hither (satin watermelon)
• New Fling (satin fuchsia)

What's more: I tested them at Ulta. They are lovely and natural ... and yes, the colors can be layered for a flattering finish!

2) Skin Deep Eyeshadow Palette $59 - It has 12 neutral hues to mix and match on eyes and brows. The colors range from subtle to smoky in rich mattes to pretty shimmers and smoldering metallics The palette was created to line, define, highlight and shade your eyes. See it and you will covet it! 

The 12 Shades are:

• Taunt (matte cream)
• Sophia (matte rich cool brown)
• Whipped (matte warm brown)
• Undressed (matte taupe brown)
• Bali (matte deep neutral taupe)
• Icon (shimmering rosy gold)
• Basic Instinct (shimmering icy rose)
• Coconut Grove (matte deep brown)
• Centerfold (shimmering grey beige)
• Calendar Girl (shimmering golden brown)
• Faster Pussycat (metallic copper)
• Unbuttoned (shimmering deep brown) 

3) Orgasm Threesome Set $29 - consists of mini sizes of product in NARS classic orgasm shade - a peachy pink with subtle gold shimmer. The multi-tasking set, which can be used on eyes, cheeks and lips consists of:

• Blush in Orgasm (0.12 oz)
• Lip Gloss in Orgasm (0.12 oz)
• The Multiple in Orgasm (0.14 oz)

The Orgasm Threesome Set was the item I walked into the store to see, but for now it is only available online, arriving in stores soon!

Trust me: If you don't need any more eyeshadow or blush, you will still be tempted by the 2 palettes. The Orgasm Threesome Set is half the price of the palettes. Although minis, they last; flatter every skin tone; and  are still a good value. 

On your birthday you must decide ... how good will you be to yourself?

You may also enjoy:

Flower By Drew Barrymore

Do We Need Sunless Tanners?

4 Affordable Beauty Products To Try Now

The Signature Nail Polish Of British Royals

Join The Revolution Of Makeup

RevolutionPro Lip Kit

Revolution is a London based beauty company with 28 years of experience, who creates makeup, skincare and haircare of the highest quality for less. The products are 100% cruelty free and mostly vegan.

The cosmetics have top-notch formulas and rich pigments that stay put after application, and there's a wide range of colors. Nude continues to be a popular lip shade this season, so I'm featuring their much loved Naked Lip Palette, but it's only one of several, including reds and noir colors. A super affordable $14 splurge!

Revolution Pro Regeneration Eyeshadow Palette

Equally appealing is the eyeshadow palette with 18 highly pigmented and wearable shades. Some are neutrals while others have a tad of shimmer. The colors can be mixed and matched or blended. This palette is calling Angie Smith's name, a friend and reader of THE SAVVY SHOPPER!

What's more Revolution's makeup tools and accessories, needed to apply eyeshadow, lipstick, powder or blush are an excellent value too. Be sure to take a look!

Revolution Ultra Contour Palette

The contour palette has 8 creamy and blendable colors to flatter your skin tone while giving your face extra definition.

Revolution is a global-selling company, and shipping is free the world over. Savvy Shoppers are sure to find some too-good-to-be-true bargains featured under the "sale" and "outlet" tabs on its website, so take a browse.

What are your cosmetic temptations? Mine tend to be skin care and lip stick. With Revolution, treating ourselves won't break the bank!

You may also enjoy:  

Aveda Wellness Beauty  

LUSH: Fresh Homemade Cosmetics  

Shea Moisture Beauty For Everybody

Eye Shadow Launches: Chanel & NARS

Trending: The Blue Wave

Photo: topinspired

The blue wave. It's coming!🌀😱Have you seen it on the streets where you live yet?

Beauty editors say a sweep of blue eyeliner is the new hot trend this fall. Sometimes etched on the lower inner eye, but more commonly drawn above on the eyelids right behind your lashes and extending past the lid to form an upward turned wing ... or a cat eye. 

Photo: Purewow

With this trend, you don't need blue eyes to carry off the blue makeup. Look for a soft eye crayon or liquid eyeliner for control in drawing the wing; not to mention you don't want to poke your eye out!

Photo: Glamour

This cosmetic comes in all price points, so you can save or slurge: NARS offers a blue velvet shadow stick; Clinique a chubby blue tint stick. The Sephora Collection has one, as does Chanel; and NYX Professional Makeup sells a jumble cobalt eye pencil.

Photo: Lasttrend

The look is neither subtle nor outlandish. Not kooky or odd, yet obvious.

What do you think of the blue wave? What's more, will you try it?💙

You may also enjoy:

Bangs Are Back

Velvet Is Posh Again  

Autumn's Purple Haze  

Feather Hair Extensions, Patterned Nail Polish And Smoky Eyes

BH Cosmetics Makeup Brush Set

Good makeup brushes are a beauty essential. Quality ones can be costly, but they are vital tools in applying makeup evenly and flawlessly.

BH Cosmetics offers a fabulous mid priced 11-piece set worth considering. The set is a pretty rose gold metal material. Sold by various retailers, I first spotted the set at Urban Outfitters for $23. Sometimes a single brush costs more!

The 11 piece set includes:

1) Powder brush
2) Flat buffer brush
3) Foundation brush
4) Pointed crease brush
5) Blending brush
6) Angled blending brush
7) Round smudge brush
8) Flat concealer brush
9) Oval shadow brush
10) Brow/liner brush
11) Lip brush

The synthetic bristles feel soft-to-the-touch and can be dipped into liquids, creams or powder. They blend makeup without shedding. A cute matching rose gold vinyl case is included.

This is a good basic brush set. You can apply a full face by multi-tasking the brushes. Makeup mavens will know what is missing. It does not contain a blush brush, highlighter brush or contour brush. Yet at this affordable price, you could buy the additions you need for your individual beauty routine.

Less glossy, but the same quality bristles at a lower price (about $13), the 10-piece BH Cosmetics Sculpt and Blend Brush Set is a great deal too. The set includes all the basics, i.e. the main brushes used by many women who favor an Ivory Girl, natural look.

You may also enjoy:
NARS Orgasm Dupes
A Guide To Makeup Brushes
Are Makeup Clubs Worth The Money?
A Stop At Henri Bendel's NARS Counter

NARS Orgasm Collection: 3 New Products

    

NARS' popular Orgasm makeup for cheeks and lips is practically a label of its own within the NARS brand. The peachy-pink with gold shimmer hue is universally flattering on every skin tone. It creates an understated and polished finish. You look natural ... only better!

The 3 new products added to the Orgasm Collection are: (1) Repackaged Blush -- in 2 shades: Orgasm and Super Orgasm; (2) Afterglow Lip Balm and (3) Illuminating Loose Powder 

The new makeup items feel and look sensational. The colors last all day. I know, I put on samples from Sephora yesterday. 

That said, you really can't go wrong with any of the other cheek or lip products in the NARS Orgasm Collection including:

• Last year's Orgasm Blush
• The Orgasm and Super Orgasm Lip glosses - offer radiant color and sophisticated shine in an ultra-smooth, non-sticky formula.
• The Orgasm Lipstick - a satin, creamy lipstick that provides rich, lasting color. 
• The Orgasm Multiple is the original, multipurpose stick for the eyes, cheeks and lips. Adds dimension and highlights for a perfected, glowing complexion.
• The Orgasm Liquid Blush - A silky, light fluid formula that imparts a natural-looking, second-skin finish. One drop gives cheeks a healthy-looking glow. 
• The Orgasm Nail Polish in the iconic shade.

In a nutshell: A spectacular color from a spectacular brand!

Last night my NARS Orgasm cheek and lip color looked so lovely, I didn't want to wash it off. But it was the right thing to do before bed. A pretty shade that doesn't look as good on bed linen.

You may also enjoy:

15 Makeup Dos & Don'ts

A Stop At Henri Bendel's NARS Counter

The Simple Way To Do Your Own Makeup   

The Best Anti-Aging Face Products For Less

Charlotte Tilbury Makeup: One Woman, Ten Looks

1) The Ingenue

Charlotte Tilbury is a makeup brand on the same level as Chanel. The colors and textures are beautiful. Since the retailer is English in origin (not French), it's a few bucks cheaper then Chanel, but still a luxury brand and a splurge for the shopper on a budget. The Limited Edition Face Palettes are a smart entry into the Charlotte Tilbury line. Although not cheap at $75, the palettes are ample-sized, the hues are ultra flattering, and it contains a variety of face products to create a complete look.

The company website is a wealth of helpful information and great fun to explore. In addition to discovering and shopping for new looks and listening to catchy music, you can watch how-to videos featuring professional makeup artists who show you the steps in creating the different looks. Click each image below to enlarge:

2) The Golden Goddess                                       3) The Uptown Girl

4) The Sophisticate                                            5) The Dulce Vita

6) The Bombshell                                                     7) The Vintage Vamp

 

8) Glamour Muse                                                 9) The Rebel

10) The Rock Chick

Which looks are you willing to try? And which ones do you think you could pull off? 

Perhaps because of my pale complexion and fondness for light lip colors, I really like the Rock Chick, the Uptown Girl and the Sophisticate. If stepping out of my comfort zone, I could try the Vintage Vamp look -- love the sultry eyes and red burgundy lips of that one! Now you ...

You may also enjoy:

Aveda Wellness Beauty  

Are Makeup Clubs Worth The Money?   

The Ordinary Skincare Is Extraordinary  

4 Affordable Beauty Products To Try Now 

New From Make Up For Ever And Victoria's Secret

Photo: Allure

New chic makeup launches for eyes and lips. 

First up eyes:

1) Make Up For Ever's Star Lit Glitter Palette - Get eyes to pop with the next generation of glitter! The palette shades catch the light for an intense simmering effect that is a step up from previous glitter palettes. As sparkly as the eyeshadow is, it is not messy (as there is no fallout) and the hues don't look cheap. When applied, the eyeshadows are incandescent nude tones. Innovative!

The 6 shades in the palette have names like: Spark, Reflection, Prism, Flicker, Flame and Beam. They range from radiant violets and berries to brilliant bronzes. "Beam," the purple hue on the end is more understated and complex than it appears above. Rich pigments. The look is magical and very pretty! Cost: $45 for the palette.

Next lips:

Photo: Allure

2) Velvet Matte Cream Lip Stains, Pencils and Glosses - Makeup Maven, Angie Smith, alerted me to the launch of new lip formulas from Victoria's Secret. (What? VSC is back in the makeup business? Great news!) Buy all 3 lip products (the cream stain, pencil and gloss) as a kit, or only what you desire separately. There are 12 colors, ranging from reds, berries, wines, pinks and nudes. 

Although they go on dry, the smooth, velvety, matte cream stains are infused with vitamin E and olive oil to moisturize your lips. 

Just like our ole friend, Ang', customers are enthusiastic about the flattering colors and velvety new formula. Costs: $14 each, or the 3-set kit for $24.50 (that is before savvy shopper deals). There are always deals at Victoria's Secret!


You may also enjoy:
New From Maybelline   
Target's Own Nail Polish
Eye Shadow Launches: Chanel & NARS   
4 Affordable Beauty Products To Try Now

15 Makeup Dos & Don'ts

Photo: Maybelline

For many of us, applying makeup begins as trial and error until we figure out what flatters our faces. And, we can always learn new tricks, especially for an evening out when we tend to wear more makeup. Here are 15 common makeup dos and don'ts. Let's replace bad habits -- Don'ts with better habits -- Dos:

Do: Start with primer on your face and under your eyes.

Don't: Skip primer. Makeup glides on easy and stays put on primed skin!

Do: Dampen your blender sponge with water.

Don't: Dip a dry sponge into makeup. It soaks up too much product.

Do: Blend foundation beyond your jawline down to your neck and up to your hairline. Dab and pat is the way to go.

Don't: Stop foundation at the jawline to create a visible line.

Do: Match a concealer to the skin on your inside wrist.

Don't: Use a concealer lighter then your skin. You will look like a raccoon.

Do: Use correct makeup brushes for your foundation, blush, contour, bronzer, highlighter, eyeshadow and powder.
Don't: Apply makeup with the wrong brushes. Using the correct brush lets you apply each item correctly.

Do: Apply blush on the apples of your cheeks.
Don't: Extent blush beyond the apples of your cheeks. You may look like a clown.

Do: Apply cheek contour right under the hollow of the cheekbone and stop midway.
Don't: Apply contour too low and too far across your face. It ends up looking unnatural, or dirty.

Do: Stroke bronzer lightly above contour to produce a warm sun kissed glow. (A contour and bronzer are often used interchangeably, however professionals use contour to create edges on the face with faux shadows, while bronzing is used to bring a warm luminesce to the skin.)

Don't: Overdo the bronzer. Light is right!

Do: Use an eyebrow pencil shade lighter than your hair color and be sure to stroke lightly following your natural brow. Next soften and blend using a brow brush. (Exception: Blonds go a shade darker.)
Don't: Make eyebrows look unnatural. Polished is good/harsh is bad!

Do: Apply darker eyeshadow near the base of your eyelashes, not at the crease.
Don't: Go lighter (from the lids) to darker (at the crease). You will then produce ghoul eyes!

Do: (1) Use an eyeliner to draw thin lines; or increase line thickness as you move out away from your nose.
Don't: Draw a thick line near the nose that gets thinner moving out. It makes eyes look droopy.

Do: Use mascara starting at the base of eyelashes to lengthen lashes. You can do top and bottom lashes. Blot excess away with a tissue so it doesn't smear later.
Don't: Apply mascara only at the tips of lashes. It won't lengthen them.

Do: Apply highlighter where light hits your face: on the cheekbones, the nose, a dot at the hairline and cupid's bow. Moreover, use a light brush stroke to avoid a "heavy shimmery mess."
Don't: Overdo highlighter by putting it all over your face. Less is best!

Do: Use face powder to set your makeup and to take away shine.

Apply with a powder brush.
Don't: Use a "dirty" brush, one that you use for blush, contour, bronzer or highlighter.

Do: Apply a glamorous lip color to your lips. 
Don't: Minimize your lips, nor go more than a hair passed the lip line. Aim for full, pouty lips (do) without looking like a vampire after a meal (don't).

Remember: The purpose of makeup is to balance and flatter the face by enhancing or softing features. People should think ... you look great, not your makeup looks great!


You may also enjoy:
A Guide To Makeup Brushes  
Fake a warm Glow With A Bronzer
A Stop At Henri Bendel's NARS Counter  
The Simple Way To Apply Your Own Makeup

Maybelline Total Temptation

Maybelline launches its new spring colors. The name of the collection, Total Temptation™ says it all. So, let the seduction begin: As consumers, we don't stand a chance! Because. The quality and colors of the makeup are very high-end. At $12 or less, the cost of each individual item is unbeatable ... and enticing. We want.😍We need.🙃We want!🙏 The collection includes:

1) Total Temptation™Eyeshadow + Highlight Palette - It's an all-in-one set of shadow and highlighter shades to define the eyes and kiss the cheeks. Contains 8 eyeshadows and 2 cheek highlighters for a glamorous, yet natural look.

2) Total Temptation™Washable Mascara - The formula and brush build soft, full lash volume. The mascara is whipped and infused with coconut extract and comes in 3 shades of black: Blackest Black, Brownest Black and Very Black. Make-up maven and friend of THE SAVVY SHOPPER, Angie Smith, says, it's the best Maybelline mascara yet! Thumbs up!

3) Total Temptation™Eyebrow Definer - The pencil crayon end is as smooth as silk with a teardrop-shaped applicator to fill in brows. Brush them with the other end for a fuller yet natural finish. Available in 4 shades from blondish to deeper browns.

 Extra tip: To avoid looking harsh (like classic actress Joan Crawford), go a shade or 2 lighter than your hair. Exception: You hair is white, then you have to go a shade darker.)

Oh Maybelline, lead me not into temptation again! As I can find it all by myself in the drugstore (or Bed, Bath & Beyond) makeup aisle.


You may also enjoy:
New From Maybelline
DIY: Eyeshadow Primer Recipe
Fake A Warm Glow With A Bronzer   
Save On Cosmetics At Bed, Bath & Beyond