NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Dione - swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

I've lusted after the NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in the shade Dione since I first swatched it in Sephora when they launched. It was such a gorgeous shade and I knew one day it had to be mine. The reason I waited to purchase is because for just this one shadow the cost is $29 - which is certainly the most I've ever paid for a single shadow. Even though it is $29, to me, it's worth every penny because the shade is gorgeous and my perfect shade.

It looks more champagne in the pan and in the photos, but it swatches and applies more taupe - which is why I love this shadow. It's just so gorgeous and has a shimmer/dimension to it that is eye catching. It's a great one lid color, which is how I've been wearing it (and I find myself reaching for it every single day because I am just that much in love with it).

Check out all the product info, along with my full review, after the pics!

NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
Shade: Dione

 

NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Info & Review

Cost: $29.00 (0.05 oz full size)
Availability: Available on the NARS website, at Sephora, and everywhere else NARS is sold.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

PRODUCT DETAILS...

A crease-less, eight-hour wear eye shadow with a transformative texture for wet or dry application.

The Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow has smooth, versatile texture that goes on dry for a sheer soft touch of sensual color, or wet for a high-impact finish. A lasting shadow, it achieves elevated eye looks that range from romantic to bold.

Currently available in 12 shades.


MY REVIEW...

When NARS first launched the Dual Intensity Eyeshadows, I knew I wanted them before I ever swatched them in person. When swatching them, I fell in love because I'm attracted to shimmering, gorgeous shadow colors and these completely fit that bill. But the $29 price tag made me hesitate to buy these... for months actually.

I finally went for it and chose the shade I was most in love with, Dione. This is described as a metallic champagne beige... and while it does appear that way in the pan, when swatched and when on my eyes, it takes on a more gray taupe shade that is really beautiful. This is my new favorite shade of life and I know I don't have anything to dupe it because of the dimension it gives when applied on your eyes.

Applying it wet or dry doesn't make a huge difference with this shade... just a bit more metallic intense-ness when applied wet, but I do know other shades have a bolder difference when applied wet. The shade Dione makes a great all-over lid color and would be flattering on just about everyone!

At $29 a piece, I don't think I'll be purchasing any more at the moment, but I would absolutely recommend this shade! For me, it's worth every penny because this is a go-to shade I can easily wear every day, day to night.

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this eyeshadow? Have you tried this, or would you consider adding this to your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below!

xoxo with love & beauty,
Crystal Valentine

NARS Audacious Lipsticks: Brigitte, Anita, Natalie - swatches, pics, review!

Hello, Beautiful!

After watching and reading multiple rave reviews on the NARS Audacious Lipsticks, I couldn't fight the urge any longer and I treated myself to three of them. Narrowing down to just three was really difficult, considering the shade range is gorgeous. There are also 10 shades exclusive to Barney's New York (but you can buy those from the NARS website). In this post I have the shades Brigitte, Anita, and Natalie. Yes, these are expensive lipsticks at $32 a piece.... so the big question is, are they worth it? Read my full review below to see my thoughts!

NARS Audacious Lipsticks
Shades: Brigitte, Anita, Natalie
Continue scrolling down to see more pics of each individual shade.

NARS Audacious Lipstick
Shade: Brigitte

NARS Audacious Lipstick
Shade: Anita

NARS Audacious Lipstick
Shade: Natalie

NARS Audacious Lipstick Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $32.00 (0.14 oz full size). Available on the NARS website, at Sephora, Barney's New York, and everywhere else NARS is sold.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Kisses

Product Info...

Its luxurious, pigment-rich formula glides on intense, full-coverage color in a single stroke. A specially embossed bullet, dressed in a matte-black metallic case, reveals a strikingly sculptural design. House in a modern, matte-black metallic case with a magnetic closure.

One stroke to unstoppable impact. 40 shades of charismatic color.



My Review...

Everyone went crazy over these, and for good reason. People I think are getting too hyped about them though, and saying they are the most amazing lipstick formula in the world. While I do think these are amazing - especially at first application - I personally don't think they are the best lipstick formula in the world. In my humble opinion, the Sensai Lipstick was the most luxurious lipstick my lips have ever met.

The NARS Audacious Lipstick formula is really amazing though - especially upon first application. They go on incredibly pigmented and super creamy. They truly are one-stroke color. They also feel great on the lips.... at first.

However, after about an hour they start to feel drying on my lips - to the point that I want to re-apply or use a lip balm over top. Not everyone may feel that way though, because I do have extremely dry lips, but I couldn't write my review without mentioning that.

Regardless of how they may start to feel a bit drying, I still am in love with these lipsticks. They also stain the lips slightly, so the color will stick around for a very long time.

Out of the three shades I purchased, Brigitte and Anita are definite winners in my book. The shade Natalie, however, is just a bit too neon for my liking - especially at the moment. Maybe in the summer I'd wear it once or twice, but it's not a shade I'd wear often enough so I'm going to exchange it for a different shade of NARS Audacious Lipstick --- probably in the shade Juliette or maybe I'll go for one of the exclusive ones on the NARS website; I love Julie, Marissa, Kelly and Dominique from the exclusive shades.

Please excuse my lip swatches this time around; they're not the best because I just jumped into swatching these as soon as they arrived and my lips were super chapped/dry before hand. They look a lot better when your lips are not dry and chapped like mine, lol.

The packaging is really nice - it's all magnetic, which means you won't need to worry about the cap coming off in your makeup bag/purse. But I wonder if the magnetic case will mess with my phone... hmm, probably not but it's food for thought. I really like playing with the magnetic packaging though... it can be entertaining if you're bored, lol.

Overall, I think these lipsticks are super hyped up and within good reason. But I didn't really see a lot of people mention the dryness factor and I really wanted to make sure I mentioned that in my review. I feel like for a $32 lipstick it shouldn't feel that way, especially after an hour or so. Certainly not the most hydrating lipsticks - I actually think the Too Faced La Creme Lipsticks are far more hydrating, especially for longer - but it's a problem that is easily worked around. I either apply more lipbalm before applying these or I apply a lip balm whenever I start to feel the dryness coming on.... or I'll just re-apply the lipstick because I like how they feel upon first application!

Do I think these are the lipstick to end all lipsticks? No, certainly not. But do I like these? Absolutely!! And yes, I'd even recommend them!

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of these lipsticks? What shade do you like best? Have you tried them or are they on your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer (oil-free) -- swatches, pics, review

Hello, Beautiful!

Sorry for not posting until now. I returned home from my trip (Jason Mraz concert & VA Beach) late on Monday night and I was just too tired today to do anything. I also lost my voice after the concert, but I expected that since it happened last year after his concert; I am one of those crazies who likes to scream, yell and be all hyper-excited. The whole trip was a really fun experience and I can't wait until the next Jason Mraz concert!

Tomorrow at some point I will have a really great blog post to share with you! I have a product I am SUPER excited about. That's all I'll say for now, but trust me you'll want to check it out if you like makeup, pretty things and a great value!

Onto today's blog post....

I've had two deluxe sized samples of the NARS Pro-Prime primer for awhile now but for some reason never touched it. Just a few weeks ago I started using it and I found that I really like it!

Check out my pics, swatches, stats and review...

NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer (Oil-Free)

 

Basic stats for NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer:

Formula: liquid-gel

Coverage: invisible

Wear: this prolongs makeup wear

Shade Info: this is clear

Cost/Availability: $32.00 each (1 oz full size), ; I have two sample sizes (each are 0.27 oz - which are $8.65 value per sample). You can buy the full sized version on the NARS website, on Sephora's website, and everywhere else NARS Cosmetics are sold.

Packaging: squeeze tube; pop-top lid (in the full sized version; my sample sized version has a twist-off lid)

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!


Formula:
This is a liquid-gel oil-free primer that is designed to refine the look of pores, control shine, give skin a matte finish (but not too matte), and creates the perfect canvas for makeup application! I personally think this primer is very moisturizing too; if you have oily skin you can skip a moisturizer all together and just use this primer. Pure lentil seed extract diminishes the appearance of dilated pores over time for a more refined appearance. Natural bisabolol and butterbur root extract calm and soothe the skin. Vitamins A, C and E help protect the skin from free-radical damage. Oil-free, alcohol free, non-comedogenic, and synthetic-fragrance free.

Coverage:
This is a clear primer.

Wear:
This primer will help prolong your makeup wear for hours and hours on end! It will also smooth your skin; as I mentioned above, if you forget your moisturizer you can just use this and you'll be good to go (unless you have very dry skin).

Shade Info:
This is only available in a non-shaded option.

Cost/Availability:
The full sized version is $32 and is 1 fl oz. You can purchase this primer on the NARS website, on Sephora's website, and everywhere else NARS cosmetics are sold. I don't own the full sized version; I have two deluxe-sized samples - which are each 0.27 fl oz (making each sample tube a $8.65 value).

Packaging:
Both the full sized version and the deluxe sample size come in tube; the only difference is the lid. The full sized version has a pop-up top and you can also twist that off. The deluxe sample sized version comes with a twist-off lid.

NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer Review:
I love just about everything NARS makes, and this primer is no exception. Now that I know how great it is, and how wonderful it works with my skin, I would highly consider purchasing the full sized version once my sample tubes run out.

I loved how it felt when I put it on; it felt like my skin was moisturized and it was slightly cooling. It melted into my skin and made it feel great. My makeup went on better and really lasted all day!

I didn't see any difference in pores, but it's a change that will take place over time while using this product.

The only complaint I have is the smell. I know this is fragrance free but it does not mean it doesn't have a smell. It must be the lentil seed extract or something, but I'm not a fan of the smell. It's something I can put up with though because it's not too awful and it goes away before you know it. I just wish the smell was a tad bit lighter.

Regardless of the smell, this primer kicks some serious ass! I highly recommend checking it out for yourself!

Now let me know what you think...

Do you already own this primer? If so, what are your thoughts? If not, do you want to try this out? Discuss in the comments below.



NARS Multiple in Orgasm: Swatches & Review

Hello, Beautiful!

Another NARS Orgasm product! I own the NARS Orgasm lip gloss, blush, illuminator and multiple (not to mention the Super Orgasm blush and lip gloss). The shade is just so pretty!

The NARS Multiple shown below is a mini size (which I received in a NARS kit from Sephora). You can pick up the full size NARS Multiple for $39 on Sephora's website  (with a total of nine shades to choose from, including the ever popular Orgasm shade shown in this blog post).

What is the NARS Multiple? It's a cream to powder color stick that you can use in a multiple of ways (hence, the name). Use on your cheeks as a cream blush (probably the most popular use for this shade), as a highlighter, eye color, lip color, and even on your body. You can apply it lightly for a sheer kiss of color, or build it up if you want a little more color.

This blends like a dream, and I hear it will even work on top of powders (such as a powder foundation), which most creams just do not work on top of! I haven't tried it out personally, but I've seen it done in an on-air presentation (on QVC) and it did work flawlessly.

I really love the shade, and the product, but I'm not a cream blush type of gal and I don't see myself using this shade for any other use except for blush. Sadly, I don't think I will make much use of this product so it will likely end up in my blog sale (but it's so pretty that I may hang on to it in hopes of making good use of it... yeah, I'll probably hang onto it; it's just too pretty!).

Here is what it looks like (remember, this is the mini size):

SWATCH

NARS Multiple

Shade: Orgasm

Shade Description: A peachy pink shimmer in a cream to powder formula.

Have questions about this product? Just leave a comment on this blog post or send an email (kisses@valentinekisses.com). I'll try and answer all questions asked.

NARS Orgasm Illuminator: Swatches & Review

Hello, Beautiful!

The NARS Orgasm shade is widely popular for its peachy-pink shimmer, which compliments most skintones. I personally love the shade, and when the NARS Orgasm Illuminator came out I had to buy it.

The one shown below is a mini size that I got in my February Birchbox shipment, but I do own the full size.

This illuminator is great for cheeks, eyes and even your body (you can mix it in with your lotion for a subtle glow). A little goes a long way, so one tube will last you a very long time.

You can pick up NARS Orgasm Illuminator for $29 on Sephora's website. Three others shades are now available too.

SWATCH

NARS Orgasm Illuminator

Shade Description: A peachy pink luminous shimmer.

Blended out...

Have questions about this illuminator? Just leave a comment on this blog post or send an email (kisses@valentinekisses.com). I'll try and answer all questions asked.