NARS Orgasm Illuminator Vs NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator

If you'd like to read my individual review of each products you can click HERE for the NARS Orgasm Illuminator, and HERE for the NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator.

When I did a heavy swatch, NOI is peachier and NYX BTGLI paler. However, because both are sheer and are intended for highlighting, once blended they are almost identical. Personally, I think the way they look once blended is very hard to tell the difference so I would say NYX BTGLI is a good dupe. Other than being a good dupe, it also lasted longer than the NARS Orgasm Illuminator at a much more affordable price.

What do you think? I'm definitely in favor of the NYX Illuminator.

My Blush Stash

Hello Beautifuls,

Just wanted to share with you a sneak peak at my blush stash. I know rarely post about them but that is going to change soon.

I plan on swatching them by brand. Some of them I have already swatched or reviewed, in this case I will hyperlink them so you can view them now if you wish.
As you can see at first glance, I have a pretty decent collection. Perhaps not as extensive as some but still more than what a typical person actually need.

MAC Blushes

Top row, left to right: Azalea Blossom, Amazon Princess, Stereo Rose

Second row, left to right: Hang Loose, Happy Together, Band Of Roses, Prim & Proper, Dirty Plum

Third row, left to right: Gentle, On a Mission, Bite of an Apple, Lady blush

These are the two new addition to my MAC blushes and I purchased them after I took pictures of the ones above. On the left: Center of the Universe. On the right: Ring of Saturn.

Milani Blushes

Top row, left to right: Mai-Tai, Red Vino, Rose D'Oro, Berry Amore

Bottom row, left to right: Dolce Pink, Corallina, Fantastico Mauve, Luminoso

On the left: Amber Nectar. On the right: Beauty's Touch

ELF Studio Blushes

Top left: Pink Passion

Top right: Candid Coral

Bottom: Fuchsia Fusion 

NARS

Ok, please disregard the dirtiness of the palettes but on the flip side this is what you should expect from NARS packaging.

Top: NARS blush/bronzer trio

Bottom: NARS Danmari Palette

NYX

Top row, left to right: Natural, Tickled, Boho Chic

Bottom row, left to right: Cinnamon, Pinched

Sally Hansen

Yes the top two are still unopened :-/

Top left: Beaming

Top right: Cherub

Bottom: Orchid

Physicians Formula

Left: Rose

Right: Rose Pearl

Wet N Wild

These two were part of a limited edition set, thus why different packaging.

Left: Mellow Wine. I'm not sure if this one is available as part of the permanent line.

Right: Pearlescent Pink. You can get a full size blush from Wet  N Wild's permanent line.

Others Brands

Top row, left to right: Maybelline Brick Rose, Tarte Blissful, Flirt! Heartthrob, Illamasqua Nymph

Second Row, left to right: Philosophy cream blush Look on the Bright Side, Love & Beauty Pink, Maybelline Dream Bouncy Pink Frosting, Sephora + Pantone Color of the Year blush duo

Third Row, left to right: Femme Couture Lip and Cheek Stain duo, Josie Maran Blush/Bronzer duo Flushed

I am not sure if I will swatch the unopened blushes as I was thinking about including them in a giveway.

Thanks for reading. Any questions, let me know.

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NARS Bilbao Lipstick - Review and Swatches

  

Yay, I'm back with another lipstick review. Who's excited? I purchased this NARS lipsticks a few weeks back when Beauty.com was having their friends and family sale so I was able to snag this lipstick for 20% off it's original price and also get an additional cash back from Ebates, which I already forgot how much, lol. Anyways, don't you love it when you can save a few bucks on high-end brands? Just in case you were wondering, these NARS lipsticks retail for $24.00.

Packaging

• Like all the NARS packaging, the case is matte black with a velvety feel to it. I'm sure you've heard it all before but I'm going to say it again, the packaging is a magnet for dirt and fingerprints. I'm not really a fan of that.
• The case is rectangular with the NARS logo all around the cap.
• This lipstick is smaller and feels lighter than the average lipstick
• Net weight is .12 oz 3.4 g

Formula

• Bilbao is lovely shimmery brownish nude with a hint of pink undertone to it. It has a slight frostiness, which I don't mind. I find the color very flattering. It would look nice on most skintone. If you have very dark skin, the color might be subtle.
• The pigmentation is good but due to its color, the coverage is semi-opaque. 
• One thing I love about NARS lipsticks is that they apply beautifully and flawlessly. It's quite hydrating and feels very comfortable on the lips.
• It has a subtle cosmetic scent to it but it doesn't bother me and disappears quite quickly after you apply.
• I get an average of 3 hours of wear with this lipstick.

Final Thought

I've reached for this lipstick quite often since I bought it so that tells you how much I love the color and formula. If you want a nude color that isn't going to make you look pale as a ghost, then I would suggest you check this one out. I know the price may be a turn off but perhaps if you wait for a sale like I did, you could save yourself a few bucks.  

My rating 9/10.

What's your favorite nude lippie? Would you try NARS lipsticks?

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Beauty.com Friends and Family Sale Haul

Not long ago, Beauty.com had a 20% off deals for their friends and family sale. On top of that, Ebates.com had a 13% off cash back for Beauty.com. So I jumped on the saving opportunity to snag a few items I've been waiting for a sale like this. There was a few more items I wanted but couldn't find on their site. The haul is small and I'm actually glad I was able to restrain myself from getting more than I really need.

• Deborah Lippman Mermaid's Dream. So glad I finally got this polish. It's so gorgeous! The price is more than what I really want to pay but considering that I got a couple discounts on it and that it's a pretty unique polish, I can justify my purchase :).

• Essie No More Film. This is a deep blurple color. I don't know but there is just something about this color that I find very appealing. I always try to get these Essie polishes when I can find a deal on them, which is often hard cause they almost never go on sale.

• NARS Bilbao lipstick. I wanted a NARS duo eyeshadow but even with the discount, I just can't justify paying this much money for just 2 eyeshadows, lol, considering they are not the most unique shade either. I'd rather buy the Armani Eyes Intense to kill over the NARS duo. Anyhoo, I went with a NARS lipstick because I really like the formula. Bilbao is a brownish nude color. I haven't swatched or tried it yet but I sure plan on doing a swatch and review for you once I get a chance to get a better feel for it. Normally when I purchase a high-end lipstick, I usually stick to wearable colors so that I can get the most use out of them. I'm pretty sure this color is dupeable but you have to consider the quality you're getting and for my dry lips, I wouldn't mind to splurge a little bit on a nice formula.

So that's it for this small haul. Have you taken advantage of Beauty.com's friends and family sale? If so, what did you get?

NARS Niagara Lipstick Review and Swatches

Hello everyone,

I've had this lipstick for quite a while and don't know why I never bothered to make a post about it but I decided that I should really because this lipstick is worth some buzz.

Packaging

• Like all the NARS packaging, the case is matte black with a velvety feel to it. I'm sure you've heard it all before but I'm going to say it again, the packaging is a magnet for dirt and fingerprints. I'm not really a fan of that.
• The case is rectangular with the NARS logo all around the cap.
• This lipstick is smaller and feels lighter than the average lipstick
• Net weight is .12 oz 3.4 g

Formula

• Niagara is a pinkish coral that looks a lot brighter on me under natural lighting. There is no shimmers or glitters.
• The formula is quite pigmented and has a glossy sheen to it. With that said, you can get a medium to opaque coverage.
• This color applies beautifully and flawlessly. It's quite hydrating and feels very comfortable on the lips.
• It has a subtle cosmetic scent to it but it doesn't bother me and disappears quite quickly after you apply.
• I get 3-4 hours of wear with this lipstick.  
• NARS lipsticks come in a few different finishes. Niagara is described as a satin finish.

Final Thought

The formula is excellent and definitely one of my favorites. The shade is lovely and wearable. The packaging could have been better. At $24 a tube, you'd want to stick to a shade you are comfortable wearing and will get a lot of use of to make it worth it.

My rating: 9/10.

 

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My High-End Lipstick Collection and Swatches

The first week of the month is always a busy and hectic week for me as I have to put in extra hours and more work to meet our monthly deadline. I was pretty pooped at the end of the days which is why I have been absent from blogging this week. Nonetheless, I did manage to haul a few new products and have taken pix and tested some of them already but that will be on another posts.
I usually take pictures of the stuff I plan to blog ahead of time and have them resized and what not. Some of these pictures get left behind unfornately as I find it difficult to keep up with my busy schedule and the constant hauling. Oh well, I say to myself better late than never.

As you can see on the picture above, I have a little over a dozen of high-end lipstick brands, not including MAC. As a beauty blogger or even just a beauty enthusiast, I believe we all love to experiment with new products.
To be honest, I don't reach for my high-end lipstick as often as I think I should. Thus, why I've refrained from buying anymore unless something strike me as interesting. High-end lipsticks cost about $14-$45, depending on the brand or where you purchase them from. I purchased most of these lipsticks during a sale or from discounted stores so some of them are no longer available or hard to find. I will hyperlink those I have reviewed or have additional pictures.

First set of lipsticks and swatches from left to right

• YSL Rouge Pur 66
• YSL Rouge Pur Couture 04
• Lancome Color Fever Rose Tempest
• Lancome Color Fever Enticing Rose
• Dior Addict Lip Color Rose Broderie 663.
• NARS Niagara.

Second set of lipsticks and swatches from left to right

• Guerlain Rouge G Gemma (64)
• Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Cherry Ice
• Kat Von D Foiled Love Forever & Never
• Kat Von D Foiled Love F.T.W

Third set of lipsticks from left to right

• Shisheido Perfect Rouge BE208
• Buxom Big and Healthy Lipstick Vienna
• Motives Raspberry Burst
• Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Intense 38

I'm surprised there are still a few of these lipsticks I still haven't reviewed. But anways, my personal favorites of the bunch are Lancome, Guerlain, YSL, Motives, and Shiseido. They have excellent formula and pigmentation and feel very luxurious on the lips.

Hope you found this post helpful. Let me know if you have any questions.


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Sephora VIB Hauling!

If you have been following my posts, it may have crossed your mind that I'm out of control. Well, I will admit to be guilty as charged. I have been hauling like no tomorrow. There is no other way to justify this madness other than the fact that there has been some very interesting new products hitting the market at about the same time. Companies also love to have their rare sales at about the same time and it's usually the perfect time to go bonko, snag what you've been lusting, and stock on the stuff you've been loving.
I've made some financial damage in the past few weeks. I've lost track of how much I've spend and on what. I just know a lot of the stuff I got were on sale and I know that I am extremely elated with all the new goodies that I've acquired.

Anyhow, let's move on to my haul...

The first thing on my list was the NARS Danmari blush palette. I was worried that it would be sold out but I was lucky enough to make this one mine. I probably don't need this but since it is limited edition and you get six shades all in this palette, I was just compelled to get it. The blushes in the palette are also a pretty good size. This is perfect for those who want to try NARS blushes but don't want to spend $27.00 on a single blush. This palette is simply beautiful! With the 20% discount, I just couldn't pass it up.

Top row from left to right: Hungry Heart Duo, Orgasm, and Desire.
Bottom row from left to right: Casino, Super Orgasm, and Sin.

Kat Von D Foiled Love lipsticks. I was actually amazed that when I tried to google swatches for these lipsticks, I really didn't have much luck at all. I was able to find swatches for Adora and it is a beautiful and fierce lip color but I decided to skip it. I wanted to buy shades that were more wearable so I can get the most use out of them since they are not cheap.

I was intrigued by the fact that they are supposed to give you a metallic finish. I picked the shades F.T.W. (on left) and Forever & Never (on right). Let me start by saying, the packaging on these lippies is just beautiful! Metallic with Roses etched on the case.
I had no clue what the acronym F.T.W stands for but googled it anyways, lol...It means "For The Win." Anyways, it's a gorgeous metallic raspberry pink shade. Forever & Never is also a very nice metallic pink nude. I wore it today for work and really love how it looks on my lips. I will sure posts swatches and review of these lipsticks.

Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil Stash. I like the range of color. This is such a great value pack to start with and I love it even more when I can get a discount on it.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow. I got the shade Flatter Me. It's a shimmery pinkish nude cream shadow. I was so tempted to get a few more of these since I've really been into cream shadows lately. I love Benefit cream shadows, they go on like butter and do not crease at all. I wanted to pick them all but realize that it wasn't a realistic thing to do.

Boscia Luminizing Black Mask. I bought a skincare kit from Sephora during the summer and there was a sample size of this mask. I really loved it when I tried it so now I am purchasing the full-size tube.

So far this is what I got on the first day of the VIB sale. I am trying to think of what else I need to restock on before the sale ends. I will most likely stock up on more skincare products. So stay tuned for more hauling! SMH. I'm still waiting on two orders to get shipped...lol.
Once all these sales are over, I'm gonna have to ban myself from shopping.

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NARS Outremer Make Up Look

As some of you requested and since I couldn't wait to try it out too, lol...I did a makeup look featuring the NARS Outremer eyeshadow, which recently launched as part of NARS fall collection (I think). If you love bold colors, or would like to give it a go, you definitely should try this eyeshadow. It's a fierce matte indigo blue.
When I first saw it, I was like OMG I need to get this! I hold off until the Sephora Friends and Family sale to get it since it is expensive for a single eyeshadow. I typically don't shed that kind of money on a single eyeshadow unless it find a uniqueness about it or if I am head over heel for it.
I would also like to point out that since it is matte and the consistency of the shadow was on the drier side, I did find it a bit difficult to work with. So you have to be patient building up the color. Blending was not easy either. At the end, I was pretty happy with the result and the look that I created.
I know a lot of people think they can't pull off bright bold colors but I honestly think that anyone can. I personally prefer to wear neutrals too on regular days but for my blog, I like to experiment and get creative.
Anyhoo...Enough with the rambling and on to the look. I decided to kill 3 birds with one stone for this look, haha. That doesn't always happen but it worked. By that I meant, I used 3 new products that I recently hauled: NARS Outremer eyeshadow, MAC Shimmermint baked eyeshadow, and MAC Soft Sable lipstick.

Eyes

• Urban Decay Primer Potion original formula
• I first started with Outremer as the crease color
• On the lid, I applied MAC Shimmer Mint with a wet brush to bring out the intensity of the color since this was going to be a bold look.
• I lined the upper lash line with NYX Studio Liquid Eyeliner in Extreme Blue.
• I lined the lower lash line and waterline with Prestige Total Intensity Fierce Blue
• I used Milani Liquif"Eye Black for tight lining
• I filled my brows with Sephora brow tint marker
• I added false lashes on top and bottom

Cheeks

• NYX Blush Taupe for contour
• MAC Hang Loose for blush and highlight

Lips

• MAC Soft Sable from the Glitter and Ice Collection. I included a lip swatch picture too since I didn't do that on my haul post.

 I hope you enjoyed this look and that it inspired you to try out new colors.

What would you pair Outremer with? Just curious.