#69 Still in a Nars beauty state of mind

Other looks I love from the SS2010 trend report are

Derek Lam

This was very colourful with a tribal and carnival rainbow of colours. The focus was very much on the eyes and I just love the playful use of colour in greens, purples and pinks.

To recreate the look

Face:

· Blend NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
· Apply NARS Nico Blush to highlight
· Dust NARS Desire Blush onto the apples of the cheeks
· Layer NARS Taj Mahal Blush on top and up towards the temples

Eyes:

· Draw the emerald green from NARS Misfit Duo Eyeshadow along the lower lash line straight across until just past the outer corner
· Dust NARS Jolie Poupée Duo Eyeshadow on the eyelids and fade into the temple joining the green
· Highlight the inner corners of the eyes with NARS Bains Douche Glitter Pencil (NEW for Spring 2010)
· Curl lashes
· Lightly stroke NARS Méditerranée Duo Eyeshadow along the brow bone
· Apply three coats of NARS Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara on the top and bottom lashes
Lips:

· Dot lips with NARS Red Square Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
· Outline the lips with NARS Easy Lover Lip Gloss (NEW for Spring 2010)


Marc Jacobs

I thought this was just so theatrical and creative (although not one I personally will attempt to recreate). Created by Francois NARS himself the inspiration was contemporary dancer, Martha Graham and the look was Left-over stage makeup. “The models weren’t meant to have perfect makeup- rather, they were meant to encompass a “just came off-stage” effect. “Dancers in theatre and opera always have white faces, pointed lips and an eye that is drawn outward,” said François NARS. He stressed the importance of the eye for this look, noting that “the slashes of white is something they used to do in the 70s to bring a 3-dimensional feeling to the makeup

#68 A NARS beauty state of mind : The Orgasm Illuminator

So last week I attended a press event with NARS Cosmetics to launch their SS 2010 collection and the much awaited Orgasm Illuminator. It was hosted by NARS international makeup artist Jane Richardson and lets just say I was in NARS heaven! I also knew I wasn’t the only one in a NARS heaven state of mind, as when the Orgasm Illuminator was introduced, a collective Ooooh literally went round the room. I can now completely understand why so many of these little tubes disappeared at Fashion week and why the beauty world is already buzzing about it.

A new product category for NARS, it joins the cult-followed collection of NARS Orgasm-hued products, loved by makeup artists and women worldwide.

I was lucky enough to get one of these tubes and it definitely lives up to its buzz! It’s extremely WOC friendly and flattering, gliding on nicely to give my skin a beautiful luminous glow with hints of gold. A multipurpose product, you can use it all over your face for a barely-there, healthy glow or wear it on the neck, shoulders or décolleté for a subtle eye-catching sheen. I personally found that I really liked it either mixed with my foundation for overall luminosity or as a highlighter for a glimmering accent on my cheekbones. The lovely Jane taught me a little trick with the illuminator - she suggested that using circular motions I should try to feel under my cheekbones to really contour and add a subtle definition to my face. I tried it out and it worked and looked great! All in all each time I have tried it, I literally look like I have just had the best sleep ever.

It retails at £21 and will be available exclusively at Space NK from the 18th of February and then will roll out nationwide from the 1st of March,

Here it is in use at the Thakoon show where the look was Samurai warrior meets Surfer girl

To recreate the look:

Face:
· Apply NARS Sheer Matte Foundation to conceal imperfections
· Use NARS Orgasm Illuminator (NEW for Spring 2010) on cheeks, nose, forehead and chin
· Contour and sculpt cheeks with NARS Malaysia Multiple Bronzer
· Highlight cheekbones with NARS Hungry Heart Blush Duo

Eyes:
· Apply NARS Alhambra Duo Eyeshadow on the entire eyelid up to the brows
· Blend NARS D. Gorgeous Single Eyeshadow (NEW for Spring 2010) with NARS Kuala Lumpur
Duo Eyeshadow (NEW for Spring 2010) into the crease and around the eye
· Apply NARS Bali Single Eyeshadow to the upper and lower lash lines
· Dust NARS Night Snow Single Eyeshadow on the inner corners of the eyes

Lips:
· Mute lips by using NARS Concealer
· With finger, dab NARS Ophelia Lip Gloss (NEW for Spring 2010) to center of lips

#66 Tagged 10 Products I'd like to try in 2010

So after seeing this tag over on Yinka’s blog vexinthecity I thought it was a fantastic idea, and here is my tag post on 10 products I would like to try this year.

Touché Eclat

I have heard so many fantastic reviews about this product but for some reason I just haven’t gotten round to trying it out. My eyes have recently started sporting a few shadows so this is a need to get

Revlon ColorStay Foundation in Caramel or Cappuccino (if I ever get to try them)

Ok, now this one is not from lack of trying!!! But for some reason every time I go into any Boots or Superdrug they only seem to have Mocha as the WOC shade. It’s starting to get annoying and I’m almost convinced there is some kind of conspiracy plot going on. If anyone knows where I can find these shades in London please let me know

Nars Gina & Orgasm Blush

I’m a bit of a blusher virgin and this is the year I want to change this. I am liking these two blushes with the pink, peach and orange tones, I think they are just soooo pretty!!!

Illamasqua

I know, I know – How have I not tried anything from this brand? Described as being colour-intense, colour-true and long lasting, I’m planning to try it out this year.

Becca Foundation

Again, have heard so much about this brand but never tried it

Mega-Tek

I recently heard about this on Yinka’s blog (check out the link above), did some research and now I’m definitely ooogling after it. My hair is quite long but it has fine strands, so this sounds like it will give it a major boost. I’m slightly nervous about the horse references though, and keep wondering if I might develop some neighing tendencies afterwards (lol) thankfully Yinka is trying it out first so I’m keeping my eye on how it goes for her.

Espa Gentle Deep Cleansing Balm

I love oil cleansers, especially at night as they always make me stop, breathe and give my face a proper cleanse. It must be all those deep and therapeutic oils that send subliminal messages to my brain! This one is meant to deeply cleanse and decongest the skin using pure plant extracts, natural emollients and essential oils of rose damascena, soothing spearmint and balancing geranium. I can already feel the daily stress melting away

Darphin Purifying Balm

For the last couple of months, I have been getting some pre time of the month breakouts and seeing as my skin tends to scar quite easily, I need to find something that will help without resorting to acne specific products which always dry out my skin really badly, and then leave me dealing with dry dehydrated skin afterwards. So with claims of purifying and unclogging blocked pores as well as healing breakouts, this is a product I definitely want to try.

Nude lip liner, lipstick, gloss – anything!!!!

Ok, not technically a specific product –but I would really like to find a nice nude lip that works for me. I have quite dark lips so sometimes shades seem to get a little lost or just disappear entirely but this year I am determined to find a lip product that (a) looks good on me and (b) shows up. Any ideas please let me know

Well that’s it …(for now, knowing me ) – does anyone have anything that they would really like to try out this year?

Xoxo

#55 Bag Spy: Whats in your bag? - Ateh Jewel Beauty Insider

Drumroll please!! Today’s Bag Spy come courtesy of journalist extraordinaire Ateh from atehjewelbeautyinsider. An award winning beauty journalist who regularly writes for a list of well known and respected titles such as Vogue, Grazia, Sunday Time Style, In Style Magazine, The Telegraph's Stella Magazine, and Red Magazine to name a few, so to say I was honoured when she agreed to do a bag spy is a major understatement. But I think what touched me the most when I approached her was just her personality, she was just so down to earth and nice (no journalist diva here) and was even thanking me for approaching her …while I was doing a little bow and saying We’re not worthy, were not worthy! Check out her blog atehjewelbeautyinsider.blogspot for some insider knowledge into the beauty world and enjoy her bag spy and mini bio below.

Thank you for asking me to reveal the contents of my beauty bag! I have been beauty mad since a kid and I used to apply my mum’s make up and cut her hair (only a mother’s love would allow this). By the time I hit university I used to buy electrician’s toolboxes to keep all my make up bits and pieces in and would make up girls for first dates and balls. After I graduated, I read History at Bristol University, I decided to put my two loves together – writing and beauty and started work at In Style magazine just after the first issue launched. I then spent a year at Tatler before going freelance in 2002. I love writing for different titles such as Vogue, Grazia, Daily Mail, Metro, Sunday Times Style, Daily Express and Black Beauty and Hair magazine and love the drama, self -expression, artistry and sense of well being the beauty industry and products can give women and has given me. Here’s a glimpse into my beauty stash.

Dermalogica, Special Cleansing Gel

I love this facial wash as it’s soap free, so it doesn’t strip the skin and contains calming and balancing lavender and balm mint extract. This is my daily skincare essential

Eve Lom, Cleanser

I love the ritual and ceremony of using this Bentley of cleansers, as the creamy texture is great for massaging and boosting the skin’s circulation before using the muslin cloth to gently remove it. I have combination skin and the mix of clove, chamomile and eucalyptus is really decongesting.

Crème de la Mer, Lip Balm

I actually think I am in love with this lip balm with it’s miracle broth, marine extracts and vitamins. I do love a good lip balm and this is the best one I have ever come across. Jamelia also loves this lip balm we bonded on how much we love it!

Ole Henriksen, Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask

I mask twice a week and it makes a big difference to the quality and texture of the skin. This one by Ole who is a lovely man contains calming lavender, skin smoothing papaya enzyme and the berries, which are packed full of antioxidants.

Aromatherapy Associates, Renew Rose & Sandalwood Facial Oil

I use this oil every night on my skin, as oils are a great way to deeply hydrate and add a glow to your skin as the skin recognises the oil and makes it penetrate quicker. The quality of AA’s products are amazing and it’s a joy to use before bed.

Darphin, Hydraskin Serum

I use this serum twice a day as it leaves my skin looking plumped and is super hydrating.

Nars, Sheer Glow Foundation in Benares

Anyone with a darker skin tone will tell you it’s a nightmare to get a great foundation as the colours from most brands don’t go dark enough or the undertones are wrong, which make you look ashy or too red. However, this is the first foundation in my 31 years that I truly love and is a great colour match.

Bobbi Brown, Lip Gloss in Merlot

Bobbi Brown is great for darker skin tones as all the products are packed full of pigment, which means it shows up on my skin. This lip-gloss is very natural and gives a soft glow to the lips, which I like to wear everyday.

Shu Uemura, Eye shadow

I had the chance to meet Mr Uemura before he died and it was such an honour and a privilege he was a true visionary and I love his products. These eye shadows are packed full of pigment and look amazing on all skin tones especially darker ones. I am loving IR Brown 810 and P Gold 350 at the moment.

Chanel, Joules Contraste in Imprevu and Enchantresse

Chanel blushes are packed full of punch so they are good on my skin. I find these blushes leave a healthy glow on the skin and make your whole face look alive. I know lots of black girls don’t do blush because they think it doesn’t look natural but I disagree, try popping a blush on your cheeks it will rock your beauty world.

And thats it, thanks again Ateh - you were great! talk about a fab list of products - I am liking the sound of the Ole H mask and the Chanel blushes.

Make sure you check out her blog

Xoxo