Yesterday I highlighted the Stila Kitten products; today it's time for Nars and the Orgasm collection.  Honestly, I don't understand the names of Nars; very errr...sensual. I think part of its allure may be its name, but whatever the reason, Orgasm blush is a best seller and usually tops beauty editors' lists of flattering shades.

I'd describe Orgasm as a light peachy pink.  I don't think it's the most flattering blush shade for me personally, but I've used it on some other friends with different coloring from me and it really does highlight the cheekbones in a beautiful way.  I make Orgasm work with my skintone by using it with the Laguna bronzer that it's often paired with.   With the success of Orgasm, Nars capitalized on its popularity to release a slew of other products in with the same name.  Other products include a nail polish, lipgloss, and what they call the "multiple", a creamy stick that can be used on the eyes, cheeks, lips, and the body.

The Multiple in Orgasm
Lip Gloss (not in Orgasm)

Orgasm/Laguna Blush Bronzer Duo plus Orgasm Nail Polish Set

Super Orgasm Blush - similar to Orgasm, but with even more gold glitter.

As a whole, I think the Orgasm works best on fair to medium skin tones.  I did try the lipgloss at Sephora a little while ago and while it was okay, I find that there are more flattering colors that suit me.  As for the original blush, like I said it's not my best color, I personally prefer Sin, which is the color on the left in the picture. 

I showed you the pictures from the wedding I did 2 weeks ago earlier, so here are the pictures from the wedding I did just a week ago.  I have a few more pictures for you and I actually have more specific product names and colors.   It was interesting to see how the makeup held up since the weather was H-O-T in the Bay Area this weekend.  The church where the ceremony was held was air conditioned, but standing outside in the heat for any length of time would certainly cause the makeup to melt off!

First up is the Maid of Honor, the bride's sister Denise.

Before

I start the application process.

Applying false lashes

The eyelashes really made Denise's eyes pop.

Bah.  I realize now that I didn't take a direct "after" picture of Denise's makeup.  This was taken at the end of the evening though, so you can see that her makeup held up well!

Here's what I used:
Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion, MAC Eyeshadow in Shrrom: For the grays, I used this 4 pan Stila compact's light gray color (I don't have a name for it) and the dark gray is the dark gray in Lancome's 4Romance palette.  Liner is Estee Lauder DoubleWear in Graphite
Face: Prepped face with Exuviance Matte Perfection, Exuviance Skin Caring Foundation, Make Up For Ever HD Powder, Nars Blush/Bronzer in Orgasm/Laguna
Lips: Oops...forgot this one.  I think it's a Bobbi Brown lipstick I got for free somewhere.

Denise and her makeup artist.

From now through Monday, July 20th, save 20% of a $60+ order at Nars with the code: NJ070960.

I am getting back into this blogging thing just in time for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  How is that?  Well just fo you, here are the "Beauty Exclusives" that are released just at Nordstroms, either online or in store.  Most are available in stores, but there are some that I admit I have never seen in stores.  There are a lot more exclusives that I'm not mentioning here, so head to this site to check them all out.  Everything is available for preorder now (and has been, sorry!) but it starts tomorrow, so I'd head tho a Nordstrom's quickly if you have any intention of picking up some stuff.  I'll note which ones I think are more likely to sell out, if not sold out already.

MAC Look in a Box: Three looks titled Seductress, Sun Siren, and Sweet Tease.  These are good for those who need an introduction to makeup.  Each look includes 2 eyeshadows, a lipstick/lipgloss, a powder and brush, and a mascara.  All the items are permanent and would have a total retail value of about $100.  For Nordstrom's, it's $59.50.  I think these will sell out, especially Sun Siren.  If you don't have the eyeshadow Shroom or if you want to get a Dazzleglass, Sun Siren would be a good kit.

Graphic Gardens eyeshadow palettes.  Fresh Cut (L) and Graphic Gardens (R), $35 each.

MAC Lip Bags.  Those bags are really, really tiny - probably would hold about 4 lipsticks.  Just saying...I was like, why so small?  But it's a group of prodcuts valued at $57 for $35.  Very neutral and probalby one I will be skipping, but that's just me.

The two brush sets, 5 brushes each, for $49.50.  For the novice/intermediate user, these brush sets are a quick way to start building a brush collection, but if you really want to build a collection that will last a long time, the quality of these special edition brush sets is usually a little lower than those in the regular collection.  The good thing about these brushes is they generally have shorter handles, so they're great for traveling.  The bags are cute and graphic.  Actually I think all these MAC sets are likely to sell out, even if I won't be buying.

Bobbi Brown "Must Have" Set.  Wow - there's a lot of product here for $75.  A lip palette with 7 lip shades, the gel eyeliner (fabulous!) in Espresso, plus the brush, a mascara, and a two pan eyeshadow (can be replaced with new shadows when it's empty).  It's a $122 value if purchased separately, so if you love Bobbi Brown's neutrals, this is a great kit.  The gel eyeliners are great - I gave the one I had to my sister and have been looking for another one. Hmm...better hurry, this well probably sell out.

Oh Chanel how I love you.  $45 for this palette of 2 shadows and 4 lip products.  The 2 green shadows are at the bottom are just lovely and are reminiscent of the nail polish I heard Chanel is releasing this fall.  A typical Chanel quad of shadows is in the $60+ range, plus with lipsticks in the $25 range, I think this is quite a bargain for Chanel.  Not cheap, but reasonable for Chanel.  Will.Sell.Out.

If you're a fan of the Chanel No. 5 scent, you may want to pick up this bath oil.  I like the three colors, but personally find the scent too flowery for my liking.  $75.

Dior "Jazz Club" Eye Palette.  $65 for six shadows in a nice palette.  The purples, pinks, and grays would combine to create a nice range of looks ranging from the dramatic to the neutral.

Lippmann Collection of nail polishes.  $35 for 3 nail polishes is a little steep, but these polishes are gorgeous.  Ruby Red Slippers, Funky Chunky (sequined sheer black glitter) and Superstar (copper-flecked fugde glitter) are amazing looking and are one item I haven't seen in stores.

Lancome "Declaring Indigo" Brush Set. Four brushes for $52.  While more expensive than the MAC brush sets, i love the cobalt blue bag and blue detail on the brushes.  A pre-cursor to the indigo nail polish Lancome is coming out with later.  Yup. I'm excited about the fall nail polishes.  That's another post =).

Smashbox "After Hours" collection.  I'm a little perplexed by Smashbox's identity; I'm not sure if they're supposed to be a fun color young lady or a sulty, smoking evning mistress.  With this collection, I'm leaning toward the latter. $59.

Nars "Modern Love" Palette. These are 6 eyeshadows that are part of the permanent collection, but as one of the two shades in a duo.  A nice way to get your $55.  People love Nars though, and so I suspect it will sell out.

Ahh Clairsonic.  I want one, but even a $225 special package isn't enough.  You get the Clarisonic, some trial sizes of cleansers and an 2 extra brush heads (one sensitive, one normal).  The Clairsonic won't sell out, but I'm sure this package is limited to just the anniversary sale.  A regular Clairsonic is $195, plus the $25 brush head

La Mer "The Signature Collection"  Have you heard of Creme de La Mer?  The creme that costs over $100 an ounce?  Well add a lifting serum for face and for eye and you're at $300.  But for a limited time, this is only $240.  Fans of La Mer, hurry!  The rest of us? Get back to me when the economy picks up.

Ahh Clinique, a little more wallet friendly.  This "Best of Clinique" set is only $45 and gets you 6products.  Youth Surge w/ SPF 15; All About Eyes; Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser; Almost Lipstick in Black Honey; Cream Shaper for Eyes; High Impact Curling Mscara.
And no picture necessary, but get a value sized (6.7 oz) bottle of the ubiquitous Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion or Gel for $35.

Juice Beauty "Organics to Glow" set. 3 Lip Moisturizers, 2 facial moisturizers, a hydrating mist, and a green apple full strength peel.  Only $29.

Okay like I said, there are lots of other Beauty Exclusives, so head online or to Nordstrom stores tomorrow.  Oh, the rest of Nordstroms will probably have specials too.

Over the past 8 months or so that this blog has been going, I think I've made several mentions of my homestate of California and likewise a more specific area - the San Francisco Bay Area.   I love this area and although I do not live in San Francisco itself, I have to agree with Mr. Bennett and say that I have left my heart in San Francisco.  It's got a rich variety of neighborhoods, things to do, and of course interesting people.  I don't think Tony Bennett actually had anything to do with this set though, but his iconic song is definitely a part of The City (please don't call it Frisco!)

To celebrate their 15th anniversary, Nars is releasing this special, limited edition "Nars Loves San Francisco" set. Unfortunately it's only available at the San Francisco Shopping Center's Nordstrom, and will cost $75.

I love the box alone!  But what's inside you ask?
source
These are classic items that Nars has renamed as San Francisco icons.
Eyeshadow Duo in Haight Ashbury
Single Eyeshadow in Angel Island
Cheek Highlighter in Golden Gate Bridge
Nail Polish in Chinatown

If you're in the Bay Area and love Nars, it's not a bad deal . The eyeshadows are generally pricey, at $22 for the single and $32 for the duos. Add in the highlighter for $25 and $16 for the nail polish; that's a $95 value. Cosmetics unfortunately don't go on sale very often, so saving $20 is always nice.

I promised you some Summer collections, so let's get started with Nars.  It's available now at Nars's website.

As NARS turns fifteen this year, the brand’s commitment to creating products that defy convention remains unwavering. The NARS woman has never been content to fade into the background, and this summer is no exception. “The look for the summer 2009 collection is sophisticated, but colorful,” says Francois Nars, founder and creative director of NARS cosmetics. That translates to glowing, sun-kissed skin, shimmering peachy-hued lips and high-drama eyes in deep, shimmering tones of metallic-flecked topaz or sparkling azure. Whether your vision of perfect summer conjures up images of Morocco’s kaleidoscopic bazaars, the pristine Art Deco structures of Ocean Drive or the endless white sand beaches and cerulean waters of a Caribbean island, this season’s vivid yet versatile color palette is the perfect complement.

The highlight of the collection is supposed to be this eyeshadow in Tropic.  Yes, you can wear blue eyeshadow!

Eyeshadow Duo in Scorching Sun

Beauty Anonymous

Bronzing Powder in Irresistiblement
2 Lipsticks: Outsider (Shimmering burnish coral) and Falaba (bronzy rose)

Lipgloss in Belize (pale pink with gold specks)

Adelita nail polish (shimmering pearlescent pink)
The collection also includes a lipliner.

source

Yesterday was a review of last year's Best Beauty Buys from InStyle, so today I'm going to compare it with this year's selections.  This year's list has more detail, since they don't have the exact shade recommendations on the website, as they do in the magazine.  If anybody has last year's issue and has the shade choices, I'd be glad to get those.

Bolded picks are repeat winners

Foundation
Liquid Foundation: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk*
Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer*
Tinted Moisturizer: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

Editor's Pick: 2008: Yves St. Laurent Perfect Touch Foundation; 2009: Pixi Illuminating Tint&Conceal
Inexpensive Foundation: L'Oreal True Match Foundation*
Oil Free Foundation: Laura Mercier:
Mineral Foundation: Bare Minerals Foundation*
Inexpensive Powder: 2008:  Cover Girl Clean Pressed Powder; none selected in 2009

Cover-Ups
Blemish Concealer: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage
Inexpensive Concealer: Max Factor Erace Concealer

Powder: 2008: Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Powder*; 2009: Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish

Editors' Pick: 2008: Prescriptives Site Unseen Concealer; 2009: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil
Undereye concealer: Cle de Peau Correcteur Visage
Blotting Papers:Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control (none in 2008)
Green Makeup Line: none selected in 2008; 2009: Cargo Plant Love


Cheeks
Cream Blush: Stila Convertible Color
Bronzer: Guerlain Terracotta

Inexpensive Powder Blush: 2008: L’Oreal True Match; 2009: L'Oreal Paris Bare Naturale Mineral Doux

Editor's Pick: 2008: Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator; 2009: Nars Multiple Duo* (no photo available)
Powder Blush: Nars  Blush*

Luminizer: 2008: Stila Liquid Luminizer ; 2009: Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer

Lips

Long Wearing Lipstick: 2008 MAC Pro Longwear (long wearing lipstick)*; 2009: none selected

Editor's pick: 2008: Go Light On My Lips; 2009: Cover Girl Wetslicks Amaze Mint

Inexpeinsive Lipgloss: 2008: L’Oreal Color Juice (inexpensive gloss)*; 2009: Maybelline Shine Seduction
Inexpensive Lipstick: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick*

Lip Balm: 2008: Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Therapy SPF 15 (lip balm); 2009: La Mer
Lipstick: 2008: Chanel Rouge Allure; 2009: Nars
Lip Gloss: Chanel Glossimer
Lip Gloss with best color range: MAC Lipglass (2009 only)
Inexpensive Lipstick with best color range: L'Oreal Colour Riche (2009 only)
Inexpensive Shadow: L’Oreal HIP Eyeshadow*
Nars Cream Eyeshadow* (none selected in 2009)
MAC (powder eyeshadow)*
Best Gel Liner: Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Liner* (none in 2009)
Pencil Eyeliner: MAC Eye Kohl*

Mascara: 2008: Chanel Inimitable; Dior Dior Show, Maybelline Lash Discovery Waterproof, Lancome L’Extreme
Inexpensive Mascara: L'oreal Paris Voluminous (none in 2008)
Waterproof Mascara: Lancome Definicils (none in 2008)
Editor's Pick: Tarte Bottoms Up Lower Lash mascara (none in 2008)