NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser

A firm product of the moment has got to be the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser from NARS. It is the perfect boost for skin both in terms of colour and of luminosity. The product is due to launch in Spring 2012 and I'm sure it will be flying off the shelves because it is just divine! 

I've been using it in place of foundation recently, which is something I tend to do anyway when my skin is in good shape or I don't want a full on make-up look, and I am so loving its finish.  It has a pretty lightweight formula and blends nicely into the skin, leaving it feeling rejuvinated and hydrated and giving a gorgeous, healthy glow in terms of appearance. For me it has just the right amount of colour - a small amount of coverage, but I think its main focus is to get skin looking radiant, hydrated and bright, whilst the colour keeps the skin even and prevents dullness.
The amazing thing about this tinted moisturiser is that it comes in a mighty nine shades which means, unlike other tints that come in only a few colours, there is such a great variety to chose from and you can therefore get the best colour tone for your skin and adding to the finished result looking natural. The colour I have been using is 'St Moritz' - one of the medium shades. 

Although I haven't been using it for 4 weeks, it claims to reduce appearance of pigmentation and dark spots in this time, which sounds promising considering my initial love for this product, and the effectiveness it has already delivered. I will get back to you on that one, but if it does deliver this too, then it will be a 'holy grail' product. It is also SPF 30 which is a huge bonus, keeping the skin well protected from the sun, and although the sun is always about, this will be a great product for those natural and dewy summer looks. As well as this it has anti-ageing elements, so the product is simultaneously make-up and skincare with its collagen boosting, soothing and anti-ageing benefits.

See it on the counters soon, I'm excited... can you tell!

Nars Albatross

There are an abundance of brilliant highlighters on the market but recently this one from NARS has been my 'go to' highlighter. In it's classic matte black NARS packaging like all other NARS products, inside sits the highlighter with a reasonable sized mirror too. On first appearance the pressed powder appears quite white, but this totally isn't the case upon application. Instead it appears warm and golden and subtly compliments the skin without a hint of frostiness or obvious glitter, which is odd because looking at the powder in the pan, not only is it white it also looks quite glittery, so I was pleasantly surprised. The powder is finely milled which is why it glides on so smoothly and has a beautiful and soft appearance, a little also goes a long way, hardly any product is needed for optimum results. I have been applying my highlighter with an angled Illamasqua brush which is small enough for precise and accurate application, using a brush too big could make you shine in places you don't want to shine!

Here is the product on the skin with flash...

And here it is under natural light

It looks great under the brown and swept across the top of the cheek bone for a healthy glow, it also can be used on the cupid's bow and down the nose to frame the face more. It depends how much glow you want, for me I have just been using it around the eye earlier for a shimmering and almost sun-kissed golden effect. It instantly makes the skin appear radiant and fresh in seconds, the velvet texture makes it easy and quick to work with and it can be used anywhere on the body for shimmering results that last.

NARS Albatross retails at £20.50 and is widely available.

Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself - Francois Nars

The new book from Francois Nars uses real people to show before and after makeovers. The models in the book are a variety of ethnicities and ages and features both men and women.
Make Up Your Mind: Express Yourself - Francois Nars
Published by Rizzoli
£29.99 From Harvey Nichols
http://facebook.com/narscosmetics

PRODUCT USED:
Sheer Matte Foundation
Louise Young foundation brush
Misfit eyeshadow duo
Tzarine eyeshadow duo
Balck Moon Kohl Pencil
Clinique Superfine Brows
Amour blush
Lipstick in Venice
Velvet Matte Lip pencil in Romany Holiday

DISCLAIMER: All cosmetics are received at our request via cosmetic company press offices. Under no circumstances would we feature a product that we did not think worth the money nor have we ever been paid to feature a product/s.

Zac Posen - AW 2011/12

PRODUCTS USED:
Sleek Make-Up Foundation
MAC Smoulder Kohl
Chanel Sublime de Chanel Mascara
Laura Mercier Eyebrow creme in Warm
Bourjois Sparkling eyeliner
NARS Bateau Ivre eyeshadow
Bobbi Brown Colour correctors
MAC Lipstick in Fresh Brew and Hue

New from NARS

NARS says; The Spring 2011 Collection is the epitome of minimalism, reaching a sensual peak with fresh, forward colour. Jeweled earth tones for eyes and nails are infused with a metallic finish that lends a subtly sleek finish. Cool compliments of sheer and sparkling lips pair with unexpected accents of parrot green and vivid blue. It all adds up to a looks that's indisputably modern.

Duo eyeshadow in Bateau Ivre - An iridescent rich sky blue and a matte deep denim hue that can be applied wet or dry, alone or layered. I love the texture of these shadows they are soft, vibrant and blend beautifully.

Lip Gloss in Super Orgasm - Just like its blush counterpart. Shiny, peachy-pink and laced with gold glitter.

Velvet Gloss lip pencil in Frivolous - These combine the convenience of a pencil with the application of a lipstick in a jumbo-size crayon design. The Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils feature a lightweight formula that is enriched with Vitamin E. plus a blend of moisture-rich hyaluronic spheres for a lustrous look that’s exceptionally rich. NARS describe this colour as an iridescent seashell pink which is exactly what it looks like.

Other new products from NARS that I am loving;

Soft Touch Shadow Pencils - provide easy, portable, long-wearing application. These jumbo sized pencils have versatile functionality to shade the lid, line, or highlight the eye.
Smooth, creamy texture delivers a smooth, velvety feel to the eye and make for easy blending and an ideal base for layering with a powder shadow for increased color intensity.

Shopping Directory

SCREENFACE
http://www.screenface.co.uk/
Professional shop with two locations
20 Powis Terrace
off Westbourne Park Road
Notting Hill,
London W11 1JH
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48 Monmouth Street
Covent Garden (Closest Tube Covent Garden) London 
Tel: 020 7836 3955
STOCK: Fardell, Japonesque, Ben Nye, La Femme, RCMA, Visiora, Screenface, Pros-Aide, Lord & Berry


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GURU
www.gurumakeupemporium.com
A wonderful shop and mail order hidden away on the back streets of South West London. 
Studio 4 Filmer Mews, 75 Filmer Road, Fulham, London SW6 7JF
Telephone:++44(0)207 731 4646
Stock: Make Up For Ever, Beaute, Japonesque, Beauty Blender, Ben Nye, Dinair, Embryolisse, Kett, Kryolan, Parian Spirit among others

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PAM (formerly MAP)
www.makeup-provisions.com
6 Goldhawk Road
Shepherds Bush (Shepherds Bush Tube closest)
London
W12 8PA
Stock: Airbase, Beauty Blender, Ben Nye, Blinc, Cantoni, Dr Hauschka, GHD, Make U p For Ever, Zuca, OCC among others.

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Make-Up Artist Boutique
WWW.THEMAKEUPARTISTBOUTIQUE.COM
A great website that ships within the UK and Europe 
For general enquiries email : info@themakeupartistboutique.com
For emails regarding an order: orders@themakeupartistboutique.com
STOCK: OCC, Yaby and Beauty So Clean 

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GlamR
WWW.GLAMR.CO.UK
A website that ships worldwide.
STOCK: Ardell, Jelly Pong Pong, Artdeco, Ciate, Moroccan Oil, Nouba, Pixi, Pop, Sleek, Xen-Tan

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Coco Beau
www.cocobeau.co.uk
An excellent website that ships worldwide
STOCK: Beaute, Face Atelier, Bee Luscious and Embryolisse

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MAC Pro
www.maccosmetics.co.uk
28 Fouberts Place (Oxford Circus Tube)
London 
STOCK: MAC, MAC PRO, Duo eyelash Adhesive.

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CHARLES FOX
http://www.charlesfox.co.uk/
22, Tavistock Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2E 7PY
Great Britain
Phone: +44 20/7240 3111
STOCK: Kryolan, FOX brushes, DUO, Tweezerman, Joico, Fudge, RCMA, Fardell, Ben Nye, Japonesque, Leichner

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SELFRIDGES
www.selfridges.com
If you are shopping in London you must visit Selfridges beauty hall.
STOCK: NARS, Shu Uemura, Illamasqua, MAC, YSL, Estee Lauder, Chanel, Clinique, RMK, Suqqu, Bobbi Brown, Dior, Tom Ford, Creme de la mer, Armani< Dolce and Gabanna, Eve Lom

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ILLAMASQUA
www.illamasqua.com
20 Beak Street.
Just round the corner from the MAC Pro store so you can kill two bird with one stone.
020 3432 3276

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MAKE UP STORE
http://makeupstore.se/gben/home.php
32 Carnaby St
London W1F 7DN
020 7287 4769
Three doors down from the MAC Pro store.

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WESTFIELD
http://uk.westfield.com
Unit 4006, Ariel Way (White City Tube)
London
W12 7GF
Stores: BOOTS, Inglot, Make Up Store, Dermalogica, MAC, Lush, Micabella, Superdrug, The Body Shop


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LE GUIDE SANTE
www.leguidesante.co.uk
STOCK: Vichy, Bioderma, Avene, Caudalie and hundreds of others


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Acid brights - a few of our favourites

Nars - Rated R eyeshadow duo

MAC - Bitter eyeshadow

MAC - Impassioned Lipstick

Sleek Make-up - Acid Palette

MAC - Virgin Isle Creme Color Base

Nic's Top 10 winter products

1. I stumbled across Oilatum natural repair face cream, and I have to say I love it. My skin was so dry and flaky but after a week of using Oilatum it look healthy and radiant, the only problem is I get though it like its going out of fashion.

2. I like to wear Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream on top of my make up just on my cheek bones and my eyes because it makes the skin look glowing.

3. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour lip balm I put on when I go to bed so my lips stay conditioned all night.
I like the Arden one as it stays conditioning for longer.

 4. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua is my newest foundation, the first time I used it I was unsure if I liked it as much as the original Vitalumiere as I felt it had a little more coverage but I tried it again for a night out and loved it. So now I use it every day.

 

5. By Terry is the concealer I have been looking for.  I love love love this product. Moisturising yet has good coverage......Fantastic!

 6. Both Sam and I have raved about this mascara for a while now, its cheap and makes your lashes huge. It doesn't last so long before it drys out but its only £4 and works wonders.

7. Nars Multiples in Orgasm is a really nice cream blush to make the skin look healthy, it is slightly glittery which I like.

8. Laura Mercier Brow powder Duo, It gives a lovely soft finish to the brows and you have the choice of 2 colours depending on how you are feeling that day.

9. The Mac 266 brush is ideal to use with the Laura Mercier brow powder duo.

10. Clarins instant light natural lip perfector, This is not too glossy. It evens out the lips and just feels amazing.

Must have books... No.4

Make-up your mind - Francois Nars. A great book filled with beautiful women before and after make-up. This book gives me make-up inspiration for all skin tones.