Tag Archives: NARS

Inside a Beauty Junkie’s Makeup Bag

Every month or so I switch out my makeup in my bag to rotate  my products. I try to experiment with different looks because I like to keep things fun. I am not one to stick a particular makeup look because I like being versatile and flexible with my makeup. I do tend to choose a lot of similar products because I know what I like, but I try to mix it up and keep things fresh. I recently lost my makeup bag this past month, the thought it just makes me queasy. But needless to say I had to try to rebuild it. These products are ones that I carry with me everyday. I keep all the rest of my makeup at home, and try to carry key products that can help me create a few different looks.

FACE

  • Lorac AquaPRIME – I use this because my skin is acne-prone and this primer doesn’t clog my pores.
  • Boots Complexion Refining Liquid Foundation in Nutmeg – I use this liquid foundation first to even out my skin tone. This foundation helps clear skin and absorbs oil and is great for my skin type.
  • Bare Minerals Foundation SPF 15 in Medium Beige -  I dust this over my face to get to build my foundation coverage.
  • CoverGirl Professional Loose Powder in Medium – This powder sets my foundation and gives my face a matte finish.
  • NARS Powder Blush in Gilda – The best peachy orange color ever. And its usage outlasts so many blushes because of its high pigmentation.

EYES

  • L’Oreal Double Extend Mascara – This mascara is so good at lengthening lashes, and it was great about it is that the length is buildable. To make them look really long I spend about 2 minutes on each eye.
  • L’Oreal Telescopic Liquid Eyeliner – The easiest thing to swipe on to add definition.
  • L’Oreal HIP Color Rich Eyeliner in Black 905 – My go to eyeliner when wearing shadow.
  • Too Faced Shadow Insurance – A mini version to keep my shadow in place.
  • Rimmel Special Eyes Precision Eye Pencil in Black Magic - My lower lids love this with mascara on bottom lashes!
  • Benefit Boi-ing Eye Bright Duo -  The Boi-ing maks my under eye circles disappear when I’m really tired.
  • Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Busy Signal -  This shadow is so easy to apply all you need is your finger.
  • Anastasia Perfect Eyebrow Pencil  in Medium Ash – You would think I would be a darker color because my hair is black, but I don’t like my eyebrows to look too dark against my skin.

LIPS

  • Rimmel 1000 Kisses Stay On Long Lasting Lip Liner in Wild Clover -  I use this under my lipstick to keep it from bleeding.
  • Chanel Rouge Allure in Exquise – This is one of those lipsticks that you can apply without a mirror because its texture and color.
  • Revlon Color Stay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick  in Miracle Mauve - I do need a mirror for this one, but I don’t  have to re-apply it.
  • Lancôme Lipstick Color Design – I like this red because it’s got an orange tint to it and it’s sheer. I got it some time ago, and unfortunately I don’t have the shade name.
  • Stila Lip and Cheek Stain in Pomegranate Crush - This stain is such a pretty berry color, and when paired with lip balm it’s a great low-key lip slight pop of color.
  • Sephora Lip Gloss in Bronzed Beauty – A pretty berry color with a hint of gold shimmer.

ESSENTIALS

  • Curél Continuous Control Lotion – I like to use this lotion because it doesn’t have a strong fragrance that competes with my fragrance. The travel size is good for your hands after washes.
  • Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets – These are practically my life savers. I can’t tell you how many of these I use a day.

After about a month, I will change out my eye and lip products, that way I know I’m not stuck with one look. What can I say I’m a proud beauty chameleon!

NARS Gilda Blush at Nordstrom

For the past 3 years, I’ve used my one and only favorite NARS Blush in Gilda. It’s a pretty matte coral that is highly pigmented and super bright. I wear it every day and it lasts about a year per compact, it’s really long lasting. It works with my skin tone and compliments my makeup looks really well. I’ve tried to find something that is even comparable and I haven’t found anything. The first time I discovered this blush was at Sephora in Walnut Creek and I’ve been hooked ever since. About a year ago I went to buy a new one and found that a few select colors were no longer available for sale at Sephora, and Gilda was one on them. At this point I was near panic attack; I thought it was going to be  discontinued. After some time of frantic searching, I found it still available at Nordstrom.

Yesterday I was out with a good friend in Walnut Creek and we visited the Nordstrom in the Broadway Plaza. It was good to know that just because Sephora stopped carrying it that I could still find it elsewhere. Honestly, I would be devastated if I found it was discontinued.There are only so many products I am loyal to and my heart stays with Gilda for a reason. A NARS representative named Tito De La Fuente greeted me. He was really welcoming and helped me find what I needed. He understood why I was so concerned about buying my blush, and offered to help me buy it when I am down in LA. He said they could just send it to my apartment if I call and order by phone, I don’t even have to go online. How great is that? Best customer service ever.

I ended up buying my NARS blush, but I know in about a year I’m going to need to re-order. I will definitely be calling him! Everybody knows that Nordstrom has great customer service, and it’s great that it doesn’t end at the cosmetic counters. As for Sephora, I’m disappointed they don’t carry Gilda anymore but business is business and I get that. On the other hand good for Nordstrom – as long as they sell Gilda, they will forever have my business.