Beauty: NARS Orgasm Powder Blush

If you are an avid reader of this blog, you will know how I love the NARS Makeup Brand. This is actually the first high-end brand that I actually purchased- my very first expensive blush! I was totally influenced by my ex-officemates who loves makeup. Thus, I ended up buying another blush because I hit the my first pan!

The ultimate authority in blush, NARS offers the industry's most iconic shades for cheeks. Natural, healthy-looking color that immediately enlivens the complexion. A light application of even the highest-intensity hues delivers a natural-looking flush.

• Silky texture in matte and shimmering shades
• Micronized powder ensures soft, blendable application
• Iconic NARS shades (Credits to NARS Website)

This particular blush is actually the cult fave amongst makeup enthusiasts. I was really that hesitant to buy my second pan and ended up buying from another brand. But there's always something about this blush which drawn me into the NARS store. Until I joined the Magda Ogbe NARS workshop, and I availed the 10% discount for this blush.

 








NARS Orgasm Blush is a peachy pink blush with golden sheen. The powder is finely milled while the texture of the blush is soft on the skin. The color is very nice and it suits those who have fair, medium fair and olive skin on my opinion. However pigmentation is not that superb, you will see just the right amount when you swipe once on your cheeks.You need at least 3 swipes before you can actually see the color on your skin.

Here's the actual swatch on my finger (see below). As you can see, it has a golden sheen, perfect for those who like glowing effect. The staying power is good but not that lasting as compared to my mac blush on.

You can buy this on your nearest NARS Store in Rustan's Makati and Shangrila for about Php1500. Though this is expensive, along the way this is really worth it because my first pan lasted me for about 2 and a half years! Also, since I am a Makeup Artist wanna-be, I think this is an investment especially on my bridal makeup gigs coz this one is staple on International Makeup Artist's kit!

Thanks for readings! Till our next makeup session!

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Beauty: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation Review

 

 
I've been meaning to try any NARS Liquid foundation for such a long time now since I heard good reviews on them on the blogosphere. I am a fan of sporting that glowy look and thus the foundation name 'SHEER GLOW' caught my desire on doing that kind of makeup look to my clients. This foundation has also become one of the easy to use foundation on bridal makeup since this really make someone look so good on the picture.

The packaging comes in a glass rectangular bottle and contains 30ml of the product. It also comes with a pump which I love since you don't tend to waste a lot of the product. I don't use this on a daily basis because, aside from the fact that this is very expensive, the texture for me is kinda heavy compared to the texture of the BB Cream. This is a foundation not a BB Cream, since BB Cream are more likely the same texture of tinted moisturizer which only gives sheer coverage. So expect that this is creamy /heavy. Thus this is for heavy coverage.

An ample amount of foundation

Here's a picture of the foundation. I only get an ample amount using the foundation pump and see how much foundation is at the back of my hand. I got the Sante Fe shade that the MUA recommended based on my skin tone. This doesn't look too light on my face, just the right amount of color. However, I don't know if it just me, but this tends to oxidize on my skin, meaning after hours, it tends to darken my skin color which I don't usually experiencing on my previous foundations.

Tried to apply the NARS Sheer Glow evenly at the back of my hand but I failed.LOL

Since I am using HD camera for this picture, you will see how the product if not properly applied tends to cake.But in real life I don't apply it like this! LOL. I made this just for swatch purposes. I usually use my foundation brush to apply this or just use your fingers! ..But on the color itself, the undertone of this foundation in Santa Fe shade is on the yellow undertone which is good for Asian Skin. As for my experience, this foundation is good on giving that flawless look. Maybe I am just overpowered by the fact that this is NARS, the longevity is quite impressive. This is really good for Bridal Makeups or any special events.

Will update this review soon once I tried this months and months. I only tried using this product for about a a couple of weeks but will see if this a very good product.


Thanks for reading! Till our next beauty find!
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Beauty: NARS Workshop with Magda Ogbe

NARS has become one of my favorite brand aside from MAC since I started my love for makeup. This iconic brand has become one of the celebrities go-to brand for its super renowned 'orgasm' blush which really become a hit. I remember, my very first purchase in Nars was it's cult fave blush which is the NARS Orgasm blush, and the next thing I know, I purchased the Schiap Lipstick and Orgasm Illuminator.

Enough of how I got familiar with this brand.haha. I got to make friends with its Store Makeup Artists thus I was always invited if an International MUA visits Manila from time to time. This is actually my 2nd time to attend the workshop however the first time I came late so I was not able to actually complete the whole workshop.

 

Magda Ogbe, NARS International Makeup has worked hand in hand with Francois Nars (The person behind the NARS brand) during New York Fashion Week. She also worked with the models for Marc Jacobs. She also done makeups for Hollywood stars like Mandy Moore.

Let's go back to the actual workshop, Magda taught us how to create smokey eye look without the raccoon looking eyes. The limited edition NARS eyeshadow palette is what she used. This is right after she put in the face foundation, concealer and NARS Eye  primer. 

Some key points of this workshop are: (the things I remember)

• There's nothing wrong with pairing smokey eyes with loud color lipstick 
• It is very important to groom the brows, it really makes a big difference with the overall look
• It is important to use primer prior to putting in the foundation since this will make the pores look smaller and makeup the foundation looked so flawless
• Use waterproof eye liner to avoid the raccoon eyes
• You can use a cream blush and put powder blush over the cream blush to make the blush stays longer.
• Don't put eyeliner under the eye if you're gonna wear smokey eyes during daytime. (For work)
• You can put eye liner on the lower lash line if its night time.
• It is very important to put moisturizer prior to primer.
• You don't always need to use brushes on applying foundation, hands can do the trick.
• If you don't have dark eyeshadow, you can use the pencil eyeliner. draw some line at the back of your hand. use brush to smudge it and use the remaining on color on your brush as eyeshadow.

 

The perks of this event is you can buy NARS items at 10% off! and a sample bottle for Nars Skin moisturizer. Here's a picture of me with Magda Ogbe, she's very down to earth and always ready to answer your questions if you have any inquiries on how to do that, what not to do, how to achieve that look etc. Lucky for us who attended this event because she will fly back to US the next day.

Thanks Magda and Robbie (My MUA Friend) for inviting me again! Till next workshop!

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Beauty: How to achieve the dewy/glowing makeup look?

I know, with our tropical weather (here in the Philippines), creating Dewy look might be risky since it will tend to look like oily or greasy. But, if it is done perfectly well, it will give you that "GLOWING" look.. That lit from within aura. Actually this is my favorite look, that Jennifer Lopez dewy make-up she's been sporting.

So here's some of the products that I use on my make-up gigs and even on myself when I want to get that "GLOW".

1. NARS Orgasm Illuminator

NARS Illuminator in Orgasm is more of a peachy pink shade. How i use this? well there are 2 ways. One is is use this over powder blush. Second is use this before powder blush. All I need is a pea size amount of this product on my palm, and dub this on my cheeks and spread it evenly on my cheeks. And tadah!! Glowy cheeks! When I use this 'before powder', I tried it with my Nars Orgasm blush and it is really gorgeous!


2. MAC Mineralized Skinfinish 

MAC Smooth Merge

MAC Stereo Rose

 For my review, check this link: MAC Stereo Rose

MAC Stereo Rose, A luxurious velvet-soft powder with high-frost metallic finish. Smoothes on: adds buffed-up highlights to cheeks, or an overall ultra-deluxe polish to the face.(mac website)

We don't want disco balls on our cheeks. So too much of glitters in not likable, as for my preference. And yes! Thanks for MAC Mineralized SkinFinish since the glitters are tiny and the glitters doesn't scream "I have glitters on my face!!", just the right amount.

This has been staple item in many makeup artists' kit since this is very easy to use. You can wear this alone or on top of your favorite blush. You will only need to buff your blush brush on this baked powder, smile and put on your cheeks! Very very nice on pictures!

3. MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural

My review on this link: MAC MSF Natural

Why this powder? Since this is mineralized, this powder once applied, has something in it that creates glow on your face. I remember that one of my client loves this. She even want to buy one for her own use. That's how good this product is. This can be applied alone after your moisturizer or after your bb cream/foundation.

4. BB Cream

For my review on this BB Cream, here's the link: beauty-loreal-uv-perfect-bb-max

Any brand will do. There is something about BB cream that I love. It is not flat (super matte) on the face. The glow is just right and it also acts as moisturizer too! So for that dewy look, I think, BB Cream is the best option instead of the usual liquid foundation. I don't own any CC Cream which is now creating waves on the makeup world, so I can't compare it with BB Cream.

Here's a picture of me rocking that dewy make-up look..

Well, that's all for now! For all the ladies out there who loves that Dewy make-up look! 

Till our next make-up session!

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Beauty: PINK Battle | Lipsticks

NARS Schiap, Viva Glam Nicki, MAC Pink Nouveau

Oh I love pink lipsticks! The very first time I saw this on our local celebrities such as heart evangelista and anne curtis, I told myself that I should have one! But time permits me to have more and more! AS of now I have 3 pink lipsticks and I should compare them.

So here is the dedicated post just for my pink lipsticks!

 NARS Schiap on the left is more of a fuschia pink..It's very loud and of matte finish.

Viva Glam Nicki on the middle is more of a coral pink. It has yellow undertone and is perfect for ladies with the same undertone. This by far doesn't look pale on me when I took some pictures.

MAC Pink Nouveau on the right side is more of a blue undertone pink. It is purplish pink. This has been celebrities fave even before please me and nars schiap. However this really doesn't suit my skin tone.

MAC Viva Glam Nicki on me..

NARS Schiap on me..

MAC Pink Nouveau on me,,

Hope you like it! Till next swatch and comparisons!

TIA!

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Beauty: Lipstick and Blush Combo | Pink

MAC Pink Nouveau, Viva Glam Nicki Minaj, NARS Schiap, MAC Dollymix Blush

Another post for the Lipstick and Blush Combo. Now, it is on PINK! Every girl loves pink, that's just based on what I believe in. My older sister were obsessed  with pink so I've grown up seeing pinks on our room, on her things etc. So now, I'm bringing you this mini combination which I think will look good on every woman who loves makeup!

Some would say that this combo will make you look funny because pink cheeks with pink lipstick. Some would say that if you are sporting pink lippie, you should wear a neutral shade of blush. This is true. However, with the Dollymix Blush, the rule is to not overdo it. Just tap excess blush powder on your brush and swipe in your cheeks. Also, this color is pigmented so be careful not to put a lot on your cheeks.

Here's the link my individual blushes review: beauty-vanity-kit-my-blushes

As you can see all of lipstick shades are neon! This really stands out amongst all your makeup on your face. Thus if you want a more sultry look, skip putting dark eyeshadows, wear a thin eyeliner, curl your lashes and just swipe a little blush and wear this lipstick and you're good to go!

This shades are perfect for day out. I will post soon makeup tutorial so do stick around. I am particular with combining same shades on my makeup coz this really compliment everything. I love doing this combination during dates and bonding with my girlfriends. Nice to see your face having shades of pink as if you are a barbie doll!

Try this ladies! This will gorgeous!

Tia!

Love Vanessa

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Beauty: Lipstick and Blush Combo | Peaches

I am in love with peaches lately..Anything that has a peachy pink shade makeup is candy to my eyes. Recently I've been sporting peach makeups. Oh I really love them. I have come to the idea of doing some lip and blush combo on my blog. Just to identify which blush/blushes works well with another shade of Lipstick. This combination includes 2 blushes and 1 lipstick. The lipstick that i purchased unintentionally since I was just roaming around the mall and the shade really did caught my eyes.

The Balm Hot Mama Blush, Bobbi Brown Soft Coral Lipstick and NARS Orgasm Blush

My Individual reviews for blushes in this link My Blushes..

Bobbi Brown Soft Coral

This lipstick is very moisturizing. Doesn't dry out my lips.Thus you wont need a balm underneath. The texture was creamy and the color is sheer. When you swipe this on your lips, it will give you a peach/coral shade..Perfect for the summer. I love pairing this with either Hot Mama or Orgasm. The blush color doesn't clash with the lip color. It really compliment the shade of the lipstick. The outcome? Very summery! Peachy cheeks with a peachy lips! Gorgeous!

                   Bobbi Brown Lipstick on my lips!

You can try out this combination ladies! 

More lip and blush combination next time! 

Love Vanessa

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Beauty: Vanity Kit - My Blushes..

Hi Ladies! My super pretty friend, Aileen, (special mention ka gurl!) hehehe, requested me to blog about blushes. Unfortunately, I only have limited blushes on my vanity kit. So bear with me ladies if I can only show 5 blushes that I do have in my possession. My very first branded blush is Nars Orgasm (sorry for the name), this is a birthday girft for myself and since it is a cult favorite among beauty bloggers, I rode the hype!

I only have 5 blushes on my kit such as MAC Dollymix, NARS Orgasm Powder Blush, The Balm Hot Mama, NARS Orgasm Illuminator. MAC Smooth Merge. All of which have shimmers since I love shimmers! Take a look on how each blush is different from the others.

From Left to Right: MAC Smooth Merge, MAC Dollymix, The Balm Hot Mama, Nars Orgasm Illuminator, Nars Orgasm Powder

Closer Look..

   Let's now take a look at them individually.. Pictures below..

First Stop: MAC Smooth Merge MSF is part of the colour craft collection. This is a highlighter but can also be used as blush. The cute thing about this is it composed of 3 gradient colors..Upper part is more of light pink, middle part is more of berry color and lower part is golden shade. So when you swirl them together, you can create the cute color..

Here's the swatch:

2nd Stop: The Balm Hot Mama

PROS:

 The Balm Hot Mama is pinky peach blush with gold sheen. This is being compared to NARS Orgasm as a dupe. This costs Php750 as compared to Php1450 (NARS Orgasm). Great deal right? What I love most about this blush is it is so pigmented..You will not need highlighter when you put it on your face. Very cute. it will give you a dewy look and like you're glowing...Very nice color..

CONS:

Nothing.. I love everything bout it. Also the packaging. very unique!

Here's the swatch:

Third Stop: NARS Powder Blush

 This blush is the ever famous cult favorite blush! When you visit NARS Cosmetic site you will see that is theor best seller product! As you can see, I almost hit the pan, and that only means, I keep on reaching this on my purse everyday. I bought this last 2010 and still you can see that I cannot finish this off!

Here's the swatch:

PROS:

• Sheer finish, Perfect for those who only want a little bit of blush on their face
• Fine Shimmers. You will not end up as if you're wearing glitters on your face
• Lasts for 2-3hours on my cheeks.

CONS:

• Kinda expensive for me! Maybe not for those who have a budget.
• The packaging is kinda easy to get dirty as most bloggers noticed but it is sturdy.
• One swipe is not enough, more swipes will be needed to see the colors on your skin (on my skin preference, results may vary on different skin tone).

Fourth Stop: MAC Dollymix

MAC Dollymix is a true pink blush with shimmers. Im so happy to know that Angelica Panganiban keep this on her kikay kit (Cosmopolitan site). I was once really hooked on blushes, and found this as one of the best blushes by MAC. Though this will be more gorgeous with fair-skinned ladies, I think morenas like me can pull this off by simply just swiping a little amount on your cheeks. This is pigmented and a good brush is need.

Here's the swatch:

PROS

• Cute pink blush
• Shimmers are fine
• If you want to pull off a barbie like cheeks, this is a good one!
• Content is more than those of NARS
• Very pigmented

CONS

• No mirror on the packaging
• That's all

LAST STOP: NARS Orgasm Illuminator

This illuminator is just a proof that NARS Orgasm Powder is a hit..So I dig in to the craze. This product is in liquid form, which is cute to create the dewy look. I really love creating dewy look..You can put it in your cheeks to create that glow..


Wheeww. That was a long post! Hope you learn something.. :-)
Till next time.

Love Vanessa
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Beauty: My Mini Lipstick Collection

I'm starting to love lipsticks.. My very first lipstick is the Maybelline Coral Tangerine..And can't believe that im starting to build a collection. Shades ranges from oranges, corals, nude and pink.

Here it is:

Here are the list from left to right:

• Mac Viva Glam Nicki
• Mac Pink Nouveau
• Mac Party Parrot
• Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Soft Coral
• Nars Schiap
• Covergirl Rapture
• Max Factor Pearl Orange
• Revlon in Soft Nude

Lipsticks are LOVE <3....

More pics below..

That would be all for now ladies... More posts.. soon :-)

Tia!

Vanessa <3
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