Today's Makeup Look 13

NARS Malibu (pink brown) Multiple on eyes, cheeks, and lips
NARS Mambo (chocolate brown) Eye Liner Pencil smudged out around eye and as base (New York shadow to set)

NARS Himalayas (opalescent white) to blend edges

NARS Jolie Poupée (violet and pearlescent purple) mixed colours on brush and placed on eye lid

NARS Orgasm (peachy pink) apples of cheek and lightly brushed along cheek bone

NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara

NARS Pandora (black) at base of lashes (top and bottom)

... Joan made me do it.

Makeup Your Mind - Express Yourself

Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself is the sequel to François Nars' first makeup how-to book released in 2001.  The new book is described as "like a cookbook: I'm [François] sharing how a recipe is made." Unlike the earlier book, this one will feature 60 non-models.  It's available now on Amazon for a great price!

Check out the May issue of MarieClaire for a sneak peak of the Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself book, including 2 detailed looks.

Today's Makeup Look 12

NARS Concealer in Custard (under eyes) and Vanilla (blemishes)

NARS Sheer Glow in Deauville blended along cheek bones and spread outward

NARS Pressed Powder in Eden to set

NARS Laguna (brown gold) bronzer in number 3 pattern

NARS Malibu (pink brown) Multiple on eyes, cheeks, and lips
NARS All About Eve II (neutral pink beige shimmer) lightly on eyelid to set Malibu and lightly under the eye
NARS Blondie  (light taupe) eyeshadow to fill in eyebrows.
NARS Orgasm (peachy pink) apples of cheek and lightly brushed along cheek bone
NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara
NARS Pandora (black) at base of lashes (top and bottom)

... Joan made me do it.

NARS Summer Collection 2011 - Fabulous!

NARS Summer 2011 Collection is available now online!

image credit:  http://charhadas.com/ideas/14965-tendencias-maquillaje-primavera-verano-2011-nars

Today's Makeup Look 11

NARS Concealer in Custard (under eyes) and Vanilla (blemishes)
NARS Pressed Powder in Eden all over face

NARS Malibu (brown pink) multiple on eyes, cheeks, lips

NARS Laguna (brown gold) bronzer in number 3 pattern
NARS Blondie  (light taupe) eyeshadow to fill in eyebrows

NARS Volumizing mascara

... Joan made me do it.

Today's Makeup Look 10

NARS Malibu (pink brown) Multiple on eyes, cheeks, and lips

NARS Mambo (chocolate brown) eyeliner pencil blended lightly around eye and smudged on lid as eyeshadow base colour

NARS Lola Lola (shimmering brown) all over eyelid and blended under the eye

NARS Abysinnia  (pearl) eyeshadow to blend in crease and just above crease; highlight on side of nose, inner third of eye near lashes

NARS Violetta (smoky lavender I) lighter shade in the crease

NARS Blondie  (light taupe) eyeshadow to fill in eyebrows

NARS Orgasm (pinky peach) on apples of cheek

NARS Hopi Velvet Gloss (beige) lip pencil

NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara

... Joan made me do it.

Great Music: The Strokes

The Strokes

New Strokes album for Summer :-)
Diggin' the song Machu Piccho 

Today's Makeup Look 9

NARS Malibu (pink brown) Multiple on eyes, cheeks, and lips
NARS Mambo (chocolate brown) eyeliner pencil blended lightly around eye and smudged on lid as eyeshadow base colour
NARS Violetta (smoky lavender and metallic violet) lighter shade all over eyelid and blended under the eye, then darker shade dusted on lid and blended under eye; lighter shade blending in the crease
NARS Abysinnia  (pearl) eyeshadow to blend just above crease.
NARS Blondie  (light taupe) eyeshadow to fill in eyebrows.
NARS Pandora (black) at base of lashes (top and bottom)
NARS Nico (natural glow) to highlight on/above cheek bone

NARS Deep Throat (pinky peach) lightly on apples of cheek
NARS Hopi Velvet Gloss (beige) lip pencil

NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara

... Joan made me do it.

MAC 212 Flat Definer Brush versus NARS Number 2 Push Eyeliner brush

As a second follow-up to my earlier post on makeup brushes.

The NARS Number 2 brush  (NARS Push Eyeliner brush) was the other brush recommended to me by James, International NARS makeup artist, for placing shadow between my eyelashes.  I already owned the MAC 212 brush but wanted to try the recommendation.

I did a quick look comparison of the two brushes:

First the NARS brush handle, as mentioned in my last post below, is substantial but a little more elegant and longer than my comparable MAC 212 brush.  The brush/hair on the NARS #2 is much more tightly packed and the hairs are rigid or stiff on the NARS Push Eyeliner (NARS #2) brush than on the MAC 212.  On closer inspection, the MAC 212 brush doesn't appear to actually use the metal collar to hold the brush hairs, and I suspect glue is used to hold the brush hairs together instead.  Again the costs are comparable (27.00CAD versus 26.00USD for NARS).

My quick performance test was simple:

Lightly wiggle the tips of each brush in a black matte shadow (NARS Pandora).  Touch and wiggle lightly the brush on my arm creating 3 touching (brush-long) line segments. _ _ _

RESULT:  The NARS #2 does an unquestionable better job.  The black line is deep black and fine using the NARS Push Eyeliner (NARS #2) brush versus the wider more diffuse (comparatively grey) line using the MAC 212 brush.  A fantastic purchase!!

... Joan made me do it.

MAC 219 Pencil Brush versus NARS Number 14 Small Domed Eye brush

This is a follow-up to my earlier post on makeup brushes.

Despite already owning a MAC 219 and 219SB brush I again looked at the NARS Number 14 brush (NARS Small Domed Eye brush) and contemplated purchasing it.  This NARS brush was recommended to me by an International NARS makeup artist for placing shadow under the eye, which is a look that particularly suits me and my eye shape.  So, after after 3 months of putting the decision on the back burner I bought the NARS #14 brush.

I did a quick look comparison of the two brushes:
First the NARS brush handle is substantial but a little more elegant than my comparable MAC 219 brush.  The brush/hair on the NARS #14 is fuller, softer, and arguably looks more expensive than the MAC brush despite comparable costs (29.50CAD versus 27.00USD for NARS).

My quick performance test was simple:
Roll each brush lightly in eyeshadow, streak it in a single short segment across my arm.  Observe, then repeat to be sure.

RESULT:  The NARS #14 did an unquestionable better job at displacing the pigment from the brush evenly across the line streak with great/even displacement of eyeshadow throughout line thickness; wheres the MAC 219 brush left a much lighter mark and the mark trailed off quickly (meaning more pigment where the brush began it's stroke and considerably less even 1cm away).

... Joan made me do it.

Today's Makeup Look 8

NARS Mambo (chocolate brown) eyeliner pencil blended lightly around eye and smudged as eyeshadow base colour
NARS Laguna (brown gold) bronzer on cheek and contour in classic NARS number 3 pattern shown in earlier blogged video.

NARS Kuala Lampur (rose gold and boysenberry gold) darker shade on lid and blended under eye; lighter colour blending in the crease and to highlight along half of lash-line.

NARS Bengali  (brown) eyeshadow at base of eyelashes
NARS Hopi Velvet Gloss (beige) lip pencil

NARS Turkish Delight gloss (cool pink) to highlight centre of lip
NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara

... Joan made me do it.

Today's Makeup Look 7

NARS Malibu (brown pink) multiple on eyes, cheeks and lips

NARS Mambo (chocolate brown) eyeliner pencil blended lightly around eye

NARS Madrague (bisque white and pale taupe) lighter colour all over eye to brow and under eye on inside; darker shade on lid and blended under eye on outer half.
NARS Pandora  (black) eyeshadow at base of eyelashes
NARS Hopi Velvet Gloss (beige) lip pencil
NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara - lots

... Joan made me do it.

Tonight's Makeup Look 1

To create a makeup base see my earlier post on: 'Fabulous Skin'


NARS Mambo (chocolate brown) eyeliner pencil to create eyeshadow base
NARS Caravaggio (azaela pink and iridescent violet) eyeshadow on lids and under eye
NARS Pandora  (black) eyeshadow at base of eyelashes
NARS Sex Machine Velvet Matte (pink mauve) lip pencil
NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara - lots
NARS Malibu (brown pink) multiple on cheeks and lips
NARS Deep Throat (peachy pink) blush on apples of cheek 
colourless lip balm or vaseline pressed lightly on lips

set with NARS Eden pressed powder

... Joan made me do it.

NARS and Animal Testing: "DOES NOT AND NEVER HAS...OF ANY KIND"

"I mistrust people who don't like animals or understand them ... Any wise little cat or dog knows at glance whether your charm is real or manufactured for the occasion - and treats you accordingly."
Joan Crawford - My Way of Life


Joan Crawford is often seen in photographs with her beloved dogs, and likewise François Nars, founder of NARS Cosmetics, has been photographed with his French bulldog, Marcel Nars.  Recently Marcel was the face of the NARS Pro-Prime advertising campaign and even hosted a Q&A on the NARS Cosmetics facebook group!

For those who like to support cosmetic companies that do not conduct animal testing you will be please to know that NARS Cosmetics does not, and has not ever, conducted animal testing.

On the NARS website it is stated under the NARS Customer Care section:
NARS and Animal Testing:
NARS Cosmetics does not and never has conducted any animal testing of any kind. Thank you.

Best Roasted Potatoes p.212 of Happy Days with the Naked Chef

This is so easy and tastes so so good.  Perfect roasted potatoes every time!
The trick is to boil the potatoes first.  The recipe calls for small potatoes but I have instead cut down full-size potatoes after boiling too.  Once the potatoes are soft (and cut down to size if needed) I toss them into a baking pan, pour some oil, add coarse sea salt, lots of rosemary leaves, and then mix it up.  I toss the pan in the oven with whatever I'm already cooking in there <30 minutes before I expect it to be done.  Of course this timing is pretty flexible (20 minutes is also fine).

... Joan made me do it.

Modified Chicken in Milk Recipe p.183 of Happy Days with the Naked Chef

I've made this roast chicken recipe before, true to the directions, and it smells and tastes awesome.  This evening instead of using a whole chicken I took a club pack of 5 chicken breasts and fried them together in the frying pan with butter, oil, salt & pepper.  Meanwhile I tossed into a ceramic stove-to-table baking pot: the milk, 10 unpealed garlic cloves, sage, cinnamon stick, and zested the lemons; adding the zest to the pot.  The oven at this time reached temperature and the chicken was golden, so i tossed them into the pot, covered, and baked for 1 hour; basting when I thought of it (once).  While the chicken cooked I prepared spinach.  This recipe tastes so well with roasted potatoes too.  Quick, easy, successful when modified :-)
Tomorrow I'll pack the chicken breast with rice for lunches.

... Joan made me do it.

Today's Makeup Look 6

NARS Lola Lola (neutral frosted brown) eyeshadow on lids and under eye
NARS All About Eve  (neutral pink beige) shadow to blend in crease
NARS Mambo (chocolate brown) eyeliner pencil
NARS Hopi (honey beige) Velvet Gloss lip pencil
NARS Penny Lane (nude pink) blush
NARS Lulu (eggplant) eyeshadow at base of eyelashes
NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara

set with NARS Eden pressed powder

... Joan made me do it.

Cleaning Makeup Brushes

It's very important to keep makeup brushes clean.  The consequences of not looking after your makeup brushes are costly: destroying your brushes, causing eye infections, causing skin breakouts, and contributing to dirty makeup that is hazardous and needs to be replaced.    By keeping your makeup tools clean your makeup will stay clean; and you can safely keep and use the products longer.

I clean my brushes at least once a week and always use them on clean skin.

Cleaning makeup brushes is quite easy.  You can use your everyday hair shampoo and conditioner to wash the brushes which is arguably a better than using a commercial makeup brush cleaner that may be an irritant to your skin and may contain alcohol which will dry out your brushes.

How to quickly clean your makeup brushes:

1. Lay a clean towel down on a flat surface.
2. Put a glob of shampoo in one hand.
3. With the other hand grab each makeup brush one at a time and dip into a bit of the shampoo and lay them in a line beside the sink.
4. Then turn the tap on low at a luke warm-cool temperature.
5. Use the hand that previously had shampoo in it as a wash puddle: cup water in the palm and gently swirl the soapy makeup brushes in it to clean, rinse under the water, swirl in palm, and rinse until all the soap is out of the brush.  Squeeze the water out of the brush, shape the brush bristles and then lay the makeup brush flat on the towel.  Repeat for each makeup brush.

Important:
      6.  Be careful to keep the water and soap on only the hair and or synthetic bristles of the makeup brush and do not soak the wood handles or you will ruin your makeup brushes.
      7.  Lay your makeup brushes flat to dry in order to keep the wood handles dry and maintain the shape of your makeup brushes.

It works best for me to clean my brushes after washing all my makeup off (NARS Cleansing Oil Review) and before going to sleep so that they are ready in the morning.  I clean my makeup brushes at least once a week but I have read that it is advised to wash your makeup brushes once every 2-3 days.

For more information about makeup brushes see my earlier blog on Makeup Supplies.

... Joan made me do it.

The Original 12 NARS Lipsticks

Curious as to what were the "perfectly edited" twelve lipsticks that François Nars first marketed to Barney's in 1994?
I was. :-)

Original 12 NARS Cosmetics lipsticks:

1. Honolulu Honey - flesh toned beige
2. Blonde Venus - cool natural beige
3. Funny Face - fuschia
4. Heatwave - orange red
5. Scarlet Empress - jewel toned blue-red
6. Trans Siberian - ruby rose
7. Morocco - warm cinnamon with a touch of pink
8. Casablanca - full-bodied coral
9. Red Lizard - full powered red
10. Shanghai Express - warm brick red
11. Jungle Red - bright red
12. Transeurope Express - deep rose

... Joan made me do it.

"Makeup Artists Changing the Face of Fashion Week - CNBC"

I really enjoyed this CNBC article on the status of makeup during New York fashion week.

Some quotes:

"A common person can look like a movie star or runway model. There's no more ivory tower, the makeup artist has helped bring down that wall." Beauty Analyst Karen Grant

"Makeup is an accessory to fashion," said François Nars, makeup artist and founder of Nars Cosmetics. "You buy a bag, you buy shoes, you put on eyeliner, you buy a lipstick, makeup compliments the clothes." François Nars, 2011

http://www.cnbc.com/id/41494989