Today's Makeup Look 39 - Fresh for Spring

NARS Concealer lightly under eyes, darkness on side of nose near eyes and on blemishes.

NARS Loose Powder in Eden lightly all over face.

NARS Riviera (pink) along/below cheek bone, and on eyelids.

NARS Deep Throat (pink-peach) blush on apples of cheeks blending upwards along cheek bone; left over pigment of brush placed on eyelids, chin, and along hairline.

NARS Night Flight  (black with navy/blue beads) lightly lined upper eyes and between lashes.

NARS Copacabana (white pearl) as optional highlights lightly on upper cheek bone, nose, brow bone

NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara

lip balm

... Joan made me do it.

New NARS How-to Films : Spring Collection 2012

NARS website has launched 3 new artistry videos: one which focuses on eyes, the other cheeks, and the last one a bold lip look.

inspiration and technique:

http://www.narscosmetics.ca/the-latest/how-to-films/

NARS Spring 2012

Today's Makeup Look 38 - New Year's Eve Dinner Party

NARS Concealer lightly under eyes, darkness on side of nose and on blemishes.

NARS Loose Powder in Eden lightly all over face.

NARS Malibu (pink brown) along/below cheek bone, and on eyelids.

NARS Deep Throat (pink-peach) blush on apples of cheeks blending upwards along cheek bone; left over pigment of brush placed on eyelids, chin, and along hairline.

NARS Jezebel (red sable) all over eyelid and lightly lined under eyes.  Blend edge in crease with a clean blending brush or use a bit of NARS Abysinnia.

NARS Night Breed  (black with silver shimmer) lined eyes and between lashes.

NARS Lengthening Larger Than Life mascara

NARS Larger Than Life lipgloss in Como


plum quartz gold earrings

... Joan made me do it.

Today's Makeup Look 37

NARS Concealer lightly under eyes, darkness on side of nose and on blemishes.

NARS Loose Powder in Eden lightly all over face.

NARS Malibu (pink brown) along/below cheek bone, and on eyelids.
NARS Douceur (soft pink-brown) blush on apples of cheeks blending upwards along cheek bone; left over pigment of brush placed on eyelids, chin, and along hairline.

NARS Ondine  (plum gold) all over eyelid and lightly lined under eyes.  Blend edge in crease with a clean blending brush.
NARS Night Flight  (black with blue cobalt pearls) lined on top of eyes and between lashes.

NARS Lengthening Larger Than Life mascara

lip balm

... Joan made me do it.

Today's Makeup Look 36 - Early Fall

NARS Concealer lightly under eyes, darkness on side of nose and on blemishes.

NARS Pressed Powder in Eden lightly all over face.

NARS Malibu (pink brown) along/below cheek bone, and on eyelids.

NARS Via Appia Larger than Life long wear precision eyeliner all around eyes.  Lightly blended line edge with clean pencil brush.

NARS Kalahari (gold confection, cocoa) light and dark shades layered all over lid. 

NARS Cordura II (sooty brown) lined between lashes using the NARS Push brush.

NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara

NARS Larger Than Life lipgloss in Tiber

... Joan made me do it.

Today's Makeup Look 35 - "the Year of the Cat"

Inspired by one of the big trends this year: fully lined feline eyes.
NARS Via Appia Larger than Life long wear precision eyeliner

inspiration - article and video:
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/year-of-the-cat/

... Joan made me do it.

Great Finds - eSkinCareStore dot com especially great for Canadians

This is a fantastic skincare site.  It has almost everything!
www.eSkinCareStore.com

Today's Makeup Look 34 - from publication in The Province on July 19, 2011

A 'natural' makeup look with a colourful eye for Summer described beautifully by artist James Boehmer as interviewed by 'The Province' with colour suggestion variations for darker or lighter skintones.

Full interview and details are published in The Province online:

www.theprovince.com/entertainment/Facing+summer/5123685/story.html

... Joan made me do it.

Tonight's Makeup Look 33 - Wedding Reception Guest

NARS Cap Vert (medium bronzer) Multiple on eyes, contour under cheek bone and in blending out to number 3 pattern.
NARS Loose Powder (Eden) brushed all over face.
NARS Laguna (brown gold) bronzer in number 3 pattern and patted left over on brush onto eyes.
NARS Orgasm (golden peachy pink) brushed onto apples of cheeks and blended subtly along cheekbone.  Patted left over on eyes.
NARS Copacabana (pearlescent) Multiple as highlight on top of cheek and up towards temple, nose, chin, and highpoint of brow arch.

NARS Bellissima (subtle shimmering beige and matte gray-brown) used the matte gray-brown to draw messy/hazy line all around eyes and placed shimmering beige as highlight to brighten next to nose on inner corner of eyes and under the highest point of the brow arch.
NARS Loose Powder (Eden) brushed all over face to set.
NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara used lots and was sure to take the time to get every lash.
NARS Pandora  (matte black) placed in between top and bottom lashes using the Push eyeliner brush.
NARS Blondie  (light taupe) eyeshadow to lightly fill in eyebrows.

Rosebud lip balm on lips.

black dress
art deco earrings

... Joan made me do it.

Today's Makeup Look 32 - Happy Canada Day!!

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation mixed with Orgasm Illuminator lightly applied to centre of face and smoothed outward.

NARS Luxor (pink pearlescent) Multiple mixed with concealer under eyes and in dark area next to nose.

NARS Orgasm (gold peach) Multiple on eyes, cheeks.

NARS Blondie  (light taupe) eyeshadow to fill in eyebrows.

NARS Orgasm (peach) lightly on apples of cheek and lightly on eyes.

NARS Laguna (brown gold) bronzer in number 3 pattern.

NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara lots :-)

NARS Pandora (matte black) using NARS Push eyeliner brush applied between lashes top and bottom.

... Joan made me do it.

Pea and Mint Soup p.132 of Jamie's Food Revolution

Two of each: carrots, onions, celery, and garlic cloves, chopped and cooked lightly in olive oil.  Brought organic vegetable broth to a boil.  Mixed together and added frozen peas and mint leaves, allowing to cook for 15 minutes.  Puréed with a hand mixer.  Really nice, healthy, easy to make, and refreshing soup.  Tastes better as recommended with toasted foccacia!

Today's Makeup Look 31: First Day of Summer

NARS Laguna (brown gold) bronzer in number 3 pattern.
NARS South Beach (shimmering apricot) Multiple on eyes, cheeks, lips.
NARS Sandstorm (gold) Eye Liner Pencil lightly smudged out around eye and as base. 

NARS Luster (apricot) lightly on cheeks.
NARS Deep Throat (pinky peach) lightly on apples of cheek
NARS Copacabana (pearlescent) Multiple as highlight on top of cheek and up towards temple, nose, chin, and highpoint of brow arch.

NARS Isolde (frosted ginger, shimmering copper) mixed on brush and placed on eyelids and under eyes.
NARS Bengali  (brown) lined on top of eyes and between lashes.

NARS Blondie  (light taupe) eyeshadow to fill in eyebrows.

NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara lots :-)

... Joan made me do it.

Great Finds: SS Big Locks

My awesome hair stylist at WorldSalon uses hair clips like the SS Big Locks to section my hair.  These hair clips are the best ever!  Normally hair clips for sectioning while drying can't properly hold thick hair.  The SS Big Locks however, flex around the hair to grip it in the clip to hold it in place.  An essential tool for easy sectioning for blow-drying and styling long and mid-length hair.  (Dannyco makes a similar product described as "Jaw Clips".)

... Joan made me do it.

NARS Fall Collection 2011 - Order Now Online for delivery in Canada!!

Hi! I am so excited as Canadians (like me!!) can now order collections ahead of the in store release dates!!  This collection is available in Canada by going to the NARS website, at the bottom is an international sites option, click and choose Canada! You're there; enjoy those new Larger Than Life Eyeliners!!

Editing the Makeup that Goes Into Your Bathroom

There's a fun article by "Into The Gloss" in which the reader gets to look into NARS National makeup artist Francelle Daly's intimate at home makeup behaviour.
One thing that caught my eye is how Francelle edits what makeup goes into her bathroom.  Many bloggers have huge collections that surround them at a makeup table or area and in contrast I like how Francelle selected a few items and laid them out in a simple tray in the bathroom; keeping the bulk of the makeup elsewhere.  I also really liked the look of the clear glass brush container that she used round stones to hold the brushes in - tidy, earthy, serene, and stylish.

Full article: http://intothegloss.com/2011/06/francelle-daly-nars-national-makeup-artist/

Jamie Oliver's Best Pasta Salad

So yesterday was the second backyard BBQ that I attended this season and I was assigned to bring a salad.  I'm not one to prepare and try things ahead of time, so, needing to be able to count on my contribution tasting fantastic I googled "Jamie Oliver best pasta salad".  I boiled small shell pasta with 3 cloves of garlic as directed and combined the cooled pasta with fresh ingredients: tomatoes, chives, basil, olives, & cucumber.  Each ingredient was cut to roughly half the size of the pasta (that was the hard part).  The boiled garlic was removed from it's skin and combined with white wine vinegar, olive oil, and salt & pepper for the dressing.  It was a hit!

... Joan made me do it.

Today's Makeup Look 30 - Summer Makeup

Inspiration and guidance from NARS' Director of Global Artistry:

"Summer is the time to be more experimental and playful. You're wearing more colour in your clothing, so add it to your makeup, as well. Even if you're the type to wear neutrals, try gold and copper, as well as brown. Try colour in your eyeliner or on your eyelids." James Boehmer, 2011.

Q: If you only have 5 minutes to do your makeup?

"It all starts with the skin. Spend time on making sure you take care of it. Then use a sheer foundation and concealer. And add one thing — eyeliner, mascara or lipstick." James Boehmer, 2011.

Full interview is published in the Denver Post online:
http://www.denverpost.com/lifestyles/ci_18218223

Today's Makeup Look 29

This look was from Canada's National NARS makeup artist Danny, however I used Caravaggio today instead of the bright blue in the Summer NARS Trio.

NARS Laguna (brown gold) bronzer in number 3 pattern.
NARS Riviera (translucent pink) Multiple on eyes, cheeks.

NARS Copacabana (pearlescent) Multiple as highlight on top of cheek and up towards temple, nose, chin, and highpoint of brow arch.

NARS Bengali  (brown) lined eyes.

NARS Caravaggio (iridescent violet) lined eyes overtop of the brown.
NARS Blondie  (light taupe) eyeshadow to fill in eyebrows.

NARS Volumizing Larger Than Life mascara lots :-)

NARS Bettina Velvet Matte (pink nude) lip pencil

... Joan made me do it.