Monday, April 1, 2013

March Favourites

As the song goes, two is better than one, and March has been about combinations. I've come to appreciate the value in mixing and layering individual eyeshadows, lipstick and nail polishes to produce different shades and effects. Certain products you barely use on their own could transform into exactly what you were after when put together. All it takes it a little experimentation and a good look at what you already have. I've also been loving two particular scents and the added functionality of a pump to my existing favourite foundation.


OPI Lights of Emerald City
You know when you persevere with a nail polish after two failed attempts, it must be something special. I wore this happily for most of March, including a stretch of a whole week before it started to peel, which is saying a lot since I usually get fed up of a nail polish after 1-2 days. Pairs perfectly with Revlon Pale Cashmere, though Sally Hansen Insta-Dri is a must in the process as the application is admittedly tedious.


Lush Twilight Shower Gel (Limited Edition)
This has become one of my favourite shower gels, except I only have this tiny 100g bottle to last me until the next time they sell it, if they ever do. It contains lavender flower infusion, lavender oil, benzoin resinoid, tonka absolute and ylang ylang oil. The scent is mainly sweet, a little woody with a touch of spice. It's warm, relaxing and enveloping, and best of all, the fragrance lasts on your skin after you get out of the shower. So annoyed I didn't pick up a bigger bottle at 50% off during the post-Christmas sales.



Too Faced Like a Virgin (Naked Eye palette) + Revlon Illuminance Crème Shadow in Wild Orchids (701)
Earlier in the month I dabbled in mattes, but my most worn eyeshadow these past couple of weeks has actually been a combination of a matte powder eyeshadow and a shimmery cream. I've been applying as a base the second shade from the Revlon Illuminance Crème Shadow in Wild Orchids, a sheer, cool violet with silvery-gold shimmer, then layering Too Faced Like a Virgin from the Naked Eye palette over it. The pairing reminds me of a darker, cooler, more purple-grey version of Laura Mercier African Violet. The lighter, shimmery base adds more warmth and depth to Like a Virgin, which can be too dark and grey on its own.


Kai Perfume Oil
Still obsessed. All other fragrances pale in comparison. I just haven't been interested in anything else. If I'm rushing out the door, I don't need to worry about selecting a perfume that I wouldn't mind spritzing on as I know I have this in my purse that I'll actually look forward to dabbing on my wrists.


BYS Longwear Lipstick in Beautifully Bare (L211) + Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Ginger Rose (131)
Another combination that I stumbled upon in March. I was re-watching My Everyday Makeup Tutorial from Jenn Im of clothesencounters and loved her lip colour in that video (Wet n Wild Bare It All). Not having that exact shade, I wanted to recreate something similar from my lipstick collection. I first tried on BYS Beautifully Bare, but it was too nude and didn't have the soft, natural rosiness I was after. So I decided to layer over it a lipstick that I rarely touch, Revlon Ginger Rose, which I've always found a bit too dark and mature-looking. I was surprised at how much I liked the end result, especially the way it just worked for my skin tone. Mixing lipstick can be a tricky affair, especially if two formulations aren't compatible, but these two melded together like a single colour. My newest go-to daytime neutral shade.


Foundation pump for NARS Sheer Glow
This doesn't really count as a favourite, but I finally remembered to pick up a NARS foundation pump from Mecca Cosmetica. It was only $4 which was cheaper than expected. Makes using my Sheer Glow so much easier as one pump is more than enough to cover my whole face and I feel I'm not wasting as much product.

And while we're talking about it, my love for NARS Sheer Glow only increases with time. It's my favourite of all the foundations I own, the best foundation I've used overall, and despite frequent comparisons to cheaper alternatives, they simply don't come close. It's actually much higher coverage than I initially gave it credit for. When used with a primer (I like Clarins Beauty Flash Balm for when I want my skin to look extra nice), it gives the most flawless, brightening finish. My only complaint is that it can look slightly cakey just above my chin if I scrutinise my face in the mirror, but that's a very minor issue.

l-r: Too Faced Like a Virgin, Revlon Wild Orchids (2nd shade), Like a Virgin and Wild Orchids layered together, BYS Beautifully Bare, Revlon Ginger Rose, Beautifully Bare and Ginger Rose layered together

51 comments:

  1. like a virgin & wild orchids layered together creates such a delicate color :)
    how are the BYS lipsticks btw? considering its long wear I didn't think they'd be any good considering the price? :/
    glad to hear you're still loving that kai perfume oil :) still very keen on getting a good whiff of it!

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    1. It's okay for the price, though I rarely wear them because I prefer other brands like Revlon and MAC. But the Longwear one is pretty good - seems to adhere to the lip better and good texture, not too creamy/slippery, not too dry.

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  2. Nice list of favourites. I keep meaning to buy the Nars Sheer Glow but I already have so many other foundations that I should get through first! x

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  3. Great favourites! I also like mixing lipstick shades together, especially those that I rarely use. But you're right, it can be tricky sometimes.

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  4. Lovely favourites! I really like the lip combo. Nars Sheer Glow has been on my wishlist for ages!

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  5. Nice to hear that products you rarely touch have come into use because of combinations!
    The lip and eye combo is gorgeous. I wouldn't have thought to get use out of a BYS lipstick because tbh, I really despise the smell xD

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  6. The lipsticks are both gorgeous shades and perfect for spring. :)

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  7. I'll need to get a sample of Nars Sheer Glow to check it out! I tried Nars tinted moisturizer but would love something with more coverage...
    always love your posts!

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  8. Twilight sounds like it smells phenomenal! Agh, Nars Sheer Glow does look amazing. Maybe when I run out of my HG foundation, I'll grab a sample just to try :D xx

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  9. Revlon's Wild Orchids are a beautiful combination of colours which I quite like! I love the colour that results from blending Like a Virgin and the 2nd shade together, it's very pretty. And wow layering the two lipsticks together gives such a beautiful shade! I find I have a lipstick that is too dark and mature for my liking, so I might think of layering it with a lighter shade. How do you go about layering lipsticks? Do you use a lip brush or use the lipstick bullet directly on your lips? Foundations with pumps are so much more easier to use and it's great to hear that you grabbed a pump for only $4!

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    1. I just use the lipstick bullet directly to the lips all the time, then press my lips together. Very Mary Greenwell inspired :p I remember the Lisa Eldridge video where she guest features and she basically demands the model to keep rubbing her lips together and blending in the Tom Ford lipstick she applied directly to the lips from the tube, lol.

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  10. SO, I now NEED Narsh Sheer Glow in my life!!!
    I love mixing products and making new combinations, cream/powder eyeshadow is one of my faves :)

    xoxo

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  11. I bought NARS Sheer Glow about a month ago and I wasn't really impressed with it at first, but now I think I was just applying too much. I find that I get the best results when I use about half a pump, applied all over the face with my fingers, and then go over it with my Real Techniques buffing brush at the end. I like this foundation more and more every time I use it!

    I am always so jealous when I see Revlon on other people's blogs because it's so expensive here in France. Being American, I know exactly how much Revlon products cost there, so I kind of refuse to pay triple the price. I sure do miss those lipsticks & nail polishes!!

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    1. Glad to hear you found a way to make Sheer Glow work for you! It is always tricky when first trying out a foundation to find the optimal way to apply it for your skin.

      And yes, Revlon make the best lipsticks and awesome nail polishes! :)

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  12. LUSH twilight is my fave shower gel ever from LUSH.. Luckily I managed to stock up on the 50% sale.. I have 5 bottles of the 250ml Twilight now in my bathroom cabinet along with the ponche and snow fairy.lol

    I was really close to buy the Too faced naked eye palette in sephora singapore , but it was sold for ca. 90SGD if I am not mistaken, so expensive ://

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    1. omg, 5 bottles! So jealous! :p I never managed to nab Snow Fairy around Christmas - I'll never know what it's like. Well, until the chance comes this December. I'm not really in love with the Naked Eye palette, but I do love Like a Virgin from it! Maybe try Beauty Bay (that's where I ordered mine)?

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  13. You've almost convinced me to buy NARS Sheer Glow since you mention it quite often, I just can't bare to shell out the money right now... :P I also haven't heard much about those Kai perfumes before you posted about it, I really want to find out what it smells like! xx

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  14. Amazing picks as always Lena. I'd love to try Nars, that foundation sounds fantastic. There's not one time that I don't add something to my wishlist after reading one of your posts ^^ <3 xx

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  15. good thing you were able to replace a pump on it as it makes application much easier ^_~

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  16. Lovely favourites! I also like to mix and match, especially with lipsticks and using eyeshadows in different ways, say over different bases. I think I will be getting Sheer Glow but hate the thought of no pump so glad to see you can buy them affordably!
    xx

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  17. Gorgeous favourites! I have to say that I adore the Too Faced palette, and that nail polish is too cute for words!
    xx

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  18. I really want to try the Nars Sheer Glow foundation. It's not sold in my country, but I saw that it is sold on asos.com and can be delivered here. I just somehow need to figure out my shade...

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  19. this Opi nail polish looks amazing! I also want to try this NARS foundation but it I won't buy one without trying it out first and they don't sell NARS products here..

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  20. I really want the Too Faced palette but the packaging is so bulky!

    thoughtsfromanothergirl.blogspot.com

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  21. Beautiful picks for the month! I really would like to re try the NARS sheer glow, I've only had a sample before.

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  22. I love the Two faced like a virgin! What a great color to layer with!

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  23. Your favorites are always such a treat to look through; your creativity and love for makeup really shows in this post!! Gave me some great ideas to try out with what I have as well ^__^

    Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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  24. that too faced palette is so popular, i'd love to try it

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  25. Your photos are amazing. I feel like I say that in every comment I live but it's true! I can't wait to get my hands on NARS Sheer Glow! Those smart ducks selling the pump separately, good for them but awful for us as we have to buy it! Lovely favorites! You make everything look so luxurious :)

    - Jess
    The Mod Mermaid

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    1. Awww thank you Jess! Always nice to hear positive feedback about my photos :) And yes, sneaky of NARS to not include a pump with the actual foundation in the first place, but what can you do!

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  26. your photography is so beautiful! love the look of the OPI polish :) x

    http://thebeautyvisual.blogspot.co.uk

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  27. Gorgeous pictures, I really need to pick up the OPI nail polish, it's at the top of my wishlist :)

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  28. I just got Lights of Emerald City for Easter and I paired it with a bright blue hue and loved the way it looked. I may play around with it today. I love OPI polish.

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    1. Yay! It's always fun to experiment with different base colours and layering. I'm sure it looks gorgeous with a bright blue!

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  29. Thanks for the tip about the Nars Pump, I will have to pick up one asap! That polish is lovely too :)

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    1. Yes, get yourself to Mecca! It sucks they don't include a pump with the foundation but $4 is definitely worth spending to add it on :)

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  30. nice review! you got me to try that Lush Twilight Shower Gel

    Delightful Ideas

    Target Giftcard Giveaway


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  31. I can't get enough of the scent of Twilight - I also have a 100g bottle which I'm rationing out at the moment because I didn't pick any others up in the sales :( x

    Evelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves

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  32. I have the Too Faced Naked Eye palette as well, and as much as I wanted to love it, the pigmentation just seemed very lacking compared to my UD Naked shadows :( Maybe I got a bad batch?

    xoxo
    Jenny @ Geeky Posh

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    1. I feel the same way as you actually, my original review of the palette expressed the same sentiments. I think it wasn't so much that it wasn't pigmented, it was more the colours themselves were very light, and so barely showed up on my lids. I have barely touched the palette until recently when I became suddenly interested in mattes and noticed the Like a Virgin shade from there. That's really the only shade I use at the moment, though I don't mind Lap Dance and Unmentionables, however I find them too cool in tone.

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  33. Interesting, I better check out the Nars sheer glow foundie ^_^
    Random Beauty by Hollie

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  34. Really lovely favorites. I really like the Palette of Too Faced looks like a neutral palette and that I rally like it!
    Lush is an interesting brand but is hard to me to get.
    An the Revlon is forever something cool. Really lovely the gray-lilac color of that cream eyeshadow.

    xoxo

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  35. Ahhh. I want that Revlon lipstick!
    Love your favorites:-)
    ♡,
    Riza of Pour L'Instant

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  36. So many good things! Gah, your pictures are the best. :)

    I have a bunch of those Revlon creme shadows that everyone tells me are horrible but I quite like for some reason. Don't have the shades you have though - the purples are looking quite pretty. And now I want to go sniff Lush Twilight. :)

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  37. Love the lipstick combination! Probably won't go out and buy the two and mix them because I'm too lazy but it's so pretty! I saw Jenn's video and thought the post-its were so funny but in all seriousness it's a good idea. She's so pretty! I love her hair.
    The Revlon creme shadow palettes are a winner- I need more! And I thought the NARS pump cost $6 before... maybe they're lowering their prices... but not the prices of the things that most people want. :P

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    1. Haha! I know, Mecca need to generally cut down the price of everything by 30%. At least.

      Jenn is ridiculously gorgeous - I wish she'd do more beauty tutorials and things, but I guess she's more a fashion blogger. I did try the Post-Its once but they failed to stick to my face properly :p

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  38. Wonderful post here, I really enjoyed reading that. The eyeshadows you picked out are lovely, I feel that I need to start using a bit more colour as I tend to stick very much with my brown shimmers etc.

    I still have yet to try Nars Sheer Glow but I hope it is something I'm able to try in the future.

    I've also never heard of that fragrance before, I'm going to try and find out more about it as I love my fragrances :)

    Amy xx
    A Little Boat Sailing

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  39. I debated long and hard between all of the glitters in the Oz collection by OPI, the one you got is so pretty! I got Which Witch? They are all just so pretty!!!

    - Andrea Marie xx
    frominsidemycloset.com

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