NARS Pleasures of Paris FOTD and some rambling...

Hello everyone~ sorry for been MIA for awhile, I've been so overwhelmed with work and family... and haven't been feeling too excited about makeup. I did manage to do some damage at Saks and Sephora F&F, I didn't need anything just didn't wanna miss the annual sale... lol. I pick up some YSL lipsticks, a sephora airbrush and NARS new foundation, maybe I will do a post on my next post.

I've been doing neutral look everyday, even on the weekend. I'm really loving this NARS Pleasure of Paris palette, nothing exciting it's just very very easy to use. I can make good use of every single color in it, the kind of palette that really get your money worth :)

- Fez all over the lids
- Nepal inner corner
- Abyssinia brow bone
- Cordura outer v

On my lips I have infamous Kim Kardashian's favorite lip combo -
MAC Angel + NARS Turkish Delight
(I haven't touched them both for really long time...)

I found myself ignore my NARS duo eyeshadows for long time because of their packing. I have to go through all of them to pick the names then open each of them if I want to mix and match the colors... I love NARS sophisticated black rubber case but it's preventing me from using them now :( Do you guys have the same trouble? I found myself stick with MAC shadows most of the time when I'm hurry in the morning.

It's a pain to go through them every time...

these are much easier...

I got my contest price from Cathy.

She let me pick two VS items and I pick the eye primer and 24K silky eye shadow. I haven't tried the primer yet but I LOVE 24K. It's a true gold color, soooo pretty! She also included whole bunch of stuff in the package... thank you Cathy :)

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NARS Cream Shadow/Drugstore Haul and FOTD

I'm a fan of NARS but never tried their cream shadows. I've heard some people hate it coz they crease real bad even with primer underneath. Since I love most of NARS stuff and the color is gorgeous, I decided to pick it up anyway to see if it will work for me.

Madagascar cream shadow

One side is peachy skin color that works great as all over base(similar to MAC Painterly PP) and the other side is a purplish brown taupe that works well with NARS eyeshadows like Ondine, Ashes to Ashes, Cairo or MAC Satin Taupe, Style Snob... If you are a fan of those taupey colors then you will love this duo.

I'd tried it a few times, it does crease but not terribly(depends on what you put on top and underneath). The shimmery taupe color crease more than the skin color on the left. If I put TFSI underneath first and put NARS/MAC shadows on top, they will last for about 4 hours before start creasing. I did try it once with drugstore shadows and it was a complete disaster.

I think this will be my one and the only NARS cream shadow... I decided to keep it coz the colors work really well with my collection and I just can't say no to taupe... haha. But seriously, MAC Paint Pots work so much better than these on any day!

I also pick up Night Breed single eyeshadow that I've been meaning to get for long time. Just a pure black with silver glitters. The pigmentation is really good and can be used wet or dry. I like how versatile it is and I can just bring it everywhere use it as shadow and liner.

NARS Night Breed

swatches from left to right
(Night Breed, Madagascar)

I also pick up a bunch of Maybelline at Rite Aid since they had BOGO. I got a back up of Lash Stiletto(My fave mascara of all time) and the Mineral power blush in Soft Mauve(this is love). Couple of shadow quads in Chai Latte and Velvet Crush, and the new color sensation lipsticks in Pink Please and Born with it.

I'm sorry to report that these shadows really have no pigmentation, you get what you pay for. But I do like the color combinations on the 2 quads I got. Velvet Crush is pretty, it looks gorgeous after I piled it on like 5 layers :)

The Mineral power blush is a different story. It lasts on my face whole day and the color is gorgeous. Soft Mauve looks like baby pink on my skin tone. Loooove :)

The lipsticks are ok. Born with it and Pink Please are basically the same colors, one with shimmer one without. They are the nudest baby pinks in the collection but not nude enough for me... they are creamy and pigmented tho.

NARS Madagascar(base)
NARS Cairo(lid)
MAC Folie(crease)
MAC Beauty Mark(Outer Corner)
MAC Vanilla(brow)
Maybelline Mineral power blush Soft Mauve(Cheeks)
Maybelline LS Born with it

Contest ends this Sunday... I'm excited :D

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Update and NARS/VS Haul

Yay! finally my jewelry blog is up and running. Check it out ^_^

Hope everyone is having a great holiday so far. I just came back from a week vacation with hubby and I'm just happy that we still have few days to relax before returning back to work :) We went on a road trip to VA and DC, stopped by Atlantic City for some beach time and roller coasters at Great Adventure in NJ. We had tons of fun :)

I got a package after coming back from the trip. The NARS Pleasures of Paris palette that I ordered from Saks before went on my trip. Yay! I can't wait to play with this palette. I have many of NARS duos and don't have any of the color in this palette besides Cordura on the lower right corner(well, it's a useful color, guess I can live with that, haha). This palette is so neutral and all colors compliment each other very well.

LOOOOOVE :)

I also pick up some goodies form Victoria Secrets. I do like VS makeup, some of their eyeshadows and lippes are nice and pigmented. They had revamped their line recently and here are what I got:

I pick up the PRO Voluptuous FX Mascara which works surprisingly good. It's pretty much like L'Oreal Voluptuous, the lash stay soft and not clumping. I also pick up their new Silky Eyeshadow in Between the sheets... love the name :) The shadow is very soft, it's almost like cream to powder kind of texture, very pigmented. This color reminds me a bit of MAC Mulch.

The thing I feel the most excited about is the Christian Siriano Kajal Eye Liner. This guy is so "fierce" and fashion forward, and the makeup is not disappointing. The liner is inspired by ancient Egyptian beauty, supposed to give a smudged, smoky effect. I tried it today, the color is very rich and last all day. Thumbs up!

- VS Silky Eyeshadow in Between the sheets
-VS PRO Voluptuous FX Mascara
-VS Christian Siriano Kajal Eye Liner
-MAC Hue Lipstick

(don't mind my eyebrows... I was like a kid can't wait to smear new toy on my lids haha...)

I'm impressed wtih VS new makeup, will go back for some more :)

Autumn Love Bracelet
- A new piece from my jewelry blog :)




Happy Labor Day Everyone!

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Taupes Comparison (MAC, NARS)

I pick up Style Snob from the new Starflash collection the other day and I immediately thought about my other taupey babies in the family so I wanted to do a comparison :) I'm always a big fan of taupey colors and my all time fave is the infamous MAC Satin Taupe. A metal, brownish taupe that MAC has it in every holiday smoky eye palette(I happened to have 3).

NARS single eye shadow Ashes to Ashes is a close dupe for Satin Taupe, just a bit less pigmented and a little less brown. One of my favorite NARS eye shadow.

NARS Cairo is a lighter and warmer taupe that can work as highlighter on darker skin tone. It's hard to describe this color... I use it all over the lid for a casual day.

MAC Style Snob looks similar to Satin Taupe from outside but definitely has more purple and pink when swatch on skin. I was immediately drawn to this color when I saw the collection. Haven't tried it on my eyes but I know it's gonna be gorgeous!



There are some other taupes in my collection, like MAC Sweet Sienna pigment(similar to Satin Taupe), MAC Family Silver(taupey silver), and MAC Shale(taupey purple) are also my favorites :)

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Blog Sale!!! New Items Added * MAC, NARS, STILA, COACH *

Hello Everyone,

Since I'm moving to a new apartment next month, I finally had the chance to get some stuff together for sale. Some new and some lightly used... I have too much stuff, haha... If you have question on any particular item, please don't hesitate to contact me :)

If you are interested in anything please comment below or you can email me at shung1005@yahoo.com with following information:

1. The item(s) in which you are interested.
2. Your e-mail for your Paypal account so I can send you the invoice.

* I will only ship to US at this time.
* For all cosmetics, shipping is $3 for one item, for each additional add $1 (For handbag shipping is $9).
* There is no return. Thank you ^__^


**SOLD**MAC Smooth Harmony Beauty Powder from Heatherette
Swiped 2x - $13

**SOLD**MAC Snowgirl Lipglass (LE)
Brand New - $10

MAC Viva Glam VI
used 1X - $9

**SOLD**MAC Girl Friendly Paint Pot from Fafi
used 2x - $9

**SOLD**MAC Green Stroke (LE)
used 1x - $9

**SOLD**MAC Fresh Green Mix Mineralized Eye Shadow
Swipe 1x - $12

**SOLD**MAC Mi'Lady Mineralized Eye Shadow
swiped 2x - $10

**SOLD**MAC Eye Shadow Pro Pan in Deep Truth(left) & Pink Freeze(right)
used 1x - $7 each


**SOLD**MAC Brassy Fluidline (LE)
used 1x - $8

**SOLD**Benefit Bunny Hop Cream Eyeshadow/Liner
used 2x - $7

Stila Ulta Mate Pink Lip Glaze
Brand New - $9

Stila Convertible Color for Lips and Cheeks. Gladiola (left) & Lilium (right)
Both used no more than 2x - $10 each

**SOLD**NARS Balance Foundation in Santa Fe (this is a great foundation but a tad too light for me)
used 2X - $17


**ALL SOLD**NARS Duo Lip Gloss (from top to bottom)
-Giza/Boogie Nights(SOLD)
-Chihuahua/Rose Birman(SOLD)
-Harlow/Sweet Dreams (SOLD)
They are either brand new or swatch 1x - $10 each


**SOLD**NARS Isolde Duo Eye Shadow 
used 2x - $15



**SOLD**Coach Bleecker Large Leather Duffle in Maroon
$140 (original $400+)

I'd only used this bag 1x before and it has been sitting in my handbag hall of fame (I have too many bags) haha... this bag is practically new. Due to the natural of genuine leather it does have little scratch marks at the bottom and the body when I first bought it, but nothing major and they are not very noticeable. (click the pics to see the details)

*The shipping for the bag is $9. It also comes with its original dust bag.

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My Favorite Nude Lips (MAC, NARS, YSL)

Here are few of my fave lipsticks that I use on daily basis. I didn't put any of my fave MAC LE lipsticks here coz I haven't feel like using them much since they are hard to find (like 3N & St. Germain). All my favorites are in nude and baby pink family. I'm a big fan of pale lips and MAC has large selection of those and they are not overly pricey.

I have pigmented lips and tend to go for the finishes that have more coverage and none drying. MAC Creamsheen and Amplified are my favorite finishes, they're very moisturizing and give the most coverage (I do like Lustre but wish it has more coverage). Angel(frost) and Hue(glaze) are nice coz they are not as dry as other frost and glaze ones, and the prettiest baby pinks compliment almost all skin tones.

Blankety was my first nude lipstick since long time ago and I'm still loving it these days. I found it a little similar to Creme d'nude on my lips, just a tad more brown.

Angel and Cream Cup are almost the same. Angel is very smooth and not drying compare with other frost finishes. They are more pink compare with the rest but still lighter than my own lips.

Hue is a sexy color and it will be a 10 if it's not a Glaze. I do need to scrub my lips really well before I put this on. It's so preeeety on smooth and pouty lips. I'm hoping to find something that has exact color but in different finish... 

I'm also a big fan of NARS Chelsea girls lip lacquer. The color is almost identical to YSL Rouge Volupte #2 Sensual Silk. They are pinky beige, not as beige as Creme d'nude and not as pink as Angel. They are the perfect nude lips for me and they both give really good coverage. YSL has weak staying power but it has yummy melon taste and it's a pleasure to apply! These 2 are my perfect nudes (how many time I'm saying this, haha). I will always stick with them if I don't have so many MACs waiting for me to use :)

So this is it! my favorite nude lips... they are pretty much the same colors but I still want more! If you know something that's worth trying, do let me know ;)

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DSK Giveaway and Weekend FOTD

I got 2 packages last week and I'm completely in love -- Geo circle lenses and DSK Jewelry :)

I finally got myself some of DSK jewelry after seeing so many gals blogged about it. Just like all her satisfied customers, I'm happy with all the pieces that I got :) Her style is simple and elegant, and I love that her stuff are all customizable, and she's very nice to work with (big plus :))

Stephanie (DSK owner) has a giveaway contest you all have to check out.... Go here to win some of her beautiful creations!

I've been gone for so long, finally here is a pic from the weekend...

Things that I've been loving (on my face)

-NARS Sugarland duo
-MAC Earth to Earth Mineralized blush
-Hue l/s (rediscovered this, love!!!)
-Geo Angel Brown
-DSK signature heart gold necklace

I'm still waiting more orders from Geo Eye candy. Wait and more wait... you all know getting those lenses needs lots of patience, and I have no patience... lol...

What do you all think about MAC Color Craft collection? I'm so overwhelmed with this collection... so many MSFs!  They're used to be my babies, those LE MSFs, I'd bought lots of them, sold them, got more of them... swap for more of them... and decided not to care about them... coz they are all so pretty and all so dupable, and I can never catch up with the speed of MAC!

So far I didn't get any from the Color Craft collection(thinking about Color Craft Lipstick tho). Haha! Go me :) Guess I'm over MSFs... move over MSFs, give me some NARS Lolita collection (must check out the new ES duos, they are TO DIE FOR!)

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NARS Ita Kabuki Brush & FOTD

Let me introduce the newest member in my brush family, the coolest Ita Kabuki brush from NARS :)

I've been wanting to get this brush for awhile and finally got it this week. I always wonder how the brush like this works and after seeing the demonstration on a NARS video and couple Youtubers talked about it I finally gave in. Here is the description from their site--

Modern concept and function unite with traditional Japanese culture, creating unique and versatile brush designs. Featuring super black goat hair known for its softness and strength, Kabuki Artisan brushes are designed for a variety of uses including color application, blending, contouring and highlighting.Super black goat hair in a small, flat, and angular design ideal for blending and contouring.

This brush is so soft and fluffy, easy to place the color and buff at the same time. I wasn't sure it will be user friendly since the handle is so different than the regular kabuki brush but after trying it for the first time, I was completely sold and become a big fan of their Kabuki Artisan series. I use it for contour and highlight, it goes right under the cheek bones and undereye and temple areas. I feel like I'm drawing Chinese calligraphy on the face every time I use it :) such a cool brush I have to say. I will recommend this to people who are serious about contouring and highlighting.

It comes in a pretty black box, so nicely packed.

Use it with my Laguna bronzer

What's on my face --

Face-
HyperReal foundation NC300+NC400
MUFE Lift concealer
Studio Sculpt concealer NC30
MSF Natural medium plus
NARS Laguna
NARS Taj Mahal blush

Eyes-
Lemon Chiffon Shadestick
Espresso - brow
NARS Odine - all over the lid
NARS Surbaya - outer crease
NARS Kilimanjaro - brow bone & inner highlight

UD Zero liner
CG Lash Blast
L'Oreal Telescope

Lips-
Lip Fusion lip plump Clear
Naked Space Lipglass

The next NARS Kabuki Artisan brush that I want --

Yachiyo Brush

What a cool looking brush! Soon I will dress like a geisha to do my makeup... hahaha... those traditional Japanese brushes are so addictive :)))

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New NARS Goodies & FOTD

I went to Sephora to look at the NARS spring collection the other day since I had some gift money to spend. I'd seen all the pics online before and was eyeing on the ES duo Hula Hula... the color was so springing and cute, tan gold and pink, I was really in love with the pink but the color pay off on the gold side was a bit disappointing so I didn't get it in the end. Instead I brought home Habanera duo and Chelsea Girls lip lacquer.

New members in my NARS family :)))

I've been wanting to get Habanera(mint frost & smokey plum) for long time and finally got it! This is one of the weirdest but the prettiest combination duo from NARS. Just by looking at it the mint frost side was a bit out of my comfort zone but after putting it on I was actually quite happy with it. The smokey plum is so pretty... the mint frost and plum work surprisingly nice together. This is when NARS become the winner... he always come out such unexpected and beautiful combinations.

Chelsea Girls is the pinkish beige nude. I'd stopped buying lip lacquers for long time cuz it's so opaque like liquid lipstick and it requires precise application with brush, since I'm not a lip brush girl this is just not convenient enough for me. But Chelsea Girls is such a nude color and it's actually very easy to apply with finger. So so so glad I gave LL another try cuz I am in love with this thing... definitely one of my favorite nude lips!





Face-
HyperReal NC300
Studio Finish concealer NC35
MSF Natural medium plus
NARS Laguna
NARS Albatross
Nuance blush

Eyes-
Soft Ochre P/P
Espresso - brow
Habanera(mint frost) - all over the lid
Habanera(smokey plum) - outer crease
Soft brown - between crease & brow bone
Shroom - brow bone
Shroom - inner highlight
UD Zero liner
CG Lash Blast
L'Oreal Telescope

Lips-
Lip Fusion lip plump Clear
Chelsea Girls lip lacquer

Continue having a great weekend everyone :)

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NARS Skin Deep palette Look/Weekend FOTD

So it's MAC Hello Kitty event tonight, you all excited? Be honest I am not super excited about this collection cuz I was never the biggest Hello Kitty fan(guess I will go insane if they have MAC Betty Boops collection :P) Anyhow, as a collector I will still pick up a couple things. Maybe a lipglass or something... oh, and I actually think the black Hello Kitty mirror is very cute :)

I used my NARS Skin Deep palette for a super natural look for work yesterday. I figured I went a bit too makeup crazy at work recently. Ever since I start blogging, I just put on more and more colors on my face everyday... you all have the same problems? Or maybe it's just me :) So here is an almost nothing, super natural look for a change...

I used this palette for the whole look, the colors are super neutral you really can't go over board with it. I had All About Eve on lids and highlights, Blondie on crease for a very clean look. I really like the blushes in this palette. I had Ninotchika(discontinued) as contour and Zen on my cheeks, they work wonderfully together as "nude" blushes on my skin tone, very subtle and natural. I also had Bambi on my lips, a nice brownish nude.
And here is the look I did on the weekend. I was playing with Stars N' Rockets es that I just bought(yeah like I need another purplish/pinkish es). It's a purplish pink(not pinkish purple) with blue sheen, I am actually glad that the color is very sheer so it works on top of other shadows. It's a bit like Cream de Violet but more pinkish and with the blue pearl sheen, loooooove it!



Face-
HyperReal 300+400
Select Cover up NW30
Studio Finish concealer NC35
MSF Natural medium plus

NARS Laguna
NARS Albatross
NARS Sin blush

Eyes-
Bare Study P/P - base
Espresso - brow
Stars N' Rockets - all over the lid
Beauty Marked - Outer V
Naked Lunch - Brow bone, inner highlight
Blitz & Glitz FL
Plush Lash
L'Oreal Telescope

Lips-
Lip Fusion lip plump Clear
Blankety Lipstick
Peroxide Lipglass

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