Let's Talk About NARS!

[Mochapj]

A lot of the other big beauty brands have their own threads now, so I thought, why not NARS? Let's share news about new collections, feedback on products, etc here.

The audacious thread: http://community.sephora.com/t5/Lips/Show-Me-Your-Audacious-Collection/m-p/1695820#M10941

SPRING 2019:

Spoiler

APRIL 2019: NARS x CONNOR TINGLEY

Spoiler

Have you picked up anything from the collection so far? Do tell!

[JenniferOhJenny]

I love your lipstick color! It's gorgeous!

[Mochapj]

Thanks JenniferOhJenny!  It's actually 2 BITE lipsticks mixed together 😉

[JenniferOhJenny]

I thought it might be 2 colors - there's a bit of an ombre effect going on? Would you mind telling me which two? I'm trying to get more into lipstick as opposed to gloss. I have the BITE Opal and I like it and would like to get a few more from them.

[Mochapj]

Of course!

On the outside edges I have used the Cognac Matte Lip Crayon, and on the centre I have dabbed the Holly color from the Tannin/Holly duo.

If you're looking to get a few more, I highly recommend the mini mix/mingle lipstick duos.  It's a great way to try out 2 colors for a lower price.  Only thing I would recommend is being careful not to unwind the lipstick fully - when they are fully extended they could snap off, because they are thinner.  

But otherwise, totally worth the price tag!

[JenniferOhJenny]

I ordered that mix/mingle lipstick last night. Thanks again!

[JenniferOhJenny]

Thank you so much! I'm putting them in my Loves right now!

[Anewxa]

Looks amazing...do you mind sharing what brush you generally use for di blushes and do you use it dry or wet and what technique.. i just got my first di blush but not sure how to use it effectively..

[Mochapj]

Thanks Anewxa!  I thought I just saw you mention you scored one at Winners!  Great find 🙂

So, with the DI blushes, I've never actually used them wet.  I find they are as pigmented as I want them to be dry, so I don't bother messing with a good thing, LOL.

That said, I ended up buying the specific DI brush to use with mine, because my other blush brush wasn't cutting it.  I don't think you necessarily need the NARS brush, but they seen to work best with any slightly scratchy, tightly packed brush, because the powder is quite firm.  

Typically I tap the brush into the pan (sometimes I use one side, others I mix the 2 sides together) then I stipple the color onto the apples of my cheeks and swirl it to blend.  If I've applied too much, I use a Too Faced kabuki brush to buff it out a bit.  In a pinch when I'm traveling I have applied it lightly with the pads of my fingertips, too.

Hope that helps!  Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Anewxa]

Thanks for the suggestions mocha..guess the cdn site doesnt have that nars brush ..was it ever i wonder..ill try couple of diff ones to see what works otherwise i see bay has it so will wait for their 10% sale again to get it. 

[TKLJ]

I'm here for Mocha's Tips 'n' Tricks. Storytime with Mocha is definitely a program I would watch.

[Mochapj]

😄

This made me feel like Mr Rogers or Mr Dressup just now... oh wait, did you guys have Mr Dressup in the U.S?

[michelleshops]

We have RuPaul.  Is that the same thing?

[Mochapj]

Ummm, no.  One sec...

ETA: Mr. Dressup is a Canadian children's television series. It originally ran on CBC from 1967 to 1996.

[michelleshops]

Oh it's just like Mr. Rogers, down to the terrifying puppet!

[TKLJ]

@Mocha: Sadly, we were Mr. Dressup bereft.

@Michelle: OMG.

[northbaylynx]

Those all look so beautiful Mocha!

I was wondering if you mind giving me some advice - I am working on building my makeup collection and wanted to get some Nars this fall - so far I only have 2 multiples.  Do you think that the DI blush is too intense for a light complexion (towards fair/light in the dead of winter).  Any recommendations on must haves if I were to buy a couple of items - eyeshadows, lips, blush - from either the SK x Nars Collection or the regular stuff?  I am just getting back into makeup so don't have much, and still tend towards less adventurous looks.  Sorry for the long questions, but any advice from you or others on this thread would be greatly appreciated!  You all seem so knowledgeable with this so I wanted to ask the experts - I have been lurking on this board for awhile now but still don't know what I should be getting 🙂

[Mochapj]

Hi northbaylynx, welcome!

So for starters before I make any recommendations - what color of multiples do you have?  This will give me a sense of your taste, so to speak 🙂

I think there are definitely pieces of this collection that could work for every skintone and taste in makeup.  

So, do let me know and we can go from there 😉

[northbaylynx]

Thanks Mocha!

I have Maui, and the Matte Multiple in Laos, and those tend to be the only blushes I use right now.

For eyes I have been using the Naked Basics pallete, but I am ready for something a little more exciting now:) 

 I seem to change my mind every day of what I think I should get - I had my eyes on the Narsisst DI Eyeshadow pallete, and now that the SK x Nars collection is out I like the looks of the DI blush, Stud eyeshadow and the Dolce Vita lip set.  Also keep looking at blushes, highlights, contour - too many beautiful options!

[Mochapj]

Ok, so Maui and Laos... those are both slightly dusty rose pinks.

So, I definitely think the DI blush could still work for you.  The beauty of the DI blushes is they can be sheer or intense depending on how you apply them.  And when buffed in, this one is a lovely rosy cheek from the cold kind of color.  That said, the highlighting side of this pan is gold and has very fine glitter.  So, it will probably depend if glitter is your cup of tea or not.  If not, I would probably recommend the Despair blush palette.  It has a great mix of colors, and they all seem to be light enough that they could work for you.  

In terms of things to recommend from the collection, I think Stud is fantastic.  It is a beautiful neutral taupey gray, but then it has tiny pinpricks of micro glitter in it that catch the light and could also work for festive looks.  Since you mentioned you've been using Naked Basics, I'd say the DI shadow palette could be a good choice, since it has some subdued colors, plus a really rich burgundy and black (both of which can be applied sheerly)

Dolce Vita is a color that looks great on everyone, so I think that could be a great choice for you, too.  It is a lovely neutral pink.  The other thing I would suggest to consider if not the Dolce Vita set is the Killer Heels mini lipstick kit.  You get 5 lipsticks in a range of colors, and that might help to build out your collection.  However, I guess it depends if those colors are in your wheelhouse.  

Do let me know if you have any other questions.

ETA: Since you mentioned the Narcissist DI palette, I actually think that might work better for you over the SKxNARS DI shadow palette.  It has more colors, for one, and it is also a more useable mix than this 4 pan one is.  Not that this LE one isn't beautiful, but I think you'd probably get more wear out of the Narcissist DI, since those colors are probably more flattering for a fairer skin tone/not too adventurous looks.

[northbaylynx]

That's great, thanks Mocha!

I will have to check out swatches of the Killer Heels and decide between that and Dolce Vita.  Do you think that if I get the Narcissist DI Palette to pass on Stud?

One more question, may be silly but shows how little I know - the lightest shade in the Despair Palette - would that be used as a highlight and does it have a lot of shimmer?  I think I will have to decide between that palette and the DI Blush in Vengeful.

Also - in past experiences how quickly do these sell out at Sephora? Is it something I should jump on as soon as they are released?

Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it!

[Mochapj]

No problem!  Happy to help 🙂

Hmm, that's a tough one.  Personally, Stud and the DI blush are my 2 favorite pieces of the whole collection, so while I would recommend Stud, it depends if you like glitter.  The DI Narcissist shadow palette is soft shimmer, but Stud is a bit moreish with the glitter included.  If you like glitter, I would heartily recommend it.

So the colors in the Despair palette (I have swatches down below) the lightest shade Nico is a matte highlighting blush, yes.  It is a nice color to use for natural highlighting, without looking like a disco ball.  It's also good for layering over top of blushes that might have gotten too overenthusiastic.

As for the LE collections, there has been quite a bit of buzz around this one because of the packaging, so I would likely recommend jumping on it if the items you want come in the special photographic packages.  Things like the shadow singles shouldn't sell out right away, but for reference, the eyeshadows from the summer collection sold our very, very fast.  

Usually how I prioritize is if there are things that are must haves for me I buy them right away, and any maybes/nice to haves I wait for a sale or until I can swatch in person.