The Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer + Light Reflecting Foundation COMBO

 

I want to put my point out there that sometimes, less is indeed more.

Especially if you live in a very humid country like the Philippines.  

Would you believe it when I say, I almost do not wear full base make up unless I am testing them?  I try to stay away from piling too much makeup on my face for comfort.  And it doesn't hurt to put less product on skin to make it breathe.

I recently replenished one of my favorite Liquid Foundation and Concealer brand ---- NARS.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

Php1,900.00

Available HERE

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
Php2,950.00
Available HERE

My NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer shade is M1.5 Macadamia and it worked perfectly on my warm undertone.  It also brightens up my undereye area without the obvious look of having make up on.

Can you see how it blends into my undereye area without sitting on dry areas?  

And for the sake of demo, I applied a light layer of NARS Light Reflecting Foundation in shade M1.5 Vallauris to prove a point to you that once you find the right shade math of concealer and foundation, the effect will always look natural no matter how much you apply it.

Here's a photo of me applying concealer and foundation ALL OVER FACE.  Do you still see why I love these combo?  They look like my own skin!

A power duo that I can't miss repurchasing because they work for me!

How do you like this brand?

Would you go for Concealer only?
Concealer+ Foundation?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

How to BronzTour

 

Are you into PINK OR ORANGE colored blushes?

Mine is actually NONE Of the Above because I am into Lilac colored cheeks.  

It started when I first tried Etude House's Sweet Recipe Cupcake - which I actually finished - yes, hit the pan!  I never looked back and even updated it with Laura Mercier's Kir Royale.

But as you all know, I could wear this for years but there are days I would look too pale and depend on my trustee Bronzers --- and no, I don't apply it as bronzer but as a blush.  It doubles up as a contour product too!

My favorite?  NARS LAGUNA BLUSH.  This works for all skin tone!  

You can be uber pale, medium tone or dark skinned.  You just need to control the amount of application and you are good to go!

I also like the fact that I minized my makeup application in half!  No need for separate contour powder and I can just use this same blush to apply lightly on areas I would like to "hide". 

How do you like this look?

Douyin Blush Look

 

Nars launched their Air Matte Mousse in the midst of pandemic but that does not stop me from wearing them since I got them!

And now that things are going back to normal, I am more excited to create new and exciting looks with the said Air Matte Mousse.  I've been seeing Douyin look on Tiktok (Douyin is a Chinese version of Tiktok) and the girls usually do their makeup with exaggerated blush application close to the eye area!

Does this look work for girls in the 40s?  Do I look trying hard?  You be the judge!  But please be EXTRA NICE :P

The Douyin Blush trend consists of applying blush not only on the undereye area but also on the nose!  Most of the time, the blush shade used are the bright ones - not the subtle ones so I particularly picked Nars Air Matte Mousse in shade Scandalous - the darkest shade among the 3 blush I own.

In person, it does look a bit too exaggerated and I probably won't do this on regular days, I will do this trick only when I do video calls or if I want to take cute photos! :P

NARS Holiday 2021

 Happy Christmas-New Year sandwich1

Hove have you been?  Me, I am busy checking out collections online for gift-giving.  A lot of my friends are into makeup but ended up being clueless so they don’t know what to purchase for themselves as a reward for completing 2021 with a flair!

This season, there’s NARS HOLIDAY 2021 Collection!

And these are just some bestselling Nars item from the collection!

NARS Full Access Cheek Palette

High impact. High style. Ace your face with an all-in-one cheek set designed for shading and sculpting to perfection. Featuring an exclusive red and ribbon-wrapped palette with Blush in Orgasm, Behave, Tempted, and Bronzing Powder in Laguna. Includes a Mini Blush Brush.

 

• TEMPTED (shimmering mid-tone beige)
• ORGASM (peachy pink with golden shimmer)
• BEHAVE (matte pink mauve)
• LAGUNA (diffused brown powder with golden shimmer) 

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Anita

This is the cutest part.  You can get these items engraved to personalized these must-have items.

Free engraving on selected palettes and lip products at the Nars Holiday Lounge in Rustans Beauty Source, Makati every weekend until Dec. 19!

Happy Christmas to all of us indeed.  Enjoy this wonderful stop-motion video I tried doing!

Happy Christmas!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

Nars Orgasm Month

 

Hear ye! Hear Ye!

It is the month of ORGASM, MULTIPLE ORGASM —— NARS Orgasm!  

(What are you thinking?) :P

We all get to know more about Nars with its’ famous Orgasm Blush and this shade expanded to several more product line -

The Nars Afterglow Lip Balm  and The Original Multi-Purpose Stick.

If you can’t visualize how Nars Orgasm would look on my skintone, well, I solved your problem.  I wore everything NARS product on photo above translated to a look below.

Nars Orgasm Multi-Purpose Stick for Eyeshadow
Nars Orgasm Blush on Cheeks
Nars Afterglow Lip Balm in Orgasm on lips 

The Afterglow lip balm gives hydration on my lips like crazy!  I find myself applying and reapplying for so many layers not because the color was gone - it felt right and addictive!  So if you have dry lips like me, you have to invest on this!

And here’s a cool news for you, July is Orgasm Month!  So from today until July 31, you can customize your own Orgasm Cheek, Lip and Eye set for Php4,500 (Valued at Php6,050) in all NARS Counter and Online!  That’s a great deal and a great way to start learning about the power of Orgasm.

Available in all NARS boutique and counters near you.  And if you use code NARSNIKKI for your first Purchase at the Beauty Butler, you get 15% off !

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Review

 

A lot of my followed Make Up Artists shared their love for Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer.  I was one of those who would raise an eyebrow and say: “Yeah right, tinted moisturizers since they do makeup for actresses and they always have great skin to start with!”

I mean comment down below if you have the same thoughts as me!  Tinted moiturizers really are for people who are blessed with already-gorgeous skin right?

I know, I sound bitter.  I am currently sitting in the middle of living room sipping a cup of coffee to force myself to stay away and listen to K-Pop music as I type this article without even thinking.  I am literally BLABBING so please bear with me.

Shade: Auckland 

Light 2

According to NARS website —-

Your skin, but better. Brighter. Protected. Purely radiant. Enhance the look of your skin with NARS’ iconic tinted moisturizer—now available in 16 shades for all skin types and tones. It’s the everything, for everyone—coveted formula smooths on buildable, oil-free coverage infused with SPF 30 and packed with skincare ingredients to hydrate, smooth, brighten, and protect. Vitamin C—rich in antioxidants—helps to protect against environmental aggressors and even out skin tone for a brighter looking complexion in just four weeks. French Polynesian Kopara helps to hydrate, condition, and refine the look of skin for a softer, smoother complexion. Lightweight hydration. A universal sensation. Reveal skin that is unlike anything else.

I wished I had this product when I was actively doing makeup on clients.  I have a LOT of mature clients because I have been called the “Queen of Mature clients” in the Chinese community.  Guys, they were the one who gave me the title okay? Hahah

I am a master in mixing the right foundation with moisturizer thus giving my clients a healthy glowing skin with the right amount of coverage.  But the mixing process has a lot of trial and error so I wish I have tubes of the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer back then.

You are probably thinking: “Ah, so these are for mature and dry skin only?”

BIG NO!  The Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer has a unique texture that works for ALL Skin Types! If you have oily skin, this won’t leave a greasy, slime ball face because the product will get absorbed into your skin in no time.  The only tip I would add is to set with your favorite translucent powder or face powder not because the product will grease you up, it is because of our hot and humid weather, you may oil up or sweat within the day thus may end up blaming the product instead of the environment.

Even with normal skin, I still set my skin with powder … ALWAYS.

Before and After

Half-Face Test

(No other base product used except Nars)

I wanted to review this product properly and give the mention it deserves.  The Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer isn’t just like most tinted moisturizers you’ve seen and heard.  This is a tinted moisturizer that honestly covers (minimal skin issues) and tones up and evens out your skin.  See how the “x” part of the photo made my skin looks dull and blah?  The “check” part is more lifted, glowing and healthy-looking.

Glossy Lips with NARS

 

90’s, early 2000s.

I remember wearing such lip color and texture and I would get complimented by my friends!  Yeah, my lips are full and thick, it is a bit too much to add up more gloss making me look like a girl who can’t stop eating oily food!  *hahaha*

Seriously speaking, there are certain types of glosses that woul work well on me and found another good one from NARS Brilliant Lip Gloss.

Shade: DAYBREAKER

Unfortunately, on the website, it says LIMITED EDITION.  But I think they have permanent ones you can watch out for if you are reading this post late.  The lipgloss has a nice comfortable feel.  It gives off a mirror-like shine minus the stickiness.  Trust me, I dislike sticky glosses that gets attracted to my long hair strands!

The NARS Afterglow Lip Shine is infused with raspberry seed oil and pomegranate extract making which works in hydrating and healing my chapped lips on every use!

• 
  

NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation Review

 

Foundation, who has been wearing them?

Surprisingly, I do!  I wear then in exchange for concealers at times because it gives off a more natural effect yet has good concealing + correcting powers.

A recent discovery that got me hooked?  

NARS SOFT MATTE COMPLETE FOUNDATION

Discover all-day satisfaction with a breakthrough in matte foundation: True color oxidation-resistant. Full, natural-looking coverage. Comfortable 16-hour wear. Featuring NARS’ exclusive Anti-Oxidation Complex to help prevent color shifting and to help protect skin from pollution and blue-light damage. New Hydramatte Balancing Complex balances excess sebum while keeping skin hydrated with a combination of micro-algae and Bio Hyaluronic Acid. Superior Oil Absorbing Powders create a smooth, mattified, second-skin look. Satisfying. Mattifying. The new take on matte. Available in 34 shades for all skin tones. Oxidation-resistant. Transfer-proof. Shine-proof. 

Swatches

Top- Medium 3

bottom - Ligh 3.5

Center - mixed 

I have tried wearing NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation on the most humid days with 36-38 deg Celcius temperture.  So far, I need to set this with a translucent powder to make sure I don’t look oily or greasy.  The foundation does not add up to my oiliness but my oil will shine through if I did not set it properly because of the weather.

What I love about this foundation is how great the coverage it gives.  I get medium to medium full coverage with just a few amount and I honestly like to use this as concealer especially on dry patches around my face as it hydrates and controls oil at the same time.  I don’t know about you but I get a super fresh, clean base whenever I use this makeup.

It does give a dewy and glowing finish so if you have pumps around your face, it COULD enhance it so you may stick to a matte finish foundation from NARS.  

But if you are like me who has issues on dark undereye circles, random redness and sallowness.  This is  foundation you may want to check out!

NARS Soft Matte Complete foundation is available in all NARS boutique and counters near you.  And if you use code NARSNIKKI for your first Purchase at the Beauty Butler, you get 15% off pa!  

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

NARS Look

 

Nars Philippines recently launched 3 collections and all are exciting!  I got to dip my fingers on each collection with Nars Afterglow Lip Shine in Dark Deeds (Erratum: It should be Dark Deeds on Video instead of Deep Realm).  

I was able to try 3 Air Matte Moussse from Air Matte Blush Collection and an O Eyeshadow Palette under the Ox Collection.  For some reason, all these colletction looks so inviting to create 1 dainty look and I actually did!  

Before the look, let me show you a closer look on why Nars can always give me a flutter in the stomach because it brought me back to so many good ‘ol Bridal Wedding makeup days!  These Air Matte Blushers are so pretty to use I can imagine the term “BLUSHING BRIDES” for all 3 shades below.

Left to right: Orgasm, Freedom and Scandalous

Swatches:

Top to bottom: Orgasm, Freedom and Scandalous

NARS Claudette Audacious Lipsticks Review

“Drawn from nostalgi and the spirit of the 1970s Paris Rive Gauche, each pattern and boldly wearable shade paints an intimate portrait of unapologetic style.”

This statement fits NARS The Claudette Collection.  This is a limited collection inspired by Claudette - inimitable Mother and Muse to Fracois Nars.

Cardboard packaging looks to same at a glance but once you go to the lipstick bullet itself, you’ll know the difference - Audacious Sheer Matte in Red magnetic packaging while Audacious Matte  in Black.  Simple design with stars and hearts but they scream classy!  

NARS Audacious Sheer Matte Lipstick

Shade: Berenice

This is a red-orange lipstick with warm undertone.  Coverage is buildable and can be applied sheer to powdery matte.

I can apply only a layer or 2 to create blurred lips effect!  The color looks strong but can be natural-looking if applied sparingly!  

NARS Air Matte Lip Colors Review

 

Air Matte .... do they really feel like air?

Who would’ve thought there is such product?  Nars recently launched their Air Matte Lip Colors.  These are liquid lipstick with light texture as if “kissed by the air”.  According to brand, it is soft like cushion and light like a feather giving you soft matte lips.  

Perfect sounding right?  But what if someone has my type of lips that seems to have a mind of its’ own?  

So I was able to test these 2 shades for a week plus and here’s what I have to say.

Left: Swag

Right: Knockout

Swag has a brown tone to it while Knockout has a bright red orange shade!

Let’s first talk about the packaging, the packaging is quite cute and easy to spot!  I do not need to look at the shade names but just look at the packaging as it is close to the lip color itself!  It comes with a squeezable tube making it easy to apply directly on lips or in my case, I prefer to define my lips with a lip brush.

Texture wise, it is indeed very soft and does not feel like a matte lip product upon application.  It never made my lips feel tight and I was surprised that it did not settle on lip lines especially since my lips has a lot of those!

The pigmentation is super good, you get true color on a single swipe.  How about transfer proof?  It does transfer but on a minimal level!  When I wear face mask, I can still see a bit of transfer but thankfully, it did not smudge on my entire face - which is good news! (Imagine removing mask seeing all that smeared lipcolor? #runs )

Thankfully these are easy to remove so I don’t have to worry about rubbing my lips hard or use a special makeup remover!  I can just use wet wipes and I can easily call it a day!

AMW wears Knockout

AMW wears Swag

AMW wears Combination of Swag and Knockout

This combo is actually my favorite shade!  I like the packaging because I can easily mix and match various shades!  Imagine buying just 2 and having unlimited lip color?  I mean you can use 10% of Knockout and 90% Swag and vice versa, you’ll get a different shade each time!

Do check out my first try video!  

Which among the 3 shades I wore is your favorite?

All NARS products are available at Rustans Makati, Shangri-la, Cebu, Alabang, Adora, Greenbelt, Look, SM Aura, Premier, Central Square BGC, SM Megamall Pop Up Store, Powerplant, Rockwell.  All NARS makeup and skincare products are also available at Rustans Beauty Source.

Keep smilin'.        

Stay Happy!

Rustan's Beauty Addict Season 3: Beauty Neon

Beauty Neon Gives Back With Season 3 of #RustansBeautyAddict .  It was my third year and I am so happy to say, I've been to all 3 because I really like the idea of how beauty can really give back! (Read about Season 1 HERE, Season 2 HERE)

This year, the theme is "Beauty Addict: Neon".  A retro-themed party that took neon inspiration from the 80s and as usual, I went for fun and games and meet the people behind the brand!  It was great catching up with some of the brand people whom I haven't seen for quite some time.

AMW Reviews: Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

You haven't seen me talk about primers for quite some time because I have always been using my trustee Urban Decay Primer Potion for Clients and if I'm aiming for daily, inexpensive one, I go for the Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer.

And just because I'm a Beauty Blogger who likes to keep my eyes, ears open for new products to try, I've heard nothing but raves from fellow beauty junkies on the Nars Pro-Prime Smuge Proof Eyeshadow base!

So thankfully, I was able to grab a tiny sample after some shopping!

Photo taken from Nars website

This is the size of the sample I got and it wasn't bad because I was able to use this for almost a month!  As a little goes a long way!

AMW Reviews: NARS Skin Luminous Moisture Cream

You know how they say when you have dry or normal skin, using face primer is not necessary?  Feel free to look at your current skincare regimen, some of your skin care product can actually work as a makeup base!

SO TRUE!

And I've been loving my moisturizer that has "luminous" property!  With no exception, the sample size I got from NARS when I purchased some of their products!  The NARS Skin Luminous Moisture Cream.  

Thank God for samples and I love how I can test at least a week's worth of product in this tiny handy tube!

NARS Skin Luminous Moisture Cream says ---

Replenishes skin with 24-hour intense hydration and restores luminosity that naturally diminishes over time. Enriched with Beech Bud Extract to boost collagen production* and potent anti-oxidants to combat free radical damage. Contains the NARS exclusive Light Reflecting Complex™ designed to restore skin's youthful radiance and reflect light like a prism.

• Ideal for normal to dry and seasonally dry skin.
• Dermatologist Tested & Non-Comedogenic
• Synthetic Fragrance Free, Paraben Free, Alcohol Free
• 1.7 oz/50ml

AMW Wears: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl

Just when can a girl get tired of RED?  I say, never! 
When I want that instant "made up look", I rely heavily on perfecting my red lips!  And I am very particular in choosing the right color and texture of a red lipstick because I have not only extremely dry but highly pigmented and full lips!  So ONE wrong mistake could make me look like a BIG HUGE LIPS walking around the Metro. 

And obviously, we don't want that because I want to look like a girl with Huge Lips whom you want to kiss!  MWA MWA MWA >--- please don't take me seriously and please don't randomly kiss me in public! :P

My first ever, favorite RED Lip Pencil is from MAC and it is in shade Cherry.  (Post HERE)  Since I'm always on a rush and I want to always cut my "prettifying" time in half, I finally found a lip pencil that is thicker (so easier to apply) and has the same consistency and gorgeous shade that I want!

AMW Reports: NARS Opens First Boutique in the Country

If you passed by BHS Central a couple of times and saw the huge sign NARS and wonders when it will finally be open for the public...well, wonder no more!  I am here to tell you that it is officially open and the boutique looks amazing!  A huge "enabler" I tell you!

I was actually there during the "ribbon-cutting" event!  Thanks Nars Philippines for inviting me!

 

 

As much as I want to just run into to store, I listened to the welcoming remarks from NARS Philippines Team and got really excited because for a brand well-loved by Professionals and amateurs, I am sure this first ever boutique in the country is the PLACE-TO-BE when you want to look and feel beautiful!