I’m supercalifragilisticexpialidociously stoked that you decided to take the plunge and try red lips for the holidays. Just you wait! Before you know it, you’ll be raring to rock neon hot pink, sassy coral and heck, maybe even that crazy shade of purple on your Christmas list…
LOL! Sorry, I’m jumping ahead of myself again. I just get excited when my friends try something new. 
As for those red lips you’ve been eyeing, whether you opt for a sheer balm or leap in with a full-tilt matte, you’re gonna need a blush to go with ‘em, and I’d like to introduce you to one of my go-to gals, the incomparably agreeable NARS Mata Hari ($27).
NARS infused Mata Hari with a dash of crimson, which is why I think it plays so well with many of the red lip colors I like to wear. Despite its cool tones and how bold it looks in the pan, it’s not nearly as scary vivid on cheeks.
Mata Hari is anything but a run-of-the-mill matte pink blush. It’s enchanting…like RyGos, and able to draw almost everyone who sees it — cool- and warm-toned girls alike — under its spell.
I get my best results with Mata Hari when I apply it with a fan brush or a blush brush using a very light touch; otherwise, it’s easy to go overboard. Straight up, this pigment is no joke, but the Shu Uemura 7.5EX fan brush creates a perfectly flushed cheek with it worthy of a doll.
Like most NARS products, it’s on the spendy side, but a little goes a long way. I suspect that one pan would last long enough to see at least two cycles of skinny jeans coming in and going out of style.
The rise of the Planet of the Plus-Size Kitty Models!
Rooster the cover-cat; notice the artful placement of the paw on the sink…
As you know, my primary function is to serve Tabs, and one of the pet (haha!) projects he currently has me working on is the expansion of the plus-size kitty modeling business. Tabs believes it belongs at the forefront of the feline fashion world.
He was beyond thrilled when MBB reader Emma sent him this article from Four Legs Good, a blog for pet enthusiasts, featuring the redolent Rooster, a Maine Coon, in a recent post on the charms of big cats.
Tabs demanded that I alert you “posthaste” about this matter of the “utmost importance.” 
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The NARS Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from the NARS permanent collection
P.S.
NARS Mata Hari 
NARS Unsung Heroes: Red Square Velvet Matte Lip Pencil 
NARS Unsung Heroes: Damned Velvet Matte Lip Pencil 
NARS Unsung Heroes: Taos Blush 
Amour is my all-time favorite NARS blush but Mata Hari is right up there with it!
Happy Friday, Karen!
I have a soft spot for that shade, Steph! It was one of my first NARS loves.
What are you up to this weekend?
This is my ultimate favorite blush. NARS is fabulous but NARS Mata Hari is just too perfect! I dare call it my HG blush. And yes, pigmentation is crazy on it! A little goes a long way! Love this post, thank you so much! xoxo
Amber
Yay! Another Mata Hari fan!
What brush do you use with it, Amber?
Oh, Mata Hari is a wonderful blush. I use it in summer too with bronzer. I’m NW-20/25 and it’s perfect for so many looks. Dolce Vita is nice too. Francois knows how to make pigmented blushes so the product is well worth the price.
It’s amazing how this shade works on so many different skin tones. My mom-in-law wears it and she’s very pale and cool-toned… Mata Hari is magic!
What bronzer do you like to wear with it?
What are you wearing on your lips? I love it!
Hi Claire,
I’m wearing NARS Joyous Red. Here’s a post with pics:
http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/celebrating-the-end-of-the-week-with-nars-joyous-red-lipstick/
It’s from the holiday 2011 collection.
That cat is too cute.. And his names suits him so well. I clicked on the link and it told me it was unavailable – all the traffic from your site probably shut them down!
My favorite blush you’ve paired with a red lip (that I can think of) is that matte peach from D&G ruby collection. I thought it was plain at first but then it really grew on me. I own Orgasm, Super Orgasm, Deep Throat (yikes!), Amour and Madly. I’ve owned Outlaw in the past, which I would purchase again. I have a few NARS blushes on my wish list, including Lovejoy and Dolce Vita. Mats Hari is farther on down the list.
P.S. I *love* your TGIF images every week! Super cute
Hi Caitlin,
Hopefully you’ll be able to check out the pet blog soon. The writer, Nick, posts pics of people’s pets all the time (both cats and dogs). So fun!
Oh, I totally love that DG blush. LOVE. I know what you mean about it looking sort of unexciting at first, but once you get it on that’s when the magic happens. You can really wear it with anything.
Do you have Dolce Vita lipstick? It looks great with Amour.
Happy Friday!
I have and love this blush but have u got any suggestions for a blush to go with Roman holiday lipstick. I’m nc35 please
Hi Ami,
Try NARS Angelika, Desire, Oasis or New Order.
Ooo thanks for the suggestions!
OK, another item goes to my wish list! Really pretty.
And you look fab, Karen!
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You’ll love it, Vonvon!
Mata Hari on the shopping list? Check. Kitties snuggling at my feet? Check.
Awww… Rocky and Jazz! <3 <3
I usually use a duo fiber stippling brush or my Sonia Kashuk blusher brush when I’m dealing with a highly pigmented blush because they pick up the right amount of product that’t not too much.
By the way, Mata Hari looks lovely on you. <3
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Thanks! Have a great weekend!
I can’t believe I don’t have *any* NARS products in my stash! >.<
Actually, the blushes are what I want to try the most and Mata Hari is on top of the list :).
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No way! You need to get on that pronto, girlfriend!
I’ve always been intimidated with Mata Hari, but now I see it on you, I’m going to rush out and buy it pronto. I have your same skin coloring but a bit darker.
You can totally rock this. Do you own a fan brush?
Interesting fact: Matahari means SUN in Bahasa Melayu (Malay language). Mata means ‘eye’, and hari means ‘day’. Put together, it means ‘sun’. Just something from this part of the world. =)
How interesting! I always like learning about the origins of words. Have a great weekend!
Looking at the shade in the pan, I would never thought of pairing this with red lips but it looks so gorgeous on u!
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Just add some cat liner and you’re good to go!
finally fridayyyy!
mata hari looks gorgeous on you … makes me want it!
We made it!
I think you’ll love Mata Hari but I have to warn you… NARS blushes get addictive.
What are you up to this weekend? We’re going to get our tree and do some Christmas shopping. I’m also hoping to kick this cold that I’ve been fighting all week long.
yup! they are addictive. i try and not look at them whenever i go to sephora or browse online … i dont usually succeed!
i think im going to finish my christmas shopping — i need to go get some see’s candy for the people here at work. i think im done after that!
i also need some rest. ive been non-stop on the go since saturday last week … its time to slow it down a bit!
I know! I don’t even fight the urge any more, I just give in when I go to the NARS counter. Love their blushes so much!
Yay for See’s. Did I ever tell you that I live less than five minutes away from one? It’s in the same shopping center as Sephora. Jealous that you’re almost done, but I’ll be there soon (hopefully).
I hope you are treating yourself to something nice for Christmas, young lady. It’s important!
i love their blushes as well as laguna bronzer! it is my fave!
i think you posted about how close you were to See’s but i never realized you were THAT close. so tempting! the closest to our house would be in a grocery store called Rice Epicurean Markets. not that close, but still pretty tempting!
i started early … its become a habit. plus online shopping helps a lot! i *think* my gift to myself will be a bottle of Chloe. its in my sephora shopping cart but i have not checked out.
what is your something nice for yourself, Karen?
I love Laguna Bronzer too! I’m all about the powder version… it has this lovely golden tone that looks so natural and never orangey.
Yeah, I’m guilty of driving to See’s for a quick chocolate fix. My favorite is the milk chocolate buttercream. I could eat a whole box of those! Second fave is the anything with milk chocolate, caramel and almonds. How about you?
Let’s see… I’m thinking of treating myself to either this necklace or this ring from Janine Payer. Or maybe some running shoes, LOL! I need a new pair.
i am all about the powder version too!
i use and abuse it almost everyday!
i love anything with caramel. i probably love caramel as much as i love milk chocolate!
the ring is lovely! that is totally something i would fall for!
That’s a very pretty blush, looks great on you!
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Thanks, Gio!
What is the name of the lipstick color you’re wearing with it? Love it!
Hi KT,
I’m wearing NARS Joyous Red from the holiday 2011 collection:
http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/celebrating-the-end-of-the-week-with-nars-joyous-red-lipstick/
Me thinks I should show you a photo of my cat Charlie Tom Thomas one day then your cat can have a buddy from the UK! Rooster is an adorable little thing and chubby cats have this cuteness about them that I can’t even explain.
Moving onto my other love, Mati Hari probably wouldn’t suit my black skin but I love Exhibit A, Mounia and Taj Mahal. You can’t beat a NARS blusher at all!
This color looks SO cool in pan, but it looks amazing on a warm-toned gal like you! That makes me think maybe I can pull it off too… (one more thing on my wish list *ahem*)
My tomcat Tango weighs 14 pounds, and I’ve always thought he’s huge. But after checking that post out, I think he’s positively petite and skinny lol I’d totally love a Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, or Ragdoll, but unfortunately I’m actually allergic to animals so I’ll stick to short-haired ones (found out about that several years after getting mine, and I’m not gonna give them away because of that!).
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Rooster would like to thank Karen and Tabs for increasing his fan base. Painfully for him he is on a diet with the goal weight being 20lb.
Mata Hari looks lovely on you, Karen.
I would have never guessed Mata Hari warms up to a nice flush! I didn’t think twice about it before since it looks so cool-toned, but now I gotta give it a try thanks to you!
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