Ladies, do ya ever go through makeup phases? Right now I’m having a serious NARS moment!
It’s like I physically can’t stop myself from reaching for Supervixen lip gloss, The Multiple Orgasm (ha!) and the Modern Love palette every morning. Call me crazy, but I’ve been hearting all three so much I might as well attach ’em to my body. 🙂
I guess that it’s no surprise today’s sesh of WHAT WOULD YOU GET, which features new limited edition NARS items, killed me a little softly. It was so hard to decide!
WHAT WOULD YOU GET works like this — you check out the pictures, read through the product descriptions and then tell me in the comments what you’d like to take home for your virtual haul.
Option one: a smokin’ hawt set of vintage NARS nail polishes
To celebrate their 15th anniversary this year, NARS recently resurrected five old school NARS Nail Polish favorites ($16 each).
- Cha Cha: a semi-sheer tangerine with golden shimmer
- Hunger: a creamy orangey red
- Zizi: a clear peach with golden glitter
- Tallulah: a creamy dark plum
- Blue Lagoon: a shimmery powder blue
Isn’t that purple to die for?
NARS nail polishes are thin and apply with rich, non-streaky color. The polish resists chipping well and lasts a long time, too.
Option two: The NARS Loves San Francisco Set
NARS plus my favorite city (*please* don’t call it Frisco) equals makeup nirvana. This extremely limited edition set features four previously released NARS products re-christened with names inspired by San Francisco ($75).
- Angel Island Single Eye Shadow: a sparkly lavender
- Golden Gate Bridge Highlighter/Cheek Color: a bright, yellowish gold
- Haight Ashbury Eye Shadow Duo: a light matte gray and a shimmery pale green
- Alamo Nail Polish: a shimmery, bronzey cream
This set is exclusive to the Nordstrom San Francisco store, but that doesn’t mean you have to live in the YAY Area to buy it. Just call the NARS counter at the SF Nordie’s to purchase it over the phone with a credit card, and they’ll ship it out to you for a fee. Here’s the number: (415) 243-8500.
For Bay Area MBB readers: There’s a huge NARS event at the SF Nordstrom in Union Square this Saturday, June 6.
Francois Nars, makeup artist and creator of the NARS line, will appear for a meet and greet. The NARS makeup team will also be there to do makeovers, too.
To meet Francois, you have to purchase either the NARS Loves San Francisco Set or Francois Nars’ beauty book, Makeup Your Mind ($40), beforehand. I purchased my book today by calling the NARS counter at (415) 243-8500 and pre-ordering it with a credit card.
And now for the hard part — do you go with option one (the set of polishes) or option two (the NARS Loves SF Set)?
Decisions, decisions…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Maggie says
whoaa, a yellow cheek color!? def. not for me, haha 🙂
i think i’d get option two but without the cheek color. LOL
the purple polish is so gorge!
Maggie´s last blog post..A Marilyn Monroe-ish EOTD
Karen says
Hi Maggie,
I think it’s supposed to be more like a golden highlighter. 🙂
I am literally drooling over that purple polish!
Maggie says
well, a yellow/gold highlighter, i mean** 😛
Maggie´s last blog post..A Marilyn Monroe-ish EOTD
Paris B says
I’m not into nail polish but that yellow highlighter scares me a little so I’d pick Option 1 because the colours are bright and beautiful! 😀
Paris B´s last blog post..Day 4 : Chanel Infrarouge Lipstick – Matador
Zara says
I love SF too! just a BART ride away whenever i’m back home in the Bay. 🙂
Hmm… i’d take the nail polishes– the color look as though they’ll clash on my skin, well maybe not the gold highlighter.
But the polish colors look lovely!
Karen says
Hi Maggie,
You could rock it! 🙂
Karen says
Hi Paris B.,
Aww, the yellow highlighter isn’t getting any love!
I bet with a light application with a skunk brush would be pretty…
Karen says
Hi Zara,
Yes! Isn’t SF one of the coolest places? I miss living there. 🙂
Whereabouts in the Bay is home? I grew up in the East Bay (aka Beast in Pig Latin)
Samantha says
Before I realized I could only pick one option.. I had this: I’m going home with NARS Cha Cha, Hunger and Blue Lagoon, as well as Alamo nail polishes. I’m also buying Haight Ashbury Eye Shadow Duo and Golden Gate Bridge Highlighter/Cheek colour!..
but now I think I’ll take option 2 because i love that Alamo laquer!!
Karen says
Hi Samantha,
I am loving the Alamo lacquer, too. I can’t wait to see it in person on Saturday. 🙂
Janet says
I’m from the Bay, so I’d have to go with NARS loves SF 🙂 I think the nail polish looks suuuuper nice, and the highlighter/cheek color…interesting LOL
Karen says
Hi Janet,
I think it could work if applied with a light touch… Imagine it layered on top of a bright pink cream blush. Pretty!
Yay, Bay Area girls! 🙂
Citrine says
It’s kind of a hard choice for me, I am not feeling the heat from either set…But if I were a humongous fan of Nars, I might just pick the nail color, but I think I would be happier walking home with a bunch of China Glaze instead…
And since they are all previously released… I wonder do they all come in this set because non of them sell well in the past? Maybe they changed the name so that people can’t dig up the bad reviews on makeupalley? (Nars fans, please don’t beat me up…)
Citrine´s last blog post..Shu Uemura Eye Shadow Single
Karen says
Hi Citrine,
Oh, that’s very makeup conspiracy theory! 🙂
Zara says
Hi again Karen!
I grew up in the south bay– San Jo’ baby! 408! 😀
Hope your evening is winding down well, say hi to Tabs for me. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Zara,
Cool! My BFF lives there now. I get down there on occasion… you guys get nice weather!
Hope you are having a good evening, too. Tabs is knocked out on the couch right now. He’s gotta get his rest before he starts the night shift, LOL!
Audrey says
Oh wow! I love this collection… hmmm… I could possibly make it up to NARS on Saturday. The Alamo nail polish looks really pretty.
Audrey´s last blog post..New Moon Trailer / Best Kiss Award – Discuss!!!
Karen says
Hi Audrey,
If you’re interested then I suggest you call now. I spoke with the NARS artists and it sounds like it’s selling fast!
Hyzenthlay says
I’m the most curious about the NARS Loves SF Set, and I own no NARS stuff so far.
Karen says
Hi Hyzenthlay,
Oh! You gotta try a few things next time you hit up Sephora. My faves are the Multiple Orgasm (use it as cream blush), Dolce Vita lipstick and the powder blushes in Torrid and Amour.
Regarding our convo about Dos earlier, I haven’t eaten there in years! Back when I lived in Davis there was only one. I always ordered a plain ole chicken burrito. Now I’m hungry, LOL!
There used to be a bar in the middle of town that everybody would go to… gah, I can’t remember the name.
Anyway, are you still in school?
Katherine says
I have to go with the NARS Loves SF Set. Just looking at it makes me miss the City so so so much.
Katherine´s last blog post..I never knew…
Karen says
Hi Katherine,
Did you live in SF? I used to live in the Outer Richmond… I miss it!
Katherine says
nah I wish! I went to school in the south bay and headed up to SF every chance I got. Now I’m back on Oahu, missing SF every single second.
Katherine´s last blog post..I never knew…
Karen says
Hi Katherine,
Aww, I’m the opposite… I just got back from Oahu two weeks ago! I miss it like crazy!
Nicole15 says
Option 1 for me. Those colors are ridiculous (in a good way of course) 😉
Paris B says
Hey Karen I reckon you’re right about the gold highlighter but you’d have to have a pretty warm complexion to rock it. On me I’m afraid I’d look jaundiced and with all the flu running around I don’t want to be thrown into hospital for looking ill hehe…
Paris B´s last blog post..Day 4 : Chanel Infrarouge Lipstick – Matador
Karen says
Hi Paris B,
Jaundiced = not good! 🙂 Okay, well keep you far, far away from the gold highlighter!
Scifi says
Option one. I don’t think there’s anything in the second set that wouldn’t make me look like I put on my makeup without actually looking at what I was putting on.
Plus, I want that Tallulah. Reely reely badly.
Kypris says
The first set… mostly because of Tallulah, but I also like Hunger…
Camellia says
SF all the way (: because it’s 10 minutes away
Kewal says
Option 1 girl – the colours are simply divine! The highlighter & nail colour in option 2 are intriguing but the eyeshadow colours look blah.
Gracie says
Hmm… I would have to go with option one. A. Because i’m crazy addicted to nail polish right now, and B. My skintone is cool, not warm so I have to conclude that the yellow highlighter would look dreadful on me. Plus it’s only available in SF, and it’d be a pain in the butt to order it off the phone, blah blah blah….but it still looks nice 🙂
Nikki says
I choose OPTION 2! Because its a combination of everything and you have a polish included there 😀
Nikki´s last blog post..Askmewhats Reviews: TBS Cheek Blush Cream
Kate & Zena says
I have to say I’ll take the polishes, thank you very much. I absolutely love the plum color. It looks like OPI’s Louvre Me, Louvre Me Not without the shimmer. It’s pretty. The blue looks like Just Groovy from OPI too. I’d probably take them all home.
I just got my polish haul from Trans Design and I’m rolling in nail polish. I ordered it Friday and today it came. 23 polishes (6 are my mom’s), 1 nail lacquer thinner and 1 free bracelet. Zena scared the living shit out of the FedEx guy meaning it must have been a guy who doesn’t normally deliver to my area. She can’t make her Great Dane/German Shepard bark cuter. The guy basically dropped it carefully on the porch, rang the doorbell and ran back to his truck like his pants were going to catch on fire. It was rather funny to watch as he doesn’t exactly know he’s running from a teddy bear in a 17″, 33.5 pound Decker Rat Terrier body. She’s never bitten anyone in her life! She soft mouths me when we wrestle but that doesn’t hurt at all. It was so funny. I wish I had taken a picture with my camera phone!
Karen says
Hi Kate & Zena,
That’s too funny! Next time he comes by you’ll have to introduce him to her so he knows that she won’t hurt him. 🙂
Are you enjoying your polishes? Which shade did you bust out first?
Kate says
Oh, hands down the SF Set! I love everything in it. I’m suddenly into NARS, too. I just ordered several items from the Summer 2009 Collection; my first foray into NARS, ever. I can’t wait until it gets here. I’ve heard so many great things about this line.
Karen says
Hi Kate,
I’m feeling the summer line, too. Did you get that sparkly blue eyeshadow single?
Vonvon says
Option 2 for me anytime, because I don’t use nail polish.
Vonvon´s last blog post..MAC Style Warrior Collection – Some Swatches And My Purchases
L says
I’d get option 1 as I think the colors in option 2 are too cool toned for me during the summer.
Karen B says
Such a hard choice. Two I think, I have similar nailpolishes to the nr 1.
Tiera says
Definitely number 1… I’m drooling over them!
Snarkattack says
The yellow highlighter may seem odd but I wager it’d actually look fab on the right skin. But this is coming from someone who used to wear UD cool shimmer stick in Biker as blush/highlighter. Tres sexy in summer if you’re tanned!
Snarkattack´s last blog post..meme time
Megan says
Hi Karen,
I’m totally into the blue and orange polishes. I love these kinds of colors on my nails.. it’s such a nice pop of color. I’m so excited to move back to the bay – I’m graduating from UCLA in a week and a half and will be moving back soon after. I’m definitely going to go to the SF Nordstrom’s to check out this collection! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Megan´s last blog post..The Infinite Exodus
Karen says
Hi Megan,
Congrats on your graduation! What are your post-college plans?
I moved back to the Bay the day after I walked across the stage. I couldn’t wait to come back home!
YadiQ says
i would totally do the polish set as some of the SF collection seem too pale for me !
Shiny says
I would go with option two… but it isn’t even calling to me that much cause the colours don’t look like they would suit me. I was at the NARS counter a couple days ago and it took all my strength to leave with just one lipgloss… but it is love! 🙂
Heather says
I’d definitely get the polishes – that purple and tangerine are SOO pretty 🙂
Rachel says
I would go for the nail polish set. Option 1 🙂
cloudburst says
The SF set – the only LE NARS nailpolish colour I care about is Zulu – do you know what the original colour names are?
Karen says
Hi Cloudburst,
Unfortch I don’t. 🙁 If I run into somebody at the NARS event on Saturday I’ll see if I can find the answer…
Erin says
I would definitely pick option 2, I have too many polishes and none of those are my favorite polish colors. I LOVE the San Francisco set though!!! If I had more $$$ I’d order it!
Marina says
definitely #1 !:)
Hunger: a creamy orangey red
Tallulah: a creamy dark plum
are the best!
Marina´s last blog post..Declaring Indigo by Lancome. Fall 2009
alice says
Supervixen rocks. I wear it all the time too!
Karen says
Hi Alice,
Isn’t it the *best* nude shade? I have it on right now. 🙂
Kerry says
cha cha and zizi (sounds like good names for puppies) 🙂 and goldengate bridge mos def this is jus so intersting to me.
one love
Lacroix says
I purchased the set from the SF store. I hope that Golden Gate Bridge isn’t Gold Member – which is a cream blush.
I can’t wait to get my box next week!
Lacroix´s last blog post..Bright Eyes
Trude says
I’m totally in love with that purple polish now. Looks like its a universally flattering color! I love their eyeshadows. The pigmentation is perfect and I love the way they feel. Plus they last!
Trude´s last blog post..This Week in Photos
Annalise says
I’m so drooling over option 2, the whole make up set!!!
Heather says
Karen, I don’t know how much help we’re going to be. Making gaga comments about both options will really just make it harder for you 🙂
Karen says
Hi Heather,
LOL! Would you believe I still can’t decide? I’m now leaning towards the SF option…
Janet says
OMG . . . I was just looking at the Nars Vintage polishes and was having a hard time deciding which to get so as always I checked your blog for swatches. I can’t believe you have them as part of your What Would You Get. My Virtual Hall would be NARS VINTAGE POLISHES! ! !
Karen says
Hi Janet,
🙂 They have some amazing colors, right?
Gotta love the virtual haul…
Heather says
And I just saw that there was another heather who commented. Can you tell the difference when you read them cuz of the email address?
Karen says
Hi Heather,
Yup, I can tell the difference from my end. You can always change your handle if you want. The comment will go into moderation and all I have to do is approve it. 🙂
Gina G says
I would take #2 – I love the yellow highlighter!
Jeanne says
Hi Karen!
I’m going to the event on Saturday — yay! And of course I have to get the San Francisco kit. (Hopefully it won’t be sold out by the time I get there on Saturday — yikes!) But I’m going in for a NARS makeover for sure, at the very least.
Jeanne´s last blog post..You otter know!
Karen says
Hi Jeanne,
Sweet! Maybe we’ll run into each other. So far I only purchased the book… maybe the SF set will tempt me when I’m there!
Daya says
I would go with option 1!! The Cha Cha color is gorgeous!! 🙂
Caitlin says
I would have to go with number 2, because A) you need to show some bay love,and B) I think facial makeup is more versatile than nail polish. Hope everyone that goes to the event has fun!
Karen says
Hi Caitlin,
Bay Love! Whereabouts are you from?
Meilily says
I’d choose option 2- I’d love to attend the event in SF and try out this yellow-golden highlighter : )
Meilily´s last blog post..New Melissa + Vivienne Westwood Lady Dragon II Heels Now at Epaulet!
penelope says
option 1 for me all the way
Mimi Sternad says
Option two, def. But more importantly, as a former Bay Area rez, I *hate* it when people shorten San Francisco. Frisco is bad but San Fran is the WORST. I cringe whenever I hear people call it that… To me, S.F will always just be “The City”. I mean, really, people. It’s a magical, one of a kind place. Don’t cheapen it with your awful abbreviations!!!!!
Karen says
Hi Mimi,
I hear that, girl! Frisco always makes my skin crawl. So does San Fran… blech!
LB says
Option 1 most def…that yellowish highlighter is kinda weird.
Hannah says
Ummm, can you get both? Pretty please? Ugh, so hard to choose. Just like when I read your Chanel summer 2009 review, and couldn’t decide, so I drove over to my nearest Macy’s and bought everything from the collection they had.
Plus the spring 2009 stuff still left.
And a Mystic Eyes palette.
Okay, and the Smokey Eyes palette. I was weak and hungry, what can I say?
I’m leaning towards the makeup set, only because the colors are unique and are things you could definitely use with other products you currently have, plus they’re totally meant for your skintone. Also, the polish colors, while beautiful, are totally dupe-able, especially if you look at Opi/Essie/Sally Hansen Salon.
Kate & Zena says
So far, I’ve only used Essie’s Mesmerize and the Base Coat I got. I wanted to use Mesmerize first as I’m affectionately known as “Smurf” by my parents. I got the name by what color I was when I was born. I was “re-Smurfed” when I graduated high school as our colors are Old Gold and Royal Blue (blue gowns and hats, both colors for tassels). I watched the Smurfs a lot as a kid. The name is an integral part of my identity. 🙂
Ha ha, it happens with most delivery and mail people. The delivery people who require a signature for the package know Zena is a little lady. If we just told them all she’s nice it wouldn’t be so funny to watch them run away! It’s absolutely hilarious to watch from the window. She’s perceived as a guard dog by those with ill intentions. By telling everyone she’s nice would ruin the whole thing with human “spam” (ex. product sellers, Jehovah Witnesses) avoiding us like the plague. We rely a bit on her bark.
lexi says
i’m so sad that i’m going to miss this event – i’ve been a fan NARS since his first collection!
Nettie209 says
Wearin those vintage color out in the City would be the way to go for me 4 sure….. I love San Francisco that was my party stomping grounds for years when I lived in the BayArea …. Sure do MISS IT bad….. anyway even though the city love there freak-i-ness, and that blush is just MAD, I would definitely do the polish…
Saku says
2 would be my vote. The highlighter maybe can work for me, plus I love color. I have very bronze skin and rarely use nail polish.