The universe is filled with things I do not understand, things like Justin Bieber fever, Crocs, and why NARS chose not to include a lip brush in the Beautiful Life Lip and Cheek Palette ($55).
At first blush, it looks like a traveler’s makeup dream come true — compact, cute, with a convenient zippered case. The included mirror works well for on-the-go touchups, and by leaving out powder products (it comes with four lipsticks and two cream blushes), NARS eliminated annoying product cross pollination (when your powders spill all over your cream products). So smart!
They thought of everything — almost. I know NARS doesn’t usually include brushes with their palettes, but I wish they would have found room in this one for a lip brush. Beautiful Life is just so obviously designed for travel; a brush would have been a great addition. Of course, I’m a stickler when it comes to packaging.
That aside, what’s a palette without pretty colors, right? These go great together. NARS included a versatile mix of business and party shades here, and the blushes even double as highlighters, too.
I’m a little bummed about one of the products in the palette — Honolulu Honey lipstick. Honolulu is one of my favorite cities, but this Honey looks kinda cakey on my lips. It seems to do a bit better, though, when I use very little and apply it with my fingers. I may also just mix it with other lip colors to help it along.
Funny Face
Roman Holiday
Sexual Healing
Honolulu Honey
From left: Honolulu Honey Lipstick (a flesh-toned beige satin), Roman Holiday Lipstick (a sheer pastel pink), Funny Face Lipstick (a semi-matte fuchsia), Copacabana Multiple (a shimmery pearl) and Orgasm Multiple (a shimmery peachy pink). NOTE: The pic doesn’t include a swatch of Sexual Healing Lipstick.
Two-second summary? If you like zippered cases, smooth cream products, pretty colors and NARS, Beautiful Life might be a good place to go. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
Edward, why you cheatin’ on Bella?
When I got back home from that photography class yesterday, all I wanted to do was rest, so I parked my bum on the couch and rented Remember Me on iTunes. It stars the melanin-challenged R. Patz, aka Vampire Edward Cullen, as a chronically rebellious romantic. Have you seen it?
Kinda depressing, but I thought R. Patz did a good job, even though I struggled to see him as someone other than Edward. I think the movie pushes him harder than the Twilight movies do (I don’t know if that’s saying a lot). It’s a heavy story, but at least it ends on a hopeful note.
Strangely, every time he kisses his love interest in the movie, I picture Bella going off, LOL!
Since we’re on the topic of blood suckers, did you catch True Blood last night? What did you think? Whoa! Lots of nekkidness, am I right?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
makeup morsels says
August 9th, 2010 at 9:52 pmoooh I love that they made cream blushes instead of powder ones, it annoys me so much when the two mix. blech. messy! anyways, I’m so in love with the lip colors they have in this palette, especially Roman Holiday and Funny Face. shame about the nonexistent lip brush though
Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:51 amYou should try this palette on soon. 🙂
Glosslizard says
August 9th, 2010 at 10:09 pmFunny Face is so pretty! Kinda reminds me of Totally It gloss in the MAC Fafi collection!
Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:51 amOh yeah! I bet it would layer nicely with that gloss.
luv2smilexo says
August 9th, 2010 at 10:09 pmfinally nars kept powder with powder and cream with cream! This is really pretty but all the nars lippies in palettes I’ve had have gone bad very quickly
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Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:50 amThat’s too bad. How long did you have the palette for?
kali says
August 9th, 2010 at 10:17 pmRoman Holiday looks beautiful on you! I had Roman Holiday in a previous palette and it wouldn’t show on my lips at all and would barely show when swatched on my hand. The quality of all the lipsticks weren’t great in that palette -guess NARS made the quality in this palette a lot better. That’s really great!
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Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:50 amI haven’t really noticed a diff between the lipsticks in the palette and in the tube… but then again, I usually just stick to Dolce Vita.
Kris Cameron says
August 9th, 2010 at 10:38 pmIf Alexander Skarsgard got any hotter my tv would steam.
I also have an unreasonable crush on Alcide.
Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:49 amAlcide’s way cute. I like him for Sookie!
Vanessa H says
August 9th, 2010 at 11:23 pmRoman Holiday looks so pretty on your skin!
True Blood is my favorite show! I have my boyfriend and his bff obsessed lol. Alcide is soooooo very attractive! I kinda liked Talbot’s DRAMA attitude about everything, sad that he’s vamp pudding now :-(. Ah, I can’t wait for the next episode!
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Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:49 amIt’s clear Eric has started a major vamp war! I wonder who’s going to still be around at the end.
Ashley says
August 9th, 2010 at 11:26 pmI think Robert Pattinson can play a good Cedric Diggory but fails hard as Edward Pattinson. I’m Team Jacob 😉
But I do think R.Pattz did quite well in Remember Me. I actually cried but I’m kind of a sap so that’s not saying much. I actually liked Remember Me quite a bit until the end. Seriously, it bummed me out big time!
Jessica says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:27 am<3 Cedric Diggory.
Gone too soon!
Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:36 amLOL! *Pours 40*
Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:48 amI cried at the end too!
Rachael says
August 9th, 2010 at 11:32 pmNow I wanna watch old Audrey Hepburn movies after thinking about Funny Face and Roman Holiday…
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Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:48 amRoman Holiday is one of my fave Audrey Hepburn movies.
Rachael says
August 10th, 2010 at 9:19 amI love Breakfast at Tiffany’s, especially the scene where they’re looking for Cat the cat. My friend and I plan on going to NYC and having pastries outside of Tiffany’s. We’re such goofs.
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Maggie says
August 10th, 2010 at 12:15 amRoman Holiday looks so pretty on you!
Did you know RPattz is going to be in the movie adaptation of Water for Elephants? I’m kind of excited but dreading it at the same time (not much of an RPattz fan). I’m really excited that Reese Witherspoon is going to be Marlena though! 😀
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Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:47 amI didn’t know that. Let’s hope he cuts his hair and toughens up a bit. I can kinda see Toby or Jake doing it too.
Anywho, Reese is perfect for Marlena!
Rae says
August 10th, 2010 at 12:20 amBleh, you’re totally right about Honolulu Honey — it looks pretty cakey on your lips 🙁 But hey, the other shades all look lovely! Roman Holiday in particular gets a huge hip-hip-hooray! from over here.
Oh, and one last thing: mmm, Alexander Skarsgard. Now, why couldn’t True Blood have 99% less Bill, and 99% more Eric? Then again, our TVs (or, rather, our laptops and computers) might short out if that were to happen…
*sigh*
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Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:43 amI was emailing my BFF on this same matter yesterday. She was so annoyed when Bill came back into the picture at the end of the episode and started doing the nasty with Sookie. She and I are both actually Team Alcide, although, I’m okay with looking at Eric, heh heh!
Vonvon says
August 10th, 2010 at 12:40 amThanks for the swatches of this palette…..
It would make a great intro for me to NARS lipsticks…..hmmm….considering….
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Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:41 amAnother good one to consider is Dolce Vita. It’s my all-time NARS favorite!
Vonvon says
August 14th, 2010 at 2:55 amThanks for the suggestion Karen. Will check out Dolce Vita the next time I am near NARS. 🙂
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Agnes says
August 10th, 2010 at 1:51 amroman holiday looks sooo good on you!! and dont worry, you’re not the only one that sees edward with bella.. i cant seem to see them playing any other role! haha but then again, i am 100% team jacob!! (or at least movie-wise i am :D… book wise, i’d probably go with edward haha)
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Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:41 amI like Jacob for her too (although I know what happens in the end).
Melodi says
August 10th, 2010 at 4:16 amOh I caught True Blood….wow that show is so….raunchy is the only word I can think of haha. I don’t even like watching it unless I’m all by myself because some of the scenes are so embarrassing to watch LOL. Still gotta love Eric though, is he your fav too?
Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:40 amYes, it’s quite naughty! I could never watch it with my parents, that’s for sure!
I was team Bill for a long time, but then when they showed Eric in that black tank top (after he cut off his hair) I was like, HELLO! Now I’m all about Alcide. 🙂
Thincspot says
August 11th, 2010 at 10:21 amAmen to Alcide! This season seems to be pushing the erotic aspect a little further. I find that the sexuality actually works within the context. And even though the scenes are VERY visual I think they work well with the energy of the story lines. My husband and I always start giggling like teenagers when any nudity starts in… now back to makeup.
I would love it if Nars did something heavy and dark with their color line. I love their bright cheery corals and pinks and sparkly beiges but I’m dying for that ultimate purple or burgundy hue to pop up in their selection (at least as far as lips go). I love their formulation but, a bit more dramatic color variance would really draw me in.
RonyaLii says
August 10th, 2010 at 4:23 ami team Spike :p i know that Buffy isnt so stylish as Twilight , but James Marsters as vampire was so badass and funny ^^ sometimes youre scared for real ,and sometimes you wanna take him home like he was a puppy and love him to pieces .
For some reason i didnt like any of Twilight movies . ” i love you Bella, i dont love you Bella, vampires live forever, i cant live without you, Bella, so im gonna suicide ” . as my Boss says , if your boyfriend says that he cant live without you , dump him . Who needs a man who cant live without a woman ? 🙂 And wait ,arent vampires supposed to be hard to kill ? Phe , no, you only need few warewolfs or 3 other vampires to kill one , khe khe :p
But i like Robert Pattinson , I hope he will get rid of that twilight stamp and get some serious character to play .
Thank you for review . i though the colors are darker so they wouldnt suite me, but now i see and love this palette . Brush would be so perfect . Are there any scent in those lipsticks ?
Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:39 amLOL! I was never a fan of Spike — I always liked Riley for Buffy (before he went cray-cray) and Cory for Angel. Have you kept up with the comics?
As for the lipsticks, they don’t have a taste or scent!
RonyaLii says
August 10th, 2010 at 3:14 pmThank you , I hope nordstorm will have this palette . it looks like only place that sells Nars godies (besides strawberry ) to Latvia . I really like the colors . i got 3 nyx lip palettes but i really use 4 colors from them all . But i can imagine wearing those all , even red one .
if honest, i never heard of Buffy comics untill now. And im interested now So thank you 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAnuhQ55O1E i hope you dont mind the link, i just wanted to show why i love Spike so much 🙂 those 9 seconds beats all 3 Twilight movies for me . I admit, i got crush for bad boys :p
gio says
August 10th, 2010 at 4:35 amThanks for the swatches. Funny Face looks gorgeous!
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Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:37 amI can totally see you rocking that shade, Gio.
Kim says
August 10th, 2010 at 5:19 amFunny Face looks awesome on you! Maybe Nars is trying to bring out our inner finger-painters? 🙂 The case is super-cute though. This is the 3rd zipper we’ve seen lately (starting with Denim, I think) and I’m liking them!
I loved True Blood last night. Lots of action and drama (and Eric, of course)! 🙂
Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:37 amYup, it seems like zippers are the new black. 🙂 I bet we’ll be seeing more of them in the future!
Nina says
August 10th, 2010 at 6:03 amI am not a bright lippy girl but I want Funny Face! 🙂 Lovelove!
Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:36 amI felt a little 80s with it on but it’s fun!
Nina says
August 10th, 2010 at 11:17 amIts such a happy color – y’know the kind of happy I feel when I see Eric Northman? 😀
Hahahah keeping up the TB references here!
Lily says
August 10th, 2010 at 6:27 amgorgeous colors! I have honolulu honey and I love it 🙂
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Karen says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:36 amHi Lily,
Do you wear it by itself or do you layer it with other items?
Keener says
August 10th, 2010 at 8:34 amGot Funny Face in lipstick form and I heart it so much.
Nothing else from the palette is interesting enough for me to purchase and I love me some Nars but my wallet don’t. I
amy says
August 10th, 2010 at 8:38 amFunny Face and Roman Holiday are two of my favourite NARS lippies. I don’t have too many NARS lip products because they are a bit out of my budget. .ohhh you reminded me that I wanted to rent and watch Remember Me, I am in the mood for some melancholy. I saw True Blood on the interweb last night and it was good. Lots of blood and lots of sex…LOVE IT. I agree that Alcide is HAWT HAWT HAWT. There is something about him wearing plaid and his beard that I am so attracted to.
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Trinidad says
August 10th, 2010 at 9:40 amYou are so right! This does need a lip brush… I like this palette but I have a lot of similar colors already. If it was a bit less expensive, I’d consider it…
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ace says
August 10th, 2010 at 11:19 amfunny face is great!! i love the movie, and the lip color is perfect!! it looks great on you!
and btw, roman holiday is THE best movie EVER. of all time.
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Trisha says
August 10th, 2010 at 11:31 amAt first I balked at the price of this lip palette. I mean, that’s pretty expensive. And then I saw the colors on your lips. Yow! Now I totally want it. Too bad about the lack of a brush, though.
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strasse says
August 10th, 2010 at 2:40 pmI was wondering – how was the taste/smell of these NARS palette lipsticks? I just got a different NARS palette in the mail the other day and I couldn’t tell if maybe my palette spoiled in transit or something. Mine tasted plastic-y with a hint of vaseline. Was this your experience, too?
knownever says
August 10th, 2010 at 6:28 pmOMG! Those lipsticks are beautiful. I wonder if the formula issues with Honolulu Honey might be the result of it being in pan form. I’ve definitely found that lipsticks in palettes will somehow get weirder in formula when the stick version is fine. wonder if it has something to do with the manufacturing of palettes versus permanent products.
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marisol says
August 10th, 2010 at 7:51 pmGorgeous palette but I don’t like lippies in palettes. I rarely use a lip brush.
I wondered if that movie was good. I should watch it since I am a bit of a spaz sometimes when it comes to R Pattz. And True Blood was very naughty on Sunday and I loved it.
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Nika says
August 10th, 2010 at 11:48 pmI’m loving the Sexual Healing shade! The packaging reminds me so much of Bobbi Brown’s Denim and Rose Face Palette though. Hmm…
aishwarya gulati says
August 16th, 2010 at 12:24 ami love funny face n sexual healing..not so sure bout the blush on though..need to check it out…
ALYSE says
August 16th, 2010 at 7:27 pmHey just wondering if you know the size or grams for each product in this palette. On the true blood note i was so angry at sookie for getting it on with bill at the end, thats not suppose to happen!