Greetings, gals. I just came across a gift set that might save some butts this holiday season the NARS Drop Dead Gorgeous Mini Nail Kit ($30).
It’s a four-piece mini nail polish kit, one of five for the holidays from NARS. This one comes with four classic colors that I’m guessing even the most finicky nail polish divas will dig.
- Arabesque: A peachy rose with glitter in a sheer pink base
- Chinatown: A creamy dark red
- Candy Darling: A sheer, creamy beige
- Saratoga: A shimmery golden burgundy
Arabesque
Chinatown
Candy Darling
Saratoga
There are shades to suit a wide range of my nail polish moods, like Arabesque, which I see hitting the spot when I want something with an edge. Then, at the other end of the spectrum, there’s Candy Darling, for when I want a more conservative look. Closing out the kit are Chinatown and Saratoga — two classic, dark colors that I see myself wearing all the time.
More stuff to like…
- Cooperative shades that should work with a wide range of skin tones
- Arabesque layers well on top of the other shades, doing a lot to maximize your color options with the kit (almost like getting three additional shades in one)
- The polishes dry fast and have a shiny finish
- Chic red packaging is easy on the eyes
The mini .25-oz bottles are tiny compared to NARS’ regular .50-oz bottles
If you’re looking for gifts for girlfriends/family and shooting for the $30 range, I don’t think you can go wrong with Drop Dead Gorgeous. Don’t be surprised, though, if you’re tempted to keep the set for yourself! 🙂 Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Catherine says
November 16th, 2009 at 2:54 pmThis kit is so cute – I adore Saratoga!!
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… NOTW – L.A. Girl Dark Purple =-.
Karen says
November 16th, 2009 at 6:08 pmHi Catherine,
Super cute! You probably don’t even need to wrap it. 🙂
Hafsa says
November 16th, 2009 at 3:29 pmooh come to mama
Karen says
November 16th, 2009 at 6:09 pmHi Hafsa,
LOL, that’s how I felt too.
Maggie says
November 16th, 2009 at 3:43 pmArabesque and Saratoga look so pretty.
Ah, mini nail polishes are so cute!
.-= Maggie’s last blog post… First Cut Crease Attempt! Blue, Gold, and Purple. =-.
Karen says
November 16th, 2009 at 6:09 pmHi Maggie,
Yes they are! So tiny… I love ’em. 🙂
Tavia says
November 16th, 2009 at 3:44 pmThe idea of a mini kit is super and I love that Chinatown 🙂
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… Get the Christmas Look 2009 with Givenchy Le Makeup =-.
Karen says
November 16th, 2009 at 6:09 pmHi Tavia,
It’s really pretty — a totally classic shade!
Tanya says
November 16th, 2009 at 3:45 pmAnyone know of less expensive dupes for Chinatown?
Karen says
November 16th, 2009 at 6:12 pmHi Tanya,
Maybe Essie Rock Star Skinny?
pinksoysauce says
November 16th, 2009 at 4:12 pmI’ve had my eye on this for a while, so thanks for doing this post! Is Candy Darling streaky at all? How layer-able is it? I’m looking for a sheer polish that will with a French nail but also layer on top of itself for an opaque off-white. Thanks! 🙂
Karen says
November 16th, 2009 at 6:13 pmHi Pinksoysauce,
I did two layers in this pic and didn’t have any trubs with streaks. I think you’ll be able to layer this well with a good base coat. I can’t wait to pop some Arabesque on top. *drools*
Marce says
November 16th, 2009 at 4:48 pmHere the “one for me, one for you” rule applies! 😀 Arabesque is gorgeous, I never thought I’d like glitter so much!
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Wembé – An Alternative to LUSH? =-.
Karen says
November 16th, 2009 at 6:13 pmHi Marce,
I think it might be my new fave! 🙂
keerthamina says
November 16th, 2009 at 4:52 pmall those colors are lovely, and I like that they’re a pretty decent size for minis. maybe I’ll get this for my mama!
.-= keerthamina’s last blog post… notd: zoya nova =-.
Karen says
November 16th, 2009 at 6:13 pmHi Keerthamina,
Oh, these colors are definitely mom-friendly shades.
amy says
November 16th, 2009 at 5:44 pmMy favourite has always been Arabesque because i love pinks and glitter. I like the idea of mini sized polishes because I would more likely finish a bottle. The last time I finished a bottle of coloured nail polish was when I was in elementary school. The only times I finish polishes are top and base coats.
.-= amy’s last blog post… FOTD Purples,Grays and Black: Dior Night Butterfly 173 Palette with Medusa’s Makeup Lipgloss in Gossip =-.
Karen says
November 16th, 2009 at 6:14 pmHi Amy,
LOL, I can’t remember when I finished a bottle either… actually, I don’t think it’s EVER happened.
pinksoysauce says
November 16th, 2009 at 7:07 pmThanks so much for the info! If you don’t mind me asking one more question, how is the lasting power and quality of these? I’ve only ever used Revlon and OPI so I’d like something that’s comparable to those two brands before I pay so much for nail polish. 🙂
Karen says
November 17th, 2009 at 7:19 amHi Pinksoysauce,
I think the wear time is pretty good… I wear a base and a top coat, though, and that probably makes a difference.
I wore the full-sized polish in the comparison pic above to my BFF’s wedding last year. I remember the color lasting a good two weeks and staying in decent shape. 🙂
shely lee says
November 16th, 2009 at 7:44 pmOmg the color chinatown looks so bloody and pretty!
.-= shely lee’s last blog post… A lil’ vain today =-.
Karen says
November 17th, 2009 at 7:22 amHi Shely Lee,
I love that color!
Kajal Couture says
November 16th, 2009 at 8:00 pmVery cute! I am considering this a gift to myself!
.-= Kajal Couture’s last blog post… Gold and Glamorous – Stila Shadow Trio Gold Glow Review =-.
Karen says
November 17th, 2009 at 7:22 amHi Kajal Couture,
Do it! You need to reward yourself for all that wedding planning.
Noemi says
November 17th, 2009 at 2:58 amooh i like chinatown .
i see real NARS .it’s nice .
This weekend i went to a flea market and there were people selling cosmetics like MAC for five dollars, and NARS eyeshadow palettes for like fifteen dollars and Dior and Chanel and Benefit too .
it made me so angry and sad because they were clearly fake and women were just eating it all up . i admit i was tempted but it’s just so wrong …random i know sorry .
this is a good gift idea :]
Karen says
November 17th, 2009 at 7:22 amHI Noemi,
I would love to get this as a gift, hee!
Veky says
November 17th, 2009 at 6:44 amChinatown looks exactly like Color Club – Fast Woman nail polish! 🙂
Karen says
November 17th, 2009 at 7:23 amHi Veky,
Thanks for the dupe suggestion. 🙂
lAUREN says
November 17th, 2009 at 6:45 amlooks like glitter nail polish is a serious trend this winter!
.-= lAUREN’s last blog post… Paddling the weirdo pool: Nivea For Men =-.
Karen says
November 17th, 2009 at 7:23 amHi Lauren,
Yup, it’s big!
gio says
November 17th, 2009 at 7:08 amSaratoga looks gorgeous!
.-= gio’s last blog post… 4 Weird Skincare Ingredients =-.
Karen says
November 17th, 2009 at 7:23 amHi Gio,
I heart that shade, too.
Christy says
November 18th, 2009 at 8:21 amSaratoga reminds me of Chanel’s Gondola. Love that one and Arabesque. Pink glitter is always fun 🙂
.-= Christy’s last blog post… Small Brushes for Small Lids: MAC 228 Small Shader Brush & Sephora Professionnel Platinum Small Shader Brush #17 =-.
Andreea says
November 30th, 2009 at 7:37 amYOU MEAN! I am haunted by it, but it costs 42 Euro in Germany and I wear nail polish only on my toes. The Chinatown makes me… swooon but hey.
My BF said if I woul not buy so much make-up we could afford to go more often to the jewelry store. Sigh. What a decision!
.-= Andreea’s last blog post… CLARINS Palette Quatuor Yeux Lidschatten Quad in 10 Les Pastels mehr Gramm fürs Geld =-.