NARS Summer 2016

My Friday FOTD With the NARS Under Cover Summer 2016 Collection

April 29th, 2016 by Adia Goss 33 Comments

I think everything from the NARS Summer 2016 Under Cover Collection — from the Lip Covers to the Dual-Intensity Blushes and the Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows — is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I love how cohesive the overall collection is and how they included shades for neutral looks and bold looks, too. The makeup look I was wearing in my review of the eyeshadows was something closer to my normal neutral makeup looks, so I thought I’d try a bolder look outside my comfort zone today.

This look was actually really easy, but I think it definitely makes a statement.

First I dampened my brush before applying Deep End all over my lids to intensify the color, and I also used a damp brush to apply Deep End all along my lower lash line. Then, to blend this out, I used a fluffy crease brush to lightly dust Tan Lines into my crease. If I’d wanted to do a smokey look, I could have applied this damp as well, but I just wanted to blend out Deep End, so I applied it dry.

For my blush, I used the right side of the Liberation Dual-Intensity Blush, a really pretty terra-cotta shade. It’s a great everyday blush for me, and I love how there’s a slight sheen it.

I didn’t use any highlighter (which is sooo rare for me because I LOVE, LOVE highlighter), but I still had a soft glow from the blush. I was super impressed that this didn’t look flat on me at all.

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The Incredible NARS Under Cover Summer 2016 Collection Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows!

April 25th, 2016 by Adia Goss 25 Comments

nars under cover dual intensity eyeshadows — I’m still in love with the packaging…

Have you seen the four new Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows in the NARS Under Cover Summer 2016 Collection yet? They are incredible! I REALLY love the finish, because the shimmer is so soft, and they’re so crazy pigmented, that the fact that they’re also versatile and can be worn wet or dry is icing on the cake. You can use a fluffy brush to get just a wash of color, or you can dampen your brush and layer the colors to get more intensity.

Starting with Topless, a light seashell pink — I’m glad NARS included it, because it balances nicely with the bolder colors in the collection.

As for rich neutral brown Tan Lines, it’s neither too warm nor bronzey, but it doesn’t turn gray either, so I think it’s a great eyeshadow color, especially if you’re looking for a rich brown. The shimmer keeps it from being too plain.

And then there’s shimmering teal green Deep End — gorgeous! It reminds me of the waters off a tropical island! I mean, it’s not a color that I tend to wear…but it’s so beautiful.

Lastly, Pool Shark. It’s an iridescent blue with lots of purple shimmer, and it looks mostly blue in the pan, but as you can see in the pictures below, there’s also a lot of purple in it. It’s a really unique color, and I think you can get it to look more blue or purple, depending on how you wear it. I love colors like this because they always look a little different when you wear them!

Here’s a closer look at these stunning eyeshadows:

NARS under cover collection dual-intensity eyeshadows — Swatches of the Summer 2016 Under Cover NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows (L to R): Topless, Tan Lines, Deep End and Pool Shark (taken with flash)

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The NARS Under Cover Summer 2016 Collection Dual-Intensity Blushes

April 22nd, 2016 by Adia Goss 26 Comments

NARS Under Cover Summer 2016 Collection Blushes — This packaging makes me so happy!

As part of the NARS Summer 2016 Under Cover collection, NARS released two Dual-Intensity Blushes — Sexual Content and Liberation ($45 each) — and they are, in a word, gorgeous! I love how NARS collections are always wearable but never boring.

The NARS Dual-Intensity Blushes have a very pigmented, soft formula that can be used wet or dry. When used dry, they’re softly luminous, but if you use them with a dampened brush, the shine is more intense.

These two blush duos are incredibly versatile and would work for a wide range of skin tones, and I love that both of the colors in each duo can work layered or alone.

NARS under cover blushes — NARS Dual Intensity Blushes in Liberation (L) and Sexual Content (R)

Sexual Content has a soft peach on the left and a medium pink on the right, and both shades are so pretty! I think the left color would be a great everyday blush for lighter skin tones and a nice sheen/highlighter for darker skin tones. The color on the right is even more universal. The swatches below are with a heavy hand so that you can really see the color, but these can just as easily be applied lightly for a wash of shimmery color.

Liberation has a cool-toned baby pink on the left and a warm rosy/terracota shade on the right. I think the shade on the right is very unique and gives a lovely natural flush. On lighter skin tones, it may also work as a bronzer. Either way, both shades are super pretty and wearable.

nars under cover blush — NARS Liberation Dual-Intensity Blush

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NARS Finally Makes Liquid Lipsticks…and Nails It!! Introducing the NARS Lip Covers From the Under Cover Summer 2016 Collection

April 22nd, 2016 by Adia Goss 39 Comments

NARS under cover collection — How gorgeous is the packaging for the NARS Under Cover summer 2016 collection?

I am about the new NARS Under Cover summer 2016 collection and the brand’s first foray into the liquid lipstick market.

Their new Lip Covers are incredible! They’re vibrant and long-lasting like a liquid lipstick, but with none of the dryness and discomfort, so basically exactly what you’d expect from NARS.

I have to admit that I am totally biased when it comes to NARS (here’s another post with my favorite NARS products), but even so, I really do feel these are awesome.

The Under Cover summer 2016 collection includes four of these new Lip Covers, four Dual Intensity Eye Shadows (I LOVE this formula!) and two Dual Intensity Blushes. This post is all about the Lip Covers, but stay tuned for reviews of everything else. For now, I’ll just say that the whole collection is gorgeous. If anything looks irresistably interesting, snatch it up! The collection is limited edition, and the products are available now at the NARS website (and coming soon to other retailers).

So, the Lip Covers — Do Not Disturb, Get Dirty, Members Only and Overheated — I really like this formula, and I hope they add more colors in the future (fingers crossed!).

I think the shades NARS chose to release with the collection are pretty interesting. There are two nude shades (Get Dirty and Overheated) and two red shades (Do Not Disturb and Members Only).

On the one hand, I appreciate that they’re giving us two variations on each color family, especially since it’s so hard to find a good nude, but on the other hand, I want even more variety, because the formula is that great.

Here are swatches of the Lip Covers, and I did these with a heavier hand so that you could see the texture and finish.

They look glossy in the pics, but once they dry down on your lips (which takes just a couple minutes), the finish looks more satin than glossy.