Author: Lindsay

NARS Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight

Confession: I am a Kim Kardashian fan. I think she is a smart business woman and her cuvvy figure and fashion is a breath of fresh air. While her makeup is heavy, she always looks polished and I am a fan of her nude lip, smokey eye look. No, she’s not perfect. But I admit I like her. So when I found out the lip gloss I was manhandling at the counter was her favorite, I was intrigued. NARS Turkish Delight is perfect for those who want to roll neutral but with some serious sheer shine. Don’t let the color fool you into thinking this is just a ultra sheer hydrator. The shade is oddly present and creamy. It also can play well over other lip formulas for added dimension. InStyle Magazine named Turkish Delight named “Best Lip Gloss for Fair Skin” and “Best Lip Gloss for Olive Skin” in 2011 – proving it works on almost all skin tones. I can be really picky about the stickiness of this gloss and I find it incredibly comfortable to wear. Vitamin E helps battle dryness. I am calling this as one of NARS most timeless and lasting shades.

Donna Karan ‘Cashmere Mist’ Deodorant / Antiperspirant

“Designer deodorant” you say? “She’s gone too far” you are thinking. But listen up. I wasn’t a believer and I am now a devotee. Cashmere Mist was my trademark perfume in high school. I still always have a bottle on my vanity as I consider it my trademark scent, even if I cheat on her frequently these days.

So, I was aware the line offered a Deodorant / Antiperspirant but couldn’t justify the splurge. But the fashion world was murmuring (aka @dkny was tweeting) how wonderful this product was. So I gave in. She is quite convincing, that Ms. DKNY PR GIRL®.

And like I said, I am a complete convert. My skin is smoother and far less irritated. The scent is subtle, and much more pleasing than anything I have found in the drugstore. And it just plain works. Just as well or better than the “advanced” and “clinical” formulations I was using. For those of you unfamiliar with cashmere mist, it is a light floral, with notes of Moroccan Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Bergamot, Sandlewood, Amber and Musk. Nordstrom describes: “It is intended only to be smelled by the wearer and those closest to her” and it couldn’t be more true.

I normally don’t encourage one retailer of another, but in this case there is a clear winner. Where this product retails for around $18 elsewhere, you can find it at Nordstrom for $12.

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Spray

I realize that many drugstore offerings are just as good as their department store counterparts. For instance, chemical formulations of self tanner are generally the same across the board. EXCEPT for delivery and scent. Wait…. delivery and scent are the two most important things, at least to me, in a self-tanner. Now, most brands have figured out how to avoid the orange cast, so I am always focused on getting it on evenly and not smelling like a spray tan booth. I am still a HUGE fan of Xen-Tan, but if you are more of a spray girl (or boy), then give this a whirl.

I’m not saying this isn’t a splurge – $35 for a can. But considering I used to pay $30 a pop for professional spray in my San Francisco days, this is a bargain. The can still feels full after three applications to my legs and arms over the last month. (side note: self tanner should be discarded at the end of every season)

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Spray is a fine spray, allowing for all the angles (important if you live in singledom). The spray lasts approximately four of five days on me. There is a naturally looking depth of color, but the highlight is the scent. St. Tropez uses Aromaguard™ fragrance technology that eliminates “self tan aroma by a minimum of 70%”.

Smells good, easy to use, good color. Can’t really ask for more.

NARS ‘Bright Lights, Big City’ Eyeshadow Palette (Nordstrom Exclusive)

Guys, if you are near a Nordstrom, this is worth a trip. This NARS palette is outstanding – if I sounds really enthusastic, good. I am positively giddy over this. I actually was planning on checking out some of the summer trios: Okinawa and Cap Ferrat, which are both gorgeous.

But the Bright Lights, Big City is sophisticated, timeless and so wearable and captured my heart. I am shy with darker colors but I literally dove into Night Clubbing to my crease and it is HOT. I adore Cyprus on the brow bone and Fathom in corners. Finally, I used Night Breed as a liner – just a small amount of sparkle literally luminates my lashes.

For a day look, I love Biarritz all over the lid with Coconut Grove as liner or blended in the crease. If you want darker liner, Night Clubbing would be a perfect tight line.

These colors are all available as single eyeshadows for $23. I would literally buy every single one, so for all six (albeit a smaller quantity) for $55 is a steal.

Top Row (left to right): Cyprus, Biarritz, Fathom

Bottom Row (left to right): Night Clubbing, Coconut Grove and Night Breed

Kate Somerville® ‘Quench’ Hydrating Serum

Okay, fine. I’m now in my thirties and have made that transition from Oily to Combo/Normal to the dreaded DRY skin. I know… there are upsides and downsides too all types of skin. For me, the upside to dry skin is getting to use Kate Somerville’s ‘Quench’ Hydrating Serum. For you regular readers, you already know I am huge fan of this skincare line. And I continue to discover little gems in her collection.

Over the last couple of years, I have become even more aware of the effect skin condition can have on the way makeup looks (and photographs). One of the major factors for foundation or tinted moisturizer is a well hydrated face. Quench has a hydrating complex that seals in water, resulting in a dewy, luminous complexion.

The texture is a silky serum, but it will not cause shininess. The effect is more satin. There also is a vitamin A product in here: RetiStar™. For those of you who worry about irritation from vitamin A products, let me assure you – this is the most mild vitamin A product I have ever tried. It is great way to introduce the product into your regimen.

Love the way my face feels after using this and a little Kate Somerville® Goat Milk Cream. Swoon!

bliss Blood Orange+White Pepper Sugar Scrub

You know how some scrubs kinda hurt and then are a total pain to get all those granules off of you? So annoying. I have hunted and found the elusive scrub that doesn’t hurt, is totally effective and makes your skin baby soft. A little bonus: this scrub foams! After a moment of confusion and surprise, I was even more blown away by my new favorite shower indulgence.

We should all be aware that self-tanning requires a pre-scrub, so I consider this a summer must have, especially the day before a spray tan. But I already know I will crave this bright scent in the winter too. The polish has a citrus, white pepper scent with a touch of coriander. Sounds delish, right? It was actually inspired by a cocktail!

And one other point worth mentioning. The body polish effect was profound! At my little soiree this weekend, I wore a short cocktail dress and was thrilled with the shimmer and glimmer my legs rocked after using this stuff.