Get the Look: Bouchra Jarrar Fall 2013 Fashion Week

A few days ago Bouchra Jarrar had their Fall 2013 runway show in Paris, and I just had to share the amazing makeup from NARS! The look was created by Letizia Carnevale under the direction of Christophe Danchaud for NARS and it was just so pretty and fresh. Perfect for spring!


Here's a peek at the products used:
Skin
• NARSskin Optimal Brightening Concentrate
• Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturizer
• Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF30
• Radiant Creamy Concealer (New for Spring 2013, for a similar effect, try Concealer)

Face
• Laguna Bronzing Powder
• Light Reflecting Setting Powder - Pressed (New for Spring 2013, for a similar effect, try Pressed Powder in Flesh or Snow)

Eyes
• Orgasm Illuminator
• Biarritz Single Eyeshadow
• Portabello Duo Eyeshadow
• Sophia Single Eyeshadow
• Alhambra Duo Eyeshadow
• Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara

LIPS
• Concealer was used to prep the lips
• Fast Ride Sheer Lipstick
• Belle de Jour Velvet Matte Lip Pencil


NARS

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Get the Look: Julianna Margulies at the SAG Awards

Julianna's makeup was done by Molly Stern (OMG), who tried to keep the look modern and fresh.

1. Molly first prepped Julianna's skin with L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Miracle Blur Finishing Cream to create a soft-focus finish

2. Next, she applied a blend of L’Oréal Paris Magic Lumi Primer and L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup

3. Molly kept cheeks looking naturally flushed with Laura Mercier Creme Cheek Color in Canyon and a dusting of NARS Blush in Sex Appeal

4. Molly primed Julianna's eyes with Laura Mercier's Eye Basics Base in Peach and intensified her shadow line with NARS Eyeshadow in Bali

5. For Julianna's mother-of-pearl-inspired lids, Molly relied on a combination of soft lavender, violet and peach found in L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Eye Shadow Quads in "Stacked Heels" and "What Happens in Vegas"

6. Molly defined the lash line by using L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner in Grey and then added a bit of sparkle by applying (via wet application) L’Oréal Paris Infallible Eye Shadow in Eternal Black

7. She curled her lashes with a Shu Uemura lash curler before applying two coats of L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara

8. Molly created Julianna’s creamy and nude bold pout by using a blend of L’Oréal Paris Color Caresse by Colour Riche Luminous Lipcolour in Sheer Linen and L’Oréal Paris Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain in Pink Perseverance



Julianna's hair was styled by Sebastian Scolarici. I couldn't find a good picture to purchase of the back of her hair (oh yes, this lowly blogger buys these pics to share with you!), but it was very pretty in the back. It is pulled back with a simple head band, but in the back it is really full with some great waves and a ton of volume.

1. Sebastian prepped Julianna’s damp hair with L’Oréal Paris EverStyle Alcohol-Free Volume Boosting Mousse. He also applied the Root Lifting Spray to her roots for targeted volume at the crown

2. After blow-drying smooth with a round-brush, Sebastian separated Julianna's hair into 5-6 sections and curled individual pieces with a 1-inch-barrel curling iron

3. Each curl was temporarily set in place with a roller pin (while Julianna was in makeup)

4. Post-makeup, hair was released from roller pins and brushed through to create soft waves (versus a tight spiral); Sebastian worked a bit of L’Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Smooth Intense Frizz Taming Serum into hair to smooth down any frizzies or flyaways

5. Next, hair was teased at the crown to create high-volume

6. A piece of black satin ribbon was used as a simple and chic headband to separate the look - keeping the front of hair sleek and back of hair voluminous

7. Sebastian finished the look by spraying a generous amount of Elnett Satin Hairspray to lock in her style while leaving hair brushable. "I love that Elnett doesn't leave a film ... especially on dark hair like Julianna's," Sebastian says.


Did you see Julianna Margulies at the Golden Globes? I loved her sleek pony tail!

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Makeup Wars: My Favorite Beauty Items

It wasn't so long ago that I shared my list of favorite beauty items, though I admit I had a pretty hard time paring that list down to 10 items! Luckily today, my Makeup Wars group decided to share our favorite items that we repurchase over and over. Which means I'll share another 10 items!

These are items that I keep going back to, have on hand always and use in between testing out other products, and if I run out I will immediately add it to the shopping list. So, if you haven't already, check out my first favorite beauty items list, and consider this the Part Dos version.

1. Cetaphil Cream: This has been a go-to product for me for years. I was even taught to recommend it to parents of kiddos with eczema while in my pediatrics residency. It really helps to seal in moisture after a shower, especially if you apply it right away. I don't even hop out of the shower before I start slathering it on everywhere. Also, I love that it is much less greasy than another high moisture lotion, Aquaphor.

2. Skintimate Shaving Gel: I don't actually have a full review on this product, but it seems to be the shave gel I always grab at the store. I have used other shave gels (Pure Silk, etc), but this one seems to work a bit better for me and it doesn't leave rust stains in my shower. That's a big bonus.

3. Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash: Yup, a ton of moisture in this body wash. Yup. I do find other ones that I like as a soap, but even with extra lotion afterwards, I miss the moisture from this body wash.

4. Venus Razor: Lately I've been springing for the 5 blade version and it just makes me happy. That is all.

5. Kiehl's Lip Balm #1: This is the last product I use every night, I keep a lot of it around. Just, everywhere.

6. Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer: Love this concealer. It blends easily, covers up everything, and the tube lasts forever. I've been using this concealer almost daily for about 2 years and have only repurchased once. That's a lot of concealer.

7. NARS Orgasm Blush: Every girl needs a go-to blush that just works. This one works for going out, work, running errands with my toddler, a dark smoky eye or even just a light wash of tan. See? Perfect blush.

8. L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray: Yup, it's kind of a classic. I like that it holds, lets my hair move still and isn't sticky. A can lasts me forever.

9. CoverGirl TruBlend Foundation: This is the foundation I reach for about half the time. The #415 is a good match for me, I can apply with a sponge, brush or fingers and it will still look good. Oh, and the coverage is easy to build up.

10. Kiehl's Rare Earth Masque: I'm a long time devotee of mud masks, but this one is a bit more gentle on my face and still gets the job done.












At some point, I'm sure I've received some of these items from PR. But, I've repurchased all of them over, and over, and over...

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Helmut Lang Spring 2013: Just... Naturally Pretty

So yeah. Just... pretty. In my head, this is what the models look like on their "off" time. Fresh skin, natural lips and slightly accentuated eyes. She spent maybe 5 minutes on her look and then ran out of the house. And she looks like this.

“The clothes had a lightness to them with lots of color and print and layering so we wanted to toughen the girls up a little but do it in a fresh, believable way," said Hannah Murray for NARS Cosmetics. "The focus is really on the skin, which is fresh, sporty and scrubbed clean."


First, the skin was prepped with NARSskin Luminous Moisture Cream. Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer was used for light coverage. Radiant Creamy Concealer (available in 2013, use Concealer for now) and Light Reflecting Setting Powder – Pressed (new for Spring 2013. For a similar effect, try Albatross Highlighting Blush) were used to create perfect skin. Hyde Park Satin Lip Pencil was used on the cheek as blush (new for Spring 2013, for a similar effect, try Maldives The Multiple).

Eyes were kept simple with Aigle Noir Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, Via Veneto Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner, Cythère Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil (used on eyes, new for spring 2013, for a similar effect, try Hollywoodland Soft Touch Shadow Pencil) and Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara.

Lips were kept neutral with Concealer on the lips and a light layer of Bianca Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment.



NARS Cosmetics

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Phillip Lim 3.1 Spring 2013: Fresh and Glowy Skin

I still have a lot of great Spring 2013 NYFW looks that I want to share (and come to think of it, I didn't really share anything from Fall 2012), so I've decided to keep showing a few a week that I think are pretty looks. I'll look back through my Fall 2012 email folder sometime soon as well and feature some of those.

Francelle Daly created the Phillip Lim 3.1 look for NARS Cosmetics. This is a little bit of glowy skin (what I really loved) with a bit of "sophisticated girl rocker" mixed in. The contrast was inspired by the runway looks. “Fabrics are cut-up and folded-in, creating a push and pull between street and polish,” said designer Phillip Lim. “Plaids are mixed with florals and animal motifs offering interesting juxtapositions of texture and silhouette.”



Skin was prepped with NARSskin Luminous Moisture Cream and PRO-PRIME Pore Refining Primer before a light layer of Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer was applied for light coverage. Radiant Creamy Concealer (new for spring 2013) was used to create a perfect finish. For a similar effect, try Concealer. Casino Bronzing Powder was used to create a glowy finish.

Eyes were kept very simple, the shadow was the lighter shade from the Bouthan Duo Eyeshadow (new for spring 2013), for a similar effect try Fathom Eyeshadow. Eyes were lined with Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil and lashes were coated with Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara. To complete the look, NARSskin Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturizer was used as brow gel.

To keep a neutral lip, Biscayne Park Satin Lip Pencil (new for spring 2013, try Cruising Lipstick for a similar effect) was used to line and fill in the lips. Light Reflecting Setting Powder - Pressed (new for spring 2013, for a similar effect, try Pressed Powder) was used to set the lips and provide a matte look.


NARS Cosmetics

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Alexander Wang Spring 2013: Clean and Simple

I've decided to cover a few of my favorite looks from the Spring 2013 runways of NYFW! Today, I just couldn't resist the fresh and clean look featured at Alexander Wang. The makeup is just enough to look like you, but better. The hair (minus that strange stripe thing), is fast and easy, super simple.

The makeup look was created by Diane Kendal for NARS Cosmetics. “It’s a minimal look that we achieved using skincare and complexion products," said Kendal. "Because the collection boasts minimal tones, we did the same thing for the makeup and focused on flawless, matte skin. For the models wearing the amazing glow in the dark looks, we gave them a more luminous face, with powder applied to the high points of the cheek.”

NARS sent out a complete list of the products that they used. As usual, a few of the products are new for the time around the fashions, so while you won't be able to get some of the actual items until the spring, NARS did recommend what to use for a similar effect right now.

First, skin was prepped with NARSskin Optimal Brightening Concentrate. To create a perfect, glowing complexion Sheer Glow Foundation was used with Radiant Creamy Concealer (New for Spring 2013, for a similar effect, try Concealer). It was set with Light Reflecting Setting Loose Powder (again, new for Spring 2013. For a similar effect, try Loose Powder). Cheeks were given a natural flush with Zen Blush and Albatross Highlighting Blush was used on select models depending on which looks they wore.

Eyes were kept very simple with a little Cayenne Eyeshadow in the contour, Pandora Duo Eyeshadow (NARS didn't state how, I believe it was likely the white that was used in highlighting areas of the eye), and the eye itself was finished off with Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara. Brows were left natural looking and Blondie or Bali Eyeshadow was used to lightly fill in.

Finally, lips were kept natural with a bit of foundation on them.

Doesn't spring just scream "wear a ponytail"?? Redken Creative Consultant Guido created one for this show. "I'm always challenging myself to update classics, and the look at Alexander Wang today is a ponytail with a different point of view. Alex wanted a small head this season, so this started as a low pony kept close to the head. But I then added a strip of tape down the center part which makes the style really become more than a simply pony. The severity of the tape almost makes you look twice - which makes sense with the collection."


On damp hair, create a center part that's clean but not perfectly straight. Apply satinwear 02 prepping blow-dry lotion and dry hair dryer, leaving natural texture in the bottom two thirds. Create a low pony at the nape of the neck keeping the hair tight to the head. Using a curling iron, create a slight bend to the hair in the pony. Adhere tape to the center part, running about an inch down the center of the forehead. Mist fashion work 12 versatile working spray all over finished style to keep the front sleek and add texture and flexible hold in the back.


Follow my Spring 2013 Fashion Week board over on Pinterest for more spring looks!

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NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Review

Finally, I'm reviewing the NARS tinted moisturizer! I fully admit that I've had this moisturizer for well over a (few) month(s), and I've been using it on and off, but I hadn't fully made up my mind about it. It is a basic moisturizer, a light lotion consistency the coverage it provides is pretty light. It absorbs quickly and you can't feel it once it is on, so it is pretty much perfect for spring/summer. For some reason I found that the coverage was lightest in areas that I rubbed the lotion in a little more (was I rubbing it off? Probably.) so those spots that needed the most coverage... well, they actually got less. I typically had to apply a little extra concealer or even a little foundation in these areas to even things out, which was fine, but I was hoping to skip this step (hence why I was thinking about this review for so long).




Consistency: Light lotion
Blendability: Very easy! I can make it look perfect with just my finger tips.
Buildable coverage: Only slightly buildable. You're better off using a foundation or concealer for areas you need more coverage.
Feeling on skin: Lightweight
Wear: 10-12 hours
Problems with wear: No caking or settling into fine lines
Shades Available: 9 colors, I used Alaska


SPF 30





NARS Cosmetics

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5 Years of Favorite Products: NARS Copacabana

I've been mixing up my makeup routine a little bit lately. One thing that I've added in is a little highlighter. I usually do this down my nose, on my chin, and a little around my upper cheek and curving around my eye. I want it subtle, just enough to catch the light.

I had been using a lot of powders to highlight, but recently went back to an oldie but goodie. The highlighter I always return to, NARS Multiple in Copacabana.

Copacabana is amazing. It is a light pearly color that just catches the light perfectly. It doesn't look like chunks of glitter on my face, it doesn't look oily. It just catches the light the way I want it caught.

Oh, and since it is a stick it is insanely fast and easy to use. A few swipes, blend with a finger, and you're done.


NARS Cosmetics

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5 Years of Favorite Products: NARS Orgasm in Many Forms

Obviously this color is a cult favorite for a reason. Orgasm is an amazing blush color on almost everyone, and I'm certainly no exception. You can see that my blush has been around for a while (that's the worst part of the pretty black NARS packaging, it gets gross easily on the outside), but I've been using this a few times a week for well over 10 years.

I have Orgasm in the blush, the multiple, the highlighter, the nail polish, the lip gloss.... you get the picture. My favorites are the Multiple and the blush. I usually pair them together. I use the Multiple over my foundation, blended just a little. When I apply my translucent powder over this, the buffing of my powder brush completes the blending. Then a small amount of powder Orgasm blush goes over the top.

The end result is glowy and lasts all day!


NARS Cosmetics

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NARS Fall 2011: Finely Balancing Bright Colors with Nudes

Have you seen the new NARS Fall 2011 collection? It just became available on NARS Cosmetics and I don't even know where to start. The look is modern, fresh and graphic without being so over the top that it can't be translated to real life. And by real life I mean those of us that don't live in SoHo going to art gallery openings. People like me. While I'm not sure that the super bold blue is the color I'd go for (green might work better for me), I love how everything else is neutral but still just... pretty and not remotely boring.

Read on for a closer look.

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Longer Lasting Eyeliner? NARS Larger than Life Eyeliner

I haven't tried this yet (obviously, I just got the info from NARS about... 1 day ago?), but NARS is coming out with a new eye liner that I had to share!

The formula is creamy, NARS describes it as "long-wearing" and even better yet, it comes in a mechanical pencil form with a built in sharpener. YES. For those of us that hate to sharpen. Like me.

Read on to see the colors.

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NARS Écume Nail Polish

White nail polish has been popping up as a big trend for this summer, but it is surprisingly difficult to do properly. Such light colors are hard for the nail polish companies to create with good pigmentation and smooth application. Add in the likelihood that you'll just look like you put white-out on your tips and yeah... things can go south quickly.

In person this is very slightly off white, and a tad richer looking. It's really just enough to make it not look like white out, but still be white. As well, this was 2 coats to opaque, rather than the typical 3 or 4 of most white shades. The brush can drag a little bit, so you might need a 3rd coat if you haven't applied carefully. This is my new go-to white for layering!

NARS

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NARS Portrait of Paradise: Laguna Makes an Appearance in Many Forms

NARS Laguna is one of those cult items that everyone should own. It is an amazing bronzer that seems to work for most skin tones, even my own super pale skin. For a limited time it's available in different formulas including a multiple and illuminator, though I think the best option is likely this palette. It contains Laguna, Orgasm blush and Albatross highlighter. I love them all! Wouldn't this be perfect for paring down your makeup bag during travel?

NARS Portrait of Paradise

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