YSL Terre Saharienne Bronzing Powder and NARS Blush

NARS Day Dream Blush and YSL Bronzer

Not that anyone needs an excuse to buy makeup, but when an email from Feel Unique  popped into my inbox advertising a YSL sale, well quite frankly it would be rude not too. Annoyingly I had wanted to get my hands on the YSL Touché Éclat foundation and had purchased it the day before at House of Fraser where it was also on sale, but for not as much. Annoying! 

In the interests of trying to save pennies for my holiday, I settled for just the one product, the YSL Terre Saharienne Bronzing powder in 03 Golden Sand. I do have a love for bronzers and in the interest of my upcoming holiday down under I thought it would be prudent to warm up my sunless complexion. As usual from anything YSL, the packaging is beautiful, a deep brown case embossed with gold on the top. The bronzer is embossed with the YSL logo on the top. The bronzer has a slight shimmer to it, which is a shame as I prefer a matte bronzer for contouring. It is not entirely noticeable although I have not examined in direct sunlight. The colour is a soft warm brown, not overly pigmented so it would be difficult to go overboard. Overall its a nice addition to my stash. 

After spotting a fabulously made up Nigella Lawson in Stylist Magazine, I just had to recreate the look. I love 60's makeup and her makeup in this shoot was incredible (link above). The 60's is all about porcelain skin and dramatic eyeliner, complete with nude lips and peachy cheeks. Her contoured cheeks really stood out to me, so I had to go for the blush, which was the NARS blush in Day Dream, part of the Guy Bourdin summer collection- limited edition. Day Dream is a soft pink, slightly peachy blush with a very faint shimmer. After purchasing the NARS One Night Stand palette (review here) I am hooked on NARS blushes, which are super pigmented, long lasting and come in some fantastic flattering colours. This is definitely one of my favourite blushes and really brightens the complexion, and works well with contouring. I purchased this from Space NK but it is no longer in stock, although I found it online at HQ hair here. 

xxx

NARS Radient Creamy Concealer

It took me ages to get my hands on this baby. Apparently the colour I was going for appears to be the most popular colour! After darting into just about every Space NK, Selfridges, Liberty, House of Fraser or John Lewis, I finally managed to get my hands on one when after weeks of searching I dejectedly asked the NARS rep at the Liberty counter and they had it! Hallelujah! 

So I was expecting big things from this (namely because it took to long to get my hands on it... why does that make things seem so special?) and I wasn't disappointed. Creamy, illuminating and full coverage, this concealer doesn't cake or settle into any fines lines. I went for Vanilla, which is a couple of shades lighter than my foundation, as I use it for an under eye concealer rather than a blemish concealer. I do find however, that it tends to highlight my pores if I place it too far under my eyes, although I suspect that is down to the colour rather than the product itself. I would also recommend setting this with a translucent powder, the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder (holy grail product!) works brilliantly for this, as I find it can sometimes make my mascara smudge if not set. 

This concealer is available from any of the above locations for around £21. 

Love K xxx

NARS One Night Stand Palette Review

I confess. I have never owned a NARS blush. Given how much they are raved about and Orgasm being one of the most popular blushes out there, I have just never gotten around to getting my hands on one. Namley because they have so many blush colours I never knew where to start! Enter, Guy Bourdin's One Night Stand platte, four different blush shades, the coveted Laguna bronzer and a highlighter all rolled into one nifty palette. 

The four blush shades are Mistinguette, Orgasm, Deep Throat and Goulue, all vastly different colours therefore there is a blush for any makeup look you are trying to rock! They are incredibly pigmented, glide easily onto the cheek and go really well with the bronzer for a contoured look. The bronzer is again a really pretty colour and works well for a contoured daytime look, which is complemented by the highlighter which is a pale white champagne colour, which would also work well for highlighting under the brow bone. This is definitely more of a daytime highlighter and is far less shimmery than other highlighters (Kevin Aucoin/ Mac Soft and Gentle)

Overall this is a fabulous palette and has not left my daily makeup routine since I got it! 

xxx