NARS has been killing it lately with the new releases.
Last week I reviewed NARS’ Afterglow collection, and if you’re digging the packaging on those products, then you’ll love their Cool Crush collection.
Cool Crush, which is a Nordstrom exclusive, includes an eyeshadow palette, a cheek palette, and a new lip formula, Loaded Lip Lacquer.
The Cool Crush Eyeshadow Palette (C$87.19) is a palette similar to the Afterglow one in that it features the same melted metallic casing and opens up to 12 eyeshadows in various finishes.
The shadows range from neutrals to blues to pinks, and is more of a jewel-toned palette. The shadows, which comes in matte, shimmers, and glitter finishes, are pigmented and formulated with micronized powder, leaving you with a longer wear and creamier feel when applying them. They are long wearing and the shade range in here is wide enough that you really can create a variety of different looks.
To go with the eyeshadow palette, pick up their Cool Crush Hot Fix palette (C$72.41), which features four cheek products. Open up the palette to find three blushes and a highlighter that can be worn individually or mixed together for a custom look. The formula in these products is incredible silky and applies to the skin like a dream. They feature a superfine micronized powder that gives you the most perfect finish on the skin.
The colours in here include Gold Leash (shimmering gold highlighter), Spark Got Hot (shimmering beige pink), Dream Peach (matte warm peach brown), and Sugar Spirit (shimmering nude rose).
I really love this palette and more so than the Afterglow Hot Fix one, although that one is also amazing. I was really impressed by how these blushes look and apply on the skin. They are incredibly creamy and leave you with the most perfect flush of colour. As for the highlighter, this one definitely packs a punch and the colour is suitable for so many different skin tones.
Finally, for the lips, NARS has come out with a brand-new lacquer product that is a hybrid between a gloss, a balm, and a lipstick.
The Loaded Lip Lacquers (C$38.42 each) are available in four shades (all nudes) and is a weightless formula that contains antioxidants and hyaluronic microspheres to provide a hydrating texture. The product is applied via the doe-foot applicator and gives you mega shine, colour, and hydration.
I received two of the four shades, Young Hearts (peach) and Freestyle (deep brown), and am really impressed by them. I really didn’t know what to expect with these but am quite happy with the colour pigmentation, as well as the wear. They are a bit thick and sticky, but if you are a gloss fan, I think you’ll really love these since they are super shiny and they give you a really nice finish. I can go with one coat for Young Hearts since it’s so light, but with Freestyle, a few coats were needed to get that same brown colour as the tube.
Like the Afterglow collection, I really think that NARS knocked it out of the park with this one. Truthfully, I like the Afterglow eyeshadow palette more, but would pick the cheek palette from this collection. The Lip Lacquers are also really nice, but if I had to pick just one product to pick up, I would stick with what they do best, which are blushes. Seriously, the cheek palette in this collection is so creamy and beautiful, and the shade range they chose will work with so many different complexions.
If you want to see this collection in action, I actually did an IGTV get ready with me featuring it. Click here to watch!
Since this is a Nordstrom exclusive, even if you don’t have a Nordstrom store in your city or area, you can shop the products online. Let me know if you pick anything up!
Will you be buying anything from the NARS Cool Crush collection?
Please note, products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.
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I think it’s safe to assume that many of us are dreaming of summer right now… that and actually being around other people.
Although there is nowhere in the world I would rather be right now than by a pool or a beach with a pina colada in hand, I’ll have to daydream about it from the safety of my own home. Luckily, some new Mary Kay products have recently come in handy in helping me to mentally transport myself somewhere warmer.
First up is their new Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Pen in Intense Black (C$20). This liquid eyeliner will definitely come in handy as the weather gets warmer since it features a waterproof formula that dries down and stays put on the skin. Pop off the cap and you’ll notice the felt-tip pen which makes application super easy and smooth. Since it’s a pen style it’s very simple to precisely draw on the liner.
Pair the liquid eyeliner with their Lash Love Waterproof mascara, which you can pick up as part of their limited-edition Love & Lashes Bundle (C$59). This Canadian-exclusive bundle comes with beach essentials, including a limited-edition round beach towel, their SPF 50 sunscreen, and the mascara in the shade I <3 Black.
I have reviewed the normal, non-waterproof version of the mascara in the past and really love how this makes my lashes look. It features a long, dense brush that really allows you to coat every lash. This waterproof version is the perfect companion to those hot summer days coming up.
Finally, if you are looking for a nice glow before summer hits, then take a look at their limited-edition Beauty Unearthed Illuminating Bronzers. These bronzers, available in two shades, Gilded Glow and Copper Glow (C$22 each), are designed to bronze or contour the face (depending on the shade) for the perfect summertime look (even if it’s not even summer yet). Sweep these on your face for a multidimensional finish and a beautiful-looking glow.
Since these bronzers come in pans, if you are in the need for a palette to house them in, you can pick up the Beauty Unearthed Perfect Palette (C$21), which features a stunning navy and copper design on the outside and a magnetic inside to store these pans, or any other product that needs a new home.
Mary Kay has released a number of new goodies for spring (including the lipsticks I blogged about last week). Although we are all cooped up in our homes right now, this won’t last forever, and I don’t know about you, but I’m planning on coming back with a bang, and these Mary Kay products will definitely help me get through the summer months looking my best.
Have you ordered anything new from Mary Kay lately?
Note, products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.
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Now that we are all spending more time at home, that probably means less makeup and more skincare.
I’ve definitely been doing a few more masks and treatments during the week, and although I miss putting on makeup everyday (I mean, I still technically could apply it), it has been nice to let my skin breathe. Since I get in so many skincare products, I have been changing up my routine every few days and one of the lines I have been incorporating into it has been Olay’s new Retinol24 line.
In case you haven’t seen this line yet (either IRL or on social media), the Olay Regenerist Retinol24 night collection is formulated to hydrate for 24 hours and is designed for you to wake up with smooth and bright skin. Olay says to expect to see a visible skin transformation in 28 days.
Now before I go into what the line entails, keep in mind that true retinol creams and serums are only available through a prescription and something that you can really only get from a doctor’s office. Although this line has a blend of retinol in it, it will not replace more heavy-duty, true retinol creams that you can find through a doctor.
Olay’s Retinol24 line is comprised of three products, the Regenerist Night Cream (C$39.99), a Night Eye Cream (C$39.99), and the Night Serum (C$39.99). The collection is formulated with a combination of Vitamin B3 and Olay’s Retinoid Complex, which contains retinol and retinyl propionate. The formula is optimized for potency and skin penetration, while also providing hydration through the Vitamin B3. You’ll wake up with glowing skin, and best of all, Olay says that most people who tried this during testing did not wake up with irritated skin, something that is common with retinol creams and serums.
Start your routine with your normal cleanser and toner, then apply a small amount of the Night Eye Cream to the contours of your undereyes. This eye cream is designed to visibly smooth out fine lines while you sleep so you wake up with glowing and even texture. Afterwards, apply the Night Serum, which is an unscented, non-greasy serum that will leave your skin with a glow. Finally, apply the Regenerist Moisturizer for more radiant-looking skin. This stuff absorbs nicely into the skin and won’t leave you feeling greasy. It’s also fragrance free for those who have scent allergies.
I think this line would be perfect for those who don’t necessarily need retinol right now but are looking to slowly transition into using it. I have previously done a whole post on retinol products that I tried in the past and although I do try to incorporate it into my skincare routine at least once a week, I do often forget to do so.
With this collection, it definitely makes adding some degree of retinol into my nighttime skincare routine so much easier. Just don’t forget to add some sunscreen on your face the next morning as retinol makes your skin more susceptible to sun damage.
Will you be trying Olay’s new Retinol24 line?
Note, products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.
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