NARS Summer 2012 Collection

The NARS Summer 2012 Collection brings with it a cocktail of warm earth tones and brazen shimmers.  Eyes glisten in icy peach and matte apricot or shine in iridescent orchid and blue. Lips are subtle in a glossy nude beige-pink or bold in matte strawberry red. A delicate seashell pink lends nails a flatter hue for an overall look that's sizzling, sophisticated, and - like so many summery months - unforgettable. Once again, the lovely Ginta Lapina personifies the look - striking, but with an irreverent, playful edge. Check our her photo below.

Ramatuelle, a limited-edition Trio Eyeshadow ($45), was named for a village in the Province-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Two shimmers, silvery and icy peach, are combined with a matte apricot for an unexpected warm-cool take on a neutral palette. Each shade is universally flattering alone or layered for a unique, refined look.

Marie-Galante, the Duo Eyeshadow ($34) for summer, was named for a Caribbean island in the Guadeloupean archipelago. The iridescent combination of orchid paired with regal blue is both soft and striking. NARS recommends that you wear the duo layered for a look that pops.

Calabria, a versatile, shimmering plum Soft Touch Shadow Pencil ($24) is the ideal complement for color on the lids. Named for the region south of Naples, at the toe of the Italian Peninusla, it can be worn solo, as a base for powder shadows, or as a liner.

Vendanges, the French word for harvest or vintage, perfectly describes this sheer grape Lipstick ($24) that conjures images of juicy, just-picked fruit off the vine.

Liberté, French for freedom, is a versatile burnished apricot Blush ($28) that imparts a fresh, warm flush to the skin.  Dust it on the apples of your cheeks for a carefree glow.

Moving around the globe, Buenos Aires is a wear-with-anything nude beige-pink Velvet Gloss Pencil ($24) named after the capital of Argentina. It combines the ease of a pencil with the finish of a gloss for a quintessential modern classic.

Never Say Never, a lilac rose Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($24) will deliver a look that you won't refuse. Line, fill, and then top with gloss - or not.

Moscow is a strawberry red Pure Matte Lipstick ($25), as striking and sophisticated as the Russian capital after which it's named.

Last, but not least, the gorgeous Trouville Nail Polish ($18) offers a seashell pink hue that would look right at home on the beaches of the fishing village in the Basse-Normandie region of northwestern France.

François Nars wanted to explore the interplay of earth tones and shimmers with this world tour for summer. The relationship between divergent colors and textures and the unique combination of colors - orchid, blue, strawberry, and seashell pink - will give the NARS woman fun, new, edgy choices for summer.

The NARS Summer 2012 Collection will be available April 15 at the NARS Web site. What's on your list? I know what's on mine.

I know you'll ask, "What's Ginta wearing?" For once, I have the scoop!

To begin, St. Moritz Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++ was applied to the center of her face with the fingertips and blended outward, then set with Eden Loose Powder to create an immaculate complexion. To lend the skin a light bronzed look, Laguna Bronzer was dusted onto her face in the shape of a 3, starting at her forehead, swept on to her cheeks, and then along her jawline. The apples of her cheeks were warmed with Liberté Blush and her face further defined by softly dusting of Taos Blush along her hairline.

A mixture of the silver and icy peach shades of Ramatuelle Trio Eyeshadow were brushed onto her lid and blended up into the crease. The apricot shade of the Trio was added in the crease, with the silver shade swept along her lower lash line. The upper and lower lids were lined with Via Veneto Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner. Her lashes with curled an eyelash curler, then two two coats of Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara were applied to her lashes.

Finally, her lips were lined and filled with Borneo Lip Liner Pencil, blending with a finger to soften the color. Moscow Pure Matte Lipstick was applied, then topped with Risky Business Lip Gloss for shine.

Photos courtesy of NARS Cosmetics