NARS Multiple Duo in Orgasm/South Beach Giveaway Contest

One of my favorite NARS products - if not my absolute favorite - is the Multiple. I purchase every one that comes along - even if it doesn't appear right for me. I'll always find a use for these creamy do-everything shades. When NARS introduced the Multiple Duos, I thought I'd found buried treasure. Two shades in one compact that can be tucked easily into my oversized (of late) handbag and go anywhere with me for an eye, cheek, or lip touch-up.

Each chic shade pairing can create countless combinations of healthy flushes and gentle shimmering effects anywhere you need them. The easily blendable formula makes for mistake-proof application. The sheer finish is as perfect as it gets. I decided I'd give away the Orgasm/South Beach Multiple Duo ($45) as a special treat for this week's giveaway contest. I'll also spill the beans that we will have another Chanel flash giveaway this week, courtesy of Georgia, Loyd, and Maria at Saks.

Tracy Silva, Lead Trainer at NARS, recommends that you Highlight the cheekbone with the lighter shade and warm the cheeks, temple, and nose with the deeper color.We all know that Orgasm has to be the most heralded blush on earth, so use it not only as a highlighter, but also to give you a happy face. South Beach works as a great bronzer for any skin tone and will allow you to chisel those cheekbones. I think the "live" product is ever-so-slightly lighter than the shades depicted by the NARS photo above.

How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? I have one Multiple Duo to give away. Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of winners I haven't been able to find in the past.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, December 15, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. I will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it with another prize just like it. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail service does right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner.

The winner must be able to provide me with a "mailable address," meaning the U.S. Post Office recognizes it or its street, province, and other "elements" the way the winner provides them. I've had some trouble with both U.S. and international addresses lately.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Stay tuned for more giveaways this month. It's holiday time - a great time for gifts!

Photo courtesy of NARS

NARS Multiple in Undress Me for Fall 2012

The Undress Me Multiple ($39), shown above, is a ballerina pink highlighter with silver shimmer. This Multiple can be used on eyes, cheeks, lips - anywhere a luminous, sparkling glow is desired. I like it. I may be the contrarian because the consensus on some of my favorite blogs seems to be that it's an odd, fashion-forward color and the sparkly finish is over the top. In short, this Multiple may not be a multi-use product.

Here's the thing. François Nars chose to feature Undress Me on supermodel Kristen McMenamy for his Fall 2012 campaign. Undress Me was applied to the hollows of her cheeks and blended toward the temples with the fingertips. On her, anything would look good. I think others - perhaps the more daring among us - may have actually thought that normal women could or should use it in the hollows of the cheeks. No way! It would look ghastly on most of us when applied that way - even those of us who are fair-skinned.

The sparkle factor limits the use of Undress Me. Anyone who doesn't want to appear to have been sprinkled with fairy dust should not try to wear it during the day. However, it's a gorgeous cream highlighter for night looks, as long as you apply it on the normal spots for a highlighter: to cap the cheekbones, to light up the eyes, or to draw attention to the contours of the face (perhaps on the temples?).

The color will not suit everyone. Undress Me is a very cool pink. Anyone who can't wear cool pink may find it goulish. You can see in my swatch photos, taken in full sun, that the pink is blue-pink. You can also see the vibrant shine, even if you can't see the silver-toned glittery pigments.

My skin is light enough (and cool enough) to wear Undress Me just as I would wear any other sparkly highlighter - in small doses and lightly. I can't imagine how this Multiple would look on dark or olive-toned skin, but I don't think I want to conjure up that image.

You can find Undress Me at the NARS Web site and all NARS counters, including Nordstrom. I'd love to know what you think.

Photos at top courtesy of NARS; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

NARS Holiday 2011 G-Spot Multiple

Early last week, before the expected date, NARS put the Holiday 2011 Color Collection on its Web site. I ordered a few pieces immediately. Advance publicity from NARS about a new Multiple had me on the lookout for it. You could call me a Multiple addict. To this "user," the Multiples are the best-ever NARS creation. My order arrived, and now I'm the happy owner of the G-Spot Multiple ($39).

Before I tell you about this must-have beauty, I have to tell you that I find the name offensive. I'm beyond tired of crudity and nudity in the worlds of fashion and beauty. I have written about the subject before, so my viewpoint will not be a surprise to my regular readers. I also enjoyed the recent discussion about Tom Ford's new collection at The Non-Blonde. I'm not alone in my distaste for vulgarity. I've never been comfortable with the name of NARS's most famous blush and all of its incarnations in other NARS products. Now I have another name to dislike.

Now that my rant is over, I will rave. G-Spot is a gorgeous Multiple. It may be one of the best four of the 14 Multiples currently available. Since I love them all, that's high praise.

NARS' new gold-infused warm rose hue is exquisite. The moment I pulled off the cap, I knew I was going to love it. This Multiple is long on color and short on sparkles, making it perfect for everyday use. It does have a tiny bit of sparkle, but the creamy sparkle gives it an exquisite sheen without a glittery appearance. It is perfectly appropriate for daytime wear by adults.

I took a lot of photos. I was so happy I wanted to bottle my happiness and remember it for years. One of my own photos of G-Spot is shown above right. I think it captures the in-the-tube shade of the creamy G-Spot pretty well.

I took swatch photos at various angles to the mid-day sun to show you the color and finish of this beauty and how beautifully it reflects light. I applied it to my arm heavily and did not blend it. That makes it appear dark, but remember that you can blend the Multiples to create the perfect intensity for your own skin. That's one of the best things about the Multiples. They are easy to apply and blend.

When I applied G-Spot "normally" (meaning lightly and blended) on my face, I was stunned by how perfect the color is. It's a shade that will please everyone, I think - from the palest complexions to the darkest. Don't take my word for it; go look for it and try it! I think you're going to love it.

You can use the Multiples on your cheeks, eyes, lips - basically anywhere. NARS recommends that you apply the Multiples with your fingers to allow the skin's warmth to assist you. You can, but you can also use a brush - or apply the color straight from the tube and then blend with your fingers, a brush, or a sponge. Use G-Spot however you like. It's the perfect mistake-proof multitasker.

No matter what shade you select, the Multiples always provide sheer, natural color. As an extra-added benefit, the Multiples are enriched with vitamin E and açai oil, antioxidants to care for your skin. It's no surprise to the legions of Multiples lovers that they were selected the "Best Overall Highlighter” for InStyle's 2011 Best Beauty Buys, a great choice.

G-Spot, the newest shade of the iconic Multiples, is a huge hit at my house. That means my hoarding instincts have surfaced. I must have at least one more G-Spot. There's the handbag, the desk at work... I'm sure you know the feeling.

I haven't seen the new NARS Holiday 2011 Collection at NARS counters yet, but you can purchase the collection now online. I also purchased Ponderosa, and I'm eying Miss Liberty. I'd like to see Miss Liberty in person before I buy. So, there's more NARS holiday to come here. Stay tuned.

Photos courtesy of NARS and by Best Things in Beauty

NARS Laguna Multiple Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Dlori! She won the NARS Laguna Multiple and has been notified by e-mail. Random.org smiled on Dlori.

From your comments, it appears that many of you haven't tried a Multiple. You must! There is at least one shade out there for everyone. I think I own most of them - they are that good!

It's always bittersweet to see where random.org lands. I love you all and always wish I could send something to each one of you. Many of you enter my contests week after week, and I appreciate it. Keep entering; eventually you will win one. I appreciate all the follows too. Sometimes after contests, I lose Twitter and blog followers who followed just for the contest. I wish you would stay, but understand.

The next contest starts later today. I like the set for this week's contest and hope you will too.

Photo courtesy of Nordstrom

NARS Laguna Multiple from Portrait of Paradise

I have been a Multiples fan for more years than I can count. I've purchased just about every color. I remember one evening when I clicked on the NARS Web site and ordered duplicates of just about every shade so that I wouldn't run out. Is that OCD?

I just bought the latest, limited-edition Laguna Multiple ($39), and it's everything I expected - and more. A beautiful, shimmering golden brown that makes a perfect bronzer, Laguna may soon have a twin at my house. How could I take the chance that it will go away forever? The shade is perfect for me - and it's part of a limited-edition, tropical collection called Portrait of Paradise. I purchased every piece of the collection.

You must know that the Multiples are multi-purpose sticks for eyes, cheeks, lips and body. Their unique, lightweight, cream-to-powder formula blends effortlessly to provide sheer color, shimmering accents, contours, and dynamic highlights for all skin tones.

For the first time, NARS has introduced its existing shade Laguna as a Multiple – perfect for highlighting, lightly contouring, or all-over bronzing. Since Laguna tilts neither warm nor cool, but straddles the middle with its neutral tone, it's going to work for many women.

My swatch photo was taken in full outdoor sun. I applied Laguna very heavily to show you the golden brown shade. Blended, it's the same shade, but much lighter. This is a multiple without pink that I can actually wear on my eyelids. It is stunning.

Does it shimmer? Yes, but not too much. I can even modulate the shimmer by applying it with a brush and blending well. The effects are glamorous. Laguna imparts that Jennifer Lopez gleam.

You can purchase the Laguna Multiple at the NARS Web site, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, or wherever you buy NARS. Buy it while you can. We hoarders will be out there helping it sell out.

Photo at top courtesy of NARS

NARS Tainted Love Set

NARS has made some fabulous sets this season, none nicer than the Tainted Love Set ($59). A $78 value, Tained Love will ignite your passion for pink. Angelika Lip Gloss pairs with a new, limited-edition Angelika Multiple to enliven your eyes, lips, and cheeks in a cotton candy hue with shimmering silver and gold sparkles. To coordinate, your nails make a statement with vibrant, shocking pink Schiap. An $80 value, Tained Love was irresistible - for me - and I don't usually wear nail polish. The Nail Polish going to a good home. I had to add the Angelika Multiple to my collection.

At left is a photo of each piece nestled in the packaging - before I pulled them out and started to play. These aren't mingy little samples - you get a lot for your money.

The Angelika Multiple and Lip Gloss are shown on my arm below right. My photo was taken in sunlight indoors. I applied both products directly from their tubes, and I did not blend out the Multiple.

You can see the pretty sparkles in the Angelika Multiple swatch at right. You also see some brilliance from the sunlight gleaming on arm, but there are definitely micro-sparkles in the color. Not too many - not enough to make you look like a disco ball - but they are visible. The Angelika Lip Gloss, part of the Spring 2011 Collection, is a gorgeous, cool-toned candy pink. It has a lot of pigment, which will give you color without lipstick underneath. Nice pinks!

I doubt I need to tell beauty mavens about the Multiple or NARS Lip Gloss. The Multiple is François Nars' original multipurpose stick for eyes, cheeks, lips, and body. I have just about every color. The Lip Gloss is an acquired taste. Once you acquire it, you'll find yourself acquiring a lot of pretty glosses!

Here's another shot (at left) with much less sunlight on my arm. Hopefully, you can see the richness of the girly-girl pinks. They are extremely flattering.

The Nail Polish coordinates beautifully with the Multiple and Lip Gloss. NARS Nail Polish is free of toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP. It still gave me a jolt of scent when I applied it, but that "unpleasantness" went away very quickly.

It's been a long time since I applied polish. I didn't stop because of the fragrance; I stopped because wearing nail polish was incompatible with gardening. NARS Nail Polish offers a long-wearing formula that provides a tough, durable chip-resistant finish and has added ultraviolet protection to prevent polish discoloration. Who knows? Maybe if I had tried it while I was actively gardening, I wouldn't have sworn off polish, which usually chipped on the first day I wore it.

Schiap is shown on my nail at right. This photo was also taken indoors in bright light. I didn't have any Scotch tape handy, so I painted a stripe on my nail (and removed it with Deborah Lippmann's The Stripper). That's one pass on my nail. It covers well, but you could add a second coat for more vibrant color. The polish is an elegant, glossy pink - guaranteed to draw attention to your hands - or toes!

What do you think? I love this set - even the polish (I have to remember to give it to its promised recipient). I bought my Tainted Love Set at Neiman Marcus, where it sold out the instant it arrived. It's also available at the NARS Web site and Nordstrom.



Photo at top courtesy of NARS

NARS Lamu The Multiple

I love NARS The Multiple ($38) - so much that I purchase almost every one that comes along. The Multiple is the original multipurpose cream-to-powder stick for cheeks, lips, eyes, and body.

I love The Multiple sticks - they are so convenient - even though I often use a foundation brush to apply them. I love their creamy texture, natural look, and blending ease. Then, there are the gorgeous shades.

Lamu was introduced with the NARS Summer 2010 Collection, inspired by the character Séverine Serizy, played by Catherine Deneuve, in Belle de Jour. The publicity photos alone had me eagerly anticipating its introduction. When the collection appeared in the stores, I got my first up-close and personal look at Lamu, a Multiple in a juicy, fresh glazed-apricot shade. I tested it on my arm and noted how pretty the shimmering accent shade appeared. At the time, I wondered how it would look on my face, but I was rushing to an event. It wasn't the time to test makeup.

Months passed, and I realized I still needed to try Lamu. Even though it's not a natural shade for me, I continued to be intrigued. I finally ordered it online. I wore it on multiple days this week, and I'm very happy with my purchase. Lamu is a perfect summer blush shade - even for my fair, cool-toned skin. It gives me a bright warmth that conveys "summer."

I wanted to show you how pretty it is. I swatched it on my arm (which is lighter than my face), and I swatched a NARS Multiple Bronzer, Toumota, under it to show you that Lamu is shimmering and Toumota is matte. I applied each straight from its tube, without blending at all. The photo on the right was taken in filtered early morning sun; the one on the left was taken in the shade.

If you have been "on the fence" about Lamu, as I was, wondering if it's too apricot, I can assure you that Lamu is a very wearable and flexible shade. When applied with a brush, it provides sheer, buildable color that warms the complexion while offering a slight pop. The amount of shimmer is just right. I'm loving it!

You can purchase Lamu at the NARS Web site, in stores that carry NARS (such as Neiman Marcus), and Sephora (where you will find the closest square rendition of the shade online).

Top photo courtesy of NARS

NARS Multiple Tints

The new NARS Multiple Tints ($38) look at bit scary in the NARS photo. These bright Multiples are anything but scary! They are beautiful, translucent tints to give your cheeks and lips sheer, buildable pops of color. Each multi-purpose stick can be worn alone for flush cheeks or stained lips. For a bolder effect, it can be layered with other face and lip products.

Here's a photo of my arm wearing all three colors. In each case, I applied three swipes of the Multiple. That proves how sheer the colors are! The shades, top to bottom, are Turks & Caicos, Cadaqués, and Beverly Hills.

Beverly Hills is rose, Cadaqués is pink, and Turks & Caicos is peach/coral. The convenient tubes are easy to carry for touch-ups on the go and make application a snap.

I love my new Multiples! I couldn't decide on a shade when I ordered, so I bought all three. I'm happy with that "decision."

You can purchase Multiple Tints at the NARS Web site and NARS counters.

Photo at top courtesy of NARS

Ramy Beauty Therapy Multiples! for Eyes, Cheeks, and Lips

I've been a Ramy fan for a long time! Ramy’s philosophy is simple: “Minimum makeup, maximum impact!” Meaning, if you select the correct color palette to enhance your features and apply it correctly, you can look younger and more beautiful with a minimum of products and effort. Can you beat that for your everyday cosmetic choices?

Ramy unofficial fan club includes celebrities, models, and beauty editors. Look at this partial list of names from his Web site. Have you ever seen a more diverse group of women?

Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, Katherine Heigl, Mariska Hargitay, Liev Schrieber, Claire Danes, Naomi Watts, Joe Pantoliano, Monica Lewinsky, Lillian Vernon, Halle Berry, Ivanka Trump, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Nancy Loo, Pia Getty, Kelly Klein, Elizabeth Vargas, Cher, Faith Hill, Meredith Viera, Barbara Walters, Christine Baranski, Jean Smart, Jane Pauley, Debra Messing, and Renee Zellweger.

The Multiples! ($26) are among my favorite Ramy multi-use products. Three are available in stick form, and one can also be purchased in a pot ($24). All are sheer gel stains that you can use on your cheeks, lips, and eyes for an ultra-natural, long-wearing flush of natural color. If that weren't enough, they are fun to pull out of the box, which greets you with, "You Glow Girl."

• Afterglow! - looks red in the stick, applies as a perfect rouge-pink blush
• Bitch Slap! - a shimmery pink that is stunning on eyes, cheeks, or lips
• Hint of a Tint! - adds a natural glow
• Hint of a Tint in a pot - the best-selling Multiple! now available in a pot to add a conditioning kiss of color

I have to admit that I have all of these colors. There's one for every mood and look. They add sheer, glowing color to my cheeks and lips. Once you try these, there's no going back!

You can purchase Ramy Beauty from Ramy's Web site. You should get on the mailing list. He has great specials. There is a store locator at this link.

If you are in New York, you might want to drop by the Ramy Spa and see the makeup, skin care, accessories, and gifts in person. There's an eyebrow salon, and you can indulge in a personal makeup application or lessons.

39 East 31st Street
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-684-9500

Photo courtesy of Ramy Beauty Therapy

NARS The Multiple Coffret

Attention Multiples fans! While Sephora is having Friends & Family, you really should order this wonderful NARS Multiple Coffret set of three mini Multiples. I got mine!

Multiples, the NARS signature multi-purpose cream-to-powder "sticks" for cheeks, lips, and eyes, have followers like me who must have nearly every shade. Imagine our delight the year NARS released its signature Orgasm blusher in a Multiple - it was nirvana!

Now, you can purchase a set of three minis for $32 ($40 less 20%) during Sephora's online Friends & Family. Whether you use these for a glow while traveling, keep them in your purse for touch-ups, or just use them at home, this set is a treat. The colors in the set?

All fabulous!

• Orgasm (peachy pink shimmer)
• South Beach (shimmering apricot)
• Copacabana (glistening pearl)

While you are online, check out the other limited-edition NARS sets, including the Wild at Heart 15 Year Anniversary Palette ($75 less 20%) and the Day and Night Palette ($50, or $40 with discount).

Photo courtesy of Sephora