NARS So Famous Set Giveaway Contest

 

Another recent "find" in my makeup museum is the limited-edition NARS So Famous Set ($44). I bought two many moons ago and set one aside - and then forgot about it.

The set includes three products.

• 0.16 oz Deep Throat Blush (peach with shimmer)
• 0.08 oz Bettina Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (natural rose beige sheen)
• 0.14 oz Mini Orgasm Multiple (peachy pink shimmer)

The Mini Orgasm Multiple is worth its weight in gold. Imagine an Orgasm Multiple that will fit into your makeup bag in your purse. This little darling is fabulous! You can use it on eyes, cheeks, and lips. The Deep Throat Blush is a gorgeous pinky-peach, and although it has a bit of shimmer, it's perfectly wearable (unlike Super Orgasm, which is just too glittery for my taste). I like the Bettina Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. It's a warm-toned neutral, perfect for this spring's peachy shades. It's a nice "fat" lip pencil - easy to use.

I have one set to giveaway. How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? 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 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.

You will automatically earn a fourth entry if you have commented here during the last two weeks. I will know if you have.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, June 15, at midnight. I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday. 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. If the product is lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it.

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! Please remember that I am now moderating comments. It could be awhile before yours appears. Tonight, I was off saving a baby squirrel.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

NARS Blush Bronzer Trio Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to EllenB!

The now-unavailable, limited-edition Blush Bronzer Trio ($55) from NARS is delightful in many ways. The three cheek shades are gorgeous, and the little zip-up case is handy for anyone who wants to take it along. The trio was part of the Portrait of Paradise Collection - radiant, tropical riches for eyes, lips, cheeks, and body.

Laguna Bronzing Powder, Orgasm Blush, and Albatross Highlighter complement each other beautifully. They will make you beautiful too. Laguna is a go-to brown. The Laguna powder shade is in this compact. The Albatross Highlighter is a nice highlighter - there's not much product here in the small stripe, but you wouldn't want to apply much at any given time. The surprise to me in the compact is the Orgasm Blush. I would swear it's a different color from the "regular" shade. No matter, it's very pretty!

I have one to give away. How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? 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. Today's contest winner did not provide any contact information, so I had to go to the next draw.

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.

You can earn a fourth entry if you have posted a comment here in the last two weeks. Don't worry about telling me. I'll know.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, June 8, 2013, 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.

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

Photo courtesy of NARS

NARS Orgasm Nail Polish Flash Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Bonita!

Last weekend, I promised a flash giveaway contest. Time got away from me, so let's do it now. I have one NARS Orgasm Nail Polish ($19) to give away. It probably needs no introduction. Despite is risqué name, it's an iconic color - one that defines NARS. This peachy pink nail polish has a golden sheen that makes it a beauty on the hands.

NARS Nail Polish shades impart incredible luster and prolonged gloss retention with UV protection to prevent polish discoloration. An advanced polymer system provides extended wear and a durable, chip-resistant finish.

NARS Nail Polish shades impart incredible luster and prolonged gloss retention with UV protection to prevent polish discoloration. An advanced polymer system provides extended wear and a durable, chip-resistant finish.The formula is free of toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP.

How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? 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 Wednesday, March 15, at midnight. I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winners. I will e-mail the winners the next day. The winners 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. If the sample is lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it. I'll be sending the samples to the winners in padded envelopes.

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!

Photo courtesy of NARS

NARS Andy Warhol Walk on the Wild Side Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to the winner: Brenda!

NARS Walk on the Wild Side ($39), a limited-edition set that features a silver illuminator, an ultra-violet polish, and an exclusive Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Orgasm. It was introduced with the Andy Warhol Collection.

Think vivid bright flowers and the high-impact contrast of the silver factory walls - a peek into Andy Warhol’s artistic world. Inspired by this explosive scene, NARS delivered this Sephora-exclusive set that includes gorgeous colors for the complexion, lips, and nails.

The set charmed me with the Silver Factor Illuminator, perfect for winter. The three items included are shown in the photo above.

• 0.25 oz Nail Polish in It (ultra-violet)
• 0.11 oz Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Orgasm (peachy pink with shimmer)
• 0.57 oz Illuminator in Silver Factory (silver)

I have one set to give away. How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)?  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.

Readers who have left a non-contest comment during the last two weeks will receive an additional, fourth entry. You don't have to do anything. I remember you.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, February 2, 2013, 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!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

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 Walk on the Wild Side Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Glogirl!

NARS Walk on the Wild Side ($39) is a new, limited-edition set that features a silver illuminator, an ultra-violet polish, and an exclusive Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Orgasm. Walk on the Wild Side is exclusive to Sephora.

Think vivid bright flowers and the high-impact contrast of the silver factory walls - a peek into Andy Warhol’s artistic world. Inspired by this explosive scene, NARS delivered this Sephora-exclusive set that includes gorgeous colors for the complexion, lips, and nails. Here's what comes in the set.

• 0.25 oz Nail Polish in It (ultra-violet)
• 0.11 oz Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Orgasm (peachy pink with shimmer)
• 0.57 oz Illuminator in Silver Factory (silver)

The Silver Factor Illuminator is exclusive to this set - for now. I want one! I hope NARS decides to release Silver Factory as a full-sized product. I can almost see a gorgeous silver glow mixed with foundation!

How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? 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 entrants 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, October 13, 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!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

NARS Andy Warhol Kiss Mini Larger Than Life Lip Gloss Coffret

The NARS Andy Warhol Kiss Mini Larger Than Life Lip Gloss Coffret $55) is sold out at Sephora. I am stunned. It's nice enough, particularly for NARS lovers, but not sell-out nice.

The Sephora-exclusive lip gloss coffret features five Larger Than Life Lip Gloss shades. Theoretically, NARS captured the infamous lips of Andy Warhol’s muses and the sparkle of the artist’s silver studio with the collection of five mini, high-shine glosses.

The set, contained inside the clever, decorous tin can, includes five 0.11-ounce Larger Than Life Lip Glosses (read that "small"). The shades are Silver Factory (aluminum glitter), Chelsea Girls (flesh-toned beige), Drella (ultra sheer hot pink), Blue Movie (pink sherbet), and Myths (rosy pink). Five little glosses, plus a can you can use for pencil storage (makeup pencils naturally) or makeup brush storage. It's a very nice can and a great reminder of Andy Warhol's appeal.

Created exclusively for Sephora, these "ultra-glamorous lip glosses are presented in a keepsake soup can. Andy Warhol crafted paintings of iconic people and elevated ordinary things, such as flowers, soup cans, and lips, in his work. Highlighting pop themes, he used bright, electric colors that pop." If only the lip glosses had been bright - or interesting.

Let me show you what I mean. I tried to apply the glosses heavily. I swatched two little squares on each level of my arm, and I applied the Silver Factory alone at the bottom. My photos were taken in full sun.  Why do the photos look boring? Because the colors are boring.

I tried really hard to show you saturated, colorful shades on my arm, but it was impossible. These glosses are not saturated. Two are so sheer they almost blend into each other at the top of my arm. I'm sure you can see the peach and rose tones in the center (one pale pink, the other pale peach/nude). Do you see anything other than a bit of dirt below? That's Silver Factory. It leaves a clear finish with tiny grey glitter embedded within. It's not even a silver gloss. It's more like what collects at the bottom of a dust bin. If you wear it alone, you will appear to have worn your clear lip gloss outside on a windy day, resulting with your lips picking up whatever was blowing around.

I'm very disappointed in this set. I think $55 was way too much money for five tiny glosses and a tin can. The tin can was the best part of the collection. What does that say?

I'm not sorry to report that when I checked at Sephora yesterday, I found the set sold out. I'm amazed, though. Either there were a lot of blind purchases, like mine, or NARS can sell anything.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils ($24) are the talk of Twitter. The buzz over these glorious lip "sticks" has been intense, with beauty mavens lusting for them or sharing the shades they purchased. I participated, answering a tweet by Laurie at Product Girl, who purchased Frivolous, one of the six shades. I decided to start with Baroque and New Lover, knowing I could go back for more if I loved them. I love them!

These are glossy lip pencils with a smooth, buttery texture. They coat the lips with stunning, glossy color and moisturizing ingredients, including vitamin E, hyaluronic acid spheres, and phytosterol esthers. They don't contain the bad actors we all like to avoid, like phthalates, sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, and synthetic fragrances. They are so much nicer - in my opinion - than the matte pencils that NARS introduced previously. I like a little shine.

Here is a photo of the two shades I purchased. It was taken in sunlight indoors. Baroque is shown at the top of my arm, with New Lover below. Don't use the swatches on the NARS site as your guide for purchasing a Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil. The swatches at Sephora are better. I purchased mine from Sephora.

I adore both of these shades. They are gorgeous colors, have a perfect amount of shine, and feel great on my lips. They are long-lasting too - something I learned as soon as I tried to wash them off my arm. I swatched to see them the moment they came and then went to the bathroom to clean up. Soap and water didn't remove them. I had to get out the long-wear makeup remover. That's great for those of us who eat off our lip colors in a jiffy.

NARS has a hit on its hands! Now I want all the shades. They are so handy for throwing in your handbag or keeping in your desk drawer at work. This morning, I saw at The Beauty Look Book that Sabrina had bought all of them. I can see why. These pencils are fantabulous. (I checked - that's now a word!)

You can purchase them at the NARS Web site, Sephora, and at your NARS counter soon. The gals at Neiman Marcus can't wait to receive them.

Photo at top courtesy of NARS

NARS Hollywoodland Soft Touch Shadow Pencil for Spring 2011

NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencils ($24 each) provide easy application, portability, and long-wearing eye color. These pencils have versatile functionality to shade the lid, line the eyes, or highlight the eyes. I think you could even use the lighter shades as face highlighters!

The pencils have a smooth, creamy texture with a velvety feel that makes blending a snap. They create an ideal base for layering with a powder shadow for increased color intensity if you choose.

There are two new shades available for spring. I selected Hollywoodland, a soft gold that falls right into my swipe-and-go comfort zone. I love gold shadows with some life, and Hollywoodland, described by NARS as soft gold, caught my eye on the Web site. The other shade introduced for spring, Celebrate, is parrot green, a bit too avant-garde for me. Those with darker skin might find it fun.

Because the little color swatches on the NARS Web site are far from true in color, I swatched Hollywoodland for you. I applied it to my arm straight from the pencil, and I took my photo in indoor sunlight. I hope you can see how pretty it is! This is a gold everyone can wear - not too light or frosty, and not too dark. It's not "tainted" with another shade either.

On Sephora's blog, you can see photos of the look created with NARS by Diane Kendal for the Thakoon fashion show. Kendal created an elegant "Golden, but not tanned" look. "As if the girls are glowing from within ... with, of course, confidence," she said. "There is definition in the face without having any hard lines. No mascara, just curled lashes if they need it. The gold goes on top of the cheekbone and over the eye brow for a pop of color." Naturally, she used Hollywoodland!

I purchased a lot of NARS for spring. Stay tuned as I share everything with you.

You can purchase NARS at the NARS Web site, Sephora, and Neiman Marcus. I'm sure there are other sources, but those are mine.

Photo at top courtesy of NARS

NARS Smude Proof Eyeshadow Base

I have been testing primers. Next up on my test list was NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base ($24). It really works!

For years, I have been buying the luscious cream eye shadows offered by NARS. The colors in the pan are irresistible. And for years, I have had NARS cream shadows creep on my eyelids, ending up in the crease - even when I was wearing my favorite primer. As a rule, I don't have trouble with cream shadows.

I finally got frustrated enough to write to Ask the Artist on the NARS Web site and explained my situation. A very nice rep wrote back and suggested I try applying powder shadow beneath the cream shadow. I was surprised, so I responded and verified that she had said powder first, cream second. I don't know how you feel about that, but I didn't think it was worth the trouble, given that you can find a powder eye shadow in just about every color shade on earth. Why would I need to follow with cream?

So, I hadn't been wearing my collection of NARS cream shadows. Very recently, NARS introduced this primer for eyelids. Here's where my mind went: If NARS developed it, surely they tested it with their own cream shadows. I ordered it right away.

I'm happy to report that I'm now wearing my NARS cream eye shadows! The NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base keeps them on. Happy me! I won't tell you it keeps them on 16 hours, but I'll take 8-10 any day. Naturally, I've tested the product with powder shadows of all types, and it holds them all very well.

This smudge-proof eyeshadow base uses a unique polymer and mineral powder blend to get a firm grip on color for long-lasting wear. Fortified with a special deep-sea extract and an antioxidant rice extract, it dries on contact and keeps the delicate eyelid smooth and ready for eyeshadow application. It has a white color that blends into "nothingness" on the lids, so if you want to brighten or lighten (for example to cover redness), you will need to use a base color.

I'm sold. Love this primer! So did my sensitive eyelids. There were no screams of "get this stuff off here" as has happened with many eyelid products.

You can purchase the NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base at Sephora. I don't see it at the NARS Web site yet - not sure why.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

NARS Skin Smoothing Face Prep

I've been testing primers lately. During the last week, I told you about two, L'Oreal's Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base for the face and Guerlain's Ombre Éclat Eye Primer. Today, we move on to the latest face primer from NARS, Skin Smoothing Face Prep ($30).

The NARS Skin Smoothing Face Prep is a targeted primer for "problem areas" of the face, designed to minimize the appearance of fine lines and pores with just one application. NARS says that Skin Smoothing Face Prep prepares the skin for a flawless makeup application, but additionally is ideal for trouble spots (fine lines, large pores, rough spots, and other imperfections). The formula creates a smoother and more even canvas on which to "paint" your makeup. It creates a matte finish that leaves skin feeling comfortable, not dry or caked.

Here's the company's research. After a two-week test:

• 85% felt that it minimized the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles;
• 88% felt that product smoothed out the surface of their skin; and
  
• 75% felt that after using the product, their makeup finish was improved.

I can agree with all of those findings and marketing claims. Many of the newest primers do lightly coat the skin in a way that minimizes the appearance of wrinkles. They provide a surface your foundation can "rest on," allowing an even application and preventing the foundation from sinking into any wrinkles you may have. I can also tell you that this primer does create a matte finish, but not so matte that it takes any illuminating effects out of my foundation. In that sense, it's better for me (with my dry, dull skin) than the top-notch L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base.

Skin Smoothing Face Prep contains a "film former" (microcrystalline waxes) and anti-caking agents (coated titanium dioxide and dimethicone powders) that together create a temporary barrier for a smoother skin surface. There's also vitamin E, an antioxidant that's good for your skin, and silica, a mineral that absorbs oil.

As I mentioned when I told you about the L'Oreal primer, there are far too many women whose foundation slides off mid-morning or who break through with shine in their T-zone within a hour of two of leaving the house. If you are one of these women, have combination or oily skin, want to minimize some imperfections with a primer, or just like a matte skin finish, you should check out the NARS Skin Smoothing Face Prep. It's fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.

I purchased mine from Sephora.

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

NARS Orgasm Illuminator Giveaway Contest Winner

We have a winner! Wow! This was the most popular contest Best Things in Beauty has ever run. I know there will be many disappointed entrants. I wish I could have selected all of you. Given the number of entries, your chances of having random.org select you were smaller than usual.

As an aside, I have visions of a UPS truck driving up to deliver boxes of illuminators, unpacking them, packing each one up individually, addressing all the packages, and taking them to the post office (with help). Too funny how our minds wander!

Alexis was our winner, and she has been notified by e-mail. Congratulations, Alexis! You are going to love NARS Orgasm Illuminator. I wore mine under blusher this week to give my cheekbones a little definition.

Most of the contest entrants fell into two groups. There are a lot of you who use NARS Orgasm Blush and love it. There are just as many who have never used a NARS product. I wonder whether availability is an issue. In my area, the only stores where I can actually see the products are Bloomingdale's at Chevy Chase (Tysons doesn't carry NARS), Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria, and Sephora. Sephora didn't have the spring collection on display when I went there last weekend. So, it's not easy to find around here.

Thanks to all of you who wrote notes! I love reading your e-mails!

We will start another giveaway contest tomorrow. Come back!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

NARS Orgasm Illuminator Giveaway Contest

The new NARS Orgasm Illuminator is so cool, I decided to give one away. I really love this new addition to the NARS Orgasm "franchise." You can read the Best Things in Beauty write-up about Orgasm Illuminator at this link.

This new product really excites me. I can use it as a warm blusher, a bronzer, and to add a warm glow when applied to the "high points" of my face. I can mix it with moisturizer and use it all over my face and neck. It's versatility has quickly earned it a place in my everyday makeup stash. That's quite a compliment!

I have one Orgasm Illuminator to give away. To enter the giveaway contest, e-mail bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and put NARS in the subject line. Please also tell me in your e-mail if you currently use any NARS Orgasm products. Another little survey!

I will use random.org, my go-to random number generator, to select a winner. The contest deadline will be Friday, January 29 at midnight. This contest is open to United States and Canadian residents (addresses).

I'll be posting this contest on Free!Grechen, a site you should check out for all kinds of fantastic giveaways.

Good Luck!

NARS Orgasm Illuminator

NARS Orgasm Illuminator ($29) is currently a Sephora exclusive. I love it! The color adds a beautiful sheen wherever you apply it (no glitter in this one).

It's described as a peachy pink with golden shimmer on the Sephora site. That's a pretty accurate description of the un-blended color. Once blended, though, it provides a gorgeous warm peach-toned glow that's slightly golden bronze - on my skin.

I think this illuminator will look a bit different on everyone. I also think it's going to delight you no matter what your skin tone.

Here's Sephora's description.

NARS Orgasm Illuminator lights your skin from within! Deceptively sheer and decidedly luminous, it magically transforms lackluster skin into a remember-me, luscious complexion. Flirt with foundation, go it alone, or go neck-and-neck with your décolleté. The effect is, well, orgasmic.

I don't know about "orgasmic," but this new product really excites me. I can use it as a warm blusher, a bronzer, and to add a warm glow when applied to the "high points" of my face. I can mix it with moisturizer and use it all over my face and neck. It's versatility has quickly earned it a place in my everyday makeup stash. That's quite a compliment! It may even be hoarding-worthy.

I'll go out on a limb and highly recommend Orgasm Illluminator. Make sure to look for it at Sephora!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

NARS Holiday Lip Gloss Sets

In what has become an annual tradition, I purchased a NARS lip gloss set from Sephora. The limited-edition I Want You Lip Gloss Set ($45) is exclusive to Sephora.

Intended as a stocking stuffer, it's the perfect gift for yourself! The latest set has five mini lip glosses in Striptease, Greek Holiday, Turkish Delight, Orgasm, and Dolce Vita. The minis are a nice size - not micro-minis as you will find in some gloss sets for the holidays.

All of the colors work for me. NARS glosses are pigmented and shiny. I love them!

NARS has its own limited-edition Lip Gloss Collection ($45), shown here. It has five shades: Striptease, Orgasm, Bloodwork, Harlow, and Triple X. These come encased in a black, flip-top box. Very cool!

NARS offers other lip sets, including a three-piece Duo Lip Gloss Set ($49). Each piece is dual-ended, so you get six shades: Boogie Nights/Giza, Rose Birman/Chihuahua, and Harlow/Sweet Dreams.

You'll find the I Want You set at Sephora. The other sets are available at the NARS Web site.

Photos courtesy of Sephora and NARS

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

NARS Holiday 2009

Love at first sight! NARS sent an e-mail yesterday announcing their Holiday 2009 collection. Prominently featured were these new Soft Touch Shadow Pencils ($24).

Here's what NARS has to say about them.

Soft Touch Shadow Pencils provide easy, portable, long-wearing application. These jumbo-sized pencils have versatile functionality to shade the lid, line, or highlight the eye. Smooth, creamy texture delivers a velvety feel to the eye and makes for easy blending and an ideal base for layering with a powder shadow for increased color intensity.

I'm there. I think I need all three. The colors left to right are: Goddess, Skorpios, and Aigle Noir.

Also introduced with this collection? A new Cream Eyeshadow ($21) in Mousson, a barely green, shimmery taupe color. Since I love cream shadows, and NARS makes some great ones, I can hardly contain myself!

For NARS Multiples fans, there's a new Multiples too - in Luxor ($37). Maybe we'll do a whole Multiples posting, since I must have 10 of them. There's more, of course, including duo eyeshadows, nail polish, and lip pencils.

I'm going out to check my bank balance now. How about you? See anything in the NARS Holiday Collection that makes your heart race?

The new colors are available at the NARS Web site and will be in stores near you soon, if they aren't already.

Update: What better time to buy than now? Sephora has a 20% discount for Friends & Family. Use code FF2009 at checkout.

Photo courtesy of NARS

Nars Fall 2009 Collection

The Nars Collection for Fall 2009 has some must-have items in it. On my "drive-by" lunch shopping trip this week, I was able to see them in person, which is so much better than selecting from photos. I bought two of the pieces: the Indian Summer Duo Eyeshadow ($32) and the Fast Ride Lipstick ($24) shown in the "look" here. As for the look, I think her cheeks are a bit too flushed, but I guess the look is art.

The Fast Ride lipstick is a totally wearable sheer deep grape-wine color. It's sheerness is what makes it so wearable. It looks fabulous on, and I can't wait to bring it out with my fall clothes.

I will wear the eye shadow Indian Summer now. The two golden shades are perfect for any season. The lighter shade is "frosted champagne," very pretty alone or with other colors. The darker shade, "mustard seed," is a great muted darker gold. It works!

There is another duo, Silk Road, that is really gorgeous. If you can wear pink-toned eye shadows, go for it! The colors are very pretty. Unfortunately for me, I have some pink in my skin (I do cover it with eye shadow primer), but I'll never forget the instructions I got from Bobbi Brown herself: "Avoid eye shadows with red in them." Her advice has served me well.

Rounding out the collection, there is a dark Brumes eye shadow duo, with charcoal and slate blue; a Mekong single shadow (pretty expresso with gold infused); and Tokaido Express Nail Polish in black amethyst infused with gold - very trendy.

Now that it's showing up in stores, you can visit and see if any of the pieces speak to you.

Photo courtesy of Nars.