NARS Andy Warhol Collection Edie Set

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NARS Satellite of Love Blush from the Andy Warhol Collection

Showing you the Satellite of Love Blush from the Andy Warhol Collection ($28) seems like an anticlimax with all the coverage that other bloggers have given to the collection. Nevertheless, I purchased Satellite of Love, so I might as well add to the chorus of reviews.

I think the sparkling "gold sand" blush would be better called a highlighter. I don't see much in the way of blush on my face. Given its sheer, sandy color on my face, I can only guess that it's a sparkling highlighter, not a blush, on darker skin tones. I should run around at work trying it on darker complexions, but that may be a little weird.

I ordered Surrender to Love sight unseen. It looked intriguing, so why not? As it turns out, I think it's a shade that will not appeal to everyone. Warm skin? Yes. Cool skin? Maybe not.

I took my swatch photos in full sun. I swatched heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator at the top of my arm, and I used a kabuki brush to swatch heavily below.

Although you can't see all the sparkle in my swatch photos (it's slightly evident here), this powder definitely offers a glimmering finish. The color is a brown-ish gold on my cool-toned skin. Dare I call it muddy gold? I know that term carries negative connotations, and I don't mean to malign it. So let's stick with "sandy." Unfortunately, the sandy hue doesn't flatter cool-toned skin like mine. I should have figured that out from Sephora's photo at the top of this feature.

Here's my conclusion. Satellite of Love is a brown-toned gold highlighter. It's not a blush - unless you blush brown. If you need to add a sparkly highlighter in this color to your makeup wardrobe, it is a good choice. If not, you might want to try it before you buy. Or order it from Sephora, where I purchased mine, during Friends & Family. A 20% discount offers a great opportunity to experiment. The V.I.B. sale starts tomorrow.

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

NARS Foreplay Cheek Palette Giveaway Contest

Foreplay ($49) from NARS is a limited-edition, chic cheek palette featuring four dazzling shades based on the bestselling Orgasm blush. The gorgeous afterglow of classic Orgasm is reinvented in this quad that combines Orgasm blush plus vivid shades of pink and peach and a shimmering gold to create your own signature glow.

Here's what you'll find in the mirrored compact.

• Peach Matte Blush
• Gold Highlighting Blush
• Pink Matte Blush
• Orgasm Blush (peachy pink with golden shimmer)

Think of all the looks you can create! Mix and match or blend, you'll have fun it you win this one.

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 this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, August 25, 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.

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 Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Rue de Rivoli

NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner ($23) "takes liner to the next level," says the NARS Web site. They may be onto something.

Rich, creamy color that glides on smoothly with a completely budge-proof finish. Incomparable 12-hour wear with no smearing and no caking. Deeply dramatic shades named for the most iconic streets in the world.

• Long-wearing
• Achieves rich, intense color
• Twist up delivery and built-in sharpener

I recently purchased Rue de Rivoli, a gorgeous metallic forest green. I ordered it before I learned that green was a Neiman Marcus pick for the "it" color this fall. I'm always in the mood for green.

If you like green as much as I do, you must investigate Rue de Rivoli! Look at this gorgeous metallic forest green - or British racing green. It's a dark green with a suggestion of sage. Does that make sense? I find the color complex, not your usual dark green.

The color is extremely long-lasting on the lid. You will probably have to use an oil-based eye makeup remover at the end of the day.

The pigment applies like a dream. It's creamy and soft. No tugging required. Be careful, though, not to turn the color core up too high above the rim of the pencil. It might break. Even if it does, though, there are excellent sharpening tips on the NARS site.

Sharpening Tips

• To achieve a soft point, twist up the pencil color to slightly above the height of the sharpener blade.
• Hold the sharpener still in one hand and gently insert the pencil and turn the pencil clockwise, shaving the edges to a soft point.
• Repel pencil color so only the sharpened area is exposed.

Just like the new Eyeliner Stylo, this eyeliner is praise-worthy. It's available in 11 shades, meaning there will be at least one that suits your fancy. The reasonable price should entice you to choose two. I'm considering Rue Saint-Honoré now.

Have you tried it? If so, please let us know your color choice(s). If you haven't yet, you can find Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner at the NARS Web site, Nordstrom, and Sephora.

NARS New Eyeliner Stylo

There's a minimalist story at the NARS Web site announcing the new Eyeliner Stylo ($27). I think it's deserving of a little more detail. I guess François NARS - or his surrogate - decided there's only so much you can say about eyeliner.

A new modern liquid liner that ensures a flawless even line with just one stroke. Features a super-fine tip for precise definition and versatile application options.

• Up to 24-hour wear
• High-intensity color
• Glides on smoothly and evenly 

Said to be a "true modern classic." OK, I still don't know all that much. It's liquid, it's long-lasting, and it has a super-fine tip (the part of its hype that captured my interest).  I wear my eyeliners ultra-thin, and some liners are almost impossible to apply easily as a super-thin line. Even harder for some liners is the technique I learned from Loyd Cassler at Saks Chevy Chase: applied from underneath the lash line and between the lashes so the "line" is almost imperceptible, but the eyes are beautifully defined.

I purchased Koala, the grey one. Eyeliner Stylo is also available in brown, black, and dark cobalt blue. I wanted Koala because I thought it would look great with the Vent Glacé eye shadow duo that I love. Now that I have it, I love the color - with any shadow.

Here are a few swatch photos, taken in full sun. I drew a line from thick to thin - not on purpose, it happened that way. I'm delighted to report that Eyeliner Stylo can be used to "design" a very thin line with ease. It's also easy to apply using the "Loyd Cassler" technique. I love it! Now, I'm going to order the beautiful blue Atlantic.

Isn't this a nice grey? It's not too dark and not too light. I can see that it's grey, not black. It is extremely long-lasting and must be removed with a long-wear makeup or eye makeup remover with oil.

NARS didn't promise much, but he delivered as promised and then some. If you are in the market for a new eyeliner, this one is a great choice. I purchased mine online at NARS. You can also find Eyeliner Stylo at Nordstrom and Sephora.

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

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 Vent Glacé Duo Eyeshadow from the Fall 2012 Color Collection

Designed by NARS founder and Creative Director François Nars, the NARS Fall 2012 Color Collection features a blend of bold, modern shades and celestial shimmers. I went with the celestial shimmers.

Vent Glacé ($34), French for “icy wind,” is the name of the intriguing Duo Eyeshadow in the collection, which features a "stormy combination of platinum and silver smoke." It looked like my kind of eyeshadow duo, and I hoped that I'd like the look when I ordered it without seeing swatches anywhere.

Wear each shade solo, layered, or one as a base and the other as a highlighter for a seductive, shimmering effect.

I absolutely adore Vent Glacé! NARS hit the ball of the park with these shimmering shades. Silver and the lightest sage green complement each other beautifully, and the shades adhere perfectly to my eyelids. Not only that, they apply evenly with no undue effort (perhaps NARS fixed the texture issues they had last year).

I've had this gorgeous shadow for weeks. I have no idea why I hadn't chosen it for a prime-time feature. As I remarked in the comments recently, sometimes, I just drop the ball and move on. That was a big mistake with my two new NARS beauties. Fortunately, they are both available for anyone who has been on the fence. OK, I promise that was my last baseball reference. Speaking of baseball, why was it dropped from the Summer Olympics?

I took my swatch photos in full, late-morning sun. I applied the shades with a sponge-tipped applicator. The silver is at the top of my arm, with the pastel sage below. The silver shade is pure silver. It does not lean blue. If anything, it leans green - but only to my eye. I think most will see it as pure gleaming, polished platinum or silver. It adheres to the skin beautifully, making application a breeze.

The hard-to-characterize pastel, shimmering sage is stunning - so fabulous that I just ordered another Vent Glacé. I also ordered the new NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Koala to go with it. Call me crazy, but this duo has earned my love. It's definitely one of my favorite NARS eye shadow purchases in years - and there have been some great ones.

Rosemary, my sweet reader, you were looking for a silver shadow. Will this one work for you?

By now, I'm sure at least a few of you have purchased this beautiful duo. How do you like it? If you haven't had time to check it out, you can find it at the NARS Web site, where shipping is free on any order. For some reason, the NARS counters closed at regional Neiman Marcus stores, so online shopping will become even more important for me.

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

NARS Beach Lover Giveaway Contest

NARS Beach Lover ($49) is a five-piece, travel-sized set for eyes, lips, and cheeks. I have one of these beauties to give away.

The set includes iconic NARS shades for an idyllic summer glow, including a limited-edition shade of Laguna lip gloss. I actually purchased this for myself, but decided I have too much new makeup and need to share - even this - with my readers.

The set contains the following nicely sized items.

• 2 x 0.085 oz Blush Duo in Hungry Heart, Orgasm (gold ivory/ peachy pink with golden shimmer) 
• 0.07 oz Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Skorpios (iridescent copper) 
• 0.14 oz Lip Gloss in Laguna (bronze) 
• 0.57 oz Illuminator in Laguna (brown with golden shimmer)

I'd really like to see the Laguna Lip Gloss. I hope that we can get a photo from the winner!

How can you enter to win this Shimmer Brick 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 this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, July 28, 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.

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 Fall 2012 Color Collection

Designed by NARS founder and Creative Director François Nars, the NARS Fall 2012 Color Collection features a blend of bold, modern shades and celestial shimmers. For the campaign, Nars chose to photograph iconic '90s supermodel Kristen McMenamy. Having worked with Kristen in the past and for his first book, X-Ray, he felt that her beautiful, often otherworldly look completely epitomized the fall collection.

The Fall 2012 Color Collection is at once bold and breathtaking: Icy shimmer enhances modern colors to create a stunning, ethereal effect. Eyes are piercing in smoky jewel tones accented with lavender and amethyst sparkle. Skin glows subtly in nearly nude pink with a whisper of silver. Lips are strong in striking metallics or soft in warm brandy and rose shades. Grey nails lend final sophistication to a look that’s exhilarating, evocative, and, as always, strictly NARS.

To achieve the makeup look featured in the campaign image, Kristen’s skin was perfected with Siberia Sheer Matte Foundation and set with Snow Loose Powder to create an immaculate complexion. Next, the Undress Me Multiple was applied to the hollows of her cheeks and blended toward the temples with fingertips.

Kristen’s top and bottom lashes were thickly lined in Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil. Next, the entire lid was colored in with the pencil in a half moon shape, from the lash line to the base of the brow bone and out towards the temple. The pencil color was then blended with a fingertip to create a smooth base. Next, the iridescent amethyst shade of High Society Trio Eyeshadow was applied to the lid and the color extended to the brow bone and towards the outer corner of the brow. The edge of this shade was blended into the lavender shade of High Society Trio Eyeshadow, then both sides of Vent Glacé Duo Eyeshadow were combined and applied to the lower lash line atop Black Moon. The eyes were lined with Via Veneto Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner and finished with two coats of Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara.

Kristen’s lips were lined and filled in with cinnamon Papua Lip Liner Pencil, blended for a softer effect, and topped with Belize Lip Gloss. Storm Bird Nail Polish on her nails completed the look.

Here are photos of the items that I ordered from the NARS Web site. They became available on July 14. I had hoped they would arrive today, but they didn't. Undress Me ($39), shown above, is nearly nude pink with silver shimmer. This Multiple can be used on eyes, cheeks, lips - anywhere a luminous glow is desired. "Dare to go bare," says NARS. I will, just as soon as I receive mine.

Vent Glacé ($34), French for “icy wind,” is the name of this intriguing Duo Eyeshadow, which features a stormy combination of platinum and silver smoke. Wear each shade solo, layered, or one as a base and the other as a highlighter for a seductive, shimmering effect.

There's another piece that caught my eye, Outlaw Blush ($28), but I haven't ordered it - yet. I'd love to see it first. Swatches will do. It's described as a soft rose-tone blush laced with golden shimmer for a dangerously alluring flush. It looks gorgeous. I'll be looking for it, although I'm completely bummed that the closest Neiman Marcus is deep-sixing the counter.

Here's a Q&A with François Nars - all about fall.

What is the mood of the Fall 2012 Color Collection?
Sophisticated, modern, edgy… It’s perhaps an unexpected mix of colors and textures that together signal a fresh new take on fall color.

What are the must-have products for fall?
The Trio Eyeshadow, definitely. High Society is the centerpiece of the collection and supplies countless looks. I also love the Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil because it’s the perfect marriage of lipstick and gloss: great color and super-moisturizing, but not ever sticky. The new shade, More, is an extremely flattering auburn that will look good on everyone. And, of course, the Undress Me Multiple - it’s a beautiful color and really a multifunctional product.

Lavender shimmer seems, at first glance, more of a spring or summery shade. How do you make it appropriate for fall?
The pairing of lavender with forest green absolutely takes it from a warm weather color to one appropriate for cooler seasons. Also, since it’s a shimmer, there’s an icy quality to it that I equate with cooler temperatures. I’ve always felt strongly that there should be few rules when it comes to makeup, and this is a good example of that philosophy. Lavender shimmer can be worn beautifully any time of the year.

The new Undress Me Multiple is gorgeous. Can you suggest some ways to use it?
All our Multiples can be worn on eyes, cheeks, and lips, under and over foundation, and pretty much any other way you can imagine. Undress Me, in particular, is beautiful in the hollow of the cheeks. It also makes a wonderful highlighter for brow and cheekbones, as well as a glowing base for eyes and lip color.

Here is the High Society trio he mentioned. Three aristocratic shades - lavender, matte forest green, and iridescent amethyst - can be mixed and matched to create a near limitless range of options. Wear each alone or use one as base, another to highlight, and the third as a liner. NARS advertises this trio as a social season’s worth of posh looks in one compact. With the exception of the green, the High Society shades are not my colors. Are they yours?

Take a look at the full collection photo near the top of this feature. Is there a color or piece you must have?

Photos courtesy of NARS

NARS Wicked Attraction Set Giveaway Contest

Here's one for all the NARS lovers among my readers. I have one NARS limited-edition Wicked Attraction Set ($49) to give away.

This set will give you sophisticated shimmers in a range of signature NARS shades for you eyes, lips, and cheeks. The set contains the following goodies.

• 0.05 oz Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base 
• 0.07 oz Single Eyeshadow in Fathom 
• 0.08 oz Blush in Orgasm 
• 0.08 oz Bronzing Powder 
• 0.11 oz Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Spring Break

I don't need to tell you that Orgasm is one of the most popular blush shades on earth. It is accompanied in the duo with Laguna. The eye shadow is full-sized; the duo is ample, and the little lip gloss and base are travel-sized.

How can you enter to win this 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 this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, June 23, 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.

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 Ramatuelle Trio Eyeshadow for Summer 2012

I finally got around to getting photos of the NARS Summer 2012 Trio, Ramatuelle ($45). My delay wasn't for any lack of enthusiasm. Rather, it just escaped my notice with all the new makeup that arrived in the same time frame. I had ordered it as soon as it became available.

The NARS Summer 2012 Collection brings with it a cocktail of warm earth tones and brazen shimmers. With this trio, your eyes will glisten in icy peach (more gold than peach, although I can see the peach hue) and matte apricot. It's a great - and unusual - blend of shades.

The silver and peachy gold aren't unique, but pairing them with the matte peach shade is different...and pretty. I love silver and gold on my eyelids. I have learned to love peach. I'd never thought to mix them, so NARS showed me the way.

I swatched them with the usual sponge-tipped applicators and took my photos in full sun. The silver shade is especially nice because the pigments adhere to the skin nicely (there is only a small about of metallic fallout, which can be tidied up easily). The gold is not quite as "adhesive," taking more effort to achieve an even look, but it's a gorgeous shade.

The peach is definitely matte - not my favorite peach eye shadow by any means, but useful in the makeup wardrobe. I must apply it very sheerly. My swatches were applied heavily. If you layer it with one of the other shades in the trio, you can give it more life.

By now, I'm sure that many of you have tried the trio, along with the other featured items in the NARS Summer 2012 Collection. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

You can find the full collection at any NARS counter and, of course, at the NARS Web site, where you will currently find free shipping with any order. I wish they would send samples. I order NARS online more often than in the stores, so I seldom see samples.

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

NARS Buenos Aires Velvet Gloss Pencil

With its Summer 2012 Collection, NARS introduced Buenos Aires, a Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil ($24). The glossy nude beige-pink looked pretty online, so I ordered one in April.

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

Sounded nice, right? I soured on it right away. It broke on first use. I wasn't pressing down hard when I applied it. Just normally, I thought, for a lip pencil. We got off to a bad start. It didn't get better when I examined the color on my lips. It's too light and reminds me of the nudes of yesteryear. I think it makes me look wan. I threw it in a pile of unloved makeup.

I'm finally showing it to you. Maybe this nude shade is one that will grab you. Just heed my warning. Don't press down at all when you apply the creamy pencil. Once the tip breaks off, all you can do is jam the full piece down into the pencil housing and hope you don't lose it when you remove the cap of the pencil. Yes, I know I should have returned it. With Mom needing special attention over the last few months, an e-mail to get a shipping label plus packing time didn't excite me. Plus, NARS does not refund the original shipping costs.

Here's the namby-pamby shade. This nude shade has very little pink in it. I can't figure out whether the pink I see is from my own lip pigment or the shade. It's probably me.

I wouldn't recommend this new shade from NARS. There's a place for it, but not in my house. Just a smidge more color could have made this shade a winner. Unless you are a nude lip color addict, wait for the next best thing.

Did you buy it? What do you think? If any of my contest winners wants it, just tell me in your e-mail when I notify you. It is broken and was used once, so that's not a particularly generous offer.

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

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