My recent NARS shopping spree

Hello Pumpkins <3

So some of you that follow me on instagram might know that i recently went on a NARS shopping spree!! I haven't really used NARS before because we don't have it in South Africa but I decided to try some things out!

This is what i posted on instagram, don't forget to follow meeeee <3

1. NARS SPF 30 PRO-PRIME MULTI-PROTECT PRIMER 

I actually like this primer, it does make my pores less visible and it has SPF 30 which lasts about 3 hours or so if you active in sunlight and not wearing a cap etc.  I'm not really a fan of putting an SPF on separately so this will do just fine for me. Only downside is that it has a sunblock kinda smell to it but other than that its not bad :) 

2.  NARS ALL DAY LUMINOUS POWDER FOUNDATION MEDIUM 1 

I think this would be a perfect powder for someone with more oily skin, I find this just a little bit dry on my skin but I apply it to areas that tend to become more shiny throughout the day but not all over my face. It has SPF 25 in it so it works perfectly with the primer

3. NARS DEEP THROAT BLUSH

This blush has a little shimmer to it so it gives a nice highlight to the cheeks, so therefore it acts as a highlight as well. I wouldn't apply highlight with this especially if you dry skin or have scarring because it shows it more when you in light and nope you don't want your pimples and scars to show more! 

4. NARS LARGER THAN LIFE LONG-WEAR EYELINER BLACK 

I love love loooovveeee this eyeliner! Its so soft and not harsh on the eyes, it doesn't smudge and is blackest of black! This works perfectly for my eyes especially when I'm monolid!

5. NARS LARGER THAN LIFE LENGTHENING MASCARA

This is a waterproof mascara, what i like about it is that the head of the brush is small and it gets into those small asian lashes! It does what it says, which is lengthening but if i compare it to the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara i would choose that over the NARS one because its not black enough and doesn't add volume like the Bobbi Brown one does. I would only repurchase this just to use it together with the Smokey Eye Mascara because its waterproof and lifts those lashes!

6.  NARS PRO PRIME SMUDGE PROOF EYESHADOW BASE

All I can say about this eyeshadow base is that its really good! If you a person that wears lots of eyeshadows then i recommend this one!

7.   NARS LIPGLOSS ORGASM & PRISCILLA 

I love how pigmented the colour of Priscilla (bright pink) is! Its super cute and convenient to carry around especially when you travelling. Orgasm is just a nice basic shimmer to the lips.

8.  NARSISSIST SMOKEY EYE TRIO PALLETE 

These colours are everyday colours, you can wear it lightly during the day and heavy smokey eye at night! I am just obsessed with this combo <3

The eyeshadow is quite pigmented with just one swipe!

9. NARS CONCEALER MED/DARK 1 

I bought this concealer because they didn't have stock in the liquid one and this one. This is not my colour so i decided to buy this and use it as a nose contour :) perfect!!

I bought a bronzer as well but I can't seem to find it at this point haha! A mind of a goldfish i know ~~

Anyways overall I don't have anything bad against NARS products and they quite good quality, i love the packaging and the feel of it and also because its black haha! Would i repurchase? YESSSS

Thanks for reading!

<3 Angel

Benefit Review: Play Stick and They're Real Push Up Liner

Hi Guys! I know I am way over due for a post and have just been lurking around leaving all the posting to Angel (sorryyyyy)... I swear I'll be a bit more active. I've actually written up a few things but never finished them because I get easily distracted. So here we are! My new benefit cosmetics arrived in the mail while I was on holiday! For those who do no have access to Benefit, they ship internationally from their US website - which is where I got mine. Check them out here: Benefit cosmetics

Benefit is a moderately priced cosmetic brand that is aimed at younger audiences, even though I've seen mature ladies buy their mascara! But it's their fabulous pop retro pink themed counters that are bound to attract ladies of all ages. 

$36 Play Stick

First thing I got in this order was the benefit Play Stick in the colour Spin the Bottle. This is a stick foundation that starts off as a cream but blends into a powdery form. I like how easy it is to carry around and you can use it for a quick touch up through out the day. I only purchased this because I currently don't have a foundation and have been surviving on BB creams/samples.

The problem I have with this product is sometimes it would cake a little and even though it states that it's an ultra light foundation - it feels quite heavy on the skin. I can never blend it evenly with my fingers so I always have to use my beauty blender.

Verdict: Probably won't purchase again - as I didn't find the exact shade and this one was a bit dark... Plus I prefer the Bobbi Brown Stick Foundation in terms of texture. I feel like I've wasted my money this time.

They're Real $24

Oh boy, I don't know where to start with this product. I've been so excited ever since the rumours came out - I've always LOVED gel liners but hated using a brush (cleaning is a pain)... and so this product basically took care of both my love and hate. 

Gel liners are meant to be easily applied, long lasting and smudge proof... AND semi-water resistant. This liner does all of the above except "ease of application". As a make-up artist who's done countless eye liner on people, I've struggled to use this for the first time. I had no idea how much I should twist for enough to come out or how to angle the head so it would draw a thinner line. It also dried really quickly so working quick is the trick! The texture is smooth, the colour is SUPER pigmented (probably the blackest of black) and it's COMPLETELY budge proof for a while... till it starts to flake off my eyes. It just looks terrible by the end of the day and the flakes have gotten into my eyes :( 

You definitely cannot achieve a very thin line without going wrong a few times....

Verdict: I still have a love and hate relationship with this! I love how pigmented and innovative it is, but HATE it fact that it's not up to standard like my Bobbi Brown gel liner (which as withstood heavy rain). I probably won' get this again because I prefer my liquid liners Motive and Tony Moly over this. Sorry Benefit, you failed to impress me this time around :(

Well I hope you enjoyed my very first make-up review! I do apologise for delays. I'm currently going to a very busy time... For those of you who don't know what I do, I am a full time Master student and currently working two jobs 7 days a week. But I have finally decided to leave the retail make-up industry for something more related to my degree. I can't wait to have my weekends back :) At least then I'll be able to blog all I want. Hope you'll all stick around with us!

<3 

Cathie