Review: NARS Joie De Vivre Cheek Palette

For Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale, NARS released an exclusive cheek palette, Joie de Vivre.  It is very similar to the Danmari palette that was released exclusively for Sephora last year.  I had skipped on the Danmari palette because only half of the shades appealed to me, but this year's offering made my heart skip a beat.  It is currently available for Nordstrom cardholders, but will be available to the public on July 20.  It retails for $65.00 and features 4 blushes (Gaiety, Orgasm, Luster, Angelika), one highlighter (Albatross), and one bronzer (Laguna) with 0.12 oz of product each.  A regular sized NARS blush retails at $27.00 for 0.16 oz of product, so you're getting quite a deal! :) 

The packaging itself is like all other NARS packaging -- it has a rubberized covering with the NARS logo across the front.  I find that anything left on your hands will stick to the cover and make it look very dirty.  

From L to R: Albatross, Laguna, Gaiety, Orgasm, Luster, Angelika

The formula is very dry and hard (especially when swatching), but the color is certainly buildable when applying on the face.  The only color that required very little work was Angelika since it was very pigmented.  If anything, I would be careful with Angelika and apply with a light hand.  I think that this palette is a very good palette for those who are looking to explore NARS cosmetics or for makeup artists.  While I already own two of the blushes and the Laguna bronzer, I think that it is a welcome addition to any travel bag with its wide variety of colors.  It'll help you with any kind of look you're trying to achieve while on vacation!

Monthly Favorites: June 2012

Hi everyone! 


I was rummaging through my makeup to see what I have been using the most this month and this is what I found: 

It was more difficult than I thought to narrow it down to just these products, but these are products that I have used every day for the past month! 


1. Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX: This is my favorite sleeping mask -- it absorbs into my skin and leaves it feeling very smooth and hydrated when I wake up in the morning.  


2. Melvita Orange Blossom Extraordinary Water: I use this in the morning and night after I wash and cleanse my face.  It makes my skin supple and fresh before I apply my moisturizer.  


3. YSL Teint Resist Long Wear Endless Comfort Transfer Resistant Foundation with SPF 10: I have been using this during the summer months because it is one of the foundations that doesn't feel like it's slipping off of my face in the summer heat.  It is transfer resistant and provides me with light to medium coverage.  I am currently in the shade 07 Pink Beige. 


4. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30: I've been using this religiously for the past four years and I will continue to repurchase it for a long time! It has SPF and I use it on sunny and cloudy days.  I use this every morning before foundation and found that it does not contribute to a white cast in photography.  


5. Murad Acne Spot Treatment: After testing different acne spot treatments (such as Kate Somerville, Peter Thomas Roth, etc.), this is the most effective treatment for me.  Ever have that feeling when a pimple is just forming and it's beginning to hurt? I usually place a dab of this onto the spot before bed and when I wake up, it is quickly reduced in size and hurts much less.  It prevents the pimple from reaching a point where it can create any acne scarring.  Love love love this! 


6. NARS Blush in Deep Throat: I have been using this blush mainly because it's the one that has been the most accessible, but I must admit I've grown to love it again.  Even though the wear time doesn't last past 6 hours, I still love the peachy pink color for the summer time.  


7. Le Metier de Beaute Eyeshadow Palette in Bora Bora: I received this as a gift with purchase from Neiman Marcus when I bought the On the Coast Kaleidoscope.  Initially, I didn't think I would like it based on the colors, but I absolutely love this palette for an everyday look.  It adds subtle color and depth to my eyes and I've already tried to find the same colors or dupes in the Le Metier de Beaute permanent makeup line to purchase once I use up this palette! 


8. CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara Waterproof: My friend introduced me to this  and I must say that this is a very good mascara, almost as good as a high-end mascara! It is very waterproof and does not budge unless I remove it with a makeup remover.  It does not budge at all and makes my lashes look longer and thicker.  It is not a very dramatic look, but very appropriate for the daytime.