Audrey Dao

Nars Orgasm Illuminator ($29) 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.

My Thoughts:

I love illuminators and highlighters. My favorite go-to look is glowing skin so I am always on the hunt for the perfect product to give me that angelic glow. I had heard and read such positive reviews on the Nars Orgasm Illuminator so I knew I had to try it. Did I like it? I’m not sure. It’s not a great product, but it’s not a bad product. I guess it just didn’t live up to its hype. I think it will only work for people who have a light to medium skin tone. It gives a slight peachy glow. Be careful when applying it over makeup because if you don’t give enough time for your makeup to set or dry the illumintor will cause your makeup to get sticky, gummy. I don’t think it’s worth $29 and isn’t as great as the other Orgasm products.

NARS Makeup Primer SPF 20 ($33)

What it is:
A lightweight, fast-absorbing, sunscreen-infused foundation primer.

What it is formulates to do:
Moisturizes and prepares the skin for flawless makeup application as it protects the skin from environmental damage.

My Thoughts:

Truthfully? I was disappointed. When something costs $33 and is made by NARS, you expect quality performance. I don’t think it made my makeup last throughout the day and it made me look so oily and greasy! I also didn’t like how watery/runny it is. I don’t think this is for people with oily skin. It could possible work for people with normal and/or dry skin.

NARS Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo ($37) This limited-edition Blush-Bronzer Duo contains the incomparable combination of Nars’ Orgasm Blush (subtly peachy-pink shimmer) and Laguna Bronzer (sheer light brown shimmer), which have been individually touted for their universally flattering and natural-looking hues. This compatible pairing creates summer’s quintessential glow both with ease and convenience – anytime of year.

My Thoughts:

Orgasm and Laguna are cult favorites. So when I saw this duo I had to snatch it up. Also, it doesn’t hurt that it was on sale. Thank you Sephora Friends and Family.  Did I mention I’m a sucker for sales?

Orgasm: a very pigmented shimmery/sparkly blush. It’s a peachy pink shade that despite what practically everyone says, doesn’t work on every skin tone. I’m sure it works on most skin tones, but it didn’t really work on mine. I have yellow undertones if you were wondering. Orgasm looked more pink than peachy on my skin.  It also shimmered like a disco ball. I think it’s overrated. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a pretty color. I just think there are better shades of peachy, pink blushes than Orgasm. Overall, the blush texture is wonderful. It’s finely milled, soft, and pigmented. You can read about my thoughts on Nars blushes in the review section.

Laguna: gotta love the Laguna Bronzer. It gives you that perfect tan color that isn’t reddish or orangy. Do you notice that? That reddish or orangy tone that comes with most bronzers? I have to say Laguna will probably suit  most skin tones. Be careful if you have a light/pale complexion. It can look dirty/muddy if you put too much on. Laguna adds a natural warmth to you face that will be perfect for summer and handy during the winter. It’s a pigmented bronzer that does shimmer. Overall, I will probably purchase the full sized Laguna bronzer. It’s not everyday you find a good bronzer.  I can understand why people are going nutso over Laguna.

Urban Decay Surreal Skin Liquid Foundation ($26)

Oil-free liquid foundation that won’t clog pores or cause breakouts. It is vitamin infused with a light, silky texture. This product feels sheer and light, yet gives a medium coverage to the skin. Even better, you can layer it all over for a more polished look, or just in those places where you need it–total flexibility and it won’t cake! It’s everything you always wanted in a foundation: oil-free, vitamin-infused, buildable coverage, lasts all day, slips right on, doesn’t break down, won’t clog pores, a totally natural look.

Urban Decay Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup ($29) Yes, it’s the latest rage in skincare, but why? Mineral Makeup contains no talc, oils, artificial dyes, or fragrance – just naturally derived minerals – making it the perfect for even the most sensitive skin, oily or dry.

So why is Urban Decay’s Mineral Makeup different from other mineral foundations out there? The package just might be our favorite thing – totally mess-free. Other brands’ makeup needs to be poured and brushed and swirled and whatnot. Ours comes with an attached puff. Just puff it on for a flawless finish anywhere – at your vanity or on the subway. Use a little for sheer coverage or keep puffing for heavier coverage. Titanium dioxide, a major ingredient, provides formulation color and great coverage. The handy on/off switch means you can toss it in your purse – no spills.

Another unique thing about Surreal Skin: you’ll get a semi-matte finish instead of the shiny finish other mineral foundations provide. The result is natural, not made-up, and totally weightless.

My Thoughts:

This reminds me of Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPF 15 Foundation. The mineral foundation comes in a jar that has a powder puff attached. I don’t use this as foundation because it’s bit too powdery for my liking. However, the finish is very natural and light. The coverage depends on how much you apply. It can range from sheer to medium. It’s a semi-matte finish that keeps the oily shine at bay for most of the work day. I actually use this as a setting powder. I screw off the lid, pour a little bit of the mineral foundation into the lid, and use my powder brush to apply. These foundations have a yellow undertone to them so finding a shade to match me wasn’t too difficult. The yellowness will help tone down redness too! If I do use this as a foundation, I make sure to even out the application by using a powder brush or a makeup sponge or you’ll be left with circular powder marks on your face from the powder puff. Because this mineral makeup is packaged exactly like Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPF 15 Foundation, to replace the powder puff (a breading ground for bacteria) just buy the replacement powder puffs from Philosophy 3 for $3. If you’re looking for a mineral foundation, give Urban Decay Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup a try.

Benefit It Stick ($20) why we love it: An instant concealing pencil that disguises lines, blemishes and flaws for a smoother, younger appearance. This stick is IT!

what else you need to know: A few strokes of this ecru colored diffusing pencil in just the right places will help make you look young and cheery in seconds.

My  Thoughts:

I like to toss this into my bag when I travel or just in my purse in general. No worries about leakage. It’s a creamy concealer (it’s still creamy even when I forget to put the cap back on!) I don’t use it to cover major blemishes, just for a quick redness and fine lines concealing around the nose, mouth, and the eyelid. I also sometimes use this as a highlighter to highlight my brow bone and inner eye corners. I don’t think it will work for people with a dark complexion, but if you have a light to medium-light complexion, I think it will work for you.

Urban Decay Baked Bronzer ($24) Our bronzer’s name is a bit of a triple-entendre. First of all, it gives you a nice baked, toasty glow without the threat of skin damage. Second, it’s literally baked in an Italian oven on a tiny terra cotta disc for 24 hours, then hand-finished by a factory full of motherly Italian women. The result is an ultra-smooth, sheer-finish bronzer that can be used wet or dry and always goes on streak-free. And third, well, if you don’t get the joke, we’re just not going to tell you.

Apply dry with a fat brush for a light dusting of summer sun, or use it wet with a sponge for a deeper St. Tropez shade. Because the formula is cooked, not pressed, the powder returns to a micro-fine feel after being wet – without glazing!

My Thoughts:

Another great item from Urban Decay and so worth the $24! This bronzer has lasted me forever, and it’s still going. I have yet to hit the bottom and it has been over a year. When the light hits your face, it gives you this angelic glow. It’s amazing! It doesn’t make you look dirty or orange. I can’t think of a dupe, because chances are, there isn’t one. There are 3 different shades: baked, gilded, and toasted. So you will for sure find a bronzer shade for you. It never looks to dry or powdery. Besides the awesome performance the bronzer puts on, the packaging is so cute! It comes packaged like a cupcake!

Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder ($29) One of our Co-Founder’s favorite products! This shine-stopping pressed powder blots oil and keeps shine at bay. Try it on naked skin (if you run into the hot guy at the gym), or over foundation (for touch-ups on the dance floor without destroying your makeup). Because the formula contains super lightweight, oil-absorbing rice powder, you won’t feel the powder, but you’ll see the shine-free results. The lavender shade applies invisibly and works on every skin tone, from dark chocolate to palest porcelain.

Keep De-Slick in your bag at all times! The gorgeous, transparent purple compact seems to glow from within, featuring Urban Decay embellishments of skulls, flourishes and flowers. Pop it open to reveal a mirror and handy application puff.

My Thoughts:

This is perfect for people who suffer from midday oily shine (like me). I keep this in whichever bag I am carrying for day. Even though it comes with a powder puff, I don’t use it. I just carry a mini kabuki brush with me. It ensures me a light application, and I won’t have to worry about being left with a white cast. The powder is a white lavenderish translucent powder that becomes invisible when you apply it. If you apply too much, you’ll notice a white cast. Don’t worry though, the white cast is easily smoothed and blended away. The powder keeps your face matte for several hours (and that was during summer!). The powder is pricey, but it will last you a very, very long time. I’ve had this for nearly a year, and I am no where close to hitting the bottom. A little dab is all you need. The compact is a little on the heavy side, but at least you know it won’t break on you if its gets tossed around.

(Photos from Makeup For Life)

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MAC Magic Mirth and Mischief Fab Racadabra Bronze Face Kit ($38)

A face compact inspired by the fab-racadabra impact of bronze. Features Golden Bronzing Powder, Sunbasque Sheertone Shimmer Blush, and Buffed & Polished Iridescent Powder/Pressed in a sleek, square silvery-pewter compact decorated with a whimsical pattern of coloured dots on the lid, each one representing a shade from the compact’s palette. Limited edition.

MAC Magic Mirth and Mischief Hocus Focus Colourful Face Kit ($38)

An exclusive holiday compact featuring three key products for the face: Pretty Baby Beauty Powder, Peachykeen Sheertone Shimmer Blush and Sunsparked Pearl Beauty Powder in a sleek, square silvery-pewter compact decorated with a whimsical pattern of coloured dots on the lid, each one representing a shade from the compact’s palette. Limited edition.

My Thoughts:

I decided to skip out on the face kits because I didn’t find anything special about them except for the packaging. I still can’t get over how cute the packaging is! The face kits were not very pigmented (perfect if you’re heavy handed). Usually for the holiday, I want something that is pigmented so I can have more color in my complexion since I’m a lot paler. Other than that, the powders and blush were very soft and smooth. I had no difficulties blending and applying.

Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Concealer ($28)

HD Invisible Cover Concealer
What it is:
An oil-free, medium-coverage concealer that covers imperfections while remaining invisible to high-definition televisions and the naked eye.

What it does:
This concealer creates a soft-focus effect, brightening the eye area while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a natural, radiant look. The innovative soft silicone applicator enables precise application for a perfectly even finish on camera and in person.

My Thoughts:

This is a really good concealer. Probably one of the best concealers I have used. I got it in 335 Medium Beige. It provided medium coverage and looks very natural. This a twisting pen so you have to twist the pen in order for the concealer to dispense at the tip. Also, unlike most twisting pens it doesn’t have a brush like tip. Instead, it’s silicone tip. There’s a tiny hole at the tip for the concealer to ooze out of. Check out the up close picture of the tip below. I personally don’t like the twisting pen idea. It’s a pain in the butt if you’re in the hurry and you’re twisting and twisting waiting for the product to come out. What makes it worse is if you over twist and too much product comes out. There is no way to put the product back. Another thing I don’t like about the packaging is, the concealer will dry up at the tip and clog the opening. It’s really annoying! I love to use this concealer to conceal my under-eye circles. It totally disguises them and brightens the area. It makes me look more fresh and awake. It also works really well covering up blemishes.