Nikki From HR

NARS just released a reformulation of their iconic powder blush ($34), and it’s now talc-free. I’ve only used this once (pictures are further down), so I can’t tell you much about it yet. I wanted to go ahead and share some pictures of the new packaging and some swatches I got the other day while I was in Sephora in case anyone is curious about this release. The new compact is now refillable but is the same soft-touch material NARS typically uses for its packaging. There is a small hole on the back to pop the pan out (see picture further down). The refill pans are available for $24 on narscosmetics.com, but only in 5 shades. I’m very confused as to why they would bother to make the packaging refillable and only provide 5 shades as refills. The pans are already loose and must be added to the magnetized compact, so why can’t every shade be available?

If you swatch the new blush formula, you’ll likely notice that its texture is almost creamy and thick compared to the old formula. To me, my old formula (liberte) feels thinner and drier. My Liberte is over a year old, but I think it still performs the same as when I purchased it. I’ve also never experienced NARS blushes drying out before the 24-month shelf life of most of the previous formulas.

Continue reading “New From NARS! Talc-Free Blush in Dolce Vita (Swatch)” →

As a blush (I don’t use it for lips), the Smashbox Halo Cream Cheek and Lip Tint lives up to the brand’s claims. Smashbox says this tint will give you lasting color with blendable, sheer to medium coverage. They also claim that the formula will remain comfortable to wear because it is infused with a primer oil complex. Lastly, it has a matte finish that “refracts light to help create a blurred, soft-focus look.” Unfortunately, despite agreeing with the claims, I wouldn’t recommend it because the primer oil complex does present some problems. Let’s get into it.

Smashbox Halo Cream Cheek and Lip Tint Sunset, $28

Sunset is described as a muted coral 

Continue reading “Smashbox Halo Cream Cheek and Lip Tint Sunset (Swatch)” →

I haven’t purchased anything from Make Up For Ever (MUFE) in a while, so I was excited to revisit the brand. The claims on this one don’t seem too crazy, although I’m not sure that I typically look at the claims for bronzers. MUFE says this is a long-wearing, blendable, buildable, easy to use bronzer with a smooth formula. Spoiler alert, I agree with them. It works well with both synthetic and natural hair brushes. It is firmly pressed, so there isn’t much powder disturbed when I dip a brush into the pan. The firm press doesn’t make it hard to pick up on a brush, which is nice. Considering my dry skin, I prefer a satin or glowy bronzer, but a matte finish for bronzer seems to be more on trend right now. I’m happy to report that this formula never looked dry on me, even when I tested it with Estee Lauder Double Wear.

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**MUFE Artist Bronzer 40 Warm Pecan, $36, 10g

Continue reading “Make Up For Ever (MUFE) Artist Bronzer (40 Warm Pecan Swatch)” →

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While I do enjoy the **Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte Concealer, I wish it weren’t so expensive at $60. If you saw my post on the Tom Ford Highlighter last week, then you know I was less than impressed. I’m not going to become a regular shopper at the Tom Ford counter, but this concealer makes me a little curious to at least try a foundation from the brand. I probably won’t, since luxury brands often add alcohol and fragrance to their products, and those ingredients just don’t agree with my dry, eczema-prone skin. Regardless, today I’ll let you know about my experience with the Tom Ford Soft Matte Concealer so you can decide if it might be worth checking out for yourself.

Continue reading “Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte Concealer 5WO Tan and 6WO Terra (Swatches)” →

If you can believe it, this limited edition Soleil De Feu Glow Highlighter from Tom Ford will set you back $95. If you are familiar with the Tom Ford brand, you probably can, but if not, this is a luxury cosmetics brand. I came across this highlighter while yet again shopping at a Cosmetics Company Store (an outlet store for Estee Lauder brands), so I was able to buy it for $42.75. I’ll cut to the chase, I’m so mad I bought this highlighter 😂. The only other highlighters that I currently own are the Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Divine Glow ($48) and the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish ($42), and I like them both a lot better than Tom Ford’s Highlighter. Let’s get into my reasons and who I think might still like this formula even though I didn’t.

Continue reading “Tom Ford Soleil De Feu Glow Highlighter 02 Oasis (Swatch)” →

I definitely went to the Cosmetics Company Store too many times this past holiday season 😂. I mentioned it recently in my review for the Bobbi Brown Bronzed Nudes Eye Shadow Palette, but the Cosmetics Company Store is a discount outlet for brands owned by Estee Lauder Companies. So anyway, on one of my trips to the store, I bought the Too Faced Cocoa Bold Em-Power Lipstick in the shades Ganache and Chocolate Lava for $13 (retail price $29). Too Faced describes the Cocoa Bold Formula as demi-matte, bold (color payoff), lightweight, comfortable, and long-wearing. As with many Too Faced products, this lipstick does have an added scent (chocolate raspberry). I can tolerate some fragrance in my lip products, but unfortunately, the scent in these lipsticks is too strong for my liking. I was able to test them out before I realized the scent was too much of a problem, so let’s get into swatches and how they perform.

Continue reading “Too Faced Cocoa Bold Lipsticks (Ganache and Chocolate Lava Swatches)” →

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The **Lancome Care and Glow Serum Concealer ($31) adds another option of skincare meets makeup to the beauty market. Lancome says this is 81% serum, and it really shows in the results I got from this product. I do feel like my skin benefits from the skincare aspects of this concealer (ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acid), but I don’t get the result that I want from a concealer. That said, I think this is a good product for someone looking for a radiant, hydrating concealer that can be built up to medium-ish coverage (with patience). 

Lancome Care and Glow Serum Concealer Ingredients

I wanted to bring particular attention to the ingredients of this concealer because they are incorrect on Lancome’s website. Initially, I was not going to try this concealer because the Lancome website lists it as having denatured alcohol, which is something I avoid as much as possible. However, when I went to Sephora one day, I decided to check the ingredients on the box, which was entirely different. From what I can tell, someone listed the ingredients for the Tient Idole Ultra Wear Foundation by mistake. A lot of brand websites will advise you to check the box of the item you are going to purchase for the most up-to-date ingredients. This is a good example of why that is important, in addition to the fact that products get reformulated and there isn’t always an announcement.

Continue reading “Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care and Glow Serum Concealer 405W (Swatch)” →

I’ve got a short one for you today. Charlotte Tilbury just released a new collection of lipsticks and lip liners and I bought the shade 90’s pink in both the K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick and the Lip Cheat Liner. I have done a full review of this K.I.S.S.I.N.G Formula that you can read by clicking here. I do find 90’s Pink is consistent with my experience with both the shades Glowing Jen and Nude Romance. 

Continue reading “Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Icon K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick and Lip Cheat 90s Pink (Swatches)” →