NARS Windstar Eyeshadow Duo

I've only ever owned NARS face products before - foundation, concealer, primer etc. But for some reason never any eyeshadows or blush, some of their more famous areas of expertise. I decided to finally take the leap seeing as I've never been disappointed before, and oh Lordy... I don't ever want to use another shadow, ever again. I know there is amazing quality products on the market for incredibly low prices, however you can just tell them difference once you use a high-end product. I have a smaller collection of high-end shadows that I keep aside for when I go out or am having a bad day, and the ease in application honestly is just superb.

Both shades in this duo have very fine glitter particles in them, but they're definitely glittery rather than frosty or satiny. They both contain green and orange glitter, which looks absolutely stunning. Quality aside, the colour contrast between the glitter and the actual shadow shades is really what sets these apart from drugstore products.

The actual colours in this duo are right up my alley. On my pale skin, if I don't use a base they tend to just neutralise my eyelids a bit and give that 'halo' effect, which I love anyway. But if I use a base that's a little darker than my natural skin tone (Bare Study or Groundwork by MAC, or Lush's new Sophisticated cream shadow) this does show up fairly true to pan. Paired with either black or brown liner, this duo creates an amazing foundation for an everyday fifties-inspired winged liner look, keeping it very soft and pale on the lid with a strong line for definition.

After purchasing Windstar, I can't wait to try more NARS eyeshadows - I can't get enough!

-Kate.

Lush 'Emotional Brilliance' range - Launch!

I was lucky enough to go to one of Lush's product launches last Saturday for their new line called 'Emotional Brilliance'. It's Lush's first real go at makeup, their previous efforts really only being confined to some borderline-theatrical concealers. Now with the new 'desert island products', all of which are 100% vegan, Lush has finally made up for some of its past woes.

The three products I chose from Lush's colour wheel

The range is a little gimmicky - but I love that! The idea is that you close your eyes, spin a colour wheel (pictured below), and when you open your eyes pick the first three colours that stand out. Each corresponds to an Emotional Brilliance product, and each has a special meaning for you in that moment.

The first colour is your strength/weakness. I picked Dynamic, a beautiful pastel peach. The second colour is a subconscious need you might have, for which I picked Focus, a pearlescent baby blue. The third is your talent, which you need to fulfil your subconscious need. I picked Quietly Motivated, a burnt caramel-colour. All three products I chose were liquid eyeliners.

Even though I knew that this was a sales gimmick of which I was entirely in control, I went in thinking I would pick completely different colours and when these words popped up in front of me, I was surprised at how relevant they were to my current situation. (Especially Focus - I have been trying to move house for 7 weeks!) It really added something special to the event, and although I walked away without any of these products (I'm coming back for Quietly Motivated though) I was impressed with the choices my subconscious made.

Emotional Brilliance colour wheel and kiosk

I ended up buying a cream eyeshadow tagged Sophisticated, and the very much talked-about Fantasy, a gold liquid liner that when applied honestly is like liquid gold leaf - it is so amazing. My one issue is that as it is drying, it stings a little. I'm not sure if it's due to the vegan ingredients or perhaps I just have sensitive eyes, but once it's dry it's no longer a problem. The other products in the range were incredible too though, such as their mascara (which was the blackest black ever) and my favourite, the Feeling Younger skin tint which is a shimmery white highlighter which when applied lightly gives a dewy and fresh, rose gold halo effect to the skin.

L-R: Translucent powder, mascara, cream highlighter (not to scale).

The title product Emotional Brilliance is a pink-toned translucent powder which is of very good quality, but not anything revolutionary. At $19.90/8g, it's fairs well against something like the Laura Mercier powder, which in Australia retails at $68/29g.

Sophisticated, Fantasy - $24.95 each.

I had a really amazing time at this event and once I go back and pick up some more products from this range I'll definitely let you know how I got on with them (Quietly Motivated, Eyes Right and Feeling Younger are on the list!). This has also become part of the permanent line, so definitely don't feel as though you have to buy everything at once as buying two products alone set me back $50, however it's a really impressive and well thought-out range and I highly recommend it.

Have a good week!

-Kate.

Sally Hansen Gem Crush Nail Color

I picked up a new nail polish about a week ago, and it's stayed on my nails since - work be damned! I thought it would be a good one to show you because I haven't really seen a glitter polish this true to the bottle except for -maybe- O.P.I/Katy Perry's Teenage Dream.

The colour I picked up was 03 Big Money, which I absolutely LOVE. It is super high glitter, with tiny gold micro-glitter and slightly chunkier lilac glitter suspended in a clear base, which combined gives an almost rose gold effect. I've never needed to use any more than two coats of this (I've applied it three times) and the amount of glitter packed on to one thin coat is just incredible. As you can see above, the wand and brush are absolutely HUGE compared to that of Sally Hansen's top coat, and from the bottle to the brush to the nail, the opacity in the glitter never changes, unlike a lot of glitter polishes in sheer bases you see.

Natural light; artificial light; under flash.

I am a massive fan of this polish and am interested in getting a few more of the colours. For now, this is definitely well worth the $10 or whatever Coles was charging (I threw it in my basket along with some soy milk and mint slices, it was a bit of a comfort night haha).

Also, sorry my nails are so haggard in this post. I currently go to uni and have a regrettable part-time job in fast food, meaning that my hands take a huge toll. Hope it's been okay anyway!

-Kate