Hydration, Tint and Luminosity In One - NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser

My skincare admiration is now well documented and it is that appreciation alone that has always drawn me towards well-formulated, skin loving tinted moisturizers. 

Products that fall into this category are essentially an extension of the basis of skincare, souped up with a bit of color to add some polish and concealment to any minor imperfections of the complexion. Tinted moisturizers are not meant to replace foundation (unless you are lucky!) nor are they suppose to replace your primary moisturizer (unless you are extremely oily) but it is exactly those two factors that represent the appeal of this product in the first place. 

Basically if you are familiar with the nature of tinted moisturizers and have appropriate expectations of what you want to achieve , the right formula can do wonders for the overall look of your skin. Choosing the right formula with the right ingredients can be somewhat tricky but once you identify THE ONE that is right for your skin, you will be able to fully appreciate its charm and benefits. Since the coverage is usually quite sheer and light, shade matching is a lot more forgivable than say a foundation, meaning that ordering one sight unseen has much higher success rates than other similar products. 

The cosmetic brand NARS  is undoubtedly one of the most popular makeup powerhouses in the blogosphere. Their innovative formulas, trend inspired colors and irresistibly cheeky branding philosophy has given NARS almost a cult like following where beauty's all around the world are tripping over themselves to acquire the regularly released limited edition collections. Personally I love and appreciate a lot of NARS products but my own limited makeup techniques prevent me from working with some of their wild color combinations, thereby limiting my brand exposure to a few core pieces. However these classic makeup selections are outstanding and well loved in my everyday, un-trendy, boring life. 

One of these NARS essentials and one of my favorites is their hype-worthy Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($49.00 for 1.9 oz). 

As a self-proclaimed tinted moisturizer connoisseur I was completely smitten after the first application and now almost a year later the love affair is still going strong! 

Official Description;

A lightweight tinted moisturizer that evens skintone and provides a translucent veil of protection. 

Infused with lush, naturally derived ingredients, this lightweight tinted moisturizer immediately helps thirsty skin feel hydrated. It has been proven to help reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots caused by hyperpigmentation for a clearer and brighter complexion in as little as four weeks. Oil-free and luxurious, it obscures the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores, and other imperfections while SPF 30 adds a translucent veil of protection. 

Ingredients;

Water, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Cyclomethicone, Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Stearic Acid Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Fragrance, Dimethicone/Vinyl, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisodium, Edta, Aluminum Distearate, Talc, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Polysilicone-2, Vibrio Alginolyticus Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Alteromonas Ferment Filtrate, Maris Sal (Sea Salt), Hydrogen Dimethicone, Bht, Algae (Algae Extract), Sodium Metabisulfite, Curcuma Longa [Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract], Potassium Sorbate, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Linalool [+/- (May Contain): Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77492 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides)].
*Made without parabens, phthalates and sulfates

As someone with a skin type a little on the dry, sensitive end of the spectrum I have come to appreciate the hydration properties of any product I use and NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer  is no exception. This particular formula caters to drier skin types in a way I haven't encountered in my experience with other brands. 

The moisture does not just sit on the surface of your skin, nor does it interfere with your primary moisturizer. The tint sinks in, blends almost effortlessly and provides a comfortable cake-free, velvety smooth canvas. The pores on my nose and cheeks are not enhanced or put on display like with some other makeup base products and the sheer coverage dries in a way that just amplifies real-skin appearance. What you are left with is a natural, radiant finish that evens out your skin, tones any redness or superficial imperfections and looks like you are wearing nothing at all. The luminosity of your very own skin is magnified to its highest level and not a trace of glittery, shimmer other "radiance" makeup bases use to attract light.

Let Me Glow - My Favorite Highlighters

If i had to pick a makeup item "type" that I am most fond of and one that is almost always guaranteed to peek my interest then highlighters or luminizers are definitively it (blush is a close second!)!

Come to think of it the same theme goes into skincare too because anything with "radiance" or "brightening" in the product name is on my radars almost all the time. It's not really surprising I guess since I often feel like my complexion is lacking it's own natural glow, which means I am always trying to produce it or "fake" it through some clever product maneuvering.  The key being in the word "trying"! 

After years of "beauty research" and blog stalking I have found that I am not alone in this "radiance" quest and beauty brands have definitively caught on to this notion as well - judging by the sheer number of products released for that purpose alone. 

The concept of highlighters is nothing new and the technique of applying them can get tricky, however the right formula, correct shade choice and some practice can really pay off. 

That being said I will admit that this is the type of product that is most likely to sway me into a purchase just based on design and/or packaging alone. They just make them too pretty...

Adding just a little sparkle at the appropriate areas can do wonders for your complexion and give you that "dewy but still glowy, yes this is my real skin and I sleep 10 hours a day, every day" kind of look that will flatter just about anyone. 

A great highlighter can perk up your complexion, accentuate your best features , and when used correctly even camouflage aging skin. Combining "the one" with a good contouring technique can literally transform your face and some say even mimic a subtle face-lift. The key again is knowing how to use it!

Applying the highlighter under the eyes, above the brows, and on the brow bone will add life and brightness to your face and in turn promote a healthier and even "younger" you. I also like to dust a very sheer amount to the top of my cheekbones for added definition and just above the Cupid's bow to mimic a fuller pout. Exercise caution though because a heavy hand and too much sparkle will just end up accentuating your flaws, enlarged pores or just make you look like a disco ball. Trust me - it's not a good look!

Even though I have an unhealthy number of highlighters and plenty of practice time, I am yet to master the perfect targeted approach but I am always  hopeful in upping my beauty game. 

Today I want to feature a few of my favorites that are definitively good at lighting me up :-)

*Benefit Cosmetics Moon Beam ($26.00, golden tone) and High Beam ($26.00, pink tone)

These two cult-products are probably well known to all of you and I have to say their popularity is well deserved. The versatility of these two are what makes them appealing to me - their liquid-gel like texture allows them to be added to foundations and moisturizers to create the "lit from within" effect but they also work equally well through targeted "dabbing" on features you want "noticed". The formula is low on the "frost factor" so it's relatively easy to work with and hard to mess up. I am sure all of us can appreciate that! 

The reason i love Moon Beam and High Beam is because I can easily control the "glow" from subtle to all out drama for night without too much fussing.
The Benefit Sun Beam is their bronzed princess counterpart and I have to say it too, is glowing on me :-)

A little bit goes a long way with these so the initial investment is certainly reasonable and worth every penny in my opinion.

Guerlain Meteorites in Mythic ($67.00 for 1.05 oz)

These pearly beads of light are a perfect example of my weakness when it comes to girliness, packaging and passion for the pursuit of "glowiness"! If I am completely honest with myself then I have to admit that the both Guerlain Meteorites and their voyage compact ($184)  were destined to be purchased by me regardless whether or not they worked for me. The luxurious, girly and captivating compacts and kaleidoscope like design caught my eye and it was love at first sight. Luckily for me these also turned to be one of those rare "mythical" products that both look amazing and preform beautifully too! I have several Meteorites from the various Guerlain collections but the original Mythic 01 are the ones I reach for most often! This is a very subtle, low-shimmer kind of highlighter which makes it ideal for daytime use and works amazingly well at just creating "beams of light" on your face. 

The secret of the Guerlain version of "glow" seems to be in the fact they combine both matte colour correcting powders and pearly light-reflecting pigments that work together to create the purest form of radiance. I have heard it described by many beauty bloggers as "Photoshop for your face" and I couldn't agree more. 

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch ($50.00 for 0.1 oz)

This makeup artist favorite has already reviewed (here) and even though it's probably misunderstood by most consumers, those who discover its purpose with the right technique will no undoubtedly love using it. The Touche Eclat is a targeted highlighter that is to be used on specific areas of your face that need some extra "lighting" and as such it will preform beautifully. This is not a concealer - in fact if you use it for that purpose it will do exactly the opposite of concealing and your imperfections will actually be "lit up" for all to see! Trust me - this is not a good look! 

The combination of the Touche Eclat with a good concealer will elevate your complexion to the spotlight level and with some practice this "dream duo" just might become a star in your makeup bag!

A more affordable "dream team" already exists in the form of the E.L.F Studio Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter ($3.00). This product boasts an amazing combination of a creamy concealer that covers both blemishes and red spots nicely while the non-glittery highlighter will add "light" in the best possible way. I am a huge fan, especially with a price tag that won't make you cringe at checkout! 

Paul & Joe Beaute Pressed Powder N 04 (lilac)

Paul & Joe Beaute and my own admiration for the brand and its products is rooted deeply in my appreciation of all things, whimsical, girly and beautiful packaging! I have made many regretful purchases in my beauty life, where the item in question had adorable designs and shiny, pink boxes but the product itself was underwhelming in results or performance. Paul & Joe Beaute luckily doesnt fit in that category and every product that I have tried from their collections impressed me beyond measure and never fail to put a smile on my face! 

The Paul & Joe Beaute Pressed Powder N 04 (lilac) is not exactly a traditional highlighter as it doesnt exactly luminize or add any significant sheen to your complexion but what it does do is brighten, correct and reflects light in the most flattering way. The light lavender colour acts as a brightener, covering up any redness or uneven areas on your face while adding dimension to the complexion and setting foundation. I would recommend this to anyone who uses a very matte base but wants to add some highlight while avoiding any kind of shimmer which can sometimes accentuate large pores and oiliness.
It really does work like a charm!

The last highlighter I want to mention is probably the most popular one among both beauty bloggers and makeup artists themselves and I can definitively see its appeal.
The NARS Albatross Powder ($33.00) is best described as a very light golden snow whose full beauty and potential are only visible out of the pan itself. In the pan its rather underwhelming and almost boring and I remember initially questioning my purchase before it even arrived. One swatch later and I was a definite fan!
The light golden sheen is almost opalescent on the skin and it does contain quite a bit of shimmer so using a light hand with this is essential. It can be tricky to find the right balance so experimentation is key but once you see what it can do for your skin you will realize all that playing around was worth it!

I hope you enjoyed this post :-)

What is your favorite highlighter!

XOXO

ANJA

The Camping Beauty - A Guide for All High Maintenance Girls

There is no hiding or faking it - I am a high maintenance girl! I try to pretend and  act aloof when confronted by this fact but no more - I admit it, embrace it and honor it!

It might not be cool or popular to proclaim but it's the real me so I have decided to make the best of it and be proud of it for once. I have finally made peace with the fact that I will always over pack, I will always have 12 lip glosses in my purse, I will always enjoy a 12 step skincare routine and I will never-ever be the outdoorsy girl that looks perfect in 5 minutes. Never gonna happen!

Despite being the quintessential girly-girl and loving everything that comes along with that label, I will admit that there are times and circumstances when my "maintenance factor" can become a little cumbersome. Camping is one of those situations! The world came up with "glam ping" because if people like me! 

I might be the "princess type" but I am also the "adaptable type" as well so getting ready and figuring out how to improve the quality of my existence even during camping is something I take quite seriously.

Here are some of the essentials that will make any girl feel better out there in the "wild"!

1. Wipes!!! Lots of lots of wipes! 

There is nothing worse for a girly girl (or anyone really?) than that dirty feeling. When running water or pristine sinks are not available then the next best thing are cleansing wipes. Luckily for us today there are many good quality wipes available now, targeting everything from your face to your underarms.
My choice is L.A. Fresh and Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Wipes 

2. Micellar Cleansing Water

It doesn't matter where I am I will always need and want to wash my face. While I would never use micellar water as a primary cleanser i find it works miracles for camping weekends when I am not wearing much makeup. I do, however make sure my choice is an excellent one with a tried & tested formula and good ingredients.
My top pics are usually Caudalie and Vichy 

3. High Quality Sunscreen for Face & Body

This one is pretty self-explanatory and should not apply to high maintenance girls. Sun protection is important for everyone and that includes the boys!
I love the Supergoop Sunscreen

4. Multi-Tasking Balms

As much as I want to bring my entire beauty cabinet with me, I am reasonable enough to realize that in reality that wouldn't fare so well. However being me I have found a way to circumvent that restriction by bringing products that have multi-uses but don't skimp on the pampering factor. A good balm will perform several functions, eliminate the spill disasters and save room in my luggage for other "necessities".
My top choices are Emma Hardie Moringa Balm and Rodial Glam Balm 

5. Multi-Tasking Cosmetics

Even though camping is certainly not the place to showcase a smoky glamorous eye, that doesn't mean you need to leave your entire makeup bag at home. Multi-tasking cosmetics can create a natural, polished look quickly and do wonders for your confidence. Look for quality BB creams (tind+moisture+spf), colour balm (lip & cheek tint) and clear mascara (lashes & brows)!

My top picks are: By Terry Baume de Rose, Givenchy Hydra-Sparkling Lip & Cheek Balm, REN BB Cream, Cover Girl Clear Lash and NARS Multiples. 

6. Facial Spray

This isn't practical at all and it's definitively a frills item but its something I almost always have in my purse. Put it in a cooler for an extra refreshing feeling!

My choice right now is Caudalie Beauty Elixir!

7. Sheet Masks 

This is an item for only the highest brand of girly girls who are prepared for all kinds of teasing and weird looks from camping companions. It takes 10 minutes, it's cool & refreshing, there is no clean up or mess to worry about and your skin will be extra blowy by the campfire.

Check out My Beauty Diary for skin-loving choices!

8. Dry Shampoo! 

A ponytail is only going to keep your greasy roots hidden for so long before the yucky feeling becomes unbearable! Dry Shampoo will keep extend the time you can stand yourself by at least a day!

My pick is the Cake Beauty Satin Sugar because it works great and smells good enough to eat!

This list can go on and on! Camping will never be my first choice but with some beauty loot I am bound to be more comfortable and have an amazing time!

What are your outdoor beauty essentials?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

NARS Illuminators - Orgasm and Copacabana

Dear friends and fellow cosmetic junkies - I might have a slight glitter/shimmer problem on my hands!

The girly girl in me loves sparkly and shiny things and when I was younger if something had sprinkles on it then it was instantly upgraded in the coolness department. I still remember those terrible tacky glitter spiked "body gels" that I thought looked good everywhere and were perfect for literally every occasion. I can almost smell that cloying artificial lime scent again! Well that was a flashback I never want to have again!

So what does a girl with a deeply rooted love for sparkles do past the age the of 25?  Are we suppose to just outgrow it and forget it or is there a product out there that will satisfy our shimmer cravings without sacrificing any of the maturity we spent so many years developing?

NARS is definitively well known across the blogosphere, so much so that a number of their product have already reached cult status in a relatively short amount of time. The quality of their products and clever marketing all contributed to the growth of their fan base. Nars Francois has perfected the balance between releasing trendy, cutting edge innovative products and building up their classic permanent collection with equally great formulations. Every beauty maven is bound to have at least one NARS item in their trusty makeup bag. I have a lot more than one...

It shouldn't be a surprise that it was NARS that answered my shimmer prayers and delivered a product that made the girl in me squeal and the the woman in me sigh with relief.

I am of course talking about the famous Illuminators, the product that promises to light you up from within, subtly enhance your complexion and overall just refresh the radiance of your own skin.

What it is:

A multifunctional face product that gives skin a refreshed luminosity.

What it does:
This light-reflecting liquid glides on to refresh and enhance the complexion, creating a shimmering incandescence. Wear it alone, or pair it with makeup to transform your skin from ordinary to extraordinary.

The complete set of these light-reflecting liuminizing liquids consist of 4 iconic shades - Orgasm (peach pink with shimmer), Copacabana (glistening pearl), Laguna (brown with gold shimmer) and Super    Orgasm (Orgasm on steroids)

The first one released was the Original Orgasm which proved to be a huge hit, and ultimately led to the release of the other three.

The entire collection can be used to highlight bare skin or mixed in with a base of your choice for various degrees of "grownup shimmer glow". Pretty much exactly what I was looking for!

The two NARS Illuminators I ultimately settled on are Copacabana and the original Orgasm. 

The added and very much unexpected bonus of this formula is the fact that it actually contains skin-loving ingredients. Combinations of skin care and makeup are always a huge hit for me.

Key Active Ingredients;

Polar Berries (antioxidant), Bissbolol (anti-inflammatory), Indian Frankincense (soothes & comforts), Vitamin B5 (conditioning) and Sodium Hyaluronate (hydration)

The formulation and feel of these liquid luminizers is a joy to use and I love how easy they are to work with. Goof-proof formulas are another thing I really appreciate when it comes to makeup products. My skills are nowhere near where they should be! 

Copacabana to me is very much like the Benefits High Beam but nowhere near as frosty, with less pink undertones and thinner texture. This makes the Copacabana easier to use and the final result looks to be a lot more natural then when I rely on the Benefit version for the same look. The formulation of this feels wonderful on my face, as the light gel simply melts into the skin, leaving a beautiful trail of moon dust behind.

I find that this luminizer works best as a strategic highlighter, meaning that I use it most often to emphasize individual facial features. I love smoothing this on top of cheekbones, my cupid's bow, highbrow and even the bridge of my nose. It just sculpts my face so naturally and allows me to at least fake my way to some kind of cheekbones.
Even though I would characterize Copacabana as a cool pink shade,  I do think that both skin tones warm or cool could make this work with a little bit of practice and the less-is-more approach. The shimmer in this Illuminator is more like a soft sheen but I can see how some people would find it too glittery especially if you take into consideration that the shimmer has the potential to emphasize any large pores on your skin surface. 

The Orgasm Illuminator is quite a different creature from the pearly Copacabana and as such is used in a completely different way.

The original Orgasm Illuminator description is;
A complexion enhancer that makes skin look instantly refreshed, radiant, and glowing. It lights your skin from within! Deceptively sheer and decidedly luminous, it magically transforms lacklustre 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"

The Orgasm Illuminator stays true to the original Orgasm color - peachy pink with soft gold & bronze shimmer. Because of the nature of the shade I find that this luminizer truly shines by adding a general "glow" to the complexion, as opposed to targeting individual features. I achieve this  by adding a few drops of the Illuminator directly to my foundation or tinted moisturizer and then lightly patting on the excess to the top of my cheekbones. This gives the effect of "blushing cheeks" without using any additional blush or bronzer.

In my opinion the Orgasm Illuminator reaches its true potential on darker skin tones or even a tanner version of me.  Because of this I am hoping to get a lot more use out of this product this summer.

*Word of caution to those of you with oily skin - if you over-do it with either one of these Illuminators, the oiliness can easily become exaggerated, especially by flash photography. 

My final conclusion is once again mixed! Even though I love the grown up shimmer these products provide I can't say that they are a must-have makeup item. That being said I do appreciate the skincare focus in the formulation of these liquid highlighters, which means that for once makeup can be said to be good for your skin.

The price tag for me is quite reasonable ($36) considering the amount of product you get (1.1-1.2 fl.oz.) and the fact that such a small amount is needed to provide the desired result I expect these little tubes will last me for quite some time.

You can purchase the Illuminators and other NARS products directly from their website or as always at Sephora. 

I hope you guys find this helpful!

Have you tried the NARS illuminators? Do you have a favorite NARS product? 

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

The Blushing Wardrobe The Pink Edition

If an "outside" person came to look at and attempt to scrutinize my makeup collection, I already know which issue would be #1 topic of discussion...

Blushes! Glorious Blushes! How many blushes does one girl need? Well apparently according to me - at least 10 of each shade! Unfortunately even though i am aware of this rather uncomfortable fact, I know myself well enough to know that I will once again be powerless at the allure of getting that new flush maker. 

I love bright colors, pink makes me happy, shimmer makes me pretty, cute packaging makes me giddy and even though i don't see the point of all these Limited Edition pieces designed to get us into a frenzy, I will admit that some of my favorites happen to be long discontinued. 

A few months ago I decided to go ahead and clean out my vanity, take inventory and do a bit of a purge of the things that i wasn't using at all and see if there are holes in my collection that may need to be filled. 

Upon realizing that i had 20+ pink blushes and not a lot of variation in the other shades I came up with the concept of Blush Wardrobe. 

I believe that just as there is a red lipstick shade for each girl there is also a blush in each color family that flatters specific skin tones. There is a "correct" pink, a red, a peach, a coral and a neutral blush for everyone's coloring; its all a matter of trial and error, swatching, testing and application technique. Trying and swatching is the only way to make sure that a particular shade works for your own Blush Wardrobe - especially since the color of the blush in the pan can sometimes be extremely different from what it will actually look like on your skin. And don't even bother trying to rely on shade pictures online since more often than not the color shown is nothing like the real thing. Shimmer or glitter in blushes is another reason why a blush needs to be swatched  first - the amount of these "sparkles" is highly subjective since something shimmery to me can translate to chunky glitter on someone else. 

The Blushing Wardrobe will obviously take a long time to complete and since there are constant new brands & new collections to try, the blush wardrobe much like your fashion one is always evolving. 

Here are my picks - blushes i use often and colors that seem to flatter my pale Mediterranean skin tone!

*My Signature Pink Choices: 

Christian Dior Rosy Glow Awakening Blush: bright, awakening pink blush whose depth depends on the individuals moisture levels. It starts off as pale pastel pink, evolves into a rosy flush and finishes with pinky glow.

NARS Gaiety Powder Blush is simply described as bright candy pink and i really couldn't agree more. What I love about this particular shade is that even though the pigmentation is very strong, the color itself remains true to its nature - pale but prominant barbie pink.

Rock & Republic Contrived Blush in Tease 

Rock & Republic makeup line is now long gone and I for one miss it. The line had amazing quality, packaging to die for, strong pigmentation, trendy shades and was relatively affordable. Why they discontinued it I'll never understand! R&R cool factor was definitively represented by their line up of beautiful blushes, bronzers and highlighters. I am seriously kicking myself for not having them ALL! 

My third pick for my  Blush  Wardrobe is one of their less celebrated shades - Tease! This little gem looks like its a cross between a lilac and baby pink peonies, resulting in a very unique mauve shade that makes my cheeks glow in a very understated way.

By Terry Rose De Rose Sheer Liquid Blush in Fresh Rose (01)

By Terry is one of my favorite brands when it comes to both makeup and skin care and this blush was my introduction to their Rose world! The beautiful pink pigment in this blush comes from actual rose petals, which is confirmed by the true rose scent - there isn't anything artificial about this kind of radiance. I love using this on the weekends with minimal makeup to produce healthy glow with my rose cheeks

I will be adding swatches to this post very shortly so come back if you are interested
The Blushing Wardrobe the Berry Edition coming soon

What are your favorite pink blushes?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)