Product of the Week:NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette Review

I’ve been asked to do a NARSissist eyeshadow palette review ever since I posted a picture of the palette on Instagram couple weeks a go. I’m so sorry that this review is up a bit late, I’ve been having too much fun here in Jamaica (as you all can see on my Instagram..lol). Not to mention, last week I was celebrating my birthday, so sorry but not that sorry…hehehe..

Anyways! Here’s my NARSissist eyeshadow palette review! I hope you’ll enjoy reading it.

Narsissist review

What is a NARSissist eyeshadow palette?

A palette of 15 NARS signature eye shadow shades for creating unlimited artistic effects.
Connect with captivating colors that will have all eyes following you. Ready to wear every day, every way—15 signature eye shadow shades every NARSissist adores.

(Sephora, 2014)

At first glance, this NARSissit eyeshadow palette is not as eye catching as the Urban Decay’s. It doesn’t have anything rosy, the packaging is black, it doesn’t stand out much. However, since it is NARS, of course I have to walk on that aisle to admire it. The simple and sleek design of the packaging is what makes this palette look so very elegant! To be honest, I didn’t even stop to take a look closer, I just grabbed it and go.

With all the neutral palettes that are out in the market (i.e. UD Naked, UD Naked 2, UD Naked 3, Smashbox Full Exposure) I felt that perhaps NARS was just jumping in the bandwagon. However, the more you look at this palette, the more you’ll realize there’s quite a difference between the rest of the palette and NARS. I find that this NARSissist palette has more of a “grown-up” feeling to it. There’s some sort of elegance to the range of shades in this palette. I love the mixture of cool and warm neutrals, and I find that the darker shades are slightly more on the sultry side compared to the other 4 palettes that I mentioned earlier.

This palette consists of eyeshadows that are available in singles or duos, with the exception of Bad Behavior. However, the palette in itself is a limited edition. If you do like the shades in the palette, but can’t buy the palette anymore, you can still purchase the eyeshadow in singles/duos. This palette is so worth the price. I’ll talk more about the value of this palette under “Price” below, so please keep reading or scroll down if you are curious!

 

Narsissist palette review

Packaging

Like I’ve mentioned above, the packaging is simple and sleek. Very NARS. This palette comes in a black case. Inside you’ll find a big mirror on one side, and 15 eyeshadows on the other.

Longevity

I have worn this eyeshadow with Urban Decay Primer Potion and it has minimal to no creasing after a 10-hour wear (in a warm climate)

Narsissist review

Shades & Finish

Please note that I and II indicate whether the shade is on the Left or Right side of the duos, since these shades are also available in singles/duos (for more info read under Price).

Top Row (L to R) –

  • All About Eve I – flesh toned neutrals.
  • Madrague II – matte caramel.
  • Fez – velvety cocoa.
  • Bali – neutral.
  • Coconut Grove – deep brown infused with reflections.

Middle Row (L to R) –

  • Madrague I – matte cream (pretty much non-existence on my skin tone. It matches my skin color exactly)
  • Nepal – soft sheer rose.
  • Ashes to Ashes – shimmery violet based brown.
  • Brousse II – black violet.
  • Mekong – espresso infused with gold.

Bottom Row (L to R)

  • Bellissima I – shimmering beige with subtle glitter.
  • Lhasa – lavender grey.
  • Bad Behavior – deep pewter. (Not available in single/duos)
  • Dogon II – charcoal black.
  • Pandora II – matte black.

*shades description taken from Sephora*

 

Narsissist Swatches

Price

CAD$85 for 15 eyeshadows (0.03 oz/each).

Keep in mind that each singles are CA$28 (0.07 oz), while duos are CA$39 (0.07 oz/shade).  If you only like a couple of the shades from this palette, I think buying the singles/duos is far more worth it than buying the whole palette.

However, if you have to have this palette, it’ll come down to CA$5-6/shade compared to $28 each (singles) or s20 each (duos). You pay significantly less for half the amount, so I think it is a good deal.

Pros:

  • Great for makeup artists or beginners who want more neutrals in their palette without breaking the bank.
  • The eyeshadows in the palette are very smooth and easily blendable.
  • Great value for money.
  • The eyeshadows are not limited (except for Bad Behavior), so if you’ve finished a shade on the palette and want more you can buy it in singles/duos.
  • Highly pigmented and easy to work with.
  • Great mix of matte and shimmer.
  • Would be a great alternative to the Naked palettes.

Cons:

  • You have to prime your eyelid with an eyeshadow primer – dry skin will find it’ll help the eyeshadow to stick to the lid better.
  • Without primer, some of the shades end up looking a bit more sheer.
  • The color range is so-so. You can find similar shades from different brands.

I’ll try to do a tutorial using this palette soon! 😉

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated nor sponsored to do this review. This palette was bought out of my own pocket, and I do not gain any monetary profit out of it.

Product of the Week: Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer

That was quite a mouthful title! How’s everyone today? I’m almost in Jakarta! In couple days, blogging might resume to normal. I’m currently somewhere in Asia, and finally got my hands on wi-fi and managed to do a couple of quick snaps of my new Tarte Amazonian Clay BB cream (with SPF 20).

I’ve worn this BB cream for couple days now, but with powder on top of it. For this review, I wore it alone without any powder (or blush/eye makeup etc) for a complete 6 hours. I’m in a cooler  and humid climate, about 17-20 degree Celsius. My skin is combination – oily T-zone, dry cheeks.

I bought the Tarte BB cream on my very last day in Canada, since I knew I wouldn’t be able to get this product in Asia at the moment. I’ve been quite a fan of Tarte products, mostly the Tarte Lipsurgence (click on link for review on those). I also owned an Amazonian Clay Blush from Tarte, which I wear frequently. So, I thought it was about time for me to try on one of their foundation products.

Now, I know we all are getting tired of this whole BB cream bandwagon, and I myself felt that the BB creams are getting quite over-rated lately. However, after testing, swatching, smelling and owning several BB creams from both Asian and Western BB creams, I have only found 1 that I truly loved so far, which is Stila 10-in-1 HD BB cream. I was determined to find another BB cream that suits my skin-tone and type.

(click on each picture to enlarge it)

Tarte Amazonian Clay BB cream

Anyways, let’s break it down!

What is Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer (SPF 20) – formerly known as Tarte Smooth Operator

“A light-to-medium coverage, oil-free tinted moisturizer that delivers a natural, sheer finish to revitalize all skin types while the SPF 20 protects your skin against the sun’s harmful rays. While it works with all skin types, this oil-free tinted moisturizer is ideal for tartelettes with normal to combination skin.  

Product Performance: This weightless, water-based formula blends into your skin as easily as your favorite moisturizer (and it’s formulated without oil, so it won’t clog your pores) while micro-treated mineral pigments diffuse fine lines and wrinkles, giving you an even, smooth finish. This dermatologist-tested formula is chock-full of skinvigorating™ ingredients like Amazonian clay, apple extract, camellia extract,  chamomile, vitamins A, C and E, and sodium hyaluronate, which all work in perfect harmony to visibly hydrate, soften, brighten the appearance of skin for your most  flawless complexion ever.

Powered By: Amazonian clay: this nutrient-rich, multitasking and total-skin-balancing clay reduces dryness and flakiness, improves skin clarity, elasticity, firmness, and texture while removing oil from the skin’s surface for smooth application and wear “

Tarte Cosmetics, 2013

Tarte Amazonian Clay BB cream review

First Impression:

  • Product is to the brim! Holy mackerel, look at that tube, it’s full to the very end.
  • I love how I can see how much product I’m getting.
  • Very cute tube cover.
  • Light and Light-Medium have more of a yellow undertone than the rest of the selection (may be Ivory too, but I didn’t get the chance to swatch it in store)
  • Does not cater to darker skintones (anyone deeper than NC/NW 45).

Pros:

  • Blends beautifully to the skin.
  • I found that this BB cream is more pliable than the other BB creams.
  • Does not have the sunscreen smell.
  • No distinct scent.
  • Long-lasting – tried this for 6 hours and it’s pretty good.
  • Sheer coverage, which is fine for me for daily use. Very natural finish.
  • Contains SPF 20.
  • Yellow undertone which means I don’t look pasty and grey (like most of the Asian BB creams)
  • N said my skin looks smoother, which is always a plus on my list 😀
  • I, personally, find that this BB cream isn’t as moisturizing as how a “tinted moisturizer” should be. However, I don’t mind it since I do have a combination skin.
  • No flashback.

Cons:

  • It has very very very teensy weensy specks of light-reflecting particles which can be a negative thing for those with oily to extremely oily skin. These specks aren’t as big as Revlon Mousse foundation and YSL Touche Eclat foundation. However, those with oily skin in a warm climate might find themselves to be quite shiny after application.
  • Limited shades and undertones. Even though there’s 8 shades in this collection, there’s only 2-3 yellow undertones available. Those who are darker than me with yellow undertones might have difficulties finding a shade that’ll work for them.
  • They advertised their coverage as Medium buildable, but I find this to be more on the sheer side. It does remove some of the redness, but not all – look at the breakout of my forehead, and sides of my nose.
  • PRICY for a BB cream.

Price: CAD$47 (tax not included) in Sephora

Will I buy this again? May be – I might buy it if it becomes available in Jakarta/Singapore, and if I can’t get more of my Stila HD BB Cream. Might not buy it if I can get my hands on more of the Stila HD BB cream in Jakarta/Singapore.

Tarte Amazonian Clay BB cream review

Complections International Academy of Makeup Artistry

I’ve been asked by quite a few people about makeup schools, and the ones that I go into. I’ve touched upon this subject a little bit before. Let me say this again: I’ve been to 2 makeup schools – Paramita Academy of Makeup Inc. (2008) and Complections International Academy of Makeup Artistry (2009-2010).

Today, I’m going to share with you what I think about Complections and the interview that I’ve held with the school. Some of the questions here come from readers/friends who have asked me to ask the school.

Q: What makes Complections one of the best makeup school in North America?

A: Our faculty, definitely. They have to have a minimum of 10 years experience in the industry, and prove great success. In addition, the practical work and job opportunity that the school give to the students will help the students to move along in the industry. Small class sizes allow for feedback from the instructors. Not to mention, with small class sizes, you’ll be able to get to know the instructors and your classmates which could potentially lead to job opportunities. It’s all about networking. And, our school’s President’s commitment to evolve the curriculum continuously. Oh, and not forgetting the photos that you get at the end of every class by the school photographers, which will help with your portfolio.

Q: There seems to be this “passing marks” in the school, what is the importance of marks and attendance?

A: Marks and attendance are just like expectations from the industry. Here, in Complections, we are training students to be prepared for the professional world. The consequences of losing mark is similar to the consequences of, potentially, losing your job because you are late or unprepared.

Q: What are the different courses that the school offered?

A: There’s the 6 or 8-week fashion course. 8-week fashion course include 2-week of hair styling class. There’s also a 14-week special fx and creature design course, the 26-week course, and the 32-week.

Q: For the 14-week, do they have to be a makeup artist before enrolling to the course?

A: yes, for the 14-week spfx/creature design course, they have to a makeup artist for at least a year before they can be enrolled to the class.

Q: For international students, do you provide any help for their stay?

A: For international students, the registrar office will help them to find basic accommodation on a one-on-one with Christine.

Q: You mentioned about job opportunity, do all the students from different courses get the same job opportunity?

A: For job opportunity, as soon as the students finish their fashion course, the school will send out emails notifying about job opportunities that’s been sent to the school through out their stay in school.

Q: So, the students will still received job opportunities even after they graduate?

A: yes. After the students graduate, the  6- and 8-weekers will received notifications up to 3-month, 14-weekers up to 6-month, 26-weekers up to 10-month and the 32-weekers up to 12-month.

For more info about the school you can go to their website:  http://www.cmucollege.com/

 

My experience in the school:

The school is located in downtown Toronto (bloor subway, yonge-charles intersection). Easily accessible through public transportation. I lived in Hamilton, so I’ve to take the go train every morning and afternoon. Yes, the commuting part was hard at first, but I’ve gotten used to it after the first 3 weeks.

I’ve taken the 26-week comprehensive makeup artist program, which includes hair, fashion, theatre, film&tv and prosthetics (basically everything but creature design). I’ve taken fashion makeup before at Paramita Academy of Makeup Inc., so I have a little bit more advantage than my classmates, but it doesn’t mean that I didn’t learn anything. I came to the school with a mind-set that I do not know anything, so that way, I was able to learn as much knowledge as possible.

I have to say that in each course that I’ve taken, I am very satisfied with what I’ve learnt and how I can apply it to the real world. Every single instructor is amazing, and by far, the best makeup artists in the industry. No kidding! They are still active in the industry, and they are willing to share what they’ve learn in the real world with us. They are by far, one of the most humble, nicest, and talented people I’ve ever known. Each one of them taught us, not only the skills in makeup, but also skills to survive in the business.

The non-teaching staffs are amaaazing. They are friendly, and always willing to be there for us. John in the school’s store is always there to talk to me about products (because I’m a makeup junkie!), Humera at the receptionist always there to say hi/bye whenever I passed by the front door, Joy (oooh, Joy!..lol..i love her!) is always there to listen to you whenever you have troubles or just to bring her cakes (lol). Odessa always send out job opportunities, always willing to give us advice about photoshoots etc (and I always love her wardrobe collections..lol). Christine! Christine is soo patient, and always willing to help students or potential students about anything! payment, visa, permit, accommodation.

The President, Pamela (or Pam), always come out to check each class, talk to the students during lunch time to see how we are doing. Full of smile and always so friendly and nice to everyone!

I love all my instructors: Paula (hair), Jackie (fashion), Kelly (theatre), Tony (prosthetic), and Candice (film&tv). The photographers that take crazy amazing pictures and help build my portfolio: Maxime Bocken and Maja Hajduk. Love my classmates and I’ve made really good friends with a few of them.

Let’s put it in perspectives: I went there for 6-months, every weekend I always get a photoshoot. I was able to work at the IMATS show. Before I even finished school, I was asked to do Ms. Universe Canada Toronto 2010 makeup because of the job notification and during X-mas break, I was able to work with a photographer and model and we were published in an online magazine (Kismet). A job given by the school allowed me to work with the photographer over and over again, and now she just recommended me to another photographer. Some of my classmates and other students from another class offered and took me out on jobs.

I finished school 2 weeks ago, this is my schedule this week: friday, saturday, sunday: photoshoots, my schedule next week: wednesday, friday, saturday: photoshoots, sunday: bridal trial. I’ve even collaborated with Sizzle/Koi (a club in Hamilton) to open a beauty bar on friday and saturday nights.

The school PREPARES you to get job and to do your job out there. But of course, there’s so much that they can do to help you get jobs. You have to be willing to do your parts too!

I totally recommend Complections to whoever you are out there who wants to become a great makeup artist. If you’re really sure this is what you want to do, go do it! Grab your dream!

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