Review: Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara

When I picked up my Covergirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara (read my review on it here), I also purchased Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara.

I was very intrigued by both the commercial and the promises that this product made, so I decided to give it a shot. When I arrived home from buying this product, I was dismayed to find that some negative reviews had been written about this mascara, but I decided to test it out anyway.

This picture shows my natural lashes curled with no mascara applied. 

As you can see, the wand ensures that each lash will be coated evenly and really separates the lashes. It also has a lot of the product on it, but doesn't clump.

When I first applied the product, I noticed that my lashes did look longer, but not dramatically. As you can see in the above picture, the first coat of mascara added a lot of definition to my eyelashes and made them stand out. 

The mascara also held curl well almost all day, and didn’t clump when I added a second coat, which you can see in the last picture. I have been using this for a little over a month straight, and I really like it a lot. (I’ve only used the Covergirl LashBlast Fusion when I’ve tested it and gone for a night out)

I’m really happy that I didn’t let the negative reviews on this product change my decision to use it. I honestly really liked this mascara, and it has successfully come in as a close second to my favorite mascara – Urban Decay’s Multi-Benefit Skyscraper Mascara (read my review here). Though I don’t notice a difference in my lash growth yet (I’ll keep you updated in a few months when I have used it for a longer period of time), I am a fan of this product’s overall performance in that it doesn’t clump and does add some length to my natural lash.

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara = A

Have you tried Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara? How did you like it? Let me know in the comment section! 

Review: Covergirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara

Since there is nowhere to get refills on my lash extensions up at college, I decided to forgo my lash maintenance appointment and let my extensions fall out on their own. I am a bit depressed because I LOVE my Xtreme Lash Extensions so much. I will be getting them again next year after college graduation, since I will be living back at home for a while and will be able to get my lashes filled indefinitely. Anyway, after my extensions were gone, I noticed that I was in dire need of mascara and decided to take a trip to Target. While there, I picked up Covergirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara  since I love the original LashBlast Volume Blasting formula, and I really liked the color of the packaging – purple is my favorite! I also purchased this mascara because I thought that if this was the “fusion” of both the original LashBlast Volume Blasting and the LashBlast Length mascara, it would be unbelievably amazing.

I liked the packaging of the product - I noticed that it was very sleek and easy to hold. As I said before, I also liked the color. 

When I examined the brush, I noticed that it looked just like the original LashBlast wand. There were a ton of tiny bristles that would prevent clumping from occurring, and ensured that each lash would be separated. 

When the brush was covered in mascara, I was still able to see the tiny bristles. 

When I initially applied the mascara to my eyes, I noticed that though there was no clumping, my lashes weren't longer or fuller. 

When the formula had been on my eyes for around 7 hours, I noticed that the curl was barely there, and the mascara had worn off a lot. 

Ultimately, I was not too thrilled with this product. Though I did like the packaging and the fact that it didn't clump, I didn’t like the fact that it didn’t hold curl too well and it wore off. I honestly didn’t think it added a dramatic amount of length and volume either. I don't think I am going to be using this product at all after my trial with it, and will definitely not repurchase it in the future. 

Covergirl LashBlast Fusion = C+

Have you tried this product? What did you think of it? Do you have any other mascara recommendations? Let me know in the comment section! :)

All About Lash Extensions!

I got the Xtreme Lash Extensions right before my 21st birthday, and I've had them on for a total of 2 months now. I've decided to compile a list of everything you need to know about extensions in order to help those of you who are contemplating getting them!

This is a picture taken before I received the lash extensions. As you can see, my lashes aren't that short, but they aren't ridiculously long.

This is a picture taken after I got the lash extensions. My lashes look A LOT longer than they were.

Here are some things that I've learned about lash extensions:

1. It takes about an hour and a half to apply the initial set of lashes - It's a big time commitment to get the lashes and maintain them.

2. It's a painless procedure - Your lashes won't feel any different once the extensions are on. You'd think they would feel heavy, but they feel as if nothing is on your lashes.

3. When the lashes get either initially put on or replaced, you can't get them wet for 48 hours - Be sure to wash your hair and shower before getting your lashes put on that day. Using a clear shower cap over your hair and eyes when you shower helps so you don't get your lashes wet by accident! You can also use goggles. This sounds silly, but it really works!

4. It takes about 45 minutes every 2-3 weeks to have the lashes "filled", or replaced - You have to commit to filling the lashes each week, or they'll fall out.

5. It's very EXPENSIVE! - It costs about $250 to get the initial set, which is about 40-60 lashes; and $75-$95 to get the lashes filled every 2-3 weeks. *Remember to check your salon's pricing - every salon is different.*

6. You don't have to use your eyelash curler at all! - I have a lot of lashes, but they're straight and don't have a natural curl to them. I found myself using my eyelash curler a lot during the day in order to ensure that my lashes were curled prior to getting extensions. I would even carry my eyelash curler in my bag when I went out at night with my friends! Needless to say, I am obsessed with my lashes being curled. When you have lash extensions, you should not use an eyelash curler as it can damage the extensions.

7. It doesn't affect your natural lashes or the lash growth - Don't worry, your lashes won't fall out, and nothing bad will happen to them after getting the extensions.

8. You don't have to wear mascara- You don't have to wear regular mascara or waterproof mascara in the pool or ocean, and your lashes will still look good after! You also don't have to worry about your mascara running.

9. You can't use certain mascaras if you feel the need to wear mascara - Most mascaras are oil-based, which means that the lash extensions will slide right off of your eyelash if you apply them. You should purchase the mascara made especially for the lashes, which is water-based.

10. You have to use an oil-free makeup remover - This is a relatively easy practice to get used to. All you have to do is switch to oil-free makeup remover pads.

11. You can't toss and turn in your sleep! - I move a lot when I sleep, so this was hard for me to get used to. You should sleep on your back since the lashes aren't hitting the pillow, which causes them to either bend in a weird direction, or fall off. Usually, my right eyelashes fall off more because I sleep on my right side.

12. They add a ton of length to the lash - As you can see from the pictures above, there's a dramatic difference in my lash length.

I hope this helps you decide whether or not lash extensions are the right choice for you! :)

Review: Urban Decay Naked Palette

I was super excited when I heard that Urban Decay was coming out with a new palette for Fall 2010! I knew it would be a great product because Urban Decay is one of my favorite brands... I know I can always rely on them for good quality makeup! This palette includes 12 shades, a double-sided eye pencil, and a mini Primer Potion. 5 of the shades are new, 7 are permanent, and 1 is a comeback.

As you can see, the packaging on the palette is absolutely GORGEOUS! It's a dark brown velvet texture, with gold lettering etched into the velvet. I feel like it's not as funky as the other palettes from Urban Decay that I own - it's very sophisticated, and really embodies the neutral eyeshadow shades found within it.

This photo was taken with the flash off. You can see that 10 of the shades are primarily neutrals and browns, with two grey/black shades in there as well. You can also see the double-sided 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil - the colors are Zero and Whiskey. Zero is a black pencil, while Whiskey is a reddish brown pencil, which is a new addition to Urban Decay's collection.

The two photos of the palette were taken with the flash on. You can clearly see which shades are shimmery and which are matte. For more information about the shades, refer to the pictures below! (Note: I feel that all of the colors are great as an all-over lid color with the exception of Virgin, which would be a great highlight)

These are the first four shades with the flash off (top) and on (bottom). The names and descriptions are as follows:

Virgin: (New) A frosty, creamy, very light beige. Great as a highlight color on your brow bone or on your inner tear duct.

Sin: (Permanent) A shimmery nude.

Naked: (Permanent) A tan matte.

Sidecar: (Comeback shade) A shimmery dark beige It was in the first Book of Shadows, but not sold separately.

These are the next four shadows with the flash off (top) and on (bottom). The shades are:

Buck: (New) A matte dark tan.

Half Baked: (Permanent) A shimmery light yellow-bronze. One of my favorite shades of all time :)

Smog: (Permanent) A shimmery tan-bronze.

Darkhorse: (New) A bronze chocolate brown with a subtle shimmer.

These are the last four shades. The shadows are:

Toasted: (Permanent) A shimmery light brown. It reminds me of a darker version of Sin.

Hustle: (New) A frosty, shimmery, dark brown. It reminds me of a darker version of Darkhorse. It's named after an Urban Decay Ultraglide Lip Gloss, Hustle.

Creep: (New) A black shadow with blue-silver shimmer.

Gunmetal: (Permanent) A dark grey shimmer.

One of the best things about this product besides, well, everything else I've mentioned so far is the fact that all of the shadows are full size. Normally, an individual Urban Decay eyeshadow is $17, so 12 of them would be $204! This means that you're saving $160!!! Technically, with the cost of the double-sided eye pencil and the mini Primer Potion, you're saving more than $160... how great is that?!

Ultimately, I believe that Urban Decay's Naked Palette is one of the greatest makeup purchases I have EVER made! It's great quality, the shadows are all highly pigmented, and the cost can't be beat! In all seriousness, everyone should have this product! Good job, Urban Decay! :) A++++++++

Note: The Naked palette keeps getting sold out on both urbandecay.com and sephora.com. I will definitely let you know when it's back in stock so you can get your hands on this awesome item! :)

Review: Living Proof No Frizz Straight Making Styling System for Thick to Coarse Hair

If you read my last Sephora haul, you'll know that I purchased the Living Proof No Frizz Straight Making Styling System for thick to coarse hair (you can read my haul which gives an overview of the product here - it's in the first two paragraphs).

I was expecting the bottles to be a lot bigger - as you can see in the photos below, they were pretty tiny in comparison to my iPod and my hand. They were great for a trial, however, since they were so small. This kit would be fantastic for a vacation, since they are travel-size and are airplane-approved!

As for how the product treated my hair - I ended up loving it! The initial time I used it, I wasn't crazy about it since my hair felt straw-like. This was very odd for me, since my hair never tangles. I watched the "How to videos" about use the product, and it suggested to use a brush (view the "How to" videos here). The second time I used it, and for the rest of the time I used the system, my hair felt really good and didn't frizz as much in the humidity as it normally does, though it still did frizz a bit. I really liked the fact that it allowed me to not wash my hair as often, and I loved the smell - it's a citrus/orange scent.

Ultimately, I will definitely purchase the larger bottles, since I really like this product! :) This product earned an A -, because it didn't keep the frizz away completely. You can purchase the Straight Making System on Sephora.com here (a $34 value for only $25) , or on the Living Proof website here (a $48 value for only $39 + shipping).

Review: LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer

Although I love urban decay primer potion (for my review, click here), I had to switch to an oil-free primer - cue LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer! At first, I was a bit apprehensive and scared to leave my favorite product behind... but after I hadn't used a primer in a few days, and my eyeshadow was looking lackluster and dull, I decided I had to do something. I had to make this switch because i just got Xtreme Eyelash Extensions, and the use of oil-based products is strictly forbidden - that is, unless you want your new, very expensive lashes to slide right off. I did a little bit of research online before my purchase, and went to ulta to see if they had any. luckily, I ended up grabbing the last one - thank goodness they had it, because I immediately fell in love.

The product comes in a tube, which is ideal for squeezing out every last bit of it. I like the casing - it's a gunmetal, shimmer grey (refer to the bottom picture). It is as long as my blackberry tour and holds a ton of primer - it contains .47 fl oz, whereas primer potion contains .34 oz. It also costs $20 while primer potion costs $18. It glides on easily, and doesn't crease at all.

I truly feel that this item and urban decay primer potion are comparable. I think the two products should tie for best primer, and I award the LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer with an A

review: hot couture eau de toilette by givenchy

hot couture by givenchy is my new love. i often find it extremely difficult to find a perfume that i like, and as soon as i smelled this one, i fell head over heels. my roommate was the person who showed me this wonderful scent. Every time i smelled it, i knew i had to get my hands on one of my own.

the fragrance has hints of raspberry, strawberry, spice rose, tuberose, bergamont, citron, amber, and white musk.

it is simultaneously girly, sophisticated, confident, sexy, fun, and playful, which makes it perfect for a girl in their late teens to late twenties. i feel like this truly matches my personality and is perfect for everyday wear.

this is avaliable for purchase at ulta and sephora. i got mine from ulta since i got to use my member points and i got to choose any perfume as a reward.

this perfume gets an A+!!!

review: kat von d. romance eyeshadow palette in ludwig

i am absolutely in love with the kat von d. romance eyeshadow palette in ludwig that i picked up at sephora and try to use it every chance i get! you can only buy this product at sephora, since it is made specifically for the company. the colors are gorgeous, so soft, and glide right onto your lid.

this palette comes with the following colors:

- lucifer - matte black

- orbi - green shimmer with flecks of gold

- dimebag - lime green shimmer

- clay - beige with flecks of gold

- tequila - yellow shimmer

- downtown - copper shimmer

- baroque - bronze shimmer

- leather - dark brown

this product gets an A+!!!! :)

review: urban decay primer potion

i have been using the original urban decay primer potion for well over a year now and can honestly say i will never stop purchasing it. this primer really holds eyeshadow and eyeliner in place for hours and hours and allows for the shadow to not crease.

the original formula (left) is a sheer nude which is extremely light, dries invisibly, and will work on every skin tone. it also leaves behind no residue or greasiness. it also now comes in two colors other than original - sin and eden. sin (middle) is a champagne/bronze shimmer which can act as a color by itself, or adds something extra to your eyeshadow. eden (right) is a matte nude color which acts as as a no-makeup looking primer. it also serves as a base to match your skin tone. all of the wands are now bent, so application is easier and more precise. personally, i prefer the original since it is sheer and works with everything, but feel free to give the others a try! the original formula is fantastic, so i'm sure the other two are as well! A

review: covergirl outlast lip stain and preview of new lip stains

since tomorrow i will be in sunny florida by the pool, i realize that i am in need of a new lip stain since it doesn't wear off that quickly in water. the last time i was on vacation, i used covergirl outlast lip stain which i truly didn't like. i felt as if the stain wore off far too quickly - as if it was a lipstick instead. it also was very dry and made my lips chapped very quickly. i definitely do not recommend this product. C-

here are the lip stains i am deciding between:

urban decay lip envy lip stain, stila cheek and lip stain, benefit cosmetics pocket pal, and tarte natural lip stain

i'm very excited to pick one of these products up! i'll let you know how it goes! xoxo

review: essie pop art pink

i am currently writing a 10 page paper concerning australia and the environmental issues that the country is currently facing, so i thought that posting this would be the perfect way to procrastinate.

i went for a manicure today and chose to get essie's pop art pink on my nails since it is a new color in their spring 2010 collection and it looked adorable in the bottle. i also chose it because my new thing is getting light colors on my nails instead of dark ones, not because it is spring, but because when the color chips it is less noticeable - lazy i know.

the first thing that i noticed about the color was that it reminded me of a very very light baby pink hue. while my manicurist was applying it, i saw that the initial coat was extremely light. this made me a little nervous since it was almost white and didn't look too good with my unbelievably pale skin (which should hopefully be gone this week since i am going on vacation and hopefully obtaining a tan while i'm there). however, as the second coat was applied, my worries quickly dissolved because the color in the bottle that i had admired matched my nails perfectly.

i am extremely pleased with the color and think that it is great for the springtime. A+

review: opi nail polish in rosy future AND essie good to go! quick-dry polish

first, off i would like to apologize for not doing any posts in a while... i've been soooo busy with school. i would also like to apologize for the picture coming out so bad - i took it with my blackberry and the color is all wrong - take a look at my description at the bottom to see what the color really looked like.

so, since i totally messed up, i've decided to attempt to redeem myself with a double review! :)

we'll start off with opi nail polish in rosy future.

as i said before, the color is really off in this picture... it looks like a light pink with a bit of iridescent (on my computer at least), but it was nowhere near that. i applied two coats of it without a base and it didn't streak at all which i love. i initially loved the color but when i went out into daylight, i felt like this was way too summery for this time of year. having said that, i will without a doubt be saving this color for the summertime. it was an iridescent barbie-pink and by that i mean that it was not hot pink but it was a very very bright light pink. it's a very cute and fun color after i've been wearing blacks, dark reds, and dark purples all winter.

moving on to the essie good to go! quick-dry nail polish review...

i applied this top coat after i applied the two coats of rosy future. i was really surprised that the bottle was right - it did dry in about 5 minutes, which is perfect for me since i have to touch everything after i get a manicure and end up smudging my nails. however, this chipped really easily - it chipped the next day already and started to peel off when i was in the shower (maybe because of the heat?).

my grades for each? opi in rosy future (for the summertime only!) A+

essie good to go! quick dry polish B (mainly because it peeled and chipped right away)

review: nyx eyeliner pencil in pearl white

since it has been snowing nonstop at my school for the past 4 days, i thought this post was appropriate. sorry if this seems similar to my last post but the two products - the jumbo eyeshadow pencil and this one have completely different uses and give off different looks.

i have to be honest, i wasn't really feeling nyx eyeliner pencil in pearl white at first - it took me a while to really get used to it. since it was snowing, i decided to go for a "snow bunny" makeup look every day. this product was key in doing so... it allowed me to fully emulate this look. i applied the pencil to my waterline and on my lower lash line all the way under my tear duct. this gave a iridescent white shade under my eyes which reflected the look of snow. this product also lasts a long time, which is fantastic because you don't have to constantly reapply. i now constantly use this and i love it!

note: it also gives the appearance of one looking more awake and alert, so this is key for those of you who are sleepy and tired-looking in the morning. i personally don't like how just white on my waterline looks on me, so i blend in a gunmetal grey, brown, or black pencil into the white from the outer corner of my lower lash line to the middle of my lower lash line. this allows me to still keep the snowy, frosted look without it looking too overpowering.

the cost great - i bought it at ulta for around $2.00!!!

my opinion? this product gets an A :)

review: nyx jumbo eye pencil in milk

nyx jumbo eye pencil in milk is a great base for eye shadow. it also is a great stand-alone shadow as well. i have learned that it allows shadow to stick to it and stay on almost all day, no primer necessary. it also allows for shadow colors to really pop and gives a more intense backdrop for the shadow you have selected to use.

the consistency of this pencil is extremely creamy which allows for blending. it is also a matte white color which is very versatile for whether or not you want to keep your eye shadow matte.

i initially purchased this pencil from ulta to use for my mermaid halloween costume (see below for a picture - you can't really notice the turquoise as much, but you can see nyx in milk around my tear duct and waterline). i wanted to use different shades of turquoise shadows and wished to use white in order to intensify the colors. this worked and stayed on all night, no reapplication necessary. i also used false lashes and the use of this product did not pose a problem.

this product is also extremely affordable. i believe that i paid around $3.00 for it. unfortunately, although i purchased it at ulta, it is not for sale on the website.

stay posted - i will be reviewing other nyx jumbo pencil colors soon!

A+

review: almay clear complexion concealer

my dermatologist informed me that almay clear complexion concealer was great for my skin and wouldn't make me break out.

the bottle itself states that it "helps clear and prevent acne blemishes".

i believe this product works wonderfully and does exactly what the label says. it contains 1% salicylic acid which is very beneficial for your skin. though i originally did use this under my eyes, i felt that it came off after a while, so i switched to the laura mercier concealer instead (this can be attributed to the fact that i did not use powder over it). however, i still use it when i have blemishes and i truly believe that it does clear the blemish at a more rapid rate than if i had not used it. i also now dust on mac select sheer/pressed powder over it to give it staying power and it tends to not wear away as quickly.

also, since it is a drugstore brand, this concealer is a lot cheaper and zaps away zits. so go ahead and grab one!

A

review: glitz, glam, & gloss by benefit

i was given this gift for christmas - yes i know it was a while ago, but i haven't started using it until two weeks ago. since then, i haven't been able to put them down!

so ever since i saw that eva longoria looked absolutely stunning with her gold lip gloss in one of my favorite magazines, i knew i had to get my hands on that! turns out, it was in this set i had already. i use it whenever i want to have a bronze glow at night. there's also some other great colors - a lavender gloss which goes on your lips in a pink shimmer, a brown shimmer, a beige shimmer, a peach shimmer, and a pink iridescent. they smell great too... a yummy peach scent.

see how cute and small they are? very convenient for storing 2 colors in your bag in case you want to change it up from daytime to nighttime.

A+ for texture, convenience, and gorgeous colors!

review: urban decay skyscraper multi-benefit mascara

i've been using urban decay's skyscraper multi-benefit mascara for about 6 months now and have not been able to put it down. this is definitely a product i can't live without!

this is what urban decay says:

Reach new heights with our drastically improved, six-in-one Skyscraper Mascara. Our innovative formula will lengthen, strengthen, separate, curl, brighten and thicken your lashes without even a hint of clumping or flaking. The state-of-the-art, new generation brush features a flexible shaft and multiple rows of tapered bristles to comb through lashes from root to tip. Skyscraper gives you that “come hither” look that gets ‘em every time.
And don’t even think about sacrificing the well being of your delicate lashes to a harsh product. Not a chance! The multi-benefit formula actually nourishes lashes. Luxe ingredients like Panthenol and vegetal ceramids condition and strengthen. Silk protein protects, and Vitamins C and E serve as powerful antioxidants. Filming agents even encourage a gentle curling. Lashes are long, strong, and feather-soft.

i can honestly say that this product is definitely 100% what the blurb says it is... it doesn't clump at all, never flakes, and i do believe that my lashes look healthier, longer, and thicker. i also really like the fact that it isn't harsh on my lashes and contains all kinds of nutrients to help keep my lashes looking great! you'll see no breakage and notice that your lashes are very soft, making them look very natural.
if you're in the market for a new mascara, try this one out! it's incredible!!! (trust me - i've gone through every mascara that claims to lengthen your lashes and i was never satisfied with the results)
A+!!!!!

xoxo

review: concealers - laura mercier secret concealer; haul: ulta

so since the rings under my eyes are getting darker by the day, i decided that i needed to change up my concealer routine. i previously started with mac moisturecover which is a moisturizing concealer that comes in a gloss-like bottle. when i went back to mac and told them it wasn't really working for me, they suggested that i use studio finish SPF 35 concealer and finish it off with the moisturecover so that it wouldn't dry out my skin. to ensure that the concealer would stay in place, she also suggested i use a powder which i purchased as well. although this worked, i still wasn't satisfied, so i took matters into my own hands. i visited bluemercury to see whether or not their concealer would work for me. the girl who was helping me told me that laura mercier secret concealer was the most highly pigmented concealer in the store (which also carries bobbi brown and nars among other well-known brands) and would definitely hide my under eye mess. well, i'm happy to say that today was my first day using it in my regular makeup routine and it worked pretty well! although i applied mac moisturecover and powder to make sure my eyes were moisturized and set, it didn't show my undereye problems as much as the mac studio finish. it is important to only apply a small amount under your eyes, and also to not dip your concealer brush into it - i found out the hard way that it is not hard like studio finish, but it is very creamy and will get all over the place. instead, try to just dab a little under and then blend with your brush. i will definitely purchase this again... unless i find a better concealer that is. ;) A-



now, onto my ulta haul!!!
when i went into ulta, i have to admit, i did have some specific items that i wanted to buy in mind, but i always buy wayyyyy more than i expect to (which is very, very bad). the items i wanted to purchase were: urban decay skyscraper multi-benefit mascara (which i have used before) and amazing concealer (which i heard was just what the label says-amazing). i ended up purchasing those two items and: urban decay lash primer potion, nyx eyeliner in white, and almay clear complexion concealer (which i have used before). in addition to all of that fun makeup stuff, i also bought opi nail polish in rosy future, essie nail polish in pop art pink, and essie good to go! fastest drying top coat. i will most likely be writing reviews on each of these items so if you're interested in any of them, stay tuned! :)

xoxo

review: kim kardashian perfume

good morning!!! time for a review! :)

when i received my nars highlighting/bronzing duo from sephora (see post below for review), i got to pick 3 samples. when i saw that one was kim kardashian's new perfume i was SO excited! there has been soooo much publicity for this - there's an ad in every magazine i read, so i thought it would be great! plus, i love kim kardashian and watch "keeping up with the kardashians" like it's my job.



well... i was so wrong. as soon as i opened it, i sprayed it onto a piece of paper. my roommate, my boyfriend, and i smelled it
and we all agreed that it was - for lack of a better word - gross. i even started getting sick from the smell. i was so disappointed... sorry kim k.! :(
it really smells to me like something my grandma would wear and i find nothing good about it. personally, i like vanilla and light flowery scents and this was wayyyy too overpowering for my liking.

i give it a solid C because it is just not a scent you would associate with a woman in her 20's or 30's, especially not kim kardashian.

xoxo

sephora review: nars duo highlighting/bronzing blush duo in orgasm/laguna

so i ordered the nars highlighting/bronzing duo in orgasm/laguna last week and couldn't wait for it to get here because i am ridiculously and pathetically pale compared to EVERYONE! my boyfriend even said this is the palest he's ever seen me! when it finally arrived here yesterday i ran to the mailroom because i knew it was going to snow today and couldn't bear waiting another two days for it to get here! i've heard sooooo many great things about these two items and was so excited to see that they came in a duo set! i seriously recommend purchasing the duo instead of the two separate orgasm/laguna sets especially if it is your first time buying them - it saves you a nice little amount of money and allows you to test them out.

as for the colors of the duo - the picture shows the hues pretty well. orgasm, the blush, is a darker pink color with a hint of shimmer in it (i don't personally care for shimmer but this amount looks natural and adds a glow to your skin). orgasm also works well with almost every skin tone - a lot of my friends whose skin color varies from mine love to use it and it looks great on them! laguna, the bronzer, caught my eye because khloe kardashian uses it and i always LOVE her makeup, especially the way her complexion looks. when i first saw it, i thought that it might be a little too dark for my skin tone (it's darker than my mac bronzer in matte bronze) and that it would make my face look dirty. i also was apprehensive about the sparkle in it because i like my face to look matte and naturally tan. however, when i applied it i loved it and received compliments from my boyfriend who thought it added a nice and healthy amount of color to my face. i can't tell you how happy i am with my purchase and will definitely be buying a separate laguna bronzer and orgasm blush - i want as much of both of them as i can get! A+