NARS Nail Polish-Saratoga

(Pictured: NARS Nail Polish. Color: Gimme Shelter. Photo taken from NARScosmetics.com. Used without permission)


Saratoga is one of their new shades. What I love about NARS, and specifically their site, is that the descriptions hold true in real life. Such creative and lush descriptions. The polish is said to be "ruby red with gold shimmer" and, gloria it is. As anyone who has been in a Christmas-celebrating town or country knows, red and gold are big for this season. What better way to make your nails look festive? Use one layer for a lighter red-gold or two or more for a sultry tone, which is what I do.

This color looks great on everyone. A strong word of caution though: thin layers. Especially if you don't want your polish to chip after 24 hours. Make sure the layers dry in between applications. Of course this will take longer, but patience my dears. Long as you do this, then the polish will be better than perfect. Needless to say, use a top coat and bottom coat.

Also, NARS has a limited-edition nail polish available at Sephora.com only for Beauty Insiders called "Zulu", a deep vine green (pictured at right). If you're interested, sign up to be a Beauty Insider, it's free after all. They're temporarily out of stock though, but I'm sure more will be made since it's obviously a best-seller.

(Pictured above: NARS Nail Polish. Color: Zulu. Photo taken from Sephora.com. Used without permission.)

Dark Eyes-Dark Mouth: Correctly

That is, of course, the inimitable Monica Bellucci (Photo: Italian Elle, August 2006). Her image should be familiar to those who read my blog frequently: she is my avatar. Currently a face of Dior, here Ms. Bellucci shows a beautifully painted face with dark eyes and a dark mouth. Often this combination is seen as a no-no, sometimes considered too dramatic. On the right face, however, it can be stunning and seductive.

It is my opinion that this dark-dark combo is more appropriate on darker skin colors as it really can look overdone or too gothic on blondes, though I think with a little tweaking the latter can pull it off successfully. A color shadow lighter than black but still in the dark range, like for example gray, brown or blue, can be used in combination with black mascara to create a smoky-eye look for fairer skinned women accompanied by a rich brown lipstick.

Personally I like that look and wear it quite often. I work at home so there's no need for me to wear 'appropriate' daytime colors in my cosmetics.

It's All in the Wrist

I am oft complimented about my eyelashes in the most interesting manner: many believe them to be extensions. When I inform them that in fact Mama Nature and I made these the envy deepens and inevitably leads to, "How can I get my lashes to do that too?" I tell them, "It's all in the wrist."

Mascara is the one product I MUST apply on a daily basis. Not only does the lengthening and volumizing of my lashes act as a shield from sun and grit (as all lashes are supposed to) but it makes me look put together even when I look...horrible. Mascara is a product that cannot be put on in a rush. I get every last lash, which gives a panoramic look.

When applying mascara my wrist moves in a soft but deliberate circle. Almost like wrist circles learned in my belly dance class, my fingers delicately hold the mascara wand. With a hand-held mirror in my left hand and the mascara wand in my right, I hold the mirror underneath my chin and look down as I apply mascara to the right eye. The lashes on the upper eye are coated in this manner; then moving the mirror right in front of me, I apply mascara to the underside of the upper eyelashes. For fine tuning (ie. any missed or difficult to reach lashes) I use the tip of the wand. Repeat on the left side.

I do not always apply mascara to my bottom lashes, especially if I want a more doe-eyed effect. Since my lashes on the outer corners of my almond-shaped eyes are longer, getting the "doe eyes" is made easy by emphasizing those few lashes and skipping the bottom row altogether. When I do use mascara on the bottom I hold the wand horizontally and apply by moving the wand underneath the lashes, going up and out. Voila!

My lashes are already curly, a soft 30-45 degree curve so I do not need to use a curler. I know, lucky me! Using this technique will give anyone long, glam lashes regardless of the mascara used. However, a great lengthening or volumizing base coat works wonders as well.