If you've read the blog lately, you might know I'm starting to develop a slight obsession with a bronzers. Achieving the healthy glow without overly tanning or muddying my light skin (NC20-25 I think) is actually an attainable goal! The bronzers that came out this year at higher end makeup counters were especially tantalizing, including ones by Estee Lauder, Dior, and Chanel. I've been perusing Beauty Look Book's Summer guide to bronzer favorites as well as Summer 2011 bronzer comparisons by Beauty Look Book and Cafe Makeup on a more frequent basis than I'd care to admit!
In the end, I went with Dior Aurora Bronzer. Maybe it was because of the slightly lower price tag, maybe it was because my tastes align well with Cafe Makeup. I was initially a little put off by the peach color seen in swatches, as I certainly don't want an orangey tan, or like I have peach blush all over my face. When I opened the product, I was a little underwhelmed by the tan and peach colors, and was worried I'd made a mistake. However, when I actually tried it on my face, wow. All I could say and think was wow. I couldn't stop looking at myself in the mirror! The brush was so soft and perfect for application (I just wish it wasn't fur). I brushed it on my temples, forehead, cheekbones, nose, and chin, and layered it more heavily on the cheek as light blush. It looked so light natural on my warm skin, impossible to overdo. The peach gives an "I've just been in the sun" look, as opposed to a purely brown or gold color. There is shimmer that's visible if you hold a mirror closely to your face, but it's not apparent at normal distances. Somehow bronzer looks amazing as a blush/bronze. This might even be my go-to for blush this summer, and that's saying a lot considering my NARS O obsession.
So at this point, wow, wow, wow. I can't wait to put it on tomorrow morning. That's how excited I am about it. We'll see if this continues into the future.
Secondly, I bought NARS duo eyeshadow in Dogon. It's actually my first duo ever! I tried to avoid purchasing NARS for a long time because I was uneasy about their animal testing policy (NARS supposedly doesn't test, but they belong to Shiseido a known tester). It still makes me uneasy, but I've made peace with the idea that I can't be perfect. So, that's why Dogon is my first NARS eyeshadow. I missed out on Rajasthan, and am still kicking myself for that. Dogon is somewhat similar in appearance, so I knew I should just take the jump!
Bloggers have said Dogon is a bit dark for a summer color. In a sense, I agree, however the icy green-gold-silver-mauve shine in the lighter color really do remind me of summer. And for summer, I think both nude eyes and smoky eyes are fitting with a tan. So I think the NARS duos this year are on target : one smoky (Dogon) and one nude/gold (Exotic Dance). The colors in this duo are a spectacle within themselves. Like I said, there's a crazy taupe (that's not really a taupe), and a bluish charcoal with blue shimmery flecks.
On the eyes is a different story. The craziness isn't as evident, and makes for a very wearable smoky eye when blended together. The complexity is still evident in a subtle way, and that makes it really beautiful. I have very warm skin, so it's harder to wear true blues and cooler tones, since the contrast can be too great. No such problem with this duo though. The subtle golden-green sheen and slight warmth blended into the cooler tones gives enough balance to make it very wearable. As a big fan of slightly smoked eyes, I bet this complex beauty will get heavy use this summer.
Now, all I need is to get my hot little hands on Exotic Dance...
Coincidentally, Sabrina from Beauty Look Book posted on these duos today as well. I've borrowed her photo idea of using the NARS plastic insert as a part of the photo. She has such nice photos! I actually keep all my NARS plastic inserts with my products, because they're pretty and they keep powder from getting all over the rubbery outer case.
Hope you enjoyed the pictures! I ended up writing more than planned =). Both Dior Aurora and NARS Dogon will get a lot of use, and I'm glad I purchased them. Have you purchased summer items yet? Any lemmings, hits, or misses?
In the same package, I'd ordered a pair of nude pumps I was hoping to wear to my friend's wedding this weekend, however those were a bust. Sky-high nude close-toed patent pumps seem like such a great leg-lengthening idea, but somehow my legs looked a bit truncated and odd. Hm. Or...Steve Madden is just really hit or miss. Well, it's not a huge tragedy. I have my favorite summery peep toes I plan on wearing!
Happy Friday!
Love, Dovey.
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Edit: You can see a my more extensive review of NARS Dogon Eyeshadow Duo here
lovely! i'm getting Dogon as well :)
ReplyDeletehi Jennifer, that's great! I think it's a great duo for sure =)
ReplyDeleteLucky girl! You found not one but two amazing bronzers for the summer ;) (Dior & Bobbi Brown)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tasha! I'm hoping to get good use out of them this summer and avoid sun exposure! At some point every summer I decide to tan my face, which is usually a mistake. Bronzers are at least reversible with soap and water if you don't like the color=)
ReplyDeleteI'm supposed to be done purchasing bronzers but that Dior is still on my radar and yes, I still need the Dogon duo!
ReplyDeleteGreat purchases!!