Nars Audascious Lipsticks - Anna, Dominique, Vanessa, Silvia, Raquel

Nars Audacous Lipstick was a major launch for Nars. They had quite a few this year - their dual- intensity shadows are amazing as well (review soon) I think, while all other luxury houses were concentrating on mattes for fall, Nars reinvented the creamy ultra pigmented lipstick- and they did it panache! I purchased 3 Barney exclusives (thank you frond!)- Dominique, Silvia and Vanessa and then after loving them so much - Anna and Raquel.

They do indeed, reach full opacity in one swipe. These pigments are powerful and delivery a creamy punch of colour. They have the texture of satin which leans towards a matte look without the usual harshness that comes with that. This for me is a very modern look. The packaging has lost the rubbery Nars feel and is  cool and sleek. As with most luxury lipsticks these days- it has a magnetised closure- which is lovely except when trying to take a picture and you have a uncooperative Silvia that just kept of hopping out of line! They are not featherlight on the lips , but feel comfortable and wear for a long time. When they start to fade, they do it with grace and dwindle to a lovely stain.

Dominique, Vanessa, Silvia

Raquel, Anna

Silvia, Dominique, Vanessa, Anna, Raquel

• Silvia - described as Radiant Orchid - all I can say is love- a pop of a bright pinky purple!
• Dominque - described as Pink Lilac - the most unique of the whole 40 lineup- this channels my inner 90's girl. Its a dusky lilac that is so intriguing. It seems to make my skin tone more olive in a way and gives a very mysterious look. My top pick.
• Vanessa - described as a mauve nude - apt description. This a good everyday nude without draining my colour or taking away from a bold eye
• Anna - described as a smokey rose - a wonderful rose shade that is pretty neutral on my skin tone.Yes I'm going to say it- my lips but a bettterrrr! and sexier
• Raquel - described as a pink nude - this has photographed darker than it actually is. Here it look just lighter than Vanessa - it is quite a bit lighter and gives my lips a flattering ultra nude lip that is lighter than my naturally pigmented lips. If you are looking for a slightly 'blanked out' lips whithout looking weird- this is the one!

There have been so many great lipstick releases this year, but this one blew me away. I can tell this is going to be the start of a beautiful relationship as I yearn after many more shades! These are kinda what I wish my Charlotte Tilbury lipstick (sorry Darling!) would be in terms of texture and look. If I remember correctly I said I liked them- something was missing- well, Nars found it! With such a big shade offering there is definitely something for everybody. Have you bought any of these Audascious lipsticks yet- any recommendations?

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide in Ecru - review and swatch

I love Laura Mercier. While I gravitate towards brands that are bit more bold in their point of you, no-one can dispute the understated sophistication of the LM brand or the cult status of their face products. I do own their Tinted moisturiser, of which is considered the measure of which all tinted moisturisers are help up to. I thought it was really good, I owned it and used it ,but it was never quite the right colour match. Fast forward a few years and I jumped once again onto the LM bandwagon and bought the new Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide. This time I had the luxury of being colour matched at a Sephora with their foundation matching gadget. An excellent handheld machine that was spot on in it's selection of shade - Ecru. I did not purchase it at the time but was given a generous sample. A dear friend (McG!) facilitated this purchase for me as the sample sold me on the product!

The packaging is utilitarian - lightweight plastic. No bells and whistles - but its what inside that counts. It is an oil free formula that needs to be shaken before application to mix up the bi-phase formula. It is quite liquid when I place it on the back of my hand. I use fingers for best application. I find that it is extremely similar to Armani Maestro  Fusion foundation - yet this formula is more forgiving as and it provides far more cover than the Maestro, yet it is still weightless in texture and looks invisible on my skin. Skin looks like perfected skin- it evens out my skin tone really well. I do have oily skin - it works pretty well to keep it fresh not a total oil slick. Ecru is described as 'Light with cool undertones'. Strangely, when I first purchased this when it was first released I could have sworn that it described as 'Light with neutral undertones' - which actually describes my skin more accurately (this reads more rosy to me than cool?) - nevertheless.....

Ecru

I have been loving this foundation and it is a fabulous addition to my foundation wardrobe. If you struggled with Armani's maestro, but want this 'type' of foundation, this LM Fluide might be what you are looking for.

Lancer Skincare :The Method Blemish control

The skincare brand Lancer seemed to popped on my radar recently. I think it might have coincided with their repackaging. This is another " Dr" brand and so the blah blah goes. I hunted this down in their little home in Bergdorf Goodman in NYC. A very helpful SA CeCi helped me and sampled me their 3 step method in their blemish prone range . Their three step method comes in three variations: for sensitive, normal, and blemish prone skins . After my consultation I opted for the blemish prone. Anyway, I took my generous samples back to my hotel room and used them that night. Nothing works in one use, right!?

I had one day left in New York. I nipped right back to Bergdorf's the next day-let me tell you why!

• The method starts (once daily) with the polish. This is new age code for exfoliator. So yes, you exfoliate your skin to cause mini 'damage' to cause your skin to continually repair itself. As you age this renewal process slows down, and this polish keeps your skin on 'it's toes' and in a state on renewal as cell turnover is increased. The polish for blemish prone skin has a marginally larger particle  (oilier skin tends to be thicker) which helps sloughs off dead skin cells.  My pores feel cleaner and look smaller. There are other ingredients that help with blemish prone skin conditions. There is peppermint oil to help remove toxins. I love the fresh feeling my skin is left with. Lilac Stem cell compound which has anti- acne and oil absorbing qualities. Salicylic Acid also helps with keeping the pores clear from debris and bacteria. I love this first step - my skin has never looked this smooth and clear.
• Now we cleanse in the traditional sense with the Cleanse. This helps remove the dead skin cells that have been loosened by the Polish and removes any leftover oil. This cleanser also has the peppermint oil. It is so refreshing. Lots of other ingredients sooth, energise, moisturise and help finish of the cleansing process.
• Nourish is the final step. The blemish 'Nourish' cream is so good for us adults that have oily skin but still want the benefits of an anti-aging cream. It protects from oxidative elements, has peptides, and has anti-blemish and oil -control properties. I found this cream to be lightweight and hydrating.

My skin has been looking amazing since using this method. Radiant and energised are the first two words to pop into my mind when thinking how my skin looks, since using Lancer. The Lancer method is meant to give you the 'Lancer glow' - I have to agree with this! This is range has seriously impressed me and makes me want to look further at the serums that Lancer offers. I have to admit I indulged and bought the Lancer Microcurrent Powerboost device (review to come) and have loved it too. Dr Lancer's book Younger was an informative read as well.
Ceci at Bergdorf Goodman was excellent when answering all my questions. Please tell her Jodi says 'Hi' if you choose to call and get her advise 212.872.8630