Better late than never: YSL, MAC, NARS.

Hello everyone! Did you notice anything different?

Welcome to my "p.m." blog, "post makeover" that is!
I found the last layout a bit too grey and dull, especially on a rainy day (I mean, how much grey can one person handle) and decided to make one on my own, since pretty much none of the ones I found on various layout websites was what I was looking for!

I 'm really pleased with the outcome and hope that you are too!


Now, on to the makeup!

I 'm afraid you might find this a bit boring, since these products have already been mentioned and reviewed by many wonderful bloggers, but I thought I should share my thoughts with you anyways... :)




Please meet: the YSL Tresor d' Afrique 5 Colour Palette for the Eyes, NARS Mekong e/s, MAC Colour Crafted lipstick and MAC Assemblage mineralize e/s quad.





The YSL "Tresor d' Afrique" e/s palette was the one item I 've been eyeing pretty much all summer and was unable to get, since my YSL counter was sold out (surprise, suprise). It has 5 lovely shades: toffee, plum, turquoise, navy blue and beige, with the turquoise one really standing out.
Sadly, I 'm afraid it might be a little too late to make bright (summery) turquoise looks, but I could definitely make the rest of the colours work!

These swatches are over UDPP, because the plum shade was giving me a hard time to swatch on a bare hand.




MAC Assemblage quad from the Colour Craft collection. Another item I 've been wanting for quite some time, however I was majorly dissapointed in it at first, to the point of not being sure whether I wanted to keep it. The grey colour was gorgeous, but the rest, especially the gold...? Hello chunky glitter!
That doesn't seem to be the case though, when applied over a base (UDPP for these swatches as well). The difference in colour payoff is huge and, to be realistic, I wouldn't use them without a base anyways!




MAC lipstick in Colour Crafted (top left). Gorgeous rose-y pink shade. Similar to Saint Germain...?
Um... no! I 've swatched it right beside Saint Germain and I don't find it to be similar at all. Saint Germain definitely has a lot more purple/blue tones (and my camera seems to emphasize that) than Colour Crafted. In fact I find it closer to the colour family of YSL Lingerie Pink (horizontal swatch), although it's certainly not a dupe of it in any case.





NARS Mekong. Absolutely stunning! Insanely pigmented, it's a super dark brown infused with flecks of gold glitter, that might appear red, depending on the light. Thankfully the glitter flecks are really subtle in this one (nothing like the "Night" Series), making Mekong a gorgeous, easy to work with shade.
However, use with an extrememely light hand and add more later if necessary, as it could be very easy to apply too much (yes, it's THAT pigmented)!


So, what do you think of these products if you have them already and how do you use them?

And... is there anyone else that doesn't mind picking up items from past collections...? :)

What's your opinion?

  1. AMAZING shopping.

    I am in love with my mekong. I didnt expect them to make a better color than galapagous.. but they did!! It is the perfect brown!!! :))
    I use it all over my eyes and as a liner. It doesnt smudge too much which is great!

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  2. OO also i really like your new layout!! xxoxx

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  3. i love your new page! looks really nice and original! as for picking up things from past collections--don't mind at all, and i actually appreciate seeing them later on on blogs, because it means they had staying power!

    mekong IS really nice, and i like the YSL palette that you chose!

    xxx

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  4. @Tali: :) I know, Mekong is definitely THE NARS item for this fall! It's way darker than Galapagos, and the glitter seems more multitonal, instead of the standard gold...! I haven't tried it as a liner yet, but it's a perfect shade to line the eyes with! ;)

    NARS definitely makes excellent browns and taupes!

    Glad you like the layout, since it took me hours and hours to complete!!! :)))

    xoxoxo


    @fantastic: Thanx girl! I 'm just glad it came out well, since it was the first time I used a photoshop - like program!

    I 'm actually a lot into picking up "older" stuff, gives you time to read all the reviews and decide whether the product would actually work for you, after the "it" factor is over...
    I guess tho, beauty bloggers can't be that much behind though (and I am always, lol)! :)

    Do you think I 'd be a crazy woman, making a turquoise look for fall? :)))

    xxxxx

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  5. Mekong is GORGEOUS!
    How do you like color crafted? i really love it. xx

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  6. Great haul!
    I for one, love picking up items from a past collection. The only thing is that I can get SUPER annoyed with myself if I find a holy grail product that I could have bought a long time ago. lol Oh well ;)

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  7. Well although I wish I was the 'leader of the pack' with new products, tbh I think by buying 'old' collections I get the best bits based on other people's reviews.

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  8. ooo loving the new layout and what a haul, that quad from colour craft looks hot and i want more nars shadows :( xxx and yes, better late then never :)

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  9. hey, i tagged you in my blog :)
    http://hottrampiloveyouso.blogspot.com/2009/09/random-facts.html#comments

    x

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  10. no, just do it! as long as it suits you, i don't think you'll go wrong--and when you do, post it :) xxx

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  11. @Tabitha Sheridan: Mekong is stunning, so happy I got it!

    Colour Crafted is very pretty, it falls into the bright category for me, but it's surprisingly easy to wear! It's definitely my go-to-lipstick at the moment! ;)))

    xxx

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  12. @Michélle: Thanx Michelle!

    Well, yes, I get the feeling, but as long as you do manage to find it, then it's not a big deal... However, it makes finding a back - up a bit more difficult, huh?

    xoxo

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  13. @ForDGRedial: That's exactly how I feel as well! It's true that we can't stay much behind, especially with all the new collections being released all the time, but I wouldn't usually go out and pick up sth that I haven't heard anything about...!

    xxxx

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  14. @bubblegarm: Thank you love!

    And, as far as NARS... I want more NARS everything, especially palettes and blushes...!!! :PPP

    We'll slowly slowly get there I think! :)

    xoxoxo

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  15. @BooJenkinson: Thanx for the tag girl! Will try to do a facts post soon! ;)

    xxx

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  16. @fantastic: Well, tell you what, if I try it, I 'll twitpic it at least...! :)))

    xoxo

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  17. I certainly dont mind picking things from past collections!If only we had a CCO!
    Great reviews and a great new layout!
    We do need happy things for the upcoming winter,mpliax.
    UDPP makes that much of a difference?I use Mac Paint and it doesnt change the colour or the pigmentation!

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  18. @Marietta: Oh, I know, it's even more unfair that we don't have a CCO considering the MAC prices here... definitely off-putting if you want to pick up more than 2-3 items...!

    Thank you so much for your sweet comments, μου 'φτιαξες τη διάθεση! :)
    Exacty, some pink tones and some snowy glittery splashes do the trick! ;)

    Yes, UDPP does make a difference, since it gets the shadow to "stick" to the skin, so it appears much more pigmented, basically like it appears in the palette/pot! ;)
    Do let me know what you think if you try it out!

    xoxo

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  19. Hey girl! Great "haul". Enjoy your new items. I love the YSL ans the NARS shadow. BTW where do you bye NARS in GR? I bought my "Laguna" in London on my day off from work and now that I came back to Greece I can't seem to find any place that sells NARS.
    Enjoy your shopping!!!:D
    x

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  20. fabulous make up!
    i, sometimes use MAC and i love it.
    i gotta try NARS and YSL soon.

    http://momfashionworld.blogspot.com/

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  21. @Athina: Hey dear! :) Will definitely enjoy these puchases, I 'm mentally planning looks with them! ;)

    Well, apart from the dreaded (but necessary for us greek gals may I add) online shopping, you can find NARS at Body 'n' Soul (Ομήρου 11, Ν. Ψυχικό, τηλ. 210 6774 554, Φοίβης 17, Γλυφάδα, τηλ. 210 8945 737 και Ηροδότου 23, Κολωνάκι, τηλ. 210 72 22 424).

    Not sure if there's another store that carries NARS (or anywhere else besides Athens for that matter)... Hope this helped a bit! ;)

    xoxo

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  22. @mom & son: Thank you! :) MAC is a great brand, has a huge selection of colours and great quality!

    But YSL and NARS do have a special place in my heart... :)

    Definitely try the Rouge Volupte lipsticks from YSL and Effet Faux Cils mascara, and from NARS, their brown shadows and their Laguna bronzer! :)

    xoxo

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  23. Great swatches!!! I want to try out a MAC lipstick soon! I havent yet!!! So jealous you have that YSL palettee! xx

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  24. mac mac mac love it!! and your Zara shoes from the previous post are adorable as well!

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  25. @Lorien BeautyLove: Thanx girl!

    You 'll probably love the MAC lipsticks, especially their vanilla scent!

    The YSL too me aaages to come to my hands, but the wait was well worth! ;)

    xxx

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  26. @Ilse: Lol, well, we seem to share the same (good) taste, then, huh? :))

    xx

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  27. Yes Tina! Thanks a million. I read about Body N'Soul but I wasn't sure. Plus I can't seem to find it in Psychico...even though I am there every other day...(maybe I am looking at the wrong place). Anyways...I will try Kolonaki next time just to be on the safe side. Thanks again!
    A.

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  28. @Athina: No problem dear! :) Yes, I 'm pretty sure that Kolonaki is the safest option...!

    Good luck with your NARS shopping!

    xoxo

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  29. I love the look of Mekong! It's just the type of shade I go for! Stunning! x

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  30. @tackyblueeyeshadow: Well, you have excellent taste then! It's a truly stunning shadow, gonna make a EOTD/EOTN look with it soon - I feel bad not showing it's potential!!! Lol! ;)

    xxx

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  31. I really cannot love Mekong enough. NARS makes the kind of eyeshadows and blushers dreams are made of.

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  32. @su-pah: Yes, you are absolutely right (although I did have a problem with the Night series), and especially their browns...excellent shadows!!!
    Agreed about blushers, I have so many on my wishlist...! ;)

    Look with Mekong coming up soon! ;)

    xoxoxo

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  33. Oh the YSL palette! I die! So gorgeous!

    And that Nars Mekong is really amazing!

    ***Must resist the urge to go to Sephora***must resist!

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  34. @Awilda Fashionista: You have no idea how long I was dreaming about that YSL palette... dreaming about it for 2-3 months!

    Yes, NARS Mekong is an amazing colour, you know, you can always just go and swatch it, right? :)
    (That was the little devil in me talking)! Lol!

    xoxo

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  35. Looking forward to try the Nars Mekong I ordered online two days ago!
    xo,
    ~Pauline @ Nars Philippines

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