Gaga for Lilac? NOTD NARS Holiday 2010 Collection Nail Lacquer Pokerface

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Pokerface

NARS nail lacquer in Pokerface is a limited edition colour for NAR’s Holiday 2010 collection and is ode to Lady Gaga. I think it is lovely that companies are introducing fresh colours into their holiday palette, contrasting with more traditional shades. I can see myself wearing this a lot during the spring and summer.

The colour is pretty: a medium toned pinky lilac with subtle pearl finish. The micro shimmer is very subtle and is more noticeable in the bottle than on the nail. On the nail, I have to look very closely to see the shimmer. The texture is on the thin side and requires three coats for full coverage. I love purples and this colour is right down my alley, but Pokerface is not as unique as I thought it would be. It reminds me of Sephora OPI’s Iris I was Thinner, but Sephora OPI’s shade is a few shades darker, more blue and cool. It  is also a creme finish with no shimmer finish.

Above: NARS Pokerface nail lacquer

Above: NARS Pokerface nail lacquer

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Pokerface

NOTD NARS Vintage Nail Lacquer in Full Metal Jacket

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Full Metal Jacket

It has been a while since I followed up on my NARS Vintage nailpolish 2010 collection because life has been hectic with school and missing cameras. Full Metal Jacket is the last of my vintage haul, as I opted out of King Kong. I am still on the fence with that colour. Full Metal Jacket is a metallic bluish gunmetal silver, named for Stanley Kubrick’s 1987 movie of the same name.

Like many metallic polishes, Full Metal Jacket shows brush strokes but it is not the streakiest polish I have encountered, since it is pigmented and opaque. I think I was able to apply the polish with limited brush strokes showing. The best technique is to apply three coats. The first coat thin and followed by two medium thick coats. I used slow controlled strokes and I waited about a minute in between each coat and that includes both base and top coats. The colour is nice and very metallic and perfect for the holiday season. It is not over the top bling, so it would be nice for everyday too. I like the bluish cast to the polish distinguishing the colour from all the other foil and metallic silver colours. Also check out my postings for Zulu, Mash and Midnight Express.

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Full Metal Jacket

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Full Metal Jacket

A Midnight Escape NOTD NARS Vintage Nail Lacquer in Midnight Express

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Midnight Express

NARS nail lacquer in Midnight Express is named for the 1978 prison movie of the same name and the lacquer was released in 1996. The term midnight express is prison slang, for a prisoner’s escape attempt.  In the bottle, Midnight Express is a dark indigo with purple tones but on the nail is a true blue indigo and I don’t see any purple.  Though it looks very dark in the bottle, there is a vibrancy to the colour that makes it visibly blue. It looks blue in most lighting both natural and artificial but in very dim to dark lighting it looks almost black. In fact, this looks more blacken than Zulu. Midnight Express also has the same texture as Zulu, a glossy jelly polish that applies thin and sheer. I used three coats but I think Midnight Express could use a fourth coat to achieve full opacity. I think Midnight Express may be a little thinner and sheerer than Zulu. I recommend applying a thin first coat followed by two to three medium thick coats. It is best to wait about one minute between each coat to let the lacquer dry to prevent dragging or streaks. I find this is the best way to get a smooth and even coverage.

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Midnight Express

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Midnight Express

Beauty of the Day NARS Vintage Nail Lacquer 2010 Midnight Express and Full Metal Jacket

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Full Metal Jacket and Midnight Express

I caved and bought two more nail lacquers from NARS’ Vintage 2010 collection: Midnight Express, a deep indigo and Full Metal Jacket, a metallic bluish silver. Midnight Express was originally released in 1996 and Full Metal Jacket in 1998. All the nail lacquers’ names are named after movies. These lacquers are all discontinued colours brought back as part of NARS vintage limited edition collection that are available for a limited time. In Canada, these colours are only available at the NARS Holt Renfrew counters. I have previously reviewed Zulu and Mash. Stay tuned for the reviews and swatches for Midnight Express and Full Metal Jacket.

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Midnight Express

Above: Nars nail lacquer in Full Metal Jacket

A Golden Olive NOTD NARS Vintage Nail Lacquer 2010 in Mash

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Mash

Mash gives of an almost burnt antique look and it is a very pretty metallic finish. I would describe this as a golden olive green. Although brush strokes are common with metallic finishes, I think I was able to get a smooth streak-free finish and kept brush strokes at a bare minimum if there is any at all. The key is to use slow controlled strokes and wait about a minute in between coats and this includes the top coat. Although Mash is pigmented it needed three coats to be opaque. I used a thin first coat followed by two medium thick coats. Remember to wait about one minute in between each coat. For the photographs, I used four coats because I needed light touch ups, as I didn’t take pictures until the third day of wear and there was some wear on the very tips. The polish’s texture is thin and easy to work with and applies buttery smooth. I think Mash is the most unique colour in NAR’s Vintage 2010 collection and it is not  the easiest to dupe, at least I couldn’t think of anything that is close.

Cuckoo for Zulu? NOTD NARS Vintage 2010 Nail Lacquer in Zulu

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Zulu

After being discontinued by NARS and being a Sephora Beauty Insider exclusive during the holiday 2007 season, Zulu is now back with a vengeance. It is a Holt Renfrew exclusive in Canada and only available for three months or until supplies last. Even if there are supplies left, all the vintage 2010 nail polishes will be shipped back to NARS. The vintage colours will not be available at any NARS at The Bay. Since I missed out on Zulu two years ago, I decided to get a bottle. I even stalked the NARS counter for a month for news.

Zulu is a dark forest green and I would describe this as inky because it reminds me of dark green indian ink in a bottle. On the nail, it is looks very dark, glossy and lovely. The colour looks truly green in most lighting: natural and artificial; however, in very low lighting, it looks almost black. Although the colours looks very pigmented in the bottle, the initial application is quite sheer because it is a jelly finish and the texture is thin; however, the colour is buildable with patience and proper technique. For full opacity, I needed three coats on most nails and some needed four. I used a very thin first coat followed by two medium thick coats and a third if needed. Slow controlled brush strokes are needed to prevent dragging and streaks.

If you missed out on Zulu and still want it, this is the time to get it; however, if you miss out again, I don’t think it is a big deal, unless you are a NARS Zulu fanatic. I think there are many lovely dark forest greens out there. Though I have yet to own it, I think American Apparel nailpolish in Hunter is a lovely alternative. It is also much more green and less blackened.

Above: NARS nail lacquer in Zulu

Beauty of the Day NARS Vintage Nailpolish Collection 2010 in Mash and Zulu

Above left to right: NARS Vintage nailpolish collection 2010 in Mash and Zulu

Mash and Zulu are both vintage limited edition nailpolishes reintroduced for the fall. The vintage collection of 2010 consists of five colours: Zulu, Mash, Full Metal Jacket, Midnight Express and King Kong. All the colours have long been discontinued and brought back for a limited time. I have not seen 2009′s vintage nailpolish collection, but based on the lovely Karen’s posting from Makeup and Beauty Blog, I like 2010′s polishes much better. This years’ colours are so much lovelier. I might even go back to buy the rest of the collection!

In Canada, these are a Holt Renfrew exclusive at the Nars counter and they will not be available at The Bay counter. This fall’s vintage polishes’ names are inspired by movies. I was talking to the NARS rep at Holt Renfrew and he said that these polishes are only available for three months or until supplies last. Even if they have supplies left after three months, the vintage polishes will be shipped back to NARS. Once they are gone they are gone and next years colours will be different. I currently have Zulu and Mash both were released in 1996. If you missed the Zulu craze back when it was a Sephora Beauty Insider exclusive (where only 500 bottles were available), get yours now! Because it is that gorgeous. I checked the Nars website and Zulu is now sold out. I am wearing it now and I can’t wait to do a posting on it. Stay tuned for the reviews.

Above: NARS nailpolish in Zulu

Above: NARS nailpolish in Mash

NARS Skin Hydrating Freshening Lotion

Above: NARS Hydrating Freshening Lotion

NARS Hydrating Freshening Lotion is a toner and a exfoliater. I have been using this twice daily after cleansing and before moisturizer since February. It is a clear lightweight gel and feels very gentle on my skin. According to NARS, this lotion promotes hyrdration and renewal. Moisturizing ingredients include: Active Phytoseed Complex White Grape Seed Oil and Aloe. Since this is not a scrub and have no scrub beads it is gentle enough for me to use everyday as a toner/exfoliater. I used this daily after cleansing with my NARS Skin Softening Milk Cleanser and my skin does feel quite fresh and clean. In addition,it cleans off the residue that my cleanser did not. Though my skin feels very clean and refresh using this toner, I am not sure it does soften my skin more than it naturally is. I also like that the lotion helps absorb my moisturizer nicely, especially in the dry winter months. Like the NARS Skin Softening Milk Cleanser, I would buy this again if budget allows. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive, I believe this was about $50.00 CAD, but at least this can last me up to five months.

Great for Light Makeup: NARS Skin Softening Milk Cleanser

Being that NARS’ skin care is formulated by Shiseido, I thought this item has potential to be great because Shiseido is known for their skin care line, so I gave it a try. I bought this at a NARS counter in mid February and have been using this almost everyday for the last four months. Although this is an expensive cleanser at $50 CAD, I think I can make this cleanser last about 5 months. NARS Skin Softening Milk Cleanser is creamy and milky in texture and I find it pleasantly moisturizing.

I have always prefer creme/milk cleansers over gels because I find gels too drying on my skin, especially during the fall and winter months. The Softening Milk Cleanser leaves my skin soft and clean and I have been using this for both winter and spring months. It cleans my skin well with zero to medium makeup on my face; however, if I am wearing full makeup with foundation, waterproof mascara and eyeliner, I would need to use a cleansing oil and waterproof eye makeup remover before hand. Otherwise if I am wearing non-waterproof eye makeup and zero foundation, I can just use the milk cleanser. The cleanser is very gentle and is soap free and it doesn’t sting my eyes if I get any into my eyes. In addition, it has a wonderful light fruity scent of oranges.

As for the packaging I think it compliments the NARS image well being that it looks clean and contemporary. The rectangle shape is different and makes storage easy. I like that it is a pump bottle and I don’t have to work hard to squeeze and dump out product like tubes. One pump is enough to cleanser zero to light makeup and two pumps is enough to clean medium makeup for me. I am almost finished my bottle and I would probably buy another one if budget allows but I just wished that it is less expensive!

Frankenpolish NOTD Violet Glitter Bomb: Nars Purple Rain and Too Good for Him

I was going to commit myself to wearing gold nailpolish for the duration of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics to support Team Canada, but I was in the mood for something else. After an emotional outburst, as a result of some long and on going romantic drama, I needed some encouragement and inspiration. So I whipped out Sephora OPI Too Good for Him and used NARS Purple Rain as a base. I love the colours and glitter and the cheeky title of Too Good for Him and I just wanted to give Purple Rain a third chance. The result is a darken blackened purple with a burst of silver, blue and fuchsia glitter. Anyway, the gold colour wouldn’t have matched my outfit for the night.

Above: NARS Purple Rain as base

Above: Sephora OPI Too Good for Him on top