Nars Kudoki Kabuki Lip Set

I decided to show the Nars Kudoki Kabuki Lip set against the Nars Bento Box Set from last year. The Kudoki Kabuki Lip set contains 3 lip colors (Botan, Takebue, and Ougi) vs 2 colors (Sakura and Maiko) in the Bento Box set. The exterior packaging is similar with the lacquer wooden box and the same kabuki lip brush is included in each set.

Nars Kudoki Kabuki set
L->R: Botan (deep pink), Takebue (rose nude), Ougi (brick red)

Here are size comparisons between
the Kudoki Kabuki set (Bottom) and the Bento set (Top):




Bowls from the Kudoki Kabuki set are 0.05 Oz (1.5g);
Bowls from the Bento set are 0.12oz (3.5g)




Shades from Bento set

Sakura


Maiko

Shades from Kudoki Kabuki Lip set:

Botan


Takebue


Ougi

Swatches:

Natural light with flash


Natural light, no flash


Indoor light, with flash

L->R: Sakura, Maiko, Botan, Takebue, Ougi

I think that that the Kudoki Kabuki set does have more wearable colors compared to the Bento set from last year. The quality of the lip colors were similar~very pigmented with a soft creamy feel. They are not the most moisturizing and since my lips tend to be a bit dry, I do like to prep with a balm before applying these colors. The shades in the Kudoki Kabuki set do seem to have a touch of shimmer to them when you look at the bowls but the shimmer does not show up when swatched. The Kudoki Kabuki set is currently available at online at Nordstrom.

Nars Kudoki Kabuki Lip Set-Preview pic

I didn't get a chance to organize all the pics for the Nars Kudoki Kabuki Lip Set....so just a preview pic for now~

More to come....

Nars Holiday Gift Set - Mie and Hanamichi

I couldn't wait for the Nars Holiday sets to start arriving. I spotted them at Lord and Taylor online but hit a snafu in trying to place my order, luckily there were available in stores as well so I was able to pick them up during the Friends and Family event. The holiday sets come in black paper boxes with a red band.

First up is the Soft Shadow Pencil Set called Mie. I love the colors of the Soft Shadow Pencils, I haven't tested out the longivity of the pencils although judging from the creaminess, a primer is a must-have :)

L->R: Angle Noir, Tall Tale, Magic Moon, Skorpios, Palladium, and Ballet Russes

Full size Soft Touch Pencil is 0.1 oz, 3g
Mini Pencil is .07 oz, 2g



Swatches~



L->R: Angle Noir, Tall Tale, Magic Moon, Skorpios, Palladium, and Ballet Russes

The other gorgeous item is the Hanamichi Palette:

It comes in its own pouch with a silk tie


There is a mini kabuki brush included


Size comparison against a full size soft touch pencil





Swatches (indoor light, no flash)- I'll try to have deeper swatches soon, but I was trying to not mar the design just yet.



L->R: Background color, golden flower, black flower and red flower

The first two colors reminded me of the Exotic Dance duo so here's a comparison pic:

Top:Exotic Dance
Bottom: Hanamichi
Exotic Dance has more shine to it so the colors are a bit brighter than the ones in the Hanamichi palette in which the finish is more flat.

So far, I think both items are lovely gifts (for yourself or others). I think Mie is more fun especially if you like color. The Hanamichi palette has a gorgeous presentation but I'm still trying to figure out how to maximize use of a red shadow, although for now I'll just enjoy the prettiness :)

Nars Holiday 2011-Color Collection

Here are items from Nars Holiday Color collection. It's a nice collection, the only letdown for me was the trio-the promo pics seem so awesome but when applied it's just not as vibrant. Anyway here's what I picked up:

Arabian Night Trio
(I wished the colors really did apply like it looks in the pan)

Swatches:

Much like other Night Series shadows-the Arabian Nights colors look very sooty when applied dry and without primer.

Ponderosa Cream Shadow
(I always think of the word "steak" when I hear Ponderosa)

Swatches:



L->R: Ponderosa, Arabian Night trio over Ponderosa
The cream shadow definitely helped to bring out the glittery color more in the Arabian Night Shadows although all three still looked very similar.


Top row: Ponderosa and Arabian Night over Poderosa
Bottom Row: Arabian Night dry swatches

The new multiple in G Spot was an item I wasn't sure if I would pick up but once I swatched it, I really liked the color for fall. It has a subtle shimmer and the color a pretty rosey color (not as brown as the picture looks)


My weakness in life is colored eyeliners:

Top: Campo di Fiori
Bottom: St. Marks Place

Swatches:

L->R: St. Marks, Campo di Fiori and G Spot (light swatch)

And the last item is the Mandchourie eyeshadow duo
(shimmery golden olive blue and matte navy):


Dry swatches

Swatch on the right is the shimmer shade layered over the matte shade. I'm still undecided about this duo. The shadows felt smooth but color payoff was a bit iffy. I'll have to play with it more and test it with some primer :)

So, the cream shadow, eyeliners and multiple were hits for me but the trio and duo haven't quite won me over. I wished the trio wasn't black based and showed up as the pan color. I'm also debating on the Joyous Red lip color. I'm normally not a red lip wearer but I liked that it fell on the more warm brick vibe which I think I could pull off more easily for daytime. All items are now available on sephora.com and narscosmetics.com and I've spotted them in store at various counters too.

Nars Night Series Palette

More pictures for the Nars Night Series palette and swatches! At first, I had tried to do the swatches with a brush but the shadows became a smudge-y mess. I realized that finger swatching was the way to go, especially with Night Porter. Night Rider is just a sheer chunky mess no matter what method I tried :(

With flash~





L->R
Top Row: Night Star, Night Clubbing, and Night Porter
Bottom Row: Night Rider, Night Flight and Night Breed

Here is a shot of the polishes in daylight:

I do see the Night Series palette available on the Neiman Marcus website but I have not seen these items anywhere else so far. I purchased them at the Nars New York boutique. *Update* Nordstrom online now has the palette and the polishes.

Nars Night Series

While in the Nars boutique recently, I saw this small display for Nars Night Series which consisted of 4 polishes and 1 palette. Each of the polishes are based on the "night" eyeshdow of the same name. Here are quick bottle pics and swatches.

L->R: Night Breed, Night Flight and Night Rider


Night Porter


L->R: Night Rider, Night Flight and Night Breed






Night Rider mani
Polishes applied pretty smoothly, although they are on the thicker side.

The Night Series palette is different from the one that was previously released, although half of the palette are repeat colors; Night Star, Night Rider and Night Clubbing.

L->R
Top Row: Night Star, Night Clubbing, and Night Porter
Bottom Row: Night Rider, Night Flight and Night Breed

Will have swatches and more pics in the next post.