Back in the day, okay back in MY day you’d hear that particular summer song – you’d stop what you were doing and yell out, “That’s my jam!” All of the sudden that cloudy grey day (here in the Bay Area) suddenly turned 70 degrees with the rest of city and you were all smiles. You wanted to cut class jump in your best friend’s beat up VW bug (or you boyfriend’s – don’t tell mom) to head out into the summer sun and just play. My summertime jam was and will always be Summertime, by D.J. Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince.

This was back in 1991, yet this song will always be my ultimate summer jam and Will Smith will always be The Fresh Prince to me!

I may not have found a replacement summer jam song but I think I have stumbled upon my the summer jams of my cosmetic bag:

Too Faced Sweet Sunshine Lip Gloss in Papaya Slushie and Revlon’s Lip Butters in Sorbet.

A quick note – these were swatched with a heavier hand to really show the colors. The colors are more sheer once applied on the lip without the aid of lip liners or lipstick.

Here’s Papaya Slushie:

Although it’s sheer enough to show the discoloration on my lips, I love the subtle tangerine shade. Also, the fine pink glitter gives me a touch of bling. My lips are on the dark side of pink pigmentation so sometimes it’s hard for shimmers to show through. The glitter in this gloss is pretty subtle but it doesn’t look cheesy – I really love this gloss!

Here it is on top of another favorite coral lipstick, Too Faced La Creme Color DrenchLip Cream – Coral Fire:

These combined give me a more polished look. It’s a creamy peachy coral. I would wear this with thick black eye liner, lots of mascara and a touch of peach blush to the office.

I’ve been wearing this gloss almost daily. It’s really easy to wear, it’s really light weight on the lips, it has a slanted doe foot applicator (my favorite) and it smells like a vacation. It’s not a typical floral, coconut, suntan lotion scent but more like a light coconut daiquiri cocktail scent. This should come with a drink umbrella. Unfortunately, since it is pretty light I get about 2 hours of wear time. The good news is that it leaves a nice light orange stain when it’s time for me to reapply.

Too Faced Sweet Sun Shines Lip Gloss – $16/USD

It also comes in two other shades:

Watermelon Ice (pink) and Mocha Freeze (bronze – right up my alley!)

I purchased this at my local Ulta.

Revlon’s Lip Butter, Sorbet (bright pink):

What can I say but this is a really happy pink on me! If cotton candy was a popsicle, this is the shade that would stain my lips. I love the lip butter line because the colors are buildable, it leaves a wonderful stain and it’s soothing like a lip balm. I never have dry lip issues when using this product. Why don’t I own more colors? I ask myself that question everyday. This really solidified my love of Revlon lip products. Well, I shouldn’t speak too soon since I haven’t tried their entire lip  collection…yet.

This one lasts just a bit longer on me because of the pigment content. It also applies easily and is lightweight on the lips. These lipsticks are fragrance-free and that’s not a deal breaker for me. Revlon rolled out four new shades of lip butters for their Summer collection – Sorbet, Wild Watermelon (reddish-pink), Pink Lemonade (sheer neutral pink) and Juicy Papaya (coral).

Revlon Lip Butters – varies on price; depends on where you buy it. I purchased mine at my local Target for $6.49/USD.

Including these new four shades, there are 21 colors to choose from.

I got my gloss and lipstick, Summertime on my Spotify and now I just need to pick the best day to take a “sick” day from work…”cough…cough”

It was also Mother’s Day. I hope you had a chance to spend time with your mothers. This is the one day where you can extend that dreaded weekly call for just an extra five minutes – she deserves that much if not more! I was treated by my husband and daughter with brunch that involved a super spicy bloody mary and a plate of chicken and waffles followed with the rest of the afternoon at the Academy of Science in Golden Gate Park. Dinner was burritos from our favorite burrito spot, Papalote. My SF Giants won today and Golden State Warriors triumphantly made a comeback in overtime to tie up the series. It was a great day indeed!

Sparkling Nuvo is teaming up with successful female entrepreneurs to create one of a kind events for their fan base. So when creating a nail bar, who best to join forces with other than  jewelry designer and nails did aficionado Melody Ehsani? Nobody! *Keith Sweat voice*

We were beyond ecstatic when Nuvo extended an invitation to us. I mean, who doesn’t want to get pampered with cocktails, desserts, and free nail art? They created a two-day event for their LA crowd, one catered to celebrities and press and another for the fans. They also plan to bring the whole experience to NY this weekend.

Custom nail wraps specifically designed for the event. Melody Ehsani was inspired by the celestial feel the Nuvo bottles gave off. She then of course added her signature bold linework and diamond imagery reminiscent of her cage diamond series to the wraps.

We caught up with Melody Ehsani to view her newest release of nail wraps with brand NCLA and discuss her upcoming projects.  Melody gave us the inside scoop about her cut and sew line to be released this coming Fall as well as welcoming the ladies of Kleur to their nail bar with Candypaint in the upcoming months. Stay tuned for details.

Many thanks to Nuvo and Melody Ehsani for the invite and the amazing gift. Can’t wait to dress my nails up again with these nail wraps and sport my custom ring!

If Nars wasn’t already serving you hot colors for the Summer, here comes another helping in the form of a collaboration with designer Pierre Hardy. Inspired by his Summer 2013 shoe collection, Hardy’s collection includes six color-forward nail polish pairings and two richly-hued blushes.

Extra cute points for nail polish duos housed in a small shoe-box with a dust bag (included in most shoe boxes, like Hardy’s), while the intense blush palettes feature a shimmering gold over-spray design mimicking the designer’s signature cubic print.

Here’s my loot (sent to me by the NARS PR department for my consideration):

I chose Vertebra: a mocha, dusty rose and pink coral. I decided to paint my nails with the dusty rose with the coral as my accent nail. Since I’ve been a bit traumatized by designer polishes, I have stayed away from NARS polishes. But because I have had great luck with Madness (the shade I reviewed from the new Summer 2013 collection two weeks ago) and this duo, I need to pick up a few more shades. I get about a good four days before I see some wear at the tips. I use the Seche Vite top coat because it dries glossy and super quick, it’s my favorite. It does cause some color shrinking at the tips, where the color starts to pull away from the tip of your nails. I think I’m really drawn to this color because the dusty rose is a lovely neutral mocha that reminds me of my all-time favorite nude, that’s sadly discontinued, Brown Sugar by Chanel without the shimmer. The coral is also gorgeous – it’s a bright coral that pulls more pink on my skin tone. I’m planning to do a full coral manicure next – with short, rounded tips of course!

Here it is and please pay no attention to my dry cuticle. Sadly, it takes a close-up of my nails to admit that I need to seriously moisturize my hands and fingers on a regular basis.

The blush I chose is Boys Don’t Cry – not sure if this is a nod to one of my favorite bands, The Cure or the heartbreaking film featuring Hillary Swank’s first academy award perfomance. Either way this shade makes me smile.

As you know, the gold is an over-spray but it doesn’t really bother me. Yes, it does give you an extra boost of shine but once you brush away the shimmer, this pink coral shade does give you a great glow. Do apply with caution – this packs a great pigment push. But if you are not shy with color  then by all means, blush away! On my skin it looks more coral than pink – I have been running on my lunch break so I am currently more tan than usual. The tone of the color will differ among different skin tone but it was pigment power is intense regardless!

Another aspect I love about this blush – it matches the coral polish of the Vertebra duo nicely:

I was sent a sample of the new Pro-Prime Light Optimizing Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15. This lightweight primer is loaded with light-transforming properties making skin look luminescent, making it ideal for all skin types. Skin looks instantly fresh and awake as NARS exclusive light reflecting complex and red algae extract revitalize your complexion.

Notice the white cream turns into a lovely gold pearl shimmer. On my skin, I notice a very subtle luminous glow and it’s not a scary disco ball effect nor does it make my skin look oily. It keeps my foundation or tinted moisturizer intact even after a sweaty boot camp workout.

Vitamins A,C, E along with SPF 15 protect the skin from free radicals and harsh sun rays. This is dermatologist tested. Oil-free. Paraben-free. Alcohol-free. Synthetic-fragrance-free. Non-comedogenic.

Sadly, I broke out within two days of using. I think my skin is still getting use to this formula because my usual primer is oil and silicone free. Ugh, I’m torn.

I am very happy with this collaboration. The blush gives me a great summer glow and it goes well with my coral and peach glosses. Vertebra duo is wonderful – I found a nude mocha shade that is in my comfort zone but when I want a pop of fun, the coral saves the day. The primer is also nice, it adds a luminous freshness to my complexion.

This blush may cost more ($41/USD) but it is much larger than the regular blush ($29/USD) – 0.45oz vs. 0.16oz.  Pretty good value if you ask me. The nail duos retail at $29/USD vs. $18/USD for one – another great buy.

Light Optimizing Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 retails for $34/USD.

Primer and Pierre Hardy/NARS collaboration are both offered online and at stores that offer the NARS brand.

How many nude eye shadow palettes can one woman own? Apparently not enough. I happily cashed in my 15% V.I.B Sephora coupon (what’s up with that – it use to be 20%) determined to buy a product that I normally don’t always buy (like NARS) so I spent some time in the Too Faced section. This is what I went home with:

I apologize for my lighting difficulties – I tried many times but this was the best I could get with my lighting source. I did manage to get a great shot when it matters most.

I love that this travel friendly palette has enough room for nine shadows. The large pans on the left serve as your all over base – lash line to brow bone. The middle pans are for you lid and the last column is for your crease, lash line and/or outer-v contouring. I also like how they are categorize as Day, Classic, Fashion. I translate Day as weekend play dates or for days when I’m working out during my lunch breaks. Classic would be for the office and Fashion would be for night out with the girls, date night or going to happy hour straight from the office and it’s a day off from working out!

Unfortunately I forgot to swatch these shadows, I guess I was just too excited to try these colors out. I like to shoot my exterior and colors, swatch and then try them out on my eyes. This time I went straight for trying on my eyes and completely forgot to swatch so you can see what it looks like on a tanned complexion.

I can describe the colors to you. In the Buff, is a matte creamy bone white. Fuzzy Handcuffs is a matte peach beige. Voulez-vouz is plum brown with a light shimmer. Satin Sheets is a peachy pink shimmer, Sugar Walls is a metallic mauve with silver glitter and Garter Belt is a matte brownish grey taupe. Birthday Suit is a cool, icy mocha shimmer. Lap Dance is a metallic silver plum and French Tickler is a deep black with packed with gold glitter.

I am new to Too Faced palettes, I guess in the past they came in cardboard packaging and this one is metal. I love it – when flipped upside down a very strong magnet keeps it closed. It’s lightweight yet it feels very sturdy. Also, if you leave it on your bathroom counter you won’t have to worry about water seeping in the corners or on the back surface.

For the beauty novices, it comes with a “how – to” booklet:

I decided to go for the full Too Faced experience by using my favorite primer (Too Faced Shadow Insurance, of course) and I tried out each of these three looks.

Day:

This was a very quick and easy look to do. I also like pairing this combo with a blackened brown eye liner pencil – it softens the look even more.

Classic:

The combination of the peachy pink Satin Sheets with the glitter packed mauve of Sugar Walls really creates a great metallic eye. I experienced minimal fallout from Sugar Walls. It wasn’t bad, like I normally experience with a glittery Urban Decay shadow. The matte mushroom grey taupe of Garter Belt keeps the metallic sheen from getting too disco ball for the office. I would also recommend this for date night or even for a first date. This is really pretty but you need to be comfortable with sporting a metallic eye look.

Fashion:

I probably could have really smoked the intensity on this one if I were to smudge French Tickler heavily on the lower lash line as well on the top. I wanted a clean black cat eye look. I normally shy away from the glittery black shadows because I usually experience annoying amount of fallout but surprisingly I experienced minimal fallout with shade as well! Also, it packed a great deal of pigment with just a small amount. This black blends very nicely as well. I also love the soft metallic sheen of Birthday Suit and Lap Dance.

I have been wearing these shades for a week straight – I think I’m in love! Satin Sheets is currently my favorite with Fuzzy Handcuffs on top, Birthday Suit on the brow bone and Garter Belt as my crease and Voulez-Vouz as my outer-v contour. It’s a really pretty nude look I’ve been sporting for the past few days. I think I’ll break out French Tickler on the work days I’m not working out or running during my lunch breaks. I can’t wait to spend more time with all of these shades.

Aside from the cheesy shadow names, this palette creates sexy, date night looks but also it is not out of place at the office, playground, dance classes and Target. I think I found the one palette I can take with me on my next family vacation next month! On top of great primer, these shadows did not crease or fade on my lids for a good eight hours.

I use to bypass Too Faced because I thought it was geared more to a younger audience with the cheetah print motiff bronzers and packaging but once I gave the brand my full attention I realized, “hey this is a fun line, makeup is timeless and I do love cheetah print” so who was I kidding?

Congrats, Too Faced – I’m becoming a bigger fan!

Too Faced Boudoir Eyes, $36/USD

Available at stores and online that offer the Too Faced brand.

Disclaimer – I bought this myself to review at my local Sephora. 

NARS Summer 2013 collection hit the counters last week and lucky for me, NARS sent me two of the hottest items in the collection (in my opinion): Fashion Rebel shadow duo and Madness Nail Varnish.

The color collection invokes a 70′s futuristic, glamourous vibe – these are the sizzling colors you expect to see for a hot summer! These colors remind me of the vintage layouts in Vogue and Bazaar that I would sneak peeks at from my aunt’s and mother’s magazines. It was late 1979, Blondie would play on an eight track in my dad’s Cadillac and I yearned to look like these outrageous glamazons of the late 70′s, early 80′s.

 Fashion Rebel (now part of the permanent collection):  Dandelion yellow and African Violet purple – here it is swatched on my arm (MAC NC44/NARS Tinted Moisturizer, Annapurna)

Since I have tanned skin, I had to really add layers of swatches just to get these colors to really pop on my skin. If you are fairer, then I’m sure it’ll pop with less effort. I do like that I can either wear this as a sheer wash of color of if I want more of a statement I can really build this either by adding multiple layers or wearing this on top of cream shadow or a NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil. I’m thinking on my next night out with the girls or a date with my hubby, I would layer this yellow shade on top of the golden yellow Corcovado Soft Touch Shadow Pencil.

But I have to keep it real so here’s how I wear it for a day at my corporate office:

All I did was apply eye primer from lash line to brow bone and then add the yellow shade to my lid only and then took the violet to the crease. I also apply in the outer-v, dragging the color slightly upwards toward the tail end of my brows. This effect combined with black liquid liner, NARS Eyeliner Stylo, Carpates gives me a colorful doe eye look. Follow up with lots of black mascara.

I tested this on a warm day of outdoor boot camp and it lasted all the way up until it was time to go to bed. A good eye primer will keep this from creasing and fading. In the past, I have stayed away from intense yellows like this just for the fear or looking sickly or jaundiced. I am very pleased with shade and surprised how versatile this duo can be – I’m excited to experiment Fashion Rebel duo with other NARS duos in my collection.

Madness: electric yellow (limited edition)

I recently embraced wearing orange on my nails because of the intensity, it’s not a problem to wear on my toes as it adds a great pop of color when peeking out from my peep toe wedge shoes. But when wearing on short, rounded nails it’s chic and puts you in a sunny mood – despite being chained to a desk and computer as you can see from photo above. This is not neon, caution tape bright – it’s more of a vintage, creamy orange.

I noticed in the bright sun that there’s a very slight pearl sheen to this color, adding depth to this shade. It’s not as pigmented as you may think – you can see a bit of nail bed beneath this color. Also, after applying the coat I didn’t notice any streaking – which is one of my biggest pet peeves. This is perfect with just two thin coats. It has some gloss when it dries but I LOVE a glossy nail and if you are anything like, you will need a top coat (Seche Vite, thanks).

These are vibrant, hot shades that are not just perfect for Summer but anytime of the year when you want to inject a bit of 70′s inspired drama to your look. I’m a 70′s baby so I have a soft spot in my heart for this collection, and anything that has a 1970′s vibe…and an 80′s vibe…and also a 90′s vibe.

As you can see, I spend a lot of time reminiscing.

Fashion Rebel Eye Shadow Duo ($34/USD)

Madness Nail Polish ($19/USD)

NARS Summer 2013 collection can be found on NARSCosmetics.com and department stores that offer the NARS brand.