NARS Glossy Box Review (Contents + Pictures)

I don't think there has been any beauty box I have lusted after as much as this NARS Glossy Box one. The first time I heard about it was back in June on  London Beauty Queen's Blog  and Instagram and I quickly saved the date. When the launch date inched closer, I registered for early access on Glossy Box website and patiently waited. Would you believe I actually forgot to order it by 9am (which was a good thing because I heard people had issues at that time). I remembered around 9.20am because I was at work and was trying to meet a deadline. I literally screamed when I remembered and went on the website and luckily for me, I snagged one. Phew!! I already knew the contents of this box as it had been shown on quite a few blogs and YouTube videos so it was a no-brainer for me. I am pleased with the shades they chose for the contents of the box although I wish they varied some of the shades. The theme was  more of a  pink theme (and two Orgasm shades as well). I  was a little hesitant in doing a review of this box  seeing that it is impossible to get hold of now (it sold out within 30 minutes). However, I do think some people still want to see what’s inside and perhaps, make a decision on any full sized products they may want to purchase. Apparently, there were only 3000 boxes produced so it's quite the collector's edition box.

I would not necessarily say this box is a must-have especially if you have a lot of NARS products in your stash. If you are new to NARS and want to learn more about the brand without necessarily damaging your bank account, this is a good way. I would not say I have a lot of NARS products but I am a miniature makeup hoarder so I knew I had to get this. I love how compact and travel friendly they are. Although they are miniature sizes, they are not that tiny. They are proper deluxe versions made with the same packaging as the full size and I think that’s where the beauty lies in. Without much ado, let’s explore the contents of the box…

Packaging

Generally, I love the packaging of beauty boxes but the NARS Glossy Box is outstanding. It comes in lovely velvety matte box (very unhelpful description but that’s all I can come up with). It feels very lush just like NARS products in general and I love it. Inside the box, there is a little booklet which describes the products in the box which is helpful. The products are wrapped in a nice black wrapping tissue complete with a NARS satin bow. Mind you, I had already opened the box way before I even attempted taking any photos so it was better tied than this. Underneath all the fancy wrapping lies five deluxe sized NARS Products which include the new NARS Audacious Mascara, NARS Blush in Orgasm, NARS Multiple in Orgasm (exclusive), NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugen and NARS Larger than Life Eyeliner in Via Veneto. My greedy self honestly wished they added in one of their gorgeous Audacious Lipsticks.

NARS Audacious Mascara// £20 // Link (full size)

I was quite excited to try this mascara out after reading so many reviews about it. First off, I really like the packaging. It feels super lush and it’s very well made. It also has a red top which gives it a very interesting look which I love. I never really know how to rate Mascara samples because I feel many miniature mascara samples perform way better than the full size. Many sales ladies at beauty counters have also confirmed this. However, I do like the bristles of this mascara as have different sizes from top to bottom which means they can pick up the tiniest lash. I need to test it out for longer before I make up my mind but I like it so far.

NARS Blush in Orgasm// £23 // Link (full size)

I am fascinated by how tiny this blush is and I think it is one of my favourite product in this box. I believe it is about the same size as a NARS single eyeshadow so you do get a good amount. I am sure Orgasm needs no introduction as it is one of the more popular NARS blushes. It is not one I would have purchased its full size because I didn’t think it will suit my complexion. However, it is actually alright. It acts as a really soft pink subtle blush on my complexion and also provides a soft highlight which looks flattering. NARS blushes are well pigmented so you don’t have to worry too much about them and I think this is a lovely blush for everyday wear.

NARS Multiple in Orgasm// £29 // Link (full size)

I think this may be my least used product of the lot because I am never really crazy about cream products. It is also ridiculously cute but I have not actually used it yet. It is a lovely pink shade and I am not sure if it would show up on my complexion. I may actually be giving this out or just stare at its cuteness. I wish it was a darker shade as it would have been perfect as a contour. I think this would serve more as a really subtle cream blush if I end up using it. If you have a fairer complexion or olive toned complexion, I think you would like this a lot.

NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugen //£19 // Link (Full size)

I already have the same lip pencil which I received from Sephora as part of their birthday present offer (read post here). I love this Lip Pencil so much and I am so glad I now have a backup now. I honestly feel there is no need to have the full size pencils because these deluxe version last a really long time. I have had my first Rikugen since the beginning of the year and I still have a lot left. I don’t use it every day obviously but a little goes a long way. It is also a soft warm pink shade which appears to look flattering on many complexions.

NARS Larger than Life Eyeliner in Via Veneto // £19 // Link (Full size)

I also already have this eye liner sample and it has been reviewed here if you fancy a read. It is one of the few eyeliners that work well on my sensitive eyes. It is suitable for contact lens wearers like me and it never irritates me. I don’t use it as a regular eyeliner but I prefer to use it to line my waterline and it looks amazing. It glides on so easily, does not budge and lasts all day until I am ready to take it off. I don’t think it is the blackest formula out there but I absolutely love how flattering it looks on my complexion.

Cost

The box cost me £35 excluding P&P which was around £3.95. At the end of the day, I paid just under £40 for it which is not too terrible in my opinion. If you are already a subscriber of Glossy Box, then you get it for £30 which brings down the cost a whole lot. However, I am not too crazy about beauty boxes at the moment and I am not subscribed to any.

Can you still get this box?

I am sure some people may be selling it on Ebay but I have not checked yet. It is indeed a lovely box to own. I believe Glossy Box is currently offering a chance to win one of these boxes (I think they have 6 on offer) so there’s still a chance to win it.The best part is the boxes they are giving out will contain full sizes of these products so it is definitely an exciting one. Otherwise, I guess we all have to wait till another collaboration comes up.

Overall Thoughts

As mentioned earlier, I don' t think this box is a must-have if you already have a good number of NARS products. There is a high chance you would already own some products inside the box. However, if you are a miniature makeup hoarder like me or you are new to NARS, this is one box that you need to try. It’s a shame it is sold out now but I guess you can still win one. I wish they varied the shades in the box to include other shades apart from Orgasm but I guess they chose popular products.  I am really pleased I purchased it and I look forward to enjoying the products. That’s all my lovelies and have an amazing week ahead. Did you get the NARS Glossy Box?...xx
*Affiliate links used below, read my full disclaimer here

NARS Larger than Life Eyeliner Review

I am a huge fan of eyeliners in fact, I feel my eyes are quite naked without them. I prefer liquid eyeliners on my top eyelids and I rarely ever use pencil eyeliners. I just feel they require more work and my eyes are quite sensitive. I never even bothered with tight lining my lower eye lid because it just freaks me out and some pencils I have tried in the past seemed to feel scratchy and draggy. Well, all that changed when I got this lovely mini NARS Larger than Life Eyeliner. One of my good friends recently got converted to NARS All Day Luminous Foundation//Review  (and it looks incredible on her) and we decided to pop down into nearest NARS counter to pick it up. The lovely sales lady at the counter gave both of us mini samples (well they are deluxe samples) of the NARS Larger than Life Eyeliner. I thought that was so kind of her especially as I did not purchase anything (it was very hard to resist but I did). Immediately, I tried it out I knew we would get on really well.

Packaging
I just love any mini/sample size product and this NARS mini is no exception. I particularly like it when brands endeavour to make the mini sizes really similar to the real deal. There is not much to say about the packaging other than it being housed in the regular classy NARS black packaging. The best feature of this eyeliner is the fact that it rolls up and down which means there is no need to sharpen it per say. Of course, you can still choose to sharpen it if you wish but I don't see myself subjecting this little sample to such waste. Besides, I prefer it having a semi-blunt tip as I only use it for my lower eyelid/water line so I don't want anything sharp. You honestly don't need to sharpen it because it still applies really well despite any shape it has. One of my bug bears is having to sharpen anything because I just find that it is so wasteful and super annoying when it is an expensive products. It contains 0.3g of product which may sound minuscule but it is a lot in the grand scheme of things. It comes in a variety of shades/colours (I think 10 or so) but this one is called 413 BLKR (I guess that stands for black)



Pigmentation/Texture/Formula
This eyeliner is fiercely pigmented and I absolutely love it that way because it means a little goes a long way. There is no need to apply too much pressure at all because it just glides across so beautifully on my eyelids. It also applies very evenly making it ideal even for beginners who may have shaky hands. I had quite a few shaky hands incidents but it did not affect its application at all. The formula appears to be a hybrid of gel and wax but it leans more towards the creamy gel formula. The way it glides makes me so happy and my eyes don't even get sensitive or irritated which is such a relief for me especially as I wear contact lenses. The lasting power is really impressive and it's still very much present even when I get back home ready to take my makeup off. It is relatively easy to remove which remains a mystery because I have always thought that anything with such intense pigmentation will be a pain to remove. I also think my eye makeup remover is top notch so I don't want to give all credit to the eyeliner. I have not tried using this on my upper eyelid/lash lid so I don't know if it performs in a different way.

How I use it/Application
I think it is pretty straightforward and easy to use. I mainly use it to tight line my lower lid/waterline and I love how it transforms my makeup intantly. It adds so much character to my makeup and really accentuates my eyes. I tend to look up sometimes while applying my eyeliner so it glides on even better but I don't really think it matters as such. I always start at the outer corner of my eye and work my way into the inner corners. As mentioned earlier, I don't apply too much pressure at all; I just let it do its thang. If you are into creating graphic eyeliner looks, I think you would really enjoy this eyeliner.

Cost//Link
I am so pleased I got this sample at the NARS counter but I think it is one I may repurchase when it runs out. I have not tried anything close to it at all. The full size retails for £19 which is rather steep for an eyeliner but I think it's worth it. If you are an eyeliner junkie, I am sure you would love to try this. I don't see myself trying any other colours from this range (although navy blue or any blue sounds enticing).


Overall Thoughts
I am really obsessed with this little eyeliner and I think my eye makeup looks incomplete when I don't use it. I love the way it transforms my eyes and I think it would look super amazing when paired with a smoky eye (with more than one layer).  If you plan to buy anything from NARS counters, always ask them nicely for any samples as they are always happy for people to test out their products. The main reason being that there is a high chance you would fall in love with it and be back to purchase a full size. That's how incredible many NARS products are. That's all folks!! Have you tried the NARS Larger than Life Eyeliner? *Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here

NARS Sheer Glow Vs NARS All Day Luminous Foundation (Comparison)

I am sure everyone must have heard about the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation that was launched earlier this year. There are mixed reviews about it; some people love it and some hate it. I love it although there are some features it has that annoy me a little bit but it’s nothing serious.The NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is definitely the most hyped foundation from NARS (and maybe in the beauty/blogging world) and I absolutely love it. I own both of them and I thought it would be useful to do a little comparison post. There are quite expensive so I think it is useful to see both of them side by side so you can decide for yourself what would suit you better. I am just going to put it out there; I really can’t decide which I like best. I still use both of them a lot depending on how my skin is feeling. I tend to choose NARS All Day  Luminous when I want a proper flawless full coverage beat face while I reach for NARS Sheer Glow for a more everyday natural beat face. I am thankful that they kept the shade names similar and my shade is Cadiz.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation//Review//Link

I have deep love for this foundation mainly because it was one of the first NARS products I tried out. It truly deserves all the hype it gets as it suits a lot of people. I always read the name as a glow that is sheer not as a foundation that’s sheer (if you get my drift). A lot of people assume it is sheer coverage because of the name but it is anything but sheer. It is at least a medium buildable coverage foundation that gives you such a nice natural finish. It really covers my blemishes which have the tendency of peeking through some foundations unless I use a concealer. I have used a couple of brushes and my fingers to apply this foundation but my fingers, beauty blender and any buffing brush (Real Techniques or Sephora Multi Tasking Brush) does the job really well. Its longevity is impressive although I always use a primer and set with a powder. It has a satin finish so it really suits many people and I am pleased it is not a dewy finish. One thing I like about it is it never looks cakey no matter how much I cake it on; it always has that lovely luminous natural finish.

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation//Review//Link

I was contemplating buying this foundation and I was dilly dallying about it as I already have an overflowing Muji drawer of foundations. However, when I watched and read a couple of reviews from YouTubers and Bloggers who have similar skin types to me, I just hotfooted my way to Space NK. It was love at first sight and I could not wait to try it. It gives the perfect flawless finish ever and I love it. Having used it for well over a month, I think it is not as easy to blend as the NARS Sheer Glow because it sets really fast. You need to learn how to work this for it to work suitably. I feel the Beauty Blender gives the best results although it somehow “eats” up some of the coverage but it delivers the most amazing flawless finish. It sets to an almost matte finish (I would say a very velvety/demi-matte finish) and it looks very flattering in photos/videos. It offers medium to full coverage but tending to more of a fuller coverage. You only need few drops/pumps of this foundation but I find that it looks a little cakey if you build it up too much. I don’t know about you but when I use it, it does not look as natural as the Sheer Glow so I think it is more suited for outings, etc. You can still sheer out the coverage and use it for everyday use which I do but it is a little more hassle.

Comparison- NARS Sheer Glow Vs NARS All Day Luminous Weightless 

	NARS Sheer Glow	NARS All Day Luminous
Packaging	It contains 30ml of product in a small glass bottle and it does not come with a pump (can be bought separately)	It contains 30 ml of product in a frosted glass bottle and it comes with a pump (Hurray!!)
Texture	It has a slightly creamy texture that feels easy to apply and does not set fast	It has an almost liquid texture that feels very light to apply but it sets fast
Application	It is such a dream to apply and blends really easily with different tools.	It is relatively easy to apply however it needs to be properly blended to prevent creasing or clinging to dry patches
Coverage	It offers an impressive medium coverage that can be built to full coverage without looking cakey	It offers an outstanding medium coverage that can even be described as full coverage but it may look cakey if you build it up too much
Longevity	It really  lasts well when I use a primer and set with a powder; I would say about 6-8 hours depending on skin types	It last a really long time once you apply and blend it properly. I would say it lasts about 7-9 hours depending on your skin type
Finish	It has a satin finish which makes it really suitable for many skin types as it’s not too matte or too dewy. It just sits perfectly between the two spectrums.	It leans more into the demi-matte side of things. I would describe it as a velvety finish which I really like especially for Spring/Summer
Buildable	It is buildable from medium coverage to full without looking cakey	I find that it may look cakey if you try to build/apply too much but you really don’t have to because the coverage is outstanding.
Creasing	I have not noticed any creasing at all with this foundation which is brilliant!	I have noticed some slight creasing near my laugh lines which is a little annoying so I always apply with a light hand around that area.
Best Used for	Everyday natural makeup with a nice glow	Flawless beat face especially for outings/dinners/events, etc
Best Applied with	Fingers, Buffing Brush, Beauty Blender. (works well with a variety of tools)	Fingers and Beauty Blender. (you can use brushes but these work best for me)
Best Suited (In my opinion)	Most skin types including combination/oily skin types	Combination/Oily Skin (It may cling to dry patches on dry skin but can be remedied by moisturising and using a smoothing primer.
Cost	£31 (but you may need to buy a pump which is £3 so that's £34 total)	£32  (but seems cheaper in the long run as it comes with a pump)

Overall Thoughts

I already mentioned earlier that I can’t seem to decide which I love best because it is incredibly hard for me. I love both foundations equally even though they are very different to each other. I tend to use NARS Sheer Glow on a more daily basis for a natural look. When my face is not feeling 100%, I reach for my NARS All Day Luminous because it always puts everything back in shape. I am running low on my Sheer Glow and I am definitely making a repurchase because that’s how much I love it! That’s it folks!! Have you tried any of these NARS foundations and which do you prefer?
*Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation Review

I am sure you all knew this was due to happen, didn't you? I caved in and finally purchased the hyped NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. I have read tons of reviews of this foundation and I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. I find that  majority of the people who love this foundation have Combination/Oily skin while majority of those who did not get along with it had drier skin. I am in the love camp and it is seriously one of my current favourite foundations already. I still love NARS Sheer Glow (review here) and it would always hold a special place in my heart. However, I think I may prefer the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (super long name though). I got it from Space NK and I decided to wait a little bit till all the dust had settled from the hype.

What does NARS say
NARS describes this foundation as a full natural looking coverage foundation which is unexpectedly weightless and provides 16-hour wear. It is highly pigmented and perfectly balanced with a breakthrough formula which builds and blends effortlessly with just one drop. Such an enticing intro all taken from the NARS website and of course, it was one that instantly piqued my interest.



Packaging
I actually really like the packaging despite how bulky it looks. I am particularly pleased that NARS seemed to have listened to the feedback a lot of people had about the Sheer Glow packaging. The packaging is beautiful, sturdy and looks really elegant on my vanity. It is made from frosted glass with a matte rubber-like lid and you get 30 ml of product which is standard for most foundations. The best part of the packaging is the pump. If you loved NARS Sheer Glow (review here) but hated the lack of pump (and the stress of actually finding it to purchase), this foundation and pump will make you very pleased. Another good thing about the packaging is that the lid actually covers the pump well so it's really secure. One could not use the lid with the Sheer Glow once you use a pump so I am very pleased the lid still fits the bottle with the pump. All in all, I am really pleased with the effort they put into the packaging. It's not the lightest or easiest to travel with because it is quite heavy but gurl!! this is one sacrifice you have to make for a foundation you love.


Shade Range
There are about 20 shades within this range and I believe they are the same as the Sheer Glow/Sheer Matte shades. If you were a particular shade in Sheer Glow, then you would find your equivalent shade with this new foundation. I chose the shade Cadiz which was the same shade I was in Sheer Glow although I think the All Day Luminous foundation seems ever so slightly lighter. It may just be my imagination but it just feels that way when I first apply it before blending it out.


Formula/Texture
The formula is very light weight almost liquid-like; you can literally hear it swishing around in the bottle. It is recommended that you shake the bottle really well before dispensing this foundation which is common with many liquid-like foundations. The texture is equally very light once it hits the skin and it almost seems to get absorbed immediately. I don't think that's quite the case as it gives you some time to blend it in. It feels really luxurious and truly weightless. You can hardly feel anything on your skin which is a plus especially as we are approaching warmer weather. It also does not contain SPF which makes it photograph really well (and films well too!). I don't mind that it has no SPF because I always use a separate SPF after my moisturiser.


Coverage/Finish
Now this is where things get very exciting; it offers incredible coverage and it's one that's really surprising given the texture. I would say it is definitely full coverage (or a very medium coverage depending on your taste). It easily blurs out any blemishes or discolouration with a swipe and I love that about it. If you have very dark spots or stubborn blemishes, you may need a concealer or another little layer to cover up but for the most part it covers really well.  Once it is blended in well, it sets well (not too fast or too slow) to a nice matte (velvet) finish which I love. I don't think it would cling to dry patches but I don't have dry skin so I can't tell for sure. I love the finish so much as it is perfect for my combination/oily skin especially now that my skin is playing up. I know NARS says one drop is enough but I have to disagree. I use 2-3 drops because I do have hyper pigmentation around my cheeks and it works best for me this way. I don't bother with a concealer at all once I use 2-3 drops however if I do colour correcting first, then I would only use 1-2 drops for a full face.


Application/Longevity
I have tried a variety of tools including my God-given tools aka my fingers and they work well. However, I find that the best way is using my fingers to apply it and then blending it out with a buffing brush (Real Techniques Buffing Brush/Expert Brush or Sephora Multi Tasker Brush). I really dislike having to use my fingers but it gives me the best results. I also use a damp Beauty Blender but I find that it seems to absorb the foundation rather rapidly which causes me to use more than necessary. Even when I use a brush, I make sure I don't apply it directly to the brush (I apply to my face instead) as it also gets absorbed quickly into the brush. It is very easy to blend and goes on smoothly on my face. I am not sure if everyone needs to set it with a powder but I love to do that just to ensure it goes nowhere. I also use a primer before using this foundation and it improves it longevity. As expected with NARS, it lasts for a really long time although I do think my primer helps as well. I would also say the oil-control properties is really good. I barely get shiny during the course of the day although I noticed I had a slightly shiny T-zone today around mid-afternoon (super sunny day).



Cost 
Do you know what? I am really pleased that this foundation is not ridiculously priced. It retails for £32 which is not a far cry from £31 (the price of the NARS Sheer Glow). I actually think the Sheer Glow is more expensive because you need to get a pump for around £3 which drives up the cost to £34. With the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, you get a lovely frosted glass bottle, lid and pump all for £32. I am very pleased with that although I know in the grand scheme of things it is not a cheap foundation but you get your money's worth and more. It is sold in a variety of places including Selfridges, House of Fraser, Space NK, etc

Cons
1. It may not be suitable for people who have very dry skin.
2. It is expensive (but worth every penny in my opinion).
3. The packaging is luxurious but heavy and not very travel friendly.


Overall Thoughts
I absolutely love this foundation and I know I sound like a foundation junkie just typing that out. Seriously, I am so impressed with this foundation. I still love my NARS Sheer Glow and I still reach for it every now and then but I think the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation is better suited for the warmer weather. I am loving it this Spring and I know it will still be a staple in Summer. That's it folks! Have you tried the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation and Are you in the Love or Hate Camp?...xx
*Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here