NARS 'Dragon Girl' Velvet Matte Lip Pencil on Brown Skin (Video Review)

Since discovering this shade through a friend a few months ago, I've worn it religiously and it is my hands down #1 pick for a red lip. It beats out the other 3 red lipsticks I have: MAC's Viva Glam I, Lady Danger, and Ruby Woo. Yes, even Ruby Woo lol. It baffles my mind that every black woman is not wearing this shade religiously! It is the perfect matte, red lip with insane staying power that won't dry your lips or bleed out.

NARS has hit the jackpot with this all-in-one product. It's a liner and a color in one, and super simple to apply. The price is $24 at any Sephora or NARS counter and before you cringe at the price (because I most certainly did at first), please know that this is worth every cent. You know how there are some products you can easily get a dupe for? Well, this isn't one of them. Don't spend $5-$10 on a knockoff because that'll be money wasted. Put that change towards buying this stuff and I promise you will not be disappointed. Not sold yet? Go to any Sephora store and try it on for yourself! See how effortlessly it glides on. Walk around for a bit. Go get something to eat and be blown away that you're not having to reapply. Even after 2 meals when it felt like the product couldn't possibly be on my lips, a quick glance in the mirror confirmed I was still going strong.

Okay, okay.. I'm sounding like some on charge infomercial guy (aka Vince w/ the Slap Chop lol), but seriously... I'm just so excited to find a red lip that works. I go so hard for this... I want to scream from the roof tops that the makeup Gods have answered our prayers! They've delivered the most amazeballs matte red lip ever.

My girlfriend that told me about this shade is white, and even after letting me try the color out I was still a bit on the fence. I went to  YouTube looking for some reviews to see how it looked on brown skin and was shocked to find only 1 or 2 videos. Alas, I knew I had to record a video and share with the world so anyone that too was on the fence could get a 2nd opinion lol.

In the first part of the video I showed what the color looked like after a 12 hour day. No touch-ups. I had eaten breakfast and lunch. Had drinks out of the can and bottle. The wear was amazing. Towards the end of the video I reapply and show you what the color looks like fresh! Enjoy.

** The key to looking great in a red lip is having a great base. Be sure to exfoliate your lips and remove all dead skin so you don't look ratchet. While this product isn't drying, I do try and keep my lips moisturized and exfoliated when I'm not wearing this. So after removing the product at the end of the night, I'll wash my face lip normal and put cocoa butter on my lips. About twice a week I exfoliate with a wash cloth **

The Perfect Red Lip for Brown Skin: NARS "Dragon Girl"

Thanks to a friend I found the perfect red lip for brown skin. No, it's not MAC's Ruby Woo (which is a favorite of mine), but even better - - NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in "Dragon Girl."

The pencil allows for flawless application in under a minute and for anyone that consistently rocks a red lip you will know that this is amazing! You basically apply the color and line your lips in one simple step. It's divine. The best part? The lasting power! This stuff can last HOURS... through breakfast and lunch, kisses, coffee... just when you think it's fading away a quick look in the mirror will show that it's still going. I prefer my reds to be matte and not glossy, so this is a match made in heaven.

I was nervous to pay $24 for it (from Sephora), but rationalized that it was covering the cost of a lip liner and color in one. Plus, there are many imitations out there, but I assure you that NONE come close to this. I go hard in the paint for certain products and this is one of them.Since buying it I haven't worn any of my other red lipsticks (MAC's Ruby Woo, Viva Glam I, and Lady Danger - - all great shades of red). The ease of being able to apply one product and go is awesome.

The next time you're in Sephora or Macy's, go to the NARS counter and give this stuff a try. Your lips will thank me!

It's all about the brows...

Like most women, I know that a well put together face is all about the brows. My journey to having fab brows has been a rough road, but I'm always game to learn tips and tricks along the way. One of my favorite Tumblr pages, MsDanti, is always blowing me away with her flawless makeup and enviable brows. Recently she started a  YouTube channel, and although she only has 2 videos posted, one shows her everyday makeup look -- featuring her famous brows that I was excited to give a try.

I've always shied away from using concealer on brows, but was well aware of how popular the technique was. I found myself with some time on my hands Saturday night, and before washing my face for bed decided to see if I could work the concealer magic on my brows.

Since it was the wee hours of the night my goal wasn't to create a fully made up face, but I wanted to see what results I could get with a little concealer and my brow pencil. It's safe to say that I was super impressed by how amazing my brows looked! I think this will be my new go-to application method.

I was so in love with my brows that I refused to wash my face for a few more hours... just wanting to soak in the fabulousness of it all lol... slightly corny, but I was enamored by them. I'm excited to see how this method looks completely blended and with the rest of my face done... but in all honesty, just having my brows, lip gloss, blush, and mascara could be a nice daytime look.


If you'd like to learn this technique check out Danyelle's video:

Brush Overload...

Last month I blogged about an insane deal Crown Brush was offering in partnership with Kandee the Makeup Artist. I had a few glitches with the ordering process, but yesterday my brushes finally arrived in one piece!

I opted for Set #620 which included 15 brushes and a case. The set usually sells for $43.99 but with the promotional code I got this for an amazing $29.99 (including taxes and shipping). That's one sweet deal.

I'm in makeup brush heaven right now but slightly overwhelmed. While I love makeup, by no means am I pro so I have no clue how to use all of these brushes.

Brushes Pictured L-R: Chisel Powder, Chisel Blush, Angle Blush, Foundation, Angle Blender, Oval Shadow, Blending Fluff, Flat Liner, Concealer, Lash Fan, Brow/Lash Groomer, Angle Liner, Oval Lip, Mini Smudger, and Round Crease

All of the reviews I've seen on these brushes are pretty good and most people compare them to MAC. Since I will only be using these for fun, I don't have any need to get professional type of mileage out of them. Having a collection like this for under $30 is mind blowing.

I'll be playing around with them asap and doing a little research to learn how to use the ones I'm clueless about (i.e. Lash Fan brush).

What's your makeup brush collection like?

Last Minute Gift Idea

In need of an awesome last minute gift idea for the makeup lovers in your life? Look no further than this uber amazing makeup brush set compliments of Kandee The Makeup Artist and Crown Brush!!! It usually retails for $43.99 but thanks to Kandee negotiating with the company you can get it for $29.99 (includes shipping/taxes)!!! I've been on the hunt for some basic brushes and I couldn't pass up this deal.



Click here to see the original post from Kandee's site and to get all of the info. Crown Brush creates makeup brushes for most of the big companies out there and makeup artists will tell you, their brushes are said to be better than MAC!!! If you're a makeup junkie you'll definitely want to hop on this deal... it's really too good to pass up.

*all brushes are cruelty free!!! *

There are 3 sets to choose from... This is the one I picked :)

Beat to Perfection

Has anyone else noticed how absolutely stunning Serena's makeup has been looking lately. Coco & Creme reported that she's jumped on the Kim Kardashian train and started using her famed makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic. Whatever she's doing I want more of it! Her face has been beat to perfection and it's about time. I'm a firm believer that celebrities and millionaires have no excuse to look a mess. Yes, we all have off days but when you're rolling in dough I think you should roll over to a salon, spa or stylist and get your situation in order.

I hope Serena can keep this up...

I heart M.A.C.

There is something about walking into a MAC store or up to a MAC counter that has a way of warming my heart - - touching my soul and making a grin spread from ear to ear! I absolutely love MAC. From their glosses to their lipsticks, foundations, concealers and blushes...everything they sell makes me happy! Friday I managed to make the most of my lunch and slip away to the MAC counter in Macy's on State St. I was aided in my makeup mission by Jenna (a great artist that was super helpful...ask for her if you're at that location) and added 5 exciting items to my growing MAC-up collection!

1. Lustre Lipstick in Freckletone - - a great nude shade with hints of peach...perfect if you want a natural, neutral lip.

2. Lip Pencil in Hover - - a rick caramel brown....this color perfectly accents any nude/brown/pink shades of lipstick/gloss.

3. Nail lacquer in Nightfall - - With the winter weather upon us, it was time to let go of my varying pink summer shades and find a great winter color...I'm a fan of metallics and If you don't want a bright silver...nor a harsh black, this metallic charcoal gray is perfect.

4. Lustre Glass in Beaux - - a warm beige, brown color. For anyone that was/is a fan of "Ooh baby" this is for you! You'll love the texture and unlike "ooh baby" it doesn't have all the glitter. A great option for an everyday gloss.

5. Lustre Glass in Flusterose - - a warm, bubblegum pink color...not too bold though. It's sheer enough to wear alone and not feel like a cartoon character or can be paired with a lip liner or lipstick to pop even more! I previously had this and some how it went missing...nevertheless it's been replaced! I love this shade....