It is NARS 20th anniversary this year, and they introduced quite a few new makeup collections. .   I was impressed with NARS Spring 2014 Wet/Dry eye shadows (Giove, Subra, Callista and Desdemona are standouts), The NARS Audacious Lipsticks (reviews and swatches of Jane  and  Anna here  & Natalie and Julie here),  and “Et Dieu… créa la femme Limited Edition Kit,” (And God Created Woman) inspired by the 1956 French film directed by Roger Vadim that made Brigitte Bardot an international star.

Photo: CaFleureBon

I am catching up with all the new Holiday 2014 Beauty Collections and am a little late in reviewing the NARS  Laced with Edge Color Collection that is already available on Narscosmetics.com and Sephora.com. First, a  few words about the packaging; just love Chris Kabutsi’s digitally rendered black gloss lace etching on NARS signature black matte cases.

(Top: NARS Femme Fleur, Almeria Blush and Corsica Lip Gloss Holiday 2014 Photo:CaFleureBon)

NARS Almeria Blush: Since NARS blushes are my favorites  (I have gone through two of Deep Throat, Amour, Mata Hari, Torrid, and Lovejoy; wish they would offer refill pans) so it was a must try for me especially since Almeria is the only new blush in the Holiday Color 2014 collection.   Almeria is described as a tan rose. On my Olive/Tan/Warm complexion, it is more a deep reddish plum color with warm undertones; if Amour and Taos had a love child Almeria would be  the outcome. It is a medium deep hue, highly pigmented and matte.  I don’t like a lot of color on my cheeks, so I just dusted Almeria on the apples with NARS Yachiyo Brush. That being said, it is dramatic and I would reach for it for evenings out or when I to want to look like a Pop Diva. If you already own Amour and Taos you should be able to achieve a similar shade.  Almeria will best suit medium to darker complexions and those with paler skin who like dramatic color. For reference I wear Nars Stromboli or Barcelona Sheer Glow Foundation depending on the season. ($30)

NARS Hotwired Lipstick Femme Fleur: There are three Hotwired Lipsticks, all touted as new formulas- Soliel d’Orient, (a pearlescent pale pink shimmer,  Deadly Catch (intense ruby red) and  Femme Fleur.  With a blog named CaFleureBon how could I NOT love the latter? NARS describes it is as a shimmering brick red with gold pearl. It is a warm medium brick, somewhat sheer with golden shimmer and apricot undertones. It looks more dramatic in the tube and I can see Femme Fleur becoming one of my favorite new  lipsticks. I don’t know what is particularly “Holiday" about it, which suits me fine as I prefer a lipstick that can wear  year round. I spent about an hour going through my collection of lipsticks and there were no dupes.  Femme Fleur lasts for about 3 hours (which is average). If I fill my lips in first with Urban Decay’s 24/7 Lip Liner in Liar, Femme Fleur is more intense and lasts from breakfast through lunch without reapplying. ($26)

Photo: CaFleureBon

NARS Holiday Lipgloss in Corsica: I am always looking for a great pink lipgloss that isn’t too blue, and Corsica is just that. NARS describes it as shimmering pink raspberry. I don’t get any shimmer and it is more of a warm antiqued rose. Corsica is  highly pigmented and semi-opaque. I wouldn’t wear this over another lipstick as it stands alone just fine.  I couldn’t find a dupe in my collection and  I will wear Corsica when I want a little more oomph on my lips with smokey eye looks. ($26)

Disclosure: The products were supplied to me by the Company, the opinions are my own

–Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief