SPRINGSPOLSION!! The Best of Spring 2012

Investigating NARS new collection got my my mouth watering for the vibrant pastels of the vernal equinox, so I present to you what I consider the highlights of the Spring Makeup Collections. They include: Dior's "Garden Party", Chanel's "Harmonie de Printemps", Anna Sui's "Rose Fairy", Yves Saint Laurent's "Candy Face", Bobbi Brown's "Neons & Nudes", Essie's "Navigate Her", and OPI's "Holland". This is a mammoth posting, but nonetheless, a comprehensive glance at the best of this springs makeup counters. Enjoy!

CHECK OUT PHOTOS AND PRESS RELEASES AFTER THE JUMP!

Beauty Steal of the Week: Physicians Formula Eye Booster

Getting back in the swing of things for 2012, I present the newest beauty steal of the week: Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum (what a mouthful!). I spotted this little pen in CVS for a little over $10 (plus it was buy 1, get 1 free). It claims that after 2-4 weeks of daily use that lashes are "Longer, Fuller, More Enhanced". While, I can't be tamed enough to stick to one eyeliner for any length of time, I can tell you that, as a liquid eyeliner alone, this is a fantastic product. For the price, it behaves as well as a high-end liner. The metal pen is easy to spot in a crowded makeup bag (which is a plus for me) and the tip is precise and sharp and has stayed that way for more than 2 months of frequent use, making it beyond easy to achieve easy cat eyes. The formula goes on perfectly, lasts all day, and feels weightless. Colors available are Ultra Black (my choice), Black, Deep Brown, and Clear.
As I said, I can't speak from personal experience as to the lash growing effects, but the reviews online seem positive in general. It is safe for contact wearers and those with sensitive skin and eyes (unlike products like Latisse, for example). As someone who has been irritated by itchy liquid liners in the past, this is a plus.
If you're in the market for a fantastic, quality liquid liner, consider this my seal of approval!

Blooming: NARS Spring 2012 Collection

Popping into stores and online on January 13th, François Nars newest collection will make you pop with vibrant hues this spring! Some expected pastel shades are mixed with more unexpected royal blue, bronze, copper, and nude colors which are usually more common in summer collections (which the campaign shot above echoes).
I'm most excited about three items:

• Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose (hot pink)
• NARS famous blush in Gaiety (candy pink similar to my favorite, Desire, but a little more icy pink than hot)
• Eyeshadow in Lhasa (a shimmering lavender-gray)

Read the press release and see a shot of the collection after the jump!

First Look at the Daphne Guinness Colletion for M·A·C

Fashion icon Daphne Guinness is introducing a new collection for M·A·C to be released December 26th and available through February 9th. The 21 piece collection includes:

• 4 Cremesheen Glasses
• 4 Pro Longwear Lipcremes
• 3 Nail Lacquers
• 2 Eyebrow Pencils
• 2 Powerpoint Eye Pencils
• 3 Pigments
• An Eye Shadow Quad
• 2 Blush Ombrés

The shades are primarily a range of cool grays, pinks, and purples which reflect Guinness's Cruella deVil-esque sense of style. The stand-out product seems to be the Ombré-styled (linear color gradient in purple/pink) blushes. Otherwise, these are just different (some impractical) shades of products we've seen before. It would take a bold person to wear the gray lip glass!

Holiday Sales!

Its not even mid-November, so you know what that means? Holiday sales!!! Two good "Family and Friends" sales this week are Benefit Cosmetics and Too-Faced Cosmetics. Both offer 20% off all merchandise.
For Benefit Cosmetics: Shop their website between now and 11/14 with code: LOVEYALL
For Too-Faced: Shop their website with between now and 11/16 with code: FF2011F

I will try to post any upcoming sales that I spot ASAP. Happy shopping!

Nicki Minaj for O·P·I

In yet another beauty brand collaboration, Nicki Minaj has teamed up with everybody's favorite nail polish, O·P·I! The collection consists of 6 nail shades (3 glitter, 2 creme, 1 shatter). I'm loving the electric blue and green! The collection has a loose retail release date of January 2012.

See close ups of the shades after the jump!

UPDATE!

OPI just released a statement on Facebook along with this picture. The statement reads:

"Despite what you've seen online, we wanted to make sure you got accurate information from us. The Nicki Minaj collection consists of a deep shimmering purple Shatter called "Super Bass" and these five Nicki-inspired colors: "Metallic 4 Life", "Save Me", "Fly", "Did It On 'Em" and the bubble gum hue "Pink Friday".

So, everything is the same except for the Pink Friday shade which in my mind is better. I'd rather have a matte neon pink than a metallic pink (which, to me is a 'lil bit tacky).

Excusez moi! It's Miss Piggy for M·A·C!

Couldn't you just die? Isn't this photo fantastic? On November 14th, the 3 piece Miss Piggy collection for M·A·C will be released to coincide with The Muppets movie. It includes a Frost eyeshadow called Miss Piggy Pink (Mid-toned blue-pink) for $15.00, a Penultimate Liner in Rapidblack for $17.50, and a #36 False Lash for $18.00 to complete this "naturally dramatic" look. Here is a preview of the collection:

Fabulousssss!

A completely ridiculous interview with everybody's favorite pig DIVA can be found after the jump!