Are you a NARSissist? Get your hands on these three new NARS Collections for Spring!

NARSissist (NARS∙is∙sist) (n.) - lives by her own rules, not afraid to express herself in every look, mood or attitude. Effortless charm with a bottomless makeup bag.

Do you identify as a NARSissist? I surely do. Not only do I live by my own rules, I can’t get enough of NARS beauty products. The brand continues to release new and innovative products and these three upcoming Spring Collections (Velvet Matte Skin Tint, Spring Color Collection, and #NARSissist Spring Gifting) are no different. From a matte skin tint to a sultry eyeshadow palette, there’s something for everyone.

NARSissist Cheek Studio Palette Hide and Cheek, $65

A new must-have cheek palette that includes my favorite NARS bronzer, Laguna.

NARSissist L'amour Toujours L'amour Eyeshadow Palette, $59

A limited edition eyeshadow palette with everyday neutrals and smokey shades to take you into night.

Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $44

An oil- free skin tint that helps blur imperfections and control shine throughout the day. You'll also get a dose of vitamins C, E, and protect skin with broad spectrum SPF 30.

For Spring 2016, NARS debuts a fresh and modern mix of seasonal shades and innovative textures for eyes, cheeks and lips. Products include:

Tarvos Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow, $29

Instant Crash Lip Gloss, $26

Cressida Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow, $29

Vida Loca Lip Gloss, $26

Kari Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow, $29

Rosecliff Lipstick, $28

Hammamet Duo Eyeshadow, $35

Banned Red Lipstick, $28

Impassioned Blush, $30

Any of these new NARS products on your wishlist?

Case of the Mondays - 6 Beauty Products To Help Tackle The Week

Today was a very busy Monday for me! I'm finding that all of my weekends are jammed packed all the way up to Christmas Eve. I'm not sure if it's just the end of the year finally catching up or just wanting to spend more quality time with my family. The jammed packed weekends leave less time for errands, so Mondays is my get things done day! Here are the products making me feel more put together for this week's Case of the Mondays.

Olivia Palermo x Ciaté London, Smokey Suedes Eye Palette, $39

Olivia Palermo's Ciaté London collection is basically what my own makeup collection would probably look like. The collection is perfection with shades for the ultimate smokey eyes, bold cheeks and sultry nude lips. This new palette sold at Sephora is perfect for day to night eyes. You can soften it up in AM for the office and darken your crease in PM for a night out.

Dove Nourishing Pump Body Wash with NutriumMoisture, $8.99

There's only body wash I always have in my shower and that's Dove. This creamy, nourishing body wash is my ultimate fave. Skin is left luxuriously smooth and the scent is even better. Now this favorite body wash is available with a pump (#mydream) and in a 34 fl. oz. bottle!

DESSANGE PARIS Purifying Clay Balancing Pre-Shampoo Mask, $11.99 

The DESSANGE PARIS Purifying Clay Balancing Pre-Shampoo Mask is the first clay-in-mask pre-shampoo regulating treatment to help oily scalp! The 30% mineral green clay concentration works to absorb excess and regulate oil production over time. You can use once a week on dry hair, applying it generously to the roots with the application brush. Leave on hair for 5-10 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Best if used followed by the DESSANGE PARIS Purifying Clay Balancing Shampoo. Fresh hair on a Monday morning is always a good idea.

NARS Cosmetics Audacious Mascara, $26

It's rare that a new mascara comes along and blows me away like the Audacious mascara did. The wand is the magic! It was designed with over 200 molded bristles. The bristles evenly grips and coats lashes from root to tip while simultaneously separating, lengthening and amplifying with every stroke. Hello lashes! 

Rodial Instaglam Compact Deluxe Bronzing Powder, $57

I recently discovered the new Rodial Sculpting Makeup collection and fell head over heels! It launched in July and features a full collection of makeup products designed to sculpt and define the face. Founder, Maria Hatzistefani, sought to create a collection of products that were easy to use to achieve the desired sculpted look. The formulations are buildable and suits all skin tones. The Instagram Compact is my go-to everyday bronzer to define areas of my face easily.

Dolce & Gabbana Sophia Loren No. 1 Lipstick, $37

This signature red is just what the doctor ordered with the temperatures drastically dropping in NYC. Sophia Loren's lipstick collection with D&G is creamy and beautifully scented. It's a combination lipstick and lipgloss for ultra shiny lips. After all, Sophia Loren knows best!

5 Products You Need From The NARS Steven Klein Collection

François Nars has done it again! This time with Steven Klein - Together, they've joined forces to create a stunning 13-piece color collection and 10-piece gifting collection. You might remember that back in June I headed to an exclusive NARS preview party that had surprise after surprise. The party took place at Aldor Manor in Yonkers and upon arrival I was whisked from room to room to discover more about the collection. Rooms were filled with bondage ropes, weapons, male models in heavy eyeliner, flashing lights, nudity, whips, and a more! This was all to celebrate the brilliant and provocative collaboration of NARS and Steven Klein.

The NARS Steven Klein Color Collection features 13 new limited edition skus + two limited edition formulas: Killer Shine Lip Gloss and Killer Shine Lipstick. The Gifting Collection features sets with provocative color and bold pay-off. All products are available exclusively at NARS boutiques and NARSCosmetics.com on October 5, 2015. Select gifting will be available at specially stores on November 1, 2015. Below are 5 products you need from the collection:

Dead of Summer Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette, $49

Four wet/dry Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows for the ultimate seductive eyes.

Humoresque Luxury Petite Vault, $200

Five stunning Audacious Lipsticks in power nudes, potent pinks, and unstoppable bolds.

An Abnormal Female Bullet Lip Pencil Set, $65

Bite the bullet. Three, two, one—Velvet Matte Lip Pencils.

Despair Cheek Palette, $65

A four-part blush fantasy of provocative pinks and blushing bares. Paired with a mini Ita brush for shading every scenario.

Full Service Mini Kabuki Brush Set, $95

Total package. A full-frontal of cult favorite Kabuki Brushes for sculpting, shading, and setting new scenes. Form, function, and fantasy in four multi-action minis for eyes, cheeks, and face.

Introducing NARSPro Palettes

Nothing excites me more than a new makeup palette and this newness from NARS Cosmetics is no different. As a brand known for their makeup artistry, NARS just released the game-changing NARSPro Palette - the first palette designed by them for the makeup artist community. You can now curate your very own palettes with over 64 refill shades. I'll need Albatross & Laguna in every palette, please. 

Case Of The Mondays - 6 Products To Help You Get Through The Week

Image Via Pinterest

Did you have a good weekend? My weekend was the most delightful. The weather was perfect and it's obvious spring has sprung in the city. I spent Saturday at The Makeup Show preview celebrating their 10 year anniversary! Did you know the makeup show is the largest pro-only makeup event in the U.S.? I never miss the show and I'm thrilled to see it grow the way it has. On Sunday, my fiancée and I went to the Central Park Zoo and then had a picnic in the park.

Alas, back to the grind. Here are the products helping start my week off right.

Hourglass Ambient Bronzer, $50
There hasn't been an Hourglass product I didn't like. From their stunning packaging to their buttery smooth textures, it's hard not to fall head over heels for Hourglass. I own most of their product line, including the best-selling Ambient light blushes and highlighters. A bronzer was a must-have for me. This one comes in two shades - Radiant Bronze Light and Luminous Bronze Light. Go for luminous if you want a lighter shade.

NARS Eye Lashes, $20
It's an exciting day when NARS launches a new product. You can now purchase eight different eyelash looks all designed by François Nars. These natural faux lashes will add drama and intensity to your look and are reusable.

SK-II Limited Edition Mother's Day Facial Treatment Essence, $205
I've recently become obsessed with SK-II's facial treatment essence, so I love when they collaborate for limited edition packaging. This collaboration is once again with Taiwanese artist Po Chih Huang. The new pink rose represents gratefulness and appreciation. 

Lipstick Queen Cupid's Bow, $22
Nothing like a jumbo lip pencil to start the day. These Lipstick Queen lippys are packed with pigment and work as a lipstick and lip liner for perfect precision. 8 shades in total to choose from. The inspiration for the lipsticks come from the precision of Cupid's arrow, get it?

Illamasqua Gel Sculpt and Gel Color, $37
Introducing the brand's first contouring stick and collection of cheek tints. The formula is lightweight and waterproof - it blends effortlessly into the skin and creates a subtle contoured look.

Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette, $46
Kat Von D has been hitting it out of the park lately with her palettes. This eye contouring palette features three color quads in neutral, cool, and warm shades. The colors are a great blend of shades and can create many looks. The pigments are wonderful, too! 

What products are you using today?

Adventure Time With The 2014 Kia Soul in Bright Solar Yellow

Photos by James Ayala

Some days you need a little adventure, so when I was asked to take the 2014 Kia Soul for a test drive I knew adventure was near. When I first laid eyes on the car, I immediately thought of dancing hamsters (good marketing, yes?). Like that fun commercial, the Kia Soul is kind of a party in itself. It drives like a dream, is incredible on gas, and is a show-stopper in the streets – perfect for any beauty or fashion maven. I can’t tell you how many people stopped to stare. Its bright yellow exterior caught the eyes of many, and my family quickly named the car Aretha… after the queen of soul herself.

Needless to say, we fell in love with the Kia Soul and are now strongly considering purchasing one. It was one of the best cars to drive and comes recommended highly to anyone looking for a great, affordable compact vehicle.

The Kia Soul 6-speed Manual starts at $14,900.

• Car Type: Wagon
• Transmission: 6-speed Manual
• Total Seating: 5
• Cylinders: Inline 4
• Colors: Various shades
• Favorite Interior Features: Heated mirrors, dual illuminating vanity mirrors (perfect for quick touch-ups!), USB connection, 6 speakers, & Bluetooth wireless technology.

See below for my favorite gold/yellow beauty products inspired by the Kia’s bright hue.

NYFW Backstage Beauty: NARS Cosmetics At Rachel Comey SS15

SHOW: Rachel Comey SS’15

LEAD ARTIST: Hannah Murray for NARS Cosmetics

LOOK: “Effortless handsome beauty. The brows are defined in a boyish, uncomplicated fashion and the lips are hydrated with balm.”

Below are the key products used to create the exclusive look:

FACE

Luminous Moisture Cream

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

CHEEK

Stick Concealer

Copacabana Multiple

Het Loo Satin Lip Pencil

BROW

Brow Perfector

EYES

Stick Concealer (in contour)

NYFW Backstage Beauty: NARS Cosmetics At Tome SS15

Fashion Week kicked off in New York yesterday, and I headed backstage to cover the upcoming beauty trends for Spring 2015. Here's a closer look at Tome with NARS Cosmetics. 

LEAD ARTIST: James Boehmer, NARS Director of Global Artistry

LOOK: “The inspiration for the collection came from two Indian artists – Rukmini Devi, a classical dancer and Dayanita Singh, a contemporary photographer – who represent the richness and diversity of old and new India.  The look fuses traditional elements of the Indian culture and modern makeup. The skin is very matte, with a clean, liquid eyeliner on the top eyelid, no mascara. Some girls will have a pale, chalky-pink lip.”

Below are the key products used to create the look:

FACE:

Stick Concealer

All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (New for Spring 2015, for now try Sheer Matte Foundation)
Soft Velvet Loose Powder (New for Spring 2015, for now try Loose Powder)

EYES:

Black Valley Eye Paint

LIPS:

Silvia Audacious Lipstick

Santa Monica Boulevard Larger Than Life® Long-Wear Eyeliner (layered over lipstick and blended in)

Nordstrom's 2014 Anniversary Beauty Sale Begins Today!

Today begins the 2014 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, featuring limited edition beauty exclusives at great values. Brands participating include favorites, such as Bobbi Brown, Clarisonic, NARS Cosmetics, MAC and more! The beauty sale begins on Nordstrom.com and in Nordstrom stores nationwide from July 18th (while supplies last). Enjoy early access to the sale starting July 10th as a Nordstrom Rewards Member. Sneak peek of a few limited edition items below. Comment with your top picks!

New NYC Beauty Locations To Visit: Paintbox Nails, Rouge New York & More!

Everyday new beauty salons are popping up all over the city. It can be difficult to sort through and find quality locations that soon become new favorites. I've recently visited a few new locations that were quickly added to my recommendation list. From chic gel manicures to beauty makeovers, here the best of the best to add to your must visit list.

Paintbox | 17 Crosby Street. New York, NY 10013

(212) 219-2412

Paintbox is a luxurious nail studio located in Soho (right next to the Mondrian hotel) with a modern twist on the traditional nail salon. It was founded by Eleanor Langston, a veteran magazine beauty editor. It's chic, beautiful and features 18 nail stations. The focus is on sophisticated art nail with a menu of looks to choose from. With names like Ray of Light, Paint Ball, and Weekend Update, you'll never have boring nails again! You won't see walls of nail polish either - in fact, the nail technicians head off the floor to assemble the necessary colors and tools to create each unique look. Services include regular manicures, gel manicures, and polish changes. The nail studio also features a manicure photo booth that instantly sends a photo to your email address. You can book appointments online or by phone. Kayo was my manicurist and she did a wonderful job. I'll be back soon! 

Rouge New York | 130 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012 (Between Houston St and Prince St, Soho)

(212) 388-1717

Introducing New York's newest makeup salon, Rouge New York. The salon was founded by Law and Order: SVU's makeup department head Rebecca Perkins and actress Stephanie March. The women had a vision for a makeup salon that was affordable and would be there to help with any big day - a job interview, a first date or even just a night out. Choose from an array of looks: You.. Only Better, enhances your natural features or Total Polish, a glamorous makeover to make you camera ready. Walk-ins are accepted or you can easily book online.

NARS Madison Ave | 971 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021 (76th St)

(212) 388-1717

NARS Cosmetics announced the opening of its second New York flagship boutique. The 700-square-foot space will feature makeup artists personally trained by François Nars and unique 413 BLKR products – named for the first NARS boutique. The location opens officially on May 16th.

Sephora | Queens Center Mall, 90-15 Queens Blvd. Space #2073 Elmhurst, NY 11373

(718) 271-3969

It's always an exciting day when a new Sephora location is announced. The boutique at Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst is a virtual paradise with over 13,000 products from more than 200 brands! Sephora, for me, is an endless candy store. With brands like Guerlain, Marc Jacons, FORMULA X, Hourglass, and Josie Maran, it's hard not to get hooked.

Oscars 2014 Beauty Favorite: Nude Lips & Sultry Eyes

Image Via Getty

The Oscars will soon be a distant memory, but the leading ladies' beauty looks will live on. The red carpet was filled with stunning dresses, sparkly baubles, and incredibly gorgeous makeups. The trend on the carpet was clearly nude lips and smokey eyes seen on almost all the nominated females, including Jennifer Lawrence above at the after party. We've gathered the best looks of the night and made a mental note to recreate these looks ASAP.

#NYFW Backstage Beauty: Marc Jacobs Autumn/Winter 2014

NARS created the look for the Marc Jacobs AW ‘14 runway show. Lead artist François Nars said "The makeup look was really inspired by the collection, which is very "matte." There's nothing too silky and I wanted that to translate to the makeup. The models look like mannequins. The eyelid is a pale neutral grey and we made it look bigger by foregoing mascara. The lips have a touch of frosted metallic silver. We used a lot of powder for a matte, porcelain finish."

Get the look:

FACE

NARSskin Luminous Moisture Cream

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Radiant Creamy Concealer

Loose Powder

CHEEKS

Zen Blush

Douceur Blush

Sex Appeal Blush

EYES

Andromeda Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow (New for Summer 2014, for now try the silver side of Tokyo Duo Eyeshadow)

Sheer white shimmer side of Pandora Duo Eyeshadow

Sugared cocoa side of Kalahari Duo Eyeshadow

Sophia Single Eyeshadow

LIPS

Striptease Lip Gloss

Dione Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow (New for Summer 2014, for not try the shimmer side of All About Eve Duo Eyeshadow)

Kendall Jenner via Getty