Okay, so I know this is kind of bitchy because this beauty has been off the Sephora website for quite a while. BUT I have justified posting up this late review because:
Note: This palette was a Sephora exclusive so sadly it is not available other places that NARS is sold. But, there were other great palettes/sets in this collection, even some that were never at Sephora, that are still available at Holt Renfrew and the Bay (Again, I go always so trust me).
And so without further ado, I present my beloved NARS One Night Stand palette from their recent Guy Bourdin collaboration:
- It is still available in some Sephora stores! (I go always and can attest to this fact)
- Sephora recently sent out $15/$20 off when you spend $50 coupon codes to their VIBs and
- These coupon codes aren't even valid for Canada online (oh fine print), so you'll have to go to the store to use it anyway
- Some of the blushes in this palette are sold individually as well. If you happen to love just one, you could still pick it up individually (I would recommend you do this with the coupon code though)
- If you must have this in your life and cannot live without it, then (I judge you) it is being sold at inflated prices on eBay so...yay? (It's still probably worth it in my opinion)
Note: This palette was a Sephora exclusive so sadly it is not available other places that NARS is sold. But, there were other great palettes/sets in this collection, even some that were never at Sephora, that are still available at Holt Renfrew and the Bay (Again, I go always so trust me).
And so without further ado, I present my beloved NARS One Night Stand palette from their recent Guy Bourdin collaboration:
Introduction
So last month, Sephora was all about the sales, starting with the Friends and Family Sale and quickly followed by the VIB sale, both at 20% off. Before I knew about the VIB sale, I was lucky enough to get a F&F coupon from Nikki Roth (from NikkiRothBeauty), who works at Sephora and makes awesome YouTube videos, so thank you Nikki! I debated long and hard about what to get and tried to keep it reasonable at one palette only. I was initially sold on the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette, since those powders got super hyped-up last year (although every time I try them in store I'm honestly unimpressed), and here was an opportunity to try out three shades!
However, when I looked into the nitty gritty, I realized that the Ambient Lighting Palette was too good to be true. You were actually getting less product total (3.48oz vs. 0.35, so fine they're like the same) for $15 CAD more!? ($67 CAD vs. $52 CAD; in the U.S. it was $58 vs. $45). Yes, it was an opportunity to try three colours (and one was limited edition, blah blah blah) but realistically, the only shade I cared about was Dim Light and the overall palette was a worse deal in $/gram of product, so that was a no brainer. I also considered the Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes, but most of the shades are fairly dupable and it had a bit too much purple (and no other colour family or warmth) for my liking. Also, I don't exactly have a shortage of eyeshadow palettes in my life.
Note: If I still haven't convinced you, both of these palettes are also sold out at Sephora online, though still available in some stores and elsewhere, but I would go grab them now before it's too late (seriously, leave. You can read this later).
Note: If I still haven't convinced you, both of these palettes are also sold out at Sephora online, though still available in some stores and elsewhere, but I would go grab them now before it's too late (seriously, leave. You can read this later).
So this is what came with the NARS One Night Stand Palette, no silly, flimsy brushes or primers, just six beautiful cheek colours. Yes, this palette was ridiculously expensive at $72 CAD less 20% (about $57.6 CAD in case you were wondering). However, compared to the Hourglass palette, I actually felt I was getting a good value for the dollar: this palette contains 0.84oz (6*0.14oz) of product - each full-sized NARS blush is 0.16oz ($32 CAD), while a bronzer is 0.28oz ($42 CAD). Essentially, for the price of one bronzer plus one blush, you're getting four blusher shades in a variety of colours/finishes, the famous Laguna bronzer and a wonderful highlighter.
Furthermore, I actually didn't own that many blushes, by some standards. Unfortunately, this palette did contain their famous Orgasm blush, which I did already own. However, I was sort of expecting this, given Orgasm is practically the most famous blush of all time and so they put it in almost every palette and set ever made. And let's be honest, can I girl ever have too much Orgasm in her life? (I kid, I kid). So since I had always wanted to try more NARS blushes (and Laguna), but could never decisively pick one given their high price point, One Night Stand was easily justified. For size references, you can see it compared to some of my other palettes from clockwise: MAC 16-pan eyeshadow palette, NARS Orgasm Blush, NARS One Night Stand, Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette, and NARS And God Created the Woman eyeshadow palette. One Night Stand features your standard black rubber NARS packaging, and a nice beautiful mirror (which you can see me in above). While some complain that this packaging attracts dust and smudges (which it does), I happen to love the NARS packaging since it is sturdy, sleek, easy to open yet firm when closed, and I also kind of love when it starts to look worn in and dirty over time.
Colour Descriptions
- Devotee (Highlighter): A beautiful frosted highlighting powder that is not-too-pink nor not-too-gold, but somewhere in between as a neutral pinky beige. I do not have many highlighters to compare this to, but it does add a beautiful finish to my skin tone that is not too obvious, but definitely noticeable. Note: Devotee does have lots of fine glitter particles, which may be bothersome to some (can accentuate pores) - use sparingly on cheeks and you should be fine.
- Mistinguette: Honestly, this is the shade that sold me on this palette. I have been holding off on Bobbi Brown's Pale Pink and MAC's Well Dressed, which have both been on my wishlist for quite some time, so I was thrilled when I saw a bright, blue-based (cool-toned) matte pink was included. These sorts of shades may be intimidating to some, but please give them a chance if you have a light/medium skin tone, since they just show up beautifully on the skin. So far, I've used Minstinguette more than any other shade in the palette, since it is perfect for achieving a flushed look.
- Orgasm: Like I really don't feel that I need to say anything about Orgasm. (It's a pinky-coral with some golden shimmer that is supposed to be universally flattering). Though I have heard many say it is not worth the hype, it was the first blush I ever got (because duh) and I love it. Whenever I have a special event, Prom and the like, I have always worn Orgasm (though now with my larger collection this may be subject to chance).
- Goulue: Okay first off, what the hell sort of name is this? Being fluent in french, I am rarely stumped my cosmetic and fashion names that are hard to pronounce, but this one is a little tricky (Ps. I've looked it up and "Goulue" was the nickname of a famous French CanCan dancer, go figure). Anyway, I was also super excited about this berry red/pink shade, since it is a perfect fall/holiday colour to brighten up my pale skin. Obviously, Goulue has the best colour payoff, so I would use a light hand and blend it out to avoid a clown-face. Nevertheless, it provides a surprisingly natural finish, even with its golden sheen. Goulue would also be perfect for medium-darker skin tones, just saying.
- Deep Throat: I have been interested in this shade ever since Allison/Amarixe started raving about it years ago (and unlike me, this chick knows her blushes). I haven't actually used this shade much, but I have played around a bit and found it to be the perfect, understated cheek to pair with any eye look. Slightly lighter and more coral than Orgasm, I think Deep Throat is a great versatile go-to for light-medium skin tones, that will enhance your complexion without drawing any attention away from a dramatic eye/lip.
- Laguna (Bronzer): Almost as famous as Orgasm, this bronzer needs no introduction. Laguna is perfect for the whole "warm up your entire face" look, and can be built-up for a little contour if you really want it to, though keep in mind it has a subtle golden shimmer. On my skin tone, Laguna is not too orange-y, nor is it really dark enough to achieve a dramatic contour (for that, I prefer Benefit's Hoola Bronzer). Although I really Laguna and have considered buying it a couple of times in the past, my one gripe with One Night Stand is that the Laguna pan is just a little too small for my Sigma F25 brush, which I happen to use for bronzer. However, it's still a wonderful shade for light-medium skin tones, though probably too light for darker skin tones.
Note: Orgasm, Deep Throat, and Laguna are permanent, though they are often included in NARS palettes, so you may want to hold off on purchasing for later collections. Devotee, Mintinguette, and Goulue are all limited edition, though Albatross, Gaiety and Dolce Vita from their permanent range would make fine substitutes (respectively).
Swatches + Review
I included two sets of swatches just to see some different lighting effects. (Ignore my hairy hands, I'm Jewish and I'm rocking it). I have enumerated the colour in the same order as above, but just to be sure: 1. Devotee; 2. Mistinguette; 3. Orgasm; 4. Goulue; 5. Deep Throat; and 6. Laguna.
As you can see, there is a nice range of colours and finishes, respectively: a shimmery beige highlighter, a matte cool pink, a shimmery pinky-coral, a deeper berry-pink with shimmer, a light coral with some gold, and a warm bronzer with some sheen. The colours are all fairly pigmented, without having too much fallout or being too "in your face." Also, they do last very well on your skin when compared to other blushes I've tried before. There's a reason NARS is known for their blushes, and this palette was a perfect way for me to try a bunch of them at once. I've had One Night Stand for about a month now, and I've used it in some variation almost every day that I've worn makeup since. It was a great value for the money, and with the 20% off, I had to seize the opportunity.
If you passed up on One Night Stand, have the financial means to get it, and don't have too many similar shades, I would call your Sephora stat and see if they have one of these still in stock (then snatch it up before December 15th and get $15 or $20 off!). Also, this palette would make a wonderful gift if you're feeling really generous toward a makeup-lover in your life. Based on its packaging, the value, the colour payoff/quality, the versatility, and the sleek luxuriousness of it all, I give One Night Stand two big thumps up!
As you can see, there is a nice range of colours and finishes, respectively: a shimmery beige highlighter, a matte cool pink, a shimmery pinky-coral, a deeper berry-pink with shimmer, a light coral with some gold, and a warm bronzer with some sheen. The colours are all fairly pigmented, without having too much fallout or being too "in your face." Also, they do last very well on your skin when compared to other blushes I've tried before. There's a reason NARS is known for their blushes, and this palette was a perfect way for me to try a bunch of them at once. I've had One Night Stand for about a month now, and I've used it in some variation almost every day that I've worn makeup since. It was a great value for the money, and with the 20% off, I had to seize the opportunity.
If you passed up on One Night Stand, have the financial means to get it, and don't have too many similar shades, I would call your Sephora stat and see if they have one of these still in stock (then snatch it up before December 15th and get $15 or $20 off!). Also, this palette would make a wonderful gift if you're feeling really generous toward a makeup-lover in your life. Based on its packaging, the value, the colour payoff/quality, the versatility, and the sleek luxuriousness of it all, I give One Night Stand two big thumps up!
BONUS: Quick Eye Look (using One Night Stand)
So, I'm all about breaking the rules. I know that technically, this is a cheek palette, but there's no reason that these powders can't be used on my eyes, right? The other day, I wanted to try doing a look using only One Night Stand for my cheeks and eyeshadows in order to efficiently save time. This is what I cam up with: (Again, ignore my bushy eyebrows...)
Eyes:
Face:
So even if Devotee and Laguna don't really do it for you - consider them as great large eyeshadows! I was definitely impressed with how easy this look was to put together, and I know that I can get away with One Night Stand for any quick makeup look. I thought about taking this to Barcelona in January as my only cheek products, but I'm honestly too scared to lose/damage it. It's that good.
Gotta love the festive shopping spirit! Now I just need to think about what to get before the 15th with Sephora's latest promotion...(I'm sure Debs wishes I was kidding this time).
- MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (base)
- NARS Devotee Highlighting Powder (on lid and inner corner)
- NARS Laguna Bronzer (blended into crease and lower lash line)
- Rimmel ScandalEyes Eyeliner in Nude (waterline)
- Maybelline EyeStudio Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black (upper lash line)
- Maybelline the Rocket Volum'Express Mascara (non-waterproof) in Blackest Black
Face:
- NARS Mistinguette Blush
- Hard Candy Glamoflage heady duty concealer in Light
- Maybelline Fit Me Powder in 235 Pure Beige
So even if Devotee and Laguna don't really do it for you - consider them as great large eyeshadows! I was definitely impressed with how easy this look was to put together, and I know that I can get away with One Night Stand for any quick makeup look. I thought about taking this to Barcelona in January as my only cheek products, but I'm honestly too scared to lose/damage it. It's that good.
Gotta love the festive shopping spirit! Now I just need to think about what to get before the 15th with Sephora's latest promotion...(I'm sure Debs wishes I was kidding this time).
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