One of the products at the top of my Christmas wishlist was the NARS x Sarah Moon "True Story" blush and lip palette.  To be honest, I hadn't heard a lot about the palette, which is a collaboration between NARs and the french fashion photographer, Sarah Moon.  I just knew that once I laid my eyes on the pretty pink blushes, I had to have it.  Sadly, this product is now out of stock but a few items from the collection remain on the Sephora website.

The "True Story" blush and lip palette contains four blushes (0.12oz/3.5g each), as well as a Velvet Matte lip pencil in "Mysterious Red" (0.08oz/2.4g). The packaging is sturdy and a decent size for traveling, albeit a bit thick. Naturally, the cover of the palette is a Sarah Moon photo and the inside features a large mirror. The palette retails for $74 CAD.

Devotee is a shimmery champagne color that is more suited as a highlighter than a blush. It's a gorgeous shade that is perfect for an everyday highlight color as it isn't too over-the-top.

Myth is a matte pale pink that reminds me of my favourite Maison Jacynthe "Juliette" blush, except slightly lighter. Luckily the pigmentation of these blushes are great, so while they may look unimpressive in the swatches, they build up quite easily.

Unwritten is a pretty matte peachy-pink that again, is perfect for everyday wear.

Outlaw is a a permanent NARS blush color and is described as a "soft rose with golden shimmer". This would look absolutely gorgeous on someone with darker skin but on my fair skin, I have to use a very light hand to keep it from looking clown-like. It is a gorgeous shade, however!

Formula-wise, these blushes are fairly soft, especially the latter three in the palette. There is a little bit of fall out but nothing to worry about. As I mentioned, the blushes are quite pigmented when applied with a blush brush but are easy to blend into a natural flush. My favourites in the collection are "Myth" and "Unwritten" but I honestly like all four of the shades.

The palette also contains a full-size NARS Velvet Matte lip pencil in "Mysterious Red", which is also part of the permanent collection. Prior to this I had only tried the satin lip pencil but I was quite impressed with the matte version as well. It is incredibly pigmented, comfortable to wear, and lasts a decent amount of time. The only downside is that you really need to use a lip liner as it tends to feather at the edges.

Overall, I am really pleased with this palette! The price tag is a bit hefty but considering the amount of product in here, I have a feeling it will last me a long time.

Have you tried any of the products from the NARS x Sarah Moon collection?

Sephora Favorites "Give Me Some Lip" Review

I love all of the Sephora Favorites kits but the "Give Me Some Lip" kits are always my absolute favourite. As soon as I seen this one online, I asked Jordan to buy it for me for Christmas. Last year I asked for the kit for Christmas as well but it sold out before he ordered it, so I gave him lots of advance warning this time! However, he decided to give it to me for my birthday instead of Christmas, which is great because I can review it now while you may be able to get it. It is sold out on the Sephora website, however, may still be available in store. If not, there is going to be a bold set released for the holidays which may interest some of you!

This year's "Give Me Some Lip" kit featured two full-size and four deluxe-sized products, all in a neutral/nude color scheme. It retailed for $28 US/$33 CAD which is amazing considering the value of all the products. Keep reading for swatches as well as my thoughts on each of the products!

Left to right: Lancome Juicy Shaker in "Boom Meringue", Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in "Rosé", Nars Satin Lip Pencil in "Rikugien" (ignore my upside down "Nars", oops!)

Lancome Juicy Shaker in "Boom Meringue" 
6.5ml / 0.22fl oz (full size) | Value: $28
Of all the products, this was the one that intrigued me the most. However, I really didn't want to pay $28 for what is essentially just a lip oil. I love the cocktail-shaker packaging and the sweet lemony-cream scent. The applicator has the strangest, squishy tip, but I actually love it. The product itself is much as I expected in that it provides little-to-no color payoff, however, it leaves a non-sticky high-gloss shine and feels super comfortable to wear. I wouldn't pay $28 to buy another one but I will happily use this one!

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rosé
2.2g / 0.08oz | Value: $14.32
I actually already owned a sample of this product that I received in a Christmas kit one year. However, it is one of my favourite lip balms and I use it all the time while I am at work. It feels super moisturizing, smell delicious (like lemon!) and leaves a gorgeous tint of color on the lips. I would have liked to try this in a different color but I am happy to have a backup.

Nars Satin Lip Pencil in "Rikugien"
1.7g / 0.05oz | Value: $28.05
Most people will recognize this lip pencil as one half of the Sephora birthday gift last year. However, I missed out on that gift so I was happy to receive this in my kit! I love the creamy satin texture of this pencil and it is the perfect my-lips-but-better color. I've heard some people complain about this color making them look washed out but it definitely works for those of us with fair complexions.

Left to right: Kat Von D Studded Kiss in "Lovecraft", Too Faced Melted Liquified Lipstick in "Melted Chihuahua", Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in "Stepped Out"

Kat Von D Studded Kiss in "Lovecraft"
1.2g / 0.04oz | Value: $10.40
I was worried about this one as I tried one of these lipsticks before and hated the texture. However, I am happy to report that I had no problems with the texture of this lipstick! It is a matte formula but applied easily without pulling. It is described as a "mauve pink nude" and that is definitely true. It was also quite comfortable to wear, despite being a matte formula.

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in "Chihuahua"
5ml / 0.16fl oz | Value: $10.42
I was excited to give this color a try until I swatched it.. and realized that I already own this color. And I don't like it. Ugh! Had I known, I would have saved this and used it for a giveaway or something but if any of my friends would like to take a once-swatched product off my hands, go for it. I'm not the biggest fan of the formula of these lipsticks to begin with but it's the color that I really don't enjoy. It's described as a "dusty mauve" but it just looks like a sickly pinkish-brown on me.

Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in "Stepping Out"
4ml / 0.14fl oz (full size) | Value: $28
I was pleasantly surprised by this lipstick! I'm a huge fan of liquid lipstick anyway but this one really impressed me. I love the packaging and the doe-foot applicator. The texture of the lipstick is moussey and dries down super quickly. Once it dries, good luck trying to budge it! It was even a bit difficult to remove with a makeup wipe, so I have no doubt that this is long-lasting. The color isn't my favourite, as it's a bit too brown for my liking, but I will probably wear it during the fall regardless. I am definitely tempted to pick up more of these in some other colors!

Top to bottom: Lancome Juicy Shaker in "Boom Meringue", Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in "Rosé", Nars Satin Lip Pencil in "Rikugien", Kat Von D Studded Kiss in "Lovecraft", Too Faced Melted Liquified Lipstick in "Melted Chihuahua", Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in "Stepped Out"

Considering that the total value of this kit is approximately $120 CAD, I think it was definitely worth the $33! While this particular set contained all nude-colored items, I think there was a good variety of products and textures. Be sure to check your local store if you are interested and if not, keep an eye out for the next "Give Me Some Lip" set which will cater to those who love a bolder lip!

Do you like the Sephora Favourites kits? Did you pick up this one or try any of these products? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!