NARS. The Story Of A Woman Obsessed.

Hello my name is Patrician and I am a NARS addict. I have over 20 NARS eyeshadows and an array of Orgasm based products. Like drugs or alcohol, make up costs money and if a drugstore lipstick is equivalent to a beer then NARS is the china white heroin of make up. At $32 a pop, my collection of duo eyeshadows comes to a grand total of a whooping $650 not including tax. However, for the value, NARS is the best investment in make up i've ever made. The highest quality color and pigment with gorgeous packaging to match, you can see why I crave it.

Now as much as we all want to experiment as teens, it's in your human nature to want to see how green the grass is on the other side. But let me spare you the time and energy (and precious dough) with some of the knowledge I've picked up after being exposed to so many shades.

Orgasm. For the best bang for your buck, the best blush for your flush is most definitely Orgasm. It's just the right hue for almost every skin tone and you can never go wrong. I have the powder and the multiple. I like to use them according to the weather. When it's hot out and i'm wearing my tinted moisturizer with spf 15, powder just doesn't stick the way the multiple stick does. With a thicker consistence, the multiple is for someone that doesn't mess and likes their color to last all day. It can be heavy if you're not used to wearing a lot of face makeup but you won't have to worry about touch ups and it can be used on the lips and eyes, though i don't recommend it. The powder on the other hand is perfect for a light touch of color. The color is strong but it doesn't last as long as the multiple and needs a touch up if you're going to wear the look all day and night, i personally don't mind but if you're more of an on the go kind of girl, go for the multiple.

All About Eve. My personal favorite, works as a great alternative to white on tan skin. The pale flesh toned and shimmering nude pair of shadows brings out the pink in the tan, not the yellow. Plus I am a strong advocate of neutral shadows since they highlight the skin around eyes and make you look awake and bright eyed

Kalahari. This deep bronzed tan and velvet chocolate with hints of violet duo is great for bringing out depth. The pigment is dense in color, without being heavy in presence and works well against any skin tone with brown or violet eyes.

Alhambra. A dazzling combination of a rose and a champagne. A perfect pair for taking the neutral up a notch for the night and a gorgeous reminder of how it looks when something makes you so happy that your eyes sparkle.

Bohemian Gold. This shimmering taupe and iridescent polished copper brings out the best in hazel and green eyes. With just the right strength of pigment this pair will always shine through.

Carvaggio. Named for the artist who proved that bright pigments often work wonders for pale skin (and Italian or otherwise olive skin too). The magnetic magnet and violent violet expose the facets of the whites of the eyes and the depth of the iris.

Sugarland. Great for tan skin and brown , hazel or green eyes. A light lavendar purple with golden specks and an birch wood gold (some call it apricot but i think it looks like a pale blonde wood) This set works great for bringing out the glint in your eyes against tan skin. If you like the gold but aren't keen on the purple, it's very similar in tone to "Midnight CowboyRides Again" from Urban Decay.

Demon Lover. Preferably paired with pale skin, the twilight blue purple and matte aubergine shadows gives a new excuse to brush up on your smoky eye skills.

Violetta. Color that doesn't shout can be an advantage when you want to surprise. Violetta's smoky lavendar and metallic violet combination can make making eye contact so much more interesting. Especially when paired with raw sugar brown eyes.

Key Largo. Another classic movie tribute (1950 starring Bogart and Bacall) this duo of color will bring out a golden sheen on any fair skinned beauty. With a striking yet subtle matte apricot and rich bronze this eyeshadow would look best on someone working on their tan of any eye color, though i think there are more flattering colors to be used on those with brown eyes it still looks good none the less.

Paris. A perfect starter for the smoky eye goddess in us all. A silver glittered grey and matte charcoal pairs great with blue eyes. The silver grey goes on very light and shimmers nicely, very subtle, not overpowering at all. The perfect pair to bring out the mystery before the sun sets.

Underworld. Personally I love the dark, smoky eye routine. But with tan skin, brown eyes and brown hair, I find the best pairing for these traits is the aged silver and deep sea blue of Underworld. Especially if you don't use black eyeliner.

Island Fever. A modest set of blue hued shadow, the pool water blue and dove gray with glints of silver don't need to make a bang. It simply is. Good for sunny days and gray skies alike.

South Pacific. A nice break from the heat, this turquoise glass and aquamarine silk really gives you the chance to eye the waves.

Cleo. Very difficult to pull off and not worth it unless you have perfect to match green eyes, a light seafoam green and glittered teal in the night set gives you a chance to go wild and go green.

Wicked. A very light golden sunlight-through-leaves green and shimmering citron, or as i like to think of it electric Elphaba from the book and musical "Wicked!". Anyway you look at it, it's not easy being green, but the best accessory to match anything is confidence.

DISCLAIMER: If your makeup floats around inside your bag like trash in the oceans off the USA's coast then you might want to rethink investing in a make up bag for your purse. The rubber packaging of NARS, though beautiful and mesmerizing, is easily damaged. You'll quickly find that it dulls and nicks easily and can pick up excess powder like a magnet. But if you treat it right, it will protect you're cherished investment better than any plastic package from your local drugstore makeup aisle.

<3 stay classy