Over the years, I really liked the NARS products I've tried, but I have to admit that when I went to buy makeup, NARS was never really high on my list.  It wasn't until about two months ago that I finally gave in and bought Orgasm blush.  I have never met a person who didn't find it universally flattering, but I always thought it would be too orange/peachy for me.  Once I tried it, I gave in.  It really is flattering.  I've discovered that I need to wear more blush as I'm aging, and I've been experimenting with a wider range of shades than I ever have before.  Now more aware of the brand, I started exploring more of the product line.  Next I grabbed up the Guy Bourdin Holiday Collection Lip Pencil collection.  I am absolutely obsessed with those chubby lip pencil balms like Revlon's Just Bitten Balms even keeping them in a cup on my desk to apply throughout the day.  The NARS Velvet Matte pencils are such a step above the drugstore version, I became even more obsessed with the brand.


Now I've moved on to the nail polish, and I'm happy to report the two Guy Bourdin shades are still available as of today although the Lip Pencil Collection is sold out, so the pencils have to be bought individually again.  I've made a deal with myself that I can't buy anymore polish unless I do my nails at least once a week through the new year.  So far so good, so guess what my first purchase will probably be?

I was recently chatting with a potential client who really had a well-established sense of her personal style.  She kept expressing that she liked her clothes, she felt she was organized, but that something was missing and she just couldn't put her finger on it.  Often when I'm talking to someone who feels this way, I make recommendations on accessories and talk about how adding a statement necklace or a belt to an outfit can refresh everything, but she was already really well accessorized.  I was sitting back in my chair just looking at her trying to figure out what she could be struggling with when it dawned on me.  If you also read my personal style blog or have watched any of my YouTube videos, you know that I've been looking for new ways to personally wear eyeshadow since I have drooping eyes.  Because of that you would think the lightbulb would have gone on a lot sooner than it did, but at least it finally happened.

"How long have you been wearing your eyeliner like that?" I asked.  It turned out she has been applying makeup using the same techniques she learned in high school.  I let her know that I didn't think she needed me, but if she wanted to go over the Bare Minerals store in the mall with me, we could have them show her some new techniques.  She didn't have the time to do it at that moment, but she was so excited and vowed to go over the weekend.

Realizing that other women over 40 may not be choosing the right formulas or application techniques for their makeup was stunning to me, and I feel like I'm falling down on the job not to have seen this.  Because of that I'm going to occasionally share a product that I think addresses the special concerns we may be having and any tips for application I think would help.

This started as a work day to evening outfit, but then I got carried away with embellishment.  I've recently been obsessed thinking about how to style something cropped for a woman over 40.  I think we are all probably at the age where we remember wearing the cropped trend the first time around.  Since we really don't want to baring our midriffs now, how about layering with cropped pieces?  I would like it if this blazer was a little shorter, more along the lines of a bolero or shrug, but this length is great for someone who has an apple body type.  The embellishment of the neckline and the belt mean no additional jewelry, and the nude of the shoe makes the legs look long.  The pencil fit of the dress is perfect for anyone with an hourglass figure, and the cutout on the back of the dress is great for the inverted triangle who wants to take the jacket off to dance.  This Urban Decay lipstick is more of a lip butter.  It's moisturizing but has great color and wearability.  I find it so much more flattering than a matte lipstick.