High-end beauty haul!

How's this for logic? I cleaned out my makeup collection so I could add to it....with yet more makeup.

So yes, there have been a few new things added to the stash. Here goes...
The NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette
I missed out on the blush palette last time and that was not going to happen again. HELL NO. I pre-ordered it via Space NK and finally got it last week, c/o mother dearest and her suitcase full of my online deliveries.

The blushes are smaller than I expected - no doubt about that - but the quality seems to be the same as the singles (I sort of own most of these colours already :O) and I do like that Laguna is a large slab as opposed to a little square because at least then I can work my giant bronzer brush in it.
It will be useful for travel (not that I have done much of that lately but you know, in the future!) and I can see why this featured so prevalently within the ubiquitous seasonal gift guides - its such a nice little Xmas present and the packaging is refreshingly non-rubberized. I am SO OVER having to wipe my mucky fingerprints off of NARS casing.
NARS blusher in Satellite of Love
I saw this at a recent NARS lipstick event and it piqued my interest. It's of the same tonal ilk as Douceur and Madly - shades you know I absolutely love. I ordered it on the NARS website because it wasn't to be found in Sephora and also because I needed to round up my order for free shipping....literally, ANY excuse!

It's a very pretty highlighter that, in theory, gives a golden tan sheen to the skin. That "in theory" is important because I apply it on my skin and see NOTHING in the mirror. Absolutely nothing. Apply it again and still nada.
I think my skin is a little too light in tone - either that or I need to adopt a heavier hand when slapping it on. It's one of those highlighter blushes that imparts a subtle glow and I think those with olive and darker skin tones will probably find it a better investment. Pass.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
YouTube made me do it. I saw this in a few videos and thought that little old me definitely needed a professional contour kit in my collection. Let's try and ignore the fact that whenever I contour I look like I have a beard or that, in reality I rarely actually bother contouring at all on a daily basis.
I went on the Cult Beauty waiting list and eventually got the email notification that it was in stock. Ordered, shipped and after a couple of weeks, sampled.

I will say this, the highlighters are really rather lovely. I find they all show up on my skin and translate well. None of them are too frosty or too chalky - they all blend well. I would probably also say the same about the contour shades (of which the middle one is the most relevant) and they all have that Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder grey/taupe tone that I personally think a contour should be made up of.
Contour kits sound scary to me but when used this gives a believable amount of definition - not so pigmented that it's frightening to use but enough to very gently tone the face.
Would I recommend it? I haven't used it enough to give a definite YES but at this point I don't regret buying it and I haven't given myself a contour beard once since getting it! Win.
Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Ibiza
Frigg me! This is such a great product. Now that's not to say it's perfect. If I apply this on a very dewy base, like Chantecaille Just Skin, it's a royal nightmare. It will slip, slide, fade and ruin your base, giving that blotchy finish. So don't do that.

I apply this over a lightly powdered face (which is almost certainly not what they tell you to do) and it gives that golden tan look. I slap this on my cheeks, a little bit on my chin, forehead and near the bridge of my nose. It's a warm golden bronze, thanks to the gold sparkles (that thankfully don't translate once applied) and as soon as I apply it I feel transformed. I'm serious. I look in the mirror and know that I look 100% better.

The NARS Multiples are often cited as a similar product and yes, the concept is similar in that both the CT and NARS can be worn on face and eyes, but the CT texture wins, hands down. There is no tugging on the skin and although nicely pigmented they feel weightless and non-greasy. In typical hoarder fashion I want to collect them all.
Chantecaille Just Skin in Glow
Oh God. I did it again. And the price has been increased since the last time I splurged.
I got this after I wasted my money trying the By Terry Sheer Expert in the hope that it would imitate the Just Skin. FYI: it doesn't and actually only really imitates the By Terry Cover Expert, albeit in a slightly weaker finish. And so I realised that sometimes you have to stop trying to find a dupe and just buy the bloody original. So I bloody well did.
Now I don't have a picture of the Just Skin but I do have a picture of the Chantecaille bronzer in Capri that was ordered at the same time.

Can you tell I am on a bronzer kick at the moment?
I need to play around with this a bit more because it's not one of those conventional bronzer shades. There's a rosy tone to it (think a lighter Benefit Dallas) that makes it great for lighter skins but also difficult for me to apply - too much and it seems to look like I have smeared my face in blusher, too little and there is absolutely no impact. Let's hope I can master it soon ;)
There is one other high end beauty item that I am in a rush to talk to you about. I got sent the new NARS foundation yesterday and so this weekend is mainly about slapping it on my face and seeing how it holds up. If the actual name of the product doesn't get you excited then I don't know what will. Meet the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. 16 hour wear time and supposedly capable of covering your face in a single drop. Oh my gawww.

I'll share my thoughts tomorrow... ;)