This Saturday’s Harrods Beauty Carnival was an absolute treat for beauty lovers and professionals alike! The event was flawlessly curated, blending expert-led discussions with hands-on product experiences from top-tier brands. The atmosphere was electric, brimming with excitement as guests explored exclusive beauty stations, tested new products, and enjoyed luxe masterclasses.
One of my favorite brands was there, which made the experience even better. Not only were their products available for purchase, but they were also part of the coveted build-your-own goody bag selection, along with generous gifts with purchase. Naturally, I couldn’t resist adding a few staples to my collection: I snagged full-size Air Matte Lip Colors in *Dragon Girl* and *Lose Control*, a Power Matte High Intensity Lip Pencil in *Kiss Me Deadly*, Climax Mascara, Precision Lip Liner in *Ride It*, and the After Glow Shine Lipstick in *Aragon* with a matching mini liquid blush. I also picked up a travel-size Climax Mascara and two mini Power Matte Lipsticks in *Dragon Girl*—perfect for my kit.
A key moment was getting my foundation shade expertly matched, although I wish my samples had been labeled with the shade number for easy reference. Beyond the shopping, there was so much to experience, from beauty vending machines dispensing full-sized products to one-of-a-kind Carnival cocktails, making for an indulgent day of beauty.
Feeling inspired, pampered, and already excited for next year’s event! I posted this on my socials this week and thought I'd share with you guys too.
Happy 30 years of Nars 🎈 Today I'm elaborating a little on my post with my NARS look and telling you why finding their Light-reflecting Advanced Skincare foundation was such a breakthrough moment for me.
I'm in my late 30s and anyone who has been through their 30s will tell you, its a time when your face starts to change. I struggled with this a lot at first.
With a chronic illness, I found my face was reminding me that all those lost years were not going to be replaced.
But eventually I did embrace my new face & with that I had a bit of an overhaul of my makeup, looking for products that worked with, not against me and gave me a confidence boost.There were several things that have made this foundation my GOAT product of my new makeup era.
1. I started embracing my shine. I'm an oily girl, and I've spent my years battling it with Matte everything. But with my skin getting a little more dehydrated and my spotty chin just not giving me a nice texture under a matte, I realised a bit of shine can actually look healthy and started embracing it. When I shifted my focus to more radiant skin, I started noticing people who's skin I loved in their makeup looks, were often using this product.
2. Skin needs a little love. I have not always treated my skin as well as I should. In the battle against Acne, I have been way too harsh on it at times. And when I looked at this foundation and saw it is full of skin calming and skin barrier strengthening ingredients, I knew my skin was going to love it (and it does!). And to top it off this foundation is so lightweight. I can't feel it on and my skin feels able to breathe. I actually often find my skin feels improved after wearing this.
3. The products you use should give you confidence. This has been what my new makeup regime has really been about. Products that make me look in the mirror and say "YES!" And this foundation has been an absolutely game changer. I feel as though I look fresh and healthy in this foundation! NARS Soft Matte Primer – My New Must-Have for Shine Control
As someone with combination, blemish-prone skin, I’m always on the lookout for a good primer to keep shine at bay without clogging my pores or making my skin feel heavy. Enter the **NARS Soft Matte Primer**, which has quickly become a favorite in my routine. I picked it up after reading some glowing reviews and haven’t looked back since!
What I love most about this primer is how lightweight it feels. It’s designed to blur imperfections and mattify the skin, giving you that soft-focus effect without feeling cakey. It’s packed with oil-absorbing powders, so it’s been fantastic for keeping my T-zone under control throughout the day. The texture is really smooth and blends seamlessly, prepping my skin perfectly for makeup.
I also appreciate that it works well with my other skincare products, including my prescription retinol. Sometimes primers can feel a bit suffocating on the skin, but this one doesn’t irritate or clog pores. Plus, it does a great job of keeping my makeup in place without breaking down, even after hours of wear.
A fun fact I recently learned about NARS: the brand was founded by makeup artist and photographer François Nars in 1994 with just 12 lipsticks! His philosophy was always about self-expression and creativity, which you can see in every product. The Soft Matte Primer really speaks to that ethos—minimalistic yet incredibly effective.
If you're looking for a primer that controls oil without feeling heavy and helps smooth everything out for a flawless base, I highly recommend trying the Soft Matte Primer. It’s perfect for anyone dealing with shine and looking for that soft-matte finish that lasts! For my back to school makeup look I start with a sheer, dewy base using the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation for a luminous, natural complexion. The iconic Radiant Creamy Concealer adds brightness under the eyes and smooths imperfections, while a light dusting of Laguna Bronzer creates a soft contour. On the eyes, the NARS Climax Mascara builds dramatic volume on the eyes! For the lips, a pop of color using the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, like the cult-favorite "Dragon Girl," brings the look together with a velvety, bold finish. My makeup exudes sophistication, balancing glow and definition for a chic, polished effect. I recently received a small sample of the NARS Orgasm Powder Blush for free in exchange for my honest review, and I am excited to share my thoughts on it.
The shade, Orgasm, is a beautiful peachy-pink with subtle gold shimmer. It’s a universally flattering color that works well on a variety of skin tones. The pigmentation is impressive; a little goes a long way. I found that I only needed a small amount to achieve a natural, healthy-looking flush.
The blush applies smoothly and blends effortlessly. The texture is silky and doesn’t feel chalky or powdery. Even with the small sample size, I was able to use a fluffy blush brush to pick up just the right amount of product. The blush is buildable, so I could go for a more subtle look or build it up for a more intense flush of color.
One of the things I love most about this blush is the finish. The subtle gold shimmer adds a beautiful, natural-looking glow to my cheeks without being overly glittery. It gives my skin a radiant, lit-from-within look that is perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions.
The staying power of this blush is impressive. It lasted throughout the day without fading or needing touch-ups. Even after a long day, my cheeks still had that lovely, fresh glow.
Overall, my experience with the NARS Orgasm Powder Blush has been extremely positive. The shade is gorgeous, the pigmentation is excellent, and it blends seamlessly. The radiant finish and long-lasting formula make it a standout product in my makeup collection.
I highly recommend the NARS Orgasm Powder Blush to anyone looking for a high-quality blush that delivers on color, application, and longevity. Receiving this sample has definitely convinced me that it's worth purchasing the full size. Whether you're new to blush or a long-time enthusiast, this product is a fantastic addition to any makeup routine. 
