Holiday Gift Guide For Her: All Gold

Christmas is only 16 days away and I am still picking up last minute gifts. How's your list coming along? I keep shopping for myself (oops) and you know I feel about gold. Nothing is better than a little glam for the holidays. Here are my top gold picks for the season. See anything you like? 

1. Ciate Caviar Manicure Luxe 
2. West Elm Figurative Owl Mug 
3. Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Palette 
4. Gold Embossed  Damask Business Card Case 
5. Chiara Ferragni's Gold Lips Bracelet 
6. Archie Grand "Faux Pas I Made And Liked" Notebook 
7. Marc Jacobs Beauty Lightshow Luminizing Powder 
8. Bauble Bar Feline Triad Ring 
9. LORAC 3D Liquid Lustre 
10. Kenneth Cole New York Pavé Dial Bracelet Watch 
*Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream Lipstick - Sicilian Jewels Collection

Hourglass Cosmetics At La Perla's Fall 2013 Presentation | New York Fashion Week

Makeup artist Moani Lee created the look for La Perla's Fall 2013 presentation using Hourglass Cosmetics. La Perla presentations are always glamorous, sultry and sexy. This one was no different. La Perla designer Giovanni Bianchi looked to Spain for inspiration, specifically the moody color palette of painter Francisco Goya, and the embellished livery of bullfighters. La Perla's Black Label collection featured mysterious themes including erotic art and surrealism. Keep reading after the jump to see the breakdown of both looks and the stunning lingerie.

My Newest Obsession - Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders

GASP. Aren't they amazing? Meet Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Powder. Six universal finishing powders help create the lighting effect we all so desperately desire. These gorgeous little power compacts are infused with technologically advanced soft-focus particles that help make skin appear younger, even-toned and radiant. Choose from Diffused Light (soft, warm yellow), Ethereal Light (opalescent sheer, cool white powder), Radiant Light (sun-kissed golden beige), Mood Light (soft, sheer lavender pink powder), Dim Light (neutral peach beige powder) or Luminous Light (champagne pearl powder.) 

Availiable February 2013 at Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Sephora, and Space NK. Retails for $45.

2012 Holiday Gift Guide - The Beauty Lover

The holidays are officially here and everyone is running around gathering gifts for friends & family. This gift guide represents "The Beauty Lover" - Perfect for anyone who is beauty obsessed. From sultry eye shadow shades to gorgeous glossy lips, these picks are sure to wow any beauty lover.

Products of Interest: March 20, 2012

I'm always lusting after products and this month was no exception. Beauty products change with the season and the launches increase more and more. I indulged in a few of these this month and I'm already getting ready for Summer 2012 launches (I know!) I've got a ton of reviews lined up, so get excited. Also, if you haven't noticed -- My URL has changed. I'm officially www.beautyinnyc.com. Woo hoo. Thanks again for all the support. Xoxo.

More Yves Saint Laurent...

What have you got your eye on this month?

LOTD: My Favorite Eye Look With Urban Decay's Naked Palette

I'm one of those beauty lovers who will always love a great "natural" eye. I remember the days when I used to only wear one eyeshadow. Oh so long ago... This look I constantly wear and I like to call it my "natural smokey eye." The reason being that it's considered natural by most people standards because of the colors used but has a slight smoke at the ends.. what I call the "baby smoke." Haha. Let's take a look...

See? I love this look because you can wear it for so many things. It's natural enough to wear during the day but can always be wore at night. Whenever I wear it, I always get compliments. 

Here are the products I used to complete this look:

Seen above: Brushes --Tokidoki Mozzarella Eyeshadow Brush, Tokidoki Adios Amigos Crease Brush, Sigma E25 Blending Brush & Bdellium tools eye 780, Too Faced Shadow Insurance & Make Up For Ever Black Liquid Eyeliner #13

Seen above: Urban Decay's Naked Palette, MAC Pigment in Shimmer Time. Can you tell Urban Decay's Sin is one of my favorite shadows? The pan is EMPTY. I definitely need a refill. Till then I've been using MAC's pigment Shimmer Time instead. I got this pigment in a set two holidays ago.

Seen above: Shu Uemura's Eyelash Curler, Urban Decay Lush Lash Mascara, Hourglass Film Noir Lash Lacquer, NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cottage Cheese

This look is super easy to do! Here are the steps below:

Step 1: Apply Too Faced Primer all over the lid

Step 2: Apply Urban Decay's Virgin on the inner corner of the lid.

Step 3: Apply MAC's Shimmer Time Pigment to middle of lid

Step 4: Blend Urban Decay's Smog & Darkhouse mixed into outer corner and slightly in crease

Step 5: Blend Urban Decay's Virgin under brow

Step 6: Blend all colors together for a finished look

Step 7: Using a smaller brush place Urban Decay's Smog on the outer bottom lash of eye

Step 8: Using the same brush place Urban Decay's Virgin on the inner bottom lash of eye

Step 9: Line your upper lid with Make Up For Ever Black Liquid Liner #13

Step 10: Curl your lashes with Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

Step 11: Coat your lashes with Urban Decay's Lush Lash Mascara

Step 12: Use Hourglass Film Noir Lash Lacquer on the tips of eyelashes

Step 13: Line your inner rim with NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cottage Cheese

& you're set and ready to go. Woo hoo. I've been trying all kinds of different natural eyes lately... definitely taking inspiration from some of my favorite celebrities:

Who are your favorite celebrity makeup inspirations?

June 2011 Favorites

I've been so busy lately that I totally forgot about my June favorites post! I only had a few favorites that I found myself constantly using. Let's take a look:

MAC Lustre Drops in Sun Rush:

I purchased this last Summer and fell in love with it. It's described as "liquid bronzer" and that's basically what it is. It's water-based and applies easily. I love this when I'm going for the dewy look we all love in the Summer. It's a pretty natural-looking highlighter with a shimmering finish.

Retail: $19.50 at MAC

Hourglass Film Noir Lash Laquer:

I wasn't sure if I was gonna like this or not. I actually find myself reaching for it in the morning once I've applied my mascara. It reminds me of old Hollywood glamour with their big, bold and glossy lashes. Kinda like Rita Hayworth...

She was so gorgeous -Sigh- I love old Hollywood. They definitely knew how to do it. See her lashes? 

Or what about Marilyn Monroe? Yup.

This lacquer kind of does that. It takes your lashes to the next level and gives them a glossy shine.

Retail: $28 at Sephora

Too Faced The Bronzed & The Beautiful:

From Left to Right: Snow Bunny, Sun Bunny & Pink Leopard

I love that this set comes with three of Too Faced's best selling bronzers. Depending on my look--I can opt for a lighter bronzer or a darker one. + it comes with a mini kabuki brush. Too Faced just launched a new version of this palette that comes with four shades including a gold shimmery highlight. I considered getting it, but if you already have this, you don't need it. 

Retail: $38 at Sephora

NYX Cosmetics Trio Eyeshadow in Anti Diva:

I think this trio is perfect for the warmer months. You can create the perfect blue summer eye. I like using the blue on my lid, orange/gold in my crease and the white under my brow. Gorgeous. I'm thinking about buying a few more of these trios from NYX. They're such good quality and super affordable.

Retail: $8 at NYX Cosmetics

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare: Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel

I'm obsessed with this peel. I try to use it everyday, but I'm lazy (honestly!) I love the way my skin looks & feels once I've done one of these. This pads helps to diminish the appearance of wrinkles, helps with acne scars/dark spots, balances oil, tones skin and increase clarity and radiance. It also helps to calm redness, sensitivity and irritation. I noticed a difference in my skin the very first time I used it. I can see that my skin was brighter, less red and felt smoother. I definitely recommend everyone to try these. You won't regret it!

Retail: $80 for a 30 day supply at Sephora

What were you loving this past June?

Summer Make Up - What You Need To Have

New York has had some crazy weather this year. From extreme cold to extreme hot, your face has been through it all. Summer is finally here and now is the time that new precautions are needed to ensure your makeup stays fresh all day long. Here are some tips for keeping your makeup fresh through these upcoming warm months:

Water Resistant Primer: 

I've always been one to sweat on my face a lot in the summer and I never knew what I could do to keep the makeup from melting away. Then I found Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. It's the first primer I've used that's water-resistant. If you use this before your foundation, it literally won't move. It also has SPF 15 and the formula minimizes shine and helps for a smooth application.

Retail: $52 at Sephora

Tinted Moisturizer: I LOVE tinted moisturizers in the Summer. They're lightweight and give enough coverage  for a natural glow. My favorite is from Laura Mercier. Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizers have SPF 20 and were featured in INSTYLE magazine May 2011 edition of "Best Beauty Buys."

Retail: $42 at Laura Mercier

Waterproof Eye Liner: Eyeliners that are also waterproof keep products from giving you the dreaded "raccoon eyes" and they wear much longer. My favorite this summer are Stila's Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner.

Retail: $23 at Sephora & Stila

Cheek/Lip Stains: Cheek stains are always a hot summer product. Using them creates that perfect, subtle glow that lasts all day. Another plus is that cheek stains can normally also be used on your lips. My favorites this summer are Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain in Petal and Tarte Cheek Stain in Tipsy.

Retail: $45 for Hourglass at Sephora/$30 for Tarte at Sephora

Good Lip Balm/Treatment: I always suffer from dry lips in the winter and then I discovered Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment. I always had the clear version and just recently they launched the Honey version. I'm loving the nude lip balm. It's come in a brown case and stills has that SPF 15. A definite must for your makeup bag.

Retail: $22.50 at Sephora

What are your doing to keep your makeup fresh this Summer?