A Look Back - Top Ten Posts Of 2012

I can't believe 2012 is coming to an end. I am beyond thrilled with my overall success in my blog life and personal life. This year bought about a new career thanks to my blog and amazing opportunities. I've met wonderful people and worked with some of my favorite brands. I attended New York Fashion Week for my third season and covered backstage with Butter London, Zoya, NARS & more. Thanks for reading and for your continued support. I look forward to sharing 2013 with all of you! Let's take a look back on my top posts this year on Beauty in New York City.

10. Burberry Beauty Line Review

9. M.A.C. launching Archie's Girls Makeup Line

8. Beauty in Las Vegas: Rain Cosmetics

7. Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani Sheers

6. Lorac Cosmetics Spring 2012 Collection

5. Lorac Cosmetics Pro Line for Fall 2012

4. M.A.C. By Request Collection for Fall 2012

3. Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush

2. Ciate Nails Caviar Manicure Review

1. M.A.C. Marilyn Monroe for Holiday 2012

What would you like to see more of on Beauty in New York City?

MAC + Marilyn Monroe For Holiday 2012

1 Year Anniversary Giveaway With LORAC Cosmetics, MAC Cosmetics, Deborah Lippmann & More!

I can hardly believe its been a little over a year since I started this blog. It all began June 2011 with my first blog post. I can't even begin to thank everyone for all the support and love. It's been an amazing year filled with memories I'll cherish forever. Attending New York Fashion Week and landing a job in Social Media are probably my biggest accomplishments so far. Thanks for reading Beauty in New York City! Here's to another amazing year together. What better way to celebrate than with a giveaway!

Good luck 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MAC Cosmetics launching Archie's Girls Makeup Line

MAC Cosmetics just announced they will be releasing a limited edition collection with Archie Comics to celebrate the iconic looks of Betty and Veronica. Hello, Riverdale! The collection is called, "Archie's Girls" and is set to launch Spring 2013. I'm a huge fan of Archie Comics and have been since I was a little girl. I have loads of Archie Comics stored away... seriously. This has inspired me to take them out and re-read them all over again. I always enjoyed the constant battle for Archie's heart between Betty and Veronica. Betty is the sweet, smart blonde girl next store. She is middle class and works hard for what she has. Veronica is the dark haired beauty who is spoiled and rich, but is really a sweetheart deep down. Archie is torn between who to choose and each comic follows their day to day activities and seeing who Archie is favoring at that moment.

Image Via Comicology

So what can we expect makeup-wise? No product images just yet. If we look at just the comics, the overall looks of the girls are completely different. Veronica normally wears a bold red lip where Betty wears a soft pink lip (sometimes pastel). There isn't much focus on cheeks. I would imagine a light pink cheek would be part of the collection. For eyes, black liquid liner is a must and dramatic lashes. Can we hope for a new mascara? I'm most excited to see the lip shades they've come up with.

MAC wants to know who you think should win Archie's heart. Tell them by texting "Betty" or "Veronica" to 898622 to support your favorite girl. Fans of the winner will be the first to hear when the collection is availiable online Spring 2013. Msg & Data rates may apply http://bit.ly/OCjeVK. 

Attending San Diego Comic Con? MAC Cosmetics kick's off the start with a special event at their Gaslamp store. Dan Parent of the Archie Comics series will be in attendance demonstrating illustrations and providing custom sketches for fans who drop in.

Are you excited for this collection?

MAC Chenman Love and Water Collection -- Lipstick Swatches & Review

MAC Cosmetics recently launched a collection with Beijing-born fashion photographer, Chen Man. The collection is inspired by her infatuation with love and water, yin and yang, pink and blue. The collection photos are absolutely gorgeous, but I was only tempted to purchase the lipsticks. The lipsticks are my favorite MAC products I've purchased in a while and like nothing I currently own.

MAC By Request Collection For Fall 2012

It's happened to all of us. That moment when your favorite makeup product finishes and you realize ::GASP:: it was limited edition and you only brought one. DAMN. What's a girl to do?! Try your best to find a dupe and then come to find that nothing will ever top that amazing freakin product. Luckily, MAC Cosmetics has taken our advice or rather grown tired of our whining. They've decided to launch a collection bringing back a few of our favorites. MAC fans are to vote for their favorite shades starting on March 12 on Facebook. 18 products in total are to be voted on by fans and the top three shades (in each category) will come back as an online exclusive. Voting will take place from March 12-March 30. The collection will launch in North America in August and internationally in the Fall.

MAC Shop MAC, Cook MAC Lipsticks Reviews + Swatches

I picked up three lipsticks from the MAC Shop Mac, Cook Mac collection: Innocence Beware!, Naughty Saute and Quick Sizzle.  Let's take a closer look, shall we?

Lipstick Love -- MAC Saint Germain Review + Swatches

I'm all about lipsticks lately, so I've been rummaging through my stash and found some old favorites. Then BAM! Saint German fell into my hands and I thought, "Ooo I like this one!" So I wore it.. got a couple of stares and loved it anyway.

MAC Cosmetics Partners With Nicki Minaj For Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick -- Swatches & Review

Hello darlings! I'm back from my mini break due to the craziness of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. You will soon see a ton of posts on fashion and beauty trends direct from the runway with photos galore, but first I wanted to get this post up since it was highly requested. MAC Viva Glam launches are one of the most exciting of MAC launches. This time they've partnered with Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin. 

Lipstick Love: MAC Fleshpot

MAC Fleshpot  ($14.00) is one of those nude lipsticks that steals your heart. I'm such a sucker for an awesome nude and this one delivers. It's a permanent at MAC Pro stores and was recently a re-promote in a MAC collection from 2011. It's definitely more a pinky nude than my other favorite, Myth. Strangely, both look similar on me. Myth is still for my all time favorite, but Fleshpot makes a close second. BUT a warning to the wise, it is very nude, so it may not work on all skin tones. I definitely recommend a try before you buy  on this one.

MAC SPF 15 Matchmaker Foundation Review & Swatches

Last September Mac Cosmetics added a brand new foundation to their line -- MAC SPF 15 Matchmaker ($32) Foundation. The foundation uses technology using translucent pigments to enable a personalized finish. It works with your skin's undertone. It's a medium build-able liquid coverage foundation.

*Approximate Shade Matches from MAC* (courtesy of Temptalia)

1.0 | NC15

1.5 | NW15

2.0 | NC20, NC25, NW20

3.0 | NC30

4.0 | NC 35, NC37, NW30

5.0 | NC40, NC41, NC42

6.0 | NW33, NW35, NC44

7.0 | NW40, NW43, NC45

7.5 | NC50, NC55

8.0 | NW44, NW45

8.5 | NW46, NW47

9.0 | NW48

9.5 | NW50, NW55

10.0 | NW58, NW60

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Porcelain Pink Review & Swatches

My love of a good highlighter will never die and the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Porcelain Pink doesn't disappoint. This gorgeous soft pinky coral with gold veining looks amazing on the cheeks for a gorgeous glow or all over the face for a shimmery polished look. I'm not sure why I love products like this so much, but that moment when you take a photo and the light hits your cheeks perfectly and glows might just be it. This products retails for $28 and is available at MAC in store and online. I would definitely pick this up if you love a good highlighter. I really don't have anything like it my collection. Most of my highlights are champagne colored, which is what drew me to this pink color in the first place.

Have you ever tried MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes?

MAC Cosmetics Holiday Giveaway -- Choose Your Prizes! (CLOSED)

This morning got me thinking about how close the holidays really are. The Mrs. and I were getting our chunky on and buying Halloween candy at Walgreen's and I look to the left and all I see are Christmas items. I couldn't believe it! Christmas and it's not even November?! Then it dawned on me. Christmas really isn't that far away. Soon NY will be filled with tourists dying to get a feel of that city-like holiday spirit (and a good sale doesn't hurt either!) If you haven't ever experienced holidays in NY, you don't know what you're missing. NY during the holidays can get intense. I mean, tons of people everywhere, stores filled to the brim and a bunch of nastys who should have stayed home anyway. It's definitely something to experience at least once in your lifetime. You'll get annoyed, probably wanna kill somebody, but in the end, you'll find that awesome gift for the person you love and you'll get a taste of how amazing NY really can be during the holidays.

When it comes to cosmetics or fashion, we're always a season ahead. I'm already thinking about Spring Beauty Collections and February Fashion Week. Just two weeks ago, I was meeting Carol Shaw of Lorac Cosmetics to discuss her Spring line. Since I'm behind on blog posts as it is, I figured might as well get an early start on the giveaways.

I love giveaways. Seriously. If I wasn't a poor, struggling student, I'd have one every week! They're super exciting and I love how excited you guys get when I have one. Woo hoo. I opted for MAC Cosmetics since that seems to be the favorite of most readers. I was going to just a haul a few products and take some pictures, but then I got to thinking. Why not let you decide what you want? It's the same price either way and this way I'll know you'll love it. Not everyone is going to love the lip I choose or the gloss. Here's your chance to decide what you win.

Now this is the moment when I insert a random photo of my childhood at Christmas...

BAM! Haha. I totally love this picture. I look so innocent and check out my dress. WERK! If you have old holiday photos, I'd love to see them. Tweet them to me or post on my FB wall. 

Now onto to the exciting stuff.. Good Luck Everyone!! Xoxo

Products of Interest: October 2, 2011

It's hard to keep up with the latest & greatest beauty products even as a blogger. I've decided to start a monthly section of this blog titled, Products of Interest that focuses on items that I've been eyeing and are considering purchasing. Here's my October list. I spy tons of new buys this month!

1. MAC False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara ($19): As a glasses wearer on an everyday basis, I love the ad for this mascara. It definitely makes you want to run out and purchase this. I'm not crazy about MAC mascaras, but I'm considering buying this one.

2. Limited Edition Shu Uemura 24K Gold Eyelash Curler ($24): This cult favorite mascara now comes in gold! I recently was sent the original and it's one of the best I've ever used. If you don't own this yet, I definitely suggest you purchase.

3. Too Faced In Your Dreams Palette ($39): I'm obsessed  in love with the packaging on this palette and Too Faced cosmetics has some of the best pigments. For $39, this is a STEAL.

4. Benefit Watt's Up ($30): I've heard amazing things about this highlighter and I love the unique packaging. I'm curious about the blending part on the bottom. It's something I've never seen before.

5. Bite Limited Edition Luminous Creme Lipstick Set of 5 ($25): Bite Beauty is a huge hit at Sephora and came out with this limited edition set of mini lipsticks. It's super adorable and the colors look gorgeous. Never tried Bite? Learn more about them here.

6. Ultraflesh Gold Mascara ($26): I have the original Ultraflesh mascara and it's amazing, so why not try their new one?

Are you looking forward to any products this month?

Lipstick Love: MAC Peachstock from MAC ME OVER Collection

I, like most, get very excited for new MAC cosmetics launches, but they've been driving me insane trying to keep up with all their new launches lately. I thought I was going to love their latest launch, MAC Me Over, but I wasn't really interested when I saw it in person...

Took a few quick photos with my phone even though the MAC lady was giving me an evil look :X

I found that most of the product was easily duped.

 I did, however, pick up one product that I love. I've been eyeing it for some time but have been too lazy to go to my local MAC Pro store. My newest lip love is MAC Peachstock. It's described as a "creamy beige peach." It looks lighter when on my lips but it's actually pretty true to the color on my hand. 

It's stunning. I like that it's more of a peachy nude because that's something I definitely don't own. I've considering picking up a few more items from the MAC Me Over collection. I was eyeing one of the blushes and a gloss. Have you purchased any products yet?

Retail: $14.50 at MAC (Permanent Edition at MAC Pro Stores) 

OoO and now I want peaches...

What's your favorite lip product of the moment?

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?

MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipstick & Lipglass Swatches & Review

"No Bad Romance here. If anything this love affair’s going stronger than ever… After The Monster Tour mayhem, Gaga’s back to being our VIVA GLAM Goddess once again , spreading the good word about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women, men and children everywhere. We’re unveiling a hot new shade in spired by The Lady and her passions, in both Lipstick and Lipglass. And by now you (and the world) know every cent from the sale of M∙A∙C VIVA GLAM goes toward the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund. The M∙A∙C World feels like a permanent part of the Gaga Galaxy, doesn’t it? On the VG displayer as limited edition for a full 12 months."

I recently picked up the limited edition Viva Glam Gaga 2 lipstick and lipglass at MAC. This is my first time purchasing items part of the MAC AIDS Fund. I love that the entire profit made from this purchase goes to the cause. MAC has already raised over $200 million through this fund and the amount raised just keeps increasing daily.

The first Viva Glam Gaga lipstick and lipglass sold out very fast and can still be found on Ebay for a pretty steep price. I think because this one is a nude shade, it hasn't been selling as fast as the fast one. I love this shade. It's pretty much made for someone like me who loves "concealer-like" nudes. It's gorgeous. Onto the swatches...

Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipstick

Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipglass

Retail: $14.50 at MAC

If you love nudes, you'll adore this. 

Will you be purchasing MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2?