Palette Dreaming: The Newest Palettes On The Block

1. NARS Foreplay Cheek Palette ($49.00) 
2. Urban Decay Smoked Eyeshadow Palette ($49.00) 
3. Anastasia Beverly Hills 'She Wears It Well' Eyeshadow Palette ($34.00) 
4. Tarte Amazonian Clay Eye & Cheek Palette ($44.00) 
5. Too Faced The Return Of Sexy Eyeshadow Palette ($48.00) 
6. Smashbox The Master Class Palette ($59.00)

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?

Long & Forgotten August & September 2011 Favorites

I've been so insanely busy lately with work, finishing up my BA and events that I completely forgot to post my monthly favorites. Shame on me! I apologize. In August, I kept in pretty simple with a little perfekt primer/foundation, a quick eye and some nude lips. In September, I went a little more heavier. I wanted really bold lashes with a frosty eye.

Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Pressed Power ($32.50): I initially purchased this powder to help with some of the redness in my face. I tend to get super flushed and have been looking for a product to calm that down throughout the day. I do find that this does eliminate the redness, however, it can be a bit heavy and not good for dry skin types. If you use too much of the product, you can easily see it. I also think it's a bit too yellow. I imagine it would work best for someone with oily skin who is on the fairer side and more of a yellow undertone.

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense Satin Nude #22 ($19): I'm crazy about this lipstick and with good reason. It's extremely hydrating, long-wearing and gorgeous. It's described as a "satin nude." but it swatches as more a pink nude.  I tend to describe it as a "white nude." It really depends on the look you're going for. Either way I'm obsessed will definitely repurchase.

Perfekt Beauty Skin Perfection Gel in Radiant ($57.50): I love this product in the summer time. It's more a "your skin but better" kind of a foundation. It's multipurpose that offers a primer, foundation and setting powder all in one. What I love about it is it has Smart Color Technology that matches your skin perfectly every time. This is the smaller size they sell at Sephora, but the large size is a much better value.

Fresh Supernova Mascara ($25): This mascara is meant to give you dramatic lashes and in that sense, it delivers. I tend to partner this along with a length/separation mascara. When I was younger, I had long, full lashes, but after using so many cheap drug-store mascaras my lashes aren't the same. I love the formula for this mascara and recommend to anyone who wants dramatic volume.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Natural Mascara ($19): This mascara is a 4-1 threat: curling, lengthening, volumizing AND conditioning. Oh yes. I love love love this mascara. I had it for a while and just never seemed to grab it. I discovered it again over the summer and needless to say, it's been used ever since.

Josie Maran Argan Illuminizer ($28): This is just gorgeous for that shimmery, dewy look. You can see my   previous review here.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner #13 Matte Black ($23): Easy to use, water-resistant and long-lasting. What's not to like?

NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Egea ($33): Another eyeshadow duo at the bottom of the stash. I can't believe I forgot about this beauty. It comes with two shades that are described as "frosted sage" and "smokey lilac." This a great duo for that awesome frosty eye. They're extremely pigmented and smooth. Definitely one to check out.

Tarte Eye Couture, Day-to-Night Shadow Palette ($44): This palette is perfect for someone who wants that signature bronze or smokey eye look. It has 5 shadows in the bronze family and 5 shadows in the charcoal family. Easy to go from day to night.

Have you made any purchases that you love lately?

Products of Interest: October 16, 2011

1. Nars Danmari All About Cheeks Palette ($65): I've been on the hunt for an awesome cheek palette, but it was either make my own or find a brand that has one that's worth my while. This palette from Nars looks AMAZING and comes with six shades: Hungry Heart, Super Orgasm, Desire, Casino, Orgasm & Sin. $65 also seems like a good deal considering their blushes/bronzers can run up to $27 to $33.

2. Tarte The Starlet Limited Edition Makeup Vanity ($52): I'm such a sucker for gorgeous packaging and this one definitely delivers. It's set up in a fancy mirror vanity box that contains 24 eye-shadows, 2 new amazonian clay blushes, bronzer, and shimmer powder. Hmph. I definitely see this in my future.

3. LORAC Bejeweled Day & Night Jewelry Box ($56): Lorac is one of my favorite brands, so it's easy for me to fall victim to any of their launches. All of their products are so easy to use and awesomely pigmented. Another victim of tempting packaging, this kit comes in a gorgeous dazzle box. It includes eye-shadows, blushes, a giant bronzer, glosses and eyeliners. 

4. CK One Shock ($40-$50): I've never been a fan of the classic CK One even though it's the best selling unisex fragrance of all time. I'm into extremely sweet scents (EX: Flowerbomb, Hanae Mori etc.) but when I smelled CK One Shock the other day, I fell head over heels! It's note includes: Passion Flower, Pink Peony, Jeweled Poppy Flower, Liquid Chocolate Accord, Blackberry, Narcissi, Hypnotic Jasmine, Magnetic Ambers, Vanilla (yum!), Patchouli, & Second Skin Musk. The best part about CK One? It's one of the most affordable fragrances out there!

5. Tom Ford Beauty - Lip Color in Blush Nude ($48): The buzz of Tom Ford's new beauty line has got me wanting to spend some money! I've been eyeing the original lipsticks for months, but just can't seem to bring myself to drop almost $50 on a lipstick. I think I shall be caving shortly. This blush nude is calling my name. Have you seen the rest of the launches yet?! 

6. Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous Face Illuminator ($42): I just love the look of this product. The 3D feel of it. I wonder how long the effect lasts. The shimmer looks gorgeous as well.

What have you got your eyes on lately?

Tarte for True Blood - Limited Edition Collection

Tarte is one smart brand. Tarte has just launched a limited edition collection based on the hit HBO show, True Blood. I, myself, can't get enough True Blood and you can find me glued to HBO on Sundays. True Blood is the perfect show to base a collection on because it's sexy and the looks are actually pretty traditional. You can usually catch Sookie rocking a natural eye and the sexy female vampires rocking a smokey eye.  Here's what you have to get excited about:

Tarte for True Blood Limited Edition Palette:

"Get glamoured with this limited-edition palette packed with 17 killer new eye shadows and more. Each richly pigmented shadow is softly milled and infused with Amazonian clay for pure color payoff, silky application and long wear. From ethereal goddess to vampy vixen, you can create countless looks using these shimmering, matte, and smoky shades. Open after dark: Buried in this palette's pull-out drawer is a full-size EmphasEYES™ Aqua-Gel Eyeliner in black, a deluxe Lights, Camera, Lashes! clinically-proven natural mascara and a deluxe Lifted™ Natural Eye Primer with Firmitol™ to help you complete your look. Turn into a real truebie using the four 'get the looks' included with each palette, created with the help of True Blood™'s award-winning lead makeup artist Brigette Myre-Ellis. 

Retail: $52 at Sephora

Tarte for True Blood Limited-Edition Natural Cheek Stain:

"Have you spent eternity in search of an everlasting glow? Meet your maker. Inspired by the hit HBO® series True Blood™, this sparkling red cheek stain blends on smooth and lasts from dawn to dusk and well into the night. One drop is all you need to create a crave-worthy natural luminescence for all skintones and types. Like all Tarte products, this lusty natural stain will do good things to you thanks to natural mineral pigments and fruit extracts."

I'm really excited about this cheek stain, since Tarte is known for their amazing cheek products.

Retail: $30 at Sephora

Tarte for True Blood Limited-Edition Lip Surgence Natural Lip Tint:

"Experience love at first taste with Tarte's LipSurgence™ Natural Lip Tint, inspired by the hit HBO® series True Blood™. It's all flavor and no bite with this mint-infused, iridescent red shade that drenches lips in a luminous, long-lasting tint. Tarte's LipSurgence™ technology rehydrates lips by delivering a surge of moisture for a deliciously plumped up appearance."

Retail: $24 at Sephora

I've searched online and I only see the products available on Sephora's website. In order to purchase them in advance, you need to be a B.I. (Beauty Insider) from Sephora. You can sign up if your're not already one.

Are you excited for this launch?

Show Me Your Blush!

Often times when I'm applying makeup I always think to myself what's the most important part of the whole process. Is it the foundation? The mascara? I've noticed lately that my choice in blush changes my whole look. Long ago, I never wore blush. I'm one of those people with a natural flush to their cheeks, so I thought it would make me look too pink. Then I discovered all the different shades of color blush actually comes in. I became obsessed with peach and orange blushes. I even used eye shadows in hopes of finding that perfect color. Today, I've learned almost all you need to know about blush. I've decided to scramble through my collection and see which are my current favorites.

My Top 5 Blushes:

1. Benefit Bella Bamba: This blush is described as a, "A watermelon-pink blush laced with shimmering gold undertones." Benefit is known for their adorable, fun packaging. This blush comes with a mirror tucked inside a magnetic closure with a flip-top lid. Since bold cheeks are one of the hot trends for summer, this blush can help you achieve that perfect bright cheek.

Retail: $28 at Sephora

2. Stila Custom Color Blush: I'm actually in love with this blush. Initially when I saw this blush in the pan, I thought it was way too bright to be wore everyday and then I learned it's a "custom blush." The best part about this blush is it perfectly matches everyone skin tone. It's literally "a one-shade-fits-all powder blush" that reacts with your skin's PH to the perfect shade for you! It's takes away the headache of trying to find the perfect blush. 

Retail: $20 at Sephora

3. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Doll Face: This blush is part of Tarte's new line focusing completely on Amazonian Clay. The benefits of Amazonian Clay is that it works with all skin types. Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to help keep skin balanced and your product in place. If your skin is dry, the clay will help to nourish and hydrate the skin. This blush works with every skin type and results in blush that last 12 hours long. Now who doesn't love 12 hour wear?!

Retail: $25 at Sephora

4. Nars Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo in Orgasm & Laguna: Obviously NARS Orgasm Blush HAD to be on the list, because it's one of the best blushes out there. This blush is described as, " A peachy, pink with shimmer." It's look amazing on any skin tone. I love the perfect, subtle glow it gives the cheeks.

Retail: $27 at Sephora

5. E.L.F. Studio Blush in Candid Coral: I love this blush, because it's the most affordable of the bunch. For the beauty lover on the budget, this is the perfect alternative. The Candid Coral is a soft peach color that gives a nice glow to the cheeks. At only $3 for this blush, it's a definite steal!

Retail: $3 at e.l.f.

What are some of your favorite blushes?