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?

Too Faced Cosmetics $25 Gift Card Giveaway

I just found out that I won Too Faced Cosmetics Beauty Blogger of The Month for March 2012. Woo Hoo! One of the prizes I win is a $25 gift card to use as giveaway for my readers. Too Faced Cosmetics is a great brand known for their smart palettes and gorgeous pigments. This would be a great way to try the brand if you haven't already or put up your favorite Too Faced product. Enter the giveaway below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck! Xoxo.

Products of Interest: December 29, 2011

1. Bare Minerals Ready SPF 15 Touch Up Veil: ($22): I'm curious how this product will work on my skin. I used bare minerals on my face for years and then grew tired of it. I've read some good reviews on their new pressed products. (eye-shadows, powders etc.)

2. Smashbox Be Discovered Eyeshadow Palette ($44): This palette reminds me of a Disney princess. I love how soft the colors look and how girly the packaging is.

3. Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 ($39): The end of 2011 bought about the popularity of BB creams. Immensely popular in Japan, the cream has now become a go to item for many. When the creams first launched, they only came in one universal shade for light to deeper mediums. Now brands have gotten smarter and are launching different shades. I like that this Smashbox one has different shades and a fairly high SPF.

4. Sephora Prisma Chrome Eyeshadow ($15): These new eye-shadows from Sephora remind so much of the texture of Laura Mercier's best selling rose illuminater. I've seen them in person and they're gorgeous. The pigments are great and shadows can be used wet or dry. I haven't decided what colors I wanna pick up just yet.

5. Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Palette ($45): I've become a huge fan of Tarina Tarantino's line this past year. All her products are insanely pigmented and the packaging is always sturdy and fun. I've become drawn to blush lately and these shades are perfection. I like the idea of a cheek palette from a well-known brand. I already own a cheek palette from Crown Brush, but this is calling my name.

6. Chanel Nail Colors from Spring 2012 Collection ($25 Each): I own tons of cosmetics, but Chanel is one that isn't really seen all that much in my collection. I find their prices to be very high and mostly cause of their name. I've stood away for a while but this new collection has me intrigued. I'm loving these nail colors (especially June, which is the orange-apricot color). I'm on the prowl for the perfect orange and I think I found it.

7. Too Faced Natural At Night Collection ($36): I'm always a fan of new launches from Too Faced. I especially like their palettes for the small size. I like the color range in the palette since it's not just boring browns, which I have a ton of.

8. Laura Mercier Radiance Primer ($30): Laura Mercier is a brand I keep coming back to for complexion products. I recently tried their hydrating primer for winter and quickly became obsessed. I like the idea of a radiance primer for the summer when I want more glow.

What have you got your eye on?

Too Faced's New Smokey Eye Shadow Collection

The question I get asked most often is what's the best way to create the perfect smokey eye. As a makeup artist I know that their are tons of different smokey eyes that can be created. It's really about what kind of smokey eye you'd like; the colors, the type, the mood. This is where Too Faced comes to the rescue. Too Faced is known for their fun kits with easy to use instructions. They just recently launched their new smokey eye kit, so I decided to check it out.

Top row

Second Row

Third Row

What I love about this kit is the array of colors. It's not just for that "classic" smokey eye. You can create smokey eyes with color like blue, purple, and silver. You can even create a "natural" smokey eye using the entire top row. My favorite color of the bunch is firefly, which is the first color in the palette. It's a silvery taupe color and I have nothing like it in my collection.

Retail: $36 at Too Faced, Sephora & Ulta

Have you ever tried Too Faced Cosmetics?

Live Chat With Too Faced Co-Founder and Creative Director: Jerrod Blandino

Make sure to mark your calenders for October 12, at noon! The creator of Too Faced Cosmetics, Jerrod Blandino, will available for questions and will speak on his inspiration for his new 2011 Holiday collection. The link will be posted on Facebook 30 minutes before the chat begins.

See ya there!

Too Faced Holiday 2011 Launch: In Your Dreams Collection

Too Faced Cosmetics definitely knows how to launch a holiday collection. They're one of my favorite brands and I can't get over their gorgeous packaging this year. It reminds me of every young girl's dream of living in a fantasy world. 

Top to Bottom: In Your Dreams Palette ($39), Glamour to Go - Dream Edition ($22), Beautiful Dreamer ($46), and Sweet Dreams Palette ($52)

All items are limited edition and sold at Sephora, Ulta & TooFaced.com.

Are you planning to purchase any of Too Faced Cosmetics Holiday items?

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?

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?

Too Faced Matte Eye Shadow Collection Review & Swatches

I'm always up for a bargain and Too Faced never fails to deliver. They've got some of the best palettes around for every type of look - natural to smokey. They recently launched a Sephora exclusive, The Matte Eye Shadow Collection. It comes with nine matte shades in warm and cool tones. I've always loved shimmer shadows, but lately I find myself reaching for matte shades. There is something very sophisticated about having an eye look with only matte shadows. Once I tried this palette, I was hooked. I created a simple, smokey eye for everyday. The only concern I had with the matte shadow kit was that it took a little more arm-work. Since the products are completely matte, you really have to get in there and blend well. You're going to need to make sure you have a great primer (like Too Faced's shadow insurance) and keep layering. I didn't mind having to work a little harder. Another bonus: It came with three look cards to help you achieve certain desired looks.

(From left to right: Tuffed Suede, Velveteen Bunny, Fresh Linen, Chincilla, Pebbles, Vintage Violet, Coffee Bean, London Fog, Midnight)

Here is the simple look I created with this palette:

Retail: $36 at Sephora

Do you use matte eye shadows or only shimmer?

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?