NEW N.Y.C Get It All Collection at Target

When I was at Target yesterday, I spotted some brand new N.Y.C. New York Color products including a new line that was developed with New York Makeup Artists called "Get It All". The idea behind the line is that you don't have to compromise when it comes to your makeup. With these you can get it all...great formulas, results, and pigmentation at truly affordable prices. 

Let's take a look...

N.Y.C Demi Lovato Lovatics Palette Review & Swatches

N.Y.C New York Color recently released the Lovatics collection with their color ambassador, Demi Lovato which includes several products including lip & cheek tint, a mascara, and a brow pencil. But what I couldn't wait to get my hands on was this Lovatics Palette ($6.99) when I saw it at Target recently. The gorgeous color palette had me swooning because I can see myself using every.single.shade. The only question in my mind was, can the quality be even remotely good at $6.99? I've tried many drugstore eyeshadow palettes at price points between $9.99 and $14.99 that were total flops so I just crossed my fingers and hoped for the best when I put this in my cart. Spoiler alert...it's amazing. And you need it. So here's my review...

Friday Faves- Liquid Lipstick Edition

I'm back with another edition of Friday Faves (how is it Friday already, seriously?), where I talk about my favorite products of-the-moment, both drugstore and high end. This week, I'm featuring my favorite liquid lipsticks (non-matte) in my favorite shades of mauve.  I've never been a red lipstick girl and nude washes me out terribly, but mauves just seem to work well with my complexion and are great for everyday as well as when I'm dressing up.

So let's get started!

NYC Cosmetics Beautyifying Blushable BB Cream Stick Review and Swatches

A few days ago, I posted about the new Limited Edition Spring 2015 collection from NYC Cosmetics and reviewed a new shade of the Twistable Intense Lip Color (see that post here) and today, I wanted to share some swatches of the new Beautifying Blushable BB Cream Sticks.  So let's take a look...

These technically aren't new...they were actually discontinued a while ago (why?? I'll never understand) and I'm so glad they're back because they're amazing. They've been renamed too...they used to be called Blushable Cream Sticks and now they've added in the word "Beautifying", making it BB (Beautifying Blushable Cream Stick). 

These two shades were in the Limited Edition display at Kmart, so I'm not sure how long they'll stick around.  The first one is called Soho Pink (001) and it's a beautiful mauve-y rose shade.  The second shade is called Never Sleeping Pink (002) and it's a bright coral pink. 

NYC Cosmetics Spring 2015 City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Color Review and Swatches

Last week, I posted a photo on Instagram of a Spring 2015 Limited Edition display from NYC Cosmetics that I spotted at Kmart.  It featured three shades of the City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Color, two eyeshadow palettes, colored mascaras, nail polishes, and two shades of the blush sticks that had disappeared from the line a while ago (I was so excited to see those back again and will be reviewing those shortly). 

The Twistable Intense Lip Colors ($2.99) in the display were a peachy nude, bright orange, and bright raspberry fuchsia.  I'm not really a fan of orange or peachy nude lips (I try to stay with pinky nudes for my skin tone), but that blue-based raspberry color was calling my name! 

The shade is called 003 Raspberry Juice and smells exactly like a raspberry popsicle! I've never tried these Twistable Lip Colors from NYC before but I absolutely love how easy they are to use! They glide onto your lips so easily and have great color payoff! 

NYC Expert Last Lip Lacquer Swatches and Review

NYC Expert Last Lip Lacquer ($4.19 CVS) is a new release for Spring 2015 and claims to deliver intense color in a lightweight, glossy formula. I purchased 8 out of the 12 shades to try since CVS had them BOGO 50% off a few weeks ago...let's take a look!

The Expert Last Lip Lacquer line offers a nice selection of shades from nudes to pinks, berries and reds. They're packaged in lightweight plastic tubes that look nice and simple...they're a little cheap feeling but that doesn't bother me because the price is great and I'd rather have a superior product inside the tube than have fancy packaging. I also like that the entire tube except for the cap is clear and you have a large area to see the color inside.
They come with a standard doe foot applicator...I wish it was one of the bigger, flatter ones that some other brands have, because it would reduce the number of times I have to dip the wand back in to get more product. With these, the color seemed to be mainly just on the tip when I pulled it out of the tube so it took 3 or 4 dips into the tube to cover my lips well.

NYC New York Color City Proof 24 HR Waterproof Eyeshadow Swatches and Review

I recently spotted the new NYC New York Color City Proof 24 Hr Waterproof Eyeshadows at CVS recently, and they were only $3.19 each, plus BOGO 50% off.  So I purchased 8 shades to try, plus the City Proof 24 HR Eye Primer crayon. There are 11 shades total but there were three missing from the display at my CVS. 

The shades I wasn't able to get are Long Island Blue (Navy), Madison Square Park (Green) and Wall St. Bronze (Bronze).  Here's the description from the NYC website:

"Incredible staying power inspired by the city that never sleeps!

Want round the clock color that never fades or creases? This chubby, waterproof eye shadow delivers vibrant color for up to 24HR wear! In eleven on trend shades perfect for any look, just twist, glide and go!

Benefits: 

• 24HR wear
• Waterproof
• Crease-proof
• Homogeneous application
• Gives intense color pay-off
• Vibrant color
• Quick & easy to use
• Glides easily
• Smooth application
• Smear-proof & Tear-proof"

These remind me of the L'oreal Infallible Eyeshadow Crayons that I reviewed back in November (see my review here) in terms of the shades offered and also the claims of 24 HR wear but the formulas are totally different.  These are a lot cheaper at around $3, while L'oreal's are $7 each, but I found the L'oreal version to be much creamier and a bit more pigmented than these as a whole.  There were a few shades in this collection that stood out in terms of pigmentation and smoothness and a few that fell flat. 

NYC Cosmetics City Proof 24HR Eye Shadow Spotted at CVS

I just spotted the new NYC Cosmetics City Proof 24HR Eye Shadows at CVS ($3.19 each) and right now they're BOGO 50% off!  These claim to be Vibrant, Waterproof Color and they come in 10 shades. There's also a primer (far left) that will help to make them even more vibrant and long-lasting.  Let's take a closer look at the shades...

Primer, Wall Street Bronze, Brooklyn Mocha, Tribeca Taupe, 5th Ave Gold Rush

5th Ave Gold Rush, Murray Hill Champagne, Rockefeller Center Snowflakes (x2)

Empire State Building, New York at Night, Central Park Tulips, East River Romance.

I can't wait to try these! I love cream shadows (like Maybelline Color Tattoo) but when they're in a chubby stick, they're so easy to apply especially on the go!
Grab these now while they're on sale!

NYC Cosmetics Smooth Skin BB Instant Matte and Bronzed Radiance Spotted at CVS

NYC Cosmetics has added two new formulas to their Smooth Skin BB Line...Instant Matte and Bronzed Radiance. I reviewed the original Smooth Skin BB Creme last Spring when it debuted (see that post here) and I liked it, so I'm really interested to try the two new versions! 

They've also released a BB Radiance powder that looks like a bronzer although it doesn't say that on the packaging.

Both the BB Creams and the Powder are $4.59 at CVS and there was a $1 off coupon on the display. CVS is usually the most expensive of the drugstores because I bought the original version at Target for $2.50. I haven't seen these there yet, but I'm sure they'll be arriving soon.

What do you think? Will you be picking one of these up to try?

NYC Cosmetics Smooth Skin BB Creme 5-in-1 Review

Several weeks ago, I posted about some new NYC Cosmetics products that were launching for Spring 2014. But other than the mascaras, I haven't seen the other products anywhere and I look every time I'm out. 

Finally I spotted the BB Creme at Target and it was only $2.50...so how could I resist?

The packaging is nothing fancy, just a clean, simple squeeze tube, but I like it.  It's smaller than some other BB's at 1oz. but its so cheap who cares?

This creme is supposed to have 5 benefits in 1- 

1. Protect Skin

2. Minimize Pores

3. Erase Imperfections and Minimize Fine Lines

4. Smooth Skin

5. Brighten for a Luminous and Natural Look.

The medium shade appears too dark for me in the heavy swatch below, but once blended, it looks really close, and my skin always gets some color in summer anyway.

Notice in the list of 5 benefits it didn't say that this moisturizes? It really doesn't. Most BB's are combo moisturizers and color but this is strictly a "skin perfector" and those with oily skin will appreciate the satin, almost matte finish on this vs. the dewy finish of most BB's. I used moisturizer beforehand because I could tell when I swatched it that it wouldn't be enough for my dry skin. 

This gives light coverage, but it covered areas of mild redness and evened out my skin nicely. It goes on like a thin film so it doesn't cake or sit in lines at all!

I've actually been using this all week, just adding concealer under my eyes and around my nose and my skin looks pretty near flawless!

I didn't notice any pore minimizing, like it claims to do, but it does brighten due to teeny tiny sparkles in the product. Don't worry...its not a crazy amount and I couldn't see them on my face, even in sunlight. I just happened to notice them on my hand when I looked reeealy closely.

Overall, this is a great pick for $2.50, especially for the upcoming summer season. If you don't have a ton of flaws to hide and want something to even out your skin with zero weight, you've found your bargain right here! 

NYC Big Bold Volume By The Lash Mascara Review

Last week, I posted about some new NYC products that are hitting the drugstores this month.  So far, I've only seen the two new mascaras- Big Bold Volume by the Lash and City Proof.  I really liked the original Big Bold Volume so I decided to try this one first. 

The Claims:

It has an "individualizer" brush to grab every lash and give 12x more volume and the formula is supposed to not only multiply lashes by 200% but keep them feeling flexible for up to 16 hours.  

My Experience:

The brush is one of those rubber bristle brushes, but what I really liked about it was that it had a zillion little spikes which really helped me to comb through every lash and avoid clumps.  I love love love this brush!

The formula was also great.  It wore all day without smudging or clumping and it gave my lashes a good amount of volume and length.  But the real standout here is the brush because it separated my lashes and gave them a nice fanned out look. It also didn't make my lashes feel crunchy or stiff.

Overall, this is a great mascara for an even better price!  I got this at CVS for $4.99.  I'm excited to try the other new NYC products, and I hope that the stores near me stock them soon!

Have you tried this, or seen any of the new Spring products near you yet?

New N.Y.C Products for Spring 2014

N.Y.C Cosmetics has just launched some new products for Spring.  I spotted a few at Rite Aid so far, but I'm waiting for the rest to come out.  

Here they are...

Skin Matching Luminizer -$4.99- Comes in Seven Shades

NYC SKIN MATCHING LUMINIZER is a new category of foundation: the super natural. Translation: it’s your skin, but better. The silky smooth foundation has a light-diffusing formula for maximum radiance and a featherweight consistency and appearance, so skin can breathe easy… literally. And finding your perfect match has never been easier. Whether you’re fair, dark or somewhere in between, the six shades will adjust to seamlessly fit your complexion. NYC Skin Matching Luminizer is a natural skin perfector for every skin tone – all over radiance in a New York Minute.

Smooth Skin BB Creme- $3.99- Comes in Light and Medium

NYC SMOOTH SKIN BB CREME. Get the ‘perfectly real’ look with a new ‘all-in-one’ product from NYC. Great skin…..To GO! So let’s hear a huge yay for New Smooth Skin BB Crème, because that’s exactly what it does, it visibly minimizes pores,erases skin imperfections, minimizes fine lines, smoothes & brightens skin for a natural luminosity and helps protect skin from the ravages of the city… and it lasts...for up to 14 hours. Your skin, at it’s most beautiful,fast. SO New York!

Smooth Skin Mousse Foundation- $3.99- Comes in 4 Shades

Your heart still battling it out over which NYC French brasserie serves New York’s best chocolate soufflé? Well we’ve found the best in soufflé foundation so whatever your decision you’ll always look good when indulging. NYC Smooth Skin Mousse Foundation is bound to satisfy all your natural, flawless, lasting perfect skin cravings. So while the French may master the art of chocolate, NYC lets you master the art of looking good.
Perfect flawless coverage for natural blemish free looking skin. Simply dip, smooth and a blend away!

City Proof Mascara- $3.49

MEET YOUR SECRET WEAPON FOR TAKING YOUR LASH LOOK FROM DAY TO NIGHT WITH JUST ONE SWIPE. The innovative formula is designed to create buildable volume, while magically resisting clumpy build-up. That means natural volumized lashes by day, and, with one more coat, an amped-up voluminous fringe at night, without ever getting stiff or brittle. You call the shots: it’s mascara that you build to work for you. 

Big Bold Volume by the Lash Mascara- $4.99

GET BOLD EMPIRE LASHES WITH NYC’S BIG BOLD VOLUME BY THE LASH MASCARA. The high-tech MegaIndividualizer brush amps up your total fringe impact by individually coating and volumizing each and every lash up to 12x more. No smudges, no clumps, just a traffic-stopping wow effect. 

Which ones are you excited to try?  I've never tried NYC foundations before, but I kinda want to try all three of these new ones! At first I thought the Luminizer was just a highlighter, but from the description, it sounds like its foundation. And of course the Big Bold Volume mascara since I loved their original Big Bold. 

I noticed that my local Target has marked down half of their NYC stock on clearance, so hopefully they're making room for these to arrive soon. Have you seen the new products where you live?

New Drugstore Products Spotted- Physicians Formula BB Cream, Garnier Hydra Recharge, New NYC Products!

I ran into CVS today on my lunch break, and spotted some more new products for Spring 2013.  Take a look! 

First up is Garnier's new Hydra Recharge line.  It contains Superfruit Beads and is supposed to weightlessly hydrate the hair- great for those like me with fine hair! The line offers Shampoo, Conditioner, Leave-in foam, and a Deep Conditioner.  I'm excited to try this!

Next up is Physicians Formula Super BB Cream, Concealer and Powder.  I actually bought the BB Cream and the BB Concealer because I had $6 in Extra Bucks, plus each product had an instant $3 off coupon attached to the package.  So I saved $12 on these- not bad (They are $15 each).  

Finally, NYC Cosmetics has launched several new products.  Below is Appleicious Glossy Lip Balm, which is a tinted balm that has Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Avocado Oil.  I'm not sure what the apple means other than the top of the balm has an imprint of an apple in it that's white, and then the color surrounds it.  (Basically it looks like the little picture on the ad underneath "Plump & Tint".  

They also have new jumbo lip glosses that are a plumping formula!

Next, for eyes, they've launched a new mascara, Big Bold Curl, HD Color Trio Eyeshadows, High Definition liquid liner, and Sparkle Eye Dust loose shadows in a tube.  I'll definitely have to come back and pick up some of these! 

Has anyone out there tried any of these products yet and what did you think?  If not, do you want to?

NYC Cosmetics Mini Eyeliner Haul

The other day, I reviewed NYC Cosmetics High Definition Mascara, and I had also picked up three eyeliners that day because NYC was 40% off at Rite Aid.  The regular eyeliner pencils which are regularly $1, were .59 cents!  And the waterproof eyeliner, which is normally $3.99 was just over $2 bucks!  

I bought the classic eyeliners in "In the Navy", and "Charcoal" gray, and the waterproof eyeliner in a dark plum.  I already have the brown waterproof liner and absolutely love it, so it was a great time to add to my collection.

The classic eyeliners are really long and last forever.  They aren't the creamiest liners in the world, but are pretty decent and I don't find that they don't tug at my eyelids much. I like that they're thin, and I use them when I want to create a really thin line. They actually last quite a while and don't smudge easily. 

My favorite is the waterproof eyeliner.  It's got a little bit thicker of a point, so it makes a thicker line, its creamy, glides across your eyelids, has great pigment, and stays put.  Even at its regular price of $3.99, it's a steal for what you get.  

Here's a swatch of all three on my hand: 

NYC Cosmetics High Definition Volumizing Mascara Review

This week at Rite Aid, NYC Cosmetics are 40% off, so I used that as a great excuse for a mini haul.  I got 3 eyeliners (.59 cents each!) and this High Definition mascara for around $2.79- how can you beat that?! 

Here's what the NYC website says about it:

BENEFITS

Volume Mania Technology thickens lashes up to 10 times for 360° wide open-eye look

Exclusive multi-functioning plastic brush for SEPARATION and VOLUME

Short-bristle side multiplies lashes out for dramatic volume

Long-bristle side to separate & define even tiny lashes

Spectacular lash make over with lashes visibly up to 70% longer

Duo Play Complex with Panthenol and vitamin E strengthens and adds suppleness

Ophthalmologist tested

Suitable for sensitive eyes and lens wearers

Here's a close up of the brush.  It's a plastic bristle brush with tiny spikes that are supposed to really separate and define the lashes, which I think it does really well.  It's not a wide brush at all, which makes it easy to get right up into the lash line, and get every single lash.

So here's my lashes before using High Definition mascara: 

After: 

I was pretty impressed by this mascara, and felt that it was well worth the $2.79.  I used several coats and it really added length and lift, but not too much volume, so I was disappointed with that aspect of it.  It didn't smudge under my eyes at all, or flake off, which was a good thing! 

Overall, I think this is a good mascara for the price, especially if you're looking for length, but not so much for volume.  

Stay tuned for part 2 of my Rite Aid NYC Cosmetics haul- tomorrow I'll show you the eyeliners I got for .59 cents each! 

NYC Cosmetics Big Bold Ultra Volumizing Mascara Review

I'm always up for testing a new mascara, so when I saw this new NYC Big Bold Mascara at CVS, and saw that it only cost $3.99,  I had to get it.  I had $2 in extra care bucks from purchasing Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle repair serum ( review coming this week!), so this only cost me $1.99.  

The packaging says: 

"Volume transforming complex for up to 15X lash volumizing effect.  The unique mega brush is our biggest plastic brush ever, making every little lash bigger, fuller and more dramatic! Lash fortifying formula gives an instant lash darkening effect while the 3D Aquanet system leaves lashes soft and supple."

So they weren't kidding about the huge brush- it's very chunky.  Here's some pictures:

Here's what the brush looks like next to Cover Girl's Lash Perfection (center) and Maybelline's Lots of Lashes (right): 

I was a little worried about the giant brush, and immediately flashed back to Rimmel's Scandaleyes mascara I reviewed a few weeks ago.  That brush was also huge and I kept getting product all over my eyelids.  

So my first attempt with NYC's Big Bold didn't turn out so well.  Maybe it was because it was the first time pulling the brush out of the tube, but it was kinda gloppy and my lashes ended up looking a little bit clumpy and spidery, like this: 

So I decided to give it another shot on my other eye, this time, wiping the brush off a little bit with a tissue.  

And here's the after shot: 

I really love the result I got the second time around!  It darkened my lashes really well, lengthened, volumized, and even added a little curl.  Even though the brush is big, it was easier to control than the Rimmel Scandaleyes, I think because the wand on this one is shorter.  I didn't get anything on my eyelids, and it was easy to build up several coats (I did a bunch of comb throughs with the wand, zigzagging it back and forth).  

So my only real complaint about this mascara is that not enough product is wiped from the brush when pulling it out of the tube, but that's an easy fix, by blotting it with a tissue.  So I'm totally sold on this one- great results for the price! 

What do you guys think?  Any thoughts?