May Favorites

May has come and gone and June is almost upon us.  It is crazy how fast this year is going.  Another month and it'll be my birthday and in a month and half my blog will turn 1!!  I really can't believe that.  This month I have been loving a lot of new products that I have picked up.

But, first let me tell you about an old fav that I'm going to have to restock pretty soon.  The Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla.  I have been using this to death lately.  I have been going the no makeup, makeup route lately and I use this just on my redness and few acne scars.  And then on top I dust my La Mer powder in Creme.  This stuff is amazing!! I ordered this within the past month or so and it has become a staple.  I use it to set my makeup and to give my face a little bit of coverage.  I have been using a Hakuhodo B002 with this powder.  It is one of the softest brushes I own and is so easy to use with the La Mer.  When I need more coverage, say if I am going out to dinner, I have been using my Chantecaille Just Skin in Vanilla.  This is a tinted moisturizer that gives great coverage.  It evens out my skin tone so well and leaves a nice dewy look.  And for some dimension I have been mixing in the Clarin's Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base in 01 Rose.  This gives my skin a nice glow.  It isn't the best smelling but, once you mix it with your foundation the smell goes away.
I have embraced my paleness and really haven't been using bronzer lately but, I have been using the Tom Ford blush in Flush.  This gives me such a nice flush and really makes me look awake.  It is slightly shimmery but, you couldn't tell unless you were inches away from my face.  And for highlight I have been using Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight.  This is such a cult favorite and I totally understand why.  It just makes my face glow.  To put candlelight on I have been using the Hakuhodo B5521.  This brush is great for highlight.  It is tapered and makes it extra easy to put highlight on my cheek bones and run down my nose.  For eyes I have been love, love, loving my Armani Eyes to Kill in 9.  It is a beautiful champagne, gold color.  I have been wearing this all over my eyes and popping Naked into the crease.  For mascara I have been experimenting with Chanel's Le Volume de Chanel.  I have a love/hate relationship with this.  Sometimes I love the way it looks and sometimes it is just to gloopy.  I think it needs to dry out a little bit more and I will truly love this.  And lastly my Chanel Eastern Lights has been a staple.  I think this great on so many different skin tones and just looks so crisp and clean.


What are your May favorites ??

Love,
City Styles 

Dior Eyeshadow Palette Transat Edition {Sundeck}

Blue eyed girls beware, you will need this palette!!!!  Dior recently released this quint in Sundeck.  It is the most gorgeous palette I've ever owned.  I have reached for it almost everyday since I layer eyes on it.  And for me that's pretty big.  I love the rich chocolate brown for my crease and outer corner and the champagne and gold are great for all over the eye.  The only shade that is a bit mehhhh is the highlight in the upper left hand corner.  It does nothing for me.  It is a bit chalky and has no pigment.  But, I forgive Dior because the rest are ah-mazing.  They are so creamy and pigmented and very easy to work with.  This review is short but, very sweet.  Go get it before it's gone.    

   

Have you tried this palette yet ??  What are your favorite palettes for your eye color ??

Love,
City Styles 

Lipstick Queen Lipsticks

I recently went a little crazy with in Space NK and bought a handful of Lipstick Queen lipsticks.  I have heard such good things about this brand and wanted to try a few different lipsticks.  I picked up the newly released Jungle Queen (green packaging), which is a sheer-ish orange, red shade.  It looks great on the lips and is the perfect red for the summer time.  Then I had to get the Endless Summer (orange packaging) lipstick in Perfect Wave.  It is an amazing pinky coral shade that just screams my name.  And, of course, I had to pick up one Sinner and one Saint.  Sinner is 90% pigmentation and Saint is 10% pigmentation.  For Sinner (black packaging) I bought Hot Rose which is a bright rosy pink shade that is crazy opaque on the lips.  For Saint (gold packaging) I bought Bright Rose.  It is similar to Hot Rose just more sheer and a bit more on the rosy side then the pink side.  And lastly I had to get on the Chinatown Glossy Pencils.  I love me a chubby stick.  I picked up Chase which is a nice sheer red shade.  The only thing I don't think about this is the fact that it isn't a twist up.  It comes with a pencil sharpener but, I would totally love it more if it twisted up.  

Now lets talk packaging.  The packaging on these is just so amazing how could you pass these up.  The Perfect Wave packaging is my favorite.  It totally reminds me of California.  And the lipstick tubes themselves are ultra sleek.  The lastly power is also amazing.  The Sinner lasts the longest but, I believe that is because it is much more pigmented then the rest.  The rest are on the more sheer side.  They last about 2 or 3 hours depending on my eating/drinking situation.  And they are so moisturizing.  I hate when I wear a lipstick and about an hour in my lips are so parched and I need to   apply a tube of chap stick to make them feel better.  These lipsticks are the totally opposite.  My lips feel fully moisturized.  Even when wearing the Sinner my lips feel great.  Overall I am really loving this brand.  I will totally be picking up some more shades, especially of the Sinner and Saints.

Have you tried any Lipstick Queen products ?? What did you think of them ??

Love,
City Styles 

Armani Cheek Fabric Blush {507 Flesh}

Armani has recently launched their new Cheek Fabric Blushes and Sun Fabric Bronzers.  These were launched to take the place of the Sheer Blushes and Bronzers that are being discontinued.  I stopped by my local counter and picked up one of the blushes in 507 Flesh.  It is a beautiful blue based bright pink.  It looks like the perfect color for summer.  All together there are 8 new shades that are highly pigmented which is the total opposite of the Sheer Blushes.  The Cheek Fabric Blushes are light weight put pack a punch when applied to the cheek.  All the shades have a shimmer to them but, when applied the shimmer gives a luminous glow.  

I have yet to pick up one of the Sun Fabric Bronzers but, don't doubt that you will see a review on one in the future.  Overall I really enjoy this blush.  It has the same light weight texture as the older blushes but, has much more pigment.  And, of course, I love the sleek black packaging.  

     

Armani Cheek Fabric blush in 507 compared to Dior Rosy Glow, Bobbi Brown Peony, and Nars Desire.  As you can see Desire and 507 are very similar. 

Side note - the numbering on these blushes is a bit confusing so be sure to check your box when buying! 

Have you tried these blushes yet ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Summer Edit

Summer is coming so I thought I would share my top ten picks for the season!   

The Chantecaille Just Skin tinted moisturizer is just amazing.  It is very light weight and has great coverage.  It will be perfect for the hot, humid weather.  I have been loving the Hourglass Ambient Lightening palette.  It has the perfect shades for me.  I can use it to powder, to bronze, and to highlight.  It is perfect to carry in your bag and touch up.  I originally said that I wasn't sure if I would get another shade of the YSL Kiss & Blush but, I did.  These are great multipurpose product for the summer.  I don't know about you but, I am totally into the no makeup, makeup look.  It is so easy to do and looks effortless.  I use these on my lips and then blend them out on my cheeks for a nice summer glow.  I also love the By Terry Blush Glace in Frozen Petal.  It gives me such a nice glow and is very light weight.  Another By Terry product that I will be using all summer are the Ombre Blackstar shadow sticks.  These are the bomb dot com.  I have three shades, Bronze Moon, Misty Rocks, and Velvet Orchid.  These are great to pop on for an easy eye look or to use under shadows.  I am totally obsessed with all the shades and want to own them all!  If I don't wear any other makeup I need to have mascara on.  My go to at the moment is the Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme.  It gives my lashes so much volume and length.  We all know how much I love Bite Beauty so when I heard about there new BB for Lips I had to go pick one up.  They are perfect for a sheer wash of color but still extra moisturizing.  For a a little more color I love the Lipstick Queen lipstick in Perfect Wave.  It is the most gorgeous pinky coral shade.  I think white nails with a tan looks amazing and Chanel Eastern Lights will be prefect for that.  And lastly how could I not include Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede.  It is a great light, floral scent for the summer.  

What are your top picks for the summer time ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Sephora Pro Airbrush 55 {Old vs. New}

Awhile back and I mean awhile back Sephora repackaged their brushes.  I fortunate enough to pick up the old(silver handled)  Sephora 55 brush on sale.  And then of course I needed the new one(black handled) too!  Lisa (lisalisad1) is the main reason I picked up the older brush.  She was always using it with her Laura Mercier mineral powder.  I was so curious since I had the powder too.  And may I say it is amazing for that powder.  It is my go to brush when applying any pressed or loose powder.  So when the new brushes where released I was curious about how similar they were to each other.  Well they aren't at all.  The newer version doesn't pick up powder like the older one does.  I do like to use it to blend out my contour/blush/highlight but, thats about it.  I have used both with liquid foundation and to be honest they suck.  It left my foundation streaky.  Unfortunately the older version is no longer available but you can probably find a few on ebay or in blog sales.  I would say skip the newer version if you are looking to use it with powder.   

     

Have you tried any of the Sephora brushes ??  What are your opinion on them ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Deborah Lippmann Blue Orchid !

I absolutely fell head over heels in love with this color. I first saw Lipstick with Some Sunshine wearing this Deborah Lippmanm polish in Blue Orchid and thought that it was a prettty color.  Then when I walked into Sephora I gravitated towards it.  It is so different then anything in my collection too.  It is a light pastel blue that is a true blue.  Some other shades I have pull more purple or more white.  It is opaque in one coat but, I like to use two. 

I really think this shade is great for spring and summer.  It would look great on all skintones too.

What is your favorite blue shade ??

Love,
City Styles 

Morning Skincare !

So lately my skin has been all out of whack.  It all started around the middle of March.  I started to become a lot more oily.  My skin is usually dry like the desert but, for whatever reason I became so oily. in my t-zone.  So, I needed a whole new routine.  I tried a few different combinations but, lately this has been working for me in the morning. 

I start of washing my face with the Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser.  This gets all the first and grime off my face.  It also leaves my face feeling silky smooth.  Then I use the Formula 10.0.6 So Totally Clean toner.  This stuff smells so amazing and just refreshes my skin.  Next up I use the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum.  This has been a Holy Grail of mine for a while.  This has cleared up my redness and just has given me an all over clear complexion.  To moisturize my skin I have been using the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.   This really leave my face feeling moisturized and plump.  And to keep my under eye area hydrated I use the Clarins Eye Contour Balm.  This preps my under eye area for concealer.    

What is your morning skincare routine ??

Love, 

City Styles

Bite Beauty Deconstructed Rose Lip Gloss Library !

We all know how much I LOVE Bite Beauty.  I just love the products and the company.  So, when I saw that they came out with this amazing Deconstructed Rose Lip Gloss Library I knew it had to be mine.  Bite Beauty is exclusive to Sephora and is an all natural company.  Their products have food grade ingredients so not only are they good for your lips but, yummy too!  I picked up this lip gloss library  about two weeks ago and I have been using it every day since.  These glosses are highly pigmented and just gorgeous.  The shades range from a light pink to a deeper red/purple.  The concept is that all the shades come from a blossoming rose.  We all know how I love my corals so I thought this would be great to get so I can start wearing other shades of gloss.  

All together there are 12 shades.  The glosses are numbered, not named.  I kind of wish they had names because I love the names companies come up with.  But, aside from that I have no complaints about these glosses.  They are so opaque and a bit on the thicker side.  I would say they are similar to the Hourglass Extreme Sheen glosses (in thickness).  I love to wear these by themselves.  Number 2 and 9 have become my favorites.  They have been sitting in my makeup bag for about a week now.  

The lasting power of these is about two, three hours and break down when eating or drinking.  The deeper shades leave a bit of a stain after wearing off.  I would say that since these are on the thicker side to exfoliate your lips.  They do cling to dry patches.  I made that mistake and I did not look very pretty. 

I think that this is a great library of shades.  This would be great as a gift to someone that does not have a lot of glosses or even to the lip fanatic that does.  And look at the packaging!  Who wouldn't want this sitting on their desk?  The set retails for $49 at Sephora and is available now.   

What have you tried from Bite Beauty ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Armani Sheer Blush {10 Beige}

I recently was told that Armani is discontinuing their Sheer Blush in 10 Beige.  So, I hopped on the bandwagon and ordered it.  I have been known to pass on items and then when they are discontinued I kick myself for not getting them.  But that was not happening this time around.  I never owned an Armani blush before.  Why you might ask, and to be honest just no clue.  But, I am happy to say that this blush is amazing.  So this is a public service announcement that I, Gina, endorse.  Go run to your nearest department store and buy this blush now.  It doesn't matter what your skin tone is, go get it.

This blush has just the right amount of pink, beige, and dusty rose in it.  I truly believe it will look good on almost all skin tones.  And we all know how I hate a glittery blush but, this micro glitter/shimmer does not translate onto the cheek.  Instead it makes your cheeks look awake and alive.  I love to wear this by itself , no bronzer, no highlight.  It has such dimension you don't need anything else.  

Compared to MAC MSF in Porcelain Pink(LE), Benefit Dandelion, and Benefit Rockateur.

I am so obsessed with this blush that I might purchase a back up.  It is long wearing (all day at work) and just works with my skin.


Have you tried any Armani blushes ??  And what favorite product of yours was discontinued ??

Love,
City Styles

Nars Contour Blush {Paloma}

Nars, in my opinion, has always been amazing with creating blushes and bronzers.  I have never heard someone say they dislike a Nars blush.  I actually have 5 or 6 myself and of course I own the cult classic Laguna bronzer.  So, when Nars came out with these Contour Blushes I had to own one.  

I chose Paloma, which has more pink undertones.  And, I am really enjoying it.  I love my Laguna bronzer but, sometimes it can look to muddy on me.  Since, my skin has pink undertones and so does this powder, this looks great on me.  It doesn't look to muddy or over done when I contour.  And the highlighting powder just melts right into my skin.  It is such a good color match.  I use this down my nose, on the tops of my cheek bones, and on my cupids bow.  

I have been using the Real Techniques Contour brush to contour and the Real Techniques Setting brush to highlight my face.  

There are three shades you can choose from.  Paloma is the pink beige highlight with the light rose contour.  This is suitable for people with pink undertones and light skin.  Olympia is ivory highlight with rose contour and is suitable for people who have a yellow undertone and light skin.  And lastly there is Gienah which has a honey highlight and amber contour.  This is suitable for anyone who has tanned skin.  

I really am enjoying this palette.  It has actually made me use bronzer a bit more and I think that Nars hit it on the nose with this product. 

Have you tried these Contour Blushes ?  What is your favorite contour shade ??

Love, 

City Styles 

YSL Gloss Volupte {Grenade Pepite 15}

I have loved YSL's glosses for a long time so when I heard that they came out with a new formula, Gloss Volupte, I jumped on it.  In my opinion these Gloss Volupte's are very similar to the Golden Glosses, only that there are more shades available.  I picked up 15, Grenade Pepite.  It is a gorgeous strawberry pink that is like my lips but better.  These glosses have very good pigmentation to them.  There are a bit sheer but pack a punch on the lips.  I would say the wear time is about 1 to 2 hours at the most.  This is definitely one you need to reapply throughout the day.  

YSL gave these glosses an adorable lip shaped applicator that is amazing to use.  It makes it so easy to apply the gloss to your top and bottom lip. 

Compared to Lancome Liplover in Rose Des Nymphes, Hourglass Extreme Sheen in Nectar, and Smashbox Be Legendary Gloss in Azalea.  

Overall I am really enjoying this shade and the gloss.  There are 22 shades to choose from, all of which are on the pinky, coral, red side.  There aren't too many dark shades.  But, if you are a coral lover like me you will be in heaven !

Have you tried these glosses ?? What do you think ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Top 10 Instagrammers

1. beautylookbook · not only is she my favorite blogger but sabrina is also my favorite instagrammer.  she has the best visuals and her makeup collection is endless.

2. juliehengel · love her style! julia has such an eye for fashion and she looks great in everything.

3. brooklynblonde1 · not only is she a native new yorker but helen also went to FIT.  her style is so spot on and i have such an obsession with her current elliot jeans.

4. buynowbloglater · i feel in love with laura when she was lollipop26 on youtube.  she has great recommedations for higher makeup and her dog roger is adorbs.  and she has enabled my asos addiction.

5. emilyschuman · emily, better known as cupcake and cashmere, just makes you want to wear a dress and bake all day long.  she has such clean crisp photos that really make you want to jump into the photo.

6. alittlebitetc · skincare, skincare, skincare! whenever i see a post from maree it reminds me to go wash my face.  she has the most fab skincare collection.

7. bubblymichelle · michelle has the most incredible taste in makeup and makes everything look amazing.  she has enabled my recent hakuhodo purchase.

8. lipstickwithsomesunshine · tamira has such a sleek, minimalist style that i love.  she is also someone i really look up too and her blog is amazing.

9. silverkis · linda has some of the best photos that make you want just the most gorgeous makeup. i enjoy all of her recommendations.

10. leopardmartini1 · adriana is just so cute.  her love for her fiance ben and her pics are just adorbs.  i also love her style and wish i could wear just as many dresses as she does, but new york just hasn't been warm enough.  


who are your favorite instagrammers ??

love,
city styles 

YSL BLEUS LUMIERE La Laque {Bleu Celadon}

YSL's Summer 2014 Collection, Blue Lumiere, was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's fascination with the blue sea.  Two new polishes came out with this collection, Bleu Celadon and Bleu Cyclades.  Bleu Celadon was just calling my name so I had to pick it up.  It is a beautiful light blue shade that pulls a bit green.  I absolutely love a good light blue polish and it is actually much different then anything in my collection.  I used two light coats of polish and topped it off with Seche Vite.  It lasted about 4 days with minimal chipping.  I really enjoy YSL polish and the brush.  The brush is a bit fatter then Essie but, thinner then Dior.  It makes it very easy to apply.  

No Flash 

Flash 

Compared to Essie Mint Candy Apple, Where's My Chauffeur, and In the Cabana.  

As you can see, Bleu Celadon is more lighter and has more blue in it.  

I picked this up at my local Bloomingdales, but you can also find it on yslbeautyus.com, Nordstrom,  and Saks. 

What is your favorite color of nail polish ??  Do you own any YSL ??

Love, 

City Styles  

Chanel Les Beiges {Healthy Glow No. 01}

Chanel has released two new limited edition Les Beiges powders.  Theres are multi-colored and can act as a highlight, bronzer, and blush all in one.  I am currently obsessed with my regular Les Beiges powder so I knew I had to try this out.  I got No. 01 which is the lighter of the two.  No. 02 is more of a bronzed look while No. 01 is more of a sun kissed look.  

  

I have been using this for a week or so now and to be honest I am not overly impressed.  While I do like the concept and the overall glow it gives my skin I feel like it could be better.  It is already forming a hard pan and I've only used it a hand full of times.  The blush part is actually my favorite.  It is a nice pinky coral that looks great alone or swirled all together.  The highlight portion is just extra disappointing.  It is so hard to get any powder and that is mostly where the hard pan is forming. For $65 I'm just underwhelmed and kind of sad.  I will still use this to get a nice glow but, I definitely will not reach for it as much as my regular Les Beiges.  

What has been your most disappointing product ??

Love, 

City Styles 

YSL Kiss & Blush {Rouge Effrontee}

YSL recently introduced these Baby Doll Kiss & Blush stains.  They are a two in one product that you can use on your lips or cheeks.  They are an air whipped mousse that has a soft matte finish.  I personally enjoy them on my lips rather then my cheeks.  They look wonderful on the cheek but they give a light wash of color.  However on the lip they look very pigmented and the matte finish looks gorgeous.
  

The brush on these is pretty cool.  It has a ball in the middle that helps the product from falling through to the other side.  These wear so nicely on lips.  They last about 4 plus hours and when they wear off they leave a nice stain.  On the cheeks they give a sheer wash of color that is build-able.
  

Compared to Smashbox Be Legendary Lipgloss in Azalea, Burberry Lip Glow in Mallow Pink, and Dior Fluidstick in Wonderland.

Overall I am very pleased with these.  But at $40 a pop I think they are a bit over priced and I don't think I will be buying anymore.  You can find them at yslbeautyus.com, Sephora, Nordstrom, and any department store counter.


Do you think these are over priced ?? Would you try these ??

Love,
City Styles