Let's Talk Trash #3

I don't know about you, but I love seeing other peoples empties.  It inspires me to try and finish up products that I have.  I also love the satisfying feeling of finishing a product.  If you aren't a crazy makeup person like myself you might not understand what I am talking about, but just take my word for it!  So, I decided hey why not show my empties. 

(2) Full size skincare items (2) Deluxe sample skincare items 

(2)Foundations (1)Lip Balm (1)Brow Pencil (1)Mascara (1)Concealer 

(3)Packages of makeup wipes (1)Package of cotton rounds 

(1)Bottle of Vitamins (1)Deodorant 

(7)Samples of skincare items 

WoooHoo to me finishing up not one but two foundations.  I am actually very proud of myself!

What do you find yourself repurchasing most ?

Love, 

City Styles 

City Ties {Discount Code & Giveaway}

If you guys didn't know I have an Etsy Shop called Love, City Styles.  I used to sell jewelry but, now I sell hair ties.  I call them City Ties.  I have five different sets available and I plan on having more soon!  I have a discount code for all my followers.  Use the code Stylettes14 for free shipping (US only).  And one of you has the chance to win all five sets!  Just leave a comment below telling me what other sets I should have!  The giveaway runs until August 12th, 2014.  

Happy Shopping !

Love, 

City Styles   

Tom Ford Extreme Mascara {DUPE ALERT}

A few months back Nordstrom had their annual buy two get one free mascara sale.  How could you pass up a deal like that?  I know I could not.  So one of the mascaras I bought was the Tom Ford Extreme Mascara ($44).  I have always wanted to try one of his mascaras and this was a great deal so I went for it.  Little did I know it is an exact dupe for my fav mascara, Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme ($26).  And I mean exact dupe.  I am not sure if Estee Lauder is the parent company for Tom Ford but, I will investigate.   

  

The brushes and formula are exactly the same.  They leave my lashes looking fuller and longer.  I don't see a difference when using either of these.  So buyers beware you can go spend $26 for the Estee Lauder one or spend $44 for the Tom Ford one.  I am going to stick with my trusty (and cheaper) Estee Lauder.
  

Have you every bought something that is extremely expensive just to realize you have something similar and a fraction of the cost ??  If so let me know !!


Love,
City Styles 

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Set

So, I had early access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and the number one item on my list was this Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Set ($110).  I have wanted to try Charlotte Tilbury products since they came out.  Unfortunately it is pretty hard to get them in the US unless you know someone in the UK or you are willing to pay a crazy amount for shipping.  But, a little birdie told me that the Charlotte Tilbury line will be at Nordstrom soon!  I am so excited.  Now back to the set.  I have seen so many of the UK blogger rave about this compact and the brush just looks so gorgeous so it was a no brainer.  When my package came I was blown away with how it was all put together.  Props to Charlotte Tilbury, she really knows how to wow us and this totally makes me want more.  

Now onto the product itself.  I love the compact.  It has some weight to it, which makes me feel like I am getting my moneys worth.  And the fact that it is gold just makes me giddy.  There is also a lot of product which, I like too.  The sculpt part is a nice warm bronze shade.  It isn't to dark and looks really nice on my pale skin.  I don't know if any one who has skin darker then an NC/NW 30 would be able to use this as a contour.  The highlight is a beautiful warm gold shade.  It looks really good on the high points of my cheeks. 

  

Charlotte Tilbury Sculpt compared to Clarins Colour Accent(LE) similar, Too Faced Bronzed & Poreless, and Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder. 

Charlotte Tilbury Highlight compared to Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight, The Balm Mary LouManizer, and MAC Definitely Defined (LE). 

And let's discuss the brush!  It fits in the hollows of your cheeks perfectly and it is also great for highlighting.  If you buy anything for the sale this must, must, must be it!!  It is packaged so amazingly and the product is fabulous.


Have you gotten anything from the sale ??  Do you own anything from Charlotte Tilbury.

Attention to any UK readers - Would you be willing to do a swap with me or maybe pick me up a few items and I can paypal you ??  I am dying for a few Barry M gel polishes and Bourjois foundations.  Let me know!


Love,
City Styles

Becca Mineral Blush {FlowerChild}

 

 



 

A month or so ago I was watching youtube (I can't remember who) and I came across this gorgeous blush.  It is the Becca Mineral Blush in Flowerchild.  It is a beautiful finely milled blush in a pinky, coral shade.  I instantly fell in love with it.  It has a bit of a shimmer to it but, on the skin it gives you a nice glow.  It is one of those shades you can wear everyday and not get bored of it. Maybe that's just me.  But seriously this has been my go to blush for at least three weeks now.  I think it would look great on all skin colors too.  The Sephora website says "coming soon" but, I have seen it at all my local Sephora's.  I seriously think that this should be in every girls makeup stash. 

     

Compared to Nars Deep Throat, Nars Orgasm, and Benefit Coralista.

Have you tried any of the Becca blushes ??  If so which ones ??

Love,
City Styles

Burberry Summer Showers Lip Glow Balms & Nail Polishes {Orange Poppy & Pink Peony}

Awhile back Burberry released their Summer Collection.  I was intrigued but, at the time I had many other items I wanted to purchase so I passed.  But of course me being me I couldn't help but think about the collection so I bought a few pieces.  There were three items in all.  The Lip Glow Balm ($28/ea.), the Fresh Glow Blush ($38/ea.), and the Nail Polish ($21/ea.).  I opted to skip out on the blush since I am not really a cream blush wearer.  

So first we have the Lip Glow Balms.  I ordered two out of the three shades, Pink Peony and Orange Poppy.  These are quite on the sheer side, which I like.  Pink Peony is a mellow pink.  It isn't too bright but, still has a nice shade to it.  Orange Poppy is a bright orange.  I don't have much like it in my collection.  I think it will be great for the summer time.  These have a few hours of wear time.  I have heard that if you apply them with a lip brush you can get more pigmentation.  I like a good sheer lipstick so I am happy applying these right out if the tube.  They remind me very much of the YSL Volupte Sheer Candy's. 

  

And then we have the Nail Polishes.  Again I opted for two out of the three shades, Pink Peony and Orange Poppy.  As we all know I love a good coralish and pinkish color.  These polishes are very pigmented.  You could probably go for one coat but, I applied two just because that is what I like.  Orange Poppy is a muted orange that is a bit pearlized.  You can't really tell when on the nails but when the sun hits the bottle you can tell.  Pink Peony is a darker pink shade.  It reminds me more of a raspberry shade.  These polishes last at least three days with no chipping.  On the fourth day I did get some chipping enough to change my polish.  

Overall I really like these shades.  And I totally want to try more of the polish shades!


Have you tried any of these items ??  What did you think ??


Love,
City Styles 

On My List

I keep an ever evolving list of beauty items I want.  Recently some new collections have come out and they have been put on the list.

Chanel Les 4 Ombres - Chanel released nine new quads ($61/ea.).  These are different then most US quads since they come in round pans.  I swatched Poesie #234 in Bloomingdale's the other day and fell in love.  Hopefully when I go back they still have it!  The Beauty Look Book has a great post about these!

Marc Jacobs The Dreamer Palette - This was recently released with his Fall Collection.  I have swatched his palettes tons of times but non stood out to me until this one.  I just love that it is warm toned!  Tarababyz just did a review and demo on it!

3.1 Phillip Lim for Nars - Phillip Lim has launched a nine shade limited edition nail polish collection with Nars.  All the shades are just gorgeous but, that red shade, Hell-Bent, is calling my name.  I will be making a stop at the Nars Boutique soon!

Nars Fall 2012 Night Caller Collection - The Fall Collection has launched online and the Eyeshadow duo in Dolomites and the Blush is Unlawful just look spectacular.  I love the formulation of Nars' eyeshadows and blushes.  They are very pigmented and creamy.

Marc Jacobs Kiss Pop Lip Color Sticks - These are another release for his Fall Collection.  I love a good chubby lip pencil and these look so sleek.  I think I will be picking up Wham and Pop Arazzi.




What is on your list ??  Will you be picking up any of these items ??

Love,
City Styles

My Friday Five #2

My City Ties - I have been selling these ties on Etsy for a while now and just love them.  I just got some new colors in and they will be up soon!

L'oreal Visible Lift Blush in Soft Pink - L'oreal recently launched a new line with a foundation, concealer, and blush.  I picked up the blush and I love it.  It has a mousse like texture and blends so nicely into your skin.

L'oreal Colour Riche Quad in Absolute Taupe - L'oreal has been on point lately.  They also came out with these cute new quads and of course I had to get the taupe one!

Tom Ford Lip Shine in Frolic - Uhhh this is gorgeous !  I think I have finally found my holy grail lip color and lipstick formulation!  This is my first lip shine and I love it.  Frolic is a peachy coral shade with a slight shimmer and it complements my skin so well.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara & Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara - Perfect combo!  The Too Faced gives me such volume and the Clinique really separates and gives length to my bottom lashes.


What are your Friday Five ??

Love,
City Styles 

Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadows {Callisto & Subra}

Nars recently released their Dual Intensity Eyeshadows.  There are twelve shades in all and each goes for $29.  I was in Bloomingdale's the other day and picked up two, Subra and Callisto.  Subra is a reddish, purple shade with a slight shimmer to it.  Callisto is a light lilac, champagne shade with a good amount a shimmer to it.  And when I say shimmer I don't mean wearing a disco ball on your eye lid.  I just mean a sophisticated shimmer that doesn't make you like you think it's halloween.  

These shadows can be worn dry or wet.  If you are going for a more intense look I would definitely use them with some Mac Fix +.  These shadows are long lasting (8 or more hours with a primer) and have great pigmentation.  And they have a cream like texture but go on like a powder.  The go on smoothly and blend like a dream.  I can't wait to get my hands on a few more shades!  I'm thinking Himalia and Dione.       

Have you tried these eyeshadows yet ??

Love, 

City Styles

Bite Beauty BB for Lips {Flush}

Bite Beauty recently launched the BB for Lips.  It is a hydrating lip balm that repairs, primes and protects your lips.  It comes in five sheer shades.  I picked up flush which is a nice coral shade.  I love to wear this throughout the day after my original lip shade wears off.  It is ultra hydrating and really replenishes my lips with moisture.  We all know how much I love Bite Beauty and these BB for lips have made me love them even more !   

Have you tried any Bite Beauty products ??  Which ones and how did you like them ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Nude Stix Eye and Lip Pencils {Twilight, Pewter, Whisper}

Nude Stix is a new cosmetic line exclusive to Space NK.  They believe in the no makeup, makeup look.  They have six products in all, a concealer, two types of eye pencils, lip pencil, mascara, and a pencil sharpener.  Each pencil comes packaged in a nice black tin with a pencil sharpener.  I think that is the best part.  I love that each pencil comes with a sharpener because you can never have to many.  Each product is $24.   

There are two types on eye pencils, the Eye Pencil and the Magnetic Eye Color Pencil.   The Eye Pencil is an all in one eye liner, eye shadow, and highlight.  I picked up Pewter which a reddish brown color that is extra creamy, very pigmented, and long lasting.  The Magnetic Eye Color Pencil has intense color and primes lids for all day wear.  I picked up Twilight which is a cool toned taupe shade.  The Magnetic Pencils are also very long lasting and extra creamy.  And when I say long lasting I really mean it.  I have worn these for 10+ hours and no creasing.  And one day my eyelids were even sweating because it was so hot out and absolutely no creasing.   

The Lip & Cheek Pencil is a soft lip liner, lipstick, and cheek cream.  I picked up Whisper which is a nude beige shade.  It is very different then anything I own.  These pencils are also very creamy and highly pigmented. 

Right now Space NK is having a great deal when you buy $40 worth of Nude Stix products (which is two products) you get a Lip & Cheek Pencil in Love for free.  And tomorrow Beauty Gypsy is going to have a gift with purchases over $50.  So I think this is the best time to try these out !

Have you tried any of the Nude Stix products yet ?? What do you think ??

Love, 

City Styles