One Truffle Clarity Pouch

I have seen so many people on instagram carrying these adorable pouches.  Finally after seeing The Beauty Look Book show hers I knew I needed to get my own.  So I placed on order on One Truffle for the large Clarity Pouch.  The shipping was super fast and the pouch is beyond perfect.  It fits nicely into all my purses and hardly takes up any room.  And I am able to fit all of my everyday essentials into the pouch and it has room for more!  It measures 10'" x 12".  I am totally ordering a few more.   

Here I am using my Forever 21 bag and my Kate Spade wallet. 

In my pouch: 

Fresh Sugar Tulip Lip Treatment

Malin + Goetz Lip Balm 

Sephora Mirror 

Orbit Sweet Mint Gum 

YSL Gloss Volupte  

Too Faced Nude Lip Liner 

Clinique Concealer 

Buxom Gloss in White Russian 

La Mer Concealer 

Tom Ford Lip Shine in Frolic 

B&BW Hand Sanitizer 

What would you put in your clutch ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Louise Young Foundation Brush {LY34}

I have watched countless videos of Anna (and yes, we are on a first name basis, she just doesn't know) using this Louise Young LY34 foundation brush.  And I just had to have it and see what it was all about.  And may I just say that I love, love. love!  I have been using this for about a month now and it has quickly become my favoritest foundation brush.  It is up there with my Sigma F80 and that is saying something.  The LY 34 blends out my liquid foundation like a dream and doesn't leave any streaks behind.  And the handle is just the right height and super comfortable in my hand.  And the biggest plus, the bristles don't shed.  I hate using a brush that sheds.    

   

What is your favoritest (yes, not a word I know) foundation brush ??


Love,
City Styles 

Hourglass Arch Brow Pencil vs. Anastasia Brow Whiz

I was never one to fill in my eyebrows when I was younger.  I have always had fuller brows but my hair is not very thick.  It wasn't until I met Daria that I even gave filling in my brows a thought.  And now I would never turn back.  I have tried powders, gels, and pencils to fill then in.  I prefer a pencil and right now I have two in rotation, the Anastasia Brow Whiz and the Hourglass Brow Arch.  

I am now on my second Anastasia pencil.  I use the shade Ash Blonde.  I absolutely love this pencil.  It gives you such precision and the color looks great on me.  When I am going for a strong brow I use this pencil.  It is a bit dark but I tend to like my brows being darker then my hair.
And then we have the Hourglass Arch Brow pencil.  I picked this up on a whim after hearing Anna talk about this.  And I do enjoy it.  It is a much thicker pencil then the Anastasia one.  I tend to lean towards this one when I am going for my no makeup, makeup look.  It is lighter (I have the shade Blonde) then my Brow Whiz. 

Overall I do enjoy both but, I tend to grab my Anastasia one more.  And I think it's because it is thinner and very easy to use.  The Hourglass one tends to take more time to use.



What is your favorite brow pencil ???


Love,
City Styles 

Skincare Saturday {Valentia Even Glow Serum}

I recently finished a bottle of my hg Ole Henriksen Truth Serum and was in need for a new one.  I actually wanted to try something different because I am a crazy beauty blogger always needing to try new things.  And then this Valentia Even Glow Serum* landed on my door step.  I have been testing this new serum out for about two weeks now and I have to say I enjoy it very much.  I use is in the morning and at night.  It is very hydrating and helps my moisturizer to really sink in.  

One of the main ingredients is Vitamin C.  I love using a serum withVitamin C because is gives you healthy resilent skin.  Over time your skin loses Vitamin C so you need to give it more.  And Vitamin C helps with anti-aging to produce collagen and reduce wrinkles (I watch a lot of Dr. Oz).  

This serum also helps keep my red cheeks at bay.  All my life I have had these red cheeks and I always try to cover them up with foundation but, this serum helps reduce the redness and make them easier to cover up.      

  

Overall I am really enjoying this Valentia Even Glow Serum.  I like that it comes with a dropper.  I use two drops for my whole face.  And I just pat it into my skin.


What is your favorite serum ??

Love,
City Styles


*pr sample (see disclaimer)

Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation

Tom Ford has come out with a new foundation, the Traceless Perfecting Foundation.  I have never tried a Tom Ford foundation before so I thought why not pick this one up.  I had been hearing good things about it so I went to Saks and got color matched to 01 Cream.  I have been testing this out for a week now and I have a few thoughts.  

The Traceless Perfecting Foundation is a bit of a thicker foundation.  On the face you can't feel it but, it is thicker then most.  I have tried applying with a Sigma F80 and a Beauty Blender and I prefer the Beauty Blender.  Also you want to use a light weight serum/moisturizer and primer underneath.  I have been using my Valentia Serum and First Aid Beauty moisturizer and Makeup Forever HD primer.  I do not set this foundation with any powder.  I don't feel like I need to since it lasts all day anyway.  And I truly mean it lasts all day!  I put my makeup on at about 7:30am and when I get home at 6:30pm my makeup is still in place.  

I am really enjoying this foundation.  It is definitely full coverage and you need to figure out how it is going to work for your skin.  This would be great for drier skin but, I am not sure how it work for oily skin.  I have combo skin and I think it works really well for me and I have found the best combo for my moisturizer/primer.


Have you gotten this foundation ?? What do you think ??


Love,
City Styles



PS- I did a pre sale of the eye quad and can't wait to get it. 

My Friday Five #3

1. Naked Basics Palette - This used to be my go to everyday but, it was put on the back burner for a while.  But it is back!  Love to use this for a simple eye look or to enhance an eye look.

2. Malin + Goetz Mojito Lip Balm - This deluxe sample just came in my Glossy Box and it is the balm diggity (see what I did there, yes I am a cornball).  This is so nourishing and kind of reminds me of my all time fav balm from Jack Black.

3. L'oreal Liquid Lipstick in Coral Tattoo - Love!  I have worn this on my lips for the past week and I have gotten so many compliments.  It lasts all day and is not too sticky.

4. Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso - This gives your face the ultimate pick me up.  This is my go to blush whenever I am not sure what to wear.  It gives my face such a beautiful glow.

5. Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation - I have been testing this out all week and it is amazing.  I have an in-depth review coming later today.


What are your Friday Five ??


Love,
City Styles
  

Christian Louboutin {Rouge Louboutin}

Christian Louboutin just released his first nail polish, Rouge Louboutin.  It is inspired by the red sole of his shoes.  Now I don't have a pair to compare the color too but, the next time I'm over my BFF's house I certainly will.  The cap of the bottle is designed after the Ballerina Ultima.  Which is the highest shoe Louboutin has ever designed.  At first I told myself I wasn't going to get this but, then I was in Sephora and the stand was just calling my name.  Plus, VIB Rouges were getting 4x the points so I thought why not!  

The bottle holds 0.4oz of product and retails for $50.  Chanel nail polishes also hold 0.4oz of product but, they retail for $27.  

The brush is on the smaller side and reminds me a bit of the Chanel or Essie brushes.  I like smaller brushes and find them easier to use.  The handle of the brush is definitely different and I tend to hold it closer to the bottom when using.  It seems easier to maneuver that way.  When I initially tested the polish it lasted five days no chipping.  I found that amazing!  It is also opaque in one coat but, I used two just because.  In the light the color pulls a bit pink.  I truly love the color and the formulation.  If you are in the market for a new red polish I would totally suggest this.  

  

Compared to D&G Fire, Marc Jacobs Lola, Sephora X Heart Rouge (for VIB Rouge's only), Chanel Rouge Rubis, and Chanel Dragon.  Rouge Louboutin and X Heart Rouge are an exact dupe.  

Overall I really enjoy this polish and its lasting power.  But, the price tag is outrageous.  

Will you be picking up this polish ?? 

Love, 

City Styles 

A Night on the Town {Makeup & Outfits} #AriaNightOut

I'm totally not a party girl.  I like to sit at home in my pj's and watch a crazy woman throw her leg on a table but, every once and awhile it is nice to have a night out.  So, of course, the first thing that pops into my mind is what makeup would I wear!  I made a video showing you what I would use but, I'll also put step by step instructions of what I would do.

First up priming the face.  I like to use Makeup Forever HD Primer.  It helps my makeup to last all night and it helps prevent flash back.  I am already very pale.  I do not need to look like a ghost in pictures.  Next up is foundation.  I love the Covergirl Ready, Set, Gorgeous (1) foundation.  This has little or no SPF in it so this will also prevent flash back.  To hide my under eye circles I use the Maybelline Fit Me concealer.  This doesn't crease on me and helps to highlight that area.  Now to set my concealer and to contour I use the Nars Countour Blush (2).  I love the contour shade.  It isn't too red but, isn't to grey either.  For blush I use a neutral pink like Burberry's Blossom (3).  Since I am focusing more on my eyes and lips I don't want too much going on with my cheeks.  Then for my brows I use the Hourglass Brow Arch Pencil (4).  I can't go a day without filling my brows in.  I think it just frames the face so well.  Now onto eyes.  To prime my eyes I use the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Cocoa.  This is amazing.  It does not crease whatsoever!  I blend that out with my fingers and use Urban Decay Naked shadow in my crease.  Then I use Sephora's Outrageous Peach (5) all over my lid.  The mix of the Cocoa and the Peach really makes my eyes pop.  I am not really into the cat eye so I just use the L'oreal Slim Liner (6) to thinny line my lashes.  It makes them look fuller.  Then for mascara I use my beloved Too Faced Better Than Sex.  This makes my lashes look amazballs.  I am totally not a fake lash wearer.  They annoy my eyes so much.  Then to finish off my face I use the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette (7).  I just used Dim Light all over.  Then to highlight I used MAC's Definitely Defined (8).  This is my go to highlighter.  And lastly for lips I love a red lip so I am using Rimmel Show Off Lacquer in Big Bang (9).    

  

I thought I would also show you want kind of outfit I would wear out.  First Option we have nice Racerback Tank and these Rag & Bone skinny jeans.   My second option would be this great Red Dress.   I would probably go for option 1 since I am more of a jeans girl.  

Hope you enjoyed this little Get Ready with Me.  Let me know if you like these kinds of posts.

Love, 

City Styles 

*Vegas.com asked me to do a post showing what I would wear for a night out.  I am not being compensated in any form and all opinions are my own.  Plus, I totally want to go to Vegas one day soon! 

La Mer Radiant Concealer {Light}

I have truly gone off the deep end.  I purchased a concealer with a price tag of $70.  Yes you read that right.  And why would I spend that much on a concealer?  Because I am a bit cray and I have a makeup addiction.  And to be honest I love my La Mer powder so much I really wanted to try the concealer as well.  I have been testing the La Mer Radiant Concealer out for a few weeks now and I have some thoughts on it.  

There are three shades in all and picked up the lightest one.  It comes in a nice pouch with a small brush.  I have used the brush to apply it and I have also used my fingers.  Personally, I like using my fingers.  I am able to warm the product up a bit before applying.  The concealer is a cream to powder finish and it can feel a bit dry if you haven't moisturized properly.  I use the Clarins Eye Balm every morning before applying and this really helps.  It hardly creases which I love and it makes my under eye area look very bright and awake.  I use this mostly on days where I haven't had the best of sleep or when I just feel like I need to look more refreshed.  

    

I wouldn't say it is holy grail status yet but, I do enjoy it the more I use it.  And is that hefty price tag worth it?  To me I am willing to try lots of different items for the sake of beauty and letting you all know how I feel.  But if I wasn't a blogger I would probably say the price tag is crazy and never buy it. 

What is your go to concealer at the moment ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Budget Buys: New at the Drugstore

Recently there has been many new releases at the drugstore.  I myself love a great drugstore find.

EYES

  Maybelline came out with some new Leather Color Tattoos and The Nudes palette.  I really love the palette.  It reminds me a bit of a sleek palette and I really wish more US brands would do something like this.  L'oreal has come out with some new Colour Riche quads.  I of course picked up Absolute Taupe.  The colors are gorgeous and very creamy.  They are easy to blend and have minimum fall out.    And then Milani has released their Bella Eyes Gel Eyeshadow.  There are 30 shades in all but, I only picked up Bella Sand and Bella Espresso.  I really want to get more.  I love the consistency.  They aren't too powdery but, they aren't creamy either.  

NAILS

There has been two new gel polish releases,

 one from Sally Hansen and one from Revlon.   They each come with the base and color in one bottle and the top coat in another.  I have only tried the Revlon once and to me it was a bit disappointing.  I will have to give to another try.  I really like the Sally Hansen one.  It lasted on my nails for fives days with very minimal chipping.  

LIPS

Rimmel has reformulated their Moisture Renew lipsticks and I picked up two shades, Oxford Street Fuchsia and As You Want Victoria.  I really like how creamy they are.  L'oreal also released these Glossy Balms.  And I love a good chubby lip pencil so I picked up two, one in Ginger Candy and one in Innocent Coral.  These are nicely pigmented and leave your lips shiny. 

Brows & Cheeks

A little while back Milani came out with these brow pens and I picked one up in Natural Taupe.  Lets just say this is an utter fail for me.  The tip dried out after one use and it is not taupe at all.  It mod more along this lines of a reddish brown.  L'oreal came out with their Insta Blur line and I picked up one of the blushes in Soft Pink.  It is a silicone/gel like blush.  I use an ELF Small Stippling brush to apply it.  I wouldn't say it blurs my imperfections but, it does look pretty! 

What have you been liking from the drugstore lately ??

Love, 

City Styles 

July Favorites

July has come and gone... weep!  I can't believe the summer is almost over.  Enough of my complaining and onto my July Favorites.

I have been loving my new serum from Estee Lauder(1).  It helps minimize my pores and just leaves my face feeling silky smooth.  For moisturizer I have been using the Firming & Lifting Cream(2) from Algenist.  I actually got this as a 100pt perk from Sephora.  I have had this before and absolutely adored it.  It really moisturizes my face.  As for foundation I have been obsessed with my Estee Lauder Double Wear Light (3).  It gives amazing coverage but, it doesn't feel like I have much on my face.
As we all know I am not really into tanning but, since it is summer I have been using my Too Faced Bronzed & Poreless(4) to give myself and all over sun kissed look.  And for cheeks I have been loving the Becca Blush in Flowerchild(5).  It is a beautiful pinky, coral shade.  For eyes I have ben very minimal.  I have either reached for the NudeStix in Twilight(6) or the Burberry Eyeshadow in Rosewood(7).  They both are easy to work with and require no effort.  And then for mascara I have been using the Too Faced Better Than Sex(8).  And O-M-G is this stuff the bomb dot com.  It makes my lashes look so amazing!  I am actually ready to throw away all my other mascaras (of course not my Armani).  It is that amazing.
For lips I have been really enjoying my Rose Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment(9).  And for some color I have using the Tom Ford Lip Shine in Frolic(10).  It is the perfect light coral shade that is great for everyday wear.  And lastly the new Sally Hansen Gel(11) polish has been on my finger constantly.  I love the shade B Girl.