First Impressions: KISS InstaWave

Hey guys so Kiss sent me the InstaWave* to try out.  And I thought hey let's do this on camera.  I wasn't quite sure how it would work but I was pleasantly surprised.  The InstaWave is a fully automatic tangle free curler.  It is easy for anyone to use and features a curl dial with left and right curl directions.  There are two heat settings, low and high.  The temperature has a maximum of 420 degrees.  The curler also shuts off automatically after 90 minutes. 

The curler retails for $59.99.  You can find it at Target, Ulta, and Amazon.   

What is your favorite curler ???

Love, 

City Styles 

*Kiss sent me this curler to try out but all opinions are my own

Let's Talk Trash #2

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. 

(1) Target makeup wipes (2) Target exfoliating cotton rounds (13) samples .... Do you think I liked the Chanel Le Blanc serum hahaha. 

(2) full sized mascaras (6) mini mascaras (1) lip balm (1) face spray (1) aragan oil (1) primer (1) eye serum 

(1) nail polish remover (1) dry texturizing spray (2) face washes (2) face creams (2) hand lotions

What is your most repurchased item ??  I have the Oribe Dry Texturizing spray and Armani Eyes to Kill mascara on my list !

Love, 

City Styles

Drugstore Starter Kit !

Makeup can be very scary if you don't know much about it. I'M here to save the day!  I put together a drugstore starter kit of all the products a person new to makeup would need.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder · I love this to powder by tzone to keep me from getting oily.

L'oreal Miracle Blur Primer · This primer is an exact dupe for the Benefit Porefessional.  It blurs all your pores and helps your foundation last all day.

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso · This blush is a universal shade.  I think that it would look amazing on all skintones.  It gives you a beautiful flush.

Wet n Wild Mega Glo · These highlighter/blushes are amazing for the price.  They are so pigmented and come in a few different shades.

Covergirl Super Thick Lash Mascara · This mascara doesn't have the prettiest of packaging but, it does the job!  My lashes look so amazing when I'm wearing this.  It gives them volume and lenghth.

L'oreal Infallible Shadow in Amber Rush ·  If you have blue eyes this is a must have!  And even if you don't have blue eyes this would look amazing.  It is such a beautiful copper-ish color.  And the texture on these is great too.  They aren't a cream shadow yet, they aren't a regular powder shadow either.

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze · Maybelline Color Tattoos are the way to go if you like a cream shadow.  Bad to the Bronze is my personal favorite but there are so many different shades to choose from.  Plus, Maybelline comes out with tons of limited edition shades every year.

Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutrals Palette · This palette is great for people who like a neutral eye. There is a shade for everyone this palette. It is great for a beginner and it also great for traveling .

Rimmel Kohl Liner · These liners are so creamy yet have serious lasting power!  And the nude one is great for making your eyes look extra bright and awake.

Jordana Eyeliner · I love to use these to tight line or for a pop of color on my lower lash line.  They are very inexpensive and also last throughout the day.

Jesse's Girl Eyeliner ·  I am not the best at winged and this pen makes it so easy.  It is not the blackest black but it does an amazing job.

Maybelline Gel Liner · As I said before I am not the best at winged liner but, once and awhile I break out the gel liner.  This is the blackest of the black and is ultra creamy.  It goes on smooth and dries nicely.

Jordana Lipliner · Just like the eyeliners the lip liners are just as good.  They come in an array of nice neutral lip shades and are very inexpensive.  They go on the lips smoothly and last very nicely under your lipstick.  They aren't too creamy but, easy to work with.

Milani Lipliner · These liners are nice and creamy and wear well under most lipsticks.  The shade range is not very large but they do have great neutral, everyday shades.

Maybelline Colorsensationl Lipsticks · Out of all the drugstore lipsticks these are hands down my absolute favorite!  They are creamy but not too creamy.  The lasting power is amazing and they look great on the lips.  They do not cling to dry patches on the lips.  There are so many colors to choose from and each one is very pigmented.  Some of my favorites are from the Vivid's collection.

Maybelline Colorsensational Lipgloss · Again just like the lipsticks these are highly pigmented and have great lasting power.  For a lipgloss they are definitely opaque.  

Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss ·  These glosses are more on the sheer side but, come in some great shades.  Plus they aren't sticky and do not smell too funky.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss · These were just repackaged and they look so cute.  They are similar to the colorburst ones but, are a bit stickier and bit more opaque.  I would not say that they are full on opaque but, I would not say they are sheer either.  My favorite is pink pop.

Almay Color + Care Lip Balm · I was truly intrigued when these came out.  I was so fascinated with a gloss plus a balm.  They are very hydrating on lips and even after it has worn off you can still feel how well nourished your lips are.  Since this is more of a balm these are very sheer but still look gorge.  

Maybelline Baby Lips  · These smell great and leave your lips nice and hydrated.  Plus they have some great shades that double as a nice lip stain.



I did not include a concealer or foundation is this starter kit because it all depends on your skin type.  I have dry skin and my two favorite foundations are the TruBlend from Covergirl and Ponds BB Cream.  But my BFF has oily skin and she loves the Maybelline Fit Me.  So it just all depends!

Hope you enjoyed this Starter Kit.  What are your favorites from the drugstore ??

Love,
City Styles 

Maybelline Master Glaze Blushes !

Let me start off by saying cream blushes are not my favorite.  I have tried so many different ones and most fail.  I have pretty dry skin and most cream blushes stick to my dry patches and I look ridiculous (I think so anyway).  But, these Maybelline Master Glaze blushes are a bit different.  I would not call them a cream nor would I call them a gel or a glaze.  They are a mix of all three.  These blushes are highly, highly pigmented so be careful!  I do not like to apply these directly on my cheeks.  I take my Elf stippling brush and swirl it on the top of the blush and then apply to my cheeks.  This gives me the perfect flush to my cheeks.  They last for a good part of my work day and tend to only break down if I do not set my makeup.  I have seen them at all my local drugstores and range in price from $7.99- $9.99.  They have been my go to blushes as of late and I am pretty impressed.

Pink Fever - Coral Sheen 

Pink Fever - Coral Sheen


What is your favorite cream blush ??

Love,
City Styles 

Budget Buy {Maybelline The Buffs}

I am always on the hunt for the perfect nude.  Since I am on the fair side I never seem to find a nude that doesn't wash me out.  Well, Maybelline came out with a lipstick collection called The Buffs.  There are nine shades in all.  The concept is you can choose your shade based on your skin color.  I personally LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Maybelline's Color Sensational lipsticks.  I own more than I can count.  They are rich and creamy, and highly pigmented.  If you are new to makeup I highly suggest these.  They are a priced at $6.99 - $8.99, based on where you buy them.  I opted for 920 Nude Lust.  It is a nice brownish nude that is not to dark but isn't too light.  I kind of want to get 910 Bare All too just to see how it would look. 

I compared Nude Lust to Chanel Gracile, YSL Rouge Pur Couture 6, Armani Rouge Ecstasy 102, and Burberry Trench Kiss.  It is almost an exact dupe for Trench Kiss. 

Have you tried the Buffs ?? And what is your favorite drugstore lipstick ??

Love,
City Styles 

Let's Talk Trash #1

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. 

(1) Mascara (2) Concealers (1) Face Primer (3)Eye Primers

(2) Lip Balms (1) Serum (1) Makeup Remover 

(3) Face Wipes 

(1) Cleansing Water (1) Dry Shampoo (1) Hand Cream 

(8) Perfume Samples 

Do you enjoy seeing empties ??   And what is your most repurchased item ??

Love,
City Styles 

Holiday Gift Guide : Parent Edition !

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

If you are like me, I never know what to get my parents!  Hope this gift guide helps out a bit!!

Love, 

City Styles

Sonia Kashuk Eyeshadow Palettes

Have you ever just stepped into Target and walked out with only what you needed?  If you have I applaud you!  I just can't help myself when I am there.  I must walk up and down every single isle and leave with $100 worth of stuff I probably don't need.  That is how I have amassed these babies.  They weren't on my list, but they came home with me anyway.

May I say I love Sonia Kashuk.  I don't have all of her products, but what I do have I LOVE!  I especially love her eyeshadow palettes.  It all started with the Eye on Neutral palette, that has all matte shades.  How beauty lovers, love a good matte shade.  She listened to us when Urban Decay wouldn't. Then came the Eye on Neutral Shimmers.  Again, us makeup lovers where head over heels in love.  Each of these palettes have 12 shadows for the low cost of $20.  And to be honest I would pay even a bit more for these.  They are so creamy and blendable.  There are warm shades and cool shades to accommodate everyone.  And then there are her quads.  Mine is in Textured Cocoa.  Its just amazball for blue eyes!  Again just as creamy and blendable as the others.  So I suggest that next time you are in Target you pass by the makeup section and check these out.    

Eye on Neutral Shimmer 

Eye on Neutral Shimmer 

Eye on Neutral 

Eye on Neutral 

Textured Cocoa

Textured Cocoa

Do you have any Sonia Kashuk products ??  What are your favorites ??

Love, 

City Styles

Fall Gloss + Some Fun Bits

I have been a slacker lately.  And I am trying very hard not to be!  I truly am.  So you might just get a few posts back to back to make up for that!

So since it is still technically fall I thought I would share some of my favorite fall glosses with you!  I am more of a gloss girl, but you would never think that when you look at my lipstick collection.  I love darker lips.  I have pretty pigmented lips and pretty pale skin, so a dark lip suits me well.  I also love using a dark lip liner and a little gloss over top.  Jordana makes my favorite liners.  I believe I have every color.  I also love there eye liners.  I just gave myself an idea for an upcoming post!

Laura Mercier Rose - Bare Minerals Moxie in Maverick - Revlon Bordeaux - Maybelline Raspberry Ablaze - Chanel 176

Jordana Cabernet - NYX Plum 

Rose - Maverick - Bordeaux - Raspberry Ablaze - 176 - Cabernet - Plum 

Now some tidbits... I have recently decided my room needs an update so I am saving up to get some new furniture and some new decor!  I recently made a few trips to Target and got some lovely pieces.  And may I say they have the cutest bar cart ever!! Its only about $60!  I didn't pick it up yet, but who knows I might go back and get it this week.

Recent Target finds

I went to a Sephora VIB Rouge event about a month or so ago and I had a great time!  I brought my bff Joanna with me.  We have known each other for about 20 years now, and that just blows my mind.  She seriously knows pretty much everything about me.  And I don't know what I'd do without her!

I love Aubrey Kinch's blog and her friday freebies!  She has some of the best designs!  And one day down the line a bit I am going to enlist her services to spruce this blog up!

Um this stuff is amazballs!! And I mean it!  I have tried this flavor and I picked up the sea salt caramel the other day and it was just as delish !! I would say run to your nearest supermarket or Walmart/Taregt and get yours now.  It will change your life.  Plus its gluten free and made from all natural products. 

So what is your favorite ice cream?? I'd love to hear!!

Love, 

City Styles

Random Tid Bits !

May I say I love this photo!  It's captures what I truly love to do, sing and dance like a fool.  If you know me then you know I truly don't care where I am or who is around me, if a song that I love comes on I sing and dance.  I have on a few occasions embarrassed the people I was with(mother & the bf).  I used to work at Old Navy and would sing and dance around the store.  My co-workers can attest to that.  I have had many a customer give me an odd look, but I mean when a good song comes on who can hold back? 

So everyone go have you're own dance party!  I will be hosting my own and listening to Roar & The Fox Song.  Um have you all heard that song?  So ridiculous yet catchy at the same time.

I have been loving this palette lately.  It has the perfect amount of cool tones & warm tones.  Sonia Kashuk makes amazing products for great prices.  If you don't own anything from her run to Target now! I would suggest any of her brushes and any of her eyeshadows.  I have not tried any of the other products, but I have heard they are great.

LOVE!!!!! If you haven't checked out Aubrey Kinch's blog you should!  She does some amazing blog designs & every Friday she puts out adorable downloads.  Currently I have Everyday I'm Hustin' as my computer home screen & lock screen on my phone.  I love it!!! 

So these are my random tid bits for today. 

Love, 

City Styles

Black & Beige !

So I wasn't planning to blog today, but I just got home from my brother's football game and had the urge.  I was at Target the other night and saw this top and had to get it.  I thought it was so adorable and kind of out of my comfort zone.  I am not one to wear anything to sheer, but what the hell I am only young once.  I wore it to work yesterday and my coworkers including my boss thought it was cute.  Go me! 

Target Top - J.Crew Pixie Pants - H&M Clutch - Michael Kors Sunnies - City Styles Necklace 

I hope you guys are having a great weekend!  

Love, 

City Styles

Hot Pink & Leather Tassels

I have been loving pink lately!  Hot pink is actually one of my favorite colors.  I have always been one of those girls who wears color.  I was never afraid to wear a bright coral shirt or a yellow skinny jean.  I don't believe in wearing neutrals all the time just sometimes.  Being back to school I have to step my game up in the fashion department, since I do go to fashion school.  I have been stuck in my work rut and it is time to break free.  Working at a bank can sometimes stifle your style, so I need to find some new ways to express myself.    

I recently made this leather tassel necklace to put in my shop and I LOVE it!! 

{Shirt:Old Navy (old) similar - Jeans:H&M - Shoes:Target (sold out) similar - Necklace:CityStyles - Nails:Chanel Taboo}



What is your favorite back to school look?  And what do you think about the new necklace??

Love, 

City Styles

P.S. - Daria is doing a giveaway of my jewelry on her instagram.  Go check it out and maybe you will win!! 

Take a Good Look in the EYE !

If you are a makeup junkie like myself then you too probably have a crap ton of brushes.  I have way too many, but I tend to gravitate towards certain ones.  They are my tried and true.  They always make my eye makeup look the best.  And I truly believe you all need these in your life. 

 MAC 213 & MAC 239 & Royal & Langnickel BC411 - These are both GREAT eye shader brushes! I use these for all over color.  And you can even use the 213 for some crease work.  If you are just starting off the R&L is definitely a cheaper version of the MAC ones.  It works just as well and to be honest I use it more because the brush is larger and covers more eyelid area. 

 MAC 217 & Bdellium Tools 776 - I could not live life without a blending brush.  I actually have two Mac 217's.  They are the most amazing thing ever!  I think that you cant leave home without blending your crease.  The Bdellium Tools brush is almost an exact dupe for the MAC one.  I picked it up at IMATS and have been loving it ever since.  I love having an extra blending brush around to just buff out your shadows.  They always come in handy. 

Chanel #19 & Bdellium Tools 781 - I love these both for precision crease work.  I also love them for pop coloring on the outer corner of my eye.  They place color exactly where you need.  I also use the Bdellium Tools brush to darken my crease and make it more exact.

Royal & Langnickel BC430 & Sonia Kashuk 109 - These brushes are amazing!  I love using them to blend out my crease color or to pop on my highlight color.  The R&L brush is really amazing for crease work.  It is tapered so nicely and can really work into and blend out your crease color.  Have you noticed that I love blending brushes?  I have an obsession with crease work.

MAC 219 - This is great for depositing color under the eye.  I love a smoked out look and use this everyday.  It has stayed nice and stiff through out many washes.  Which is great because my Sigma ones have become way to fluffed out. 

Sorry for showing dirty brushes, but I am a bad girl and do not wash them too often. 

What are your favorite brushes?  I would love to know and check them out! 

Yesterday was my first day back to school.  Womp Womp.  I am not exactly the biggest school enthusiast.  I think college is necessary, but not for all.  I will one day have my bachelors.  When that day will be I am not sure.  Anyone want to go to school for me! Ha! 

Anywho I am working on some great new pieces for my etsy shop and wanted to share. 

They will be in the shop soon! And I can't wait to show you all of them! So stay tuned!

Love, 

City Styles

P.S.  - These are all my eye brushes!