25 Days of Beauty Giveaway {Day 1 & 2}

I am so excited to start 25 Days of Beauty !!  Today is Day 1 & 2 of the giveaways.  One lucky winner will win an Ole Henriksen Cleansing Duo,  the Maybelline The Nudes Palette, and a Rimmel Show Off Lacquer

You must be 18 and older to enter.  If not please, please make sure you have your parents permission.
This will be an international giveaway.
Just follow the Rafflecopter widget below for the rest !
Good luck to everyone !

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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 

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

Top 13 of 2013 !

1. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum - As you all know I rave about this serum all the time!  It keeps my skin radiant and clear. Plus, it helps my moisturizer sink in and keep my hydrated throughout the day.

2. Diorskin Nude BB Creme - This is my number 1 go to foundation!  It gives me light weight coverage, yet it covers all my imperfections.  It matches my skin perfectly and hardly oxidizes throughout the day.  It never clings to my dry patches, and that is a huge plus in my opinion.

3. Laura Mercier Mineral Powder - I was never a powder person.  I have such dry skin and powder always clung to it.  When I heard so many people talking about this I just had to try it and I was happy I did.  I love to use this on the days I don't feel like wearing foundation.  This works great with just so concealer underneath!

4. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer - I am always on the hunt for the best under eye concealer.  I really don't use concealer on my face, just my under eye area.  And, I love my under eye area to look nice and bright.  This is great for just that.  There were so many shades to choose from so, I was able to find the perfect one.  This does not crease and stays in place all day without me setting it.  You can read more about how much I love this here.

5. Armani Corrector  - This is a god send!  I am so happy that I listened to Lisa and bought this.  I would not say that I have horrible under eye circles, but they definitely show through my concealer.  This gets rid of any ugly purple circles I have and is a great base for my concealer.

6. Beauty Blender - If you do not own this than I suggest picking one up.  This is hands down a game changer!  I never thought I would love a sponge as much as I love this.  I use it everyday and it just helps my foundation look as flawless and possible.

7. Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso - Whenever I am not quite sure what blush to wear I go for this.  It gives my the most amazing flush.  I normally go for a matte blush, but there is something about the sheen to this.  It is more of a satin finish than a glittery one.  It looks gorgeous on a number of skin tones and is so affordable.

8. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - If you have never ever bought a palette from Urban Decay than I suggest getting this as your first.  I know it looks so basic, as the name says, but I use this every single day.  I love to use Naked 2 as my brow powder.  Venus is a wonderful highlighting color and Crave is the blackest black you can own.  I love to travel with this and do a nice neutral eye.

9. Burberry Eyeshadow in Mulberry - So luxurious!  This eyeshadow is nice and creamy yet it does not have a ton of fall out.  It blends well and looks amazing on most eye colors.  If I could only chose one shadow to wear for the rest of my life it would be this (yes, I know a bit dramatic).

10. Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara - This is the bomb dot com.  I have never had a mascara that gives me such length and volume and it also does not transfer onto my under eye area which is a huge plus.  I hate when a mascara I like transfers.  It is like the kiss of death.  It is on the pricey side for mascara, but it is totally worth it.

11. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Amethyst - Out of all the eyeshadow sticks I own this is the absolute best.  It stays put on my eyes all day, even if I don't use a primer.  I also love wearing this with the Mulberry shadow.  They complement each other well.  I will totally be purchasing more Caviar Sticks in the near future.

12. NYX Butter Glosses in Apple Strudel & Maple Blondie - I love a coral lip and I love a good smelling gloss.  These combine the two.  I have almost every shade, but these two are my favorite.  They are nicely pigmented and not too sticky.  I hate sticky lipgloss.  Plus, they are a steal at $4.99, and Ulta always has BOGO half off sales going on!

13. Jack Black Lip Balm - I was introduced to this lip balm way back and I have been through countless amounts of tubes.  I love all the flavors, but Black Tea & Blackberry is my favorite.  I always have this in rotation with my other balms.  This is hands down the best!


What are your favorites of 2013 ??

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 

Holy Grails aka Amazball Products!

I have to say over the past four or so years I have tried many products, but I have honed in on the ones that I love the most!  Everyone has different products that they repurchase over and over again but these are mine!

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

Love this stuff!!! They need to bring this to the states now!! It is more of a gel texture and just goes on so smoothly and stays perfectly all day.  It does oxidize a little bit on my, but to be honest I don't mind.   It doesn't cling to my dry patches and gives me a great glow throughout the day.

Lorac Eye Primer

I have about 2 tubes of this left.  I started out with about four.  I have used many other eye primers but this ones dries to a nice powdery texture and makes my eyeshadow last all day and it never creases on me.  I have started to use this under my concealer too.  It works like a charm!

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

If you have read about my morning skincare routine then you know how I feel about this.  It is just amazing and would never go a day without it.

Urban Decay Shadow in Naked

My ultimate crease/blending color.  I have loved this color ever since I purchased the Naked palette many moons ago.  I loved it so much I bought a single to travel with.  I use this as my crease color and blending color and even as a brow powder.  For me its a multipurpose product and I love that.  

Milani Blush in Luminoso

This is like a cult favorite on Youtube.  And I totally understand why.  It gives you the most amazing glow ever.  It looks so natural.  When I am not sure what blush to use I always go for this.  It is a no brainer on days I want a natural flush or when I am running out the door.

Armani Corrector

A god send!!  I can be a very horrible sleeper sometimes.  I have those nights where my brain just will not shut off and the next morning I horrible under eye circles.  This counter acts any of my purple/blue circles.  I use this everyday and can't thank Lisa enough for introducing me to this.

Chanel VitaLumiere Aqua

Oh Chanel!  This was my first purchase from Chanel and will probably the one item I will buy over and over again.  If you aren't into fragrant foundations don't even try Chanel.  I just happen to love the smell.  I am not one for a full coverage foundation, and this is perfect.  It is more of a medium, buildable foundation.  It is so sheer and light, you hardly feel like you have anything on. 

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes

This happens to be my favorite high end mascara.  I am trying something new now that I might like more, but that will be another post.  Anyway, this makes my lashes look nice and long and is perfect to layer with other mascaras.  Plus, it doesn't flake or transfer.

L'oreal Telescopic Shocking Mascara

And this happens to be my favorite drugstore mascara.  Love this!  It make my lashes look like I am wearing falsies.  I love layering this with the Tarte one.  This also doesn't flake or transfer.

Bioderma 

Oh my love!  This also needs to come to the states asap!  This hands down is one of the best solutions for taking off makeup.  It does not feel oily and doesn't leave any residue behind.  I have never had any trouble with it taking off mascara.  It just does wonders!

What are your holy grail, amazball items?   

Love, 

City Styles

Skincare Edition: Morning Routine

I have been known to be the girl that sleeps in her makeup and secretly doesn't really care if others may gasp at that fact.  But, I have realized that the more I take care of my skin the better it looks.  Yes of course I still sleep in my makeup from time to time, but I have been getting better. 

I truly believe you need to take great care of your skin.  I have seen the effects of doing so.  I used to have very acne prone, dry skin.  I was never confident enough to walk out of the house without makeup on.  That's when I decided I need to get on the skincare band wagon.  I have set up a great morning and night routine that I want to share.

So Totally Clean Toner

I was totally drawn in by the packaging on this one.  I have tried many toners and have not been to happy with any of them.  Most leave my skin to dry.  But this!  This one is amazing.  It smells so good too.  I put a quarter size amount on a cotton round and apply all over my face.  This gets rid of all my nasty oils from my nights sleep and makes me feel refreshed. 

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum  

My HOLY GRAIL!! This is amazballs!  I can't say enough good things about this.  I first got a sample of this in a 500 pt perk at Sephora and was instantly hooked.  It has helped my skin improve 100%.  I put this on before my moisturizer, because it helps my moisturizer sink in more.  It has also helped with my redness.  I have always had red cheeks, and I mean always.  But, since I have been using this serum my redness has dramatically reduced.  I could never go a day without this!  I truly would recommend this to anyone and everyone!

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream 

Now I will tell you I have extremely, extremely dry skin!! No matter how humid or hot it may be, my skin needs a whole ton of moisture.  I have tried so many moisturizers.  Most do not hold up for me.  But, these two moisturizers do!  They are both light weight and extremely moisturizing.  I choose from day to day which one I want to use, I truly don't have a preference of which one I like more.

What are your skincare essentials?  I would love to know!  I always like hearing about the new latest and greatest!

Love, 

City Styles

P.S. - Don't forget everything in my etsy shop is still 50% off.  Use code 50OFF during checkout!

Sorry, I am not Sorry...

Well hello there!  My name is Gina.  I am a 22 year old girly girl who lives in NYC.  And let me tell you there is no where else I'd rather live!  So I am giving this a try once again!  I previously had another blog, but I felt the need to start fresh.  Of course, I already have 500 business cards with the former blog url on it.  Thank god for Vista Print and their cheap prices. 

Anywho,  time for some random thoughts. I don't know if you are the same way, today I was on Instagram (I am addicted) scrolling through my feed and I came to the conclusion I follow too many people I don't like.  I follow close to 1000 profiles.  Which in my opinion is a little crazy.  I tend to just follow people for no reason whatsoever.  There are those photos I just scroll by and wonder why? Just why?  

I feel like it is so much easier to unfollow someone on Instagram then it is on Facebook.  On Facebook if you unfriend someone it is very easy for the other person to find out.  They can just click on your profile and boom! it says Request Friend.  I have seen that a few times and was like well thanks I feel the same way about you too.  But it happens.  At least on Instagram if you unfollow someone they only find out if they have a special app.  And girl I have that app.  Most of the time I really don't use it, but once and a while I do check!  

On another note I have repurchased my "holy grail" skincare item and let me tell you, if it did not work wonders I would no way on hell pay as much as I did for it. 

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum is probably the best serum or skincare product I have ever used!  I have dry skin and very red cheeks.  This have totally helped my skin retain moisture and has gotten rid of a large amount of my redness.  I could not see myself every being without this.  

Another purchase this week were a pair of Target sandals I have been lusting over!  And I was one lucky girl.  They only had 1 pair left in my size(usually a 9.5, but I can fit a 9 sometimes) and they were on clearance.  The Target gods were watching out for me.  

Now I am not one for foot pics, but I couldn't help myself.  

I hope you all have a nice Monday night.  I am off to watch the rest of the Homerun Derby.  

Love, 

City Styles