Burberry Bloomsbury Girls Palette {Nude Blush}

Burberry recently came out with a new collection called Bloomsbury Girl for Autumn/Winter '14.  It consisted of six polishes, two palettes, three lipsticks, and three glosses.  I picked up the palette called Nude blush and two polishes, Oxblood and Elderberry.  Today we discuss how gorgeous Nude Blush is. 

Nude Blush ($60) is a beautiful rosy toned quad.  I tend to gravitate towards rose gold and plumy colors like these.  I feel like they pair well with my light skin and blue eyes.  I own a few of Burberry's single shadows and I absolutely love them so, I decided to take the plunge and get a quad. I am so happy I did.  These shadows are very pigmented and so creamy.  They are easy to work with and just a little bit of kick up but, no fall out.  They perform just as well as the single shadows.  The colors also pair together very nicely and are not to similar to the singles I already own. 

Nude Blush compared to Burberry Mulberry and Burberry Rosewood.

Right now the palette seems to be sold out on Burberry.com but Nordstrom and Saks have it in stock. And you can always check your local counter.



Have you tried Burberry eyeshadows yet ??  What do you think ??


Love,
City Styles 

Tom Ford Nude Dip Color Quad {Fall 2014}

Tom Ford's fall collection recently hit stores and online retailers and sold out very fast.  I was lucky enough to pre sale this bad boy at Saks's.  The bad boy I am talking about the the new color quad in Nude Dip($79).   It is sold out online at all the department stores so you will have to call around to your local counters and see if they still have any available.  

The quad is just gorgeous.  I only have one other quad by him, Cognac Sable.  I enjoy that palette but, I don't reach for it often.  But, this I have been reaching for on the daily.  The shadows are so smooth and different from his other palettes.  These remind me a bit more of the new Chanel quads that are out.  They are more satiny then creamy.  The only thing this quad is missing is a transition shade.  But I don't mind reaching for another shade.  I would totally snatch this up if you get the chance cause you will definitely regret it if you don't. 

Nude Dip is very similar to Chanel's Raffinement quad and Bare Mineral's The Truth quad.  

What are your thoughts on the Tom Ford Fall '14 collection ?? I kind of want to get one of the blush duos and the nail polish.  But we will see. 

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

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 

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 

Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer {Wonderland & Bonheur}

Dior has released a new formula of nail polish, Gel Shine & Long Wear Lacquer.  There is a variety of shades, some new and some old.  This formula is supposed to provide a glass like shine with extended wear.  The brush is also a but smaller then the original polish brush.  I tested these for about a week or so and I was pretty impressed.  I have had a gel manicure from the salon and to be honest after a week my nails were chipping.  But, these polishes hardly chipped and I had them on for about 7 days.  For an at home manicure I was so excited.  I used two coats plus a base coat and top coat.  These are so opaque that you could get away with one coat but, I personally like two.  Over all I am pretty happy with the formula and shades.  I totally want to pick more up. 

   

Have you tried any of the Dior nail polishes ??

Love,
City Styles 

Spring Blush Picks !

Last week I shared my favorite spring blushes on Instagram and I though hey that is a great idea for a post!  There are four blushes I reach for the most during this time of year.  First is Nars Final Cut.  This is the newest to my collection but, I love how it has a slight orange coral tint to it rather then a pink coral tint.  This looks great on fair skin.  Next up is Breathless from Buxom.  Hands down this is my absolute favorite.  It is the perfect shade of coral and it gives you a beautiful flush.  Dior Rosy Glow is a gorgeous light pink that adjusts to your skin tone.  This would be flattering on all skin tones.  And lastly is Burberry's Hydrangea Pink.  This packs a punch.  It is the most pigmented blush out of the four and I love to wear this to special events.  It gives my cheeks great color and looks great in pictures.  

What are your favorite spring blushes ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara !

Let's just start out by saying that this mascara is extreme!!  The name says it all, Sumptuous Extreme Mascara!  I first got this mascara as a sample and was blown away so I knew I had to pick up the full size.  The bristles on this are amazing and make your lashes grow.  I love the way it makes me look like I am wearing falsies when I am not.  And btw I hate wearing falsies.  Anyone else??  Anywho, this mascara does not flake nor does it transfer onto my under eye area.  It is extremely black and is not too wet of a formula.  I love the L'oreal Voluminous but, the formula is extremely wet.  It retails for $26 which is a bit pricey but, Estee Lauder always has some gift with purchase going on so I think it can be worth it. 

What is your go to mascara at the moment ??

Love,
City Styles 

Top 10 Beauty Shops in NYC !

I have lived in New York my whole life.  Technically speaking I do live in New York City since I live in Queens.  But if someone says I am going to the city I know they mean Manhattan, not the other four boroughs.  And yes there are other cities out there but, New York is the only one that counts.  Sorry but, really I'm not.  I started this beauty journey about five years ago and so happy I did.  In those five years I have shopped many a place for my beauty bits and wanted to share with you my top 10 places to go.  NYC has so much to offer and so many places to shop that it can be overwhelming to those visiting.  I hope this helps!    

 Barney's New York, located on Madison Ave and 61st street.
If you are looking for luxury than you have come to the right place.  Barney's has such a high class feel when you walk through the doors.  I would not say that this is my day to day stop but, I do like to pop my head in every once and awhile.  They have everything from Armani, Givenchy, Bobbi Brown, to By Terry, Tatcha, Eve Lom, and Claudio Riaz.  The sales girls are very nice and I've never had in issue when looking through the counters.  I definitely like to come here for my more luxurious purchases.  
   

Bloomingdale's, located on Lexington Ave. and 59th street.

The little brown bag.   That is exactly what comes to mind when I hear Bloomingdale's.  I love the makeup floor here.  It is all black and white marble and just looks gorgeous.  Bloomingdale's carries Aerin, Bumble & Bumble, Chanel, Clarins, Dior, Jo Malone, La Prairie, Nars, YSL, and many more.  I love the Kiehls section.  The sales people really know what they are talking about and give out a large amount of samples.  Plus, they really don't pressure you into buying anything you don't want too.



Bergdorf Goodman, located on 5th Ave and 59th street.

Bergdorf's is right next to The Plaza and Central Park.  It is so gorgeous on the outside and of course the inside.  Bergdorf's also just screams luxury to me and carries some of the best makeup brands including, Aerin, Cle de Peau, Dior, Edward Bess, La Prairie, Le Metier de Beaute, and Trish McEvoy.  I recently picked something from Edward Bess and will be showing you guys soon.  Bergdorf's has this adorable lavender shopping bag that I just can't seem to throw away. 

 



Saks Fifth Avenue, located on 5th Ave and 49th street.

There are three places I shop the most in the city and this is my third shopped place.  I love Saks.  It is located right across from Rockefeller Center and right next to St. Patrick's Cathedral.  They carry Burberry, Armani, Tom Ford, Chanel, YSL, Dior, Cle de Peau, and Laura Mercier.  The sales people are some of the nicest sales people out there and really know what they are talking about.  This is my go to place for Tom Ford, Armani, and Burberry.  And right now they have a Beauty event going on!  If you spend $100 you get a free tote with samples and if you spend $250 you get a tote and a makeup with even more samples.  Isn't that a girls dream!  And to be honest it is pretty easy to spend that much.

  



Macy's, located on 7th Ave and 34th street.

My second most shopped store.  I know Macy's like the back of my hand.  And let me tell you that no matter what time of day it is Macy's is jam packed full of people.  They just revamped their makeup area and it looks so amazing.  This Macy's carries Chanel, MAC, Dior, Lancôme, Clinique, Clarins, D&G, YSL, La Mer, Shiseido, and Laura Mercier.  They also have Hermes and Jo Malone fragrances.  I am truly loving the new layout and the new brands they have.  This is my go to place for Chanel.



Blue Mercury, located on Broadway and 17th street.

Blue Mercury is the cutest beauty boutique.  It has a mix of makeup and skincare.  I think they focus a bit more on skincare.  They carry brands like Jo Malone, La Mer, Diptyque, Bobbi Brown, Kiehls, Oribe, Phyto, and Laura Mercier.  I have been in there a few times and the sales girls are great and let you look around without being on top of you.  They are friendly and give great help.  And it is pretty quiet, which is nice in a crazy busy city.



Sephora Union Square, located on 17th street and Park Ave.
My most shopped beauty place ever!!!  Now I have gone to my share of Sephora's.  And I mean my share (I am a VIB Rouge) but, Union Square is my favorite.  It has such an open floor plan and is so spacious.  They are also fully stocked.  I have never gone there looking for something and left empty handed because they did not have it.  That is my biggest pet peeve with Sephora.  A lot of them just do not have enough stock and that gets me crazy.  And a huge plus about this Sephora is they carry Armani, D&G, Ellis Faas, Koh Gen Do, and Edward Bess.  Unfortunately Edward Bess will soon be leaving Sephora so stock up now!  I just cannot say enough good things about shopping here.  You will totally leave with a smile on your face.
  

Aesop, located on University Place and 9th street.

Aesop has a great range of skincare, hair care, and body care.  Most of their products are plant based and high in antioxidants.  They believe in people having great skin.  Their Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque and Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm are some of the best.



C.O. Bigelow, located on 6th Ave and 8th street.

C.O. Bigelow is like a hole in the wall but, an amazing hole in the wall.  It is one of the oldest drugstores in America.  When you walk in you are inundated with just the best of the best beauty products.  They carry Oribe, Bumble & Bumble, By Terry, Butter London, Deborah Lippmann, Ellis Faas, Jane Iredale, Kate Somerville, Lipstick Queen, and Tocca.  And you know what the best part is?  If you live in the neighborhood you can still get your prescriptions filled there.  I just find that so cute and quaint.

  



Space NK, located on Greene Street off of Spring Street.
To be honest I just recently started to shop here but may I say it is just amazing.  They have such a great range of products and the sales girls are so nice.  Space NK carries Kevyn Aucoin, Nars, By Terry, Chantecaille, Oribe, Diptyque, Lipstick Queen, Laura Mercier, Hourglass, Jin Soon, Ellis Faas, Malin + Goetz, and so much more.  If you are ever in New York you really must visit.  I love an open floor plan and a large spacious area when I am shopping for beauty products and this gives you just that.  I have gone later on in the evening and I pretty much have the place to myself. 



I hope you enjoyed this little shopping guide !!  Let me know what your favorite beauty placed to shop are !!

Love,
City Styles 

Chanel 537 Quadrille Quad {Spring 2014}

Chanel quads have never been very consistent with there texture.  Some are very chalky and others are just so creamy.  I would have to say Quadrille comes in between.  I would not say that it is horrible but I also would not say it is the creamiest of textures either.  I have used it a few times and I do enjoy it.   I love the brown shade and the taupey shade in the upper left hand corner.   They look amazing on blue eyes.  So out of 5 stars I would have to give it 3.5.  If you don't feel like spending the money then I would say pass.  Bu if you are a Chanel freak like myself then I would say go for it! 

Clockwise: Quadrille - Enigma - Raffinement 

Raffinement - Quadrille - Enigma 

Raffinement - Quadrille - Enigma 

Have you tried any of the Chanel quads?  What is your favorite?

Love, 

City Styles

Chanel 179 Murmure & 178 Sonate Glossimer {Spring 2014}

If you know me then you know how much I love lipgloss, especially coral lipgloss!  I was so excited when I saw the Chanel had released these glossimers, 178 Sonate and 179 Murmure, this spring.  Sonate is a darker more reddish coral that is a bit more pigmented on the lips.  And Murmure is a light pinkish coral.  It gives a nice sheen to the lips, but is not very pigmented.  They are both nice and creamy and free of glitter.  I love a nice matte gloss.  I am not one for glitter.  These glossimers are nor very sticky and last a good hour or so.  If you are a gloss girl I would definitely run and pick these up.  They are right aound $30, but I find them worth it! 

Hourglass Origami - Chanel Murmure - Hourglass Nectar - Chanel Sonate - Burberry Mallow Pink 

Hourglass Origami - Chanel Murmure - Hourglass Nectar - Chanel Sonate - Burberry Mallow Pink 

Are you a lipgloss girl?  If so what's your favorite shade?

Love, 

City Styles