Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

Hourglass recently came out with a new foundation, Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick ($46).  I orginially looked at this in store and passed on it.  Mostly because I have the Makeup Forever HD stick and I am not the biggest fan.  But, then I was browsing online and I was like well let's try it.  And I was right I should have passed on it.  I picked up mine in Porcelain.  It was a good color match but, I couldn't get it to work with my skin.  It just sat on my face and felt very heavy.  I tried this many different ways.  I used primer, no primer, my beauty blender, and a brush.  Nothing worked.  It lasted only a few hours before it broke down on my face.  I was so disappointed.  I am usually not one to return a product but, with this I did.  Hourglass claims this foundation is seamless and weightless but unfortunately I did not feel that way.  I know other bloggers are loving this which made me really want to make it work.  But I couldn't.  

Have you tried this new foundation ??  How do you feel about it ??

Love,
City Styles


Also please let me know if you like when I review a product I wasn't happy with.  Thanks! 

Becca Champagne Splits {Prosecco Pop/Pample Mousse, Champagne Pop/Flowerchild}

Jaclyn Hill collabarated with Becca once again.  One of the products released were these Champagne Splits ($38).  I was very excited to see these and ordered two right away.  Flowerchild is my favorite blush and Champagne Pop is one of my favorite highlighters so it was an easy choice to get the Champagne Pop/Flowerchild.  And since I have not tried Proseco Pop my next choice was Proseco Pop/Pample Mousse.  

I was very pleased to see that the pigment is the same in the slpits as in the orginial form.  They are creamy and vibrant.  I am really loving the Proseco Pop/Pample Mousse at the moment.  Proseco Pop is only a bit darker than Champagne Pop.  And I don't have a gold highlighter like it.  

 Champagne Pop/Flowerchild

 Proseco Pop/Pample Mousee

Pample Mousee/Proseco Pop - Flowerchild/Champagne Pop

Flowerchild - Champagne Pop/Flowerchild - Champagne Pop 

Overall I think these are some great blush/highlighter duos.  I think they are great for traveling and on the go.  Two producst in one is never a bad thing in my book.  There are two more shades I still would like to get my hands on.  

Have you tried the new Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Splits ?? What is your favorite Becca product ??

Love, 

City Styles

Sunday Riley Good Genes

So, this week I decided to dedicate all my posts to skincare.  As I am getting older I have realized how important it is to take care of your skin.  First up this week is Sunday Riley's Good Genes ($105).  This has been on my list for the longest time.  I finally gave in and bought Good Genes over a month ago.  And I have loved it ever since.  I use it at night after cleansing and before moisturizer.  It isn't very thick, which I love, and it sinks into my pores one, two, three.   It leaves my skin feeling nice and plump the next day. Sunday Riley describes this treatment as leaving the skin brighter, renewed, and supporting natural circulation to create a smoother, more vibrant complexion.  I truly believe in this product.  I definitely feel the change in my skin.



What is your favorite skincare product ??  Have you tried the Sunday Riley Good Genes ??


Love,
City Styles 

Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb

Belif is a newer brand that Sephora has started to carry.  One day I was perusing the skincare section and stumbled across the display.  I was in the market for a new moisturizer and The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb($38) jumped out at me.  I have combo skin that is more dry then oily.  So, I try and get an intense moisturizer.  This Moisturizing Bomb says it retains moisture up to 26 hours.  That is a hefty claim to make.   Now I haven't worn this for 26 hours straight but, I have worn it for at least 15 hours and my face didn't feel dry at all.  Since it is summer time I have been using this by itself, no serum or anything underneath.  And, it has been working wonders.  I think once the winter comes this stuff is going to come in handy.  We all know how I feel about smells and this moisturizer smells pretty good.  It smells a bit like lemon and basil and that is because it has a mix of apothecary herbs.  When applying it is light weight and sinks into the skin pretty fast.  It dries down a little sticky and kind of acts like a base for foundation.  Overall I am very impressed by this moisturizer and want to check out more from the brand!

     

Have you tried anything from Belif before ?? Please let me know which product I should pick up next!  I am thinking either Overnight Brightening Mask or the Mild & Effective Facial Scrub. 

Jaclyn Hill for Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed {Champagne Pop}

So !!! Becca just released this incredible Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop ($38) with Jaclyn Hill!!  And OMG it is so pretty.  I seriously have no other words then pretty.  Like all the other Pressed Shimmering Skin Perfectors it is buttery smooth and very pigmented.  For girls with pale skin this looks pretty but, I feel like if you have tan/meduim skin tones it will look so amazing on you.  

      

I pulled out some of my other highlighters to compare.  

Becca Opal 

The Balm Mary Loumanizer 

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow (closest to CP)

So since this is a limited edition item I say run don't walk to your nearest Sephora!


Have you tried Champagne Pop ??  What is your favorite highlighter ??


Love,
City Styles

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer

After watching Lily Pebbles go on about the UD Naked Skin Concealer ($28) I decided to give it a whirl.  I got the lightest shade which is fair/neutral.  I strictly use this for under my eyes since it is pretty sheer.  Also side note, it smells a little funky but once on it is fine.  As I said the formulation is pretty sheer but, at the same time hides my under eye circles.  And the shade is perfect to brighten my under eye area.  Over all I do enjoy this concealer.  I wouldn't use this on my face since A) it is too light and B) way too sheer for my liking.  The Nars Radiant concealer is still my ultimate favorite but, the UD is like right under it.  

  

What is your favorite concealer ?  Have you tried any of the UD Naked Skin products ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue

About a month or so ago I picked up the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue ($29).  I, of course, picked up the lightest shade available, Opal.  I was on the market for a tinted moisturizer with good coverage and the Complexion Rescue caught my eye.  It is a light weight gel cream.  It is very smooth to put on and evens out my skin.  I am pretty much in love with it.  I use my fingers to apply most of the time but I also enjoy my Louise Young LY34.  It is very light weight and gives you a dewy look.  I usually like to set this with my Chanel Les Beiges powder.  I can get about 7 to 8 hours of wear out of this, which is perfect.  This has been my go to foundation during the summer. 

  

What is your go to summer foundation ??  Have you tried the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue ??


Love,
City Styles 

Dior Rouge Brilliant Lipgloss {Miss 359}

Dior recently came out with a new line of lipglosses called Rouge Brilliant Shine ($35).  These glosses are a long wearing, couture lip balm gloss enriched with a blend of three lip care oils.  The applicator is a bit different then other glosses.  This one has a divot so the right amount of product dispenses from it.  The formula is very creamy and very moisturizing.  I picked up the shade Miss, which is kind of like a my lips but better.  It's a nice neutral pink.  I have been using this on my lips for a few days now and love it.  It wears off in two or so hours but, leaves the lips feeling hydrated.  Now that's my kind of gloss.  

    

Compared to Shiseido Rouge Lacquer in PK430, Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Tiny Pink, and Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss in Extase.  

Have you tried the Rouge Brilliant glosses yet ??  What's your favorite gloss at the moment ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Hourglass Ambient Bronzer {Luminous Bronze Light}

Hourglass has come out with another product in their Ambient line.  This time we have the Ambient Bronzers ($50).  There are only two shades available, Luminous Bronze Light and Radiant Bronze Light.  I opted for the Luminous one, which is a bit lighter then the Radiant one.  Now we all know how these powders work.  The luminous powder and bronzer are mixed and baked together and we get a gorgeous marbleized bronzer.  

To be honest I wasn't sure how I would like this bronzer.  I am matte bronzer girl.  Anything that looks like it might have a sheen or shimmer I place right back on the shelf.  However this bronzer looks very nice on my skin.  It really warms me up and does not leave a sheeny finish like I thought.  It is also the perfect shade for my extra pale skin.  Any darker it might have been too much.  I used my Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder brush and it picked up the right amount of product.  I can see myself reaching for this throughout the spring time.    

  

Comparison of the Ambient Blush, Bronzer, & Powder

The Beauty Look Book has both bronzers swatched so you can get a feel of which one would suit you better.  Also now is the time to scoop these up and anything else you might want from Sephora.  Their VIB sale is going on right now until April 2lst.  

Have you tried these bronzers ?? How do you feel about all the Ambient products ??

Love, 

City Styles 

PS - Would you like to hear my recommendations for the Sephora VIB sale ?

Bite Beauty Lip Lab Limited Releases {January, February, March, & April}

Back in January Bite Beauty started to release one limited edition lipstick a month.  They called them the Lip Lab Limited Release Creme Deluxe Lipstick ($36).  That is a mouth full.  So, the first Wednesday of every month a new shade is released.  As the name says these are limited so you better scoop them up fast.  I have set up an alarm so I remember. Ha!  Now the first month there was a bit of controversy.  I was not able to get my hands on the first one because I just totally forgot.  Then I read Temptalia's review saying how dry the formula was and  I didn't feel so bad.  Apparently a lot of people complained and Bite Beauty listened and re-released Januarys shade in a new formula.  I was able to get my hands on that one.  And may I say it is pretty creamy.  However March and April's shades are much creamier.  I digress.  Like any other Bite Beauty product these are all natural and smell great.  And these are very pigmented. 

   

Shade 001 - January - Deep Burgundy with red undertone

Shade 002 - February - Japanese Eggplant - a perfectly balanced pink/purple

Shade 003 - March - Chili Pepper - fire red/coral 

Shade 004 - April - Dragon Fruit - rich, luminous fuchsia

Overall I am really enjoying these shades.  I especially love March.  It is such a bright red and prefect for this time of year.  I will be collecting them all since I am such a makeup hoarder.  And I just love Bite Beauty so much.  But, I will say that the price tag is a bit steep since all their other lipsticks are less expensive and just as good quality.   

Have you tired these limited edition beauties ?? Will you be collecting them all ?? 

Love, 

City Styles 

GLAMGLOW Thirsty Cleanse Daily Hydrating Cleanser

About a month or two ago GLAMGLOW came out with cleansers that work along with their masks.  I picked up the Thirsty Cleanse Daily Hydrating Cleanser ($39)and have been testing it for the past month.   The Thirsty Cleanse is a mud to foam cleanser that combines the power of both for a new cleansing experience.  It helps dehydrated skin by using a rare Brazilian yellow clay that helps wash away all the impurities on your face and pure green coconut water that helps replenish skins moisture.  

I use this maybe once or twice a week when my skin is feeling a bit dull and dehydrated and may I say I love it.  It is really cool how the mud turns to foam and you can feel that it really cleans your face.  And a huge plus, the smell!  We all know how I have a pet peeve about smells.  But this cleanser smells very sweet and tropical.  The packaging is also a huge plus.  I like how sturdy it is and how large the pump is.  

Overall I am very pleased with this cleanser.  My skin looks great after every use and it feels hydrated.  I would like to try the other GLAMGLOW cleansers.  

Have you used these new cleanser ??  What do you think ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colour {Coral Reef}

Laura Mercier recently released these new Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colours ($28).  I picked one up in Coral Reef.  These liquid lipsticks leave a nice satin finish and are very creamy.  These are very light on the lips and last for three to four hours.  These don't wear well though.  You need to take it off completely and the re-apply.  And make sure you exfoliate your lips before wearing.  

   

Overall I am not impressed but, I am not unhappy.  I wouldn't buy another shade but, I will wear the one I have.  

What do you think of these Laura Mercier liquid lipsticks ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Guerlain KissKiss Shaping Cream Lip Color {Rosy Silk}

                                      

Guerlain recently came out with two new shades of their KissKiss lipsticks ($37), Rosy Silk and Peach Satin.  I opted to just pick up Rosy Silk.  Peach Satin seemed to pull a little too orange for my liking.  These KissKiss lipstick are creamy and leave a satin finish.  They have mango butter in them which helps my lips stay hydrated while I am wearing them.  As we all know I am not the biggest lipstick person, even though I can't stop buying them, but I love the way these feel on my lips. Rosy Silk is a beautiful light pink, coral shade.  Shocker!  I totally went for my comfort zone. 

    

Compared to

Dior Candide

TF Summer Fling

TF Frolic 

TopShop Macaroon

TF Patrick 

Givenchy Croisiere Coral 

Guerlain Sugar Kiss 

Have you tried any of the Guerlain KissKiss lipsticks ?? Do you like them ??


Love,
City Styles



PS- I am back in the blogging game after a much needed break.  Ive missed you all.