Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Mask

A few months ago I ordered the Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Mask($48).  The name alone drew me in. Who wouldn't want a dragon's blood mask. But, then I read the description and wanted it even more.  It's a deeply moisturizing restorative mask with Hyaluronic acid that gives the skin a plumping effect. So of course it went into the cart. I use it over night.  It's more of a rich moisturizer then it is a mask. I took this away to Hawaii with me and used it on the plane. It was a god send. Being trapped on a plane for 11 hours with that recycled air was terrible. This leaves my face feeling plump and hydrated the morning after. And it smells divine. We all know how I am about smells. If it's going on my face it better smell good. And this is amazing. Overall if you are looking for an overnight mask I highly recommend this. I like this better than the Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask. I feel like the Rodial leaves my skin more plump. 

Have you tried any overnight masks ??  Which are your favorite ?? 

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 

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Stocking Stuffers {$25 and under}

1. Eve Lom Kiss Miss Star Set $22

2. Alterna Caviar Moisture Trio $10  

3. Tocca Piccolo Regalo Fragrance Duo $24

4. Jack Black It's The Balm Trio $19.50

5. Caudalie Winter Duo $12

6. Bite Beauty Lush Lip Wipes $12

7. Lipstick Queen Three to Thrill $22

8. L'Occitane Almond Indulgence Duo $10

9. Shimmering Spice Candle $20 

What do you want to see in your stocking ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Nude Stix Eye and Lip Pencils {Twilight, Pewter, Whisper}

Nude Stix is a new cosmetic line exclusive to Space NK.  They believe in the no makeup, makeup look.  They have six products in all, a concealer, two types of eye pencils, lip pencil, mascara, and a pencil sharpener.  Each pencil comes packaged in a nice black tin with a pencil sharpener.  I think that is the best part.  I love that each pencil comes with a sharpener because you can never have to many.  Each product is $24.   

There are two types on eye pencils, the Eye Pencil and the Magnetic Eye Color Pencil.   The Eye Pencil is an all in one eye liner, eye shadow, and highlight.  I picked up Pewter which a reddish brown color that is extra creamy, very pigmented, and long lasting.  The Magnetic Eye Color Pencil has intense color and primes lids for all day wear.  I picked up Twilight which is a cool toned taupe shade.  The Magnetic Pencils are also very long lasting and extra creamy.  And when I say long lasting I really mean it.  I have worn these for 10+ hours and no creasing.  And one day my eyelids were even sweating because it was so hot out and absolutely no creasing.   

The Lip & Cheek Pencil is a soft lip liner, lipstick, and cheek cream.  I picked up Whisper which is a nude beige shade.  It is very different then anything I own.  These pencils are also very creamy and highly pigmented. 

Right now Space NK is having a great deal when you buy $40 worth of Nude Stix products (which is two products) you get a Lip & Cheek Pencil in Love for free.  And tomorrow Beauty Gypsy is going to have a gift with purchases over $50.  So I think this is the best time to try these out !

Have you tried any of the Nude Stix products yet ?? What do you think ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Malin + Goetz 1oz Essential Kit

I have been eyeing this Malin + Goetz set at Space NK for a while now and finally took the plunge.  I don't travel that often but, when I found out I was going on vacation with my family I knew I had to have it.  The kit includes six 1oz travel size bottles of the essentials you will need; body wash, body moisturizer, face cleanser, face moisturizer, shampoo, and conditioner.  I used this all four days I was away and I was so happy I did.  I hate going to a hotel and not knowing what kind of products they provide you with.  Most hotels have some crappy stuff so, I have learned to bring my own.  I was very pleased with this Malin + Goetz set.  The shampoo and conditioner are my favorite.  They left my hair feeling squeaky clean and extra soft.  The body wash and moisturizer was great too!  They smell so good and the moisturizer was so nourishing.  The face moisturizer was also nice.  It was a bit on the lighter side which is fine for my summer time skin but, in the fall and winter I would totally need something heavier.  The only product I was disappointed in was the face cleanser.  It smells amazing but, I like a cleanser that lathers up a bit.  This just didn't do the job for me.  It did clean my face but, I wasn't jumping for joy.  Overall I really enjoy this kit.  It retails for $30, which is $5 a bottle.  I know this will last me a while since I don't go away that often.  But, if you are a constant traveler I would say this isn't for you unless you want to try out a few items from this range.

What are your favorite travel items ?  Where are you going this summer ??

Love,
City Styles 

By Terry Ombre Blackstar {Bronze Moon, Misty Rock, & Velvet Orchid}

I first heard of these By Terry Ombre Blackstars from The Beauty Lookbook.  She had a review about the Bronze Moon shade and it totally caught my eye and went on the list.  Fast forward a few months and one late night Space NK shopping spree and Bronze Moon was mine.  I fell totally in love with the shade and the formula and I knew I need more.  So fast forward to another late night Space NK shopping spree (as Amelia Liana would say #feelingspendy) and Velvet Orchid and Misty Rock were thrown into my beauty arsenal.  These pencils are so creamy and pigmented.  They glide so smoothly onto the eye and they blend easily.  I love to wear these on their own and just use a neutral color in the crease.  They last me a full work day, 7am to 7pm.  Which I find amazing!! These don't crease too much on me.  I would say in the finals hour or so of wear I see a bit of creasing.  I do use a primer but, that's because I have pretty oily eye lids.  I use it as a precautionary step.  

    

Bronze Moon is a beautiful neutral bronze shade.  This is my absolute favorite of the bunch.  It makes my blue eyes really stand out.  Misty Rock is a pinky mauve shade.  It doesn't look as good swatched as it does on the eyes.  And Velvet Orchid is a bold deep purple shade.  I like to wear this more when I am going for a night out. 

I am of course looking into getting a few more shades but, I need to stop at the Space NK store and swatch them first !! 

Have you tried these eyeshadows ??  What are your favorite shades ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

I have always been a girl who washes her hair everyday.  I was also a girl with oily hair growing up.  I couldn't stand not washing it.  But, I started to dye it and my hair got less oily and more manageable.  So, I started to wash it every other day but, I still needed something for that second day hair.  I tried loads of dry shampoos and nothing seemed to do it for me.  I hated how some were sticky or made my hair feel nasty.  Then Youtube introduced me to Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray and it has bee a god send.  Let me start off by saying it isn't a dry shampoo.  That's probably why I love it so much.  It gets rid of the oils and gives my hair some body.  I also have pretty flat hair and I actually love to use this even on days I wash my hair.  I spray some at the roots and just use my fingers to juzz it up.  And the best I don't even feel the product in my hair.  It doesn't weigh it down and it smells good too.  If you are having a hard time using dry shampoos this might be the route for you!

Have you tried this spray ?? What do you think ??

Love,
City Styles 

By Terry Cellularose Blush Glace {Frozen Petal}

I was so excited when By Terry came out with these new Cellularose Blush Glaces (.25oz, $58).  I wanted the shade Frozen Petal for the longest but, it was always sold out.  One day I was browsing the Space NK website and it was in stock and calling my name!  This formula is a lot different then any other "cream" blush mainly because it's not a cream.  It is more like a gel blush.  It is very light weight and meant to give a watercolor effect for a nice glow.  It does just that.  Applied to the cheeks it is very sheer but, you can build it up.  I like to use a small stippling brush, like a MAC 130.  When I use my finger I feel like it takes longer to build up the color.  I do about two applications only because it is very tacky.  It doesn't really dry down.  I have tried three coats but, then it looked a bit odd and my hair kept getting stuck in it.  The color itself is gorgeous and I really like the way it looks on the cheeks.  I just wish it had a better drying power.  I think this is great for the no makeup, makeup look I've been going for lately.  This works best over a liquid foundation.  Over powder it looks funny and makes the foundation break down.  Overall I really enjoy the concept of the blush but, for the price I am still a bit iffy.  I would give it 3.5 stars out of 5.     

  

heavy swatch, blended out 

gel like texture

Have you tried these blushes ??  What do you think about them ??

Lipstick Queen Lipsticks

I recently went a little crazy with in Space NK and bought a handful of Lipstick Queen lipsticks.  I have heard such good things about this brand and wanted to try a few different lipsticks.  I picked up the newly released Jungle Queen (green packaging), which is a sheer-ish orange, red shade.  It looks great on the lips and is the perfect red for the summer time.  Then I had to get the Endless Summer (orange packaging) lipstick in Perfect Wave.  It is an amazing pinky coral shade that just screams my name.  And, of course, I had to pick up one Sinner and one Saint.  Sinner is 90% pigmentation and Saint is 10% pigmentation.  For Sinner (black packaging) I bought Hot Rose which is a bright rosy pink shade that is crazy opaque on the lips.  For Saint (gold packaging) I bought Bright Rose.  It is similar to Hot Rose just more sheer and a bit more on the rosy side then the pink side.  And lastly I had to get on the Chinatown Glossy Pencils.  I love me a chubby stick.  I picked up Chase which is a nice sheer red shade.  The only thing I don't think about this is the fact that it isn't a twist up.  It comes with a pencil sharpener but, I would totally love it more if it twisted up.  

Now lets talk packaging.  The packaging on these is just so amazing how could you pass these up.  The Perfect Wave packaging is my favorite.  It totally reminds me of California.  And the lipstick tubes themselves are ultra sleek.  The lastly power is also amazing.  The Sinner lasts the longest but, I believe that is because it is much more pigmented then the rest.  The rest are on the more sheer side.  They last about 2 or 3 hours depending on my eating/drinking situation.  And they are so moisturizing.  I hate when I wear a lipstick and about an hour in my lips are so parched and I need to   apply a tube of chap stick to make them feel better.  These lipsticks are the totally opposite.  My lips feel fully moisturized.  Even when wearing the Sinner my lips feel great.  Overall I am really loving this brand.  I will totally be picking up some more shades, especially of the Sinner and Saints.

Have you tried any Lipstick Queen products ?? What did you think of them ??

Love,
City Styles 

Kevyn Aucoin {Sculpting Powder & Candlelight}

I recently had my first trip to Space NK!  It was just amazing and I have been back since.  While I was there I picked up two products that have been on my "list".  I don't know about you but, I keep a mental list of all the items I want and it evolves everyday.  Most items on the "list" are permanent.  I am one of those gals that buys the limited edition stuff first and says I'll come back for the rest but, never do.  So anywho,  I have been eyeing Kevyn Aucoin's Sculpting Powder and Candlelight Highlighter for the longest.  The only problem was I never saw them in person so I was quite hesitant to buy them.  I love to see makeup items in person; especially bronzers, foundations, and concealers.  

Well I was so happy to see Space NK carries Kevyn Aucoin and I could not resist how gorgeous these products are.  The Scuplting powder is great for contouring.  But, if you are fair like me be careful when using this.  It is pretty dark and can look a bit muddy if you blend too much.  Let's just say I learned the hard way.  On the other hand Candlelight is just a joy to use.  You don't have to worry one bit when using this.  It is so creamy and beautiful.  It looks great on the cheek bones!  Both of these retail for $44 and have 3.10g of product.  I am really enjoying using both of these products!  

      

Have you tried Kevyn Aucoin ??  What is your favorite contour and highlight ??

Love, 

City Styles 

PS - How adorable is my new Kate Spade wallet ?? I am loving light pink for spring !! 

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 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush {Radiant Magenta}

Well I am so excited to have this blush in my possession.  I am a huge fan of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders.  I use Diffused everyday as my finishing powder and to set my under eye concealer.  So, when I heard about the Ambient Lighting Blushes my heart skipped a beat.  There is such a great shade range, six in all.  They range from a light pink to a deep berryish color.  They are $35 a pop for .15 oz.  The powders are $45 each for .35 oz.  So you do get a better buy for the powder but, if you think about it you use the powder on more surface area then the blush.  I myself picked up Radiant Magenta.  Out of all the shades this looked the most appealing to me.  I love a nice pink color on my cheeks to give me a natural looking flush and this does just the job.  Since each of these is baked the veining on each one is different.  Some might have more Ambient Powder running through then Ambient Blush.  Luckily I think I got a good mixture.  I am so in love with the beautiful sheen it has that I totally cannot wait to get my hands on a few more!!  You can find them at Sephora, Space NK, or the Hourglass website.

Do you own any of the Ambient Powders or Blushes ??  How do you like them ??

Love,
City Styles