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

Real Techniques Nic's Picks

I have been a Real Techniques lover for a long time now.  I remember when the brushes first came out and how I had to have them.  My collection has grown over the past few years and when I saw this amazing Nic's Picks ($30) set I knew it had to be mine.  I was in Ulta a few weeks ago and there was one set left.  I snatched it up so fast.  This set comes with three exclusive brushes and two permanent ones.  The three exclusive are the Cheek brush, Angled Shadow brush, and Eyeliner brush.  The two permanent brushes are the Duo Fiber Face brush (already own and love) and the Base Shadow brush (I have wanted forever).  Real Techniques brushes are so well made.  And this set is no different.  I love the silver handles and I very much enjoy a synthetic brush.  I have been reaching for the Base Shadow brush and the Angled Shadow brush the most.  They are absolutely phenomanal for putting on cream shadow.  Tom Ford Platinum and I have been BFF's lately and those two brushes work so well with him.  (Yes I call my cream shadow a him)  The other brush in this collection I reach for most is the Cheek brush.  This is also auh-maz-ing.  It doesn't pick up too much product and distributes the product nicely on the cheeks.
          

Overall I am really enjoying this set.  I think this would be a great gift for any makeup lover in your life.



What are your favorite Real Techniques brushes ??


Love,
City Styles 

Lorac Mega Pro Palette

I was so excited about this palette releasing.  I am a huge fan of the original Lorac Pro palette and the Lorac Pro 2.  I use them three or four days out of the week.  So of course, when I heard Lorac was releasing a Mega Pro palette ($59) I knew it had to be mine.  Unfortunately it is sold out.  And I don't know if it will be restocked.  But in case it does I want to let you all know that you absolutely need this palette.  

   

There are 32 shadows in all and they are like butter.  They are silky smooth and highly pigmented.  They perform amazingly.  Super blendable and hardly any fall out (just a little on the darker shades).  At the moment I am loving two combos, Lilac all over the lid, Wisteria in the crease, and Stone on the outer third.  Secondly Dusty Rose all over, Orchid in the crease, and Merlot in the outer third.  

This palette performs just like the other Lorac Pro palettes.  I can see myself reaching for this daily.  It has so many possible combos.  And the price ($59) can't be beat.  I am seriously in love with this palette and I can't keep my hands off of it!!


Were you able to pick this palette up ??  What do you think ??


Love,
City Styles 

My Friday Five #1

I thought I would start a new segment on my blog called My Friday Five.  It's pretty much my top picks for the week!  

1)Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black & White - I picked these roller balls up at Sephora with my points and I love to wear the both of them together ! It smells amazing !

2) I ordered a few necklaces off of Etsy from Layered and Long.  They came as a set and just look great on.  I am totally into the layered look. 

3) I rediscovered an old favorite, Chanel Peregrina (discontinued).  It is a gorgeous nude shade and just what I have been looking for lately.

4) It is officially summer and what screams summer more then China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy!  I love how great this looks when you have a tan.

5) I have had a few minor breakouts recently and this Murad Acne Spot Fix worked like a charm.  My acne reduced in size over night and was less red.  I am hooked!



What are your Friday Five ??

Love,
City Styles 

Nars Contour Blush {Paloma}

Nars, in my opinion, has always been amazing with creating blushes and bronzers.  I have never heard someone say they dislike a Nars blush.  I actually have 5 or 6 myself and of course I own the cult classic Laguna bronzer.  So, when Nars came out with these Contour Blushes I had to own one.  

I chose Paloma, which has more pink undertones.  And, I am really enjoying it.  I love my Laguna bronzer but, sometimes it can look to muddy on me.  Since, my skin has pink undertones and so does this powder, this looks great on me.  It doesn't look to muddy or over done when I contour.  And the highlighting powder just melts right into my skin.  It is such a good color match.  I use this down my nose, on the tops of my cheek bones, and on my cupids bow.  

I have been using the Real Techniques Contour brush to contour and the Real Techniques Setting brush to highlight my face.  

There are three shades you can choose from.  Paloma is the pink beige highlight with the light rose contour.  This is suitable for people with pink undertones and light skin.  Olympia is ivory highlight with rose contour and is suitable for people who have a yellow undertone and light skin.  And lastly there is Gienah which has a honey highlight and amber contour.  This is suitable for anyone who has tanned skin.  

I really am enjoying this palette.  It has actually made me use bronzer a bit more and I think that Nars hit it on the nose with this product. 

Have you tried these Contour Blushes ?  What is your favorite contour shade ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Real Techniques Duo Fiber Collection !

First of all let me say that I resisted buying these brushes for almost a year but, I caved.  After watching a youtube video they went on the ever evolving shopping list.  Recently I was at Ulta and decided hey lets pick these up.  They are limited edition and sell for $19.99.  Ulta usually has some kind of BOGO going on so you can get a good deal.   

The eye brush.  Personally I don't like to use this on my eyes.  I actually love to use it for my new hg highlighter.  It picks up the right amount of product and lays it nicely on my face. 

  

The contour brush.  I love to use this with my highly pigmented blushes.  The brush is a bit small but deposits the perfect amount of color on the cheeks.  Since it is duo fiber it picks up less product so no clown cheeks here. 

The powder brush.  I love to use this with my Ambient Lighting powders.  I dust the powder on my forehead and under my eyes and the brush leaves the perfect amount of powder.  As I said before because it is a duo fiber brush it does not pick up too much product.  

Over all I have been really been loving these brushes.  And I am happy with my purchase. 

Have you tried any Real Techniques brushes ??

Love, 

City Styles