Too Faced Peach Leopard Bronzer

The Too Faced Pink Leopard bronzer is wildly popular on various makeup boards. It's not only pretty to look at, it blends shades of pink and bronze for a more natural look. If you found this shade too light, too pink or just prefer warm tones, Too Faced has released a new peach version. How pretty does this look? It's available now at Sephora if you have a holiday gift card just burning a hole in your pocket.

New Laura Mercier Silk Road Palette

This pretty new palette just popped up on Laura Mercier's site. The photo is a bit blurry but the 4 shadows and 2 blushes look beautiful for spring! Limited edition, it features Palace Pink - soft pink with shimmering gold pearl, Regal Violet - bold, sparkling violet, Golden Sands - soft pink peach with sparkling gold pearl, Rare Taupe - soft grey taupe with satin finish, Lavender Silk - pale, blue violet with matte finish, Persian Rose - pink coral with gold hidden pearl.

Blog Sale Update!

Hello, all! I hope everyone is having a happy holiday! I don't celebrate Christmas and not much is open around here today. I had settled in for a day of baking and movies and then I heard the disturbing statistic that the average person eats over 35,000 cookies in their lifetime and thought I should probably forgo the baking and do something productive! So, I've gone through my makeup and taken better pictures of some items that would love a better home! Please email me at newyorkcitypretty@gmail.com if you are interested and I'm happy to offer a generous discount if multiple items are purchased.


Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tint in Tenne- used 3 times. $15.

MAC Pearl Sunshine Beauty Powder from the Barbie Collection- used twice. $20.
MAC Sharp Beige Lipstick. $8
Bobbi Brown Nude Shimmerbrick- used twice. $25.
Bare Escentuals Bare Radiance and Featherlight Brush- $10.
Laura Mercier Eye Shadow Duo in Primrose/Kir Royale- new. $10.- SOLD
Stila Lip Glazes in Grapefruit and Raspberry and LaVanila Healthy Lip Shine in Vanilla Lavender- all used maybe twice. $10 for all 3.
June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Peeling Enzyme Masque- used once with spatula. $7.
Jouer Cheek Tints in Whisper and Petal- used 2-3 times and 7 times respectively. $10 for both.- SOLD
Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Liner in Bourbon- used 3 times. $5.- SOLD
Tarte Dark Circle Defense Concealer with Full Size Brush- used twice. $10.
-Korres Mini Shower Gel in Guava- new, Mini Body Butters in Guava, Quince and Fig- new (unsealed), Yogurt Cream- new, Minis, all new: Sugar Crystal Antioxidant Cream, Wild Rose 24 hour Moisturizer, Evening Primrose Eye Cream. $12.-SOLD
Crown Pointed Blush, Flat Top Bronzer and Travel Powder brushes; Tarte Crease Brush; Bare Escentuals Angled Face Brush. $15.

Manicure of the Week

This is Illamasqua Viridian, a gorgeous blackened emerald with multidimensional shimmer. The lasting power is unimpressive, but the color is unique and divine!

Small Blog Sale!

Happy weekend! It's time to find a good home for these guys! I'd like to sell everything except for the MAC Pearl Sunshine as one lot for $50 or best offer. The Pearl Sunshine is separate but of course there wouldn't be a shipping charge (USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Medium Box) for it if everything is purchased at once! I'll include a whole mess of samples as well!

-Bare Escentuals Angled Blush Brush
-Crown Brush Travel Powder Brush
-Crown Brush Flat Top Bronzer Brush
-Jouer Tint in Petal (used 7-10 times)
-Jouer Tint in Whisper (used 2-3 times)
-Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Bourbon (used 3 times and sharpened)
-Tarte Angled Crease Brush
-Revlon Colorstay Lip Liner in Natural- used once
-Clinique mini Quick Eye Cream Shadow in Rock Violet- used 3 times
-Laura Mercier Eye Shadow Duo in Primrose- brand NEW in box
-Chanel Ombre Essentials in Ivory- used 10 times or so. There is a dip.
-Korres Mini Shower Gel in Guava- new
-Korres Mini Body Butters in Guava, Quince and Fig- new (unsealed)
-Korres Yogurt Cream
-Korres Minis, all new: Sugar Crystal Antioxidant Cream, Wild Rose 24 hour Moisturizer, Evening Primrose Eye Cream
-Bare Escentuals Featherlight Brush
-Bare Escentuals Bare Radiance- used 3 times
-Ramy Whipped Liqui-Air Color in Alive- used once
-Ojon Restorative Hair Conditioner- used once
-June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Peeling Masque- used once with clean spatula

MAC Pearl Sunshine Beauty Powder from the MAC Barbie Collection. Highly coverted and impossible to find! Used 2 times. $25.

Sephora Haul

Because I just can't stop shopping! Despite having just spent my $20 VIB gift card in-store, I placed a Sephora order the other night. The 500 point VIB gift was a full size Benefit Coralista and mini Bad Gal mascara and I was powerless to resist! I ended up with:

• Jurlique Lavender Hand Cream- very expensive at $25 for a mere 1.4 oz but my hands are a veritable mess from the cold!
• Illamsqua Nail Polish in Verdigris- an shimmery emerald that I can't wait to wear on my fingers and toes!
• Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Enhancing Primer- finally, a "healthy" eye lash primer
• Benefit High Beam- the $10 size

My order already shipped!

What I Bought This Weekend

I went to the Limelight Market in Chelsea to pick up the full sizes of the Om Aroma skincare products I've been using since Black Friday. I had plenty left in all but the toning mist, but the mini sizes I've been using will be perfect for travel and you receive a discount for purchasing the whole set of products. My products came in what must be the old packaging--jars instead of pumps. At first I was disappointed since I prefer pumps for hygienic reason, but there is something a little luxe about dipping your fingers into a a small jar of a precious unguent! The founder of the line was working the store and remembered my from last time. I'm really liking these products!

For those who haven't been, Limelight is an old church that was converted to a small, quaint shopping center. They have amazing food, beauty, accessory and jewelry shops. In addition to OM Aroma, there is also Face Stockholm, Sue Devitt, The Avery Perfumes and more.

I also had my Sephora VIB $20 off a $40 purchase gift card burning a hole in my pocket and despite needing no makeup whatsoever, I picked up a Lancome Artliner in Aubergine (which is limited for the holidays according to the Sephora display) and Sephora Collection Retractable Waterproof Lip Liner in Nude (a light pinky beige). The lip liner was $12 which I think is expensive for the Sephora brand. I really wanted Illamasqua Nail Polish in Viridian but unfortunately they were all sold out!

Chantecaille Sample Sale!

Manicure Of The Week

I present my super-dry-hands-and-cuticles manicure of the week! This week a resurrected a favorite from last holiday season, Sephora by OPI 212-Sephora. This is a smokey black shade with copper flecks and rainbow shimmer. It's very festive and pretty on short nails without being a typical seasonal metallic red. It's different and pretty and always elicits positive comments.

Quick Brush Rave

In case anybody is scouring Sephora.com trying in vain to find something to buy with their VIB gift certificate, I thought I'd share my most recent brush acquisition. It's the Sephora Collection Professional Mineral Powder Brush #45. This synthetic brush is just $26 but is worth at least double in my opinion. I recently started using Bare Escentuals Matte Foundation just in my T-Zone to even out my complexion (ahhh...aging. I never needed coverage before!) and this brush applies it perfectly. I get decent coverage that looks natural without the buffing buffing buffing that BE brushes require. The brush is dense but soft and would work with any pressed or loose mineral foundation as well as bronzer or blush. Check it out!

My New Love

I had zero need for a new blush. Actually less than zero. Not only do I have a ton currently in rotation, but I have a bunch in my "to sell/give away" pile right now. So had logic prevailed, I never would have come home with my new Laura Mercier Second Skin Blush in Rose Petal, but I'm quite glad that I did.

The Laura Mercier site describes Rose Petal as a matte fresh pale pink, though in reality the shade has enough warmth in it to work with my coloring, though not so much that it could be called a true peachy pink or coral. I'd call it a sheer, warm light pink. It applies beautifully and looks very natural. I love the transparency that these blush have--it really makes the color look like it's coming from within and is a big improvement in my opinion over Laura Mercier's previous blush formulation.

These blushes are $24 and the Laura Mercier website currently has a gift with purchase until 5PM CST with a $75 purchase. It's not the most thrilling gift to me, but a nice treat if you were going to spend that much anyway.

I've Started To Use A New Skincare Line

I've mentioned below that the Short Hills Malls (technically The Mall at Short Hills but I'm just no that fancy) is "my" mall, the mall I grew in so to speak. There was a time where I knew every inch of it, every, store, every parking garage, every line it carried. It's undergone some changes over the last few years, incorporating even more luxury level stores and remodeling some of the older ones. Every time I go back to visit there seems to be something new, and this time was no exception.

In place of what I *think* was the old Samsonite Black Label (which I know used to be the old Temple St. Clair boutique) is a beautiful new venue housing skincare line Om Aroma & Co. The space is pretty large for a skincare boutique and very nicely done.

Om deems itself anti-aging organic luxury skincare and is free of parabens, formaldehyde, sulfates, and other toxic chemical fillers. They've won several awards and all products are manufactured and packaged in the US. The prices are towards the luxury end of the market but the ingredients are high quality and organic.

I picked up a trial package fro Normal skin--my skin is dry in the winter but I've been having some breakouts on my forehead of chin for some reason so I'm leery of using anything overly hydrating--($49) as well as the Pumpkin Seed Night Serum ($58). It's only been a few days but so far so good. I'll report back as I continue to test the products. Here's what I'm using:

• Elixir de Beaute Facial Cleanser ($38)- A gentle foaming cleanser with crushed champagne grape seeds, rosemary and aloe. A tiny bit goes a long way and foams without harsh detergents. Ingredients: Organic Olive (Olea Europaea) Oil*, Organic Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed) Oil*, Organic Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil*, Vegetable Glycerin/Gum Extract, Blend of crushed Champagne Grape Seeds and powdered Mother of Pearls, Organic Aloe Vera Gel (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice)*, Essential Oils, Rosemary Extract (Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract)
  
• Aromatonique Toning Mist ($28)- I've never been a fan of toners but the sales associates says that the lavender is anti-bacterial and would help with the few blemishes on my forehead. I like that this is alcohol free. Ingredients: Blend of Chamaemelum nobile (Roman Chamomile) Distillate* and Lavandula hybrida (Lavender) Distillate*. Lonicera japonica (japanese honeysuckle) extract.
  
• Pumpkin Seed Night Serum ($58)- Rosehip Oil based with pumpkin seed and meadowfoam oil. High in Omega Fatty Acids and vitamin for cellular rejuvenation. Ingredients: rosa canina (rosehip) fruit oil*. cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) seed oil*. limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil. helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*. extracts of lavandula angustifolia (lavender)*, daucus carota sativa (carrot) root*, lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower*, symphytum officinale (comfrey) leaf*, foeniculum vulgar (fennel) fruit*. fragrance (100% essential oils). *certified organic.
• Extrait de Caviar Eye Cream ($58)- with Co Q-10 to reduce fine lines and filled with hydrators. Ingredients: organic avena sativa (oats) kernel meal infusion. carrier oils of oenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil*, rubus idaeus (red raspberry) seed oil, cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) seed oil*, rosa canina (rosehip) fruit oil*, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil*, oryza sativa (rice) bran oil. glycine soja (soybean) oil* (and) helianthus annuus(sunflower) seed oil* (and) extracts of caviar, secale cereale (rye) seed, ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) leaf*, lavandula angustifolia (lavender)*, daucus carota sativa (carrot) root*, prunus armeniaca (apricot) fruit*, lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower*,symphytum officinale (comfrey) leaf*, foeniculum vulgar (fennel) fruit*. emulsifying wax nf (veg). theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter*. vegetable glycerin. butyrospermum parkii (shea butter)fruit*. stearic acid (fr.soybean). tocopherol (vit.e). silk amino acids. coenzyme q10. polyaminopropyl biguanide.
• Creme Luxe Truffle ORganic Age-Defying Face Cream ($72)- this comes in 3 formulas depending on skin type: Oily/Light, Normal/Combination or Dry/Mature. I am using the Normal Version. This version has Sweet Almond, Rice Bran and Red Raspberry and Silk Protein. The Oily one features Papaya, Apricot and Oats and the Mature iteration contains Red Raspberry, Meadowfoam and Rosehip. Ingredients for Normal: organic avena sativa (oats) kernel meal infusion. carrier oils of rosa canina (rosehip) fruit oil*, cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) seed oil*, rubus idaeus (red raspberry) seed oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil*, oryza sativa (rice) bran oil. glycine soja (soybean) oil* (and) helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil* (and) extracts oftuber magnatum (white truffle), ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) leaf*, lavandula angustifolia (lavender)*, daucus carota sativa (carrot) root*, prunus armeniaca (apricot) fruit*, lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower*, symphytum officinale (comfrey) leaf*, foeniculum vulgar (fennel) fruit*. theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter*. emulsifying wax nf (veg). vegetable glycerin. butyrospermum parkii (shea butter) fruit*. stearic acid (fr. soybean). tocopherol (vit. e). silk amino acids. fragrance (100% essential oil). polyaminopropyl biguanide (1% paraben/formaldehyde-free preservative).

The site has a few specials if certain products are purchased together as well as the sample kits I mentioned above. The sizes in the samples are very generous (.5 oz each for the most part) and will last a long time. Definitely check out the lovely store if you're visiting the mall and the website if you can't make it!

Mini Aveda Haul

I did way to much shopping for my own good this Black Friday. One of my favorite things about going home to visit my parents is spending time at The Mall at Short Hills, "my" mall growing up. Imagine all of the lovely, wonderful, high end stores you'd love to have gathered in one place without any of the "filler" stores like Piercing Pagotas and Game Stop. I rarely venture into Aveda but wanted to stop in and see if anything. I found myself leaving with their loose Comforting Tea and a Lip Shine in Juneberry.

I love the Aveda tea for the evenings. It's caffeine free and is one of the very few teas that has a natural sweetness to it so it doesn't require sugar. It's perfect for when you're craving a snack but don't want the calories. They say it contains licorice root and peppermint but I'm a die-hard anise/fennel hater and do not find this licoricey at all. I find $24 to be expensive to tea but you only need a teaspoon at a time so it should last quite a while.

I so did not need another lip gloss but this Lip Shine called to me. It has the signature Aveda scent that I love in a non-sticky, all natural formula with fruit and vegetable extracts to provide anti-oxidant protection. The shade, Juneberry, is a little different for me but not so far out of my comfort zone that I won't wear it. It's a deep, blushy, just plummier than natural lip shade with a hint of sparkle and a translucent formula. Very pretty on it's own or over lip pencil.

Manicure of the Week

This is Rimmel London Steel Gray, a shade similar to Sephora by OPI Metro Chic and OPI You Don't Know Jacques. The Rimmel polishes have these amazing flat, wide brushes that allow you to coat the nail in one stroke. I think they're genius!

L'Occitane Fleur Cherie Makeup Collection

When L'Occitane released their Peony fragrance line in the spring, it was accompanied by a complementary capsule makeup collection. Though the fragrance remained part of the line, the cosmetics disappeared. With the debut of the new Fleur Cherie products for the holiday season L'Occitane has again released a small group of makeup that will only be sticking around for a limited time.

The fragrance and shades are not exactly reminiscent of the season. The fragrance is a light floral and the makeup in shades of coral, rose and pink. Even the peach and white packaging connotes spring in my opinion. Nonetheless, some of the products are lovely, particularly the sheer coral lipstick I picked up, Corail Brocart. The lipstick is semi-sheer and quite smooth and moisturizing. It contains orange blossom extract, ostensibly for softness. The packaging is a paper tube evocative of the early Stila lipsticks and the lipstick itself has a light, non-offensive fragrance. There are 5 shades from which to choose t $14 each, though my store only had 3.

Other products include a highlight powder a la Guerlain Meteorites (image below. This item had already sold out at my local boutique), blush duos, eye shadows, a lip gloss compact, eye liners and wand-style glosses. Again, while the website has 5 shades available for purchase, my boutique had only 2 remaining. You view the full collection online or stop by your local shop to see them in person for a limited time!

Nice Gift With Purchase At SpaceNK

SpaceNK is offering a really nice goodie bag with a $150 purchase online. Click on the picture to view details (no, I'm not compensated in any way, shape or form if you click. It simply makes the picture and text larger).

A Cheapie But Goody

Ever have one of those days where you just NEED to purchase something as a pick-me-up? I rationalize that it's better for me than scarfing down pie and if the item is inexpensive, so much the better! That is how this lovely gloss made it's way into my life! Burt's Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss in Juicy Peachy is moisturizing without being sticky and has a yummy citrus fruity scent. The color, while quite sheer, is gorgeous--a shimmery peachy nude. Don't expect long lasting color, but at $7 I don't mind reapplying frequently. The all-natural ingredient list is a plus as well!
Ingredients:
Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil,, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, acacia decurrens flower wax, phytosteryl canola glycerides, silica, flavor, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, tocopherol, glycine soja (soybean oil)., May contain: mica, iron oxides, titanium dioxide, carmine

Be Still My Heart- FINALLY A Decent Sephora Beauty Insider Gift!

Between Friends and Family (I can't believe I still haven't shared my haul!) and the recent VIB coupon, I had racked up a truly embarrassing number of Sephora points. The problem was that none of the 100 point gifts appealed to me at all. A mini shaving cream? Yet another primer sample? No thanks. Imagine my surprise when the recent 100 point gift was not only good but awesome! Mini Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Blushes in #6 Quickie, a gorgeous bright salmon pink! The shade is pretty similar to my Becca Grapefruit Beach Tint but does not have he strong scent and is not meant to double as a lip tint. The formula is also thicker and a bit more opaque but still blends nicely. RUN to your local Sephora to see if they have this gift available (it's not online)!