Tarte Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder

I ordered this from QVC because it came with what looked like a phenomenal brush, all for less than the cost of just the product had I purchased it elsewhere. The powder is a shimmering champagne that I though would be perfect to highlight cheekbones and browbones, but I cannot get it to show up on me unless I really pack it on with the included sponge. Granted a highlighter should be subtle, but I literally cannot discern any difference whatsoever when I use the brush to apply the product. I'm seriously considering returning it. Keep in mind that I am quite fair--those with darker skin will have a greater contrast with the powder and may find it more noticeable.

You can see just how subtle it is here:

Two Tarte Disappointments

I remember when Tarte cosmetics first premiered at Bergdorf Goodman years ago. I had a makeover and bought a ridiculous number of products, and continued to purchase and for the most part love everything. The last 2 items I've used, however, have not fallen into the 'love' category. The first is the 'natural' iteration of their Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. I used this several years ago, back when it was chock full o' chemicals and liked it. It's now free of parabens, pthalates et al, and bored with how quickly my beloved Korres mascara dries up, I purchased the Tarte.

I get nice length and thickness from it, especially over their mascara primer, but boy oh boy is this flake city! I've had two coworkers (including a guy) come over and that my face was covered in black flakes it was so bad. One close friend, unprompted and out of the blue, said "whatever mascara you've been using lately--stop." Lesson learned. I tossed it and rebought the Korres.

Check back later to learn about the second Tarte product that's fallen short for me recently, the newly released Amazonian Clay Shimmer Powder.

Clark's Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Tint

Every now and then, I wish I was one of those girls who had just a chic little makeup bag filled with just a handful of treasured items that, when applied, made her look effortless glamorous and natural at the same time. You know, those starlets and socialites who swear that all they use is MAC Twig lip pencil, a smidge of Rosebud Salve and Maybelline Great Lash before they leave the house? Instead, I have a plethora of beauty products that have taken over my one bedroom apartment and the unlimited number of combinations can make getting ready in the morning a time consuming process. If I was that understated minimalist, I think that Clark's Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Tint might be one of the the products in my arsenal.

This is a highly emollient lip balm that comes in clear as well as four tinted shades. I ordered Alexandra Rose from Dermstore, and after a (lengthy!) 2 week wait, I received it yesterday. Contrary to the website's characterization as "ultra sheer," I find this to pack a pigmented punch. It's a bright pink learning towards the warmer side that definitely shows up well, even on pigmented lips. It's a great pick me up face brightener and is non-sticky and very moisturizing. The downsides are that it is $19 for a small tube and the product needs to be reapplied often. It also has a very strong scent--sort of a sweet jasmine--that does not dissipate. It's offensive enough to me that I'd actually remove the gloss prior to eating or drinking, but I could those who enjoy scented lip products being fine with it.

Ingredients:
Nutyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Jojoba Esters, Lanolin, Octyldodecanol, Pentaerithrityl Tetraisostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Atelocollagen, Ricinus Communis (Castor OIl), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil), C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Beeswax, Persea Gratissima (Avacado) Oil, Phenyltrimethicone, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Jasmine Officinale (Jasmine) Extract, Polybutene, Fragrances, Saccharin, Allantoin.

Some New and Noteworthy Items on Sephora.com

Just browsing around Sephora.com and a few new items caught my eye:

• Make Up For Ever Tres Vichy Duo Eye Shadow Palette- $31
• Benefit Feelin' Cheeky Minis- $15
• Josie Maran Argan Sun Protection For Body SPF 30+ - $24. I love the face version.
• Tarte Amazonian Clay Discover Set- $39
• NARS Forever Yours Eye, Lip and Illuminator Set- $49
• LORAC Be Mine Collection- $37
• Shiseido Sun Savvy Set- $57

Exclusive Laura Mercier Tightlining Trio

Laura Mercier, queen of tightlining and the cake liner, has an exclusive set at Nordstrom featuring 3 Cake Eye Liners (Gunmetal, Smoke, and Turquoise Ink), two of which are exclusive and a Min Flat Eye Liner brush for $39.50. This looks like a great deal for those look to try tightlining or wanting more of Laura's beloved liners!

Score!

I'm not an Urban Decay fan, but I was looking for a sheer pop-of-color cream blush to layer over my bronzer and happened upon their new Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tints ($24). Sephora describes the product as a "sheer, buildable cheek tint that glides on effortlessly and feels truly weightless," a description I agree with. I picked up the shade Score, which is a sheer peachy pink (more pink than peach) with gold shimmer. I think that the sheerness makes it look natural, and the golden glimmer is very pretty, but some might find it over the top. I'm very fair and find that the color builds nicely, but those with deeper skins will probably find that this shade does not show up. I've heard rants regarding the lasting power of this product but I haven't had any issues with it fading.

Sue Devitt For Spring!

I rarely check out Sue Devitt anymore, but was stumbling around Barney's on Saturday and happened upon her Hydrating Marine Minerals Destination Eye & Cheek Palettes in Solomon Islands and Beausoleil. I'll forgive Sue for giving this product the longest name ever, because the palettes are beautiful and perfect for Spring! Solomon Islands (on the wishlist!) is a pink/coral/bronze fusion, and Beausoleil is a medley of peaches and bronze. Not inexpensive at $37.50 each, but luminescent and pretty without being over the top. I didn't take the plunge yet since I'm still playing with my new Edward Bess bronzer and Urban Decay Afterglow Cheek Tint, but it's only a matter of time before I cave.

Blog Sale Update

I have a ton of lovely extras and goodies to toss in! I'd like to sell the whole lot at once for $60 (which includes shipping) or best offer, but if you're interested in just a few items feel free to make an offer. The Chanel concealer alone was $40, and the Becca Beach Tint $25. Everything is in great condition and just needs a loving home. :) Please email newyorkcitypretty at gmail dot com if interested or if you have questions.

Becca Beach Tint in Grapefruit, used twice
Bobbi Brown Lip Shine in Blush (used twice)
Bobbi Brown Lip Shimmer in Berry Shimmer (more of a peachy beigey neutral; used twice)
Bare Escentuals Blush in Golden Gate (peachy glowy rose; used about 6 times)
Redpoint Optic Effects Pencil (used 3 times)
Chanel Lip Liner in Natural (used twice)
MAC Cremestick Pearl Lip Liner in Gingeroot (used 3 times)
Laura Mercier Eye Shadow Duo in Gold Dust/Sheherazade (pan form, tested once)
Tarte Eye Shadow in The Real McCoy (dip in upper corner but remainder of shadow is untouched)
Chanel Correction Perfection Concealer in 10 (used twice)
Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer in 3 (used 3 times)
Crabtree & Evelyn Naturals Protective Lip Balm (used twice)
Tarte Mini Natural Cheek Stain in Glisten (limited edition, used once)
Senna Secret Set Mineral Mix Setting Powder (used 3 times, no dips)
Orly Nail Lacquer in Space Cadet (one manicure)
Sephora by OPI Nail Color in Iris I was Thinner (one manicure)
Sephora by OPI Nail ColorRead My Palm (one manicure and one pedicure)
Sephora by OPI Nail Color Midnight Mambo (one manicure and one pedicure)
Paul & Joe Nail Enamel in 04 (one manicure)

Chantecaille Centifolia Lip Sheer

I've had this lipstick on my wishlist for ages now. I hadn't purchased it mainly because it looks just like all of my other lipsticks--a sheerish peachy pink with a hint of shimmer--but caved on a recent trip to Bergdorf's. Centifolia is very sheer, more so than my other Chantecaille Lip Sheers. It provides just a hint of color along with a moisturizing shine. Is it remarkable? No. Worth $28? Probably not. But it's the kind of lipstick that can live in your purse and work with any look on days you forget to bring your lipstick of the day or want to switch things up. I also prefer this newer formula in the skinny tube. It's paraben-free, unless the prior incarnation.

Here are swatches in different lights:

A Mini Binge

So there are good binges (a makeup or shoe haul) and bad binges (eating half a dozen William Greenberg Black & White cookies) and because I was on the verge of the latter thanks to a cornucopia of stress, I decided to effectuate the former. Thus, I found myself on the poorly lit beauty floor of Bergdorf Goodman, telling the Edward Bess Sales Associate that yet another coworker had just commented on how tired I looked and pleading with her for some help.

I walked away with Edward Bess Ultra Luminous Bronzer in Daydream (a favorite of Sabrina over at the Beauty Look Book) and a few Chantecaille goodies that I'll post about tomorrow. I was debating between this bronzer and Chantecaille Capri, but fate intervened when the store was out of the Chantecaille. Daydream is a cocoa-brown shade with no orange or pink tones. It's sheer enough to be used all over the face, but can be built up to be used on the planes of the cheeks, nose and forehead that would naturally be toasted by the sun. I'm using my Bobbi Brown Face Blender brush with it, but the makeup artist applied it with Edward's lovely, though super pricey ($65) version. At $48 this isn't an inexpensive item, but not having a colleague ask when the last time you slept? Priceless.
P.S. I ended up eating 2 mini size of the aforementioned cookies. They really are exceptional. My top 5 favorite cookies in NYC:

1. William Greenberg Bakery Black and Whites
2. Financier Patisserie Macarons
3. Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Walnut and Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip cookies
4. Not Just Rugelach Zaleti
5. Crumbs Bake Shop Snickers Cookies
   

Small Blog Sale!

I have a ton of lovely extras and goodies to toss in! I'd like to sell the whole lot at once for $60 (which includes shipping) or best offer, but first come first served. The Chanel concealer alone was $40, and the Becca Beach Tint $25. Everything is in great condition and just needs a loving home. :) Please email newyorkcitypretty at gmail dot com if interested or if you hve questions.

• Becca Beach Tint in Grapefruit, used twice
• Bobbi Brown Lip Shine in Blush (used twice), Lip Shimmer in Berry Shimmer (more of a peachy beigey neutral; used twice), Bare Escentuals Blush in Golden Gate (peachy glowy rose; used about 6 times)
• Redpoint Optic Effects Pencil (used 3 times), Chanel Lip Liner in Natural (used twice), MAC Cremestick Pearl Lip Liner in Gingeroot (used 3 times), Laura Mercier Eye Shadow Duo in Gold Dust/Sheherazade (pan form, tested once), Tarte Eye Shadow in The Real McCoy (dip in upper corner but remainder of shadow is untouched)
• 
• Chanel Correction Perfection Concealer in 10 (used twice), Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer in 3 (used 3 times), Crabtree & Evelyn Naturals Protective Lip Balm (used twice), Tarte Mini Natural Cheek Stain in Glisten (limited edition, used once)
• Senna Secret Set Mineral Mix Setting Powder (used 3 times, no dips)
• Orly Nail Lacquer in Space Cadet (one manicure), Sephora by OPI Nail Colors in Iris I was Thinner (one manicure) and Read My Palm (one manicure and one pedicure), Midnight Mambo (one manicure and one pedicure), Paul & Joe Nail Enamel in 04 (one manicure)

Taupe Craze!

I had vowed no more eye shadows, but I stopped into the Lancome boutique today and stumbled upon the new Color Design Eye Brightening All In One 5 Shadow Palette and Liner Palettes ($48). Taupe Craze was just too pretty to leave without! These shadows are unbelievably smooth and pigmented and extremely high quality. Lancome doesn't get nearly enough love, and these will make a convert out of the skeptical. I purchased Brush 8 ($26.50) to use with it. Technically a concealer brush, this tapered taklon number is what the makeup artist recommended to use. It deposits pigment well and has a sharp enough edge to use as a liner brush as well.

Go. Buy. This. Polish.

Here is my manicure of the week. This nail polish was under $3 I believe at Duane Reade and is beyond stunning. It's a pale lilac with holographic microshimmer that I cannot stop staring at. And this is taken with a flash--you should see it in the sunlight! Prevail Nail Lacquer in Concrete Jungle--prettiest polish ever. Click on the image to enlarge and see some of the detail.

Staple Eye of the Day

I dusted off some old favorites for today's look: Rock & Republic shadows in Veil, Affair and Diffusion, Lancome Le Crayon Kohl in Black Coffee and Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. This picture was taken after about 10 hours of wear. My mascara has wilted a bit but the shadows and liner are still going strong. I wish Rock & Republic had stuck around--I would have loved to see new shades and products from the line given how high quality I found nearly every product I tried from them.

Quelle Horreur!

Horror of horrors, I arrived at work yesterday and promptly realized that:
A. I had become a human popsicle, and
B. I left my lipstick at home and somehow had no other lipstick or gloss in my purse

While the former probably won't change until the weather warms up in March, across the street from my office is a Company Store, one of the 'By Invitation Only' Cosmetic Company Outlets. I picked up a Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Blush Rose, a soft warm pink. While I generally dislike lip products in pots, this was the best color choice available.

My very favorite lipstick is Bobbi's Creamy Lip Color in Baby, and this is a few shades brighter and pinker. It applies sheerly, as you can see in the swatch. I'm not terribly fond of this formulation in pan form--the product is just too soft. I only applied it twice and you can see the dent that it has made already--pan is visible! If you're the type that can never finish a lipstick and want to experience that satisfaction, I highly endorse the Creamy Lip Color. I go through tubes of it extremely quickly.
Blush Rose is no longer available on the Bobbi Brown site, but check your local CCOs. Here it is compared to Bobbi Brown Baby and Gilded Pink (yes, the majority of my lipsticks look similar to one another).
Baby, Blush Rose, Gilded Pink:

Chanel Glossimer in Meteore

I had a couple of minutes to kill right by Bloomingdales the other day and all of a sudden found myself at the Chanel counter swatching Glossimers. I'm not a gloss person and have never been interested in the Glossimers before, but the gorgeousness of Meteore won me over and it came home with me!

Meteore is a deep sheer pink with the most beautiful holographic iridescent shimmer. It can feel a little gritty and the color is much more subtle on the lips than in the tube. No scent or taste and not too sticky, I'm a fan of the formula, certainly more so than the price (which I believe was around $32 with tax).