NYC Bronzers/Blushes

Summertime means bronzing time!

 Looking for a new blush or bronzer to go with your new tan?

 On a budget?


Well let's check out 3 blushes and bronzers I recently got to review from NYC!

The first bronzer I have for you today is the Sun 'n' bronze bronzing powder. It has a bunch of browns that will combine to create a shimmery summer glow to your face. There are 4 different shades in this collection and the one I got was Fire Island Tan that has a medium and medium dark brown with a hint of a gold shimmer to it. It comes out very golden brown on my skin tone and I feel like J-Lo with it lol! Other colors in this collection have more dramatic colors so if your looking for a color to make your cheekbones pop def check out the other shades.
 Price for this bronzer is ~$4.99
http://newyorkcolor.com/products/face/bronzer/sunnbronze-bronzing-powder

The second bronzer I got was the Sun 2 Sun bronzing powder in Terracotta tan. This collection only has two shades one with browns for darker skins like the one above and the other with browns for a lighter skin tone. You will see later on in my hand swatches but the lighter brown hardly shows up on my skintone but that brown looks absolutely amazing on my color. Very happy with how it looks.
Price ~$4.99
http://newyorkcolor.com/products/face/bronzer/sun-2-sun-bronzing-powder

Not feeling like applying a bronzer? Prefer a little color to your cheeks instead? Well then the Color wheel Face powder is for you! I am not sure why it is called face powder bc it makes it seem like its a foundation but I def used the one I got as a blush bc its a pink color. Pink berry is what I got and I am not sure if it is an old color or one that will be coming out soon but it is not shown on the NYC website.  Pink berry has a bunch of purples and pinks that will combine to give you a natural blush color that is perfect to wear for work. There are four colors in the current collection and there is one that is called pink cheek glow that has pinks and brown color in it. It looks beautiful and when I get the chance I def want to try that one out.
Price ~$4.99
http://newyorkcolor.com/products/face/powder/color-wheel-mosaic-face-powder

Swatches of the Sun 'n' bronze in Fire Island Tan, Sun 2 Sun in Teracotta tan (2 swatches) and finally the Color Wheel Face Powder in Pink Berry.


Where to find: CVS, Walgreens, Target, Walmart or any other drug retailer

**disclaimer-these products were provided for my 100% honest opinion**

NYC Duel 2 in 1 Lip Color

I love love love lipstick now. My stash has grown from none to a whole bunch in a little less than a year. I love the variation in colors and types like matte and such. 

When NYC reached out to me about reviewing their City Duel 2 in 1 Lip colors I had to see what they were about.

 

The 2 in 1 lipsticks are exactly what they say they are. Each one has two shades in one that you could use individually or as a combination. It's really cool because its kind of like you get two for the price of one. Most of the 2 in 1 duel colors have a dark and light color and when you combine them you get a color in between the both

I received four colors in this collection: The Empire Lilacs, The Rock a Fella, The waldorf Roses, and The vintage pinks. Each swatch I will show you has the lighter color on top and the darker shade on bottom

Here are swatches of both shades in each lipstick.

For the swatches I thought it would be cool to show you how each color individually looks and then what color you get when you combine the two

The empire lilacs has a soft frosted pink color and a darker pink color on the bottom.

I combined the two colors to get a color a little lighter than the original darker pink

The Rock a fellas has a light baby pink on one side and a darker neon kind of pink on the other

When you combine the two you get a really nice pink color! This def was my favorite combination look!

The Waldorf Roses has a light baby pink on top and a darker pink color on the bottom. Weird how it looks almost red here but it def is more pinkish in real life.

When you combine the two you get a nice softer pink color. This was my second favorite combination look!

The vintage pink has a lighter pink on top that is barely noticeable on my lips and a slightly darker pink on bottomw. This was the most natural looking color of the four.

Combination of the lipsticks gave a natural pink that could be worn easily during the day

Overall, I like the idea of having a duel lipstick so you can essentially get 3 looks out of it. Most of the ones I got to review were pinks but I def want to check out nude or reds they might have. One thing I appreciate is how affordable this lipstick are. Pigmentation was okay but they don't stay on for too long if your drink, eating, etc as most lipsticks do.

Price- $2.99

Where to find-CVS, Target, Walmart, Walgreens or other drug store retailers

http://newyorkcolor.com/products/lips/lipcolor/city-duet-2-1-lip-color

Got2bs New Oil-licious Line

When I was younger I used to do a ton of bad stuff to my hair: highlights of all colors, perming, pretty much you name it and I tried it. But a few years ago I was unhappy with how unhealthy my hair looked and went back to my natural hair color and just regular shampoo and conditioner. I get a lot of compliments on my hair. I am extremely picky on my hair products bc I can easily tell when something isn't working out for me. So when the PR for got2b a very popular drug store brand asked me to try their new oil-licious line I couldn't resist. 

First off all awesome looking are these bottles? Love it!

Okay now to the good stuff... this new line is made from triple oils of argan, white grape see, and marula

I have to admit I was really scared to try the shampoo bc it looks just like oil. As I am constantly sweating in this humid Texas weather I thought the last thing I needed to add to my hair was more oil. The smell of the shampoo is nice and kind of florally with twist. Hard to describe. Anyways, my hair is def not oily after using.

The conditioner is completely opposite of the shampoo. It is not really as oily looking as the shampoo. I actually like the smell of the conditioner better and it has gold shimmer to it. I know gold shimmer? I was like I hope I don't look like I sprayed a bottle of glitter on me but it is actually nice and subtle little shimmer to it. It is on hair very naturally surprisingly so you get that nice little shimmer to it in the sun. Trust me I have black hair so if it was dramatic I could tell and of course tell you how it really looked on me. And plus I am sure you guys know my thing against glitter. But honestly it just adds a little shimmer to it. 

Overall, my hair felt very soft after I got out of the shower. Bc I haven't trimmed it in about 6 months I noticed it was started to get crunchy on the ends which means I am up for a cut but I did notice it improve while using these products. Love the smell it leaves on my hair! And I love its extremely affordable! This is my second time trying a got2b product and I def like this one and will be continuing to use my shampoo and conditioner.

Price- $5.99 

Where to find: Walmart, Walgreens, Ulta and other Food retailers

http://www.got2b.us/got2b/us/en/home/productfinder/oil-licious.html

**disclaimer-this product was provided for my 100% honest opinion**

Get Ready for Summer with Neutrogena

Summertime is almost near in Dallas! For others it might already be there! As a biologist I know how important it is to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun! You should always wear SPF when your out in direct sunlight to help protect your skin from aging and skin cancer! Recently Neutrogena contacted me to review some new and popular suncare products! 

Neutrogena sent over a variety of different types: ones for water, sensitive skin, your face to be used daily and more. Let's check them out now and see what each is used for.

Beach Defense (~$10.49) is a new line from Neutrogena. It's SPF 70 so you know first off your getting amazing protection. Remember, the higher the SPF the more protection you get. The beach defense is water resistant and will last up to 80 minutes. Its extremely light weight and usually I hate the smell of sunscreen but this one has a nice light scent to it! Its oil free so you don't look greasy and PABA free. Def like this one! 

Not a big fan of lotions? No problem! Neutrogena also has the Ultra Sheer Body Mist that is SPF 100+ (~$11.49). As you can see this one has even better protection than the first one I reviewed. This would  probably be good for people who burn really easily and like I mentioned ones who don't like the feeling of lotion on. Its super easy to put on just spray all over. The spray is also lightweight and oil-free. 

Summertime means swimming time for children! They will probably out all day so neutrogena offers a wet skin kids sunscreen with SPF of 45+ (~$10.49). What's good about this one is say your child jumps in the pool and you forget to put sunscreen.. no problem the wet skin collection is able to cut through water and apply directly to wet skin. I don't have any kids and my nephew is far so I can't say much about it but that it is lightweight. 

Do you have extremely sensitive skin? Like you break out with harsh chemicals? Neutrogena also offers the Sensitive Skin Sunscreen (~$10.49) with SPF 60 protection. This one feels like it moisturizes more on my skin and it fragrance free, oil free, water resistant, PABA free and hypoallergenic. 

Perhaps the most important part of your body that is never usually shielded from the sun is your face! You could easily burn by just walking around during the day thats why Neutrogena created the Clear Face line (~10.49)And I have seen some picture of skin damage from not protecting it and it is def not pretty. Now I know I break out easily with products that have oil in it. The area on my face that is most prone to breaking out is the T-zone or my forehead and sides of my nose! The clear face line is supposed to give a matte finish and also not clog your pores. I haven't broken out just yet and it def does not make my skin oily or shiny at all

And finally the last product I got is the from the Pure and Free baby line made specific for sensitive babies skin (~10.49). Made from natural ingredients this sunscreen is hypoallergenic, fragrance free, oil free, PABA free, and water resistant. Now I don't have a baby so I can't tell you how well it would work on babies but it did seem pretty lightweight, moisturizing and not too greasy.

Overall, I like that Neutrogena has made collection to help all types of people: sensitive skin ones, ones who need good protection, ones who like spray instead of lotion and I am sure there is much more lines. I did swatch all and none felt heavy they all felt lightweight. They did not have a harsh chemical smell and they were not greasy. I really hated putting sunscreen on and then filling sticky. Also, I like that they have pretty high SPF on all of there protects. Higher SPF = better protection for all of us!

Where to find- Any drugstore

http://www.neutrogena.com/category/sun.do?nType=1

**disclaimer-these products were provided for my 100% honest opinion**

NYC-Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm

I am so excited to have a bunch of drugstore makeup/nail reviews coming up. Don't get me wrong I love my designer makeup, but, as a student it gets hard to afford the good stuff but good thing there are a lot of drug store brands that make some amazing products. Today I am reviewing the new Applicious Glossy Lip Balm collection from New York Color

 

Inspired by the famous "big apple" aka New York, these lip balms are supposed to deliver color, shine and moisture. The collection consists of 10 different colors and I will swatch 4 of those today

 

The colors I have today are: Apple Plum Pie, Big Apple Red, Applelicious Pink and Blushing Golden

I swatched all colors on my arm. Sorry if its hard to see the colors on my arm but these balms are not super super pigmented

 

Apple Plum pie looks like a purple color but it doesn't come off like that on my lip color. It added a hint of color but not too much

 

Big Apple Red wasn't as red as I thought it would be. 

Applelicious Pink added a hint of pink to my lips. I think I would have a liked a bright pink color more than a natural pink 

Blushing Golden is the only color you can really see on me. The other ones are more like my normal lip color so its hard to see them on. This one is a light frosty color you can def see on me. 

Overall, the Glossy lip balm has a good consistency-not super thick where your hair sticks to it. It is perfect and moisturizes pretty well. I do really like the apple smell these balms have. Yum! the only thing I wish was better was the pigmentation of the balms. There def good to wear at for example work but I would have loved them to have a dark pigmentation so I could wear them our instead of wearing lipstick. I def have been wearing these to work bc they hydrate my lips very well.

Price-$2.99

Where to find-Drugstores or online

**disclaimer-These products were provided for my 100% honest opinion**

Barielle's Tips to Toe Giveaway

Barielle is hosting an amazing sweepstakes this week for one grand prize winner and 10 small winners. All winners will win a Mani-Pedi spa kit while the grand prize winner will win a Micheal Kors Wallet ($100). I don't know about you but one day I hope to own something with a MK symbol on it so maybe you will be that luck winner!

The Mani/Pedi Spa Kit will include

One 5-pack Nail Color Set ($25)

One Nail Rebuilding Protein ($17)

One Nail Strengthening Cream ($17)

One No Chip Speed Dry Topcoat ($12.50)

One Professional Protective Hand Cream ($8)

Total Retail Value of these prizes is $92

To enter click on the link below

http://www.facebook.com/barielle/app_28134323652

or  if your using a mobile device use this link

http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/323659

Don't forget to enter giveaway ends next Monday May 27th!!

Start off the summer right with having all the essentials to make amazing Mani's and Pedi's! 

In celebration of this contest Barielle has kindly donated a Spa Kit to give away to one of the amazing followers I have! Stay Tuned for contest in the next week or so!!! I got to pick the 5 nail set and decided to go with the Summer Brights 5-pack because the colors looked amazing!! Thanks Barielle! 

May 2013 Ipsy Bag

Woo hoo! It's Beauty subscription time! This month's theme was spring fling!

This is the bag that we got this month! Let me just say this is def my favorite bag I have gotten in the year I've been subscribed to Ipsy. Love the colors and love love love the design. 

But....

What did I get inside? That is the most important questions??

Inside my bag this month..

1.  Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia Perfume-Love that it is a pretty good size perfume not the little itsy bitzy one's you get from other beauty subscriptions. But I am not a big fan of the scent itself. Kinda smell like a candle or cleaner. 

2. Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment I am a huge fan of Macadamia Natural Oil products so I can't wait to try this out

3. Zoya Nail Polish in Gie Gie-Zoya is def one of my favorite nail polish brands and pink is my favorite color so yeah loving the color I got.

 4. Juice Beauty Lip Gloss in fig-The consistency is nice. The color is a nice and natural color but not a fan of shimmer in lip gloss. If it didn't have the shimmer I would prob use it. 

 4. Yaby Eyeshadow or concealer in Vanilla-It is def bigger than the bite size eyeshadows we got in an older bag. Not sure if it is a creme eyeshadow base or concealer. It doesn't say what it is on the item itself or on the flyer we get?



Close ups of Pacifica Perfume, Macadamia Nut Oil Hair Treatment and Zoya nail polish

Close up of Juice Beauty lip gloss and Yaby concealer or eyeshadow base

Overall, I hope we get more fun designed bags like this instead it was a beautiful color and design. I love Zoya and Macadamia products so I will def use them! Loved the size of the perfume but which it was something else. Wasn't a big fan of the scent. Also the lip gloss was too shimmery for me but the consistency was nice and light. And finally the Yaby product was okay. I wish they got newer brands bc we have had Juice beauty and Yaby products before. I think they need to start branching out for new makeup companies. But again that is my personal opinion.

Did you enjoy your bag this month?

MyGlam is a monthly sample program that delivers 4-5 beauty products in a design makeup bag that changes each month. Some items sent are samples while others are full-of right now they are sold out. Just keep checking, I waited for about a month and half before I got in.  You can subscribe to them by visiting myglam.com 

Rite Aid Nail Extravaganza Giveaway

Early this week I told you guys about the Rite Aid Nail Extravaganza! All you have to do is upload your most creative nail designs to http://riteaidnails.com. The top three winners will be chosen based on public votes and judges scoring. Voting opened on the 13th and will last till the 24th. One grand prize winner will be a $500 GC to Rite Aid and two first prize winners will get $100 Rite Aid Gift card and 17 finalists will get $50 gift cards. For more details on the contest check out the link above!!

To help celebrate their amazing contest Rite Aid sent me an amazing gift so I have no excuse to enter the contest now....

Got this cute little bag with a red bow on it 

Look at what I got.....

I got some maybelline polishes, Loreal, Essie. Revlon and some of the JulieG polishes! Now what can I come up with this weekend???

Rite also included an amazing surprise as well....

want to see it??

Some lucky lady here is going to win a gift basket compliments of Rite Aid with some polishes similar to the ones I got!!! Every ladies dream!!

Giveaway is open to Sunday at midnight! US Only!


Don't forget to thank Rite Aid for this amazing giveaway!!1

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2013 Zoya PixieDust Summer Collection

Summer time is almost here! Are you ready to bust out those sandals! I reviewed the very first PixieDust collection a few months ago and I was super excited to hear they came out with a summer collection! Consisting of 6 different colors this collection has all the summer essential colors! PixieDust is easy to apply you don't need a bast or top coat! 

So let's check out all the colors...

Summertime means hot so what better way to represent the sun than a bunch of yellow and oranges.

Solange is a beautiful shimmery gold color! Match your beautiful J-Lo bronzer with this really nice color. 

Beautrix is a light shimmery orange color with a hint of gold shimmer to it. 

Destiny is a light coral color with a gold shimmer in it. Def brings out the summer with a gold sparkle to it!

Here are the other colors in this collection

Miranda

Stevie is a light lilac color with silver shimmer in it.  It is a really pretty color.

Liberty in person looks like a 4th of July kind of color but for some reason it kept photographing like an ocean blue color. It definitely is more of a royal blue in person.

Overall, I love the gold, orange, coral and lilac color the best. Again the PixieDust polishes look so cool and give your nails a nice matte textured look! You wouldn't think they look good without a top coat but they look nice and there sparkle is great in the sun!

Price-$9 ea or complete set for $54

http://www.zoya.com/content/38/category/Pixie_Dust_Summer.html

**disclaimer-this product was provided for my 100% honest opinion**