Your Thursday Face: NYC Smooth & Natural Matte Powder Foundation

I told you I’d be back! Since I’ve taken forever to write something (and it’s already after 11:00pm), I should probably get right to the review.

Today’s fine face item is a fantastic foundation from NYC.

NEW! Smooth & Natural Matte Powder Foundation

Blurb: Foundation and powder in one simple step! Your go-to foundation for a picture perfect complexion! Smooth & Natural Matte Powder Foundation absorbs excess oil for a shine-free finish while leaving your skin silky and soft to the touch.

This is one of the nicest surprises I’ve come across. I really loved using this foundation. It goes on evenly and has a nice, silky feel. It comes with a sponge, but I thought it worked especially well with my kabuki brush (my powder brush too). The coverage is sheer to medium, with a very pretty, natural-looking matte finish. It did a very good job of evening out my skin tone, and had wonderful oil control.

This is great for the vanity, and the slim packaging (and the fact that it works both as a foundation and a finish) make it great for your bag too. It’s also an excellent value ($4.99)!

Check out the website. There’s a really nice selection of colors. There’s also a retail locator and a section with beauty tips. N.Y.C. is sold in supermarkets, drugstores and places like Ulta, Target, and Walmart.

(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

Good Stuff: N.Y.C Quick Dry Nail Polish (review)

First…a shout out to the Good Samaritan who helped me on Saturday! I pulled into a mall parking lot; and while turning a corner, I did that dorky hitting-the-curb thing. Not only was it embarassing, it instantly flattened my tire. I got out of my air-conditioned car, stood there in the sweltering parking lot, stared at my mangled tire, and figured my afternoon would be spent waiting for the Auto Club (yes, that’s correct – I don’t know how to change a tire). But instead of punishing me for my lack of automotive skills, The Universe sent help. A nice man stepped out from between the cars, saw my situation and offered to put the spare on.

How awesome is that??? It took him about 15 minutes. I thanked him profusely, and asked him if there was anything I could do; but he said nothing in return was necessary – he was glad to help. Awesome, awesome, awesome. Since he wouldn’t let me repay him for such a huge favor; I decided to make an extra effort to help someone else out this week. So now I’m on the lookout for opportunities.

Of course this has absolutely nothing to do with nail polish. But when did that ever stop me? (Answer: never) All I can tell you is that once I finished everything; I came home, took off my old nail polish and reached for a pristine unopened bottle of polish from N.Y.C. (New York Color) Cosmetics.

In a New York Color Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish (in Orange Creamsicle)

This fabulous photo (as well as some great blogging) can be found at Nouveau Cheap

Blurb: Get a manicure in a minute! Quick drying formula with minerals! Features cutting edge shades with high impact shine. Infused with high levels of pigment for brilliant color & a touch of shimmer for dramatic depth and shine.

“Orange Creamsicle” (yum) is the color on the right. The one on the left is “Magenta Flash.” They're from NYC’s "Shock Value" collection (a limited edition spring collection). I chose “Creamsicle” because I needed something bright and fresh to counteract my tiredness. It was exactly what I needed to perk me up: a creamy, bright, yummy orange that cheered up my fingers and toes.

I put this on for the color, and then discovered that the formula is excellent!! It went on beautifully, dried quickly and had a gorgeous glossy shine. And I can’t believe how well it’s wearing! My nails are a bit on the long side right now. But I spent a day at work with the usual typing, paper shuffling and handling of manicure-ruining items; and I can’t see any tip wear at all. And this is without a top coat. It looks like I happened on another fabulous drugstore find!

If you can’t find “Orange Creamsicle,” there are 24 other yummy shades for you to try. The whole collection is on the website. (The site also has a cool Dare to Compare section). N.Y.C. can also be found at Supermarkets, drugstores and places like Ulta, Target, and Walmart. (Check the Where To Buy section for more locations.)
.
(ftc disclosure: received as a sample)

I'm Back! Shock Value Limited Edition Collection from N.Y.C. (review)

The cold is officially on it's way out, and I am officially back to beauty business. I'm also in need of something bright and chipper to chase away the rest of the blahs, so today I'm wearing shadow, liner and gloss from N.Y.C. (New York Color) Cosmetics. These items are all from their "Shock Value" collection - a limited edition collection of bright spring colors for lips, eyes, cheeks, and nails.

City Duet Blendable Brights Eyeshadow

Blurb: Create eye-popping looks with this crease-resistant, pigment-rich shadow duo. Color coordinated for maximum impact, the shocking shade combination dramatically highlights and contours eyes. The shades can be worn alone or blended to create a multitude of looks with the included double-ended applicator. Limited-Edition Shades: Electric, Flash

Liquid Eyeliner

Blurb: Electrify eyes with shocking shades of this long-lasting, fast-drying color. The fragrance-free, hypoallergenic liner glides on easily and resists smudging. The narrow brush allows for precise application. Limited-Edition Shades: Electric Blue, Ultra Violet

Extreme Lip Glider Lip Gloss

Blurb: This high-gloss formula shocks lips with vivid, wet-shine color and a glassy finish. Vitamins A, C, and E nourish lips while a complex of extracts and oils provide conditioning benefits. The non-sticky, lightweight, moisturizing gloss provides radiant, vibrant color and lush melon flavor as it smoothes and softens, leaving lips looking ultra-saturated and super-shiny.Limited-Edition Shades: Fuchsia Shock, Wild Orchid, Red Hot

I love getting super hot trendy colors at great prices! I feel a lot freer to experiment when I know I'm not putting a serious dent in my beauty budget. If you're not 100% sure that you're the sort of person who wears electric blue liquid liner, this is the perfect way to find out.

By the way, It turns out I am the sort of person who wears electric blue liner. And I really liked N.Y.C.'s version a lot. It has a thin brush, goes on smoothly, and even stayed put during today's post-cold sneezing and eye-dabbing. I'm wearing it with the "Electric" shadow duo and the results are great. The shadows are actually a lot less shocking than I thought they would be. And both look fresh and spring-like.

The Glider glosses are also very nice. The color is sheer and has a glassy shine. They last, and feel very good on the lips. My favorite was the "Fuchsia Shock," but I also really liked "Wild Orchid."

The summer collection is on the website. While you're there, take a look at the Dare to Compare section and join Beautynet to get the latest info and offers. N.Y.C. is easy to find at Supermarkets, drugstores and places like Ulta, Target, and Walmart. You can also go to the Where To Buy section for more locations.

In addition to all of my opinions and musings; the folks at NYC were kind enough to send over a few beauty trends, tips and recommendations. Take a look…

Trends and Tips from N.Y.C. New York Color Make-Up Artist Mathew Nigara

Trend-Red Hot Coral Lips: Instead of using your normal red go for a more orange toned coral in a shiny gloss with and opaque lipstick underneath.

You can achieve this by using the N.Y.C. New York Color Retro Red stained with ring finger blotted and re-stained. Then apply the new Limited Edition Extreme Lip Glider in Red Hot.

Be sure to keep this modern by using little to no foundation - lots of illuminating highlighter, and a sparkly metallic shadow like the N.Y.C. New York Color Sparkle Eye Dust in Champagne or Opal

Trend-Monochromatic bronzer and/or cheek color used on multiple features on the face: Use the N.Y.C. New York Color Sun to Sun Bronzer which actually comes with a low light and a highlight to create dimension on the face. Paint the face as you would using your normal and comfortable shades using the deeper color to create shadow and depth and the lighter to add sparkle and bring your bones forward. A plush bronzer brush will help to execute this and don't be afraid to use your eye shadow brushes with the bronzer to apply it as eyeshadow. The look you are trying to achieve is simple but specifically executed.

A simpler way to achieve this is to of course use the N.Y.C. New York Color Blushable Creme stick and apply the color of your choice all over the face with your fingers. A white eye pencil on the inner rim of the eye will brighten and draw attention to the simplicity of this look.
.