The MAC Store in Grand Central is now open!

To all my fellow beauty junkies who pass through Grand Central, the MAC freestanding store is open! Now, in addition to checking out L'Occitane, Aveda, and Origins, you can get your MAC fix while waiting for the subway or MetroNorth! The store isn't huge but right now it's clean, well-stocked, and the SAs are attentive and helpful. A late train is the perfect excuse for checking out Style Black!

Bergdorf Goodman Beauty Event

September 16th through 20th, Bergdorfs is having one of their Beauty Events, held several times a year, where you save $25 off a purchase of $100 on the Beauty Level. I had a very difficult time deciding what to buy. I originally wanted the new La Mer concealer, but the shades did not work out for me. The coverage and texture are divine, but the light looked too white under my eyes and the medium was very dark and very orange. Edward Bess has some new lipsticks shades and I contemplated them as well, but none grabbed me. I decided that in honor of the Prescriptives lines being discontinued as of the end of January 2010, I'd try show support and purchase some products from the line.

I wanted a custom concealer, custom lip gloss and mascara. The artist I worked with was Neptune. I told him that I wanted a concealer with a lot of coverage and light reflectors for my horrifically dark, recessed circles. He got to work mixing, adding pigments to create the perfect shade, light reflectors to bounce shadows and darkness, and a white powder for opacity. The end result is a dead on match. I took off my makeup and tried it on at home on clean, moisturized skin waiting to see the miracle and hmmm...it seems to ball up when I try to layer it. I'm not sure if it's the powder that was added or the overall formula, but I'll have to play with this one some more. No angels singing. Bergdorf Goodman has the worst lighting of any department store and so what looks okay there may not fare so well in real life. I'll try it again tomorrow. The custom concealer is $34.

For the lips I asked for a liquid lipstick type product--not too sheer, not sticky, and heaven fobid I branch away from my usual peachy pinks. Neptune created a lovely sheerish natural peachy pink with a beige pearl and Bellini scent. There are several shades to choose from including Latte, Cocoa, Tropical, Mint and Berry. You can also select a doe foot want of slant tip applicator. The custom glosses are $34. Here is my gloss:

I needed a new mascara since my beloved Korres has dried up and am trying Prescriptives False Eyelashes since it is now paraben-free ($19.50).

I had to spend a bit more to qualify for the discount (sounds kind of ridiculous, doesn't it?) and I purchased a Nest Candle in Freesia Kiwi. Nest Candles are by Laura Slatkin. Many of the scents are reminiscent of the famed Slatkin & Co fragrances. The are soy wax and packaged in lovely stiped clear and frosted glass jars. Freesia Kiwi is a blend of freesia, jasmine, muguet, Asian Pear, kiwi and cassis. I had a hard time deciding between this one and Wasabi Pear, which turned out to be out of stock, making the decision for me.

Overall it was a fun night having products custom blended and and coming home with a pretty purple bag of goodies. I hope the concealer works better tomorrow than it did tonight! Have you ever had Px custom blend products for you? How did they work out?

Designer Fragrance and Cosmetic Company Outlet

Tucked away in some outlet malls and in the Loreal Building in New York City you might find true gems--Designer Fragrance and Cosmetic Company Outlets. The Estee Lauder owned Cosmetic Company Outlets receive a good deal of attention on various message boards for the 30% off retail, limited edition and discontinued products and undistributed gifts with purchase available for sale, but I always make sure to check out the Designer Fragrance and Cosmetic Company Outlets (DF&CCOs) for some amazing deals. DF&CCOs carry high end Loreal brand products (from Lancome to Giorgio Armani to Kiehls) and while the typical discount makes the shops worth a trip, their frequent blow outs draw me in. I picked up the following during one of their "4 for $40 sales."
They also frequently have prepackaged kits at unbelievable deals. I scored all of these brand new, perfect condition Shu Uemura products (4 shadows and 2 blushes) plus the palette for under $40. At retail, these would have cost me nearly $150!
You can Google for outlets in other areas of the country, but for NYCers, you'll find one at 575 5th.

Click images to enlarge.

A Walking Tour of New York City Beauty Shopping

I'm always getting questions about the best places to shop for beauty items in New York City, and so I've compiled a tour of the city for fellow beauty lovers! Forget the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty--this is the ultimate tour for cosmetic fiends coming this way!

Start out at 26 Grand where you’ll find the quaint Linda Mason shop. She has her own line of cosmetics, including some fabulous cream blushes, all tucked away in adorable packaging. Head North and East further into SoHo for the SoHo Sephora (a very large one), Bloomingdales that has Rock and Republic, Face Stockholm, a MAC freestanding store, Pir Cosmetics (may have moved or closed recently. Call to check) and the absolute must-go huge Space NK store on Greene. There’s also a Sabon (lovely bath and body products), Origins flagship, Korres, Amore Pacific, Red Flower, L’Occitane and Bliss. Lafco/Santa Maria Novella is a bit further east on Lafayette.

Head up to the Village and check out Aedes de Venustas on Christopher. It’s an incredible shop filled with fragrances galore, many smaller niche brands. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly as well. Also check out Makeup For Ever on 8th Street. Walk up towards Flatiron and along the way you’ll hit another Sabon and the wonderful Bigelow Chemists. This has beeen a neighborhood staple for over 168 years and is the oldest apothecary in America. They have their own line of products in addition to several harder to find brands of cosmetics, fragrances and skin care. In Flatiron you’ll have Mac PRO (open to the public), another MAC freestanding store, another Sephora, another Origins, Aveda, and a Jo Malone boutique.

Keep going up 5th to 39th for the Cosmetics Market (discounted makeup), to 47th where you’ll have the Lancome/Kiehls/Shu/Armani outlet (on the 3rd floor of the Loreal building. This is a bit tricky to find as the building is undergoing construction but they often have great deals), then to the 50s and you’ll hit the big time: Saks (50th), Takashimaya (54th), Bendels (55th), Bergdorf Goodman (58th), Barney’s (60th between 5th and Madison/60th and Madison are both entrances) and Bloomingdales (59th and Lex). Head up Lex and you’ll have Laura Geller at 74th. If you go West to Madison you’ll see Clyde’s Chemists, which carries several harder to find lines, many of which I haven't seen elsewhere in the city. The Bare Escentuals boutique is on 65th and 3rd, with Molton Brown next door.

Come West to Columbus and there’ll be a smaller Space NK, Lancome and Clarins freestanding stores, L’Artisan fragrances, another MAC, and Kiehl’s. Another nice Sephora is on 77th and Broadway, as well as by Lush and The Body Shop. The lovely Blue Mercury is on 83rd for Bobbi Brown, Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier, Fresh, Bliss and more. If you go all the way up to 125th, you’ll find the Carol’s Daughter shop.

Along the way you’ll pass many lovely spas with fabulous gift shops, including several Bliss locations, Greenhouse, Exhale, Ajune, Aqua Beauty Bar, and Jeunesse. There’s also the Perricone store on 67th and Madison, Kimara Ahnert on 85th and Madison (private label makeup studio), Le Labo in Nolita for amazing fragrances, and MioMia (Julie Hewett) and CB I Hate Perfume if you have time to visit Brooklyn. Also make sure to stop into one of the many Ricky’s you’ll pass along the way. You can Google to find the exact addresses and contact info but this should give you a pretty good head start!

If you're visiting Columbus Circle, they have another Sephora, Aveda and Face Stockholm, as well as Crabtree and Evelyn and L'Occitane shops. A brand new Sephora just opened in Times Square, making 2 in 2 blocks! The one on 42nd and 7th carries Illamasqua, Temptu and Lauren Luke.

Are You Buying More Or Less Makeup This Summer?

Inexplicably, I've been less and less interested in makeup lately. I used to jaunt to Sephora or Bergdorfs at least once a week (to say nothing of online orders) but lately I just haven't been in the mood. I'm not sure if I've hit a saturation point, I'm happy with what I'm currently using, companies are producing what I find to be less intriguing products, the summer heat is quashing my desire to wear a full face or I've temporarily shifted my priorities (and cash) to clothes and shoes. It's probably a combination of all of the above. I find that I go through phases like this--for weeks my wishlist will grow out of control and then all of a sudden there's nothing I want to buy. One thing is for sure though: I may not be acquiring makeup in droves, but I sure do love to shop! My closet has exploded with recent acquisitions. I've been overhauling my work wardrobe (I always feel so dorky in business casual and I'm trying to find pieces that make me feel confident and chic in and out of the office) and supplementing my workout gear.

Do you find yourself buying more or less makeup lately?

An Updated Walking Tour of NYC Beauty

My very first post last August was a Walking Tour of New York City Beauty. With new stores opening and others closing, I thought it was time for an update!

I'm always getting questions about the best places to shop for beauty items in New York City, and so I've compiled a tour of the city for fellow beauty lovers! Forget the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty--this is the ultimate tour for cosmetic fiends coming this way!

Start out at 26 Grand where you’ll find the quaint Linda Mason shop. She has her own line of cosmetics, including some fabulous cream blushes, all tucked away in adorable packaging. Head North and East further into SoHo for the SoHo Sephora (a very large one), Bloomingdales that has a Space NK inside, Face Stockholm, a MAC freestanding store, Fresh, and the huge Space NK store on Greene. There’s also a Sabon (lovely bath and body products), Origins flagship, Korres store, Amore Pacific, Red Flower, L’Occitane and Bliss. Lafco/Santa Maria Novella is a bit further east on Lafayette. Bond No. 9 is close by in NoHo.

Head up to the Village and check out Aedes de Venustas on Christopher. It’s an incredible shop filled with fragrances galore, including many smaller niche brands. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly as well. Also check out Makeup For Ever on 8th Street. Walk up towards Flatiron and along the way you’ll hit another Sabon and the wonderful Bigelow Chemists. This has been a neighborhood staple for over 168 years and is the oldest apothecary in America. They have their own line of products in addition to several harder to find brands of cosmetics, fragrances, hair care and skin care. In Flatiron you’ll have Mac PRO (open to the public), another MAC freestanding store, another Sephora, another Origins, Aveda, Three Custom COlor Specialists, and a Jo Malone boutique. There's also an Essentials that carries that largest NYX collection I've seen.

Keep going up 5th to 39th for the Cosmetics Market (discounted high and low end makeup. Stock changes frequently), to 47th where you’ll have the Lancome/Kiehls/Shu/Armani outlet which is open to the public (on the 3rd floor of the L'Oreal building. This is a bit tricky to find as the building is undergoing construction but they often have great deals), then to the 50s and you’ll hit the big time: Saks (50th), Takashimaya (54th), Bendels (55th), Bergdorf Goodman (58th), Barney’s (60th between 5th and Madison/60th and Madison are both entrances) and Bloomingdales (59th and Lex). Bond No. 9 is right next to Barneys. Head up Lex and you’ll have another Sephora, and Laura Geller at 74th. If you go West to Madison you’ll see Clyde’s Chemists, which carries several harder to find lines, many of which I haven't seen elsewhere in the city. The Bare Escentuals boutique is on 65th and 3rd, with Molton Brown next door. Eve Pearl is on 3rd between 49th and 50th and both she and her staff are incredibly nice and helpful.

Come West to Columbus and there’ll be a smaller Space NK, Lancome and Clarins freestanding stores, L’Artisan fragrances, another MAC, and Kiehl’s. The Lancome store is particularly nice and they offer spa treatments as well as brows. Another nice Sephora is on 77th and Broadway, as well as by Lush and The Body Shop. The lovely Blue Mercury is on 83rd for Bobbi Brown, Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier, Fresh, Bliss and more. If you go all the way up to 125th, you’ll find the Carol’s Daughter shop.

Along the way you’ll pass many lovely spas with fabulous gift shops, including several Bliss locations, Greenhouse, Exhale, Ajune, Apthorp Chemists, Aqua Beauty Bar, and Jeunesse. There’s also the Perricone store on 67th and Madison, Kimara Ahnert on 85th and Madison (private label makeup studio), Le Labo in Nolita for amazing fragrances, and MioMia (Julie Hewett) and CB I Hate Perfume if you have time to visit Brooklyn. Also make sure to stop into one of the many Ricky’s you’ll pass along the way.

If you're going to be in Penn Station, they happen to have one of the biggest and nicest Duane Reades in the city. For some reason this location always has the new drugstore collections and the products tend to be untainted. There is also a Sephora and Bare Escentuals boutique nearby in case you have a long wait for your train. Grand Central has an Origins, MAC store, and Aveda.

If you're visiting Columbus Circle, they have another Sephora, Aveda and Face Stockholm, as well as Crabtree and Evelyn and L'Occitane shops. A brand new Sephora just opened in Times Square, making 2 in 2 blocks! The one on 42nd and 7th carries Illamasqua, Temptu and Lauren Luke. Also in Times Square is a new MAC store and Inglot. This is the only place in the US you can buy the line and I highly recommend checking it out. It's very reasonably priced and high quality.

It's a pretty well kept secret that NYC does have Cosmetic Company Stores. These are exactly the same as the CCOs but are "by invitation only." If you work near one, chances are your company ID will get you access as an invitation is simply your employer being on their list. There are quite a few, including in the Met Life building, 100 Church, the GM building, in the little tunnel world beneath Rock Center, closest to 787 7th, 1 New York Plaza, and the building on the corner of Pine and Pearl.

Don't forget beauty supply stores like Alcone on 49th between 8th and 9th, and Makeup Mania on Orchard on the Lower East Side.

Did You Do Any Beauty Shopping This Weekend?

I did! Spirit Beauty Lounge has a 15% off code good through Midnight tonight and I used it to try some Vapour Beauty products! The site also allows you to purchase 9 samples of any items for $15, including cosmetics! Use code SUMMER15. Here is what I picked up:

• Vapour Organic Beauty Aura Radiant Blush- Intrigue
  

• Sweet Beauty Lip Balm- Taste

• Priti 3 Free Nail Polish- Firecandle

• Alima Pure Liminous Shimmer Eye Shadow- Paris

• Customized Deluxe Sample Kit:
  

1. RMS Beauty Promise Lip2 Cheek
   
2. RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
3. Vapur Beauty Aura Radiant Blush- Whisper
4. Vapour Beauty Siren Lipstick- Hint
5. Vapour Beauty Bronzer- Mirage
6. Vapour Beauty Eye Color- Flash
7. Vapour Beauty Stratus Instant Skin Perfector
8. Vapour Beauty Elixir Lip Gloss- Sultry
9. Sample 9: Apoteke Detox Face Mask

I also bought a ton of clothes! What did you buy over this long holiday weekend?

I've Had a Very Expensive Weekend!

It started out with too large of a spree at JCrew and H&M, and then moved on to two pairs of shoes at Cole Haan. I'm sick of my work clothes which are definitely not as cute as my weekend/going out clothes and I always feel like I have to run home and change before doing anything social after work. I'm hoping to change that! I've never been into H&M since the quality is often subpar (hey, you get what you pay for) but H&M cuts smaller and as I'm slowly sized out of stores like JCrew and Banana due to vanity sizing, H&M provides an alternative (and I've discovered that they really do have some cute things!).

I also picked up new crystal knobs from Anthropologie for a vanity I plan to refinish for my new apartment and new Loreal Healthy Look Creme Gloss Hair Color. I don't color my hair but this is supposed to be temporary and subtle and I could do with a bit of brightening up!

Last night I purchased Lancome Black Coffee Le Crayon Kohl Eye Liner and placed a Skinbotanika order (that is not an affiliate link--I just love the site and am happy to promote it) for:

• Clarisonic Mia- I usually have great skin but it's looking so dull and clogged lately. I'm hoping this helps!
• Sophyto Polyphenol Skin Drops- I'm almost out of my Kate Somerville Total Vitamin Serum and like to use an antioxidant product in the morning as I'm exposed to so much pollution here in NYC and am exposed to the sun quite a bit.
• Sparitual Nail Lacquer in Life of the Party- I really like this polish line. It's moderately priced and big 3 free. This looked like a fun pedicure color to me!

Now I'm off to buy new dining room chairs (6--ouch!), table lamps, hit Bed, Bath and Beyond for some organizing necessities, go grocery shopping and I have to pay my Bar dues!

And my list for the fast-approaching Bergdorf event is growing by the minute! Has anyone seen a money tree around? Trying to look good sure is expensive!

My Dermstore.com Order Featuring Paul and Joe and Julie Hewett

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Dermstore, the site is a beauty junkie's playground! It features a huge array of skincare, carrying the more clinical lines like VMV Hypoallergenics, the mainstream likes of Murad, spa lines like Elemis to natural brands such as Raw and Luzern Laboratories. They also stock some great makeup brands like Sue Devitt, Jane Iredale, LORAC, Becca, Paul and Joe, Laura Geller and more. I'm not affiliated with the site, just a happy customer thanks to free shipping on all orders and a 10% discount when you add an item to your Favorites list before purchasing.

When I had my Paul and Joe mini makeover a few weeks ago, the makeup artist used Eye Color Palette CS Ingenue 001 on my eyes and I loved the look. I didn't buy the palette at the time thinking I could easily replicate the shades, but regretted the decision afterward. Not only did Doermstore have the palette, but I could get 10% off, making it slightly more, well, palatable!
Ingenue 001 ($38) features a shimmery ecru, shimmery taupe, and shimmery deep charcoal. All of the colors are smooth and pigmented. The palette is neutral and can be worn by all skin tones. It's just a good, versatile palette of high quality basics that would be great for travel or a quick eye in the morning that can easily be smoked out for nighttime. The charcoal shade is densely pigmented and would work well as a liner too.
Also, the case is just too darn cute! The flower pattern is so Spring-like and happy.Julie Hewett was on sale at the time I was placing the palette order, and so I had to throw in a couple of her items as well! I ordered the Shimmy in Goldie ($18 in palette form) and Camellia Balm in Rose ($18 in palette form).

The Shimmy is a cream-based highlighter that is incredibly luminescent. I've been on a highlighter kick lately for some reason and wanted a product that would work equally well on my cheeks and browbone and this definitely fits the bill. Goldie is a beigey champagne shade with twinkling shimmer--it's not glitter and it's not teenybopper, but it's definitely noticeable shimmer. Shimmys have a good amount of slip to them and a thin consistency. I have all of the shades now except the bronze!
I'd been wanting to try the Camellia Balm for a while now, and when I saw that it was released in two tints I was excited! I ordered the Rose, which according to Dermstore is a subtle, warm toned pink and is described by Julie as a bouquet of pink petals. Both descriptions are apt when looking at the balm in the pan, but applied, unfortunately, this is completely, 100% colorless, a big disappointment to me. I expected the balm to be sheer (it is a balm after all) but provide at least a hint of a tint. The texture is nice--very thin and not at all waxy. Some would find it too oily but I don't mind the added slip and it smells strongly of fresh oranges, which I like. I'm definitely not a big cosmetic returner but am considering sending this product back since it really is just an $18 clear balm, and not the pretty "bouquet" the descriptions imply. I guess the hunt goes on for the perfect sheer pink lip balm! I had such high hopes for this one!

Save 30% on Becca, Paul & Joe and More at the Primping Parlour

The Primping Parlour is currently offering 30% off purchases with code NEWYEAR11. The site stocks Paul & Joe, Kevyn Aucoin, Becca, Beauty Blender, Japonesque and more! [I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just trying to enable my fellow beauty junkies with a great sale!]

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!

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.