Review: NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquers (Bare Brooklyn, Madison Square Mauve, Chelsea Cherry Blossoms)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.** 

Expert Last Lip Lacquer Madison Square Mauve

When you are torn between the rich pigmentation of lipsticks over the shine of glosses, then a great alternative are liquid lipsticks such as  NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquers.  PR sent me #100 Bare Brooklyn, #300 Madison Square Mauve and #200 Chelsea Cherry Blossoms to sample.

For $3.99, you won’t believe the creamy color payoff in these tubes.  These wear very well for several hours before you’ll want to reapply.  The darker shade does give a stain like effect over time.

Madison Square Mauve is my favorite among the three, a medium plum-pink that is quite lovely with my light warm complexion.

The Bare Brooklyn is too ghostly a beige for my fair coloring.  This shade just washed my complexion out. Nonetheless, it probably will look more flattering on someone darker.

Expert Last Lip Lacquer Bare Brooklyn

The Chelsea Cherry Blossoms was an eerily pale warm pink that was as indistinct in coloring as the Bare Brooklyn for me.  Again, a beautiful liquid lipstick only the shade did not suit me and would stand out beautifully for someone tanned or with darker skin.

Expert Last Lip Lacquer Chelsea Cherry Blossoms

Just keep in mind, these are lip lacquers and lay down heavier color than glosses to sheer them out when you are considering shades.  

Check these NYC New York Color Lip Lacquers out the next time you visit your drug store or wherever you normally buy their products because this line is a bargain.

Review: NYC New York Color Big Bold & Precise Liquid Eyeliner

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

NYC New York Color Big Bold & Precise Liquid Eyeliner

More often than not, I use eyeliner pencils for ease of application since I can control the thinness of the line or smudge for a more natural look for daytime.  Nights, however, I like to do a more dramatic eye with liquid liners.  When NYC New York Color offered to send me their Big Bold & Precise Liquid Eyeliner 2-in-1 Felt Tip in 990 Black, I gladly took them up on seeing what the product was like.

The brand claims with this one pen that you will be able to switch the thickness of the line by flipping the slanted edge of the tip.  The wide side of that slanted tip will provide a bold, thick line while the narrow edge is meant for doing a thinner line.

Regardless of how you hold this pen, you can expect a bold line.  Trying to control the thickness of the line was a challenge at least for me.  I had to wipe it off and practice for a while before I got better at using this particular eyeliner.  Once I did, I finally managed to create a decent, statement-making eye with it that held up for quite some time without giving me any problems.   Just be prepared that you may need to practice your technique first before you can make a fair judgement.

The NYC New York Color Big Bold & Precise Liquid Eyeliner retails for $3.99.  Do check it out when you shop for eyeliner.

Review + Swatches: NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Creme Instant Matte Line!

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

NYC New York Color's Smooth Skin BB Creme Instant Matte

Sometimes, your complexion doesn’t need much makeup, but just enough to even out your skin tone.  A wonderful option is a multitasking BB or CC cream that combines skin care along with foundation.  Since I liked how the original NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Creme for worked, I wanted to see how their matte version that PR provided would measure up.

NYC New York Color’s latest addition to their original BB Creme may be just the perfect choice for those with normal to oily complexions that haven’t been having much luck with this type of product before.  I say this because this creamy formula did manage to smooth and brighten without any shine from morning until late afternoon.  The finish was more of a soft powdery texture.

On the left is Medium Smooth Skin Instant Matte BB Creme with Light on the right.

Personally, I prefer the original for that dewy glow over this toned down, but bright powdery effect with my dry skin.  However, I do think you will love this inexpensive $3.99 product if you are prone to oiliness so do make it a point to check NYC New York Color's Smooth Skin BB Creme Instant Matte line out.

Review + Swatches: NYC New York Color Expert Last Matte Lip Color Line

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Starting on the left is NYC New York Color Expert Last Matte #452 Red Suede, #448 Smooth Beige, #450 Pure Coral, #449 Creamy Mauve and ending with #451 Velvety Fuchsia Lip Color on the right.

Regardless of what you may think, just because you pay a high price for a lipstick doesn’t guarantee that it will be the best thing that you ever put on your lips. There are some great drugstore lipsticks out there like some I recently sampled from NYC New York Color’s Expert Last Lipsticks that now includes a Matte shades line.

This collection consists of #449 Creamy Mauve (cool pink), #448 Smooth Beige (nude without pink tones), #450 Pure Coral (orange-red coral), #451 Velvety Fuchsia (riveting bright pink-violet ), and #452 Red Suede (true red).

Though advertised as a mix of matte and satin, these well-pigmented lippies have more of a creamy texture than you might expect.  They felt comfortable and lightweight on my lips as well.  I got about four hours of wear before needing to reapply.  The darker shades, however, left more of a stain effect over the pale shades.

Starting on the left to right is #448 Smooth Beige, #450 Pure Coral, #449 Creamy Mauve, #451 Velvety Fucshia, and ending with #452 Red Suede closest to my wrist.

The two palest shades, #449 Creamy Mauve and #448 Smooth Beige lighten and hardly look comparable to the color in the tube once you sample them.  The Creamy Mauve became a paler, chalkier pink than the color of the bullet whereas the Smooth Beige became an anemic, ghostly beige on me.  Both of these did not flatter my fair complexion like the deeper shades.

I adored #451 Velvety Fuchsia with how it complimented my skin tone.  The Pure Coral came off a bit bright of an orange-red coral than I’m used, but was still wearable.  The Red Suede was a dramatic red without any orange tones.

If you looking for new lipsticks, I do recommend giving NYC New York Color’s Expert Last Lipsticks ($1.99) a try whether the regular line or the new Mattes!  

 *Disclaimer: Free product was provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*     

Review + SWATCHES: NYC New York Color City Proof 24 HR Waterproof Eyeshadows

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Starting on the left is NYC New York Color Cityproof 24HR Waterproof Eyeshadows #610 Tribeca Taupe, then #630 Empire State Building, #600 Wall Street Bronze, and endingwith #640 Central Park Tulips on the right.

When people look at you, the first place they go is to your eyes.  To maximize and make them as expressive as possible, you need to enhance them with the right products and shades to help you accomplish that. With the assortment of new NYC New York Color City Proof 24 HR Waterproof Eyeshadows I was sent, you’ll find it easy enough to define them without dropping much cash.

These eyeshadows come in the form of twistable, chubby crayons.  The line includes 11 shades that retail for $2.99 each.  The colors I received were #610 Tribeca Taupe (more light gray to purple-brown than typical taupe), #630 Empire State Building (gunmetal gray), #640 Central Park Tulips (violet), and #600 Wall Street Bronze (warm bronze).

Starting on the left is NYC New York Color Cityproof 24HR Waterproof Eyeshadows  #640 Central Park Tulips, #630 Empire State Building, #600 Wall Street Bronze, and ending with #610 Tribeca Taupe on the right by my wrist.

According to the company, they are said to be crease-proof, smear and tear proof, waterproof, give an intense color payoff, and can last for 24 hours of wear.  

First of all, these are easy on the eyelids with a creamy sort of glide and quite pigmented.  With the exception of #610 Tribeca Taupe, a matte shade, I would describe the colors as more shimmery.   

These eyeshadow crayons were long lasting.  For the hours that I had them off, I had no problem with creasing  but a 24-hour claim seems a bit of a stretch.  Nonetheless, they do hold up for a very long time even without primer.

If you want to have a lot of fun and be quite creative in your makeup, check these new NYC New York Color City Proof 24 HR Waterproof Eyeshadows out when you shop and have a blast! 

Disclaimer:  Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

NYC New York Color’s NEW Smooth Skin BB Radiance Perfecting Powder (001 Naturally Beige) Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

This is NYC Smooth Skin BB Radiance Perfecting Powder.  Notice the pale beige tone in 001 Naturally Beige in the compact.

Since I really loved NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Cream for the quality of its glowing, dewy coverage, I just had to see how their newly launched Smooth Skin BB Radiance Perfecting Powder compared.  I was sent the lightest shade of this compact in 001 Naturally Beige instead of the darker, 002 Warm Beige to review.

You can use this powder alone for evening out your complexion. It does give a smooth finish without looking powdery even with dry skin.  I liked how well it hid flaws and gave a decent amount of coverage using this one product.  If you want longer lasting coverage than a few hours, you can use this powder over your BB Cream or foundation and be quite happy with it–-that is, if you have the coloring to wear it. 

In the compact, 001 Naturally Beige appeared a paler beige.  What I did not like was the unnatural orange color of the shade once it went on the face.  After it touched the skin, the beige seemed to turn into something darker and quite orange.  This is the lightest choice and hardly one suitable for fair to light complexions.

Take a closer look at NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Radiance Perfecting Powder.

  
I do not know how the 002 Warm Beige shade will perform.  Perhaps, it will stay fairly close to the color in the compact.  Then again, it may also change color depending on your skin as it did mine.  

NYC New York Color Smooth BB Cream is fantastic and a real steal at $3.99.  However, the company needs to add a pale shade and a lighter shade without letting it become so orange.  Other than that, Smooth Skin BB Radiance Perfecting Powder ($3.99) is a wonderful drugstore product.

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  A free product was provided solely to facilitate this review.*

NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquers Review + SWATCHES!

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

NYC New York Color

Lip color is one of the best ways to liven up a face and have fun with makeup.  The possibilities of what you can do varying your looks from natural, classic, sophisticated too bold and edgy is endless, especially when you single in on a wonderful formula of the product such as NYC New York Color’s Expert Last Lip Lacquers that can satisfy that beauty whim without crippling your budget!

Don't be under the impression that this product will be lacking since it retails for a mere $3.99. I found rich color on the order of a liquid lipstick that felt creamy, lightweight, and quite moisturizing.  These will hold up for several hours or until eating before fading into a becoming stain.  

Wait until you hear about the gorgeous colors.  The ones I got were #600 Turtle Bay Toffee (warm brown in the tube that transforms beautifully on the lips with some red), #201 Lincoln Square Love Affair (cool-toned bright pink that looks more of a tulip shade in the tube than on the lips), #700 Tribeca Mocha (mocha laced with copper that makes a fabulous neutral), and #204 Central Park Passion (romantic and a subdued natural pink). 

NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquers starting left to right is #700 Tribeca Mocha, #204  Central Park Passion, #600 Turtle Bay Toffee and ending with #201 Lincoln Square Love Affair on the right.

 NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquer #700 Turtle Bay Toffee looks rather brown at first glance, but it warms up to a striking brick sort of red.

Here is NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquer #201 Lincoln Square Love Affair.  

This NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquer #700 Tribeca Mocha is so pretty.   This is the one to consider when shopping for neutrals, which will be extremely popular for doing the most natural look,  the trend for faces this Spring, 2015. 

Take a look at NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquer in #204 Central Park Passion.

What you got to love about NYC New York Color Cosmetics is what a great value their products are without sacrificing quality.  Their lip products never seem to disappoint, including this line of Expert Last Lip Lacquers.  I can't wait to see what this company comes up with next to beautify us with!  Do go shopping and try them out.

*Disclaimer: Free product was provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.* 

NYC New York Color Fashion Queen Collection of In a Minute Nail Polishes and Queen Jewels Crystal Couture Top Coats Review for Fall, 2014 + SWATCHES!

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Starting on the left in the above photo 002 Queen of the City, then 003 Crown Gold, and ending with 001 Royal Chic on the right.

NYC New York Color created a lot of dramatic nail looks for Fall with their Fashion Queen Collection of three New York Color In a Minute Nail Polishes ($1.99) and six product line of Queen Jewels Crystal Couture Top Coats ($1.99).  

New York Color In a Minute Nail Polish, Royal Chic 001 is a deep brown with a hint of plum to make it more exotic. Flowing like a dark rich burgundy wine is 002 Queen of the City, my favorite among the group.  Then again, 003 Crown Gold is a bronze-gold, which also warmed my heart for how nicely it accented short nails.

I also received three of the Queen Jewels Crystal Couture Top Coats to try out.  001 Fashion Queen had big chunks of glitter in two tones of gold.  003 NY Princess also was heavy on the glitter with two tones of a majestic purple.  Those two were just all right.  The large glitter failed to spread evenly and gathered in spots.  This size of glitter was a bit too gaudy and distracting for my taste, if truth is told.

On the left is 003 NY Princess with 001 Fashion Queen in the middle and ending with my fave shade of 006 Rule the City.

On the other hand, I loved the effect of the last Queen Jewels Crystal Couture Top Coat, 006 Rule the City.  This was a striking gunmetal shade that had a stylish, shimmery base and tiny bits of red-plum glitter to pop it to life discreetly without looking gaudy.  It painted on evenly to make it win more points with me.

Starting with my thumb and working over to my index finger on my left hand is 002 Queen of the City, then 003 Crown Gold, 003 NY Princess,  006 Rule the City, and ending with 001 Royal Chic on my little finger.  My right hand has 001 Royal Chic with a top coat of 001 Fashion Queen on the thumb. 001 Fashion Queen is also on my right index finger.

This is 002 Queen of the City.

Do check this limited edition NYC New York Fashion Queen Collection out when looking to updating your Fall nail polishes and top coats.  I think you will like what you see once you hit the drug store where you shop.  

 *Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

One Drugstore Beauty BB Cream You Got to Try–New York Color’s Smooth Skin BB Creme Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

NYC New York Color's Smooth Skin BB Creme with Medium on the left and Light on the right.

When looking for an exceptional BB cream you may think only the high-end brands can suffice to blur out flaws, hydrate and brighten your complexion.  However, I say give NYC New York Color's Smooth Skin BB Creme a shot because this product is definitely worth trying.

Since I heard that the Light (01) shade was practically white-beige, I wanted to sample both choices to see which was more appropriate for my fair to light beige complexion. Light (01) was an ideal match.  The Medium (02) is a slightly darker beige and closer to a light-medium than a true medium.

Medium (02) is on the left with Light (01) on the right.

Some might assume a $3.99 price for this product could hardly make it capable of delivering the kind of glowing, dewy coverage that you need.  Yet, this BB Cream may surprise you in how well its thicker formula masks little imperfections with medium coverage as it evens out and brightens your complexion in the process.

My face looked fresher as well without appearing like I had on makeup.  In fact, this great natural coverage didn't settle in lines to amplify them during the hours I wore it, which also impressed me.  Furthermore, when I took this product off, my face felt somewhat softer to the touch as well.

The only fault that I can find regarding this product is that unlike the more expensive formulations that it does not possess any SPF protection.  Still, you can remedy that problem easily enough by adding your sunscreen separately or through your SPF daily moisturizer.

If you're looking to experiment with a new and very reasonable BB Cream that delivers, I highly recommend trying NYC New York Color's Smooth Skin BB Creme!  

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

NYC New York Color’s City Samba Collection Review + SWATCHES!

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

On the left is 002 Coral Samba with 001 Rosa Rio on the right.

Make this season continue to work for you with some bright, festive colors from NYC New York Color’s City Samba Collection.  I got sent some of those hot shades that you’ll want to check out while they are still available.

My recommendation is starting with their very reasonably priced Sun ‘n’ Bronze bronzing powders, which I happen to love for what authentic radiance it brings to your face.  With this collection, NYC added two new shades with 001 Rosa Rio (lighter and best for fair skins with a paler pink-peach glow) and 002 Coral Samba (darker and a great choice for medium to darker complexions with a deeper ripe peach glow). Read my original review to understand why I am so taken with what these can do.  

On the left is 002 Coral Samba with 001 Rosa Rio going toward my wrist.

Balancing cheeks calls for two of the new Liquid Lip Shines shades with 002 Passion Fruit (the barest hint of melon) and Papaia 001 (slightly darker orange).  These will provide high shines with just enough fresh color to define your lips in a soft way.

On the left is 002 Passion Fruit with 001 Papaia on the right.

You’ll find your perfect nail match with their NYC In a New York Color Minute Quick Dry Polish.  Here are just two from that line that can update your summer nail beauty with 004 Carnival Red (a notice-me red) and 002 Sweet Melon (a pale apricot).  

This is 002 Sweet Melon.

Here I have 004 Carnival Red.

What I really like about NYC New York Color is that you get a wonderful beauty bargain with nice performing products--only without overpaying!  

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

NYC New York Color’s City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Colors Review + SWATCHES!

Disclaimer: This post is based on a free product provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.

From left to right is Riverside Rose, Canal St. Coral, Brooklyn Brown Stone, and ending with South Ferry Berry on the right.on

This Spring 2014 NYC New York Color came out with a line of chubby lip pencils with their City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Colors.  I had wanted to try these since I do think this company makes wonderful lip products at a fraction of the cost of some others.  PR kindly sent along four of the twelve shades for me to work with.   

Brooklyn Brown Stone (011) is a peachy-nude, Canal St. Coral (051) is a perky fresh orange, Riverside Rose (020) is a rosy-brown, and South Ferry Berry (040) is a pretty red with some pink through it.

Starting on the left is Riverside Rose, Canal St. Coral, Brooklyn Brown Stone, and ending with South Ferry Berry closest to my wrist on the right.

These crayons glide on and do a nice job of hydrating lips with a sheer, fresh wash of creamy feel good color with a fruity taste.  If you want more intense color, you simply remedy that by layering on more. 

What else is great is how you can use them to multitask as blush and match your cheeks to your lip color.  For $2.99 a piece, this product can stretch your beauty dollar even further, especially if you’re hunting for some shade like an orange color for summer that you normally don’t wear to try out a new look.

As to how long to expect them to wear, I put mine on after breakfast where it remained until I ate lunch.  This is not a stain so you will want to reapply.

But to be honest, it is that juicy wash of color that makes these perfect compliments to your beauty wardrobe for summer.  Have you tried NYC New York Color’s City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Colors yet?  Do check these out!

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

A Great Winter Rescue for Lips--NYC New York Color's Applelicious Glossy Lip Balms (Review)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

NYC New York Color

Beautiful color is important, but keeping lips drenched with moisture is especially crucial in harsh winter weather.  In fact, I just discovered a great way to do both inexpensively with NYC New York Color's Applelicious Glossy Lip Balms that I got to try.

These little tubes are amazing finds for color delivery and hours of lip comfort.  The reason they hydrate exceptionally well is due to vitamin E, shea butter and two oils, jojoba and avocado.  

I was sent five of the ten available shades in this line for this review.  These included consist of: Applecious Pink (355), Apple Blossom (354), Garnet Gala  (358), Apple Plum Pie (359), and Chocolate Apple (352).

Each has color on the outside with a pale apple-shaped inner core stored with moisture.  Your first thought may be the color might be too sheer.  However, you would be mistaken because these shades can pass as a lipstick without disappointing you.  They also smell deliciously of an apple, which I liked as well. 

Starting on the left is Applecious Pink (a gorgeous medium pink), then Garnet Gala (a bronze-red), Apple Blossom (a berry-pink), Chocolate Apple (a bronze with pink), and ending with Apple Plum Pie (a deep plum-wine) on the right.

You simply can't miss with these lip balms.  As to my favorite, how can you decide when they all are so pretty? 

They retail for $2.99 a piece.  The line also has Big Apple Red, Blushing Golden, Caramel Apple, and Pink Lady.  I am definitely picking up more on my next shopping trip.

I highly recommend stopping at the drug store or where you normally shop for NYC New York Color and load up on these Applelicious Glossy Lip Balms because your lips will thank you! 
*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  Free products were provided solely to facilitate this review.*

Shine This Season With These Festive Fall/Winter 2013 NYC New York Color Lip Products! (Review)--Photos + SWATCHES!

Disclaimer:  This post is based on free products provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own  opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.

NYC New York Color

A great way to get ready for holiday parties is with tempting lips.  After all, you need them to be as enticing as possible since you never know who and where you might be under the mistletoe with.  

NYC New York Color sent me some hot recommendations of their various lines to get you prepped in style with the most trendy shades of the season.  Ranging from deep plums to vibrant reds to shocking hot pinks, these are the colors to you get noticed!

To give you some inspiration, I photographed the eight products you may want to pick up.  Starting on the left and working to the right is: City Duet 2- in-1 Lipstick in (#423 The Hot Pinks); City Proof 8 Hr Lip Glosses (#452 Perpetually Hot Pink and #454 Round the Clock Ruby); Smooch Proof 16 HR Lip Stains (#494 Smooch Proof, #497 Rock on Ruby and #495 Endless Spice), and the Big Bold Plumping Lip Glosses (#475 Plumped Plum and #471 Supersized Red on the far right).

The Big Bold Plumping Lip Gloss has a bigger sponge and really packed intense shine in a comfortable formula.  I didn't notice much plumping, but loved the warmth and glistening power of this plum laced with brown in #475.  The red in #471 is warm as well with a trace of orange to punch it up.  It retails for $3.99 a tube and does wear very nicely for hours without letting you down or escaping from your lip line.

What do you think of me in #475 Plumped Plum?

Here I am modeling #471 Supersized Red.

The City Duet 2-in-1 Lipstick is fun to create new looks with because it has two sides of different color.  One half of #423 is a bold fuchsia and the other is a cool lilac-pink.  Just changing the way you apply each side can darken or lighten for endless possibilities for $2.99.

How do you like me in #423 The Hot Pinks?

Smooch Proof 16 Hr Lip Stain can help you out of a bind after those kisses keep coming.  This is highly pigmented color in pen form that stays put for hours on end even through mistletoe, food, and drinks.  The tip is easy enough to line with before filling in the color.  However, you might want to top it off with some lip balm or gloss to hydrate your lips.  Color wise #495 is a beautiful red-brown, #497 is a deeper red than #494. These lip stains retail for $4.99 each.

Here I am wearing #495 Endless Spice.

Take a look at #497 Rock on Ruby.

Check out #494 Smooch Proof above.

City Proof 8 Hr Lip Gloss is awesome all around for the texture, feel, color, and incredible wear.  #454 is a rich deep red infused with pink while #452 is a hot pink.  This gloss retails for $3.49 a piece.

Above I have on #454 Perpetually Hot Pink.

Here is #497 Rock the Clock Ruby that I am wearing.

I do think NYC New York Color makes fabulous affordable lip products.  Check them out when shopping because if never hurts to be mistletoe ready!

Disclaimer:  Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*