NYC — Spring 2014: Beauty Haul

Oh, yes. You knew this was gonna happen. I did an intense amount of shopping while I was in New York, and yes, the majority of my money was spent on — what else? — cosmetics. On our first full day in the city, my mom and I went to Macy's Herald Square to take a gander, and the first thing I did was make a bee-line to the Tom Ford counter.
Tom Ford Lip Color in Violet Fatale and Pink Dusk
I had planned on getting two lipsticks and there were several shades that I'd had my eye on from seeing online swatches, but I needed to try them on in person before making a final decision. I wanted to get one shade to wear all the time and works well with everything, and another shade that would be bright and fun and more in-your-face. I was tempted by some of the Lip Colour Sheers, but I ultimately decided to go with the original cream formula because at $49 a pop, I want purity of colour and full colour pay-off. After much contemplation, I decided to go with Pink Dusk as my everyday shade and Violet Fatale as my bold shade. Everything about these lipsticks screams luxury, from the formula to the packaging. And let me tell you, they are even more stunning in person. 
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal
And then I went to Sephora. In fact, I went to three different locations over the course of four days because I kept getting tempted by all the things. The first thing I picked up? The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette. Now, I knew that this coveted palette had returned permanently, but in Canada, it's offered as an online exclusive only. I was always on the fence about picking up the single Ambient Lighting Powders because they're $52 each here, and I told myself that if the palette ever came back, I would buy it then. So when I saw this in store, I knew I had to grab it (and for the American price of $58 instead of the ridiculous marked-up price here at $67). And since I was on a highlighter kick, I also picked up the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal. I've heard a lot about Becca as a brand, but had never tried anything by them and when I saw this highlighter, I knew it was going to be the item coming home with me. Champagne gold with a gorgeous peachy-pink pearl... It is stunning. And it's also always sold out online. When I saw that there was one left in stock, I snatched that baby up right away, 'cause it was meant to be.
Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Eyeshadow Palette in The Siren
Marc Jacobs Lovemarc Lip Gel in Role Play and Have We Met?
My next must-have was the Marc Jacobs Stye Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Shadow in The Siren. Now, I have heard many a great thing about the Marc Jacobs eyeshadow palettes, but at $71 each in Canada, I just could not justify the price given how many palettes I already have at home. But when I started seeing the photos and swatches of The Siren online, I knew this was gonna be the one to splurge on. It is a new and limited edition palette for summer in gorgeous sleek white packaging, and the combination of shades is one of the most unique that I've seen in a while (plus, I have nothing else like it in my collection). Each shade is buttery and incredibly pigmented to boot. Plus, the lower American retail price of $59 made it all the more tempting for me. While I was drooling over all the Marc Jacobs make-up, I also picked up two of the Lovemarc Lip Gels on impulse. I wanted very wearable shades that could go with a variety of looks, so I picked up Role Play (a neutral rosy beige) and Have We Met? (a warm shimmering pink).
NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero and Rockstar, and Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Violet
Bumble and Bumble Cityswept Finish and Thickening Dryspun Finish, and Fresh Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum
Tocca Cleopatra Fragrance Viaggio Set (VIB 500 Point Perk) and Soap & Glory Hand Food
I also picked up an extra tube of my favourite NARS eye primer because I'm nearly finished my current one; two of the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in Zero (matte blackest black) and Rockstar (metallic eggplant) because I wanted creamy, pigmented pencils that are also budge- and smudge-proof and would wear well on the waterline when I do smoky eyes; and a tube of the new Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Violet (which was sold out at two of the locations I went to) because it is one of the most stunning orchid purple shades I have ever seen and the formula is stellar. I also picked up another can each of Bumble and Bumble's Cityswept Finish (love it for creating a "piece-y" look when I wear my hair down) and Thickening Dryspun Finish (I wash my hair everyday so it's usually too squeaky clean to do much with, but this gives the perfect "second-day hair" texture) because it's $8 cheaper over there than here (if you do the math, it's just over 20% off). I also bought a new bottle of my favourite Fresh Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum because no matter how much I love other fragrances, I just can't help but coming back to this one (it's been my go-to for six years now). Also because it's $15 cheaper in the States. Finally, I picked up a travel-size tube of Soap & Glory's Hand Food Hydrating Hand Cream to keep in my purse (incredibly hydrating but not greasy, and has a nice fresh scent to it), and then redeemed 500 points for another Tocca Cleopatra Fragrance Viaggio Set, which comes with a mini candle and a mini rollerball perfume. 
TheBalm InStain Long-Wearing Powder Staining Blush in Pinstripe and Swiss Dot
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion, and Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado; and Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant
Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Va Va Voom and Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Taboo
My mom and I were at a Duane Reade one night to grab some bottled water when I saw that they were carrying TheBalm in their cosmetics section (only selected locations carry it), so I took the opportunity to pick up the other two shades of their InStain Long-Wearing Powder Staining Blush that I was missing. Then, at Bloomingdale's, I stopped by the Kiehl's counter to pick up a bottle of the Midnight Recovery Concentrate that I've been curious to try out for a while now, plus a bottle of Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion to use as my summer moisturizer, and a little tub of their Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado because I thought it was about time to hop on the eye cream bandwagon (I've been noticing little dry lines under my eyes recently so I am obviously panicking now). I also picked up a new tube of Malin + Goetz's Eucalyptus Deodorant because it's the only one that I've tried that I'm not allergic to and that doesn't have an overpowering scent. Finally, I couldn't resist two nail polishes: Deborah Lippmann's Va Va Voom (how have I never seen this one before?!) and Chanel's Taboo (I don't usually get into dark polishes for summer, but this one was just too pretty to resist). 
And... that's it. I swear.

Macy’s Herald Square 151 West 34th Street New York, NY 10001 (212) 695-4400
Sephora Midtown West 130 West 34th Street New York, NY 10001 (212) 629-9135
Sephora Flatiron 119 5th Avenue New York, NY 10003 (212) 674-3570
Sephora Soho 555 Broadway New York, NY 10012 (212) 625-1309
Bloomingdale's Soho 504 Broadway New York, NY 10012 (212) 729-5900
Duane Reade Flatiron 401 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 (212) 213-9730