The Makeup Show NYC 2017 - The Goods

Like I said in my previous post, I went way over budget with my purchases, but I'm excited about everything I got.  I made a list and was able to check everything off, and then some. NARS was one of the brands I was very excited to check and had a pretty extensive product list from them.  I was disappointed that they were not at the show this year, although advertised on the list of exhibitors?? Juvia's Place and Tarte were new this year, with Tarte offering a 40% discount.  Since their Shape Tape concealer is highly raved about on youtube, I scooped that up!  Black Up was another brand I was excited about, as they are very brown girl friendly. My highly anticipated items are listed below with an asterisk and will be reviewed in the near future.

 *Juvia's Place Eyeshadow Palette with a free sample

Smashbox *Lid Primer and Liquid Lipstick 

I always purchase lashes and never use them?   

Kat Von D Liquid Lipstick and *Lock-It Concealer (other three items are free samples) 

Inglot single eyeshadows (only $5 at the show) and blush

*Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

MUFE magnetic eyeshadow palettes for when I travel

Can't attend the show and not get Bdellium Tools Brushes. They are some of my faves! Also picked up a few from Crown Brushes whose line alway looks like they are handing out free cheese: long and crowded! 

*Black Up Matifying Tinted Moisturizer and Sublime Powder Highlighter (the powder was an impulse buy) 

Beauty Blender - I have all the sizes now.  This was an exceptional deal at $35 (one blender is $20)

Makeup Mondays - The Makeup Show NYC 2017

I've been attending the Makeup Show NYC for the past ten years. I love the networking, catching up with fellow beauty bloggers and artists, discovering new brands and of course buying products at discounted rates.  The show is usually the week before Mother's Day, so it gives me the excuse to spend more money than I actually have.  Oh well...

Sidebar: I was trying to make the day all about me, but a few attendees had their kids in tow and had me feeling like I abandoned mine.  Ahhhhh, the guilt of motherhood :-)

  My first stop...Kat Von D

This is my first time seeing Tarte at the show

Brown Beauty and Brown Artist at MUFE

Me and Danny Sanz!!!!

 Me and LovelyAnneka on Youtube

Me and Cindy (DRBrooklyn780) of Vinyl Blush

Charlotte Tilbury was highly anticipated by attendees

 Artistry at The Graftobian Booth

Graftobian

Broke Pockets - stay tuned for what I bought!

Odd Primers for Oily Skin

I'm addicted to Youtube.  Yeah, I can admit it. I watch it to pass the time doing cardio at the gym.  I watch it to zone out while washing dishes and I watch it when I just want to relax.  My favorite types of videos are those surrounding beauty, fashion and natural hair.  That all said, Summer is coming and I'm interested in finding primers that will keep oils at bay.  I don't mind a little oil peaking thru, but I'm not trying to be an oil slick either.  Tried the usual primers for oily skin?  Here are some unusual suggestions from your local drugstore.

P.S. The Nivea Men Post Shaving Balm is getting a HUGE amount of press!

MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Cosmetics premiered their Retro Matte Liquid lipsticks early last month. I like the formula, but they definitely could be much better.  Especially since we waited so long? Anywho, here's my review complete with swatches.  Enjoy!

Contour On A Budget with Jordan Liberty

As much as I love and collect makeup, I am still pretty new to the highlighting and contour game.  I recently subscribed to Jordan Liberty on Youtube (yeah, I've been under a rock called Motherhood) and viewed his latest video.  This is one of THE best vids on the subjects I've seen.  Everything else is way to complicated, using way to many products, looking way to drag queen!

Tried, True and Reviewed: Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipsticks

So, I'm not sure how great of a review this will be because I took both lipsticks back.  The CVS by my job is the BEST at putting out new products.  The whole top shelf of the store is a makeup addict's dream.  When my eye caught these bad boys before Christmas, I had to have them, but something told me to only purchase two.  The ones I got were the most stunning to me, although all the colors are very pretty.  After putting putting Twin to bed that night, I started playing around with them.  I decided to test them while I washed dishes and watched Youtube (this is my nightly routine).  Both colors went on nice and bright, but they were super glossy? I thought, well maybe they'll dry down, given some time.  Nope, they never did.  Some of the glossiness did go away, but they never fully dried.

Pro: The color range is actually pretty good for a drugstore brand and I like the cute packaging

Cons: They transfer and don't dry down at all

Repurchase: No, I have enough glosses

Recommend: Only if you want something more moisturizing, than matte

Stars: 2 - When I see 'Liquid Matte' I think of a flat matte finish, like Anastasia Beverly Hills or fellow drugstore brand, Milani

My pics are a bit dull, so I posted the pics from the 

website to show more vibrancy (see below)

How Do I Live Without You - Ology Gentle Soothing Facial Towelettes

• No harmful chemicals
• Hypoallergenic
• With aloe and green tea
• Alcohol free

I used to be such a big fan of the infamous MAC Makeup Remover Wipes. Truth be told, they are one of the best at removing stubborn red lipstick and waterproof mascara, but if you're looking for a more natural wipe, I suggest the Ology Gentle Soothing Facial Towelettes.  The two things that really bug me about the MAC wipes is once you get halfway through the package, they dry out.  The other is that they leave a weird feeling film on your face. The Ology wipes are the total opposite; from first to last wipe, they stay muey moist!  These are also great for refreshing throughout the day.  

Now, will you have to use more than one to get stubborn makeup off...yes, but I don't mind.  They come 30 to a pack and are usually on sale (scored these two for $3.56ea).  The one big negative for me is that I can't seem to find them anywhere in Philly at my local Walgreens, so hubby is sent on a witch hunt in NYC (he still works there) to gather up as many as he can find at Duane Reade (which is coincidentally owned by Walgreens...weird).

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The Makeup Show NYC 2015 #TMSNYC

Okay, okay, so I know I'm MUEY late with this post, but still wanted to get it up on the blog.  I look forward to attending the Makeup Show in New York every year.  This one was no different.  There was a different vibe this year, and that may be because I was almost kicked off the line?

I've been attending this show for the past ten years. I missed one year because I was uber pregnant and uber tired.  I was one of the first bloggers/vloggers to do press for the show (I believe one of the first to do video press complete with interviews).  I'm a marketing manager by day, so everyone and their mama who never heard of the show, knew from me. I took a break from the blogging world to have the baby I was waiting on for seven years and since there was no post or press that year, I was kicked off the TMSNYC's press list.  No problem. I still supported in the years after and my hubby has been buying my tickets as my pre-Mother's day gift.  This year a few workers of the show took time to check credentials of everyone on the line, that was wrapped around 18th street and I was a business card away from not being let in.  Now, I was under the impression that the show was for beauty enthusiasts, industry professionals and makeup artists. If the show is now only exclusive to MUA's, then this should have been stated clearly beforehand on the site, as they had no problem taking my husband's money. Needless to say, I was very disappointed this year and I wanted to vent because I'm as loyal as they get and I don't believe in slighting your loyal supporters. Understandably, they don't owe me anything...I'm just saying.

Eventhough the incident left a negative taste in my mouth, I still went forward with posting a video on my haul from the show (see below).  Makeup will always be one of my first loves, I just may have to move on to IMATS or possibly create my own....hmmmmm.

Makeup Monday: New Mini MAC Palettes

Did you know MAC Cosmetics now carries mini palettes?  Where have I been? While I was waiting for news on my cracked iPhone 6 (a story for another day), I decided to do some window shopping at the boutique (HA! We all know that trip turned into real shopping).  To my surprise they now carry these pre-made mini palettes in Burgundy (below), Navy, Amber and Purple.  MAC shadows last a very long time, especially if you've slowed down on beating your face eve or if you're not a makeup artist.  I think these are perfect for someone like me.  The only thing that is not perfect is the price point...$40? My discount brought it down to $28 but still? Not when Makeup Forever's new artist palettes are going for $42 and offering a bit more product.  Not to mention MUFE's case is way cooler.  I do love the size. Now, when are they coming out with liquid lipsticks?? MAC?? Hello??

View the other palettes here!

The Makeup Show NYC 2014

It's my treat every year to attend the Makeup Show NYC. This year it was part of my Mother's Day gift from hubby. I  didn't take many pics of the booths this year, just of all the deals I got. I had to set some sort of budget this year for items because I literally just landed my new job. Thank God pay week was right before the show. When the praises go up...lol  View pics of last year's show here.

Clear front makeup case

Finally got my hands on these LA Girl Pro Concealers for $2!!!

Eye shadows for 5 for $10. They look just like MAC colors

My first Beauty Blender!!

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics matte lip paints and lip pencils

Flower head bands

Do you know how long I've waited for this orange cream blush

You have to stop by the Crown Brush booth...always packed!!

Someone went a little crazy at the Inglot booth. $5 per pop!!

Makeup Mondays - Drugstore Haul

This post is an interesting one for me. I was never really a fan of drugstore makeup. I know how that sounds, but I'm a fan of department store shopping! I love that I can test and buy, but if I don't like, return.  Also, something about department store shopping makes me feel richer than I actually am...lol  For a few months now, though, I've been having a new love affair with the drugstore.  Namely the more inexpensive price tags. Whilst vacationing in NYC, I picked up a few recommendations I saw on Youtube and Instagram. Nothing in this post was over $5???? Unheard of.  FYI for all the New Yawkers - the Duane Reade by Century21 department store (downtown manhattan) is the ish for hard to find items.

 

Wet n Wild Comfort Zone Eyeshadow Palette

Milani Lipstick in Sangria (searched everywhere and finally found it)

Wet n Wild Mega Impact Mascara (my bestie got this for me)

Milani Shadow Eyez in Royal Purple

 



 

 

This picture is horrible but you can see the color pay-off of the Milani products

Shadow Eyez left, Lipstick right

 

Can't wait to play, test and review!

 

Makeup Monday - MAC Hautecore for Black Friday

Mac Cosmetics has a few launches between now and the end of the year that you might want to start saving up for. I've already put in a request for gift cards to my favorite stores to family and the hubster. This Black Friday (as in this week), they will launch a black, matte lippie only available online. From what I've read and seen, the lipstick (named Hautecore), is black with hints of purple. I love these vamp and dark colors, but I have a black from years ago that I haven't really invested in, so not sure if I'll be waiting on cyber-line. I'll see what mood I'm in and how many extra pennies I'll have. Never fear if you don't get a chance to purchase the item on Friday. The lipstick will also be included in another upcoming collection, Punk Couture (I'm really excited about this one), which will launch in December (tentative date 12/26).

Cocktails With CoverFX

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending an event by CoverFx, debuting their new CC Creams. I previously got samples from Sephora and loved them!! So, when I was invited to attend, I sorta planned my N'awlins vacation around it (shhhhh, don't tell hubby). I have been playing with the CoverFX brand for awhile now.  Their products are paraben free (which is a major plus for me), they host a range of colors for brown women and a little goes along way; especially with the liquid products.  I'm not going to go on and on about the products in this post.  Stay tuned for a full review of the cream.

The new CC Creams

 

Derek Selby shade matching. He was AWESOME and so passionate about the products

 

The range of concealers.  You can use these with the cc creams to create more coverage

 

A CoverFX artist shade matching concealer

The chemist behind the product standing next to the ingredients they put in the cream

 

Me and the man of the hour, Derek Selby. If only he knew he is now my imaginary BFF

 

The gift bags were AMAZE BALLS! Complimentary CC cream in your shade, a foundation brush and primer? C'mon!!