New York City Shopping Haul!

12/20/2015

My New York City Buys & Bargains.

I didn't intend to do loads of shopping in NYC, however how can you not when there is a Sephora on every corner! You will notice 90% of the things below are Make-up related (oops) - but a lot of the other items I picked up were Christmas presents so I can't show you on here in case anyone see's!
P.s Please imagine how hard it was for me not to use any of the make-up until I had photographed it!

SEPHORA.

Anastasia Beverly Hills - Contour Cream Kit
I was wanting this set for months & months & months but I was determined to wait for NY as I knew it was so much cheaper there.
It is a kit with 3 highlight shades & 3 contour shades, I brought mine in Light - Medium and I think that suits my skin tone perfectly. I apply it with a small foundation or concealer brush & then blend it all together with a damp beauty blender (make sure its damp!!). The product gives a lovely creamy smooth contour with out looking cakey. I would highly recommend it, definitely one of my favorite US purchases.
I've found this product in the UK for you on Cult Beauty for £39 (here) - I got it for 40$ in the US which works out about £26! Great for me - but annoying for you guys!

Sephora Collection - Bright Set Loose Finishing Powder (16$/£10.55)
I have been looking for a brightening powder with a yellow pigment for a while now - I've heard great things about the Ben Nye Banana Powder so when I saw this that looks similar I had to give it a try, now my only regret is that I didn't buy more whilst in the US! I love it! I apply this after I have finished my foundation/concealer/contour - I apply a decent amount under my eyes & leave it to set for about 2 minutes - I then gently brush off the excess & lightly dust a layer over the rest of my face. This sets your make up perfectly without making you look cakey, and it brightens up your whole face! I then go on to apply bronzer, blush & highlight.
You can't buy this product in the UK as its Sephora own, however Sephora do offer shipping to the UK, I'm unsure of the cost but check it out! (here)

Two Faced - Melted Lipstick

Colour : Melted Sugar.
I've wanted to try these liquid lipsticks after seeing them used in lots of make-up tutorials, so when I saw it in Sephora for 21$ (works out as about £14) compared to the £19 UK price tag I grabbed on straight away. I went for the shade melted sugar - this is a light nude colour which Is gorgeous on its own or as I like to wear it on top of a darker nude lipstick (eg. Mac - Honey love) but only in the center of your lips to create an ombre effect. It works perfectly for that. The formula is so smooth and creamy so it blends so beautiful on you lips. Can't wait to try my next shade!
Get yours here £19.

Sephora Christmas Eye-shadow Set
I couldn't resist this gorgeous mini set of eye-shadows & blusher. The colours were unique yet still very usable. They colours are very pigmented & are great for everyday & evening looks. And at only 15$ I thought they were great value to. ( I can't find this on the website - sowwwii!)

Benefit - POREfessional Primer
This is one of my favorite Primers so when I saw a mini bottle at the til for a smaller price than the UK I couldn't resist. It does exactly what it says on the tin & completely covers your pores and therefore lets you apply foundation so smoothly.
Get yours here £24.50

NARS - Creamy Concealer
I have heard great things about this Nars concealer - So obviously I had to try that for myself! It is the most gorgeous texture & glides on like a dream & the coverage is FAB. Its great for under your eyes for highlighting/covering as it doesn't crease at all. However my only problem is I picked it up in shade "Vanilla" when I was supposed to get "Custard" (you can see why I got mixed up there, can't you... ish?) Anyway the vanilla is a little to light so I can only really use it if i'm not wearing any tan & already have to wear a light foundation. But I will 100% be picking this up in Custard because it really a lovely product.
Get yours here £22.

Bumble & Bumble - The Thickening Set
Unfortunately I have been blessed with thin hair - and I bloody hate it. After trying tonnes of different "thickening" products over the years I can say without doubt this has been my favorite one. The Bumble & Bumble Thickening Spray. It is perfect for adding some UMPH to your hair & great for backcombing styles too without leaving your hair looking dry/split. What is GREAT at the moment is they are selling this cute set including the full-size spray & a mini thickening Shampoo & Conditioner for the same price as the spray usually costs alone £22. (In the US it cost me 30$)
Grab yours here: Bumble & Bumble The Thickening Set.

MAC.

Holiday Collection:
I got one piece from the MAC holiday collection - which I am glad I did as this piece has now Sold Out in the UK. It's the Irresistibly Charming Pigments & Glitter in Gold. RRP £26.
I love these shades! They are SO pigmented & they look amazing for a Christmas Night (you can add the glitter if you want to be extra Christmassy!) I also love the Holiday Clutch they come in, so easy to carry around & enables you to keep them all together. Very happy with these.

Lipsticks/Liner:
Prep & Prime Lip - This product is great to be used under lipsticks to give you a nice smooth base to apply your colour, however I also just love it as an everyday lip balm. Keeps your lips moisturized & it's colorless.
Honeylove - my favorite nude - It's so lovely for everyday wear & I just can't get away from Matte finishes - I love them!
Kinda Sexy - I hadn't actually seen this colour in the UK before - I'm sure it is available but I just haven't noticed it. To be honest the two colours aren't to dissimilar but Kinda Sexy has a little pink hint. And again it is a Matte Finish. I just think you can't go wrong with Matte Nudes.. maybe i'm boring!
Whirl - Lip liner - I love the MAC lip liners - I find they glide on well as they have a nice creamy texture. I also find them long lasting & there are so many colours to choose from. This time I picked up "Whirl" it is described as a Dirty Rose colour & I find it goes well with most Nudes. Love it.

Get Prep & Prime Lip here - £13.50
Get Honeylove here and Kinda Sexy here - Both £15.50
Get Whirl Lip Liner Here - £12.50

Mineralize Skin Finish
Colour - Soft & Gentle
This product is the most beautiful natural highlighting powder. I glide it on the apples of my cheeks, down my nose & on my cupids bow. It gives the most beautiful glow to your face without it looking to heavy or over the top. It can also be used under the arch of your eyebrows which makes your eyebrow shape more defined. I would recommended this product to anyone who wants to add a natural glow to their makeup.
Get yours here - Mineralize Skin Finish - £24

DASH.

I can't deny that my guilty pleasure is watching Keeping Up With The Kardashian's. I just love seeing the extravagant lifestyle they lead & I especially love having a nosy inside their homes at the amazing interior design!! So when I saw DASH NY I can't deny I was a little excited. Inside was a lot smaller than I expected & to be honest I didn't like many of the clothes & thought the majority of the Kardashian merchandise was very overpriced. But then I saw these candles (I am a candle hoarder if you didn't already know - oops) so when I saw Vanille sent I had to have it.
You can buy these candles in the UK to - check out the website here - Voluspa - Luxury Candles.
P.S Unfortunately I didn't bump into any of the K's whilst shopping.

VICTORIA SECRET - PINK

PINK work out/lounge top
The Victoria's Secret store near the Empire state building is HUUUUUUUGE. I mean you could literally get lost on every floor (there are SO many floors!). Whilst I was wandering around I spotted the array of PINK by Victoria Secret work-out/lounge clothing. I love having nice comfy clothes to chuck on when I get home from work. This over sized Long sleeved Tee is the perfect comfy top – I throw it on over leggings/work out leggings & I instantly feel relaxed. I like the bright colour & I think they are all really good value for money. I can’t find this exact top on the UK website however I have linked the PINK Tee Section as there are similar designs here – Pink By Victoria Secret.

LUSH

Ickle Baby Bot
I brought this for my little 3 year old brother the subtle lavender scent is supposed to help children to relax before bedtime (& trust me he needs to relax haha!). It's such a cute design making it fun for children to use. And it really does smell so relaxing. I would even use it myself.

Get yours Here - £1.95

Little Snow Fairy Gift Set
This set smells like a giant candy store from your childhood dreams. It smells of candyfloss & I think I could accidentally eat it. Delicious. The set includes a Mini Snow Fairy Shower Gel & also a small PINK fun bar. You can mold it into different shapes and then use it as a Shampoo bar, bubble bar or soap. Basically I'm a big kid & I love it.

Get yours here_ - £8.50

FOREVER 21

I have a little obsession with make-up bags & I seem to go through a lot of them. When I saw this one in Forever 21 Times Square I was obviously suckered in by the Rose gold tone. Plus the fact its a lot bigger than your average make up back & as you can probably tell by the amount of Make Up I brought in NY - I kinda need a big one.
I can't actually find this particular one of the UK site - but they still have a great range of cases so you can check them out here.

LADUREE

When In Soho, New York you have to have a little wander into Laduree & pick up some delicious Macaroons. The Salted Caramel ones are my fave.

NEW YORK CHRISTMAS MARKET

I spotted a whole stand of these prints at the most gorgeous Christmas Market in NYC & I couldn't resist them. I think they will look fabulous in simple black frames. Not only do I love them & think they will look great on a wall, I also love how every time I look at them they will remind me of my wonderful adventure in the big apple.
I would love to try & get some of these type of prints from each place I visit - I think they could look amazing covering a wall. What do you think?

DUTY FREE

Clinique 3 Step Skin Care
I have wanted to try this for so long but I've always convinced myself I already have to many skincare sets and I don't need it..... - However when we were ready to leave New York, arrived at JFK and had some Dollars left over - it would be silly not to buy it... wouldnt it?
And I am so happy I did - This set leaves your skin feel SO clean & fresh. I start with the Liquid face soap to get rid of any excess make up I have missed - then I love the clarifying lotion - it gives your skin a tingly feeling and you can tell its really working its magic! Finally I soothe my skin with the dramatically different moisturizing lotion which leaves your skin feeling baby soft. I am very happy with the product & the results. I will certainly be repurchasing.
If you are unsure & don't want to spend a lot of money you can actually buy a mini set of the 3 products for just £20 - get yours here - Clinique 2 step intro kit.

Phewwww that was a loooong post. Well that's all of my lovely New York Goodies (bar a few Christmas gifts which I can't post on here in case cheeky family members/friends see). I hope I haven't bored you to much. Let me know if anything has caught your eye!

If you have tried any of the featured products or have any tips or tricks to use them, let me know!

If you would like to see my New York City adventure you can check out my photographs here - or if you are planning a trip to New York yourself you can check out my New York Weekend Planner Here.

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