A very important lesson I’ve learned from reviewing thousands of different color cosmetics, is that expensive products make you feel pampered, but sometimes the least expensive products make you look, best. NYC. color is one of those drugstore brands that features trendy colors and formulas at price points so low, everyone can afford them. And just because the products are cheap, doesn’t mean they’re not good quality. Recently, the company tapped makeup artist Mathew Nigara to be their lead makeup artist, and the latest collection of products reflects a true, designer touch. There are products and new colors that will work beautifully for Spring into Summer:
A new product from NYC Color that has become one of my absolute favorites for the season is the NYC Color Extreme Lip Glider Lip Gloss $3.99. The slim squeeze tube with slant-tip applicator top is easy to use, and slim enough to fit into even a small makeup bag without making it bulky. But that’s not the only reason I love this gloss. It is inexpensive, but it feel as luxe as the pricey brands. And the colors range from subtle to shimmery, with sheer to medium coverage depending upon the color you choose. I like the light, juicy, fruity, melon scent that isn’t sweet and doesn’t try to be for kids. The high gloss formula is packed with conditioning ingredients plus Vitamins A, C & E. There are at least ten shades and I found them all universally flattering–I ljust liked them all. But for Spring to beachwear, I’d suggest “Mulberry St. Mocha,” a deep, shimmery bronze, and “Downtown Brown,” a creamier version of same. Berry fans will love “Riverside Rouge,” a deep merlot, and “Plaza Punch,” a shimmery berry. Pink fans will like the medium pink, shimmery, “Carnegie Melon” (more pink than melon to my eyes) and “Red Hot” gives you the sheerest.,meerest hint of clear red with lots of shine–perfect for a no makeup look. If I didn’t know who made this gloss, I’d rate it fabulous, and assume it was costly. Amazing that it isn’t! I am seriously addicted!
NYC COlor Smooth & Natural Matte Powder Foundation $4.99 arrives in a simple, black plastic compact with clear top. There’s no fancy compartment for the triangular sponge applicator that comes with it (the sponge sits on top of the foundation). But you get a large square of mattifying, powder foundation that has a blend of micronized pigments, plus emollients, and gives you skin a light to medium coverage. Matte powder foundations can be tricky to wear, especially if your skin is very dry, but this powder is so velvety-smooth that it glides over wrinkles, imperfections, and dry patches leaving skin looking matte and smooth. The downside (if you can call it that) is that the product comes in light “73U Urban Light;” “732U Midtown Medium:” and a fairly deep “#733U Metro Tan” and that’s it. Metro tan would make a bronzer for fair to medium skin, and the other two (light and medium) work on most other skin tones. If your skin is very dark, metro tan might not be quite deep enough to satisfy. But for most, it’s going to be a fantastic must-have for Summer.
Although I’m not generally a fan of creme blush, New York Color’s Blushable Creme Stick $3.99 in six shades, gives you a sheer to intense blush in an oil-free formula in stick form. If you’re using a trendy, matte foundation, you absolutely need to use a more moist and blendable blush product to keep the look lively and not dry. Swivel up the color you want, apply a bit to the apples of your cheeks, and smooth it in seconds to dry it down to a silky, powder finish. The look is soft if you blend it well, more intense if you layer and don’t blend too vigorously. When the temperature rises, you won’t find it changing color or sliding away. The product also has Vitamins A, C and E to nourish and protect your skin. “Urban Spice” is a shimmery brown with gold shimmer; and “South Street Seashell” a creamy, deep, bright rose, that will enhance a tan and flatter deeper complexions. “Deep Apple Blush” is a deep, creamy, pink that will flatter most. I like the light and slightly shimmery “Plaza Pink” for fairer skin. “Mauvin Uptown” offers a plum-ish shade that looks modern if you keep it sheer, more retro with additional layers. Pop one of these blush sticks into your tote now, beach bag, later. They’re so portable!
When it comes to eye shadow, there’s nothing better than a color compact, with coordinated choices that make application, fool-proof. Individualeyes cutom Compact $4.99 brings three different sets of color to you along with a shadow primer and an illuinator–all in one, black and clear square compact the same size as the foundation compact. A plastic overlay even tells you which product to use. The compacts are coordinated for blue, green, or brown eyes, but you can use any one you wish, of course. “Bryant Park,” the compact I tried for blue eyes, had a color palette of lilac/purples and blue-greys that I might not normally select, and while I liked the look, I liked some of the colors in the other collections, better. At the price, however, you can get all three and still have money left over for a NYC Color Extreme Lip Glider Lip Gloss! Benefits include green tea extract, and Vitamins A & E. TIP: Although the collections are created for a specific effect or effects, don’t be afraid to mix and match.
New York Color has come a long way in both quality and chic-ness. You are paying for the product and how it performs on your skin, not the razzle-dazzle of the packaging. But consider: once you apply makeup, the only thing that matters is how you look, and how well it performs.
With New York Color, you can get a brand new lip gloss, foundation, blush, and eye palette, and pay less than the cost is less than a modest lunch.
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