Monday, September 26, 2011

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Opens First Store In New York's Lower East Side


I had the fabulous opportunity to attend the press party for new Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics store in New York's LES (174 Ludlow St) on September 22nd. This is the first ever OCC store and let me tell you, it will not be the last. OCC is a cult favorite and an absolute must for makeup artists. Your beauty kit is not complete without their one-and-only lip tars. The brand 100% vegan & cruelty free. The store was packed with the people from all over including the creator, David Klasfeld. I got to chatting with him about the brand and he told me the reason he chose New York is because this is where he is from, so it's fitting that the first one should be here. He also intends to open more stores in the future: locations mentioned were LA and San Francisco (look out west coast!)

I met the fabulous, Queen of Blending, who might I add is an absolute sweetheart and a fellow blogger, Sooz from Solifestyle. The artists from OCC were the sweetest people and so passionate about their brand. It's wonderful to see a team take such pride in their product.









My girlfriend was VERY excited about her gift bag filled with OCC makeup -- Okay... Maybe not really. More excited about the free drinks & delicious vegan food!

Jam Packed!



The creator himself, David Klasfeld

Lauren (Queen of Blending) & I

SPOTTED! Evan Rachel Wood! Okay... just kidding. Just one of OCC's gorgeous dolls who happens to look a lot like Evan Rachel Wood.

If you're ever in the NYC area, you must check out their store. & if you can't make it to NYC just yet--you can always purchase the entire line at OCC.

Hard Candy Review & Swatches

(Products seen above were sent for consideration)

This my first time using the brand, Hard Candy, and I was intrigued by the brand once I noticed how many other beauty bloggers are obsessed. I knew I had to try them! I was sent Hard Candy's Glitter Eyeshadow in Golden Earth and Stay in Line eyeliner in Luminous.

Hard Candy's Glitter Eyeshadow in Golden Earth ($6 at Wal-Mart) was gorgeous. I loved the amount of glitter than showed up when used and the best part? Absolutely NO FALLOUT. If it's one thing I hate about glitter shadows, it's the awful fallout. I will definitely be using this again. I can already picture a glitter smokey eye in my future...



Hard Candy's Stay in Line eyeliner in Luminous ($5.00 at Wal-Mart) is a mechanical eyeliner infused with growth serum. It's very smooth and easy to apply on eyes. It's a greenish teal, blue color. Definitely great value for the price.





Have you ever tried Hard Candy?

Vincent Longo New Essentials Collection for Fall/Winter 2011

 “Today, innovations in technology are transforming not only how we view beauty, but also how we can enhance that vision,” says Vincent. “Beauty is by its very nature empowering. Product innovations that bring out the true, inner beauty of every woman also invite her to access her own natural-born source of empowerment every time she uses them.” 

Ahhh. I get so excited when I find out Vincent Longo is coming out with new products. I'm so in love with this brand. Their products are just so amazing and my collection is growing as we speak! If you haven't tried their products, you have no idea what you're missing. 

Vincent Longo is relaunching his brand with new essentials. Vincent Longo is often thought of when you speak to  camera-ready supermodel glamour and signature celebrity looks. The brand is known for unlocking beauty in everyday woman everywhere. The new line of Vincent Longo essentials is an array of 6 blushes, 5 five pressed powders & 4 face and body bronzers. All products will be in fresh, redesigned packaging (which--might I add--I'm SO excited to see!) 

The new line also features a evolution in pressing technology--each item combines a drop of complementary tint and texture pressed all the way through the product base. The combination makes all products amazingly versatile for any shade of skin, but also for any occasion. 

Here's what they have in store for their new Fall/Winter 2011 collection. 

La Riviera Sun Face & Body Bronzer ($32)
Four formulas for face and body bronzers complement the natural beauty of any woman’s skin tone. Inspired by a trade-secret professional makeup technique, La Riviera Sun Bronzers’ innovative pressing layers several shades together in a unique dispersion pattern. Easy, seamless application enhances these bronzers’ creative versatility for the perfect touch of color from season to season. These illuminating, long-lasting and color-true bronzers give skin a healthy, luminous glow and also transfer a delicate fragrance upon application, completing the art of seduction. 

  • “Beauty Sin” –  golden peach
  • “Golden Glow” – golden beige
  • “Copper Kiss” –  golden bronze
  • “Cassata”  –  golden rose-sand  
Velour Pressed Powder ($28)                        
Plush and silky to the touch, Vincent’s velour pressed powders finish any flawless look with a soft focus and even-toned complexion. Each pressed powder blends multiple tone-on-tone shades consistently throughout the pressing. Regardless of the season, these Velour Pressed Powders enhance the versatility and creativity of the makeup routine with subtle radiant color and supremely smooth finish.  The blendability and range of each pressed powder makes it the perfect product to accent and refine features year-round—in sun or snow, limelight or candlelight, runway or everyday, the true beauty of the Vincent Longo woman always dazzles.

  • “Faire #1”  – warm porcelain
  • “Light #2” – soft amber
  • “Beige  #3 – natural crème
  • “Warm #4” – medium tan
  • “Dark #5” – rich sienna

Dew Drop Radiant Blush ($30)                     
Vincent’s new Dew Drop Radiant Blush establishes a new standard for powder blush. Created with a cutting-edge pressing technique, the blush combines dew drops of pearl in a demi-matte powder base. The stunning result: a long-lasting, smooth finish with a delicate kiss of light. With each application, the dew drops release their tint and texture into the base formula according to the area of the blush and the pressure applied. Dew Drop Radiant Blush softly highlights the cheek with a personal touch of color and subtle glimmer, in addition to a soft, inviting fragrance.

  •  “Temple Peach” – rosewood
  • “Desert Rose” – sandy rose
  •  “Sandalwood” – neutral coral
  • “Misty Blossom” – powder pink
  • “Hearts Desire” – earthy plum
  • “Gold Canyon” – burnished brown

Availiable this Oct at Space NK & Vincent Longo

Will you be checking out this line?

Get All Laced Up With Lorac's New Fall Collection: Review & Swatches

Anyone who knows me knows that I've recently fallen in love with the cosmetic brand, Lorac. Everything about the brand screams red-carpet ready. I love the sexy packaging and the price point is never too high. The pigments are gorgeous and the products themselves are beautiful. I've never tried a product from the line I didn't like. Their new Fall 2011 was no exception. I received the entire line and I squealed with delight when I opened the box.

(Products seen above were sent for consideration)

I received the new fall line, which included:
*Close Up: Real Life to Red Carpet Natural to Dramatic Face Tutorial ($39)
*Ooh La Lace Palette ($36)
*POREfection in Fair ($32)

Lorac's Close Up: Real Life to Red Carpet Natural to Dramatic Face Tutorial is amazing. The price point is a low $39 smackeroos and comes with some of their best selling products. It's $120 value and here's what you get: Starry Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in LORACstar, Front Of The Line PRO Liquid Eyeliner in Black, Multiplex 3D Lashes in Black, Blush in Soul, Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick in Trend Setter and a Face Tutorial Booklet with removable instructions that cling to your mirror. Isn't that bananas? I know! It's a definite MUST-HAVE.



















This mascara is one of  my new favorites. It's add length and curl!



I love that this eyeliner doesn't bleed like most pens do

The item from this line that I was most excited about was the Ooh La Lace Baked Shimmer & Matte Eye Shadow Palette. It includes: 6  Eye Shadows in Lust (cream with shimmer), Smolder (matte gray), Risqué (matte black), Stunner (light bronze with shimmer), Knockout (bronze with shimmer), Racy (matte brown.) 
I've become annoyingly obsessed with anything and everything lace. It's just so sexy and feminine. It reminds me of some really hot tights or lingerie! This palette was even better than I expected. I can't wait to whip this out my purse. Grrrr. 





Without flash

With flash

Lastly, I received Lorac's new POREfection: Baked Perfecting Powder in Fair 01. I tried it on and I loved the finish, but fair was just way too light for me. I'm pretty positive I'd be Medium 04. I might just have to pick this up in my shade. This product is infused with Salicylic Acid and antioxidants to help skin appear youthful, healthy and clear. It gives a gorgeous smooth matte finish.







All and all, a definite hit again for Lorac. I just can't wait to see what's in store for holiday.

Have you ever tried LORAC before?