NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Limited Edition Animal Instinct and Concrete Jungle Review and Swatches

Around the time of fashion week so many drugstore (and high end) brand's released some amazing, but limited edition, collections for us cosmeholics to snatch up. One of the items that caught my eye was the NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Limited Edition Animal Theme Palette. I had already been a fan of these palettes because of their quality, pigmentation, and the fact that they come with primer. These palettes contain colors that are a little richer than what had been offered previously from this brand.

Concrete Jungle-
When i first saw this purple palette i fell in love with the last crease/contour color. It is not a color you see often in the drugstore. It is a rich maroon purple with red undertones. It is paired with a soft white, lavender, and an eggplant shade. These shades compliment each other and can be alone or combine as shown on the back of the palette. There is a downside to these palettes however, these shadows can be a little soft. Since they are soft they are a little prone to fall out so be gentle with them. Also cover your primer and illuminator to avoid the powder mixing into the cream. The primer and illuminator both work as good bases for these shadows and will hold them for about 5 hours.

NYC IndividualEyes Concrete Jungle

NYC IndividualEyes Concrete Jungle

NYC IndividualEyes Concrete Jungle over primer without flash

NYC IndividualEyes Concrete Jungle over primer with flash

Animal Instinct-
This palette is a bit more nature themed than the above one. This palette contains a soft taupe, copper, medium copper brown, and a rich dark emerald green (which according to Pantone Universe will be the color of 2013!) but can appear forest green in some lights. These shades blend effortlessly together. These shades can be worn individually or combined as per the instructions on the back of the palette. These shades are soft so be gentle with them and be careful for fall out. Cover the primer and the illuminator to avoid having them filled with the powder fallout. Both the illuminator and the primer work well in holding these shadows on the eye, allowing the shadow to last for about 5 hours.

NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Animal Instinct

NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Animal Instinct

NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Animal Instinct over primer with flash

NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Animal Instinct over primer without flash.

Overall if you are looking for the rich and pigmented colors from this season along with a decent primer, these all in one palettes are a good choice. At their price point of $5 dollars in most drugstores you can't go wrong in trying them if these are colors you would like to try.

Urban Decay NYC Palette Book of Shadows Vol. III Redux Review and Swatches

I love New York City. I love the sights, the sounds, the people, i love living here, and everything that comes with it. A palette inspired by my home, have to have it. I was a little late in getting it i will admit. For a year or two i took a hiatus from cosmetics and missed out on some great items such as the Urban Decay NYC palette. When it became available again i got it as fast as i could. It is now one of my favorite collector peices in my collection not to mention has some of the best shadows i have seen in a while (aside from the Vice Palette, which i thought i had already reviewed but i apparently haven't so i need to get on that!).

Aside from the unique city themed colors, this palette comes with an Urban Decay eye primer and a 24/7 glide on eye pencil in Zero. That still isn't what makes this palette so special. What really sets this palette aside from most other palettes is the fact that this palette has a top compartment which opens up and has a pop out view of New York City. If you think that is amazing, wait until i tell you it lights up! Yep this illuminated city view could not represent New York more if it tried. Over the top, bright, unique, colorful. That is us alright. Under this beautiful pop up scene, is a pull out drawer that contains all 16 shadows, the primer, and the liner. There is also a mirror behind the city scape to complete how awesome this product is.

In terms of qaulity these shadows are top of the line. If you have tried Urban Decay shadows in the past then you are no stranger to how pigmented and easy to blend these shades are. I did not find any of them stiff or chalky. I found them soft and buttery and did not have any issue with fall out. I love how many of them have a a bit of shine to them and no mattes are included. Some are glittery but not over the top just enough to add a little bit of sparkle to your look should you choose to.


First and second row, left to right from the palette. Over Urban Decay eye primer. You can click the pictures to enlarge them. Top without flash, bottom with flash.

Oil Slick, Uzi, Stray Dog, Mildew, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, SWF, Last Call, Rockstar

Oil Slick, Uzi, Stray Dog, Mildew, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, SWF, Last Call, Rockstar

Third row and last row. Over Urban Decay eye primer. You can click the pictures to enlarge them. Top without flash, bottom with flash. left to right from the palette

Haight, Maui Wowie, Aquarius, Smog, Goddess, Sin, YDK, Ecstasy

Haight, Maui Wowie, Aquarius, Smog, Goddess, Sin, YDK, Ecstasy

 24/7 Glide on Eye Liner in Zero-
This smooth black liner literally glides on. It isn't as pigmented as i would like it to be, but then again i prefer a liquid or gel liner. This liner can be smudged and can be built up.

 Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer-
This is somewhat been hailed as the holy grail of primer. I like it but it isn't everything it is hyped up to me. I have products that do a similar job and i wouldn't switch from them. I love the packaging and i think its a cute product. I am glad i got to try it with this palette.

Overall if you like a product that is a little different, one that offers just a little bit more, this palette might be a good choice for you. If you are looking to try some fun colors that includes extras like liner and primer, this is also a good choice. Or if you just like NYC go for it!

NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact in Dark Shadows Review

So if you have been with me since the beginning of my blog you should know i am no stranger to showing love for both high end and drugstore products. Browsing drugstore products can sometimes be a gamble. Will the color payoff be good? How about pigmentation? Will this product last? Will it be high quality?  Lots of factors to consider. One company that has had consistently great products with amazing quality for their price is NYC - New York Color.

New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compacts (which you may have noticed i have reviewed before in different colors here!) are all in one, all you need, to create a full eye look. This product includes a primer, an illuminator, applicator and four soft complimentary shadows.

While the shadows are soft they blend very easily. Their pigmentation is good. The primer great for the price and brings out the pigmentation in the shadows even more when they are layered on it. The illuminator makes the shades brighter and is great to apply under the brow to brighten the look. Both the illuminator and the primer are cream so you can use your fingers to apply for a smaller foundation/cover up brush. Using the shadows over the primer will allow the shadows to last for about 5 hours without creasing. If you are a bit of novice in terms of applications there is a how to on the back of the package and one below, scroll down to see. This product is a great starter product and introduction to makeup, since it requires so little in addition for a complete look. You can use all the shadows together or use them one at a time. These shades can be used to make a smokey eye look or just a light look with a dark, dramatic crease. You really have so many options with this palette.

There are a few cons. Since the shadows are soft (which isn't a bad thing) you should be careful when pressing your applicator (or brush) into them. Another small con is that because they are soft there is some fall out. Have a blending sponge handy or a fan brush, or even just a tissue to wipe up any that may land on your cheek. Since both the primer base and the illuminator are cream they are prone to having the shadow dust off into them. What you can do is take a small piece of plastic wrap and cover them when using the shadows. This palette is a little fragile so don't carry it in your purse, you really wont need touch up's anyway!

How to create a quick blended look:
Not pictured- apply your primer to your lid and lend it out to right under the brow.
Top to bottom, left side
Step 1- Apply the second shade to your lid and make sure to stop right before you reach your crease. Make sure to pat on gently. You can use your applicator or an eyeshadow brush. 
Step 2- Fill in your crease with the third shade. applying from the inner corner out. Then blend with a soft back and forth motion
Step 3- Apply the first color under the arch of the brow and blend with a back and forth motion with the crease.

Top to bottom, right side.
Step 4- Apply the fourth and darkest color to the fold of the outer crease blending vertically to define the eye and make the shadow dramatic (if you want you can omit this step if you feel it is too dark on your eye, or use it only as a night look.
Step5- use the darkest color as an eye liner both above and under the eye (you can layer liquid liner over it and add mascara if you would like
Step 6- you're done!

If you would like to add even more drama you can always use the third color as your lid color and blend out the crease with the fourth color, and still using the first color as your under brow high lighter. This would make a very dramatic smokey eye!

These are quick and easy looks that should only take about 5 minuets to make.

You can find these in drugstores for about $4.99. NYC New York Color products range from $.99 to $4.99 making them some of the most affordable, chic, makeup that you can find in the drugstore.
 You can't go wrong with these on trend products!

Disclaimer- I received this product complimentary for reviewing purposes from www.Influenster.com . This review contains only my honest thoughts and opinions of this product.

If you would like more information on this product or any other NYC- New York Color product please check out http://newyorkcolor.com/ .