I can't believe I'm about to do this, but in the name of trying to represent reality I'm about to post a photo of me with no make up on. None whatsoever. I'm fed up of being expected to wear make up all the time when I don't want to. I love make up, I do, but I want to have the choice of whether or not I can be bothered putting it on just to go get some milk from the shop.
I was sent some of the NYC cosmetics range to try out approximately one million years ago, and am only now getting around to doing my review. I remember really loving NYC make up when I was a teenager and seeing it stocked on the shelves in American super stores. It's now appeared across the pond and you can check out the full range in Superdrug and Gordon's Chemists.
So here is my naked face. I've always struggled with acne and breakouts, and was totally fed up still having spots at the age of 24. Nothing at all seemed to work, no creams, no washes. Nothing. I've finally found some solution in the form of Dianette. Now that my skin is a bit clearer, I have way more fun putting on make up where as before I'd run and hide. I also often go out now with no make up on without much of a thought, which I guess is a combination of me having slightly clearer skin and also not giving a damn. Anyway, on to the make up!
For the eyeliner flick I used the NYC High Definition Eyeliner Pen. I find eyeliner markers really good for getting a precise shape and point to the end, but I'm still to find one that's black enough for my liking and doesn't smudge. This pen helped me give great shape but it's still too light for me. I like mega black, crazy cat lady cat eye liner - so people who wear slightly more subdued eye make up might love this one.
(I'd filled in my eyebrows by this stage)
I went over the black liner with the NYC Liquid Eyeliner which comes with a brush tip. The colour was much darker, and went on really nicely. The only problem I found was that it took quite a long time to dry which can be annoying if you're impatient like me. The brush was really easy to use, I've always avoided these kinds of liners before because I thought they'd be fussy.
I used the Sky Rise mascara, I was sent both Sky Rise and Show Time. I much preferred Sky Rise, I never use mascaras with thin brushes since discovering Benefit Bad Gal and then discovering that the pink tube of Models Own mascara is a complete dupe for it, but this skinny brush worked really well at giving good curl.
After putting on my liner I applied some of NYC's All Day Long foundation in shade Classic Ivory. I have a real problem finding foundations pale enough - but this actually did the job. At first I hated this foundation, I found it way too thin to cover my blotches and scars but after a few goes I realised it is actually build able and with an extra layer it transforms into a really lovely, light dewy foundation with pretty decent coverage. Also it's only £3.99 and I don't think you can argue with that!
Next I applied the, frankly quite wonderful, 16hour Lip Stain Pen in 503 Unstoppable Red. I'd actually bought two of these pens before and really liked them. I use a Max Factor pen sometimes but find it very intense and the tip not pointed enough. These have a really nice pointed tip, rich colour and they smell delicious. I'm not sure about the 16 hour thing, but I never expect cosmetics to last that long so it was hardly a bad point. I now have 4 of these pens and love them, they're so handy, much less fussy than lipstick and only cost £3.99.
Overall I'd rate the NYC range very highly, I'm not particularly skilled at applying make up, and I don't like to spend too much money on something I might never use. All of the NYC products retail at under £5, the liquid liner was only £2.49 which is a complete bargain. I hope this was okay and not too long winded, I'm really no make up expert but I love playing around with it! Although I was sent these items, I wasn't paid or even asked to do a review of them, and have since purchased many NYC products because I really do think they're great. Anyway, thanks for reading! x
