So I Bought Some Things in NYC...

Hi, everyone! Believe it or not, shopping was not a primary objective of my recent trip to NYC. Especially after the trip got cut short (thanks, Mother Nature), introducing my parents to the sights, sounds, and tastes of the city was my main goal. And that we did! Luckily, I'd constructed a carefully crafted shopping list before heading to the Big Apple, so although my shopping opportunities were brief, I could be super efficient. And the result was this lot of amazing goodies! 

Throughout my trip, I stopped in at Sak's, Barney's, Duane Reade, Space NK, and Sephora, all of which offer an incredible range of brands. Here's what I picked up at each stop:

From Sak's 5th Avenue:

Trish McEvoy 24-Hour Eye Shadow and Liner in Glamorous
I'd heard nothing but good things about these, with particularly convincing raves from Stacey and from Sam at Pixiwoo. I opted for Glamorous, a stunning shimmery ruby shade. It is gorgeous and really wears all day!

Gucci Gucci Eye Magnetic Eye Shadow Quad in Crystal Copper
I hadn't planned on picking up any Gucci on my trip, but as soon as I peeked at the counter, I was curious. After swatching the eye shadows, I was sold. I chose eye shadow quad in Crystal Copper, a stunning blend of warm and cool metallic neutrals. 

From Barney's:

Kevyn Aucoin The Lip Gloss in Bloodroses
I was intrigued by the Bloodroses range from the brand (inspired by Aucoin's favourite classic '90s universal burgundy red shade) and the gloss was particularly compelling. It's a gorgeous brick that feels slick and comfortable on the lips. 

Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow Duo in #1 Nuelle/Bloodroses
I'd been wanting to try KA's cream blushes, and this duo is quite the stunner. It offers a neutral beige for a touch of bronze or contour and a burgundy rose shade for a natural flush. 

Beauty is Life Lipstick in Rose Natural
I had never heard of this German brand when I stumbled across it at Barney's, but the sales associate was ultra lovely and the products were gorgeous and quite affordable (at least as Barney's options go!). I selected a pretty everyday rose shade that I'm sure will be a work day staple. 

From Duane Reade:

Milani Rose Powder Blush in Bright Coral
Milani can be found in TO, but just not easily. We had a Duane Reade right next to our hotel, so I quickly raided the brand's display. This blush has a gorgeous design, but also offers the most beautiful matte coral flush!

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Shadow in Bella Violet and Bella Teal
I was super eager to try these shadows, as the pigmentation looked amazing! I snagged two of the most vibrant shades, as summertime is the time to rock turquoise and violet lids!

From Space NK:

By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Misty Rock
I have been lusting after these cult favourite shadow sticks forever. Although By Terry is a bit cheaper to snag via UK-based beauty sites, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to snag one. I have to say that Misty Rock lives up to the hype- the shade is unique, the shimmer is beautiful, and it wears all day! 

Lipstick Queen Oxymoron Matte Gloss in Free Ride
While the brand's lipsticks are its wheelhouse, it was this multitasking cream product that stole my heart. It's a gorgeous muted coral that looks lovely on both lips and cheeks. It applies effortlessly, then sets to a luminous matte finish. Pretty stuff! And that packaging!

R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray
I'd seen this brand raved about by Kate from Gh0stparties several times, and the line's cruelty-free stance and colourful packaging sealed the deal. This salt spray smells fresh and fruity and really adds wave and texture to my hair. 

From Sephora:

Tatcha Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder (mini)
One of my BFFs (who I actually got to see while in NYC) gave me a US Sephora gift card for my birthday, so I sought out brands we cannot snag here in Canada. I gravitated towards Tatcha, a luxury skin care line from Japan. Their exfoliating powders are ultra popular (and expensive!), so I opted for a mini size. 

Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers
Blotting papers that are speckled with gold leaf and inspired by geishas? Sign me up! 

So yeah, I really treated myself while in the Big Apple. But it's not everyday I'm in NYC to celebrate my PhD, right?! I can't wait to delve into all of these goodies- look out for slews of reviews on the way! 

Have you tried any of the products I picked up? Have I piqued your interest in anything? Which brands do you always check out when you're in the US?

Thanks for stopping by! xo