Tracy Reese Sample Sale

The Tracy Reese Sample Sale started today! Usually I find a handful of dresses and tops, but the silhouettes of the samples seem to be looser and larger, so I didn't really find anything that fit me, except for a long-sleeve ruched leaf print dress. There were some really lightweight printed silk pants, but even though they had an elastic waist, they were still too loose on me. Printed silk pants are on my wish list but I definitely need a drawstring waist. So if you are usually wishing the samples would run bigger, then this season's Tracy Reese sale is for you. 

- Kim Weling

6th Annual New Taste of the Upper West Side

The New Taste of the Upper West Side is back, celebrating its 6th anniversary! Adam Richman (Travel Channel) will once again be hosting Comfort Classics and Gail Simmons (Bravo's Top Chef) will be hosting Best of the West, honoring Danny Meyer (Union Square Hospitality Group) and Randy Garutti (CEO of Shake Shack). Over 70 amazing restaurants are participating, including Dovetail, Jean Georges, Tavern on the Green, Sugar & Plumm, Red Farm, Jacques Torres and Bar Boulud.

The festival takes place May 29th, 31st & June 1st with all proceeds benefitting the Columbus Project and The O'Shea Wellness in School programs.

New this year and kicking off Whole Foods New Taste of the Upper West Side on Wednesday, May 29th is Soirée in the Park at 7pm, in Theodore Roosevelt Park. Hosted by the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), the festive fundraiser will feature champagne and hors d'oeuvres by chefs John Fraser (Dovetail), Maria Loi (Loi) and Cesare Casella (Salumeria Rosi Parmacotta).

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to newtasteuws.com. Take a look at my coverage from lasy year's Comfort Classics and Best of the West for a look at my favorite dishes and delectable desserts.

- Kim Weling

Blog Meets Brand at the Delta T4X Pop-Up Lounge

Blog Meets Brand, presented by Single Edition Media, took place on Tuesday, May 14th at the Delta T4X Pop-Up Lounge at 376 West Broadway. Bloggers enjoyed networking with fellow fashion and beauty influencers while sampling products Elizabeth Arden, Completely Bare, BluePrint Cleanse, Glo Science, Foot Petals and Nanette Lepore. Guests enjoyed cocktails, bites and a special presentation featuring fashion, beauty and travel trips for summer from participating brands.  

To celebrate the newly transformed terminal at JFK, opening May 24th, Delta Air Lines recreated its Terminal 4 experience at the T4X pop-up. The pop-up includes $4 lunches, inspired by international destinations serviced out of JFK T4, plus travel surprises and rewards. Attendees can also visit the space to work, relax or re-charge. T4X is open to the public from 11am-3pm, Tuesdays - Sundays through May 22nd.

Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Luminous Lip Gloss - my color pick: #14 Rosegold 

Completely Bare's new skincare line

BluePrint Clease Favorites: #2 Pineapple Apple Mint and #4 Spicy Lemonade

Teeth Whitening Technology from Glo Science and oral health expert Dr. Jonathan B. Levine, featuring GLO Brilliant. Can't wait to try Everyday GLO for on-the-go maintenance!

Foot Petals shoe cushions and inserts, including the newest launches: Tip Toes for sandals/flip flops and Sock-Free Saviors for flats and loafers. Definitely have to try this red carpet tip: wearing Foot Petals Killer Kushionz under Tip Toes!

Nanette Lepore provided #datenight hotspots and dating advice from their in-house astrological expert

Nanette Lepore

- Kim Weling

The Makeup Show NYC 2013

The Makeup Show NYC took place on May 5th and 6th at the Metropolitan Pavilion, featuring over 85 beauty brands and nearly 50 keynote speakers and seminars. The largest pro-driven beauty event introduced the newest products on the market and focusing on education in the pro community, with nearly 7,000 attendees. This year The Makeup Show NYC launched a mobile app, complete with show info, floor plan, exhibitors and hands-on workshops. 

This year's brands included Diamond Sponsor MAKE UP FOREVER, Platinum Sponsor Crown Brush and Temptu PRO, Silver Sponsor NARS, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics and Stila, Supporting Sponsors Smashbox, INGLOT Cosmetics, Alcone Company, The Powder Group and On Makeup Magazine. New and returning brands included Embryolisse USA, Cinema Secrets, Ellis Faas, Face Atelier, MAC Cosmetics, Mario Badescu Skin Care, Mehron, Naked Cosmetics, Senna Cosmetics, T3 Micro, Tweezerman, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, Layla Cosmetics, Z Palette, AJ Crimson and Cattiva Cosmetics. 

Here are some highlights from The Makeup Show 2013.

INGLOT Cosmetics May launches - Colour Play Eyeliner and Satin Rainbow Eye Shadows, and recently launched pastel Nail Enamel collection

Nars

Smashbox

 

Already in love with Alcone at home magnetized travel palettes and bling lip gloss with mirror

Airbrush artistry with Kett Cosmetics

Bite lipsticks

bdellium tools Pink Bambu brushes

T3 Micro styling tools, including the new BodyWaver large barrel styling iron used to style my hair

Thanks to Dan Sharpe, adding waves, body and volume to my hair

Cattiva cosmetics, adding a little bling to your beauty

MAKE UP FOR EVER introduced 12 new shades to the Aqua range including Aqua Rouge, Aqua Lip, Aqua Cream and Aqua Eyes

MAKE UP FOR EVER Mist & Fix and HD Microfinish Powder

MAKE UP FOR EVER Academy

 

I'm used to seeing a mob of people surrounding MAKE UP FOREVER, INGLOT Cosmetics and Nars, but this year it was incredibly crowded at Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar

Armour Beauty Lip Gloss

At TEI Spa, I found myself obsessing over the EssenceAir Diffuser & Essential Oils

- Kim Weling

More May Sample Sales - BaubleBar / Lela Rose / zinke / Hunter Dixon by Hunter Bell

The Makeup Show NYC Blogger Preview 2013

On Saturday, May 4th, James Vincent, The Makeup Show's Director of Artistry and Education, walked top beauty bloggers through his favorite products for 2013, with an exclusive sneak peek of this year's show.

Why you should use Temptu's S/B Concealer Wheel

A look at Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive shine + oil control cream

Must haves from Dermalogica - precleanse and skinperfect primer

Danessa Myricks explains why the Magic Touch sponges are so amazing 

Here's a list of the James' favorite products for Spring/Summer 2013. I highlighted my top products that I can't wait to try. The best thing about new beauty products is that you never know what you will love until you test it out. A great primer and concealer is always important to me as well as products that take away shine, like Alcone's Perfect Pressed Powder and Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive shine + control cream.

• Alcone at home - magnetized travel palettes and Perfect Pressed Powder ($20)  
• Alcone Makeup Remover Cloths ($12.95) / Liquid Eyeliner in midnight black ($18)
• Ardency Inn Punker One Stroke Liquid Liner in Deep Black ($19)
• Armour Beauty lip gloss in shattered ($21)
• bdellium tools - Pink Bambu small foundation 947 brush ($15.40)
• CATTIVA Mascara in Black ($24)
• Cinema Secrets Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner, 2oz ($8)
• Crown Brush eyelash curler / foundation sponge / eyeliner pencil - black / brush
• Dermalogica precleanse ($37) / skinperfect primer ($48)
• Ellis Faas Blush in Fresh Coral S302 ($32)
• Embryolisse Vitivia Pro Vitamin A15 ($55) / Lait-Creme Concentre trial size and other samples
• Graftobian GlamourGrip ($14.99)
• Inglot Lip Duo lip gloss #15 ($36) / Sample lipstick #96
• J'aime Eyelash Extensions
• Julie Hewett lipstick  in rouge noir ($24)
• Kevin Aucoin The Essential Eye Shadow Set - Palette #6 ($55)
• Magic Touch - The Ultimate tool for Complexion Perfection
• Mehron B.L.A.M.E. (Black Light Activated Makeup Essential) in Green ($32.95)
• Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge #19 ($24)
• Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater 4oz ($7)
• Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive shine + control cream ($25)
• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Creme Colour Concentrate in Icarus ($20) /  Stained Glass Lip Tar ($18)
• Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Solano ($19.90)
• Parian Spirit Professionbal Makeup Brush Cleaner, 4oz
• Senna Totally Transforming Eyeshadow Primer in Light / Medium / Tan ($24 each) & concealer 12 brush ($18)
• Stila Lip Glaze Trio in Harvest ($12)
• TEI Spa Lip Moisturizer / Cuticle Conditioner / Eye Makeup Remover Cotton Swabs ($7.50 each)
• Temptu Pro S/B Concealer Wheel ($26)
• T3 Hair Ties
• yaby stackable 4 well palette ($14)
• Youngblood Lipstick in Dragon Fruit ($19)
• Z Palette - Hot Pink - Large ($20)
• Zuca Utility Pouch - Small ($15)

- Kim Weling

Jack Wills Sample Sale