New [to me] Beauty Favorites.

NARS Velvet Gloss lip pencil in New Lover— True story: last week I was running late to an event in Times Square and I was literally applying this while crossing the street and dodging tourists (I know). I didn’t get to see the finished result until a few hours later, and I was pleasantly surprised by its the sheer rosy glow that survived a no-mirror-application and cocktails!

Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation— I’ve been faithfully using HD foundation for a few years now, but after reading so many glowing reviews I had to try this. The lovely ladies at Sephora gave me a tester to see how it worked with my skin, and after one week I was back to buy the bottle. The silky formula allows your skin to look like skin, with a less drying finish. The coverage is sheer, but it builds easily to cover blemishes or dark spots. I found that I like the look of the foundation better when applied with a foundation brush.

Avon Ideal Luminous Blush in Earthen Rose— Some days, pink blush is just not the look I want, but my skin still needs some healthy warmth. This amazing blush gives skin that glow reminiscent of summer, without sparkles or sheen. Anyone with a fair to medium skin tone, looking for a matte bronzer— look no futher!  Plus, you really can’t beat this price tag of $8.

OCC Lip Tar in Strumpet— I have been hunting everywhere for these lip tars and finally Sephora carries them in-store and online. They are rich pigments (vegan + cruelty free) that require the tiniest drop to cover the lips in matte, fast-drying color. Word to the wise— you’ll need a mirror and lip brush to apply it.

L’Oreal Voluminous mascara in Carbon Black— I’m not a faithful to any one mascara, so I am constantly trying out new ones to find the be-all-end-all that’s under $9. This super-black formula glides in with the thick brush to coat and curl my otherwise stubbornly straight lashes. Best part? It didn’t flake or leave my lashes feeling like they were sprayed with Elnett, instead they were super soft and fluttery.

What are your new favorites for Fall?

Disclosure: Avon sent me an editorial sample, free of obligation. All opinions expressed are my own.

City Girl Logic: Where to skimp and splurge with beauty products? Here is a helpful guide.

Something to keep in mind when shopping for beauty products is the shelf life. Mascaras should be replaced every 3-6 months, and  lip glosses should not be kept over 1 year. On the other hand, powder blush and eyeshadow can last up to 2 years. **Expert tip: if it smells strange, or the color is off, throw it away. No need to take a chance!

My philosophy is, spend the least amount of money on the items you replace most frequently— eyeliner, mascara, lipstick/ gloss— and spend the most money on the items you use over a longer period to ensure you get the best quality and payoff. I cannot stress enough how important it is to splurge on your skincare, foundation, concealer, and powders— especially if you have skin concerns of aging, acne, or sensitivity. If you skimp on everything else, you can try new beauty trends without breaking the bank.