New York Haul – Drugstore – CVS & Duane Reade

Firstly I should apologise, I really should have got this up sooner – I’ve been back a month now – but I’ve been really busy throwing myself into wedding venue hunting, recovering from jetlag and catching up with lots of friends this month and I’ve been totally out of the blog swing. Fingers crossed I get myself back on track for March!

I was probably most excited about visiting US drugstores – that was where the most products that i had in mind to buy were, but was left disappointed by the selection there. Every stand was picked over, I couldn’t get my hands on a lot of what I wanted – and there was brands I just couldn’t track down either. For example I was desperate to find NYX – but it wasn’t in any store. I desperately wanted some Milani Blushes – all the stands in every one were pretty much empty, and any shades left were not my colours.

I’ve since heard about a place called Rickys which I did walk past in the evening and had a quick peek through the window and thought that looks cool – but it was closed so we never went in. Definitely regretting not going back the next day as I would have found everything I was looking for, it’s aparantly a dream to shop in – and it was only a minute or two from my hotel! It’s on the list for when we inevitably return.


Duane reade

Duane Reade’s are on every corner in Manhattan – you can’t walk more than a couple of hundred metres without coming across one, I went in 4 different ones and had a very similar experience in each – like I said, picked over stands with little choice of items! We stayed pretty central when shopping so whether that was an unlucky trait of being on the tourist hot spots or whether all are similar I don’t know. I did manage to get a few items though!

Physician’s Formula Happy Booster Blush – $13.79 (-$4 Coupon)

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I remember so much talk about this when it first launched that it’s been on my list of things to get my hands on since pretty much then. I’ve been using this a good chunk and it’s quite sheer, but I’m wondering whether the top hearts have a slight coating on them which when I get past the first layer will be a different story, so I’m waiting on reviewing this until I’ve decided!

Physician’s Formula Argan Oil Bronzer – $14.95 (-$4 Coupon)

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I’d seen mixed reviews of this before going and wasn’t sure whether I was going to buy it, but couldn’t resist it because look how beautiful it is. I’ve been waiting to get some properly decent pictures of this so it’s still sitting unused as of yet!

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara – $11.49

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I had this on my list of things to check out and when one of my favourite blog buddies Stash Matter’s recommended it (I think!) – I decided I’d definitely get it. I’ve only used it once so far and it’s brilliant. I currently have false lash extensions on so I’m not wearing any mascara at the moment so it will be a few weeks before I get my hands on this again –  but I’m excited after it’s first try to keep going with it.

Covergirl Super Sizer Mascara – $7.79

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Having got my hands on one Covergirl Mascara I decided to get a second one given that’s what they seem most known for. I decided to go for this one for a couple of reasons, 1) It’s their newest and featured Katy Perry as their advert for the product 2) It’s not the type of brush I normally go for and I was curious that it said it rolled and moved as you applied.

Milani Statement Lipstick in Plumrose – $7.49 new-york-haul-milani-plumrose-lipstick

Picked this up on a bit of a whim, but I’m really glad that I did. It smells absolutely delicious, I love the packaging and I’ve worn this a number of times since getting back and I love it!

EOS Pomegranate Raspberry Lipbalm – $4.79

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How could I not go and pick up such a classic drugstore item. Already a favourite in my handbag too!

PopGlam Violetta Nail Polish – $10.00

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PopGlam is a brand that I’ve heard of and I don’t think we can get our hands on PopGlam over here, I was immediately drawn to the colour. I have a very similar colour to this from China Glaze called Flaming Dragon,  but it’s absolutely terrible and I’ve looked for similar colours since and this is the first similar one that I’ve seen.


CVS

We only walked past one CVS during our trip – or should I say through as you’re forced out via a CVS pharmacy when exiting the Empire State Building. I’m sure my fiance wasn’t envisaging me shopping in the pharmacy within 15 minutes of getting engaged, but hey – he should know what I’m like!

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Elf Angled Blush Brush – $3.00

Elf isn’t the easiest brand to get hold of in the UK, being online only – and it’s a damn sight more expensive here now than it was in the UK. I’ve needed to increase my face brushes for a while as I’ve only really had one option for blush for quite a while – which is not great if I want to use a different colour the next day and at $3 I couldn’t say no. This has actually been a really good brush and I’m pleased I’ve bought it.

Elf Eyeshadow C Brush – $3.00

Why this is called the C brush I’m not entirely sure, it’s quite a large flat brush, good for packing colour all over the lid. I’ve been using this a lot and again it’s a good little brush for the price. I might investigate an online order and see how much Elf brushes are here as I’ve been impressed with those that I’ve tried.

Elf Colour Adjusting Face Primer – $6.00

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The Elf makeup was again something that was pretty picked over and the stand was pretty small too so there was a limited selection of items to pick from. I decided to opt for the colour Adjusting face primer, I’ve only used a handful of times so far and I’m reserving judgement as I haven’t really been paying attention to how my makeup has been wearing, but it does come out bright violet.


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13 Comments

  1. March 2, 2016 / 6:14 am

    Did you try Ulta or Target? They sell a lot of NYX and Elf stuff. I know what you mean about drug stores though… it seems that they are either a mess or out of everything. I just go to Ulta now. What where you looking for? I can keep my eyes peeled if you’d like!

    • March 2, 2016 / 6:52 am

      From what I’d heard and seen whilst there there aren’t any ulta or targets in central Manhattan, if we’d had more time I might have travelled to one but didn’t want to waste time going to one store! We can get nyx here now it’s just not very accessible so not all is lost – was just hoping so see some things in person! Thank you though much appreciated! X

  2. kerdishastlouis
    March 2, 2016 / 10:19 am

    Nice haul you got quite a but of nice stuff that nail color is gorgeous

  3. Anne
    March 2, 2016 / 2:20 pm

    Great haul! I love shopping in the states, always fun to discover new brands and products. Too bad you didn’t find NYX, heard so much intriguing stuff about them.
    xo Anne

    • March 2, 2016 / 5:01 pm

      Yeah we can get it here but I can only get it online so I was just hoping to see some things in colour and we haven’t quite got the full range! Xx

      • Anne
        March 5, 2016 / 10:04 am

        I really dislike it when brands release limited collections in certain places. Happens a lot here as well and it always makes me a little sad. xo Anne

  4. March 3, 2016 / 12:55 am

    Yay you got the Clump Crusher mascara! 😀 I haven’t tried the Super Size mascara but most reviews for it have been positive.
    I really like the Elf Eyeshadow C Brush – it’s a good size / shape to blend out eye shadows. I prefer the black handle Elf brushes over the white handle ones.
    I was so excited when the first time I went into a US drugstore – SO many items I’ve never seen before! We still don’t have easy access to Milani or Elf.
    I have to say – you showed a LOT of constraint! 😛 I think it’d be a different story had you gone to Target or Ulta. 😉

    • March 3, 2016 / 7:06 am

      I think I did, whilst I went in 4 different stores I must have gone in 10 times
      Overall and it wasn’t for lack of trying I just couldn’t find what I wanted or was particularly inspired!
      I only saw black handled brushes from elf, I’m not that keen on supersizer – especially when compared with clump crusher, the brush doesn’t move enough it just kind of wobbles back and forth and is difficult!

      • March 3, 2016 / 12:20 pm

        Good to know about the Super Sizer. Too bad! I’m still curious though heh.

        • March 3, 2016 / 12:50 pm

          It’s weird the packaging alludes to the fact the tip rolls, but it just kind of shudders side to side – maybe it’s a dodgy tube, I’m still trying it out so I may stand corrected yet – currently trialling wearing lash extensions so I haven’t wore any mascara all week! Will report back on it!

  5. March 3, 2016 / 4:04 pm

    Great haulage! I also have the PF hearts blush (have the same issue with sheerness, not gotten under that top layer though) and the Milani Plumrose lipstick 🙂 The Pop nail polish is cute!

    • March 3, 2016 / 5:23 pm

      Used Pop for the first time last night, definitely not a normal colour for winter but it’s gorgeous! Oh good, glad it’s not just me with PF – I like it just wish it was a bit more pigmented, hopefully that will change as we get down it!

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