What women in their 30s want

Your 401k has hit the skids.  Your job security is about as certain as finding a needle in a haystack.  And your forehead, once a marked beacon of smooth-skinned bliss, is now wrought with worry lines. 
 
With the economy deflating faster than you cay say “Recession,” a girl deserves a pick me up – or in this case, a plump me up.  We’ll review a handful of the latest and greatest plumping glosses – from tinted to clear, vitamin-infused and downright addicting – and spill the skinny for The Vogue City readers.

Huge Lips, Skinny Hips, $20 at Scoop and Space.nk (available mid-April) 

Purple Lab, founded by beauty expert Karen Robinovitz, launches their Huge Lips, Skinny Hips gloss line mid-April at Scoop and Space.nk.  Infused with Vitamin B3, your lips will pout without the bite of traditional plumping agents; hoodia, an appetite suppressant, will work its magic on your metabolism.  I tried all six colors – which slicked on smoothly and without the ineffable gloss gunk that can build up with some plumpers – and swear by Worship Kate, a gold-flecked mauve that looks great alone or paired under a lipstick. 

Du-Wop Lip Venom Second Sin, $27 at Sephora 

Those who dare wear Lip Venom; those who take it to the edge wear Lip Venom Second Sin, a more potent formulation of its lip loving predecessor.  Packed with pomegranate, white tea and cooling extracts, Second Sin promises to deliver more antioxidant-derived benefits to in turn, deliver a healthier looking pucker.  Even tough-lipped gals will have trouble ignoring the tingling effects (as in, is my mouth set on fire?) after application; test a small area for sensitivity before taking the plunge. 

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips Full Color, $18 at Bare Escentuals 

A one-two punch of pigment and pout, this third variation of the Buxom Lips line eradicates the need to layer a plumper with color.  While mineral formulations guarantee bold, intense hues – no small feat for any lip gloss – they’re all loaded with shimmer, and can turn a lunch meeting into a disco brunch without proper discretion.  Carmen, a golden plum, looks especially fresh with spring’s lilac eye.

A beauty boost and a boost to our wallets by avoiding complicated lip enhacing surgery?  We’ll take it any day. 

-Karyn Polewaczyk

Size aside, there’s something refreshingly simple about statement jewelry.  With consumer attitude shifting away from the “More is more and less is bad” attitude of yesteryear, there’s no wonder that complex necklaces, bracelets and rings are standing their own this spring.  Whether you’re adhering to status quo or just don’t have the time to fuss with accessory overload, consider a cuff bracelet to complete your look – and let The Vogue City show you how to do it well.

Fendi gives a new meaning to bondage with their perforated suede cuff in aqua, $465 (Get Out of Jail Free card not included).  While this bracelet isn’t particularly busy, it’s loud – what else would you expect from an Italian design house? – and should be worn with something remarkably understated, like a neutral tunic and cigarette pants. 

This Luc Kieffer resin cuff, $286, is both demure and daring.  Golden floral details radiate warmth through the clear resin, while Swarovski details highlight the bracelet’s shine.  Resin, a durable plastic, scratches easily; consider leaving this at home while clawing through your next sample sale.

Of course, a trend isn’t a trend unless Forever 21 fornicates a version of their own.  In this case, they’ve done surprisingly well with their jewel burst cuff for less than $7.

With Saint Tropez-inspired design and a choice of (faux) gold or silver base, you’ll forget you’re dredging through the last bite of winter’s arctic blast as you march uptown with visions of little pink drinks with umbrellas pouring through your head. 

-Karyn Polewaczyk

new york bargains

As a Taurus, I’m a creature of comfort.  I like my sheets with a high thread count; my cappuccino with extra foam; and my fat jeans with extra stretch in the hips for the times when the likelihood of heading to the gym is about as likely as the possibility of me saying ‘no thanks’ to the tiramisu that followed the filet mignon, foie gras and three glasses of pinot noir.  Likewise, my eye makeup routine is somewhat predictable, with some variable shimmery brown shade on the lids and gobs of DiorShow mascara on my lashes. 

When presented with the opportunity to test a host of products that were anything but predictable – and blue – I was tempted to run back to my vanilla-flavored corner.  Sure, Gucci’s models can rock a major aqua eye and get away with it:  they have genetics – and master makeup artist Pat McGrath – on their side.  Could a real, grown woman get away with such a feat – while looking fabulous?  I invite The Vogue City readers to throw caution to the wind and find out.

Sue Devitt’s Microquatic mineral eye palette in Blue Waters, $37.50, blends hydrating marine substances with vitamins and minerals in a cobalt, cerulean, turquoise and cream-colored quad. 

I was impressed with how effortlessly the powder shadow – almost creamy to the touch – swept onto my lids with nary a tug or pull, and with how well the richly pigmented formula lasted throughout a particularly tipsy Saturday night. 

Elf’s waterproof liquid liner in Midnight, $1 (yes, you read that correctly), is the newest product in Elf’s ultra-wallet friendly line of cosmetics. 

The formula is a bit inky and can smudge easily if not applied with a steady hand, but does the job as well as any of its drugstore counterparts.  To perk up tired eyes for less than the cost of a morning cup of coffee is simply divine.

Laura Geller offers a one-two punch with her Eye Rimz baked shadow liner in Crystal Cobalt, $23, and Marble shadow duo in Moonstone/Blue Heaven, $25. 

Both shades are formulated from a liquid base that is quite literally “baked” into a hard shadow.  I found both products worked best when applied with a wet liner brush, though wasn’t particularly fond of the accompanying glitter that was a bit too Material Girl for my tastes. 

  100% Pure Ultra Lengthening mascara in Blueberry, $25, smells as delicious as it sounds thanks to natural fruit pigments.  My skepticism admittedly swirled around a QVC-endorsed product, but after two coats (try a primer for extra staying power) and irises that popped against the subtle navy tint, I was hooked. 

The verdict is in:  blue-hued eye makeup is fun, fresh and most importantly, wearable.  And if the thought it has you seeing red, take it all off with L’Oreal’s eye makeup remover, $8. 

-Karyn Polewaczyk
 

Mascara:  the most quintessential item in many women’s makeup collections is the one that tends to be consumed at a pace comparable to an oil change at a NASCAR rally.  Whether you prefer a full, flirty fringe or one that subtly hints at the diva within, mascara can dramatically change your look with a single (or several) swipe.  Keep your lashes – and wallet – full with these Vogue City favorites.

Maybelline Great Lash mascara in Black, $4.99 at Duane Reade A secret weapon of the world’s most renowned makeup artists, the eponymous pink-and-green wonder tube has been prevalent in the beauty industry since its debut in the ‘70s.  Its compact brush is pliable and helpful in reaching ultrafine lashes without clumping.  Steer clear of its waterproof counterpart (and most waterproof mascaras in general), which can cause lashes to dry out and – eek – snap at the base (trust us when we say that regrowth is a painful, tenuous process).  A tube typically lasts between two and three months; for under $5, we’ll gladly take it.

CoverGirl Lash Blast mascara in Black Brown, $8.49 at Walgreen’s CoverGirl boosts its biggest brush with its newest lash contender.  Lash Blast promises a traffic-stopping stare with its patented brush and volume-boosting formula.  The brush, akin to a miniature plastic hair brush, separates, coats and sets lashes into eye batting goodness.  We recommend two coats – three if you’re daring – and extra drying time before causing an ocular commotion.  

Rimmel London Eye Magnifier mascara in Extreme Black, $7.29 at Ulta We give Kate Moss’s genetics credit for her success as an international supermodel, and give Rimmel’s latest lash superhero credit for her preternaturally wide-eyed look.  The Eye Magnifier plastic wand lifts lashes up, up and away, creating a virtual eye lift for even the sleepiest doe-eyed ladies; the rich formula pigments darken lashes to a state of noir, causing irises to pop.  Try a second coat feathered along the tips for a total KO.

-Karyn Polewaczyk