It seems as if INGLOT has finally launched their online store. I randomly went to their site this morning and the whole thing was completely redesigned. The opening page presents different search methods: face, nail, eyes, etc... The navigation on the left is pretty thorough with options of shopping by product or price. The navigation seems to be working well although I saw a broken image here or there. I'm sure they need time to work out the kinks.

An issue I am having with the site is that it doesn't give me any sort of idea about what this brand is about. There's no inspiration photography or background story. These are important things when running a brand. Why should I buy THIS makeup as opposed to any other brand. I think they were so worried about getting the store launched that they completely left out their identity.

Additionally, the pricing structure is pretty convoluted. (see screen shot below) You get a "discount" for buying as part of the freedom system. For example, a couple of weeks ago I made a rather large purchase from the Broadway store including a few freedom palettes. I didn't have them put together in the store since I knew I wanted to arrange them myself. As I put them together at home I realized that I already had one of the colors leaving me with an unfilled space in a 10-pan palette. I tried exchanging it yesterday and was told that I couldn't. It is unused and in it's original packaging but they said they could not do an exchange because I bought it as freedom system palette. This is not okay. Lesson learned, take a list with you so you know what you already have.

My second piece of news is the opening of a PRO store in NYC at the famous Chelsea Market. It's on the fifth floor and the hours are 10am-6pm, I am not sure of the weekend hours at this time. The Beauty Map has been updated!

View LesleyKat's NYC Beauty Shopping Map in a larger map

In conclusion, I have been a big INGLOT supporter for a while, and will stick with them through their growing pains. I really do like their products. I hope that as they grow they don't lose sight of product quality and customer service. These things can make or break a brand.

I was so excited the other day when I read on Miss Whoever You Are that she had spotted GOSH in nyc. At the time I dropped what I was doing at time time and ran to the Duane Reade in union square to see for myself. Unfortunatly all that running (I didn't literally run, come on now) was for nothing since they had not gotten their GOSH stuff yet. However, I made a trip the the Herald Square Duane Reade this afternoon to see what they had since I had comfirmation that they had GOSH at that location. I was so excited to see GOSH's very own display kisosk gleaming like a beacon of hope to beauty junkies all over NYC. We've been watching Europe and Canada have all the fun with this brand. It's our turn now!

I actually didn't haul that much since I actually picked up a bunch of stuff a few weeks ago when I found some GOSH at a random airport store. (werid right?) I picked up the Fix Base Coat and Holographic nail polishes and two effect powders in Greeny and Azure. I've been lusting after the Holographic nail polish for so long and I'm so happy to finally have it in my collection. It was the last one there but hopefully they'll be getting more in stock soon. While you're at Duane Reade, take a few extra mintues to check out some of the other amazing brands they carry.

Add it to your foursquare here:

Have any GOSH in your stash? What's your favorite product?

View LesleyKat's NYC Beauty Shopping Map in a larger map

I have been searching all over NYC trying to locate a place to buy Jesse's Girl Cosmetics. A while back I found a few nail polishes at a CVS in chelsea but nothing else from the brand. I emailed the company and never got a response. (MAJOR FAIL!) Perhaps I should have written a more compelling email.

All of that searching ended this week when I finally found a place that sells it in the city. The Rite Aid on Broadway in SoHo! I was chatting with one of the employees and she was saying that there is no set schedule of recieving when it comes to cosmetics. What that means is that there is that I cannot promise that the stock will be plentaful at any given moment when someone searching for Jesse's Girl products walks through the door. Additionally, the store is kind of a mess and lets just say its not the cleanest looking Rite Aid I've shopped. Below I have included an "Add To My Foursquare" button so that you have a bookmark on the go:

Enough with the tell, lets move on to the show! When I found the Jesse's Girl products I couldn't resist buying a handful of the eye dusts. Okay, it's more like two handfuls, but who's counting?

The great thing about these is not only the low price point ($3.99 a piece) but the fact that they have a fantastic payoff. I tried swatching them both with and without eyeshadow primer and they looked almost the same. The only difference is that it sticks better with the primer. I also tried them over a black base witch created a spectactular iridescent glowing effect. I suggest patting one of the lighter, duochrome colors on top of a smokey eye to enhance and brighten it.

Secret Weapon Sheer white base with brilliant violet/teal duochrome 
Kiwi Rose Sheer white-gold base with brilliant green/pink duochrome
Key Lime Pale gold-chartruese with light teal duochrome, not as much of a duochrome as the first two
Sunlit Cactus Orange-bronze with gold green duochrome, similar to a lightly less vibrant MAC Antique Gold Pigment (duochrome hard to capture in a picture.)
Majestic Green Muted grass green with tons of shimmer
Antique Green Deep blue-toned forest green with tons of shimmer
Blackstar Blue Deep, dark blackened navy blue
Mardi Gras Bright teal with gold iridescence/shimmer

My Favorites out of the bunch are Secret Weapon, Sunlit Cactus and Kiwi Rose for thier amazing duochome effects. I also really like Blackstar Blue because, A. it has an amazing name, plus is really a cool dark color and B. would make a great smokey eye. I was less impressed with Key Lime and Antique Green. These two were less unique than the rest. Mardi Gras is a little more tough to wear since it's so bright. As you can see from the swatches below, a lot of them looked similar over black. All in all, I think these are worth the price tag and I'll probably purchase more of the other colors soon.

I had dinner a few weeks back with DRBrooklyn730 and Ramnari7 and we were discussing the new Nars Boutique that is set to open in spring of 2011. I don't have much information on it. Head on over to DRBrooklyn's site to get more info.

A couple of weeks ago Sarah and I got to preview the Make Up For Ever Soho Boutique. We met the team and got to talk with them about the fantastic features and technology in this location. This isn't just another stand in sephora, kittens. This location carries every single product that MUFE makes. I believe I heard someone say the number is around 1200! That's a lof of color! This includes the usual stuff you can find at sephora as well as items like pro and theater foundations, color creams and the whole line of professional brushes.

They offer 20-minute makeup technique sessions. Each session cost $40 and are redeemable in product. They also offer complimentary faux lash application with the purchase of any of their lashes.

Another great feature of the boutique is the technology. There is a huge touch-screen monitor that allows you to customize makeup designs and face charts that can be emailed directly to you. Throughout the boutique are ipads that loaded with how to videos. Clients (that's you!) can check in on foursquare, post to facebook or twitter right from the store.

The space is designed to have the feel of backstage from the lighting to the displays and cases. Oh I almost forgot a VERY important detail. If you are a member of their PRO program, you can use your discount at this location. It is only available in the boutique and NOT in the adjoining sephora, so don't go wondering over there thinking they're the same. They're not! If you're not a member, no sweat. Hang out, get a face chart done and touch all the pretty things!

So kittens, this is officially added to the Lesley Kat Beauty Map and is LK approved! Note: This is NOT showing up in google as it's own location. If you do a search for it, you will not find it. As of right now, it shares an address with Sephora Soho. (555 Broadway)

Keep reading

for a full list of Makeup sessions and pictures...

While walking around the herald square area with @fashionstbeauty @NYCReese and @StyleIT a new little shop was discovered. It's in Koereatown and it is amazing. They sell really interesting mask and skincare products. There is also a line of makeup and nail polish. The great part is, you can buy your products then go next door for Koerean BBQ. YUM!

While I was there I picked up a few of the funky sheet masks. I had a LONG day yesterday so the Lavender & Neroli one was perfect. I totally looked like something out of a horror movie while wearing it. Afterwards my skin felt pretty slimy but that's because you're not supposed to rinse it off. Weird. However my skin looked pretty nice in the morning. I have a few different ones to try out.

The map has been updated! Have you been to The Face Shop? Do you love it? Let me know, kittens!

People, I bring you: THE NYC BEAUTY MAP. This is a map of places I love to shop in the city.  Since I live in manhattan all of the places are there. This is probably temporary as I explore the outer boroughs. Honestly though, I really don't get out of Manhattan much.

So enjoy, share and feel free to let me know if you have a great hidden gem you love to visit or if I have missed something. If you do have something you'd like me to add to the map, leave a comment and I'll look into the place.

PLEASE CLICK THE PIC TO GET THE ACTUAL GOOGLE MAP: