Reviewed: Glossier. Mist, Moisturizer and Balm

Glossier.'s Massive (Hydration) Attack!

What do you do when one of your favorite beauty sites launches their own skincare products? First you squeal with delight, then you check out the product site and then you order to your hearts desire.
This was my exact sequence of emotions once Into the Gloss launched Glossier. I'd been creeping on Glossier.'s twitter pre-launch trying to figure out what was going on? why the pink? those emoji-con's are cool?! Now finally I have experienced the magic that Emily and co at ITG and Glossier have shared.
I purchased the Phase 1 box that came with 4 products, Soothing Face Mist, Priming Moisturizer, Balm dot com and Perfecting Skin tint. But I have the Mist, Moisturizer and Balm review for you today:

Glossier. Soothing Face Mist

Glossier. Soothing Face Mist (4 oz., 118 ml, $18) is a rosewater spray that also has aloe and glycerin in its key ingredients. Its hypoallergenic and alcohol free, which is fantastic for everyone really. Unlike some bottled mists, which operates like a straight shooting spray, this is actually a mist- like a tiny cloud of dew for your face. I really like this mist, its refreshing post facial wash and pre-serum and/or moisturizer.

Glossier. Priming Moisturizer

Glossier. Priming Moisturizer (1.7 oz., 50 ml, $25) is a really creamy moisturizer that includes hyaluronic acid and a mushroom super hydrator to hydrate and plump your skin. The consistency of the moisturizer is creamy and leaves a dewy finish. I've tried this moisturizer in my nighttime routine and I have to say that I really love the way my face feels in the morning- super soft!

Glossier. Balm dotcom

Glossier. Balm dotcom (.5fl oz., 15ml, $12) this salve can be used on your lips and pretty much everywhere that is super dry. The key ingredients include caster seed oil and beeswax. I think this product rivals my beloved french pharmacy favorite Homeoplastine. Balm dotcom is NYC's Homeoplastine, it hands down amazing. On my lips, it lasts for hours and provides a great base for my other lip products, especially my matte lipsticks. When winter comes in a few weeks, I know that  bdc will be in every jacket pocket, pant pocket and purse until I re-order.

Check out Glossier.'s products at www.glossier.com/#!/
If you're in the NYC area, check out Glossier.'s pop-up shop on 123 Lafayette in Soho.

Vamping it up for Schiaparelli & Prada: Impossible Conversations

Photos: Getty Images and Wire Image

Earlier this evening the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute 2012 Gala kicked off celebrating the new spring exhibition, " Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations" with fashion houses, their designers and celebrities. While looking at the live feed of photos from twitter and Instagram got me excited ( LOVED Chloé Sevigny's look!), I couldn't help but notice that the Schiaparelli pink was dismal on the red carpet. The bright pink shade that is sure to fill up the exhibit hall wasn't on lips of our favorite actresses or models, instead vampy shades of deep berries, blackened plum seeped through as a pleasant surprise!
Maybe it was the off-again, on-again cloudy, foggy NYC rainy gloom that prompted the bold statement lips or maybe it was the juxtaposition of the exhibit itself. In any case, I can't wait 'til Thursday to check out the exhibit at the Met and will breakout my MAC Media or Chanel Maniac lipsticks for the occasion.

Music: Bombay Bicycle Club at MHOW

Last Saturday, the BF and I checked out Bombay Bicycle Club at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. I had first heard of the band last year when I went to Toronto at the Canadian Music Festival. Since I was on vacation exploring some digs that Toronto had to offer, one evening I found myself catching their impressive set at Lee's Palace. Now they are touring for their 3rd album that came out in August of 2011,  A Different Kind of Fix  and have since blown up to two sold out shows in NYC, MHOW and the Bowery Ballroom.

Here is my video of their encore of the night and one of my favorite songs by BBC, Shuffle. I hope you enjoy!

Marni for H&M's Mellow Madness

Marni for H&M goodies!

White Floral Necklace

Black Sequin collar

Chunky Bracelets

 This week, I ushered Spring Break in by "Glamping" it up outside of  H&M on 51st and 5th ave for the launch of Marni for H&M on Thursday morning. My Wednesday evening went a little something like this:  last midterm, alumni event, home, shower, pack some snacks, book and blanket and head over to H&M.. in the wee early hours in the morning ( I'm embarrassed to say the specific time, but I was #21 in line..). 
As far as "Glamping" goes, I use the term loosely as this shopping trip would probably be Phyllis Nefler approved though I think she would look down upon my attire- sweatpants and a hoodie.
Anyway, I was one of the first to shop the Marni for H&M collection at 8:05 am and upon entering the sectioned off area, my emotions went from surprised, confused and delighted.
First, the Marni for H&M "showroom" was condensed so much so that I walked past a lot of merch! I had to ask where things were from one of the 20 sales associates in an estimated 20x 40ft area. Surprise! Confusion set in when the sales associates explained that they didn't receive the whole collection from the lookbook- meaning the printed silk shorts I wanted, the flagship store never received. Bummer. After I gathered my mounds of accessories in my 15 minute shopping interval, I sifted through the goods and am happy with the price and quality of this collab. Here is my breakdown of the accessories:


White plastic floral necklace: A nice statement piece. I was surprised by the size of the large flower petals, I must have taken for granted in the lookbook its huge. I hope to wear this with either a cute sleeveless dress with a high collar or with my Thakoon for Target green and blue colorblocked dress.

Black Sequin collar: Ok, I've been skeptical of collars. I fell in love with the collars on the Peter Pan dresses from Louis Vuitton's 2003 Mirokami collection and in the past 2 years, LV did some looks with collars. Now, I see them in Zara and am wondering if the trend will fleet before I wear my goods. Oh well, I will definitely rock this one! Though the collar is described as sequin, it should be described at paillettes. This will go well with my Miu Miu Pailette shoes.

Chunky Bracelets: These chunksters are the bang for my t-shirt and jeans life! I haven't yet tried these on but I've seen them in action on one of the many folks at H&M on Thursday morn.


Overall, I think the collection is great. This last time I did something as far as "Glamping" was for Lanvin. I hope that these pieces will last a long time despite the stigma of designer collabs being cheap temporary "thrills", but I've never had a problem with H&M's quality of clothing from the get go. Anyway, If you didn't get a chance to check this out in stores, unfortunately, I think your best bet is 1. to check with H&M anyway ( the return policy is a stringent 10 days for returns- April 7th) or you can try Ebay and hope the ridiculously inflated prices drop within a reasonable time.

My Mini-facial with Tata Harper at Butterfly Studio!

Last week I had the pleasure of stopping by Butterfly Studio for a mini-facial with Tata Harper.
My initial thought upon opening my email invite was that I was getting a facial with Tata Harper's skincare products but no, I read wrong . I was getting a mini-facial by Tata Harper using her much raved about skincare products! This was amazing as 1. I never have received a facial before- I do my own DIY facial and 2. This invite could not come at a better time, post mid-terms, pre-classmate dinner outing that put me in rush mode all day.
My facial with Tata Harper at Butterfly Studio, which is amazing, was such a great experience!  Tata informed me of how she started her product line and how she worked with scientists for 8 years to perfect her truly 100% natural skin care. It made me re-think about the different ingredients in our skincare and food. But I digress,  in the 20 minutes I had with Tata, I received the Resurfacing Mask treatment for about 7 minutes that smoothed away the roughness from my distressed skin. Tata recommended that it be used for a half hour once a week. Also in my session, I received aromatherapy Stress Treatment, which was very much needed. An application of the oil was applied to my hands in which I rubbed together and deeply inhaled and exhaled for about 10 breathes. How can something so small work so effectively!
After the session, I thanked Tata, took a photo (see above) and headed to Pio Pio for dinner. I placed my hands over my boyfriend's nose who said- " That smells.. really relaxing".

Special Thank you's to Tata Harper and BPCM

Representing Jamaica , Pic from the West Indian Day Parade

On the way to the store on Monday morn, I came across these ladies who were in the West Indian Day parade representing Jamaica.

LOL Beauty x Molton Brown Beauty event

                                                              Laura of LOL Beauty

Last Thursday I was invited to a beauty event hosted by LOL beauty at Molton Brown in Soho! While I've seen Molton Brown in countless magazines (Allure, Vogue Paris, etc) ,I've never experienced the luxury bath and body line from London until now.

Within 5 minutes of me walking into the boutique, I was greated by some of the best of NYC's beauty and fashion bloggers who were discussing their Fashion Night Out and New York Fashion Week plans while sipping wine and munching on fruits and veggies. While mingling, we were treated to Heavenly Gingerlily Body Cream Hand and Cedrus Temple SootherTemple massages by Molton Brown and educated on the origins of the unique ingredients in their products.

Since I was preparing for another weekend trip, I decided to pick up some of MB's products for myself. The Blissful Templetree Moisture Bath and Shower smells like a high-seas vacation in a bottle. I think I'm going to purchase another bottle soon. I also love the Skin Refresh Facial Wash. It goes on so soothing, kinda like aloe with a little lather and no dryness.

Summer Fierceness @ Bar 13 with Dee and Michael Antonio

Pictured L to R: Dee at Double-D Productions  and Michael Antonio at Michael Antonio.net

On the way out from a summer soiree last night, Leizel and I spotted these beauties on our way out. Dee is wearing NARS Eyepencil topped with MAC on the lips and Michael Antonio is looking flawless in MAC!