🎂 10 Years Old! 🎆

Over 10 years ago, I made the life-changing decision to put my thoughts, opinions and swatches out there on the "net".  My passion for beauty, fashion, and sharing it with other enthusiasts has brought so much joy! It's wild to think that the blogging journey started in San Diego, CA and has now traveled to New York, with a couple of other cities and countries in-between.
My heart is in beauty, even though I'm not breaking my neck to go to seasonal events to see new product launches on my lunch breaks or after work. I've been taking the quality vs. quantity road as of late. With that said, there are passion projects in the works complete with some legacy fun that will make you smile.

Love, Lacroix

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.

Downtown Cool: NARS 413 BLKR Street Exclusives

NARS 413 BLKR

413 BLKR Swatches

I feel like I'm down in West Village at 413 Bleeker at least once a month. Its sad and true. I take that back- its not sad.. its pretty freakin' cool. NARS at 413 is like my Cheers- they know my name, they know what I like and I know not to piss-off Carla ( j/k).
A while back I purchased the Pure Matte Lipcolor from the store and with my most recent purchases of both the Multiple and the Illuminator from the collection, I now feel like I'm thisclose to 413 BLKR domination in my everyday makeup bag.

What I like about the 413 BLKR Collection vs. the Orgasm collection is that each piece is a different and complementary color where the latter is the monochrome across the collection.

NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator

413 BLKR NARS Multiple

413 BLKR Pure Matte Lipstick

So how am I using these gems? Welcome to my weird weather caveat!
NYC summers are a swamp of humid grossness- thats the bad news. The better news is that because of the weather, I'm using coverage on my face as needed. Good news, I've been mixing 413 BLKR Illuminator + Caudalie moisturizer in the morning for a nice champagne tinted glow that doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything on my face and I'm putting concealer on in spots.
For some color on my cheeks and lips- I defer to the 413 BLKR Multiple as the burgundy color is pretty much a fail-safe for me, especially when trying to touch up after work.
The Pure Matte Color I reserve for the day and layer with the Multiple once it fades.
The collection also includes a Duo Eyeshadow, Blush, Larger than Life Lipgloss, and a Nail Polish that will be on my list. Also wondering allowed if the new Madison Ave will have exclusives?

413 BLKR Swatches: Top: Illuminator, Mid: Multiple, Bottom: Pure Matte Lipstick

The 413 BLKR collection is available online at narscosmetics.com
#NARSISST4LIFE

Marc Jacobs Beauty..Nails it

Enamored

While in the depths of discovering new beauty products, looks, traveling and work. I fell off the grid and forgot to follow-up on my Marc Jacobs Beauty post. I've been thinking about it and other things I need to fill you in on and  I'm constantly reminded when I walk into Sephora to check out seasonal debuts or if I'm in the West Village thinking about a buttercream Magnolia treat and am greeted by a BookMarc and Marc by Marc Jacobs stores on opposite corners.

Well lets get down to business, shall we? The collection debuted ..buzz, buzz, buzz. Now there is another display to fancy when doing your lunch break Sephora run. Some dust has settled a bit annnnd review time!
I was impressed with some products while others I just left right there on the display or quietly pouted as I walked away shaking my head. Well, I'm still going to let my Loves, Likes and ?'s be known right. now.

Loves: Marc Jacobs Enamored- the nail varnish is amazing! the colors are rich, the finish is glossy and the staying power lasted through the week.

• Fave colors- Lux- Electric Ooze, Delphine- Particuliere-ly and Fawn-y

Likes: LoveMarc Lip gel- the shades that err on the side of deep are done right. The vampy colors ( i.e. Neo- Noir and Saboteur) are sophisticated with a bit of camp but - isn't that what we want in a lippie anyway?

Gripe 1. I had really high hopes for the nudes- Hello? Strange Magic was supposed to be my jam! The color description vs. the actual color of the product was a huge let down. Insert Sephora pout face.

Marc Jacobs Fall 2014 Beauty Look photo: Style.com

Marc Jacobs Fall 2014 Backstage. NARS photo: Style.com

?  Despite the MJ beauty collection launch last year, the Spring 2014 Marc Jacobs runway show featured some of the Summer 2014 beauty products but this past runway show for Fall 2014, the Marc Jacobs runway shows still featured NARS product backstage. Huh?
I know that Marc and Francois have worked together for years coming up with some of the best runway looks in the decades (see here) but my question is- if you have a beauty line, why not use it in your show?
Further, having your products in your show provides inspiration for say.. beauty peeps like me.

So now that we have almost a full year under the beauty tutelage of Marc, I'm still looking forward to what will happen next.

Beauty Countdown: Marc Jacobs Beauty- August 9th

Can.Not.Wait

Just in case you beauty bees have been hiding under a rock and/or missed Sephora's 48-hour exclusive shopping window ( I know I did!),  one of our favorite New York sportswear designers , Marc Jacobs is launching a beauty collection in less than 2 weeks! The collection will be exclusive to Sephora and MJ stores and will consist of  122-products ranging from lips to tips (nail tips). If you want to check out all that will be available check out POPSUGAR Fashion's photos to start tallying your dream list. 

I'm really excited about this launch! I think its brilliant that MJ will literally be a "one-stop shop" for all of your needs. Got your dress- check, got your duffle ready and then you need some gloss and liner, done and done. If you are in NYC, this can all be achieved in a mere one block stretch in West Village. 

On my wishlist?  Lux Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Laquer and the Strange Magic Love Marc Lip Gel as they are both references one of my favorite films TheVirgin Suicides, a movie directed by MJ bestie Sofia Coppola.
Swatches to come soon!