Givenchy Jelly Gillie Sandal Review

My shoes arrived on Monday and I love them!

Very comfortable and the color is very cool as they are not white but a light grey, therefore the NYC dirt, dust and grime won't get to them as much as they would if they were a lighter color.

Plus, putting a little soap and water on them at the end of the day restores the color and makes them so fresh and so clean!

I'm very happy with this summer purchase and will be wearing these on the regular.

LBB Beauty Review:Living Proof No Frizz Styling Treatment

Description: Using new anti-frizz technology to do what silicones can't. Living Proof's No Frizz claims to block humidity, repel dirt and oil until your next wash and to eliminate frizz.

The line was developed by an MIT professor with the help of good ol' physics ( I knew I should have paid attention in that class) and a passion for de-frizzing your tresses.

I tested the Straight Making No Frizz Styling Treatment for thick to coarse hair.

Verdict: So far so good-post conditioning and prior to blow drying I think I applied a bit too much ( half a packet as opposed to 2 quarter sized dollops) which resulted in me not being able to distinguish whether my hair was wet or dry. So I blowdried blind to the texture of my hair and found that my hair was much smoother and it definitely eliminated the frizz though the texture of my hair wasn't as slick or "glassy" as it was with a serum. I will have to see how this is throughout the week and will report results.

The weather is perfect for testing this products- all elements are effect: humidity, thunder, lightening- BRING IT ON!

Grade: 5 out of 5 ( 5 being Excellent) thus far. The look and feel of my hair after blowdrying is astonishing. I didn't even need to flat iron afterward.

I've been contemplating leaving Salon du Lacroix but I might have to continue coming back after this self service.

Price and where to find it: You can find this at Sephora at 2oz. bottle runs $14 and 4 oz. is $24.

Beauty Review: Comic Con 2009

Today is the official last day of the San Diego Comic Con 2009, since I wasn't able to make it , I can't wait to get the lowdown from my little bro Sean tomorrow. Every year it has been the highlight of my summer- seeing my favorite characters dressed up and attending the sneak preview panel for the new movies coming out- comic based or not.

One of my favorite comic book character is Ororo Monroe. She is powerful, smart, beautiful and an inspiration to comic book fanboys and girls alike.

Ororo Monroe, better known as Storm was the right hand woman of Professor Xavier in X-Men- and looked fierce doing so. Born in New York City,she was also one of the first black comic book characters to burst on the scene in 1975.

Her signature white hair ( even when it labeled her as an outcast) and weather shifting capabilities enabled another force to be dealt with and she remained true to herself, even rocking a mohawk (take that Alice,Cassie, Rhianna, etc).

Here are some great Comic Con beauty qualifiers, to help you blend in among the lightsabers.

Eyeko Mascara- This is hands down one of the best mascaras out there.

Its unique brush coats every lash, lifting and lengthening- after usage, your eyes look like an Manga character. NO JOKE. Ulta and Sephora used to carry Eyeko but unfortunately its no longer available. You can get it across the pond in the UK or check it out on their website www.eyeko.com

Duwop Twilight- Yes, Twilight fans your product has come. Duwop will make a Twilight themed lip venom- Lip Venom V.

So if your plan is to snag a Cullen sometime soon, I'm sure you will be dying to sink your teeth on this. For the Twilight fans not in the know- Duwop lip venom is a gloss made with a lip plumper that makes your lips tingle. Boyfriends are perplexed but love your kisses. An extra added plus, its ready for pre-order here

Live Long and Prosper Con!

Skin Review: Ole Henrikson Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser

Aloe Vera for me has always been associated with the first thing I put on after leaving the beach and prior to plopping in front of the tv. Something cool to put on your skin after being in the sun all day and the extra added bonus was because it was in the fridge- its an icy chill that melts the sting of the sun.

I would have never thought that its properties could be applied to a cleanser or a deep cleanser that was mild enough to use everyday and do the job. Well now I've had a chance to test it out.

A few weeks ago my cube mate gave me some Ole Henrikson Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser, I've been hooked on it for about 2 weeks. With the wacky weather of the North East, my oil-slick face is now getting stickier because of the humidity and the rain is not helping at all. In the morn, my canvas is clear with minimal makeup, by days end- I'm a fast food grease trap just waiting to be cleaned- and thats when the cleanser steps in!

I like to apply on my face it sans water to work it through and then rinse it off. The result- clean and fresh without too too much moisture but also without dryness.

Now that my sample is running low, I know I can head over to Sephora to get it- I bet the girls on Broadway are tired of seeing me, I'm in there literally every other day.

An extra added plus- the cleanser contains no sulfates, synthetic fragrance or petro-chemicals so sensitives can enjoy too!

New NARS in Paris Vogue

While enjoying my Paris June/July Vogue, I got a sneak peak of NARS' new products from the fall! I was told earlier this spring of the new sheer and matte foundations and the newly formulated mascara but seeing the pictures gets me ready for fall.

NARS Sheer Matte Foundation is due out in September

NARS Eyeshadow in Taiga is due out in August

NARS Larger Than Life Mascara is out in October.

Where to find: Givenchy Jelly Gillie Wedge Sandal

I've been on to these for over 4 months- no joke. In the Spring, a sales girl at Pas de deux had them, just earlier this month I saw the Givenchy Jellies in Army Green at the MGMT Concert at the Brooklyn Bandshell. I forgot to ask the woman wear she got them before we left.

I started doing research trying to figure out where on Earth can I get these :1. in my size (40 or 41) and 3. in the color I want ( Army Green or Taupe)

Then, I was perusing the weekly tabs and Kim Khardasian is wearing some Taupe ones while doing relief work ( truly versatile, no?) .

Barney's has them in Fucshia and Orange and virtually everyone is sold out or the color is meh.

Well DJ Lo and Behold- I got word that DSW has them online and retailmenot.com has a coupon code- Free shipping and $25 off.

Will post with pics when they arrive next week!

Look du jour: Golden-Berry

Golden-cheek berry lips= me last wednesday

Face: Balanced Foundation in New Guinea and Benares (NARS)

Eyes: Dior Crayon Eyeliner in Brown

Cheeks: Taj Mahal blush and Rapa Nui Multiple Bronzer

(NARS)

Lips: Hindu Lipstick and Giza Lipgloss (NARS)

Bisou,

L

Hope for Lacroix?

here

I'm keeping everything crossed!!

Au Natural: Givenchy Gloss Poetique Natural Color Enhancer Lipgloss

Since when did natural color enhancing lipsticks go from 1980's Dollar store, Paisley encased- blue , yellow and green sticks to 2009, designer and $45?

I'm lost in the 90's ! Actually, I vividly remember Prescriptives having a natural enhancing lipstick that I drove all over looking for, only for my cousin to purchase it for $16 and for it not to "activate" ( oh, technology..). Now Smashbox has the O-Gloss that seems to be a hit with all skintones, as I tested it on my own and was pleased with the results- they took a step forward and introduced O-Bronze. The Verdict- pleasing.

But I really, really would like to try to justify the Givenchy Natural Color Enhancing Gloss that has popped up on the Fall '09 runway ( was Brandi Quinones wearing it?). I guess I won't know until I try. Currently it is exclusive to Sephora but has yet to crop up in stores. More details to follow! But until then, give me my Smashbox O-Gloss, O-Bronze and the Dollar store stuff too.

MAC's Naked Honey Review

Compared to last year's Future Earth, Sci-fi and Solar Field 3 part collection, Naked Honey is as comparable as the current state of our current economy. I was really counting on the eyeshadows and lippies to be great, but found them to be dupes of many of the past season's wheat, gold standard. Queen bee lipglass was Bendel Girl Lipglass from the Henri Bendel collection of '07. The salve was a bit disappointing for $18, I wanted to like it so much but when thinking about it- all I saw was that I can get 3 Smith's Rosebud salves for 1 MAC Honey Salve, yeah-no.

Yes, I am late in the game as this collection has been out since May but I just so happened to pop into the Soho store this past weekend to see if any new MAC collections were noteworthy.

They did have the displays out for Color Craft but again, nothing caught my eye. :(

Fall 2009 should prove to be strong as Style Black will re-introduce Mattenes, a new Creamsheen black lipstick and Bat Black Creme Color base that rivals Beauty Marked.

Stila on Gilt.com

Stila is available on Gilt for the next few hours. Prices are marked down up to 50%.
This includes the Barbie sets at $16( from $40 retail) and some 24K lip glosses at $10 ( from $22 retail).

Lacroix Forever Tote

Yes, its been a week since the couture show and I whole heartily expect a comeback for Spring 2010. What a way to bring a new decade right?

The optimist in me says Lacroix will pull through and I created a Lacroix Forever Tote.

Though my fabric pen does not justice for the words I want to express to a great artist (and namesake), I figure at a time like this-it's needed.

NARS Videos for Fall '09

Not only is the NARS Lolita Fall '09 collection available on-line but there are also Fall '09 runway looks from Herve Leger, Marchesa , Thakoon and Philip Lim. Plus on each look has a video to accompany. I can't wait for the new sheer foundations, I wonder if it will measure to the now discontinued face glows.

Photo: Style.com

Wednesday Beauty Poll with Danielle

Just who is Danielle? She brings the southern bell to Brooklyn and is always bright and cheery. Did I mention that she makes the best sweet potato pancakes? And is a beauty product junkie just as much as moi?

Danielle hails from Austin, Texas home of SXSW, backdrop for Quentin Tarintino and Robert Rodriguez films and also home of another re-movement.. keeping things weird and cool.

Here are her beauty poll answers!

Mood: smiley

Listening to: Cut Copy, In Ghost Colours (the whole album)

Gloss or Lipstick du Jour: Chanel Lip Glossimer in Glaze

Fragrance: Miss Dior Cherie

Film that defines you today: Willy Wonka, the original bien sur

Food Craving or current lemming: Blueberry Boy Bait!

What do you hope to accomplish today: Eternal life enrichment, world peace, and perfecting the art of making caramels.

Alternative use for MAC's Volcanic Ash Exfoliator

With MAC's Future Earth collection last year was one of many cult favorites- Volcanic Ash Exfoliator. Made with volcanic ash from Vanuatu and smelled liked like molten lava, this was coveted by many a MAC fanatic.

While it cleansed my pores and made my skin nice and smooth- it also prompted me to clean EVERYTHING in my bathroom as it looked like the lochness monster attacked the sink.

Since my VAE is in regular rotation with other gommages and it will make an appearance in MAC's Style Black collection in the fall. I figured I would put it to use somewhere else- my feet!

Yes, a little scrubbin' goes a long way, it softens my feet and gets rid of seriously dry flakes associated with walking in heals for 8+ hours, wearing sandals while walking in the park and good old wear and tear. Plus, the same amount ( roughly the size of a quarter) does the job without much mess. Yet another great thing about VAE is that since you have it, you can forgo you regularly scheduled pedi's at the shop , DIY and save that money for a sample sale or a nice meal.

Au Revoir Lacroix

Such sad news for weeks was finally brought to a head yesterday when Christian Lacroix concluded ( what is believed to be) his last couture show. Though rumors tell us LVMH may be in the market to finance him and Lacroix made an appearance at the Givenchy couture show ( backed by LVMH) nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

Save Lacroix!

Chris Benz for Lancome: Pout-a-porter

Literally, just when I was going to declare the end of Limited Edition makeup madness (i'm seriously talking to you MAC, that's for another post). Lancome has done it..again. They have a new lipstick for their Pout-a-porter series for designer Chris Benz ( hey, didn't he use NARS last spring?).

So all the Lancome Lippie collectors that have Peter Som, Thakoon, Behnaz, Sarapfour and Proenza Schouler can catch this one too. But first, you have to name it.

On Chris Benz's Facebook Fan page you can win win win deadline is July 12th.

By the way, you think Som and Benz will do a Target Go International collection too?

Photo:Style.com

Givenchy Couture: the other 5th element

Middle Eastern inspiration was at the forefront of Richardo Tisci's collection for Givenchy.

Love the deep purple!

Pics: Fashionologie

Dior Couture Fall 09: Its a Brow Thing

To kick off the Fall '09 Couture season, Dior scaled the show ( though there were 2 shows) and lost the pants and brought on the strong brows.

I feel as though every couture season is about the brows when it comes to Dior but these look like they are inspired by Madonna and Joan Crawford. Crawford has served plenty as Galliano's inspiration in the past.. strong women, "no wire hangers", and apparently no pants as well.

If only I could walk around the city in silk night shorts- that would be the day, right?

Photo: Style.com

Hot Hot Heat: Summer Reds

As inspiration for the 4th, I started rockin' some reds.

With the humidity up and the sun ( finally) at work, I avoided anything that was going to:

1. melt off my face and 2. something I was going to have to re-apply all day long.

Hello matte lips!

My favorite red lipsticks are:

Rubywoo (MAC)- has that pin-up feel, matte with staying power a cheery blue-red. I'm so happy the formula has not changed.

Charred Red (MAC)- if Rubywoo is day, then Charred is night. Its a deeper wine that reminds me of the colors that we used to rock in the mid-late nineties ( during the day) like all the girl groups.

Dragon Girl ( NARS)- while this is a matte pencil, its a blue based red with color you can build and with the BEST staying power. I wore this on the 4th and didn't need to re-apply.

What's your favorite red?

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July Holiday!

I'll be rockin' RubyWoo or Hindu, whichever works with a great vintage Valentino day dress I picked up at the Brooklyn Flea.

xo Lacroix

NARS Fall 09: Lolita

Coming August 2009

Thanks to lalashake at Makeupalley for the promo image.

Details coming soon...