Winter Skin 101: Moisture

With all the scrubbing and exfoliation comes dryness and if this is prolonged, cracks! Especially now. No moisture. no mercy!
These are tried, tested and true- even the smelly one ( you'll find out soon)

Body:

Vaseline- Need I say more, its been around for yeahs and is so cheap, its comparative value is about a penny per use!

Bag Balm- This stuff smells really bad, like fresh leather smell. Fortunately, that's the only downside to this product. It works miracles and hydrates like no other. Word of caution- just mix it with your favorite fragrant go-to lotion and you should be fine.

Hands:

C.O.Bigelow Rose Salve and or Smith's Rosebud Salve- You can use these pretty much everywhere, but I love what they do to my hands and the soft scent of rose. I go through these like a can of Fresca. Also a great lip gloss too!

Face:

There's a great variety for sure, but since I'm on the oily in 2 seconds side- here are some of my faves to break the ice and refreshen the face.

Caudalie's Grape Water- Spritz this on before makeup and its refreshing. The water just sits and leaves a little halo but the application of your concealor, blush, eye cream will feel so great.

Feet:

Pink by Victoria's Secret Foot Lotion- yes, I could have gone with the minty smelling stuff here but decided to give something "clean" a try. VS has introduced its Pink line with "100% vegan ingredients" and is "Made in the U.S.A." Get out of town!

Drink!: Moisturize from the inside out as well, this helps in maintaining skin balance and naturally hydrate you.

First off- I'm not a fan of bottled water, so to help me with my "boring ol' water" problem I broil water with mint leaves and refridge it then when its cool I add those Crystal light Lemondae packs. Tickles the tongue I tell you!

Photo: by me

disclaimer: all products mentioned and photographed were purchased by me

disclosure: Caress body wash and beauty bars were received as products for possible review. All other products in the post were purchased by me.

Hold off on getting that Am Ap Nailpolish for now..

photo from American Apparel via Jezebel.com

Charlotte Gainsbourg Live!

In non-beauty related matters, On Wednesday I witnessed magic at the Bell House in Brooklyn.

Yes, I went to see Charlotte Gainsbourg perform songs off of 5:55 and her new album IRM plus some covers!

I've been a huge fan of her acting for years ( Science of Sleep, haven't seen Anti-Christ as of yet) and

her music is really chill so upon the announcement she was playing in NYC, I jumped at the chance.

The venue was sold out and spotted other music peeps in the crowd ( Vampire Weekend) and she kept mentioning

how nervous she was about playing, very soft spoken.

Here's a video a captured of one of her songs, Heaven Can Wait.

Enjoy!

xoxo L

YSL Spring 2010 Gloss Volupte #5 & #8

Just in case you missed out on YSL's Gloss Volupte Gloss in #4 for the fall, have no fear- #8 is equally stunning. When I headed uptown for my Chanel excursion, YSL had their Spring 2010 Makeup collection out. I wasn't too thrilled about the pastels however, the new Volupte Glosses drove me wild!

#5 Sugared Almond is the perfect nude with just the right touch of pink for deep pigmented lips. It won't leave you ashy- just theright amount of color

#8 Glazed Blackcurrant is a stunnying deep plum, it borders the discontinuted Black Tulip Rouge Pur and just as sheer.

These are my next obsession for Spring other than the epitimous Chanel Particulier Nail Polish.

I tested these at Saks but they are available at ysl.com.

They are definitely worth the splurge for Spring!

Update: Both Gloss Volupte's are available on Sephora.com

Jean Paul Gaultier for Target!

I cannot believe this is happening...

The next Target Go International designer will be Jean Paul Gaultier, racked.com spilled the camera phone

pics via fashin and all day I have been salivating.

You have no idea. JPG did the costumes for 2 of my favorite films, one being La Cite des Enfants Perdus

the other is the Fifth Element. Plus, I know you guys are sick of me talking about wanting one of

those flight attendent suits from the latter.

I'm in serious planning mode, the Target at Atlantic Center- I'm coming for you come March- I'll go to

Jersey City if I have to! From the leaked pics, my priority is the trench coat.

Just to think this morning, I was thinking about needing a new trench- then racked.com lifted my spirits

with these pics.

John Paul Gaultier for Target will launch in March right after Rodarte, I hope that they have a pop-up

shop in time for NY Fashion week because I.can't.wait.

and to leave you with a little something..here is Ruby Rhod!

update: Here is a lookbook provided by Refinery 29!

Jeremy Scott to NYFW!

photos: elle.com

Jeremy Scott revealed via twitter that he will be returning to NY for fashion week!

As you may or may not know, I am a HUGE Jeremy Scott fan plus he is one of the sweetest designers I've met!

Spring 2010's show brought out Bedrock with Flinstone inspired looks ( complete with bone-in head/hair gear). Wonder what his inspiration will be for Fall?

Chanel Spring 2010 Makeup available now

Chanel's Spring 2010- Les Impressions Collection is available NOW!

Good News: Love this easy breezy Spring Collection and the Empriente de Chanel Highlighting Powder ( pics will come soon!)

Bad news: Particulier #505 is sold out. Le Sigh

What will you be lemming..or getting?

Laura Geller Conest!- 2 more days!

Enter now!

E-mail me at Lacroixthebeautyblog@gmail.com or tweet me at Lavande_G
All entries must be received by January 10, 2010 12pm est. (Just in time for LTBB's 3rd Anniversary!).
A winner will be chosen at random and notified here no later than January 12th.
Contest open to all you and can enter more than once!
Good Luck!

Winter Skin 2010: Exfoliation!

It was a frigid 28 degrees yesterday, today- I couldn't feel my digits ( thanks to hand warmers, I could grasp my keys!) and by face was so numb from the wind, I couldn't feel my face!

Aww winter, it came a week early with about 18 inches of snow and today we had flurries with the wind howling before you even feel it.

The best part about winter, having dryskin accumulate in your socks, tights, stalking... eww.

Have no fear! here is a list of tried- and true- exfoliators for your body, face and feet that work with minimal effort and time so that you can be on to the next step- moisturizing, in no time!

Body:

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash and Beauty Bars- I've been testing these for the past 3 weeks and its been a miracle. The miracle? polished skin plus a great scent, brown sugar. Extra added bonus- wallet friendly!

Giovanni D:tox System Purfiying Body Wash Step 1- A much cheaper alternative to MAC's Volcanic Ash exfoliator series mirrors the same ingredients: activated charcoal, volcanic ash but this adds antioxidents like acai and goji berries. Extra Gentle too.

Face:

Garnier Nutritioniste Nutri-Pure Daily Exfoliating Gel Cleanser- excellent for frequent use because its gentle.

Neutrogena Healty Skin Visibly Even Foaming Cleanser- I've been using this for years! a combination foaming cleanser and mini exfoliator, great for everyday.

Feet:

Bath and Body Works' True Blue Spa Toe the Line- apply dry and rub in circles, for help- use spa exfoliation gloves- work it! then soak.

Sally Hansen's JUST FEET Spa Sugar Scrub- wonderful and in-expensive too!

your scrubbed down, whats next? Moisture!

disclosure: Caress body wash and beauty bars were received as products for possible review. All other products in the post were purchased by me.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!