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!

From France with Love- Garnier Ultra Doux with Aloe and Shea butter

Garnier Ultra Doux Conditioner and Shampoo with Aloe Vera and Shea Butter

While I have not yet travelled internationally for the year, I feel like I have done so with scoping out international bloggers and what new product launches have hit their market. As a fan of Fatou's BlackBeautyBag blog, I of course am psyched with what she has to say about new haircare and makeup colors that debut and I also like how she charts her journeys with video.  Just this month Fatou reviewed and also starred in Garnier's new Ultra Doux Aloe Vera and Shea Butter line and all I could think was- I have to try it.
Only one small problem, Garnier Ultra Doux is not sold in the US! Luckily, my beauty angel from Paris was in town this past weekend and brought me the best smelling shampoo and conditioner on the planet!

Garnier Ultra Doux (Ultra Soft) Aloe Vera and Shea Butter is suitable for those with frizzy and relaxed hair. I have the former, dense, kinky, curly springs that are experiencing a near drought due to the 90 degree weather here in NYC. The Garnier Ultra Doux line is so much bang for your buck in terms of drugstore and mass quality. Though the shampoo has sulfates, it doesn't contain parabens or silicone ( if you are cautious of those ingredients). I was surprised that there wasn't a lot of "foaming action" despite the fact that there are sulfates. For both the shampoo and conditioner, a little goes a long way. While I am so used to cupping my palms with shampoo and conditioner, I only had to use 2 quarter sized amount of product for both. 

The conditioner also serves as a detangler, which cut my post wash, pre-style combing session down to no more than 10 minutes! But while the practicality of the products were fantastic, the scent of this stuff is AMAZING! I don't know how to describe it- warm, vanilla-y... like vacation in a bottle.

I love this stuff so much, I'm contemplating tossing everything else.. but first I need to get a bunch of back-ups. I'll have to let me BA from PA know and I'll buy her brunch the next time she's in town.

Riri Hearts MAC: Heaux Retro Matte Lipstick reviewed

It's Riri hearts MAC, Heaux

Isn't it Heaux-larious

Next up from the Riri Hearts MAC collaboration is Heaux Retro Matte Lipstick. The color is described as a "Matte Berry", which doesn't really convey the life of the lippie. The color errs on the side of a deep raspberry and the texture is very lite and long lasting, just like its Riri counterpart Riri Woo.
 While I like the color and texture, I do think that there are plenty of other colors from that can be dupes for Heaux. Try Rebel  by MAC and NARS Damaged lipsticks if you are looking for a Heaux dupe.

Beauty Experiment: Mixing Turmeric with Tinted Moisturizer

Turmeric + DiorSkin Nude BB Creme Beauty Challenge

 Earlier this year I read in a Lucky Magazine feature that Thandie Newton mixed turmeric powder with her base for an au natural glow. Since I love the look and feel of " the glow" a la Bruce Leroy of The Last Dragon and by highlighters, I decided to go ahead and experiment with mixing just a pinch of tumeric powder with my Spring/ Summer beauty bag favorite, DiorSkin Nude BB Creme in #004.
Here is how my day went:

7:50am-8:00 am- I mixed a pinch of turmeric with my DiorSkin Nude BB Creme and applied with my fingertips..I hope I blended well (Checks mirror at the crosswalk), it looks ok, I don't want to look Oompa Loompa-ish.

8:10 am- (Checks mirror on subway platform) Is that a clump? No, the texture is a bit grainy but also surprisingly lite.

9:48 am- (Checks mirror at my desk) Ok, so far so good, my oil glands are going to kick in just in time for lunch

12:07 pm- (Checks bathroom mirror) No yellow! my normal shiny skin actually looks relatively normal- meaning no need for me to use a Starbucks napkin to dab my face.

5:10 pm- ( Checks mirror at my desk) I have a tiny bit of shine ( about 35% less oil than I would have otherwise), no yellow and I'm satisfied!

I will be repeating this experiment throughout the summer because I absolutely loved the way my skin felt and looked!

Tumeric powder + DiorSkin Nude BB Creme = Dream Team!

Riri Hearts MAC: Barbados Girl Lustre Drops Reviewed

Barbados Girl Lustre drops

Barbados Girl Lustre Drops Swatch

 After the 3.5 hours of refreshing by 3 open tabs on MAC's website and 2 browsers on my phone,
I was finally able to get my Riri Loves MAC items.
First up for review in Barbados Girl Lustre Drops. While MAC has had lustre drops in their rotation for a while, I have never tried them. So I figure, I'll try it out this time as I was excited about the possibility of a shimmery highlighter that I can add above my cheek bone or add to my beloved Diorskin Nude BB Creme.
I swatched a pin size of Barbados Girl on my hand (above) and blended the color out to see what the effect would look like. I think I applied too much to my hand because it was a bit too shimmery but when I applied to the top of my cheekbones, it was tolerable (below).
Overall Barbados girl will be in my Summer stash for this year as I'm pairing down on wearing anything but tinted moisturizer.

Gettin' Cheeky with Barbados Girl Lustre Drops

Riri Hearts MAC: Riri Woo reviewed

Riri Woo.. at the kitchen table

Riri Woo Swatched

Before the chaos that was the Riri Hearts MAC on June 18th,  I picked up Riri Woo at the MAC Times Square store on quiet rainy day in May. I was ready for the MA to tell me that the lippie was all sold out but instead showed me the boxes that were available.. don't know if even a lippie is available now. I haven't been to the store since my purchase and I just checked the website and Riri Woo is on backorder until the middle of this month. Pressing on.

 Riri Woo is described as a "Matte Cool Red" retro matte lipstick but unfortunately the color description doesn't do the product justice as Ruby Woo is Riri Woo's bigger sister on the age spectrum and as far as color, both Woos are very similar.

I love the light textures of the retro mattes and this one is no different. The lipcolor stayed on for over 4 hours, including dinner and left a nice tint when rounding the 4th hour.

If you don't have this color already try to hold on for the next 2-3 weeks, its worth the wait.

Get ready: RiRi hearts MAC- June 18th

RiRi hearts MAC- June 18th

Did you miss out on the first launch of RiRi Woo? Are you ready to stalk MAC for the coveted RiRi hearts MAC Summer collection?  Get ready to be early, refresh and be crafty.

Last month, I lucked out and got RiRi Woo on MAC Cosmetics.com and it was a task at hand. After that experience, I'm here to let you know that there is hope beyond thinking about paying $50 on eBay for RiRi Woo. Here are 3 tips for you:


1. Check your connection.
Yes, this seems like a no-brainer but internet connection on your computer is very important and if you don't have it or its wonky, you lose out.
Recommendation: Go to a secure Wi-fi zone or use your phone's data as a backup to go on the site.

2. Multiple browsers.
The waiting room is a bust. When a collection goes live, people go HAM. Now there is a waiting room to help queue you. Well.. from previous experience, the waiting room felt like a nice gesture but nowhere close to actually ordering.
Recommendation: Have 2-3 browsers open on a desktop and a browser open on your phone.

3. Find a friend
So, you can't wait around for the launch on Tuesday the 18th at who-knows time. You've got work, you're travelling, you've got sleep. What to do?
Recommendation: Ask someone if they can order for you. There are some kind people out there that will throw some shade but at least you can throw them something non-RiRi related in return. Return the favor kindly.

gif credit:GabStankBx on Lipstick Alley

Cheap Beauty Thrills: The Ultimate Summer Makeup Remover

Beauty's natural MVP- Coconut oil!

I don't know about you but by the time I've applied my "face-of-the-day" (FOTD) and have been out and about in NYC's 75+ degree weather with a side of muggy 100% humidity for a few minutes let alone hours, it makes you want to carry face wipes at all times. Melting mid-day is only one of my problems, the other is that my one of my favorite mascara's is so hard to remove that I end up using multiple face wipes and a number eye makeup removers over the course of a few weeks.
Luckily, I was sharing my misfortune with a friend who suggested Coconut Oil.
Coconut Oil? Really? Yes. As an acne-prone, contact-lens wearer, I would highly suggest using Coconut oil as the cheapest solution for removing melty makeup and loveable-yet- unremovable mascara. I personally like Trader Joe's Organic Virgin Coconut oil because its $5.99 for 16 oz. but really any Coconut oil will do!  My word of caution, keep your jar/container directly out of the sunlight or heat its the oil liquifies quickly.

Toro y Moi- New Beat (live)

 Happy Wednesday! Here is video I took of Toro Y Moi performing New Beat at last Thursday's Valentine's day show at Music Hall of Williamsburg (please forgive the first few seconds of blurriness).

  -XO Lacroix

Living Proof Prime Style Extender reviewed

Living Proof Prime Style Extenders- Biggie Shorty 

 Calling all hair enthusiasts who heat-styles their hair, whether fine, wavy, curly or kinky Living Proof Prime Style Extender does as claims- extends your style from wash-to-wash without dirt and grime from buildup!

Prime Style Extender is a weightless creme that detangles and repels humidity and environmental hair destroyers while smoothing your hair and locking in moisture and provides shine. All this without the aid of silicone. Its OFPMA miracle molecule is truly a miracle- let me tell share my experience with this amazing product.

I anticipated Prime Style Extender sample in my January Man Repeller x Glossybox but my box came about a month late (I will save the story for another time) so I ended up picking up the 5.0 fl oz full-size from life-saving Sephora. When I did get home, lo and behold I received my Man Repeller x Glossybox and the 1 fl oz. sample was in the box. On my next wash day, pre-styling, I applied a quarter-sized amount of primer and distributed through my tightly curled hair. Next I detangled with a wide-tooth comb and then applied coconut oil and blow dried my hair on a low setting. The results were fantastic! My hair was easy to manage, weightless and had a pleasant smell.  I kept my blow-dried tresses for one week, intermittently applying my coconut oil every 3-4 days. My ponytailed style stayed in place during a snowstorm and fashion week.
For the whole week I kept thinking, "How is this possible?" Repels humidity but locks in moisture annndd allows me to moisturize my hair? A++++

For natural, curly, kinky haired girls who want the benefits of easier detangling, no humidity and no silicone and a great base for pre-heat styling, Prime Style Extender is the way to go. This time I just blowdried my hair but next time, I will definitely add this product to my regimen the next time I flat iron my hair. Bliss all-around!

DIY: Rodarte's Ombré French Manicure

Rodarte inspired Ombré Metallic French Manicure

Rodarte Fall 2013 nails- photo from Allure.com

If there is one fashion show from NYFW that I look forward to, its Rodarte. Yesterday as I checked my Instagram and Twitter, I started to see what the look was for Fall 2013 but what really caught my eye was the Ombré metallic French Manicure at Rodarte's show. In the Fall Rodarte will team up with Sally Hansen to debut the nail colors that were exclusively used for the show but " I ain't got time for that" so I went into the trusty nail color stash for some good 'ol Chanel.

Colors used: Chanel Beige, Diwali and Graphite.
Other products used: Toothpick, a napkin and Sephora OPI 3-in-1base, top and strengthener.

The workstation

Simple Steps: I first used the Sephora OPI Base then used Chanel Beige. After the Beige dried I placed a small pea-sized amount of Diwali on a napkin and dipped the toothpick in the color. Next, lightly press Diwali onto your Beige just at the top of your nail. Next, do the same step with Graphite but use the other side of the toothpick ( or another pick if yours is one sided). When nail is dry, coat with clear base. Voila!

Rodarte nails ready!

Backstage NYFW Beauty: Skater-Chic at HACHE

Jasmine Tookes  looking Skater-Chic at HACHE Fall 2013 NYFW

Final walk through- HACHE Fall 2013 NYFW

Jasmine Tookes- HACHE Fall 2013

Overcoats and beanies at HACHE Fall 2013 NYFW

HACHE's Fall 2013 show brought back the rebellious grunge from the 90's and replaced those skater boys (hello Travis Berkenstock) with skater-chic ladies.  After the show I spoke with senior MAC artist Frankie Boyd who brought the laid-back look to life. Frankie used a mix of Feline eyeliner and black paint stick for the messy eye look. A soon to be announced Fall 2013 mauvey-beige toned lipstick was used on the lips for subtle color. The skin was kept " simple and clean" and topped off with a spritz of water.
The hair channeled next day, slept-in chic with pieces that look windswept yet kept under beanies.

Neoprene, leather, and velour were at the heart of HACHE's aesthetic mixing menswear inspiration (Striped shirt, striped pants, biker jacket in embossed neoprene) and a laisse-fair comfort uniform           (jacquard sweatshirt, popeline shirt and quilted pants). The accessories included fuzzy pastel pink and yellow envelope clutches, wide strap slip on sandals and of course beanies.

This collection definitely reminded me of home and I loved it, I think I'll channel '94 and pick up a beanie and jump back into '13 for a fuzzy pastel clutch.
BONUS: I was backstage and ran into my favorite model Jasmine Tookes! She was so nice to let me take a picture of her look from the HACHE show. Thank you so much for your kindness and graciousness!!

Chanel Frivole Blush Spring 2013 reviewed

Chanel Frivole Blush used in the Spring 2013 Couture Show

Chanel Spring 2013 Frivole #76 Blush

No makeup, just blush ( Chanel Frivole #76)  and keep this on the hush..

Its another Spring 2013 Printemps Precieux de Chanel review guys! So along with La Favorite RAV, I also picked up the Joues Contraste Frivole Powder blush! Can I just say that I LOVE this blush! A little goes a long way, the color is a dense coral and is impactful not chalky and dull. I actually like to wear this tout seul, in the wild just like my swatch pic!
I was also excited to see that Frivole Blush was used in Peter Phillips' Chanel Spring 2013 Couture look this week! Now if only I could get a hold of the new Stylo Eyeshadow in Black Stream..

Chanel Couture 2013 photo from Style.com

Chanel La Favorite #43 Rouge Allure Velvet reviewed

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Favorite #43- a nice slice of Spring

Chanel La Favorite #43 Rouge Allure Velvet Swatch in afternoon light

I've fallen off the Chanel beauty wagon for about a season or 2 and immediately got back on when I saw what the 2013 Printemps Preceiux de Chanel collection had in store. The first 2013 beauty collection by Chanel gives us an illuminating powder, poppy blushes and punchy lips! I picked up La Favorite #43 which is a Rouge Allure Velvet that has a powdery matte finish.
My initial thought was that this color was going to be a coral (one of my faves) but instead the color is like a melon, a mix of coral with a bit of pink. The application was smooth but I think that they color lacks depth and it comes off as milky when compared to the color in the tube. If you are trying to achieve a bright lip with dense color, you may need to apply 3-4 times and/or use a lip liner before applying the lippie.

Where to find: Chanel.com

Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush Twill 618 reviewed

New Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush in Twill 618

Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush Twill 618 swatched

 In the past I have fallen into the lipstick-like lip balm trap. Where the lipstick color was supposed to seamlessly blend with your lip color and the texture was to feel gel-like or sheer. Nevertheless those lipstick/balms are in the garbage.

Now here comes Dior's Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush lipsticks that deliver a similar promise, a lipstick-like lip balm feel that hydrates, plumps and smoothes your lips. Also, this new lipstick comes in 10 shades that complement the warm and cool blush tones in our individual skin tone. Yes!

I am completely satisfied with this lipstick, it delivers as promised! The formula allows for you to pick up the lippie, apply and head out the door sans mirror.

Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush is now available at Sephora and Dior.com . I hope it sticks around for a while!

Odile Gilbert: Creative Style Icon

Odile Gilbert's work at Rodarte Fall 2012 on Jourdan Dunn

Rodarte/ Odile Gilbert's Game of Thrones inspired Spring 2013 RTW look on Karlie Kloss

Is it hard to believe that some of my favorite runway looks come from just one person? This question dawned on me just a few weeks ago when I found myself admiring the beauty looks of the Rodarte Spring 2013 Ready to Wear collection. The metal ear jewelry, the faux undercut hair, a sleek come over and a mood that invoked Game of Thrones. The looks were created by Odile Gilbert, the creative force behind some of the most creative and innovative hairstyles that grace the runway and that we struggle to re-create in the comfort of our own bathroom mirrors.

Gilbert at work at Christian Lacroix's Spring 2008 RTW show

One of my other favorite hair styles was Odile 's Funny Face /African influences in Christian Lacroix's Spring 2008 RTW show, the show I was ironically trying to crash when I was in Paris in the Fall of 2007. As of late, you can see Odile's amazing work for NYFW and Paris Fashion Week's finest.

Odile Gilbert Creation's Gold Hair Pin- 9cm

If you are looking to spice up your hair starting this year (much like myself) and have a few clams to spare for your hair and I mean clams. You should definitely consider Odile Gilbert Creation's Hair Pin. I bought one over the holidays at Colette and let me tell you, there is nothing like it. I got the 9 cm pin as its good for short to medium hair, plus my hair is on the fine side.
The pin so simple, so effective and amazing! I love Odile's signature side pony and it took 2 seconds to re-create the look.  So in the meantime, I can enjoy my new discovery until the upcoming NYFW and PFW to check out some of Odile's new hair innovations.


Backstage and Runway photos courtesy of Style.com

Winter 2013 Hair Survival: Winter Shea Hair mix

John Snow's puzzled as to why its not GOT cold in NYC yet.. So am I.

Winter is..here! Though it is mild (mid 40's to mid 50's Fahrenheit) for now, your hair can be in for a tail spin between the dry air and chill. Fret not! my hair has gone through a lot of changes since we have touched base. For one, I have been chemical free for the past 10 month. For the first time in my 20+ year hair journey I know what my curls and kinks look like and I love them. My hair is long enough to pull into a pony tail, something I rock 370 days out of the year anyway (welcome to the comfort zone!) but it really doesn't matter how I wear my hair, I have to make sure its moisturized to the max. So I started asking around, googling, youTubing and the like and found a super luxe mixture for my kinky-curly hair. Here is my winter 2013 shea mix.

Winter 2013: Shea hair mix

 Winter Shea hair mix

1/2 oz. 100% Shea Butter
1/2 oz.  Coconut oil
1 tblsp. Avocado oil
1 tblsp. Argan oil
1 tblsp. Jojoba oil

I mixed all these in a 2oz glass container and did a double boil to heat the glass container without getting water in the mixture. When heated, the mix looks clear with a slight hint of green from the avocado oil, once it solidifies - its ready for use as a leave- in conditioner.

I gathered these ingredients at Whole Foods and shops on Atlantic Avenue here in Brooklyn. I would say that these all cost me roughly $25 but will last for the rest of the year.

As for use, I apply a dime size of the winter shea mix before I airdry or blowdry my hair. It instantly moisturizes my hair for 3-4 days without re-application (a leave-in to believe in). I also extend the wear by wearing a satin scarf before putting on my beanie when facing the cold outdoors.

How are you protecting your Winter tresses?