Review: Kimble Haircare Leave-in Conditioner

 

We are practically at the home stretch with spring and summer is next week. I've spent the last 2 months researching and testing some great hair gems that I'll be sharing here. 

A few months ago, I ran out of my trusty Pantene Relaxed and Natural Leave-in hair spray and I've looked all over for this commodity in NYC. While in Target, I took a chance on Kimberly Kimble's Leave-in Conditioner  as I've heard great things about her products. 

Kimble's Leave-in conditioner is light yet conditions well ( I use it 2-3x a week). The first three ingredients are : Water, Cetyl Alcohol and Cetrimonium Chloride and includes Brazilian Nut, Acai Berry and Shea Butter.

I like to use leave-in conditioners when I'm detangling my hair before blowdrying and have found that it moisturizes so well that I can apply to my wet hair, twist my hair into buns and sleep on it and awaken to frizz and tangle- free curls!

I'm now prepared for Summer Hair Heaven!

DIY: 4 Homemade Household Beauty Remedies

What beauty lies within your cabinets and pantries? Here are 4 products that can help you from head to toe without even stepping out of the house.

Baking Soda
Purpose: Absorption and Exfoliation.

-Blemish treatment- Create a paste with a pinch of Baking Soda and a tiny bit of water and apply to your pimples for 15 minutes to minimize your breakout.
- Facial Scrub and/or Speedy Pedicure - Baking Soda can be used as an exfoliator for your face and your  feet when in a hurry. Scrub with a handful of baking soda and a cap full of water.
- Spill solver- Absorbs oils on clothing, just sprinkle a dime size amount onto your spill and rinse the affected area.


Lemons
Purpose: Lighten and Brighten.
 
In a previous post, I touched a bit on how Lemons are effective as an all natural deodorant but they can also be used to lighten your locks and nails.
- DIY Ombre Hair- use lemon to bleach the tips of your hair with this mixture: 1/4 cup of lemon juice, 1/2 cup of water and 1/4 cup of vinegar. Afterward, to condition your hair, use olive oil to protect your new color.
- Whiten your nails by rubbing lemons on the tips and follow-up with soaking in warm water for 15 minutes.
- Create a brightening facial with a mix of honey, lemon, oatmeal and water. All these mixed together can create a moisturizing and brightening mask. Recommended time to leave on, 15 minutes.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Purpose: Clarifying, Detangling and Dandruff-free.

- Detangler- A mix of 3/4 water to 1/4 Apple Cider Vinegar is my favorite post shampoo mix. Just this bit of ACV detangles my hair and gets rid of any post shampoo bubbles and product buildup. If the smell is too strong for you, when making your mixture, boil Rosemary , Lavender or Mint into the water to get rid of the sour smell.

Baby Powder
Purpose: Oil Absorbing.

- Dry Shampoo- Sprinkle a bit of Baby Powder onto sections of your hair that are full of product. Then take a Bristol brush and brush the powder out. This gets rid of some of the product but just make sure that you brush the remnants out or you will look like Beetle Juice ( for those with dark hair).


Read more about cleaning tips at Reader's Digest.ca

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post

What's in your Makeup Bag- June 5th

I don't change my makeup bag often but couldn't pass up this cute red floral kitsch clutch from Forever 21 that was $4.90. 

So, what's in the bag for Sunday, June 5th? Seeing as I am going to see Tony Kushner's Off-Brodway play this afternoon, I'm keeping it minimal. Plus, who wants to hoard a bunch of products in their bag? am I right?.. I only carry about 6 lipglosses on me ( ok, ok  I carry 7).

- Eyeko Big Eyes Mascara- this is my revisited favorite. They used to carry the line at Ulta but now they have the mascara in Urban Outfitters, on my latest visit I got it on sale for a cool $4.99.

- Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Coromandel 72- my new favorite red. The color is a vibrant red blood orange that's flattering and easy to use as a stain with some gloss or applied full and amplified.

- YSL Touche Eclat- when it comes to a highlighter and concealer, this is the one that gets me through when I am in a pinch- mirror or non.

What's in your makeup bag for this week?

Spring Wardrobe Staple from Deefinity Designs

Does your Spring Wardrobe need a lift but you don't want to inject another $100 into a new cami or skirt?

Accent your wardrobe with a beachy shell necklace like the one here from NYC based Deefinity Designs!
LTBB reader Deanne creates timeless pieces to add some flair to your wardrobe that needs a good kick sans the big budget spectacle.
All pieces are unique and handcrafted, much like my thistle necklace shown in the photo. Plus she does custom pieces too!

You can contact Deanne at deefinitydesigns@gmail.com or check out her etsy page at http://www.deefinitydesigns.etsy.com/

Skincare Review: Egyptian Magic

Have you ever glossed over a product in a magazine and then completely forgot about it, only for it to pop-up time and time again?
Egyptian Magic is my... this thing. Most recently I read about it on Into the Gloss as model Caroline Trentini  swears by this product but I first heard about this way back when Naomi Campbell was interviewed as swearing by this too, so what's up with this "magic" or as the bf would say "schmutz"?

Egyptian Magic is described as a 100% all-natural ingredient product containing olive oil, royal jelly, beeswax, propolis, honey and beeswax that can be used for all-purpose needs.
You can use it to moisturize lips and your skin, treat bruises and skin conditions and you can even use it to condition frizzy hair.
The consistancy is like a balm ( I liken it to a Queen Helene Cocoa Butter stick) that melts upon contact with heat. Plus, a little goes a long way.
With the research, I justified putting down $32 for 8 oz of this wonder cream that I bought at a pharmacy in the West Village and I immidately put it to work.
*First challange, The Dude takes a spill on his bike and has a HUGE bruise on his thigh, he put on Egyptian magic before bed time and in the morning, some of the discoloration was gone, the black and blue moved into a dark greenish territory.. so far ok for bruises.
*One Saturday I was out of leave-in conditioner for my weekend hair buns and decided to put a bit in my hair, the results were an A! There was no stickiness nor greasiness, it calmed my hair down much like my beloved new leave-in conditioner ( up for review very soon!).
This is a leave-in to believe in!
*Next challange, Dry Skin. I just finished with my Sunday Beauty Self -Pedi Party and was all out of lotion, I took a less-than generous scoop of the Egyptian Magic and both of my feet were coated in glory. Yay!
* Last, a night cream. The challange- success! Even with my oily skin, this did well. It didn't create a slick but it was gentle enough to help calm the two blemishes on my cheeks all night.

Overall the experiments with Egyptian Magic have been worth it. My only gripe is, where to find it. True, it is available on Amazon but sometimes you just want to test or try it out before committing to purchase.
Anyway, I think its the bee's knees thus far!

DIY: DOTW Clothing Tags

Aww yes, you are amidst " Spring Cleaning", juggling between extreme rain and 70 degree weather, deciding whether to toss that two-year old cargo jacket or keep the calve-length skinny black boots while putting your winter clothes in either the "Donate" or " Hybernate" pile.
It's taken me over a month to go through Spring Wardrobe cleaning just because of the fickle weather but, I have managed to sift through a majority of my wardrobe!
So what now? How do I make the closet a "fun" place to wake up and plan my wardrobe?
No fear, keep track of your daily outfits with Do-it-yourself Day of the week clothing tags!
The materials are bare-bones simple and it puts some pep into reaching for you clothing each day.

Materials:
- 3x5 Index cards ( 7-8 cards)
-Magazines ( old ones will do)
-Nail polish
-Ribbon ( 1/2 yard)
- Scissors
- Glue stick


Instructions:

1.To start, cut or rip pieces of inspiration from your magazine and glue it down to your index card. ( See Pic below!)

2. Next fold the center of the index card in half and cut a "V" at the top middle crease and thread through an approximate 3 inch piece of ribbon.

3. Choose a nail polish color, to paint on the Day of the week for each card. Below I chose OPI's You Don't Know Jacque for Monday.



4. Let the card dry in a well ventilated area for approximately 45 minutes.

Voila! you have your Day of the week tabs for Monday through Sunday and a G for Gentile and a D for Delicates!

Enjoy!

Revisited: MAC for Alexander McQueen and the Savage Beauty Experience

MAC for Alexander McQueen Fall 2007. Clockwise: New Vegas Mineralized Skinfinish, Pagan Eyeshadow, Haunting Eyeshadow, Nile Eyeshadow and Archetype lipstick

Swatches from top to bottom: Pagan,Haunting, Nile, New Vegas and Archetype

Pieces from Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This weekend I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibition and was totally emasculated by all of works that were shared from his collections.
Last week, upon hearing that the exhibition would be opening a few days after the Met Ball hosted by Vogue and Anna Wintour, I started going through my makeup stash, revisiting my MAC for Alexander McQueen collection from October 2007. The MAC for Alexander McQueen collection was inspired by the Salem Witch trials, with which he had a familial connection and Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra. The makeup look was from Taylor's role as Cleopatra, strong eyebrows, heavy eyeshadow with extended cat-eye and glowing skin.
I remember my initial thoughts of the collection of vibrant yellow-greens, sea-foam teal and golden as too out there, but they worked well once applied, whether it was everyday subtle with a "wash" of color on the lid and a dab of lipstick or applied heavy and dramatic.
This collection was ahead of its time just like its co-creator, Alexander McQueen.
Savage Beauty brought you some of his pieces from his famed Central Saint Martins thesis collection and some pieces he created in the early late 1990's while he worked for Givenchy up until his last runway collection shown Plato's Atlantis.
My favorite was his fall 2005 collection which was displayed on a chess board, with each model being moving chess pieces and the inspiration ranged from a pucci-esque swimsuit with football pads to overly curvy silhouette's with horsehair trim and Gemma Ward having a carved bonsai tree as a headpiece. The color palette featured camel, lilac and a melting pot of colors in between.

The Savage Beauty Exhibit at the Met is open until July 31st and I definitely plan to revisit in the next month or so. I loved it all, the videos, the collections, the thoughts and the clothing. So moving and theatrical, there is and will be nothing else like it.

Win it!: Mother's Day Giveaway!

How to Enter the Mother's Day Give away:

Leave a comment in this post or send an email to Lacroixthebeautyblog at gmail.com .

One (1) lucky winner will be chosen at random from the entries/comments in this post to receive one (1) Pureology Color Stylist Antisplit Blowdry Styling Cream, one (1) Sinfully Colors Professional Nail Color in Daddy's Girl (deep glittery purple) , one (1) Everyday Minerals Cheek Blush in Opening Day (lavender) and one (1) Susan Ciminelli Calming Cream.

Special Thanks to Pretty City.com for the products.

Giveaway Starts: Thursday, May 5, 2011 – Now
Giveaway Ends: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 – 11:59pm EST
Winner will be announced via email on Thursday, May 12, 2011

Topshop Spring 2011 Nail Color: Cyclone

With all the new Spring nail collections debuting soft, pastel mint's, yellow's and lavender's, its nice to know that there is a new definition of the spring nail that incorporates metallic silver like Topshop's Cyclone Nail Varnish from the Sandstorm Collection.
The Sandstorm Collection is inspired by the beauty of the desert music festivals and includes metallic eyeliners, a blush and fuchsia and orange toned glosses.
So if you need a quick escape from a painfully cute and toxic spring, get hip to some road tripping shades.

Skincare on the go: Purederm Mask

Masked!

A lesson learned from skincare and time constraint, is that we must compromise! And if that means putting on my mask while cleaning the bathroom, checking email and doing research on products, then so be it!
When I was a teen, I was doing a beauty night but had to run an errand with my mom. I ended up going out at night with my Queen Helen Mint Julep mask on and completely forgot that it was on my face! Needless to say, I got tons of stares by drivers and their passengers. Another lesson, never wear a mask too long! After the hour journey, in washing my face, my skin was beyond dry, it was saharan desert.
Fast forward to a beauty party hosted by my friends Thy and Soda, a fete that included cookies, wine and Purederm masks that we picked up at Forever 21 for $1.80!
The peel-away aloe masks are made with cloth like fiber and have enough solution to instantly cool your skin and you only need 20 minutes for your skin to feel smooth. No messing with rinsing or worrying about covering your sink with clay or oatmeal.

You can find these at Forever21 stores. Unfortunately, they are not available on their website.

Weekend Nails: Topshop's Delusion Nail Varnish

This dusty lilac has been my fave all week! For those who love creamy pastel colors, this one's for you! Though on my bottle, the name of this nail polish ( varnish) is Parma Violet, Topshop's website has its name as Delusion.

What is your weekend nail color?

Burt's Bees Tiger Lily Tinted Balm

Could Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm be the most coveted lip product this season? Since seeing Hibiscus in a mag in Feb, I've been on a leisure hunt for this to try for myself. WARNING: A hunt you will get as a few Target's I've gone to in San Diego, LA and NYC were all sold out , as were Rite Aid . Then I strolled into Whole Foods while seeking cupcakes and came across 3 of the 6 shades available.

Burt's Bees Tinted Lipbalm can be described at best, surprisingly smooth and melts like butter. The texture is not "waxy" or "filmy" in a way that I feel with other lipbalm products. The color payoff is excellent for a tint. Its not chalky and it builds so that the color blends. I chose Tigerlily, an Apricot-Peachesque color that certainly lives up to the flora namesake.

The lipbalm itself is described as 100% natural , with coconut oil as the first ingredient. The colors that are available are: Hibiscus, Honeysuckle, Pink Blossom, Red Dahlia, Rose and Tigerlily.

This was a lot more than what I expected for $6.99 and I will definitely going back to explore the other colors.

Moin Cher: Chloe Spring/Summer 2011

Moin cher please!

As an avid lover of french designer labels, I find myself wondering how I can I afford a high fashion label and afford to eat each month ( though PB& J for a month isn't entirely a bad option..) and how can I re-create runway looks from the stores around in my area.
Well the latter can be applied if you are looking for the Spring/Summer ready-to-wear full-length skirt look from Chloe.
My guestimation is that Chloe's full length skirt will run you somewhere between an arm and a leg. But while in American Apparel, shopping for my Dr. Bronner's Lavender soap I checked out a rack of chiffon full length Skirts, they look almost identical to the Chloe look and are a fraction less ($50).
So if you are looking to experiment with full-length skirts but don't want to dish out the funds for something you may wear once and bundle at the bottom of your closet, go moin cher and pick up the AmAp version.

Review:NARS Laguna Illuminator

So Illuminating!

Now that spring is finally upon us, the weather is 70 degrees on Monday and 50 degrees with 85% precipitation on Wednesday means that the base on your face should be able to withstand the yo-yo unpredictability of the season.
In comes NARS Illuminator, a multi-functioning tinted shimmer, perfect for pairing with your daily face moisturizer for a great base with a bit of shimmer to play up your favorite features.
I chose Laguna, a "sun-kissed bronze" to use with my daily Clinique Turnaround Creme. The color reminded me of the gold flecks that are in the damp sand at the beach.
For the evening, blend a nickel size amount with your foundation for a beautiful sheen while out on the town. Another plus, a little goes along way. A dime size or less for day is just enough.
There is a bit of similarity between NARS' Illuminator and YSL's Teint Parfait, the latter is more glittery (especially #8) so using less than a dime is the best way to go unless you are glamming your gams or your decolletee. Plus the price is significant- NARS Illuminator is $28 whereas YSL's Teint Parfait is $42.

Spring 2011 Hair: The Nouveau Bob

Wake up, you're not dreaming!

Roughly a month ago, I started to notice that my hair needed a change. My strands were limp and frankly, I was tired of cutting my hair myself!
I started to do some research, as a transplant from San Diego, I'd been going to Anthony Randall every leap year since I was 18. But now, I'm devoid of his trusted hands and am in a sea of new salons. I had no clue where to start! Should I go for the $400 cut with a celeb stylist? Ok, no maybe I just need a trim? Do they accept walk-in's? I can't wait until Sept?!
Then I remembered this place I always passed in the East Village on my way to Tokyo Joe's and Buffalo Exchange, Soon Beauty Lab. It looked pretty chill on the outside so I decided to stop by on a rainy Monday Evening.
Having relaxed hair, I'm precautious of places that 1. are scissor happy and 2. don't understand that I need moisture like no one's business. Nicole at Soon Beauty Lab removed all doubt and gave me a much needed hair reminder ( i.e. REMINDER: No Serums!) and a fabulous new hair cut, evening my hair leaving it thick and long enough to put in a ballet bun (my daily) or pony tail. The cut was well worth the price $70! Plus trims are $15 so I can up keep every other month.

Now, a month later, I slept the evening before with 2 ballet buns on my head and combed my hair out into this slightly wavy do that lasted all day! I was so excited about my 'do , I took a flash-blink photo ( plus I was make-up free and on my way out the door to work).

If you are in the city and looking for a great new spring look, check out Soon!
318 E.11th St
(btw 1st/2nd av)
212-260-4423
or
Chelsea location
54 W. 22nd St
(btw 5th/6th av)
212-243-0245

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Bonheur #61

Rouge Coco Shine Bonheur #61 with No flash

Bonheur #61 Rouge Coco Shine with Flash

Finally! I've had time to wear and enjoy Bonheur since I purchased it in Toronto a few weeks ago. I would describe Bonheur as very close in color, about a shade or two deeper than the Imaginare Glossimer but in a stick form. Yes, that describes it!

I love this color and the wear is smooth and moisturizing. I would only advise that if you prep your lips with a balm before hand, the color will be faint. My suggestion would be to either skip prepping your lips as the Rouge Coco Shine formula is very moisturizing or prep at least 30 minutes ahead of time.

I also like the fact that Rouge Coco Shine makes it possible for you to grab and go in your makeup routine. I can say I can confidently put it on without a mirror and know that the color looks well.

Which shade from the range are you looking forward to from Rouge Coco Shine?

PrettyCity.com & L'Institute Sothys Love you!

I heart Pom fizzy drinks

Laura of Laf out Loud Beauty

give me face!

and what?

PrettyCitty.com's annual " Love you" campaign brought both myself and Amanda of Mandabear from Milk Studio in the Meat packing district to Mid-town Manhattan on a freezing Thursday evening to celebrate at L'Institute Sothys.
The beauty bash featured a runway show, mani's and pedi's, makeup application and some delicious Pom-tini's.
L'Institute is a gem, I couldn't stop taking pictures inside, after all the travel from downtown plus the 20 degree weather, a break was much needed. While awaiting Manicures , I met Laura from Laf out Loud Beauty who had a great shade of lipstick on.
The Spa is amazing! you should definitely take a peek if you are in the city!

If you are in Midtown and need a break from the lines at Abercrombie or the celeb hunting at Bergdorf's, go west to L'Institute Sothys!

37 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
212-688-9400

Oh Boy! Chanel's Exclusive Valentine's Day Surprise

New Rouge Coco Shine in Boy

Natural Light Rouge Coco Shine in Boy

Flash Swatch of Rouge Coco Shine in Boy

photo: Chanel.com

With the hectic schedule last week, I almost forgot about the sneak preview launch of the new Rouge Coco Shine in Boy until I went for brunch in Little Italy with Jess and stopped by Chanel Soho for some window-less fantasy shopping.
Upon stepping into the Soho boutique, I quickly backtracked to the email I received about the preview and to my giddy surprise was the Rouge Coco Shine in Boy ready for swatching and Monique, the house makeup artist was their to answer questions.
Though I received notification about the new slim ,glossy, younger version of Rouge Coco- I had my reservations. Reservation 1: I heart Glossimers, enjoy Rouge Coco in Paris and have a mild obsession with Genial Rouge Allure but feel like I'm comfortable with my current lippies and Reservation 2: Boy looks like it won't "mesh well" with my skintone. I immediately dismissed the color tone to be too light.
Lessons I learned from Rouge Coco Shine- never judge a lipstick by its cover.
Upon swatching on my hand at the boutique, the color held its own, a sheer rose with a touch of cool plum in its undertone with the subtle shimmer. The color is so impressive, you don't have to use a mirror to apply it! As far as longevity, my morning application at 7:30am lasted through my green tea and bagel breakfast and lunch at Subway. I had to re-apply around 12:30pm.
Overall, I can say that this is a great everyday lipcolor to have if you are going for a spring beauty staple that can withhold your morning meal, it deserves to be in your makeup bag!
The official Rouge Coco Shines launch next month, until then- catch them at the Chanel Boutiques or any counter that carries Chanel Beauty.

Fashion Post: Balenciaga Look

photo: from me to you tumblr

photo: Levi's Shape What's to Come

photo: Style.com

On Thursday I attended the IFB's Blogger Conference at Milk Studios.
It was great being enriched by industry heros and asking Proenza Schouler a beauty question or two. Question 1: " Are you going to have another collaboration with a beauty brand?" Answer: " We'll have to see..." Question 2: " What is the fall 2011 look?" Answer: "Um...". Yeah, no clear answer, so we'll definitely keep you posted. I'm guessing an element that is bold and colorful.
There will be more pics posted throughout the week of the IFB Conference but wanted to share my ensemble for the day.
- Forever 21 black pleather jacket
- Balenciaga Resort 2010 dress
- Black H&M booties.

Special thanks to Jamie and Levi's for the photos!

YSL Pink Celebration- Spring 2011

Pink reigns supreme at YSL beaute with soft palette inspirations for Spring 2011.
The look is now available on the newly revamped ysl.com and includes a Celebration palette complexion highlighter for the eyes, lips and cheeks and the much awaited creme blushes in five bright poppy spring colors to compliment the popular Rouge Pur Shines.

The full collection is expected to be in counters mid February.