Just Beachy - Simple Summer Hair

Did it just get a bit cooler this weekend? No, summer don't go away, I need another 90+ degree weather day!

So I tried a new style beach inspired style with my hair with limited hair products. What is my definition of limited products? well seeing as I use one shampoo, two conditioners and up to three leave-in products for my hair. I decided to tone it down with all the products for a "lite" 'do- as a result, I had great volume, body and waves but I also discovered my new favorite shampoo- Kimble Hair Systems Silk Treatment Shampoo!

After my routine Sunday stroll-by at Target on Atlantic avenue, I decided to give the Kimble Shampoo a try- why not as Kimberly Kimble is the master of the mane domain, she is Beyonce´s hair stylist! The Silk Treatment Shampoo is phenomial, a quarter size goes a long way and it has a great coconut smell. After shampooing , my hair felt so clean and ready for the one conditioner I will use- MoroccanOil's Moisture Repair Conditioner and my MoroccanOil Oil Treatment. After the prep, I blowdried my hair 60% dry/40% damp and pin curled.

What you see here is the final result which lasted about 2 days- then I did my standard ballerina bun :)

Summer Jam: Cut Copy- Lights and Music

On Sunday I went to the Williamsburg Waterfront show here in Brooklyn where Cut Copy headlined.

"Lights and Music" is definitely a summer jam though I can't decide on just one at the moment- Summer 2010 has been great, thank goodness there are a few more weeks left!

Apologies for the shakey cam, and check out the dude with arms-a-flailing in front of me- having a a great time!

xo L

Summer 2010: Best Bronzers

Look scorchin' without the burn or orangy hue. These are the best bronzers of Summer 2010 based on pigmentation and formula. Though some of these have been around for some time, they still beat some newbies 2 to 1.

Clockwise in photo:

MAC Refined Deeper Bronze- a MAC classic and for good reason. This burnished bronze powder with copper pearl shimmer gives a the right touch of glow with the right touch of bronze coverage. I reserve Refined Deeper Bronze for a great night out.

Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel in Ambre Terre- Ambre Terre is a deep bronze with golden faint shimmer. The formula is moisturizing but doesn't leave your skin greasy. Another plus about Ambre Terre, it has a duel brush! one side is black and blends smoothy, almost like a blush while the brown side is great for contouring.

Shu Uemura Deep Bronze- For us in the states, we need to run out and get this quick before Shu leaves the US. If there is on thing to get from Shu Uemura, it would have to be this bronzer. It's a medium bronze with shimmer. Additionally, since the formula borderline's matte, for bronzed beauties, you can use this as a face powder to even out your sunkissed skin.

NARS Casino- This sheer golden shimmer bronzer is a grab-and-go go to. Seriously, you can brush this on your cheeks, forehead and along the bridge of your nose and you are done. No foundation, just a bit of mascara and gloss can take care of a simple luck. Especially if the temperature is too hot to fuss with the rest of your look.

Will MAC have a Squirt Lipglass dupe?

Blogs have been buzzing with news of Alice+ Olivia's collaboration with MAC cosmetics, I'll be the first to admit that I have been lacking on MAC posts but its only because I haven't really found a collection that I have admired like those of yesteryear- However, this fall will bring some much needed fuel to my fire when it comes to the Disney Venomous Villans collection and RODARTE. You best believe I will be all over these two, and now I digress.

Alice+ Olivia for MAC will be the third designer collaboration of 2010, set to launch on July 10th and will feature pigments, nailpolishes and dazzlecreme lipglosses. The color scheme is perfect for summer, kicky blues, deep purple and lime green.

Upon seeing the picture of the I.Want.Candy. Dazzlecreme, which is described ( per Specktra.net) as" Hot Yellow with soft multi-demensional pearlized pigments", I instantly thought - The resurrection of Squirt lipglass!

For those of you new to the MAC game, Squirt was released between 2001 -2002 and was a sleeper hit. Why? because much like I.Want. Candy., the outward appearance of Squirt made it appear as though green would not look good. However, for those who bought into that ideology are now sadly mistaken. Squirt is neon green in the tube but is a carmelish-honey color on the lips.

The last tube I picked up was in 2007 , long after it was discontinued at the MAC store in Fashion Valley and I've heard of some being around here and there.

So how will I.Want. Candy. match to Squirt?

So far, we know that they are not the same type of lipgloss. Squirt is a glazy, sheer, non-shimmer or pearl lipglass. Whereas I. Want. Candy is a dazzlecreme as mentioned above.

Will Hot Yellow be more attractive than Neon Green as far as popularity? Maybe? but Springbeam was a Squirt like green with tons of shimmer. Too bad I didn't test this one out to see as I'm not a fan of shimmer, which I feel could potentially do me in as far as I.Want.Candy.

I'll keep you posted. But until then, Alice+ Olivia for MAC Cosmetics is set to launch on July 8th in US and Canada. August Internationally.

Citrus Lips! A Summer 2010 Guide to Juicy lips

Sonya Rykiel Ad-inspiration- Orange Lips

Joining Hall of Famers such as Bobbi Brown's Orange and MAC's Morange and CB96 lipsticks are 3 more citrus stunners that are sure to please!

Swatches from L to R: YSL Rouge Pure Shine Lipstick #94Blood Orange,

YSL Rouge Pur Pure Lipstick #21 Indian Orange, Chanel Allure Lipstick Genial

YSL #94Blood Orange

YSL's Blood Orange #94 is fresh from the current Solaris Collection. The coverage is sheer with shimmer but the deep orange pigmentation lives up to its name.

Normally I'm put off by shimmer, however the sheer shine coverage conquers this lippie!

YSL #21 Indian Orange

Indian Orange has been in YSL's line up for sometime now but as the Summer 2010 calls for the brightest lipstick shades and seeing as Indian Orange has been sold out in the NYC Sephora's for some time- this is lipstick is definitely the underdog that is now casting a light on all the newbies!

Indian Orange packs a more "true orange" color that its brand sister Blood Orange. The payoff is long lasting with brighter with layers. Quite vibrant like the Rykiel Advert.

Chanel Genial Rouge Allure

Genial is the breakout star among the sheerest of the sheers. This apricot-twist to the orange lip game is playful and punchy. While YSL's Indian Orange would probably be reserved for a day at the office, and YSL's Blood Orange would kick off an evening girls -night-out look. Genial would be my playful weekend Brooklyn or DUMBO Flea lippie with my vintage Valentino day dress.

YSL's Blood Orange #94 and Indian Orange #21 Lipsticks can be found here: ysl.com

Chanel's Genial Lipstick can be found here: chanel.com

disclaimer: YSL and Chanel lipsticks were purchased by Lacroix with the intent of review and use.

NARS Summer Event at Barneys- June17- June 19th

Summer is here and we are starting it off right at BARNEYS NEW YORK with the NARS SUMMER MAKEUP EVENT!!

Jumpstart to a sizzling summer: Come meet the NARS National Team.

The amazing makeup artists behind current runway looks & trends will be available by appointment to show you the tips & tricks to create YOUR personalized summer makeup look!

Thursday, June 17^th thru Saturday, June 19^th

^{BARNEYS New York – 660 MADISON AVENUE}

^{212.833.2008 or syefremova@barneys.com}

^{To schedule your appointment}

^{Awesome NARS gifts with Purchase and special BARNEYS ‘LOVE YOURSELF MADLY’ promotion during the NARS SUMMER MAKEUP EVENT.}

Chanel Les Pop-up Summer 2010 Collection, Swatches

Last weekend I checked out full the Chanel Les Pop-up Summer 2010 collection at Bloomingdales on 59th street. This summer surprise from Chanel has three Allure formula lipsticks in Darling- pink, Super- hot pink and Genial- Coral; the collection also introduces a new Aqualumiere Gloss, Bondi- a sandy copper , a new Bronzer, Terre Hallee and two new Gloss Fluos, a sheer lipgloss in 2 punchy colors, Pop- Coral and Lazer- Pink.

In a previous post, I touched lightly on the 3 nailpolishes ( Nouvelle Vague, Riviera and Mistral) that are with the collection, don't worry, you will be seeing these again, especially Nouvelle Vague!

Overall this collection is very exciting and refreshing for Chanel as the line just launched the buzzworthy Coco Rouge lipstick range to re-introduce lipstick to the "gloss generation". Les Pop-up collection added more to the lipstick range with 3 creamy bold colors that break the Chanel mold. I swatched all three Allures but ultimately fell for Genial, the coral I've been coveting since its debut at the Chanel Spring Couture show and the Gloss Fluo in Pop. What really amazed me was the combination of Genial and Pop Gloss Fluo, they both made my lips look surreal. I loved the way they looked! very perfect with minimal effort. This is definitely my beachy summer look.

Chanel Les Pop-up Swatches,from the Left: Darling, Super and Genial Allure Lipsticks, Far Right: Bondi Beach Aqualumiere Gloss

Bottom: Lazer Gloss Fluo

Here I am wearing Genial with Pop gloss on top

Genial Spent the day at Central park...

along with Pop Gloss Fluo