Chic Happenings: Solange Knowles, Cassie, Lisa Price and Selita Ebanks Celebrate Carol's Daughter

Earlier this week, I braved the crowds at Herald Square in NYC to see the latest faces of Carol's Daughter. Not too long ago, the brand announced the trio as the new faces as a means to diversify and celebrate "polyethnic" women, with their new Monoi Repairing Collection. While the blogosphere has been abuzz with how exactly the brand defined diversity, I applaud Lisa Price & co. for realizing that it goes beyond just "black" or "spanish" in today's society.

I must say, these women brought their A-game in the hair department with Selita sporting a brand new cropped, red 'do with her Karen Millen Tribal dress and Christian Louboutin "Lady Daf" pumps. Cassie was seen in her half haired glory - a mohawk so wildly constructed I took way too many photos trying to get exact details- paired with a caramel Mark Fast knit mini dress with Isabel Marant Gava pumps and gold hooped earrings. Solange definitely stole the show wearing a lemon pant suit, white shirt and python sandals. Her afro was on another level (!!) and to say I had hair envy would be the greatest understatement ever made on MissWYA.

What is Monoi Oil? A 2,000 year-old sacred, tahitian ingredient that undoes and prevents damage for fewer breaks, snaps and splits. The line is specifically designed for all hair types concerned with hair breakage.

The new Monoi Repairing Collection by Carol's Daughter is available now at Sephora and online.

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

finalmente

The weather warmed up in NYC and dare I say, it's Spring. I jump at any chance whatsoever I get to bare my legs and don a short skirt. Today, with a high of around 70 degrees, I attempted the monochromatic look I spotted in a recent issue of ELLE magazine. Though I don't have, nor do I want, blue shoes I think I pulled this off pretty well.

Top: Zara; Skirt: Zara; Shoes: Mandees; Bracelets: Rebecca Minkoff, Juicy COuture, Kate Spade; Watch Betsey Johnson

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Yesterday...

...rather than scattered thunderstorms and showers as predicated by Sam Champion and 'dem, NYC received a gloriously slightly sunny but TOTALLY humid day. Great for my wardrobe as it allowed me to show massiva mounts of leg but HORRIBLE for any attempt at keeping my makeup on my face.

win some, lose some, eh?

In an attempt to give Mother Nature the big ol' EFF YOU! with its cloudy skies and - sometime - rainy days, I've decided to go against the grain and wear this BRIGHT ASS pink dress. I scored big at H&M one random evening when I was supposed to be going home, as most of my shopping trips tend to be. Carpe diem kids.

Let's not forget the hot pinks lips as a result of my newly acquired Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Anime. I got this puppy at The Makeup Show about a week (or two??) ago and have worn it every. single. day. Putting it on prompted several of my coworkers to proclaim I was a whole "lotta pink," which in my world means "you're doing it right baby!"

I'm a fashion blogger! I'm looking down!

Dress: H&M; Watch: Juicy Couture; Bangles: Kate Spade; Bright Bracelets: Rebecca Minkoff; Random Beaded Bracelet: H&M

UPDATE: THE SHOES! How can I forget the shoes?!?! These are the Julian Louie x ALDO Deanna and I cannot live with out them! Sure they hurt after a long while walking but these aren't really "Walking shoes" if you know what I mean.

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Want: NARS Portrait of Paradise Blush/Bronzer Trio

Everytime I walk into Sephora, I hear the siren call of NARS' summer products. The limited-edition collection - Portrait of Paradise - is inspired by the cult classic Laguna Bronzing Powder, and is so delicious I'm surprised I've been able to walk away sans makeup (perhaps it's the price tag - ouch!). The collection evokes vivid images of the exotic French Polynesia. Though there are three products available, only one screams my name: the Orgasm, Albatross, Laguna ‘Blush/Bronzer Trio ($55).

Holy all things iconic! Three of NARS' most wildly popular products are wrapped into one convenient portable zip-around compact. With Orgasm Blush, Albatross Highlighting Blush Powder, and Laguna Bronzing Powder, this trio is basically everything you'll need for a great summer face.

This and the entire Portraits of Paradise collection (including Laguna Body Illuminator, $45, and Laguna Multiple, $39) is available at narscosmetics.com and Sephora locations nationwide.

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Catch Me If You Can: MAC Quite Cute

I may just be the world's worst beauty blogger as Quite Cute has been released for some time now and I'm JUST now getting around to it.

Oops.

All is not lost, however, as the good old internetz exist for a reason and bits of the collection are available online and at select stores. So there. Don't hate me

Plushglass $18.50

Bubble Tea, Fashion Fanatic, I Heart U

MAC's Plushglass is a sheer lipgloss with a pearlized high-shine finish. They're super comfortable aka non sticky and last for a bit before reapplying. The creamy formula make this a staple in my purse as it's great to wear alone or layered over a lipstick of the same shade. Fun fact: each contains vitamin E for added environmental protection.

--Bubble Tea: a creamy pale nude
--Fashion Fanatic: a creamy pale pink
--Girl Heart Boy: bright light blue pink
--I Heart U: creamy midtone purple

Nail Lacquer $14.00
High shine and long lasting (I layer mine with Seche Vite top coat and my mani lasts me one full week without chipping). It did take two (maybe three) coats for me to get the full coverage I desired but the results are pretty good. My favorite is Ice Cream Cake, a gorgeous pale pink (blue based) that's perfectly girly and spring-y.

-- Little Girl Type: Creamy pale lavender
--Ice Cream Cake: Creamy blue pink
--Mischievous Mint (not pictured): Creamy pale blue mint

Lips
Lipstick $14.50

Candy Yum Yum = A-FRIKKIN-MAZING

Candy Yum Yum was the definite winner in this category and sold out quicker than you can spell C-U-T-E! Another favorite is Saint Germain which I know many beauty mavens lose their mind about. It's a gorgeous pastel pink, that unfortunately, I haven't quite figured out how to/ if I can wear it.

--Playing Koi: Creamy white peach pink (satin)
--Quite Cute: Creamy bright whitened lavender (cremesheen)
--Saint Germain: Clean pastel pink (amplified)
--Candy Yum-Yum: Matte neon pink (matte)
--Play Time: Creamy intense violet (cremesheen)

Lip Pencils $13.00
A lip pencil is a lip pencil and MAC's is no different.Smooth and creamy, I like applying the pink before lipsticks as it allows the color to adhere and last longer.

--Naked Liner: Light neutral
--In Synch: Bright yellow pink
--Boldly Bare (not pictured): Dirty red brown

Mineralize Blush $23.00
These were almost to cute to use! Almost. These limited edition Mineralize Blushes feature two contrasting/complementary tones in one pan. If you like the sheer finish of MAC's mineralize blushes and don't mind the pearl finish than grab these (if you can!).

Miss Behave

Sakura

--Giggly: Light pink with pearly plum heart
--Sakura: Lavender with pearly magenta heart
--Miss Behave: Light beige with pearly mint green heart

CUTiE Eye Shadow Quad $36.00

With four pastel shades, you have the option to mix and match a variety of girly - and, yes, cute- shades. I'm never really a fan of pastel shades as I feel they can wash out the face, but play around with this and you'll be able t make a look that's your own.My favorite? Azuki Bean - gorgeous along the crease!

--Goody Goody Gum Drop: Light white pink (satin)
--Boycrazy: Pale lavender with silver pearl (lustre)
--Moshi Moshi!: Pale white green gold (frost)
--Azuki Bean: Mid-tone dirty violet (frost)

MAC's Quite Cute is still available online and at counters/ stores nationwide and internationally. 

Disclosure: samples provided for editorial consideration. Prices noted are in USD! Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

MAC Surf Baby: Bright Eyes

Insanely colorful and packed with a punch, MAC's Surf Baby eye products are beyond pretty and are straight up AHH-MAZE. Would I wear them to the beach? Probably not as I prefer to go bare faced (or with a bit of bronzer -- ALWAYS sunscreen). However, summer isn't only for the beach! These are great go to's for BBQs, girl's night outs and fun makeup looks.

MAC Surf Baby: Eyeshadows $15.50

Available in five shades, MAC's Surf Baby Eyeshadows come in a variety of finishes - with my favorite being the frosted (which, in this collection, are more like MAC's satin finishes). I've played around with the colors and my favorite has to be Sun Blonde, a gorgeous dirty yellow gold that has gotten me loads of compliments. The lasting power is pretty damn good on all of them as they stayed on my lids all day (from 8am to about 7pm) without budging or creasing (I didn't put on any primer).

--Saffron (deep coral caramel)
--Short Shorts (not shown here - frosty white champagne)
--Sun Blonde (dirty yellow gold)
--Surf USA (frosted teal)
--Swell Baby (mid-tone grey)

Saffron

Surf USA

Swell Baby

Sun Blonde

Powerpoint Eye Pencils $15.50

MAC released two Powerpoint Eye Pencils with Surf Baby. The pencils are pretty smooth in consistency and easily glide along my upper and lower lash lines. While they're great for easy application, beware! These little guys can smudge (but not completely off your eyes). Somehow bits rubbed off but the color remained throughout the day. Blue Noon (pictured above) is a gorgeous deep teal that's sure to be a hit if you love the aquamarine/teal/blues of summer. I paired this on my waterline with Sun Blonde for a Nicki Minaj inspired look and it worked perfectly!

Also in the collection is Glided White, a yellow white frosty color that looks like it'd be perfect for the "bright eyed" look. Pop that baby on the inner corners and make everyone think you've got a good night's sleep.

Disclosure: samples provided for editorial consideration. Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Late Night Cravings: Juicy Couture Set of Three Bangles Set

Little good comes from me being up late at night. It usually involves me browsing my favorite sites, drawing up a mental checklist of products I want/need/plan to buy. Let's add Juicy Couture's Set of Three Bangles Set, $78 (available here and here), to that list mmkay?

I love the look of stacked bracelets and when they're super bright and fun, it's almost a guaranteed win. I'm a firm believer in adding in that extra (or three!) accessory before heading out the door. These make the job that much easier.

Add to cart here.

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Dolce & Gabbana Sneak Peek + MEET PAT MCGRATH!

Oozing sex appeal from its sleek gold casing, luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana is releasing their latest makeup collection, Animalier.

To celebrate, world-renowned makeup artist - and one of my personal heroes - Pat McGrath will be making a personal appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship location in New York City THIS SATURDAY!

McGrath and her team of make up artists will conduct personal consultations with customers to recreate the looks of the runway, featuring the Italian Summertime Collection and Animalier Bronzer.

Where:
Saks Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue and Fiftieth Street
Dolce&Gabbana The Make Up Counter, On One
Schedule an appointment by calling 212.940.4949.

Who's excited for this collection to come out???!

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Keep It Simple...

 Top: random shop; Jeans: c/o HUDSON; Ballet flats: Mandee

Sometimes all a gal needs is a bright blouse to brighten up her day. Although the weather is super sucky right now (cloudy and rainy..ew), all I can think about right now are the glorious days of last week. This photo was taken midweek as I ran out of the office for a quick walk around the block to clear my head. The shirt is from a random shop in the middle of nowhere Brooklyn and has quickly become my favorite - as in I've worn it multiple times within one month. And I have no shame. Pair it with my some super soft Hudson jeans et voila! The perfect everyday spring outfit.

Sometimes simplicity is best.

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Le Labo Launches Santal 33

1/2 of the Le Labo founding duo, Fabrice Penot

Not too long ago, I ventured up to Barney's New York for an evening discussing beautiful scents with Le Labo founder, Fabrice Penot. While I'm no stranger to the brand, I'm continually amazed by their intense, hand-blended scents. To celebrate the launch of their latest fragrance, Santal 33, Penot took us through the process of just how each scent is made - uniquely for you.

Santal 33 ($220) is a lush, woody unisex fragrance with notes of sandalwood, virginia cedar, cardamom, violet, papyrus, spices, leather, musk and amber. On all bottles, Le Labo notes the expiration date (about a year but two if you put it in the fridge). This bad boy took about three years (!!)  to create, a testament to the ethos good things come to those who wait.

Simon Doonan at the event

various Le Labo scents

Le Labo fragrances are available at Barney's New York.

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Summer 2011 -- baring it all!

In a mere 41 days (but, I mean, who's counting) summer will arrive and we'll be trying damn hard to look good in the heat. I'm talking short skirts, pretty dresses, and itsy-bitsy-tweey-weeny yellow polka dot bikinis! Before we prance around in the sun, it's time to lay it out all on the line and, uhh, handle the Situation. Let's face it, that bikini is no good to anyone if you've got a little Chewbacca thing goin' on. #justsayin

Completely Bare Bikini Wax Kit $50

Provides you with everything needed for an pain less at home wax. There's a bubblegum pink ouchless strip wax™ for your bikini as well as a bubble gum purple ouchless stripless wax™ for a smooth brazilian (if you're adventurous). Use the sleek spatulas to wax on and the soft strips to wax off, the no mess wax paper to catch fumbles, and the rear-view-mirror to see what you’re doing.
Available at Completely Bare.

Shobha® Sugaring Kit $30

For those who fear waxing or those who want try something new, check out Shobha's at home Sugaring kit. It includes the all-natural, professional-grade Shobha® Sugaring Gel. It's free of parabens, dyes, fragrances, petrols, resins & waxes natural ingredients as well as reusable and washable denim strips. More bang for your buck!
Available at Shobha

Schick® Quattro for Women® TrimStyle™  $12

For the traditionalists, there's always Schick's limited edition purple Quattro for Women® TrimStyle™, With a new conditioning strip enriched with Acai Berry and Jojoba Complex™ this little wonder is easy to use, comfortable and multi purpose (can't forget the gams!). Four ultra-thin blades means one close and smooth shave The purple handle has a contoured rubber grip which is essential for shaving legs in the shower (am I the only one who ends up playing slip and slide??).
Available at drugstores nationwide

If you decide to neglect everything I just suggested - or simply put DIY is not your thing - head into your local spa to get the work done. However just because you're not the one doing all of the manual labor, it's still important to prep before arrival.

• Be sure to stay out of the sun for at least 24 hours before you go in as any form of skin irritation adds to the discomfort. 
• Exfoliate your bikini area a day before the treatment and on the day of take a bath to thoroughly clean the area. 
• Avoid getting a bikini wax days before your period - unless you're some kinda pain junkie. 
• Apply a numbing cream 30 minutes before arriving to the spa. BareEase & Cream ($25) is a garment-based prep kit that includes a Lidocaine-based cream as well as aloe and jojoba to soothe and moisturize skin. A Lidocaine-based cream is the most widely used anesthetic at the maximum 4% concentration that can legally be sold over- the-counter. Combined with the latex panty in the kit, the numbing properties will last for approximately 15-20 minutes once the cream is removed. Available in two sizes, S/M and M/L on www.bareease.com and at select spas, salons and boutiques nationwide.

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.