I was really excited to go to this event, created and hosted by beauty and lifestyle blogger Lianne Farbes of The Makeup Girl.  Cocktails & Couture brings together some amazing bloggers, fashionistas, PR gurus, photographers and brands.  Some of these brands include Lierac, Proactiv, Aveeno, Clairsonic, tarte cosmetics, Hpnotiq, Atopalm and PopChips.   I loved the idea that this event was held at the Caravan Stylist Studio in Midtown Manhattan.  The place was packed, vibes were flowing and I was able to meet some amazing people!

Including Ms. Lianne Farbes…

Me, with Ms. Lianne Farbes

–>

…and my fellow Trini and lifestyle blogger Afrobella!  It was such a pleasure to meet her finally!

Me and Afrobella!!!

The DJ!

The candy bar!

And my hair for the night!  I pulled a twistout into a low bun.

And again I did a bold lip and kept the rest of the face neutral.  This time I’m wearing Smashbox’s Be Legendary Black Plum.  Review on this one as well soon!

Smashbox Be Legendary Black Plum

I’ll definitely go to this again next time!

Laters!!

Day 2, actually night 2, found me attending Blogger’s Night Out at The Caulfield.  Blogger’s Night Out was created by bloggers for bloggers and it’s a great way to meet and network with other fashion/beauty bloggers from all over the country.  People came dressed to the nines and de place was jam packed!! I definitely picked up some new style ideas!  The event also featured booths hosted by various sponsors showing the latest trends for spring and summer.

This booth was hosted by Plastics Make It Possible

Colour of the year, Tangerine

Avant garde Swarovski crystal jewellry by Sorelli and Mimi.  Wow!

Baubles by Sorelli

And I loved this outfit!! I would not wear this myself per se, but each piece is usual but came together!  Sequin striped pants with sequin platform, chunky boots, dark purple lipstick and comb coils!!!

Fabulous!

So tonight I chose to wear my classic red lip, with a sunflower yellow sweater.   M.A.C.’s Ruby Woo worked great with the yellow as they are both primary colours.  Again, the rest of the makeup was kept simple.  I always get compliments on Ruby Woo.  Hair pulled up in a high bun.

Ruby Woo by M.A.C.

I definitely will be attending this event next Fashion Week!

Laters!

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Hey!!

So New York is in the throws of New York Fashion Week – Autumn/Winter’12.  There are models, designers, makeup artists, bloggers, photographers running all over the city!

So last Thursday, Mattie from Mattielogie hosted a mixer for fashion bloggers of colour.   I loved the idea of meeting other bloggers of colour especially in an industry like fashion.  Since fashion and beauty go hand in hand, I found myself at Pranna.   Pranna is a SouthEast Asian restaurant that is beautiful and huge!  I definitely need to return for full dinner.

Pranna

I decided to make my lips the focus in keeping with the current treads of bold lip colours.  I paired a grey sweater dress with a bright , purple/magenta lip, Smashbox’s Be Legendary Lipstick in Vivid Violet.

LOTD - featuring Smashbox Be Legendary lipstick in Vivid Violet

I adore this colour.  I’ll do a review on this one soon.  I kept the makeup simple, a soft smokey look, which I actually work to work that day and then added more liner and the lipstick.  From day to night just like that….I wore a twisted bun.

LOTD - Soft, smokey eye

The twisted bun

So shout out to all the wonderful people that I met, Sherry of Sherry Blossom, Mattie of Mattieologie, Natasha of One Woman Style and everyone else!!!

Some of the attendees!

If anyone has more pictures of the event, or took pictures with me, link me!

Laters!!!

Hey guys!

This is what I am currently wearing – OCC’s NSFW.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics NSFW

NSFW you ask?  Not Safe For Work in web speak!! But this classic red creme polish is absolutely suitable for work and play!  I also rocked this for various New York Fashion Week events (NYFW)!

I think this is OCC’s only true red.  It’s not super cool (blue based) or warm (orange based) and I think it will look good on everyone, from dark, tan, medium to light.  It’s a creme and contains no shimmer at all.  It has a nice shiny finish as well.   The formula is thin and easy to apply and I used 3 coats to get full coverage.  I was so-so about this colour but maybe half hour later, I was in love with it!

This colour is available at OCC’s boutique, online at OCC Makeup or Beauty.com for about US$8.

I’m also wearing Sally Hansen’s Full Fuschia and Zoya Astra on my toes, but I am no kinda foot model, so…..

What are you guys going to wear? Any plans?

Enjoy!

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What’s going on???

One of the things that I love doing on the weekends (besides eating) is using an all-over body scrub.  My skin gets super dry, itchy and flaky especially during the colder months. The wintery air and the dry heat of the radiator leaves my scaly.  I sometimes even get dry patches that makes it look like I am moulting! So once a week, I exfoliate using a body scrub.

Exfoliation is vital to any skincare routine.  The body generates new skin cells in the dermis (the innermost layer of skin) roughly every 28 days.  As these new skin cells get older, they get pushed to the outermost surface of the skin (the epidermis), eventually die and gets filled with keratin (a protein).  This keratin helps protect the skin from outside world.  The epidermis then naturally gets eroded (or falls off) and so the cycle continues.  As we get older, this constant process becomes less efficient and that leads to patches of flaky, dead skin cells that makes the skin less smooth.  Also, when you apply moisturizers, serums, treatments etc., this flaky skin prevents these nutrients from getting to the deeper layers of skin.  This is where exfoliation is important.  When you remove this outer layer, you reveal fresher, healthier, younger looking skin and all your treatments are more effective.  You want glowy skin? Start with exfoliation!

Recently I have been using the SheaMoisture Organic Argan Oil & Raw Shea Body Scrub with Frankincense & Myrrh.

SheaMoisture Organic Shea & Argan Oil Body Scrub

This is supposed to promote anti-aging and softening.  It’s a sugar-based scrub with unrefined shea butter and argan oil. This is an all-natural scrub with some organic certifed ingredients.  As with all of SheaMoisture’s products, this contains no parabens, phthalates, paraffin, gluten, propylene gycol, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance, synthetic colours, sulphates, DEA, PABA or any other synthetic irritant.   It is also not tested on animals.  What it does contain is a shortlist of natural derived ingredients.   Sugar, shea butter, safflower oil, argan oil, cocoa seed butter, mango seed butter, jojoba oil, vegetable glycerine, olive oil, vitamin E, honeysuckle flower, japanese honeysuckle flower extract and extracts of frankincense and myrrh.  That’s it!

According to SheaMoisture, shea butter “deeply moisturizes and repairs the skin with vitamins and essential fatty acids”. Argan oil “hydrates and repairs dry skin and the high vitamin E content prevents free radical damage and protects the skin from the environment”.  The frankincense and myrrh are “anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial and aid in the healing of dry, cracked skin”.  It seems as though the Magi were onto something with their gifts for the baby Jesus!

So back to the scrub.

The scrub!

I really like this.  I prefer using sugar scrubs as opposed to salt scrubs because the salt ends up burning my skin if there are any microtears in the skin.  The granules are large enough where I felt as if they were working but they also melted fast enough were they were not over exfoliating and scratching my skin.  This scrub is also oil-based but not particularly oily.  Some scrubs have a layer of oil on top of the sugar and that is just to much for me.  The idea of catspraddling in de bathtub is not appealing!  This will leave some residue on the tub but I can still get out of the bath.  My skin felt invigorated, smooth and a light layer of oil was left on the skin, but nothing too greasy.  I then lightly towel dry and add some more oil and shea butter.  I love the glow! The musky, earthy smell of the frankincense and myrrh lingers for a little bit, but it is not overpowering, but then again, I like those scents!

SheaMoisture Body Scrubs come in 12 oz. containers and they cost about $10 and are available at Target, Duane Reade, Walgreens or online.  Another wonderful product by SheaMoisture!

Overall Grade: A

FTC Disclosure:  The product mentioned was purchased by me, Noire Tropical Beauty.  I have not been compensated for this post and these are my honest opinions.  For more information, please see my Disclosure Page.

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Hi,

So the Iris Apfel for M.A.C. collection came out a few weeks ago and this was a bright collection in the middle of winter doldrums.    This collection was inspired by rare and exotic birds, and is just in line with fashion and beauty trends for 2012.  Here are the details.

Image courtesy of M.A.C.

Anyway, here is a quick swatch of 4 of the lipsticks.

Swatches (l to r): Flamingo, Morange, Pink Pigeon, Scarlet Ibis

I did not look at anything else from this collection other than the lipsticks.  They are all bright and pigmented.  I’m not a fan of M.A.C.’s matte eye shadows.

I picked up two lipsticks:

Party Parrot

Party Parrot

Party Parrot

Party Parrot is a blue-based, bright-almost-neon pink.  It has a matte finish but not as bone dry as lipsticks such as Russian Red or Ruby Woo.  This colour is a little bright for me.  I will have to pair it with Nightmoth or Currant lipliner.

Scarlet Ibis

Scarlet Ibis

Scarlet Ibis

This is a bright, scarlet red, matte lipstick with a touch of orange.  Again, it has a matte finish that is not super dry.  I would also use Currant with this liner, but I am sure there is a better option.  The SOLE reason that I picked up Scarlet Ibis is that it is one of the national birds of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (Trinbago massive!).

Scarlet Ibis, image courtesy of Wikipedia

It is a protected, tropical bird and its image appears on the national Coat of Arms and  $1 bill.

Both of this lipsticks are very pigmented and will last for hours, just make sure you exfoliate and moisturize your lips before.

This collection is still available online in the US and should be out already internationally.

You guys get anything?

BTW –  Join me on Pinterest!

FTC Disclosure: This products mentioned were purchased by me, Noire Tropical Beauty.  These are my honest opinions.  For more information, please see my Disclosure Page.

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Here is a quick interview with Francois Nars about the new tinted moisturizers.  Find more information here.

1. How did you incorporate French Polynesia into the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++?

I love being at my home in French Polynesia, so I wanted to bring as much of the islands into this product as I could. The Galaxaura, for instance, is a mineral-rich, deep sea algae that grows in the warm tropical waters of the Polynesian islands’ tidal zones.

2. How is Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++ different from other tinted moisturizers?

It has a serum-like consistency and feel, which is really unique. We’ve also added anti-aging ingredients for preventative measures greater than those found in just a simple moisturizer. And we’ve included more broad-spectrum sun protection than typical tinted moisturizers — SPF 30 versus the usual 20 or 15 — and PA+++, the highest index measurement of protection against UVA rays.

3. What kind of a finish does Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer give the skin?

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is super sheer and translucent. It just gives skin a beautiful, healthy glow. Like your natural skin, but brighter, fresher and healthier-looking than ever before.

Laters!

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• These NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizers remind me of warmer days! (noiretropicalbeauty.com)

Hey!

So NARS is releasing their new line of tinted moisturizers for Spring 2012.  I think these were first seen at NY Fashion week last autumn.

From NARS:

NARS founder and creative director François Nars is famous for his no-rules approach to makeup application. But when it comes to what lies beneath, his philosophy is clear:  Skin should shine through makeup.  To that end, NARS Cosmetics went about creating a tinted moisturizer unlike any other — a complexion-perfecting fluid with anti-aging and skin-brightening benefits.

Introducing Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++.

 Infused with naturally derived ingredients that instantly hydrate and even skin tone, Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++ has been shown to reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots with regular use for a clearer and brighter complexion. The luxurious, oil-free formula obscures the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores and other imperfections while providing a translucent veil of broad-spectrum sun protection.  The buildable formula can be used as an alternative to foundation — on weekends, when a more casual look is desired, or in summer, when a lighter consistency is preferred — or in combination with Powder Foundation for those who want more coverage and added hydration. As a result, skin is soft and smooth to the touch. It looks natural and glowing. Almost bare, but better.
The key to its effectiveness lies in ingredients derived from the waters of François’ beloved French Polynesia, where he spends much of his time on his island in the region. These ingredients include Kopara, natural polysaccharides that hydrate, condition and help encourage natural cell renewal; Oceana Saffron, a plant known for its antioxidant and soothing properties; and Galaxaura, a red deep-sea algae found in the islands’ lagoons that is known to be rich in calcium, vitamins A and E, and beta-carotene. Also included in the formula: sea water and Ascorbyl Glucoside, a vitamin-C derivative that brightens and protects the skin against free-radical damage, to revitalize and re-mineralize the skin. Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++ boasts a 100% naturally derived fragrance of Peony, Violet and Rose Water. And because sun protection is essential to maintaining the health and youthful appearance of the skin, it
includes SPF 30 to protect against UVB rays, and PA+++, the highest index level of protection against UVA damage.  After four weeks of regular use, 84% of testers felt that their skin was more radiant and luminous. 81% felt the product smoothed out the surface of their skin, and 90% felt the product gave them a healthy glow.*
* Based on a clinical test

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Finland, Alaska and St. Moritz

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++ is available in nine shades to complement all skin tones.

• Finland - Lightest with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones
• Alaska - Light with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones
• St. Moritz - Medium with a neutral yellow undertone
• Annapurna - Medium with a neutral peachy undertone
• Cuba - Medium with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones
• Malaga - Medium dark with warm caramel undertones
• Seychelles - Medium dark with golden olive undertones
• Martinique - Medium dark with warm red undertones
• Polynesia - Dark with warm chocolate undertones

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Polynesia

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Martinique

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Seychelles

NARS Pure Radiant Moisturizer in Malaga

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Cuba

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Annapurna

These moisturizers will be available exclusively to Nordstrom from February 1st, 2012.  On February 15th, they will become available online at narscosmetics.com.  It will retail for US$42.00.

I am excited to try these out!  I would probably use Polynesia.  Tinted moisturizers are great for those with already great skin or if you are just looking for a bit of eveness and moisture.  I also really like all the anti-aging ingredients that you get while protecting your skin.

Recently I attended the launch of Make Up For Ever’s new lipstick line, Rouge Artist Natural.

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural lipsticks

A few years ago, they brought out Rouge Artist Intense, a 50+ collection of amazing, heavily pigmented lipsticks.  This time around, for Spring 2012, they are releasing another 50 lipsticks, which are supposed to provide a softer effect on the lips.   These lipsticks are more moisturizing, and have a glossy sheen to them, as if they were mixed with a little lip gloss.

So I decided to pick up one colour for starters, N28.

N28, magenta coloured, MUFE Rouge Artist Natural

N28, MUFE Rouge Artist Natural

N28, MUFE Rouge Artist Natural

This is a beautiful magenta colour that reminds me of M.A.C.’s Rebel lipstick or NYX lip gloss in African Queen (without the duochrome shimmer).

Lipstick, N28, Rouge Artist Natural

Swatch, N28 MUFE Rouge Artist Natural, glossy finish

It is a little more blue based than red based, which makes it more cool toned, but it will look great on all skin tones, particularly light and darker ones.  I was instantly drawn to this colour, bypassing even reds!! It applies very smoothly, the texture is very creamy, and does not have any shimmer.  Great pigmentation, but it is not as heavily pigmented as the Rouge Artist Intense so it gives a less dramatic effect.  I think these lipsticks would be great paired with more dramatic eyes and definitely suitable to wear to work everyday. I bet that these would look amazing in photographs or on video.   I really liked this lipstick, as it provided a pop of colour without looking overdone.  I got about 6 hours of wear before I had to reapply and my lips felt moisturized.  I would still apply lip balm before, but it was not drying on my lips.

I cannot wait to pick up more of these lipsticks and I might actually be able to find a great nude for darker skin!!

Some other swatches. Look at that nude!!

As far as I know, these lipsticks are available exclusively at the Make Up For Ever boutiques until March were they would be available at Sephora.  They cost US $19.

Overall Grade: A

Great formula and a wide variety of colours.  So far, I can’t complain about anything.

Laters!

FTC Disclosure:  The product mentioned was bought by me, Noire Tropical Beauty.  I have not been compensated for this review and these are my honest opinions.  For more information, please see my Disclosure Page.

So I tried this quick updo after I took down my 2-strand twists.

Updo from 2 strand twist out

Simple.  Took  a couple of minutes.  This could easily stay in for a few days, and it’s a good style because my ends are still protected.  To keep it moisturized, I spritzed it with some Oyin Frank Juice and applied some coconut oil.

Back

What are some of your twistout styles?

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