Beauty Diaries: Shala Monroque

Media Platforms Design Team

DIET "I grew up on stewed codfish, smoked herring, pig tails, and chicken backs. I'm an adventurous eater, but I steer clear of anything processed or from a can." BREAKFAST: "Fage yogurt with honey and muesli, or I meet a friend at Balthazar for eggs Benedict or pancakes with a glass of orange juice. I drink coffee, but only when I'm very tired." LUNCH: "I work from home, so I usually pick up chicken soup from Whole Foods or make myself a salad with watercress, carrots, avocado, goat cheese, pine nuts, green beans, and a hard-boiled egg. When I go out I love the salmon burger from Siggy's Good Food or the bento box at Mottsu. I also drink tons of fresh coconut water that I bring back from St. Lucia and freeze." DINNER: "Recently I've been having friends over, and we make baked chicken or pan-seared salmon with a salad and potatoes. And I love Miss Lily's for oxtail stew or curried goat and Gloria's in Brooklyn for West Indian dishes. During event season I have a glass of pinot noir every night, but when my schedule slows down I cut back to twice a week." SPLURGES: "Balthazar's french fries cooked in duck fat, and ice cream from the Mister Softee truck in the summer."

FITNESS "It's difficult to form an exercise routine with my travel schedule. I've tried yoga and walking on the treadmill, but nothing has stuck. I like to ride my bike while running errands, and I just started Tracy Anderson's Metamorphosis DVD to work on my biceps, triceps, and abs. I've been doing it during my lunch break, so we'll see what happens."

SKIN CARE "I wash my face and moisturize with La Mer's Cleansing Gel and Moisturizing Gel Cream [$285]. To remove makeup, I like La Mer's Cleansing Oil [$75], and three times a week I exfoliate with La Mer's Refining Facial [$85]—it contains diamond powder! I don't like anyone else poking at my face, so I rarely get facials. And I never wear sunscreen, though I probably should. When I get home to St. Lucia I slather on raw coconut oil from head to toe and sit on the beach until my skin turns a deep golden brown."

MAKEUP "My mentality is less is more. I wear mostly Bobbi Brown products: Long-Wear Even Finish Compact Foundation [$46], Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Bali Brown [$38], Shimmer Blush in Flame [$26], and Metallic Eye Shadow in Cognac [$22], a shimmery plum shade. For nighttime I'll add a bright lip or a liquid lined eye. I like red and pink lipsticks from M.A.C., Wet n Wild liners in black or blue, and Laura Mercier Full Blown Mascara in Black [$24]. Every two weeks I get a CND Shellac manicure in pink or purple shades, and for pedicures I like red polishes from Essie."

HAIR "I cut my hair really short this past summer in St. Lucia. I went to a local stylist I've seen over the years. I wanted a new look, something easy. I'm very low maintenance, and when my hair was shoulder length I would have to go for regular relaxing treatments and weekly blowouts, which was causing a lot of breakage. So I decided to chop it all off. I miss the length, but I'm really enjoying being able to just shower and go. I wash my hair with Creme of Nature [$6.49] or Pantene Pro-V Truly Relaxed Lightweight [$4.99] shampoo and condition with Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Conditioner [$19] or Ligne St Barth Avocado Oil. When I was younger I used to deep-condition with mayonnaise, but I don't need to do that anymore. My hair is so short, I could wash it with a bar of soap."

BODY "I love taking care of myself but in a very low-key way. In the shower I use Johnson's Baby Wash [$2.99] or Santa Maria Novella Chamomile Shower Gel [$55], and I moisturize with Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula or Laura Mercier Ambre Vanillé Soufflé Body Crème [$55]. I take a bath once a week with Jo Malone oils and wear Jo Malone French Lime Blossom Cologne [$115] every day. When I'm at a hotel with a luxurious spa, I try to make time for a deep-tissue massage. Some of my favorite spots are the Dor-chester in London, the Bulgari in Milan, and the Four Seasons in Moscow."