Let’s Talk About Sex!

April 15, 2009

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending The Body Shop and MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation Say “Yes, Yes, Yes,” To Safe Sex event with Solange Knowles. The press event was held to promote and reinforce the importance of practicing safe sex. Research shows that last year 2.5 million people were infected with HIV; nearly half are ages 15-24.

To help spread the word, The Body Shop is launching an exclusive Tantalizing Lip Butter ($8) in an effort to raise funds for HIV/AIDS awareness ($5 of each butter sold will go towards the foundation). Solange, a spokeswoman for the campaign, was there to answer questions and yours truly asked her if she felt as though recording artists should take more responsibility with their lyrics in regards to practicing safe sex.

Click here to listen to her answer. *I taped it sideways by mistake! lol

Do you think people have become more complacent toward practicing safe sex and the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS? Leave a comment and one lucky reader will win the dragon fruit-flavored lip butter. The winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow. Hopefully, every one else will go out and purchase the lip butter and help support the cause. Beauty with a purpose is always good!


Available at www.thebodyshop.com for $8

Category: Beauty, Health | 22 Comments
April 14, 2009

Yesterday, I was invited to attend to

https://www.browngirlgumbo.com/535/

Category: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

The Blushed, the Bronzed & the Beautiful!

April 14, 2009

Any professional makeup artist will tell you that blending is essential to creating a flawless look. That’s why I opt for blush and bronze duos to create a gorgeous effortless glow.

Most duo blush/bronzers are part shimmer for defining and highlighting cheekbones, while the other half serves as the pigment to give a beautiful flush of color to cheeks. The perfect combination of color and shimmer is super flattering on most BG skin tones. As you guys know, I have a serious blush/bronzer addiction. Currently, I’ve been using the Too-Faced set found below.

Do you wear duo or maybe even multiple blushes/bronzers?

Check out some of these:


Too-Faced Bronze & the Beautiful available at www.sephora.com for $35


IMAN Blushing Duo available at www.drugstore.com for $10.99


NARS Highlighting Bronzing Blush Duo available at www.sephora.com for $37


Sephora Blush Me Twice available at www.sephora.com for $8


Benefit 10 available at www.sephora.com for $28


Philosophy The Supernatural Mineral Blush Duo available at www.sephora.com for $25

Category: Beauty | 19 Comments

Bright & Bold Trenches for Spring!

April 13, 2009

There’s nothing that says timeless sophistication like a trench. This season, I’ve been thinking about changing things up a bit by getting an affordable one in a bright color. Usually when it comes to outerwear I’m all about subdued, neutral hues, but I’m slowly learning that wearing colors can be fun and allows you to stand out in a crowd. This spring, dare to wear a classic trench in a bold, colorful shade that will surely get you noticed!

Would you wear a colored trench coat/jacket?

Check out some of these rainbow-inspired trenches all under $150:


INC International Concepts Belted Trench available at www.macys.com for $90.30


Darlita Trench Coat available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $88


AK Klein Trench Coat available at www.dillards.com for $125.40


Laundry by Shelli Segal Trench Coat available at www.nordstrom.com for $118


Tommy Hilfiger Shelborne Piped Trench available at www.macys.com for $122.85


Mango Trench Coat available at www.mango.com for $59.90

Category: Fashion | 17 Comments

Bring Wow to Your Brows!

April 8, 2009


BGs with beautifully sculpted brows!

When I was younger people always complimented me on my eyebrows. They always assumed that they had been arched because of their seemingly well-groomed shape. Apparently all of those compliments fell on deaf ears because during my early 20s, I decided to have the “professionals” pluck away at my natural arch.

Ever since I had them tweezed and waxed, they grow in much bushier and more disorderly than my “virgin” brows. I guess I should’ve left well enough alone, but hey, what can you do? Now I rely on visits to the salon and products like these to keep my brows looking beautiful!

TIP: For a natural arch, always use brow powders, as opposed to pencils, which create sharp, unnatural-looking brows. Also, use shades that are slightly lighter than your hair color. If you’re in the L.A or New York City area, make an appointment at the celebrity favorite, Damone Roberts Salon for red-carpet ready brows.

What do you do to keep your brows looking well-groomed? Do you tweeze, wax, or thread?


Sephora Arch It Brow Kit available at www.sephora.com for $35


Amazing Cosmetics Eyebrow Gel available at www.sephora.com for $14


Brow Ex-Press Kit by Anastasia available at www.sephora.com for $38


Duo Eyelash & Brow Comb available at www.sephora.com for $5


LORAC Take A Brow Set available at www.sephora.com for $22

**BTW, The winners of Lisa Nichols’ book, are: Laquita, Seymone, Mel, Dejoi, and Bianca R. Congrats and please email me your mailing addresses! 🙂

Category: Beauty | 18 Comments

Live Your Best Life!

April 7, 2009

If the recession and massive lay-offs nationwide have given you a case of the blues, best-selling author and motivational speaker Lisa Nichols’ new book, No Matter What!: 9 Steps to Living the Life You Love will surely help lift your spirits. This Oprah-esque, inspirational self-help book encourages readers to fulfill their dreams by outlining the basic steps to making the most out of the life you want in a clear and concise way.


Available in bookstores nationwide and www.amazon.com for $24.99

What are your favorite uplifting books? Do you enjoy self-improvement books? If so, several lucky readers will win a copy of this book. Just leave a comment and the winners will be selected and announced tomorrow.

Category: Books | 24 Comments

My Boyfriend’s Back!

April 6, 2009

This spring designers have brought back the popular 90s-style boyfriend jeans. Frays, rips, and rolled up hems create a comfortable, laid-back look that’s a huge hit with Hollywood starlets and fashionistas from coast to coast. Although this worn-in look has been seen before, it still manages to stay fresh!

Would you wear boyfriend jeans? What’s your favorite jean style?


Medium Wash Boyfriend Jean available at www.bananarepublic.com for $89


J Brand Boyfriend Jean in Vida Wash available at www.singer22.com for $275


Bebe Distressed Boyfriend Jean available at www.bebe.com for $129


Levi’s Boyfriend Jean available at www.freepeople.com for $248


Martin & Osa Selvedge Boyfriend Jeans available at www.martinandosa.com for $110


BDG Boyfriend Patchwork Jeans available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $29.99


ZCD Destructed Boyfriend Boot Cut Jeans available at www.macys.com for $48

Category: Fashion | 21 Comments

Stylish Strands for Spring!

April 2, 2009


A few celebrity styles that I admire. Click photo to enlarge.

When it comes to hair, I’m the simplest girl around. If I’m not wearing it straight (hence all of my flat iron posts) and down, it’s in a classic, chic bun or in a pumped up ponytail. I admit, I’m not that adventurous when it comes to my tresses. In fact, many people would consider it to be downright boring! So this spring, I’m trying to get up the nerve to do something a bit cutting edge, but not too drastic.

How do you wear your hair? Natural, short, relaxed, curly? What celebrity styles do you admire? Will you be rocking a new do this spring?

Category: Beauty, Hair | 23 Comments

Feeling Knotty?

April 1, 2009

From necklaces to dresses, knots seem to be everywhere this season. This tied-up trend adds an eye-catching twist to otherwise ordinary jewelry, while creating a stylish, gathered look with garments. Also, don’t forget your feet; even shoes are getting in on some of the twisted action!

Will there be knots landing in your closet or jewelry box this spring/summer?

Check out some of these items:


Banana Republic Monogram Printed Knot Blouse available at www.bananarepublic.com for $95


Urban Outfitters Metal Knot Necklace available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $78


Knotted Blouson Tee available at www.maxstudio.com for $78


Brita Knot Dress by Velvet available at www.tobi.com for $152


Kimchi Blue Knotted Suede Sandal available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $38


Knot Earrings available at www.esty.com/ericaweiner for $30


Moa Moa Knot Top available at www.dillards.com for $29


Metal Knot Earrings available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $28


Calvin Klein “Solaine” Sandal available at www.macys.com for $140

Category: Fashion | 19 Comments

Cocoa Cure

March 31, 2009

My friend, AZ had been begging me to try Vaseline’s Cocoa Butter Vitalizing Gel Body Oil for weeks. The other day, I finally had the chance to give it a go and it certainly lived up to her hype. Nothing usually works on my super dry skin besides Aveeno, but this body moisturizer does the trick!

The Brazilian nut and almond oil-infused gel quickly absorbs into my skin leaving it soft and smooth without feeling too greasy. Plus, it has a pleasant cocoa butter scent that’s not overwhelming.


Vaseline Cocoa Butter Vitalizing Gel Body Oil available at drugstores nationwide for $7.49

Have you ever tried this product? Are you a fan of gel oils?

Category: Beauty | 32 Comments