Beauty News

Kelly Rowland Joins Caress as New ‘Fabulista’

April 10, 2014

In case you haven’t heard, Kelly Rowland is the new “Fabulista” for Caress body washes.

Known for her flawless healthy-looking skin, it seems only fitting that the Grammy-award winning singer would be tapped by the Unilever brand to be its newest ambassador.

In her role, Kelly will follow in her BFF Lala Anthony’s (she was also a Caress Fabulista) footsteps by sharing beauty and fashion tips with consumers and showing them how fresh fragrances inspire her to be fabulous.

Through her partnership with Caress, the brand has launched the new Fresh Collection of body washes including: Emerald Rush (also has a beauty bar), Aqua Sparkle and Juicy Escape. Each of the shower gels is refreshingly fragrant and leaves just the right amount of scent on skin. Since I’m a sucker for citrusy smells, Juicy Escape is my favorite because it has notes of pink grapefruit.

Caress Fresh Collection is available at drugstores nationwide, $5.99

Watch Kelly give us a sneak peek into the upcoming Caress® S/S ’14 Lookbook

I recently caught up with the former Destiny’s Child beauty to inquire about her favorite scent from the collection, her role as a Fabulista and more!

Check out our Q&A below:

BGG: I’m sure you’re offered many partnership opportunities from various brands. Why did you want to team up with Caress?

Kelly Rowland: As an artist, finding inspiration from my surroundings is so important. I’m so excited to team up with Caress Body Wash to help launch the NEW Fresh Collection. Starting my day off with a little fresh fine fragrance gets me revitalized and ready to experience my day to the fullest potential. I’ve been using Caress products for years, and when I got a sneak peek of the new line, I loved it, and knew my fans would too!

BGG: What does being a “Fabulista” mean to you?

KR: I’m so excited to be one of the newest Caress Fabulistas. It’s a celebration of being fabulous and a fashionista! Being part of this amazing group of beauty and style icons gives me the platform to share tips I’ve learned along my journey on how to be fabulous. I’m so excited to join Caress to inspire my fans to enjoy every day experiences in a fresh new way.

BGG: I know they all smell lovely, but out of the three new Fresh collection body washes, what’s your favorite scent?

KR: I love the Caress Emerald Rush from the new Fresh Collection because I’ve always loved the revitalizing scent of lush gardenia and white tea. I also love the Juicy Escape body wash to start my day – so uplifting!

BGG: What is the one style trend that you’re looking forward to trying this spring/summer?

KR: I am LOVING Pastels!

BGG: What’s the most inspiring time of day for you? When do you feel the most creative?

KR: It doesn’t matter what time of day, inspiration brings my creativity to life!

BGG: When do you feel the most beautiful?

KR: When I’m with my family, I feel happy and loved – and beautiful.

BGG: I’m sure it’s hard to choose just one, but if you can what is your all-time favorite song (solo or as a member of Destiny’s Child) to perform? Why?

KR: My favorite song to perform is “Motivation” because it really makes me feel sexy.

BGG: What’s the one song from any artist that can instantly boost your mood?

KR: Right now, I’m loving “Happy” by Pharrell.

Do you use Caress body washes? What’s your favorite Kelly Rowland or Destiny’s Child song?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Beauty, Beauty News, Interviews | 2 Comments

Beauty News: Lupita Nyong’o Is the New Face of Lancôme

April 4, 2014

Brown girl beauty buffs rejoice, Lupita Nyong’o is the new face of Lancôme!

It comes as no surprise that the gorgeous Academy Award winner, 31, has partnered with a huge beauty brand. It was simply a question of which cosmetics company would be lucky to team up with the lovely Lupita first. Looks like Lancôme scored.

Photo Credit: Lancôme

“I am truly honored to join the Maison Lancôme, a brand with such a prestigious history that I have always loved. I am particularly proud to represent its unique vision for women and the idea that beauty should not be dictated, but should instead be an expression of a woman’s freedom to be herself,” the actress said in a release.

Lupita joins fellow Hollywood heavy-hitters, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet and Penelope Cruz, as ambassadors for the French-based luxury beauty retailer.

“Both talented and committed, true to her African beauty, and showing a great curiosity and open-mindedness in her career choices, Lupita is by essence the Lancôme woman,” stated Françoise Lehmann, General Manager of Lancôme International. “A strikingly beautiful and intelligent woman, serenely but strongly living her life her own way, Lupita has this special kind of aura both enlightening and deep.”

Hopefully, Lancôme will continue to celebrate beauty of all shades by expanding their products to include more options that complement women with darker skin tones.

Congratulations to Lupita and kudos to Lancôme!

Does this partnership make you more inclined to use Lancôme products?

Category: Beauty, Beauty News | 3 Comments

Celebrate Spring with jane iredale’s ‘Magic Hour’

March 11, 2014

About two weeks ago, I was transported from a woeful winter to a gorgeous garden party in the middle of Manhattan courtesy of the premium beauty brand, jane iredale —The Skincare Makeup.

Surrounded by green Astroturf and spring-inspired fare, it was the perfect setting to experience jane iredale’s latest collection, ‘Magic Hour’. I’ve reviewed the brand many times and I can honestly say that the ‘Magic Hour’ is by far my favorite offering.

They had a super cute photo station with silly props (I chose a fedora) and an enchanted garden backdrop.

Inspired by the brand’s most popular “Moonglow’ bronzer quad, the dreamy line includes: a trio of golden eye shadows (Eye Shadow Triple Golden Girl, $28), a surprisingly effective highlighter (InTouch Highlighter in Comfort, $28), sparkly pinkish-peach lip gloss (Lip Fixation Craze, $30), pinkish-brown lip gloss (Lip Fixation Compulsion, $30), a highly pigmented soft and creamy liner (Jelly Jar Eyeliner Black, $28), and a slanted eyeliner brush for easy application (Angle Eyeliner Brush, $15.50).

jane iredale—The Skincare Makeup ‘Magic Hour’ available here

Although I am obsessed with all six Magic Hour items, I’m most impressed with the highlighter since I’ve never found one that works well with my complexion. It provides an effortless, subtle glow that accentuates my cheekbones with very little application.

The entire collection boasts a mix of shimmery pink, peach, brown and golden hues that complement most BG skin tones, especially for spring.

Have you started switching up your beauty routine for spring?

Category: Beauty, Beauty News, Featured | 4 Comments

Nuance Salma Hayek Launches New Spring 2014 Collection

March 10, 2014

I recently attended the launch of Nuance Salma Hayek’s spring collection at a beautiful loft space here in New York City.

Before I could even speak with the beauty brand’s reps about the line, I was met with the aroma of roses and lavender that made me long for spring even more. After learning more about the collection, I realized that the fragrant space was inspired by the ingredients (rose oil, lavender, violet leaves, etc.) used in the products.

The collection is comprised of hair and skincare products including : Age Affirm Firm Day & Night Cream, Age Affirm Firming Eye Balm, Age Affirming Eye Balm, Age Affirm Firming Neck & Chest Balm, Age Affirm Glycolic Cream Cleanser, Bamboo Extract Straightening Balm, Blue Agave Curls & Waves Conditioner, Blue Agave Curls & Waves Shampoo, Blue Agave Wave Enhancing Styling Swirl, Healthy Shine Nourishing Oil, and Soy Protein Primer Spray.

Nuance Salma Hayek is available exclusively at CVS. Prices range $7.99-$21.99

Since I’m always on the hunt for a cleanser that doesn’t dry out my skin, I was most excited to try the Age Affirm Glycolic Cream Cleanser. After about a week of usage, its delicate micro-beads sloughed away dead skin without compromising moisture or irritating my face. Plus, it’s sulfate and paraben-free making it a must-have for those of us who like to use products with as few chemicals as possible. Instead, it’s packed with natural and exotic ingredients such as oat kernel and botanical extracts that are influenced by the actress’s family beauty secrets and world travels.

Nuance Salma Hayek Age Affirm Glycolic Cream Cleanser available here, $13.99

I’ve heard about the Nuance brand for a while now, but never tried any of her products. If the rest of the collection is half as good as the new cleanser, I’m a fan.

Stay tuned for more product reviews from the spring collection!

Have you ever tried any products from Nuance Salma Hayek?

Category: Beauty, Beauty News, Featured, Features | 4 Comments

Beauty Buy: ChapStick Hydration Lock

September 24, 2013

Now that temps are taking a slight dip, it’s time to protect our lips from the elements and keep them moisturized.

ChapStick’s new Hydration Lock is the perfect product to provide the ideal protection. A mainstay in the marketplace, ChapStick’s latest balm from its moisturizer line, promises to keep kissers hydrated for up to 8 hours! While I haven’t worn it for that many hours just yet, it did leave my lips super soft and smooth. Plus, it works as a great base for glosses and lipsticks.

And, if you’re a fan of vanilla flavored beauty buys, you won’t be disappointed. The light-weight balm is packed with Vitamin E and has just the right amount of vanilla flavoring to make lips lick-worthy!

Since giving birth tends to dry out lips, this particular ChapStick will definitely make its way into my hospital bag very soon!

ChapStick Hydration Lock available at drugstores nationwide for $2.99

* Disclosure: “The ChapStick® product and information have been provided by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.”

Do you wear protective lip balms during the cooler months?

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Beauty News: Celebrity Makeup Artist Sam Fine Reunites with CoverGirl!

September 24, 2013

Celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine is officially back with CoverGirl!

After working in the industry for over 20 years, the incredibly talented Fine has once again joined forces with the popular makeup brand.

As the Brand Ambassador, Fine will provide beauty advice, how-to’s and more to the CoverGirl community. Plus, be sure to keep an eye out for him on the new “Queen Latifah Show,” as he will surely partake in makeovers and other beauty-related show topics throughout the season. Also, if you’ve tuned in to her show since it premiered last week, you probably noticed how absolutely stunning and radiate she looks. Yep, that’s all the handiwork of Mr. Fine!

Just when some of us were still loving (ahem, definitely me!) his Fashion Fair products, we can only expect even better things to come now that he’s reunited with CoverGirl. Not only is he exceptionally good at what he does, he happens to be one of the nicest celebrity makeup artists I’ve met since I began covering beauty.

Congrats, Sam!

Are you a CoverGirl fan? If so, what’s your favorite product from the popular brand?

Category: Beauty, Beauty News | Leave a Comment

Beauty News: ‘Basketball Wives’ Star Tami Roman Inks Cosmetics Deal with Walgreens

September 18, 2013

Many of you know Tami Roman from the Vh1 hit reality series, “Basketball Wives,” but I remember her most from her days on MTV’s “The Real World” back in the early 90s.

Well, Ms. Roman is expanding her brand beyond reality TV and has inked a major deal with Walgreens to distribute her lip gloss and nail polish company, TR Love. The line is uniquely packaged including 10 light-up mirror lip gloss sets, which are named after women whom she admires including: Kim Kardashian, Wendy Williams and Cicely Tyson.

“I’m really excited about the lip gloss and nail polish because we just inked a deal with Walgreens so I’m one of the few people who was afforded the opportunity to take a private line into a retail situation,” Roman says in a statement.

According to the release, Roman founded the company as a result and a reminder of her past financial hardships. At one point in her life, the only luxury or pampering experience she could afford was a slather of nail polish or lip gloss to boost her mood.

TR Love cosmetics will hit Walgreens drugstores nationwide in December.

The line will be sold in 400 Walgreen stores nationwide starting in December. A portion of all lip gloss proceeds will be donated to the Akasha Center in Santa Monica, CA in honor of Tami’s late mother.

Will you check out Tami’s line once it hits stores in December?

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