Pantene Puts the Pretty in Precision

When it comes to hair care products, we BGs have a seemingly endless amount of options. Sifting through the scores of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products makes it difficult to find the right solutions that best suit your hair type. That’s why Pantene ProV recently launched, Customized Solutions, to make things a bit easier.

Since most women’s hair fall into four distinct unique hair structures – Fine, Medium/Thick, Curly and Color-Treated, Customized Solutions will provide the best product performance for your individual hair texture. We BGs, have been fans of their popular Relaxed & Natural products, but since our hair textures vary greatly – this new line allows you to choose with more precision.

If you’re like me and have lathered your locks in Pantene products before, your tresses are in for a special treat with this incredibly innovative new line.

**One lucky winner will win one entire Pantene Customized Solutions collection. The winner will choose the texture that best suits her hair type.

BGG FYI: Essence Event in NY

If you think you’ve got what it takes to be cast in a Dark & Lovely ad in Essence, come out and strut your stuff at the SoftSheen-Carson Dark and Lovely and Essence Magazine’s Ultimate Fashionista Event and Model Search, tomorrow, June 24th from 5-8pm at the Eventi Hotel, located 851 Avenue of the Americas.

The winner will not only be featured in a print ad in Essence, she will also win a $5000 shopping spree with celebrity stylist Carlton Jones, a personalized hair makeover by celebrity hair stylist Johnny Wright, who has styled the First Lady’s tresses. 10 Runner’s Up will receive $500 and a year’s supply of Dark & Lovely products.

Take a Walk on the Dyed Side

Summer is the time to switch up your hair hue. If turning your tresses fire-engine red like Rihanna might be too daring, there is certainly a color that will suit your style.

From soft highlights to bold golds, we BGs are never afraid to play with different shades for our strands. Several years ago, I even took a brief walk on the dyed side, but I’m not sure if I’d get up the courage to color again!

Have you ever colored your hair? If so, did you regret it? Take a peek at some of these recent dye-jobs.


Gabrielle Union

Rihanna

Mel B.

BGG Chats w/Celebrity Hair Stylist Ted Gibson!


From magazine spreads to red carpet looks, Ted Gibson has styled the hair of some of today’s hottest celebrities, including Gabrielle Union, Angelina Jolie, Zoe Saldana and more.

Ted’s effervescent attitude and knowledge of hair has made him one of the country’s most sought-after stylists. He’s appeared on a number of shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, and most recently as the resident hair guru on TLC’s hit series, What Not To Wear. His mantra, “Beauty is Individual,” is a testament to celebrating every woman’s uniqueness.

Click here for our Q&A!

What’s styles are you wearing this summer?

BGG Chats w/Beverly Johnson!


Photo by Fadil Berisha

Before Chanel Iman, Tyra or Naomi ever thought about walking down the fashion runways, there was Beverly Johnson – one of the original “supermodels.” Paving the way for countless African-American models, Beverly has strutted her stuff on hundreds of runways and graced a myriad of magazine covers. Not only has this true beauty modeled, she is also an actress and author. But for all of you hair and beauty buffs, Beverly is a businesswoman who owns a line of wigs and most recently a restorative/conditioning and styling product line called, Beverly Johnson Hair Care.

Available at Target, Beverly Johnson Hair Care, has the perfect products to help protect heat and chemically treated hair. I’ve been using several of the products for a few weeks now and have been thoroughly pleased with the results and I’m sure you will be too!

Check out our Q&A:

BGG: What inspired you to start your wig/hair business?
Beverly Johnson: In 1996, I discovered a wig and hair extension company that was on the verge of bankruptcy. I was presented with the opportunity to partner with the company and against the advice of my business manager, agents and attorneys, I decided to invest in the company. One year later, the company not only was in the black but we were showing record profits. I was grateful that I had found an outlet for my vast beauty expertise and desire to help ethnic women look their optimum.

BGG: What can women expect when they wear your wigs and use your hair products?
BJ: Women can expect to indulge in wigs that truly have been stylized to maximize their specific hair style needs. As for the hair care products, they have been specifically designed for ethnic hair needs.

BGG: What’s your favorite product from your new hair care line?
BJ: The Conditioning Pomade–this is a highly effective pomade that smooths edges with optimum results. I think it’s the best pomade ever formulated in the history of hair care!

BGG: Do you remember your reaction when you first saw yourself on the cover of a magazine? Did you go out and buy a ton of copies?
BJ: I was on location on an island when my first Glamour magazine cover hit the newsstands. The editor brought the issue with her and showed it to me. When I first saw it, I thought is that really me? I was excited beyond belief. Upon arriving back home, I saw the row of magazine covers in the airport newsstand; it was awesome.

BGG: Why do you think there’s been a regression of women of color being represented on today’s runways?
BJ: Fashion is cyclical. If you notice all things in fashion have cycles. During the seventies, there was an enormous surge of black models on the runways. Then it lessened. Then the nineties saw another resurgence. Now we are in a holding pattern. It’s heartbreaking to see so many stunning black models being under used. As usual, the solution is about having our own outlets to provide employment.

BGG: If you could give only three words describing what it takes for a young woman to have a successful modeling career, what would they be?
BJ: Stunning beauty, tremendous drive and fortuitious LUCK.

BGG: You are not only a phenomenal supermodel, author and actress, but an outstanding business woman too. What do you think you has been the key to your success?
BJ: Nothing comes easy for me. But I do notice that I have tremendous perserverance. I simply keep going and ride each wave of reinvention with dignity, grace and humor!

**One lucky reader will win the entire Beverly Johnson Hair Care line, which includes an Extra Strength Serum, Anti-Breakage Serum, Light Polishing Shine Spray, Strengthening and Smoothing Treatment 2 Vial Pillow Pack, Combing Spray, Relaxing Mousse, and Conditioning Pomade. Simply leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week.

Brush Stroke

Even though I’m not a big hair person, there is one styling tool that I just can’t live without – my paddle brush. Because I wrap my hair, using a paddle brush to smooth my strands is essential to keeping my hair looking healthy. Brushes in general are such important grooming tools for most hair types, especially for those of us who wear longer styles. A good hairbrush can de-frizz, tame flyaways, smooth, detangle and even make hair shinier! From ceramic thermals to boar bristles, every BG should own a great hair brush.

Do you use a brush to style your tresses? Check out some of these:


2-Tone Soft Grip Large Hardwood Round Brush available at www.sallybeauty.com for $7.99


Contour Oval Cushion Brush available at www.sallybeauty.com for $3.99


Prego Ceramic Round Brush available at www.ulta.com for $6.49


Detangler All Nylon Hair Brush available at www.bergdorfgoodman.com for $82


Ion Titanium Paddle Brush available at www.sallybeauty.com for $5


Kent Natural Shine Large Cushion Porcupine & Bristle Brush available at www.smallflower.com for $24.25


Olivia Garden Pro Thermal Round Brush available at www.ulta.com for $14.36


Spornette Spiral Ceramic Brush available at www.ulta.com for $14.99

Butter Up!

From Beyonce to Vanessa Williams, Kim Kimble has styled and trimmed the tresses of some of the hottest celebrities in the business. Being one of the premiere stylists to the stars, a few years ago Kimble decided to share her expertise with the everyday woman by creating Kim Kimble Hair Care Systems available at Target. The line includes scalp treatments, shampoos, styling creams and everything in between. My favorite is the Hair Butter. This moisturizing cream softens, strenghtens and smooths strands while providing a slight sheen. Plus, one of the key ingredients is olive oil, which is always beneficial for hair.


Kim Kimble Hair Care Systems Hair Butter available at www.target.com for $11.99

Have you tried any of the Kim Kimble Hair Care Systems? Have you tried any new hair products lately? Please share.

**The winner of the Borghese Nail Polish is Nerd Girl! Congrats and please email me your mailing address.