Soap Stars

January 23, 2012

While I’m known to be a shower gel kind of girl, I still can’t help picking up pretty soaps. From those luxurious handmade bars at Lush to Sabon’s beautifully-scented soaps, I’m a sucker for sudsy bars that are wrapped in eye-catching designs or adorned with decorative packaging.

Plus, if they’re made with fresh ingredients that combine a mixture of colors and textures, I’m even more inclined to buy. If you’re like me and don’t actually use these these lady-like toiletries, they make great gifts for house guests or lovely eye-candy for your bathroom’s vanity.

Check out these bar-raising soaps:
La Lavande  French Egg Soaps available at www.lalavande.com  for $44
Sabon’s Kiwi Mango Soap available at www.sabon.com for $7
Fresh Waterlily Soap available at www.fresh.com for $15
Haslinger Honey Soap available at www.smallflower.com for $3.95

Lush Summer Pudding Soap available at www.lushusa.com for $5.95
Mark’s Clean-Up Time Conditioning Bath Soap available at www.avon.com  for $8
Nest Orange Blossom Bar Soap available at www.smallflower.com for $16
Pacifica French Lilac Natural Soap available at www.drugstore.com for $5
Agraria Santa Barbara Bar Soap available at www.neimanmarcus.com for $65
L’Occitane Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soap Vineyard Rose available at www.usa.loccitane.com for $7
Are you a fan of bar soaps or do you prefer shower gels?
Category: Beauty | 4 Comments

It’s the Balm & the Winners of the Twisted Sista Contest Announced

January 20, 2012

Baby it’s cold outside! With blustering cold winds and arctic-like air blowing across the country, our lips definitely need extra TLC. To prevent dry, chapped lips I admittedly alternate between several balms depending on what I pull out from my bag first.

But right now, I make an extra effort to sift through my bevy of balms to grab my current go-to: L’Occitane’s Moisturizing Organic Shea Lip Balm.

Available at www.usa.loccitane.com for $12

It glides on easily and instantly restores moisture to my pucker. Plus, the shea butter acts as a protectant against dryness. Oh and the absolute best part is that it doesn’t leave that unsightly white film that so many others leave behind, which is never a good look. So if you’re on the hunt for a new balm, this is a  great buy.

What are your favorite lip treatments to use during the cold winter months?


**The winners of the Twisted Sista collection are: SuchAnAfroholic, Nicole Rogers, GaPeach_est1083, Jesusismygrace, MissMika – congratulations ladies! Please email me your mailing address at info@browngirlgumbo.com by next Friday, January 27th. Thanks to all who left comments and reTweeted. They’ll be more giveaways so stay tuned!


Also, be sure to check out Red Tails in theaters today. Support movies that tell our stories.  😉

Category: Beauty | 3 Comments

NAACP Image Awards Nominees Announced

January 19, 2012

Even though there were some bright spots for us BGs and guys at last week’s Golden Globes, our stars will shine even brighter at the 2012 NAACP Awards.

The nominees for the 43rd annual award ceremony honoring achievements in film, TV, music, literature, and writing/directing were announced today.

The Help has a great chance of sweeping the show with eight nominations, including Best Actress.

Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer star in The Help.

While Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer have a chance at taking home a couple awards, the cast from the BET hit series The Game have a shot of making a few touchdowns too. The show was nominated for four awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series.

New mom, Beyonce also earned four nominations from her most recent work: “4.” Hmm…maybe she’ll get lucky with her favorite number and win them all!

Click here for the complete list of nominations.

The NAACP Image Awards will air February 17 at 8pm on NBC. Will you be watching? Have you seen or read The Help?

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 1 Comment

Sanaa Lathan Joins Pantene

January 19, 2012

I’ve been a huge fan of Pantene Pro-V products for years. In fact, when I first stopped going to the shop and started maintaining my hair at home, I turned to Pantene to give me moisture and body that my mane craved. If you need some convincing that their products really produce healthy-looking hair, look no further than their newest muse – Sanaa Lathan. The naturally stunning actress, 40, is representing the brand’s Nature Fusion Collection.

Sanaa Lathan on set of a Pantene print advertisement photo shoot.

Luckily, I was on-hand to see the Brown Sugar (that’s STILL one of my favorite movies) beauty’s strands up-close-and-personal at a press event held in Manhattan last month. Her hair looked as if she had just stepped out of a commercial. Ok, she probably did – but, that still didn’t take away from how gorgeous and healthy her tresses looked. She told reporters, “My hair looks and feels great when I treat it well. One of the reasons I like the Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Collection is because it’s infused with a naturally-derived ingredient, Cassia that strengthens my hair against damage.”

Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Shampoo and Conditioner is available at drugstores nationwide.

The shampoo and conditioner from this innovative line includes natural moisturizing and shine-inducing properties derived from a blend of Cassia, Aloe Vera, Calendula, and Ginger ingredients. While I have yet to test Nature Fusion, if it makes my hair look soft and healthy like Sanaa’s lovely locks sign me up.

Oh and for my fellow naturalistas – this formula supposedly complements our tresses too. 😉

Do celebrity-endorsed products motivate you to try them? Will you try Pantene Pro-V’s Nature Fusion? 

Also, don’t forget to check out BGG tomorrow win I reveal the 5 winners from last week’s Twisted Sista giveaway!

Category: Beauty | Leave a Comment

Spring Forecast Calls for Neon Sprinkles

January 18, 2012

If you’re timid when it comes to testing daring makeup shades, rethink your beauty routine for spring. This upcoming season will be chock full of neon hues and eye-popping palettes to complement our skin tones and highlight our favorite features.

If you’re afraid that neon makeup will leave you looking like Nicki Minaj on Halloween, don’t be. Just opt for playing up one particular area and keep the rest of your face neon-free.

From vibrant lip colors to bright shadows and liners, step outside of your comfort zone this season and go for big and bold beauty. I’m always a fan of hot pink puckers so you’ll definitely find me testing out this pop-of-color trend.

Solange rocking a hot-pink neon pout. 

One of my favorite brands, Bobbi Brown has an entire Neon & Nude collection that will equip your beauty arsenal with all the neon essentials.

Check them out:

Will you be wearing neon makeup shades this spring? 
Category: Beauty | 4 Comments

Brandy and Monica Reunite in Music

January 18, 2012
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 14 years since Brandy and Monica collaborated with their Grammy-award winning hit, “The Boy Is Mine.” What’s even more difficult to believe is that was the same year I graduated from high school, but who’s counting the years? Anyway, the R&B diva duo is back with a single, “It All Belongs To Me,” which is set to release February 6 on RCA Records. 
The multi-platinum artists worked with Rico Love who wrote and produced the track. The song, which will appear on Monica’s forthcoming album, “New Life” March 6, as well as on Brandy’s yet-to-be-titled release later this spring. 
Will you be listening for this reunited collaboration? Were you a fan of “The Boy Is Mine?”
Category: Arts and Entertainment | 3 Comments

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 16, 2012

Even though he left this earth over 40 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s memory and legacy are still alive today. We BGs and guys should be especially grateful for his contribution toward making our lives better in this country. His unyielding desire for all people to be treated equally despite the color of their skin was remarkable. If it weren’t for his courage and others civil rights activists like him, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

Take a moment out of your day to stop and reflect and honor this outstanding man’s legacy. Be sure to check out your local newpapers or go online to find MLK-related events taking place in your area today.

He may be gone physically, but his dream will live forever!

Have you visited the MLK Memorial in D.C? Are you planning to visit sometime this year?

Category: Misc. | 1 Comment