Brown Girl Gumbo

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?

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Category: Beauty | 32 Comments

Stylish Satchels for Spring!

March 30, 2009

What woman doesn’t love a sleek, satchel-style handbag? The popular two-strapped purse is great for hand-held toting or as a casual shoulder bag (depending on the handle size). This season satchels are sprouting up in every shade and material to fit all tastes. From vibrantly colored patent leather to abstract-designed canvas, satchels are always a stylish and smart handbag staple.

What’s your favorite purse style (hobo, clutch, shoulder bag, or tote)?

Marc by Marc Jacobs Alyona Patent Leather Satchel available at www.saks.com for $1,350

Botkier Contrast Woven Satchel available at www.nordstrom.com for $595

Dana Buchanan Faux Leather Satchel available at www.kohls.com for $56

Tory Burch Embossed Lux Nico Satchel available at www.toryburch.com for $435

Anthropologie Loop & Purl Satchel available at www.anthropologie.com for $149 (orig. $310)

Banana Republic Free Sport Small Satchel available at www.bananarepublic.com for $198

Nine West Sitting Pretty Nubuck Satchel available at www.ninewest.com for $69.99

Tianni Abstract Canvas Satchel available at www.endless.com for $42

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Category: Fashion | 17 Comments

Shave & Rave!

March 26, 2009

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to try the new Schick Quattro for Women Trim Style razor. This battery-operated shaver is a definite must-have because it provides dual action – it’s a razor and a bikini trimmer in one! With 4 ultra-thin blades combined with aloe, the regular razor end gently snips away unwanted strands leaving skin smooth and nick-free! While the handy bikini trimmer is shaped perfectly for those hard-to-reach, sensitive areas.

This spring/summer be sure to pack this dual-purpose razor for those bikini-clad vacation days!

Schick Quattro for Women Trim Style Razor available at drugstores nationwide for $12.99 (battery included)
Have you ever used this razor?

**Two lucky readers will each win one (a value of $12.99). Just leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow!

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Category: Beauty | 29 Comments

Pretty/Tasty Pick-Me-Ups

March 25, 2009

I don’t know about everywhere else in the country, but spring-like temperatures haven’t hit New York City, but layoffs and cut-backs certainly have. Until the warmer weather arrives and the economy is revitalized, a great way to get a dose of spring and a sense of joy is to bring flowers into your space.

In these uncertain times, everyone can use a quick pick-me-up that’s both pretty and generally inexpensive. In addition to flowers, candy is also a thrifty way to treat yourself. Yesterday, I read in the New York Times about how candy sales have increased tremendously as a result of the recession. Who knew?

Pink roses are my absolute favorite flowers. You can purchase bouquets that will suit your budget. Roses are more expensive, but sunflower and daffodil arrangements tend to be more affordable.

Gummi bears are my candy of choice. You can satisfy your sweet tooth almost anywhere, the key is to eat it in moderation!

What beautiful blooms and tasty sweets do you prefer to uplift your mood?

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Category: Wellness | 16 Comments

Lip Service

March 24, 2009

For a lip gloss lover like me, lip palettes are the way to go. Since I tend to blend several colors together to get my ideal hue, finding a compact with several similar shades in one allows me to keep my pucker perfected without the hassle of toting various tubes of gloss. As I’ve written many times before, finding one tube of anything in my purse is a feat, so finding two or three would be nearly impossible!

Do you use lip gloss palettes?

Bobbi Brown Lip Palette available at www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com for $45

Cargo Lip Gloss Quad in Oceania available at www.sephora.com for $24

Givenchy All For Lips Palette available at www.sephora.com for $32

Smashbox Lip Brilliance available at www.sephora.com for $28

Rimmel Underground Striped Gloss Over Palette available at www.target.com for $6.99

Shimmer Harmony Gloss Palette available at www.sephora.com for $12

Avon Lip Palette available at www.avon.com for $4.99

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Category: Beauty | 19 Comments

March 23, 2009

I know that I’ve been telling you guys about the hottest styling tools for our hair, but with all that heat our tresses definitely need protection. For the past couple of weeks I’ve been using TK. This moisturizer

What do you use to help protect your strands from heating tools?

https://www.browngirlgumbo.com/548/

Category: Hair | Leave a Comment

Simple, Chic Studs!

March 23, 2009

When it comes to earrings, I’m definitely a hoops girl. However, recently I’ve jumped ship and traded my classic gold and silver circles for small, sparkly studs. We all know that studs are the go-to style for professional settings and special events, but now I’ve embraced them for everyday wear too! Hoops will always have a place in my jewelry box, but it’s fun to switch up styles from time to time. From sterling silver balls to diamond squares, studs exude a simple, ladylike elegance that never go unnoticed.

What’s your favorite style of earrings? Hoops, studs or drops? Please share:

Check out some of these stylish studs:

14K White Gold Ball Set available at www.target.com for $37.99 (orig. $70)