Brown Girl Gumbo

‘Moonlight’ Shines on Hollywood’s Biggest Night

February 27, 2017

Last night’s 89^th Annual Academy Awards was one to remember. From the city tour bus passengers unsuspectingly being thrust into the spotlight during one of TV’s most widely broadcast programs to the biggest snafu in the Academy’s nearly century-long history, for me this was one of the most entertaining Oscars in recent years.

Plus, it properly celebrated the cinematic masterpiece, “Moonlight.” Directed by Barry Jenkins, the film beautifully tells the typically unspoken story about a young African-American boy struggling with his sexuality. The film brilliantly highlights three poignant life phases of the lead character, Chiron, with sensitivity and vulnerability, which isn’t often portrayed on the big screen or told through the eyes of urban African-American males.

The film took home three big awards of the night including, “Best Original Screenplay,” “Best Supporting Actor” (Mahershala Ali) and last but certainly not least, “Best Picture.” Despite the major mistake of Warren Beatty naming “La La Land,” as the night’s top winner, “Moonlight” still shined.

Watch ‘Moonlight’s’ trailer here:

Did you watch the Oscars? What was your favorite part? Did you see “Moonlight?” If so, what are your thoughts?

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 1 Comment

Product Review: Dark and Lovely’s Au Naturale Anti-Shrinkage Clumping Curl Crème Gel

February 27, 2017

There’s a lot of trial and error that comes with finding the right hair care products that work for both my daughter and me. We have two different curl patterns and usually what works well for her, doesn’t work for me. While she has fine, looser, easily tangled curls, I have denser, zig-zag coils and kinks that require tons of moisture.

Well, to my surprise and delight, Dark and Lovely’s Au Naturale new Anti-Shrinkage Clumping Curl Crème Gel is a godsend for both of our hair types. Formulated with two of my favorite hair care ingredients: argan oil and coconut oil, it provides ultra hydration while instantly eliminating frizz. For my daughter a small dollop defines her curls, creating perfect ringlets. While for me, it elongates and makes my hair easier to style. Also, in case you didn’t know, “clumping” refers to the process of hair strands binding together to create a natural, bigger and better curl.

dark-and-lovely-au-naturale-clumping-creme-gel

Dark and Lovely Au Naturale Anti-Shrinkage Clumping Curl Creme Gel (L) and two of my other faves from the brand: Easy Twist Gel N’ Butter and the Clumping Curl Clay Cleanser.

Before

After

In addition, I love that this gel comes in a convenient mess-free tube. I don’t know about you, but packaging can make or break a product—and unlike many crèmes and gels, this one is designed smartly. Plus, did I mention how good it smells? The tropical scent takes me back to my recent trip to the Bahamas.

If your curls needs to be awakened, run don’t walk to your nearest Target or other mass retailer to pick up this product. Trust me, it will breathe new life into your hair.

Have you tried Anti-Shrinkage Clumpling Curl Creme Gel ? If not, what’s your favorite Dark and Lovely product?

Category: Featured, Features, Hair | 1 Comment

The Mane Choice Founder on Growing Her Hair Care Empire

February 27, 2017

They say necessity is the mother of all creations. For Courtney Adeleye, The Mane Choice founder and CEO, that statement rings true.

Unable to find adequate products to meet her hair care needs, the Alabama-based entrepreneur took matters into her own hands—literally— and concocted various products to treat and care for her hair. Through sharing the results of her homemade mixtures, Adeleye’s videos attracted a large following and gained the trust of countless viewers.

In less than four years, The Mane Choice, which offers a wide variety of multi-cultural hair care and bath and body products is sold in several major retailers including Target, Sally Beauty, CVS and most recently Walmart. In fact, the brand made history by being the first hair vitamin to be featured in the hair aisle (they’re usually reserved for the vitamin aisle). In 2016, the company garnered over 6.5 million dollars in sales, making Adeleye a self-made multi-millionaire seemingly overnight. But we all know that it takes a lot of hard work, determination and business skills to make it to this level.

Earlier this month, I caught up with the nurse-turned-entrepreneur to talk about her rise through the hair care ranks, advice for entrepreneurs and more.

CEO/Founder of The Mane Choice, Courtney Adeleye

Below, check out our Q&A:

BGG: Describe The Mane Choice customer.
Courtney Adeleye: Here at The Mane Choice, we pride ourselves on providing premium healthy hair care products at an affordable price. Our mission is to create the best solutions for all hair care challenges and total body needs in the beauty space. Like our comprehensive approach to hair and body care, our consumers are very knowledgeable about products and look for items that can remedy multiple hair care concerns. We are just happy to be their main choice for a solution.

BGG: Was working in the beauty/haircare industry a lifelong goal?
CA: No, I didn’t have an interest in working in the beauty industry. My background is in science–nursing, specifically. As a YouTube personality, I created a video showcasing my length and shared my deep conditioner recipe, which was partially responsible for my length. I received SO MANY responses and feedback suggesting that I sell my deep conditioner. I had no intentions of doing that, but long story short, I eventually did. One order became two, three, and so on…

BGG: Did you take any supplementary business courses as a result of pursuing entrepreneurship?
CA: No, I did not formally take any business courses. However, I did my homework on the industry and took what I learned from my nursing background to get to where I am today.

BGG: Did you have mentors in the business prior to launching The Mane Choice? If so, how has their mentorship impacted your business?
CA: Other than past experiences, working closely to the owner/CEO at my former jobs and studying how other business owners conducted business, I didn’t have any mentors prior to launching mine. In my experience, my faith and family were two of the biggest impactors on my business. I have been blessed with a powerful support system and a committed team at The Mane Choice. It becomes easier when people support and buy into your vision. I am especially thankful.

BGG: What has been your biggest challenge as a business owner?
CA: I strive to commit to having a positive outlook on life and my company, and focus all of my energy on new ways to best serve The Mane Choice customers. However, doubt from others, not myself, can often try to negatively impact how you view your success and what you’re striving towards.

BGG: What advice would you give a fellow entrepreneur who suffers from self-doubt?
CA: If there is someone who feels doubted, I would tell them to be so good that they can’t ignore you! I think it’s especially important to focus on and hone your strengths and abilities. Always strive to be the best, the hardest working, and the most knowledgeable. It’s hard to ignore value. I would also remind he or she that in times where there isn’t a way that there is always the option to make one. I think the evidence of this is shown through the multitude of girl [and men] bosses around the world.

BGG:What advice do you have for women, particularly women of color, who want to pursue a career in the beauty/haircare industry?
CA: My advice would be to strive to be the best at what you do. Do your research and make sure the presentation is just as great, or better than the product or service that you offer.

BGG: Is there any significance behind “purple” being incorporated into your brand or is it simply just a design choice?
CA: We chose purple because it is a regal/royal color. Royalty is what our brand embodies. Royalty depicts the consumers we represent.

BGG: What’s the single most important thing a woman can do to promote healthy hair growth?CA: Consistency is key. Developing a healthy hair growth regimen is paramount to a successful hair growth journey. Using quality products made with quality ingredients, such as The Mane Choice, and adopting great hair care practices will get you to your goals in no time!

BGG: Outside of the hair vitamin, what’s your most popular product? Why do you think it’s a top seller?
CA: Our 3-in-1 is next in line. There’s no other product on the market like it. It’s co-wash and detangler that you can leave-in. Talk about a game changer!

BGG: What makes the Mane Choice different from similar products on the market?
CA: As many may or may not know, my husband is a physician and I am a registered nurse. Together, our backgrounds in science have helped us to formulate our products based on extensive research, for all hair types and textures by infusing each product with vitamins, Biotin, and nutrients. We have successfully developed a comprehensive array of products that can cater to a multi-cultural demographic.

BGG: Describe the most rewarding aspect of your career thus far.
CA: The most rewarding aspect of my career and leader of my company is knowing that The Mane Choice has made such and impact in the lives of others! That impact has created such a demand for our products that we’re now in over 16,000 stores.

BGG: What’s next for The Mane Choice?
CA: You’ll just have to stay tuned. Trust me!

Have you ever used The Mane Choice? If so, what is your favorite product(s) and why?

Category: Beauty, Featured, Features, Interviews | Leave a Comment

Disney Junior Introduces Notable African-Americans to Young Audiences

February 23, 2017

Even though Black History Month is coming to a close, the opportunity to teach our children never ends. As a mom, it’s my responsibility to educate my son and daughter about the pioneers who paved the way for our freedom and inform them about the present day individuals who continue to contribute to our society. But, positive reinforcements outside the home are just as important.

Thanks to Disney Junior, my kids are learning about some pretty awesome people in an entertaining and relatable way. Throughout the month, the network has featured authentic segments that celebrate African-American history while still catering to their young audience.

Photo Courtesy of Disney Junior

From showcasing Stephanie R. Grant, a pilot who led the first all-female African-American flight crew to operate a commercial airliner to Disney legend Floyd Norman, one of the first African-American animators at Walt Disney Studios during the 1950s, the network has done an amazing job of presenting historical facts and trailblazers in a fun and engaging manner in between series that kids can understand.

While it’s great to have trusted networks like Disney help highlight and acknowledge our accomplishments, the most impactful lessons start at home.

How have you and your family celebrated Black History Month?

Category: Arts and Entertainment | Leave a Comment

Soarin’ High at Disney’s Epcot

February 20, 2017

Two weeks ago my family and I attended the 2017 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration and made memories that will last a lifetime. After attending my first #DisneySMMC last May, I had high expectations, but nothing could prepare me for what was in store this time around. This year was the celebration’s first Land and Sea Adventure (yes, we went on a Disney Wonder cruise too!) and it was everything one could imagine and more. Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing tips, reviews, insider Disney news and tidbits from what I learned from the celebration’s panel of esteemed speakers.

First up, I want to share one of the highlights from our trip: experiencing the breathtaking Soarin’ Around the World ride at Epcot in Orlando (it’s also at California Adventure Park in Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland). For me, it’s the one attraction that you can’t miss during a visit to Disney World. Sure, it’s been open since 2001, but last year it was reimagined with new destinations and updates for an incredible multi-sensory journey.

The attraction takes thrill seekers 40 feet into a projection dome simulating the sensation of being airborne high above the clouds. As you’re being whisked over oceans, deserts and even the Great Wall of China, the landscapes are accompanied with wind effects, sounds and even scents—creating an immersive experience.

It truly felt like we were soaring and exploring various continents all under six minutes. Prior to our trip, I told my husband that I hoped to find a ride that would satisfy my love of heights without the speed of a winding roller coaster and Soarin’ delivered. After experiencing it with my fellow mom bloggers during a private ride, I knew immediately that my family would enjoy it too.

At first, my 7-year-old-daughter was a little nervous, but as soon as she was flying high, she was totally entranced. Surprisingly, my 3-year-old son was excited from beginning to end. If I could, I’d ride Soarin’ a million times! It’s definitely my favorite ride and I look forward to many more flights.

Tip: If possible, try to snag the front row for an even more mesmerizing ride.

*I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration where I received heavily discounted items, promotional gifts, etc. All opinions are my own.

Have you ever experienced Soarin’?

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 1 Comment

Sprout’s ‘Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave’ Second Season Set to Premiere Saturday

February 16, 2017

When it comes to producing quality, authentic programming for preschoolers, Sprout is in a class of its own.

The 24-hour preschool TV network’s original series, Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave serves as the flagship show for delivering fun, informative and engaging content for the pre-K set. My son has been watching the interactive animated series since it premiered in 2015 when he was barely two years old!

He’s grown with the show and enjoys guessing along with the adventure-loving title characters as they embark upon journeys unlocking their imaginations and discovering new things along the way. The ten-minute game show format keeps him entertained and successfully holds his attention. As many moms know, that’s no easy feat. That’s why I appreciate the show’s structure. The multiple-choice questions throughout allow my son to use his cognitive skills to decipher outcomes, in turn developing his reasoning abilities. Plus, I know that he will be able to follow the storyline, while learning in a way that captivates him.

To celebrate the premiere of season two, we hosted a small viewing party to honor our favorite pup, Ruff-Ruff, our lovable chick, Tweet and our unique blue panda, Dave. One of the new premiere episodes tackles the scenario of encountering a friend who speaks a different language. The upcoming season will surely keep preschoolers inquisitive and eager to learn!

Check out our party picks below:

Can you guess who had the most fun? Ask the hat, ask the hat! If you guessed MJ, you were right! He slept with his new plushie friends and woke up the next morning with them in tow. Ava had a great time too, but she was a bit under the weather. They’ve both enjoyed “Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave” throughout the years and look forward to watching new episodes.

Check out the trailer for season two:

Sprout’s Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave Season 2 premieres Saturday, Feb. 18 at 12pm EST.

Disclosure: Sprout provided Brown Girl Gumbo with food and party decor for review purposes only. All opinions are 100% my own.

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 4 Comments

jane iredale’s New Eyeliners Are In a League of Their Own

February 1, 2017

As a teen, beautifying my peepers was all about swiping on basic eyeliner pencils from the local beauty supply store. Perfecting my lash line came with much practice: shaky hands and countless crooked strokes, but it’s a skill that I eventually mastered.

While my love for eyeliner hasn’t changed, my penchant for quality has. As a working mom on the go, I need eyeliner that stays put and offers that deep, dark hue that I crave.

Enter: jane iredale’s new Mystikol® eyeliners. Not only do these uniquely designed pots of pigmented goodness provide a rich color, they go on seamlessly. Admittedly, I’m an application pro now, but the tiny brush affixed to the top makes applying simple for even the most amateur eyeliner fans.

jane iredale Mystikol® eyeliners available here, $24 each

With a slight dip into the jar, the micro bristles are instantly covered in the powder-cream formula. With the precision and staying power of a liquid liner, it glides on effortlessly and flawlessly defines my eyes.

So far, I’ve only tried the jet black shade, but can’t wait to give the other three colors a go too. The royal purple shade will add an unexpected pop of color perfect for spring.

What’s your go-to eyeliner? Is it liquid, pencil or gel?

Category: Beauty, Beauty News | 1 Comment