Sun-kissed

May 28, 2008

Now that summer is almost here, our days of having fun in the sun are on the rise. But before you head outdoors, be sure to lather on sunscreen.

Picnics in the park and lounging on the beach are fun, but can cause major skin damage if you’re not protected with sunscreen. Contrary to what many BGs think, we are susceptible to skin cancer due to sun exposure just like our fairer counterparts.

So while you’re packing your totes with magazines, snacks and cool drinks, be sure to toss in an extra bottle of sunscreen too. The best accessory this summer is healthy skin!

Here are a few sunscreen tips from renowned African-American dermatologist, Dr. Susan Taylor:

• All women with brown skin should use sunscreen daily
• Always apply sunscreen 20 minutes before you’re exposed to the sun to allow your skin to absorb the product and create a protective shield.
• Use sunscreen generously on all exposed skin—face, neck and hands. Apply at least a shot-glass full (about one ounce).
• Sunscreen in foundation wears off after only a couple of hours so it’s best to apply sunscreen separately, under makeup, or in moisturizers that say SPF 15 on the label.

Do you use sunscreen?

Check out some of these products:


Sephora Sun Safety Kit available at www.sephora.com for $25


Burt’s Bees Natural Suncare Chemical-free Sunscreen SPF 15 available at www.walgreens.com for $12.99


Carol’s Daughter Gelee de Soleil SPF 15 Tanning Oil available at www.sephora.com for $14


Murad Oil-free Sunblock SPF 30 available at www.sephora.com for $30


Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 85 available at www.walgreens.com for $10.99


Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Creme SPF 15 available at www.sephora.com for $35


Bliss “The Big Sunscreen” SPF 30 available at www.blissworld.com for $30

Category: Beauty, Health, Sunscreen | 19 Comments

I Love Your Smile!

May 22, 2008

Nothing brightens up one’s look like a beautiful smile! Showing your pearly whites instantly make you look younger and happy. In order to keep our mouths healthy, it’s recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) that we visit our dentist regularly to have our gums examined and teeth professionally cleaned.

It’s imperative that we maintain good oral hygiene for not only superficial reasons, but also visiting your dentist can help prevent you from developing gum disease, tooth decay and even the loss of teeth.

What do you use to help keep your grin looking great? Have you ever tried tooth whitening? If so, did you like the results?

Check out some of these products to keep your mouth fresh and healthy!


Colgate Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste available at www.drugstore.com for $3.59


Reach Dental Floss Mint Waxed available at www.walgreens.com for $1.79


Colgate Peroxyl Anti-Septic Oral Cleanser available at www.drugstore.com for $6.19


Philips Sonic Care Flex Care Tooth UV Sanitizer available at www.drugstore.com for $148.58


5 Senses Tooth Paste Kit available www.ulta.com for $25


Night Effects Night Time Whitening System available at www.ulta.com for $14.99


Listerine Tooth Defense Anti-Cavity Fluoride Rinse available at www.walgreens.com for $4.79

Category: Beauty | 24 Comments

Straight Up!

May 21, 2008

We BGs have the ability to be very versatile when it comes to our hair. Our various textures gives us the option to rock an Afro, curly, straight or wavy style. Like I’ve written before, I tend to wear my hair straight via a relaxer. When it’s time to go home to Chicago to get my hair done, my stylist uses the FHI flat iron.

The first time she used it, I didn’t believe the hype that it could cut down the styling process tremendously by eliminating the step of blow-drying. Yes, she actually flat ironed my wet hair! I know some of you are thinking, “How can flat ironing wet hair be a good thing?” Well, the Ceramic Tourmaline locks in moisture and leaves hair shiny without damage. I must say, my hair was super bouncy and full of body after using the iron. What will they think of next?

Have you tried any of the FHI flat irons? If so, were you satisfied with the results? If you haven’t tried it, would you? Please share!


FHI 1″ Flat Iron Platform Special Edition available at www.misikko.com for $119


It comes in pink too! FHI 1″ Flat Iron Platform available at www.misikko.com for $119

Category: Beauty, Flat Irons, Hair | 32 Comments

BGG Attends the 2008 Makeup Show

May 19, 2008


Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend The Makeup Show 2008 held at the Metropolitan Pavilion here in NYC. As a lover of all things beautiful, I couldn’t resist taking a peek at all of the latest cosmetics. I thought that it would be a smorgasbord of makeup goodies to try and buy, but I was so wrong!

Although there were over 50 makeup company representatives at the trade show, it was not what I was expecting. There were no sample-size promotional items available to the press for review, mini-makeovers were scarce and the seminars did not start on time. The only plus was that the vendors offered significant discounts to attendees, which mostly consisted of professional makeup artists. All in all, it was a pretty lackluster event.

One highlight was seeing the lovely BG, Keisha Nash-Whittaker of Kissable Couture and coming across a fairly new line founded by a BG based in Chicago, called Big Girl Cosmetics!

Have you tried any new makeup products lately? If so, please share!

Here are few products from Big Girl Cosmetics:


Ginger & Almond Body Butter available at www.biggirlcosmetics.com for $15


Brush Set available at www.biggirlcosmetics.com for $40


Mosaic Bronzer available at www.biggirlcosmetics.com for $40


Big Girl Cosmetics Diva Gloss available at www.biggirlcosmetics.com for $12


Aqua Creme available at www.biggirlcosmetics.com for $10

Category: Beauty, Makeup Show, New Line | 18 Comments

The Bold & the Beautiful!

May 15, 2008

I know that a lot of you weren’t too fond of Ashanti’s brightly colored lip-gloss, but maybe there are some more adventurous readers who would actually like to give the fuchsia, reds and hot pinks a try! I’m not sure if I’m one of them (although they are great for mixing), but for those of you who like to make your puckers stand out, this post is for you!

Check out these traffic-stopping shades of gloss and lipsticks that will definitely get you noticed!

Would you wear boldly hued gloss or lipstick on your pout?


Jane Iredale the Skincare Makeup Pure Gloss in Cosmo available at www.janeiredaledirect.com for $19


Kissable Couture Lip-gloss in Red Rose available at www.kissablecouture.com for $22


MAC Plushglass in Plus Luxe available at www.maccosmetics.com for $17.50


Sephora Plumping Lip-gloss in Red available at www.sephora.com for $10


Vincent Longo Baby Balm Lipstick SPF12 in Love Berry available at www.sephora.com for $23


Lorac Mocktail High Shine Lip-gloss in Lava Flow available at www.sephora.com for $18


Pop Beauty Lip Lust in Naughty Strawberry Red available at www.sephora.com for $13


MAC Heatherette Lipglass in Style Minx – SOLD OUT ONLINE, but available in stores nationwide for $14


CoverGirl TruShine Hot Pink Lipstick available at www.drugstore.com for $6.29


Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Gloss in Brighten Cherry available at www.saksfifthavenue.com for $25


Liparazzi Light-up Lip Gloss in Shimmer Toffee available at www.asos.com for $32.72

Category: Beauty, Lipgloss, Lipstick | 23 Comments

Put Your Best Face Forward!

May 12, 2008

During my birthday trip to Houston I was treated to my very first facial! It’s true, I was a virgin to the relaxing process that purifies pores, sloughs away dead skin and leaves your face feeling smooth and rejuvenated. Yes, I know I’m a late bloomer.

Of course I had done mini-facials in the comfort of my own bathroom before, but never had I had an actual professional esthetician perform one on me. I absolutely love to be pampered so it was the perfect gift.

Since getting professional facials can be a bit pricey, here are a few over-the-counter products that just might give you that same spa experience!

How often do you go to a spa for a facial?


Pretika Sonic Dermabrasion Facial Care System available at www.target.com for $59.99


Nivea Visage Q10 Gentle Spa Microdermabrasion Kit available www.drugstore.com for $19.49


Pangea Organics Facial Mask Japanes Match Tea with Acai and Goji Berry available at www.nordstrom.com for $34


Vitamin Infusion Home Facial Kit available at www.ulta.com for $70


Bliss Pore Perfecting Facial Polish available www.blissworld.com for $30


Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Facial Peel available at www.ulta.com for $21.49


Bliss Youth Group Skin Care Kit available at www.blissworld.com for $68


Cosmedicine Spa-It-Yourself at Home Facial Kit available at www.sephora.com for $95


Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator available at www.thebodyshop.com for $12.50


Sue Devitt Micro-Quatic Anti-Ageing Facial Treatment available at www.spacenk.com for $125

Category: Beauty, Facials, Spa | 19 Comments

All-Time Favorite Hair & Beauty Products!

May 7, 2008

We BGs love trying that hot new lip gloss or the latest trendy miracle cream, but some products are just staples in perfecting our beauty. Whether your grandmother told you that Vaseline is the answer to ashy elbows or your college roomate told you to use Johnson’s Baby Powder under your eyes to dust off excess eye shadow, we all have our favorite, tried and true products that we can’t live without.

Share some of your must-have items! Here are a few of mine:


Johnson & Johnson Baby Oil Gel available at www.duanereade.com for $3.99 – I use this on my legs after a nice hot shower and they always leave them feeling silky smooth!


Optimum Oil Therapy Dry Hair Healer available at www.walgreens.com for $4.49 – I have extremely dull hair so this cream breathes a bit of life into it, plus it smells delightful!


L’Oreal Colour Juice Lip Gloss available at www.drugstore.com for $7.99 – I’ve used just about every color they carry and I still can’t get enough!


Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner available at www.walgreens.com for $7.49 – Before I found this product I used to get raccoon eyes by the end of the day, but because it’s waterproof it never smudges!


Oil of Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion available at www.walgreens.com for $6.99 – My mother has always used Oil of Olay so I thought that I should too since she has fabulous skin even though she’s in her 60s!


Maybelline Great Lash Mascara – Of course this made my list. I’ve written about it several times. It really is the best mascara ever!


Sulfar 8 Original Anti-Dandruff Medicated Formula available at drugstores nationwide. – My hair is extremely dry and dandruff prone as a result of my relaxer. Although it stinks, it tingles and gets the job done every time.


Dermablend Smooth Indulgence Concealer available at www.macys.com for $18 – I’ve been using this concealer for several years. It blends into my skin perfectly without making me look like I’m obviously wearing makeup.

Category: Beauty, Must-Haves | 22 Comments