Get an Electrifying Smile!

Call me old-fashioned, but it was only recently that I became hip to the wonderful world of electric toothbrushes! Of course, I knew about them, but I always thought that they were too expensive. Thanks to my mother-in-law who gifted me with the practical gadget, I am now obsessed with the cleaning devices.

They are great at keeping teeth clean and gums healthy in between dentist visits. Plus, you can find quality ones within your budget. I can’t believe it took me so long to take advantage of dental technology!

Do you use electric toothbrushes? Are you one of the millions who has a fear of the dentist? Please share!

Check out these bustling bristles:


Oral B Triumph Professional Care Toothbrush available at www.macys.coom for $129.99


Crest Spin Brush Pro Charge Powered Toothbrush available at www.walgreens.com for $20.99


Philip Sonic Care Set (includes two toothbrushes) available available at www.drugstore.com for $22.99


Philips Sonic Care Healthy White Tooth Brush available at www.target.com for $109.99


Oral B Slim Pulsonic Toothbrush available at www.macys.com for $59.99

**The winner of the IMAN eyeshadow is Shawnta! Please email me your mailing address. Congrats!

BGG Chats with Iman!

I recently had the pleasure of asking Iman a few questions. Her stunningly regal beauty helped pave the way for women of color within the modeling world. In addition, this supermodel turned mogul also inspires women to become entrepreneurs all while exuding style and grace. She owns both a beauty company, IMAN Cosmetics and an accessories line called IMAN Global Chic, which includes handbags, jewelry and various fashion accessories. Iman is a timeless icon who exemplifies the essence of beauty.

Check out our Q&A:

BGG: After having launched your cosmetics line 15 years ago, what have you found to be the most gratifying aspect of having your own company?
Iman: Women stopping me in the street and showing me their IMAN Cosmetics products in their purses and thanking me for creating amazing products for women with skin of color.

BGG: Do you feel as though having a First Lady who is African-American will inspire fashion designers to include more women of color in their runway shows and ad campaigns?
Iman: I think you can already see that effect in magazines but let’s not forget the hard work that my dear friend Bethann Hardison has spearheaded a year ago by challenging the status quo. Click here to read more about Bethann Hardison’s effort to combat racism in fashion in the New York Times.

BGG: You are a trailblazer when it comes to women entrepreneurs and aspiring models, who were some of your role models?
Iman: My mother to start with but I would say also Naomi Sims.

BGG: You’ve had two very successful makeup books, “I Am Iman” and “The Beauty of Color: The Ultimate Beauty Guide for Skin of Color”, do you foresee doing another one in the near future?
Iman: I would love to write book on how to be an entrepreneur and definitely one on style.

BGG: I know that you’re extremely charitable. What does your role as the Global Ambassador for “Keep a Child Alive,” entail?
Iman: Keep a Child Alive (www.keepachildalive.org) is an organization that provides ARV drugs for children and families affected with AIDS in Africa and my role is to put focus on how the public can donate as little as one dollar to save a live and most importantly that AIDS is a manageable disease if you have the medication.

BGG: What are the top 3 must-haves in your makeup bag?
Iman: IMAN Cosmetics Stick Foundation, IMAN Afterglow bronzer/blush, IMAN Lip shine in Nude

BGG: What does beauty mean to you?
Iman: To be happy in your own skin and your god given features.

Check out Iman’s must-haves.


IMAN Lip Shine


IMAN After-Glow Bronzer/Blush


IMAN Foundation Stick

All products are available at www.imancosmetics.com

**One lucky reader will win an IMAN Eye-Defining Powder in Vixen (a $10.99 value), which happens to be one of my favorite new products (Antithesis, I’ve finally given eye-shadow a try)! Just leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow.

**The winner of the O.P.I nail polish in “Paint My Moji-toes Red” is Kinky Rhonnie! Please email me your mailing address. Congrats!!

Welcome to Miami!

This spring you can have Miami at your fingertips! If you aren’t able to head the popular Florida destination this season, you can at least wear the shades of South Beach on your nails. O.P.I’s latest collection of colors is reminiscent of beautiful beachfront sand and spellbinding sunsets. This lovely array of shades will look make manicures look marvelous and pedicures pop!

Would you wear a shade from O.P.I’s South Beach collection? One lucky reader will win a bottle in the “Paint My Moji-toes Red” color. Just leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow.

Blazing Blazers for Spring!

Nothing instantly adds polish to jeans and a simple tank like a blazer. Whether worn fitted or loose, blazers give a touch of sophistication to casual outfits and an extra dose of fabulousness to dressy ensembles. This spring, be playful with bright hues, but if you desire a more conservative laid-back look, stick to neutral tones. Remember a quality, well-tailored blazer is a classic piece that every BG should own because it will stand the test of time!

Do you own a blazer? Will you wear one this spring?


Priorities Sarah Preppy Blazer available at www.dillards.com for $148


Ruched Front Shirt Jacket available at www.expressfashion.com for $69.50


Boyfriend Blazer available at www.victoriassecret.com for $49.50


Diane Von Furstenberg Sammy Crochet Blazer available at www.netaporter.com for $395


Alice & Olivia Billy Boy Blazer available at www.bloomindales.com for $396


Sporty Chic Blazer available at www.forever21.com for $17.99


Lauren Jeans Blazer with Piping available in petite & plus sizes at www.bloomingdales.com for $89.40


Pins & Needles Patchwork Blazer available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $108


Tommy Hilfiger Pickstitched Denim Blazer available at www.macys.com for $73.87


Suit Jacket available at www.mango.com for $99

**BTW, are you BGs on Facebook? If so, I’d love for you to join the Brown Girl Gumbo group! 🙂

BGG Chats with Musiq Soulchild!


I recently had the opportunity to speak with neo-soul, R&B singer Musiq Soulchild. We discussed his participation with last month’s Coca-Cola’s “BE” message, which is communicated through a print campaign that inspires the human spirit through contemporary illustrations with original poetry. We also discussed his latest CD, “On The Radio.” From his sweet and sultry ballads to mid-tempo songs, Musiq always deliver music that speak to the masses.

Check out our Q&A:

BGG: Why did you choose to be a part of the Coca-Cola sponsored campaign?
Musiq: I was inspired by it because I believe that people should be encouraged to acknowledge historical events, but also acknowledge and recognize what’s going on in our day and time and what’s being contributed to our communities. In fact, I believe that everybody can contribute to black history. I know that many people only think about it when February comes around, but it’s a good thing that there’s a time set aside for it, but everybody can do whatever they can throughout the year.

Even though this campaign was intended for Black History Month, we (Coca-Cola) want it to be something that can be perpetuated throughout the year because we live it everyday. I just thought it was a genius way of revamping Black History Month. Coca-Cola is one of the companies that actually did something for Black History Month and I just wanted to be a part of that.

BGG: Out of the campaign’s message: “BE Legendary,” “BE Driven,” “BE Giving,” and “BE Heard,” which one do you feel is the most important for young people to be?
M: It’s challenging to choose because you need all of those actions in order to achieve your goals and reach your dreams. It pays for you to be “giving” in order for you to know how to receive. There are many people who are so focused on what they can get out of it or what people can do for them, but not a lot of individuals consider what they can do for others. Whenever you give, you open that door to receive. You have to be “heard” because nobody knows what’s going on in your head or what you want out of life and nobody knows what your intentions are so it’s good for you to speak up for yourself. There’s something to be said about articulating and communicating your thoughts and ideas to a person, a group of people or to the entire world.

Let your thoughts and views on life to be heard because it might inspire other people. It’s going to take the pursuit of being “legendary” to persevere through any obstacles that may come your way. You have to recognize that problems are just there to challenge you and for you to get through them and overcome them. It takes being “driven” to recognize that you have what it takes to accomplish your goals.

BGG: How do you think the recent election of our new president will impact young African-American people?
M: I think it will impact young African-American people greatly, but more so, I think it’s going to impact young people in general. President Barack Obama is in office because he was BE, he dared to be legendary; I just think that is inspirational. Again, I believe that ultimately young people in general will be impacted.

BGG: What can people who haven’t already purchased, “On My Radio,” expect when they listen to your CD?
M: If you’ve already been exposed to my music, this album is a little more diverse. I intentionally made it that way because I wanted to enhance people’s perspective of me musically. I wanted people to know that there’s more to Musiq Soulchild than making ballads all day. I love making ballads; in fact I can do that in my sleep because it’s very simple for me. However, not everybody listens to that kind of music and I wanted to make music for anybody who’s willing to listen. So in this case, I wanted to be heard in a different way than from what people already know and expect from me. If you haven’t heard my stuff and you’re interested in what I have to offer, I’d just say that it’s a nice body of work.

BGG: What does Musiq listen to? Who are some of your favorite musical artists? Past or Present.
M: Past, a lot of great soul artists like, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway a lot of jazz and reggae artists like Bob Marley and John Coltrane. Present day, Kanye West, Jazmine Sullivan there’s a lot of different people out there that I’m listening to right now.

BGG: Do you feel as though music is taking a shift in a bit more positive direction?
M: I think there have always been positive aspects in music; it’s just that the attention has been put on other things. I think the attention is being put on more things, than not recently, which is a good thing because we could really use a lot more positive reinforcements.

BGG: Who or what would you say is your single most inspiration for creating music?
M: People inspire me. My pursuit in providing good service to my fellow persons through music inspires me.

BGG: What do you hope people get from your music?
M: I’d like to be known as an artist. I don’t think that it’s fair to create parameters around an artist. If an artist wants to just do one thing and stick to that script then it’s cool, but if that person chooses to change because they’ve changed as people and they want to communicate that change, people should at least leave room to entertain it because it might be something that you’ll like. I want people to know that I’m an artist – I just express myself through music.

BGG: What’s next for you? Are you on tour now?
M: Yes, I’m currently touring with Ne-Yo, Jazmine Sullivan right now.

Are you a fan of Musiq’s songs? If so, what’s your favorite song by him?

March into Color!

Despite the fact we’re expecting a foot of snow here in New York today, I’m still thinking bright thoughts when it comes to spring. Since I rarely wear anything besides dark colors and a few neutrals during the colder months, spring is the time when I slowly begin to add a dash of color to my wardrobe. Although I’m generally not a huge fan of color when it comes to clothes, bright things like flowers in bloom and blue skies do inspire me to play around with color a bit.

Are you a fan of color year-round or are you like me, only wear it a little here and there during the spring/summer seasons?


Shrunken V-Neck Cardigan available at www.expressfashion.com for $39.50


Twelfth Street Mexican Print Dress available at www.pinkmascara.com for $324


3/4 Sleeve Swing Jacket available at www.armaniexchange.com for $125


Woven Scarf available at www.forever21.com for $7.80


Lantern Sleeve Ruffle Top available at www.gap.com for $54


Bright Pintucked Shift Dress available at www.bananarepublic.com for $150


Marc by Marc Jacobs Clutch available at www.netaporter.com for $250


Cap Sleeve Scoop-Neck available at www.bananarepublic.com for $30

Roll On!

For BGs on the go, roll-on perfumes are perfect for easy-access scents. Their convenient trial-sizes are ideal for storing in your purse or even at your desk at work. Plus, they’re reasonably priced, which makes it easy to experiment with new fragrances without breaking the bank.

Do you use roll-on perfumes?


Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste Rollerball available at www.sephora.com for $20


Carolina Herrera 212 Sexy Eau De Parfum available at www.sephora.com for $18


Givenchy Absolutely Givenchy Rollerball available at www.sephora.com for $25


Juicy Couture “Juicy to Go” Rollerball available at www.sephora.com for $16


L.A.M.B by Gwen Stefani Rollerball available at www.sephora.com for $25


Michael Kors Rollerball available at www.sephora.com for $22


Robert Piguet Eau De Parfum Rollerball available at www.sephora.com for $25


Stella McCartney Rollerball available at www.sephora.com for $17