If you’re one of the lucky few who never experiences a blemish, pimple or simply dull-looking skin, you’re probably the envy of all of your friends. For the rest of us mere mortals, we have to religiously apply skin care products in an effort to keep our skin looking clear and acne-free.

Cetaphil is one of those effective, tried and true products that have been around since many of us were born. Chances are you’ve tried one of their products whether it was recommended by your friend or dermatologist, this brand is synonymous with achieving clean and clear skin. My sister actually told me about Cetaphil a few years ago.

I tend to have very oily skin with occasional breakouts and washing my face each day with their Daily Facial Cleanser really helps control the oil. The best part about Cetaphil products is that they are fragrance-free and gentle enough for all skin types. Since they don’t have a sweet, girly smell, guys can use them too! Plus, all of their products are conveniently available at drugstores nationwide.

If you’ve never tried Cetaphil, get $2 off of Cetaphil Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion for joining the Cetaphil club community by logging on to www.cetaphil.com/browngirlgumbo

What are some of your favorite facial cleansers?

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With spring around the corner, it’s time to pick up the hottest bronzers that will make your dull, winter-ridden skin glow and beam with radiance.

I recently tried a Wet n’ Wild mosaic bronzer and have been hooked ever since. The mixture of bronzes, golds, pinks and peaches make mosaic bronzers a must-have to achieve a semi-dewy, skin-kissed look.

The combination of colors create a sultry shimmer that will make your skin look as if you’ve spent weeks vacationing in the Caribbean!

Check out some of these!

Jane Iredale – The Skincare Makeup Moonglow Bronzer available at www.janeiredale.com for $48

MAC Mineral Shimmer available at www.maccosmetics.com for $24.50

Too-Faced Caribbean in a Compact Snow Bunny Bronzer available at www.sephora.com for $28

Sephora Trio Bronzer available at www.sephora.com for $15

Revlon Floral Affair Bronzer available at www.drugstore.com for $11.69

Laura Gellar Bronze and Bronzer available at www.sephora.com for $28

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Nothing gets my day started like a rejuvenating shower. There’s absolutely nothing better than having that precious alone time to think while lathering up your favorite scented body wash. The warm water cascading over your body gets your blood pumping and energized for the day ahead.

I tend to come up with some of the best ideas while in the shower, plus it’s the only time I can belt out the Alicia Keys’ feel-good song, “No One,” without my husband begging me to be quiet.

As opposed to bar soaps, shower gels always leave my skin feeling clean and smooth. For some reason, bar soaps tend to make my skin feel dull and dry.

Whatever soaps or gels you use, showers are necessary luxuries that I look forward to every single day and I hope you do too!

Here are a few of my favorite soapy suds:

Victoria’s Secret Secret Garden Shower & Bath Washes available at www.victoriassecret.com 5 for $30

Philosophy Pomegranate Shower & Bath Gelee available at www.sephora.com for $20

Bath & Body Works Apple Shower Gel available at www.bathandbodyworks.com for $9.50

Suave Cucumber Melon Shower Gel available at www.drugstore.com or nationwide drugstores for $1.99 to $2.99 (depending on store and location) I buy mine from Target for $1.99, but they retail for $2.99 at Duane Reade in NYC.

Dove Body Wash Cream Oil Cherry Blossom & Almond Scent available at www.drugstore.com or drugstores nationwide for $7.59

Carol’s Daughter Almond Cookie Body Wash available at www.carolsdaughter.com or www.sephora.com for $13.50

Suave Cocoa & Shea Butter Shower Gel available at www.drugstore.com or nationwide drugstores for $1.99 to $2.99 (depending on store and location) I buy mine from Target for $1.99, but they retail for $2.99 at Duane Reade in NYC.

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Last week during Fashion Week I was invited to a blogger meet-and-greet event hosted by Glam Media at the Libary Hotel in Midtown. At the very laid-back, yet somewhat posh event, I had the opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow bloggers while sipping wine and nibbling fancy finger foods. Being that I am an incessant makeup and beauty enthusiast, I was super excited that there was a professional makeup artist on hand from Jane Iredale – The Skin Care Makeup to give us willing participants mini-makeovers.

Even though I had gone to the event with my usual makeup already applied, I was excited to get it redone by a professional. Prior to the makeover, Kevin (the makeup artist) told us all about the benefits of Jane Iredale. I listened, but didn’t really think that the products’ “mineral benefits” would be any different from all of the other cosmetic sales pitches you hear all the time.

To my pleasant surprise, all of the seemingly false beauty banter lived up to the hype. Kevin told us that the mineral foundations and concealers included acne-fighting agents while creating an anti-pancake barely-there feel and he was right.

I had a hideous pimple that appeared to have dissipated after the makeup application. Plus, it felt like I wasn’t wearing any makeup although I had on foundation, concealer, eye shadow, blush and lip gloss (I could feel the gloss of course)! I must say, after looking in the mirror all I could think was, “Why couldn’t I have known him 3 years ago so I could’ve hired him for my wedding!” I looked amazing and have never felt prettier.

If you have never used or heard of Jane Iredale’s products, definitely check them out at www.janeiredaledirect.com. Trust me, they have a wide range of products capable of complementing every BG’s skin tone!

Base loose powder

Blush (he used golden apricot on me)

Lash-lengthening mascara

Lip Gloss

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