Brown Girl Gumbo

Product Review: Motions Nourish & Care Leave-In Detailer and Scalp Balm

June 8, 2015

As a beauty writer/editor, I’ve come across countless hair care products for just about all types.

But, when it comes to sharing them with you guys, only the cream of the crop make the cut. Motions is a brand that I’ve used for years, but it wasn’t until recently that I discovered that it does wonders on my daughter’s hair.

Granted, I try not to use too many products on her hair, but Motions Nourish & Care Active Moisture Leave-In Detangler has become my go-to for getting rid of her pesky tangles. Since her hair gets knotted easily, using the leave-in immediately after washing and deep conditioning is a must. Thankfully, combing through her curls becomes effortless with just a few sprays. The mix of the Vitamin E, silk proteins and keratin-based formula glides over her strands separating them with ease.

In conjunction with the leave-in detangler, I use Motions Nourish & Care Stimulating Scalp Balm to give her hair a smooth finish. It isn’t greasy, doesn’t have a nasty build-up and seems to moisturize all without weighing her hair down. The ginseng and spearmint oil provides a subtle tingling to help get her scalp’s circulation going, which helps prevent dandruff. Plus, the scent is pleasant and isn’t overpowering.

Motions has always been a good line for relaxed hair, but their new formulas are a must-have for us naturalistas!

Ava before and after I use Motions Leave-In Detangler and Stimulating Scalp Balm. I use it daily on her hair and couldn’t be happier with the results.

Motions Nourish & Care Active Moisture Leave-In Detangler available here, $4

Motions Nourish & Care Stimulating Scalp Balm available here, $5

Do you use Motions products? If so, what’s been your experience with the brand?

Category: Beauty, Hair | Leave a Comment

Crazy for Coral: 6 Sizzling Lip Colors for Summer

June 4, 2015

This summer it’s all about bold, coral lip colors.

At first I was a bit hesitant to rock the in-you-face shade. But, after trying a few colors from some of my fave brands I’m now on board! There’s something about the reddish-orange shade that just screams summer. When I wear a coral lip, I tend to use bronzer on cheeks instead of my typical pink blush for a more fun-in-the-sun look.

Whether you prefer a glossy shimmer, modern matte finish or something in between, finding a coral that complements your skin tone should be easy!

Hanging out with friends wearing Fashion Fair’s Moroccan Spice.

Check out these orange-y offerings:

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick available here, $21

Maybelline Color Sensationals Vivids Lip Color in Electric Orange available here, $5.50

SheaMoisture Lip Stain in Bari available here, $11

MUA Super Sparkle Lipgloss in Coral exclusively available at CVS, $7

Maybelline Color Sensationals The Mattes in Craving Coral available here, $5.60

MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger available here, $16

Are you a fan of coral lip colors?

Category: Beauty | Leave a Comment

Sunglasses: Stylish and Crucial for Sun Protection

June 1, 2015

Sunglasses can be a fun and stylish accessory to wear, but they’re far more important than that.

Like the rest of our bodies, our eyes need protection from the sun—year-round. Harsh ultra-violet (UV) rays can put our peepers at risk, which many people fail to realize. Leaving our eyes exposed can lead to sunburn, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, which aren’t recognized as being preventable.

Since many of us adults aren’t aware of the damage that UV rays can do to our eyes, we often fail to protect our little ones too. This oversight can be very detrimental. According to The Vision Council, since children receive 3 times the annual adult dose of UV, not wearing shades sets the stage for serious vision damage later in life.

I received these cool sunnies from Sum Sunglasses that my daughter LOVES!

I used to think sunglasses on small kids and toddlers were just a cute fashion statement, but I never knew the real importance. Now, I make sure that both of my kids’ eyes are covered when we’re out and about.

So, no matter if it’s sunny, cloudy, rainy or snowy people of all ages should be wearing sunglasses when we’re outside—especially during peak UV times: 8am – 10am and 2pm – 4pm.

Check out these eye-opening tips and facts about UV rays and the significance of wearing sunglasses:

*Water reflects up to 100% of UV light
*Snow reflects up to 85% of UV light
*Dry sand and concrete reflect up to 25% of UV light
*Grass reflects up to 3% of UV light
*58% of Americans spend the most time outdoors from 2pm – 6pm
*3 in 10 Americans don’t protect their eyes in the winter, when UV rays are still present
*33.7% of parents of children under 13 said their kids rarely or never wear shades
*Children as young as a year old should wear sunglasses
*Look for a UVA/UVB sticker or label when purchasing quality sunglasses

*Full disclosure: I was gifted a pair of sunglasses and sun protection package from The Vision Council. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

For more information regarding eye protection from the sun, click here!

Do you make it a priority to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes? Do you make sure that your children’s eyes are protected too?

Category: Health, Travel & Lifestyle | Leave a Comment

The Perfect Slip Shorts for Summer

May 27, 2015

Now that the weather calls for sundresses and short skirts, it’s time to shop for undergarments that will keep us cool and secure.

No Nonsense has a pair of slip shorts that are short enough so they won’t peek from under our summer ensembles, but still provide a sense of security while creating a smooth silhouette. But, don’t mistake these incredibly breathable underpants with a brand that rhymes with “thanks”—these lightweight shorts aren’t constricting.

Made with nylon and spandex, these seamless slip shorts aren’t designed to suck in, tuck, hide or redefine. Instead, they’re made to complement our natural shapes. Plus, you won’t have to worry about them rolling down at the top because the large band isn’t unbearably tight unlike most brands.

If you’re like me and live in flowy dresses and leg-baring outfits during the summer, be sure to stock up on a couple pairs of these super comfortable undershorts—you won’t be sorry.

NO™ Seamless Slip Short available here, $10

Do you wear undershorts during the summer? If so, what’s your go-to brand?

Category: Fashion | Leave a Comment

Digital Spring Cleaning: PayPal VP Shares 5 Tips To Keep Your Online Space Safe

May 20, 2015

Many of us have already packed away winter clothes and finished our spring cleaning, but have we tidied up our digital space? The answer is probably no.

Research shows that each year thousands of Americans are victims of an online crime. In fact, one in four people will become victims. That’s why it’s so important for us to take take the time to protect and manage our online footprints accordingly.

View image | gettyimages.com

Since Internet activity is such an extension of our real-world lives, it’s important for us to use the necessary precautions to properly maintain and monitor our social media profiles, photos and other personal accounts.

I recently caught up with Carey Kolaja, the VP of Global Consumer Products at PayPal, to get tips on what we can do to help ensure that our digital personas stay secure so we can continue to surf the web safely and smartly.

Check out the Q&A below:

BGG: Why is it important for individuals to occasionally clean up their digital profiles?
Carey Kolaja: Cleaning up your digital profile is important because it helps to keep you organized and polished. How many times have you forgotten a password or wished you backed up important memories from your digital or mobile device? Keeping an organized digital life will help to avoid unnecessary password leaks and missing memories. And on a personal level, it also gives you a chance to double check that your profiles are current – from updating your photos to freshening up your personal bio.

BGG: What are a few rules of thumb individuals should keep in mind when cleaning up their social media accounts?
CK: When changing your passwords, never make it something obvious. Try adding symbols like an underscore that will make it harder for a hacker to figure out. Also, upload personal photos and videos frequently to a web based home. Streamlining your digital albums will give you peace of mind in knowing that your precious personal content won’t get lost or deleted.

BGG: Apps are such an important part of our digital lives, what’s the best way to manage them so that your phone isn’t cluttered and that you use them optimally?
CK: People’s schedules and lives are constantly changing and apps are supposed to make your life easier. Reevaluate your apps every few months to make sure they are relevant to your life as it changes. For example, if you recently attended a conference and downloaded an app that would help your experience while you were there, now is the time to delete it from your phone to clear room for other content.

BGG: How can you manage an overflowing inbox?
CK: Try unsubscribing to unwanted newsletters and deleting unnecessary emails that crowd your box. You’ll see it drastic reduction in your email folders.

BGG: If an individual can only do ONE thing as it pertains to spring cleaning their digital lives, what should it be?
CK: Of course, when it comes to cleaning up your digital life it varies from person to person. One of PayPal’s main priorities is the safety and security of people’s personal information, therefore when cleaning up your digital life, always make sure your passwords are up to date and secure.

Do you occasionally clean your digital profiles by updating passwords, etc.? Has your online life ever been compromised?

Category: Interviews, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Dove Releases Book To Inspire Curly-Haired Girls

May 18, 2015

There are so many reasons to love Dove.

From the brand’s powerful messages of self-empowerment to the tried-and-true products that make it a household name— the skin and hair care company is now giving us curly girls one more thing to add to that list.

Today the brand launched “Love Your Curls,” a book dedicated to women who bear naturally curly manes. As an extension of Dove’s short film and campaign of the same name, the book was inspired by the countless stories and photos shared by real women as a result of the moving film.

“Love Your Curls” is available for free download at iTunes, Amazon and GooglePlay

Written by New York Times best-selling author, Taiye Selasi, the book is packed with beautiful poems to encourage women and young girls to embrace their oftentimes under-valued curly hair. The poetic tribute is complemented by lovely water color drawings by award-winning illustrator, Annick Poirier, making it a wonderful gift for yourself or special curly-haired little one.

Not only is it available as a free digital e-book, but each download at Dove.com/LoveYourCurls allows users to personalize the book by creating a self-written dedication and watercolor portrait.

In a world that bombards us women with incessant messages and images of how we should change our appearances to meet certain”beauty standards,” it’s refreshing to have brands such as Dove encouraging us to celebrate who we are naturally.

Being a mom to a young curly-haired girl, I’m always looking for ways to support her self-confidence and this book seems like just the tool to give her that boost.

Check out the “Love Your Curls” video below:

How do you encourage young girls in your life to embrace their natural beauty? Did you struggle with self-image issues growing up?

Category: Beauty | 2 Comments

GIVEAWAY: Celebrate Stonyfield Organic YoBaby Yogurt’s Sweet 16!

May 12, 2015

With two little finicky eaters in my home, it’s hard to find healthy food and snacks that will satisfy their picky palates. But, when all else fails there’s one thing that’s always a go—yogurt!

My five-year-old daughter has loved Stonyfield Organic YoBaby yogurt since she was two and it’s also my 19-month-old son’s go-to dessert. For years I had been giving the single packets to my daughter straight from the fridge, but just recently discovered that freezing them turns them into a delicious froyo treat.

Packed with good bacteria aka probiotics to keep digestive systems happy, yogurt is the perfect alternative to sugar-laden ice cream. Unlike other brands, YoBaby is completely organic with whole milk and fruit and isn’t made with any antibiotics, artificial hormones or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Plus, they’re super convenient and relatively mess-free.

Stonyfield Organic Yogurt is available at grocery stores nationwide. Check them out in the dairy aisle!

So when I was invited to attend YoBaby’s Sweet 16 celebration brunch at the lovely Bouley Botanical event space in Manhattan last month, I was thrilled! It’s always great to gain more insight and information about a brand or company that my family uses and loves. Not only did my kids enjoy the yummy yogurt on hand at the event, but I learned about the company’s 16-year history and received great tips on how to get them to eat more than just yogurt! While it’s a nutritious snack option, their diet definitely needs to be well-balanced with more veggies, grains and protein.

Me and my son enjoying some yogurt at the Stonyfield Organic YoBaby Sweet 16 celebration in New York City on April 28, 2015.

YoBaby partnered with dietician and mom blogger, Sally Kuzemchak, MS, RD of RealMomNutrtion.com to give us moms and editors in attendance feeding ideas to encourage successful eating for babies at different stages.

Check out a few of the tips:

6 months—Purees are the standard first foods for babies but if your little one is interested in self-feeding, experiment with soft, long pieces of finger foods he can easily hold in his hand like wedges of ripe avocado or roasted sweet potatoes.

9 months—Give your baby some yogurt or cooked cereal and a spoon, she can try her hand at self-feeding. Also, introducing whole grains and eggs are a great option at this stage.

12 months—Phase out formula and opt for whole milk for your growing tot. Small finger foods like chickpeas and tofu cubes are fun to eat and nutritious!

24 months—Avoid making separate “kid food” and make meals that your whole family will enjoy. Serving your toddler the same meals as the family will encourage them to try more foods like healthy leafy greens.

Do you have a picky eater in your family? Do your babies/tots/kids enjoy yogurt? If so, I’m giving away a prize pack of YoBaby yogurt to one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment below or Tweet me (@browngirlgumbo) telling me how you get your child to eat different foods to maintain a healthy diet. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 26th. This giveaway is only open to U.S residents.

Category: Baby, Giveaway, Giveaways, Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | 10 Comments