Brown Girl Gumbo

Great Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts

May 8, 2015

Mother’s Day is less than two days away. If you’re like me and waited until the last minute to purchase a gift for the most special woman in your life, don’t panic—BGG’s got you covered.

I’ve rounded up some great gift ideas that will make your mom smile and put you in the running for winning the best daughter of the year award!

From tried-and-true floral arrangements to sniff-worthy scents, these finds are sure to make your Mother’s Day a smashing success.

Check out these great last-minute gifts:

If you’re planning on stocking up on must-have beauty picks for mom, be sure to go to Beauty.com because if you spend $150 or more, you can give her a bonus with this cute sample-packed Embroidered Rose Lela Rose Designer Clutch. Filled with luxe finds from popular brands such as H20 and Bare Minerals to name a few.

Who doesn’t love juicy fruit dipped in decadent chocolate? Treat mom to a Half-Dozen Gourmet Dipped Chocolate Strawberries here, $20. Don’t worry, if you order today they’ll get there by tomorrow!

This warm weather-inspired 3-in-1 shampoo, bubble bath and body wash will wash away all of your mother’s worries. Hey, we’ll drink to that! Philosophy ‘The Lemonade Stand’ 3-in-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath available here, $26 (Also available in Sephora stores)

Ultra-feminine, this tantalizing scent of orange, pear, rose and vanilla will leave mom smelling heavenly. Tocca Beauty ‘Isabel’ available here, $68

For all the sweet kisses that mom bestowed on you growing up, keep her lips moisturized with these lemon-scented balms. jane iredale LipDrink SPF 15 Lip Balm available here, $15 (each)

Show me a mom and I’ll show you a woman who adores flowers. Give your mom this pretty pink and yellow bouquet to show how much you care. ‘Fields of Europe’ arrangement available here, $60

Have you already made or purchased your Mother’s Day gift? If you’re a home, what are you hoping to receive on your special day?

Unilever & Keep America Beautiful Launch Rinse. Recycle. Reimagine. Campaign

May 8, 2015

If you’re a bath and beauty hoarder…I mean lover like me, chances are your bathroom is overrun with products. There’s no denying that trying new products is exhilarating, but those beauty buys eventually become empty plastic bottles cluttering your space. Do yourself and the environment a favor by clearing them out and properly recycling.

Unilever, the company behind some of our favorite brands such as Dove, Vaseline and Motions, has teamed up with Keep America Beautiful to launch “Rinse. Recycle. Reimagine.“—a campaign created to encourage and motivate product lovers like us to recycle. Unilever uncovered survey findings that suggest that the average American has at least 8 empty bottles lying around their bathroom at any given time—now that’s a lot of plastic that can be repurposed!

There’s a social component to the initiative too. Unilever is asking us to snap a pic of empty bath and beauty bottles and share them on Twitter and Instagram using #ReimagineThat and #Sweeps for a chance to win some cool prizes.

Being a beauty editor, it’s no surprise that I have TONS of products that are dying to have a date with the recycling bin and this campaign is just the inspiration I needed to take action.

So gather up those empty lotion, shampoo and body wash bottles and get to decluttering all while helping to persevere our beautiful earth!

Some of my bath and beauty products that I’ll be sure to toss in the recycling bin once they’re all empty!

*Full Disclosure: I received compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Are you a bath and beauty product hoarder?

Get the Look: Taraji P. Henson’s 2015 Met Gala Hair in 5 Simple Steps

May 5, 2015

Move over Oreo, Taraji P. Henson is America’s new favorite “Cookie!”

And while Taraji wasn’t channeling her popular “Empire” character at last night’s Met Gala, she still managed to turn heads with her flowing long locks.

Dressed in a gorgeous black-and-white Balenciaga gown, Taraji looked stunning—but, her silky smooth ‘do hair took centerstage.

To show off Taraji’s eye-catching earrings, Balenciaga designer Alexander Wang served as the inspiration for the style. “He envisioned a sleek, clean and long look to showcase her amazing earrings,” said celebrity stylist Ursula Stephen who created the winning look. “I kept it modern by creating a short center part and tucked the hair behind her ears.”

Ursula used Motions products, which is one of my go-to hair care lines of late.

Photo by Getty

Check out these five simple steps to get Taraji’s show-stopping style:

*Start by prepping hair with the Motions Straight Finish Heat Styled System for a sleek look that won’t harm natural curls

*Create a severe center part and tame fly-aways with the Motions Radiating Hair Gloss then divide hair into small sections and flat iron from root to tip

*Apply Motions Light Hold Working Spritz to the two front sections, then comb behind the ear and secure underneath with bobby pins

*Add Motions Shine Enhancing Pomade to the edges and lengths for extra sheen

*Finish with Motions Light Hold Working Spritz once more to secure the look

Did you like Tarji’s hair? Who had your favorite hairstyle at the 2015 Met Gala?

Category: Beauty, Hair | Leave a Comment

Event Recap: SELF Magazine’s Self Approved 2015 Beauty Awards

May 1, 2015

Although I cover various topics here on BGG, my all-time favorite category is beauty!

That’s why I was so thrilled to attend SELF magazine’s Self Approved 2015 Beauty Awards last week. Held at Condé Nast’s new headquarters located in 1 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, the annual event rounded up and celebrated the best beauty offerings of the year.

Divided into six separate categories, the magazine found the must-have products that detox, hydrate, protect, brighten and multitask (editor’s pick was the wild card).

From luxe shampoos to coveted creams, the event showcased the magazine’s top picks in alluring fashion. The winning beauty buys sat atop black lacquered pedestals surrounded by pretty pink petals, creating a gorgeous spring oasis.

With an out-of-this-world view, tasty bites and of course, beauty talk, it was a delightful evening. Plus, some of the magazine’s winners were a few of my personal faves too!

Gorgeous SELF display made out of greenery.

Couldn’t attend a SELF event without taking a selfie! My hair was completely ruined due to the rain and humidity, but my lipstick was cute! Ha!

These yummy-looking chocolates were tempting, but I exercised SELF-control.

A few of the beauty winners on display.

The manicure station truly brightened my evening.

Check out five of my top picks that also made SELF’s cut below:

Aveeno Positively Nourishing Purifying Body Wash available here, $6. This ultra-lathering wash smells divine and leaves skin feely squeaky clean without over drying.

Lorac Gold “Unzipped” Eyeshadow Palette available here, $42. This universally-flattering set of golden hues will bring out your peepers’ natural beauty in a blink of an eye

jane iredale Hand Drink available here, $29. Being an eczema sufferer, this super rich moisturizing lotion soothes my skin leaving behind a lovely rosy scent.

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox De-Puffing Eye-Cubes available here, $50. Puff be gone! These innovative cubes diminish the appearance of dark under-eye circles and unsightly puffiness in a single use.

NARS Dual-Intenisity Blush in ‘Panic’ available here, $45. This cool compact’s striking pink and bronze combo compliments most BG skin tones.

Have you tried any of these products? What beauty products do you think deserves to win a beauty award?

Category: Beauty | Leave a Comment

Must-Read: Miss Jessie’s “Creating a Successful Business from Scratch—Naturally”

April 28, 2015

When it comes to quality products for curly hair, Miss Jessie’s is at the top of the list—period!

Now the trailblazing textured hair care brand wants to share the heralding story about their rise to entrepreneurial success in the new book, “Miss Jessie’s: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch—Naturally.” Written by Miss Jessie’s co-founder and CEO Miko Branch with her beloved sister and business partner, Titi Branch whom passed away from suicide last December—the memoir/business guide is an awesome read for budding entrepreneurs and business owners of all kinds.

Although you can’t help but think about Titi’s devastating death while reading the tome, her creative free-spirit is felt throughout the pages. Chock full of business advice told in the form of the sisters’ personal stories, the book gives readers an in-depth look into the trials and triumphs of being your own boss all while working alongside family.

“Miss Jessies’s: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch—Naturally” by Miko Branch with Titi Branch availalbe here, $18

Beautiful, full-color photos of the sisters serve as a touching testament to the siblings’ special bond. It also includes personal photographs of the sister’s paternal grandmother of whom the brand was named. The book is a true treasure for those of us who’ve followed the sisters’ career and used their popular products. And for all of those people who’ve questioned how they turned their passion into a formidable business, now those inquiring minds have a very detailed guide that can help them make their business dreams come true too!

Me, my friend Rashida and Miko Branch at the book release party at the Miss Jessie’s salon in New York City on April 16, 2015.

Reports suggest that the book was ready to be released earlier this year, but was pushed back as a result of Titi’s untimely passing. However, that unfortunate delay allowed Miko to include a heartfelt letter she penned as a moving tribute to her her big sister, Titi.

The duo has been creating sweet-smelling creams and concoctions to enhance curly locks since the 90s—and although Titi is no longer with us, it’s pretty safe to say that there’s no stopping Miss Jessie’s! We’re rooting for Miko to take the brand to even greater heights!

The lovely cake by B Cake NY at the Miss Jessie’s book release party on April 16, 2015 in New York City.

Have you purchased the new book? What’s your favorite Miss Jessie’s product?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Beauty News, Book, Book Reviews, Books | Leave a Comment

Celebrate Earth Day: Recycle Old Pantyhose with No Nonsense

April 22, 2015

Since spring has sprung, it’s almost time to toss or store your tights and stockings for the season.

If you’re like me and have loads of hosiery that are holey, uncomfortable or just plain unsightly, you’re in luck. Our friends at No nonsense has developed a recycling program that will take those unwanted pantyhose off your hands!

The first of its kind, this eco-conscious program is the only recycling initiative dedicated to repurposing nylon/Spandex and other materials used in pantyhose and transforming them into various things. From park benches to playgrounds, your old pantyhose can now live beyond your legs and not in a stagnant landfill!

So, in celebration of Earth Day, do your part in preserving and honoring our planet by gathering your old pantyhose and sending them to No nonsense. Don’t worry, it’s super easy. Simply download a mailing label, round up your nylons, ship them off and you’re all set! Plus, this campaign isn’t just for Earth Day—we’re pretty stoked that the program is ongoing.

Fast Fact: It takes 30-40 years for tights, pantyhose and knee-high nylons to decompose!

Click here for more information.

How are you celebrating Earth Day? Do you have old tights or stockings? If so, would you participate in this innovative recycling program?

Category: Fashion, Style | Leave a Comment

CHARM IT! Event Recap & Design-A-Charm Contest

April 21, 2015

If you have a little girl in your life between the ages of 5 and 14, chances are you’re pretty familiar with CHARM IT!

This past Saturday, the novelty jewelry brand in partnership with Crayola hosted a super girly event celebrating their 2015 Design-A-Charm Contest. Held at the uber trendy Dylan’s Candy Bar on the Upper East Side, my mini-me and her best gal pal were treated to tasty pastries, including Magnolia Bakery cupcakes and of course candy!

Throughout the event, those in attendance were given entry forms to create and submit their best drawings using Crayola (crayons, pencils & markers) for a chance to have them turned into actual charms. Having the girls look through the yearbook of whimsical creations, which included everything from a pair of headphones to palm trees allowed them to use their imaginations.

The contest was a creative activity that my daughter and her BFF really enjoyed, but that wasn’t where the fun ended. After the aspiring charm designs were drawn—the kids got camera-ready with fun props and took cute pics at the photo-booth station.

We had a fantastic time coloring, mingling and especially, indulging in sweets. Now our fingers are crossed in hopes that their designs made the cut.