July Faves-Pics!

A Little Fall Face For 'Ya

Brick, Berry and Bordeaux lips are so hot for fall. So are warm lids and bold brows. Get ready!


Courtesy of Bobbi Brown:

Lipstick- Rich Cocoa

E/s- Chocolate Shimmer

Blush- Velvet Plum Pot Rouge (can also be used on lips)

Product Review: Karen's Body Beautiful

On a not-so-recent trip home to NYC (sorry I'm so late with this review), I paid a visit to my old stomping grounds in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. It's being re- gentrified, almost beyond recognition, but there have been some welcome (and much needed) additions to the neighborhood. @ 436 Myrtle Avenue stands a beautiful storefront known as Karen's Body Beautiful, with glass windows and doors, and an open kitchen where customers can watch owner Karen Tappin mix up healthy hair options for Brown Girls and Kinky Curly Cuties such as myself.


Najiyyah graciously walked me through the entire line of hair products (creams and butters, oils and hair masks), and introduced me to all the yummy fragrances! There are over ten heavenly scents (cranberry cocktail!, pomegranate guava!) and I settled on Creamy Coco Mango. I purchased a hair cream ($16, 8 oz.) and I have been very pleased. It has a whipped and fluffy consistency, and melts into your hands and hair effortlessly. A little goes a long way! This is a product I recommend and would repurchase.

Owner Karen Tappin (photo above), offers these tips for healthy hair.

Beauty Insider #4

Summer's in full effect, which means mini skirts and shaving. For a silky, smooth shave, try this tip: use an exfoliating body scrub on legs BEFORE you shave. You'll remove dead skin, and prepare legs for a smoother shave. Definitely use a hydrating shave cream, and follow up with your fave moisturizer afterwards.

That "Lit From Within" Look

Brown girls use bronzer too. To look "lit from within", not like 70's disco throwbacks. Cosmetics companies don't often think about bronzers for Brown girls. It's hard for them to get it right. Then I found a Mineralize Skinfinish Trio from MAC's new Colour Craft collection-it's really pretty y'all! Definitely a Brown girl must-have and it's limited edition, so hurry up! The collection debuted today and trust me when I say this one will sell out!


Warm Blend, $27
(Trio) Left: Antique Gold; Center: Mahogany Bronze; Right: Copper

Hair Update

I'm turning in my PJ card. No more samples, no more stock up and save, no more trying the next best thing. I've massed a good amount of product in my beauty closet and I'm really going to give what I have a chance to work and yield results. This is what I'm working with:

Shampoo
Aubrey Organics White Camelia
African Black Soap

Co-Wash
Herbal Essence Hydalicious and Hello Hydration
Yes To Carrots Pampering Hair Mud Conditioner
Inecto Coconut Conditioner

Deep Conditioner
Aubrey Organic Honeysuckle Rose
Lustrasilk Shea and Mango Cholesterol

Leave In
Talia Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier
Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee

Moisturizer
Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Cream
Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter
Shea Butter

Sealing Oil
Avocado oil
Coconut oil

Oh, Maxwell!

"Global warming aint got nothing on this chic, she's not to play with."

Great lyrics, great instrumentation (the horns on track 2 are sick), great album! So worth the wait. I just hope I don't have to wait this long again for great music.