As Cool as a Cucumber!

For me, nothing is as invigorating or refreshing as the wonderful scent of cucumber! Its natural cooling, soothing and cleansing effect makes it a key ingredient in many of today's most popular beauty products. From facial masks to fragrant sprays, cucumbers are not just tasty, they're great for your overall healthy both inside and out. It keeps your skin soft and your eyes de-puffed. What's not to love?

Are you a fan of beauty products that have a cucumber component? If so, what are a few of your favorites? One lucky reader will win the Yes to Cucumber Soothing Facial Mask (a $14.99 value). Simply leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow!

Here are a few popular pre-pickle products:


Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Mask available at www.walgreens.com for $14.99


Bare Escentuals Bare Vitamins Eye Rev-Er Upper available at www.sephora.com for $21


Bath & Body Works Scrub available at www.bathandbodyworks.com for $15


Carol's Daughter Ocean Eau de Toilette available at www.sephora.com for $27


Fresh Cucumber Cleansing Foam available at www.sephora.com for $48


Dove Fresh Body Wash Cool Moisture Cucumber Green Tea available at www.drugstore.com for $8.79


Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masque available at www.sephora.com for $45


Suave Natural Moisturizing Cucumber Melon Body Wash available at www.drugstore.com for $3.49


Vaseline Fresh Aloe Hydrating Body Lotion with Aloe & Cucumber available at www.drugstore.com for $5.99

Chic Tanks for Summer!

Tank tops are one of the essential clothing items for summer. The typical light-weight materials used for tanks provide perfect ventilation that will keep you cool during those hot & humid summer days and nights. Most tanks can be dressed up or down depending on the accessories and whether or not you pair them with shorts, skirts or jeans.

What are your favorite style of tanks? Loose-fitting, fitted, drapey, embroidered, or etc?


Piped Ribbed Tank available at www.bananarepublic.com for $17.99


Drapey Ruffle Tank available at www.alloy.com for $29.50


Black Tank Top available at www.emoda.com for $46


Pleated Satin Top available at www.charlotte-russe.com for $18.99


Beaded Tank available at www.bananarepublic.com for $34


Ruffle Tank Top available at www.charlotte-russe.com for $17.99


Noise & Color Block Tunic Tank available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $38


Splendid Cotton Gauze Lace Tank Top available at www.revolveclothing.com for $50


Floral Patchwork Woven Top available at www.forever21.com for $22.80

Fabulous Photos of the Week!

Sanaa Lathan, LisaRaye and Gabrielle Union at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.


Maxwell performing in NYC.


Diddy at an event in L.A.


Malinda Williams at an event in NYC.


Angela Simmons at a Pastry store in NYC.


John Legend at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.


Ryan Leslie at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.


Serena Williams out and about in NYC.

What's your favorite photo this week?

Summer Reading Round-Up!

The summer is a time for relaxing and what better to relax than to curl up on the couch or in the grass with a page-turning book! I've always been a fan of self-help books, biographies and autobiographies. One of the very first (non-children's) books I remember reading as a child was LaToya Jackson's autobiographical expose of her famous family. I don't know if it's the journalist in me who is intrigued by other people's lives or what, but nothing holds my attention like a great biography/autobiography!

What are your favorite book genres? Are you a mystery, romance or thriller fan? Do you have any summer read suggestions?

Here are a few of the books I plan on reading this summer:

Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne by James Gavine available here.


The Supremes: A Saga of Motown Dreams, Success, and Betrayal by Mark Ribowsky available here.


Confessions of a Beauty Addict by Nadine Haobsh available here.


More Than Just Race: Being Black and Poor in the Inner City by William Julius available here.


The Black Girl Next Door a Memoir by Jennifer Baszile available here.

Get Noticed with Neon!

Even though your fingers probably aren't the first thing that people notice about you, they still play a major role in your overall appearance. So this summer, why not bring attention to your fingers with a flash of neon on your nails? Electric pinks, dazzling yellows, and outrageous orange shades are all the rage this season. If you aren't bold enough to wear these attention-grabbing colors at your fingertips, use these pretty polishes for your pedis!


Sephora Digital Diva Collection available at www.sephora.com for $9 each

Will you be wearing neon nails this season?

Cool Candy-Colored Cameras!

In the fast-growing world of social media, it's likely that many of you already own a digital camera. If you're one of the few who still doesn't own one of the greatest technological gadgets, it's high time that you start snapping away and stand out in the crowd this summer with one of these fun, candy-colored cameras! Who says cool paparazzi shots are only for celebrities?

Do you own a digital camera? If so, do you ever actually get your photos printed or do they just stay on your computer or camera?


Canon Powershot 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $199.99


Fuji Film Fine Pix 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $152.99


Nikon Cool Pix 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $116.99


Olympus Stylus 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $159.99


Canon Powershot 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $199.99


Sony Powershot 12.1 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $284.99

Fabulous Photos of the Week!

I'm posting this week's fabulous photos today since most people will be out tomorrow getting a head-start on the Fourth of July holiday. Enjoy and be safe!


Jamie Foxx at the BET awards in Hollywood.


LisaRaye with her daughter at the BET festivities.


Gabrielle Union at an event in L.A.


Ne-Yo at an event in L.A.


Amerie at the BET festivities in Hollywood.


Sanaa Lathan at an event in L.A.


Beyonce at the BET festivities in Hollywood.


The Dream with Christina Milian at an event in L.A.


Pooch Hall at the BET festivities in Hollywood.


Rosie Perez at an event in NYC.


Spike Lee at an event in NYC.


Tatyana Ali at the BET festivities in Hollywood.


Wendy Raquel Robinson at the BET festivities in Hollywood.

What's your favorite photo this week? Did you watch the BET awards? What was your take?

**BTW, Natakue is the winner of the Schick Intuition razor. Congrats and please email me your mailing address! You'll have 7 days to contact me with your info, otherwise I'll have to select another winner. :-)