Hipp x RGB Nails It!

We BGs know that when we read the term, "nude," to describe anything from bras to nail polish, the neutral shade probably won't blend in with our beautiful sun-kissed skin. Thanks to Hipp x RGB, we can now paint our nails flesh-toned pigments that actually complement our complexions.

Right now, there are only two lacquers (one for medium-dark and the other for chocolate with red undertones)

One of the two shades' muse is the beautiful Kerry Washington.



($16) that match our varying skin tones, but it's definitely a step in the right direction. Hey, maybe Iman needs to do an entire line of "nudes" for us BGs!

Do you wear "nude" polishes?

**Btw, the winner of the Belle in Brooklyn, by Demetria Lucas is Carla. Congratulations! Please send me your mailing address.

Beauty On-the-Go!

For a girl on-the-go, portable personal care items are a must. L.A Fresh has a wide variety of 100% pre-moistened wipes including: nail polish removers, oil-free face cleansers, makeup removers, body soothers, and hand sanitizers. These incredibly convenient cosmetic packets come in handy if you're out and about and need a quick beauty fix. Plus, they're all free of parabens, dyes, artificial fragrances and animal byproducts. 

My favorite is the nail polish remover. They're great to keep in your handbag in case you find yourself in need of an instant remedy to chipped nails. One single wipe removes polish and conditions all 10 nails while leaving behind a light, refreshing scent. 

If you're always on the go, these handy wipes are a must-have!

18-Count  Trial Pack is available at www.lafreshgroup.com for $9.99

Have you ever used L.A Fresh products?

Keep the Post-4th Fireworks Going with White-Hot Jeans

When it comes to style, nothing says summer like a pair of curve-hugging white jeans. Now's the time to ditch the dark denims for a lighter, brighter look. Remember, rocking white jeans isn't for the faint of heart since they tend to accentuate our "assets," whether that's the aim or not. Whether you favor flares, skinnies, boot cuts, or wide-legged, finding a pair that suits your style will be easy.

Just be sure to take an honest friend with you to get necessary feedback on whether your finds are figure-flattering or a denim defeat.

Celebrity Pink Jean Skinny Fit available at www.macys.com for $34

Cropped Ankle Zip Jeans available at www.bergdorfgoogman.com for $97

Flare Leg Stellar Regular Fit Jean available at www.express.com for $39.99

Front Seam White Bell-Bottom Jean available at www.shopadam.com for $225

Hudsons Signature Boot Cut White available www.hudsonjeans.com for $165

Paige Denim Lou Lou Flare available at www.revolveclothing.com for $179

Modern Crop White Jean available www.loft.com for $54.50

White Denim Trouser available at www.bananarepublic.com for $89.50

Do you wear white jeans during the summer?

Heading to the Essence Music Festival?

If you're one of the thousands making their way to the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans this weekend, be sure to check out Carol's Daughter Pop-Up Store! From today through the 3rd, the natural beauty company will open its doors for a weekend-only boutique in New Orleans.

Throughout the weekend, you'll be able to get a sneak sniff of Mary J. Blige's newest fragrance, My Life Blossom, as well as see a few our favorite celebrities including the faces of Carol's Daughter (Solange Knowles, Cassie, and Selita Ebanks), as well as Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, The Braxtons and more!

How will you be celebrating the holiday? The hubby and I will be attending the Macy's 4th Of July Fireworks media event compliments of my friends over at Macy's. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to see Beyonce perform. Should be an interesting evening! Will report back on Tuesday if it's good.

More Bang for Your Beauty

Betcha didn't know that you can buy more than beautifying products on the popular Beauty.com website. That's right, now the cosmetics online retailer boasts a boatload of fashionable finds including bags, shades, shapewear, and jewelry. With brands like Spanx, Ray-Ban, Nicole Miller and more, you're sure to find the perfect piece to complement your pretty.

Check out a few of my favorite items from Beauty.com:

Christopher Kon "Corie" Tomato Red Clutch, $178

Dogeared 16" Good Luck Necklace, $54

Spanx "Power Panties," $30

Ray-Ban Sunglasses, $139.95

Do you find it interesting that an online beauty retailer is branching out to include fashion on its site? 

My Summer Reading Picks

Nothing says summer like hitting the beach and curling up with a good read. I've always been a fan of self-help books and biographies and the following books don't disappoint. Whether you download them on your e-Reader, iPad or simply find joy in turning actual paper pages, there are countless books to keep you occupied this summer!

Check out my picks:


"A Belle in Brooklyn," by Demetria Lucas


Oprah's Farewell Celebration: Inside 25 Extraordinary Years of the "The Oprah Winfrey Show" bookazine.


"Black Woman Redefined," by Sophia Nelson


"Starting Over," by LaToya Jackson

What's on your reading list for the summer? One lucky reader will win a copy of "A Belle in Brooklyn," by Demetria Lucas. Simply leave a comment telling me your favorite book genre (non-fiction, fiction, short stories, cookbooks, etc.) and a winner will be randomly selected and announced next week. **UPDATE** This contest has been extended until July 8th, so please submit your comments!

"Pint-Sized" Travel Sets

Since it's been several years since the TSA deemed it unsafe to tote toiletries and other liquids and gels in quantities exceeding 3.4 oz on commercial airplanes, finding your favorite "pint-sized" products has never been easier. Companies caught on quick by making convenient travel sets of everything from body lotions to shampoos that comply with the security restrictions.

I plan on doing quite a bit of traveling this summer so packing my small-sized essentials should be a cinch with these six sets:


Bliss Lemon & Sage Sinkside Six-Pack Travel Set available at www.macys.com for $25


Fresh Brown Sugar Escape available at www.cusp.com for $75


L'Occitane Nourish & Protect Shea Body Care Set available at www.sephora.com for $29


Ole Henriksen Starter Set available at www.sephora.com for $68


Philosophy The Travel Agent available at www.sephora.com for $35


Somme Institute Mobile Travel Kit available at www.nordstrom.com for $85

Are you planning a getaway this summer?

My Summer Beauty Basics

Even though the mercury's been rising consistently for several weeks now, summer doesn't officially start until next week. So in order to endure the balmy season, you'll need to have a few few basic summer beauty essentials.

For me, that includes the following:

Bold nail polish is my absolute favorite accessory during the summer. A pop of color adds a bit of whimsy to any ensemble. Essie always has a wide variety of eye-catching colors ideal for summer.


Instead of blotting, using a mattifying spritz like Skindinavia's No More Shine is a refreshing alternative for tackling oily skin.


My new obsession has been the combination of a gloss and balm like Topshop's Gloss Stick. It's not too sticky, but gives just the right amount of shine.


We all know the importance of sunscreen, but unfortunately not enough of us actually use products that protect our skin from the sun's rays. When I recently ran out of my tried-and-true Olay, I decided to give Aveeno's Ultra-Calming Moisturizing Cream with SPF a try and I've been pleased with the results.


Nothing says summer like beautifully bronzed skin. Iman's Afterglow Bronzer does the trick. The mix of pinks and gold makes your skin look sun-kissed.

What are your beauty must-haves of the season?

21 Drops of Heaven

After a busy week, unwinding is the first goal on my long list of to-do's this weekend. Luckily, I'll have some help getting a little R&R thanks to my newfound love of aromatherapy.

21 Drops, a modern line of therapeutic grade essential oils has a trio kit aptly called, "The Weekender," that includes "passion," "sleep," and "hangover" oils. Collectively blended from jasmine flower, sandalwood, and juniper fruit oil, this senses-stimulating set will have you bringing your sexy back, slumbering soundly, and detoxing from excess.




Available at www.21drops.com for $74.00


Do you use aromatherapy?

**The winner of the Dermablend brush set is: Tiffany, congratulations! Please send me your mailing address no later than Friday, June 17th.

Taking it to the Max!

Wearing long skirts has never been my thing. However, after seeing how lovely my BFF, Azeeza, looked donning a Zara maxi during her recent trip to Italy, I've refocused my fashion lens. Paired with a fitted tank or flowy blouse, maxi skirts can look polished and chic, yet still summery and laid-back.

While I admire the stylish, floor-skimming skirts on others, I'm still "skirting" around the idea of rocking this sure-to-be sizzling trend.


Azeeza wearing a Zara skirt, DVF top, Furla handbag, and Urban Outfitters sandals during her visit to Italy.


Check out this cool mix of maxis:


Free People Ruffle Maxi available at www.macys.com for $88


Asos Chiffon Maxi available at www.asos.com for $60.34


Elizabeth and James Flared Skirt available at www.saks.com for $265


Ella Moss Cali Chevron Maxi available at www.nordstrom.com for $138


Eternal Sunshine Creations Maxi available at www.revolveclothing.com for $149


Gamboling Maxi available at www.anthropologie.com for $228


Jasmine Blue Lable Ralph Lauren Maxi available at www.ralphlauren.com for $169


Maxi Prairie Skirt available at www.forever21.com for $22.80


Jasmine Silk Skirt available at www.ralphlauren.com for $169


Weekend Max Mara Faiti Ikat Maxi available at www.saks.com for $205


Tibi Silk Maxi available at www.saks.com for $297


Melissa Odabash Hannah Split-Leg Maxi available at www.theoutnet.com for $70

Are you a fan of maxi skirts?

Giveaway: Dermablend Celebrates Its 30-Year Anniversary

I've never been a big fan of foundations for everyday use, but I can NOT go a day without wearing concealer. Since my college years, I've worn Dermablend concealers to hide blemishes and diminish the appearance of dark under-eye circles.

Not only does Dermablend conceal minor imperfections, but it is known for its outstanding coverage of unsightly scars, tattoos and various skin ailments. This year the popular makeup brand is celebrating its 30-year anniversary. In honor of making us beautiful for 3 decades, I'm giving away a fabulous professional brush set (includes each of the brushes below) that will help you create a flawless complexion. (a $125 value!)



Concealer Brush, $22


Face & Body Brush, $40


Foundation Brush, $30


Powder Brush, $32

Simply leave a comment telling me what's your favorite makeup trend for the summer season and a winner will be randomly selected and announced later in the week.

Covergirl & LeSportsac Launch Cute Cosmetic Case Collection

Looking for cute cosmetic bags to tote on your summer getaway? If so, Covergirl has you covered! Last week the beloved brand joined forces with LeSportsac and renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath to create incredibly, adorable and durable cosmetics bags for the beauty buff. The eight-piece collection features never-before seen styles, shades and prints from LeSportsac inspired by Covergirl LipPerfection lipcolor. Ranging in size from small "Kiss Case," to the large "Professional Carry All," tote, these makeup cases are a cut above the rest.


Prices range from $25-$120 and will be available at LeSportsac boutiques and on LeSportsac.com.

Do you use makeup bags or toss your goods into your bag loosely?

I'm Not Abandoning BGG!

Don't think I've abandoned you this week, I've just been sick. Will be back on Monday. I missed out on several really cool events that I hope to still give you the deets about next week. Until then, have a wonderful weekend!

P.S Does anyone know of a smart, eager individual who would love to cover some of the coolest beauty & fashion events in New York City on my behalf from time to time? Being a full-time working mom, sometimes I can't attend events that would be great to feature on BGG. If so, please email me!