Kickin' It: Anu Essentials Launch Event

Last Thursday evening, we had the pleasure of attending the Anu Essentials launch event at chic Brooklyn-base natural hair salon Khamit Kinks. Despite the frigid weather outside, the venue was filled with warm smiles and chic 'dos.

Anu Prestonia is "the" go to natural hair guru with a clientele roster beyond anyone's wildest imagination. From the one and only queen of daytime television Oprah Winfrey, to Stevie Wonder, and talented triple threat Solange Knowles, she has tended to some very famous tresses. The event was hosted by Ms. Anu herself and some very familiar faces from the natural hair community, the ladies of Curly Girl Collective. and Renae Bluitt of In Her Shoes.

Anu Essentials are an array of organic natural hair products made paraben & sulfate free ranging from shampoos, conditioners and so far our favorite is the Soft Set Gel ($22.00). Did we mention she has a natural perfume line as well?! Chemical free!

As her mother kindly put it "A little goes a long way, a dab on the neck, your inner elbows, and on your knees if you got a man". With words of wisdom from her natural hair journey and all the gratitude expressed, Anu Prestonia is indeed an inspiration to all the ethnic beauties out there.

Rock your fro loud, rock your fro proud! Keep on the look out for a product review on Anu Essentials right here on LBS.

To find out more about Khamit Kinks and how you can purchase your very own Anu Essentials products, follow the link HERE

- Gracie J

My 2013 Birthday Wishlist

It's my birthday y'all! *tootsie rolls*

Me, 2 years old

Boy does time fly. Seems like only yesterday, I was parading around my house in a little red dress, patent leather mary janes and a sparkly paper crown. And now...well, I still wear outfits like this minus the paper crown. I'm so excited to see another year of life, guys! In true LBS fashion, I decided to put together a little wishlist of some things I wouldn't mind finding under my pillow tomorrow morning (tooth-fairy style):

1. iPhone, $199+. 2. Camera, Lomography La Sardina & Flash - Capri Grotta Azzura, $109. 3. Necklace, Nicholas ID,  $120. 4. Celine Nano Mini Luggage Bag,  $1940. 5. RACHEL Rachel Roy Camino Boot, $119. 6. NARS Blush, Orgasm, $28.00. 7. Tortoise Shell Sunglasses, Karen Walker, $280.00

Above all the pretty, sparkly material things I could have on this joyous day, I'm truly thankful for my life, my health, true love, the amazing people in my circle (family & friends) and for my LoveBrownSugar readers (you!). Here's to another year!

Fierce or Foolish: Beyonce's 2013 Inauguration Look

Beyonce rocked an Emilio Pucci velvet dress and Christian Dior fur coat for the 2013 Inaugural festivities this morning. She stepped out with hip-hop hubby Jay-Z looking sharp as a tack.

 I'm loving her look. It's warm with a hint of sex appeal. And I'm in LOVE with her luscious waves and emerald Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

Thoughts on her look? Fierce or Foolish?

Source: Fashion Bomb

LBS Fashion: Michelle Obama Wears Thom Browne For Inauguration

The moment all fashionistas have been waiting for! Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama look glorious in navy blue for the 2013 Inaugural ceremonies this morning. Michelle O is rocking a tailored Thom Browne suit for the occasion. I'm here for all of it - from the tailored suit to her new bangs. Amaze!

The entire family looks tailored yet chic. Sasha and Malia are said to be wearing Kate Spade and J. Crew respectively. I love that they adorned the girls in jewel-toned looks, while the First Couple rock navy blue. Great contrast!

Stay tuned for updates on what the First Family rocks to the Presidential Inaugural Ball tonight.

Thoughts on these looks?

Source: Huffington Post

Happy Birthday Michelle Obama: 5 Reasons She's My Style Icon

First Lady Michelle Obama is 49 today! And thought I don't normally do birthday shout-outs (except my own, of course #vainmoment) I had to highlight her as a woman I truly look up to.

Michelle O is just....everything. She's a role model, a philanthropist, a loving wife & mother, and everything I ever want to be "when I grow up". Aside from that, she's a fashion girl after my own heart.

Here are five reasons she's one of my style icons:

1. She Plays With Color (Tastefully)

No colors are off-limits for First Lady. I've seen her in everything from cobalt blue to lime green, and she always looks absolutely flawless. In 2009, she rocked the President's first inauguration in a lime green Isabel Toledo dress.

She's definitely has inspired me to take some risks and embrace color, because her bright frocks always look great with her skin tone. Love this Peter Soronen cobalt blue gown on her.

2. She Dresses For Her Body Type

First Lady Michelle has hips for days. She has a beautiful shape and she flatters it well, with lots of A-line silhouettes and cuts that play up her assets - her amazing arms and her long modelesque legs.

3. She Mixes High & Low (And Does It Well)

Michelle Obama has been known to mix high-end designers with low on the regular. She keeps a pair of J.Crew heels and cardigan in rotation, along with her higher-end shift dresses and fine jewels. Considering the economic shape the US is in at the moment, it feels good knowing that someone as high up as our First Lady is as comfortable in Target as she is in Michael Kors.

4. She Dresses for the Occasion

Even when Michelle O is straight chilling, she looks amazing. We've seen her doing everything from gardening in the Presidential garden to kicking it on the red carpet of the Kid's Choice Awards. She always looks flawless, and appropriately dressed.

5. She Supports New Designers

First Lady has been known to be up and coming designers on the map. She can single-handedly take an under-the-radar designer mainstream with just a single appearance and I love that she's not afraid to do that. She famously wore Jason Wu, then an aspiring 26-year-old designer, to the presidential Inaugural Ball of 2009. Definitely a defining moment.

Can't wait to see what she wears to the Inaugural Ball this time. Second time's a charm! I'm heading down to DC this weekend for the festivities. I'll keep you guys updated in any Michelle O sightings.

What's YOUR favorite Michelle Obama look? Is she a style icon of yours?

Image Source: Celebuzz

LoveBrownSugar Chic: Airing The Laundry

So I finally have a real winter coat. Yes, it took me until Christmas to buy a winter coat that wasn't paper thin. Though I've had some good times with my Zara cape, it doesn't keep me warm at night. No, it literally doesn't keep me warm at night. So, I hightailed it to Burlington Coat Factory and picked up this Laundry by Shelli Segal beauty.

It's warm, it's a great neutral color that matches with everything, and it has a fur collar. Three must-haves that were on my check list.  It also saves enough room for layering. Here I paired it with a polka dot top from H&M and my Suki Jeggings ($89.00) from Silver Jeans.

 It's easy for your ensemble to look drab and boring when you're piling on neutral colors. I keep it fresh by adding pops of color in with my accessories.

These sneaker wedges have been collecting dust in my shoe corner for a few months now. They've finally made their debut.

 I'm in love with them. Scored them at H&M!

I'm not usually a hat girl, but I've gotten more into them this season. It's hard getting these curls under anything honestly.

Coat: Laundry by Shelli Segal (similar) | Top: H&M (similar) | Jeans c/o Silver Jeans | Sneakers: H&M (similar) | Bag: Urban Outfitters | Bangles: Street Vendor | Watch c/o Ice Watch | Necklace c/o Stella & Dot | Ring: Yumnah Najah | Cap: Street Vendor

I'll have a beauty post up later this week highlighting the beauty products I used in this post as well so stay tuned.

LBS Beauty: My Top 3 Winter Lip Shades

Last week, I posted about my Winter Lip Care Regimen and I promised that I would also do a post about my favorite lip shades this season. You guys know I love a red lip, but in the winter, I like ti=o take my reds a little deeper and experiment with wines, plums and oxblood (this season's it-color).

So, without further ado, here are three lip shades I'm obsessed with this season:

1. Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Sienna

What I love about the Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lipstick in Sienna, $26.00 lipstick is that it gives my lips a deep berry-brown look, without being too overpowering. It also does so while moisturizing my lips - win/win!

It's a really great everyday shade.

The perfect cross between berry and brown.

There you have it! On to my next fave...

2. Makeup Forever Aqua Rouge in Dark Raspberry

If you follow me on Instagram (@LoveBrownSugar), you know I've been raving about this Makeup Forever Aqua Rouge Dark Raspberry ($24.00) lip color since Thanksgiving. I put it on this past Thanksgiving before the festivities started, and two plates in (even after dessert!) my lip color was still going strong. After hours!

The beauty of this product is that it's two in one. It's matte lip color on one end of the stick and on the other is a color-sealing lip gloss that gives your lips a nice luster and long lasting shine.

Sold. Great deep plum color and it lasts from day to night? Hands down my favorite this season.

3. TIGI Cosmetics Decadent Lipstick Luxury

On the brighter berry side of things is TIGI Lipstick in Luxury ($19.00). I blogged about this one for my Perfect Red Lip post. It's a deep cherry that compliments my skin well and is also creamy, which is great.

Love the packaging on this one too. So sleek.

 So now that I've shared my favorite winter lip shades, what are some of yours? I'm looking to try some new ones - soundoff below!

Instaweek 1.14.12

Can you believe it's already the middle of January? It feels like just yesterday I was recapping my NYE outfit and now I'm on my way to picking out a Birthday Suit (one that involves clothes).

So last week was full of news. From Rihanna's new hair to Beyonce's GQ cover, Nicki Minaj's clothing line and brand new music from Destiny's Child. It was quite the eventful week.

In LBS news, I have a big announcement to make very shortly. I'll be taking yet another trip to LA next month for a huge event that I can't wait to dish to you guys about. More deets coming soon, but I'll just say that I'm super excited and I need to find a dress stat!

I'm determined, this year, to redefine my style & do things outside the norm just because I can. So what it's January? I'm wearing neon nail polish. So what I'm not in grade school? I'm wearing a snapback, sneakers (platform of course), and a backpack. Stop living by everyone else's definition of normal or acceptable. Make your own rules.

What rules are you breaking this year?

Fashion Coundown: Golden Globes 2013 Red Carpet

Last night at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards, celebs pranced the red carpet in every style imaginable from mermaid to lacy body-conscious looks. The gowns were to die for. Here are my top 10 picks of the evening:

10. Jessica Alba

I'm a sucker for a sweetheart neckline. I thought Jessica Alba looked really regal in this peach-colored Oscar de la Renta gown. The diamond necklace was a nice touch, but I do wish she had gone with a plum lip for this look. Even a nude lip would've been nice. The coral lip is a little strong for this.

9. Thandie Newton 

Did anyone else peep Thandie on the red carpet last night? How gorgeous is she in this Giles embellished mini cocktail dress. Love it. I just wish she had sprung for heels in a rich hue, or in all-out diamond glitz like her dress. It's bold or nothing on the red carpet.

8. Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson was the definition of class in this Alexander McQueen gown with gold embellishment. Tres chic.

7. Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson wore a baby blue peplum dress on the carpet, which I thought was unexpected but actually looked quite nice on her. Does anyone have her on preggers watch? Peplum is sometimes an indication that there's a bun in the oven.

6. Julianne Moore

She slayed in this Tom Ford look last night. Her body looks amazing in it and you just can't go wrong with black & white.

5.  Emily Blunt

I can't help but look at her as 'Emily' from The Devil Wears Prada movie; an Executive Assistant just trying to make her way to Paris. Loved her in that role! She's moved on up, and now she's rocking Michael Kors on the red carpet at the Globes. What an upgrade!


4. Nicole Richie

Nicole was one of the first celebs on the red carpet last night. She showed up in this flowing lace Naeem Khan dress, which I thought was just her speed. I loved her vintage glam waves, which Suave confirmed were achieved using their Morrocan Infusion Styling Oil.

3. Eva Longoria

One of my absolute favorite looks of the night goes to Eva Longoria in Emilio Pucci and Charlotte Olympia heels. I'm already a sucker for lace. But then you add in the sultry thigh-high split and the keyhole? Werk werk werk!

2. Kerry Washington

In my eyes, Kerry Washington can do no wrong. I've already declared 2013 the Year of Kerry so it's only right that she start it off with a red carpet hit like this Miu Miu dress. She's also rocking Prada shoes, a Prada bag, Chopard jewels, and a vintage Movado watch.

1. Jennifer Lopez

Don't be fooled by the rocks that she's got. She's still Jenny from the block. And she's still flaunting those killer curves honey. This Zuhair Murad dress hugs them in all the right places. When I saw this look, my jaw dropped. J.Lo kills it every time!

Source: FabSugar

Who was your fave from last night? Did I miss anyone?