Kickin' It: Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Launch Event

Last night in NYC, natural hair blogger and enthusiast Curly Nikki and songwriter/songstress Marsha Ambrosius co-hosted the official launch event for Dark & Lovely's newest innovation - the Au Naturale styling and maintenance product line for curls.

From left: Hydrating Soak Shampoo, Knot-Out Conditioner, Curl Defining Creme Glaze, Curl Moisturizing Souffle, Sheen Sealing Nectar, 10-in-1 Styles Gelee

Yes, it seems like every company under the sun is launching a new natural haircare line these days, but what I found so awesome about this launch was how adamantly natural hair icon Marsha Ambrosius felt about the line. That evening she was sporting her fierce mane in what looked like a textured bantu knot-out on blowout hair. She looked phenomenal. And she was as sweet as pie! She even remembered meeting me last June during the BET Awards (glad I have a memorable face!).

I chatted a bit with her about the new product line, her favorite beauty products, hair maintenance tips and what it means to be dark & lovely:

LoveBrownSugar: So I wanted to ask you about your natural hair! You're most definitely one of my natural hair icons. What do you do to maintain your style?
Marsha Ambrosius: What I must do, and it's imperative I do so, is brush it overnight, section it and bantu knot it. If I don't, when I wake up in the morning I'm not going to be able to comb through that thing! Even if I'm in the studio late, it's something I must do. The [Au Naturale] product line is great because it really infuses all the natural products that I use anyway into one thing. I have the mango oil, I have the bamboo milk, I put it in and it stays! I'm living proof that it works. My curls are absolutely temperamental. Sometimes they hate me, other times I think they're having a fight. So this product line - I really love it.

Is there one product out of the entire line that you can't live without?
The Au Naturale 10-ln-1 Styles Gelee. When I take the bantu-knots out, they'll be in my natural curl pattern anyway and I just take a dab of the Gelee and once I run that product through my hair, it stays. It's like a hair gel and an edge protector in one. Do you see these edges?! They never lay down like this!

Aside from natural hair, I really look at you as a beauty icon overall. Are there any beauty products that you swear by?
Drink lots of water! The simplest beauty products are the ones that God gave us. We overlook them sometimes. Like I exfoliate with honey sometimes, a little bit of natural oil, little things like that.

What do you think it means to be Dark & Lovely?
Dark & Lovely is empowering, it's invigorating, it's royal. I'm glad to be here to represent this brand.

After chatting it up with Marsha, I ran into co-host Curly Nikki and the fabulous Julee Wilson of Huffington Post Black Voices (remember her spotlight on LoveBrownSugar's Get Like Me series?). Two beautiful ladies indeed, with fierce natural curls.

Photo courtesy Dark & Lovely

The event was a blast. There were live hair demonstrations and tutorials. A super cute photo booth, where I took this goofy pic...

And of course there were amazing heads of natural hair at every turn! Kudos to Dark & Lovely for a successful launch event!

For more information about Dark & Lovely's Au Naturale product line, head to their website or become a fan of Dark & Lovely on Facebook for updates!

Flavor of Friday: Books, Biker Jackets & Beauty

Happy Friday y'all! As the month of "Thanks" is officially closing, I must say I'm thankful and proud to be part of a community of bloggers who go beyond the "blogger" title and truly inspire with their power moves. They're multi-talented, entrepreneurial, smart, and beautiful. An amazing representation of what women of color can do and who we can be. So, this "Flavor of Friday" is dedicated to them.

You Go, Girl

HUGE Congratulations to my girl Curly Nikki on the launch of her newest endeavor. Ms. Nikki Walton is now officially an author! Her new book "Better Than Good Hair" is now available for Presale HERE. She's also running an amazing giveaway for those who show their support - a Nook Color each week for 8 weeks and 2 iPad Minis. Find out more deets about that HERE. I put in my entry. (Who doesn't want an iPad Mini in life??). Congrats to Nikki - can't wait to check out her book!

Showing my support for Nikki's new book

She Can Transform Ya

You know those friends you constantly look to for inspiration? Everything they wear just seems to flow so eloquently and they're talented beyond words? Yep, that's my blogger boo Jessie Adore. Get into her. Aside from the fact that we're West Harlem neighbors, Jessie has the flyest style and the most amazing pieces in her closet. But wait...there's more! She actually designs - jewelry and now clothes. The latest of Jessie's creations is this 6-in-1 Transformer Jacket ($385) that is a convertible biker jacket that just...rocks.

There are no words. I'm putting in my pre-order asap. She's making these babies by hand and only in limited quantities so run, don't walk, to her inbox to place your order.

Place your order HERE!

Beauty & Brains

If you're in the NYC area on December 5th, you MUST check out an amazing event being hosted by my girl Renae Bluitt of In Her Shoes Blog called "The Beauties & Brains Behind The Brands". Some of my favorite female entrepreneurs will be in attendance - Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter, Ginger & Liz of the eponymous nail lacquer line, Tia Williams of TheFlyCut, Tricia-Lee of Polish Bar Brooklyn and more. Alot of power in one fab place.

To purchase tickets, click here!

Go Glamazon, Go

Huge kudos to one of my fave bloggers Jessica Andrews of Glamazons Blog. We'll be seeing her pretty face on the blog more often now that she's opening up the site to include more outfit posts. I remember back when LoveBrownSugar first started and I was petrified of posting outfits and beauty tutorials for the world to see, but I really think it has enhanced my site overall despite my anxiety and fear of judgment. So happy to see more of us bloggers with different body types and styles embracing our style and showcasing it for the world to see.

Click over and leave a comment on her "Maxi Skirt in the Winter" look. (Tell her I sent you!)

Shop "LoveBrownSugar" Nail Lacquer

My LoveBrownSugar for LiSi Cosmetics Lacquer is still available on PRESALE guys! I started shipments this week and I'm quickly blowing through inventory (as in, I'll be sold out by next week and awaiting a new shipment!).

Get your BOTTLE HERE before they sell out! I appreciate your support!

I hope you guys had a faboosh November! I know posts on the site have slowed down a tad, but I promise it's for good reason. Next month and the impending year of 2013 are going to be amazing for LBS. Can't wait to show you guys all that's in store. 

In the meantime, what bloggers/blogs are you guys thankful for? Need to add a few more to my reader so put me on in the comments section below... 

Kickin' It: Optimum Miracle Oil Event With Tracee Ellis Ross

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a press preview of Optimum Salon Care's new product launch. They unveiled their newest product line called Miracle Oil, which has a blend of 6 natural oils like jojoba, argan, coconut, sunflower, apricot & avocado. The event took place at 404 NYC and their newest brand ambassador Tracee Ellis Ross (my fave!) was on hand, swearing by their new product. I adore her. Here's a snapshot of the event:

The Optimum Care Miracle Oil collection is a product line for both natural-haired and relaxed divas alike. The collection includes a 6-in-1 Miracle Elixir, $8.99 (which is Tracee's go-to product), a Hair Creme $5.99, and a Hair Moisturizer $5.99.

So I met my hair icon Ms. Tracee Ellis Ross once again! The Queen of perfect curls and red lips. Remember when I posted about meeting her for the first time at that "Reed Between The Lines" Premiere Party last October? (Same night I had my Chance Encounter With Kanye?) She remembered me! I almost died when she told me my face looked familiar. We're practically BFF now. Mmhmm yes, we are. Be jealous.

Tracee showed up with her dedicated natural hairstylist extraordinaire Chuck Amos. He's a riot!

Natural-hair blogger and expert Curly Nikki was a co-host. She looked amazing per usual, with a sophisticated high puff and a beautifully color-blocked ensemble. Love her!

Bumped into two of my favorite beauty gurus - Danielle of The Style & Beauty Doctor and Nicole Marie Melton, Beauty Editor at Essence.com.

This face is always beat! Love her red lip moment - gorgeous!

Lovelies Jessica Andrews of Glamazons Blog and Kela Walker of Kela's Kloset!

The ladies of the hour - Nikki Walton of Curly Nikki and Tracee Ellis Ross.

There were product demonstrations by the brand managers, on how the product sinks into the hair for optimum moisture without the "grease".

Tracee even did her own product demonstration! About the 6-in-1 Miracle Oil Elixir, Tracee stated "There's 6 different oils and like 7 different uses for this product. And it's only $8.99 guys. That's like $1.25 per use. You can't lose!" 

These finger foods were everything. You guys know I like to eat. Sadly, I could only have like 2 of the things offered. Sigh, this Whole 30 plan is killing me! (That's another post altogether).

Overall it was an awesome event! Tracee asserted that she wouldn't endorse a product that she doesn't believe in. And I believe her. Hence, I'm planning to try these products out soon and I have a feeling they will be amazing.

Want to get your hands on some of your own? Check the Soft-Sheen Carson site for information about the product HERE and keep up with Optimum Hair Care on Facebook.

Will you be trying these out?

Kickin' It: Curly Nikki & LoveBrownSugar Meet-Up

Last Thursday at Pranna NYC, myself and Curly Nikki teamed up for a super chic meet-up & afterparty to Nikki's very first NYC shindig. I met so many lovely ladies, both blog followers of LoveBrownSugar and of Curly Nikki and overall had a blast! Check out the pics below:

You're Invited! Curly Nikki x LoveBrownSugar Meet Up

NYC lovelies! I'm partnering up with one of my fave beauty bloggers Nikki of CurlyNikki.com to host a meet-up event on Thursday, October 20th at 10pm. Curly Nikki will be hosting a natural hair meet-up of her own that evening from 7pm-10pm (Her RSVP list is full, but see HERE for more deets).

As a follow-up to her event, we're hosting a super chic afterparty at Pranna Restaurant, 79 Madison Avenue (at 28th St) for all our 21 & up friends! Interested in joining? The event is open to the public, so come on down & bring friends. (NOTE: You DON'T have to be naturally curly to attend (lol), it's for everyone!) Space is limited so please RSVP to luvbrownsugar@gmail.com if you plan on attending.

Get there early - hope to see you then!