Cover Girls: Alicia Keys for Marie Claire UK

This July, Alicia Keys sets the cover of Marie Claire UK on fire, right in time for the summer. Shot earlier this year on the island of the Bahamas by photographer Yutsai, the photos are really breathtaking. Alicia is featured in sophisticated, sexy looks from Gucci, Versace, Diane von Furstenberg and Just Cavalli. In the issue, she opens up about her first impressions of her husband, evolving and directing.

On her overall first impression of Swizz Beatz:

Swizz will have the fastest car, the biggest jewelery, the loudest jacket; everything with him is really over the top. I used to see him and think, “He is so annoying.”

On writing “That’s When I Knew” for Swizz Beatz:

That’s when I Knew” is definitely an ode to my husband… Honestly, I didn’t really like him that much. I thought he was too ostentatious.

On what she’s learned from her relationship:

I think we’ve taught each other a lot. He’s taught me to live more fully and I think I’ve taught him to live more deeply.

On becoming vocal about her feelings:
You have to speak up. To say, "I don't like that, it's not cool, don't do that to me", but it's not easy, especially with people you love. I think getting older has made me evolve in a lot of ways and made me more relaxed about saying how I feel, no matter what.

On maintaining balance:
I realize you have to have a balance - you can live life and have more experiences as well as working.

On becoming a director:
I fell in love with directing. Because first of all I didn't have to get up early for make-up and, second, I'm a very diplomatic individual.

Check out the behind-the-scenes video here: http://bcove.me/96p2c38e 

Thoughts on this cover? Do you love it?

- Makisha Timothy

Fierce or Foolish: Ciara's New Haircut

The seasons are changing and so are the looks of many of our favorite girls. Gearing up for the release of her forthcoming album Ciara, we’ve noticed that Ciara has been changing up her crown more frequently than she has in the past, but this look is by far our favorite!

Yesterday the singer debuted a short blended blonde bob at the Tate Americas Foundation Artists Dinner she attended here in New York City. Wearing a nude floor length dress that hugged her to-die-for body in all the right places, this time her hair is what really has us talking. 

Photos via Ciara on Instagram

There’s something really edgy, yet sophisticated about this look and Cici looks simply beautiful!

Thoughts? What do you think of her new cut?

- Kisha Timothy

Source: TheYBF & Instagram

LBS Exclusive [VIDEO]: Braxton Family Values Season 3 Premiere

On Wednesday night here in NYC, chic downtown venue STK was packed with celebrities, fans and of course, the larger-than-life Braxtons. You guys know from our last interview with the sisters that their our favorite group of reality sisters. Toni, Traci, Tamar, Towanda and Trina along with Mama Evelyn, hosted a party in celebration of their 3rd season of Braxton Family Values that aired last night at 9pm on WEtv.

Check out our exclusive video below:

DJ Kiss, currently our favorite female DJ, didn't let us down one bit. She played all the right tunes as guests sipped on signature cocktails while waiting for The Braxtons and other celebrity guests to arrive.

Related: LoveBrownSugar Interviews The Braxtons

Everyone from Queen B (Lil Kim) to Angela Simmons and even Basketball Wives star Jennifer Williams were in attendance to support the sisters. Once the Braxtons arrived, we wasted no time hoping to get a taste of their spunky, over the top personalities.

Tamar who just the day before revealed that she is pregnant, dished on what we all were wondering. What does her pregnancy means for her music? 

"Let me clear something up. Just because I have a love on top, does not mean my album is not coming out. It’s still coming out this year,” explained Tamar Braxton.

Another bit of juice came from Traci Braxton, who WEtv has confirmed is no longer "the wannabe" but instead the “wildcard.”

She chatted with us about what we will see from her this season and let’s just say, she’s riding two wheelers. She said “You’re gonna see me with my motorcycling club!” Given what we've seen from Traci in the past, she'll have us laughing something serious for sure.

We love the Braxtons because they're so relatable and like any sisters, Towanda says “There are some days we don’t like each other, but we do love each other.”After last night's premiere, it's obvious we’re in for another crazy season.

- Makisha Timothy

Video shot & edited by Sharifa S. Daniels

Did you tune in to the premiere? Do you love the Braxtons? Soundoff below!

For more info on Braxton Family Values, check out their page on WeTV.com 

Kickin' It: LoveBrownSugar x LiSi Cosmetics Nail Launch

On Tuesday evening, I hosted an exclusive preview of the LoveBrownSugar x LiSi Cosmetics Nail Polish at the LiSi Cosmetics flagship store downtown. Some of my favorite bloggers and social butterflies came out to help me celebrate. Check out scenes from the event:

Beyond my wildest dreams! My very own nail polish!

Aside from my polish launch, LiSi Cosmetics launched an array of their newest Fall/Holiday products. All polishes retail for only $4.90!

Makisha Timothy, LoveBrownSugar.com Assistant & Pop Culture Editor

What I love about the store is that there are makeup artists on-hand to let you try out the products whenever you like. Here, LoveBrownSugar's own Makisha Timothy gets her face beat for the gawds!

Meki and Allison from My Shade of Brown were in attendance. Love their curls!

Love my girl Natasha from Asili Glam - super sweet personality & faboosh hair. What's not to love?

Julee Wilson, Style & Beauty Editor at Huffington Post stopped by (left) wearing LiSi Cosmetics lipstick in "Fierce". Beauty buff Tunisia Wilson (right) came by as well. Long live the statement lip!

 Annika Harris of UPTOWN Magazine passed through to say hi! She's a fan of the polish!

 Misha of TheFabChick stopped by! Definitely check out her site - great fashion & beauty tips!

Black-rimmed spectacles never looked so good! Christen of Divas and Dorks and Ty of Gorgeous in Grey delighted us with their presence. Nothing like a great statement accessory!

 Danielle Young of Hello Beautiful got her makeup done as well. So gorge!

 LoveBrownSugar Intern Grace blows kisses, wearing LiSi lipstick.

 Me and the lovely ladies of LiSi Cosmetics. Stop by the store sometime and tell them I sent you!

Stay tuned! In December, I'll be hosting a meet & greet in-store event for you NYC-based lovelies to come out and shop the store (as well as my new color) before the holidays. Can't wait to meet you guys!

Toodles from the LoveBrownSugar family! Happy Thanksgiving!

 Check LoveBrownSugar on Facebook HERE for more pictures from the event! 

To purchase my polish on PRESALE, head to SHOP LoveBrownSugar

Fierce or Foolish: Melanie Fiona's New Hair

It seems as though every time Melanie Fiona graces the carpet, there is something different about her. This week the Guyanese beauty shared a new hair cut (via Instagram) that was sculped by her hair stylist Keith Campbell. 

Photo Credit: Kirill Bichutsky

We were even able to get a better look as she was spotted at the Paper Magazine Nightlife Awards Presented by Hennesy V.S. rocking the new look. The cut isn't  a super drastic change, but we can see she's now rocking a bob cut with her blonde hair and her long black locks are layered beneath. We really want to stay away from calling it a mullet, but perhaps a "modern mullet" sounds better?  

Fierce or Foolish?

- Makisha Timothy

Throwback Thursday: The Monochrome Suit

Happy Thursday folks! So last week's Throwback Thursday you got to clown me for my sponge roller bangs and round spectacles. This week, the joke is on LBS Assistant/Pop Culture Editor Makisha.

Isn't she adorbs in her little blue outfit?

You too can be fabulous like Makisha at 3 years old. Get into the Monochrome Suit look - an updated version of Makisha's digs. Below are some monochrome suit options for you.

The pant suit on the left (Simply Be, $160) works perfect for the colder weather months. And if you're real daring (like Makisha was), get your life in a short suit similar to the amazing Twenty8Twelve one we saw Solange rocking last week in this post.

Shop the look here:

Don't forget! We want to embarrass you TOO! Send an email with your Name, an old school Picture of yourself attached, and the Year to luvbrownsugar(at)gmail.com with "Throwback Thursday" in the subject. Promise I won't point and laugh! (Ok maybe I will, a little...)

Fierce or Foolish: Keke Palmer's New Look

The transition from being a child star to a young adult icon can be a difficult one and for celebrity kids, the world gets to watch you go through it. We know Keke Palmer for being a sweetheart. A well mannered young lady with talent, and essentially the prototype for young girls in Hollywood. You’re probably looking for a BUT to completely eliminate all the great things we just mentioned about Keke, but there isn't one. We think she's fab!

Although she hasn’t done anything horrible to tarnish her image, let's weigh in on her most recent transition. She's making bold moves, y'all.

Let’s start with her most recent appearance:

This week, the singer and actress was spotted at 106 & Park wearing a revealing, unbuttoned denim shirt that showed off her neon green and black bra and you guessed it - the twins. Her tummy was showing too. If she opted to show off one of the two, we would have understood the look, but the twins and the tummy? Hmmm.

And for the beauty look:

We’re used to seeing Keke with long black tresses, natural looking makeup along with a neutral lip. She normally gives off young, fresh and sophisticated but this week she revealed new hair. Keke now has a full head of blonde hair! This look has really worked for edgier celebs like Rihanna and Ciara, but is it working for Keke?  

What do you all think? Is her new look Fierce or Foolish?

- Makisha Timothy

Fierce or Foolish: Tamar Braxton at Tamar & Vince Premiere

If you've been watching WEtv's Braxton Family Values, you know all about Tamar Braxton and her overthetop.com self. On Wednesday night the Mega Diva and her Mega Mogul husband, Vince Herbert, hosted a premiere party at The Caulfeild in New York for their Wetv's spinoff show Tamar & Vince. The show which premiered last night at 10pm after Braxton Family Values, will take us inside of the relationship between the married couple as Vince works on managing Tamar's music career.

Related: LoveBrownSugar Interviews The Braxtons

I promise you Jesus was not in the flesh at the Caulfield, but the shoulder to shoulder, jam packed crowd could have fooled anyone. The duo stepped off in, get this, a party bus to walk the red carpet! Guests of the couple such as, Jennifer Williams of Basketball Wives, Po and Dice of La La's Full Court Life and even Beyonce's stylist Ty Hunter was there to celebrate. Signature cocktails were flowing and everyone grabbed treats from the candy bar, plus DJ Fadelf spun tunes that kept the party going. The night truly was a celebration.

Tamar wore a blue printed dress, black booties and a two toned bun to the premiere, while Vince wore a tan suit, a red checkered shirt and a bow tie. 

Thoughts on Tamar's look? Did you guys watch the premiere episode? Soundoff below!

- Makisha Timothy

Cover Girls: Teyana Taylor for VIBE Vixen

When the ageless Pharrell recruits you to his team, when Jay-Z refers to you as "Lil Swag," and when Kanye West wants your help designing his clothing line, you just have to be something special. You may not know Teyana Taylor for her many talents, but you definitely know her for two things; her envious locks and her distinctive urban chic style.

This September, the G.O.O.D. music artist graces Vibe Vixen's Fashion Issue and is even the stylist of the cover. It's only right. In the issue, Teyana talks about a recent feud between herself and Rihanna's "Navy" after a picture of Rihanna was mistaken for her. She credits herself with bringing back tomboy chic and we couldn't agree anymore.

The first time we were introduced to the Harlem native was on MTV's My Super Sweet 16 and for a very long time after, people wondered what she actually does aside from being so damn fly. Although her notorious sense of style hasn’t hurt, Teyana admits that she's "ready to really, really start working" and "be bigger than the clothes and the fashion."

Read the full story over at Vibe Vixen

Thoughts on this spread?

- Makisha Timothy

Kickin' It: Global Fusion Festival - Brandy, Elle Varner & More

LoveBrownSugar's newest assistant & contributor Makisha Timothy caught up with the stars this past weekend. Check out what she got into:

Festivals are a summer mainstay and this past Saturday, Philadelphia hosted it’s 6th Annual Global Fusion Festival at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. The festival brought out a diverse crowd both young and old. Headliner Brandy definitely had the biggest crowd with fans who were simply happy to see her back. With the exception of the very handsome and ageless Kenny Lattimore, who was there for the “ole heads” that probably got married to his music, newcomers such as Kendrick Lamar, Elle Varner and Luke James took the stage and showed and proved why they are up next.

Kendrick Lamar went first, drawing the younger crowd of hip-hop lovers. I must admit, he’s not the biggest guy in his crew, but his fans know exactly who he is. The screams from his female fans were deafening.

It is safe to say that when the host signaled Luke James to hit the stage, the fellas made sure they paid attention. The things women were doing to get to Luke were insane.

Kisha & Luke James

Fortunately for the women, during the press conference he gave after his performance, I was able to find out his relationship status and even learn about his perfect girl. Stay tuned for the video, it might be you. 

Elle Varner took me by surprise. She was so comfortable on stage and that voice is better than gold. Her full head of curls is easily a statement on her and during her press conference she shared how she gets her curls right, along with whose accessories she wore and where she got her killer wedges from.

Elle Varner performing

Kenny Lattimore melted the crowd. If you weren’t in love, you wished you were.

Brandy & Kisha

Brandy is back! To close out the show she hit the stage to a chanting crowd, some of whom were in tears, with what seemed to be a new purpose. 

She touched on it throughout the show and like a singer new to the scene, her energy was channeled through her love for her missed friend, Whitney Houston, and need to make her proud. 

She sported the trendy Giuseppe Zanotti sneakers that must have been pure comfort because she worked ALL of the stage.

As for the rest of her outfit, we'll forget about it. During her press conference, she admits to not having very much style and that she depends on her stylists to do the styling work. She even talked about her love for make up and joked about her nose. 

Overall the show set a new standard from what has been given in the past. The performers were diverse, and the show was very well put together. I left a new fan of Elle Varner, I fell in love with Luke and Brandy just sealed the deal giving me my best summer memory, period.

- By Makisha Timothy

Photo Credit:  Darren Burton