Gimme That Glow: March 2010

Wednesday's Weekly Obsession: Rabago Wedges

Rabago Wedges | Aldo Shoes | $39.98

Summer is right around the corner ladies and I'm counting down the days because I am SO ready to slip into some of my fave sandals. I'm a fan of wedged heels so when I came across these strappy Rabago Wedges by Aldo Shoes I just HAD to have them!!! These shoes are regularly retailed at $80 but are currently marked down half priced at just $39.98. They are also available in bronze, trust me I was tempted to get both pair but I settled with one for now. Now is definitely the time to stock up on your summer gear because late winter & early Spring retailers offer the best deals.

My sister swears they look kinda stripper'ish ( I slightly agree ) LOL

Skin Purrrrr-fection: Honey Cat Cosmetics Review & Giveaway!

***UPDATE*** Contest Is Now Closed, A Winner Will Be Announced Friday; April 2, 2010 ***

So Winter is FINALLY over and Spring is slowly peeking it's way in. I don't know about you but my skin goes through quite a transition during those cold winter months, so I'm always looking for products that keep my skin feeling soft & looking vibrant. I'm excited to introduce you all to Honeycat Cosmetics they feature purrr-fectly delicious & natural skincare products with a side of sexy! Check out my review below.

Vanilla Cream Grooming Bar

My Goodies Included:

Vanilla Cream Grooming Bar | $8

Likes: I love that the ingredients include Shea Butter & Aloe, this little bar had my skin feeling SUPER soft and squeaky clean.

Dislikes: Although the bar soap is formulated with vanilla, butter cream & sweet almond oil the scent wasn't quite what I anticipated. It had a pleasant smell, just not as scrumptious as it sounds.

Honeycat Warm Milk Martini | $20

Likes: Definitely my FAVORITE out of the bunch! The smell is heavenly & sweet, I could literally get lost in that scent for hours. My skin smelled delicious and felt like silk.

Dislikes: I can't call this a dislike, just a suggestion. I'm a shower kinda girl but the Milk Martini is really made for the tub. I ended up sprinkling the powder onto my shower puff (or whatever you call it lol ) . If I could get the same scent & effect in a shower gel that would be purrr-fect :-)

Whiskers Slickers Lip Balm | $6

Likes: I LOVED that my lips stayed moisturized for a long period of time without having to re-coat them. Unlike my ( faithful ) Carmex which dries them out prompting me to reapply every 10 minutes :-/

Dislikes: I'm not a huge fan of cinnamon and it tingled just a little bit when first putting it on.

Paw Batter Foot Cream

Paw Batter "Chocolate, Amaretto & Mint" Foot Cream | $12

Likes: The Paw Batter looks like a chocolate milkshake and goes on so smooth. I love the way the mint soothed my feet. I can definitely get use to lathering this yummy paw batter on my tootsies :-)

Dislikes: NONE!!!

........................................................................................

Would I Recommend It: Definitely! Honeycat Cosmetics has a lot of little treasures, they'd make the perfect gift!

Overall: I've officially fallen in love. The cute packaging, the witty names and the GREAT & effective products are winners in my book! The whole Sexy Kitten/Feminine Feline theme is so adorable.

Honeycat products were provided by PR & Media Relations Representatives. Read our disclosure policy here.

On to the G-I-V-E-A-W-A-Y

Terry of Honeycat Cosmetics was kind enough to send me a handful of things and Gimme That Glow wants to share some of them with you! One lucky reader will receive (1) Vanilla Cream Grooming Bar, (1) Sweet Potato Pie Bubble Bath and (1) Box of Chocolate Bath Melt Treats. ( all pictured above )

Contest Rules:

The rules are simple!

1. Follow Gimme That Glow through Blogger's Friend Connect ( which can be found in the left sidebar)

2. Fan our Facebook page

( Just click the button above)

3. Comment: Just leave a comment under this post "Enter Me"

A winner will be randomly selected and will be announced in a following post.

Contest begins Tuesday; March 30, 2010 and ends Thursday; 11:59 pm (Eastern) April 1, 2010. The winner will be announced Friday; April 2, 2010. (full contest disclosure here)

Good Luck!

Eye'd Try It™: Combo Eyes

My new thing lately is different colors on each eye. This look isn't for everyone, but I love it. I love trying out different looks and this is definitely one that stuck with me. You can basically go with any color combo you want (but in reason hopefully).

This is not a professional look! This is just for something crazy on the weekend or to wear with some great outfit you put together for a party.

I definitely don't suggest to do a full eye with the combo look. If you do decide to do something on the top lid, I would recommend you use a neutral color. Play with your colors, even if you don't ever plan to wear that look outside your house.

Terrific Tuesday: Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Scrub

I'm here with another Terrific Product for Terrific Tuesdays! March has flown by and spring is here which means its time to get rid of the winter blues and Dead SKIN!!!

As I was browsing the aisles at my local Beauty Supply I came across the Queen Helene line. I picked up a couple of things but the one I couldn't wait to try was the Soothing Cocoa Butter Natural Face Scrub.

I love this stuff but not for my face! This stuff has done wonders for my skin because I use it as a body wash! It has these beads in it that scrub the dry skin away!

I have been using it for a couple of weeks and I have noticed that my dry skin is a distant memory! So what are your secrets to healthy glowing skin in the winter months?

Would You Rock These: Converse Extension 1's (shoe pants)

I saw some pictures of the Smith family on the red carpet and I noticed that little willow Smith had on some interesting pants!!

She looks so cute and fashion forward!! Here are a few other versions

They are called Converse Extension 1's and from what I can tell they were designed by Dutch Fashion Designer Daryl van Wouw as a special project for the Virtual shoe museum. There is no price listed because they aren't sold in stores.

Personally I like my pants to be seperate for my shoes but for those of you that like to walk on the wild side Would You Rock These?
(pics from virtualshoemusuem)

Glow Girl Interview: Benardett K. Jno-Finn, Founder of Nica Naturals

I'm thrilled to introduce you Glow Girls to Benardett K. Jno-Finn, Founder of Nica Naturals. She has definitely been a true inspiration to me with her business savvy mixed with passion for her natural creations. In just three years, she has created a name for herself and proved her business sustainable in today's market. I hope you all enjoy this interview and begin to ignite the fuel to your passion.

When did you first get involved with hair and skin care products?

You could say that I’ve always been drawn to natural remedies. I grew up drinking what we call in the Caribbean, “bush tea”- basil, thyme, lemon grass, soursop and so forth. I also used a lot of homemade remedies such as conditioners and rinses for my hair, aloes for cuts and noni leaves for my sprained knee. So, my interest in creating my own product line came naturally.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am best described as a down to earth Caribbean/West Indian lady with an unwavering love for nature. I was born on the island of Dominica and grew up on the island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. I earned my degree in Biochemistry from Syracuse University. I am passionate about peoples health which is a form of wealth in itself and plan to pursue further studies in the fields of public health and international development. I cherish quiet moments as I am a workaholic and strive everyday to maintain a balanced scheduled.

Tell us about Nica Naturals.

Nica Naturals was officially started in 2007, but I've been making products long before that. I’ve always had sensitive skin which got worse after relocating to upstate New York for college. My experience with eczema encouraged me to build on my knowledge of herbal remedies to create products that work for me. I spent a few years being my own guinea pig, researching natural ingredients and creating products that addressed my needs. These products worked very well for me and the difference was immediately noticeable. I shared these creations with family and friends who made recommendations on how I could improve the products. Overall, the responses were positive.

Each Nica Naturals product is made from scratch using premium natural butters, herbs, oils, essential oils and fragrance oil. The scents of the products are simply amazing and range from the calming Lavender Mist, a blend of lavender and sweet orange essential oils to the spicy clove type scent of Bay Bay to the bold almond honey scent of Caress Me.

Currently, how many products do you have in your catalog?

At present we offer approximately 24 products on a consistent basis but there are over 70 products in the Nica Naturals catalog. The newest additions to the product line are our soaps and soy candles which compliment the other products we offer.

Why natural products?

My passion for natural products has been inspired by my personal experiences which taught me that we put on our body is just as important as what we put in our body. In creating products, I spend a lot of time learning about oils, herbs butters and other natural ingredients that offer some benefit to the body.

I've seen your great business grow over time from the events and marketing you do in the community, what advice do you give to women looking to start a business? What should they expect and what does it take?

Being an entrepreneur is very rewarding but requires a lot of hard work, dedication and passion. Before you decide to start a business, make sure you are passionate about what you want to do. If you are not passionate, you will give up the moment things get tough and you feel like you are alone. The best way to learn is by doing. Do what you can with what you have and don’t be afraid to seek help in areas where you are weak.

What can we expect in the future from you and Nica Naturals?

There are quite a few things planned for Nica Naturals: to expand and revamp the product line, to solidify our current image and to give back to our community as the Company grows.

What's your daily skin care routine?

My current routine includes products I make for my personal use: aloe and honey milk cleanser, orange blossom or rose water toner, and a facial serum. I also use a facial masque or herbal steam when needed.

Do you wear makeup? If so what are some of your favorite products.

My makeup is usually pretty conservative. I prefer eye color, lip color and occasionally some blush over the conventional full coverage. Some of my favorite products are Momosa and Mudslide mineral eye shadows by B Beauty Bar (a New Orleans makeup company), my homemade lip balm, and MAC’s Instant Gold Lipglass.

www.nicanaturals.com

Save 10% on any order with this coupon code: 1GTGG0 (offer expires 4/30/10)

Win $100 In Honeycat Cosmetics!

Honeycat Cosmetics wants YOU to help name there next new product. So all of you creative chicks and divas, put your thinking caps on because if your idea is chosen you could win $100 in Honeycat Products! The contest has officially started and will end on April 16th. For official rules & details please check out Honeycat Cosmetics here. Good Luck!

Hair Accessory Corner: Windy Flower

My newest headband is a cutie pie. Its a floral side bow set in satin, called Windy Flower. It's truly adorable hair piece. I think this may be my last one. The headband thrill is gone for me. This particular headband can be found at Forever21 for only $3.80.

Ladies, there are lots of great places to get headbands and for cheap if you are into hair accessories. Never be afraid to try things in your hair. Ever since I was a young girl and saw Billie Holiday for the first time, my love for hair accessories grew and I made it my own.

As always, be yourself and remember fashion is what you make it!

Eye'd Try It™: Soft n Smokey

Want to wear smokey during the day while at work without being too dramatic? Try this look!

Prep and Finish: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, L'Oreal Liquid Eyeliner (Black), Revlon Beyond Natural Defining Mascara (Black)

Brushes: Modern Basic Brush Chisel Pointed Fluff (808), Modern Basic Brush i-Contour (853), Modern Basic Brush Super Shader (805)

Shadows: L'Oreal Wear Infinite Quads Eye Shadow, Smokey Eyes 904

How I did it:

Applied the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion on the entire lid. Using the Modern Basic brush (808), I applied color #2 to the brow bone. Then using Modern Basic brush (805)I applied color #1 on the entire lid starting below the brow bone. Next I applied color #3 (same brush) in the center of the eyelid. Last I applied color #4 to the upper outer corners of the lid using Modern Basic brush (853).

Note: When using the same brush, be sure to tap off the excess color before applying the next color.

Then I applied L'Oreal Liquid Liner (Black) on the upper lid and Revlon Beyond Natural Defining Mascara (Black)

The key is to add just a hint of color, where it's soft but not too dramatic. This is a perfect look for the workplace and then just darken the shadow for the evening out on the town.

Unii Wants to Know: Got "Pot?"

How many times have you packed for a trip and KNOW that you can't take your whole makeup collection because the bulk of the compacts prove to be the ultimate challenge to closing your bulging suitcase. Unii helps solve that problem!

Unii is an empty palette that comes in an array of colors (of course mine is MY fav BLUE!) It comes in cute packaging that comes with instructions on the packaging itself on how to depot your favorite eyeshadow or face powder and add to the cute and compact Unii.

Unii comes with several magnetic strips to cut to size and place on your depotted eyeshadow or other depotted item. You can even label the strips so you'll know what is what! I like living on the edge and didn't place magnets on the bottom of my depotted eyeshadow.

I managed to fit 21 eyeshadow! I had a couple of mishaps depotting which can happen but it's not a big deal because I didn't lose that much. Now you don't have to pack it in there like I have done but it's just an example. This is perfect for a weekend getaway or a vacation and it's durable! Comes with a huge mirror and has a secure snap to make sure your makeup doesn't end up all over your bag, clothes or on the floor. It's $29 and money well spent for a cosmo-nista! If you want one for yourself check out www.uniicosmetics.com.

EarthSavers Clay Mask and Hydrator

One of my favorite spas, EarthSavers not only provides great massages.... EarthSavers has a wonderful catalog of products to take home. Two of my new favorite products at Earthsavers : Hydrator and Mask.

Clay Mask

I never was a clay type of person, until I tried this mask. It includes high potency kaolin clay extracts, which helps extract stubborn dirt. Also, this mask helps provide smaller, less noticeable pores. To help soothe and smooth the skin a little more, the ingredients aloe vera gel and lavender oil was included.With this clay mask, it's best to use once a week for deep pore cleaning. Price: 26.95 for 4.5 oz (Buy Here)

Oil Free Hydrator
I live in New Orleams, so the weather here is extremely humid a good amount of the time. This hydrator helps nourish the skin for oily and combination. It helps the skin get that great dewy and soft feel. Yummy greatness found in this product includes cucumber, green tea, (my favorite) chamomile, and Vitamin A.

Price: $39.95 for 4.5 oz (Buy Here)

Wednesday's Weekly Obsession: Nicole Lee|Celine Hobo

I recently made a visit to one my favorite boutiques in Atlanta called Trio. I promise you that place is like a preview of heaven any girl would get lost in that store for hours!!!! They sell tons of purses, jewelry & accessories. And the icing on the cake, I always manage to walk out of there knowing I got a good deal. This bag is retailed at $149, they had it marked down 50% with an addition 20% off. So I scored it for $45, 70% off was an amazing deal!!!

The Celine Hobo by Nicole Lee is a must have.

I love the style of the bag, the detailing and the metal hardware is so fab.

Not to mention the quality of their products are always excellent, I've never been disappointed!

Celine Hobo | $149 | http://www.nicoleleeonline.com/

Nail Junkie: Sally Hansen|Lavender Marquis

Sally Hansen's Diamond Strength Collection has been around for a little while now & they have such beautiful colors. I'm normally a plain jane so when it comes to my nails I opt for the most neutral colors. While Golds & Silvers are my "safe" shades this time I wanted to go for something a little more dainty but still modest, which is why I chose Lavender Marquis.

This shade has definitely become one of my faves because you can pretty much wear it with anything. It may not stop traffic so to speak but it's tamed & vibrant and more importantly, I LIKE it!