Source: PR Newswire

Her role as one of the stars VH1 reality show, Basketball Wives may be a thing of the past, but it appears that Jennifer Williams never stops working! You probably already know about her fabulous lip gloss line produced by Lucid Cosmetics, not to mention the fact that she’s a principal owner of über popular women’s fitness studio, Flirty Girl Fitness. And now, we’re happy to report that the New Jersey native can add spokesmodel to her resumé, as it was announced yesterday that she is the new face of Ampro’s Shine ‘n Jam product line.

This is a great look for Jen, who appears to be totally thrilled about her latest venture.

“I am extremely excited and honored to become the new face of Ampro’s Shine ‘n Jam line. Ampro is a family oriented company and they have welcomed me with love.  The Ampro brand has always been a staple in the hair care market and the Shine ‘n Jam- Silk Edges has become my favorite.  It is great for fly-always and keeping my edges silky so I am always red carpet ready! I look forward to my future and my journey with this amazing company. Stay tuned!” she said in an issued press release.

The grandchildren of Ampro founder, Irvin Lansky, Melanie Rudner-Herron and Jonathan Rudner also seem to be elated that Jennifer is the newest addition to the team.

“[We are] very excited to have Jennifer join our long & growing list of #TeamAmpro celebrities,” said Jonathan

“She’s the perfect person for this product line because she personifies everything we try to communicate with our brand message,” added Melanie.

As the new spokesmodel for Shine ‘n Jam products, Jennifer will be the featured celebrity for the line’s global advertising campaign.

Well, it looks like there’s life after Basketball Wives after all. We’re very happy for her!

What do you think of Jen’s latest business venture?

Follow Jazmine on Twitter @jazminedenise.

From StyleBlazer

Just when you thought it was safe for your wallet, here comes MAC with a slew of collections to bust that baby right open. But at least we’ll all be looking pretty, right?

MAC will introduce new shades in best-selling Studio Fix Fluid and Studio Fix foundations, and will also introduce several permanent and limited edition collections that you will not want to miss. Plus Volcanic Ash Exfoliator is no longer a limited item!

via CURLS on Facebook

The “Natural Hair Renaissance” is in full swing. More black women than ever are rocking their God-given curls with pride, and now finding the perfect product for every kinky texture is as easy as making a trip to the neighborhood drug store.

We’ve come a long way, baby, but for those of us who cut the “creamy crack” cord more than a few years ago, the dark days are still fresh in our minds.

Mahisha Dellinger, founder and CEO of CURLS hair products, was one of the early converts, deciding in 2002 to scrap her relaxer in favor of a natural style. Maintenance was a problem, though, and she found herself pacing the hair care aisles, unhappy with the heavy greases and texturizers that were developed for ethnic hair.

“I was looking at my options and thinking that this could be a potential business opportunity,” she said. “I was sure that there were other people who had hair care needs that weren’t being fulfilled.”

It’s been said that necessity is the mother of invention, and that was definitely true in Dellinger’s case. With $25,000 of her personal savings, she hired a cosmetic chemist to begin working on the formulas that would eventually comprise the CURLS line of products. And while she admits that she was no science geek, she knew exactly what she didn’t want in the final product: parabens, sulfates, silicones, or any other additives that would prove harmful to chemical-free hair.

From there, the road to success was slow but steady. In a pre-social media world – and well before natural hair and natural hair care products were a trending topic – Dellinger had to get creative about building her customer base. She partnered with sites like NaturallyCurly.com to reach potential buyers directly, and she set up her own e-commerce site, shipping direct from her garage.

It was a realm Dellinger was comfortable in, having served previously as a marketing manager for Intel Corporation. But providing hands-on marketing training wasn’t the only way that Dellinger’s stint in corporate America readied her for entrepreneurship.

Towards the end of her Intel tenure, Dellinger worked under a manager who she claims was trying to get her fired, despite her record and performance. Ultimately, he took a job with another company, but Dellinger was forever traumatized by the experience.

“Once he went away, I was relieved,” said Dellinger, “but then I realized that the glass ceiling was still there, and the color barrier was there. I needed to be able to own my own destiny.”

Before launching CURLS, Dellinger considered other business opportunities, including a corporate child care service that would have directly eased one of her own pain points as a working mother. But it was her personal beauty epiphany that would lead to self-employment bliss and a company, according to Dellinger, that’s now valued at a cool $15 million.

Taking the entrepreneurial leap is never without trial, but Dellinger credits her mentor with making the road considerably smoother. She met her advisor, a former Fortune 100 executive, through SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). The organization provides a variety of free resources for new business owners, including mentorship pairing and assistance in drafting business and marketing plans. Dellinger’s experience with SCORE was so beneficial, in fact, that she steers every budding entrepreneur she meets directly to their local office.

“If you don’t have the experience, if you don’t have a mentor, if you don’t have the business background, I definitely recommend SCORE,” she said. “It’s free, it’s everywhere, and it’s an amazing organization.”

In addition to wise counsel, much of Dellinger’s current fortune can be traced to her products increased accessibility through retailers like Target and Sally Beauty Supply. And certainly, if the (not so) secret to success really is “Location, Location,Location,” Dellinger’s profits will continue to rise. CURLS products are scheduled to land on Wal-Mart’s shelves this February.

Unfortunately, though, the natural hair revolution and the willingness of big box retailers to jump on the sales bandwagon have created new challenges for Dellinger and company. She notes that some manufacturers are more concerned about revenue than providing quality products for black consumers.

“It’s really an interesting environment for us now because we wanted the exposure, but it’s brought a plethora of new competition from brands that are just looking to make money,” Dellinger said. “They may not have a path into the market that is authentic to the consumer, but they have the power and the resources to drop $50 million in advertising.”

Multi-national conglomerates aside, Dellinger is still pressing forward into a decidedly frizz-free future. She’s in talks to star in her own reality show – documenting her life as the “Curl Queen” – and she’s also writing a book. Dellinger’s days are much busier now, but she’s in control. And following her experience at Intel, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“After I got through that, I said I would never, ever let someone else hold my destiny in the palms of their hands,” she explained. “If I was going to put in all those hours, I wanted to do it for myself, for my kids, for my legacy, and for my well-being.”

Andrea Williams is a journalist and writer based in Nashville, TN. For more, follow her @AndreaWillWrite.

Shutterstock

October is a month filled with many things to look forward to. Some anticipate weather fit for drinking those newly-returned pumpkin spice lattes. Others have already begun to prepare their Halloween costumes (Animal ears and leggings worn as pants? Check!). But for 1 out of 8 women, it’s a month dedicated to awareness of a disease they presently possess, or, if they’re lucky, have beaten. That’s right, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is upon us and it’s time to think pink and positive!

Remember, little things can make a big difference! We’ve rounded up ten spectacular products by brands that are keen on supporting the search for a cure and a woman’s right to pamper herself. Keep one of these feminine luxuries for your personal beauty bag or raise a loved one’s spirits by presenting one as a gift.  On a lighter note, think of it this way: “Finally! A guilt-free version of retail therapy.” View the slideshow to shop for the cause…

Monica Jones Moore loves chasing the big moments. Whether it’s a primetime hard news event or a high profile pop culture trend, Moore can be found in-the-thick of it, behind the scenes figuring out how to translate the moment for TV audiences.

And while her fast-paced career as a freelance television producer has taken her to the sets of Good Morning America to the Discovery Channel, she never lets her unpredictable schedule get in the way of her personal maintenance routine or her favorite indulgences.

We recently caught up with Monica to get the inside scoop on some of her favorite things for Summer.

Keep clicking to see what she can’t live without!

Treat Me Maddy Cupcake Bath Bomb. Photo: TreatMeBathAndBody.com

When was the last time you treated yourself? How long has it been since you indulged in a satisfying dessert, a relaxing bubble bath, or even just 30 minutes of peace and quiet?

As women in today’s society we are professionals, mothers, wives, students, and more.  We wear so many hats it’s not always easy to scrounge up the resources for a personal treat. From financial obligations to scheduling obstacles, women often find themselves on the bottom of the totem pole of self-indulgence.

Fortunately, one Brooklyn, NY mom set out on a mission to help the everyday woman be good to herself. The result is her creative and delicious approach to holistic bath and body products, Treat Me.

Treat Me is an all-natural line of soaps, bath bombs, exfoliation scrubs and moisturizers that are shaped and scented after what we all crave — sweets! From the “Mint Chocolate Dream” soap, to the “Sugar Scrub Cubes,” Treat Me founder Teneshia LaRoda-Griffith wanted to create a product that embodies some of the sweet luxuries that women often cheat themselves out of and promote an opportunity for ladies to take a few moments to themselves. “This was my ode to women,” says Griffith.

Not long ago Teneshia was a busy, stay-at-home mom, who was balancing a household, a marriage, and a toddler with little time left for pampering. “I stopped being able to get my hair and nails done,” she recalls. “I had to find a way to do this for myself.”

The idea was born to create a line of bath and body products that have the added indulgence of the delectable fragrances of some of our favorite confections. A self-proclaimed “foodie at heart,” LaRoda-Griffith was inspired to take her creation to the next level while shopping for cupcakes for her daughter’s birthday party. She was hit with the notion to make her products not only smell scrumptious, but look exactly like their appetizing counterparts. “Sometimes even just smelling things can make you feel full,” she explains. “Solve your cravings this way!”

Teneshia LaRoda-Griffith

Aside from the fact that all the Treat Me products are organic and free of harsh sulfates and chemicals, the line is priced to make it easy for those who are financially challenged to feel lavish. With prices as low as $6.95, women from all walks of life can easily find room in their budget for one of these sweet treats.

“I got a lot of flack for charging such low prices,” says Griffith, “but I know what my products do for me. And if I’m helping people, then the money will come. If I have a thousand women who swear by Treat Me then I’m good.”

guardian.co.uk

When the economy goes bad, women spend more on cosmetics and retail. Why? According to MSNBC, a new report observes that women are buying more in hopes of securing a man who was able to hold on to his job during the recession.

“We may not consciously think we’re buying them to make ourselves more desirable to men,” Sarah E. Hill, co-author of the study and assistant professor of psychology at Texas Christian University said to MSNBC. “But our lizard brains go after these things even when we think we’re too smart to be lured in by manipulative advertising claims like, ‘these jeans will help get you a man.’”

Hill first noticed what she calls the lipstick-effect when she observed high Mary Kay sales in 2010 when many companies were suffering. She then decided to study whether or not the trend carried across companies and different time periods. She and her colleagues looked at 20 years of data to examine the relationship between unemployment rates and sales of beauty products and designer clothes.

“I was expecting to find sales of these products to at best be flat when unemployment was high,” she said. “That would have been interesting enough. But when we found that people were actually spending more during times of high unemployment, I thought that was fascinating.”

Hill decided to take the study a step further. She gave both men and women study participants a chose between reading story about a down economy or architecture. Participants were then asked to indicate their level of desire to buy six products: half included clothing and beauty products, the other half included a stapler, a wireless computer mouse and headphones. Turns out, women who chose to read the story on the down economy generally went for the beauty products.

By contrast, men didn’t seem to be effected by the lipstick-effect. Hill reasons that this is because when men look for a partner, they generally aren’t as concerned with a woman’s income level.

More on Madame Noire Business!

• Behind The Click: Tara Roberts, Co-Founder of GirlTank
• Entrepreneur Spotlight: Wedding Photographer Amber Knowles on Building Her Studio
• How CARA B Naturally’s Founders Launched A Natural Skin & Hair Care Company For Ethnic Children
• Entrepreneur Spotlight: Meet The Women Behind The Groupon of Black Hair, The Fly Cut
• Do Black Designers Skip Over Black Models to Gain White Customers?
• How She Made It: Alia Jones-Harvey, Producer of A Streetcar Named Desire

Greetings, friends!

If you’re one of those people who is looking for the newest product or for some product recommendations, then you’re in luck. I’ve tried a few new products lately for everything from my dry hair to my ladybits and thought I would share. Let’s get down to business:

Source: http://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com

Shea Moisture’s Honey and Black Seed After Shave Regenerative Lotion

What does Shea Moisture have that isn’t amazing??? And while you might have most of the hair products, you shouldn’t pass up on the things they have in their women’s skin line. While perusing a beauty supply store to stock up on hair goods, I ran across this cream that is supposed to work wonders for irritated skin after you’ve shaved. As someone whose run into this problem while trying to remove hair from my girlfriend down there, I thought I wouldn’t have anything to lose (but about $8 or $9). But man oh man, has this stuff been a Godsend! Not only does it smell delicious, but it helps the hair (wherever you apply it), grow back softer, and grow black slower at that. One of the best products I’ve picked up in a while…You can find their products at Target, Walgreens, or at your nearby ratchet beauty supply *smiles*

Source: mmproducts.com

Sofn’Free’s Milk Protein & Olive Oil Leave-In Treatment and Argan & Olive Oil Spray

Finding the right leave-in conditioner is tricky. Some leave you with a weird residue, some don’t even really condition like they say they will, but Sofn’Free’s leave-in spray used to make my afro feel like butter in the morning. And that’s after it felt like a brillo pad at night. Do a twist out, and if you’re not looking to throw a big cream or pudding in for moisture, this leave-in spray will go a long way. Your hair soaks it up really well (well, mine did at least), and the smell is delightful. The company’s argan and olive oil spray also provides a lot of shine without coming off greasy, and that works great for all kinds of hair, especially relaxed locks that are dull and need some kick.

Source: shopme.com

Arm & Hammer’s Ultra Max Invisible Solid Deodorant (in Powder Fresh!)

I’m sure we’re all out here searching for the right deodorant, and if you do the absolute most on a daily basis like moi, you’re bound to work up a sweat. When that happens, you need a deodorant that will work heavy duty, won’t go on too thick, but won’t be too thin. Arm & Hammer’s Invisible Solid deodorant is another miracle-worker. It has saved my white T-shirts, and keeps me very fresh and clean. A lot of these other deodorants (the Suaves and the Secrets of the world) are too busy trying to make you smell like a bed of roses when your a** just needs to smell clean. You will swear by it soon enough. Find it at your local drugstore/pharmacy (Walgreens, Wal Mart, Target, etc).

Source: en.paperblog.com

DeMert Nail Enamel Dryer Manicurist’s Finishing Spray

As an avid nail painter who likes to avoid spending money on things I can do myself (sorry nearby nail salon), the faster I can get my nails done the better. While cold water can work after a while, and even cooking spray, this finishing spray by DeMert really does work wonders. It not only dries your manicure, but it makes your hands look like professional did them! Which is nice since I know you struggled to paint that right hand, girl. It’s only a few bucks and can be found at your local beauty supply. So if you’re trying to avoid the big smudge or those weird imprints from going to bed too early with your new nails, you might want to pick up a can.

Source: beautycoliseum.com

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

I had heard some people online raving about this product, so when my beautician told me I should use it for my two-strand twists, I was expecting big results. Granted, you’re not going to wake up with a whole new head of long hair, but if you put a small amount on your edges and in places where hair has broken off, the growth you will see in a short amount of time is pretty awesome. Not only that, but it also moisturizes your hair well. However, I must admit that the smell and the consistency (it’s thick) aren’t anything to write home about, but the results are. Check it out, and be sure to mix it with other things so it doesn’t go on so thick…Try for your local beauty supply (not Sally’s) if you’re looking for it, and you can also buy the oil online.

What products are must-haves for you?

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• Ask a Very Smart Brotha Live: The Cheating Scale & Adult Videos
• Find a Solution to Your Suffering Sex Life
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• What’s The Big Deal About The Lack Of Black ‘Girls?’
• Skincare Q&A: Photo Sensitivity, Combination Skin and Dark Circles
• Haute Hair Accessory: Clip-Ins (Starting Under $100 Too!)

LUSH, Fresh Handmade Cosmetics is more than a store. It’s an experience! Picture this:

You are surrounded by every color in the rainbow. Natural lavender, Shea butter, and citrus are among the many smells you are inhaling. Music – presently Christmas carols - can be heard, faintly, in the background. Your hands trace over unique shapes like snowmen, cupcakes, and stars! They all vary in texture and depending on the one you’re feeling, your hands can end up moisturized, exfoliated and/or covered in glitter. Welcome to LUSH.

As hardworking women, we like and deserve to be pampered. LUSH provides us with ALL-NATURAL products (containing little to no preservatives) to freshen up our bath, shower, hair, skincare and perfume at a reasonable price. Being able to pronounce the ingredients of your face and body products would be a nice change of pace, right? We suspect you’re nodding your head in agreement.

With over 650 stores and factories in over 40 countries, chances are you’ve seen a LUSH store before. If you’re like the majority of mall-goers I polled on their experience with LUSH, then you have passed by it on your way to Bath & Body Works, or The Body Shop or even Victoria’s Secret. However, a select few, since wandering into a LUSH, have decided the competition just doesn’t compare. There are two types of people in the world: Those who shop at LUSH and those who don’t. If you haven’t tried their rich lotions, bath time treats, or natural face masks…what are you waiting for?

With the help of two friendly and knowledgeable LUSH Gurus, Rachael and Danielle, I’ve comprised a list of products any LUSH veteran or beginner can appreciate. Check ‘em out and learn some cool LUSH facts along the way!

No complaining customers, sassy salespeople and not wasting a drop of your gas are some of the conveniences that on-line shopping can offer. However, there are just some things that are better bought in person.  Sometimes a 300 X 225 photo and brief description that’s been tailored to sound its best is not enough.

Here are a few items that should never be purchased with a click of a button…

Read the rest of this entry »