Latina.com Blog

What girl doesn’t love to get lip gloss? It’s just the best gift ever because you can never have too much, and you sometimes feel guilty spending over twenty bucks on one cause you know it’s just going to fall into your 50-gloss rotation. That’s why this holiday season I’m giving all my girls the gift of lip gloss. I’m picking out five of my favorites, tying them all together in a pretty ribbon and handing out the beautiful bundles with love. Some fun ones: Lancome Juicy Tubes ($18, lancome-usa.com), MAC Lipglass ($14, maccosmetics.com) and DiorKiss Luscious Lip-Plumping Gloss ($20, sephora.com). Have fun smooching!

Did you ever think you’d see the day when it was cool to say you liked Britney Spears again? I mean…it is cool to say that again, right? Whatever, I like her and the video for her new song, “Circus.” She looks amazing and she’s actually dancing with oomph again. Except, what’s with the random elephants? It’s a circus, yes, I get it, peanuts, top hats, etc. Mmm, now I want Cracker Jacks. I just put on Philosophy’s Caramel Apple Lip Shine ($12, sephora.com). Next best thing. Yummy.

Oh my God. I just ate a whole bag of Cheez-Its. Anyway, several doctors have told me I have to start taking vitamins. And I will. Someday. When I’m not so lazy to remember to take them everyday. And I was reminded of this fact when I saw this new line of Vitamin Shampoo ($7 each, CVS stores nationwide). My faithful readers, you know I’m a sucker for cute packaging, and these bottles are just adorable. They look like energy drinks, and each shampoo is filled with kick-ass nutrients. For example, the hydrating cleanser has coconut milk and lemongrass oil. The Nutritional variety has antioxidants like Acai Berry and Soymilk proteins (protein and moisture are the two most important things your hair needs to stay gorgeous). They’re a nice little steal at seven bucks and they totally make you feel like you’re doing cardio for your hair. It’s just good for it!

Do y’all remember the whole Maxim magazine Vs. Sarah Jessica Parker drama? The glossy named her one of the most “unsexy” girls on the planet. Now, as a girl can you think of any worse insult to get from a guy? I can’t. I mean, I’m thinking and I can’t come up with one other comment that would sting as much. It was rude, unnecessary and untrue (this horrid mean girl I went to high school with is much less sexy – you know who you are!). However, what is quite unsexy are wrinkly man hands. Not to point any fingers, but some (chain smoking) startlets have them. So start paying attention to your digits, ladies. I was recently given Lancome Absolue Hand ($42, lancome-usa.com) and am trying really hard to use it everyday. It not only hydrates but helps attack those dark sun or age spots, too. Cause all our parts should be lookin’ sexy – and no one should ever tell us they’re not!

I was just on Latina.com catching up on my gossip when I read that Camilla Belle has been cavorting with my vampire love Robert Pattinson (that’s Edward to all you Twilighters out there). Now I’m torn. Edwar – em, Robert and I haven’t met yet, so clearly we’re not together. Does that mean I should begrudge the budding superstar a high-wattage romance with what I’m sure is a lovely Latina starlet? YES! Yes, G*d d*mn*t, yes I can! It’s bad enough we’re miles apart, but now I have to watch his romantic escapades on my computer screen? Way to rub my face in it! Oh, speaking of rubbing my face in it, have any of you girls tried Chanel’s Energizing Multi-Protection Cream SPF 15? I now use it every morning. You can check out the entire Radiance line at Chanel.com, but this cream immediately – and quite magically – lifts my skin, and instantly moisturizes, smoothes and brightens it. Too bad it can’t do the same for my spirits.

So…you know how it’s good to wash your face with warm water, and then rinse it with cold so you tighten and close up the pores? It’s sort of the same with your hair. Try washing with hot-ish or warm water, then giving it a rinse with cold (if you can stand it, cause I tried and I was freaking freezing!). It helps seal the cuticle and promote shine. Let me know how it works for you!

So my friend and co-worker here at Latina just came to me raving about this product she recently tried: Kiehl’s Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub ($25, kiehls.com). Apparently, she was having a little blip of acne and the Kiehl’s expert at the counter recommended this exfoliator. It exfoliates with real fruit enzymes rather than huge granules or harsh chunks; therefore it’s gentle on inflamed or irritated skin. But what really struck me was her skin tone. Her cocoa complexion was positively radiant! Before she uttered a word I said, “Stop right now and tell me what you did to your face.” And tell me she did. You better believe I’m getting my hands on a tube tonight.

What’s up, people? Okay, I’ll get right to it. To continue my thought from yesterday, the next hair-raising gift idea I have for you comes from Bumble and Bumble. Now, I know it’s not a good idea to judge a book by its cover, but I’m sorry; this particular ‘book’ is too cute to pass up. Their Gentle Gift Box ($50, bumbleandbumble.com) is literally an adorable bright blue box, and inside lays the always-desirable gift of great hair in the form of their best-selling Gentle Shampoo, Super Rich Conditioner and Styling Lotion. But the best part is that nestled behind these 8 oz. products is a pinwheel of vividly colored hair ties. Honestly, how fast do you go through hair ties? They just disappear, am I lying? Well, it will be hard to loose sight of these blue, pink, green and brown bands, I’ll tell ya that much. – Angelique

Hey, boys and girls. How are y’all feeling today? I’m stressin’, myself, not going to lie. I just found out about an overseas trip I’ve got to take in the coming weeks and the to-do list beforehand is as long as my arm. What I do not need to be stressing over is holiday shopping. I told you ladies I would be back with more cute beauty gift ideas, and I’ve got two for you. They are both for the, shall we say, hair obsessed chicas in your life? Queen of Curls, Ouidad, is offering adorable little travel bags chock full of her essential shampoos, conditioners, clips and combs; the Curls and Coming to Town set – perfect for the gym – is only $20, and the Peace, Love and Curls styling kit is $36 (ouidad.com). The next fab gift idea…I will tell you all about tomorrow! Tell then…Angelique

Did you know it was over 30 years ago that L’Oreal Paris coined the phrase “Because I’m worth it?” And aren’t we all? I think so. No, I know so. And so does L’Oreal, a company that annually selects a “Women of Worth” honoree to receive a $25,000 donation to their personal non-profit organization. Nominated this year was Dr. Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, who in 1997 launched LEAP – Leadership, Education and Partnership – Academy University Charter School in Camden, New Jersey (one of the poorest cities in the U.S., mind you). The college-prep school, aimed at helping at-risk youth, boasts having graduated four student classes with 100 percent college placement. Though she is one of 10 honorees at this year’s award ceremony, she won my vote – and my heart. To learn more about this amazing program, visit womenofworth.com.