Monday, August 16, 2010

Tia & Tamera's City Guide


Actresses Tia and Tamera Mowry are all grown up, but they're still as sprightly as their TV characters from the classic sitcom, "Sister, Sister." By now the twins are the quintessential LA girls, so who better to guide us through their city.

Tia prefers her low-key San Fernando Valley neighborhood, while Tamera lives in less subdued West Los Angeles where all the action (and paparazzi) is. Find out what what these two would have us do were we to visit their city.



Best for breakfast and lunch
Tamera: My sister and I go to Clementine when we want to catch up. They have great organic homemade food and an in-house bakery. Their lemon meringue pie is amazing. I love their chicken pesto salad.

Tia: Lots of celebrities hang out at Hugo's Restaurant . We've run into Robert Downey, Jr., Keenan "Ivory" Wayans and Matthew Perry and they're usually without an entourage. Hugo's makes very tasty organic food and we love that you can eat on the patio.

Nailing the Mani/Pedi
Tia: I get my nails done at Mailan Nail Salon in Studio City. They give you a massage the whole time they're doing your manicure or pedicure. Not a lot of people go there so I enjoy the privacy. I have run into Kimora Lee-Simmons in there.

Tamera: I love The Paint Shop in Beverly Hills because, first of all, it's Black-owned, and it's amazing. The owner, Julie, serves you a glass of wine, champagne, or a martini while you're getting manicure or pedicure done.

Best beauty break
Tia: There are suddenly all these places where you can get a Thai massage in the Valley. They're amazing. What happens is you're laying down on the ground and these women put you into yoga poses while giving you a massage. You can choose to get deep tissue or relaxation massage, all for $45! I love it.

Hair story
Tamera: I love organic products because I don't like to use a lot of product in my hair. I go to Umberto when I want to feel more natural because they believe in the health of your hair so instead of blow-drying, hot combing or pressing, you sit under the dryer or you roller set your hair. I also go to Nikki Wright Salon when I want to vamp up my style and be different like putting some extensions in my hair or coloring it.

Boutique smart
Tia: I'm really more of a boutique girl more than a mall. I love Belle Gray boutique, which is owned by actress Lisa Rinna because it's a one-stop shop for style. They have everything from jewelry to scarves and purses.

Tamera: I describe my style as bohemian chic, so I go to a place called Elli in the Century City mall. Halle Berry shops there as well. It's where I get my ballet flats and gladiator sandals. They have a great selection for girls who, like Halle, like to be comfortable in their everyday life.

Cocktails in the city
Tamera: When you and the girls are going to get a cocktail you want the place to be relaxing and inviting and private. Culina, a restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel, is just that. It's modern Italian and they serve great cocktails as well.

Dance the night away
Tamera: My sister and I went through this phase where we just wanted to dance, dance, dance. For that we go to Drais inside the W Hotel because it's where you go if you want to have "the experience" and see a celebrity or two. For a different ambience "V" Lounge is where you go if you just want to feel like you're in your best friend's backyard getting down.

Tame It Down


Summer may be winding down, but humidity is turned all the way up--which is a nightmare for hair. Whether you rock a curly natural (a 'la Solange) or a sleek blowout, frizz and flyaways just aren't cute especially when you weren't going for extra volume. Tame your strands with Ouidad's Climate Control Gel, a product that shields hair from humidity, leaving strands smooth, defined and controlled. To use, simply apply a dime-size amount to towel-dried hair, and style.

Ouidad's Climate Control, $22, available at ouidad.com

Read more: @ essence.com/hair

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Look of the Week


Kate Walsh promoted the premiere of Private Practice in a sleek toffee brown minidress paired with a crisp white blazer, nude stilettos and paired with Anita Ko jewelry.

LUV LUV LUV a Great Blazer and a Cute Dress!!

Jennifer Hudson Lost a HUGE Part of Herself


Jennifer Hudson deserves waaay more than just a makeover of the year award: The Grammy and Oscar winner not only went from a 16 to a size 6 (WOW WOW WOW), she also had a baby, planned a wedding and cut a new album! In addition to a self-confessed shopping problem, she told In-Style Mag. that: “I’m actually thinking about shaving my head. I am! Because I feel I’ve got a good structure now [gingerly feels cheekbones]. My cousin’s a beautician, and she always tells me, ‘You could wear any hairdo.’ So I’m thinking, What if I shave my hair? Not completely off, but low. I think that would be so hot.” And while reaching her goal weight hasn’t been a piece of cake, she’s confident that she got it just right.

My Advice to Jennifer... Losing the Weight is One thing but Your Hair "weave" is a Totally different thing!
Lookin' GUD Just the way You Are!! :)

Alicia Keys has Opened the Door to Married Life


Alicia Keys rep confirmed her marriage to Swizz Beatz!

The singer, 29, who is pregnant, and the producer, 31, exchanged vows in front of close family and friends in a private home on the Mediterranean Sea.

Their friend Dr. Deepak Chopra presided over the intimate ceremony.

Keys wore an ivory silk, georgette-draped Vera Wang goddess gown with jewel detail on the back shoulder.

She carried a bouquet of purple calla lilies. The groom donned a classic Tom Ford tuxedo.

"Wowwwwwwwwww," Beatz (real name: Kasseem Dean) Twittered Saturday. He later wrote, "It's a brand new day :) I feel like Nas and Diddy song :) love y’all and blessing!"

Alicia Keys is expected to deliver in late May.

Go-Go Gadget


I recently dropped by Sephora to check out this pro-quality, double-duty pore purifying device, which gets skin squeaky clean and massages in moisturizer using sonic vibrations very similar to the Clarisonic at an average price tag of about $185. Thanks to the employee at a local boutique for the advise but my Clarisonic is Pore-rific! Gotta Luv clean skin:)