MAHOGANY GLAM

Anika Noni Rose On The Cover of Essence Magazine

Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose is Essence Magazine's January 2010 cover girl. Unless you've been sequestered in a fabulous chalet in the Swiss Alps, you know that Ms. Rose is the voice behind Disney's first African-American princess in the upcoming film "The Princess and the Frog." I can't wait to see it! Not to mention, Anika is a fellow Rattler i.e a graduate of Florida A&M University, so I'll definitely support her work. I might be biased but I don't care. I think she looks absolutely poised and mahogany glam on the cover of Essence. I'm glad they finally decided to put a fresh face on the cover instead of the same ole same ole. Pick up your copy of Essence Magazine on newsstands now. Also, support "The Princess and Frog" in your hometown if you can, it opens in theaters Friday December 11th.

photo courtesy: essence.com

Serena Williams Bares It All For ESPN Magazine

Tennis superstar Serena Williams didn't need clothes to look mahogany glam on the cover of ESPN magazine. In the sports mag's first ever "Body Issue," Serena and five other sports stars that I've never heard of--go full monty. Serena looks phenomenal woman, cause all she brought to the shoot was her moulin rouge red lipstick and Johnson's baby oil gel. Absolutely incredible! I'm sure she's gonna have this picture framed albeit a life size version for her home in Florida. I totally would. ESPN Magazine's "Body Issue" is on newsstands this Friday.

photos courtesy: dailycontributor.com

Prescriptives Cosmetics Will Be No More

If you're a fan of Prescriptives cosmetics, as of January 2010 it's no more. I know a lot of fashionistas who swear by their custom blend foundations who'll be devastated by the sad beauty news. The cosmetics line designed for all skins and all women has hit hard times according to their parent company Estee Lauder. "After a thorough analysis of the Prescriptives brand, management concluded that the brand's long-term business model is no longer viable, given the current market environment." I used to wear their Calyx perfume back in the day and still used their night repair cream from time to time. Ugh...what's a girl to do but pray for a fire sale! All Prescriptives products will be available online while supplies last. My fellow fashionistas let's keep a stealth watch for extreme Prescriptives markdowns in the coming months.I'm bummed the line will be no more, but there's nothing wrong with stocking up!

photo courtesy: stylehive.com

Kelly Rowland Is Mahogany Glam In USA Today

Glam girl Kelly Rowland is on top of the world and looking pretty divine on the pages of USA Today. I adore Kelly, out of the six revolving members of Destiny's Child, she was always my favorite. She always seemed so down to earth and elegantly poised. Kelly is taking her style and music to the international scene. "Here, sometimes it's like my music didn't quite work, but overseas it's on top of everybody's chart. I've had more international success than domestic success, and I think that opens my eyes up to music," said Kelly. I'm thrilled she's an international sensation, but honestly I only care cause she looks fantastical in these pictures. I love her personal style which is classic yet unexpected. That blooming garden strapless frock, OMG I need that in my couture collection. Magnifique Ms. Kelly!

photos courtesy: usatoday.com

Jennifer Lopez Heats Up InStyle Magazine's September Cover

Look who's fabulous and forty...stunning Jennifer Lopez is InStyle Magazine's September cover girl. I kinda feel like J-Lo has been keeping a low profile since having twins, but she's back on the scene and beautiful. In the style bible's 15th anniversary issue she shares the ups and downs of marriage all while looking gorgeous in chic couture. Jennifer even lets her guard down and clears up some of the juicy gossip surrounding her glamorous life. "I don't want everything to be white. There was this rumor that I needed white flowers and white linens wherever I went: 'Everything has to be white or she won’t go in the room!' That's not true." Huh uh...read more of Jen's confessions in the September InStyle on newsstands now!

photo courtesy: instyle.com

Taraji P. Henson Is Semi Nude in Men's Fitness Magazine

Okay Ms. Taraji, I see you!! The tantalizing Taraji P. Henson shows off lots of skin in Men 's Fitness Magazine. I can't believe she's 38-years old, cause she looks incredible. The beautiful actress is out and about on the publicity tour promoting her next film Tyler Perry's "I Can Do Bad All By Myself." In addition, to her sexy shots she offers up a little relationship advice to all the guys out there. "A woman is gentle, soft, delicate, and a man's position is to protect her-help her up stairs, make sure she's in the car safely first. Take good care of your woman, and the sky's the limit!" To my two male fans, it's totally true! Get some more juicy tips from Taraji and see lots more of the Oscar nominee in the September issue of Men's Fitness Magazine.

photo courtesy: jerseychaser.com

Gabrielle Union Essence Magazine's September Cover Girl

Stunning Gabrielle Union graces the September cover of Essence Magazine. The ultra sexy actress dishes about her gossip worthy relationship with basketball player Dwayne Wade. "The only marriage that I've ever been a part of destroying is my own, and it's not my place to talk about anybody else's...," said Gabby. I think she's soo over various bloggers (not me) calling her a home wrecker that Gabby just had to come out swingin'. Well it's not just her personal life that's heating up, the 36-year old is producing a reality show for VH1 and will co-star in ABC's new drama "Flashback." I can't wait to read more of this "no holds barred" interview when my September Essence Magazine decides to arrive.

photos courtesy: essence.com

Dania Ramirez Is The New Face of CoverGirl

CoverGirl Cosmetics has chosen a new easy breezy beautiful CovergGirl! "Heroes" star Dania(Dan-ya) Ramirez will be the newest woman of color alongside Queen Latifah to represent the brand. If you didn't watch "Heroes" on NBC like I did, then you probably wouldn't know this Dominican beauty from a hole in the wall. I always thought Dania was drop dead gorgeous and fixated on her forehead cause it was just like mine, and now she has chance to be a beauty icon. I’m bringing my story, a story of struggle and hard work. Not speaking the language [when I got to America] and trying to figure out my definition of beauty, you learn to recognize the beauty in all of us. It takes a strong person to get where I’ve got,” says Ramirez. I love that CoverGirl continues to see that women of color are just as beautiful as our white counterparts. Let's hope other make-up companies will take a note and realize the beauty of diversity. You won't be able to miss the delectable Dania Ramirez in print ads and commercials that begin in January 2010.

photo courtesy: CoverGirl

Nicole Richie Designs For A Pea In The Pod

Socialite Nicole Richie has signed on to create and model a line of chic maternity wear for the store A Pea In the Pod. Pregnant with her second child, the fashionista jumped at the chance to put her flair for fashion to good use. “A Pea in the Pod is such a known company for pregnant women. They carry great lines, and so when they asked me to create a line for them, I was really excited and eager to do it," said Richie. For all the fashionable glamazons out there, who are pregnant or plan on being with child, this line is sweet chic! The "Nicole" collection will include bohemian inspired maxidresses, layering tees, and peasant tops. Five years ago, who could've predicted Nicole Richie would become a style icon, a Mom, and a fashion designer? No one with common sense! The former train wreck has really turned her life around, and I say good for her. “Nicole”, an exclusive collection for A Pea in the Pod is in stores Friday (8/7), with prices ranging from $48 for tank tops to $148 to maxidresses.

photo courtesy: people.com

Naomi Sims, First Black Supermodel Dies of Cancer

Once upon a time there's was only one Naomi in the fashion industry, Naomi Sims that is. The first African-American supermodel died on Saturday from cancer. The 61-year old model/entrepreneur kicked down the doors of inequality as the first black cover girl on "Ladies Home Journal" in 1968 and Life in 1969. She was the epitome of black is beautiful. “Naomi was the first,” the designer Halston told The New York Times in 1974. “She was the great ambassador for all black people. She broke down all the social barriers.”

After five years, Naomi gave up modeling and began a wig-making company geared towards black women. She told the New York Times in 1969, "There's nothing sadder than an old, broke model, and there are many models who have nothing at the end of their career." In the 1980's, Sims expanded the Naomi Sims Collection to include fragrances and cosmetics. Back in the day, my Mom used to wear Naomi Sims make-up everyday. She loved it. Sims was a goddess to many women of color, she even wrote several health and beauty books with tips on how to be fabulous. Naomi was a fashion pioneer and her legacy will continue to live on every time a woman of color struts the runway or graces the cover of a magazine.

photos courtesy: naomisims.com & fashionologie.com