Before all of these companies flooded the market promising to cater to natural hair and women of color, CAROL’S DAUGHTER was already producing products that nourish, strengthen, and deliver protection to black hair.

Now, embarking on a new path, Carol’s Daughter has  recruited SOLANGE KNOWLES (who already served as one of the faces of the hair care brand) for a new hair blog on Carol’s Daughter’s new web site, called the Transitioning Movement.

Since doing the “big-chop” almost three years ago we have watched SOLANGE’s hair transition which made her a natural hair celebrity icon. Every Monday, Solange will post a new blog revealing her experiences in transitioning and caring for natural hair, while there will be other posts throughout the week that allow women to learn the how-to’s of going natural.

The site is dedicated to women  ready to give up relaxer who need help in learning how to care for their hair, and will feature blogs, videos, hair advice and more.

Carol’s Daughter explained the inspiration for the new site founded on the idea that every woman should celebrate her own unique beauty.

As women transition from relaxed to natural hair with protective styles, the big chop or long or curly grow-outs, Carol’s Daughter says their aim is  “to support them as they brave the change with fun, informative and helpful features.

For a sneak peak at what’s to come on the web site visit www.transitioningmovement.com.

AFRICAN PRIDE continues to tap into the benefits of shea butter by adding another shelf of products Shea Butter Miracle Collection.

Maybe you’ve neglected your feet all winter, but now as the weather warms up it is time to give your feet proper care, especially if you plan to wear sandals or open-toed shoes.

There is nothing wrong with going to the salon,  but it never hurts to have a do-it-at-home method for all your beauty needs.

Sometimes you may just want to give yourself a mini-pedicure in between salon visits and this is how you can easily do it yourself. Check it out!

1. Gather your materials. A foot spa is ideal, but if you can’t afford one, a basic foot scrub product will do, or soak your feet in the tub with some bath salts. Other tools needed: pedicure paddle/pumice stone, manicure/pedicure sticks, nail clipper, toe separator, choice of nail polish, foot cream.

2. Before soaking feet, clip your nails straight across and remove any old nail polish.

3. After soaking feet, use your pedicure sticks to gently remove any dirt hiding under your toenails, as well as push back and oil cuticles.

4. Take your pedicure paddle or pumice stone and softly rub the bottom of your feet to reduce callouses and/or harsh heels. For those suffering from extreme callouses try BUTTER LONDON’s Rock Off Glycolic Callous Peel (.02 oz, $30, ULTA).

5. Skip using base coat for your toenails, simply apply and then re-apply your nail color. Use toe separators to make applying the polish easier. Polish left, middle, right side of toe and be sure not to use an excessive amount of polish. Finish with a top coat that is chip-resistant.

6. As a rule of thumb, even if your toenail polish stays on for a long time it is still best practice to remove it every two weeks for healthy toenails. While you can repeat the pedicure process every two weeks, daily washing of your feet and using a foot cream to reduce cracks and dry feet will maintain clean and moisturized feet.

Slip your toes in a cute pair of sandals, and walk it out!

In 2012, women of color have more brands catering to their unique skin care needs, and Burberry Beauty is just the latest company to launch foundation for darker skin tones.

The product line was originally released in 2010 but didn’t carry tones specifically for women of color.

Now the newest launch introduces shades named Trench No. 10, 11, 12 and 13 in liquid and compact foundations, and now offers concealers in Amber No. 5, Hazelnut No. 6, Walnut No. 7 and Mahogany No. 8.

FOXY said it was “necessary we stay in Burberry,” but Burberry beauty doesn’t run cheap. Both the concealers and foundations retails  for an average $40 – $55 each.

However the benefits are a foundation that’s sheer, light, and provides UV protection while flawlessly covering and blending imperfections on your face.

The new shades can be purchases at Burberry Beauty’s web site, Saks Fifth Avenue, and/or Nordstrom.

JUICY: Bronzer is a great make up product, but what is the correct way to apply it?

MIMI KAMARA: I would say first and foremost a good tool, so a large fluffy brush. It doesn’t have to be a black fluffy brush it can be the black and white one which is ideal for liquid or cream or powder. Then from apply as if you were writing the number “3.” Start towards the center of forehead and swoop down right underneath the cheek and then circle and round off the three underneath the jaw, and repeat. Essentially it’s about if the sun were to hit your face where would it hit and where would you be bronzey, glowy and warm.

J: With bronzer and there being so many different looks how do you achieve glistening, golden, and bronze?

MK: Trust yourself and give yourself a little more credit. Just like with hair, even if you don’t do hair you know when your hair is jacked up and you know when your hair is fine and on point. That’s the same rule of thumb with make up, do one thing with a lot of different things. For instance, we just talked about the number “3″ scooping down and coming back around. Take that same bronzer and use it as your eye shadow, or maybe put it just right on the ball of the nose to create just a little more depth. Or even mix up what you use, try  using Amber Lights by MAC, as a bronzer, for a different type of glow.

J: With so many different complexions of brown skin, how do you know what’s best for your complexion?

MK:  That’s the advantage that a lot of women have with makeup, you can try it whether you’re in Sephora or in Bergdorf Goodman and ask a professional to try it on you. If you don’t have that luxury, the cool thing about a Rite Aid or a Duane Reade is you can do a hand swatch. No matter if you’re blue, green, black you can swatch it and see if it’s going to work. J: You mentioned you can use Amber Lights eyeshadow as a bronzer, does that cake up?

MK: Amber Lights is a very popular color not just among women of color, but with women of color it’s a true gold. Be sure to use a fluffy brush because, yes the texture can be so dense, the brush allows it to disperse a little bit more. Because it is an eye shadow, slap it on your eye, do a really rich brown liner instead of a black, smudge it out a little then hit up the temples and you give yourself a bronze-y finish.

J: What consistency or texture of products works best for Black skin?

MK: It’s more about your skin type and then your skin tone. Always address that first. Knowing if your a size 0 or a size 22, will  matter first in looking at if I want a red shirt or a blue shirt. Skine type and tone work the same way. For instance whether you’re Asian, Latina, Caucasian, or Black if you’re oily, you don’t skip moisturizer because nine times out of ten you’re oily because your skin is dehydrated. Now you’re skipping moisturizer and your skin is overproducing oil. Educate yourself it’s not about , “ooh I’m too dark or, “ooh I’m too light,” it’s about do you really like it – and does it work for my skin type.

J:When you use bronzer should you use blush, or anything else you usually use?

MK: I do. At the end of the day bronzer is just adding warmth. Using the number “3″ application, you can certainly use it on your entire face. So you want to even out the skin tone? If it’s the summertime, you’re rocking your bronzer, take your moisturizer and concealer, slap it together in your hands and mix it together, there’s your tinted moisturizer. Even out the skin without looking too heavy, do your number “3,” then after you do your number “3″ smile and brush in an upward motion, do a little blush, do a little mascara.

J: What are some tips to make bronzer coordinate with your other makeup so you aren’t “doing too much”?

MK: Bronzer is something that can be used at anytime and throughout any season, but there is definitely times people do too much. I say for sure utilize the number three method. It is not meant to go all over your face because then what happens is you either look like an oompa loompa or you look like you have on foundation but the foundation doesn’t match.

J: Any other tips about bronzer?

MK: Trust your instincts and let the expert be the expert.  Trust the person and trust they know what they’re doing and will steer you in the right direction and get it out your mind that you have to be a certain complexion to do a certain thing. It’s makeup, it’s not rocket science, it’s fun, it’s not permanent. If you mess up, the beauty of it is you can wipe it off and start all over again.

Biolements’ Age-Fighting Deep Cleansing Facial Kit keeps your face smooth and youthful…

Last week, Juicy revealed the top beauty trends that  are the most appealing to the male eye.

However, not all beauty trends are created equal as there are also beauty trends that women love but make the men folk cringe.

This certainly doesn’t mean we should abandon all beauty trends that men hate, just because they hate them,  but some of the trends on the list may surprise you and have you rethinking that beauty style you think will catch his eye.

Check them out below:

In reality, most beauty trends are to impress other women and rarely focus on impressing men. Most men believe in natural beauty, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t paying attention when we do get “did up.”

While some trends leave men shaking their heads at what  females do in the name of beauty, some beauty trends are appealing enough to end up on Juicy’s  list of  the ‘Top 10 beauty trends men love. Take notes:

Breakouts always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times. That super huge zit before a first date, or the zillion pimples right before a big job presentation.

Of course, if you don’t have a routine for dealing with breakouts it will ruin your day. Though irritating, the sooner you start treating your breakout, the sooner you can go back to business as usual.

For most of us in our adult life breakouts come few and far between. However, many of the common breakouts we see can come from a new skin care product or foundation. If you immediately you break out – it’s  an indicator that the product may not be compatible with your skin type. Do not continue using the product in hopes your skin will get used to it.

Next you should keep a close watch on how regularly you clean towels, makeup sponges and brushes, or any other tools used on face.  Dirty items are often a big culprit in nasty breakouts.

It is also important to note that the skin on your face is more sensitive than other parts of your body. Don’t use regular bar soap (not intended for facial use) on breakouts as it can dry skin out.

When life gets hectic, it may be easy to forget your skin regimen, but it is essential to healthy skin. You should have a good cleanser, toner/astrigent, and moisturizer (find one that is not oil-based to prevent clogged pores).

If you must use foundation during a breakout make sure you use an anti-acne concealer underneath (try CLINIQUE Acne Solutions Clearing Concealer (0.34 $15.50, Clinique). Stay away from products that worsen breakouts like mineral oil, and lanolin. Finding products with salicylic acid and glycolic acid can help lessen bad breakouts.

Ladies who do their regular routine yet still find themselves constantly battling breakouts can invest in an additional product that contains sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur, both of which are known to relieve acne.

Being proactive against breakouts and treating the problem as soon as possible is key to giving you back your healthy skin and normal glow.