HCB Black History Month Spotlight: Pam Grier

Pamela “Pam” Grier was born on May 26, 1949 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is most famously known for her starring roles in ‘70’s blaxploitation films such as Foxy Brown and Coffy. Her style has always reflected her innate sensuality and sexiness. She is definitely a buxom HCB.

If you want to imitate her style go for a 70s style with earth tones, glossy lips and natural hair preferably an afro. If you want to go for a more glamorous look go with a full wig with loose curls and wispy lashes. Always opt for dewy skin; her looks never have a matte finish to them. Stick with these guidelines if you wanna be a bad mamma jamma knocking suckas and jive turkeys out everywhere you go. Pow!

HCB Spotlight: Black Love

Bill and Camille Cosby

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Here are some of my favorite Haute Chocolate couples. Feel free to add yours

Barack and Michelle Obama on their wedding day

Denzel and Pauletta Washington

Will and Jada Smith

Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee

A beautiful couple featured on Essence.com

Angela Basset and Courtney B. Vance

Handsome Haute Chocolate couple

HCB Black History Month Spotlight: Lena Horne

HCB Black History Month Spotlight: Lena Horne

Born on June 30, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York this singer, dancer, actress, and activist was a classy feisty woman. She was actively involved in the civil rights movement and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Her achievements include a Tony and a Grammy lifetime achievement award.

Her style is classic and lady-like. If you want to mirror Ms. Horne’s style opt for sleek updos and well groomed full curls. Go for a rich red or berry lip and well groomed brow. Find some dresses with clean lines in colors like peach or taupe and dress them up with pearls and floral accents such as a headband or scarf. 

No matter if you're going to a red carpet premiere or spending a Saturday morning volunteering, if you want a look like Lena Horne's keep it sophisticated.

HCB Black History Month Spotlight: Josephine Baker

Born on June 3 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri Josephine Baker was truly a class act. As a charismatic singer, dancer and actress, she was a triple threat. She was involved in the civil rights movement and had a great love for children. She spent the latter part of her life in Paris and I’m sure this attributed to her timeless, classic and gorgeous style.

If you want to know about her life check out the 1991 biographical film starring another HCB Lynn Whitfield “The Josephine Baker Story”

If you want a style like hers go for wispy false lashes, smoky eyes, thin brows, and a sleek short hairstyle. Incorporate feathers, pearls, rhinestones, tassels and fur into your wardrobe for a glam Harlem Renaissance look

pearls, glossy burgandy lip, and chic hat

jeweled headpiece, feathers, and smoky eye with thin brows

famous banana skirt

HCB Product Spotlight: OPI Vodka and Caviar

Price: $8.00

Packaging: .5 fl oz in a glass container

From OPI: An elegant indulgent shade of crimson

OPI has excellent nail polish and they are my favorite nail polish brand. My new favorite red is Vodka and Caviar from their Russian collection that came out in 2007. It is a basic red polish with high shine and no shimmer. It is the perfect red (for me), not too orange and not too pink. I was on the hunt for a rich true red and when I picked this one up from ULTA my search was over.

HCB Spotlight: Ulta Sale

So I was browsing beauty websites earlier today and saw some great deals on ulta.com

The Ultra Chi 1” red flat iron is $74.95 with a coupon and it’s an Ulta exclusive. Chi is the brand of flat iron that I use, I bought my first one in 2005 and it lasted until 2010. When you consider $100 for 5 years of super straight hair its so worth it. What does it cost to get your hair straightened at a salon, $60? No thanks I’ll take my Chi.

OPI, my favorite nail polish brand, has a Katy Perry Collection that’s available in stores only. There are 5 colors (from left to right) Last Friday Night, Not Like the Movies, The One That Got Away, Teenage Dream and Black Shatter. They are priced at 8.50 each.

They also have a special that’s 20% off your purchase that you can use online or in stores so head on over to Ulta and shop!

Carol's Daughter Hair Must Haves

I have been using Carol’s Daughter products for years. I love that they are natural, affordable, and most importantly, they deliver. You can purchase them through the website www.carolsdaughter.com, at Sephora in stores or online, Macy’s and also at HSN.com. There are also several free standing stores check the website for locations. Here are some of my favorites…

Kizzi “Stay Put” Hair Pomade

Price: $9.50

Packaging: 4oz flat tin

I love this for when I need some extra hold in my hair. I’m really not a fan of hair spray or gel so this is perfect. It’s not too heavy or greasy and it comes in a tin that’s easy to take on the go. I use it for up-dos and when I need to really get my edges slicked down. Added bonus: it has a lovely smell.

Black Vanilla Leave in Conditioner

Price: $12.00

Packaging: 8oz plastic spray bottle

I love this for the smell if nothing else. It was a watery consistency which isn’t what I usually look for in a leave in conditioner, but it comes in a spray bottle for easy application. I use it on my hair when I’m wearing natural styles, it’s good especially for second day hair that needs a little sprucing up.

Lisa’s Hair Elixir:

Price: $20.00

Packaging: 8oz plastic bottle with a push top

This is a great hair oil. A little goes a long way with this one (trust me) It’s great to add to a deep conditioner or use it on damp or dry hair for added shine. It smells like peppermint and eucalyptus and I love it! The only problem is that oil permeates plastic bottles so after a while the bottle gets sticky. A glass bottle would be great to pour it into if you have one handy.

I’ve tried the Hair Milk and it was a little bit too heavy for my hair. I can’t stand for my hair to feel weighed down or heavy. They now have a Hair Milk line and a light version of the hair milk so I’m going to try that on my next trip to the store.

The Loc Butter is a favorite of mine for two strand twists or braids on thick, tightly coiled, coarse hair. It’s a bit too greasy for my curly hair but I definitely recommend it if that’s your hair type. 

*Images courtesy of Google