IIt's Here! The Miss Jessie's Sale

So I'm never one to jump on a new trend or product just because. The same holds true for hair products. However, when a dear friend mentioned that Miss Jessie's Super Sweetback Treatment melted into her hair, well, I had to try it! And hot dayum, what do you know, it melted in mine too. I could hear each and every coily strand whisper a "praise Jesus" with every massage I did with the product. So how slowdown do you think I am that Miss Jessie's is having a BOGO sale starting today through 12/31??? Stoked! Like, totally!

That's right, you can buy any Miss Jessie’s product and get one of equal or lesser value fo' free hunty! The sale is on now at Target!

~HG

The Artistry of Linay Franklin

I have been meaning to share this delightful artist with you all for some time. Months ago I saw Linay's designs in a group we are both apart of and absolutely fell in love. She is so talented! To be able to paint a beautiful, natural haired sister on a shirt was something new to me because, well, she PAINTED IT! What an awesome gift to have! I love the attention I get when wearing one of her pieces and it sparks many natural hair conversations. Another thing I love is the thickness of the t-shirt. It's not flimsy or cheap, and I have no problems with it keeping its shape.

Sizes range from S - 4XL and will run you $25 - $60. If you would also like to sport one of these shirts, you can contact Linay at artlovingurl@yahoo.com and you can Like her facebook page here.

~HG

Monday Photos of the Day

Changes: An Update

Long time, eh? Well my life has changed once again. I am now a SAHM, and that is pure craziness! It leaves little time to concentrate on makeup or hair, but slowly I'm getting back to it. The times I have done my makeup or hair it's totally skipped my mind to do a post :-/ However, I did buy a few items I lovvvveee from The Makeup Show NY so I will post a look soon.

The other thing I've been up to is finally getting my 3rd tattoo. It was time, and I love it! I hope you do too.

See you soon, with a new look...promise!

~HG

FOTD: Natural Sparkle and Pop

I decided to add a little pop to my everyday look with the pink lipstick. What do you think?

~HG

FOTD: A Smokey Eye that Sparkles!

Face: Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer and Bronzer/Eyes: Sedona Lace palette (light brown), MUFE Flash Palette in Black, GDE in Urban Trash,Sugarpill in Stella/Lips: Bobbi Brown nude lipgloss/Cheeks: Bobbi Brown cream blush.

What do you think of the bobbi brown tinted moisturizer and bronzer I used? I think I really like it for summer!

Don't forget to checkout my blog sale here!

~HG

Product Review: The Fragrance Shop

One thing that has become very much apart of me in the past 2 years is a love for fragrances. I blame this on Luna Bleu. This was my first experience with having fragrances customized just for me and I instantly fell inlove. Since finding luna bleu I have purposely not looked for new smell good companies because I do NOT need to get caught up. My wallet tells me as much. However, there's a group of women, I won't name any names (this time) that always seem to stumble upon new fragrance websites and sends them to a group of us because we're not already product whores *rolls eyes*. I of course eventually fall victim, but this is yet another time I'm happy I did.

The Fragrance Shop is a website where you can buy pure oils. No alcohol or extra stuff added, just oils in their purest form. They have one note scents, designer fragrances, special blends...anything you can think of! I.am.in.love my friends! To top it all off, I ordered on Friday, it shipped on Saturday and I got it Monday! How awesomely fast is that???

So here's what I ordered, the notes they contain per the website, and whether it received a yay or nay from me:

Poppy Type for Women
· Top Notes: Mandarin Orange, Freesia, Cucumber
· Middle Notes: Jasmine, Gardenia, Waterlily, Rose, Sweet Accord
· Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cedar, Vanilla, Marshmallow
Normally I would see Mandarin Orange and Cucumber and go the opposite direction, but this really works well with all of the other notes. It is a luscious, sexy scent that is also light and girly. Definitely a yay!

Blue Nile
Mandarin, Lime, Liliy, Balsam, and Musk, a slightly masculine fragrance.
Not an everyday scent for me, and I'll probably pair it with something else, but I say yay!

Rain
Our own classic, a beautiful blend of fresh green notes, and soft Lily of the valley. Clean musk and precious woods, artfully blended with with Gardenia, Carnation, Lily, Magnolia, and Jasmine, and more. Our most popular floral fragrance.
Yay! I love it. It makes me happy.

Black Coconut
The scent of toasted coconuts.
It's "Ok". Mmm I give it a yanay lol.

Black Woman
Bergamot, Frankincense, Patchouli, Magnolia, and Carnation are combined in this complex scent.
This scent is too many things and most of them aren't good. To top it off it has left several of our throats itchy and scratchy. It's too much, like a bothersome inscent. Just say no. Nay.

Bamboo Flower
A sweet blend Coconut Milk, Bamboo flowers, Kafir Lime, and star fruit.
Not for me. There's something in it that doesn't smell strong enough to compete with the other scents. It's like it leaves the fragrance feeling a little hollow. I don't know what it is, but if it were deleted I would like this scent a whole lot better. Nay.

Pink Martini
Cranberry, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Musk.
Reminds me of a fun, summer day. Light and summery with a slight bite. Love it! Yay!

Pink Sugar
Bergamot, Sicilian Orange, Raspberry, Fig, Lily Of The Valley, Anise, Strawberry, Cotton Candy, Vanilla, Caramel, Musk, Wood.
Dead.On. The BEST Pink Sugar I've ever smelled. The men love it! I've already received many compliments. Yay!

Zen Garden
Inspired by exotic Japanese gardens, this fragrance is a blend of heady Florals, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Cedar, and Sandalwood.
I'm sold. Yay!

Have you ordered from the Fragrance Shop before? Plan on ordering now? What have you bought/what do you plan on buying?

~HG

Winner of AHG 2 Year Anniversary Giveaway!

And the winner is...Kellie! You have won the Glamour Doll Eyes Jacqueline Shadow Tower and the Lime Crime Centrifuchsia lipstick. Enjoy!

Thank you so much everyone for entering. This was a lot of fun for me, so I think I shall have another giveaway upon my return from the Makeup Show next month. Stay tuned...

~HG

It's a Great Weekend to Be a Woman in the DMV!

There are two spectacular events happening this weekend in the DMV. The first is DC's 6th Annual Love, Locs and Natural Hair Expo

When: Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 11 am to 7 pm

Where: The Mary Virginia Merrick Center, located on 4275 Sixth Street, SE Washington, DC (across from the parking lot of Saint Thomas Moore Church).

Cost: The expo entry fee is $10, which covers all workshops, classes, and a fabulous hair show.

For information please check out the article in the examiner.

The second event is a spa party!

Also, are you participating in spa week? I am, and I get my hair colored for the first time in 15 years on Sunday. Can.Not.Wait!

Have you entered my 2 year Anniversary giveaway? It ends tonight, so enter now!

~HG

R.I.P. Queen B Makeup

It is with great sadness that I say RIP Ale aka Queen B Makeup. She was THE best makeup artist I knew and it was always a pleasure to converse with her. She was so incredibly talented in so many areas. Even though she was the Queen B that never stopped her from being a great internet friend and makeup guru. My heart truly hurts for her family and her fiance. May they find peace and comfort in Gods arms.

Life is short and can be over in an instant. Have you told those closest to you how much they mean to you lately? Maybe now is the time.

~HG

Product Review: Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque

Jackpot! I think I'm inlove!

This product is the best thing that has happened to my hair since going natural, period. Ok, so for months now I've been complaining about the state of my hair. "It's thirsteeehhh!" You could often hear me scream. Nothing seemed to come close to quenching it except for the mixed chicks detangling deep conditioner. It does a good job of making my hair feel moisturized, but it still wasn't 100% what I needed. It is still a staple product in my hair regiment though. Anywho, whenever I would cry for help a sista friend, Lisa, would say try Shea Moisture. So finally I ordered the Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque from amazon.com last week and used it for the first time this weekend. Oh.My.Good.God. I'm totally inlove.

The consistency of the product isn't super duper thick, but it's not runny either. This satisfied me in two ways: 1) This made it easier to work through my hair and 2) It was thick enough that I felt like it was going to really moisturize.

The smell is so fantabulous! I kept waking up all night wondering who was wearing perfume and where could I buy it lol. Now, it's not heavily perfumed by any means...It's more like a mixture of different oils that smell great!

Now, I didn't use this product as a deep conditioner, but rather as a leave-in conditioner (it states on the package that it can be used in such a way) and my hair thanks me for it. I cowashed my hair, towel blotted, then added the Shea Moisture throughout. Loves it! Later in the day I was randomly pulling at my curls and thought man! My hair is super duper moisturized and soft! Even my husband commented on how soft my hair was. Now, I used it with an Aubrey conditioner and...well, that's another review in itself. Next I want to buy the Shea Moisture shampoo. The routine for next time will be:

Shampoo
Deep Condition with Mixed Chicks
Use Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque as a leavein

My guess is that my hair is going to be so moisturized and fantabulous that I'm not gonna be able to take all of the lusciousness!

Ingredients: deionized water, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), argan oil, cetyl esters, sea kelp extract, panthenol (vitamin b-5), ammonium salt, essential oil blend, avocado oil, lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower and lonicera japonica (japanese honeysuckle) flower extract, tocopherol (vitamin e), hyssopus officinalis extract, salvia officinalis (sage) leaf and equisetum arvense extract, soybean oil, daucus carota sativa (carrot) seed oil.

Available at amazon.com and Target for $9.99

~HG

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway here!

Blog Sale!

Doing a bit of spring cleaning and FINALLY getting rid of some stuff. The eyeshadow brushes have never been used, but the some of the eyeshadows and nail polishes have been used once. Please add shipping to all prices.

Sigma Brushes Eyes Kit - New - $35

China Glaze Solar Flare Nail Polish - Used once - $3

China Glaze Treasure Chest - New - $4

China Glaze Glam - New - $4

Lime Crime Mischief Managed Eye Shadow - Used Once - $11

Lime crime Shoe Addict E/S - New - $12

Sugar Pill Stella E/S - New - $10

~HG

FOTD: My Girl Crush

For the past 3 days I've been obsessed with Adele. I didn't know of her until about late 2009, but when I heard that voice! *swoon* I instantly fell inlove. Now that she has a new album out and I'm inlove with that one too (you can pick up 21 from amazon for $9.99) I've started to really notice Adele and her style and...I'm jealous. She is always so perfectly coiffed and my goodness I love her style! Because of this the FOTD is all about Adele.

~HG

FOTD: Pick It Out

The beautiful thing about living in my neighborhood is that there are always a lot of free events. Saturday my neighborhood hosted a day filled with food, music and fireworks in honor of the Cherry Blossom Frestival. After spending all of Friday night taking care of the kid, I so was not feeling a wig or doing anything extra with my hair, so after I washed it I decided to throw on some leave-in and pick it out a little. I didn't want a scary big afro, just a lil sumthin sumthin different, so I yanked at my hair with my fingers for a couple of minutes and voila!

I'm happy. Very happy indeed. Now, after I did mine I tried to pick out the baby's hair and...bwahahahaha! I died a little. Died I tell ya! That lil bouffant she had going on, on top of her head? Whew! That thing was pure hilarity. I won't shame her by posting a pic...well, not today lol. Whew! Ok, so you had to have been there, whatev...

Don't forget to enter my giveaway here!

~HG

FOTD: Back to Business

Wednesday was my first day back to work in 2 months. That meant I couldn't walk around looking like crap just yet, so this is what I came up with:

Nice and subtle!

~HG

Enter the Happy Anniversary A Hidden Gem Giveaway!

It's A Hidden Gems 2 year ANNIVERSARY! *Cue the fireworks* I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it! And because I'm so excited, I'm doing a *drumroll please* GIVEAWAY! Woot!

The Prize:
Because it's my 2 year anniversary, I'm giving away two prizes! The first is the Glamour Doll Eyes Jacqueline Shadow Tower

and the second is the Lime Crime Centrifuchsia lipstick:

HOW TO ENTER
- To win, you must follow this blog via google connect or networked blogs.
- Leave a comment in this post telling me what your favorite makeup product is and why. Only 1 comment per person please.

- For a second chance to win, follow me on Twitter and RT the following message:

I entered to win AHGs 2nd Blog Anniversary Giveaway! Follow @hiddengem & RT to enter!  http://tinyurl.com/6cq4zqw
- The contest is open to all readers. I will ship worldwide.
- The contest ends on 14th April 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. A winner will be chosen randomly and announced the next day, 12th April 2011.

Good luck everyone!

~HG

INGLOT! INGLOT! INGLOT!

It was the Makeup Show in NYC May of 2010. I was a newbie and in awe that I was surrounded by so many different brands that my head was swimming. Suddenly a booth caught my eye. There were only a bazillion (real word, I swear!) people swarming around it. On the backdrop I saw the letters INGLOT. Inglot? Really? Why am I suppose to care about this company and better yet, why are there more people at their booth than saaayyy...MAC? MUFE? Well, I walk over and immediately I'm in tears. I was so excited! I was excited about the eyeshadows, but more than that, I was excited about the actual face products, something new for me! The foundation, powders, concealors, oh my! OMG, I heart Inglot so much and guess what? Finally Inglot is available online, oh yeah! You can shop Inglot online right now!

~HG

Something for the Plush Ladies

Recently I have been on the hunt for great undergarments. Now that I've popped the bean out, it's time to get my sexy and lifted back on, if you know what I mean. Lucky for me it seems like every flash site you can think of has been having a sale for those of us on the plusher side. Today ideeli is having a Plus Size Perfection sale. There are a lot of great jeans, dresses, and even undergarments on there so run and check it out now! Not a member? That's ok, just click this link to get you started: http://www.ideeli.com/invite/blaquescarlett

I'm off to finish purchasing my 3 for $12 underwear. Happy shopping!

MAC Quite Cute Collection

This collection is actually...quite cute! It makes me say awwww and feel all girly like. That's new because MAC and I have been separated for quite some time now. Like, I avoid going into the store or stopping by the counter because I already know I'm going to be disappointed, so why bother? And while this collection doesn't wow me, it does make me feel good.

Available April 7, 2011




Lipstick ($14.50)
•Playing Koi Creamy white peach pink (Satin) (LE)

•Saint Germain Pastel pink (Amplified)

•Candy Yum-Yum Neon pink (Matte) (LE)

•Quite Cute Bright white lavender (Cremesheen) (LE)

•Play Time Intense violet (Cremesheen) (LE)

Plushglass ($18.50)

•Fashion Fanatic Creamy pale pink (LE)

•Bubble Tea Creamy pale nude (LE)

•Girl ♥ Boy Bright light blue pink (LE)

•I ♥ U Creamy mid-tone purple (LE)

Lip Pencil ($13.00)

•In Synch Bright yellow pink (LE) (Repromote)

•Naked Light neutral (LE) (Repromote)

•Boldly Bare Mid-tone red brown (LE) (Repromote)

Cutie Eyeshadow Quad ($36.00)

•Moshi! Moshi! Pale white green gold (Frost) (LE)

•Goody Goody Gum Drop Light white pink (Satin) (LE)

•Boycrazy Pale lavender with silver pearl pigments (Lustre) (LE)

•Azuki Bean Mid-tone violet (Frost) (LE)

Mineralize Blush ($23.00)

•Giggly Light pink with pearly plum heart (Frost) (LE)

•Sakura Lavender with pearly deep magenta heart (Frost) (LE)

•Miss Behave Light beige with pearly mint green heart (Frost) (LE)

Nail Lacquer ($14.00)

•Ice Cream Cake Creamy blue pink (Cream) (LE)

•Little Girl Type Creamy pale lavender (Cream) (LE)

•Mischievous Creamy pale blue mint (Cream) (LE)

False Lashes ($14.00)

•#7 Lash Spiky, slightly separated, high glam lash 

Penultimate Eyeliner ($17.50)

•Rapidblack True black
Zoom Lash ($14.00)

•Zoomblack Rich black

I already know that I want all of the glosses, the polishes and MAYBE the eyeshadow quad. That's big time for me considering I don't mess with MAC like that anymore. What will you get, if anything?

~HG

Elizabeth Taylor: Beauty and Grace

I didn't know much about Elizabeth Taylor until I saw the film Giant and that's when I fell inlove with her. She will be missed.

Elizabeth Taylor February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011

"When people say, 'She's got everything', I've got one answer - I haven't had tomorrow." ~Elizabeth Taylor 

~HG

No to Flowers, Yes to Bright Colors!

Spring is in the air indeed. I can tell because my allergies are driving me crazy. I itch, my eyes burn, my head aches, and my throat is scratchy. Yay! Not. So while the pollen is doing a number on me, fashion is doing it for me. Now just so we're clear, I'm no fashionista. Never claimed to be, never will claim to be. However, I am a girl that knows what she does and does not like and I know without a doubt that I abhor florals! It seems as if everyone wants to wear floral print as soon as spring hits and I don't understand why. Are the flowers that God gave you on this earth that bloom during spring not enough? Do you seriously have to compete with them? Because you lost on many fronts. Florals are ugly. uggglllyyy! Now I realize I may be one of the few that feel this way, but darnit! my feelings count too. Second, nature is a beast and will never be outdone so can we please please please leave the florals to, well, the flowers?

So as you can tell I'm not excited about floral prints this season, but I am excited about color! I wasn't even excited until I saw Katy Perry on the cover for Elle Magazine, March 2011 edition:

So being that I'm not a fashionista, I never would've guessed to put these colors together, like, ever, but boy do they make me haaapppyyy! Mentally I'm twirling around in a meadow swinging my skirt singing about how spring is in the air when I look at this picture. In fact, this book is on lounger in the middle of my living room simply because of the colors on the cover. I am happy indeed.

Happy spring everyone. I hope you find that one item or thing that makes it official for you and puts a smile on your face.

~HG

Ooo Aaah - Rihanna in Vogue

I have so much to blog including a sale, a giveaway, a new lacefront wig, and a new FOTD. Buutt for now, I'm intrigued with this:

OMG I love it! Absolutely love it! I thought I was way over her in the red hair, but it's totally doing it for me in this shot. Wait, let me clarify. I AM over her in the red hair, it just so happens to really be doing it for her in this shot. I love it! I hardly ever read vogue, but I'm picking this one up just for the cover. Hopefully I'll find some jewels inside along the way.

~HG

Here We Go...Again: Hair Update

Sooo, having a baby and all kinda sorta had me backsliding in taking care of my hair. However, I'm ready. I'm ready to jump on getting a routine down and sticking to it. For the past 2 weeks I have stuck with a routine. So, this is where I'm starting:

My goal is to have at least two more healthy inches added to the length by the beginning of September. I am co-washing once a week, shampooing once every other week, and deep conditioning once a week. If my hair isn't out in it's natural state I will flat twist. Wish me luck ladies!

~HG

FOTD: Date Nite

When I was pregnant and exhausted, I tried my best to make sure that hubby and I had some alone, date night time while we could no matter what. I figured once the baby came the jigg is up and we would be stuck in the house looking at each other and the baby. Well the baby has come and flipped my life around, turning my days into nights and my nights into days, but we are blessed. Thank God for Godmothers! My daughters godmother was willing to come and watch baby Hannie for us one saturday night and we were finally able to go out on a date, dinner and dancing even! Of course there was no way I was going out without doing my makeup and as you all have probably guessed by now, pinks and purples make me feel sexy and sassy. I hope you enjoy the look!

FOTD: Goldilux

I'm currently obsessed with Sugarpill Cosmetics. I'm finally using my products that I ordered during the holidays and I am inlove with Goldilux Loose E/S! It's so gorj it gives me shivers. Hope you enjoy the look!

 

LOTD: Smoldering Gray

Face:

Face Atelier Ultra Foundation in 11 

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics HD Powder

Eyes:

MAC Painterly Paint Pot - All over

Sedona Lace 120 Palette, tray 2, column 7, dark gray - lid to just above crease
Sedona Lace 120 Palette, tray 2, column 8, black - just above crease
Sedona Lace 120 Palette, tray 2, column 9, 4th color down (pinkish-purple) - above crease, just under brow bone
Sedona Lace 120 Palette, tray 2, column 7, pink - middle of lid
Sedona Lace 120 Palette, tray 2, column 2, pink - brow bone highlighter
L'Oreals Voluminous - Mascara
NYX Jumbo pencil in Black - Liner

 

Cheeks:
Mehron cheek cream in Geranium
MAC blush in Breezy

Lips:
Coastal Scents 66 Lip Color Palette, 9th column, 3rd color down
MAC lipglass Wrong Spell

~HG

LOTD - Sparkly Silver & Green

Face:

Face Atelier Ultra Foundation in 11 

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics HD Powder

Eyes:

MAC Painterly Paint Pot - All over

Makeup Forever Flash Palette, black - all over lid, just above crease
Sugarpill Cosmetics Chromalust, Tiara - inner lower lid, to middle of lower lid
Lime Crime Magic Dust, Mischief Managed - middle of lower lid
Sedona Lace 120 Palette, black - Outter V
Sugarpill Chromalust, Stella - Crease
Sedona Lace 120 Palette, tray 2, column 4, green - above crease
Sedona Lace 120 Palette, tray 2, column 5, brown - brow highlighterMUFE Rock Forever Aqua Eyes, Silver - lower lash line
NYX Jumbo pencil in Black - Liner
L'Oreals Voluminous - Mascara

Cheeks:
MAC blush in Slave to Love
MAC blush in Gentle
MAC blush in Raisin

Lips:
MAC brew
MAC C-thru

~HG

Thank You

I just wanted to do a quick entry thank you all for sticking with me the last 9 months. It's been crazy. Between the pregnancy and my mother's illness, this blog had to go on the back burner. On January 12, 2011 I was blessed with my babygirl.I had an incredibly difficult delivery and a few days afterwards I ended up in ICU. On January 19, 2011 I had the heartwrenching experience of losing my best friend, my mother. You can obviously understand where my focus has been. However, now that I'm home on maternity leave I'm hoping to post at least 4 days a week.

Thank you again for sticking with me. I'm going to work incredibly hard to make this blog better than ever this year.

God Speed,
~HG

My Natural Hair Journey - An Update

In the last 8 months I've learned a lot about my hair. The things I thought it loved I've discovered it actually doesn't. For instance, almost every product I owned had protein in it. I didn't think that was such a big deal. Wrong! I kept wondering why my hair would love a product the first two times I would use it and then renig by the 3rd time. Also, a lot of the products that folks are in love with my hair turned it's nose up at. Coconut oil? Forget about it! My hair doesn't want it anywhere near my head. I've discovered that there are 2 things that I need:

• Heavy, thick & creamy conditioners
• Jojoba oil for my ends

I have the latter, but I'm still working on finding the former. So far this year I have declared Mixed Chicks conditioner as a staple and that's it. I use it for deep conditioning and my hair seems to really like it. I still need to find a new co-washer and a new leave in conditioner so if you're a 4a/b like myself, and like really thick and creamy conditioners, please leave me your suggestions.

This was me last year around summer time:

and this is me today:

Although my hair has grown, it hasn't grown drastically. What has happened is that it has thickened up a lot! I love that! Unfortunately this fall I stopped taking care of my hair the way I use to and had to chop off 2 inches in November. I had to retrim my hair again last week because the ends were so dry and splitting. The reason for the second trim is that i was having a hard time keeping my hair moisturized. So much so that I was starting to go into panic mode! Now that I use mixed chicks as as deep conditioner, all seems to be right with the world. My hair can stand to be a bit more moisturized still, so the hunt is on. I don't think I will have to worry about trimming my hair so soon this time though.

My goal for the next 3 months is to find conditioners that really moisturize my hair, bun my hair as much as possible so I can stop playing with it and pulling strands out, and work on reaching APL by June. I should be able to do all of those things, I just have to be dedicated.

~HG