UPDATE: Revamping -- Right Now!

HI EVERYONE!

I have been away far too long... I was pregnant... had a prince....reevaluated and relocated... and now I am back on my GRIND!

I am in the process of redesigning my Beauty Blog otherwise known as CocoaCosConnection.  My goal is to have this completed by November 2013 and do a soft launch THIS December. The official launch will be scheduled for January 2014!!

Again, to reintroduce what this Beauty Blogsite is all about ... I am not proclaiming myself to be an expert -  I just have years of experience and exposure in the Beauty Industry; having worked for some of the TOP selling Luxury Brands in the capital of the world - New York City.  The mission of my site is to be an unfiltered informational stream of updates within the beauty industry... from products to endorsements; corporate marketing strategies down to the customer reviews and requests.. something that anyone in love with beauty products would be interested in ...

New widgets and links will be made available for the convenience of my readers.. not to mention a MAJOR facelift is in the works!

Stay tuned....

- CocoaCosGurl

PS - This is gonna be fun for me all over again!

Bold & Beautiful: Nia Long

I am a huge Nia Long fan since Boys In The Hood (co-starred with Cuba Gooding Jr and Ice Cube).  Since then Nia has been a familiar face to us sisters in Hollywood - and Im sure she played roles that we ofcourse can related to - well atleast most of us can.

She recently had her second child this year and is showing off how she can do it all while being SINGLE. I swear we all have that SUPER WOMAN power within us.

Nia has been on many covers of magazines, and a spokesperson for Dark&Lovely, and she is a philanthropist having done many event for and with Prez O - heck she has been featured in SOOOOOOOOO Many Hype Hair publications - cause every girl around the way needed that NIA LONG CUT  remember that - ha!

Well after reading her article - it gave me Courage, Motivation, and Rejuvenated my Determination to push forward and take control of my Destiny!!

Here is an excerpt from the article in the August Essence Magazine:

"We underestimate the lives we can provide for ourselves. As women, if we can imagine the life we want to live, we can have that.  We're magicians, we're conjurers, we can manifest the kind of lives we always dreamed of"

Nia is telling the truth, and her secret to her success people - pay attention and let this move you today and forever!

#MorninMotivation

Baby Boomin N Back 2 Bloggin!!!

@ Myrtle Beach with my Family in June 2012

My last post was in Oct 2011 - SHAME ON ME there is soooo much to talk about in the beauty industry. Well I am back and I have lots to share with you!!

OMG!  I can't believe it myself - I'm Pregnant!!!! 5.5 Months ago I found out I'm expecting I wasnt scared - I knew and I was ready to experience what I was put on earth for -- Motherhood.

It's been amazing to experience all of the physical, emotional and psychological changes that you go through when you are carrying a child. You feel different, care different and think differently.  Your lifetyle changes instantaneously, like no more partying.. no more drinking, no more eating things that are bad for you etc.

Throughout the pregnancy to-date, people are constantly telling me how great and amazing I look n- although I dont ALWAYS feel so fabulous as they like to put it - I guess you are what you eat and you look like how you feel.  I watch what I put in my body, on my body and  in my mind. It truly is a MIND BODY and SOUL experience, and I am going to share it with the world for the next 3 months.

Not only am I going to discuss my pregnancy - but I am going to incorporate it with Beauty Blogging - not all baby talk - no way Jose!   All about the magnificant products that are out there for mommy-to-be's like ME!

Currently, my daily belly regimen is all CLARINS TONIC Oil to help with my skins elasticity and helps avoid forming stretchmarks on and around my stomach, sides, back and booty.  So basically, if I can drink it I would - but I rub it in morning and night - no missed appointments TRUST ME and my belly looks great so far.  Plant based as all of Clarins products are - check out more info by clicking on the product image below.

I am excited to branch out and try other products that assist with anti-stretchmarks for the big belly girls -- Carol's Daughter has a few items I hope to try and see in my Baby Shower gifts to come (along with the registry essentials) I AM EXPECTING and SEXY BELLY are on my must try list. I just placed an order on this product this evening - can't wait to try it and give you guys feedback!!

My post preggo plan for my skin treatment - if any stretchmarks decide to take real estate on my hot-bod (lol) I will have to invest in the long time favorite PALMER'S TUMMY BUTTER - cant go wrong with a CLASSIC right?!?!?!?!

Until next time luvs -- Positive Energy Reproduces Positive Results!
Stay tuned.......

Beauty Bo$$ of The Week: Softsheen Carson Exec Talks Statistics and Sales

Angela Guy, SoftSheen Carson exec shares input on qualitative research on minority consumers among latinas and black women. The topic of discussion at the WWD Beauty Forum was about consumer spending trends in this market/economy.

Word has it that due to the economy Latinas only purchase beauty products when they have discounts options (coupons) or perks such as a gift w/ purchase sets etc. Uhmmm who wouldn't prefer to shop for a discount?? According to studies African American women are less likely to purchase make up due to the lack of variety in shades to match our skin tone.

(yea according to the studies - who did they interview for these focus groups..). From what I know (1st hand too) we spend money on make up - ever hear The Dream's song "Drop 5Stacks on ya makeup bag??"

Also, based on this research Black women are not that interested in skincare products because we are not that concerned with wrinkles - although even skin tone is on top of the radar in most cases.. so...I guess we are interested in skincare afterall.. check out Estee Lauder's Beautiful Skin Collection for Even Skintone serum....it's really the best stuff on earth...
http://www.esteelauder.com/products/mpp/regimen.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT6195

Finally. statistics show that Black women account for 30% hair care spending. Even in these hards times, we are least likely to convert to home hair care options versus salon services. I guess that means our hair will be done but the light bill may not get paid....#sadtruth

Black Beauty Bloggin Because......

I know you all have heard or even seen the ad campaign that BET has started known as "My Black Is Beautiful"- if not check out the website http://www.myblackisbeautiful.com/. I was so glad to see some focus on our "sistahs" and the fact that WE ARE supportive of one another and that we acknowledge OUR beauty inside and out! Kudos to BET for generating such a powerful message over the national airwaves!! #Inspiration

Well what brings me to blog today is that I am introducing you to A NEW BLOG - my blog - "CocoaCosConnection" Is that long enough for you guys??? - Okay take a breath now - Ha!

The CocoaCosConnection blog is focused on ethnic/minority professionals (yea yea yea - Black people, African Americans and Latinos) in the Beauty Industry. No! This is not an AFFIRMATIVE ACTION initiative- and No! I am not endorsed by notorious activist Al Sharpton either! It's just me rolling up my sleeves doin the dirty work for the people!

I simply wanted the world to see exactly what I am exposed to as an industry insider. I've worked in the beauty industry for roughly 4yrs now and in the last couple of months due to the economy and the sensitivity of permanent hiring .. what a drag! However, I've worked with competing Beauty Powerhouses as a consultant; and despite the flotation from company to company - I was acquiring knowledge and more information (ofcourse I was). So now with all that I have contained (to-date); I know that I must utilize my resources and become the voice that people barely ever hear or listen to (among the ethnic community inside these Corporate Beauty Houses and outside at the Consumer Counter Spaces).

I really want you guys to know who the Movers and Shakers are behind the commercials, print and radio ads that you see and listen to. CocoaCosConnection will give you the heads up on the latest celeb endorsements, product launches and events. Not only will I distribute industry news to you - CocoaCos is bringin’ you the biznez with an *Exclusive Industry Insider Interview" with some of the top minority executives in the beauty community.

So to sum up this Intro - My Black is Beautiful and I am going to show the world why!! Stay tuned.. The Official Blog Site will Launch on June 1st 2011.

P.S. I hope you subscribe to my blog as I will be posting daily - weekly In addition, there will be a variety of information posted for your knowledge and reference. i.e. Beauty Tips, Sales etc.

Yours truly,

CocoaCosGirl