Banana Republic faux-wrap dress, $98

But don’t just take my word for it.  Read fashion stylist Colin Megaro’s four reasons why every Hot Mama needs a LBD:

1.  Black is flattering for all sizes, shapes and skin tones.  No matter who you are there is a LBD out there for you!  Take the time to find one that makes you feel great and fits you properly.
 
2.  You can wear black any time, during any season and to most events.  The LBD is chic, classic and sexy all rolled into one.  It’s the perfect dress to be worn for a night out on the town or as a cover up at the beach.
 
3.  You can wear this dress a dozen different ways. Jazz it up for evening with a beautiful beaded bolero or tone it down with flats and a wrist full of bangles. If you would like to wear it to work layer a cardigan sweater or blazer for a more refined look.
 
4. Last but not least: one of these dresses is never enough.  Have a few versions on hand that can work with the rest of your wardrobe.  

Colin Megaro is a stylist and fashion expert and the founder of Planet Style Concierge, a personal styling service based out of NY and LA.  But lucky for all of us, he travels!  

Image credit: Banana Republic

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Ashanti stars as Dorothy in Broadway's "The Wiz."

Although the production itself feels a bit dated, the enthusiastic cast have fun with a timeless story and songs that will inspire you to ease on down memory lane.  Tichina Arnold, best known for her roles on “Martin” and “Everybody Hates Chris” is a riveting, vocal powerhouse as the evil witch Evillene.  And Dawnn Lewis from “A Different World” is delightful and sings superbly as loveably ditzy witch Addaperle.  

Throughout the production — which also stars talented Tony winner LaChanze as Aunt Em and Glinda the Good Witch and comedic actor Orlando Jones as “The Wiz” (regrettably the musical’s weakest link) — dancers moon walk in a subtle salute to Michael Jackson, who starred in the screen version of “The Wiz” with Diana Ross.  My biggest qualm is that Ashanti, perhaps intimidated by comparisons to Stephanie Mills’ tear-jerking rendition, rushes through the anthemic closing song, “Home.”

The limited run of “The Wiz” closes Sunday, July 5.  So follow the yellow brick road to New York City Center if you’re in the Big Apple during the holiday weekend.  Tickets start at a recession-friendly $25.

Image credit: Bauer-Griffin

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Vanessa Minnillo at the "Transformers" movie premiere.

What do you think?  Is Vanessa Mannillo’s blue dress Hot or Not?

Image credit: Bauer-Griffin

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Cassie's shaved do is a hair don't.

From one angle, Cassie is stunning. Then you catch her from another angle and you think, “What in the world happened to her hair?” Perhaps P. Diddy, Cassie’s mentor and rumored boo, is to blame for the pretty young thing’s shorn raven locks. I won’t even discuss her tattered dress. 

Cassie rips the red carpet, literally.

But perhaps I’m being too conservative, so what do you think?  Is Cassie’s asymmetrical cut Hot or Not?

Image credit: Bauer-Griffin

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Ciara at the "Transformers" premiere.

But if Ciara wants to wear acid washed jeans on the red carpet, far be it for me to criticize. I’ll leave that honor to you Hot Mama Daily readers.  

What do you think of Ciara’s denim disaster look.  Is it Hot or Not?

Image credit: Bauer-Griffin

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“I have a toddler and another baby due in September.  [Plus] my husband is working longer shifts to make ends meet.  So I need to destress.”

Sothys spa products

And here’s what Jennifer (lucky lady) won:

• Aroma-Sothys Energizing Bath Essences Tablets ($26) are effervescent, playful, and revitalizing bath pebbles that will enrich your bath with their tonic and energizing fragrance. 

• Aroma-Sothys Energizing Essential Oils Elixir ($26), is a magical experience of concentrated essential oils that promises to restore and tone the skin’s natural essence. 

• Sothys Aroma-Sothys Massage Elixir ($38) is a cocktail of ginger, nutmeg, orange, marula and mandarin essential oils.  This elixir is sure to leave your skin with a satin-like gloss and perfume finish.

Image credit: Sothys

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Dr. Jeanine Downie

Here are Dr. Downie’s sun-kissed summer skin tips:

Hot Mama Daily: What are your summer skin care tips for women of color?

Dr. Jeanine Downie

• Wear sunscreen with UVA/UVB blockers every day rain or shine, in winter and summer regardless of skin tone or ethnicity.  Melanin will not protect you against sunburn or melasma.
• When you wear sunscreen and bug repellant together, it decreases the sun protection product by 50 percent. So wear the sunscreen during the day and apply the bug repellant in the evening.
• Don’t scratch bug bites because it can leave marks that are harder to get rid of on darker skin.  Instead, use ice on bites.
• Use lighter amounts of fragrance during the summer.  If you’re putting fragrance on and going out in the sun — especially with citrus perfumes– you can get sun blisters.
• Use gentle body washes, soaps, and cleansers all year round for the body and face. I like Aveeno body wash and Cetaphil cleanser.  I have melasma, so I like a lot of the glycolic acid washes for the face. 
• Don’t skip moisturizing. I recommend Cetaphil and Aveeno moisturizers.
• Put lotion on your feet, because we can see them! If you can’t do a salon pedicure, do one at home.

HMD: You mentioned melasma.  What is this skin condition and what’s the best way to treat it? 

Dr. Downie:  Melasma is a common skin condition that occurs predominantly in women and is caused by excessive production of melanin.  Up to 80 percent of women get melasma during hormone changes such as pregnancy. It also occurs in about one-third of all women taking the pill, and in women using hormone replacement therapy (HRT).  Signs of melasma include irregular brown patches and spots on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. With women taking HRT, you can see patches on the forearm. This condition is treatable.

If you have melasma, blend sunscreen all over the sun exposed area. I recommend Triluma fade cream.  It’s a low potency steroid, retinoid, and hydroquinone.  I have melasma and I’ve been using Triluma on and off since 2003. To fade dark spots, a 2 percent Ambi cream is okay, but won’t work work as well as Triluma, which has 4 percent hydroquinone.

The retinoid bumps up collagen and elastin, and hydroquinone is found in many foods like coffee, tea, rice, berries, and onions.  For treatment of melasma I also recommend alpha-hydroxy and salicylic acid peels.  These peels are safe for all skin types, and should be done once a month for 6-8 months.

HMD: Do you recommend microdermabrasion? 

Dr. Downie:  It’s like a cat licking your face.  It feels good but it’s not very effective at all.  A silk peel with hydroquinone is the next generation of microdermabrasion.  But if you do micro, [I think] the Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Microdermabrasion kit is just as effective as professional micro.  The problem is that [many microdermabrasion procedures] are done in salons without medical supervision. Glycolic facials are [also] more effective than micro.

Image credit: Dr. Jeanine Downie

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I had the pleasure of meeting Farrah about 6 or 7 years ago when in a surreal turn of events she sat next to me at an Al Green concert.  She was prettier and more petite than expected in person and seemed genuinely nice.  The “Charlie’s Angel” assumed I was younger than my years and asked how I knew Al Green’s music.  I told her as a ’70s baby I grew up on songs like “Let’s Stay Together” and “Love and Happiness.”  Farrah giddily wiggled in her seat and exclaimed, “I love Al Green!” Once the show started, the Rev. Al gave her a shout-out from the stage.

Collectible Farrah Fawcett t-shirt, $399.99

My fondness for Michael Jackson started as a child rockin’ to “Rockin’ Robin” by the Jackson 5 and continued through his transformation first into a solo star with the string-laden, post-disco classic “Off the Wall” and then a superstar with the awe-inspiring, record-setting “Thriller.” 

Michael Jackson t-shirt, $24.99

Although as a teen my high-top Reeboks were firmly placed in the Prince camp, no one can deny the King of Pop’s genius as a singer-songwriter and unparalleled performer.  I broke down when the reality of his death finally set in.

Rest in peace Farrah and Michael.  You will both be missed.

Image credit: Tbros, Amazon.com

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Bali Bamboo Dress, $79.99

I was pleased it gave me adequate coverage, because there are few things less comfortable than a wrap skirt that unwraps or flies open when you’re walking.

Then I remembered that the skirt, made with 100 percent organic cotton and bamboo, can be worn four other ways: as a criss-cross halter dress; a one-shoulder baring dress; a tube dress wrapped across the bustline and cinched at the waist; and as a stylish shawl/shrug.

What a practical and stylish addition to my wardrobe!  This versatile dress is as good as packed for my next summer weekend getaway.  Get yours here.

Image credit: Me to We Style

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This is shocking news considering the makeup maven’s television and editorial ads feature celeb beauties of color including Beyonce, Eva Longoria Parker, and Kerry Washington. 

According to reports, “France’s highest court was told that the group had sought an all-white team of sales staff to promote Fructis Style, a haircare product made by Garnier, L’Oréal’s beauty division.”

Well, Hot Mamas, I guess this means that we’re not worth it. Will this ruling stop you from purchasing  L’Oréal products?

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