Beautiful Brows by Xtreme Lashes

Check out the new brow pen by Xtreme Lashes!  The new long lasting brow pen is smudge proof,  soft tipped applicator that applies the product to individual hairs and covers gray. It is water-based with no waxy buildup. The long lasting brow pen comes in two shades, light and deep.  Light is best for blonds, auburn, light brown to medium brown.   The deep is ideal for rich brown to black hair. Both light and deep can be used to create highlights or for concealing gray hair.  It removes easily with eye makeup remover.

Long Lasting Brow Pen by Xtreme Lashes

Always start with clean brows that are free of any cosmetics or skin care products.  You  should use little pressure and light strokes of the pen for application starting from the center of the brow outwards. Next complete the inner portion of the brow.

I used the long lasting brow pen this morning.  On the right brow,  I used light strokes using the brow pen directly on the brow followed by the angled brow brush over the application. On the left brow, I brushed the angled brow brush over the brow pen to pick up product, then applied the product to the brow.  I found that the application process  used on the left brow, resulted in a more natural brow.  The long lasting brow pen retails for $24.00 with a shelf life of over 6 months.

Faces of Truth – Beauty Marathon

If you are a model or makeup artist looking to enhance your portfolio, you will definitely want to include images by Ajani!  A local DC Metro professional photographer with an ‘eye’  for natural flawless  beauty on  canvas!!  Check out his work and register for the Aug 21 marathon at http://www.facebook.com/l/pAQDgChduAQC6Q85nUHGyQdqv7HgE0umxk9XtZHvz7tcuqw/www.ajanitruth.com
under Events.

Ajani Beauty Marathon

From Fictional Beauty to Reality

Jabot Cosmetics Red Carpet Line

I never imaged a fictional cosmetic line on the number one soap “The Young and the Restless” would ever become a  reality!  Jabot Cosmetics was created over 20 years ago by the Abbott family (on the soap).   Now, Jabot Cosmetics has been created and manufactured by  beauty company Fusion Brands.

The Young and the Restless is airing an actual commercial to promote the line on its July 28th show.  Holly Robinson  Peete and Leah Remini, host  from the CBS show “The Talk” along with two popular characters from the soap, Lauren Fenmore (Tracey Bregman) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) have taped the commercial.

The Jabot Cosmetics Red Carpet  line debuted  June  21 –  22 on  HSN.   This line targets skin care with an eye lift, face lift and facial resurfacing formula.  The complete Jabot Cosmetics beauty line  will debut on July 28th on HSN.  Starting in October, the Jabot Cosmetics line will be available at your  local Ulta  retail stores ranging in price from $15 – $45.    Now I wonder if “Beauty By Nature”, a fictional natural skin care line on ‘Young and the Restless” will also  make it to reality?

Chill Your Summer Look!

Its time to tone down the layers of foundation, eye shadow, eye liner, blush,  and lips color.   With the humidity up and the temperatures in the 90′s, you want to have a natural summer look. Does your makeup appear to slide with the heat?  Try a finishing spray.

Cool Flash Finishing Spray by Skindinavia

Skindinavia’s Cool Flash is a makeup finishing spray especially formulated to withstand the heat and humidity of  the summer.   The product is oil-free, controls shine, prevents meltdown and caking of makeup and also great for hot flashes!

Don’t forget to prep with a moisturizer for your skin type and a primer before applying your makeup.   Try switching to a tinted moisturizer, bronzer, and lip gloss for a weightless  summer glow!

The Makeup Show NY 2011

Shopping at the Makeup Show NY 2011

Well it was another great weekend of makeup  – business, education, products all rolled into 2 days in New York! I finally purchased the Cover Fx Pro kit along with some essential items.  Didn’t splurge this year but did get a great set of lights from GLAMCOR for photo shoots at a great discounted  price! It’s a really nice compact unit.  What sold me on the lights besides the price was the lights on display. At the end of the show around 5pm on Sunday, the lights were still cool that had been on since 9AM!

I took advantage of the hands-on training by Makeup Forever founder, Dany Sanz on Sunday.  Monday was a great finish to the show with a refresher hands-on by Orlando Santiago on Airbrush Bridal Makeup.  My most enjoyable session was with celebrity makeup artist Billy B. 

Billy B at the Makeup Show 2011

 He was truly down to earth about the makeup industry.  Billy B really stressed that there are so many avenues in the makeup business.   Everyone needs to find the  makeup niche that suits their interests  while not neglecting obligations to family. Billy B also stated he still does weddings, still does some work for free and still doesn’t always get the rates he wants.  

 Sometimes you need to look at the opportunities presented to you and determine if they may be a lead to bigger referrals and jobs. Don’t ever be too humble.   Don’t put yourself on a pedestal because you may find yourself wondering one day why you are sitting at the base of the pedestal.  Don’ t strive to mimic something or someone.  It may not be you. Instead  find your own style and most of all be honest to yourself.  Be Y O U, Brand Y O U!

Tis the Season – Part 2 Weddings!

Bride Eyem

Tis the season when brides are all a buzz getting ready for their wedding day!  All the preparation from the location to the gown are top focus.  The bride is the center of attention. Your wedding photos create a lasting lifetime visual that covers the events of the day.   Most often, makeup is last on the wedding “to-do” list with a small budget.  Remember you are not going to the prom! Leave the vibrant colors for members of the bridal party.

Brides don’t realize that  metallic colors can cast a halo spot when the camera flashes and you see your final photos.  Soft makeup colors can really complement and not compete with your wedding day look. Neutral matte or soft shimmer tones for the eyes are perfect for all brides.  Cream blushes also work well on this day and avoid black eyeliner.

Most important for the bride is to schedule a pre-bridal consultation with a professional makeup artist. During the consultation, a customized makeup look is created specifically for the bride.  Having your bridal hair-do and veil at the consultation will give the bride a complete preview of her bridal look.  Other aspects of the wedding day are  also discussed(e.g. such as the theme, style of the gown, attendants, location and time  for makeup application, etc.)

It is best to schedule your bridal consultation at least 2 months prior to the wedding.    This is the time when your skin can become most sensitive due to all the nervous energy in planning your wedding.  A professional can recommend skin care needs for exfoliation and prepping the skin  to resolve any skin issues that may occur.  You want your skin to be in its optimum flawless state on your wedding day.  So don’t delay and book your pre-bridal consultation with a professional makeup artist  today!

Tis the Season – Part 1 Prom!

Short Prom Dress

Now is the time for proms!   It’s an exciting time for high school students preparing for their memorable prom.  Time has been spent looking for the perfect dress in the perfect color. Shopping for accessories is also very important.  Everything must be perfect for the pose and best photo! 

Makeup for the prom can be an issue.  Parents seeing their daughters glammed up for the first time can be overwhelming if they have been restrictive when it comes to makeup.   Even for the prom a little makeup goes a long way. Simple  one color over the eyelid works well  in one of the  hot spring colors of pink, peach, purple or teal.   Soft nude lips go well with bold eye colors.  A smokey black, brown or bronze eye works well for prom looks.  A red  or orange lip goes well with either a smokey eye or  simple eyeliner  with nude color on the eyes.   Don’t let your prom makeup  age you.  Let your emerging youthful beauty show!.  Contact us today to book your appointment for an ultimate prom makeup look!

Coral Lips

What’s In “Your Biz Name”?

I recently attended an excellent marketing seminar sponsored by The Powder Group (TPG) who sponsor the annual The Makeup Show . The speaker was Michael DeVellis, executive director for TPG.  If you are the owner of a  small business, how do you promote “you“?   Is your company name representing you or is it some interesting combination of words that don’t reflect “you“?  If you are a small business, most likely you don’t have a large staff representing and promoting what is dear to you – your business!

 I’ve learned in my short time in business that my name is me, represents me and is perfect for my business name.  No one else will make my business a success or failure but me.  I am the voice, vision and owner.  Therefore all marketing such as printed material, promotional items, voice mail, emails and social media (website, Facebook page, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.)   for my business should promote my name  and clearly state what my business is about.

 We live in a technology overloaded society. Don’t forget to take the time to send a handwrtten thank you note to your customers and those that contribute to the success of your business.  It lets people know that  you truly appreciate their business and you took the time to thank them with a personal note.  So check out Vernita Dawkins, freelance  makeup artist for your future makeup looks!

Vernita Dawkins, Makeup Artist

Fashion For A Worthy Cause – AAPD

I had the honor of being part of the makeup team for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) 2011 Leadership Awards Gala. The charity event was held at the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown DC on March 15th.  This year the gala collaborated with fashion icon and designer Norma Kamali to showcase the accessibility of modern fashions for those with disabilities.  The fashions were modeled by those representing various disabilities in America.  Norma Kamali’s exclusive designs are affordable and available at WalMart.

AAPD GALA 2011

Glamzy – Face Charts To Go!

Glamzy for the iPhone

This app is great!  Its called Glamzy and provides a way to create and share makeup face charts via your iPhone and Android phones or the iPodTouch. There are two versions – (1) Glamzy, which is free and (2) GlamzyPro which cost $2.99 to download. Glamzy provides 4 face shapes and 3 face styles using MAC cosmetics colors and names.  You can save images to your phone or share the face charts via email. There is also a way for the makeup artist to sign the face charts as the creator and share it publicly via Glamzy Spotlight.  It will soon be available on the new iPad to download.   The Glamzy Pro version has additional features like 7x zoom, the ability to  save face chart for editing later and  a complete range of face styles. 

Glamzy for the Android

 I’m hoping as the popularity of Glamzy grows, that other cosmetic lines (e.g. Makeup Forever, Cover FX, Graftobian, Face Atelier, etc.) will become available to choose from within the app.  Just think of not having to find a blank printed face chart to create a visual look for an upcoming shoot or to put your ideas on paper for future creative looks.  It’s a way of  creating and building  your own library look book that travels with you! It’s a free or low cost investment for your business.  Saves trees and money to copy and print paper face charts. Check it out and download today!