Penelope Cruz on V Magazine/Life Update

I love the styling and the makeup in this spread with Penelope Cruz. Androgyny along with the glamorous aspect is just gorgeous. 

I've been really out of it the past few weeks due to my car accident, my Honda is no more but I'm alive and well. Yesterday was the first day I was able to walk without limping or needing a knee brace and I'm very grateful for that. My knee is still really stiff and when I try to stretch it out it hurts like a bitch but I'm making progress. I feel lucky that I live in South End because I've been able to get around without any problems, besides taking the wrong bus. 

light rail sceneries.

I feel like when I move back to New York next summer  I'll  be prepared because I don't think anything is less enjoyable than walking around with a massive recyclable bag filled with groceries in the Southern summer heat, there really isn't anything cute about it but hey, it's necessary! Along with walking around in the heat, I haven't been wanting to wear a lot of heavy makeup or makeup in general. I eventually end up sweating most it off even when I douse my face in makeup setting spray. I've been doing a defined brow and a cat eye with a waterproof gel liner and that's been my go to look along with a bright lip. I've been wanting to experiment with new looks and photograph them but by the time I get home, the only thing I want to do is shower and go to bed. Hopefully, when it cools down somewhat I'll be able to get back into the swing of things.

IMATS 2012

I am determined to make it to IMATS in New York Spring 2012. The chance to meet some of the extremely talented individuals I watch on a daily basis on YouTube and read about through my blogs would be so gratifying.

Introducing Mrs. Asha Singleton

I'm so grateful to have worked with such a lovely and optimistic person. Doing Asha's makeup on her Wedding Day wasn't stressful in the least bit! She was calm and collected and so we're all of the bridesmaids, it made for a great environment even on a tight schedule. The Wedding ceremony was held at Grace on Brevard, a beautiful historic monument in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Sunny of Themba Imagery worked her magic behind the camera and even gave us a preview of the images on her blog. 

I wish you both years of happiness together!

La Petite Mort Burlesque at The Sunset Club

Last week I had the pleasure of working with the sultry ladies of La Petite Mort Burlesque at the Sunset Club. I've been to the Sunset Club once before for a co-workers birthday party and I like the venue, it's spacious and the atmosphere is chill and sophisticated but I didn't realize it was a cigar bar! I have a serious allergy to cigarette/cigar/pretty much any type of smoke so this time around I made sure I was heavily dosed with my medicine and ready to go! I never realized how much work goes into putting on a Burlesque show, these ladies rocked it out from beginning to end! I look forward to working with all of them again. Here are a few photos from the evening, I stole these from their most recent Facebook album :)

Jessica Vilanova aka Beautiful Sin

Kaya Stowers aka Cherry Von Bomb

Ginger Lee

All of the ladies and Aj aka Lilith DeVille

Tom Ford Beauty

Came across these ads on CocoPerez (yes, I'm an avid celebrity blog reader) and I'm in love! The last photo is my favorite, the purple/hot pink contour is definitely something I want to replicate in the future.

Steelo Cosmetics at The For Sisters Only Convention

I meant to blog about this much sooner seeing how I worked the event the last weekend of April. A lot has been going on the past few months so I've definitely been keeping busy and I'm grateful for that. I was contacted by the founder of Steelo Cosmetics through Model Mayhem to do some freelance work at the For Sisters Only Convention at the Charlotte Convention Center. I was lucky to have that Saturday off so I jumped at the opportunity. For anyone who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina or the surrounding areas  knows this is a large event in the Black community, vendors from all over Charlotte area come out and promote their local businesses. I've lived here for quite a few years and I would hear so much about it on the radio, I was truly looking forward to actually working with a makeup vendor. Steelo Cosmetics is makeup line based out of Baltimore, Maryland and their line is specifically made for women of diverse skin tones. The foundation is mineral based and comes in a variety of shades making it so that every woman can find a match be it if they have yellow, golden, or red undertones. They also have a large array or mineral and pressed eyeshadows, blushes, lipsticks, lipgloss, (which I loved!) lipliners, and makeup brushes. The booth stayed busy pretty much the entire day, I thought there would be some moments of down time but I guess when people see makeup they are drawn in and want product applied. I had a great time working with Gina and Rich and it was a amazing learning experience. I hope to have the chance to work with Steelo Cosmetics in the future! Here a few photos I was able to take on my iPhone during the day:

     The front of the booth.

   Gina, founder of Steelo Cosmetics.

Working girl cheesin'

* They were also featured in Essence January 2010 and was named one of the Hottest New Brands*