Dare To Wear!!!

Hot new intense, full color gloss! With holographic pearl finish! (Doesn't that sound hot! lol) Super shimmer! Not that chunky glittery mess from Super Glass! Ugh! I hated that stuff! Awesome new product! Nice job MAC! 

18 bucks!

There's a new line of shadows too! They're pretty cute too! Most of them are completely matte...lots of limited edition and pro colors!  There's a whole bunch of them so I won't post em...you can check em out yourself! ;)

$14.50

www.maccosmetics.com

Check out my girls Nakeisha and Carol  at the Northlake Mall Location or Ashley over at Southpark! Tell em' I sent ya! ;) 

To The black man...from the bottom of my heart

I need you. We need you...and most of all You need You!
To be the best man you know how to be...in fact better than you think you can be.
The natural order of things is for you to be the leader...and without your rightful place this society will continue to crumble. We need you.
Women are losing their way because there simply are not enough strong men to do the RIGHT thing, and take care of business! Whether that be take care of your woman, or take care of your kids, hell... both! They all need a strong man! There are so few already, and even less who can keep it real enough to be with a woman and keep his penis out of another.
What you don't realize is that the effects are much more than random booty calls and broken hearts. Black men and women don't even know how to have successful relationships anymore! Leaving impressionable young women to think that being "down for whatever" is the way to a man's heart, or being "be his lil freak" will get her more than one night. And also to mention the mature successful black women out here..late 20 and 30 somethings. With the career, the looks, Cook and Clean and ready to breed...but still single because they refuse to compete or settle for less. Why shouldn't a woman who has worked hard have a man who has at least what she does or better? Does that even sound right to you?
This is not to rag on the brothas, but just to send out a red alert! Y'all need to step it up! Kids need positive male figures in their lives! Women need to learn to be ladies again...this can only happen if you lead! Young boys and girls only know how to treat one another and be treated if they see it! If they never see positive relationships...how will we ever know what to do? Thas why we all messed up now!
Nobody said it is easy...but most of us know the difference between right and wrong. Lies and truth...emotions and logic. Let's stop making excuses for how slack we are because dysfunctional upbringings! If we make up our minds to be better...then that is simply what will happen. Without the leaders...there is simply nothing to follow. Its a lot of responsibility, but its yours! You were built for it! Take it! We support you...we. Need you.

Artwork by Paul Anthony McDonald

The answer to the question...what looks good on me?

So Often, I get the question..."What will look good on me?" "What works on my skin tone?" "What makes (insert color here) eyes pop?" and to be completely honest...i really don't like that question! lol! I really hate to answer that!

 Women get frustrated with me because I answer the question, with more questions! lol! At times I can sense their frustration...but my rebuttal is always the same, "What difference does it make if I like it, and you hate it?" If it's not you, its just not you!

I think the key is to first figure out what it is that YOU like...and then I can always give you my expert opinion on how to make it look "Flawless" on you! Think about it this way...If you say "What looks good on me?" and I say "Girl! this pink lipstick will look amazing on u!"...but you know good and well that you hate pink! You're not gona rock that the same as you would something you are more comfortable with. Part of looking beautiful is feeling beautiful, and being comfortable is essential in the process!
As the professional I can always show you the proper techniques in applying the products you love! This is the key to making make up "Flawless"! Application! The only way to find out what will look good is to give it a chance anyway! ;)

I personally never ask anyone if this looks good or that looks good...I just where what I like! And I'm confident enough to wear it even if I know some people won't like it...as long as I feel cute! Who cares what they think?! Check out a few of my looks! ;) *kisses* until next time! ;-*

If You Ask Me...I'm Ready!!! ...The Make Up Show NY

I know! I knooooow!!! Its been forever since my last blog! But I really don't like to write just to be writing...I write about things that I am passionate about and really feel. After attending The Make Up Show in NY earlier this week...I feel rejuvenated!!! This industry has so many great things to offer!!! So many talented artist! So much product!!!!!! :) It was almost a little strange seeing all these beautiful people in one place...all looking like they worked at a MAC Counter, lol. There was so much make up and product lines that I have never seen before or only seen online! There were veteran artist of 20 plus years spittin their knowledge!!! That's when it dawned on me...there is so much more for me to do! Not that I have gotten comfortable at all (ambition is my addiction)...but its time to develop my gift into its ultimate potential!!!

The main thing that I took away is that there are soooo many great and accomplished make up artist!!! And 20 of those artist may have touched the same face, and made it look different each time...its not that one is better than the other, the key is visibility and location. I listened to many stories about the risks artist took to start there careers. Of course things were different 20 years ago...but the theme remains the same...what you really want, you have to be willing to go and get! By any means necessary! For the first time in my life I am considering making a major move. I won't use this opportunity to rag on Charlotte because I love this city that I'm from....but there is magical potential in New York (That just isn't in Charlotte)! My art can reach its full potential there...I can be challenged there....there is an appreciation there...I don't have to water anything down there. Everything is there to take my artistry to the next level, and that is where I need to be. I am refocusing my energy on this and hope to bring it to fruition within the next year!!! I appreciate any prayers and opportunities to encourage this!

I also had the chance to meet a great group of MUA's and one in particular...Lazarus Jean-Baptiste! Also known as "The Make Up Man"...he sat down with us and talked for almost 2 hours! He didn't know us from Adam...His energy was amazing! Not to mention he is a Uber accomplished artist(Vougue, Elle, Iman...yes! I said Iman, the model)! And this humble man shared his knowledge with women he didn't even know off the street! That! Is New York....God! If You Ask Me....I'm Ready...

Check out More pics on The Flawless Make Up Art Facebook Fan Page!!! And become a fan! ;) Kisses! ;-*

Well the warm weather is kicking in!!! A new year is a quarter in and things are a changin! The new trends for spring are "Barely there" and what I like to call "Fresh Color"... Barely there is all about texture with subtle high lights and contours! No real color to the face...just simple tones to enhance the right points on the face and the perfect textures to make skin look touchable and Flawless! Let go of Studio Fix and try Studio Stick or the Mineralize Cream Foundation!
Well groomed brows, natural blush and unlined nude lips that are matte or have subtle shine will get you the look! Cremesheen Glass and Lip Pencils are awesome for this look!


Color has evolved! Gone are the days of blending 3 or 4 colors so each one is distinctively seen in one eye make up application! Now if you do see color on the eyes...its a sheer wash of one color with browns to blend it out. Bold mattes are hot too! Everything is not glittery is glistening on the eyes anymore. The color in the 80's is back but in a much more subtle way! Bold lips are also a great way to wear color with drama! (Like Miss Meagan Goode here and Nicki Minaj) Matte textures are coming back with a bange although shimmer is still standing strong. So get rid of Oh Baby and try out a Ruby Woo or So Chaud Lipstick or Up the Amp or even Vegas Volt!


A few artist tips for these looks!
* Use a kabuki brush for super blended foundation! Small circles all over the face for sheer and even coverage!
* For pastel and nude lips...lip liners are fab! Fill in the whole lip with a natural shade close to the skin tone for that Barely there look. Or use the pastel liners in the middle of the lip as a high light
*Cheek Stains are great for these looks! They add a hint of color to the cheeks with a dewyy look! A little goes a long way!

The Dark Side of the Biz...the One you don't hear about

I've been debating whether to share this with the world...and my sense of "keeping it real" just won't let it go! I get so many request from other MUA's or those wanting to break into the industry...and I often wonder if they can deal with this point of the business cycle. Working for yourself isn't always fun, and in this business in particular...it isn't always "pretty". Especially if you value it as an art form. Of course I always look like I have it together, and all things are Grand! But there is a dark side to entreprenuership...a lonely place that even those closest to you can't understand( but will hopefully respect). I am craving something to inspire me...evolution into the next phase of my artistry. I feel stifled, bonded, restricted. Something like an extreme asmha attack...like I jumped up in the air and was going at light speed and hit an air bubble that I am now suspended in. Im waiting for this bubble to break! So I can proceed at light speed again...

There are so many peaks and valleys to entreprenuership...adding the hi's and lows of being an artist to that are like little heavens and hells! Yeah! That's a good way to describe it...little heavens and hells! When creativity is flowing and your imagination is coming to life, that is heaven for the artist! You see the beauty in everything, and you want to share it with the world! You have something to offer the world, and you can't wait to bless them with it!
The flip side to that (this moment I'm experiencing) is when you don't feel challenged. When you can see the beauty in everyone else's stuff but your own. When you simply don't want to talk to people you know have absolutely no idea how you feel, and introversion settles in. When you are looking for any medium of inspiration, buying random magazines that catch your eye, listening to the same cd's and songs over and over again trying to get the answer, browsing the internet for that person who's story will give you life again. When every suggestion from those not like you sound stupid and redundant. This is the darker side...and when art is how you make your money, this is not good. But it simply...is.

I've learned to get comfortable with this phase of business and artistry. It's not the first time I've been here, and it definitely won't be the last. Its part of growth, as a person, an artist and business woman. I used to get depressed, but I now know it is only a moment...one that I can use as fuel to my fire. Its my inner self's way of saying "It's time for what's next". No one can tell me what I need to do...only I have the answers to the questions I have. Its all about learning what my soul is trying to teach me...and I am forever learning to listen intently. I don't know what's next...I just want to be ready!

A few things are inspiring me right now
* Long walks with my dog
* Hot Ginger Tea
* Laughing with friends...(about the most random things)
Erykah came out with the album just in time...I soooo needed this!

This ladies show and book are giving me astronomical insight into the future!


Oh yeah! And sushi makes me happy too! lol ;)

The basics of selecting a "Flawless" Foundation!!!

Essence Magazine had a huge spread of all types of foundations to acheive that "Flawless" skin look! They are right there are so many options out now for women of color! We have come a long way from the days of just Fashion Fair(Shouts out to the homies)...but yet and still I receive so many calls, emails and tweets about how to match the right color for your skin tone. So I've decided to break it all down into a few simple steps into finding the perfect one for you!

1. Know Your Skin Type...The first 2 questions I always ask a new client is what their skin type is?, and what is their skin care regime? This is the basis of knowing what will look natural on YOU...Most fall in the category of oily, normal (which includes slight oiliness in the "t" zone) or dry.

2.Find your undertone...the best way to identify this is to look at your chest! This is normally a truer tone. Warm undertones fall under red, pink, and orange...Cool is yellow, gold, beige...Then there is Olive and Blue which are your very dark skin and extremely pale skin tones. Race is not biased here...across the board everyone has their own individual undertones.

3. Find the right formulation...powder, cream, liquid, and stick foundations even mousse can all look "natural"! It's all about application and choosing the right shade! Oily skin types tend to lean towards powders to counteract the oiliness that's already there. Normal can any formulation, and dryer skin types should lean more towards liquids and creams also to counteract. Oilies should stay away from foundations with shimmer or bronzer added to them, it will enhance the oily look and will break down much quicker. The same for dry skin and powder...powder foundations will settle into dry spots and enhance flakes and texture in the skin.

4 What look do you want?...matte, dewy, naturally powdered, a nice glow,or even just like skin! Are all looks that are achieved by different textures of foundations. The best way to tell is to look in a magazine or on TV, find out what you like about the persons make up? Does it look powdered with no shine? Does it look moist and dewy? This will help you to choose this ideal finish for your foundation.

5. Test the color...test the foundation color right at the jawline, where the neck and face meet. The right color will blend in like buttah! ;) You should not be able to see a distinct difference between the product and your skin. Also step back and look at it compared to your face, chest, and arms...it should work well with your whole self, and not just your face! It is normal for the face to be just a little darker than the neck and chest, so just be sure it all blends well

Last is finding a sheer or pressed powder to set your foundation with. The two go hand and hand! Setting your make up will help to keep it fresher, longer throughout the day...and it will also help with make up transferring onto clothes and what not. Not setting it makes a huge difference in all day wear! Plus you will need the powder to touch up oiliness in the t-zone...no need to put on foundation over and over again.

Feel free to ask questions at flawlessmakeupart@gmail.com...*kisses* ;-*