Shyima Hall

With the ups and downs that go along with being a freelance makeup artist, there are moments/people that I am so BLESSED to come in contact with, and get into their personal space, and get moved beyond words.  To the depth of my soul.  I had this experience recently with the REMARKABLE SHYIMA HALL.  

Her new book HIDDEN GIRL, chronicles her life from the time her parents sold her into slavery in Egypt, to her human traffiking into the united states, up to her current life, at 24.  This girl has an incredible spirit, and I was truly honored for spend time with her last week.  Please look for her book, as well as the article I worked with her on for People Magazine, which could be on newsstands at any time.  She's an ANGEL.. !!!! LOVE YOU SHYIMA!!!!

HIDDEN GIRL

http://www.amazon.com/

AZHIA - Lonely Alone

http://www.youtube.com/v/R1NdkL2NJnw?autohide=1&version=3&autohide=1&feature=share&attribution_tag=hGe56baqd1XVO6azfAA4Zw&showinfo=1&autoplay=1

AZHIA - Lonely Alone

I am PROUD to announce the release of my girl AZHIA's debut video for her AMAZING song, "Lonely Alone".  Yes, I worked on the video, and helped in the evolution of her image, however, I just unleashed the SUPERSTAR that is already inside this incredibly talented human being.  Everyone, support this MEGA Talent and download her song on ITUNES.

Day of the Dead

My long time friend and Doctor Lynn Van Metre recently asked me to do her makeup for a "day of the dead" event she was attending.  I had never actually done this style of makeup before, but was excited for the challenge.  Here's what we came up with!!!

And here's from her follow up email:
Dear Miss FABULOUS!
I was the hit of the ball
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR TIME, TALENT, ATTENTION, LOVE, ETC
I had fun and it was fun being behind the face!!!!!

YAY!!!!!

LABELS

I was talking with a girlfriend about a boy.  Theorizing over why he hasn't called (or texted), when she started to entertain the idea of "another girl".  I reacted quite passionately that there was NO ONE like her, she is an amazing person, and "competition" should never, ever be a factor when trying to figure out the "whys" of someone else's behavior!

We, as humans on this planet, are fortunate to be able to "label" or "define" who we are OURSELVES.  We feel confident and self assured, and know who we are in certain situations, i.e., at work, with friends, as a parent, in school, and then a person or situation comes to us, and we suddenly lose touch with our amazing selves.  We become insecure, doubtful, (inner voice "do I really look, act, sound, etc., the way 'they' say I do?") and become lost in our minds, floating, like Sandra Bullock in "Gravity", and some of us get so far lost, that we want to give up.

BUT THAT'S NOT how it's going to be anymore.  Listen carefully….(or Read and re-read), the ONLY person who can define (place VALUE on) who you are is YOU.. not your parents, your friends, your co-workers, bosses, society, magazines, celebrity…..ANYONE!!!  I can only imagine some of the "labels" I've been given.  I KNOW, I've been called a "Diva Makeup Artist", "B***H", etc., but I KNOW myself. I am a Visionary, I have a big heart, I would NEVER manipulate anyone or anything, I am a 'connector'-I love hooking people up with jobs, good bargains, other people, you name it, if I know someone that could help, I'm 'connecting' them.   I've gone "inward" and looked in the mirror, so to speak, for close to 20 years, now, and although the journey hasn't been all smooth sailing, I'm really comfortable with the person I am.

Here's your homework.  Next time someone or some thing comes into your life that tries to "label" you, stop and think of a different life scenario that you're in (your job, for example), and think of the strength, confidence, and knowing of who you are in THAT instance, take "that person", and place them in front of the new 'would be label maker'!  You've just connected with your true, amazing, beautiful SELF!!!

 Stay strong.  Even when you thing you're grounded, connected, and know 'who you are', challenges will still come at you, and with more power, trying to shake you up.  You may lose some friends, colleagues, etc., but have faith that you, being true to you, is the best gift you could ever receive.

Thank YOU

I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU.. 

 I've been going through a transformation period and have not been very 'connected' to keeping up with social media, or the HYPE of being a makeup artist, quite honestly.  I've been reflecting, learning, and just, well, going inward to get in touch with my passion.  It seems as though this is happening to a lot of people I know, surprising! I've had MANY spontaneous therapy sessions with close friends lately, and it's been AMAZING... I'm not any closer to an "answer", per se, LOL, but I also have an inner calm and peace inside of me.  I'm living in the moment.  Taking things one day at a time and living in my truth and with honesty.  That means, I know WHO I am, I know WHAT my values are, what I am about, and that I am AMAZING (I say that all the time.. even on photo shoots, etc., out loud..to clients, with a little laugh--been doing it for years! hey, what the heck, if they aren't saying it, I'll let them know!!!).  So CHEERS to everyone out there, and here's to your own quest to connecting with YOUR inner beauty... (IM AMAZING!!! did you know that?? hahaha)