Devil: The Film (Day 3)

 You may or may not know... but I'm doing this film thing with JTGaze Models and Casting. It's actually... a lot of fun. While shooting with Jay, I get to throw myself into fields I've never really been comfortable with and watch myself excel.

 Sometimes, you just need to see what you can do. Granted, I'm not trained in either modeling nor acting --and that might have pushed the "hate now" button some people have tucked behind their ears, but participating gives me life. Last Saturday, I woke up late, thinking we weren't going to shoot. I started my day by dragging my feet around trying to think of something productive to do. Part of the reason I like to do stuff like this is that it just fills up my calendar. Not to mention, I get to have my hair & make-up done & pretend to be a star. It's actually quite fabulous. 

I also get free training. Not that my shoots are supposed to be training sessions, but the best way to learn (in my opinion) is to try. While on shoot, I get to meet models, photographers, make up artists, hair stylists and plenty of folk whose handles have dabbled in a variety of arts. On Saturday's session, I worked with a fellow model who used to do model training. He was totally sweet, but I totally used him as my personal modeling coach. 

The only way to excel is to desire it. I asked for tips and we even got down to my lazy eye and how I can work that in photos. Not to mention I'm 5'2, so I've got to employ "techniques" to make myself look longer in pictures. You know what? Modeling isn't the toughest or most strenuous or mentally demanding field, but it is emotionally taxing. Before I shot, Jay had just finished up with two gorgeous, tall-as-f*ck models. Still, I sat my little self peacefully and continued to get my make-up done.  I started thinking about how different I looked from them, but then I realized that that is what makes me marvelous. I am myself. Instead of seeing our differences as flaws, we should work on understanding that those are the characteristics that set us apart; they make us special. 

Anyhow, this was day 3 of shooting.  Make up by Nicole Jacobs!

Enjoy the photos :)

 

I could complain but... *shrugs*

Mascara by @MallyBeauty

Mally's Volumizing Mascara - $20

       I'm a natural kinda girl. I like to look as much like myself as possible... but I don't mind being pretty sometimes. I don't wear much make-up but chap stick and mascara.  Not because I have anything against it... I simply don't have the time nor place... nor skill. lol. Mascara, though, I can't live without.   We were on our way to Day 2 of Jay-Z's Made in America festival and as I checked my hair in the mirror, there was no lack of volume there, but something fell flat: My lashes. Lashes are the one thing I can't seem to leave the house without touching. Even if I put nothing else on, mascara changes your entire eye shape. & Yes, the mascara does make a difference. When all else fails, I turn to Maybelline's Great Lash in Blackest Black ($6.40). It does it's job. But the price keeps going up on that bad boy, so I usually only buy when they're buy one/get one. I've tried DiorShow ($25), the other most reknown mascara, (personally) I'm not the biggest fan. Diorshow lengthens slightly, but doesn't give me the depth and thickness I like. The MAC Zoom Lash ($16) I bought dried out far too quickly & there's nothing I can do but wait until I have enough empty tubes to trade in for a lip gloss.

"Do you have masacara," I turned to ask the ladies in the back seat. & that's when @QnAllDay pulled out my fav new product. & told me I could keep it *heart flutters* *blows kisses*

Mally Beauty was founded in 2005 by celebrity makeup artists, Mally Roncal who has worked with the likes of Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez. I'd mention more names, but do I really need to? The reason I liked this mascara is because it's creamy and smooth. It actually covers my lashes without adding too much weight or making them clump together. The brush is also really nice: round and fluffy. A "hard brush" never ever feels good. Never ever. I liked the creamy feel because I wear masacar every day and --stupid as it might sound-- I was afraid of my lashes drying out. They would just feel hard by the end of the day. With Mally $20, if I rub, it will smudge (as opposed to crumble). Anyhow, figured I'd tell you about my random little love affair with Mally's mascara. This is my vote!  <3 

Enjoy!

"Giving is Glamorous" - City Girl Beauty Project

Midtown Loft & Terrace is an incredibly classy venue. The lighting is divine and... IDK why I <3 hardwood floors so much -_-  Snapped this pic when I walked in, luckily having beat the crowd. The venue filled up shortly afterwards -- At the end of the night took me foreeevverrr to get through the crowd + get my gift bag! 

             City Girl Beauty Project held it's first annual Giving is Glamorous charity event at the Midtown Loft & Terrace on May 3rd, 2012. Surely, it sounds like it could have been anything for any reason, but I assure you it was not. In the midst of make-up, champagne, chocolate and violins it's founder's message resonated deep within the attendees. Miss Tanika Ray made sure of that ;) 

         In light of the fight against human trafficking and domestic violence, Andrea Charles founded the company in 2009 by hosing beauty-themed events in the honor of different charities. On this night, she highlighted the struggles --while applauding the merit --of women and children who suffer at the hands of domestic abuse, domestic violence and human trafficking.


        LADIES: You never know what's going on in the world around you. First and foremost, understand you are NOT alone.  It is a shame how many of us stand for pain in the name of love, unknowing how beautiful we are. Miss Charles and her guests shared stories and reflections about their experiences --even going so far as to admit the embarrassment one feels at what you've put up wit. (Big, Big S/O to  Tashera Simmons. That's a woman. Her words are posted for you to listen below.) But, as an attendee, I was touched, honored and moved by their strength. To stand up in front of a crowd of strangers and tell them that the person you loved, loved you incorrectly is not an easy task. It was amazing to know that we are not alone in our pain, but that in leaning on the shoulders of those like us, we can stand tall again.  

Melan's Cosmetics

Melan's Cosmetics celebrated its launch on April 17th at Taj Lounge in NYC.  The shockingly bright and bold cosmetics line teamed up with Kat Walk Katerers to celebrate the occasion. The only thing I could have wished for was to find out a bit more about the product itself, but, I was late & they were having a good ol' time when I got there. Melan & the Kat Walk Katerers team were all love and applause when I arrived. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try some of that make-up. I think that pink liner would look fab on me. 

Kat Walk Katerers, founded by Dhylles Davis her husband/business partner Dennis,  

provides model training for woman of all walks in the NYC area.