The Omen

photos by me

Terrell Sparks, founder of Obsexxed,  hip hop enthusiast, also known as The Omen is one to look out for. Not only is he a talented lyricist and an intelligent blogger, but he is also a free-sprited individual with something really important to say through the curation of art, music and wisdom.

This was one of his spur of the moment ideas to shoot and I hope you all enjoy as this photographic journey to the local bodega in Philly. 

OCC LIP TAR ADDICTION

While shopping at The Makeup Show, I had to make a stop at Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics for my dear co-worker to pick up a few lip tars. Now, I knew there was a lot of hype about this line for their cruelty-free, vegan products/ tools, but I just never was into fighting through crowds to get their items. Many makeup artists swear by the colors and versatility, but I have never been the girl that goes with the crowd (yet I was always curious).

Last year when I tried to get to their line at the shows (both IMATS LA and The Makeup Show NYC), they were being MOBBED and I'm not too fond of throwing elbows at strangers. I did happen to squeeze in long enough to grab two colors in a rush to try ANYTHING that I later wasn't too crazy about on myself (later used again on this shoot) and never really got back into them.

OLD PACKAGING

Something in me changed this year, perhaps it was the packaging (the last packaging was a bit misleading and exploded in my case) and the extra push from my co-worker, but I am in love with this stuff! I re-discovered how great it is to mix colors together, how long wearing and pigmented the lip tars are, and how a little bit of product gives great color pay off. OCC brought the fun back into mixing and playing with makeup !

NEW PACKAGING

These products play so well together and can be mixed to create any color you like! They wear amazingly, go with my MAC lipglasses and are just as great all on their own. I am LIVING for these lip tars and are worth EVERY PENNY SPENT!

Thinking Outside of the Box with Sutan

Sutan Amrull, or more commonly known as Raja, from RuPaul's Drag Race and America's Next Top Model was the HIGHLIGHT of my entire experience at The Makeup Show this year. Between stories of the Drag Queens on his show, childhood memories of Michelle Tungra and his fantasy of making her pretty, his early beginnings as a MAC makeup artist which is all too familiar for me- minus the drag queen part. Naturally, he entertained the room and filled the us with laughter as he floated around the stage while painting his subject's face, but it was just a mere example that you can have fun while doing your job. Sutan didn't stress which products you had to have, people you have to meet in this industry and what you have to do to make a name for yourself. Instead, he taught us how to be yourself, embrace your imagination with open arms and just go with your gut instincts. I mean, yes we hear that all the time, but watching Sutan go into this presentation with no predetermined look for the event and just feeling out where he wanted his creation to go- he simply went with his gut feelings and presented one of the most beautiful works of art on his androgynous model, Dylan.

One thing is for certain, I'm a fan and there's no turning back from this love I have for the beautiful, Sutan Amrull.

(shot from the big screen)
photos by me

The Art of the The Makeup Show NYC 2012

Photos by me 

This year when I decided to attend The Makeup Show, I knew exactly what I wanted to do: SHOP, LEARN, AND SHOP SOME MORE. I'm going to show you the speakers in the post after this, but I wanted to focus on the magical body paintings and artistry from the event. It was so fun watching each artist work!

Just Pursue It

(photo by me, makeup by orlando santiago)

Lately I keep telling myself, "Just do it!" Repeatedly reminding myself to just go after what I want and stop seeking approval from others.

I've started a new notebook where I list everything I love, will be and am thankful for. One of the best ideas I've had in awhile and I think everyone should start one. Its a great way to reflect on the good things in your life and will be good to read through on those rainy days. 

Spending time with you

I needed to leave Philly for a couple days. The semester is coming to an end, finals are this week and work is starting to calm down, which means- I NEEDED A BREAK!

I spent a few days with my better half in New Jersey and it was the best few days I've had in a really long time. We took a stroll through Princeton, ate amazing food, had a few drinks, watched a few movies, and just enjoyed each other's company. 

Why Fight It?

If there's anything I've learned at Temple its that I am definitely a Makeup Artist. Yes, im forward thinking, love trends, appreciate great design, love business, media and advertising, but i suck at doing any of those things. My teachers despise any campaign I think of (except one teacher because she knows whats up) and I constantly fall into the "its not good but its not bad" category. 

I know if I really had the time to develop design skills, I could probably make some awesome shit, but im too deep into my career as a makeup artist. Im constantly thinking of the art direction for photo shoots or new products that women need or even ways to teach and guide them through makeup artistry. but designing for slim jim monsters and downy wrinkle release spray with new and innovative ideas that are worth something... thats a negative. I may be selling myself short or over-thinking it, which in all honesty i do sonetimes. but there are thing you just know. 

I know that I want to be really good at design, but why fight something that comes so naturally. when i finish next semester, hopefully, i can dive into something im passionate about. something that ive been thinking about since forever. something that i know a lot of people are doing. but at the end of the day... its that something that i know i need to be doing...

(photo by Tashka Turnquist, edited by me)

I'm always looking for new ways to re-invent myself and the world I live in. In a world that is constantly changing and a filled with challenges, the only thing we can do is adapt.

I'm growing everyday. Learning everyday. Fighting everyday. 

And I'm ready for the next chapter of my life. 

Ideas

When Instagram informed the press about their acquisition by Facebook for $1 Billion... I couldn't get out of my head how important ideas are. Instagram is one of the most downloaded mobile apps of all time that allows millions of users share their most intimate moments with their friends and strangers. Not only does it share photos, but people can be fauxtographers at the touch of their fingers with simple, fun filters. I mean it sounds so simple, but its been around for two years and is worth $1 BILLION!

As a full-time student in media, I'm learning everyday the importance of ideas and how much they are actually worth. Ideas do not just hold monetary value, but they can be meaningful life changing concept can change the lives of BILLIONS of people. No matter how silly you may think they are ideas can help spawn more  ideas and then when you see them come to life- how rewarding can that be? All you really have to do is sit with it, write whatever comes to mind no matter how illogical it may seem and just roll with it!

I'm always filled with ideas and then I lose them or someone else does them because I've waited too long to bring them to life. With that said, if you have an idea write it down, share it with someone that can help you bring them to life, and don't just sit around waiting for someone else to come up with it. Your ideas are worth so much more than you realize and who knows, maybe you can create the next billion dollar concept.

Family is Everything

With Easter and Passover going on right now, I couldn't be any happier to be home with my family. I hope you're enjoying the holidays! Xx