Beauty Schooled!

Happy New Year! - Right Livelihood

2012-01-09T08:28:00.000-06:00

Welcome to 2012 readers! I pray that your new year is off to an encouraging and fruitful beginning. I also hope that you are actively seeking and working towards what you want your career to look like this year.

I pretty much start off each new year the same as the last. In prayer and reflection. Thankful for the years past and expectant of the year ahead. Even moreso in this current economic climate I am grateful for every photoshoot, every call back and every new client or opportunity.

I will be the first to tell you everything has not been perfect over the past ten years. I have had my ups and downs in this industry and there were times I questioned my sanity and considered going back to the safe and familiar comforts of a bi-weekly paycheck. However I knew deep down inside that a tough day doing what I absolutely loved was a thousand times better than a good day doing what I disliked.

I have no idea who I am speaking to, but whether you are on the fence about taking the leap and following your talents and passion into this industry or are feeling down and defeated and considering giving up, I would like to share with you something that was sent to me by a co-worker in 2001 just before I literally plunged head first into the world of beauty. I hope that it will not only inspire and encourage you, but ignite a hunger in you so fierce that the only way to calm it is to make a 'shift' and move towards what brings you true joy, happiness and fulfillment as it did me over a decade ago.

An excerpt from "Sisters of the Yam" - bell hooks

Right Livelihood, both it's ancient and its contemporary sense, embodies self-expression, commitment, and mindfulness and conscious choice. Finding and doing work of this sort is predicated upon high self-esteem and self-trust, since only those who like themselves, who subjectively feel they are trustworthy and deserving dare to choose on behalf of what's right and true for them. When we consciously choose to do work we enjoy, not only can we get things done, we can get them done well and be intrinsically rewarded for our effort.

Once again Happy New Year and keep the faith!

Want to Launch Your Own Cosmetic Line?

2011-12-16T11:03:00.000-06:00

Ask most makeup artists, hair stylists and manicurists what is their ultimate career goal and most will say, "Starting my own cosmetics/hair/nail care line".

However, much to our chagrin in recent years celebrities have jumped on the "launch my own line gravy train". Watching this ever growing trend unfold can be frustrating to a creative looking to see their name behind a prestige makeup counter or gracing the shelf of their local Sephora store.

They have the money and clout, and in your eyes all you have is your passion so how do you even begin to compete?

Beauty Schooled! tapped good friend and cosmetic chemist and owner of Envie Lab Desiree Mattox for the five most important things to consider before launching your cosmetic line.

5 Tips for Launching a Cosmetics Line

1. Start small. It may be tempting to launch with a wide selection of products, but resist the urge. Start with 3 - 5 products that can be sold individually and in sets. The key is to use your debut product line to gauge the market before you grow the line. This way you can easily make necessary changes without having to start from square one.

2. Know your numbers. There is no way you can accurately and effectively run your business if you don't know your costs and profits. Before you start ask yourself: How much money do I want to make per product? How much does my product cost to make? What should my wholesale and retails prices be? How many units do I need to sell to be profitable? Answering these questions will help start you on the right track.

3. There is nothing new under the sun... except YOU! Of course you will need to find ways to differentiate your products, but don't get discouraged to find ideas similar to your own. No one can execute your ideas the way you can. Focusing on your branding and putting your personal stamp on everything you do will make all the difference.

4. Don't dilute your brand. Samples, giveaways and blog reviews are great, but don't over do it. If you put too much effort into giving your products away, you'll be hard pressed to find someone to actually buy them. Define your limit in a marketing plan and stick with it.

5. Educate yourself. Research, research, research! There is no shortcut to knowledge and expertise. Engulf yourself in the industry, read trade magazines, study marketing strategies, stay abreast of the latest raw materials and technology. Whatever you do, don't be afraid of the smart work. The smartest workers always come out on top.

You can learn more about Desiree and Envie Lab's services by visiting their website and following their twitter.

2011-11-09T00:59:00.004-06:00

Are you in the beauty industry because not only do you want to do celebrity clients, but you hope to become the next celebrity? You may want to think again.

Give this video a look:

Behind the Lens - Ajani Truth Photography

2010-05-24T02:25:00.007-05:00

An integral part of any photo-shoot is the photographer, without the "shooter" there's essentially no shoot. Therefore, I'd be remiss to not include interviews with photographers on BeautySchooled!

I was pleased when Ajani Truth Photography agreed to be our first featured photographer and give us some insight on what it takes to produce a good shoot and why "that" photographer may not want to work with you.

BeautySchooled! How long have you been a photographer?

Ajani Truth: Honestly, I've had a camera for about almost 2 years now just shooting birds, flowers and buildings the first few months. Then took the last year and a half shooting people, specifically fashion. In 2009, I set some goals on what I wanted to shoot and who I wanted to work with locally and met most of those goals and then some. It definitely took a lot of shoots and working with people strategically to get to other people. Some of the most important things that I've done for myself thus far is to hold my integrity and cultivate strong relationships.

BeautySchooled! Did you do any formal training prior to launching your career as a photographer?

Ajani Truth: I have no formal training in photography. Just kept my mind focused on reading and trying new things and picking up new ideas through mistakes. I do have previous experience with Photoshop which helped me early to give the images a decent pop in post-production. I swear, doing test work with people who are like minded just took the pressure off the "business" side so I could relax and just be creative while making some errors and not feeling the pressure of money. Working with dynamic people became my education.

BeautySchooled! We hear all sorts of terms for photographers, fashion photographer, life style photographer, beauty; event… the list goes on and on. What type of photographer are you and can you help clarify for our readers what the differences are?

Ajani Truth: Personally, I classify myself most of the times as a beauty/fashion photographer and sometimes I say a commercial photographer which can encompass the 1st two plus more. Beauty photography focuses on selling cosmetics, skin care, perfume, etc. Fashion photography you are trying to sell clothes, bags, shoes, etc. I shoot an event or two for fun but not an event photographer at all. I believe in staying in my lane as much as possible because I want to be somewhat of an expert. People know me for my beauty work. It just sticks out whether clean or dramatic. Good beauty images just seem to captivate people. Also, I work with music artists to shoot their promo shots/album covers and I do occasional creative portraits. I've been trying to use Twitter/FB to bridge the fashion/beauty world with my music world and let people know that I do both.

BeautySchooled! I recently spent time with a friend in Miami who’s a makeup artist, she was there working on a shoot for a major cosmetics brand, the photographer on the shoot requested her on the project. I thought that was a HUGE deal! To me it says that she did something very right the last time she was on set with this particular photographer. Tell us what makes you want to work with a particular hairstylist, makeup artist, fashion stylist or manicurist on a shoot?

Ajani Truth: First and foremost, I think about the style of the artist. Does that person fit the shoot at question? All jobs are not equal and at the end of the day it is a job. People have certain strengths and as a photographer, you are sometimes assuming the role of the project manager. I've worked with MUAs with strong clean makeup but couldn't do more than that. And some that can only do creative work. That's fine but as a manager I need to find the right fit for the job in both skill AND personality. You don't want to bring in a creative team member who pisses people off. Sometimes I know the client and what they can tolerate. Then I look at speed and efficiency. Some team members are nice and do great work but maybe this shoot can't take an hour or two on basic makeup especially if you have 10 looks for the day. When all things are equal, the tie breaker for me is someone who can make me laugh. I look serious when shooting but people that know me understand that I'm super silly at times.

BeautySchooled! In my interviews with various industry vets I’ve been hearing what seems to be the same song, that reality television has gotten the new crop of personal appearance professionals confused and that the new breed wants to be celebrities themselves and show up on set behaving as if they are the talent. What are your pet peeves on set? What type of behaviors will make you determine that you would never want to work with someone again?

Ajani Truth: One of my major pet peeves is coming onto the set with a bad attitude. I'm big on energy because that negative energy travels. I can't allow that energy to ruin a shot for a client so leave it at home. Another is not being productive. I love to have fun but cut the excess talking, joking, etc if you can't produce the work in a timely manner. Another major issue is when creative team members talk about or down to another member. It brings down morale and is just not good for a healthy work environment. I've had a MUA critique a new hairstylist's work and try to change it. Feedback to make the shoot better is fine but let's it be sincere and helpful. This will definitely make me not work with someone again.

BeautySchooled! In this industry we all know that we’re only as good as our portfolios, a frequent complaint I hear from new hairstylist, makeup artists and so forth is the inability to find a great photographer that is willing to work with them. They want to see their portfolio but if you’re new you don’t have one… do you see the catch 22? Lol What advice or suggestions do you have for them?

It is a catch 22. The first thing I would do is search hard for a good up and coming photographer and offer to assist on a shoot. It maybe free or TFP work but it will get you some images. Be sincere, honest and professional in your approach. Professional emails that seem to be targeted to me personally may not automatically persuade me to work with you but an impersonal, poorly written email will automatically persuade me to NOT with you. Now here is the part where I will be a little biased. Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands and create your own shoot by paying to get it done. Four stellar images will get you a lot further than 20 poor images. I just had a MUA friend shoot with a great photographer that she paid for and now her work is ACCURATELY represented like others on her skill level. If you can't afford to pay at the moment, then keep searching for photographers and reaching out. Someone will need you at some point. Build and cultivate relationships. I've worked with people that had no ports because they were cool.

BeautySchooled! Let’s switch gears and talk about rates for a moment. I’m a firm believer that you get what you pay for. I personally have come across quite a few new artists (music) who are surprised to learn what the day rate of a makeup artist or manicurist is on set. Have you experienced this at all? What would you say to the artist who’s looking for a bargain when shopping for a photographer?

Ajani Truth: It's funny, you mentioned artists especially male artists. Before I worked with some of the best makeup artists, I felt like most women can do basic makeup. Definitely not true. You see these videos and artists have women in the videos with bad makeup, hair and wardrobe and it reflects on them. A lot of times artists want different locations, cars, special buildings, and other things in shots but they have no budget. Who is going to pay for it? Not me! My goal is to make indie artists look polished like major label artists. Sometimes this requires extra money. Model portfolios may include many shots, but artist promo shots have to pop from the moment you see them. Labels, radio people, and others in the music industry will base your music off of that image. My advice to artists is to price photographers and save up. Some artist music isn't that good so at least they can get a sharp image and fool the music executives. {{{laughs}}}

BeautySchooled! I can’t end without asking you this because I know there are makeup artists out there that will want to know…TFP – Testing for prints. Do you still do this?

Ajani Truth: From time to time, I will do TFP work with exceptional MUAs, hairstylists and wardrobe stylists. At that point, I will bring in a model from a pool of models that I've accumulated. I also test with a number of agencies in both the DC/Baltimore, Richmond and NYC areas. I'm still new to game, so testing is a must. Sometimes it's just fun similar to the how musicians do jam sessions and record it. As long as the vibe is cool and the model, creative team and photographer are all on the same or similar skill level then it makes sense. A lot of my strongest images in my port are from test shoots. As your skills and style are more in demand, TFP/testing will just lessen naturally.

BeautySchooled! Are there any last words that you want to leave with our readers?

Ajani Truth: Define your own level of success. A lot of times, when you get advice it is derived from what that person knows of you and the situation and usually never the reality. Find your own TRUTH.

Thank you Ajani for such an informative and inspiring interview. Be sure to visit Ajani’s website and follow his twitter.

When Professional Brands Go Mass… - Minx Collaboration with OPI to Launch Sephora

2010-05-14T00:45:00.011-05:00

There was a rumble in cyber-space today; well actually the conversation has been brewing for a few days now since the distribution of Sephora’s new catalog. Apparently I’ve been hiding under a rock because I didn’t get a wind of it until today when Minx sent a mass e-mail to all of the Minx Manicurists. My guess based on what I read here at BeautyTech.com is that they’ve probably been receiving some angry phone calls. Shortly after the e-mail hit my inbox… my twitter feed exploded!

What was all the brewhaha about? Well, Sephora along with OPI collaborated with Minx for a new product. I immediately reached out to Minx PR; however I didn’t get much more info from them than what was in the e-mail I’d received earlier.

I ignored my twitter for a while, and gave this deal some thought. My background is business, I was in corporate just about as long as I’ve been in the beauty industry, and in 2001 I launched my own natural bath & body line and I've had my own beauty studio for five years now, so I can easily see this from the perspective of a small business owner (yes, Minx is a small business) as well as from the viewpoint of a manicurist.

I realize a lot of manicurists may have the misconception that because they’re placing 2 and 3, maybe even half a dozen $300 Minx orders a month that the company must be making money hand over fist. However, there’s production costs, marketing costs, administrative costs and the lists goes on. In addition it takes a while for almost any small business to begin to turn huge profits especially without additional cash flow.

I said all of that to say what? I understand where Minx is coming from. Collectively our $200 and $300 Minx orders are just not enough for Minx to continue to meet current demands grow the business and bring us new and innovative products. I hope that all makes sense.

Now let’s look at this from a Minx Manicurist's perspective. Is this Sephora OPI product in direct competition with the Minx service that you provide? In my opinion the answer is NO. Minx is a LUXE service, and should be treated as such. If you’re not marketing it in this way and discounting the service to compete on price here is your wake-up call to step up your game. There’s enough market share out there for the DIY client and the Minx client who is looking for a luxury service.

Here's a good example, I’m also a bridal makeup artist. I airbrush and I use Temptu. Sephora also carries a consumer line of Temptu Airbrush products. I personally have yet to hear of a bride that decided to airbrush herself on her wedding day. Sephora carrying Temptu has not affected my business.

In addition, do you remember Lee Press-on Nails? Well that didn’t stop women from going to the salon for acrylic tips and sculptures, did it?

Earlier today another Minx Manicurist and I were discussing this Minx/OPI/Sephora collaboration and she asked me what I thought. My response was that I don’t see my client sitting at home pushing anything on their nails to save a few bucks. That’s simply not my clientele. I think the OPI/Minx product (Mind you I keep calling the product that but it's actually OPI for Sephora) will appeal to a customer base with less disposable income, girls in high school and others living on a small fixed income.

Another possibility is that the OPI/Minx product will bring more awareness to the professional Minx service. EVERYONE shops Sephora but not everyone is familiar with Minx. So don’t fret, instead of feeling as though you may have to lower your prices to “compete” try adding more value to your service. Just like there’s enough market share for dozens of Minx Manicurists in each city there’s enough room for this new product. Think about it, instead of wasting valuable time on the phone with someone haggling you over your Minx price, you can now direct them to an affordable alternative that may be within their budget.

BeautySchooled! would love to hear your thoughts and please forward this post to anyone that you know who performs Minx services. Let’s discuss.

(Minx Photos: courtesy of Lisa Logan)

Blacks Don't Move Product?

2010-05-11T17:22:00.006-05:00

Web surfing I came across this video on Jezebel and then tracked down it's origin... this is "our" industry let's discuss.

Visit http://www.schemamag.ca/ and http://workforall.nfb.ca/ for more information and to join the discussion.

Ciao for now... Class is dismissed!

Minx Nails - Certification Chicago

2010-03-30T22:30:00.010-05:00

I had the pleasure of attending the Advanced Minx Training this past Sunday after going to the 2010 ABS show…

If you’ve followed my Twitter and some of my blog posts you already know that I’m obsessed with Minx… Truth is it was my discovery of Minx that compelled me to return to beauty school to study nail technology. Once there I was a little on the fence about Minx until… I received my training kit in the mail and performed my first Minx application. I was completely hooked! There is NOTHING like Minx anywhere… so yes, go ahead and say it I drank the Minx kool-aid. Lol

I apologize in advance for the lack of photographs, I was busy trying to soak in every piece of information that I could. However you know I didn’t leave without a picture with Minx Master and Celebrity Manicurist Lisa Logan… I’ve been following this lady’s moves for a few years now so I can’t tell you how delighted I was to meet her and find that she’s “GOOD people”, incredibly humble and sweet you’d never know that she was trotting the globe with mega stars like Beyonce, Jay-Z and Mary J Blige.

The training was held at Cuatro restaurant just a quick walk over from the McCormick Place Convention Center where ABS was held, which was nice. The training also got underway almost right on time. Our Minx Masters were Lisa Logan, Crystal Rice and Natasha Ray. LaShaun Brown-Glenn, owner of Nails Naturally located here in Chicago was there also making sure things ran smoothly.

It was a tight fit but the set-up was nice, two techs to a table and lamp with several minx designs and all the tools and supplies need to successfully perform a Minx application.

The training started with the essential 7-Steps required to perform a Minx Service we all took notes in the mini composition books they provided. Other than the fact that the Heat (what Minx calls their lamps) kept blowing a fuse there were very few hiccups. Each table had sufficient one-on-one time with the MinxMasters. They all shared valuable information not just about the Minx service but life as a busy successful nail tech too.

Was the training worth the $175.00 and did I feel like I learned anything… were the questions twittered to me over and over following the training.

Here’s my take. Absolutely! The level one training alone is not enough to turn a Nail Tech into a MinxMaster. However there’s one caveat, it’s essential that the tech does sign-up and do the level one training as well as practice the Minx application prior to attending the training. I personally believe that’s how you’ll get more bang for your buck.

The specialists who had never performed a Minx service seemed a little lost and they couldn’t quite make the connection during the “theory” portion of the training. It really helped that I had a targeted list of complications that I was able to have them addressed by the MinxMasters while I was there. I was able to turn out a nearly flawless set of Min! (Lisa Logan said so herself). The key is to practice, practice, practice, practice before the training and after. Photograph your work so that you can see you progress.

The hands-on was followed by light fare, open bar and shopping. Totally fun times!

Follow Minx on Twitter as well as Minx Masters Natasha, Crystal and Lisa!

The next big Minx training is at IBSLasVegas visit Minx's website for details and to register.

Ciao for now... Class is dismissed!

My IBSNY 2010 Experience...

2010-03-17T11:02:00.005-05:00

While planning a recent trip to New York I discovered that IBS (International Beauty Show) would be in town that weekend. Since I’m all about the multitasking I made it my mission to attend.

I mapped out my classes beforehand (this is important) in order to maximize my time. These tradeshows are HUGE so it’s important to go with plan. What’s your objective? What do you hope to gain by attending the show? Are you looking for business education, new techniques, motivation to take your career to the next level or are you simply looking to sample new products? Whatever your agenda proper planning is essential. Personally I’m all about the education, because knowledge is power and I believe you can never know too much. There’s always someone out there that’s smarter than you or that has already done something that you’re trying to do. I’m a huge fan of learning from other people’s mistakes… leaves me more time to do it right!

So, I did just that I spent the entire day hoping from class to class and with the one hour that I had left I hit the showroom floor for a few minutes.

But back to the classes, I started with The Red Carpet Manicure, a hand facial demo and discussion; though I’ve been in the industry since 2002 as an aesthetician and makeup artist I’m new to the world of nails so this session with Jacqui Pierce of Kinara Spa Skincare Clinic in L.A. was awesome! In school we learn the technical stuff required to complete a service but Jacqui demonstrated how to take that service to another level… the 5-Star level to be exact. In addition to that I attended a makeup workshop by Emmy Award winning makeup artist Eve Pearl who actually brought her Emmy for us all to see, The Best Barber Show on Earth by Major League Barbers… was a great demo. In addition to haircutting techniques they discussed service add-ons and increasing your ticket price (I’ve always secretly wanted to be a barber, now more than ever I’m convinced to just do it.) Booked Solid was a high-energy session (yes he had us on our feet clapping and stretching and reaching, it was a hoot) by Salon owner and author Paul DiGrigoli, who went into detail about why some people aren’t booked solid and how if you’re one of them to make that happen.

Personally I think it was worth the $85.00 one day admission price.

Here are some random pictures that I was able to take, the photo of the MoroccanOil doesn't really do it justice, they had these amazing chandeliers it was all glam!

Ciao for now... Class is dismissed!

Behind the Blog - Eyebrow Stylist Rashida B. UPDATE ADDED

2010-03-16T03:45:00.002-05:00

by Anika Kai

Every week we patiently (or not) wait for Beauty Schooled aka Brow-guru Rashida B to post her newest blog on the image maker of the week. Now these are not just your everyday hairstylists, make up artists or wardrobe creators (no disrespect to the everyday beautifier ) but these are the most coveted professionals within the beauty industry and she snags interviews with them daily and asks them the questions we all want to know.

Often when other bloggers post articles on the artists she has featured, Rashida will Re-Tweet the link and tag them as “image makers”! Well, one day While doing my daily tweet- check in I noticed a blog post from @afrobella (blogger extraordinaire) on Rashida B and I retweeted it and tagged it “imaged maker” as a joke. However, at that very moment, a light bulb went off and I wondered to myself if people REALLY know the true person behind the tweezers. So I decided to turn the tables on one of Chicago and Miami’s most sought after brow & makeup specialists and provide you with a rare look behind the brand!

So sit back grab a cup of tea and join me as I “pluck” her brain!!

Anika Kai: Welcome Rashida, how does it feel to be on the “other side” of the keyboard?

Rashida B.: This is sooo strange for me, I've done dozens of interviews but they're always about what I do and not about me, personally. So, I'll be honest I'm a little nervous. So be easy.

Anika Kai: So tell me when you first fell in love with your tweezers??

Rashida B.: June 8, 19umm yeah…LOL, I’d just gotten my eyebrows done for my senior prom by this amazing Polish lady Margaret, she waxed them but said that I could keep them tidy with tweezers. I literally used to stand in the mirror waiting for a hair to grow so I could tweeze it away. Before she had at them… my brows were crazy and bushy, the transformation was incredible. That’s when my obsession with brows also began. From that moment I would stare at other people and think… hmmm if we could just remove some hair right there…

Anika Kai: So many people think that being a well known and in-demand beauty expert is glamorous can you tell everyone what a day in the life of Rashida B. looks like?

Rashida B.: Oh wow it changes from day to day… I’m in the studio most Sundays through Tuesday, Wednesday – Friday in the morning are reserved for house calls. Wednesday – Friday evenings I’m in class until 10:00 p.m. and all day on Saturdays. I generally do my writing early mornings and late nights along with answering email, and returning phone calls, homework and reading. I read a lot mostly business books and beauty and fashion magazines. I also do tons of internet research it helps me predict beauty trends and stay on the cutting edge of things, and that’s my modified schedule! LOL Before I became ill in January I worked five days a week doing as many as thirty-five clients a day, I had over five hundred clients in Chicago and nearly two hundred in Miami where I’d go and work a week then fly back to Chicago and start it all over again. There’s nothing like a serious illness to help you put things into perspective. It may not sound like it but I really have slowed down a lot.

I absolutely love what I do, but it’s far from glamorous. Do I get invited to cool parties and events and try new products before everyone else? Yes, but that’s not everyday most days it’s work.

Anika Kai: What motivates you to get out of the bed in the a.m.?

Rashida B.: It's knowing that there’s a great possibility that I’m going to make someone’s day that day. Whether it’s by giving a new client the brows of their dreams or by helping her find the right foundation or skincare product or giving that up and coming artist words of encouragement to sustain them another day. Those are the things that bring me joy each day. I never approach the day thinking… what is the universe going to give me today. People who do that are only setting themselves up for disappointment.

Anika Kai: How many times have you reinvented yourself? Who did you start out as? (career)

Rashida B.: I started off as Rashida the accountant which is what my Dad thought I should be. This “beauty thing” has always been in me though. I did all my friends makeup for prom I used to cut and dye, glue, sew, braid you name it my own hair in high school. When I was in sixth grade I got a spanking for hot combing my own hair once. If I had had my way, I would have attended beauty school immediately after high school but being the first generation child of Nigerian parents in America that wasn’t happening. So off to college I went. I did hair, makeup, brows and nails in my dorm to make extra cash. It’s funny how I’ve come full circle. I suppose you could say that was my first reinvention to get me here to this place today. There is more though I’m not done yet…

Anika Kai: So you started out as an accountant? Wow… how do you go from accountant to beauty guru? Can you tell me how you mapped that process out?

Rashida B.: This beauty thing has always been in me. In 2002 I decided to quit my job so that I could attend esthetics school. I was working for a real-estate development firm that took a big hit after 9/11. I’d already registered for the October program and was saving my money when I was laid off in June four months shy of the start of my program. It was a blessing because I was able to take my severance and draw unemployment, while everyone else was sad I was ecstatic. I wanted to start school right away. Near the middle of my program I enrolled in the makeup artistry program at Columbia College. So I did esthetics by day and makeup artistry at night. I worked in a salon for a year after that, while I worked on my business plan, then I rented a small space inside of a nail salon right across the street from where my studio is now. I was there for a year before opening The B Spot Chicago. Next to giving birth to my son that was my second proudest moment, because it showed me that my clients believed in me and the future of my business. My clients prepaid for services so that I could secure and remodel the space. It was meant to be… I sent them an email announcing the space that I’d found and offered them the chance to prepay for services at a discounted rate and in less than two weeks I had over fourteen thousand dollars.

Before that time I can’t tell you how many “friends” and family members swore it couldn’t be done.

I’m saying that to say don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do, if you truly have the talent and drive don’t be afraid to follow your passion. Also, for anyone on the fence get off the fence and get started today it’s never too late to start, or in some cases start again.

Anika Kai: Think back to Rashida at age 7, what did she want to be?

Rashida B.: Oh wow, okay don’t laugh but I wanted to be a ballerina or a Broadway stage actress. I was so in love with the Nutcracker and Annie, I would run around the house singing 'Tomorrow' and 'Hard Knock Life', I drove my dad absolutely insane! I was in all the plays in elementary school, I was in my element on stage I wasn't the little girl with the funny name with parents with funny accent when I was on stage. Then I got a little older and wondered why on earth no one told me I was tone deaf! Singing is not one of my strong suits and in fact I just learned how to dance. LOL In my head I’d like to think I’m still on stage now, just a different kind.

Anika Kai: What inspired you to start the blog site “Beauty Schooled!”

Rashida B.: With the exception of the interviews all of the links and info that you see in the side bars are things that I had researched over the years, I get dozens of email each week from beauty pros, especially estheticians across the country wanting to know things like how did I perfect my tweezing because they don’t really put a lot of emphasis on that in school, to how’d I get in so many magazines and who is my publicist. Even publicists are shocked to find out that I don’t have a publicist.

I wanted the blog to answer some of those questions as well as to be a resource and a place for inspiration to others. I think it’s important for us to see others doing well and to hear their stories and their struggles. Reality television has got people all twisted thinking that this thing comes easy. It’s a lot of hard work, there’s a lot of dues to be paid and being cute, sexy or charismatic is not what lands you the job. We didn’t “happen” into this industry because we’re not smart, and we don’t all sleep until noon, work a few hours and pop champagne the rest of the night.

I work hard and there are hundreds of others out there that work even harder than me. When I first started I’d invested so much in my education and my kits that there was barely money for the necessities never mind designer duds and exotic vacations. Those are the stories that I felt needed to be told because there are so many folk out there fronting. I love the candor of the artists in the Image Maker interviews. I just really hope that people are listening.

Anika Kai: Are you working on anything new?

Rashida B.: I’m working on a quite a bit right now. I attended the Artist Summit over the weekend and it’s inspired me to write a short e-book which will be downloadable from the blog soon. It will be a quick crash course in beauty branding, marketing, goal planning, pricing strategies and etiquette a lot of it will be true life examples of either things I’ve experienced personally or people that I know have. I’m also back in beauty school learning nail technology I’ll be done in December I have HUGE plans for that… however I can’t spill on that just yet. I’m also planning a big move in 2010 once I’ve gotten all the medical stuff out of the way and I’m cleared by my physicians. It was a toss up between Miami and New York, but it definitely seems like I’ll be heading to Miami, I've already built a huge and loyal following there so it just makes sense. However I won't be stationary I’ll be splitting my time between Miami and New York instead of Miami and Chicago. I’m saying so long to the Windy City. ***Updated 3/17*** Rashida B. was signed by Artists by Timothy Priano Chicago, so she remains in the Windy City for now.

Anika Kai: What differentiates you from the other eyebrow technicians?

Rashida B.: I’m an artist. I sculpt brows with my tweezers and only my tweezers, none of those funny brow stencils or wax and stuff. I’ve also studied the psychology of women and their brows… it’s kind of an obsession for me. I really do eat sleep and breathe it. I often find myself staring at people and really what I’m doing is shaping their brows in my head.

Anika Kai: What do you attribute your success to?

Rashida B.: Once I make it, I’ll let you know. LOL, No seriously, I wouldn’t define myself as a success just yet. I work hard and I set goals for myself daily, weekly, monthly and yearly and I actively work towards those goals each day. Everything I do is not a success but I never give up. Giving up is never an option. More important than any of that, I pray a lot and I’m always consulting with Him to make sure that I’m moving towards what He would have for me because He wants me to have the best. There are times when His affirmations are all around me that it’s no denying that it’s God, I love it because it stops the naysayers dead in their tracks.

Anika Kai: If you weren’t in the beauty industry what would you be doing?

Rashida B.: I’d either be an interior designer or chef either way I’d still definitely be writing. I love love decorating -- watching an empty space come alive. I did the studio myself I get so many compliments on it, I never get tired of hearing them… every time I do it makes me smile… it’s my other baby (I’m smiling now).

Anika Kai: Tell me something people would be surprised to find out about you?

Rashida B.: That I’m a home body. That when I’m not working, I’d really rather be at home, with good food, snuggled up on the sofa.

Anika Kai: Who are some of your mentors (known and unknown) and what makes you look to them?

Rashida B.: My Dad, he’s always encouraged me to be my best, he definitely “stretches” me. Marica Kilgore the founder of Bliss Spa… I study her every move she has an incredible business mind. I also learn things from a lot of people every single day, not just industry things but life lessons in general I love to hear other people’s stories I feel like you can never know too much.

Anika Kai: Who would you most like to work with in the beauty industry?

Rashida B.: Oh wow there are many, Babak the photographer who’s work I’ve marveled over for years… his photos inspire, Danna Gibbs of Dana’s Loft who is also incredibly warm and inspiring she’s made the leap by opening a salon in London, Keith Campbell that brother has an amazing mind and his energy is infectious, Sophy Robson, London’s “it nail girl” whose talent is undeniable I’d LOVE to apprentice under her. There are so many other people that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person and via other mediums this year that have inspired me in different ways. It’s been an incredibly blessed year for me in spite of.

Anika Kai: What celebrity would you most want to work on?

Rashida B.: You. Sounds so cliché-ish I know, but every single client to me is a celebrity in his or her own right they're someone’s child, possibly someone sister or brother, mother or father, husband or wife. They're someone’s VIP and deserve to be treated as such.

Anika Kai: What are some of your favorite industry tools and products?

Rashida B.: There are so many as a product junkie my favorite product is always my next favorite product. However some of my staples are my Rubis tweezers I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without them. I have at least three dozen pairs so that I’m never without one. Jan Marini Skincare and my Clarisonic Skincare Brush, my Shu Uemura Cleansing oil, MD Skincare Alpha Beta Peel and my Give train case.

Anika Kai: What are your biggest client pet peeves?

Rashida B.: Oh wow, can I write that here you’re trying to get me in trouble. I would have to say rudeness and that comes in many many forms from being consistently late for appointments to being condescending to other guests in the studio. For the most part my clients are awesome but occasionally I'll get that one or two that leave me saying, “WOW!”

Anika Kai: You have often been heard saying “waxing is evil” can you explain that statement to us?

Rashida B.: LOL… Yes, waxing is evil and that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! You know in esthetics school and even in the consumer magazines you always hear that the eye area is delicate, it’s the first area that shows the sign of aging you should pamper it, use your ring finger and pat lightly etc etc… it just doesn’t make sense to me that you would then slather hot wax all over and rip the skin off with a wax strip. A lot of my clients regularly get microderm or chemical peels or have had plastic surgery, use retinols or are on Accutane so waxing is a big NO for them anyway.

Anika Kai: I know that threading is all the rage now as well, what are your thoughts on it?

Rashida B.: There are some awesome threaders out there who do a great job, it’s a completely different art from what I do. I mean I know some amazing brow waxers too.

My recommendation is that consumers should educate themselves by doing some research before choosing a technician and method that’s right for them.

Anika Kai: Thank you for your time, final question... if you could leave a legacy what would it be?

Rashida B.: That I made people feel like they mattered, and that I cared… deeply.

Haute Swank! - Interview with Olori "SWANK"

2010-02-15T14:43:00.013-06:00

I've always thought that most Nigerians embodied a unique flair for fashion and clearly there's a pattern here... with the growing number of talented Nigerian fashion stylists and designers. Don't take my word for it, get to know Olori "SWANK"

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! How long have you been in the industry?

Olori SWANK: I have been in the industry only 1 year and 7 months. (…but I took a hiatus for 6 months in between that time.)

BEAUTYSCHOLLED! Wow, you’ve done quite a bit in that short period of time. When did you know you wanted to become a Stylist?

Olori SWANK: I actually started off with aspirations to model. I did a couple small jobs here and there; a national advertising campaign and some music videos (don't ask me which ones...LOL). Every time I would do a test shoot for my portfolio, the photographers would ask me to refer them to my stylist. When they would learn I styled myself they would always tell me to consider styling as a career. I was still in college (studying Psychology/Pre-Med) and I really knew nothing about the field of styling, so I never truly took them seriously. Then one day Mickey “MeMpHiTz” Wright, Jr. (V.P of A&R for Jive Records) told me he loved my personal style and wanted me to develop an image for a new artist he signed to Jive, Asia Cruise. It was all uphill from there. I kind of learned the business as I went along. So I guess, I never aspired to be a stylist. I was born a stylist and it just took a little while for me to realize it.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Other than your college degree, did you receive any formal education prior to launching your career?

Olori SWANK: Everything I know about being a fashion stylist (from the creative end to the business end) is self-taught through observation, research, and trial-and-error. I kind of like to think of it as an independent study course at your choice University.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Would you say that you have a niche, or is there anything particular that your clients or industry peers would say you're known for?

Olori SWANK: They know me as the edgy rebellious chick with the blue hair. I hate all things ‘appropriate’ and ‘predictable.’ For example, I don’t do ‘matching’ and I stray away for symmetry (ex. I may do 20 bangles on one arm and just a ring on the other hand). I also like to mix patterns, textures & feelings (ex. Shorts and a Sweater, Polka Dots & Plaid, Leather & Lace).

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What’s a typical working day like for you, if there is such thing as typical for you?

Olori SWANK: No two days in my entire career have ever been the same!!! It’s exciting but stressful at the same time. But that’s what makes it so great. I’ve pretty much broken it down into 4 major categories: prep days, shopping days, office days and travel days. Prep days involve production meetings with the director/photographer/producer/talent/etc, creative meetings, & garment edits. Shopping days entail pulling garments and shopping for the shoot or production. Office days consist of the business side of things. Planning for new shoots and new events, expense reports, etc. And travel days are pretty much what they are - - travel days. And most of y’all read my tweets from 30,000 feet in the air. J

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Can you share with our readers what a day is like on the set of a photo shoot?

Olori SWANK: uhhm. …upon arrival, the first thing I like to do is have a small chat with the photographer & the talent. Then my assistants and I unload the garments & set up our workspace. For me, it’s very important for things to be organized; so we set up the pieces (including shoes, accessories, etc) in a particular order. Then, I dress the talent in the first look. As the photog is shooting, I make small adjustments based on the angles. I am always looking in the camera (or monitor) to see how the look photographs. Even though it looks one way in the flesh, it might look totally different on film.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What would you say are the biggest misconceptions about the industry and stylists specifically?

Olori Swank: I'd say the biggest misconception about being a stylist is that it's an easy job & you just put a bunch of clothes together. It's actually more complex than that. Being a stylist requires a whole lot of research. You must not only be "in the know" on current trends, but you must follow the designers to predict what trends are upcoming. You attend shows to preview upcoming collections and you study magazines as if they are your school books. You must also build solid relationships with these designers and brands to elevate your status as a stylist. The more designers you can pull from, the better you are as a stylist. Also, being a stylist can be quite stressful. Trust me!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! It seems that every up and coming stylist wants to work with celebrities. What advice do you have for someone new who is trying to break into the industry and wanting to work with celebrities?

Olori SWANK: My greatest piece of advice would be to find someone doing it already & work under them as an assistant (or intern). …& network, network, network!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! So what’s next for you? Any projects in the works that you can
share with the readers?

Olori SWANK: Hmmm. What’s next for Miss SWANK? …Well, I have a reality show launching in 2010. It’s called “The Adventures of Princess SWANK.” It’s going to give viewers an insight into the life of Princess Ivory (DTP Records Executive) and myself. I like to think of it as a visual diary of what it is like to work behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. I also have my lip gloss line that will be making its debut in 2010. I’ve decided to keep the name top secret for now. Furthermore, I have several fashion events that I will be launching beginning the first week in January. In addition to the aforementioned things, I plan on styling, styling, styling, staying ahead of the curve and growing my “SWANKdom.” Stay tuned…..

Olori, thanks for that insightful interview. For more information on Olori be sure to check out her website and her twitter.

Ciao for now... Class is dismissed!

Nailpro and Minx Nails at ISSE 2010

2010-02-04T19:19:00.000-06:00

Prayers and Help for Haiti

2010-01-14T11:05:00.004-06:00

I will not abandon you as orphans - I will come to you. John 14:18

BeautySchooled!'s prayers and deepest sympathies go out to the people of Haiti and their loved ones affected by this horrific tragedy.

If you can give please give... but one thing that we ALL can do is pray.

YELE Haiti fund: click here...
Red Cross fund: click here

*Please be certain to do your research when choosing which funds to donate to, unfortunately there are predators out there that use times of out pouring and giving such as this for their own personal gain.

Ciao for now...

It's a Men's Thing - Celebrity Hair and Makeup Artist Cataanda J. Interview

2010-01-04T10:42:00.016-06:00

Welcome to the first Image Maker post of 2010! I've had the pleasure to speak to our next Image Maker often enough that she seems more like an old friend than talent I interviewed for the blog. When I tell you this young lady is on it, she's on it! Expect MAJOR things from her in 2010. Get to know Cataanda J.

BEAUTY SCHOOLED! How long have you been in the industry?

Cataanda J: Wow, well I’ve been in the industry for over 30 years! (giggles) You ask how that’s possible and I’m not even 35 yet? Ok so, I’ve been doing this since I was old enough to hold a comb and brush…I was probably 3! Hey, experience is experience!!! I actually attended beauty school my 10th grade year in high-school as part of a vocational program where I went to regular school for half a day, and then was bussed from the school campus and taken to Kalamazoo Beauty Academy for the other half a day. Sooooo, there you go. You can conclude that I am well seasoned! (smile)

BEAUTY SCHOOLED! When did you know you wanted to be a makeup artist?

Cataanda J: My mom was a cosmetologist and when I was like 7 or 8 she would take me to school with her and that’s where my talent began to flourish! I never really wanted to “be” a makeup artist, I just “was” naturally… I always said I wanted to be a supermodel! (laughing) But not only did I love everything about hair; makeup; and getting all dressed up; I had an unbelievable talent for doing it all! For years makeup and the artistry was just something I loved doing and did very well. At the start of my career, I focused more on hair and just collaborated the makeup aspect with the hair whenever asked! It wasn’t until I moved from Michigan to the DC area in 2002 that I decided to actually pursuit makeup as a side gig to keep me until I built my clientele in the hair salon. I thought, if I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it BIG! So I decided to apply at the M.A.C. counter in Nordstrom, got hired, and the rest is history! (smile)

BEAUTY SCHOOLED! How did you decide to specialize in Men's Grooming?

Cataanda J: I didn’t sit down one day and say…..”Hey, I’m going to specialize in Men’s Grooming”! (laughing) It’s something that I kind of just fell into. Working for M.A.C. you obviously work with all races, ages, and sexes, so……(laughing) That’s another story! When I decided to quit M.A.C. to strictly freelance and start my own business I got more gigs on set, photo shoots, music videos, runway shows, etc. I realized then that there is a huge market for men in this industry and most people don’t think about men and their beauty, oops I mean, “grooming” needs! (laughing)

It wasn’t until the whole “metro sexual” craze came about, thanks to Diddy, well he was Puffy at that time that men felt comfortable receiving and now actually talking about their experiences with such services like the mani/pedi, facials, eyebrow waxing, etc.! (giggles) The biggest eye opener for me and when I realized the high demand for men’s grooming was when working as a consultant on different events for L’Oreal Paris. Most of the men attending the events are almost dragged in, literally, by their wife or girlfriend, but being that L’Oreal has a men’s skincare line, Men’s Expert, these men discover that they do have some curiosity and issues to address. So that is when I am flooded by their questions because in that environment, they are totally comfortable talking about it because they know that is what we are there for!

BEAUTY SCHOOLED! Did your specialization require any special or specific training?

Cataanda J: I’d say yes and no! The first place I worked was a Barber Shop! I was actually a stylist there but being the only female working in a barber shop it gets quite interesting! (laughing) I’d watch the owner and study his technique. It wasn’t long before some of his clients started to challenge me to cutting their hair because I’d always say “oh, I can do that”! So one day I accepted the challenge and the results were fantastic!

I already had experience using the clippers and trimmers seeing as how short cuts with a shaved nape/neckline was in back then. Plus my mom use to have me fade up the hair in the back and cut all kinds of designs in… (laughing) Then we would color the lines in with eyeshadow ….It was hot! (giggles) My other training came from when I worked at Supercuts! OMG, I got so much experience cutting there its crazy! The name says it all, Supercuts, and its just that! I gained various clipper cut techniques, mastered eyebrow and beard trims. (ear hair trim as well, eeew) I also got over my fear of using the straight razor.

BEAUTY SCHOOLED! How different is it working with men than women?

Cataanda J: Well working with men is usually much more of an adventure! (smile) They usually flirt with you and some even try to hit on you! That can sometimes be a bit uncomfortable. Besides having to fight them off, working with men is a lot less work! (giggles) Unless the dude is rocking a lot of hair where intricate styling is necessary or if he has extremely bad skin, a days work with the guys is simple and sweet!

BEAUTY SCHOOLED! What would you say are the biggest misconceptions about the industry and makeup artists specifically?

Cataanda J: What I would say are the biggest misconceptions about 1)The Industry- is that it’s “glamorous”! This is a deep, dark industry and if you’re not careful, it will totally consume you! It’s so easy to get caught up in….. LOL That’s a whole other topic! (SMH) 2)Makeup Artists- is that when you tell most people (especially that aren’t in the industry) they think it’s not a “real” job! For example, if you say “OMGosh, I’m so tired from working all day”…it never fails! Some disrespectful jerk will say, “oh whatever, all you do is “play” in makeup all day, how can you be tired?”….and I’m like dude, “you think you know, but you have NO idea!!! How about following me around so you can truly learn what a day in a life of a makeup artist is really like and trust me, you will have much more respect for what I do”!!!!

BEAUTY SCHOOLED! What advice do you have for someone new who is trying to break into the industry and wanting to work with celebrities?

Cataanda J: For new makeup artists and hairstylists who are trying to break in the industry, I say learn all you can when you can! This is an ever changing industry and we’re all creative beings so not only does your work speak for you but your personality speaks volume meaning, you have to remain humble! Never get to the point where you think you know it all and you’ve gotten so BIG that you forget from whence you came!!! On the flip side of that, this industry is very competitive and critical.

Know that you can do whatever you want and there is no limit to where you can go….You will get so many “NO’s” before you get a “yes” and it can sometimes be very disappointing! When you’ve reached the status as “Celebrity Makeup Artist” and/or “Celebrity Hairstylist”, please remember that is JUST a title! What you do is not who you are! I spoke about it earlier….it’s easy to get caught up! Never get to the point where you idolize anyone! Celebrities are celebrated people! That does not mean they are better than you so never lose who you are to fit in with someone or be swayed by the crowd! Be yourself, walk with dignity and do what you do!!!……You will be highly respected and much more appreciated!!!

Thank you Cataanda, for that wonderfully inspiring interview! For more information on Cataanda be sure to check out her website.

And... Cataanda's interview has you considering a career in Men's Grooming be sure to check out my older post on Diana Schmidtke and her book Shortcuts.

Ciao for now... Class is dismissed!

Is this year THE year for you?

2010-01-03T20:26:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year! I'd like to take this time to thank each and everyone of you who've followed this blog and recommended it to your friends.

The new year generally kicks off with most people setting goals and making resolutions. There's something about a new year that screams new beginnings. A lot of us probably wanted to start over back in October or even as early as May last year. Maybe you didn't know where or how to start or begin again...

Each year I pull out my favorite excerpts and inspirational quotes... and thumb through them but I have two that I visit more frequently than all the rest in fact they're both on my board where I can see them... one I've posted before {Right Livelihood}

This one I've never posted before but reading it today I wanted to share it with you... I have a feeling someone needs to read this today...

Thanks again for reading and lets make 2010 THE year! xoxo

Rashida B.

"So often we let life bump us off course. We set out on a path, and almost instantly our emotions distract us, or something happens and we drift off course. If you want things out of life, you will have to go for what you want regardless of your current situation. If you concentrate on your goal and do not get distracted, you place an additional force at your disposal. For the power of will allows you to be moved into the right place at the right time. If you do not know what you want in life, you express that uncertainty into the universal law. And it --- being impartial --- expresses back to you the same feeling. The result is that nothing flows, and all your attempts to materialize your dreams fade or break up.

If you do not know what you truly want then the best move is to begin to clear out all those things that you defintiely no longer want --- debilitating relationships, unhelpful habits, lack of action, and become clear, and then you can head toward it. The path of power calls for certain aggression, as does nature. The animal in the forest goes for what it wants and in doing so it expends energy in getting its needs met. You should adopt the same style. Lock on to what you want, go for it no matter how long it takes, and you will have added concentration to your battery of techniques for self-improvement."

Stuart Wilde

Minx Squared - Janice Jordan and Dawn Lynch-Goodwin Minx Nails Founders

2009-12-11T16:00:00.004-06:00

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year you’ve undoubtedly heard of Minx… the latest Haute Manicure that “extends fashion to your fingertips” …literally. I’d heard quiet whispers about Minx here and there back in mid 2008 and decided to do a little research, and though at the time I wasn't quite yet convinced of the power of Minx I did see a re-emergence of an old trend and intuitively I knew this time it would be much bigger and far more glamorous than the nail trends of the 80’s. So much so that after six years in the beauty industry I decided to high-tail it back to school… Nail School.

Shortly after I ordered my Minx training kit and performed by first Minx Manicure… I was completely BLOWN away! There really is absolutely NOTHING like it!

My first set of practice Minx

I had to find out more about this incredible company and its founders. With the help of Lucien who mans (literally, yes Lucien is a guy) MINXDOTCOM on Twitter and Janice Miller who handles Minx’s pr I was able to get the inside scoop from Minx founders Janice Jordan and Dawn Lynch-Goodwin to find out how they're coping with the whole Minx craze and what exciting new things Nail Professional can look forward to from Minx in 2010.

Minx founders: Dawn Lynch-Goodwin and Janice Jordan

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Did you even imagine that Minx would be this BIG? (lol)

Janice Jordan: Absolutely! When toying with the idea of developing Minx, I asked permission from my family because I knew launching a product like Minx would require years of sacrifice. My daughter Jahna told me if Minx did not work there was something terribly wrong with the universe and to go for it!

Dawn and I spent over two years doing product development, and setting up the Minx Factory before we went to market. We have a lot of “hard-time” stories, but we are also amazed at how the universe seems to help when pursuing a dream. Not once did we ever feel Minx would not succeed.

Minx is such a fun and fashionable product it is hard not to fall in love with the attention you get when wearing it, and if we felt that way, we knew millions of other women would, too!

Photo Courtesy of Naja

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! How did you come up with the idea for Minx?

Dawn Lynch-Goodwin: The inspiration of the product stemmed from Janice’s frustration with wearing down her nails. Janice was seeking a coating to better protect her nails. Once she found a solid coating, she realized that it could be developed in a variety of metallics and designs. And, besides looking amazing, it had other benefits such as no drying time, no chipping and not requiring any chemicals in the application or removal.

Minx: The inspiration of the brand came from Dawn, an expert in fashion and beauty. Dawn owned a salon in Australia when she received a call in the fall of 2006 from her friend of 20 years asking her help. Dawn flew to the USA thinking she was going to visit Janice and just give some advice, but she ended up spending two weeks conducting focus groups and experimenting with prototypes. Dawn realized they were on to something when they were walking by a trendy salon on Melrose in LA and the owner ran out to find out what she was wearing on her nails. She then realized she was totally hooked when she found herself buying a silver purse, which she wouldn’t normally do, to match her silver nails. Dawn immediately saw the way forward for Minx and how to take it to market. Being very excited Dawn returned to Australia after becoming Janice’s business partner, sold her salon and got on with starting Minx.

Dawn and Janice spent the next two years as typical entrepreneurs scraping for funding, working on R&D and setting up manufacturing.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What about the name, it’s very catchy why Minx?

Minx: A “Minx” is a woman who is a sly or playful young woman, and we feel the word expresses an attitude that crosses all demographics. Minx is basically for a person who loves life and wants to stand out from the crowd.

Photo Courtesy of VitalJuice.com

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Why do you think Minx has fast become such a phenomenon?

Minx: Many people have told us that they were thrilled to discover Minx because there hasn’t been anything really new and exciting in nails for a long time. We have positioned Minx as high-end fashion accessory, and our tagline is “Minx extends fashion to your fingertips.” We believe that Minx will become a fashion necessity. Our vision is that the fashion-conscious will not feel their outfit is complete without their Minx.

We are also hoping to escalate the importance of the manicurist, similar to what happened in the hair industry nearly 20 years ago. Two decades ago, a hair cut was “just” a hair cut until Vidal Sassoon came along and changed history. Now a celebrity rarely goes anywhere without their hair stylist. We want to help develop “nail stylists” and see that they also have their place as an integral part of the fashion and beauty team.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! The first question most people who’ve never heard of Minx ask is…. “What is it?” How do you describe Minx to someone who’d never heard or seen it before?

Minx: Minx is a flexible film that is applied to the nail using heat and pressure, just like a shrink wrap. However, because it’s a film and not a polish, it is available in a wide variety of metallic, designs and graphics that have never before been available to the nail industry.

Photo Courtesy of Sweet Squared

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! I have quite a few friends who are in the nail business that are reluctant to get into Minx for fear that the market will become over saturated and they may find themselves competing on price thus not making the service profitable enough for them to offer, what are your thoughts on that?

Minx: Minx is still a very new product – it was introduced less than two years ago – so there is much more demand than supply right now, and it will be quite a while before there are nail technicians skilled in Minx applications in all of the major cities in the U.S. With so much interest and publicity focused on Minx, the demand is growing exponentially, so the opportunity for manicurists is also growing. And, the initial investment of a Minx starter kit is quite small – you don’t need to purchase hundreds of templates in order to get started. You can order just a few templates at a time if you want.

Also, just as regular manicures can range in price from $9.00 to $60.00 depending on the salon, there will be opportunities for talented Minx manicurists to draw in the type of client they desire. There is plenty of opportunity for a skilled manicurist to introduce a luxury Minx manicure that includes an actual dry manicure, the Minx application, aromatherapy, reflexology, or other components that set them apart from their competition.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Some techs are boasting that Minx to last up to two weeks, and many people are disappointed when they don’t and take to their twitters and blogs to complain, as a nail professional I realize that in some cases it is the nail professional’s applications but in some instances it could also be client’s care for example I’ve found that other nail techs who use acetone regularly or hairstylists who shampoo or use oily products aren’t a good candidate for Minx Manicures so I suggest Minx Pedicures for them. What are you doing as a company to protect the brand in this case? Are Minx techs prepared to educate their clients about Minx and aftercare once the service is complete?

Minx: We have suggested that Minx should last 4 to 8 days on the fingers, and up to 4 weeks on the toes. However, like nail polish or any other nail finish, there is no way to guarantee longevity as you cannot control what each person does with their hands. As a high-end fashion accessory, the appeal of Minx is that it looks spectacular, and is a must-have for a special occasion. We have never stated that Minx lasts longer than polish, because that’s not a selling point. The selling point is that it looks completely unique and unlike any other nail polish or product currently available, and brings fashion to your fingertips.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! How does a Nail professional who is interested in becoming trained to perform Minx services become certified?

Minx: If you purchase a Minx Starter Kit through the www.MinxNails.com Web site, you will receive a free training video that will show you how to apply Minx. There is also a “Minx Q&A” tab on the Minx Web site that provides application and removal tips, and a customer service line that nail technicians can call if they have any questions.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! All of my nail professional readers want to know what’s next for Minx in 2010 and beyond.

Minx: We are very excited to be finally introducing a formal training program across the U.S. in 2010. We know it’s been a long time coming, but frankly, when we launched Minx in January 2008, we didn’t expect it to grow so quickly!

Also, we will soon be introducing our first complete new line of Minx, called “Teasers.” This line was inspire by the colors and energy at the Alexander McQueen fashion show in Paris this fall, where we Minxed all the models for his Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

Backstage McQueen photos copyrights of Phillipe Ardoudin

Thank you Janice and Dawn for such a great interview, we wish your company much success in the coming new year. For more information on Minx and how to become a certified Minx specialist visit their website. If you're already a Minx'r please leave a comment and let us know how Minx has transformed your nail business.

Also be certain to check out the following interviews from two of my favorite Minx'rs, Athena and Tracylee

Ciao for now... Class is dismissed!

Manicurist Extraordinaire and Minx'r Tracylee

2009-12-11T14:59:00.010-06:00

I’ve been in love with beauty and the industry for as long as I can remember but as of lately I’m completely enamored with it. This blog along with Twitter had put me in contact with professional that few would dispute are amongst the industries best, brightest and most dedicated and Tracylee is no exception, dolling out invaluable tips and encouragement Take some time to get to know Tracelee…

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! How long have you been in the industry?

Tracylee: 20 years.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED: When did you know you wanted to become a manicurist?

Tracylee: I started doing my own nails with tip & wraps & fun designs when I was 18 years old, I didn't realize I wanted to do this for a living until around 21 years old, when a neighbor of mine decided she was going to school for nails. My mother came in and told me, and thought that would be something I would be interested in. I thought about it for only a day! I enrolled the next day!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Would you say that you have a niche, or is there anything particular that your clients or industry peers would say you're known for

Tracylee: I think I am known for a couple things, My Manicures last longer than most without chipping, I am very thorough, I am a perfectionist, and a clean freak. I also guarantee my work, which isn't too common in the business. I think my niche/specialties are Minx Nails and meticulous manicures. I also try to introduce men to the world of manicures and pedicures once they try it, they become very loyal clients!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Minx is all the new rage but Celebs have been getting Minx'd for some time now. How long have you been Minxin’ and what drew you to this cutting edge trend?

Tracylee: I started the beginning of this year, I feel like I've always been minxin', lol. After 20 years doing nails, I still read my trade and fashion magazines from cover to cover, reading every little ad, looking for the next great thing. I saw a small add in my nail magazine for minx, asked for a sample from the company and applied it to my boss. Within 2 hrs after leaving the salon, she was texting me, telling me I had to do Minx in the salon, as she was being bombarded with people wanting to know what it was and where to get it. I called my order in the next day!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What’s a typical working day like for you?

Tracylee: My days are never typical and change frequently! When I’m not working with Private Clients or Photo Shoots, I split my time between the celebrity salons of Suite 303 & Damone Roberts NY. Sometimes I work in 3 places in one day!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What would you say are the biggest misconceptions about the industry and manicurists specifically?

Tracylee: I think that a lot of people group all manicurists as the same. That is, until they come to me! lol...What I mean by that is, for some reason educating the consumer is not favorably looked upon in this industry. I educate every client that sits in my chair on my procedure, why things happen or don't happen, and nail anatomy, how to maintain their services, and the importance of seeking a well educated and experienced Tech. Most people who have never experienced a proper manicure, pedicure, nail enhancement service, etc., they don't know any different. I love talking about nails to anyone who will listen!!! ha!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! It seems that every up and coming beauty pro wants to work with celebrities. What advice do you have for someone new who is trying to break into the industry and wanting to work with celebrities?

Tracylee: First and foremost, you must be meticulous & diligent with your craft! It's a long, hard road to get into the freelance arena & working with Celebs. Anyone looking to do so needs the following: networking (this is mandatory), focus and hard work, also you be clean in your person and your kit, and be meticulous with your services, BE ON TIME, go above and beyond the job at hand. Most important...Professionalism!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Do you provide any mentoring or training for new manicurists?
Tracylee: I am planning to offer training for new and experienced Techs in 2010, in all phases of nail care. I am frequently helping other techs, so mentoring is gratifying to me. I not doing any mentorships at the time, but will gladly help anyone with some questions they may have. :*)

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! So what’s next for you? Any projects in the works that you can share with the readers?

Tracylee: I have so many projects coming up..Uggh, I overflow my plate!!. I really want to be an Educator, and I am working diligently and meeting with a couple of different companies in L.A. to make that happen. I am doing a fundraiser with Damone Roberts NY & Woman's Day Magazine, to raise money & awareness for Heart Disease, and I have a couple of awesome Fund Raisers coming up, which I will be doing manicures for and working with great wardrobe stylists, hair stylists & makeup artists. I am starting my own blog by the end of this year, and I also have a new business idea that I will be pursuing, but it's a secret for now! Lol

Thank you Tracy can't wait to see what's next for you!

For more information on Tracylee visit her web page and be sure to follow her twitter.

Ciao for now… Class is dismissed!

She's Not Just a Manicurist - Master Medi Manicurist Athena Elliot

2009-12-11T12:18:00.002-06:00

A few of the many attributes of Athena the Greek Goddess are: arts, industry, wisdom and skill and Athena Elliott. I’ve also had the pleasure of “meeting” Athena via Twitter another sweet and helpful fellow nail professional. I heart her! Get to know Athena bet you will too!

Athena: First let me say thank you so much for being interested in what I do and how I do it. Your blog/site is filled with informative and inspiring people... Thank You!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! It’s my pleasure Athena… Tell me how long have you been in the industry?

Athena: I have been a nail tech for 30 yrs now.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! When did you know you wanted to become a nail technician?
Athena: When I was in the 9th grade. Then in the summer of 1980 between 10th&11th grade my parents signed for me to go to vocational beauty school!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Other than the state required nail technology program did you receive any additional training before launching your career?

Athena: Well...I have been launching my career every day for the last 30 years! I am a leader by nature. Back then I was so ahead of my time. In fact I won the first nail competition using nail tips w two tone acrylic (pink and natural powders) out of 270 women I placed first. Awarded the Southwest title and a seat at the Nail Olympics in '86. Cont education is the key. You are only as good and successful as your learning curve. I have made many advances in my career. The one I am most proud of is becoming the countries first Medical Nail Technician.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What would you say are the biggest misconceptions about the industry and nail technicians specifically?

Athena: That all Asian salons are dirty and cheap. I have seen many many filthy nail techs/salons run by different ethnic groups including Caucasian. Disease and lack of sanitation knows no prejudice. The other is the misconception that "enhancements" ruin your natural nails. People these products are created for your nails! Uneducated techs, improper removal, not getting maintenance on time are all contributing to this idea that enhancements ruin your nails!! It's just no so.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Would you say that you have a niche, or is there anything particular that your clients or industry peers would say you're known for?

Athena: Aside from leading my industry with Advanced Nail Care I have been published in many medical journals for my Prosthetic Toenail Series and contributed to "Death By Pedicure, Dirty Secretes of Nail Salon"

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Minx is all the new rage but Celebs have been getting Minxed for some time now. How long have you been Minxing and what drew you to this cutting edge trend?

Athena: While Minx has been out for two years, I have been "minxtified" for a little over a year. Since I am a former "Nail Tech of the Year" recipient and contributing writer for Nails Mag I never miss the "new product" section. There was an ad for a new type of BLING that polish just couldn’t compare. I didn’t have a clientele for Minx. I learned and they just found me. That simple.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What’s a typical working day like for you?

Athena: In by 7:30 work non stop minxing, lots of doctor referred pedicures, sequin nails...orchestrating events and travel plans and generating several new ideas for marketing every hour! I have trained five satellite locations to Minx and I'm working on two more. Out by 7pm. That’s 5 days a week. The other two days I manage 3 websites and all my own marketing.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Okay I'm dizzy just trying to imagine all of that. It seems that every up and coming beauty pro wants to work with celebrities. What advice do you have for someone new who is trying to break into the industry and wanting to work with celebrities?

Athena: Move to LA! lol no not really but dang living in LA or NY sure makes for more work than living in a place as wonderfully behind in fashion as Houston! HA! I’m really just breaking into the entertainment industry myself. So. I have three rules...I say never pass up a marketing moment. While that might be cheesy to say, I’m never without my media bag! Complete with 2 camcorders, 2 jump drives, my lap top, camera and all the cables needed to catch that special video/photo to put on my website! Number two...it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission when it comes to being "paparazzi ready". Number three... NEVER be without your business card. I go through at least 1000 every month!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Do you provide any mentoring or training for new nail techs?
Athena: Yes I prefer to call it FEM-Toring! lol I have always been available to industry peeps through email ,text and now tweets. I am currently training Minx until the Minx Nails company rolls out their training program in 2010.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! So what’s next for you? Any projects in the works that you can share with the readers?

Athena: I have taken on the most "aspirational" project of my career. I am filming a documentary on a woman named Ayanna Williams called LIVING LONG-NAIL ADDICTION. Ayanna has natural nails 14-16 inches long and has been growing them for 13 years. This is a story about how her nails are affecting her life. You can see snippets on my blog .

Thank you Athena for that great interview be sure to check out Athena’s sites mentioned above and follow her Twitter.

Ciao for now… Class is Dismissed!

Haute Hands - Circa Shop

2009-11-30T00:28:00.011-06:00

I didn't get a chance to watch the Soul Train Music Awards but I did see the Twitter chatter about Fantasia's fashion especially her glove. You've gotten to know Toye Adedipe once on BeautySchooled! as the Image Maker of the week, now get to know him as the accessory designer and founder of CircaShop.com. I'm so happy and proud couldn't be happening to a better person! Check the interview for the special discount code for all BeautySchooled! readers at the Circa Shop.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Why'd you decide to open an online store?

Toye Adedipe: As a Fashion stylist, I've learned that one of the biggest punctuations to any outfit are accessories! They can tell a story, set a mode, or simply recreate a whole look. I wanted to create a store for people like myself that wanted to pump up the daily wardrobe with amazing pieces that have a high-fashion edge. So Far, all the pieces are handmade and totally ready-to-wear, So it makes it easy for people to relate to the products they may have seen in high-end stores but not want to pay the high-end price-tag. Sticker shock sucks when you see a product you really like so CircaShop makes it easy on your wallet.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! How did you come up with the name?

Toye Adedipe: Good Question! Well the word "circa" to me means "by way of", "around the time of", or approximate... so when you go to "The Circa Shop", you're getting the accessories and trends as it relates to the "now". It’s never dated or incorrect, it's always current and definitely fashionable! It's "Circa". So at the end of the day-you win!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Was your mission to fill a void that was left by what's already out there?

Toye Adedipe: For Sure! I think everyone is a little more careful about how they spend their doe now-a-days, so I wanted to create a shop that you could be happy with the purchases you've made and not break the bank. Plus as a consumer, I've always been more drawn into "Style" as opposed to Fashion"... So when I set out to open up shop, I had to really raise the bar as high as possible when it came to the integrity of the accessories and how they where marketed. That means choosing high quality product with superior details and essentially... happy, returning customers.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Why gloves and earrings?

Toye Adedipe: Well, gloves and earrings are just the start and this might have been a little selfish on my end, but... I'm a big leather accessory fan and earrings always seem to make a finishing statement with me! Whenever I style women/celebrities or models, I always have it planned out in my head that I'm going to make it a “POW” statement with a dope leather glove or some type of "talk-about-it" earring or shoe. So when I saw a chance to sell the things that I loved it just made me "go for it"! (it may sound a little funny but in doing this venture I feel like I've become more empowered too) & not because of the "material" but because of the action I was able to take in order to sell the things that spoke to me-to the masses.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Did you design them yourself?

Toye Adedipe: The Majority of it. Yup!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! If so, what inspired your designs?

Toye Adedipe: I L-O-V-E strong women! I can't get enough of them! I surround myself with them and have become an incredible young man because of them! Women that motivate, stimulate and drive you to do better in your life have always inspired me to do MORE! and I wanted to pay tribute so I named a lot (well, all) of the first group of products after some of the most influential women in my life now. Hi MOM!!! *(waves)*

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Will you expand to other items and/or accessories?

Toye Adedipe: Definitely! Men's products are on the way! MAJOR!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! You can also add any additional information that you think the readers will want to know...

Toye Adedipe: In celebration to the New Shop, The Circa shop! All Beauty Schooled readers get an additional 15% off all purchases with this discount code: Beauty, Enjoy you guys!!! Toye*

Thanks Toye for the scoop and the reader's discount. Be sure to visit CircaShop.com and follow Toye's Twitter and Blog!

Ciao for now!

Queen of Talons - London's Top Manicurist Sophy Robson

2009-11-06T11:47:00.012-06:00

It’s amazing how what you put into the universe responds in kind whether that be positive or negative so guard your thoughts people! Earlier this year when I decided to enroll in a nail technology program, I started doing research on manicurists and what made the top manicurist… well, so special. In my research I of course came across state side manicurists Deborah Lippmann, Jin Soon, Lisa Logan and Ji Baek, and then... a name I hadn't heard before Sophy Robson the UK's "it" nail girl, the one Mr. Tom Ford calls on for his shoots. The more I learned about Sophy the more blown away I became… In fact Ms. Robson is on my vision board, I love her work ethic especially how she allows her talent to speak for itself as opposed to boasting about her her celebrity roster (which happens to include some Royals) -- who knew just a few short months later that I’d be interviewing her! Her love and passion for what she does is undeniable... Get to know this week’s Image Maker Sophy Robson, you’ll be glad you did!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! How long have you been in the industry?

Sophy Robson: Nearly 10 years already!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! When did you know you wanted to become a manicurist?

Sophy Robson: I started by doing my own nails in a French manicure style – there were not many places you could get your nails done in London, at the time so you had to do it yourself. I became obsessed with doing it perfectly.

As soon as I enrolled on a "nail enhancement" course at my local college, I started to get offers of work. It was just starting to get popular here so there was never a conscious decision - it just happened! Oh I had just become a single parent so I needed to earn a living!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What would you say are the biggest misconceptions about the industry and manicurist specifically?

Sophy Robson: I don’t know about America, but I felt there was quite snobbery towards the profession when I started. In actual fact the starting pay for a trained nail technician was way higher than a beautician, make up or hair artist. I feel a lot more respected for what I do now than in the early days. I still find some PR companies that are sending polishes out to take up artists who can’t even do nails, which is a bit silly. Things are improving all the time though.
I started my blog as I wanted to show the quality of my work close up, and show it was not retouched. Often, the detail is lost in the photos you see in magazines due to the lighting or lack of sharpness of the image. I was amazed by the International interest and support I began receiving and it has now opened up so many doors, it has been the best thing I could have done. I wanted to show that there is real thought and skill behind it, for all those that thought I "just paint nails for a living"!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Would you say that you have a niche, or is there anything particular that your clients or industry peers would say you're known for?

Sophy Robson: I think as nails have become more popular, I have moved beyond just doing a perfect manicure(whether real or fake) or pedicure, to being as creative as I can with it and trying to bring different nail styles to the fore and making nail art stylish and chic.

When I first did extensions on shoots the people I was working with were amazed by how quick and real looking the results were.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! You were a big presence at all the Fashion Weeks, how does a manicurist make the transition from the salon to editorial work and backstage at Fashion Weeks?

Sophy Robson: The first thing I would suggest is to read all the best current fashion magazines so you can see what kind of nails you will be required to do. You should keep up with all the current trends and new technologies in nails and that means investing TIME and money in yourself. There are no excuses - if you want to do it that bad, you should make it your priority to invest in the best.

It is really hard to break into the fashion industry as it is extremely cliquey and to begin with you will have to work for free to prove yourself, but I believe if you want it badly enough it will happen for you. The opportunities are out there. Working as an assistant is a good way to start working with the right people and to get access to seeing how the fashion world works. By checking editorial credits, you can research who works in the field near you and try contacting their agency to offer your services. You need to throw all your conventional ideas and rules out the window as fashion is a law unto itself.

The problem is working as an assistant is not paid and neither is some editorial work so you will need to build up a clientele to support yourself financially. Unfortunately working in a salon is not easy as you will not be able to get time off for fashion work at short notice, so a lot of schedule juggling is required. When I think back to my early days, the first step I took was to collect photos and tear sheets from model clients (commercial not fashion) put them in an album and took it to agencies to show them how good I was. I have always said you can be amazing at what you do but if you keep it to yourself how is anyone going to know! This is what is so good about the internet, you can put yourself out there and people will come to you if they are interested.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What’s a typical working day like for you?

Sophy Robson: What I love about my life is there is no typical day anymore! I am normally working on photo shoots at least 3 days a week. Sometimes they start at 8am or even earlier for commercials, but usually at 9 or 10 on a good day...As long as I have my coffee in the morning I am good to go! My daughter leaves at 730 so we normally have breakfast together. I will either be at a studio or on a location (such as hotels or unusual houses) so I normally have a car to pick me up as I don't drive to work anymore.

Sometimes it is one model and very straightforward, other days there could be up to 6 models and I have to do extensions on everyone. Everyday is different in terms of what the client wants and what the job entails. I also work for other brands such as Chanel and Sisley when they have product launches, which involves demonstrating on the beauty press. I really love that work as well as it allows me to expound my intimate knowledge to a captive audience, and they always really enjoy the experience which gives you amazing job satisfaction.

I also go to my salon The Sophy Robson Nailcare Clinic to meet my own clients or I will have private bookings with some of my elite clientele at their house or wherever they are staying. As well as all that I still have to answer many administrative emails a day, and upload my blog with new posts as I have a loyal following now which is so great. I seem to be doing more and more press interviews which also takes up time.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! It seems that every up and coming beauty pro wants to work with celebrities. What advice do you have for someone new who is trying to break into the industry and wanting to work with celebrities?

Sophy Robson: I think if you are really good at what you do, celebrities will come to you as word gets around. I would say focus on your abilities and your quality of service as that is way more important in the long term, than chasing after celebrities. Be careful because some celebrities may not appreciate you mouthing off to the media and trying to gain off their glory and that will always be short lived.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Do you provide any mentoring or training for new manicurists?

Sophy Robson: I do get a few people writing to me or whatever but I haven really found anyone with the right mental attitude to the industry and this is something you can not teach. I am looking for passion, motivation, dedication and ability. It has taken 10 years to get to this point and I did not have anyone to mentor me. I am trying to explain through my interviews the processes of how to make it work for you. They can come try out as an assistant.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! So what’s next for you? Are there any projects in the works that you can share with the readers? What about nail trends for the coming year?

Sophy Robson: The media is fixated with nails at the moment, which is great. I hope this will continue. When I first discovered the nail industry, I felt my ideas were so different from what everyone else was doing. For example my first fixation was making the most natural looking nail extensions when everyone else was into the white tip look. I found there was quite a demand for it and at first I used tips and cut out the well area to make the smile line deeper. I learned this technique from a master technician called Tom Holcomb, and it went against what everyone else was doing at the time and others were openly skeptical about the "strength" being lost, which turned out to be nonsense. At the time it was the norm to "blend" tips into the natural nail which was not only time consuming, but had increased risk of filing into natural nail and didn’t look real enough for me when finished.

Then I learned how to sculpt nails with another expert Leighton Denny, but I achieved the more natural effect by mixing white and clear powder before it was common practice to have "customized" white. I am always thinking outside the box and always knew I was in a different world from the rest...in the past year I have become slightly obsessed with modernizing the "nude nail" look as I was so bored of the sheer pink nails. So mannequin effect nails are becoming more and more acceptable, whereas before it was seen as weird looking. Nail designs and embellishments are becoming more and more popular as it loves from The Hood to the High Street.

I also think a longer more pointed shape will become much more common than the still popular squoval shape.

As my name becomes more recognized and my following grows larger, I concentrate on building the Sophy Robson brand so it becomes a commercially viable, International entity.

Thank you so much Sophy for an incredibly insightful and in-depth interview, we are definitely looking forward to what happens next with the Sophy Robson brand.

To learn more about Sophy Robson check out her blog and be sure to follow her twitter.

Ciao for now… Class is dismissed!

{Photo credits: Tom Ford Campaign by Mert & Marcus, Hand shot in UK Vogue by Mark Mattock, Japanese Vogue by Solve Sondsbo}

The Artist Summit Day I Keynote: A Career In Makeup

2009-10-27T20:01:00.002-05:00

For both nights of The Artist Summit a group of the featured artist got together to give a Keynote. It was pretty awesome to hear each of them tell their stories of how they got their start in the industry and some of the challenges they've faced. Here's a portion of the Keynote from that night... somehow though I only seemed to get Johnny Lavoy... hmmm LOL enjoy! (sorry the heat kept kicking on so in some areas it's difficult to hear.)

Ciao... Class is dismissed!

Artist Summit Chicago Videos - Portfolio and Web Focus with Michael DeVellis and Crystal Wright

2009-10-27T18:58:00.010-05:00

It's been a few weeks since the Artist Summit in Chicago but as promised here is a series of videos that I shot with my small Canon Powershot camera. This paticuar seminar Portfolio and Website Focus was headed by Michael DeVellis, the founder of The Powder Group (he's gonna kill me for posting the video) and Crystal Wright, author and motivational speaker.

I could have taken notes and posted them but I thought the video would be a lot more interesting. My apologies there's like 8 or so video, my arm kept getting tired. Enjoy and please by all means leave your feed back!

Ciao... Class is dismissed!

Everything's BIG in Texas - Professinal Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist Bridgett H.

2009-10-25T19:57:00.014-05:00

This week's Image Maker is an űber talented hairstylist and makeup artist out of Dallas, you'll definitely want to get to know Bridgett H.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! How long have you been in the industry?

Bridgett H: I have been in the industry 15 years. I've been a hair stylist for 15 years and doing make up for 4 years.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! When did you know you wanted to be a hair stylist?

Bridgett H: It's funny I am such a tomboy the only times I would play with my dolls is to do there hair. I knew then that's what I wanted to do. As soon as I graduated from high school I went straight to beauty school.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Other than a cosmetology school have you had any additional training or education that you believe has helped you to stand out amongst the sea of other hair stylist?

Bridgett H: Yes, I have trained with Toni & Guy very nice class. Also with Patric Bradley I have done extensive training with him for the last 2 years he is awesome. Wella , Mizani, Lorel, Dudley I have done a lot I've been around a long time. My goal is to go to Europe and do some training.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! You’re also an incredible makeup artist, why did you decide to add makeup to your offerings?

Bridgett H: I had a regular 9-5 and it didn't work at all! So after that I decided I need something with the same flexibility as being a stylist and it went from there.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Did you do any additional training for that?

Bridgett H: I trained at Elan's Make Up Academy, Danessa Myrics. Trucco, Mac, Toni & Guy, Last Looks, Dinar I've invested a lot into my profession I read a lot and I go to plenty of seminars and trainings.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Would you say that you have a niche, or is there anything particular that your clients or industry peers would say you're known for?

Bridgett H: They would say I am out the box I don't like normal or what ever everyone else is doing. Plus I am very business oriented, and straight to the point.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! You’re a salon owner? When did you open your salon?

Bridgett H: It just kinda happen I had been in a suite for 10 years and I was looking for something more private and I found a professional building with office spaces and turned it into a studio salon.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! You’re also key makeup artist for Boom Town Productions what does that entail?

Bridgett H: Of course make up, hair some times depending on the video and the leads and budget. It might sound crazy I also do casting, production assisting and what ever else they need me to do. I've been with them for a long time before the big video's we work together its like family.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! You know my next question is where on earth do you find the time and what’s a typical working day like for you? Is there such thing as a typical day?

Bridgett H: Wow God gives me all the energy and my boys motivate me and when there is down time I catch up on my rest. It really depends on what I have to do video, hair or photo shoot it just depends and I plan around my sons. Being my own boss gives me that flexibility to do what I do I am truly blessed. There's not a typical day but I always have a plan.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What would you say are the biggest misconceptions about the industry makeup artists and hair stylists specifically?

Bridgett H: The biggest thing is that some people feel there shoots will be successful without one or the other. When actually you need both to make the project they are working on complete.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! It seems that every up and coming makeup and hairstylists wants to work with celebrities. What advice do you have for someone new who is trying to break into the industry and wanting to work with celebrities?

Bridgett H: You would need to perfect your craft get the best training available invest in yourself!! Put a portfolio together keep business cards a website etc... I met Mr. Boomtown and put one of my comp cards in his hand when I was leaving a beauty supply. I didn't know who he was. However, the next week I was in Houston working. Also on my free time I am collaborating with a photographer, stylist and model to keep my book updated and I submit my work to different magazines. Also surround yourself around people that are doing what you are wanting to do. Plus its nothing wrong with doing a job for free, assisting or interning. I learned a lot from different make up artist and hair stylist doing that.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! So what’s next for you? Any projects in the works that you can share with the readers?

Bridgett H: What’s next for me I am training with a company to become an educator. I'm getting my book together to be signed with an agency out side of Texas. Just to keeping on track with my goals working hard.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Do you hire assistants, provide mentoring for young stylists or offer any workshops or training?

Bridgett H: Yes I do apprenticeships. I also teach make up classes and on the video sets I am always looking for up and coming mua's to intern.

Thank you Bridgett for that awesome interview!

For more information on interning or Bridgett's workshops visit her websites: Hair, Makeup and be sure to check her twitter.

Ciao for now... Class is dismissed!

Beauty Is As Beauty Does - Makeup Artist Kelley Epps-Woods

2009-10-13T23:27:00.008-05:00

Some people just have "that" thing... it's in the way they walk, the way the talk... with Kelley I recognized it in her love of beauty and what she does... Get to know Kelley Epps-Woods you'll see it too!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! How long have you been in the industry?

Kelley Epps-Woods: I have been working in the industry for 12 years, and have been doing makeup for 8 years.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! When did you know you wanted to become a makeup artist?

Kelley Epps-Woods: I knew I wanted to become a makeup artist one day when I was in church. It was the summer after I graduated from college and a revelation came upon me, and I remember whispering to my mother as it hit me, 'I'm going to be a makeup artist'. That's the day that changed my life.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Did you receive any formal education prior to launching your career?

Kelley Epps-Woods: I had not received any formal training upon launching my career. However, the years prior to me doing makeup I worked for a local magazine photo studio, as a receptionist and was always exposed to makeup. My life prior to college consisted of sneakers, and sweats so makeup was not the first thing on my mind.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Okay, so that was a "transition"... What would you say are the biggest misconceptions about the industry and makeup artists specifically?

Kelley Epps-Woods: I think the misconception about the industry and makeup artist is that it comes easy. Because you have makeup brushes, and makeup does not necessarily make you a makeup artist, or professional artist. It takes years of doing faces, knowledge, and learning your craft in order to establish yourself in the world of makeup artistry. It takes very hard work and dedication.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! When was your first big break, and what was it?

Kelley Epps-Woods: I would say my first big break was when I got a call from an old coworker, and he asked if I still did makeup. At the time, I hadn't even started doing makeup, but he assumed I did.. I said, 'uhhh yeah'..He said, "I have someone that is doing a pageant and needs their face done". I said okay, great. Needless to say, the client paid me to do her makeup for her. Now this was a big deal because who would have thought I would get paid, on a first gig.

With a swarm of people around backstage, not only did I do her face, but countless others paid me just to do their face. That was the night I knew would be just the beginning to great things to come.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Nice! It's amazing how things come together when you're on your "path". Kelley, you do many other things but your primary focus is Bridal Makeup Artistry, is that correct? If so, Why bridal?

Kelley Epps-Woods: Yes, I do focus a lot of my artistry on Brides. There's something about the special relationship between the Bride and the Artist. It's a complete trust that the bride has for her artist on one of the most important days of her life. I love capturing and bringing out the natural beauty in the Bride. My specialty for brides are their eyes. The perfect blend of colors and the sultry flair of lashes are what I love. Eyes, are the one thing that leads her down the aisle, and the first thing that the Groom looks into.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! You also write can, you tell us more about that?

Kelley Epps-Woods: My natural love for all things makeup and beauty led me to start my blog The Makeup Loft. It first started with talking about my favorite products that I use whether on my clients, or in general. I then started receiving tons of questions, and feedback regarding the products, and or about makeup artistry. I started devoting my post to those questions alone. For my writing, over a year ago I was asked to be a Beauty Writer for a online magazine, Second City Style, where I did daily beauty articles, news and illustrations that reached thousands of women. Within a couple of months, I was asked to be the Beauty Editor, and would over see all of the functions for beauty for the magazine. So with that, I am always involved and stimulated in all arena's with beauty, and I love it.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What’s a typical working day like for you and how do you manage to keep things organized?

Kelley Epps-Woods: A typical working day for me will start early morning, with a client booking or wedding. Sometimes its several gigs a day or just one. I tend to do most of my administrative working, invoices, call backs, etc. in the evenings.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! It seems that every up and coming makeup artist wants to work with celebrities. What advice do you have for someone new who is trying to break into the industry and wanting to work with celebrities?

Kelley Epps-Woods: Some want to work with celebrities instantly. However, most times it takes some years of work before you get your first celebrity. Learning about the business, networking and hands on makeup, is essential in gaining your clientele. Becoming a successful working makeup artist does not come overnight, and takes years and years of work . I always say, to be successful in this business you have to be a student of the business.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! I love that! "Be a student of the business..." Kelley, what would you say is the most important lesson you have learned or the greatest piece of advice you’ve ever received that helped your career?

Kelley Epps-Woods: The most important piece of advice I have received that has helped me, was to never give up. So many times, when I first started and was seeking knowledge, and may have become frustrated, were the times that I questioned if this was for me. However, following my heart, and what I believed and others believed, I kept going. And it's times like that, that I can appreciate where I am now, and it has made me a better artist.

Thank you Kelley for such an incredible interview, be sure to check out Kelley's website to learn more about what she does and follow her blog and Twitter for inside product and fashion week backstage scoops.

Ciao for now...Class is Dismissed!

One Sure Thing - Suresh Seneviratne Professional Makeup Artist and Entrepreneur

2009-10-13T22:34:00.007-05:00

Suresh is a Sanskrit word which means "Ruler of Gods", definitely a fitting name for this Beauty Mogul on the rise. Get to know Suresh Seneviratne...

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! How long have you been in the industry?

Suresh: This is my 10th year!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! When did you know you wanted to become a makeup artist?

Suresh: It was never something that I sought out to do. It just sort of happened. I convinced the manager over a couple of months to hire me. I showed her drawings, sketches, and paintings I'd done and expressed my love for color. Honestly, it started because a few of my friends dared me to do it. But I ended up falling in love with the beauty world once I was hired. I worked at lots of different counters all across the country for many years.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Did you receive any formal education prior to launching your career?

Suresh: Not from a makeup school. I trained and apprenticed with a few different artists in New York while I was in art school. I went to FIT for fashion design. I had a very art-heavy course program with lots of figure drawing, painting, sketching using all sorts of mediums...crayon, charcoal, pencil, acrylic, oil, marker, etc. It taught me to really pay attention to people's features, where to highlight and contour, and so on. I apprenticed on weekends and after school, usually during Fashion Week and heavy editorial season. I organized cases, mixed foundations, prepped faces, did touchups, and just about anything else they needed me to do. Eventually, I was allowed to do full faces after I developed a relationship with the artist. I learned a lot!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What inspires your work?

Suresh: The people I work on. I want to make them feel as amazing as possible, whether it be a private client or a commercial job. Confidence is pretty sexy and very inspiring.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! What would you say are the biggest misconceptions about the industry and makeup artists specifically?

Suresh: That it's frivolous and full of dumb people. I have met so many talented, educated, knowledgeable people working in fashion. True makeup artists are so incredibly imaginative and creative, humble too. The showoffs and attitudes of uneducated wannabes spoil it for the real professionals.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! When was your first big break, and what was it?

Suresh: Working with Adrianna Lima in 2000 for a Richard Tyler Couture show. It opened a lot of doors for me, at the time.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Suresh, you have your own line of glosses that’s awesome! Why did you decide to create your own line?

Suresh: I wanted to share my unique vision with the world. I'm a dedicated vegetarian and belong to many animal activist groups that bring awareness to the general public. I'm also a lifelong Buddhist and believe less is more. Among other things, I wanted to integrate these beliefs into a chic, simple, guilt-free product.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Do you think you’ll expand into other products?

Suresh: Yes, over time. Right now, I'm enjoying lip gloss. I'll let my clients influence me as to what's next.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! You also have a “ Suresh Beauty Team” is it like an agency?

Suresh: Sort of. We have artists that are sent out to different jobs when I am not available. They are fabulous and I couldn't do it without them!

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! How do/did you select the artists for your Team?

Suresh: Artistic integrity and ability, experience, professional appearance, and personality. I had worked with all of them for long periods of time before I invited them to join my team.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! How do you juggle the products, your work and your team… that’s INSANE, what’s a typical working day like for you?

Suresh: Check emails, return calls, check in with my artists, communicate with my stores about the product, then see clients towards the end of the day. My schedule changes daily based on bookings and my travel schedule between Seattle and New York.

My family lives in Seattle so it's home. Suresh Beauty, is based in Seattle, all our storage and distribution happens there. I spend about half my time there, and half my time in NY although it seems like I am in Seattle less these days.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! It seems that every up and coming makeup artist wants to work with celebrities. What advice do you have for someone new who is trying to break into the industry and wanting to work with celebrities?

Suresh: Become great at what you do and develop a signature style of work. Working at counters and salons will give you experience working with all types of people, skin tones, attitudes. Freelance and test with photographers as much as possible. Leave your attitude at home, it won't get you far.

BEAUTYSCHOOLED! Do you hire assistants, do any mentoring for young artists or provide any workshops or training?

Suresh: I've had a few assistants from time to time but not many. I'm always up for mentoring and do it as I am asked. I am working on putting together workshops...it's coming!

Thank you Suresh for that great interview, visit Suresh Beauty to learn more and to purchase his FAB lip glosses and also be sure to follow his Twitter.

Ciao for now... Class is dismissed!

Artist Summit Chicago - My Experience Part I

2009-10-13T00:44:00.001-05:00

Over the weekend I attended the Artist Summit in Chicago as a Blogger and not a beauty pro…

In a word… the show was AWESOME. It was just what the Chicago and Midwest makeup artist communities needed. There essentially isn’t a lot of makeup artistry education in the Midwest so it was an honor for them to bring their expertise and products to Chicago. Also they couldn’t have chosen a better setting the River North Art Gallery was the perfect backdrop.

There were tons of vendors there from Temptu, Make Up Forever, Inglot, and Obsseive Compulsive Cosmetics to name a few. I had a chance to chat with David Klasfeld of OCC for a few at his booth and attend his airbrush seminar he’s a cool dude and the Lip Tars ROCK now I can say for sure I know what all the hype is about, there’s nothing like them, (I had to buy some, I bought four and David was so nice to toss in an extra) I will do vendor product reviews in a separate post.

Michael DeVellis and James Vincent were gracious hosts they could be seen chatting it up with attendees throughout the Summit. Michael is incredibly funny and James is unbelievable patient, there was an instant on they last day during the keynote address when an obviously intoxicated and frustrated attendee was essentially out of order on more than one occasion, but James was very understanding and patient with her even requesting the same from the audience. (I almost died… but that’s another post for another day).

I also met Image Maker Kat Aragon and Felicia Walker Benson Makeup Artist, Beauty Expert and editor of This That Beauty (LOVE THEM!!!) I will definitely write a more in-depth post in the coming days and I have loads of video too, I just need to check the quality and do some edits. I didn’t write a lot (I try to preserve my tweezing hand as much as I can.

Thank you to Michael DeVellis for inviting me to the Artist Summit and for the awesome spread at the W after-party.

Also, Patrice of Afrobella, Erin of Scandalous Beauty, Felicia of This That Beauty and Lianne of The Makeup Girl Beauty Blogs for inviting me to the Blogger kick-off party on Saturday night at the J Bar. I was so exhausted after a long day at school I almost passed on the event after the Blogger Preview I just wanted to go home and rest up for Sunday but thank goodness I didn’t I met some awesome bloggers that night and people think I’m nuts but I can’t stop raving about this lotion… Vaseline was one of the kick-off party’s sponsors and let me just say that if you haven’t tried the new Sheer Infusion Body Lotion you MUST… stay tuned at Afrobella.com I believe she’s writing a full post soon.

Here’s a teaser… a few pics from the event until the full post.

Ciao for now!