Sparkly New Years Eve Lip

Sooo as I was finishing up at work last night I got the urge to play in lippies. I'm gonna call this look my Rock With You lip. It reminds me of MJ's outfit in the video.  The steps to getting this look are as follows:

1.) Line your lips with a black eyeliner, fill in your lips leaving the very center of your mouth bare. 

 2.) Apply Stone lipstick all over. 

3.) Using a small synthetic brush (paint brush style brush) apply MAC Cinderfella Mineralize eyeshadow all over the lips in a packing motion. 

 4.) This part is optional but I think it gives a cleaner look: I use another small synthetic brush to apply my foundation around my lips to sharpen the shape and clean up the look.  This may not be your every day look, unless that's how you get down (no judgement lol) but for NYE or a night out this look is so cute.

Cute Kinky Curly UPart Wig

This wig is one that I made using DreamTresses UK Kinky Straight Hair in 16 and 18 inch. I was not very impressed with this hair so I ended up purchasing another 18" bundle of deep curl hair. I sewed the hair to the wig cap and I was happy with the style. I handpainted the highlights in this hair.

One thing I will say that I love about u part wigs is that because you have the option of removing it at night it isn't necessary for you to find a way to prevent it from getting messed up in your sleep.
Furthermore, I can have full access to my hair daily so I am able to moisturize my hair and I can give it time to breathe.

Making upart wigs is a service I have been providing to my clients for quite some time. If you are interested in having a upart wig made feel free to contact me via email at zvmoore@yahoo.com My prices for upart wig starts at $200.

Why You Need to Get Into Moisturizers

As you know I am a makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics, many people come in looking to buy foundation and they need me to match them. One of the first things I ask people is what kind of skin they have, whether it is dry, oily, combination, normal, sensitive etc. From there I ask them are they wearing a moisturizer? I am always surprised when people tell me they aren't and I know it is only because they don't realize just how important it is.

Ensuring hydration is the most important step in skincare. Our skin tone and the flexibility of our skin depends on the presence of moisture in the underlying tissues. These underlying tissues receive that moisture from moisture added to the skins surface and water drawn from humidity in the air. Oil is the skins moisture barrier, protecting it from escaping, leaving us with dehydrated and flaky skin.

You really should get into a good moisturizer because it really does wonders for your skin. Especially now in the winter. Makeup artist Bobbi Brown says "Moisturizer is the true fountain of youth...The right moisturizer will enhance the look, feel, and health of the skin and even help temporarily eliminate fine lines and wrinkles." Okay so I think you understand now why moisturizer is so important.

Now lets break down which moisturizer is best for what skin types.

Dry Skin: You are going to want something heavier like an oil based moisturizer. It should absorb completely leaving your skin nice and supple. Oils will be more effective at preventing water evaporation than a cream. Two Ingredients to look for that are known for keeping the skin soft is propylene glycol and urea.

Something You May Like: Grapeseed Oil, Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil.

Normal Skin: You will be fine using a water based moisturizer containing light weight oils such as sillicone-derived ingredients and acetyl alcohol.

Something You May Like: MAC Face and Body Lotion, Cetaphil.

Oily and Combination Skin: You are best suited for an oil free, water based moisturizers. Oil free moisturizers are made from synthetic chemicals

Misconception:
"Because my skin is oily, even if I don't use a moisturizer, eventually I am going to get oily and shiny."

Even if you have oily skin, all skin needs moisture. If you are washing your face daily you are stripping it of its essential oils. Even oily skin needs to replenish the moisture content of the skin.  If not what happens is, your sebum glands overcompensate for the lack of moisture in the skin (producing excessive sebum) thereby leading to more shine and larger pores.

Something You May Like: MAC Oil Control Lotion, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel or Neutrogena Visibly Different Grapefruit Moisturizer.

Key ingredients to look for are: vitamin C, lemongrass and willow bark extract.

My Favorite Protective Style!!!

 

I have my faux locs again and like i told my sister and mother I have no removal date in sight lol (being dramatic) but they are my favorite go to style. 

This is my third time doing my faux locs and as the pic shows  decided to throw some color in there.  I used the Reggae Braid Marley in the colors 1B, 1B/ 33, 4. My locs sit right about my belt loop. I used approximately 8.5 bags of hair. Ive had my locs since January 27 and as they grow out I love them more because my roots are puffy, and it looks more natural. 

A quick recap of some of my FAQS:

Q: Did you braid your hair before and then wrap them?

A: No, I shampooed, deep conditioned and trimmed, before coating my hair in Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioner. I wondered if there would be any repercussions of not braiding my hair first but I did not receive excessive shedding so I have done my method each time.

Q: Are they heavy?

A: Not nearly as heavy as I thought they would be. They aren't weightless so they will be an adjustment but I find goddess braids, box braids to be heavier.  When I pick up a loc and demonstrate to people how light weight they are they are pleasantly surprised. 

Q: How long do they take? 

A: When I do relatively thin 16" locs it takes 6.5 hours. On myself it takes about 8 hours. For lengths as long as the locs I have now I spend about 4 minutes on each.

How Difficult Was It Getting Hired by MAC?

It took me 5 months to finally become a MAC makeup artist. 

My hiring process began in March 2013 and in July 2013 they were telling me when I start. I was soo excited because for as long as it took I just knew I was not going to get the job. I felt pretty confident in my interviews but when days turned to weeks and weeks turned into months and my family was asking me "whats up with MAC?" I started to get discouraged. 
So let me walk you through what I went through in pursuit of my position....

I went to the mall dressed very cute, of course I had my makeup done. I wanted them to see that I was capable of doing edgy looks so I remember having my eyes smoked out more so under my bottom lash line...Im curious of what I'd think of my makeup from then based on my current level of artistry..

I go into the store asking to speak with a hiring manager, I speak with her and give her my resume and cover letter. She gives me an application to fill out and I complete while in the mall and return it. Our interaction was no more than 3 minutes total. I felt like some sort of connection was made.  After that I called the store consistently on thursdays. After about 3 weeks I was invited into the store for an interview. There it was a group interview I had to bring a model and was supplied brushes and told to gather the products I would need in order to execute a look for a lawyer who has to go to court without using any shades of black or brown. OH YEAH they also made us all switch models, which meant whoever you've been practicing on was not going to  who you performing the look on I pulled orange and green and blended them out to create a neutral work appropriate look on my new model, instead of my mother who should have been my model.We then had to take the look from day to night, apply red lipstick and a strip of false lashes. At the end of the interview we were told that they would be contacting us in about 2 weeks. I was not contacted within that point.

Im contacted by a MAC recruiter about a month later, the interview is conducted at the regional headquarters this time. This was simply a verbal interview with the head regional recruiter. I was interviewed alongside another girl. We were asked the usual customer service questions as well as what our favorite makeup trends were and our favorite products. I was contacted shortly after this interview for another makeup interview.

I arrived yet again with my mother as my model and in a room full of about 6 other artists, the trainers for this area and other employees. Each artist was assigned a trainer and they observed, listened and offered advice throughout the daytime makeup look. I was most nervous for this interview. After completing the look and receiving much needed constructive criticism and tips I spoke with one of the top rank MAC employees in our region. I felt very comfortable in this portion of the interview...... At this time I heard really nothing more from the company until about 3 months later...

Then one day I receive a call from the regional recruiter saying that they have found a position for me. I was finally a MAC makeup artist. I definitely wanted to be placed in a store and is something I am working on now but in the time being I am at the MAC Counter.

My Faux Locs

I've had the Faux Locs twice now and I must say I love them for being an incredibly versatile protective style. They allow you to experience what its like to have dreads without the commitment and having had to devote years to growing your hair. The first time I wore the faux locs I kept them in for exactly a month. I went to Miami then the Bahamas and I managed to get sand in my roots :) Take me back!! From what I've heard Marley hair doesn't hold up too well against shampooing, so at exactly 30 days I took out my locs.

Let me knock out some of the FAQs I get in regards to my faux locs..............

Q: How long did it take to install?

A: The first time it took me 12 hours to install my loc extensions. I stretched it out over the course of two days. I wasn't pressed for time so I took my time to ensure my first time loc experience was a good one. The second time I took 9 hours I got off of work at 10pm, worked all through the night and had to be up by 8

Q: What kind of hair do I use? 

A: Batik Reggae Braid in the color 1B. For the length that I have I used 8 packs of hair. Each loc uses approximately two pieces hair especially if you are looking to achieve locs beyond bra strap length.

Q: Are they heavy?

A: No they really aren't. I was surprised at how light they were due to my desire not to put any stress and tension on my front hairline. They can be heavy when I place them on the top of my head but that's about it.

Q: How do you sleep with them?

A: If I don't braid them for a wavy effect then I will simply pull them back and tie a silk scarf around my head. When I shower I tuck them into a shower cap that sits halfway off of my head:) 

Q:Any criticisms of the faux locs?

A: Because you burn the ends of the hair in order to secure the loc, if you overdo it the ends may snag your clothing. Also, with the burning of the locs it causes them to stick together which can be mildly annoying.

Q: Are you able to moisturize your hair while in the faux locs?

A: Honestly, Im not and that does sort of bother me because I feel great that Im in this protective style and Im not manipulating my hair but knowing Im not moisturizing for a month at a time is scary. What I do however to offer me peace of mind is slather Jamaican Black Castor Oil on my hair as I am installing my faux locs. When I  removed my previous faux locs my hair did not feel dry. I could still feel the softness of the castor oil. 

My Natural Hair Journey

I began my natural hair journey in December of 2012. 

              I was wearing my hair in a short pixie cut and decided to grow it out with weaves and wigs. I kept my hair braided and would shampoo and condition biweekly. I saw a lot of growth in doing this however I realized later that I really put my precious edges and leave out through a lot and they were in need of some repair. From there I starting doing the u-part wig thing. So I would make them and in consideration of my fragile sides I would secure the wig in areas such as behind the ear and around the top and back. That seemed to help some. 

              Now I'm approaching two years natural and will let you be the judge as to how much hair I've retained. I've had to trim quite a bit of hair and could probably be due for a good trim right now. Now a days I try to use flat iron heat no more than once a month sometimes a little longer. I must admit I will blow dry my hair lightly with medium heat to stretch my flexi rod sets out..please don't judge me :( I mainly wear my hair in flexi rod sets either all out or in an up do or I've been loving the convenience of my faux locs. I will blow my hair out from time to time like I've said earlier and when I do I normally keep it that way for about week before it starts feeling stiff . 

                                         1ST Year Progress 

2nd Year Progress