Jennifer James, the instructor, reminds me of the affable high school teacher that everyone loves.  The teacher who is not a pushover, but knows how to impart information and have fun.  The teacher who will probably have a movie made about her life. The students realize that they are being taught by one of the great ones.   Ms. James is also like the favorite aunt you want to hang with, not only because she is cool, but because she has valuable life lessons to share.

I had the honor and privilege of observing one of her classes, “Fashion Make-Up for Runway & Print.”  At the beginning of the class, she had the students explore their vision of beauty and storytelling in print work.  The exercise allowed the students to focus on the finer details of photographic works.

The class included contouring, highlighting, lip application and brow boot camp. Each student brought in his/her own model.  A couple of them are working print models. Ms. James was engaged with each student making sure that he or she was on the right track.  Posing questions that challenged how the students view the application process as well as recommending tools and products to use.

I find that even the makeup artists who practice their skills everyday found the class to be challenging, yet fulfilling.  I could definitely see several “A-ha” moments from each pupil and even the models took an interest in the application process.  The students also shared their tricks of the trade with each other. One tip that I found very useful was, pressing down the tip of a lip pencil.  The flattened tip allows for a more precise lip line.

Below is a slideshow from the class, including students’ work:



• Jennifer_James_Teaching_Class

   

  http://pumpsandgloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Jennifer_James_Teaching_Class.jpg

• Example of Contouring 1

   

  http://pumpsandgloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Example-of-Contouring-1.jpg

• Example of Contouring 2

   

  http://pumpsandgloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Example-of-Contouring-2.jpg

• Example of Contouring 3

   

  http://pumpsandgloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Example-of-Contouring-3.jpg

• Example of Highlighting 1

   

  http://pumpsandgloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Example-of-Highlighting-1.jpg

• Example of Highlighting 2

   

  http://pumpsandgloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Example-of-Highlighting-2.jpg

• Example of Highlighting 3

   

  http://pumpsandgloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Example-of-Highlighting-3.jpg

• Example of Lip 1

   

  http://pumpsandgloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Example-of-Lip-1.jpg

• Example of Lip 2

   

  http://pumpsandgloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Example-of-Lip-2.jpg

• Example of Lip 3

   

  http://pumpsandgloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Example-of-Lip-3.jpg

I, highly, suggest taking one of her classes, if she comes to your area. She also does Skype classes, so there will is no excuse not to take a class. Ms. James has updated her class offerings, so please check them out and enroll today!

Mix Maven

No, not the Swedish pop group who had hit songs like “The Sign” and “All That She Wants.” I am speaking of makeup artist extraordinaire, Toni Acey.

She is a sought-after celebrity make-up artist, based in Atlanta,  who did not imagine that she could even work as makeup artist.  Toni worked in corporate America for many years, as well as working as a model.  Toni found that the MAs either  were not qualified to do make-up for Women of Color (WOC), specifically African-American women.  So she took matters in her own hands and came to the shoots already made-up.   By doing so, industry professionals as well as close friends and family took notice and encouraged her she to get into the business.  Ms. Acey does not have formal training in make-up artistry, but she worked as a freelancer for MAC Cosmetics where she learned a lot through the MAC training programs.  She has continued to hone her craft and teaches airbrushing classes.  Ms. Acey is also well-known for  her signature “Wearable Art” body painting and “Celebrity “Knock-Off Makeovers.

Eight years ago, Toni was one of the first makeup artist to use airbrushing for glamour makeup.  Most artists in the entertainment industry used airbrushing, primarily, for special effects. Her go-to brands for airbrushing are Temptu and Air Makeup.  Toni enjoys the creativity of airbrushing because she can create one-of-a-kind foundations,  lipsticks,  and even blushes to fit her clients’ needs. She has many clients including  LisaRaye, Kenya Moore, Meagan Good, Karen Clarke-Sheard and Sheree from The Real Housewives of Atlanta.  They have all been very pleased with her work and seek her out time and time again.

We talked about beauty trends for the winter/holiday season.  Toni definitely loves to see all women wearing red lipstick, a throwback to old Hollywood glamour. She does recommend that golden tone women wear tomato reds, fair/light skinned women  can wear pretty much any shade of red, but they should stay from bordeaux, unless they are going for a goth look.  For darker skinned women, she loves loves bordeaux.  Red lip color, she believes, can work for  a daytime look, but it should be sheer.  Her must-have lip product is MAC Money Honey dazzleglass.

For the eyes, she loves Urban Decay eye liners and MAC pigments to create a bold, shimmery look for all the holiday parties we will be attending this season.  She loves Urban Decay eye liners because they can be easily smudged and set to wear as shadows.  For the cheeks, Toni raved about NARS blushes and as a fan myself, I definitely think they are must-haves for all beauty aficionados.

She had words of wisdom for all up-and-coming make-up artists ” Be the best that you can be. Be serious about your craft, treat it as a business, (continue) to learn about the craft by staying ahead of the trends.  Make sure to have  a website!”

I asked her about her future goals, she wants to do a follow-up to her book, Make-up FAQs,  to continue with her foundation, “Lipstick Theory” to assist  women’s charities, produce training DVDs and  create her own makeup and skincare line

She was a delight to interview and I will be looking out for all of her upcoming endeavors.  I do wish her all the success, she has a great spirit.

So check out her book and website, definitely will provide inspiration.

Mix Maven

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

As we reflect on the life and service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, we should also think about the future possibilities that this country will continue to “will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”  The election of President Barack H. Obama is by no means the mountain top, but it definitely is a first step.  There will be naysayers who will want to return  to the status quo, but we should no longer accept that as a viable option.

Today feels like Christmas Eve.  I am excited about the gifts that may be found under the tree of Democracy:

• Accountability
• Regulation
• Peace
• Reconciliation

President-Elect Barack H. Obama will take  the Oath of Office on January 20, 2009  “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” We, as citizens of this great country, should also recite an Oath (a part of the same oath I took when I became a citizen of America), “I pledge to support, honor, and be loyal to the United States, its Constitution, and its laws. Where and if lawfully required, I further commit myself to defend the Constitution and laws of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, either by military, noncombatant, or civilian service. This I do solemnly swear, so help me God.”

January 21, 2009 begins the really hard work.  So let’s remain, “Fired up and Ready to go!”

Get out and VOTE today!

Are you FIRED UP??? Are you READY TO GO??  Well get out and vote!!!  Fire up your Blackberry, iPhone, iPod Touch and/or iPod to entertain yourself while in the line.  Bring a friend, so he or she can hold your place, if you need a bathroom break, bring snacks for your and fellow voters.  Whatever you do, GO VOTE!!  America needs change!

If you need election info – Go to the Election 2008 tab.

PLEASE NOTE: If your name, for whatever reason, does not show up on the Voter’s Roll, DO NOT cast a provisional ballot. Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE and the call center staff will assist you through the process.
See you at the polls,

Mix Maven

The 2008 Election is nigh and I hope all you have registered to vote.

Remember that your vote counts and the only poll that really MATTERS, is the ballot cast on Election Day(s).

At this point in the game, you should NOT be undecided.  So chose your choice and VOTE (Early vote, if you can)!!

The nonpartisan Election Protection Coalition has launched its national 1-866-OUR-VOTE voter assistance hotline and the poll location website www.MyPollingPlace.com. 1-866-OUR-VOTE is the only national voter assistance hotline staffed by live call center operators trained to provide state specific assistance to all voters.

If your name, for whatever reason, does not show up on the Voter’s Roll, DO NOT cast a provisional ballot. Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE and the call center staff will assist you through the process.

Also check out, The Vote for Change, there you will find ID requirement info, Voter Rights, how to report voting problems, etc. A great resource!!

See you at the Polls,

Mix Maven

You still have time to support out the Total Beauty – Total Cure campaign.

Last year I did a post entitled, Counting Up The Cost. The post was about how parents are buying their children expensive, luxury brands. Now, I stumble on another article about how parents are spending tens and thousands of dollars on kiddie birthday parties. America, we need a parent intervention!!

The problem did not start with MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16,” but I am sure that the show contributes to the excessiveness of parents and children. The CNN article highlighted a mother who spent $5,000 USD for a 3 year old toddler’s birthday party. The party had expensive favors, lavish entertainment, a four-layer cake. (That sounds like a wedding reception to me!)

Another family spent $10 million on a bat mizpah. According to the CNN article, “former defense contractor David H. Brooks of Long Island reportedly spent in 2005 on his daughter’s bat mitzvah. That soirée, at the storied Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center, featured 50 Cent, Don Henley and Aerosmith, among others.” (Sidebar: please note his career choice!!)

Above picture is a Coach™ – themed cake for a birthday party. This cake runs about $1500. I know many brides who spent less on their wedding cakes.

What kind of values are we passing on to our children, when we spend lavishly on a birthday party? To be honest, I do not think most of the parents have the money to spend on these parties, but they want to look like good parents by giving their children the “best” of everything.

I feel like children today do not have anything to look forward to in life. Parents shower them with expensive everything and when they get older, they will try to maintain the lifestyle and realize they cannot. At some point, these excessive acts must end. Parents have to realize that affection, love and care cannot be bought.

We are destroying our children by giving into their every whim or creating these whims. Parents need more backbone and learn how to say no. I tell you my parents had no problems telling my sibling and I “NO!!” on a regular basis. I do not even know how I would live in the world, if my parents spoiled me.

I believe the children are the future. Teach them well and let the lead the way. BUT we cannot do so if parents do not have any self-control.

Let us move up a little higher,

Mix Maven

Today is Earth Day.

Here are some tips to Save Energy:

Reduce your carbon footprint. Leaving your car at home twice a week can cut greenhouse gas emissions over 1,500 pounds per year. Reduce greenhouse gases on the road.

Don’t idle. Don’t idle! Remind your school system to turn off bus engines when buses are parked to eliminate harmful exhaust pollution. More about reducing engine idling.

It’s electric. Check how much of your electricity comes from renewable sources, like wind, solar. Then find green power options available to you. Use the green power locator.

Tread lightly. Commuting without polluting! Use public transportation, carpool, walk, or bike whenever possible to reduce air pollution and save on fuel costs. Learn about reducing your carbon footprint.

Make the switch. Buy or switch to energy efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs. Look for the EnergyStar label to help save you money on energy bills and pollute less. Find more energy savings.

eCycle it. eCycle – take your old computer, DVD player, or other electronics to a recycling center. This helps keep hazardous substances out of the landfill. Find eCycling centers near you.

Make your home an Energy Star! As you start your spring cleaning, do a home energy audit and switch to EnergyStar products. More ideas for what you can do at home.

Here are some tips to use water efficiently:

Make it a full load. Run your dishwasher only when it’s full; use the rinse-and-hold dishwasher feature until you’re ready to run a full load. More about using water wisely.

Be sensible. Buy water-efficient fixtures and products. The WaterSense label helps shoppers identify water efficient products and programs. More about WaterSense.

Shower power. Shower power! A full bath tub requires about 70 gallons of water, while taking a five-minute shower saves water by using 10 to 25 gallons. More about using water wisely.

Don’t be a drip – fix that leak! Leaky faucets can waste thousands of gallons of water each year, like money down the drain. Repair or replace old or damaged fixtures. Find out more about saving water.

Fill ‘er up! Make it a full load. The average washing machine uses 40. 9 gallons of water per load. Buy a high-efficiency washer or save up for full loads. More about using water wisely.

Compost it. Allow grass clippings to stay on the lawn, instead of bagging them. The cut grass will decompose and return to the soil naturally. More backyard composting ideas.

Proper maintenance reduces waste. Maintain and repair products. Keep appliances in good working order. Follow manufacturers’ suggestions for proper operation and maintenance. More ways you can reduce waste.

Don’t trash it – reuse it! Be creative about reducing waste. Give pet hamsters or gerbils cardboard tubes to play with. Use an egg carton to plant seedlings. Other creative tips to reduce waste.

Just bag it. Take reusable bags on shopping trips. Keep them in your car or near your door to remember. You can also reuse paper or plastic shopping bags. Get more tips for shopping.

Wait for the storm to pass. Don’t fertilize before a rain storm. Your fertilizer – along with your money – washes down storm drains and can pollute rivers and bays. More on greenscaping.

Compost it. When properly composted, kitchen wastes can become natural soil additives for lawns, gardens, and even house plants. More on composting.

Here are tips to reduce/reuse/recycle

Compost it. Allow grass clippings to stay on the lawn, instead of bagging them. The cut grass will decompose and return to the soil naturally. More backyard composting ideas.

Proper maintenance reduces waste. Maintain and repair products. Keep appliances in good working order. Follow manufacturers’ suggestions for proper operation and maintenance. More ways you can reduce waste.

Don’t trash it – reuse it! Be creative about reducing waste. Give pet hamsters or gerbils cardboard tubes to play with. Use an egg carton to plant seedlings. Other creative tips to reduce waste.

Just bag it. Take reusable bags on shopping trips. Keep them in your car or near your door to remember. You can also reuse paper or plastic shopping bags. Get more tips for shopping.

Wait for the storm to pass. Don’t fertilize before a rain storm. Your fertilizer – along with your money – washes down storm drains and can pollute rivers and bays. More on greenscaping.

Compost it. When properly composted, kitchen wastes can become natural soil additives for lawns, gardens, and even house plants. More on composting.

Travel green. When you travel, stay at hotels that use less water or energy. Before you go, unplug your VCR or other electronics that use electricity even when “off.” More ways to save when you travel.

Travel green. When you travel, stay at hotels that use less water or energy. Before you go, unplug your VCR or other electronics that use electricity even when “off.” More ways to save when you travel.

For are you MAC Cosmetics lovers, remember that MAC has a recycling program called Back To MAC. Bring in 6 products in primary packaging to a MAC counter (i.e inside of department store), you will receive a free lipstick (Viva Glam products not included!) If you take the 6 products to a freestanding MAC, you can receive eye shadow (not palette pans), lipstick or lip gloss.

I have not been on a quest to find undergarments that would free me of visible panty lines (VPL). Despite that, I keep on stumbling on these items. One interesting product that I found to Guard the Lady Business, a strapless G-string.

This product from the Shibue Couture line helps ladies who do not want VPL, yet going “commando” is not option.

You are thinking how does this product stay on. Each panty comes with 12 adhesive front and back strips. I was curious about this product, especially if I had to go to the restroom. The website gives detailed instructions on how to use this product. According to the website, the strapless G-String should not replace the daily wearing of normal underwear.

Prices range from $32 to $38 and $10 for extra adhesive tape.

The G-string has become the quintessential sexy undergarment (lingerie, if you will) of choice for many women. Maybe the strapless G-string will take its rightful place in the pantheon of  lingerie.

Sexual Carob

Fashion, especially good fashion, can be a wonderful thing. Fashion is art for the body. According to Coco Chanel, “Fashion is architecture. It is a matter of proportions.”

One of my favorite shows on the TV is the post awards Fashion Police show. (Sidebar: This is by far the funniest show on TV.) The show reviews fashion from the major awards show. On each episode, the panelists include a fashion designer, stylist, hair stylist and other beauty experts. Kevan Hall has been a guest panelist.

This Detroit-born, L.A.-based designer is a staple on the Red Carpet. He attended the famed Cass Technical High School that boasts such alumni as Diana Ross, Lily Tomlin, Ellen Burstyn, and Tracy Reese (noted fashion designer). Kevan Hall attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in California. He received the prestigious Peacock Award in his senior year at FIDM. He worked as Design and Creative Director from fall 1998 – spring 2000 for Halston.

Kevan Hall with his wife and partner, Deborah, started the Kevan Hall Couture line in 1982. This line can be found in many high-end stores e.g. Neiman Marcus and Bergdorff Goodman. In 2002, Hall launched Kevan Hall Collection.

His clients include Vanessa Williams, Drew Barrymore, Katherine Heigl, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross. His fashion philosophy is “emphasize purity of style, incomparable tailoring and sensuously draped streamlined silhouettes.”

Here are some of my favorites from his Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 lines:

Live Elegantly,

Mix Maven

This article was found on Yahoo.com via The Nation

Young Texans March for Voting Rights