MAKEUP ARTIST PHAEDRA WILLIAMS PROVIDES A NEW LOOK AT BEAUTY

By editor-in-chief Shawn Chavis

Phaedra L. Williams with Laila Ali applying Phaedra Beauty make-up

"Don't follow the rules, make them"

~ Phaedra L. Williams

Thinking outside the box is something Phaedra L. Williams has always done.  As a

successful professional make-up artist in the beauty and entertainment industry, and owner of Phaedra Brow and Beauty, Phaedrea has continuously pushed the envelope in order to fulfill her love for her craft.  Her work has been seen on several television shows, music videos, and in countless magazines such as Glamour, Sports Illustrated Women, Heart and Soul, Ebony and Essence to name a few.  We were delighted that Phaedra decided to share about herself and her talent with us as well, in order to inspire other women as well to always reach for their goals and dreams no matter what challenges lie ahead.

BM: Hello Phaedra, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us.  Please tell us, when and where did you discover the art of make-up?

PW: It was the early 90's.  I was living in Cleveland, Ohio at the time.  I was co-creator of this local modeling troupe.  We would produce fashion shows, showcasing local designers and boutiques.  One day we needed to have a photo shoot with some of the models and we didn't have a make-up artist.  I knew I was good with color theory with my art background from high school so I was like, I'll do it.  And once I did, I fell in love with it.  Within a year I was moving to Los Angeles to do make-up professionally. 

BM: How easy or hard was it to break into such a competitive industry?

PW: It definitely wasn't easy.  You really do have to pay your dues.  I did a lot of free to low-budget work in the beginning.

BM: Do you have a special "gift" that sets your work apart from the rest? 

PW: Yes, I have the ability to bring out a woman's natural beauty when I do her make-up.  That comes from really listening to what her needs are.  Most make-up artists want to just paint and create what they feel is beautiful.

BM: How did you come about creating your own custom pressed powder?

PW: My powders were created out of frustration from working with so many other cosmetic lines on the market.  None of the colors seemed to work well with my clientele.  They were either too red, too pink, or too ashy.  I knew I needed to have a powder that had a warm yellow tone to it.  So I started researching to find out what I needed to do.

Laila Ali applying Phaedra Beauty Pressed Powder with a brush

BM: Your work is well known throughout the entertainment industry.  Who have been some of your favorite clients to work with?

PW: One of my favorites has been Laila Ali.  Her face is so easy to make-up.  It's always easy when your subject is as beautiful as her.

BM: How do you define succcess? If there was anything that you could do differently on your road to success, what would it be and why?

PW: If I were to define success, it would have to be when a complete stranger recognizes you or the work that you've done.  It tends to throw you off a bit.  I don't know if I'd do anything differently.  Sometimes I wonder why certain things take so long to achieve.  Then I have to just remember that it's not in my timing it's in God's timing.

BM: Phaedra, it has been an absolute pleasure speaking with you today.  We wish you continued success!

To find out more about Phaedra, please visit her website at

http://www.phaedrabeauty.com or via email info@phaedrabeauty.com  

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BEST BUDGET BRONZERS FOR BROWN SKIN

By Beauty Expert & Contributor Tracey Brown

Who said that bronzer was only for those of the fairer persuasion?  Bronzer can cure a world of evils for brown skinned beauties.  Not only is bronzer your go-to for your "bronzed goddess look", but a matte bronzer is a suitable stand-in for foundation.  It's the ideal subtle contour product.  Bronzer wakes up skin, and with a dose of shimmer, makes even the laziest complexion come to life.

I have road tested my share of bronzers, and I have my picks for the best in budget bronzers.

Tips:

• Apply bronzer where the sun would naturally hit -- forehead, cheeks, nose.
• For contour use, apply bronzer around jawline and in on cheeks.
• Apply a pop of blush on top of bronzed cheeks for perfect color.
• Use your bronzer to even out swimsuit lines after a day in the sun
• Apply bronzer for foundation with a powder brush for even coverage; a fan or angled blush brush for contouring

1.  Bronzer as blush -- Black Opal Mosaic Fusion Bronzer  

2. Bronzer that glows -- Mabelline Dream Mousse Bronzer, Sun glow

3.  Bronzer to brighten skin -- Rimmel Natual Bronzer Sheer Bronze, Sun Bronze

4.  Bronzer for contour -- Wet n Wild Coloricon in Goddess  

5.  Bronzer layered with blush -- Iman Sheer Finish Bronzer 

My bronzer picks:

MASTER CLEANSE- YOUR 1ST STEP TO PORE-FECTION

By Contributing Beauty Expert and Advisor Tracey Brown

Contrary to popular belief, there is a proper way to wash your face.  If you cleanse and shortly thereafter feel like your ponytail is giving you a facelift, then you are probably doing something wrong.

While we equate loads of lather with squeaky-clean skin, in actuality too much lather is most likely too much of a good thing— it strips the skin of it’s natural ph level.   Ph?  Yes—flash back to chemistry 101.  Our skin is acidic and soaps are alkaline.  So when we use soap, particularly a bar soap, on our delicate facial skin, we are not doing our skin a favor.

Instead look for cleansers that effectively wash your skin and at the same time protect your moisture levels.  Fortunately, there is a cleanser for every skin type and concern and we have whittled down your choices to the best of the best.

1.  Anti-aging Cleanser

For: Fine lines, discoloration, and uneven texture

Try: Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser $30

This non-drying formula is strong enough to remove makeup, but gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. African red tea strengthens the skin’s outer layer, slows the aging process, calms and soothes the skin.

2.  Exfoliating Cleanser

For: Lackluster appearance, clogged pores

Try: Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser $29.95

This cleanser improves clarity, unclogs pores, reduces dullness, exfoliates dead cells, smoothes dryness, lines & wrinkles, and reveals fresh, new skin.  And it’s vegan.

3.  Acne Cleanser

For: Mild to moderate acne

Try:  CoralActives™ Retinol Exfoliating Cleanser $22

Contains sea whip extract, known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties and mild cleansers, retinol for deeper cleansing and very fine micro-beads to help exfoliate the skin.

4.  Organic Cleanser

For:  All skin types, anti-aging

Try: Vapour Organic Beauty Clarity Cleansing Oil $26

This makeup removing cleansing oil is a blend of Organic Camellia oil to keep skin bright, toned, and balanced, and Organic Evening Primrose oil, rich in anti-aging EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids) to lock in moisture and boost skin elasticity.

5.  Cleansing Towelettes

For:  All skin types

Try: Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes $12

These gentle wipes remove makeup and impurities from face and eyes, nature's way—with a blend of aloe vera, chamomile, cucumber, and vitamin E.

6.  Cleansing Bar

For: Anyone who can’t break the habit of a bar soap

Try: Amore Pacific Treatment Cleansing Soap $40

A luxurious, skin-softening botanical soap with essential oils such as tea tree, clove bud, lavender, and geranium oils to provide soothing aromatherapy benefits and olive and sunflower seed oils to provide intense moisture to skin.

5 STEPS TO 'WINTERIZE' YOUR SKIN

By Contributing Writer Tracey Brown

While the winter chill may give you a rosy glow, the harsh climates of the season dictate an upgraded skin care regimen to keep skin in prime condition.  Try these 5 steps to keep your glow.

1.  Try a creamy cleanser

Contrary to popular belief, dry skin isn’t the only one that benefits from a creamy cleanser.  An oil-based cleanser leaves the skin with it’s natural moisture barrier intact.

2.  Bump up your moisturizer

Even if you have oily or acne-prone skin, your skin needs hydration. Look for ingredients in your moisturizer like hyalronic acid, which holds water in the skin. Or shea butter, which despite it’s name, does not clog pores.

3.  Protect your lips

Use an emollient lip treatment or lip balm even when home.  Heating in the home can cause lips to dry out.  Look for cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, coconut oil and beeswax as the first ingredients in your lip treatment.

4.  Don’t forget your hands

Washing and sanitizing hands during the winter months can take an extra toll if you do not apply a hand cream that penetrates the skin.  And when you leave home, wear gloves!

5.  Decrease your time in the bath or shower

To avoid dehydrated skin, nix long soaks in the tub or extra-long showers in winter months.  Additionally, turn down the temperature on your water to benefit your skin.  Moisturize your entire body while moist for optimal product penetration.

The good news is whether you have a champagne or beer budget, you can easily find the products you need for your best winter skin online or in your favorite neighborhood drugstore.

MASTER YOUR BEAUTY PLAN FOR 2011

By contributing writer Tracey Brown

We are not only ushering in a new year, but a new decade. Just as you organize your professional and personal life, you should do the same with your beauty regimens and goals.  

One of the tools I use for measuring my accomplishments is to review my goals from the previous year and see how I stacked up.  Take a moment and do this. Did you plan to lose weight?  Work out?  Save money?  What were your successes?  Where do you need improvement?

So this is my challenge to you: set your beauty goals.  They can be as simple or complex as you deem necessary. 

Some examples:

I will use sunscreen daily.

I will get a facial every three months.

I will cleanse and treat my skin at night.

I will update my makeup choices.

I will not leave the house without my “signature” makeup.

Many of you are probably well aware of the marketing acronym ROI—Return on Investment.  I challenge you to investment in yourself.  Set your beauty budget.  Plan for the basics.

Your basic list of beauty necessities:

1.  Skin

·         Cleanser

·         Moisturizer/sunscreen

·         AM treatment

·         Pm treatment

·         Eye cream

·         Extra—monthly or quarterly facial treatment with a professional

2.  Makeup

·         Foundation, tinted moisturizer

·         Concealer

·         Powder

·         Blush

·         Brow enhancer

·         Lip color

·         Extra—Professional eyebrow shaping, professional makeup application

3.  Hair

·         Weekly washing and conditioning

·         Monthly deep conditioning

·         Bi-monthly trims

So take baby steps.  Start with your daily goals and work your way up.  Next thing you know it will be 2012 and you will have an even more beautiful you.

Here’s to looking and feeling fabulous in 2011!

SHERRELL DORSEY PROVES THAT BEAUTY IS NOT ONLY SKIN DEEP...

By Editor-n-Chief, Shawn Chavis

If someone asked what your concept of beauty is, what would you say? Would you answer looks, what's on the inside, or a person's fashion statement?  Beauty expert Sherrell Dorsey's answer would be "all of the above."  I had the honor of chatting with Sherrell to find out more about her personal road to beauty.   A natural beauty expert, writer, speaker, and entrepreneur, Sherrell's concept of beauty began at a young age when she began working in her Aunt's salon.  During this time, Sherrell learned all there was to know about preserving the image that a woman shows to the world. 

Sherrell utilized her passion for health, beauty, and fashion to educate herself in all areas; so after completing her degree in International Trade and Marketing (for the Fashion industries) at the Fashion Institue of Technology in NYC, Sherrell enrolled in the prestigious Aveda Institute to receive her aesthetics license.  Sherrell's mission was clear- to live beautiful and show others how to do so as well- by informing her community about the dangers of living a toxic lifestyle, while offering solutions on how to become healthier.

Shortly after, Sherrell knew it was time to create her own beauty empire that focused on educating women who were inexperienced in the health and wellness industry.  Fulfilling her dreams, Sherrell continues to educate women around the world through her workshops, articles and projects that help them to achieve beauty and wellness through positive guidance and holistic remedies.  With entrepreneurship being a main focus, Sherrell continues to write for popular blogs and magazines and is currently working on her new book and the opening of her own beauty store that will continue to teach others to Live Beautiful.

For more information on Sherrell and her services please visit her websites at:

 http://www.sherrelldorsey.com/

http://organicbeautyvixen.com/