Brain Droppings: Watch Night Service

Brain Droppings: Watch Night Service

Foundations and Where to Start

Picture Styled by: Sibella Court
Article written by: Seidah Nichols, The Makeup Professional

Let’s face it. It is hard to find the right foundation out there for women of color. Not to mention all the different brands to choose from, and options like powder, liquids, creams etc. It can all be extremely overwhelming. So here are a few tips and some advice to take with you the next time you go shopping for makeup.

1-HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS MY SHADE?
First off let me say this: DO NOT pick a shade based on the lighting in the store! Most stores use florescent lighting which will not give you a realistic look at how well the makeup matches your skin tone. Pick three shades that you think are closest to your skin tone and apply a stripe of each to your jaw line. Make sure you carry a pocket mirror and shop for foundation in the day time so that you can go outside in the natural light and see how well the makeup REALLY matches your complexion. The shade that you can not see is the right shade for you. Remember the makeup should blend into your skin. It should not be obvious that you are wearing makeup.

2-LIQUIDS, POWDERS AND CREAMS, OH MY!
You have to start off by deciding what type of coverage you want. Do you want sheer coverage, medium coverage or full coverage? Most people who think they need full coverage can actually use a concealer to hide those trouble spots, like under the eyes or blemishes, and then follow up with a tinted moisturizer.
After you narrow down the brand you want to use, then you can decide what type of coverage that brand offers. Tinted moisturizers are usually the lightest coverage available. It’s a foundation and moisturizer in one step which can be pretty convenient to those of us with time restraints.
Liquid foundations take some time to apply because you want make sure you blend it in properly. Trust, you do not want to leave to house spotty looking.
Powders are good for those of us who don’t want to feel like you are wearing makeup. Use a FACE brush when applying powder foundation for complete control over the coverage you want.
Creams are a blend between powders and liquids and can seem heavy if you don’t apply it correctly. I suggest using your fingers rather than those useless sponges that come with your makeup. Remember when using your finger to apply makeup, PAT it into your skin for a more blended look. Never RUB!
It is really all about preference so I suggest trying all different options of foundation. And you do not have to buy it to try it. Most stores will give you FREE samples so don’t be afraid to ask for them. Wear it for a day and see which one fits your lifestyle best.

3-TWO-TONED SKIN
A lot of Sisters face the problem of two-toned skin, which can be a real headache when shopping for makeup. I suggest you pick the tone that takes up the majority of your face and matches closest to your neck, and then pick a foundation based on that.

Other tips:

-Do not pick a shade by matching it to the back of your hand. The skin on you face and your hand are not the same.

-Go shopping for make up, with no makeup on. That way you are matching the shade to YOUR natural skin tone. So break out the big shades!

-Remember NEVER buy makeup the same day. Get samples and try them out first. You never know. You’re skin may have some type of reaction to the foundation.

My Brand Highlight: Becca Cosmetics. Becca has the widest range of shades I have seen on the market. From butter pecan to the darkest chocolate you will definitely find your shade. Check them out at www.beccacosmetics.com

If you have any questions about this article or other beauty concerns, you can contact me at TheMakeupProfessional@hotmail.com
You can also check out my Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/professionalmua

Queens always put their best Face Forward!!
This is The Makeup Professional signing off

California Socialite: Phnewfula

This week we are featuring the who is who of California:

Phnewfula hails at West Hollywood, California. She is a successful boutique store owner, and definitely someone to have in your inner circle.

This Leo lioness has the following motto: "Yes, as a matter of fact, I can!"

She has the following in her music collection: Kanye West for motivation, Bjork or Portishead for creativity, and Fairfied Baptist Church Choir for thankfulness and reflection on my blessings.

Her hobbies: Eating, cooking, and anything involving a beach!

Where you most likely find her, when she is not jet-setting: Table 8 in Los Angeles, India House in Chicago, Taverna Opa in Miami, Busy Bee in atlanta, and Victors in NY!

On her bookshelf: Super Self by Charles J Givens

Her passion: Her passion is Foster Children. She does clothing drives for them several times a year and she also has them come see what she does in hopes that she is providing some sort of inspiration.

If she had one wish it'd be: "I wish I could solve the self esteem issues that plagues our youth, both male and female. It leads us to so much destructive behavior, forcing us to make very bad decisions."

Her strength: Her ability to dream, and believe. She believes her ultimate strength is her willingness to take chances. And her safety net is her faith in God. She believes that this allows her to push past any thoughts of failure and find a way to succeed.

What makes her an IT girl: Phnewfula had the choice to remain on a very secure well paying job, or risk it all and go after her dreams. She risked it all, and went after her dreams.

How she deals with her rivals: I pray that God gives me the strength to pray for them, if not I usually just ask him to help me ignore them!

Relationship status: Sorry guys! Phnewfula is off the market.

But even though she is off the market, she offered this advice to her peers:
"Being with a high profile man doesn't really matter. It's important to be with someone who understands and respects what you do. You may find that the man at the post office understands and is more supportive than the high profile exec that looks good on paper or in your social circles. We sometimes tend to be to concerned with how we "look" with our significant other instead of how well the relationship will work with this person. We don't realize that what actually looks good is having a healthy marriage and not getting divorced!"

Where you can find her shopping? Well of course you can find her shopping at the very store she owns -The Red Lemon Store.

Her personal style: Her personal style depends on her mood. She loves dresses with chucks and mini skirts with high platform heels.

Social Status: If you haven't already guessed, this Californian socialite is considered an IT Girl that everyone gravitates towards.

Must haves for her purse: C.O. Bigelow lip balm in cinnamon or peppermint* Bath & Bodyworks hand sanitizer* Wallet containing business cards/atm card/$20* Neutrogena hand cream* Camera*

Organizations that she is in: Board of Advisors, its an organization of women who take turns giving to make sure the other can succeed. I'm proud to be apart of this organization because it's selfless and you really have to become family for it to work.

You can check her out at her wonderful boutique that stars frequent.

Test of Faith

Limited Faith
by Beverly T. Gooden, Author of Confessions of a Church Girl

The truth of the matter is, I'm a person of limited faith.

What are the limitations, you ask? They are the questions I ask myself that oppose what I believe.

For instance, when I decided to publish my book, I was excited at the idea of making my writings available to the public.

But what if they don't buy it?"

It’s that nagging voice inside your head. You know the one that starts whispering late at night before you drift off to sleep. Those are my limitations. It's true. Throughout my life there have been times when I didn't have confidence in God. Actually, more times than I'd like to count. It's difficult to trust the people I can see let alone someone I've never seen. And so, though I grew up in church and had understanding of simple biblical principles, I found myself not believing.

But therein lies the beauty of faith.

My brother Terrence once wrote: "As we grow up we hear people in the church say ‘don’t question God’. I believe this statement demeans God and His ability to answer."

The beauty of limited faith is that it leaves room for God to answer questions. If we take everything in a "because I said so" manner, then we'll forever be ill equipped to face life's challenges.

So embrace your limitations! Reflect on the burning questions in your heart and seek out the answers. And then we will find the limitations that once existed are slowly beginning to fade away.

Until next time,
Beverly T. Gooden
Your Faith Coach

info@beverlyT.com
www.myspace.com/patmoswarrior
_______________________________
Beverly T. Gooden is the President/CEO of the Beverly T. Gooden Corporation, a global non-profit humanitarian and philanthropic organization with the purpose of promoting healthy lifestyles, emotional wellness, and spiritual enhancement to people of all nationalities and creeds. An award-winning journalist, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Hampton University, and works within her corporation to provide residential housing for homeless and abused children. For more information, visit www.BTGCorp.org.

"Get glammed up on a Budget"

What do you know about AVON??....

Did you know that Avon sells more lipstick than any other competitor?

Did you know that Avon sells more then just makeup?

Did you know that Avon's market is quickly changing?

---Let me start by telling you why I choose to became apart of Avon Company....the company for Women.
Avon Sales Represenatatives have been selling Avon since 1886: this is 34 years before women were given the right to vote. Avon Represenatatives consists of many different women and men, execs, stay-at-home mom's, students, fathers, and men. Avon is a global leader in the fight aganist breast cancer and has recently launched a program designed to help end the cycle of domestic violence. Now that you know a little about the company....let me tell you about our wonderful products...

---MARK..is a newer brand concept added to the AVON family. Mark is an attitude, not an age..Mark is trendy, stylish and adds cutting edge design and technology..Mark was created for women who LOVE fashion, trends and embraces her individuality. Mark has lipstick, lip gloss, blush, eye shadow, accessories and much much more.

---PERSONAL CARE...Is for the body conscious women who want sensually soft skin..With products such as skin so soft, and avon naturals.

---AVON COLOR...Is the "must haves" essentials that make women look and feel positivily beautiful. With foundations,..that match our skin tones, blushes, eye liner and more, in ever changing HIGH-FASHION shades.

Avon offers this and so much more, accessories, products for children and/or that special man in your life. :)

Come and take a look at my online store, at www.youravon.com/kenitabell, take a look around and browse the site...I am sure that you will find something that you would like.

Lastly Socialites, if any of you ladies are interested in

· Unlimited Earnings
· Personal and professional growth
· Recognition and rewards
· Creating your own hours
· Helping others to realize their dreams
· Health and Life Insurance Programs
· Representative Savings Plan

You can became an AVON Independent Representative! Invest $10 to start and you get 50% earnings on Beauty Items on your first four online orders over $50! What a great way to kick off your earnings! Come to my site to get more information.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me, visit my site(www.youravon.com/kenitabell) or myspace page (www.myspace.com/avonandu).

Put your best face forward

Don’t have a lot of time in the morning to put on your face?
Here are 4 simple, quick steps to transform you from bla to BAM!!

1- Concealer: A MUST have!! You don’t need any of those fancy brushes they try to make you buy at the makeup counters. Just use your fingers. Remember a little goes a long way. Dab a little under your eyes or on any blemishes you may have. Don’t rub, PAT and blend away those dark circles and blemishes!
2- Blush: Again you can buy those cream blushes and use your fingers to pat the blush onto the apple of your cheeks. In other words smile and apply the blush right on the balls of your cheeks. Pat and blend, please, no clown faces! lol
3- Mascara: A quick application of Black Mascara opens up your eyes so much. (To avoid clumps clean your mascara wand with dry tissue first to get rid of any dried mascara.)
4- Lip gloss: Pick a lip gloss that you like and use it. My personal favorite: E-mail me and I’ll tell you.

These are four easy, quick steps that will brighten your natural beauty, and have you glowing with little effort!

View some of my work at www.myspace.com/professionalmua

And you can email me at connect2author@thesocialitesguide.com
Queens always put their best Face Forward!
This is The Makeup Professional Signing off

The Importance of Exercise

It has been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, if you eat eight slices of bacon, five pancakes, a bowl of grits, and three biscuits for breakfast, you may have a problem.

As Black women, the risks are higher for us to have high blood pressure, clogged arteries, and strokes. Feeding into those odds by not eating healthy and sporadically exercising make the risks even more deadly.

I'm not saying go on a diet and feed off of celery sticks and carrots. But do take care of your temple (body). The recommended exercise regime to maintain a healthy weight is cardio 30 minutes per day. That can be walking, jogging, biking, swimming, or a treadmill workout. Take the stairs to the executive level floor of your office building. Park in the open spaces further away from the grocery store entrance. Find a workout buddy and meet in the mornings for a 30 minute stroll. Take your kids to the Zoo and make a game of speed walking to see the animals.

Get up and get active!

Because how can we open doors for other Black women if we're not around?

-Beverly T. Gooden