Summer Fun

  May was  so hectic. Personally I had my youngest daughter make First Communion. My oldest daughter had prom and graduation, and my middle daughter is a student driver turning 16 in a few months. As for work it started off with a bang. I did makeup on models for a convention that will be held in New York City, sixty people over the month of May. Also I worked on a commercial job for America Makes in Youngstown and saw many future brides for trials.

  I like being busy I am a Gemini and that astronomic sign fits me completely. In a few weeks it will be my Birthday. I love the day and I try to celebrate the whole month. To start off June Cleveland Magazine interviewed me for Rating the Suburbs edition. I spoke about the best foundation and tips for summer application. The magazine is on newsstands now. I am happy with the article and that I was asked for my opinion for it.  

  Summer is a fun time. School is out and of course there are a lot of social gatherings  outdoors. A few items to bring with you should be sunscreen and water. People ask me what to buy to reverse the signs of aging? The answer is hydrate your skin to prevent it from the start. Water is so important! If you’re in the twenty something group use sunscreen and wear a hat. These two things my young friends will save you from visits to the dermatologist office or even the plastic surgeons in the future. 

 Also if you buy foundation with a SPF make sure you still wear sunscreen under it. Makeup isn’t formulated to protect your skin alone. To the men out there reading this they do make non greasy fragrance free sunscreens.  Remember to apply it on your ears and the back of your neck. Skin cancers are common on the nose, ears and top of the head so we need to protect these areas most.  Sunscreen should be used on all skin types light or dark.  If you’re in salt water it is best after you come out to rinse the salt and sand off and re apply new sunscreen.  The sun feels great on our bodies but we have to be smart at keeping our skin healthy. Enjoy the warm weather; I think here in Cleveland  we are  finally warming up and can be out of the house for some fun. 

Cleveland Magazine

Making up models in May

On set at America Makes

Graduation!

Time Marches On

 This week marks a year that Michelle Knight, Gina DeJesus and Amanda Berry were freed from a home here in Cleveland Ohio. Ten and eleven years of being held prisoner these women survived. When I heard this story I felt sick to my stomach. I have daughters and I try to protect them. As small children we tell our kids about stranger danger but this story proves it doesn't always have to be a stranger to be a bad guy.

  A month ago I worked with the Dr. Phil show. At first  I had no idea of the topic they would speak about.  When I got the call sheet I saw that I was going to be doing makeup on a lawyer Peggy Foley Jones. I had already done Peggy’s makeup a few years ago for an article in Inside Business so I knew a little about her. When I got to the law office I found out she is the lawyer for Michelle Knight.  Peggy was going to be interviewed for a segment on the show.

  Michelle was referred to Peggy and eventually hired her. As I sat there hearing stories about Michelle from the past and today I kept welling up. I am amazed at her strength and endurance. Peggy said when they travel in airports together people continually come up and talk to Michelle. They want to say hello and hug her. 

  Two weeks ago Peggy sent me an email that said she referred me to the Anderson Cooper 360 show to assist Michelle. I was headed to Hawaii so I wasn't able to be there but my Associate Alyson Moss stepped in.  Michelle's book will be released soon and she is talking about her time in captivity to different news outlets. Makeup is so trivial my job tends to be fun but these stories test the makeup by the tears shed, maybe more mine then theirs. 

  I haven't met Michelle but I feel as if I will. Would I know what to say?  I am not sure. I can’t imagine that type of life for eleven years. Missing out on your child's milestones, any education needed to carry you into the future and the worst part treated the way she and the other girls were.  If I was to talk to Michelle I would say "You are  a strong soul, I am amazed at your courage ." Time does march on and Michelle demonstrates what strength she has every time she talks about her captivity. I wish her a lifetime of happiness she deserves it. 

Spring

  Well it has been a very LONG winter and we are all ready to get out of the house.  In the last few weeks I have been busy. I had a cover photo shoot with Inside Business and a video shoot for the Dr. Phil show. I was hoping to meet Dr. Phil to ask him a few of my own questions but he was not at the taping. The episode will air in May nationally. Also my makeup agency is booking clients for 2014 and I am working on other projects.

  Last week I was in New York City with my girls to do some shopping and celebrate.  This year the older girls turn 16 and 18 on their Birthday’s and we had to really make it memorable. Nothing is better than staying at a Times Square hotel and taking in a play. Actually after not agreeing on a production we ended up at a comedy show and FOR sure they won’t forget that weekend.

  We also were able to check out the newest fashions. In stores the clothing they are showing is floral and Aztec prints. Sheer tops in pastel colors are all the rage.  Big bags to carry and printed shoes are seen in many  NYC stores. The weekend  there was busy with marathon runners and St Patrick’s Day celebrations. We were on the go the whole time so it was a good thing New York City does not close.

  I enjoy time with my family and feel blessed I can go away and have some fun. Spring this year is about new beginnings for me personally. In just a few short weeks I will be getting married again and I am so happy to be with a man that I can call my best friend and share life’s moments with.  I wish everyone a Happy Spring!

Inside Business Cover

Prints

Sheer

A great time!

Deja’ Vu

  While growing up in Cleveland, we had a morning show called The Morning Exchange.  It was hosted by Fred Griffith after the original host, Alan Douglas left months after it debuted.  Joel Rose and Liz Richards also were added.  Over the course of 27 years, Fred remained and had a few other co-hosts.  Both Robin Swoboda and Connie Dieken were part of this show at some point.  I watched each morning getting ready for school in the 1970’s.  At that time, celebrities would actually travel into town to be interviewed.  Authors would sit and chat about their newest novel and callers would call in and ask questions to experts talking about domestic problems.  It was all live and right downtown on Euclid Avenue.

 As a youngster I thought, how cool would it be to be at the station meeting all these interesting people? All the important people sat on the couch to talk to Fred.  Years later, both Connie and Robin  became news anchors at stations in town.  Robin was always funny while Connie was professional and so stunning.  In 2007, I had one of my biggest days ever in my career.  I was on the newest morning talk show, Good Company.  Same format as The Morning Exchange, but on another network. One of the hosts was Fred Griffith.

 Yes, I got to meet FRED GRIFFTH!  I was on to discuss beauty tips and I had 5 minutes to talk on camera... LIVE!  Very bizarre! I was going to be on a show just like I watched as a kid.  Fred was so professional that I wish I had had time to interview him.  I am sure he has stories to tell.  After that segment, I headed over to Baldwin Wallace College to be the stylist for then Senator Barack Obama.  In my eyes, this day was on the top of my list of professional achievements.

 As the years continued I became a regular on Good Company and actually sat on THE couch, a place reserved for only the biggest interviews.  What a thrill!  In 2011, I applied Robin Swoboda's makeup.  She was SO down to earth, living up to ALL my expectations.  In 2012 I met Connie Dieken for a shoot and have been her stylist for many projects in the last few years, so much so I consider her a friend.

 It is truly deja’ vu for me!  As a kid I dreamed of being on TV and thought how cool  these people and their jobs were.  Now I work assisting them.  It just proves that NO dream is unattainable.  You have to fight the odds, take the risk, and put yourself out there.  Lastly BELIEVE in yourself!  It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks about you because they don’t know your story to judge you.  Only you know the odds you have fought to get there.   

http://archive.wkyc.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=133093

Fred

Connie and Me

Robin

WEWS 

My time in the hot seat! Good Company

Eye Candy

Over the course of my career eye makeup has changed so much, from blue eye shadow to the smoky eye. Usually, trends start at Fashion Week and move into the mainstream. Cream and glitter shadows are worn on celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Christine Aguilera. This type of shadow is pretty but I do suggest if you are being photographed by camera phones for an event that you mix in some matte shadow. This will help bring down the shine of the lids.

  First, before you apply any shadow, use an eye shadow primer first. A liquid foundation can also work on your lids, this will help shadow stay placed and not smear or wear off before you want it to. Many cosmetic companies sell lid primer. I like Laura Geller’s it can be found at ULTA stores or on her website. You really don’t want to use more than three colors on your lids. If you do exceed three, it just looks a mess. If you’re afraid of color choices ask for help at the department store or Sephora. Don’t ask the clerk at Walgreen’s; while they are nice, they generally are not trained for this.

 Cream shadows have a nice pearl look to them. I suggest SMASHBOX Limitless it is 15 hour long wear. I use a lot of this product as a base and also alone. It has build able coverage and you can use matte shadows with it. London Butter has an awesome cream shadow called WINK color English Rose It comes in a tube with an applicator. The colors are beautiful and highly pigmented.

 As far as bold colors, Urban Decay has velvety suede shades. Pictured below is Free Love it is a peach color and in this  spring it will be a must have. M A C also has Pigment it is a highly concentrated loose powder shadow.  The gold I have photographed below has a sparkle high shine metal look. It does not streak or smear. I suggest with all shadows you do your eye makeup first to avoid shadow fallout on your foundation under your eyes.

 Eye shadow can look more intense my patting it on and not using brush strokes. It is best to use brushes not a sponge applicator. I hope these tips help you with your eye shadow choices. While I am at the makeup counter, I see the shadow colors and it reminds me of candy; not that it is sweet of course but how I usually can't pick just one.  

Laura Geller

Smashbox

London Butter

Urban Decay

MAC

Freelancing

  I have been working since the age of 12. My first freelance job was babysitting; I found families in the neighborhood or through our church preschool that I helped out with. I was quickly hooked on earning money. Once I was 14 I signed up for a work permit card so I could work at a catering company and from there I haven’t stopped. I loved having spending money as a teenager, then as I grew up working allowed money for  vacations and special items that I wanted for myself or the kids.  When I received my cosmetology and barber’s license I had to work to gain clients and keep them. Even after having children I worked part time so I did not lose clients to other stylist and help provide for my family.

  Freelancing is a great way to make your own schedule, set your own rate. There are draw backs; if you don’t work you don’t get paid. There are NO sick or vacation days and you have to keep every receipt, log all miles and file your own taxes and no health care.

  In fact many freelancers have gone without insurance until healthcare reform. The changes in my opinion are a joke.  When I was married I had coverage, after my divorce I had to pay my own. First it was $115.00 a month for a $2,000 deductible. Then it went to $172.00 and I had to increase my deductible to $5,500 no vision or dental either. This year it went up again, and the free screenings they offer now I had before so big deal.

  Freelancing is hard work in today's economy, finding people to spend money with you and then making a living once you take out  all your cost. In the 26 years of doing my books I have learned to be organized and be able to manage money otherwise those quarter IRS payments will come and you won’t have the payment. If you can manage your business you will be successful. You will have time for family moments and use your money you saved for an AMAZING vacation. 

Brides

Did you get engaged in 2013? Please keep us in mind for your makeup needs on your wedding day.
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