You can visit my blog daily at www.xoxo-brosia.blogspot.com and subscribe to my You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/user/xGOLDn.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/user/prettysecretAZ!

The headband that I’m wearing is from Parker Couture. Visit www.parkercouture.com for accessories and much more.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/user/prettysecretAZ!

Don’t forget to subscribe to my You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/user/prettysecretAZ!

While there are no “rules” to makeup, guidelines can certainly be helpful; especially concerning brows, which can make or break your look! I’m always learning new techniques and wish to share them with you all! Cheers to finding “your” perfect brow!

Don’t forget to subscribe to my You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/user/prettysecretAZ!

I’m going to Walt Disney World soon! I want to enjoy myself and not worry about my makeup! But being a makeup artist and makeup lover, no makeup is not an option! LOL! Here’s a very simple vacation makeup tutorial. Let me show you how to put the perfect vacation look together with a few key products.

Products used:
MAC NW45 select cover concealer
MAC NW40 select cover concealer
MAC Mineralize skinfinish, deep dark
MAC Mineralize skinfinish, Comfort
MAC Cork lipliner
Nicka K lipliner Nude
Covergirl wet slicks lipgloss

Don’t forget to subscribe to my You Tube Channel at www.youtube.com/user/prettysecretAZ!

Dates for April classes are now available. Enroll while there’s still room! And stay tuned for a Jennifer James class near you! For more information, visit www.jenniferjamesbeauty.com.

Subscribe to my You Tube Channel at www.youtube.com/user/prettysecretAZ!

A Word For My Sistas: How old were you when you started doing makeup?

Jennifer James: I started my career as a makeup artist at 19-years-old; about a year after I moved to New York to pursue modeling. I’ve always kept tons of makeup, brushes, and tools. So there I went.

A Word For My Sistas: What are your personal tricks for flawless makeup?

Jennifer James: My number one trick would probably be prepping the skin with cleansing, moisturizing, and applying a foundation primer. My favorite is Smashbox Photo Finish. Well prepped skin is essential for flawless makeup.

A Word For My Sistas: Do you find it harder being a makeup artist in Detroit versus being a makeup artist in cities such as New York or Los Angeles?

Jennifer James: Yes, it’s more difficult to be a makeup artist in a city that is considered a smaller market. Also, there are fewer options in the industries of entertainment and fashion in smaller markets. Larger markets like New York and Los Angeles will have more competition as well, which keeps you on your toes and able to make your mark with good work and pure hustle! In the past few years, I’ve been able to travel quite a bit for work. You definitely would rather be located in a larger market.

A Word For My Sistas: What advice would you give to an aspiring makeup artist such as myself?

Jennifer James: I would say to extend your opportunities to learn more and more by doing makeup as much as possible; reading anything and everything related to makeup, cosmetics, techniques, tips, tricks, industry trends, product development, new technologies in cosmetic chemistry, and product knowledge across the board. Lastly, test, test, and test! No better way to gauge your progress than seeing your work through different photographer’s interpretations.

A Word For My Sistas: Who influenced you the most to become a makeup artist?

Jennifer James: My biggest influence to become a makeup artist was my big sister Anna. We are six years apart and she gave me a first hand look into the life of a fashionista and everything that comes with that; the clothes, magazines, makeup, the celebrities, and the top models. She exposed me to everything glamour and I just fell in love with it all.

A Word For My Sistas: Describe your first experience doing makeup for a fashion show.

Jennifer James: In my first fashion show, I assisted a very experienced makeup artist named Peter Black for a New York designer friend of his named Bethany Marqese.` I remember the look being sun-kissed, tan skin, bare eyes, except for tons of mascara (top & bottom) lots of blush and bronzer, and glossy sheer red lips without lip liner. She was showing a resort line, hence the look. I was given four models. It went great and I worked with Peter several times after that.

A Word For My Sistas: What is your favorite eye shadow?

Jennifer James: No doubt that my favorite eye shadow is Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eye shadow by Make Up For Ever. It’s amazing because of how long lasting it is and it can be used as a base.

A Word For My Sistas: What brand of foundation do you use in your makeup kit?

Jennifer James: I have several types of foundation that I love to use. Ultra Foundation Stick by Kryolan, Moisturizing Foundation Stick by Black Opal Cosmetics, and Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. I love all of these brands because of the vast color selections, for the coverage, and for the wear.

A Word For My Sistas: What do you look for in a makeup model?

Jennifer James: Makeup models should always have healthy clear skin. I also like models with striking features, strong looks, exceptional bone structure, and a long neck. I also look for large eyes that are wide-set, full lips, and a large eyelid. I think these things showcase makeup the best.

A Word For My Sistas: What’s the best way to match a models foundation?

Jennifer James: Basically, I will eyeball the range that I believe the model falls into. Then I will grab three shades that fall into this range. I then apply a stripe of the foundations to the model’s cheek, near their chin. Give the foundations about a minute to oxidize because that causes them to darken a bit. Then, I select whichever shade come the closes to disappearing into the skin. I use this method for everyone I do makeup for.

To learn more about Jennifer James, visit www.jenniferjamesbeauty.com.

In this video, I discuss business cards, building your portfolio, and networking. All of which are very important! There is more to come! The more I learn, the more I want to share! Stay tuned!!!

Subscribe to my You Tube Channel at www.youtube.com/user/prettysecretAZ!

FACEBOOK GROUPS:
www.facebook.com/Makeup Artist Maximizing Our Talents
www.facebook.com/Michigan Models, Photographers, Hair, Makeup, Artists!

THE GLAM DOCTOR:
www.facebook.com/The Glam Doctor

GET THE BOMB BUSINESS CARDS FROM F ALAN:
F Alan Young

CHECK OUT:
www.modelmayhem.com

A Word For My Sistas: When did you realize that you wanted to become a makeup artist?

Rashida Williams: I didn’t know! Lol! Makeup wanted me more than I wanted it. In 1998, I started pretty much with family and friends asking me to do their makeup. It went from that to me doing my first wedding in June, 2001. After that, all of my jobs for the first 4 or 5 years were mostly word of mouth. In 2006, a nice young lady name Valencia Robertson saw something in me and told me that she wanted to do a website for me once I got a catchy name. At the time, I was going by the name “Exquisite Looks by Rashida” and she hated the name. Lol! She said it wasn’t catchy and she wouldn’t do a site for me until I had a catchy name. It wasn’t until 8 months later that I was nicknamed the “Dr. of Glam” by my friend Darrell Cannon. The rest is history.

A Word For My Sistas: What is your favorite makeup brand?

Rashida Williams: To be honest Tiffany, I don’t really have a favorite brand. I love something in most of every makeup line; from the department store to the $1 store. I will say though that I gravitate more to Black Opal & L’Oreal brands the most.

A Word For My Sistas: What are your personal must have items for your makeup kit?

Rashida Williams: I MUST have Telescopic Mascara by L’Oreal and my Milani Eyebrow Pencil in dark brown and I must fill in my brow with Maybelline medium brown eyebrow pencil.

A Word For My Sistas: Did you go to cosmetology school and would you advise other aspiring makeup artist to go?

Rashida Williams: No, I never went to any school. I have taken a lot of courses. To be honest, the people that I know that have been to these “schools” are not any better off than those that don’t. I think it’s just preference and perhaps the way that you may learn. I was always a look and learn kind of girl. If you show me or if I see it done, I can duplicate it.

A Word For My Sistas: Have you ever been star struck by any of the celebrities you have worked with?

Rashida Williams: Actually, because I have been around celebrities way before makeup, I have never been star struck. I truly look at them as a client and I treat them just as good as I do all of my clients. I’ve been pretty blessed to work with some very gracious celebrities. I haven’t had too many diva experiences.

A Word For My Sistas: How important is networking in the business?

Rashida Williams: Networking for me is right up their with skill level. I have been blessed to be very, very, successful because of my ability to do great networking. I learned how to properly network in my early 20’s when I was the booking manager for a group that I sung in. Networking can’t be fake and phony. It has to be genuine and not too forced. People can see right through that. Do NOT brown nose. Just be genuinely nice to people and it will open up doors for you.

A Word For My Sistas: Have you ever considered developing your own line of makeup?

Rashida Williams: I would love to have my own line of cosmetics one day. But the timing has to be right and so does the product. I would like to have a hands on approach when it comes to what I want for a cosmetic line. I want my line to have several components to it.

A Word For My Sistas: What are your goals this year and the years beyond when it comes to your makeup career?

Rashida Williams: My goal for this year is to step out and do makeup full-time. To be able to get much more training for where I know that God is taking me; to be a better mentor to those who seek it, and to see my “Beyond The Brush” program take off and soar. “Beyond The Brush” is an aspect of my business that deals with inner beauty radiating on the outside for women and teens.

A Word For My Sistas: If you could give just one piece of advice for aspiring makeup artist like myself, what would it be?

Rashida Williams: To thine ownself be true. Do it because you are passionate about it. Don’t get into the makeup business just to make money. Get and invest in as much training as you can and it will show in your work. Find a mentor and study them and pick their brain.

A Word For My Sistas: What’s it like to have your dream career? Is it really as much fun as it seems?

Rashida Williams: Funny you ask that, because this was not my dream career. My dream career was acting and singing. Lol! However, once I got into this, I have come to love it. I absolutely love helping women feel great about themselves. I love doing private makeup lessons for a woman who has never worn makeup and to see her do it herself and feel confident is amazing. For me, makeup makes me feel confident and confident!! I am having lots of fun as I get to meet so many amazing people such as you. I get to go places I would have never gone. I get to see all kinds of things.

To learn more about Rashida Williams, visit www.theglamdoctor.com.