SHOOT DAY!!!
I’ve been planning this shoot for months and the day was finally here!!
The day before the shoot, I ran around town grooming my eyebrows, adding some lashes and polishing those nails. I even added some hair before the shoot. Once we all arrived, we smelled the aroma of hot curling and flat irons burning as Janet patiently tried to add some body and bounce to her tresses — by any means necessary. Powder scattered and eyeshadow sprinkled as Sharise transformed her eyelids into a jewel-tone, golden hue. Meanwhile, Réal was on a rampage looking for something, anything to pin her dress in the back –she lost a lot of weight and needed a snug fit on her newly petite physique.
I asked, “Réal are you ready?”
She answered, “I have to put on my eyebrows and my lips, then I’ll be ready.”
I just laughed. I love girl talk.
I filled in my eyebrows and made sure my bold, bright lips were luscious. I even changed my lip color since, I didn’t think it was the right shade of purple. I added a fuschia-pink color, but everyone was convinced that it was still the same purple hue. (eh, I tried.)
Here’s the first photo. L to R: Sharise, Rashidah (I’m cheesing mad hard), Janet and Real
Réal said the best part of the shoot was vibing to good music with good people. She also said that it is always fun to feel like a celebrity for a day – getting all dolled up and striking your best pose, of course.
“The vibe of the shoot was fun and over the top. I really enjoyed myself. The best part was striking a pose. It really allowed me to bring out my personality among the three other women.”
L to R: Sharise, Real, Rashidah, Janet
Janet thought the best part of the shoot was being able to freestyle our poses and just move to the music. And, boy, did I freestyle. 
And, this is why we love beauty and fashion:
“It allows you to express yourself in a non-verbal way. You can have five different women in the same dress; but, allow them to choose their own accessories, hair and make-up and you will see five different looks.”
“Fashion and beauty are art, and as with most art forms, you can use both to express who you truly are. Beauty isn’t about the products you put on your face; but the pleasure you get from indulging in things that please you. Fashion is what you wear from season to season. Style is how you use fashion to bring the inward you outward — and it is eternal.”
-Réal
“I love beauty and fashion because it is so subjective. There are no rights or wrongs, it’s a personal reflection of who you are and how you feel. It affects your mood and when you think you look great; you’ll always feel great.”
L to R: Sharise, Rashidah, Janet, Real
I consider myself a very personable being, but sometimes it’s hard to connect with someone on even the most simplistic level…. that is until you give someone a compliment. If you are in an elevator with a client and stuggling with small talk, compliment his tie or rave about her skirt and instantly, you will break the ice, loosen stress and be able to connect. More often than not, you’d find out that the tie was a gift from a cousin who traveled to Milan or the skirt was the last item at a Tory Burch sample sale that was snagged for 80% off.
The other day, my Asian manicurist ate the most smelly, black soup-like substance. She leaned in and whispered, “It’s for youth. See, I’m 55 and I don’t have any grey hair.” Instantly, we connected and I learned what I needed to keep my strands from going colorless.
“I love beauty and fashion, because of the bridge that connects people living in different worlds, both figuratively and literally. It helps you to identify. If you put a woman from each country in a room and ask for the secret to staying youthful and beautiful; honey, you better get a pen and pad, ’cause you won’t be able to retain all of the information that resulted from that conversation. Women love to share…. more distinctively, women love to share fashion and beauty advice.”
Top Row L to R: Janet, Sharise; Bottom Row L to R: Real, Rashidah
We are all really passionate about and dedicated to Beyond Black Beauty. I have very little time between living, loving, playing and working. But, a huge chunk of my free time is devoted to researching material, liasing with the writers and updating this site frequently. Look out for the Beyond Black Beauty staff writers. This year, we will keep our eyes on the streets and our ears to the waves to bring you the most funky and fresh updates in beauty, fashion, style and relationships.
It’s me, Rashidah!
And, I applaud the people that made this day come together:
Photography provided by Sean Carter Photography - hit like on his Facebook Page.
Shirts were designed by This Respek Wear - also hit ’em up on Facebook and Twitter. (FYI: Women’s line coming soon.)
Check out more photos here
GIVEAWAY: I would like one lucky winner to receieve a $50 Sephora Gift Card. Enter the giveaway by sharing your beauty secrets in the comments section of this post.
MANDATORY ENTRY: You must follow @ByondBlckBeauty on Twitter and/or like Beyond Black Beauty on Facebook. This contest is open to United States residents and will close on Monday, July 30. I will announce the winner on Tuesday, July 31. The winner will be chosen at random and notified via e-mail.
I loved this piece…I felt the great energy and good vibes through the words and the smiles. My favorite line was about breaking the ice with a compliment, thats so True! Good work ladies…I’ll def be staying tuned
You ladies look amazing!!! Werk!!
Great post!!! Everyone looks AMAZING!! Awesome giveaway!! I hope I win
My beauty secrets consist of cleansing my face twice a day and moisturize my face with Cetaphil moisturizer each day. When I do put on make up I use smashbox primer, a light foundation, and sephora brand blush. To complete my look I apply Dior lip gloss to my lips 
XoXo,
Ashley
ASassyWoman.Com
You ladies look hot!
Beauty secret– I make sure to wash my face before bed EVERY night– no skipping– even when I get home at 3am.
You guys look great!!
Fun times! I had a blast doing this shoot.
Love the story and the pics are awesome!
Whoops forgot to share my beauty tip. The importance of hydration can be stressed enough. Just think a raisin is basically a dehydrated grape. Which would you rather be?
Just lovely. .I pic of myseLf n pink i could airbrush right in their!
My beauty secrets follow the K.I.S.S. rule – I tend to wash my hair at night, and then tie it up loosely so that is dries in waves. I very rarely use a blowdryer or straighter, so my hair has very few split ends. For make up, a little under eye concealer, neutral shadows and shimmer highlight, a few coats of mascara and lipgloss and I’m good to go!
P.S. LOVE LOVE LOVE the photos
The pics look fabulous!!! My beauty tip is simply to moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize some more….lol!!
The pictures look fabulous, the four ladies representing black beauty are truly phenomenon.
One of my ultimate beauty secrets is sticking to the basics. For example I am a NIVEA freak – if I don’t put it on instantly after the shower my skin feels weird. BUT as a result I’ve always had very soft skin — a basic, not very expensive moisturizer sometimes does the trick – XX
My beauty secret is that I use vaseline on my lips to keep them moisturized.
austma7@aol.com
my beauty secret is to put lash primer on my eyes before mascara so they will separate better.following you on twitter @aes529 and I like you on fb. thank you!
My secret — make it look like you’re wearing no makeup at all. Flawless, but understated is best!
You all look amazing! My beauty secret is to eat lots of fruits and vegetables! I like Beyond Black Beauty on Facebook and my FB name is Amanda Moore
You all look fantastic!
My secret is to use mineral makeup; I think it makes one look so much younger.
(follow on twitter @sableonblond)
I follow on twitter – crunchyngreen and my beauty tip is to always always moisturize! And dont over pluck your eyebrows lol
theconners3@yahoo.com
Following on twitter
FB liker.
My beauty secret is to use Aquaphor as lip balm
My secret is more is less esp for the summer. Less makeup but still look pretty. My email is charlinewilliams60@gmail.com and I am following on facebook
like on facebook (michelle b) and one beauty tip is that I grew up watching my mother and grandmother use olay moisturizer and I use it also to keep my skin looking youthful
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
This post just made my day. Black Beauty @ it’s best.. I miss you guys. Keep up the good work!!!!
My beauty secret: keep the skin exfoliated, drink water, wear sunscreen daily, just be gentle to your skin, and smile! Happiness is great for skin.
Follow on TW as lulu_brown24.
“Liked” FB fan page as Lisa Brown.
Thank you!
email: jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
Hey ladies you guys look great !!! and keep spreading good ideas and great beauty secrets ,
Beauty is definitely defined by the inner you so expressing yourself is sharing your beauty,
Remove all makeup before bed & plenty of water =)
I follow on twitter as Kleemorris. My tip is to mousturize more than seems reasonable!
blue65829 at aol dot com
twitter follower
Pick me! You look awesome in the shoot, btw – glad the t-shirts came out well
exfoliating once a week!:) very important!
You girls look super great in this shoot, Love all the dresses. But where was Jadie!!! I love her style in the Meet the writers!
twitter follower @meandbells
fb fan courtney bella
I thought there were 5 writers? non the less girls look nice. FB fan. Tshirts are really cute. you guys should sell them.
I always wash my face before bed and MOISTURIZE! It is so important!
Sls450 is following ByondBlckBeauty on Twitter.
like Beyond Black Beauty on Facebook.
Y’all look beautiful! I love the.article! And Rash, you know my secret to non wrinkle skin is using baseline daily on my.body instead of lotion.
Vaseline*
I like you on FB — Crave to Save
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
This is awesome!! I like you guys on FB via Amy Zak.
Thank you for the giveaway.
Following you on twitter as @amyorvin
2dogs5catscrew@att.net
First of all, awesome pictures ladies. You guys look great!
My beauty secrets pretty much consist of keeping my skin radiant and clear with my Clarisonic Mia and enhancing my natural features with makeup. My brows must always be shaped and as you guys already know, I love to add drama with bright lipstick and blush!
I followed you on twitter @markandrachel
rachelmarietravis at gmail dot com
Great pics! Just stumbled on your site an I’m hooked.
My surprising beauty routine was a super cheap ting at Trader Joe’s! They have a awesome facial motion that’s light & works wonders. I use it every night after I wash my face. Best part its under 5$!!
I stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.
Following on twitter (clc408)
My beauty secret is using white eyeliner on my bottom lashes to give my eyes that extra pop. Also using a strong moisturizer at night after toner gives skin some glow the next morning!
I like you on facebook as Dee G. btw.
You all look wonderful! I always drink lots of water and keep my face and lip moisturized through out the day.