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.
like Beyond Black Beauty on Facebook Susan Smith
My beauty secret is to wash my face twice a day, drink water, and wear a sunscreen daily,
My beauty secret is to always, always wear a primer. yestfl@hotmail.com
I follow ByondBlckBeauty on twitter @smilekisses
I follow you on twitter @anashct3
Thanks for this lovely giveaway!
Email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Followed on Twitter & Liked on FB
My beauty secret: Use aloe vera under your eyes if you have tired/puffy eyes!
Beauty tip- drink more water than you can stand- it definately brightens up your complexion to where it almost glows.
I like Beyond Black Beauty on Facebook. (Deanna Cali)
I don’t really have any beauty secrets, that’s why I love reading beauty blogs!
I follow on Twitter @razzmyberry
follow you on twitter as JT2ofusanddeals
kport207 at gmail dot com
My beauty secret is colored hair powder to sop up oil and keep your hairstyle looking fresh for days on end. Bumble and Bumble makes some great hair powders in lots of different hair colors.
I like you on Facebook (Laura Love)
my secret is to wash your face VERY often
use moisturizer and sunscreen
like Beyond Black Beauty on Facebook
wash face throughout day
I like beyond black beauty on facebook as dario moniz
I like Beyond Black Beauty on Facebook.
dawn reid
I follow @ByondBlckBeauty on Twitter @katier6678
Thanks for the great giveaway
My beauty secret is a bright red lipstick at all times- it really brightens up your face!
I follow on twitter @ExitsAngel
Never sleep in your makeup (will ruin your skin in the long run)
I followed on Facebook and Twitter
My secret is not worrying about looking young but rather, looking classic.
Keep your skin young by moisturizing regularly.
@tamarsw is a Twitter follower.
Coconut oil & olive oil & avocados are great for your skin & hair used as a mask or eaten.
I follow @ByondBlckBeauty on Twitter
I follow ByondBlackBeauty on twitter
@InezCegelis
FB fan- JR Reynolds
Drink lots of water!
My best beauty secret is a tube of vaseline- i use it for dry skin 3x a day and put it on my eye lids at night to make them sparkle.
My beauty secret is to drink white tea and always wear sunscreen.
My beauty secret is this: There is never any reason to put soap on your face or buy any fancy product for cleansing your face. Any plant oil, like jojoba can clean your face, including your makeup. Just rub a small amount of the oil into your skin, splash your face with water, and then remove the oil with a clean washcloth. I find that a dry cloth removes the oil better. Then moisturize.
I like Beyond Black Beauty on Facebook
(SHAYNA BROOKMAN)
shebebes@yahoo.com
I ALSO follow @ByondBlckBeauty on Twitter (@JAIVIANSMOMMY)
shebebes@yahoo.com
My beauty secret is to wash my face , drink water,get plenty of sleep
My beauty secret is to drink lots of water, I also like you on facebook.
I follow on fb and twitter.. becca Peters and @beccapeters1
One of my secrets is to drink plenty of water
xxbeccaannxx@gmail.com
Follow ByondBlckBeauty on Twitter.
Like ByondBlckBeauty on Fb.
i like beyond black beauty on fb under amy deeter
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
My beauty tip: moisturize your face and neck each night to keep skin hydrated.
Like on facebook – Chrystal Jones
Follow on twitter – @chryskay
I follow on Twitter @alliru
My beauty secret is Vaseline! It is a great eye makeup remover, and it’s inexpensive, too!
I always wear sunscreen on my face. It keeps it looking healthy.
My beauty tip is to get plenty of sleep!
follow on fb: julie hawkins
follow on twitter: jhoneypie411
Eating right and exercising is always important for being beautiful.
follow on twitter @thehappyclipper
My tip – always wear sunscreen!
I like beyond black beauty on facebook. i use a moisturizer every day.
beauty secret drink lots of water ty.