Layla Glam Squad Grand Opening

Last night was the Grand Opening Party for Layla Glam Squad! We all got ready, got our models ready with some crazy avant garde hair and makeup and some body paint of course! We had a lot of amazing people help participate in our event with a caterer and a few local vendors specializing in hair, jewelry, accessories and candied apples! We got all dolled up and was ready to mix and mingle and introduce ourselves as the new salon in town!

Here I am with the lovely ladies, Nita and Ariel, a hair stylist and assistant who specializes in braids.

Here I am with one of the owners, Tasha!

Owners, Tasha and Shareese posing with Shanita in the middle in front of the Chanel Symbol!

To my left, is Keren who is also a makeup artist with Layla Glam and we are with our fabulous models who let us have free reign over their look for tonight with makeup, hair and body paint.

 

I scooped up a pair of really BIG safety Pin earrings from this jewelry vendor, “Hot Trendz Earrings”

You can find them at : Facebook  (click the link to “Like”)

We had some delicious  candied apples provided by: SO Unique Events & Candy Apple

You can find them at : Facebook (click link to “like”)

Shareese is posing with the caterer who served up some good wholesome food! I didn’t get a chance to get her information, but if you are interested you can always leave a comment and I can track her down!

These custom snapbacks and accessories were made by Mirna Calero representing Jacqueline De Nadie.

You can find her custom 757 snapbacks and cute bowtie necklaces on Facebook.

 

I painted some fun and girly designs on myself and our models for the night and we all had a great time. I even took our first client before we opened up! So things are off to a great start! I am excited for the future and what is to come!

I am turning in for the night, but I wanted to share some of the images from last night!

Have a great night and see you soon in the next post or in the salon!

Xoxox, Cecilia Marie

America America

I know what you're thinking...I know I'm like a week late posting this. The 4th was LAST WEEK! I don't want to make up excuses, but I just couldnt get to it all with the kiddos and work and then I was sick last week too. So in case you didn't see enough American Flags this week, you get to see one more! But the way I look at it, is I'm in America, I'm Proud to be an American so I will post this look anyway because it's just too cool not to share!

Products used:

Xotic Eyes: Wonderous Eyes

Custom Flag Lips

Silver Glitter Goo

Dramatic Eye lashes

Here is the video that took me forever to edit! I hope you enjoy watching it, because I enjoyed making it! Stay tuned till the end for Bloopers!

Let me know what you think! I would love to hear from you, leave a comment!

Quote of the day!

Never be afraid to fall apart because it is an opportunity to rebuild yourself the way you wish you had been all along.

Thanks for stopping by! See ya again soon!



XOTIC Eyes



www.xoticeyes.com

So, what is Xotic Eyes? This company was created by the artist Shannon Maxey, who created line of wearable art. You may have seen these products in Halloween Stores, Spencers and other creative stores. What makes this product different from others is that it has a strong bond that allows for it to stick to the skin and also allows for it to be waterproof and sweatproof.

www.xoticeyes.com

Many businesses has ordered these for clients, dance and cheer teams, party stores and many more to follow soon as this trend is catching on with each passing minute! They are also hoping to go bigger with selling to bigger franchises.

www.xoticeyes.com

I had an interview with this fabulous company earlier this week and I am hoping that I will be able to join this awesome family soon after I graduate from Rudy & Kelly Paul Mitchell Academy. I was so inspired while sitting in a room full of glitter, makeup, accessories, blinged out bras and sky high boots, wigs, headpeices, I just knew that I had to share this with my readers and how awesome this is.

www.xoticeyes.com

Many celebrities have been rockin Xotic Eyes, and it is spreading like wild fire across the nation and even internationally and it is all coming to you from my home town, good ol' Virginia Beach.

This goes out to all the artists, MUA's, hairstylists, and anyone crazy or creative who want to add some sprakle and drama, check out Xotic Eyes! You wont be dispappointed.

I am not being paid or sponsored to tell you about this- I just think this company is amazing and I had to share- plus since my interview with them, I have received many questions like "What is Xotic Eyes?", so this post is for you- you can check out more on there website at www.xoticeyes.com

Thanks for stopping by and see you in the next post!

"Never give up. There is no such thing as an ending, just a new beginning."


Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Lawrence Brothers Hair Battle

A few weeks ago, I was invited to work with Yalonda Billings, an amazing stylist from Shadez of Beauty Hair Salon, ( Follow their Facebook) thanks to a friend who recommended me, for the Lawrence Brothers Hair Battle.

She had a Geisha theme, and wanted to have two models body painted to match her theme. I sat down and desigend a few ideas. Here is what I came up with:

Yalonda confirmed the designs, and I got all my supplies needed. I ordered the Best Body Paint, Ben Nye Magicolor Body Paint, ( you see more on that here) and got it two days before the show due to shipping delays because they were waiting on two more colors. 

I had asked a few people to be my assistant, but none of them could make it, so I went solo. Sunday morning, I met at the salon and they treated the crew and models with breakfast complete with eggs, pancakes, sausages, bacon and grits. A perfect start to my day! That was pretty much ALL I ate that day too!

We got to the Hampton Convention Center right before noon and got set up. With all kits in hand, strapped with my makeup bag and painting supplies, I managed to get everything in with one trip also thanks to a few models that helped me carry! Everyone was so nice and really enjoyed meeting everyone!

The set up was really nice for the audience. Although I wish I could say the same thing for the backstage area, we had a section for us that was the size of my bedroom, which is about 11ft by 15 ft and there was what seemed like thirty of us crammed in there!

There was only one outlet too, which made me grateful that I packed a surge protector cord with me with 10 extra outlets which I am sure the stylists were happy about too so everyone could plug in their tools and cell phone chargers! My phone ended up dying and I just tossed it in a bag. hahahaha!

I got to work right away painting my first model, there wasnt alot of space- but we made it work. My airbrush was clogged and I simply didnt even have enough time to switch nozzles or hoses because I had to get the first model done by 4pm for prejudging!

Here is the finished look of the first Geisha- She is wearing underwear but she opted to go topless and we used tape for the top which I painted over. I added more details than my sketch, mainly because the mody is a bigger canvas than my small sketch.

My second model came just after prejudging, so, I got to work on her right away so that we would be done by the time the show started and we were meant to go on. It took about 3 hours- it took me a while mainly because I had to stop and keep mixing colors. But she turned out amazing- she had on underwear and a bra, it was a bit of a challenge to paint over the material of the undergarments, but I got it to work.

Models with Angela Stuckey-winner of the Bronner Brothers Hairshow in Atlanta

The day went by so fast, and by the end of the day , I was exhausted, but still very energized, the atmosphere of the show was just amazing. Once I was done painting and did the neccessary touchups, I went out into the audience to get a quick look around and check out the vendors (which I bought some awesome earrings...Ill save that for the next post)

I ran into some friends from school! Here some photos of me, friends and models of Shadez of Beauty and just pictures of backstage.

Bryant Murphy and I

Rock Mims and I

The performances were simply breathtaking! I loved the whole atmosphere of the show. I was able to watch all 4 top competitors and I was impressed with it all. The costumes, the choreography, THE HAIR, the stage presense......It was sooo exciting. The fashion of all the viewers in the audience too, I was really inspired by all the fashion I saw in the crowds. I saw more people too that I knew in the audience from school.

After the performances, we all waited IMPATIENTLY for them to announce the winners- and Guess What???? The Stylist I worked for, Yalonda from SHADEZ of BEAUTY WON!!!!! We all jumped and screamed and ran on stage- It was soooooooo amazing that all that hard work paid off. I am so happy that I was apart of this team and was able to experience a hair show in my local area.

Yalonda Billups in the middle holding her Prize Check for $10,000

I got a chance to hold the trophy :)

That was my day Sunday, I hope you enjoyed your trip with me! See you in the next post and thanks for stopping by as always!

Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory.
Arthur Ashe quotes 

Surrender to Your Inner Artist