Salon Diaries....UNcut!

 On Tuesday, July 30,2013 I attended the taping of "Salon Diaries." It was created by my fomer co-worker, my role model and friend celebrity hairstylist Lavette Slater.  The segment featured a panel of very familiar faces, celebrities like MTV's "Girl Get Your Mind Right" Tionna Smalls , singer and reality star Olivia , Hot 97's and  reality star Raqi Thunda, Ariane from "Love and Hip Hop ATL , and last but certainly not least blogger BlogXilla.  The Trump's World Bar  was where the event took place.
  Taboo topics in relation to sex, marriage and open relationships were just some of the topics that were discussed.  For the fans and followers of Tionna Smalls you already know it was no hold bars, she definitely tells it like it is.  Each panelist gave their view on dating in the 21st century and we all know it is even harder than ever.   However the fashion and hair was amazing.  The ladies hair was fabulous and makeup was "beat for the GODS." I want the show to be picked up by a major network, so I have my fingers crossed.

This is Lavette Slater and myself. She is an amazing woman.  I learned so many techniques from
her while working in the hair salon.                      

Here goes my girl Tionna Smalls. We met last year in November when I
went to a casting call for one of her many ventures and she remembered me.  Nobody ever forgets me. LOL

Me with the beautiful songstress Olivia. Look out for her

acting debut on a new scripted series and she is now signed to a major label. So proud of her. 

Ariane,Olivia and Tionna are on the couch.

Tionna, Lavette, Olivia, Blogzilla and Raqi chopping it up on the couch.

My 360 Magazine Shoot

      If you've followed my blog you know that I've been working my way closer and closer to my dream.  So, about a month and a half ago I did a photo shoot as a make-up artist with 360 Magazine .  The shoot took place in Brooklyn, New York. It was my first time doing a shoot where I had to groom male models.  I don't think I was nervous, but it was definitely new to me.  I was the ONLY female there amongst the models, photographer and the stylist.  I truly had a blast, made some new professional connections and I was definitely in my glee.  High fashion is my first love.  Although I have been published in magazines before as a hairstylist, I was never published as a make-up artist nor was it ever for a high-fashion editorial magazine.  E-V-E (rapper/actress Eve) is on the cover.  The name of the fashion spread is called "Tale of Two Cities" Check it out for yourself!

Download the PDF to view about 6 pages of my work "TALE OF TWO CITIES."

RaiNa's AcaDemy AwaRds 2013 RECAP!

Kelendria Rowland bka
Miss Kelly! Hair, makeup,dress..
YOU BETTA WERK!

All HAIL to the FASHION GODS!
Charlize Theron...hair,makeup, THAT
DRESS oh YASS!

   The 2013 Academy Awards is an awards show that I mostly watch for the fashion...ONLY! After all I am a fashionista, makeup artist & hairstylist.  My life is consumed with all things beauty-related.  This year I was pleasantly surprised by a few of the celebrities and still bored with one.  Here is a recap of the beautiful scenery better known as "The Oscars."

Reese Witherspoon I "LIVE" because of her Old Hollywood
hair. The makeup & that dress! Oh Yasss!

Halle Berry NEVER fails...from
head to toe she is an ETERNAL SLAYER! 

 

Ms. Kerry baby!
Kerry Washington Yasss! All hail the
fashion gods! The color
of this dress compliments her skin
tone.

BORING AS USUAL!!     Jennifer Aniston (le sigh) Same BORING hair. The color of the dress is beautiful, but she needed a REAL hairstyle! Her makeup...((YAWN)) Somebody hire me please!! ~RaiNa

                                             

RaiNa on set with The CID Ninja

CID NINJA

    I met Asqui Music Group singer/songwriter Cid Ninja thru our manager Dewry Bradford a month prior to working with her on her first professional photo shoot as an upcoming major artist.  We hit it off from the second I met her.  I would like to say for the most part that we are some sought of "kindred spirits."  There is a part of her that I see in myself. She is an eclectic musical certified bad ass.  Yes I said it.  I wanted to cultivate an image thru "hair" and "makeup" that was all her own, because I wanted her to stay true to who she is.   I felt it was very important to do so.  Here are a couple of images that were taken from that day.  Please do not forget to check out and LIKE her FACEBOOK fan page, CID Ninja & her REVERBNATION to listen to her music and see for yourself why I adore her, she definitely GOT NEXT.

Me (RaiNa) touching up the checkerboard lips I gave CidNinja

Preview of the Fiona (by Juiciluci cosmetics) and nude lip by Revlon I gave
Cid Ninja

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK AT "THE GLAMOUR BOX"

NBC NEWS Hillary Flowers Fashion show: Pretty Black Dresses

   I was chosen to do makeup for The Hillary Flowers Fashion Show on Saturday January 12,2013.  It was held at "The Skyroom" in Times Square in New YORK CITY.  I did makeup for a couple of models including Hillary Flowers.  She is a well known fashion designer, boutique owner, singer and songwriter in New York City. She even hosted a segment on Fox5 Good day New York.  The show was an absolute success. I am loving my journey to the top and I want to thank you all for taking this journey with me. Check out some images from that night.

Hillary Flowers is in the center walking down the runway after the show

Here is a BEFORE & AFTER picture of my makeup work I did
on one of the models at the show.

Myself with Hillary Flowers after I did her makeup.

CHECK OUT MORE PICTURES AT "The Glamour BOX" on Facebook.

   

My LipStick is REDDER than youRs...

      Red lipstick will forever be linked with having extreme SEX APPEAL... well at least for me that's what it signifies.  It just screams femininity and siren to me.  It took me some time to find just the right shade of red.  It's a shade that looks good on every skin tone no matter what race you are. In fact I've been wearing it for almost 2 years & people stop me and ask me, "What brand of red is that?" I think it's so HAUTE! It's REVLON's "Fire." It's a lipstick and gloss in one. Take a look at the picture of me wearing it below.

That's me holding my favorite lipstick by REVLON.  It's called
"FIRE." You can purchase it at a CVS pharmacy near you.

RaiNa & Black Opal Cosmetics at New York Fashion Week 2012

   I was invited by Black Opal Cosmetics to attend the Samantha Black Fashion showcase on September 12th, 2012.  It was held at New York's famous Limelight Marketplace . My dreams became a reality, I was invited and put on the RSVP list for NYFW (New York Fashion Week).  I got to sit among some of the fashion and music business big wigs.  I ran into some of my role models, Ty Hunter, Michaela Angela Davis, Keyshia Dior, upcoming singer Elle Varner, Lola Monroe, and ran into my high school classmate Hot 97's own Kay Foxx!  Singer Tiarra Mari, Swizz Beatz & Winter Gordon were there as well as many fashion industry insiders. Check out my youtube video & some pictures from the event.

     

When I arrived look who was standing outside? My high school (Professional Performing Arts School) classmates
Ricardo & Hot97's Kay Foxx. 

 

I walked thru the door and to my immediate right was one of my role models,
Michaela Angela Davis!

    

Keyshia Dior!! I took this pic of her before finding my seat. I really
admire her brand. She is the brand, and I wear her lipstick, Ka'oir in Dior.



   Low and behold, I get to meet my hair guru iDOL..... Mr. Ty Hunter. He is Beyoncè's hairstylist.                           He is so HUMBLE and I want to be just like him when I grow up.  I aim to be respected in the field of cosmetology as he is.

Check out my business page for more pictures. The Glamour BOX & click on this link to view my YOUTUBE video
RaiNa attends "Black Opal Cosmetics" presents Samantha Black



   

                         

My day with Joseline Hernandez's Hairstylist

Osasere Cynthia & Myself (RaiNa)

  On Friday August 31, 2012 I met and worked with Osasere Cynthia.  She is Joseline Hernandez's hairstylist on VH1's "Love and Hip Hop Atlanta." She creates all of Joseline's long hairstyles and she travels with her when she performs around the country on her tour dates.  I was apart of the 7th annual Nigerian Entertainment Awards hosted in New York City, which honors entertiners from her native country and also showcased some of their native clothing designers fabulous designs.  There were also some African models from Ford modeling agency that graced the catwalk with their poise and beauty.  We started off our day with lunch and then headed to the set to do hair for 40+ models.  The hair team consisted of Osasere, myself and 5 other professional hairstylist.  Here are some pictures and even some behind the scenes Youtube videos of my day.

On top: Obiaze, Ebonè &ME (RaiNa)*

Myself & Terrance 

2hair creations done by ME for the fashion show

My work is done: IT''S SHOWTIME
check out more pics from the day at http://www/facebook.com/RainasGlamourBOX

SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL : http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGlamourBOXinc

PoetiC JustiCe: The BraiDs are Back!

          I often reminisce about the 1990's because it was then that I had experienced some of the best times of my life.  I was always a stylish child and turning 13 in 1993 only added to it.  After seeing Josie,   one of the "Fly Girls" from the sketch comedy series "In Living Color," my friend Tanya and I decided that we wanted them too.  We just thought Josie was too beautiful and so were those braids.  Yes, she had them before Janet wore them in "Poetic Justice."  When "Poetic Justice" came out they were dubbed "The Janet Jackson" braids.  It's 2012 and they have made a comeback thanks to a true fashionista, Ms. Solange Knowles! I absolutely adore her and her style.  Many women are reluctant to wear the long box braids, but not me.  I wear them proudly!  I love the 90's and I am glad that along with the braids, Doc Martens , neon colors (nails/spandex)*and cut off shorts have made a comeback. Now if we can just work on 90's music making a comeback that would make this woman VERY happy.   Check me out below in my rendition of the braids that I did myself.

Me (RaiNa) sitting on the stoop in Queens =) I love my 90's braids &
my boots! The 90's totally rock!