A Day with "Tabatha Take Over's" Tabatha Coffey

Thee Ms. Tabatha Coffey & myself.

               On Friday May 30th Tababtha Coffey from the Bravo networks, "Tabatha Take Over" came to host an event at the upper east side's Blo Blow Dry Bar here in New York City.     The event was to debut the Circle Extension hairline to her already existing LUXHAIR extension hairline, in which media outlets such as Marie Claire, Allure Magazine,  and Modern Salon, just to name a few were invited to. For the event, myself and the staff at Blo Blow Bar prepped the editors hair for the extension install by shampooing and blow dry styling their hair so that Tabatha's team could install the hair. The Circle Extension is  like wearing your favorite headband and is easy to put on.  It requires no tape, glue or clips. It comes in 14 natural shades from the lightest blonde to black, in lengths fro 10" to 18". It is made from Keralon, a revolutionary synthetic fiber that allows the hair to be styled with heat tools up to 320 degrees.  This makes the extension line extremely durable and affordable with a price range from $79 to $99.  It looks BETTER than your "real" hair. =) The hairline debuts November 2014. Here are some pictures from that fabulous day.

Me with one of my role models in this business,
Celebrity hairstylist Robert Evan Thomas. He
was on Tabatha's team installing the hair extensions.
 It was really great working alongside him!

Myself blow dry styling freelance editor for Marie Claire
magazine, Shyema Azan . She knew who I was from reading this blog.
She has her own blog named Beauty and The Feast  

Tabatha talking to Modern Salon about the
Circle Hair Extension line.  











                                         
                                                     

Revamping RaiNa's Closet: Mixing the Old with Something NEW

Over the past few weeks I've been making a conscious effort to make my money stretch when it

comes to "revamping" my closet. The idea is to add pieces to my existing wardrobe, NOT to add whole outfits.  That is what being a fashionista is all about.  Lately, I have been feening for blazers in an array of colors.  You see I love the "sale" rack, after all I am a mother of 3! Here's what I wore and where you can find these deals.

The jeans are American Eagle and I've had them for about 3 years. (I LOVE distressed denim... in fact I have a problem!! lol) Jacket: Zara $79.50
White stretch tank top: Zara $19
Shoes: Steve Madden $70

White bag: Aldo $35
Triangle Earrings: H&M $12.50
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM  @TheGlamourBOX & @TheGlamourBOXinc

Spring/Summer Look w/Candy Yum-Yum

   Anyone that knows me, knows that pink lipstick is my signature.  I wear it all year round.  I decided to go to the MAC counter at Bloomingdales "new favorite place,"on 59th and Lexington and try the ever-so-popular Candy YUM YUM. Boy oh boy is it bright and oh so fabulous.  It'll definitely brighten your mood and get you noticed.   Here is my "Face of the Day" and the cosmetics I used to achieve this look.

NO filter, No photoshop, No More Beaute App. Just
my iPhone camera and some natural sunlight! Skincare is the canvas upon
which a "flawless" makeup application is built upon." Skincare First!
**Practice makes "perfection."**

                                                                          

Foundation: MAC NC50

Lower lid Liner: Mountain Air by MAC

Top Liner: Sonia Kashuk liquid eyeliner in black

Lip Liner: Magenta by MAC

Lipstick: Candy YUM YUM by MAC

Highlight: Prep+Prime BB Creme by MAC in NW35(I placed MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in Gold Deposit in the highlighted area to give that glow)** see previous post**

Brows: Spiked by MAC 

I always wear ArdeLL individual cluster lashes in long and medium to
give you that EYE DRAMA! (get it at your local CVs or
beauty supply store)**
Check me out on Instagram for more tips and pics @TheGlamourBOXinc

The Perfect Red Lip!

      I love red lipstick.  It signifies sophistication and sexiness!  When I turned 30 I started wearing it.  It was a sign that I was coming into my own as a woman. Women often get stuck in one look, but today's woman can and should change up her look from time to time...take a walk on the wild side. Here's what I used to achieve this "Face Of The Day." (#fotd)

NO filter, No photoshop, No More Beaute App. Just
my iPhone camera and some natural sunlight! Skincare is the canvas upon
which a "flawless" makeup application is built upon." Skincare First!
**Practice makes "perfection."**

Foundation: Mac Cosmetics NC50
Lip Liner: NYX "Hot Red" SPL817
Brow Pencil: Mac Cosmetics Eyebrow pencil in "Spiked"
Highlight for Brows: NW40 Studio Fix
Highlight for face: Sephora Mat Tan 38
Lower lid liner: NARS Valentino Vandetta
Top liner:Sonia Kashuk's Dramatically Different liquid
liner in Black
Bronzer: Mac's Mineralize Skinfinish in "Gold Deposit" AB3
*Use the Beauty Blender to blend your foundation, highlight and contour*

Spring Cleaning: "Revamping Raina's Closet."

     A few weeks ago I stated on my personal Facebook account that I will be revamping my entire wardrobe.  My closet is filled with ALL BLACK EVERYTHING because I am a hairstylist and makeup artist and that is my "uniform." I also have some old things I want to get rid of.  I tend to dress more on the edgy side which is cool and all, but I want to lighten and brighten things up.  I want my clothes to reflect my growth and my life because I have come such a long way in the last 2 1/2 years.  Many blessings have been bestowed upon me professionally and personally.  So the first thing I choose to do is to wear more feminine colors, like blushes, soft nudes, peaches.  I'm always transforming my clients look, I think it's high time I transform my own.  I will put away my spiked stilettos for now.  Spring is upon us... well,  here in New York City the weather is bipolar.  Nonetheless spring is here.
Here is a picture of some items I recently purchased.

My "Grommit White Multi" Steve Madden shoes
that I got on sale at 720 Lexington ave. in Manhattan

My sheer blouse in "blush" that
I bought at New York & Company located on 715vLexington ave.
They were having a super sale. 

Here is my complete look. The pants are from my closet. I wore
faux pearl earring with this look.
Sometimes to save money, keep certain items from your closet and add
to them. You don't always have to purchase a whole outfit to revamp
your closet.  I'll keep you all updated on more looks.
FOLLOW me on INSTAGRAM @TheGlamourBOXinc & @TheGlamourBOX

The Theresa Francine Makeup Class

 Sunday April 27th I attended my first makeup class.  I am a self-taught makeup artist so this class meant so much to me.  To learn someone else's technique is a plus because I can never have enough knowledge in my field.  Theresa Francine is a published celebrity makeup artist.  I had been following her on Facebook for 3 years when I became interested in doing makeup on top of already doing hair. The class covered highlighting, contouring, eyebrow technique,wet makeup application and airbrush foundation technique.  I wanted to learn the wet-look makeup application and who better to learn it from than this phenomenal make-up artist who I've looked up to for so long.
     Theresa gives an in-depth instructional lesson. She also listens to our questions and takes time to answer them precisely.  One of my favorite parts of the class is when she gives us insight on what her favorite products are and why.  It's good to have that kind of insight because sometimes as makeup-artist one can get stuck on using one thing. I will definitely be trying her recommendations.  There is a big difference between a "hustler" (Instagram/facebook, social media) make-up artist and a TRUE passionate makeup artist.  Therese Francine is that TRUE passionate makeup artist who uses social media not to just market herself, but to share her gift and inspire people... she has truly inspired me to perfect my craft, to keep pushing forward and to know my worth as an artist! I am definitely taking her next class.
Check out the photos I took from the class... enjoy!
      ~RaiNa

Theresa Francine teaching her wet look makeup technique and
the finished result is flawless... NO filter needed! True artistry at it's finest.

   

Guess who won the raffle! ME!!!!!! I got some great quality products too.  And the entire
class got some goodie bags too with some products from the class's
sponsors. I just
love me some Theresa Francine!
CHECK ME OUT ON FACEBOOK AT "THE GLAMOUR BOX."
and check me out on my business instagram at @THEGLAMOURBOXINC for
beauty tips, videos and more. =)

"Pink Lemon Park Nail Studio" review

             

On Saturday April 12th, 2014 I left work to get a much needed pedicure.  On my way to work, I always pass by this pretty nail shop called "Pink Lemon Park Nail Studio," located at 1341 2nd ave.  It just captures the eye because it's so girly looking and absolutely cute.  So I decided to give it a try.  When I walked in the receptionist, Piya, greeted me and asked me what service I was having done and asked me to pick a polish. So of course I choose the orange "CHANEL "polish... I mean I'm divalicious!

Everything about the place was absolutely fabulous, it was clean, very professional, posh yet cozy.  There is a menu that has everything from champagne to pink mimosas to chose from . My nail tech Nancy did an excellent job.  The pedicure did not hurt at all.  The scrub was delightful to my lower leg and my feet.  She asked me what kind of oil I liked and then mixed in some peppermint oil and massaged my legs and my feet. I even fell asleep, that is how awesome it was.  I was sitting across from the stars of the new OWN Network show "Love In the City" and Bershan invited me to their viewing party. After a long day of standing on my feet and servicing my hair clients this was just what the doctor ordered at only $35.  (There is a list of other services, check it out here, Pink Lemon Park Nail Studio)*

A nail salons should always be a relaxing environment. Environment is
EVERYTHING. You get what you pay for. Follow them on INSTAGRAM @PinkLemonPark 

Me getting my pedicure. Aren't the rose petals beautiful?

             

I was sitting across from 3 of the 4 stars of the NEW reality series

"Love In the City" Chenoa , Tiffany & Bershan .