Black Soap: Truth vs. Myth

      Black soap has it's origins in Africa.  It is created from the bark of trees and from plants such as shea tree bark, palm tree leaves, plantain and cocoa pods.  Black soap was created in Ghana.  Various oils such as palm oil, coconut oil,  shea butter are added to real African black soap.  It takes two weeks to cure the mixture and for it to set.    It is widely known that the soaps created in America and in Europe have artificial ingredients, thus giving you the imitation BLACK COLORED soap you have grown accustomed to seeing.

Benefits of African Black Soap:

• The plaintain skins give the black soap Vitamin A & E, and iron. 
• The shea butter in it gives UV protection. 
• The soap can be used on your body (on all skin types, dry/oily/hyper-sensitive,etc) hair (as a shampoo), skin rashes, eczema, acne, scalp irritations and neutralizes body odors.

This is what REAL AFRICAN BLACK SOAP looks like.
BLACK soap is NOT BLACK!
This is my soap pictured here. Click
on the LINK below to order yours today.
www.racosmetics.com

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.

My FavoRite Foundation EveR!

    I am a makeup artist which means I have come into contact with an array of cosmetic products and skin-types.  I am very picky when it comes to what I apply to my skin.  You ask why? One, I have sensitive skin & two, my skin is a bit on the oily side.  If you have oily skin like me I highly recommend "Clinique's Stay-Matte Foundation.
Here's a list of benefits:

• Controls OIL & SHINE
• Excellent coverage without looking overdone
• Easy to apply
• Works great in humid weather 
• Skin is able to still breathe
• Very, VERY lightweight that it feels like you're wearing NOTHING at all.
• Great for acne prone skin, in fact it improves it.
• Allergy tested
• 100% Fragrance FREE
• Looks and feels absolutely NATURAL.  
• And it is affordable 

     If you are confused as to what color you are, go to a CLINIQUE counter and a trained professional would be sure to assist you.  Out of all the foundations I've ever used, this brand has always been my favorite.

This is my foundation. My color is 25 Spice (D-N)

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!

BriDaL TriBe ShOe PaRty

Favors by Dorinda on facebook

     Hey guys and dolls, I wanted to give you an update on what I've been doing since I got back to NYC.  I've recently joined a bridal agency by the name of BRIDAL TRIBE and I am so excited.  I will be a featured make-up artist (MUA) & hairstylist for the company that was started up by Cynthia Williamston.  I'm so excited because I just love what I do and I love making women feel absolutely beautiful, especially on their wedding day.  They also have an online magazine BRIDAL TRIBE MAGAZINE , and Facebook fan page as well, check both of the links out and see what we are all about. Saturday, July 15th 2012 Bridal Tribe held its first "Shoe Party" in Harlem at Astor Rowe's Place in Harlem, aka Harlem World to most New Yorkers. I networked with other entrepreneurs in the beauty and design business.  It was great being around so many beautiful women with ambition and drive.  Here's a look at some pictures from that night.

Cynthia Williamston on your left & Me (RaiNa) on the left in the
blue blazer)*

Some of the festivities from the SHOE party.

CLICK here BRIDAL TRIBE ALBUM to see more pics from the event. =)