Wardrobe Wednesday

Good morning amazing, awesome readers.
 It's Wednesday and normally I call it "Wardrobe Wednesday" however, this is a special edition because it has to do with your daily beauty! I got a chance to sit down and talk with Celeb Makeup Artist, Angel Cherry. I seriously enjoyed her amazing energy and beauty tips. Sit back, enjoy, sip wine ladies, and take notes!

xoxo CCMonai xoxo

CC: Angel, lovely! First I want to say how amazing your work is! Where did it all start?

Angel: “Wow thanks so much!! It all started about 5 years ago as just an interest and now its’ my career. I would say a beautiful mistake (laughs)”.

CC: Whom all have you worked with in the past/currently?

Angel: “I’ve worked with Theophilus London, Vashtie, Malaysia Pargo of BBWLA, Designers CocoandBreezy, Christiana Shields the sister of Artist Brooke Shields. Also I’ve worked with some local artist and designers all the way to well known actors and top models. I really never know who is who (laughs)! I have also worked with Angela and Vanessa Simmons. Angela Simmons is actually my current personal client. I have been asked from Dawn Richards, Teyana Taylor, JOJO and Toni Braxton and I was bummed I had to turn Ms.Braxton down. I was sad for like the entire month”.

CC: Ouch, yes I would have been super bummed too, that's huge! How much of a roll does Makeup play within the fashion industry?

Angel: “Makeup is by far in the top 3, such a huge roll! It’s the first thing you notice. Plus looking beautiful out shines everything within this industry”.

CC: When doing makeup for a client, what inspires you?

Angel: “Trust”.

CC: VOID by Angel Cherry, tell me a little bit about this?

Angel: “Now were talking!! VOID by Angel Cherry is my Lipstick collection (brand) and I actually make lippies. I am re-launching my line very soon and doing and event in July, you must attend it here in NY! The brand represents myself and any human who dares to fill their VOID with fun, unique lipstick shades! They’re made with love by me and can be preordered before I launch my line”.

CC: (laughs) I love your personality, let me go check some flights! Okay…Lipsticks: I’ve been seeing a lot of pastel colors for spring/summer, any advice on selecting the right color without looking too “chalk” like?

Angel: “Yes! Pastel lippies are in. I recommend pairing it with a lip liner. Now please readers don’t go "eww lip liner" because believe it or not that’s how the Ombre lip trend is created. If you choose a pale pink shade, go with magenta lip liner and fade it into the pale pink. Especially us women that is brown or much richer. Choosing a light color lipstick can be a challenge but paired with the perfect lip liner and confidence you will be experimenting with different lip liners. Trust".

CC: (Takes notes lol). Alright, the Eyebrow trend: It seems like the “new trend” are bold, big, boxy eyebrows or those “Kim Kardashian” brows. I see way too many people overdoing this trend, what advice do you have for people that want to achieve this fuller look but still look natural and beautiful?

Angel: “I love brows! I hate seeing women without clean full brows. Say NO to thin brows…please! When getting your brows waxed, tweezed, or threaded, it’s okay to bring in a photo for reference. Let them know you want full brows and only have them remove hair from the bottom. I actually tweeze my own brows. Also, please no filling in your brows with eyeliner and most definitely not black!! When filling in your brows use strokes. M.A.C has “Stud and Spiked”, which is really good for dark hair gals and always keep a clean mascara wand for great blending. Lastly, towards the inner brow..Less filling is needed”.

CC: What are a few summer/fall trends to look out for?

Angel: “This is my favorite! Even though I wear dark lips all season long, however, yes the dark eyes and lips. Metallic shadows will be huge this fall. This summer ORANGE will be HUGE along with Glossy lips!

CC: Any advice to men or women looking to follow your footsteps in becoming a makeup artist?

Angel: “Yes! Love what you do! This is a cutthroat industry so you will get the yes and no, but that should NEVER stop you and your love for your craft. Never stop learning! I still view YouTube tutorials and read my Kevyn Aucoin making faces makeup Bible. Also, never limit yourself to product and brands! Working for a company that introduced me to a range of brands truly helped me. You must network, assist, and brand yourself. And remember to have fun”!!

CC: Lastly, The Prevailing Effect is someone who has prevailed and overcame many obstacles in life to get where they are today. Do you consider yourself a “Prevailing Effect”?

Angel: “Yes I most certainly do. I have done a lot and I am still doing a lot to get to where I want to be. Looking back at how far I’ve came; I am truly blessed and thankful. I did a lot of free work, worked with amazing people and while all doing it I never forgot who I am”.

How amazing was Angel?! If you are in NYC in July, check out her launch party and make sure you go follow her to keep updated:

Twitter: MUA_Angelcherry

Instagram: MUA_Angelcherry

Post Game Knowledge

Happy Saturday Bloggers!

 I have a really cool interview for you all today. Normally I interview and reach out to the athletes but today I wanted to talk to the man behind the fashion for these athletes. It was so crazy because he is from Ohio and I didn't even know! Sit back, relax, sip wine, and enjoy this amazing interview with 27 year YOUNG, living in LA currently...Brandon Williams!

CC: Hi Brandon! Tell me a little bit about what you do?

BW: "I am fashion stylist who works with celebrity clientele and professional athletes".

CC: How did you become a stylist to the athletes?

BW: "Honestly, I first just started trying to get into being a stylist by interning and I have always been an athlete myself, so I have friends who made it to the professional level that started seeing what I was doing as an intern and assistant, and when I was ready they gave me a chance". 

CC: Perfect time to get to know you as a stylist! With the NBA Playoffs happening, what trends are you seeing the players wearing the most?

BW: "Well you seeing tons of patterns, different textures, such as leather, lots of accessories whether its backpacks or non prescription glasses".

CC: Now the common association of athletes and fashion, ummmm it just doesn’t mesh well (laughs). How do you help transition someone who never had style into a trendsetter?

BW: "I think my approach that differentiates what I do with my clients, I work from inside out. I find out who they are first and what they care about and then I concept their own personal style that highlights themselves at their finest moment of ideal of what they would like to be perceived as . When a person is in their own skin their influence is much greater and what I do is cultivate that for my clients which makes them more appealing and relevant in fashion. Just look at Mike Conely he's always classic and chic never over dressed and that's how he is as a person".

CC: From sweatpants on campus to tailored/fitting clothing in the pros? How do you help your clients have an open mind when it comes to your fashion sense? How do you get them to trust you?

BW: "I think there is a compromise that has to be made. But I'm not going to totally make someone wear something that isn't them. I work from inside out finding out who they are then once that is identified I strategically progress them whether it be fit or colored pants (laughs)".

CC: Who have you worked with in the past and the future?

BW: "Mike Redd, Lance Moore, Mike Conley, Matt Barnes, and Mike Posner. I assisted my good friend and colleague Calyann Barnett with her clients as well".

CC: Styling NFL clients or NBA clients?

BW: "Well...I like the length of the season and the visiblity of the players but....No preference". 

CC: What is next for you within your career?

BW: "I am picking up more athlete clients I have a few on my radar and more work with my current client roster and growing with my agency as we continue to make a mark in the styling world WWB Lifestyle agency which includes Calyann Barnett and Diane Garcia".

CC: Lastly, The Prevailing Effect is someone who has prevailed and overcame many obstacles in life to get where they are today. Do you consider yourself a “Prevailing Effect”? Any Advice for your followers?

BW: "Yes, I definitely have overcome , I was a college graduate with an amazing corporate job and the world at my finger tips born and raised in Ohio, no one had ever really given me or opened my eyes to explore my love for fashion. When I found it by way of some amazing people which I now consider my mentors...I took it. I humbled myself, reevaluated my principles and what was most important to me and my life and worked really hard and did what I HAD to to get to do what I wanted. So I encourage everyone who has a dream to fight for it and believe in yourself and believe in the good of others as well love people as you would want them to love you and be humble and integral. You can't go wrong with those as cornerstones to approaching your dream. If you want to be a stylist you have to intern with someone who is working as a professional stylist it's the only way to get the respect of your peers and also to understand business and logistics in styling to sustain a career".

I hope everyone enjoyed this interview as much as I did! Feel free to contact Brandon at:

E:Mail: Brandwills@wwblifestyle.com

Website: Brandwills.com

Twitter/Instagram: @Brandwills

Wardrobe Wednesday

Hi wonderful bloggers! 

Happy Wednesday. I came across a really cool, funny, interesting New Yorker who is multi-talented in many ways. I won’t tell you too much about this New Yorker, so you will have to sit back, read, sip wine, and enjoy today’s "Prevailed Effect"!

xoxo CCMonai 

 

CC: Good Morning Eli! How are you?

Eli: “Hey Ciara, I'm doing great. How are you doing”?

CC: I am blessed! Tell me a little bit about what you do?

Eli: “About me…..I'm a 23 yr old Freelance Stylist/Model/Photographer from Bronx, NY. I'm a Dominican New York native born & raised. More currently I have been working on my menswear style blog (North of MAN)”.

CC: I saw you used the quote “Let your cloth speak”, can you explain where this came from?

Eli: “Let your cloth speak" came from a couple nights of writing my mission statement for "North of MAN". I was trying to express how clothes can transform into something greater than just fabric, by allowing your cloth to tell your story of who you are or what you have to say today”.

CC: You are a very fashionable well-dressed male, what inspires you to get dressed in the morning?

Eli: “First off, Thank you, I appreciate the compliment. But a couple of things inspire me to get dressed in the morning. I come from a church background and there's nothing smoother than your best Sunday suit. Being raised in that lifestyle, keeping sharp was second nature. Then there's my love for the vintage 50's era. My most comfortable fits are that of like James Dean & Marlon Brando, t-shirt and denim. I try to embody the sophisticated gentleman with the greaser like rebel. Finally, my mood in the morning also determines how I dress. Sometimes I wake up feeling like active, so I'll have running gear on or I'll wake up feeling sharp & dapper so I'll throw a 3-piece suit on. It can vary”.

CC: Eli, I see you modeled in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week before, correct? What designers were you modeling for?

Eli: “I did model for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week this past fall for Ozwald Boateng's Spring/Summer '13 collection. My modeling work includes Riddim Driven Clothing, Karmaloop.com, Fresh Goods Clothing, & most recently Moncler Grenoble Fall/Winter '13 presentation. On the side of menswear blogging, I linked up with good friends at Street Etiquette and rocked out some great G-Star gear for their G-Star Raw campaign”.

CC: Aww G-Star, I used to intern for them in NYC (memories)! It seems like everyone “models” nowadays, what is it that set you apart from everyone else?

Eli: “I think what sets me apart from everyone else is that I approach the fashion industry on an entrepreneurial mindset. Besides modeling, I style & I photograph which are important each in its own way. It comes together to present a great meaningful image each time. Embodying all those skills I believe separate me from them because my eye for detail is increased by knowing what it feels to be in front of the camera, behind it, and responsible for dressing the image”.

CC: As a stylist, which do you prefer to work with/style, men or women?

Eli: “I prefer styling men because I can relate to them. I believe my style serves as inspiration to men. To be seen as a “man” taking a risk with certain prints or fits and styles is what I like to be considered as. Styling women gets fun though; you get to pass more boundaries”.

CC: Lastly, The Prevailing Effect is someone who has prevailed and overcame many obstacles in life to get where they are today. Do you consider yourself a “Prevailing Effect”?

Eli: “I do believe I'm a Prevailing Effect simply because everyone has their own obstacles they face to get where they are today. I played basketball in college and fashion to me was workout tees, basketball shorts, high socks, and some Nike sandals. My goal was to transfer to another college that was recruiting me at the moment. Once I had my papers to transfer, the coach was fired and my recruitment wasn't valid anymore. When that happened, life brought me to photography, then to modeling, to styling, to appreciating the cloth for more than what it is enough to blog about it. If it weren’t for my obstacles I wouldn't have found my connection to the industry that I have now”. 

I hope you all enjoyed Eli and his wonderful sense of style and fashion. Make sure you follow him on Instagram for some inspiration:
 @EliSoul01 and @NorthofMan

Friday's Fashion Feature:

Happy Friday lovely readers and bloggers! 

I have a new exciting Friday's Fashion Feature that I think you all would be excited about. I got a chance to chitchat with 23 year old, Tim B from Buffalo, New York. You may have noticed him from Lala's Full Court Life or one of the top 11 most stylish New Yorkers. He was also named one of the Distinguished Power 30 under 30 of Western New York. I am sure you are more excited to hear how this talented stylist is Prevailing. Sit back. Enjoy. Sip Wine. Relax!

xoxo CCMonai

CC: It's super crazy how I located you on Instagram (laughs). So how important is social media within the fashion industry or networking in general honestly?

Tim B: "Networking is one of the most important elements of working in the fashion industry. It’s all about whom you know, so it's very important to make connections and keep them! The beauty of social media is that it makes everyone more accessible which plays a huge part in networking; it's like having direct access to important people at your fingertips".

CC: “Prevailing Effect” stands for someone who have overcame tons of adversity to get where they are today within this industry however not limited to just fashion. Would you consider yourself a "Prevailed Effect"?

Tim B: "Yes! Most definitely, I can't begin to tell you how many obstacles I've been through in the process of pursuing my career. In the end, each and every obstacle has made me stronger and wiser than I was before".     

CC: How did becoming a Celebrity Stylist become a career?

Tim B: "Honestly, I never thought of styling let alone celebrity styling as a career. I didn't know what I wanted to do until my sophomore year in college. I met a friend (Ernestine) who asked me if I ever thought of styling and she actually got me my first internship. After interning I was hired as an assistant, while assisting I got the chance to learn the business side of the industry, the way things work, the ins and outs, which is very important to sustain in the styling business. After "paying my dues" I started building my clientele".

CC: What Challenges were the hardest to overcome?

Tim B: "The biggest challenge I had to overcome is fear! I moved to New York by myself I had a few friends that I knew from college but I didn't have my family or anything I was use to it, I was out of my comfort zone and I didn't like that feeling. When I realized that fear were only holding me back, things changed and more doors opened for me". 

CC: Who are some of the celebrities you have styled/worked with?

Tim B: "I started out working with Lil' Kim which was a great platform for me! I've worked with Angelea Preston of top model, Po Johnson of Lala's full court life, and Hollywood Hino".

CC: Would you prefer styling men or women?

Tim B: "I really have no preference, men are easier to style, but you can do more with women".

CC: Do you ever mix and match different price point pieces together?

Tim B: "Yes, I do it all the time! I don't believe in spending crazy amounts of money on clothing unless it’s an investment piece". 

CC: Lastly, What advice do you have for others that may look up to you/follow you?

Tim B: "Do your research, find an internship and be 1000% dedicated to it, be persistent and consistent, put in the work, a network network network"!

I appreciate your time and look forward to continuing to watch you develop and grow! I hope everyone enjoyed my Friday's Fashion Feature with Tim B.

Contact Information:

Website: www.EpikStyle.com

Blog: Blog.style.com

Twitter/Instagram: @EpikStyle

Here is Tim B on "Lala's Full Court Life" with Po Johnson. 

NFL Sunday's Warm Up:

Hi wonderful bloggers/readers! 

I am back interviewing NFL athletes and their thoughts on Fashion. My last interview with New Orleans Saints player, Malcolm Jenkins went really well. Today I spoke with Defensive end, Andre Branch. He is a former Clemson Tiger now playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars. We talked about his fashion sense to trends to competition off the field. Sit back and enjoy this Sunday Night Football edition.

xoxo CCMonai.

CC: How would you describe your style off the field?

AB: ”My style off the field I would say, never really stays the same because fashion never stays the same but I'm also not one to ever do too much, and I just keep it simple”.

CC: As much as you tackle others on the field, is it as easy to tackle fashion and trends?

AB: “I wouldn't say it’s easy because new trends come out daily, but I would say it comes second nature to me because my mother started me at a young age to have the mindset to always dress yourself nice and to be presentable and I guess I took that and ran with it”.

CC: Be honest Andre, who do all your shopping for you? (Laughs)?

AB: “LOL, I can honestly say I do ALL of my shopping on my own, because who knows you better then yourself? I know a ton of people in the fashion industry all over the world and they send me picture of things they might think I like and I might “Yay or Nay” it but other than that it is all me”.

CC: Ok…. Let’s get to the real deal and be honest! The general opinion is Athletes x Fashion/trends don’t really mesh well. What are your thoughts on this?

AB: “That question is simple, regardless if you are an athlete or not "you either have it in you or you don't".

CC: (Laughs)…What types of things inspire you to get dress everyday?

AB: “Always want to be best dressed daily even when I have on something simple I will always need that one thing that makes my outfit standout. I want to be that guy that people ask, "What are you wearing" or "Where did you get that from" or people saying, "That's a dope outfit".

CC: Correct me if I am wrong but I see shoes are like your go to accessory? How do you select your shoes?

AB: “I love shoes I’ve been a shoe collector since high school but back then financially I could only afford Jordan’s, but now I’ve ventured off into more designer brands but with me I would say regardless of the brand I just like what looks good”.

CC: Lastly, (I am starting trouble) but whom do you consider your competition within the football industry dealing with fashion? 

AB: “I’m a bigger guy so it’s kind of harder for an athlete my size to find things so you are kind of limited with the things you get to choose from. However, competition wise it would have to be one of my best friends Marcus Gilchrist who plays for the chargers and he's way smaller than me but we go at it all the time”.

Well I guess my next interview will have to be Marcus Gilchrist to see his response to Andre’s answers LOL. I hope everyone enjoyed the “Warm Up” x Andre Branch.

Instagram: BranchNout90

Twitter: BranchNout90

Are YOU Prevailing Today?

Hi amazing bloggers/readers! <3

I've been thinking a lot lately about why I blog and interview others. Well here is my answer: 1: My professors in college told me I have an art and that is writing and keeping the readers attention so this is how it started.

-Besides that the whole purpose of me blogging/interviewing is to show the world all of the positive things in life since it’s so much negativity going on! My main objective is to interview amazing people within the Fashion Industry, which will show the world how they have prevailed, are prevailing, or will continue to prevail.  Also, I want to give insight to others who look up to them, follow them, and would love to know where it all began. 

-The meaning of "The Prevailing Effect": To Prevail means to succeed, conquer, overcome, WIN, dominate & control yet be current. While Effect means a result, as others dominate different cities across the world, they need ending results, so with that being said....“I am a Prevailing Effect” and so are you! I want my readers to see how amazing others are. 

Ask yourself everyday: "Am I Prevailing? Am I making a difference today". 

xoxo CCMonai 

(P.S, know someone that Prevailed? Please E-Mail me CiaraJastes@yahoo.com)

Looks for Less:

Hi cute bloggers/readers!

 I will cut straight to the point (laughs). Guess where I landed, AGAIN? Target and I found the cutest Neon Summer Sandals. Today's shopping experience really allowed me to see the same item (minor changes) with a different name with a different price tag. Below you can see how a "name" makes a price tag. Target vs. Nordstrom. I actually purchased BOTH but different colors. Enjoy!

xoxo CCMonai 

Top Left: Target for $19.99

Top Right: Nordstrom for $68.95 (Dolce Vita)