So, while most people do normal things during their weekends, I read books on clothes.  Yep.  That’s what I did.  Completely sad part – I proceeded to re-read the books AFTER I finished them.  Like, directly after.  Like, I didn’t even put them down.  I went from last page to first page.  I’ve read some good books in my time and I’ve never re-read a book back to back.  Clearly, I HEARTED these books: That Extra Half Inch by Victoria Beckham and The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia (Project Runway Judge for clarification.  She’s also fashion director at a little magazine known as Elle).

Victoria’s book (Yeah. I’m on a first name basis with her. Whatevs!) has some great tips.  Proper way to buy jeans, what to take on a long airplane flight, what to wear to red carpet events….er, yeah, its practical.  I mean overall it’s pretty cool to know what goes on in her head.  And she’s got some great tips.  Yeah, I know I already said that.  But there were a few things I didn’t like about this book: too much British lingo (vests = tank tops.  WHAT? Are you serious England? Man I’m so glad we won the revolutionary war), and the “where to find things for cheap”-themed section came off as contrived. I just feel like that was thrown in to appeal to the masses.  There wasn’t much substance to it.  I mean I do like the book – it helps inform you on designers, the types of clothes out there, and just gives insight to how V.B. approaches clothes.  I just wouldn’t buy it.  Get it from the library.

But, oh man, when I finished The Little Black Book of Style, my life was different.  Seriously.  It’s what I imagine a self-help book does for people.  First, it’s small and sleek, easy to read with chapters on:  Figuring out your own style, Classics, inspirations, style tips from industry insiders, and fashion footnotes (loved these!!!).  It’s absolutely fab.  I’m gushing right now.  How unattractive.  I took the book kind of as a life lesson:  Keep things simple and classic but always evolve.  Loved it, loved it, loved it! I had this over-crowded place in my brain where clothes are concerned. But this book helped me figure out my style perspective, where I want to go, and what clothes mean to me.  At the end of the day clothes are a form of art, a reflection of yourself.  It’s okay to get inspired by people and its okay to not follow the crowd at the same time.

It’s okay if you don’t take fashion seriously and it’s okay that you don’t consider yourself a “fashionista”.  All I’m asking is that you think about what you wear every once in a while, think about fashion as an accessible way of self expression, art, and creativity.  These books may or may not be your guideline.  If they are, great, and if not, oh well.  At least I’ve got you thinking about it.  And yes, I’m going to re-read them for a third time.

You can check out more of Simerjeet’s fashion rantings on her blog “Fashion Rehab”.

BG had the privilege of getting to know Sarah Ali, an entrepreneur with a very creative soul. She has taken her love for make up, mixed it with her background in psychology, and transformed it into a beautiful studio, called (what else?) The Transformation Studio.

Located in Sugarland, TX, the Transformation Studio aims to be a wellness center and beauty spa that focuses on inner and outer beauty, a healthy lifestyle, positive self image and reaching one’s full potential. At her studio, Sarah provides world class services such as makeup application and professional makeup courses. In addition to world class spa services and photography, Sarah provides personal growth workshops and seminars, as well as counseling.

Sarah is definitely one smart, hip, beautiful brown girl!

BG: Please tell us a little bit about your background:

Sarah: I am Indian-Pakistani Muslim American. I’m not a confused ABCD. I am extremely comfortable in being brown and American and I really do enjoy both cultures equally.  I am a licensed professional counselor, Hollywood trained makeup artist and photographer. I have a bachelors in Psych and a masters in Counseling Psychology. I started my own wellness and beauty center, The Transformation Studio Jan 09. I started Transformations Makeup Academy, the 1st makeup school in Texas in July 09, and own makeup line, Chamak Makeup, in Jan 10.

BG: Where did you grow up?

Sarah: I was born in NY, lived in South Korea for ten years and then moved to Houston.

BG: How did you first get started in the world of make-up?

Sarah: It all started in high school when my sister’s best friend had a disaster and called me on her wedding day. From there on I was hooked because I was able to work with people and use my personality to put them at ease, make them feel special and connect with others. It never stopped! Then while in school I started working at the department stores for Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, M.A.C., and then  was the regional artist for Texas for CK Beauty.

BG: Where did you get your inspiration for the transformation studio?

Sarah: I started researching wellness centers and med spas and saw that there was scope in that area. I already knew that the beauty industry and makeup industry was booming. I felt that psychotherapy and counseling was something more people should be exposed to. I thought about blending these separate entities together. I also wanted to add the world inspired angle because of my respect and fascination with the different cultures in the world. My vision was a warm inviting center for beauty, wellness, and health, for beauty that is inside and out.

BG: Was this a joint venture, or was it all you?

Sarah: While this is my brainchild, it definitely is a family business, along with investing all of my savings, I also have the financial, emotional and physical support and backing of my parents. My father is a civil engineer and my mom works for a school district but they both help out after work and weekends whenever I need them.

BG: Tell us a about your make-up products (Chamak).

Chamak Makeup (www.chamakmakeup.com) is a line that I created to celebrate the South Asian culture with vivid and rich colors that actually show up on our skin. I wanted to showcase our heritage with the product logo, packaging and names. It took a very long time to come up with the themes for each product and shade name. I had so much fun coming up with the concepts and got names from listening to Hindi film songs, researching English-Urdu websites, and badgering my parents, uncles, and aunties and grandmother.

The colors that every Desi girl would complain about not being able to find were deep golds, bronzes, coppers, silver,  maroon, dark green, and dark blue eye shadows both pressed and loose. I knew I had to fill this niche and offer them. Finely milled glitters in Desi friendly colors were also nonexistent or if available were too expensive. That was another item I knew Chamak would need to offer.

As predicted, those were the items that our customers instantly fell in love with.  Among several products we also feature liquid foundation, concealer, powder, lipstick, lip-gloss, lip liner & crème blushes. Each and every product was hand selected by me and I use them on clients on a day to day basis along with the professional studio lines I carry at the studio. The mineral lipsticks have also done well with the crowd, but I’m very excited to introduce a custom blend lipstick and matte foundation very soon. When customers come in to our Chamak display room, we help them shop for exactly what they are looking for, and especially help with foundation/powder selection, record  purchases in their client history, and create a face chart for them to take home and practice new looks. My goal is to make makeup fun for Desi’s or any woman of color and to demystify makeup for the everyday woman.

BG: What are some of your favorite products and why?

Sarah: It is hard to answer this question. I took a year to pick out each product and shades for my line and all of the products are favorites. Though, in particular, I am obsessed with our Dhoom Powders because they are pulverized glitter blended into loose powder, and look like diamond dust, absolutely gorgeous! I also really like the foundations, concealers, and powders, because most clients start there. It took a long time to find a manufacturer that made mineral face products that had a texture that I liked, had the proper shades, and had enough coverage. Also, I like the Lashkara Face Shimmers because they are the perfect amount of shimmer for the face.

BG: Where can people purchase your products?

Sarah: Currently Chamak can be purchased at the studio or online at www.chamakmakeup.com.

BG: What other services do you provide at the Transformation Studio?

Sarah: The studio is a one stop shop offering makeup services, I teach pro makeup classes (we have the 1^st makeup school in Texas), salon/spa/massage by appointment, services using natural products, world dance fitness classes, portrait photography, private events, and personal growth (counseling, naturopathic medicine & life coaching).

BG: Can you tell us about your “Personal Growth” and Make-Up Workshop offerings?

Sarah: Personal growth includes counseling, naturopathic medical appointments, life coaching, image consulting, and nutritional/fitness coaching. We have a charm school workshop aimed at young girls in middle and high school.

Our makeup workshops are made for people who want to learn makeup tricks. People schedule their 2 hour workshop with us, there is a minimum of four in a group and they pick what lesson they want to learn. Lessons can be everyday makeup, smokey eyes, evening makeup or just a beauty update. Our workshops range from $50 to $75 and include product kits. We have several options and our classes are taught in our Hollywood makeup lounge on the 2^nd floor. The classes are affordable, interactive, and informative.

BG: What have been some of your best moments since you started Transformation Studio and Chamak?

Sarah: TTS moments: Reading positive reviews on Citysearch, I get misty eyed at some of them! There are times that clients come in to book a service or come by for a simple tour but stay for over an hour just hanging out because they like the ambience and our staff. When clients become friends, add me on Facebook, start hanging out, invite me to their graduation parties, and weddings.

Chamak moments: At parties, when people ask me what shades I have on, and then show up to the studio. When moms steal their daughters Chamak and the girl brings the mom in next time for Mummy Ji to get her own stash! Makeup students returned their Urban Decay eye primer and bought my Kora Kaghas eye primer after using it in class. Friends bust out with a Chamak lipstick in front of their friends at parties and all the girls ask what product it is… surreal!

BG: Where do you hope to see these endeavors go in the future?

Sarah: My next goal is to start a you tube channel online talk show with tips on wellness, health, beauty & life skills. I hope I can throw some comedy sketches, makeup how to’s, bhangra/yoga clips in there.

If I can make and save enough money,  I would love to partner with charitable organizations and create a South Asian women’s shelter that was stylish and where we could transform lives of women in need.

Also, if my business becomes established and I actually make some money, I might open another branch of The Transformation Studio. I hope that I can build up Chamak Makeup and eventually open up a few retail accounts at South Asian salons around the country.

BG: If there is one piece of advice you would give brown girls about make-up, what would it be?

Sarah: Wear powder/foundation that is your color and blend it well, go past your chin and blend it into the neck!! Set your liquid foundation with a loose translucent powder.

Don’t keep patting more powder on top, use blotting paper instead. Less is more with this stuff, let your natural skin show. Be proud of your skin color and your ethnicity.

Check out more about the Transformation Studio and Chamak Makeup at www.thetransformationstudio.com.

Bright is the new black.  For the past few years, American fashion designer Rachel Roy has been tossing aside the fashion industry’s signature color in favor of vibrant hues ranging from cerulean to chartreuse.

According to her official website, Roy aims to create pieces with a “feminine and modern point of view.”  Her self-titled collection debuted in Spring 2005 and has made significant headway since. Rachel Roy New York can be purchased at a variety of high-end department stores, including Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. In Fall 2008, Roy introduced a moderately priced collection entitled Rachel Rachel Roy which are currently sold exclusively at Macys, Inc.

It’s likely that Roy’s bold creations are partly inspired by her half-Indian roots.  In addition to the same jewel tones that populate Indian bazaars, gold-embellished sandals and multicolored stone jewelry also have a place in Roy’s collections.

But the thing that makes Roy one of the most unique designers of our time is her knack for juxtaposing the unexpected. Mixing prints and fabrics, color-blocking bright colors with subdued tones, adding innovative cut-outs to what would otherwise be a typical LBD (little black dress)…the list could go on.  Both of Roy’s collections make for an eclectic wardrobe that proves you can still be a girly-girl without dressing like Barbie. Or, to put it simply: Mission accomplished.

It’s too often that our own genes ruin our lives. Ask me – I know. I’m 5 feet tall because my 5’4 father and 5’3 mother decided to have me. My giant nose sits on my face because my grandmother’s genes decided it liked my face, and then my infamous crazy, uncontrollable curly hair from my father’s side decided to make it’s way all the way down to my specific head. This is was the hair that was carefully oiled and braided when I was younger, and constrained in ponytails and buns when I was older. It was made fun of all throughout middleschool and highschool and called many different names – medusa’s hair, bird’s nest – name it and it’s been said.

We, brown girls are familiar with having this… strange hair. Especially us extra brown ones that come from South India, Sri Lanka. Too often have I bonded with cousins over our mutually gravity-defying locks. And over the years, I can say that I’ve tried everything – from straightening to rebonding, to thinning to cutting, to hair sprays and hair gels to expensive treatments I didn’t quite understand myself…and nothing has worked. It took a long time and lots of trail and error, before I figured out how to take care of my hair and how to make it work for me and my personality. And it’s my only my duty as a fellow brown girl who has got it figured out (…sort of) to help those in need, I hope to impart some of this acquired wisdom to you folks and point you in the direction of some more wisdom on how to make your curly, messy, impressive hair – more you.

1. Avoid frizz by not stripping your hair off its oil.

While oiling my hair when I was younger didn’t do wonders for my hair (or my social life), shampooing it a bazillion times a week made it worse. The hair has to keep some of its oils, and most of the time, frizzy hair make an appearance because the oil cannot slip down past the hair, due to our spiralling locks, down to the tips of hair.

Use a gentle shampoo on your hair – not everyday but a few times a week. Follow that up with a deep conditioner and if you would like, some sort of anti-frizz cream that will keep the hair saturated, frizz free, shiny, happy and healthy.

2. Away from that blow-dryer!

I spent the longest time trying to blow dry my hair, following the rest of my straight haired friends in highschool. WRONG. DO NOT try to blow dry your hair. As the name goes, all it will do is blow UP your hair into gigantic propotions.

You do need to dry your hair though, and I would recommend using a diffuser attachment to do so. Most of the time though, for me, I have seen air-drying work the best. I’m also to lazy to dry my hair every morning before school/work, so I let nature take care of it’s product and it does a good job! If it’s a non-humid day, it always ends up looking pretty good. Directly hitting your hair with hot air, in any form, is drying up the scalp all over again, and you really want to avoid doing that.

3 Don’t brush!

I’ve noticed that brushing my hair is the worst thing I can possibly do to my hair. It makes it volumous and huge(yes, I cringe when I hear those words, too!), which we REALLY don’t need. Instead of brushing, try combing your hair with large toothed combs and detangling it with your fingers.

4 Most importantly – love it!

Love your hair, embrace it! I spent way too many years trying to hide it under hoodies and caps and constraining with rubber bands and hairbands. The moment I let it go and let it become a part of who I was, my hair became my friend and stopped being evil. Curly hair is versatile – when you feel like it you can straighten it, curl it even more, make it wavy, all the while never having to worry about it looking limp. It adds oodles to your personality and when appreciated, can give you tons of confident. embrace the Inner Medusa for who she is – she has enough power to turn people into stone (with amazement and appreciation, ofcourse!)

]]> http://browngirlmagazine.com/2010/07/taming-medusas-hair/feed/ 2 http://browngirlmagazine.com/2010/06/mac-studio-fix-powder-plus-foundation/ http://browngirlmagazine.com/2010/06/mac-studio-fix-powder-plus-foundation/#comments Sun, 06 Jun 2010 20:56:24 +0000 browngirlmag http://browngirlmagazine.com/?p=1720 by Sneha Goud – Michigan State Graduate

Being a dark-skinned girl has its challenges, including finding makeup.  Major brands usually only have a few foundation or powder styles in darker shades, not taking into account that darker skin has just as many variations as lighter skin.

I’ve been wearing MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation since eighth grade, when my mom was cajoled into buying it by a pushy sales girl at the MAC counter and passed it on to me when the shade turned out to be too dark.

I wear it every single day and its never failed – it’s a one step powder and foundation that doesn’t dry out my skin and lasts all day.  It covers up any discolorations and acne scars and leaves my skin tone even.  I wear the shade N55 but there’s a few different darker shades in the line.

MAC products are available at most department stores, like Macy’s or Saks. MAC makeup is popular among theater and art types, but don’t be intimidated if the workers behind the counter look like Lady Gaga.  They can help you find the perfect shade. It costs $25 and usually lasts me at least six months.  All their products are available at the website maccosmetics.com.

Now that Global Warming is causing the weather to PMS every day of our lives, it’s more important than ever to take care of your skin! Before you cake on your concealer and foundation to cover up all of your breakouts, why not spend that extra 5 minutes cleaning your skin! You not only feel better, but you may even eliminate the need for daily foundation and concealer all together!

If that’s not incentive enough, you only have one face your whole life…take care of it! By not washing, moisturizing, etc you’re going to end up looking 30 when you’re 20. (Thanks Mama for the important lesson learned.)

So here are some basic simple steps that can help you get that flawless glow.

Start with a good face wash, no two people have the same skin so look for something that fits your skin problems. I, like hundreds of other BGs, have extremely oily skin and occasional break outs so I use Neutrogena Oil-Free acne wash.

Every few days I also use an exfoliator that gets rid of all the dirt and dead skin on my face. It’s important to use it every few days or weekly and not as your primary face wash or you’ll get dried brittle skin.

To keep your skin looking young and hydrated (because fresh is always in) make sure you use a moisturizer, this is one place you shouldn’t mind splurging. Find one that works for your skin type and put it on first thing after you wash your face.

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to make sure you wear SPF either in your moisturizer or separately EVERY SINGLE DAY. Even though we have darker skin, we’re more prone to facial damage so unless you want to start pruning at 30 wear sunscreen.

Everyone has a hectic life with work, school, social lives, etc. and sometimes we don’t make sleep a priority. Now there is no alternative to some good zzz’s but there is a little helper that can help you out every once in a while. I don’t drink caffeine but I’ll put some of Garnier’s Anti-Puff (caffeinated) skin renew roller on. It’s a life saver when you’re running late or just having one of those days, just roll it on and wait a few minutes!

At the end of every day, it’s important to take off your makeup and go to bed with clear healthy skin! Use a gentle make up remover and then wash and prep your face for bed. It’s the perfect time for pore minimizing creams, blemish reducers, or just too simply let your skin breathe.

Good skin takes time and effort, but it’s the first thing employers look at, it’s what differentiates you from the rest of the world, and it’s the frame around your smile! And a good smile goes a long, long way!

You’re hot and the weather is hot. We all know that. Now what to wear?

The Romper

If you are…

Petite: Spring for a strapless, shorts-style romper. The strapless top works well with a smaller bust size, and shorts will make your legs appear long and lean. Throw on a long chain necklace and high-heeled sandals to complete the look.

Curvy: Opt for a romper featuring capri-length bottoms and a short-sleeve, wrap top. Bottoms that hit above the knee show the right amount of skin, and a surplice neckline is an elegant and understated way to show your curves.

Tall: Button-down shirts attached to pants are incredibly sexy without exposing a lot of skin. The menswear-inspired rompers hang well on tall, slim frames.

Flower Power

Floral prints can either be a vintage masterpiece or an outdated disaster. It’s crucial to choose the right color, fabric, and print size in order to avoid looking like you just raided your grandma’s closet.

Hues like dusty rose, cream, and asparagus green should not be the base color for your floral piece: They will make the piece look too authentic instead of giving it a modern twist on an older style.

When it comes to the size of the print, always keep it small and subtle. As for the size of the piece itself, almost anything goes. Floral prints can work on cardigans, tank dresses, skirts, and tap shorts.

Get Cultured, Go Tribal

Vanessa Hudgens and Jessica Szohr pull off this look better than anyone else in Hollywood, and South Asian women can too-tribal prints and jewelry were made for dark skin and hair.

Billowing dresses, tops, jumpers, and skirts can all be found in tribal prints, so the sky is really the limit with this look. For a daytime look, pair your outfit with moccasin shoes or boots by Minnetonka. At night, trade your Native-American-inspired shoes in for Indian and African-influenced jeweled sandals. When hunting for accessories to complete the outfit, steer clear of anything glitzy. Keep it earthy and go for turquoise and rust-colored stones set in blackened silver or copper.

As for hair, stop wasting your time in front of the mirror and let your hair run wild. Going tribal means embracing your inner cavewoman, and the more carefree your hair is, the trendier you’ll be. And don’t stress if your hair doesn’t have a silky texture: Loose, side braids and beachy waves work best in coarse hair.

Avoid at All Costs

When hot, sticky weather takes over, everyone has the urge to throw on a stretchy tube top and run out the door. But, if your cup size is larger than a B, think twice.

If your chest is on the larger side, make sure that all of your strapless tops and dresses have strips of boning in between the layers of fabric: The boning gives structure to the bodice and a significantly better shape to your chest.

No-slip lining is another vital component of a flattering strapless piece, but it’s usually not found in lower-priced pieces. The clear, gel-like lining grips onto the top of your chest, saving you the hassle of pulling your top or dress up every few seconds.

Strapless pieces can be fun and feminine but if chosen haphazardly, they can look tacky and distasteful.

Full Disclosure: ELF Cosmetics and I were introduced through work (they ended up being one of my clients for which I was NOT hired to sell/promote their products).

However, after obtaining some of the products, I must say this is a great find! Most of us are strapped for cash, so why not get some high quality products on the cheap? ELF (which stands for Eyes Lips Face) has some amazing products like lip glosses, eyeshadows, mineral powders, all for under 10 bucks!

My favorite finds:

The $3.00 bronzer that goes on smooth and covers up nice!

The $5.00 Kabuki brush that is soft and great for applying face powder and blush.

The $3.00 mineral eyeshadows that have great payoff and are completely natural.

So next time you want to try makeup that is affordable and quality reach for some ELF Cosmetics. Check out their website www.eyeslipsface.com and stores that may carry the product. In Texas, I know they sell at HEB and Target!

Building a winter wardrobe takes hours of relentless searching and pairing until you find pieces that are functional while classy. The worst thing is when you have to pack away your peacoats and gloves until the next winter. Well fear not! Here are some fabulous pieces that you can take from your winter wardrobe and reinvent them into fab summer outfits!

Boots

You spent a good deal of money on your chic boots to help you survive through the winter and now they’re rotting away in the back of your closet. Well pull them back out and pair them with a cute summer dress! Boots are perfect for events like concerts, festivals, and fairs where you want to be comfy but keep it cute. Add some chunky bangles or some Hollywood sunnies to protect your eyes and finish off the look.

Pieces from the ‘Boots Look’ can be found on www.oldnavy.com, www.zappos.com, www.forever21.com, and www.etsy.com.

Blazer

This winter I loved dressing up a casual outfit by throwing a blazer on top of it. Luckily, you can keeping rocking your blazers through the summer by pairing it with a feminine detailed top or a plain tank. Make sure you wear it with shorts so that you don’t die of a heat stroke and add a pair of strappy heels to add a girly edge.

Pieces from the ‘Blazer look’ can be found on www.urbanoutfitters.com, www.modcloth.com, and www.forever21.com.

Flannel

All winter long girls were diving into their boyfriends (or buying the boyfriend looking) flannel shirts. The grunge effect is a perfect summer look that won’t make you break the bank. Find a vintage or message tee and throw it under your favorite flannel shirt. Pair it with a pair of distressed shorts (essential summer piece!) and add a cute hairpin or a hat and you’re ready to go!

Pieces from the ‘Flannel look’ can be found on www.delias.com, www.walmart.com, www.ae.com, www.forever21.com, and www.piperline.com.

Scarf

I think I own too many scarves. That being said, I justify them by using the ever so versatile pieces throughout the year. Scarves are a perfect way to mix patterns and color blocks in the winter. Wear your favorite tank and wrap the scarf around your neck like a cowl and pair them with some great jeggings! (Side note: This is a great outfit to throw on when you’re running late but still need to look great!)

Pieces from the the ‘Scarf look’ can be found at www.asos.com , www.oldnavy.com, www.payless.com, and www.forever21.com.

In the latest issue of Lucky, the magazine shows us a cool spin on the smoky eye. Basically, work black eye liner into the top and bottom lashes, then lay teal down directly over the black. This teal will be surprisingly subtle, yet catch anyone’s attention!

Here’s some great teal products:

L’Oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner

Stila Convertible Lash + Line #05 Teal

NARS Single Eye Shadow in Tropic