Frangrance Fun! - Michael Kors Island Collection

I have no idea whether or not I've ever posted anything about fragrances on my blog. I know I have about nail products, but there is always a first time for everything. Some of my closest friends know that I LOVE Michael Kors fragrances; all of them! So imagine my sheer glee when I stumbled upon this collection of rollerballs from his Island fragrance collection. I LIVE for "Capri" and had always wanted to try all of the scents in the collection, this is perfect. Now I am not sure why Sephora is touting this as a "New" product, because I picked my set up before Christmas in the store, but that's beside the point. The scents are soft and not overbearing. Perfect for those mid-winter trips and spring breaks coming up! They are the perefect size for tossing in your purse and feature an easy to use rollerball.

My only complaint is that the scents don't last that long, BUT just like with makeup, if you put a base under it it will last longer. So what should you use for a fragrance base? Unscented lotion! That's right. Any unscented lotion (not cream). Perfect texture for laying a base. You heard it here FIRST! I can't believe I just gave that secret away...lol. Most rollerballs don't last long and I have a ton of em so I had to figure out a way to make them last! Obviously you need to wait for the lotion to completely absorb into your skin and dry so it doesn't affect the rollerball. In my experiment, that's what I came up with!

Okay loves. Chat soon! Pick up the Michael Kors Island rollerballs in Sephora stores everywhere or online HERE
Michael Kors Island Travel Set @ Sehora.com


~be Beautiful
Racquel Simone~

Beauty Rush Mascara - Another New Favorite!

VS Beauty Rush Mascara $7

3 Words: My New Fave! Check It Out. I almost cried the other day because I thought I lost it. 8)

Parian Spirit - My New Favorite Brush Cleaner!

Hi Ladies! I am so excited to tell you about my new favorite brush cleaner. I was using M.A.C.s brush cleaner for the most part, and liked the way it cleaned but wished the brushes would dry faster. Soon after, I heard about Cinema Secrets brush cleaner and used on a few jobs I was assisting on. I loved how fast the brushes dried, BUT I was super turned off by how chemically it smelled. Something about it just wasn't right and it actually made me uncomfortable to use it! Fast forward to the Artist Summit in Chicago back in October and an artists friend and I stumbled across Parian Spirit while shopping the booths. This cleaner smells like citrus fruits, not chemicals and has the exact same speedy drying time I had been looking for. Plus it's made from all natural ingredients. With that being the case, the cleaner has to be used within 6 months of purchase. I LOVE it and I hope you will too!

~be Beautiful
Racquel Simone~

My Life As An MUA - The Proofs Are In a Gallery!

Hi Ladies!

New year. New updates! The picture above is my favorite cleanser for the new year!

Alright, 1st update my friend and photographer of choice posted a blog about our shoot with a couple of other proofs. Check her post out here: http://caroleengerphotography.blogspot.com/2009/12/rs-portfolio.html
Also check out her site for samples of all of her work. She is amazing! http://www.caroleengerphotography.com/ If you want to see all of the shots, visit this path:

http://www.caroleengerphotography.com/ >exisiting clients > RS Portfolio > password is makeup

Enjoy viewing!

In upcoming events, I start assisting on set as a makeup artist this weekend for my 1st feature film. Praise the LORD! LOL. I'm so excited. I believe this is like the last medium I have to conquer as far as my experience goes. God is so great. I set out to do makeup seriously in January of 2008 and in two short years, God has opened SO many doors. My career has only progressed and with the Lord's help and good grace it will stay that way and excel any of my hopes and dreams!

Also, I am finally getting my TEMPTU order shipped to me on Friday. Yay! I have a feeling airbrush makeup is going to be my niche. I want to do like 85% of my faces with airbrush equipment and products. I am SO excited!!! I already have a wedding lined up and I need to do the trial soon so the timing is perfect. Also, for TV & film, this is the standard!

In other news, my website will be up in the 1st quarter of this year! EXCITING!!!! I have a meeting in two weeks for my 1st outreach event with a girls home which will also be taking place in the 1st quarter of the year. I have a tentative photo shoot coming up for my website/portfolio and two others to get done by Q2 of this year. As you can see, my plate is FULL. I am thanking the Lord for VISION and for His Word being true and faithful.

Expect New Things

&

~be beautiful

Racquel Simone~

2009 - My Annual "Year In Review"

You can read about the year I've had below. I like to break my year down by months & seasons, or one or the other. It's going to be a long one...you've been warned!!! 8) Honestly, I write these for myself more than anything, so I can always look back on them and see the changes that have occurred in my life. So if it's going to be too long for you, that's cool! It's for me! LOL.

In January, I was thrilled at the prospect of a new year. Fresh starts are wonderful. They provide relief where pressure has been. I asked God for new things, and He did SO much more! I was asked to be one of the key artists in a play. I had never done theatrical makeup before, so it was a great experience. I remember January being the middle of one of the coldest and snowiest winters I had ever experienced here in MI sine I have been able to comprehend the seasons. It brought a sense of peace though, because all of that snow constantly reminded me that God is faithful in cleansing us and covering us whenever we need him to.

February came along. One of THE BEST months! I hooked up with my, now, brothers Jay & Jay Soul to do their makeup for the shooting of their 1st music video. It was shot in HD. (It's actually on the top of the right hand column of my blog if you'd like to view it AFTER you read this post LOL) I am still amazed at how great the video turned out and how great the guys looked and would you like to know a secret? I know airbrushing is the gold standard for anything filmed in HD, but I didn't have the equipment at that time so I used what I had, and they STILL looked flawless. Glory to God!

Ms. Shana Wilson, an awesome praise & worship leader/artist actually asked me to assist her and fill in for some of her background singers. I was honored to do so, and it was at a function in Lansing, MI. Good times. I was super nervous, but I love the ministry God had given her, so I filled in on a whim and it worked out fine. Awesome experience.

I started volunteering at New Light Home For Recovering Women. Most TOUCHING experience of my life. I did makeovers once a month for women who were recovering from trauma and addictions. Their stories moved me, and their deep appreciation for the services I gave brought tears to my eyes. Unforgettable.

Spiritually, God was working a very intense work in me on obeying HIM at all costs no matter how uncomfortable it might be to me. It didn't matter if I thought what he was asking me to do was fair or not, I just had to be sure I did it. Each time, I got a HUGE blessing for my obedience. God does what He does and allows what He allows to HELP us not hurt us. Period. I'm convinced of this. in addition to my church in the A.M. on Sundays, I also started attending High Praise Church's evening services with Pastor's Deitrick & Damita Haddon. All I have to say is Gloray! LOL. I have been a faithful atendee/MUA ever since. Highlight of my Sunday nights!

March, all I can say is VIVA LAS VEGAS!!! LOL. I travelled to Vegas for the 1st time. It's something I'd wanted to do for a while. I went for a friend's wedding. Glammed some of the girls up for their nights out, while I hung back and relaxed in my room. Vegas is nice and has some beautiful places,but it is NOT the place to go if you are trying to relax. There is however, contrary to popular belief, a lot of stuff to do besides gamble (which I don't) and party. We had a good time. Only two bummers were that my digital camera got stolen and it was cold! LOL.

When I got back from Vegas, Ms. Shana Wilson called me for another BGV opportunity and this time it was for an engagement in Columbus, OH. Oh boy! 1st ever road trip with a band in tow. Learned a lot of musical terms. Attempted to come out of my stage fright, did a decent job, but I have to admit I prefer freestyle worship or just being in a booth..letting it just go up to Him! So, that opportunity helped me realize my style. I know the Lord has invested a vocal gift in me, I am just not focused on that like I am my makeup right now! I was also a key artist for a fashion show at the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor. Great team, great experience. March was a GREAT month!

April I TURNED 25!!!! I was not sad at all like I thought I would be. I flipped out more for 24 the previous year than this big birthday. This month I hit the heavenly skies and spent 7 beautiful days in my favorite place on earth, CALIFORNIA! It was my birthday gift to myself. I spent those days doing a lot of reflecting, self-examination, praying, relaxing and having fun with my big sis. Strong support systems are SO important. I appreciate each and every one of my friends and family members who have always been interested in only my success and happiness. Love you guys for that. You know who you are. When I returned from my get-away, I spent my birthday weekend at a super classy birthday get together with my friends and family who are all my "loved ones". It was a defining moment in my life and one of the best nights of my life. I remember feeling God's love like never before, and knowing that really and truly His love is constant and never changes and I can always depend on Him. I can say I started falling in love with the Lord all over again!

May Another 1st. I was asked to I do remember being super excited that summer was coming. I took this month to recover from all of the travelling I had done. PLUS I was planning my 1st travelling makeup outreach at The Darlene Bishop Home For Life. Saw PJ Morton in concert for the 1st time. PHENOMENAL. Can't wait for his new album on 2.10.09 "Walk Alone". Go get it! LOL. Before that, for the 1st time, I was the key MUA for the "Mayday" Fashion Show at Modern Skate Park in Royal Oak, MI. It was a huge birthday bash for my guys Rock Nation. Love them. New album. Early 2010. "Blood & Bones" go get it! LOL. Ok, but seriously I was the key and I had two other artist assisting me. We had at least 40+ people that we did makeup for. WHEW! What a night. Two of my besties came along and assisted too. Love them for that. Great experience. FUN TIMES indeed.

June started off on the road headed to Cincinnati, OH. This trip CHANGED MY LIFE. I realized on this trip, my MAIN purpose as far as makeup was concerned...drum roll please...I realized that God had given me a makeup ministry! He gave me a vision for a non-profit that is legally recognized as an LLC by the government and will by mid 2010 be recognized as a 501c3 whose main purpose is to help young girls, teens and women ALL OVER THE WORLD realize that they are "Fearfully & Wonderfully" made. Period. No matter what they've done, experienced, been a victim of, been perpertratrors of or how their natural bodies look. The ultimate creator, Jesus Christ fashioned them in His image, and I am making it my mission to ensure that females everywhere know that and believe it. I met Vicki Yohe at the Home For Life and she was very nice, but her sister hipped me to one of my new fave websites that I will NOT name. LOL. The women and their stories truly touched me and left me speechless. My assistant will tell you. I mean...we all cried and we all laughed and at the end I just gave them items that I was blessed with by Revlon. HUGE THANK YOU to Revlon for being an unofficial sponsor. I'm sure they'll become official as soon as my 501c3 is official! Shout out to my girl Taryn still holding it down there. I'm coming soon girlie!!! Hang on!

July did makeup for Grammy Award winning jazz pianist Gail Johnson at Chene Park. My 1st big venue doing makeup for a headliner. I also met the phenomenal singer Ms. Patti Austin. We rode around in a golf cart and had a blast after the show was over. Learned that airbrushing is best for clients who need waterproof makeup. Saw Ms. Anita Baker in concert. It was GREEEAAATTT!!! She has been one of my favorite singers since I was a little girl! 6 years old to be exact. She sang all my songs and her voice was still on point. Sigh. if I could get her at my wedding reception (whenever that is ;) I would be thrilled! LOL. Hit the recording studio..a legendary one...sat in on a legendary session actually...with some legendary people. More about that at a later date. Not at liberty at this time. LOL. The track was BANANAS!!! Turned my truck lease in and was all set to get a new car. Bad news. Lease was never reported to my credit and I could NOT get a new lease. Ladies & gents I NEVER thought I would not have a car. I was without a car for 3 whole months. I rode the bus and got rides to work. Can you say HUMILITY!!!!! GOD did that. He allowed it to happen for a reason. I believe it was because there was still parts of me that lacked empathy for the less fortunate. God always breaks you down before he elevates you, and although that was one of the toughest things to experience, especially dealing with the car sales people, in the end I am SO GRATEFUL I went through that. Made me REALLY appreciate God and all He does for me, and made me realize you can still live a full life without having all the things you need.

August & September had a blast with my fam & friends. Enjoyed a huge end of summer party with mi familia that I hadn't seen in awhile. Can't wait till this summer's end of summer bash with my bestie and my Mexican fam. Love em'. We don't get together enough! I also managed to be at the Palace for Brittany Spears' comeback concert. It's interesting to see how much a person can change for the better with a little guidance and cutting certain people off. Congrats to her. In these months I was still leaning on the Lord & believing him to provide me with a new vehicle. It didn't manifest in those two months though. Still good months nonetheless!

October & November I got my CAR!!!!! LOL. Super cute too! Love it. I got it on the 31st of October. My mom's birthday. She was amped because she was TIRED of picking me up from work. I had a very special co-worker who was like a second mom to me since I've been working at my job, but this experience brought us closer together. I LOVE God and how he supplies all of our NEEDS even if it's not how we think it will happen. I had another friend who was so selfless and let me borrow one of his cars for a month. God is good like that. I was inconvenienced but never in need. God is so faithful to His word. I also went to The Artist Summit in Chicago in October. What can I say except that this 3 day experience was LIFE FOCUSING. I was moved to tears at one point during one of the seminars because it really hit me that God has placed makeup IN ME. It's not something I just happened to learn, or stumbled across. It was predestined in my path. The Artist Summit helped me hone in on what exactly I needed to do for my career, both short-term and long-term. Trust me, there are great things coming forth from Racquel Simone, because God said so! I did my 1st portfolio photo shoot in November. I LOVE how the pics came out. That was a short-term goal accomplished! I also learned in November that my abuela (Spanish for grandma) was diagnosed with lung cancer. I was a little stunned at first and cried at first, but it was just another thing that I turned over to the Lord, as I am SUPER close to my grandma! Love her but trusted in the Lord that His will would be done and He would see her through, no matter what the outcome. Thanksgiving came and went super quick. Oh wells. LOL. God started dealing with me about a major transition that I knew was coming for a while, but he started telling me to prepare to walk out the transition & guess what? I said yes.

December sigh. Grandma made it through her surgery to remove her cancer. She still has to have chemo to take care of the cancer in her lymph nodes. But, glory to God, she made it! Last weekend I did my final stint for the year at The Word Network, a place I consider one of my makeup homes :) Finished my Christmas shopping minus two gifts and enjoying an entire year off. Going to bring in the new year in a new way, but still with Jesus! Going to start off my new year in a new way too, but again, still with Jesus. I look back on a blog post from September where God was dealing with me, and I didn't know quite what it was about, but now it makes perfect sense. I love God for that. He always prepares us.

Obviously there was so much more that happened this year, but those were the high (and low) lights. God has been TREMENDOUSLY good to me. I am so undeserving. He continues to show me His love, mercy and grace and I am forever grateful and indebted to him. He is the best! LOL. Get on His team! 8) God has placed some very special and important people in my life, and I'm so grateful to God for sending me people that I NEED. He is great like that. He knows what we need before we need it. Poeple to help you get to the next place in God. I am looking forward to, Lord willing, everything God has for me in every area of my life in 2010. No matter what the challenge or victory, I know that I will make it, because He's always with me.

I've adopted this scripture as my theme for 2010 - Isaiah 43:19 "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

~be Beautiful

Racquel Simone~