ONLY GOD CAN

Dear beloved,

In our present world where everyone is struggling to live independently most times we tend to forget man’s real origin which is from God and we try to live our lives doing everything on our own by ourselves to an extent of even offending our Originator and Source “God”, I am writing this to remind you that everything about you is in the hands of God.

I know most of us knows about the popular story about a certain man named David in the bible; David was an imperfect man like us but he loved God, he understood God, he knew God and he never took God for granted. If you check the life of David in the bible you will hear him always saying “I will go and inquire of the lord” no wonder the bible labeled him as “A Man After God’s Heart”.

“For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me”. (Psalm 44:6 KJV)

Your victory is in the hands of God, the house you desire is in the hands of God, Your job and business are all in the hands of God,when you pursue after God’s heart there is no way you’ll be a failure in life.

The bible tells us in Psalm 39:5 that the best of men are still men; every man at his best is still vanity,So we should understand therefore that is only what God builds that can stand the best of time, when the storms of life comes against you, only God can sustain you. Only God can give you victory over the storms of life, you cannot stop the storms; they are part of life. You may not have experienced any but just keep on living; pretty soon one will show up because victory is not the absence of trouble.

Victory is the ability to stand in the face of trouble. Despite the challenge you are able to overcome, If we can trust that those airplane pilots could take us safely to our various destinations then why can’t trust God who is a God of impossibilities(Luke 1:37).

In all things we do let’s know that we cannot prevail buy our strength alone, Our connections, Our talents, even our academical qualifications might fail us at some point but always remember that God is the God of all situations and only him can do all things any time without failing.

Credit: Bishop Mike Okonkwo.

FLORAL PRINTED ATTIRES

Hey Beauties,

Trust this month is delivery great things your way; though still fresh I believe this month won’t end without accomplishments.

 Women fashion they say are never outdated, it will surely find its way back either in new patterns or styles. The same goes for the floral prints which originated in Asia where flowers are an integral part of their culture. Floral prints are perhaps the one of the most ubiquitous motifs in Fashion. 

It’s charming; Most of us likely have at least one floral dress, skirt or shirt hanging in the closet. It comes in different colours, textures and styles which I will be sharing some below:

FLORAL PRINTED JUMPSUIT

FLORAL PRINTED SKIRT

FLORAL PRINTED BAG

FLORAL PRINTED SHORT

FLORAL PRINTED DRESS

FLORAL PRINTED TOP

Aren't they beautiful? Yes they are inherently beautiful. 

How and in what pattern would you like to rock you floral dress?

Feel free to drop your comments below i'll like to hear from you.

Thank you for Reading.

Photo credits: Pin Interest

WHAT YOU NEED IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP KIT

Hey Pretty Ladies,

Trust this first quarter of 2017 has brought blessings to you so far.

 Actually I came across information and felt it necessary to share since it includes answers to many asked questions by New or aspiring makeup artistes.

Clients always ask why the rates of makeup artist vary from one artist to another; they need to understand though that one major factor asides from years of experience and skill is the product they have in their kit. Products really makes an amazing Makeup artiste stand out.

Building a professional makeup kit takes time and it is an investment even though I am pretty certain many don’t see it that way. However, there are a lot of factors to consider such as product knowledge, the weather, skin type, ingredients, brand awareness etc.

Your kit should be streamlined along the lines of the type of makeup artist you are i.e Bridal, Special Effects, Runway, Fashion etc.

When putting together a professional makeup kit, it is very important to note that the products you are expected to have in your kit are for professional .It’s simple really, the same way you won’t expect a doctor to treat you with a first aid kit is the same way is the same way you wouldn’t want to attend to a client with what could be best described as an emergency kit.

What you have or don’t have in your kit separates an expert from an amateur, to stand out you need to let go of favoritism and focus on selecting practical essentials and time tested products with benefits .

Quality over Quantity should always be your watch word but this doesn’t mean you should stock up on the expensive products, note that  because it is expensive does not mean it’s good quality. Permit me to say that some expensive brands are worthless as they do not fit into helping you achieve the best for your client. It is essential for you to always do your research, ask questions at the beauty counter and read product review from reputable blogs and professionals.

Some brands like  Elf, NYX, Wet and wild, L.A Girl, Maybelline, Coastal scent, BH cosmetic, Citi color, Plush, cover girl, Mabrook are inexpensive but good.

Mid Range such as Revlon , L’Oreal, Crown brush, Real technique, MAC, Sigma, Urban Decay, Stilla , Ben Nye, Sephora, Zaron, Tara, BM PRO, BLOT cosmetics, Makeup Revolution,Maybelline, Mehron, Prestige, Face Atelier, l.o.g cosmetics( Natural line) Sonia Kashuk, Hegai&Esther, Morphe, Black Opal, Mary Kay , Kuddy, Sleek , Nos 7, Milani, Color Pop, Anastasia Beverly Hills are also good.

Expensive brands like Make Up For Ever, Illamasqua, YSL, Gucci, Armani, Guerlain, Nars, Channel , Lancôme, Christian Dior, Black UP, Becca, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier,  are also options to be considered.

Also make sure all the products in your professional makeup kit are original because we deal with the skin, I can tell you for free that you will end up with one angry client.Always remember, buying FAKE product is NOT an option.I have made it a point of duty to preach on health and safety after my nasty experience with a FAKE product.

Makeup Case:

The first thing you need is something to keep all your products safe and also move around with. I prefer a case that is made of fabric and has wheels, I dislike the hard metal cases because with time they can get scratched and dismantled. It is easier to wheel around my case especially when you have to travel.

Makeup Brushes: 

 Make sure you Invest in a good quality brush that will last you for years. Makeup brushes are very important as they determine your finishing and I recommend starting off with brushes that are affordable and decent quality like MAC, Sigma, ELF , Morphe , Bdellium, Sonia Kashuk, Real Technique, Crown brush, Coastal scent, Zaron , Tara , Hegai & Esther to mention a few.

Makeup Mat (Beauty Essential by N’sure Makeup Mat):

Your Makeup workstation is more organized with the use of these makeup mat, once you set up you can see what you have out and this reduces the time spent rummaging into your box looking for a makeup product. Theft reduction if any item is missing you immediately see. Prevents stains or mess from surface area.

Makeup Remover / Wipes

I use baby wipes in my kit because nobody reacts to it, I use them to wipe surface, stains and clean mistakes etc Pampers, Johnson and Dr Brown are my favorites. I also use Mary Kay liquid Makeup Remove, NYX Cosmetic, Inglot for change of makeup and wipe matte lipsticks.

Brush Cleaner

I am in love with Parisian spirit, it is my favorite brush cleaner( smells so fruity) Cinema secret does a good job of disinfecting / sanitizing my brushes as well. You can try Inglot and MAC cleaner too. For deep cleaning I use Johnson baby soap or Hegai & Esther brush shampoo.

Alcohol

I use Alchol to disinfect makeup product and tools, note that anything lesser than 70% to 99.99% wont kill bacteria. I decant into a spray bottle which makes it easy for me to carry around, also use this to disinfect and clean brushes quickly in between jobs( dries faster).

Makeup Cape

It is necessary to do makeup with a makeup cape, it keeps dirt / stains / product off of your clients clothes.

Tweezers

It assists you in shaping the unruly hairs on your clients face. I also love using tweezers to apply fake eyelashes.

Eyelash Curler

I use to pre-curl lashes and press together fake lashes and real lashes to give a more natural effect.

 Cuticle Scissors or Beard Trimming Scissors

I use the small cuticle scissors to trim unruly eyelashes, to trim false lashes and even bushy brows.

 Hand Mirror

It is used to view the progress or finished result of the makeup application.

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is a must have for your kit, make sure you use before touching the face of the client to prevent infections / spread of bacteria and keeps your hands smelling nice/fresh.

Tissues

Tissue is used as a blotting paper , dab on sweat and oil or tears. I use the Big Bounty and Paloma tissue.

Cotton Bud

Cotton Bud is used to correct mistakes i.e smudge liner, bleeding lips etc and take out stains from corners and also used to blend out products. You can find in pharmacies or supermarket around.

Disposable Applicators( Palette, Spatulas, disposable lip and Mascare wands Wedges)

It always use disposable applicators i.e lipstick, mascara wand, wedges/sponges/puffs from Giftys daughter store or Hegai and Esther .Disposable plastic mixing palette for mixing foundation, lip colour, gel liner ,etc, Disposable spatula to scoop foundation and other cream products. Disposal Applicators prevent the spread of infection.

Powder Puff

Powder puffs helps set my powder application, I use it to apply powder under eye when highlighting. It come in different sizes Small and Large . I got my last Alcone powder puff supply from Gifty daughters store.

Visine/ Red Eye Drops

Most brides always end up with red eyes due to lack of sleep on their wedding day , first ask if the client has any allergy to visine, if not use the visine before you start the makeup application.

Foundations

It’s important to have different types / forms/shade/ colors of foundations in your kit that will work any skin tone and shade, it could be a palette or single shade although pallets works best when working on more than one client.

Foundation Pallet helps to be better prepared for any more client and I would recommend Ben Nye ,Cinema Secrets, Bobbi Brown face pallete, Make Up Forever pallete, Tara ,Mehron Celebre pro HD Foundation.

For single affordable  Foundation brands you can get Mary Kay medium coverage, Mary Kay matte wear, L’Oreal, Black Radiance, Milani, Revlon Color stay , Maybelline Newyork Fit Me Matte poreless foundation ( although the darkest shade is Mocha which isn’t so dark) Smashnbox. High end brands like MAC waterproof foundation, BlackUp Matifying foundation, Lancôme, Estee Lauder, Kat Von D, Black Opal Even True, Nars, Makeup Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisibible Cover foundation, MAC studio Fix foundation, Bobbi Brown, Becca.

In other to build coverage you can apply foundation with a beauty blender or stippling brush, spray a setting spray i.e MAC Fix Plus to make the coverage lighter/sheer.

Powders

Powders are used to give a flawless and matte finish, it could b e compact powder / loose powder / pallete / single powder.

Pallete powders such as Ben Nye, Sacha pallet, Zaron , Tara, Graftobian Pro Poudre HD, Sleek, Morphe, Flori Roberts etc

Affordable Single powders  are Maybelline, Black Opal loose powder , Milani , Kuddy , NYX, Flori Roberts, MakeUp Forever HD Micro finish powder, MAC mineralize Skin finish, Bobbi Brown ,Fashion Fair, Laura mercier powder.

Setting powders are powders that you apply directly on foundation that helps to set and mattify makeup. This could be tinted or translucent Laura Mercier Loose setting powder, Sonia Kashuk Undetectable loose powder, Becca blot powder, MAC Blot powder, Sacha butter cup, Ben Nye (Banana) Make Up Forever HD powder.

Blushes

Blushes helps to give a refreshed , flushed look, It adds a pop of colour to the cheek. I love La Femme blush palettes, Nouba Blush Pallete, Ben nye,Makeup Revolution Blush pallete. Singles -Milani, MAC, Zaron, Tara , Blackup,Black Opal,

Contour and Highlight kit

I love to put more definition to the face by highlighting and contouring. I love Citi colour, Zaron, Anastasia Beverly hill contour cream kit, Elf  , Maybelline Cacao powder or use dark brow filler for contouring and blend well.

Concealers and Correctors

Concealers are used for to highlight the under eyes, cover scares,  acne , hype pigmentation while correctors  are often used to hide more of  tattoos, and dark spots .I use L.A girl HD concealers , MAC select cover up concealers, Plush pallete, Makeup forever Flash Pallete, Cinema secrets, Ben Nye, graftobian,Khuraira L,A girl correctors – Green , orange works great.

Eyeshadow

This is where you also invest, Make sure its quality over quantity, it should be pigmented , long lasting and crease proof.

I would recommend getting some shades from MAC Cosmestic , Ben Nye eyeshadow pallete, , Morphe/Ease cosmetics, Color pop, Coastal scent , Plush pallete, Urban Decay Naked Pallet, Revealed, Inglot , Sleek, MUA Makeup Academy Eyeshadow Pallete, Lorac Pro  eyeshadow pallete, Bobbi Brown Nude on nude, Glazzi ,

Eyeliner

Eye liner helps to open up the eyes and there are a few products you can use. I love to work with smudge proof because of our tropical weather. Mabrook eyeliner, zaron, Sleek, Make Up For Ever Eye, Stila pencil, MAC smoldering, Black Up Le Smokey waterproof pencil, Maybelline colossal kajal. Eyeko

You can also use gel eyeliner from Hegai & Esther , Blot cosmetic, Zaron, Inglot, Mac paint pot, apply with angle brush , just dip into the gel and create any look you want.

I love felt tip pen because they are from a pointed thin tips , leaves no mess. Zaron , L.A girl. Milani, Black Up, NYX,  Make Up For Ever.

Eyepencils, Brow gels and Powders

I am love my eyebrows looking natural, My favorites products are MAC eyebrow pencil, Maybelline, Benefit, Davis, Ever sheen, Airwoman, Jordana, catch me.

I use eyebrow gels BLOT , Zaron, Hegai & Esther, MAC Dip down, Anastasia Beverly hills, NYX

Brow filler like Zaron, Jordana, Inglot, Elf .

Mascaras

I use love Maybelline Great lash , L’Oreal Voluminous, Blot Fiber mascara, Revlon, MAC Zoom lash.

Fake Eyelashes and Adhesive

I love Ardell strip lashes , both there are other brands like red cherry, bee lashes , Titolon , Voan, Glamtouch, Hegai&Esther , BH cosmetics, Zaron. Monda, Arthimatic, Kiss.

I use Duo, Ardell , lockon lash glue, and you can find them in any beauty supply store.

Lipstick and Lip Liners

I save money on lipsticks and lip pencils,  I mix and match from what I have and not buy every single color. Lipsticks come in different forms and texture i.e shimmery , matte, semi matte , moisturizing lipsticks. Brands like MAC , Estee lauder, NYX, Nouba, OCC Lip tars, sephora, BlackUp, Kuddy , Zaron, Blot lipsticks, Ease cosmetic, Labelle, Milani, Marykay. etc.

Lip liners are also lipsticks in pencil form BlackOpal , Zaron, MAC, NYX, Milani, Jordana, Rimmel, Avon.

Other items you will need are Gum or Mints for you or the client for fresh breathe .

Body spray or perfume

A DSLR  Camera ( digital ) either a Canon 60 D or Nikon D90 for starter, External Flash , reflector and Ringlight/ Makeup light.

Makeup chair ( optional )

Brush wallet / makeup brush holder / makeup brush belt for keeping brushes and pencil.

Makeup setting spray- Skindinavia , Mehron , Model n a bottle, L’Oreal Infallable, ELF, MAC fix plus, NYX, Inglot.

Face primers/ moisturisers/shine control i.e  Nos 7 beautifully matte, Sonia Kashuk brighten primer, BM Pro shine control, Becca Shine control, Smash box photo finish, Laura Mercier foundation primer, ponds. Hourglass primer veil, MAC prep and prime,Mac Skin Base Visage, Clarins Beauty Flash balm, Rimmel stay matte primer, Embryolisse lait cream etc

Eye Primer– NYX Milk Pencil, Lindoirs eye primer, Elf, Milani, MaryKay, Urban Decay, MAC Paint pot, NYX eyeshadow base etc

Glitters– Shop sisi glitters, Milani glitters , Coast scent or you can buy from a book store /craft shop

Glitter Glue–  Nyx, Elf seal

Small first aid kit– Panadol, cotton wool, NCP , bandage, plaster.

Shadow shield for eyeshadow and glitters fallout.

Brush egg for washing brushes / Sigma Spa brush cleaning mat.

Safety pins and stapler for Gele and emergencies.

Rubber bands , Head bands ,hair clips, booby pins.

Sharpeners/ Blade.

Makeup Blot paper for touch up.

Business Cards  soft copy and printed.

POS and Invoice.

Credits: Misidreads

HEALTH IS WEALTH

Wealth is a combination of having enough money for one’s needs, the ability to enjoy that money, be an active contributor to society that society would look up to, be able to have and sustain a meaningful network of friends and family that contributed to wholesome experiences…etc. It was about the ability of a person to function as a happy, effective individual, who was able to make most decisions out of a sense of freedom, rather than compulsion.

Health was seen as the primary driver that helped create such a world for oneself. Money means nothing when it doesn’t afford you the time and means to spend it on yourself and your loved ones. Staying healthy therefore becomes a necessity.
When we are ill or we do not want to play or work, our bad health robs us of sound sleep and appetite. Life becomes a burden for one, who is constantly ailing. Life has little charm for him. He feels tired of life, always complaining about one thing or the other.

Wealth is the ability to know what your purpose in life is, ability to have meaningful relationships with those around you, ability to solve problems that come your way, being fed and having shelter, being grateful for all that you have in life, having enough money to get by, and when you are healthy, you get to have more joy in your life, you can experience new things and you can grow, that is why health is wealth.
Health is a wealth in and of itself, you have a human body, it carries you everywhere and you interact with people with it, right? So, if you take care of your body, then experiencing things such as sex, driving, eating and all other fun things become more enjoyable.
If you don’t take care of yourself, then stress and other diseases make simple things unbearable.

Listed below are some important tips on how to stay healthy;

 

TIPS FOR HEALTHY LIVING:

• Breakfast Is A Must

Never skip breakfast, our metabolic rate decreases leading to weight gain and digestion problems. Breakfast increases concentration, helps us focus better and controls weight.

• Apply Caution To The Food 

Avoid unhealthy food that is high in calories. They gradually take a toll on your health leading to weight gain, heart diseases and cholesterol. Eat seasonal fruits that are rich in fibers, vitamins and proteins. Nobody asks you ban those delicious desserts all together at every beginning. But a little moderation at the beginning can ensure that you never reach the stage where you can’t have it anymore. Make it a point to eat healthy stay healthy.

• Avoid Mindless Eating

You are hungry, you eat. You are bored, you eat. You are angry, you eat. And you are lazy to do your chores, you eat again. Unless otherwise you have plans of getting shifted to a hospital permanently, DON’T do this. Eat when you are hungry as simple as that. Your stomach isn’t a dump-yard in which you can allow your emotional appetite to dispose its junk cravings. Eat only when you are hungry make sure to take healthy food you only. Eating just because food is there stacked inside the fridge, and that too being completely oblivious of what you are eating, can be dangerous.

• Washing your hands

Hand sanitizer's were invented for a reason. If your hands are dirty, you clean them. But after that you STOP. You have to continually wash your hands regularly and repeatedly. Research says that limited germ exposure is actually good as it builds immunity and an overly sterile environment is not good at all.

• Check The Nutrition Labels

Even I know what nutritional labels are. No big deal. But what most of us don’t know is to read them whenever we buy anything edible. All we do is fill the trolley with whatever that comes to our hand. Just like we have the evergreen habit of avoiding them, nutritional labels have the evergreen habit of telling us what the food contains. And mind you. They are ruthlessly honest, they give us a clear picture about how good those ‘natural’ or ‘low fat’ foods we get attracted to are.

• Balanced Diet

Incorporating proteins, minerals, iron, vitamins, calcium, carbs and fat (good fat) in your daily diet is very necessary. Fruits, vegetables, lean meat, poultry, milk, whole grain foods make a balanced diet.

• Late Night Meals

Having meals on time is as important as having a healthy meal. Having meals at-least a couple of hours before you hit the bed prevent obesity and other severe health complications. Also, late night snacking might result in indigestion which interferes with your sleep.

• Avoid Pessimistic Thinking

This, by far, is the most poisonous drug ever known to humanity. The irony is that it is self-induced. And the misfortune is that the person who is thinking negative doesn’t know they are doing so. We are so habituated to destructive thinking patterns that rarely we realize what we are doing to ourselves. Developing an optimistic attitude can alter your life in amazing ways. Most of the things around aren’t as bad as they seem to be. It is just your mind playing the dirty trick.

• Exercise

Exercise is a must, workouts; aerobics, walking or jogging regulates heart rate giving you more energy to work hard through the day. Exercise early in the morning won’t make you feel lazy in the day. It improves blood circulation and releases muscle tension giving you a stronger body and mind. Exercise is an effective way to boost your health and keep your energy flowing at optimum levels. Most people give preference to lame excuses than to regular exercise. Don’t wait till you have the necessary equipment or till you join a gym. Exercise routines as simple as pushups or crunches (which can be performed at home) can go a great way in building health. A study has shown that individuals who never did any exercise lost about seven years of life compared to the ones who did. Now, that isn’t a wise bargain, is it?

• Don’t Sit Continuously For Long Hours

Whether it is at your home, office or any other place, continuously sitting in one place is not a trivial issue to be ignored. Sitting for long hours without any movement slows metabolism and weakens muscles. Make sure you get up and move around for every couple of hours. Stretch your muscles from time to time. Early to bed and early to rise is always the best way to stay healthy.

• Practice Yoga

Yoga helps in overall mind and body development. It is a two-in-one medium to keep you healthy both mentally and physically.

• Avoid Smoking

Smoking ruins your health, sooner or later. Cancer, lung diseases and heart problems all result because of smoking.

• Control Your Drinks

Alcohol may relax you after a hard day’s work, but it also reduces the number of white blood cells (W.B.C.)fights germs  thereby indirectly weakens the immunity system.

• Use Less Salt

Reduce the salt intake in your diet, as it may lead to strokes and heart diseases in future.

• Have Lots Of Fluid

Drink at least 8-9 glasses of water every day. It not only flushes your system but also keeps your skin good and healthy.

• Proper Sleep

Get a minimum 8 hours sleep because it relaxes your mind and keeps you healthy. The human body is a machine. And just like any machine requires rest and recharging, our bodies also need sufficient amounts of sleep. Most of us, burdened by the monotony of work, tend to sleep less and focus more on our tasks. But the thing is, you can’t really focus if you haven’t had a good night’s sleep. Adequate sleep increases our productivity levels and helps us in getting our tasks done faster. So the next time you plan to skip your sleep in order to complete that important assignment or get done with a crucial task, give it a second thought. You might be giving away too much for too little.

Value your Health, It is precious! All it takes are the above tips to stay healthy!