From StyleBlazer

He may not be an household name yet, but celebrity make-up artist, AJ Crimson is coming to homes everywhere with his new cosmetic line.

With the help of Adrienne Bailon, Letoya Luckett and British singer, Alexandra Burke the seasoned artist is promoting his new line.

Read more at StyleBlazer.com

Welcome to the “Work It!” column, where we take a look at business innovation of every kind.

Diego Corredor/MPI / Picturegroup via AP IMAGES

Sometimes being an innovator is as easy as paying attention to what others ignore. Iman is best known for serving fierceness. She blazed runways and magazines during the 70’s and 80’s. She was a muse to Saint-Laurent, Valentino, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Versace. She’s David Bowie’s wife! As if all that fabulousness wasn’t enough, you have to give her props for being an innovative businesswoman as well.

If you’ve walked through a department store or picked up a magazine for black women, you know about Iman Cosmetics. But you may not realize how the brand has made history. There was a time when being a supermodel wasn’t enough for a black woman to find foundation in her color.

Iman still remembers make-up artists asking her if she brought her own foundation when she showed up for shoots, and the grey shade her face took on when those same artists mixed concoctions to make due.

Where There’s A Need, There’s A Check

In 1994, after she retired from ripping the runway, Iman founded Iman Cosmetics. From the start, Iman was confident in her venture because she knew there was a need for her product. Women constantly approached her on the street asking what products she used, and where they could buy them. Her products, sold on the Web and in chain stores, do about $25 to $30 million a year.

Iman’s business strategy is still effective today. In every industry and area of interest there is bound to be a group that is underserved. Being the first to cater to their needs will inspire unparalleled brand loyalty.

I was admittedly comfortable with Iman Cosmetics being identified as a beauty brand that filled the gap for black women because it was deeply personal for me. It was more than foundations and powders; it was appealing to a deep psychological need that I think all black women needed at that time: to be told that they were beautiful, invited to sit at the cool table and courted in high style.

- Iman, “Think Tank: Iman on the Multicultural Consumer”

Serve, Don’t Pander And Never Abandon

The main pitfall with this strategy is alienating your intended audience by stereotyping them. As Iman says, “Multicultural markets are nuanced, but not alien.” Know your audience and their culture, but don’t pander in a way that be can perceived as offensive. Show your allegiance with subtle nods to social cues that someone not part of that group would miss.

This innovation strategy isn’t limited by race. Any trait that makes a person unique can be translated into a business’s differentiator. Appealing to a niche market is a great way to build up to serving a larger market. Iman Cosmetics slowly shifted to a more holistic vision that served women of all skin tones. That doesn’t mean when you get on leave your base for the mainstream. Never forget the customers that supported you first.

—

C. Cleveland is a freelance writer and content strategist in New York City, perfecting living the fierce life at The Red Read. She is at your service on Twitter (@CleveInTheCity) and Facebook (/MyReadIsRed). 

We’re highlighting Pioneers in the Game every day here on Madame Noire. Click here to meet all of our salutes.

Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Just days after her fashion line with British company River Island was panned mercilessly in the media, Rihanna announced a partnership (on her birthday, February 20… happy belated!) with cosmetics company MAC to create 31 products for the RiRi [Hearts] MAC line. And just like so many celebrity partnerships these days, this deal comes with a new title for RiRi:  ”creative partner.”

According to OMG! from Yahoo, the first item to come from the partnership will be RiRi Woo red lipstick, which will be sold at the Barclay’s Center on May 4, when Rihanna is performing in concert. She posted the photo below on Instagram with the message: “That’s right baby, I’m a #MACgal now! “Get into it, package designed and products created from scratch by yours truly! Thanks to the EPIC team at #MAC for giving me the opportunity to play and share my favorite s**t with my fans and yours.”

via Instagram

We also have some behind-the-scenes footage from her London Fashion Week show, just made available. Check it out below.

OctoberGallery.com

While pricier personal care products tend to work almost like magic, blowing your entire paycheck on items you can’t really afford isn’t the only way you can tap into quality skin, hair and nail care. There are tons of brands carried in drugstores that retail at reasonable price points and will work well as supplements to your splurge-worthy items. Here are some of the best beauty products currently lining drugstore shelves.

Read the rest of this entry »

fashionmefabulousinfo.blogspot.com

Not long ago, I was sitting at a local bar enjoying a quick bite with a friend.  As he and I dished about life and sports as guy and gal pals do, a lady comes over to our table and she says to me, “You’re beautiful.”  Flattered by her words, I tell her thank you and let her know that I really appreciate the compliment.  I intend to get back to the conversation with my friend, but she continues.  “And you’re very graceful.  I noticed you when you first walked in.  Are you a dancer?  You have the body of a dancer.”  At this point, I’m still flattered but I’m definitely getting a little uneasy.  I politely thank her again, and let her know that I am in no way a dancer and that I could only dream to have the body of one.  Surely our quick exchange would be over at this point and I’d be able to go on with the conversation I was clearly having when she walked over.  Yet, she continues: “May I ask what kind of skin care products you use?”

It is at that point it hits me and I could hear the voice of Florida Evans crying out in the background, “Damn, damn, damn!!!”…I’ve been caught by a freakin’ Mary Kay lady.

Is it just me, or are Mary Kay consultants highly aggressive?  As the young lady starts to explain to me that she owns her own Mary Kay business and would love to talk more about the products the company offers, I know instantly that it will NOT be easy to get rid of her.  Even after explaining to her that not only do I rarely wear make up but that I also have a really simple and natural skin care regimen that doesn’t involve a lot of products, she refuses to give up.  Now, I’m the kind of girl who rarely gives out my information.  I think long and hard about giving my number out even to men I’m actually interested in.  But the Mary Kay lady walked away with my phone number and email address.  That’s how aggressive she was.

I can think of at least three other separate occasions when I have been borderline accosted, in very similar fashion, by Mary Kay consultants.  Walking down the street, shopping, dining out, I’ve been blindsided by members of the pink brigade while doing all of these things.  It always starts out innocently, usually with a compliment, and just when you start feeling yourself and plan to give a quick “thank you” and strut off—they go in for the hard sale.  They do not take no for an answer.

I recently found out that I’m not alone.  A number of my friends have had very similar experiences with consultants.  In fact, one friend compared the tenacity of some Mary Kay business owners to that of followers of a certain religious faith who are usually very eager to share their beliefs.  We’ve decided that of the two, Mary Kay is definitely more aggressive.  They’re gangsta.  I respect it, but I’m simply not about that life.

While I’ve decided to, henceforth and forevermore, run in the opposite direction when a Mary Kay lady makes her presence known, I know that the company offers some very positive incentives for women.  Mary Kay allows women to go into business for themselves and to do so in a way that affords them the flexibility that many other careers fail to offer.  In an economy as tough as the one we’re currently enduring, that’s nothing to smirk at.  Consultants are able to take advantage of a 50 percent discount on products, making a 50 percent profit on all products sold.  There are leadership opportunities that allow women to transition into director positions and help other consultants build their businesses. And we all know about the infamous pink Cadillacs that Mary Kay Consultants can earn; add diamonds and luxurious trips to the list of enticing incentives as well.

For some, a Mary Kay business may be just what the doctor ordered.  Lots of people are searching for the perfect way to create additional streams of income for themselves.  For me, I’ve been scarred and I am indeed scared.  I like to tell a woman she is beautiful and keep it moving, but that doesn’t seem to be the Mary Kay way.  Eh, different strokes for different folks I suppose.  Since I have yet to find a successful way to emerge from an encounter with a Mary Kay consultant without giving her some sort of information, I’m just going to try to avoid these saleswomen at all costs.  What about you?

Have you been in any situations when you’ve come unsuspectingly face to face with a Mary Kay lady?  How did it go?  If you are a Mary Kay lady, have you enjoyed your experience working with the company thus far?

Sheena Bryant is a writer and blogger in Chicago.  Follow her on twitter at @song_of_herself.

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ofmakeup.net

This summer, bring on the glamorous look and keep your make up looking great with fun tips this new makeup tips. As beauty specialist, Olivia Chantecaille, the creative director of Chantecaille Beauté tells Forbes, summer make up is all about bright, fun color options. Chantecaille was born to be a make-up guru. Her mother Sylvie was the senior vice president and creative director of Prescriptives, a cosmetics brand under Estee Lauder. Chantecaille has been sharing beauty tips with busy, professional women since 1997, and has traveled around the world.

Your first summer tip: less is more.  According to Chantecaille, during the summer, “sometimes too much makeup during the summer months can make a woman look older.”

Next, think lightweight. In hot, humid temperatures, heavy makeup is a no go. Try using oil free creams and serums. Sun protection will be mandatory so choose primers with SPF or a matte powder with SPF.

Be bold. Try new colors on your lips like coral and poppy pink.

Lastly, as your traveling on your business and vacation trips this summer, stay moisturized. “To keep skin hydrated while flying I always apply a moisturizing mask and spray rose water on my face throughout the flight,” Chantecaille reveals. “If you find yourself in the sun, be sure to carry a face powder with a high SPF to apply over makeup. They are quick, easy to apply and convenient to carry about.”

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Be sure to look out for La La Vasquez Anthony’s new cosmetics line, “Motive for La La.” According to CBS Miami, the former MTV VJ and wife of basketball star Carmelo Anthony has partnered with Loren Ridinger’s Motives cosmetics line to create a brand that specifically focuses on the cosmetics needs of African American and Latina women.

“Having my name on a cosmetics line has always been a dream, one I’m excited to share. Every girl always tries to find that perfect color or shade that suits their personality, and now she can do it easily and affordably,” La La stated at the debut.

The brand debuted Thursday morning at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. Global Grind reports the launch took place in front of a crowd of 20,000 with several celebrities in attendance including Kim Kardashian.

“Motives was a brand I created 2 years ago and La La has always loved the brand but said we’re missing a market we should cover,” Ridinger told CBS Miami.

La La’s products are currently sold on the Motives website which hails the line as the “perfect blend of runway and everyday styles with products uniquely-formulated for every shade of today’s modern woman.”

The line features eight products: lipsticks, lip shines, eyeshadows, blushes, foundations, mascara and eyeliners. La La and Ridinger have ensured that their prices are lower than the competition, namely MAC and Bobbie Brown in efforts to “reach the masses.” Prices range from $10-$40.

Transitioning your make-up from day to night can be tricky. Most of us don’t have time to run home for a touch-up. Having an all-in-one eyeshadow palette allows you to go from, daytime – casual to cocktail hour.

Check out these 5 gorgeous eyeshadow palettes!

Read the rest of this entry »

By Brande Victorian

You can’t trust a big butt and a smile, or maybe just a smile with lips doused in bright red rouge. According to a new study, women who wear makeup are perceived as more attractive, competent, and trustworthy, but the more makeup women pile on, the less trustworthy they become.

Because the study was funded by Proctor and Gamble, the cosmetics giant behind cover girl, the results have to be taken somewhat with a grain of salt. Still, the findings fall in line with what’s always been known: the beautiful people “are expected to do better on the job, in school, and in life—and are treated that way,” according to the study authors.

Interestingly, when study participants were given just 250 milliseconds to look at several photos of women with no makeup, natural, professional, and glamorous looks, the positive ratings increased with the amount of beauty products used. But when the same participants were given time to study the images at greater length, things changed. Women with dramatic makeup were still perceived as equally likeable and much more attractive and competent, but less trustworthy, lead author Nancy Etcoff, Associate Researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, told ABC News.

I’ve always thought it was interesting when men say they hate when a woman who wears too much makeup, but don’t seem to mind an 18-inch weave, breast implants, or fake nails, but perhaps there’s something to it. I can’t say that I’ve noticed any particular change in people’s response to me when I wear makeup or not (although on a not day I may be told that I look tired). Still, I think the bigger point is looking put together and having the appropriate “face” for the occasion.

What has your experience been? Do people respond to you differently based on whether you wear makeup or not?

(Uptown) — Mother & entrepreneur Sheree Fletcher debuted her new organic beauty line Whoop Ash last night at the GEORGIA Salon in New York’s Lower East Side. Making its first bricks & mortar retail debut, the budding beauty brand was originally launched exclusively online at WhoopAsh.com. Now loyal customers and new interests can find Whoop Ash products lining the shelves at the downtown NY salon and more locations on the horizon. UPTOWN sat down with the budding entrepreneur (and ex-wife to Will Smith) to talk about the inspiration behind Whoop Ash, her decision to start a beauty business and future plans for the company…

Is this your first entrepreneurial venture?

No, it’s not. I’m actually from New York and I went to school at FIT in Manhattan for fashion design. So when my son was 3 years old, I started a business with a partner. And I realized it was like having two babies. You know a new business is just like a baby; it’s so much work. So I had to make a choice, and of course I chose [Trey]. I said you know what, “I’ll have my career later” and here I am. He’s 18 years old, so now is “later”.

Read More…