starring
Zulay Henao
the cast
Editor Summer Alexander Editorial Consultant Reginald Larkin
"Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it." -Yves Saint Laurent
Lifestyle Editor Larryse Brown
Welcome to the first issue of the New Year! I brought in 2014 by getting hair cut. After four years of wearing the same style, a long flowing mane, I woke up on December 30 and decided to cut it. I went to the hair salon to add fresh honey blonde highlights and my plan was to cut off an inch or two. Courtney, my stylist had something else in mind and just like that. Poof! It was gone. The face frame cut was adorable, but I wasn't ready just yet for such a drastic change. I was trying to take baby steps and the universe said nope. Be gone hair! Although I left with less hair than expected, I gained something more than I ever imagined. A simple hair cut totally revitalized my look. I love the look so much and I can't believe it took me this long to try something new. Sometimes we have ideas that we want to try and our minds or fear holds us back. Thank god for friends, family and hair stylists who push us to take the first step. After all, fashion and beauty is supposed to be fun. As long as you keep it classy, there's nothing wrong with being a risk taker. Usually that first step starts a journey on path to fabulousness.
Copy Editor Kiara Gillette Graphic Design Nia Blackmon Social Media Amber Kennedy Contributors Ebony Aalayah Taleah Griffin Kirsten Lewis Aimee Simeon
xoxo Love, Summer
CONTRIBUTORS
bombshell is a Bleu Life Media & Entertainment publication
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Ebony Aalayah is a native of Akron, Ohio who is currently residing in New York City fulfilling her dreams as a fashion stylist. “My main objective in life is to inspire young women to work hard at what you love, be bold, brave and daring because these are the qualities that a true bombshell embodies!�
Amber Kennedy hails from Philadelphia. When she is not writing, she is perusing gossip, fashion and entertainment blogs for all the hot tea. A self proclaimed girly girl she loves all that glitters. To her life is all about living classy, adding a dash of color and a smile.
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Featuring... 4 bomb buys: Sealed With a Kiss 5 love bombshell: Online Dating Do's and Dont's 6 bleu boutique: Spring Must Haves 8 bombshell: Zulay Henao 14 tribute: Power Couples 15 on the rise: Sebastian Mikael
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Kiss
A great lipstick is the ultimate accessory! Adding some color to your pout can add an instant pop to your look. An amazing lipstick has the power of being soft enough for work, playful for a girl’s night out and can transform you for a romantic date. With a world of colors and shades, lipstick has become a great outlet for self-expression. This season women are spicing it up and rocking vampy shades of plum and red. Picking the perfect shades for your skin tone might be a task for some, so we’ve found some of our favorite shades that will look great on your complexion.
Words by Aimee Simeon
Fair Skin Tone Jin Yee- Miss Universe China 2013
Medium Skin Tone Megan Good
Deep Skin Tone Lupita Nyong'o
NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick Lala $4; nyxcosmetics.com To avoid smaller looking lips try a soft mauve like Lala from NYX’s Extra Creamy Round Lipstick collection. While the color appears soft, its blue undertone provides a vampy color on a milky skin complexion.
Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color Sugar Plum Fairy 908C $2; drugstore.com
Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick Dazzling Plum $7.49; maybelline.com Don’t be afraid to experiment with deep colors for a darker skin tone. Be fearless and try a velvet plum for a seductive yet sophisticated look.
Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lipstick Red Carpet $24; sephora.com Have a little fun with your lips and try a sexy red with a pink undertone for a look that brightens your face, the perfect color to take you from day to night.
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With a medium complexion, opt for a deep plum or berry lipstick with a warm undertone and vivid color. Sugar Plum Fairy is a fun color that is both sexy, sophisticated, and sits perfectly on caramel skin. MAC Cosmetics Russian Red $15; maccosmetics.com With golden skin, try an intense red with a warm undertone to remain classic, sensual, and electric, without being too bright.
Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick Red Revival $7.49; maybelline.com Red lipstick is truly versatile on darker skin tones. A true deep red lipstick can be dressed up or down, perfect for any occasion.
love bombshell
Online Dating Words by Taleah Griffin
Throughout history, there is one aspect of dating that remains consistent: It’s difficult! Finding that special person whose annoying habits are tolerable can be like playing Where’s Waldo. Deciding where to go, when to go and what to wear to attract the type of man you are interested in (and hope is interested in you) can be time consuming and disappointing. Fortunately, technology is on our side. Three (semi-new) digital dating solutions can assist you in narrowing down your search for Mr. Wonderful.
Tinder
OKCupid.com
Tinder is an app that can be downloaded on any smartphone. It’s modeled after the popular all-male dating website Grindr. The only way to join and post your pictures on the app is by having an active Facebook account. Tinder uses your phones GPS to locate men in your vicinity. It’s an easy way to connect and have some fun at any given moment.
A light-hearted approach to online dating. It doesn’t take itself too seriously with a never ending cycle of questionnaires but serious love connections are still made. Whether you are a woman seeking a man or a woman seeking a woman this website can help you find a mate without all the hassle.
The Good:
The Good:
You have options. There is a swipe feature that allows you to either ‘accept’ or ‘decline’ potential suitors. If you accept him and he accepts you, holy matrimony may not be far behind. However, if he accepts you and you decline him, he won’t be able to send you a message and you can continue browsing for boys.
It’s good for beginners. You can take your time completing your profile and add as little or as much as you choose. Other dating sites require you to answer a number of questions before you can even check your messages.
The Bad:
Corniness is paramount. Brace yourself for some of the worse pickup lines known to man, men speaking of themselves in the third person and love poems with extremely bad grammar making an attack on your inbox.
It’s a dating chase. You could swipe through photos for hours and no one of interest may ever come across your screen. At which point you decide that there are probably better men across town so you hop in your car, go there and swipe some more.
The Bad:
BlackPeopleMeet.com As a new specialty website Black People Meet is unique. Yes, it is where black people can go to engage other black people but it is also where people of other ethnicities can go to meet black people. Ironically, you don’t have to be black to meet black people on Blackpeoplemeet.com.
The Good: The men are flattering. Sometimes a woman just needs to be told that she is beautiful and special. Even if it’s from a complete stranger. The men on this website by far are the most charming.
JOHN S. AGE: 27 CITY: NEW YORK HOBBIES: SPORTS, COOKING, READING
The Bad: Sorry ladies, the men that will approach you look nothing like the men on the TV commercials.
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SPRING TRENDS LINGERIE INSPIRED READY TO WEAR
Elie Saab Spring 2014
Words by Ebony Aalayah
Lingerie inspired clothing may not be new to the fashion scene but it's one of those trends that we're just not ready to let go of. This versatile trend can be used for any occasion. Rather it be for work, for play or those after dark hours these sexy yet sophisticated looks will have all eyes in any room you walk into gazing on you.
Jason Wu Spring 2014
Stella McCartney Spring 2014
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2 1 3 1. Jason Wu
Elaphe and Leather Booties $1,395.00 net-a-porter.com
Sumptuous Stilettos spice up the night Looking for ways to make your man crave you? Something simple as a sexy pair of heels can be enticing and alluring. Rather you have to spend it or not, here are nine stunning pair of pumps that will make your lucky guy marvel.
2. Jimmy Choo
Sunday Lime Lemon Pebble Patent and Kid Pointy Toe Pumps $695.00 jimmychoo.com
3. Zara
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High Heel Ankle Boot Sandle $80.00 zara.com
4. Guess
Ramba CrissCross Pumps $70.00 guess.com
5. Charlotte Olympia
Dolly Suede Pumps $422.00 luisaviaroma.com
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6. Christian Louboutin
So Kate Suede Pumps $650 net-a-porter.com
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7. Alice+Olivia
Dina Snake Embossed Leather Pumps $325.00 saksfifthavenue.com
8. Asos
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Paradox Pointed High Heels $33.00 asos.com
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9. Asos
Photoshoot Pointed High Heels $83.00 asos.com
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crop top Naven skirt & shoes Dolce & Gabbana jewelry Effy
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INTRODUCING
ZULAY HENAO Tyler Perry is breaking talent left and right. Zulay Henao is his latest find. The Columbian born actress makes her sliver screen debut in Single Moms Club starring along aside veteran actress Nia Long. Henao meets up with bombshell to discuss how her life has changed since working with Perry.
Words by Kirsten Lewis Photography by Elton Anderson Fashion by Apuje Kalu Makeup by AJ Crimson Hair by Stephanie Phol
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Soft-spoken and poised even over the phone, I was quickly comforted by the Takers and Love Thy Neighbor actress Zulay Henao’s delightful demeanor. The epitome of evident beauty, brains beyond her years and an extreme amount of bronze after serving 3 years in the United States Army, I learned that Zulay Henao is truly living out her American dream. Born in Medellin, Columbia, Zulay immigrated to America at the young age of four, to North Bergin, New Jersey. Although there had always been an interest in the arts, Zulay knew that her education and a solid career path were very important to her parents so she enrolled in the U.S. Army after high school. “It was a beautiful experience. I got to travel to Central America and assist in disaster relief efforts, opportunities that I otherwise wouldn’t have had. The Army taught me discipline and it exposed me to a different vantage point of the world at a very young age” says Zulay. Her experience proved to be exactly what she needed to self-start her acting career. “There is someone telling you every day when you wake up and when to go to sleep. That is just how it is. It is a completely different lifestyle.” While I could only imagine the frustration of being restricted to a schedule 24 hours a day, every day, for Zulay those confines taught her a life lesson that motivated her to finally pursue a career in the arts. “Your time is what you make it,” said Zulay. “I realized when I left the Army that I would do exactly what I wanted to do with my time.” After leaving the U.S. Army Zulay returned to the New York area and started taking acting classes at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (NYCDA). Zulay will be gracing the big screen once again this upcoming March in her second Tyler Perry project, The Single
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LEFT PAGE sweater Vince necklace Charles Albert THIS PAGE dress Bryan Hearns
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Moms Club. The story of a diverse group of single mothers who come together originally as punishment for their children’s mischievous behavior, but end up forming a bond and support group for one another that they later coin as “The Single Moms Club.” Zulay’s character Esperanza finds herself depending on the strength and advice of these newfound friends on her journey to independence from her controlling ex-husband, played by Eddie Cibrian. “Esperanza’s story is about learning to love herself in order to provide the love her daughter needs, and in doing that, she first has to fight for her power back in her relationship with her ex-husband.”
“Esperanza’s story is about learning to love herself in order to provide the love her daughter needs, and in doing that, she first has to fight for her power back in her relationship with her ex-husband.” Although Zulay is not a mother, as a child of divorced parents, she had plenty experience from her own childhood to draw from for the character of Esperanza. Zulay assured me that the on-screen chemistry between the women was just as energetic off-screen, and that alone made filming everyday a joy. “I hope everyone who has a chance to see the movie learns through Esperanza that we are all strong and capable enough to move on once we realize that no one can love us as much as we should love ourselves.” This upcoming year Zulay looks forward to the release of The Single Moms Club and is preparing for the fast approaching pilot season.
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dress Dolce & Gabbana
shirt Dolce & Gabbana skirt DiamonD boots L.A.M.B.
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Po er Couples Hollywood couples melt our hearts and have the ability to make us fall in love with love. When one of your favorite celebrities becomes a dynamic duo with an equally famous counterpart they can create a force that takes over the blogosphere or even the world. Remember Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez and Puff Daddy or Jennifer Lopez and… ok, you get the point. These star couples are beautiful, have power and we hope they will stand the test of time.
Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton: Country music sweethearts. They share their love of country music which seems to be the center of their lives. Match made in country music heaven.
LeBron James and Savannah: This is a true Cinderella story. High school sweethearts who, despite fame and challenges became a premier NBA couple.
Barack and Michelle Obama: The duo who is running the free world. This couple is so loveable because they are the team that we all think couples should be. She’s strong yet sweet and is the perfect partner for the leader of the free world.
Victoria and David Beckham: They are one of the sexiest couples ever! A pop star and athlete duo is not a new formula. However, it has never been done quiet like this.
Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale: These two rockers are a fashionable duo, which are rearing up the future of pop culture. They are a quiet couple, whose wardrobe makes all the noise.
Jay Z and BeyoncÉ: Hip hop's highest earning couple, Jay Z and Beyonce expand their evergrowing empire. This summer they're scheduled to kick off their 16 city tour
Megan Good and Devon Franklin: Megan Good has played the “it” girl in every movie, the one all the guys wanted. Finding out that she was marrying a preacher has given Good a different dimension, and now we want to know more about this duo.
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on the rise
About 'Last Night' with Sebastian Mikael
Ever since we heard his catchy tune that samples Al B Sure's 90’s hit Night and Day, we couldn’t stop thinking about Sebastian Mikael or Last Night, his break out single featuring Wale. So what’s the secret behind Sebastian’s success? “Every song starts with this simple formula, guitar and vocals ”, he said. A record executive, who saw his breakout video for Beautiful Life on YouTube, originally discovered the Swedish import that is now signed to Slip-N-Slide Records. Now he’s climbing the charts with two singles and ready to take over America with his international appeal.
Is the song Last Night based on a true story? There might be a few ladies who think the song is about them but the inspiration of the song came from everyone in the studio sharing stories about a fun night. Everyone had an interesting story to tell about one of those nights you can’t forget.
How did the collaboration with Wale come together? We did a reference for the track and the writer I worked with sounded a little bit like Wale and he suggested we try and get him on it. I didn’t think he would actually do it but he heard the song the day after we cut it and he instantly hit us up and wanted to be a part of it, which was dope.
Bachelor Stats: ·Occupation: Singer and song writer ·Hometown: Born and raised in Sweden ·Fun fact: Once modeled for jackThreads and Puma
Your follow up single Forever has been well received also, how does it feel for people to know Sebastian Mikael? It feels great! I’m happy Last Night became a single because it wasn’t meant to be. It was just something cool we did in the studio that everyone loved. That first single opened doors and got me exposure. Once that happen I was confident people would like the other music on the album and now I’m excited for people to hear the entire project.
As a new artist what is the first impression you want people to have of you? I am a real artist making honest music. That’s how I want people to know me. I want people to relate to the music. As long as I do that, I will be happy.
After releasing Last Night and Forever do you feel pressure to follow up with another huge single? I always want to top myself and make better music. If the next record is not better than the first one, I feel like I’m not doing my job. That’s how I push myself to becoming a better artist.
Do you have a preference of what you like to perform? I like mixing it up. A show set has to be a mix but, I have one song I love to perform called Lose It which is med-tempo and dreamy.
Who is your dream song collaboration? Alicia Keys would be the ultimate person to do a song with. I would love to do a soulful ballad with her. She’s one of my favorites.
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