http://www.visualimpressionz.com
CONTENTS
8 Cover Model Verlura J
12 Fashion N Fitness
By: Coach Vicky Jackson
16 Interview
Brandy Nordgren
24 The Essence of Beauty 34 Photographer Spotlight Kym Fajardo
42 Make-up Tips
By: MarianWilliams
CURVZ Anthony Big Moe Coleman Editor-in-Chief and C.E.O. KL Young Executive Marketing Writers Dawnice Harrison Raven Nest Maria Williams Make-up Tips Tanesha Dewberry Pintsizediva Vicky Jackson Fashion N Fitness Cassandra Groove Theory
Stay connected with us at Curvz Magazine
Interview
Cover Model
Verlura J
Model:Verlura J Nationality: Bi-Racial; Mother Black and Father White City: Tampa Measurements: 42/38/42 Height: 5’7 Hair Color: Dark Brown Eye Color: Brown Sign: Sagittarius PHOTOGRAPHY BY: James Phelps
Curvz Mag: How long have you been modeling? Verlura: Not long at all, I am so new.
shop at for clothes and shoes? Verlua: Torrid, Lane Bryant and Forever21 Plus.
Curvz Mag: What inspired you to become a model and how did you get your start? Verlua: I have always been passionate about fashion and I would get so many people telling me I should Model that I finally took it serious, did my research and booked a flight with a Photographer whos images for Plus Size women I fell in love with.
Curvz Mag: So what is next for you? Verlua: Everything ...More Photos, Networking And Casting.
Curvz Mag: Have you been featured in any magazines or websites so far? Verlua: No. Curvz Mag: What do you enjoy most about modeling? Verlua: Expressing myself through fashion. Curvz Mag: What are some of the most challenging things being a plus size models? Verlua: I would say remaining confident because the door has yet to be kicked in for us Plus Models, but I am hoping to change that. Curvz Mag: Who are some of your favorite photographers that you had worked with? Verlua: The one and only James Phelps. Curvz Mag: What are some of your goals as a plus size model? Verlua: I would love to start my own line for girls with curves. I want to also promote and be a role model for young women who struggle with there weight. I want them to know there inner beauty and value has nothing to do with there outer appearance.
Curvz Mag: What advice would you give to someone looking to get into the modeling industry? Verlua: Be positive, Invest in yourself and Remain humble. Curvz Mag: What was the best piece of advice you’ve was given as a model? Verlua: Be Confident and Smile. Curvz Mag: One word that describes your body type? Verlua: Luscious. Curvz Mag: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you or any shout outs? Verlua: There is nothing you can’t do without God. www.facebook.com/verluraj Email for booking: verlura.j@gmail.com Photographer: James Phelps, Photos By Phelps Photosbyphelps@gmail.com www.instagram.com/Photosbyphelps www.facebook.com/photosbyphelpsfanpage
Curvz Mag: What are some of your interests outside of modeling? Verlua: I write Poetry, Love to Paint and Travel. Curvz Mag: Who are some of your favorite plus size models? Verlua: Tocarra Jones, Crystal Renn and Ashley Graham. Curvz Mag: What do you do to prepare for a photo shoot or a runway show? Verlua: Meditate. Curvz Mag: What was your most memorable modeling moment? Verlua: The first picture I seen of myself looking like a Real Plus Model. Curvz Mag: What are some of your favorite stores to
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Fitness
Fashion N Fitness Where being fit is always in fashion
By: Coach Vicky Jackson
Featuring Yamon Wear by Peter Giscombe
T
he month of July was my first anniversary year with Curvz Magazine as a fitness writer. I want to thank Anthony Coleman aka Big Moe the CEO of Curvzmag.com for giving me this wonderful opportunity to write for an extraordinary magazine. I must thank Ronnie Wright Photographer to the Stars for doing my very first photo shoot for this article. My heart is filled with love and thanks for my UBM family for accepting me as I am. I also want to thank my family and friends for support me through this year with Fashion and Fitness, Where being fit is always in fashion.
It’s been a full year of writing for the readers of Curvzmag.com, so I wanted to do something very special for this occasion. I had the privilege to meet an amazing designer at Fashion on the Hudson by Sofia Davis. This amazing designer is a true athlete and a master of his craft, Peter Giscomb owner of Yamon Wear. He was born in Jamaica but lived in Boston and New York for many years. Peter has design T-shirts and hats but is mostly recognize for his swimwear collection. For a special edition for Curvzmag.com I will be featuring some of his exotic swimwear collect. You may wonder why do swim wear collections at the ending of the season but most people will wait until it’s off season to go on vacation to a warm climate, somewhere like Jamaica, Aruba or California. Now swimwear brings me to a topic of swimming for fitness. Swimming is one of the best exercises you can do
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to either get fit or stay fit. If you don’t know how to swim there are many places you can go to learn how to swim. You never know it just might help you save a life one day so don’t be afraid to learn something new. I’ve found out that many of my friends don’t know how to swim and have no idea of the benefits of swimming. The benefits of swimming are to increase muscle strength, conditioning the cardiovascular system and improve flexibility. If you have injury your joints, bones or connective tissue swimming maybe just the exercise for you. The fact is working out in water doesn’t put any stress on those parts of the body. As a matter of fact you’re less likely to injury yourself swimming than most other exercises. When you go swimming a person can burn shocking amount of calories, this will depend on the type of swimming style being performed. Here are some examples of calories burned per hour: (This will depend on your weight) 1. Swimming of treading water 230 – 345 2. Synchronized swimming 590 – 863 3. Sidestroke 470 – 690 4. Swimming at leisure 350- 515 5. Breast Stroke 590 – 690 6. Freestyle moderate effort 470 - 690 Swimming can be fun and exciting you can do it with a group or by yourself, so if you start learning how to do these different swim styles by next season you will make a splash and say being fit is always in fashion.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BIG MOE swimwear BY: Yamon Wear
Interview
Cover Model
Brandy Nordgren BY: KL PHOTOGRAPHY BY: SHARONDA SIKES
KL: How long have you been a Cosmetologist? Brandy: I have been a makeup artist for 3 years.
KL: Who in the industry you would like to work with or for? Brandy: Sam Fine, I think that his approach to makeup is KL: What inspired you to become a Cosmetologist and how incredible! His make up compliments his clients as oppose did you get started? to covering them up! Brandy: My first passion is music and when I lived in Seattle I started being in the public more singing. I really wanted KL: Who are some of the other Makeup artist you look up to make sure that I looked just as good as I sounded (lol) so too? Brandy: Terrel Mullin, Rafael Marsail, Tatiana Ward ( Beat I began getting more into makeup and found a passion for it and thought I could make other women feel beautiful and face honey). I feel like their make-up is very balanced and ready to embrace their stage. customized to each of their clients. The attention to detail is amazing!! KL: Do you have any formal training regarding Cosmetology? KL: What are some of the things you would tell clients Brandy: No formal training. I practiced, practiced, practiced. before she or he comes in for services? I think when you’re passionate about something it’s really easy Brandy: Think of makeup as expressing how you want to feel to learn and soak up everything you can. I stayed glued to for that particular day. I think we can identify to how we feel YouTube. more than how something looks. KL: What type of Make-up did you start out using and what are you using now and why? Brandy: Drug store brands! It’s cheap and I realized that a lot of products are very wearable if you have a primer and the right brush! I still use drug store brands i.e, NYX, Wet & Wild, Loreal, just to name a few. I also use MAC, Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Nars. The list is long! I don’t any woman has just one brand in her makeup bag so neither does my kit.
KL: Any projects you are working on currently? Brandy: Makeup wise no. As I mentioned singing is my ultimate passion so I am currently working an EP to release this fall! Super excited about that! KL: What advice would you give to someone looking to get into Cosmetology? Brandy: Practice and be teachable! Even if you know it all, you can never stop learning. This industry is always changing, stay flexible. Sharpen your craft.
KL: What does Beauty mean to you? Brandy: Beauty means confidence! My company motto is “I don’t make you beautiful, I simply bring out what is already KL: Is there anything else you would like our readers to within” I believe that!! Beauty lies within every one, someknow about you or any shout outs? times we just need a little help to see it! Brandy: Shout out to Curvz Magazine for allowing me this opportunity! To Sharonda Sikes, my sister, friend, photogra-
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pher, manager and bodyguard! Ha! My husband who allows me to buys all this makeup and supports me no matter what! Love you babe!
www.facebook.com/brandy.nordgren www.twitter.com/IamBNor Photographer by: Sharonda Sikes Pinkk Eye Images Facebook: Pinkk Eye Images Phone: 214-601-3298 Email: pinkkeye@gmail.com
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The Essenc 24 Curvz September 2013
ce of Beauty
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: SHARONDA SIKES MAKE-UP BY: BRANDY NORDGREN
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Darian Mackey
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Kirisma Evans
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Dana Hemphill
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Nai Washington
Interview
Photographer Spotlight Kym Fajardo
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Curvz Mag: How long have you been a photographer? Kym: I have been a photographer for about a year now. Curvz Mag: What inspired you to become a photographer and how did you get started? Kym: I have always been fascinated and inspired by art, and was the unofficial photographer at family events growing up. After culinary school I became a chef ’s apprentice and spent the Summer miles away from everything I knew. I began photographing the dishes to send back home and so began the food photography fascination. After a few line cook stints in NYC and NJ, I eventually had the courage to combine my love of food and writing as well as interest in photography to slowly become a food writer and eventually food photographer. I began exploring portraiture while apprenticing with Eric and Latoya Snell of E. Snell Design. Curvz Mag: Do you have any formal training regarding photography? Kym Although I don’t have any formal training, I took it upon myself to learn the art of photography by any means possible. That meant online tutorials and assisting experienced photographers in challenging situations. Curvz Mag: What type of camera did you start out using and what are you using now? Kym: I began with a Nikon point and shoot, and worked my way up to the Canon EOS 7D. Curvz Mag: What does photography mean to you? Kym: Photography means everything to me. It is a way of communicating with the world. I had always been socially awkward growing up and found it hard to connect with people. Photography has opened up an entirely new world to me. One where I can get to know a complete stranger with just a few clicks of my camera. I am in a position where I am basically holding a magnifying glass up to a person, full of insecurities and fears. They’re in a vulnerable position, while you have the task of capturing the very proof of their existence. And it’s your responsibility to not make them look like an ass. Curvz Mag: Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go wow this is why I love photography? Kym: I can’t say that it was any one photograph; I’d have to say there were several experiences that made me fall in love with photography. It was sort of like a relationship. I knew there was something special but I wasn’t going to dive in head first and assume I’ve found “the one”. But there was something different about picking up a camera when I felt lost. I didn’t feel so lost anymore. It made me come to a realization. You can find passion through inspiration. When you venture outside of your comfort zone
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you’re bound to come across something that will ignite you. Curvz Mag: Where is your favorite location to work as a photographer and why? Kym: I try to steer clear from shooting in the same location more than once. I am constantly scoping out new locations and backgrounds in NY & NJ. Curvz Mag: Who are some of the other photographers out there that you look up too? Kym: I am inspired by the work of Penny De Los Santos, Kamila Gornia, Daniel Krieger, Brett Herrig, Tyler Shields, Todd Porter & Diane Cu. Curvz Mag: What are some of the things you would tell a model before she or he comes in for a photo shoots? Kym: I usually tell my models to get a good night’s rest and to stay hydrated. I remind them to stay relaxed and stress free. I encourage them to bring an escort, and always be assured that they are in a safe space and I will do what I can to make them feel comfortable. Curvz Mag: What are some of your long and short term goals as a photographer? Kym: I view my short term goals as more of a to do list. To always make sure my client feels beautiful and pampered when receiving the experience of a photography session. But my long term goals are the ones I work towards every day, the ones you never stop working for. Which is to continually inspire people. To make a young girl feel beautiful with my images when others say she is overweight. To show her you can be who you are, still be happy and still be accepted by the people who matter most. Curvz Mag: Any projects you are working on currently? Kym: I am currently working on some approved features for a couple of magazines, shooting for a candy bar company and organizing a circus shoot. I am also putting together a documentary on mental illness with my friend and artist Picasso Sight and Juan Sito. Curvz Mag: What advice would you give to someone looking to get into photography? Kym: To always keep your cool when a challenging situation (or client) presents itself. Look at other photographers as your allies. Shoot anything that peaks your interest, you never know where it might lead you. Curvz Mag: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you or any shout outs? Kym: I have a blog titled Free Spirit Eater where I share my recipes, behind the scenes and “plus minded” opinion. I have to give a shout out to my fiancé Tim and my sister Kelly, the two people whom I would never have gotten anywhere
without. Tim, you’re my rock. My mentors Eric and LaToya who have taken me under their wing, loving and protecting me like family since we first met. My muses Lia Italiano, Michele Hilton and Carlos Con Long whom continually inspire me to design creative shoots. And of course every single client, blog fan, viewer, subscriber etc. Without their support, without knowing that people actually cared about my work, I wouldn’t be on the journey I am currently enjoying. www.facebook.com/kymfajardophotography www.twitter.com/kymfajardophoto www.twitter.com/freespiriteater www.kymfajardophoto.com
Models: Michele Hilton & Carlos Con Long Make-up Artist: Natural All Day
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Beauty
Make-up Tips By: Maria
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I Am a Make Up Artist! I Don’t Make Miracles
i my name is Maria Williams and I am a make up artist and the CEO of The Color Box by Maria and Diva Lips of NYC.
I have been practicing the art of make up and make up education for the past two years and I can honestly say I love my job. Applying make and educating men and women about make up and skin care has afforded the opportunity to meet many different people of diverse cultures. With this being said this means many different skin tones and complexions. I find that women understand something about make up and enhancing their “inner beauty” but I find that some women not all do not have a clue or have a basic skin care routine. I think the reason for this theory is that “make up will hide it all”. This is where I just smile at my client and the education begins. This also where I say in my head self: “I am a Make Up Artist I Don’t Make Miracles!” When this happens this is usually the client who does not have a blemish or a few dark spots that can be hidden by consealer and foundation. This is the client that requires the expertise of a good dermatologist. Yes I said the funky word d-e-r-m-a-t-o-l-o-g-i-s-t. Many folks have an issue with this because what this conceives and transpires as “bad skin”, “acne” “pimples and zit city”. In reality the dermatologist should be just like any other specialist for preventive medicine. Some make up artist attempt to solve these issues with recommending many over the counter solutions or the famous “Proactive” to clear acne. Now this may work for some but not for everyone. Acne is basically when skin cells, sebum and hair can clump together into a plug, this plug gets infected with bacteria, resulting in a swelling. A pimple starts to develop when the plug begins to break down. As humans we like to pick that pimple which leave behind
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a scar. If the scars are server the client needs to see a dermatologist to be medically treated. This is the best cause of action to find out what is the root cause of the acne. Some studies indicate that acne could genetic, side effects from prescribed medications hormonal changes, pregnancy and yes even greasy cosmetics. So what do recommend! (1) If you have the occasional acne break out, yes an over the counter acne regime may just work. I would use this no more than two weeks. If you do not see a significant change, make an appointment with a dermatologist. (2) Establish a skin care routine. All types of skin need the basic cleansing and basic hydration. Dry skin needs to need more and oily skin less. Consult with an esthetician to determine what would be best suite for your proper skin care needs. It is worth the money. I Am a Make Up Artist! I Don’t Make Miracles Page 2. (3) Please don’t buy cheap make up products. Yes make up can be costly but in the long run it is best to invest in quality make up. As stated oily make and make up that is talc based is the common cause of acne breakouts. Consult with a make up artist that represents a good cosmetic line and truly knowledgeable about the product. (4) Water is the best hydration for the body and skin. The more you drink the better your skin will look and feel. If you have server acne please follow the prescriptions give to you by your dermatologist. Remember that is a temporary situation and you will be able to wear make up again. Finally remember that everyone is beautiful inside and out. Your make up artist is your best friend but not a miracle maker. If you have any other questions, feel free to e mail me at thecolorbox@gmail.com.
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Magazine
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