1| FEMI MAGAZINE
PTANISHA DAVIS ublisher’s Note
They say beauty is more than skin deep. That is because your character is what makes you beautiful. Beauty is more than just physical appearance—but you already knew that. Sometimes, we all just need a little reminder about what makes us truly beautiful and what is exactly defined as beauty. “Beauty is about enhancing what you have. Let yourself shine through.” —Janelle Monae
Photography By: Calvin Howard Make-Up By: Breana Tyshe Scott
This issue focuses on showcasing the beauty of black excellence in the black community amongst those individuals who do all to deliver in fashion and the beauty industry whether it’s on the red carpet, in a salon, barbershop or at home. Our cover story is with London Kasmir who exudes beauty and high fashion in the entertainment industry! I hope you enjoy the stories featured and plan to showcase the true beauty of all things natural for the Fall months! FEMI is a Nigerian term that stands for adored by God and we find you absolutely stunning just the way you are! So shine on!
CONNECT WITH ME @TanishaDDavis
Tanisha D. Davis
Tanisha D. Davis, Publisher
2 | FEMI MAGAZINE
Photography By: Cezar Moffatt Model: ESTELLA TAYLOR
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Photography By: Krazikodi
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CONTRIBUTORS Nadia Worsley Keziah Preston Yakira Muhammad Natashia Bobbitt LaTrice Strong Tyrane Hughes JaBraun McKenzie Chaiquan Wingfield
Founder/ Publisher Tanisha D. Davis Email editor.femimagazine@gmail.com Website FEMIMAGAZINE.com Instagram | Twitter | TikTok @femimagazine Facebook @officialfemimagazine
Photography By: Luca Nardone FEMI MAGAZINE | 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
14
TRENT LAVELL
8
PRINCESS J
30 COVER STORY: LONDON KASMIR
2. Publisher NOTE TANISHA D. DAVIS /Founder
8. PRINCESS J
12. justina mckee
41. Johanne Brierre 44. CRYSTAL WILSON
47. CANDACE HOLYFIELD PARKER
14. TRENT LAVELL 16. Authentic New Orleans gumbo recipe 18. Cuffing Season for singles
50. TOP 5 PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLES FOR NATURAL HAIR 52. FALl fragrances for men
20. Astrology 54. Editorial book picks
22. jAZMIN THE GREat 24. TRacci johnson 33. COVER STORY: LONDON KASMIR 35. J. Dillard 38. dr. Lorraine beraho
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Photography By: Edward Batres
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PRINCESS J
Written By: Yakira Muhammad Princess James also known as “Princessjstyles” is a Celebrity Hairstylist, Makeup artist and Beauty Influencer in Los Angeles. Originally from the Bay Area, Princess grew up as an ingenious and artistic child. From drawing, dancing, creative styling, and costumes, Princess has always had her hands in something creative. She soon found her passion at cosmetology school in Hair & Makeup Artistry before beginning her dream career in Hollywood. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2013, Princess has educated herself by the industry’s top Hair and Makeup artists including Arrogant Tae, Beat face honey, AlonzoArnold, Nikko Anthony, The Wig Diagram, and many more who have all helped to develop her talents. Princess is one of the upcoming sought-after wig gurus and Editorial Stylists for Black women. Her work has appeared in publications such as Mac Cosmetics, Mugler, VousMagazine, British thoughts magazine in the UK and Vanity fair where she worked alongside Celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson. Princess is most known for her innovative styling on celebrities including Gail Bean, Lauren Speed-Hamilton, Dominique Jackson, Bree Runway, DenimNicole, Tiktok’s Influencers NAENAE Twins, and many more. Princess is soon to open her Glam Content Studio alongside her Wigs & Beauty products which will be the influential beauty movement that celebrates the creative, the next innovator and Bawsy flare in the beauty industry. We got a chance to catch up with Princess to learn more about her and dive deeper into her career. Hi Princess. We’re glad to speak with you today to learn more about your journey as a Celebrity Hairstylist and Makeup artist. Please give us some more background on your journey. How did you get into hair and makeup? My mother was a hairstylist. I was always intrigued by her fabulous hair designs that I would await to assist with every client to learn all of her techniques. I practiced on my dolls until middle school then I started taking clients doing weaves and braiding hair. It wasn’t until I graduated high school that my mother encouraged me to go to beauty school because of my talents. When and how did you know that the hair and beauty industry was your passion? Once I got into beauty school it broadened my mind to think bigger. I always knew I wanted to do hair but to what magnitude?! Reinventing celebrity styles on my friends and clients just wasn’t enough. I wanted to be a part of something. I wanted to push my creativity. I reached out to local fashion and hair shows in the community to test my creativity which is where I found my passion for hair styling in the fashion industry. I soon moved to Los Angeles from the Bay area to then pursue my passion indefinitely.
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Continued… I see that you were always artistic and destined to do something creative. Has it been hard getting your foot in the door and getting these celebrity opportunities? Yes, in the beginning of my career in LA, I worked a retail job and took clients after my shifts. I later hustled my way on set through my sister’s music video gigs where I met celebrities on the job. I would connect with them or their managers for an opportunity, which oftentimes was a success. Finally, once I grew a following and by outstanding word of mouth, I inherited bigger opportunities with celebrities, influencers, tv personalities and music artists like Saweetie, Teyana Taylor, Bree Runway, Migos, and Chloe Bailey. I even worked alongside the amazon Megan the Stallion for Mugler fall campaign.
What advice can you give to stylists/artists that are trying to get their work out there? My advice is to use social media to present your work, take classes to sharpen your skills and speak positively to others about your business any chance you get. Collaborate with your local influencers, celebs, or artists. It’s ok to collab for buzz & attraction but never work for free. What’s up next for Princesssjstyles? I’m soon to open up my Glam Content Studio to provide a space for beauty content creators alongside my Wigs & Beauty products, which will be the influential beauty movement that celebrates the creative, the next innovator and Bawsy flare in the beauty industry.
Instagram: @princessjstyles TikTok: @princessjsyles YouTube: Princessjstyles
Do you have a favorite celebrity hairstyle and/or makeup stylist that you learned from? My favorite celebrity hairstyle was on Gail Bean. I had such an amazing time working with her. She was open to all my unique styling from the “button bun”, “Chandelier braids” or “Braid of the Rings” and really allowed me to exercise my creative gene. I learned the most from working alongside Celebrity stylist “Ted Gibson”. Ted taught me so much just from observing his mannerism with hair, professionalism on set, and quick direction. He allowed me to learn how to survive and grow in this industry.
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Photography By:Calvin Howard MGIMAGES Studios
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Why did you start Matte Collection? When I opened my first boutique, one of the items that was always popular was our swimwear, so I made that my niche. I also believe everyone deserves access to trendy and chic swimwear pieces, no matter their budget. And the rest is history.
CEO of Matte Collection Written By: Yakira Muhammad
I read Matte Collection teamed up with Angela Simmons for a confidence campaign surrounding body positivity. Tell me more about how that came about? Working with so many beautiful women from diverse backgrounds and understanding beauty is not dependent on one body type or one ethnicity or one size, I felt that needed to be shown for other women to see. Also, bringing Angela on board was a no-brainer, body positivity is what she is all about and what she embodies. What does body positivity mean to you?
Justina McKee is the CEO and founder of the famous swimwear line Matte Collection based out of Atlanta, Georgia. The for women by women brand is dedicated to helping women look and feel their best without breaking the bank. Their simple minimalist and stylish beachwear is created with everybody, the shape and style of women in mind and has garnered the attention of over 1 million followers on Instagram. In July 2021, the brand launched its flagship store in the popular Phipps Plaza Shopping Mall in Buckhead. Matte Collection recently launched its body positivity campaign headlined by TV Personality and entrepreneur Angela Simmons. The purpose of the campaign is to help women feel confident in their own skin. This summer, the line brought the Havana Heat with their new summer 2022 collection featuring Actress Meagan Good.The collection consists of 16 new bright and bold pieces perfect for the summer season. We sat down with Justina to chat and dive more into Matte Collection and her background.
Body Positivity for me is about being the best you can be and doing what is best for you. Another part of that is embracing where you are on your self-love journey. None of us are perfect but we all have so many beautiful things about us. I think it’s important for everyone to lay the foundation to start embracing who they are in improving what they want along the way. What do you feel is missing in the fashion industry? How does Matte Collection aim to fix this issue? Something I feel that should be changed is the inclusivity. Beauty is often shown in one body type or standard, but in reality, that does not represent all women. What advice would you give aspiring fashion designers and entrepreneurs? Dream Big! No goal is too big if you believe in yourself. Success takes time and experimenting, but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it. Have you seen any changes in the fashion industry regarding sizes, color, or any other factors? Definitely! I’ve seen more inclusivity in the industry and I wanted to add to that. Matte collection had its confidence campaign for that very reason. I love seeing all sizes, shapes, and colors on the runway. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful. What or who is your inspiration?
What’s your background story? How did you get into fashion? It began in my 20s when I decided to open a clothing boutique. I have always been into fashion and since my grandmother gifted me space to utilize for my first entrepreneurial venture, I was able to get my feet wet in retail and fashion simultaneously.
Women – all types of Women! I have worked with so many women from different backgrounds and they are all beautiful in their own ways and that’s what I love to reflect in my brand. Please tell our readers where they can follow you and Matte Collection. Keep up with Matte Collection and our upcoming releases on social platforms at @mattecollection.
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TRENT LAVELL
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Written By: Nadia Worsley
When it comes to talent, Trenton Lavell has that down to an exact science. Trent has his hands in sewing, photography and fashion and he comes with a unique style that trumps all of his potential competitors. If you ask me, he’s not done being extraordinary. Lavell’s love for sneakers landed him his career in fashion design. He began to design sneakers which grew his interest in sewing and apparel. Mr. Lavell’s passion for fashion afforded him to have access to celebrities such as Fivio Foreign, Young Thug, G Herbo, and B.O.B. He provided designs and styling services from his clothing line "One Below Nine" and was seen on the Grammys and in Giuseppe's Cobra launch. FEMI had a chance to catch up to Trenton Lavell to see what the hype was all about. I see you had the opportunity to work with Fivio Foreign for the 64th Grammy Awards. What was that like? It was honestly a challenging experience that I am very grateful for. Understand it was tens of thousands of individually hand placed pearls on a top and mask. The Grammys was my first major exclusive event and it was very humbling with only 14 days to complete this entire fit, time was against me. There were many sleepless nights & multiple obstacles that required me to pull a team of people together to efficiently curate and execute the design.
Trenton Lavell is one of the most fashion-forward talent to emerge on the scene. As a multi-faceted talent with hands in photography and sewing, Trenton comes with a unique style that trumps all of his potential competitors. Can you tell us about your love for sneakers? How did that come about? I saw my love sneakers redevelop in high school when I was camping out with my God brother by the name Travis for the black cement threes that at the time I could not afford. I was in line surrounded by a variety of sneaker enthusiast that completely immersed me in the culture. from that day I studied heavily on a multitude of different sneaker blogs such as: nice kicks ,kicks on fire ,23 is back ,etc. This was in order to learn not just the history but also the construction of Tinker Hatfield, Michael Jordan‘s primary designer. This developed in me into designing shoes.
Do you currently have a favorite sneaker? Retro ones, there’re timeless. Did you ever think you’ll be pursuing entrepreneurship? As a photographer at GSU was my first dive into entrepreneurship. Seeing my mother struggle with her job motivated me to develop my craft and to never get a 9-5 job. Can you tell us about One Below Nine? Where did that inspiration come from? To give college students a outlet to purchase fashion accessories at a reasonable price. I was inspired by being a broke student searching for unique pieces for me and my peers. Therefore, I initially sold everything for $19 or less. This developed into me learning how to cut and sew. My brand evolved and soon after Trenton Lavell was created (haute couture). With everything you have going on, how do you balance work and your personal life? I have a great support system from my family and friends. I am blessed. Where can our readers find you at? @tr3ntx @onebelownine
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AUTHENTIC NEW
ORLEANS
GUMBO
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RECIPE BY: Lauren Allen
INGREDIENTS For the Roux: 1 heaping cup all-purpose flour 2/3 cup oil (vegetable or canola oil)
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For the Gumbo: 1 bunch celery , diced, leaves and all 1 green bell pepper , diced 1 large yellow onion , diced 1 bunch green onion , finely chopped 1 bunch fresh chopped parsley , finely chopped 2-3 cloves garlic 1-2 Tablespoons cajun seasoning * 6-8 cups Chicken broth * 12 ounce package andouille sausages , sliced into 'coins' (substitute Polska Kielbasa if you can't find a good Andouille) Meat from 1 Rotisserie Chicken* 2 cups Shrimps , pre cooked cooked white rice for serving
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Instructions Make the Roux*: In a large, heavy bottom stock pot combine flour and oil. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring constantly for 30-45 minutes. This part takes patience--when it's finished it should be as dark as chocolate and have a soft, "cookie dough" like consistency. Be careful not to let it burn! Feel free to add a little more flour or oil as needed to reach this consistency. Brown the sausage. In a separate skillet on medium-high heat place the sausage slices in one layer in the pan. Brown them well on one side (2-3 minutes) and then use a fork to flip each over onto the other side to brown. Remove to a plate. Cook the vegetables in broth. Add ½ cup of the chicken broth to the hot skillet that had the sausage to deglaze the pan. Pour the broth and drippings into your large soup pot. Add remaining 5 ½ cups of chicken broth. Add veggies, parsley, and roux to the pot and stir well. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly tender. (Skim off any foam that may rise to the top of the pot.) Stir in cajun seasoning, to taste. Add meat. Add chicken, sausage, and shrimp. Taste and serve. At this point taste it and add more seasonings to your liking--salt, pepper, chicken bullion paste, garlic, more Joe's stuff or more chicken broth--until you reach the perfect flavor. Serve warm over rice. (Tastes even better the next day!) FEMI MAGAZINE | 17
CUFFING SEASON
Illustrated by Francesca Mariama FEMI MAGAZINE |18
CUFFING SEASON FOR SINGLES Written By : Keziah Preston The season of cuffing is upon us, that time of year everyone is ready to be that special person to someone!! Yet at the end of the season so many of us are cut from the team and left wondering were we just being cuffed to cuddle through the winter months, or for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine's day specials. Yes of course some of them get engaged that summer or just go on for many years. How many of us take it into consideration that sometimes romantic relationships are for lessons and not lifetimes? If we go into every relationship with high expectations of this is: "THE ONE" then as you probably know we will be left hurt and disappointed more times than we would like. If we go into every relationship giving our all then we are often left with "nothing" having to start all over again. What if we knew and understood early that we should be connected to everything and attached to nothing? Our breakups are often hard on us because of our attachment issues, not knowing that nothing lasts forever and no one is just ours to keep. Attachment issues come from the unhealed masculine and feminine within that started during childhood. These Attachment issues look like unpredictable or inconsistent behavior, the constant need for contact, low self-worth, manipulation, drowning in one's emotions, extremely critical, controlling, selfishness and needing to be right, and/or aggression. What if we all started asking better questions in the beginning and doing less imagining of our perfect relationship with this person? Ask them about family bonds and relationships and childhood traumas, and how did they heal from them. What are things that make that person mad, sad, angry, or bothered and what do they do when they experience those emotions? Do they feel grounded, safe, and secure in their day-today life, how do they express their creativity and sexuality, do they know and understand the power of semen retention? Other questions such as would they say they are a courageous person, do they often go after things they want or do they easily give up. How much do they believe in themselves, and what's their level of willpower? It's also important to know about their heart, what fills their heart with joy, what they are still holding onto in their heart, is their giving and receiving in their personal life is balanced or imbalanced. How do they communicate and express themselves during any and all situations, what is their perception of things and how is their connection with the Highest Power, God, The Universe? We too often ignore the red flags because we were seeing what we wanted to and not what they were showing us. Children that suffer from traumatic experiences grow into adults that struggle with controlling their emotions, heightened anxiety, depression, and anger. Those adults have unhealthy, toxic, and failed relationships and repeat that cycle until they properly heal. What does healing look like, not very pretty, unfortunately. Too many make healing look like such a beautiful thing but it can indeed be very ugly and difficult having to relive situations in your mind to unlearn to relearn. You can go through therapy, counseling, coaching, reiki, or do it yourself through meditation, yoga, journaling, and shadow work which is something like continuously checking yourself and asking yourself why you did this or that or didn't do this or that. If you don't take time to really heal in between relationships you will continue to attract the same person in a different body and go through the same things. Once you take your time to heal, like a video game you will level up, this level may be more fun and beneficial but remembering, accepting, and respecting this may not be the final level either but just more experience. Then many of us are just not clear on what we want and are extremely open to receiving so we receive the wrong things and people. Have you taken the time out to write your letter about your desired lover going into details about this person physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially? How does your person treat themselves, you, and others- known and unknown? Is your person healed and has learned selfmastery or is your person damaged so you can help them heal? Is your person kind to you and themselves but horrible and hateful to others or kind to others and mean and hateful towards you? Are they understanding, patient, and open to knowledge and wisdom, can they teach you some things you need to be taught, are they consistent, persistent, and determined? Are they struggling or successful, a boss or employee? Is this person beneficial to you physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially? More often than not people are more worried about Sex because they don't understand the power and energy that comes with it they just know it feels good and they enjoy it. Sexual Energy Exchange means the two of you exchanging sexual energy so if you're having sex to relieve stress then all you're doing is passing your stress energy to one another. You had sex with someone before and now you're wondering what you're feeling off, bothered, irritated, annoyed, upset or one of the other emotions is because you exchanged energy with that person. How many of you have had sex with someone with no intentions of being committed to them you just like the way they make you feel, that means that person has good energy and you're just draining them of theirs to fill yourself up. Vice versa you were left feeling tired and drained because you just exchanged energy with an energy vampire. Having sex with multiple people and having sex with a person that has sex with multi people will have you filled with so many energies you won't be able to focus or manifest anything high vibrational. If you're cuffing this season make sure you're healed, have released soul ties, and are cleansed from all that sex energy, happy and living in peace. This way you will attract what you are, and if for some reason you attract a person that isn't all of these then know that everything happens for a reason and you and this person are aligned to help one another learn something. Be comfortable in your peace and boundaries and in tune with yourself so that you will know when to avoid a person, when to help a person, and when to commit to a person. Be sure to understand your own sexual power, knowing that sex can create more things than just a life of a baby. Setting Sexual Intentions in the same accord with your partner opens doors to create many things that can and will manifest. Happy cuffing season may the best one win !! FEMI MAGAZINE |19
Written By: Keziah Preston
Full Moons are associated with release and closing out cycles. The full harvest moon is your reminder to take advantage of the time to get things finished that you started. This moon got its name from the farmers because during this time the bright shining moonlight provided extra light for harvesting. This moon is in the sign of Libra which is an air sign so be open to receiving new opportunities that may blow in. Libra is a sign of charm and relationships ruled by Venus which is our planet of love. Don’t be surprised if new love flows right in. This moon always be a time for couples to become more sexy and harmonious.
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Keziah Preston - Harvest Full Moon in Libra
Libra: Just in case someone from the past makes a comeback be aware of any tricks they may have up their sleeve. Now is a good time for you to eat more heart-healthy foods and release any old heart aches. Affirm: My heart space radiates powerful green light. Sagittarius: This is only a test Sag !! Stay focused on your creations and don’t let anything distract you. The mind is a terrible thing to waste, add some healthy brain food to your diet like ginseng, turmeric, and garlic. It’s okay to relax and get some fresh air and release that thought that says you can’t just relax. Scorpio: You have so much to be grateful for Scorpio and always be thankful things aren’t worse. It may be time for some of you to work through your fears. Think less of what’s wrong and think more about what is right. Virgo: Be more open-minded Virgo, let someone else shine their light. Some of you are closer than you think to achieve a goal so it’s okay to take a small break to acknowledge the accomplishments of someone else. Someone is feeling neglected at this time, perhaps you need more family time or a date night. Pisces: Be open to receiving the abundance you’ve been asking for Pisces, release those thoughts that say it isn’t coming because it’s slowing the process. You’ve been wondering when this storm will pass and that time is approaching. Those of you that are going through a storm, it’s almost over. Embrace warm yellow light to flow through hour solar plexus Leo: If you have been confused about your self-worth this is your reminder that you are worthy. If you have been battling with self-doubt then know you can and you will. You are good enough Leo!! You deserve all your desires! Cancer: Some of you need to release that control of needing to know. The answers you’re seeking are seeking you and trusting in divine timing. All that is for you will not miss you and all that you’re meant to know you will know at the exact right time !! Capricorn: Take less and give more at this time. Have you noticed your give and receive is off-balanced lately? Yes, it feels good to be in the energy of receiving but you don’t want to take more than you give anywhere with anyone or anything. Be more thoughtful of those you share your space with and release those negative thoughts. Aquarius: Take time out to nurture your sacral chakra. Now is the time to surrender to the divine Aquarius. Some of you continue to persevere and don’t get distracted. You may need to change your approach to better reach your goals. This season is called success so release the feelings of lack. Taurus: You have the potential for Greatness Taurus !! Embrace what empowers you and release what doesn’t. Be magnificent and go through with whatever creative urges you get. Release the pride, organize and get more disciplined. Gemini: Some of you need a cleanse or detox at this time to release whatever is in the body that isn’t beneficial. Implement new routines and release anything that doesn’t deeply resonate with you. Get serious about your goals, write them down, create your plan and execute it. Aries: Embrace this journey that is part of your destiny. It is okay to go into solitude and reconnect with your intuition. Let go of whatever is falling away and focus on you. Shower yourself with more self-love and self-care at this time.
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FOUNDER OF SKIN VEGAN MED SPA Written By: Nadia Worsley When it comes to entrepreneurship, Jazmin The Great has that on lock. Jazmin Meredith is the CEO and Founder of Skin Vegan Med Spa and has worked her way around the beauty industry for over ten years. However, The best part about Jazmin is her understanding and knowledge of skincare. With her long saga of loving cosmetics and beauty, she began her career as a make-up artist with MAC Cosmetics. After mastering skin artistry, she followed her passion deeper into the actual care and maintenance of skin. In 2020, Jazmin The Great transformed the Skin brand to enhance the aesthetic sector with elevated products and services. Thank you so much for sitting down with us! Before we dive in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory? I grew up in a very conservative city where most jobs and careers are geared toward military and government. I always knew I had a passion for beauty and fashion and that I would have to move to thrive and truly go after my dreams. Moving from Atlanta, working in LA totally opened my eyes to what I could become and what I could accomplish. I started out as a makeup artist and eventually attended school for skincare. Helping clients achieve their skin care goals, nurturing them through difficult skincare journeys compelled me to expand outside of just beauty and skincare, but women's empowerment as well. Can you tell us the story about what led you to this particular career path you’re on now? Being a makeup artist first helped me realize that there was an overlooked issue in the beauty industry and in our social society. Instead of addressing the various skincare concerns that women had, we had makeup artist/ beauty industry were simply helping mask the issues or concerns with our client's skin. As a result, I experienced how deeply women are impacted by the way they looked without foundation and concealer and how much insecurity they felt without it. This moved me to further educate myself about skincare and open a place that cared about helping clients clear their skin.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by women in the beauty industry, and can you give us an example of this happening to you? In terms of challenges, I would say keeping abreast of the constant learning curve that occurs as you refine your craft in this industry. In the past, one of my challenges was having difficulty finding guidance and support is a new up-and-coming entrepreneur. How did you come up with the name Skin Vegan Med Spa? What’s the inspiration behind it? I wanted women to really learn how to take care of their skin and not just focusing concealing their issues. I also wanted people to focus on being their healthiest self and how to make that a lifestyle. We wanted to have a large community impact, and we thought that providing vegan options, offering more services, and leading by an example would help to empower our community to take control and be healthier. If you could describe your business using 3 words, what would they be? Luxury, Beauty, Experience! If you could rewind time to 15 years ago, would you have gotten into the beauty industry?
Yes. I’ve loved beauty since I was a child. I enjoy helping people along the journey of experiencing their best self. When you feel good within yourself, that exudes to your physical presence as well. Teaching my clients about a healthier, more balanced lifestyle is extremely rewarding. How difficult is it to balance personal life and entrepreneurship? Balancing my personal life and entrepreneurship has always been an ongoing challenge. I’ve realized as my life and business expand, I have to recalibrate myself to maintain balance at each level in my life. However, discipline and schedules have been my best tools for balance. I dedicate certain days and even parts of the day to specific things, whether that be working out, emails, content or even doing absolutely nothing. Can you recommend three things the beauty industry can do to be more inclusive to everyone? Customizing skincare to help target clients' skincare concerns better. Linking skincare to lifestyle so that clients understand as they improve their health will improve their skin. Focusing on skin care concerns that are more prominent in our community. How can our readers follow you on social media? You can follow me at @jazminthegreat and you can see more of SKIN at @skinveganmedspa on Instagram.
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Written By: Natashia Bobbitt
Successful Celebrity Hairstylist & Influencer Shares Her Journey of Freedom & Redemption As women, we are sometimes bound by trauma, and the stigma of the strong woman syndrome, that we forget to dive deep inside ourselves to find the root of what caused the trauma. We tend to go about our daily lives thriving and surviving because of the strong woman syndrome, which tells us we have to be strong to care for our families. We walk around wearing our unhealed scars as a strength not realizing at any moment a slight hit will trigger us and cause the scar to bleed again. Well, today we meet Tracci Johnson who decided to dive deep inside herself and dig up the root of her mistrust, deal with it and allow real healing to take place. Tracci Johnson celebrity hairstylist and influencer, who has been named one of the top 10 African American stylists in the country and makes the list of the 50 most influential women in the beauty industry. She has appeared in many publications, including In Style and Essence. She has styled popular Black Hollywood entertainers and accumulated a star-studded clientele including Brandy, Kelly Price, JadaPinkett-Smith, Nia Long, Wendy Raquel Robinson, El Debarge, LL Cool J, and business mogul wife, Simone Smith, Kelly Williams, Elise Neal, Natalie Cole, Cicely Tyson, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold, CeCe Winans, Lynn Whitfield, and many others. Although successful in business, Tracci private life as she states “was a total failure” and at one time the words posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and self-doubt described her. Although a recognized hairstylist and influencer who many thought had it all, deep inside she wrestled with a powerful disruption stemming from a toxic relationship with her father. Over the years it shaped her thoughts and obstructed her perspective of self and God. Tracci is now open with her private life in hopes to set people free from bondage and trauma through the prayer, encouragement, and words from her book Dangerous Mistrust. I had the pleasure of interviewing this amazing woman and now I want to present Tracci Johnson and her story to the world.
What advice would you give women who are in a dangerous place of mistrust mentally, emotionally, and spiritually? Get out by any means necessary. Then assess how you got there so you won't repeat the mistake. Seek therapy and spiritually, you must seek God for guidance as you move towards a better life. Many see writing as a form of self-care. What self-care practices do you have? Writing was an assignment for me. I guess to some, it would represent solace and a time of escape. For me, self-care is making sure that I get proper rest and making sure that emotionally, I am healthy. I make sure that I keep up with my regular sessions with my therapist because although I have come a long way, I want to make sure that I stay healthy emotionally going forward. I try to live a balanced life. I make sure that I spend time with people that I love and spend adequate time alone. I never try to escape being alone with my own thoughts because that is a healthy place to be. FEMI MAGAZINE | 25
How were you able to focus on styling your clients, while battling your own internal battles? I am a consummate professional. I know how to separate my personal life from my professional life. When I'm at work, the focus is on my client. I always make sure that I have outlets for myself. I have people that I trust that I can speak to about whatever I'm dealing with. The workplace is not the place for that.
What would you like for women to take away from your platform? That it is never over! No matter how far you have sunken, you can always climb back to the top. I don't believe in giving up. " I wear my scars and bruises as a badge of triumph". I'd love to see women and men face and WORK THROUGH their past so that they can have a powerful future! The future that God predestined them to have.
How was being diagnosed with PTSD and dealing with mistrust impacting your ability to work and create? Once I removed myself from the situations that caused the PTSD, I was able to focus more on my work and was able to thrive in my creativity. Staying in toxic situations will always be debilitating. You just need to have the courage to move on. What was your most memorable moment in styling and what motivated you to keep styling clients? I have several moments that were memorable. But I can say the most significant moments were the ones when I was able to speak life to someone who felt lifeless, or when I can offer a prayer or a word of encouragement to make someone's day brighter. That is the most fulfilling part of my job. I not only get to beautify them on the outside but I can aid in illuminating what's inside as well.
Learn More: Website: www.traccijohnson.com Instagram: tracci_johnson
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Model: JAI PARHAM
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Happy Birthday! Calvin Howard MGimages Studios Montgomery, Alabama
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Photography By: Melody Jacobs
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COVER STORY
Photography By: Edward Batres
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Photography By: Edward Batres
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Written By : Natashia Bobbitt
LONDON KASMIR FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR, LONDON KASMIR, IS TAKING THE MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY BY STORM! London Kasmir is paving the way for those in the Entertainment industry! She has become a voice for the people! Her inspirational content draws in individuals who feel they can relate with her, making her a force to be reckoned with in today’s outspoken world where we are constantly seeking those who respect what we have to say and more importantly, hear us! London has also created a podcast series for those who seek to bring about a change in their communities, titled “Let’s Talk Life with London.” In addition to the work London has done within the Media and Entertainment industry, she holds a Bachelors of Arts in Fashion Marketing & Business. Determined to impact the world globally, London has led multi-million-dollar social media and marketing campaigns for corporate beauty, fashion, lifestyle and wellness brands such as Briogeo Hair Care, Wrangler Jeans and more! Take a look at our interview below with London Kasmir for FEMI Magazine!
Describe London Kasmir in four words? I am authentic, purpose-filled, passionate, & a visionary. What are you most passionate about & why? I care deeply about people. I’m the ultimate people person, because I connect with others so deeply. I spend most of my time in solitude so I can have the energy to give others the fullest capacity of myself and my work. I have a deep passion for fashion and beauty, and that always shows up even in my media and television work. I’m always going to give a look or serve a good face when I’m working because that is a piece of my story and so many times my look speaks for itself before the real work begins. I believe fashion and beauty breaks that initial communication barrier. If someone has a fire outfit, I love to lead with that because there is vulnerability that comes with complimenting others and it invites people to share more and connect with you. Something I believe is my ultimate purpose is using my gift of connection and relationship through my voice to empower others. I love conversations with people and I am beyond grateful my career just so happens to allow me to do that through so many different avenues. FEMI MAGAZINE | 32
LONDON KASMIR Photo By: Edward Batres
What do you love most about being in the media and entertainment industry? I’ve always been a girl who couldn’t define my gifts and talents through just ONE job title or occupation. I create and visualize lanes for myself without limits. In the entertainment industry the sky's the limit. I want a hand in it ALL because I can do it all! So whether that platform be within media, fashion, TV or film my purpose will always be the same no matter the medium. I love that the media and entertainment industry is shifting as a result of the hard work other black women before me have done. They fearlessly created their own lane and because of that, it shows me what’s possible for me. This also allows me to show other people what is possible for them because if I did it, so can they! What motivated you to start your podcast and TV show “Let’s Talk Life with London?” Let's Talk Life was my project baby that I conceptualized at 3 AM after God woke me up out of my sleep and told me to pull out paper and just start writing. I was like “God, it’s 3 in the morning! What could you possibly want me to write about?” Yet once I started writing, hours passed and I had written my whole show's concept, determined who I wanted my cohosts to be, what topics I wanted to cover and so much more! Let’s Talk Life was what I wish I would have had ten years ago when I had no resources or blueprint to follow when trying to cultivate my career. The show is the crossroad where passion, purpose, faith, creativity and support meet. All of the guests I invite on the show are young men and women of color that are true pioneers in their industry! They are black and brown EmmyAward Winners, Editors-In-Chief, CEO’s, Actors & more. My hope is that cultivating the platform for them to share their story with audiences will inspire, motivate and encourage other black and brown men and women to believe in their dreams and see themselves in each of the co-hosts. I also love that all my co-hosts share their REAL journeys, meaning the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s truly a special show that I will cherish forever! If you haven’t already checked out the episodes you can stream them anywhere you listen to podcasts and watch on YouTube!
What are some of the most memorable moments that you feel have impacted your audience? My most memorable moments are definitely on the Red carpet! Something just happens when you can get real face-to-face energy from actors, actresses and artists you’ve watched for years. For me, it’s a moment that reminds me to show up as my authentic self and not view it as a job. It’s my opportunity to have real conversations and connections with REAL people. At the end of the day, Red carpet or not we’re all just people that crave meaningful connections, and that’s where I feel like my strengths really shine. In those moments I’m like, “Girl, you are meant to be here, so show them why you’re meant to be here.” What is one piece of advice that you have given to everyone that you have encountered on your entertainment journey? You can’t get to the fullest capacity of where you want to be in your career without the wisdom and help of other people. I prioritize relationships over networking because if people know you as a hard worker and a great person to work with, the networking will just happen organically. I like to think of it as a potluck, you don’t go to a potluck, eat and take two to-go plates home without bringing anything to the table. So what I’m saying is, networking and professional relationship building is a MUTUALLY beneficial give and take exchange. For example, if you can’t offer someone your resources or contacts, offer them your time. Anytime I want to connect with someone professionally I lead with what value I can offer them, not with what I need from them!
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LONDON KASMIR Everything that we do in life we gain experience and wisdom from, what have you learned from your experiences thus far in the entertainment industry? I still have so much to learn and gain, but so far I can say this, everything you see is not always as it seems! People work really hard behind the scenes for YEARS by the time the general public sees what the final product of whatever the project is. With that being said, you can’t compare the rise and success of others to your preparation season, because they too had that season as well. Your favorite host or actor often works 12–18-hour days for multiple jobs consecutively for months and shows up with the brightest smile on their face and energy on 1,000, all while still trying to juggle a personal life. I look forward to more people sharing that side of the industry, until then I recognize that responsibility can be my own.
Any upcoming releases or new projects you’d like to tell us about? I will never stop working! By the time I release a project, I’m already working on or planning the next, that’s just how my mind works. I do have a really exciting project that I’m Executive Producing, Writing & Hosting that will go live Fall 2022. I can’t reveal too much about it right now, but imagine “Fashion Police” meets “How Do I Look”. In addition to my new projects, I always have monthly inspirational guests on my show, Let’s Talk Life, and this season is so exciting! I have Emmy Award Winning guests & more that share their journey within the industry with my audiences. You can also catch me hosting red carpet premieres for some of your favorite award shows and films towards the end of the year with the media platform I contribute to “Press Pass LA”. I’m excited for the future and I’m always making sure I have my hands in as much as I can, so I can be as dynamic as possible. My work never stops because I feel a strong sense of responsibility to show others how possible this dream really is when you just keep going! Since this is our Beauty & Fashion issue, in your own words, define what Beauty means to you. Beauty to me is a feeling. Of course we can look at an outward physical appearance and recognize surface level beauty but, in a world filled with millions of beautiful people, there has to be more than just outer attractiveness that defines beauty. I believe beauty is powerful and impactful when it originates from a pure heart. How do others feel around you?! What do others remember about you?! What presence do you bring with you when you walk into a room?! All of that comes from the heart, not just your looks. Once you first grasp that bit of wisdom, then all the other surface level stuff gets added. Let’s be real, fashion and beauty are fun and exciting, and personally I love it so much, but I think it’s just the cherry on top of a beautiful and pure heart. Photo By: Torey Searcy
Connect with London Kasmir! Instagram @londonkasmir
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J. DILLARD FEMI MAGAZINE | 35
J.Dillard The Self-Proclaimed Barberpreneur Details How He Stays a Cut Above the Rest!
Written By: JaBraun McKenzie Master Barber J. Dillard has single handedly coined the catchphrase “Barberpreneur” which is a phrase that does so aptly describe who he is. In addition to becoming a certified Master Barber & opening his first barbershop at a very young age, he is also known as a serial entrepreneur, authoring his children’s book series “J.D. the kid Barber” which was published by Penguin Random House. It has already become award-winning in addition to his other endeavors as a Reality TV creator. J.Dillard also boasts an impressive celebrity clientele which includes but is not limited to comedy sensation Kountry Wayne. He remains humble despite all his success and keeps his eyes on his purpose & goals. You will surely be inspired by the end of our conversation. You started barbering as a youth, so what would you say to those young people wanting to follow in your footsteps? While growing up in the ‘80s, a bad haircut experience forced me to start cutting my hair, resulting in barbering becoming my hobby. However, for the young people growing up today, I want to tell them that if you have a hobby that you genuinely enjoy, focus on your hobby and allow it to morph into passion that could potentially lead to a career or something from a financial perspective. How old were you when you became a certified Master Barber? At age 24, while attending Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, on a football scholarship, I became a certified barber and opened my first barbershop. Are you ever nervous when cutting a celebrity’s hair? Initially, I was nervous about cutting celebrities’ hair; however, today, I am not. Over time I have become more comfortable with working for celebrities, and really, it’s never about the haircut but more about the outcome in terms of how people feel. It’s also about how being in certain people’s personal space that’s more nerve wrecking than the haircut itself. FEMI MAGAZINE | 36
What was your ultimate goal in creating your book series? Were you an avid reader yourself growing up? My ultimate goals in creating my book series are two things: One, I want to strive to be a New York Times bestselling children’s book author. Secondly, I want to make my mother proud. (Answer to the avid reader question) - First, that’s a great question. My grandfather disciplined me by making me read a book aloud to him, and then when I finished reading the book, I had to do a book report and explain what I learned and some of the highlights from the book. That was my punishment, so I became an avid reader at a young age! You stated the series is Semi-Autobiographical. Which parts of it are most closely related to your firsthand experiences? All the details and characters in “J.D. and the Family Business” are most closely related to people I grew up with and my life’s experiences as a young man in Meridian, Mississippi. You have created your own reality show called Barber’s inc. which has gained a big following. How did the making of this show come about? I always knew I wanted to produce a reality tv show when I created Barber’s Inc. nearly a decade ago. I wanted to create a series that stood out and was different from the norm. The premise of Barbers, Inc. was to focus on six different barbers who lived in six different states. I also wanted to emphasize what each barber’s life was like outside of the barbershop because the typical barber gossip dialogue was boring to me. There’s only so much you can talk about that happens in the barbershop. I believe what would be more intriguing is to follow the lives of different people, ranging from a professional model, a barbershop owner, a celebrity barber, or someone who is gay or a barberpreneur like myself. Just to show different walks of life. Also, I wanted Barber’s Inc. to show the in’s & outs of what it’s genuinely like to be a Master Barber and what our daily lives consist of from sunup to sundown. I don’t know about you all, but I found so much motivation from learning more about J. Dillard’s rise to the top of not only the hair industry, but also as a published Children’s Book Author, & a reality television executive to name a few of his accomplishments. His dedication to not only his craft, but also pouring into the next generation is refreshing as well as needed today , so if you have a special child in your life be sure to check out his book series at www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/JDK/jd-the-kid-barber and help him come one step closer to fulfilling his dream of becoming a New York Times Best Selling Author. Also, follow him on Instagram @iamjdillard for all the most current and up to the minute updates on this mogul’s life & career.
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DR. LORRAINE BERAHO
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Founder of GlowRx Skincare. Written By: Natashia Bobbitt Dr. Lorraine Beraho, is a board-certified pediatrician, skincare enthusiast, and the founder of GlowRx Skincare. As a woman of color, Dr. Beraho quickly realized, skin care, is not one size fits all. After years of struggling with these same challenges the many other melanin skin women suffer through, Dr. Beraho decided to create a skincare line to address the skin issues that young adults with melanin-rich skin face in today’s busy world. Dr. Beraho took her experience in clinical practice, to aid her in creating a product line that reflects a unique combination of clean, clinical strength, and nontoxic ingredients formulated to beaut-i-fy and “glow-i-fy!” frustration with available skin products. GlowRx's 5-minute cleansing routine is designed to cleanse, hydrate, and balance the pH of your skin, while their best-selling GlowRx Moringa Face Oil, recognized as one of the best clinical skincare oils available, contains a lot of antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids set to moisturizes the skin, improves skin tone and helps with anti-aging. Creating a skincare regimen with GlowRx is not only a great way for women to take care of their skin, but to also treat themselves to some undivided selfcare time. What are some self-care activities that you indulge in, big or small, that keep you feeling “youthful, beautiful, and confident?” With any skincare routine, consistency is key. As a Physician and Founder, I’m busy—so a quick, simple routine using powerful formulas helps my skin stay hydrated and luminous. I always start out with GlowRx’s coconut-based Gentle Foaming Cleanser to get rid of dirt and oils without overdrying my skin. I use lukewarm water (not hot water!) and cleanse my face for about a minute. Keep in mind, if you’re wearing makeup, it’s important to use a makeup-removing balm (like Versed’s Day Dissolve) first. After gently patting my skin with a clean towel, I apply one pump of GlowRx’s Vitamin C Serum, which contains hyaluronic acid and 5% ascorbyl palmitate. This serum has a fragrant citrus aroma that wakes you up and treats you to a little mental vacation (smells like paradise!). In terms of benefits, our Vitamin C serum helps even out skin tone, revitalizes texture, and leaves you radiant. I follow this up with GlowRx’s Hydrating Gel Cream, a lightweight, vitamin-infused hydrator. To finish, I top things off with GlowRx’s Moringa Face Oil. Our Moringa is cold-pressed twice, and sustainably sourced from my mom’s home country of Rwanda. This is quite an impactful product, for your skin and for the community that produces it—the supplier provides interest-free loans to farmers so that they can pay for school and take care of repairs. One last note about my routine: twice a week, I use GlowRx’s Charcoal Mask to remove impurities and deep clean my pores. One of the major motivations for you in opening GlowRx was providing a space that catered specifically to people of melanin skin. How did you notice this need that’s often overlooked by the beauty industry and even our own community? I noticed this need based on my own struggles to find skincare products specifically for sensitive melanin-enriched skin. I used my clinical background and intimate knowledge of mild botanicals and skin-friendly actives, I formulated my products with effective, replenishing ingredients to support skin barrier health and redefine “good” skin as healthy skin.
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Instagram @glowrxskin How do you feel GlowRx stands out amongst other beauty brands? GlowRx is intentionally crafted to serve melanin-enriched skin and offers a non-irritating, effective solution to common sensitive skin concerns including dryness, hyperpigmentation, and dullness with clinically proven and natural ingredients for glowing skin year-round – with cold-pressed Moringa oil as a Hero ingredient. Dr. Lorraine Beraho is no stranger to the unique challenges of melanin-rich skin. Half Ugandan, half Rwandan, she struggled for years to find multitasking products that helped balance and nourish her sensitive skin, and she recognized the same challenge in many of her patients and friends. During a work trip to Liberia to help test a child vaccine for Ebola, Dr. Beraho ran out of her trusted hair oil and resorted to the local remedy: cold pressed Baobob oil. The results were immediate and impressive, leading her to investigate other natural wonders the continent had to offer. As a woman of color, you struggled with common skin challenges, like many other women of color, can you tell us what steps a woman needs to take to get the best results? As a woman of color with skin ailments, it is best practice to start with a routine that includes a minimum of 2 steps (cleanser and moisturizer) but between 3-4 steps (gentle foaming cleanser, vitamin c serum, hydrating gel cream, and Moringa face oil) to achieve an undeniable glow that you feel confident about. What key products would be best used daily to help a person achieve a glowing complexion year-round? Our cleanser, Vitamin C serum, and Moringa Oil are the perfect trio to get an easy year-around summer glow. Describe GlowRx in four words. Efficient. Mindful. Healthy. Trustworthy. What experience do you hope women take away from your brand? We want our consumers to understand that skincare is not one-size-fits-all, and the beauty industry is full of brands offering questionable, ineffective products formulated without melanin-enriched skin in mind. GlowRx is a great place to shop for thoughtfully formulated GlowRx skincare with melanin-enriched skin at the forefront, using barrier-strengthening botanicals and clean clinical actives for resilient skin that glows. FEMI MAGAZINE | 40
Johanne BRIERRE
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Head of Growth at BKLYN Commons and Founder/Chief Brand Architect of NY Beauty Suites
Written By: Natashia Bobbitt When mandatory business closures swept the nation at the height of the COVID-19 shutdown, the beauty industry was among the hardest hit. Johanne Brierre, saw first-hand how the lockdown affected individuals on a personal level. “As the lockdown lifted, these entrepreneurs in the beauty industry couldn’t afford storefront rents or the added cost of making modifications to meet government COVID-19 safety requirements. They needed assistance and they needed it fast. Johanne took action and launched NY Beauty Suites. NYBeautySuites, the first flexible workspace for licensed and insured beautypreneurs, is Brierre’s way of aiding New York City’s community of beauty professionals.
Did you always have a passion for the beauty industry? Actually , I did not know much about the beauty industry . All I knew was everything was shutting down March 2020, social injustice and the financial crisis was rising. My family member, who is a hair stylist, came to me asking for assistance in finding a beauty workspace, where true growth and accessible resources were available. She, like many beauty professionals, were having difficulties scaling their businesses due to the social restrictions. I knew I wanted to solve this problem the beauty industry was having , so I thought to myself “ What is the best way to impact and support the community and this industry ?" How did NY Beauty Suites’ get started? NYBeauty Suites started during COVID. A family member who works in the beauty industry, reached out to me and asked if I could help her and some associates find a flexible workplace where they can work, connect and find resources to survive the pandemic. All the while still living in their neighborhoods without commuting too far. As the Head of growth for BKLYN Commons, I've successfully helped small businesses and startups. With already having the necessary foundation knowledge , it did not take long for NYBS to be born. What advice do you have for up-and-coming women entrepreneurs? Do not be afraid to pivot. Pivot as many times as you find to be necessary until you get your desired results. Do not hesitate to reach out to mentors and other folks in the industry for support and help. People are more willing to help than you think How can an independent beauty entrepreneur apply for a co-working space here at NY Beauty Suites? We are hosting a open house at one of our two locations; 495 Flatbush on October 6 & 7th from 12-5pm. We invite all beauty and wellness professionals . RSVP a time slot here : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/410024523387. If you'll like to view our suites sooner, visit nybeautysuites.com and book a tour, and you have the option to book either or 81 Willoughby Street or 495 Flatbush Ave Owning and operating a beauty suite takes a lot of dedication and hard work, what has been the key to your success? one of the most important keys would be finding the right partners, investors and community leaders who believe in the same vision as you with a similar vision or purpose for themselves in their lives. It is much easier to built like this because you’re able to create a mutually beneficial opportunity for everyone. For example: i was able to connect with the landlords / investors in my own neighborhood , I shared my idea and concept. Thankfully he as well wanted to create a workspace in Brooklyn without having to travel elsewhere. It was easy for us to collaborate and execute this vision. When did you realize you held a passion for creating spaces that encourage and uplift women? Being born in Haiti, I’ve always wanted to empowered and support women while providing them with a platform to continue doing what they love. In my personal opinion women are the natural leaders and innovators. However due to glass ceilings and lack of opportunities — we’ve never had the chance to impact the world and our communities the way we would want to. Thanks to the new social norms and movements, women are encouraged, supported and empowered everyday. I am honor to be one of the many women to create a bridge for the next generation of entrepreneurs
Website: nybeautysuites.com Instagram: @johannebrierre | @NYBEAUTYsuites
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Photography By: Drigo Diniz FEMI MAGAZINE | 43
CRYSTAL WILSON FEMI MAGAZINE | 44
CERTIFIED ESTHETICIAN AND BEAUTY BUSINESS MOGUL, CRYSTAL WILSON GETS REAL ABOUT POST OPERATIVE SURGICAL CARE
CRYSTAL WILSON Written By: Keziah Preston
She is the founder and ceo of Luxe Beauty and Body Studio and Training Academy in Atlanta Georgia where she has Certified over 1,000 beauty industry entrepreneurs. Crystal has made it a goal both personally and professionally to be transparent and authentic with her services, revealing the truth about post-operative surgical care. We had some questions for her and she came with the answers! You stated depression triggered your passion for entrepreneurship, what advice would you give others battling depression? When battling depression, you must focus on things that make you happy. You can’t allow yourself to sit in depression for long because it can take you to dark places. When I first realized I was depressed, I went to esthetic school. It helped take me out because I was able to find my purpose. You have to surround yourself with positive energy and people. It’s a journey, so you must be honest about what feels right to you.
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What do you recommend to others wanting to follow in your footsteps? Don’t be afraid to take a risk! Challenge yourself to learn something new or network with others. Find the motivation in yourself! Everyone isn’t always going to be there to push you, so you need to find it within yourself. What is your main focus for your clients when it comes to post-operative care? My main focus for my clients is their healing process and getting the best results. They’ve paid a lot of money to get their bodies to be what they envisioned, so I have to make sure they get what it’s worth. It’s also important for their health to get the proper post-op care. Do you recommend surgical body changes to people battling depression or do you feel it isn’t for everybody? I personally believe that people should get help for their depression before getting surgery. Surgery does not cure what’s happening internally. It might even enhance your issues. Also, you must be aware that what you went into surgery for, sometimes might not be what you hoped it would be. That can put an additional issue for you mentally if you aren’t healed. Have you made surgical body changes yourself? Why or why not? Yes, I have. I have done Lipo 360 and a BBL. I did surgery for myself and wanted to enhance my natural features. I didn’t worry about what others thought and did it. What would you say is most fulfilling on this journey? In terms of surgery, the most fulfilling thing about this journey is loving your results and feeling like you made the right decision. Regarding my career, I am glad to share my knowledge about this industry and the process of post-op. Being properly informed can help influence someone’s decision to make surgical changes. Also, it’s fulfilling to inspire those who are interested in being a part of the beauty industry.
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Written By: Keziah Preston
The Six Figure Spa Chick Candace Holyfield Parker a.k.a. Six Figure Spa Chick is not only a business mogul, but also a mentor and advocate for beauty and spa business owners. In today’s market there are many who desire to earn millions very fast. Most of the coaches that claim to teach the required skill set have not run successful companies themselves. Candace “The Six Figure Spa Chick” not only ran one successful business which generates over a million dollars a year, but she runs multiple high earning businesses: A Multi Million Dollar Spa enterprise, An international Air BNB portfolio, a Trucking company, and a successful coaching program. As an author what are your publications and for those interested in purchasing where can they be found ? I have over 30 ebooks and 4 paper back books on Amazon. You can see all my digital assets via http://www.payhip.com/candaceholyfield , and on Amazon you can search for Candace Holyfield plus all my links in my instagram bio @sixfigurespachick. I have books on literally everything I know from earning my first six figures on Groupon to paying for your cosmetic surgery without going broke. My best seller is my instagram 7 figure framework ebook.
Can you share with us what it is you do as a holistic practitioner ? I love being a holistic practitioner. I’m 4 time trained on VSteam aka yoni steam. I’m highly trained in using herbs and aromatherapy to heal the body. I’m an advocate for wellness. We offer breathing techniques, plant based products/Spa treatments and stress relief wellness programs such as Iv hydration which is vitamins directly into the blood stream.
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What’s an average day for you now, how do you spend most days? Wow I haven’t lived an average day in over 12 years. Being an entrepreneur is like a box of chocolates. You never know what will happen in 24 hours. I usually wake up at 5am, partake in personal development/meditation, kids off to school and I work every hour until the kids are out. I host my Vip clients at my downtown Atlanta office to help them find their missing money, during my commute to and from the office Im always in phone meetings, I get the kids dinner, talk about their day, help with homework and work more
Images Courtesy: Candace Holyfield Parker
until bed around 12 midnight. I travel every single week as a speaker or influencer hosting classes/retreats. What is your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment is building the largest African American Community #spabosstribe and helping 16 spa owners make 7 figures in their business. Growing up did you always see yourself experiencing private jets and walking with lions and elephants or is it safe to say growing up you never thought you would be “The Six Figure Spa Chick” ? Growing up I had a great childhood. I did not know any millionaires so I never had the thought to be one. All those years I never knew I would be six figure spa chick. I’m so grateful it happened though. What are a couple things on your bucket list you have yet to accomplish ? My bucket list is insane. I want to own a neighborhood called Candy Land. I want to be the bronner brothers of Spa. My bucket list is to sell out a convention center. I used to want to travel to Africa, Dubai and Greece but I did all those things so I changed my bucket list. I still want to visit Maldives and Bora Bora one day. Do you have a motto, word or phrase you always say ? My motto is Six Figure everything you do! What would you say is the best advice you were given and the best advice you have gave ?
Website: CandaceHolyfield.com Instagram: @sixfigurespachick
Best advice given was read many books as possible. Best advice I gave is your business is never closed. You can be off but not the business.
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5
WINTER
PROTECTIVE
HAIRSTYLES NATURAL
FOR
HAIR
Written By: Yakira Muhammad If you’re a black woman with natural hair, then you know right around November, everyone is rushing into the beauty salon to get their hair styled and protected for the winter. The harsh winter is known to damage roots, dry out hair and irritate the scalp. Despite your natural hair type, protective styles can be utilized to keep your hair covered from cold temperatures. These five hairstyles below are trendy and are guaranteed to provide hair protection during the winter.
Knotless Braids - New and Sleek Knotless braids are the latest hairstyle that has taken the hair community by storm. These are box braids 2.0. Instead of the traditional knot at the root of box braids, knotless braids are created by inserting small pieces of braiding hair further down the shaft instead of at the root. This creates a sleek, neater look hence why they are becoming the go-to hairstyle. Another benefit is less tension on the scalp derived from minimal pulling at the root. This will prevent hair loss, unlike other protective styles. Knotless braids can last up from two to three months depending on hair texture.
Faux Locs - Afro-Centric Over the last few years, faux locs have become a popular favorite for natural sistas. Faux locs resemble real locs but there is one main difference. Unlike traditional locs, faux locs are temporary and usually last up to six weeks depending on the hair type. There are two ways to install faux locs — the braid and wrap method and the cornrow/crochet method. The latter takes significantly less time (three-five hours) but doesn’t give the illusion of real locs coming out of your scalp. Before installing faux locs, make sure your hair is washed, moisturized, and healthy. Faux locs can add tension to your scalp, so it’s best not to make them too heavy or install them too tight. Faux locs can last up to 8 weeks.
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Headband Wig - Throw On and Go Headband wigs are a form of wigs that have a headband attached to them. Headband wigs are known for their convenience since there is no glue or sewing involved. Unlike some wigs, headband wigs are less expensive (starting as low as $30), natural-looking, and comfortable to wear. Most headband wigs are durable and long-lasting. Some headband wigs can last several weeks or up to several months. Since headband wigs don’t have to be glued or sewed down, they cause minimal damage to natural hair. Most people cornrow their natural hair under their wig and oil their scalp daily.
Feed-in Braids - Tribal and Trendy Feed-in braids are a spin-off to traditional cornrows. Unlike traditional cornrows, the feed-in technique is when hair extensions are gradually woven into your natural hair. This will establish a more natural-looking braid and provide less tension on the hairline. Depending on the size, feed-in braids can last anywhere from two-six weeks.
Box Braids - Oldie But Goodie Box braids have been around for years and are still popular today. Box braids come in all different sizes with the bigger sizes referred to as “Poetic Justice Braids”. Over the last year, some box braids styles evolved from classic straight ends to having curly ends. Box braids are a go-to because they can last up to 8 weeks usually without a touch-up. To maintain box braids is critical to oil your hair daily, pamper your edges and wrap your hair at night.
Winter brings cold temperatures that can be harmful to natural hair. During this season, it’s best to keep your natural hair hidden and protective hairstyles such as the ones listed above are great for achieving that. It doesn’t matter what your natural hair type is or your budget, there is a protective hairstyle that can work for you. You just have to explore different styles and see what you look and feel best in. FEMI MAGAZINE | 51
FALL FRAGRANCES FOR MEN
Photo by Ushindi Namegabe
Written By: JaBraun McKenzie It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year again already, but the Fall Season is once again upon us. Bringing along with it of course all the feels such as brisker weather, leaves falling & changing colors, & also the beautiful scents such as Apple Cider, Pumpkin Spice, & Warm Sweet Potato Pies. When we think of the cooler weather, we also think of snuggling up closer to the ones we love, while taking in their cozy fragrances that are also usually reminiscent of the season. I have compiled my list of popular fall/winter ’22 picks to help accentuate your wardrobe & get you in the mood for all the seasons festivities.
Autumn Rhythm by: Chris Collins (Black owned) Luxury Fragrance price pointed at $225 (50 ml) it is described as Independent, Adventurous, & Earthy. It features a sensual blend of Leather, Cedar, & Musk. It is inspired specifically by the Fall Season as it alludes to the chaos of leaves twisting in the wind. The scent speaks to someone who stays confident in the face of chaos. More information can be found at www.Chriscollins.com & is also available at such high-end department stores as Sephora, Saks, Nordstrom, & Bergdorf.
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Dior, Sauvage by: Christian Dior available at www.dior.com & fine retailers priced from $92-165 (2oz.-6.8oz) With warm notes of Bergamot, Pepper, & Amberwood this fragrance is also billed as earthy and woody, while taking its cues from a desert landscape for inspiration it can still be worn in the dead of winter thanks to it being said to have a “nonoverpowering finish.”
Amarose’ by: Justin Macklamore (Black Owned) priced from $45-160 (10ml-50ml) available at www.MacknGnosh.com contains notes of Oaky Vanilla, Oud, Oakmoss, Honey, Bergamot, & Rose said to be sexy & sultry as the “tantalizing aroma embodies sex appeal.” It is also billed as a unisex fragrance.
Versace Eros priced from $102 available atretailers such as Belks, Ulta, & Sephora this top-notch fragrance comes in a chic, Art Deco Style bottle & is both fresh & tropical containing notes of mint, orange, and woody vanilla which are all refreshing. It is often well worn in the summer butis overall a universal cologne.
Phantom $29.99. Contains Lavender, Vanilla Musk, Cedar, & Oakmoss. It also contains Pumpkinseed oil. I wanted to give honorable mention to another black owned men’s fragrance & body care line Royale Flyness Products available at www.royaleflyness.com I wanted tohighlight one of their limitededition body sprays that I found to be perfect for the fall.
Paco Rabanne 1 million Lucky eau de toilette $95 available at retailers such as Sephora & Belks. Contains Orange, Cinnamon, Mint, Amber, & Leather it is known to be both fresh & spicy.
I hope these warm mostly spicy & oaky yet sweet fragrances with notes of orange, honey & cinnamon to name a few make you think of such great fall activities such as camping, movie nights on the couch with blankets & Hot Cocoa & Fall Fairs to name a few. Cheers to warm thoughts, sweet aromas, and all the joy that this wonderful season will bring.
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