May 2021 Issue by Queen Size Magazine

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ARTICLE TITLE | BY AUTHOR MAKING QUEEN SIZE MOVES

FROM THE DESK OF Tawana Blassingame Founder & Editor in Chief

Welcome to the May 2021 issue of Queen Size Magazine. This past weekend we celebrated my son’s 13th birthday. Watching my kids grow into the great young men that they were destined to be is nothing short of amazing. It gives me a sense of accomplishment; like I am doing something right in this world. But it also reminds me that time waits for no one. The funny thing is, this is something that we all already are aware of. But sometimes we get those hard reminders. We were all created to be great in our own individual ways. But here is the problem; many of us are wasting too much time doing everything other than being great. We feel like we have plenty of time to have fun first and then be great later. But that time thing that we talked about earlier…. Is getting away from you. We all know that we are not promised tomorrow. We all know that the way our economy is set up, many of us are one or two paychecks away from being in financial ruts. What is the moral of this story you ask? Your time to be great is NOW. I will be 47 years old this year and I remember celebrating my 13th birthday too. Time moves fast; move with it. Something to think about...... Thank you all for continuing to support Queen Size Magazine. We would love to hear your feedback. Email us at queensizemagazine@gmail.com and let us know what you like, don’t like and/or want to see in future issues. We value your opinion. Be blessed and remember to be a blessing as well.

Photo by Philip Drew @pdrewphotography

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MAKING QUEEN SIZE MOVES

MASTHEAD TAWANA BLASSINGAME CEO/Editor In Chief PHILIP DREW Executive Director & Director of Photography

MEESHA ANN Executive Director SOCIAL DEPARTMENT SHEENA POSTELL Social Media Correspondant BEAUTY DEPARTMENT LAWANDA SANYANG Beauty Editor / Makeup NATHANIEL JAYE’ Beauty Editor / Hair CRYSTAL D. LEWIS Beauty Editor / Hair FASHION DEPARTMENT ASHLEY WALKER Fashion Editor LIFESTYLE DEPARTMENT Janelle Simmons Lifestyle Editor Nyemade Boiwu Lifestyle Editor

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MAY 2021 ISSUE

FEATURED STORY

LAWANDA SANYANG | THE LALA FACES BRAND EXPANSION

HEALTH AND FITNESS

A BUDGET-FRIENDLY FAMILY DISH

A BRUNCH SPREAD FIT FOR SPRING

GETTING MORE MOVEMENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY

By FAMILY FEATURES

By STATEPOINT

BEAUTY&FASHION

MODEL SPOTLIGHT

CONTENTS

MODEL SPOTLIGHT | ANNALEE BOWENSMITH By QSM

HOW TO BUDGET YOUR HAIR STYLING INTO YOUR LIFESTYLE

SLEEPING BEAUTY: 5 DERMATOLOGIST RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NIGHTTIME BODY CARE

By CRYSTAL D. LEWIS

By BRANDPOINT

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVE GO TO BRANDS By ASHLEY WALKER

3 COMFORTABLE YET STYLISH SHOE TRENDS TO TRY IN 2021 By STATEPOINT

FINDING CONFIDENCE IN QUARANTINE By STATEPOINT

BUSINESS

COMPETING ON A BUDGET

YOU CAN’T GET FLOWERS WITHOUT SOWING SEEDS FIRST

By DR. JANELLE “THE CURVY DOC” SIMMONS

By NYEMADE BOIWU

WOMEN CAN IMPROVE ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE By CHAYO BRIGGS

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HEALTH AND FITNESS

A BUDGET-FRIENDLY FAMILY DISH |

Baked Chicken Parmesan

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A BUDGET-FRIENDLY FAMILY DISH | FAMILY FEATURES

Creating family meals with nutrition in mind adds another consideration to a daily task that is often stressful enough. However, making health-conscious decisions each evening at the dinner table doesn’t have to mean turning away from your loved ones’ favorite dishes. Simple swaps to more nutritious ingredients paired with healthier preparation methods, such as baking chicken rather than frying it, can help you make more nutrition-based choices. This Baked Chicken Parmesan offers the best of both worlds, providing a 30-minute meal that allows you to spend less time in the kitchen without forgoing healthy habits. Made with Parmesan cheese, this recipe provides an excellent source of calcium. Dairy foods, such as cheese, are an irreplaceable part of a balanced diet that offers a valuable source of essential nutrients. Plus, because it’s made using just a handful of ingredients, it’s a budgetfriendly option that doesn’t break the bank and doesn’t call for seldom-used spices or seasonings you may never use again. Find more family meal inspiration at milkmeansmore.org. Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe by Kirsten Kubert of “Comfortably Domestic” on behalf of Milk Means More Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 6 2/3 cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning medley with garlic 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs 3 cups prepared tomato and basil sauce, warmed, divided 1 pound thick spaghetti, prepared according to package directions Preheat oven to 400 F. Line rimmed half sheet pan with parchment paper; set aside. In shallow dish or pie plate, combine breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, stirring with fork until blended. Pour melted butter in separate shallow dish or pie plate. Working with one chicken thigh at a time, dip each side in melted butter to coat. Press butter-soaked chicken into breadcrumbs, turning to coat well on both sides. Place breaded chicken on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken thighs. Drizzle remaining melted butter over breaded chicken. Bake 8 minutes. Turn chicken over and bake 7 minutes to crisp other side. Briefly remove chicken from oven. Spoon two tablespoons pasta sauce over each chicken thigh. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over chicken. Return chicken to oven and continue baking 5 minutes, or until cooked through. Serve Baked Parmesan Chicken over cooked spaghetti topped with additional pasta sauce. (Family Features)

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HEALTH AND FITNESS

FAMILY FEATURES

rom tasty small bites to a filling feast and even dessert for breakfast, brunch options are nearly endless. Take your spring brunch to the next level with recipes that appease appetites of all kinds. First, start with portioned pastry cups perfect for appetizers. Bring out the protein-packed breakfast burritos for the main course then, for a final touch of sweet deliciousness, offer up lemony doughnuts to cap off the feast. Find more brunch recipes at Culinary.net.

FAMILY FEATURES

From tasty small bites to a filling feast and even dessert for breakfast, brunch options are nearly endless. Take your spring brunch to the next level with recipes that appease appetites of all Bite-Sized Breakfast kinds. Appetizer-sized portions and small

bites of all sorts are ideal for breakfast spreads, and these Pastry Brunch Cups

are perfect for starting a morning First, start with portioned pastry meal withcups loved ones. Or, if a busy Bite-Sized Breakfast schedule looms, try baking a batch separating into appropriate serving Appetizer-sized portions small perfect forand appetizers. Bring and out the sizes for a simple way to meal prep bites of all sorts are ideal for breakfast heading into a new week. protein-packed breakfast burritos for recipes spreads, and these Pastry Brunch Cups Find more breakfast at Culinary.net. are perfect for starting a morning the main course then, for a final touch meal with loved ones. Or, if a busy Cups schedule looms, try baking a batch of sweet deliciousness, offer Pastry up Brunch lemony Servings: 18 and separating into appropriate serving 2 tablespoons butter sizes for a simple way to meal doughnuts toprep cap off the feast. 2 tablespoons flour

heading into a new week. Find more breakfast recipes at Culinary.net.

cups milk cup shredded Swiss cheese sheets puff pastry eggs cups diced ham chopped fresh green onions Heat oven 375 F. In small saucepan, melt butter. Whisk flour with butter. Gradually pour in milk, whisking each time. Bring to simmer, whisking until mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat; stir in Swiss cheese. Set aside. Use rolling pin to thin out puff pastries. Cut each into nine squares. Line pastry squares in muffin cups, pressing bottoms down firmly and moving pastries up sides for edges to come up just over muffin tins. Fill each cup with 1 teaspoon cheese sauce. Crack one egg into each cup and sprinkle each with diced ham. Bake 10-15 minutes until eggs set. Sprinkle with chopped green onions.

1 1/2 1 2 18 2

Find more brunch recipes at Culinary.

netBrunch Cups Pastry

Bite-Sized Breakfast

Servings: 18 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 1 1/2 cups milk 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese 2 sheets puff pastry 18 eggs 2 cups diced ham chopped fresh green onions Heat oven 375 F. In small saucepan, melt butter. Whisk flour with butter. Gradually pour in milk, whisking each time. Bring to simmer, whisking until mixture starts to thicken. from heat; stir in Or, ifRemove a busy schedule looms, try baking a batch and Swiss cheese. Set aside. Use rolling pin to thininto out puffappropriate serving sizes for a simple separating pastries. Cut each into nine squares. to meal prep Lineway pastry squares in muffin cups, heading into a new week. pressing bottoms down firmly and moving pastries up sides for edges to come up just over muffin tins. Fill Find more breakfast recipes at Culinary.net each cup with 1 teaspoon cheese sauce. Crack one egg into each cup and sprinkle each with diced ham. Pastry Brunch Bake 10-15 minutes until Cups eggs set. Sprinkle with chopped green onions.

Appetizer-sized portions and small bites of all sorts are ideal for breakfast spreads, and these Pastry Brunch Cups are perfect for starting a morning meal with loved ones.

RemovePower from heat; stir in Swiss cheese. Set aside. 1/2 cup milk Brunch with a Protein-Packed Burrito 4 large tortillas A well-rounded brunchthin calls for aout multitude of dishespastries. and bevUse rolling pin to puff each 1 Cut cup spinach erages, but it wouldn’t be complete without a protein-packed 1 1/2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled to get the day started. cup cilantro into ninerecipe squares. Line squares1/4in muffin cups, This delicious Breakfast Burrito ispastry loaded with colorful 1 avocado veggies and Silver Fern Farms 100% grass-fed strip steak. lime wedges (optional) from New Zealand, home to some of the world’s most moving pressingHailing bottoms down firmly and pastries hot sauce (optional) natural tasting beef and lamb, this premium cut of beef is Remove steak from packaging and set aside 10 minutes. Once 21 days and minimally processed with no added growth up sidesaged for edges to come just over muffin tins. steak reaches room temperature, heat pan over medium-high heat. hormones or antibiotics. The animals are grass-fedup year-round Rub steak with oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. and allowed to roam and graze freely, so the beef offers a lean, Cook until medium-rare, approximately 3-4 minutes each texture that tastes just as nature intended. Fill eachflavorful cup with 1 teaspoon cheese sauce. Crack side. Remove from pan and cover loosely with tinfoil to rest Visit silverfernfarms.com to find more at-home brunch inspiration. one egg into each cup and sprinkle5 minutes. each diced Reduce heat towith medium and add splash of oil. Add onion; cook 1 minute. Add red bell pepper and mushrooms; cook Breakfast Burrito ham. 1 minute. 1 Silver Fern Farms New Zealand 100% Grass-Fed Add cumin, paprika and chili powder; stir through. New York Strip Steak (10 ounces) veggies are tender (about 2 minutes), add tomato and Bake 10-15 oilminutes until eggs set. cookWhen until soft. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. salt, to taste whisk eggs, milk and salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with chopped green onions.InHeatlargepanbowl, pepper, to taste to medium heat and add splash of oil.

Servings: 18 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 1/2 onion, finely chopped 1/2 cup milk Pour egg mixture into pan and cook, lifting and folding Power Brunch with a Protein-Packed Burrito eggs until thickened and no visible liquid egg remains. Do 1 red bell pepper, sliced lengthwise 1 1/2 cups milk 4 large tortillas not stir constantly. 4 large A well-rounded brunch calls for a multitude of mushrooms, dishes andsliced bev1 cup spinachLay tortillas on flat surface or plate. 1 teaspoon cumin erages, but it wouldn’t be complete without a protein-packed 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese In center ofcrumbled tortilla, add cooked veggies and top with thinly 1 teaspoon paprika 1 1/2 ounces feta cheese, recipe to get the day started. sliced beef. Add handful of spinach, scrambled eggs, crumbled 1/2-1 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 cup cilantro feta, cilantro and avocado. Fold bottom of tortilla and roll. 2 sheets puff pastry 1 tomato, finely chopped This delicious Breakfast Burrito is loaded with colorful Serve with lime wedges and hot sauce, if desired. 1 avocado 8 eggs strip steak. veggies and Silver Fern Farms 100% grass-fed lime wedges (optional) 18 eggs Hailing from New Zealand, home to some of the world’s most hot sauce (optional) tasting beef and lamb, this premium cut of beef is 2 cups diced ham chopped fresh green onions natural Remove steak from packaging and set aside 10 minutes. Once aged 21 days and minimally processed with no added growth Dine on Deliciously

hormones or antibiotics. The animals are grass-fed year-round 1 tablespoon purefreely, vanilla extract and allowed to roam and graze so the beef offers a lean,

flavorful texture that tastes just as nature intended. Heat oven 375 F. Sweet Doughnuts Lemon Curd (optional): 1 stick unsaltedto butter, Visit silverfernfarms.com findsoftened more at-home Brunch is never complete without something 1 1/2 cups Domino Golden Sugar sweet to cap off the morning feast,butter. and doughIn small saucepan, melt butter. Whisk flour with brunch inspiration. 2 large eggs nuts are often the perfect complement to an 2 egg yolks array of main courses. Gradually pour in milk, whisking each time. Bring 4 lemons, zest and juice only These Lemon Ricotta Doughnuts pair the Burrito 1/8 teaspoon salt bite-sized morsels with lemon curdBreakfast (if that suits to simmer, whisking until mixture starts thicken. ToFern make doughnuts: In largeZealand saucepan, preheat your style) to for a sweet-tart combination. They’re 1 Silver Farms New 100% Grass-Fed oil to 350 F. Prepare cookie sheet with paper made using Domino Golden Sugar, which is York Strip Steak (10 towel to drain doughnuts once outounces) of hot oil. made from pure cane sugar and is less processedNew In bowl, mix flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking than white granulated sugar, as one you can oil and salt. Add lemon zest, eggs, always trust in your favorite recipes. It works salt, powder to taste ricotta cheese and vanilla extract; mix cup-for-cup just like white sugar but with a pepper, until to welltaste combined. golden color and distinct hint of molasses flavor. Use ice cream scoop to scoop small amounts 1/2 onion, finely chopped Visit dominosugar.com to find recipes doughpepper, into oil, 4-5 pieces lengthwise at a time. Fry each perfect for entertaining and celebrating 1 red bell sliced batch until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Keep throughout the year. 4 largeoilmushrooms, at or near 350 F; sliced if oil is too hot, doughnuts will turn golden brown but centers may still be 1 teaspoon cumin Lemon Ricotta Doughnuts raw. Remove from oil and drain in paper towel. 1 teaspoon paprika Prep time: 20 minutes Repeat with remaining dough. Cook time: 7 minutes 1/2-1 teaspoon chili powder While still hot, toss doughnuts with remainDoughnuts: ing sugar. 1 tomato, finely chopped Vegetable oil, for frying To make lemon curd, if desired: In large bowl 8 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour of stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until

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steak reaches room temperature, heat pan over medium-high heat. Rub steak with oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until medium-rare, approximately 3-4 minutes each side. Remove from pan and cover loosely with tinfoil to rest 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add splash of oil. Add onion; cook 1 minute. Add red bell pepper and mushrooms; cook 1 minute. Add cumin, paprika and chili powder; stir through. When veggies are tender (about 2 minutes), add tomato and cook until soft. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. In large bowl, whisk eggs, milk and salt and pepper, to taste. Heat pan to medium heat and add splash of oil. Pour egg mixture into pan and cook, lifting and folding eggs until thickened and no visible liquid egg remains. Do not stir constantly. Lay tortillas on flat surface or plate. In center of tortilla, add cooked veggies and top with thinly sliced beef. Add handful of spinach, scrambled eggs, crumbled feta, cilantro and avocado. Fold bottom of tortilla and roll. Serve with lime wedges and hot sauce, if desired.

2 2 1 1/2 1 2 18 2

tablespoons butter tablespoons flour cups milk cup shredded Swiss cheese sheets puff pastry eggs cups diced ham chopped fresh green onions Heat oven 375 F. In small saucepan, melt butter. Whisk flour with butter. Gradually pour in milk, whisking each time. Bring to simmer, whisking until mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat; stir in Swiss cheese. Set aside. Use rolling pin to thin out puff pastries. Cut each into nine squares. Line pastry squares in muffin cups, pressing bottoms down firmly and moving pastries up sides for edges to come up just over muffin tins. Fill each cup with 1 teaspoon cheese sauce. Crack one egg into each cup and sprinkle each with diced ham. Bake 10-15 minutes until eggs set. Sprinkle with chopped green onions.

A BRUNCH SPREAD FIT FOR SPRING | FAMILY FEATURES

Power Brunch with a Protein-Packed Burrito A well-rounded brunch calls for a multitude of dishes and beverages, but it wouldn’t be complete without a protein-packed recipe to get the day started. This delicious Breakfast Burrito is loaded with colorful veggies and Silver Fern Farms 100% grass-fed strip steak. Hailing from New Zealand, home to some of the world’s most natural tasting beef and lamb, this premium cut of beef is aged 21 days and minimally processed with no added growth hormones or antibiotics. The animals are grass-fed year-round and allowed to roam and graze freely, so the beef offers a lean, flavorful texture that tastes just as nature intended. Visit silverfernfarms.com to find more at-home brunch inspiration.

Breakfast Burrito

1 Silver Fern Farms New Zealand 100% Grass-Fed New York Strip Steak (10 ounces) oil salt, to taste pepper, to taste 1/2 onion, finely chopped 1 red bell pepper, sliced lengthwise 4 large mushrooms, sliced 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2-1 teaspoon chili powder 1 tomato, finely chopped 8 eggs

Dine on Deliciously Sweet Doughnuts

Brunch is never complete without something sweet to cap off the morning feast, and doughnuts are often the perfect complement to an array of main courses. These Lemon Ricotta Doughnuts pair the bite-sized morsels with lemon curd (if that suits your style) for a sweet-tart combination. They’re made using Domino Golden Sugar, which is made from pure cane sugar and is less processed than white granulated sugar, as one you can always trust in your favorite recipes. It works cup-for-cup just like white sugar but with a golden color and distinct hint of molasses flavor. Visit dominosugar.com to find recipes perfect for entertaining and celebrating throughout the year.

Lemon Ricotta Doughnuts

Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 7 minutes Doughnuts: Vegetable oil, for frying 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 3/4 cups Domino Golden Sugar, divided 2 tablespoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons lemon zest 5 large eggs 1 3/4 cups ricotta cheese

1/2 4 1 1 1/2 1/4 1

cup milk large tortillas cup spinach ounces feta cheese, crumbled cup cilantro avocado lime wedges (optional) hot sauce (optional) Remove steak from packaging and set aside 10 minutes. Once steak reaches room temperature, heat pan over medium-high heat. Rub steak with oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until medium-rare, approximately 3-4 minutes each side. Remove from pan and cover loosely with tinfoil to rest 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add splash of oil. Add onion; cook 1 minute. Add red bell pepper and mushrooms; cook 1 minute. Add cumin, paprika and chili powder; stir through. When veggies are tender (about 2 minutes), add tomato and cook until soft. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. In large bowl, whisk eggs, milk and salt and pepper, to taste. Heat pan to medium heat and add splash of oil. Pour egg mixture into pan and cook, lifting and folding eggs until thickened and no visible liquid egg remains. Do not stir constantly. Lay tortillas on flat surface or plate. In center of tortilla, add cooked veggies and top with thinly sliced beef. Add handful of spinach, scrambled eggs, crumbled feta, cilantro and avocado. Fold bottom of tortilla and roll. Serve with lime wedges and hot sauce, if desired.

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract Lemon Curd (optional): 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 cups Domino Golden Sugar 2 large eggs 2 egg yolks 4 lemons, zest and juice only 1/8 teaspoon salt To make doughnuts: In large saucepan, preheat oil to 350 F. Prepare cookie sheet with paper towel to drain doughnuts once out of hot oil. In bowl, mix flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Add lemon zest, eggs, ricotta cheese and vanilla extract; mix until well combined. Use ice cream scoop to scoop small amounts dough into oil, 4-5 pieces at a time. Fry each batch until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Keep oil at or near 350 F; if oil is too hot, doughnuts will turn golden brown but centers may still be raw. Remove from oil and drain in paper towel. Repeat with remaining dough. While still hot, toss doughnuts with remaining sugar. To make lemon curd, if desired: In large bowl of stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and egg yolks, one at a time. Add lemon zest, lemon juice and salt. Transfer mixture to saucepan and cook at low-medium heat until thick and creamy, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let cool before serving with doughnuts.

(Family Features)

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HEALTH AND FITNESS

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Sanja Radin / iStock via Getty Images Plus

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GETTING MORE MOVEMENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY | STATEPOINT

GETTING MORE MOVEMENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY Working or learning from home? It’s more important than ever to ensure you move throughout the day. Doing so will help keep your mind and body healthy and agile. Here are a few tips to move more throughout the day. • Take designated breaks: While your workplace likely afforded you regular opportunities to move around, such as getting up to speak to a colleague or attend a meeting, home workspaces often involve a lot less natural movement. Set a timer for regular intervals. Every time you hear the beep, stretch, move about or take a walk to the kitchen for a glass of water. You’ll be giving your eyes a much needed break too. If possible, consider even building a midday walk or jog around the neighborhood into your schedule. • Track your movement: Wearable tech can help you stay accountable throughout the day. The timepieces in the G-SHOCK line-up feature step trackers and other cool heart smart health and fitness functions that can help you enhance your workout. In addition to counting steps, the GBD800-1B for men and the GMDB800-1 for women track calories burned, exercise intensity levels and activity goal achievements when connected to the G-SHOCK app. They also feature daily, weekly and monthly activity graphs so you can set goals and track your progress over time.

Are you a fitness enthusiast who wants to get into the real nitty-gritty of metrics? Check out the G-Shock MOVE GBDH1000. Its heart rate monitor displays your current heart rate, as well as the heart rate zone for five stages of exercise intensity. It also estimates VO2max, a measure of your maximum rate of oxygen consumption, a useful benchmark for cardiorespiratory ability if you’re looking to build endurance. When you get outdoors for an adventure, its GPS functionality and other sensors can help orient you. • Mix it up: There are four types of exercise, according to the National Institutes of Health -- endurance, strength, balance and flexibility -- and each type has different benefits for your body. Varying your workouts can ensure you gain the benefits of all four types. Need some inspiration? There are plenty of free routines available online, many of which offer modifications to work for different fitness levels. Just search for what you’re looking for and you’re bound to find some great follow-along programming to meet your needs. And remember, a workout doesn’t need to be a certain length to be beneficial. If you have only a few minutes to squeeze movement into your day, be sure to take it. Using new tools, it’s easier than ever to stay accountable to your fitness goals, even when you are spending a lot of time at home. STATEPOINT

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

ANNALEE BOWEN- SMITH

“

Through the years I

have learned how to be very independent in everything I do. Even though I may be visually impaired, I am very business-minded.

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

MODEL SPOTLIGHT | ANNALEE BOWEN-SMITH

My name is Annalee Bowen-Smith, I was born in Bridgetown, Barbados, W.I. I am 40 years old and a mother and a wife for over 12 years. I came to the United States in 1989 to the Borough of Brooklyn, NY at the age of nine years old. I later moved to Hempstead, NY where I attended and graduated from Hempstead High School. I later attended Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY where I majored in Occupational Therapy and attained a Bachelor of Science Degree with a GPA of 3.7. It was during my college years when I became visually impaired. It unfortunately stopped me from pursuing a job right away in my field of education. I was receiving services through an agency for Rehabilitation (Helen Keller Services for the Blind) and within a year, I obtained employment in their Braille library as a Production Assistant. During the time of my employment, my title allowed me to edit and produce Braille and large print books for Blind and Visually Impaired individuals for High school and college students. I proudly worked this position for five years. At the age of 27 I met my husband and at the age 29 we got married. My husband and I have our own MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) business; a business in which we became successful in. Through the years I have learned how to be very independent in everything I do. Even though I may be visually impaired, I am very business-minded. My husband and I have joined a few Multi-Level Marketing business and have been pretty successful at them. We’ve been able to achieve high levels which serves as a model for others to look up to us as leaders. I place all my trust in God who has helped to guide us through it all. My independence has taught me a lot which allows me to be very active in my community. My husband and I joined the Kiwanis Club of Hempstead who helps people in their communities and gives to different charities and along with other organizations. I have a sight for Party Planning and Decorating which I took up. My family and I have gone to different events and decorated the Halls and Churches for Sweet 16 parties, birthday parties and other church events such as Pastor’s Appreciation. This became a hobby of mine, which also became another income for us. I even did the planning and decorating for my daughter’s graduation party which was a huge success.

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

I also have a passion for fashion; I love dressing to impress from head to toe. I love to go out and shop at a variety of plus size and full figured clothing stores. I love taking pictures of myself each time I buy a new outfit which is also a hobby of mine. My family and friends offer their support by liking and commenting on my images I post. This drove me at the age of 37 to go into modeling. I started applying at different modeling agencies. I was denied at first for this one; I took it as it was not meant to be. However, this did not stop me from applying to other agencies and entering into different competitions. I entered the Finding Ashley Stewart 2018 competition. I was not chosen as a finalist, but that did not stop me but rather it boosted my confidence. Throughout my journey I have met a lot of people who have encouraged and mentored me in the Model industry. Although it is a challenge for me being visually impaired; I don’t look at it as an obstacle because I am very determined to prove to people that I can do anything that I put my mind to once you give me the platform. I had the opportunity work with Lord and Taylor Department Store. I did a fashion walk for them in Garden City, Long Island. For personal reasons in 2019 I was forced to take a year off. In 2020, I was introduced to Tiff Scott, CEO and Founder of Kurvacious Boutique, where I competed in a modeling competition to be the Face of Kurvacious. I was awarded in that competition as one of the top three (3) finalists. From there I have being blessed with many different Podcasts opportunities where I was able to introduce myself to the World so that everyone would know my name and remember my face.

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MODEL SPOTLIGHT | ANNALEE BOWEN-SMITH Currently, I am still with Kurvacious and looking forward to working in many areas in the modelling industries. I also want to work with agencies to get more professional work. I am currently working with the infamous runway coach, Ms. Jeannie Ferguson, to perfect my runway walk. Another opportunity I am proud of, was the chance to be featured in MTM Model Magazine, a plus size women initiative magazine. Modeling has led me in the direction of acting as well. I was able to land a role in the COVID Film, title: “The Way We Were”. I am looking forward to breaking down many more doors and shattering glass windows for being a person that cannot see but is walking with faith in fashion.

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

Professional Photography Services PORTRAIT HEADSHOT FASHION EDITORIAL SPORTS BOUDOIR MATERNITY + AND MORE

FOR BOOKINGS

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

How to Budget your Weaves, Hair extension, Wigs and your Natural Hair Styling into your Lifestyle

By Crystal D. Lewis

Photo by Godisable Jacob from Pexels

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HOW TO BUDGET YOUR WEAVES | CRYSTAL D. LEWIS

As we know with this pandemic, certain things in our lives became either less important or more important. And I am here to say that getting your hair done was very important. Whether you did it yourself, or called on your professional licensed stylist to help you. So this month we want to talk about budgeting. On how to make sure you put self-care into your budget. It could be from any part of the industry. From getting a mani/pedi, facial and massages, shampoo, deep condition and styling, even down to buying your styling products, all of these services should be included in your weekly to monthly budget. Also, if you wear hair extensions, weaves, and wigs you should budget for that. Let’s start off with hair extensions and weaves. Hair extensions and weaves can be very pricey. You just have to decide your price point. For example, you can buy a bag of synthetic hair for $9.99 a pack ($40 for a pack of 4 to do a whole head) but you can only wear that hair for two weeks or maybe three weeks before it starts looking like a bird’s nest. Invest in buying maybe 4 bundles of good quality hair for $299 and up, you will be able to reuse the hair for the whole year or maybe longer. I have good quality hair from ten years ago that if I wanted to use it, I could, and it would still look new, but I did pay a pretty price for the hair. So again, it comes down to knowing your budget and lifestyle. Invest in yourself. Your goal should be to look and feel your best. Also, when budgeting, include the amount for installation. Use a professional licensed stylist to put in your hair extensions and weaves. Do your research. Before you try hair extensions or weaves, invest in a good wig or try on different wigs. Try different colors and styles that compliment your skin tone and face structure, if you decide to buy a wig, get one that will last for years. You can buy a wig for $19.99 and wear it for a while, but please once it starts to frizz or lose its shine, throw it away. There are good quality

human hair wigs that are pricey but worth it in the end. When budgeting, have a conversation with your licensed stylist. Most of us are very understanding and want to keep our loyal clients happy. We understand times are very hard for all of us, so a lot of us have implemented VIP cards, Loyalty and Reward programs in our salons just for people on a budget because you also have to take care of your hair when wearing weaves, hair extensions and wigs. We have a program where you can receive 4 styling sessions and you receive the 5th service FREE for $300 (valued at $480) which includes: a luxurious shampoo, custom blend deep conditioner, Aquatic Mister treatment, Blow dry and Thermal styling. If you come in, every two weeks the VIP card can last you for two months. This way you have paid in advance and know that you don’t have to worry about a payment and you will keep your hair and scalp clean and healthy. We also have programs for colours, cuts etc, to fit into your budget. For our Do-ityourself clients, are you really budgeting? I still suggest that you call a licensed stylist and ask for a consultation whether you want to get your hair done there or not (you might have to pay just for the consultation) because they will point you in the right direction in helping you with your styles, products, haircare and scalp care that you can add into your budget. Remember that self-care and hair care is essential! Invest in yourself! I SAY YES!!!!!!! DRINK YOUR WATER, TAKE YOUR VITAMINS! Crystal D. Lewis is a Hair and Beauty Expert, Educator, and Philanthropist. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @ ISayYesSalonSpa

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

SLEEPING BEAUTY: 5 DERMATOLOGIST RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NIGHTTIME BODY CARE

Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels

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NIGHTTIME BODY CARE | BRANDPOINT Did you know your body repairs itself while you sleep? This is just as true for your body’s skin as it is for your brain and your muscles. How much quality sleep you get each night, and how you prepare yourself for sleep, can make a difference in the look and feel of your body’s skin. “While many people have developed healthy routines to care for the skin on their face, it’s just as important to develop a nighttime body care routine too,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sheila Farhang. “And it doesn’t have to be complicated. There are simple steps you can follow that will have you covered, from head to toe.” Farhang offers tips on how you can help your skin be at its best - while you’re getting your beauty sleep. PRACTICE GOOD SLEEP HYGIENE To give your skin’s cells optimal renewal time each night, make sure you get the best quality sleep you can - and enough of it. Want to be sure you’re getting the seven to eight hours minimum zzz’s most adults need each night? Try the following: Be consistent about sleep and wake times, even on weekends and days off. Your body gets used to a rhythm, and it can be thrown off by changes - even just springing that clock forward. Sleep in a dark, cool room to fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep. Minimize noise with a white noise machine or fan if you wake frequently during the night. Practice a soothing bedtime routine, like turning off gadgets early and enjoying a warm, relaxing shower. USE PRODUCTS THAT WORK OVERNIGHT Choose products that work overnight to moisturize to revitalize skin, renew your skin’s surface, and restore dry skin while you sleep. “If your skin sounds squeaky or feels tight after a shower, it has likely been stripped of its natural moisture,” said Farhang.

ELEVATE YOUR NIGHTTIME BODY CARE ROUTINE WITH A RINSE-OFF BODY CONDITIONER Simply applying lotion after you shower may provide only temporary relief, leaving you reapplying frequently. Instead, Farhang recommends a proactive approach. “You condition your hair, so why not condition your skin?” asked Farhang. “Consider adding an in-shower moisturizer such as Olay’s Rinse-Off Body Conditioner with Retinol for an added dose of moisture to help stop dry skin before it starts.” Like the companion body wash, this body conditioner is made with Retinol and Vitamin B3 Complex. Using it every night can help you wake up to renewed and radiant skin. MOISTURIZE INSIDE AND OUT “Hydration is key!” added Farhang. “In addition to using products with formulas supercharged with high quality skincare ingredients like Retinol, it’s also important to make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day.” Most health care professionals recommend drinking at least eight glasses (eight ounces each) of water per day. MOISTURIZE YOUR ENVIRONMENT Especially if you live in a dry climate, or if you are heating your home with dry air while the outside temps are still chilly, consider an in-home humidifier to help keep the air in your home more skin-friendly. Humidifiers are available in many different sizes, including portable units that can be moved from room to room. Using a humidifier will help keep the air from drying out whether you’re just relaxing, working from home - or sleeping. Following these dermatologist recommendations will contribute to a good night’s sleep and help your body’s skin stay healthy year round.

She recommends Olay Body Wash with Retinol. Supercharged with Retinol and Vitamin B3 Complex, this body wash supports your skin’s natural pH and deeply hydrates to replenish skin’s moisture barrier. It moisturizes to improve skin 3X better than the leading body wash to transform skin from dry and dull to bright and smooth!

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Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model | Ashley Walker @msbeyoudoyou Dress | Kushe Clothing @kusheclothing_

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVE GO TO BRANDS | ASHLEY WALKER

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVE GO-TO BRANDS?

by Ashley Walker What are your fave go to brands, designers, and boutiques when you want to save a coin, but don’t want your look to scream budgetfriendly? What are some of the things you don’t want to forgo when shopping affordable fashions? A few things that come to mind are the look, quality, on trend, and sustainability. We don’t want our affordable fashions to look cheap. We don’t want to lose the quality of the materials and fabrics used, just because the piece is affordable. We definitely want the look to be something current and on trend. Just because we are trying to save a few coins does not mean we want last season’s style. Sustainability is important and also goes hand and hand with quality, because we don’t want pieces falling apart after one wear. All of these details being found in budget-friendly fashion seems like we could be asking too much, or are we? In these looks by Curverra, Kushe Online, Dia&Co, and Shein to name a few, we are bringing you some cute affordable fashions, that won’t force you to compromise what you love most about great fashion. Tell us what you think about these great looks!!

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model | Ashley Walker @msbeyoudoyou Dress | Kushe Clothing @kusheclothing_

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model | Ashley Walker @msbeyoudoyou Dress | Kushe Clothing @kusheclothing_

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Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model | ShaKera Ferguson @therealsamplesize Dress | ELOQUII @eloquii

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model | Mykell Green @Moose.pie Look | JH Design @bymoneek_ Mykell Green

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVE GO TO BRANDS | ASHLEY WALKER

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVE GO-TO BRANDS?

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model | Tasmēká Woods @fan_tas_tic13 2pc Set | @fromrachel

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVE GO-TO BRANDS?

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @ charissolutionsphotography Model | Ashley Walker @ msbeyoudoyou Dress | Curverra @Curverra

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WHAT ARE YOUR FAVE GO TO BRANDS | ASHLEY WALKER

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVE GO-TO BRANDS?

BEAUTY AND FASHION

ADVERTISING Rates & Sizes

Queen Size Magazine is an award-winning print and digital publication Founded in 2011, we are(QSM) a magazine dedicated to monthly Queen Size women. Queen Size is notdedicated only about to servicing the full-figured industry. We are a voice for today’s women and men; simply sending the the physical size, but also the mental. We are dedicated to highlighting women of all walks life. Ifon message that we exist, and we will be heard. Queen Size Magazine publishes articles thatof focus you are a fashion, woman and making Queen Size Our moves, then thisatis QSM, whereis you belong. We do not ourselves lifestyle, beauty topics. focus here to bring our readers thelimit latest news toand just women; this was the basis of why we created the magazine. We are to highlight and trends surrounding the fashion industry. From eye-catching images tolooking controversial articles; we capture all every month without missing aboth beat.men Additionally, we pride ourselves on providing promote smallitbusinesses owners/entrepreneurs, and women. Queen Size Magazine puts a platform for every both established up &articles coming professionals in our industry. At Queen Size we out a new issue month withand realistic written by real life people. We have writers that believe and promote that women and men of all shape, size, height, and color are equal. cover health and fitness, true life situations and experiences, fashion, recipes and more.

Ad Rates Full Page ½ Page ¼ Page Cover Story Inside Cover Back Cover Inside Back Cover ISSUE December/January February/March April/May June/July August/September October/November

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LAWANDA SANYANG| QSM

Lala Faces Cosmetics I am Lawanda Sanyang Aka LaLa of Lala faces Makeup Artistry. I have been a professional makeup for 5 1/2 years. I am excited to have recently launched my own cosmetics brand LaLa Faces Cosmetics available at Www.lalafaces.com. My journey and work as a Makeup Artist has taken me to New York Fashion week, and features in Queen Size Magazine, Black Hair Magazine, Vixen Magazine, Carolina Connect Magazine and Luxe Kurves Magazine. You can also find me monthly in Queen Size Magazine where I serve as the contributing Beauty writer. As another coined I consider myself a

“weekend warrior”. I have been in the helping people service for over 25 years as my current full-time professional career is Social Work. I have always worked to empower and meet people were they are. My passion for the art of Makeup continues to be inspired by the women seeking to enhance their natural beauty. I am always amazed by the wow factor the women experience during their service with me. I am grateful to God to be able share my talents and passion with others. And that’s why I Love what I do! “The Beauty that Every Woman Deserves” WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM| MAY 2021 ISSUE

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LAWANDA SANYANG| QSM

FEATURED STORY

Naturally I began to learn and pick up tips of the trade. I seemed to have had a natural talent for creativity. But my twinkle and passion was for the Rouge and lipsticks my mom and grandmother kept in their purses. I admired how their makeup was classy and never overdone. Their natural beauty always shined through. And I try to honor those same principles in my Artistry. QSM: Are you 100% self-taught or did you also go to school? Lala: I am a self-taught makeup artist. It is my natural gift and talent from God. I did take a business class to learn more about the business side of becoming an Artist in North Carolina. QSM: What is your opinion on models that don’t like to wear makeup during photo shoots? Lala: I think models should really consider having their makeup done. You really want to display your best self and polished look on your images. Even if they don’t want to pay an artist, they should learn some makeup techniques that will show well in photos. You will never know whose hand the images will land in. They should want to shoot their best shot. Once your image is out on the internet it’s there, first impressions speaks volumes.

QSM: What piqued your interest in joining the world of cosmetology? Lala: I grew up in rural North Carolina on a farm watching my mom and grandmother make their own natural hair care products. Yes, I am a farm girl, and that taught me hard work and dedication. It was not uncommon for them to style the women of the family and the community. I can still remember the feeling and the smell of getting my hair pressed with a hotcomb. They were the Madame CJ Walker of my community. My mom did enroll in cosmetology school but the demands of family life took her into another helping profession. What I loved and learned a great deal by watching them. One of the most important principles was the relationship building and the smiles on the women faces.

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QSM: In a world filled with makeup artists; what makes you stand out or different from the rest? Lala: I think what makes me stand out is the level of professionalism I bring to my service, and that comes with years of working in Human Services. My clients are mature women that are looking to refresh and learn about makeup. They have already raised children and some are working on second careers or are retired. Their view of IG baddie looks different than the standard and I help bridge the gap. They are on trend but not trying to be 20-something. QSM: Did you wear makeup as a child? Lala: I did not start wearing makeup until I was in my teenage years. And that consisted of lipsticks and eyeliners. My favorite brand as a teen was Wet N Wild. Photographer | @elizabethashleyco Model | Lala Sanyang @Lalafacescosmetics Makeup done by model |@Lalafacesmua Hair (braids) | GiGi Privette Hair (styled) | King Bee

LAWANDA SANYANG| QSM

QSM: LOL I think most of us grew up on the Wet N Wild brand. But how on earth do you gel your life together as an MUA and a Social Worker? Lala: Social Work is extremely stressful, not only am I Social Worker but I am a Supervisor that supervises a team of four Social Workers. What I have learned to do is have a work life balance to make it all gel. Makeup is my outlet and my happy place. Work life has its place and so does Makeup. QSM: Do you find that people try to negotiate your prices? How do you handle that? Lala: In the beginning when I started my business there were occasions people would say they couldn’t afford my services or ask me how much for just how much for eyes. But I know my worth and I stayed firm to my business practices and prices. I never disagree with anyone that say they can’t afford my services, maybe they can’t. I move on because that is not the client for me. I don’t play games and I respect the craft even when

others don’t. QSM: What are some of the best brands of makeup to use (in your opinion and why) Lala: Here are some of the best brands on the market and not in any particular order, nor have I tried every brand on the market. However based on my experience of use these are my favorite for foundations and they include Nars for its creamy, smooth consistency and natural skin like finish, MAC studio Fix for it full coverage high definition photo ready looks. Fenty Beauty for its long wear, matte finish and lack of transfer to clothing, Too Faced for its full coverage and matte finish. Black Opal cream stick and Sascha cream foundation, they are great full coverage and both work well on severe blemished skin with deep craters. I also love Loreal Tru match for it matte consistency. And be on the lookout this summer for Lala Faces Cosmetics foundation, great for full coverage, and oil free creamy consistency. WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM| MAY 2021 ISSUE

FEATURED STORY

QSM: Tell me about your makeup class; what made you go into teaching? Lala: The more I worked with clients the more I was asked if I taught classes, because women wanted to learn to replicate the basics. Although there are thousands of YouTube videos, my client really want that live one on one experience. Prior to COVID-19 I was busy booking makeup parties for adults and children. The clients loved the experience and I loved their enthusiasm for learning. Post COVID-19 the parties went virtual and surprisingly I have booked several parties and private sessions. I have even included a monthly virtual makeup class for my services. QSM: What do you cover exactly in your classes? Lala: In the class I cover the foundations of makeup application. Not only do I show them how to apply, but I explain the reason why, that helps the clients connect the dots and remember the steps. I explain tips a tools to give you the basic of an everyday makeup routine. I love teaching women the fundamentals of makeup. What woman don’t want to feel beautiful? QSM: Let’s talk Lala Faces Cosmetics. Big congrats to you on that! How long have you had this idea to start a cosmetic line and why? Lala: I had the idea to start my cosmetic line about the second year in business. I found that clients did not know their shade match and would often ask if I sold the products. This was a need and gap that I wanted to fill in my business and give women a beautiful product that they could be confident in wearing. QSM: You started with lipsticks and lip glosses. Was the intention to always add more? Lala: Absolutely! It was always my intention to add more. Starting with lipsticks and lipgloss was a way to test the waters. As a business owner I was concerned about the selling trends. Because there are a thousand lipsticks on the market. However women will buy a lipstick even if they already have ten. We love lippies, my goal is to bring a quality product and I must say I think I have accomplished that goal. The reviews have been amazing and I am so pleased with the results.

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LAWANDA SANYANG| QSM

QSM: I don’t know the first thing about starting a cosmetic line (lol). What is that process like? Lala: The process is always evolving and a lot of teachable moments. There are a lot of moving parts to finding a vendor, testing tons of products, doing the legal paperwork and setting up the website for sale. I strongly suggest getting a business strategist, they are extremely helpful. Here is a quick tip, check with your local Community College Small Business Center they can also provide some assistance. Maybe I will do a business class in the future to help other get started. There is enough wealth to go around for everyone. QSM: I told you this before and I will tell you again, your marketing is on point! Where do you see your brand in 3 years? Lala: I see my brand expanding in products and reaching thousands of hands. Also expanding into skin care services. I just closed a deal on getting into a Black Owned Beauty supply store within my second quarter. I am supper excited about this. Having my product go viral really would be a game changer and we will keep working toward that goal. Paying it forward will definitely become a huge component of the brand within the next 3 years. I am a CEO Hustler and a woman of many talents with a willful determination. I believe anyone can manifest their dreams and I am no different. Look at this amazing opportunity with Queen Size Magazine. QSM: (I didn’t pay her to say that y’all lol) You also got into photographer, which is not as easy as it sounds (lol). What was the driving force behind that decision? Lala: The driving force behind me getting

into photography was the need to have quality images of my work. Often the images that were given to me did not capture what I needed and I loved how beautiful the makeup looks on the skin. And I just was not getting that. So I picked up the camera and was determined to be the eyes behind my images. I wanted people to see the beauty I saw. QSM: Do you only shoot your own content or are you available for bookings? Lala: I shoot a lot of my own content but there is one photographer that I work with for special projects. But it is not uncommon for me to set up my camera and get the images I need. Especially my product shoots. I do all my product shoot for my brand. QSM: Where can people find out more information on you? Support your cosmetic line, and possibly book you for a makeup class? Website, social media links…. Lala: People can find out more about through my website and book makeup classes at wwww.lalafaces.com and my social media Facebook:Lalafaces and Lalafacescosmetics Instagram: Lalafacesmua and Lalafacescosmetics QSM: Thank you for all you do. And thank you for being a Black Girl Who ROCKS!!! Lala: Thank you Queen Size Magazine for allowing me this amazing opportunity to share my platform with your amazing audience. Forever grateful. Lala Sanyang

FEATURED STORY

LAWANDA SANYANG| QSM

BEAUTY AND FASHION

3 Comfortable Yet Stylish Shoe Trends to Try in 2021 accessory that can be mixed and paired with any item in the closet. Nike’s Court Vision Low Sneaker puts a fun twist on cheetah print accents, while the adidas Puremotion Adapt is a stylish slip-on sneaker with a crisscross leopard print pattern. Metallic Accents: Athletic shoes featuring a hint of shine or iridescent details provide a versatile option for those getting their steps in or committing to fitness goals. Because metallics such as rose gold, silver, and gold can mesh with a broad range of color palettes and design styles, they are “the new neutral.” For those on-the-go, athletic shoes such as the Nike Swift 2 and the Nike Court Vision are selections that offer a touch of silver, gold, or platinum detailing.

(STATEPOINT) While comfort will continue to reign supreme for clothing and accessories in 2021, when it comes to footwear, there are a variety of fun fashion trends that make a statement. The good news is that there’s no need to overhaul your entire closet. And it’s easier than ever to incorporate on-trend pieces into a comfortable and casual outfit. According to Alyson Stanley, buyer for national retailer Rack Room Shoes, simple clothing choices paired with shoes featuring leopard print detailing, pops of pastel, or silver accents make getting dressed easy and fun. Whether walking around the neighborhood, enjoying a sociallydistanced event, or leading a Zoom meeting, here are some tips on how to stay cozy and ontrend this year. Animal Prints: In the past, mixing patterns was taboo, but according to Stanley, it’s now encouraged. Sneakers, clogs, and casual shoes with animal print accents serve as a neutral

Joyful Pastels and Playful Patterns: This season’s footwear features a palette of cotton candyinspired shades (think lavender, mint green, and bubblegum pink). The possibilities to incorporate these colors into this season’s outfits are limitless. While you may know Crocs’ classic clogs are surprisingly comfortable and functional, you may not be aware that they now come in many pastelcolored options such as mint, lilac, and a pattern featuring a baby blue shade swirled with cloud forms. For all your family’s footwear needs, visit rackroomshoes. com for online shopping or curbside pickup options. “Though many of us are still spending the majority of the day working, exercising, and taking classes online from home, clothing and accessories still afford us the opportunity to express our unique style,” says Stanley. “The patterns and color trends for shoes in 2021 can bring joy to everyday outfits for the entire family.” Top left | Photo by Wendy Wei from Pexels Bottom right | Photo by ManSan from Pexels

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www.lalafaces.com

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

FINDING CONFIDENCE IN QUARANTINE: SURVEY SHOWS HOW COVID-19 INFLUENCES MAKEUP USAGE

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FINDING CONFIDENCE IN QUARANTINE| BRANDPOINT

As being in quarantine and weathering the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put a damper on things, American women are turning to their makeup routines to feel a sense of control and comfort, according to new research. In September, marketing firm OnePoll asked 2,000 American women about how they’re staying positive and confident as their time in quarantine and social distancing drags on. According to the findings, 51% said wearing makeup and changing up their looks turned out to be a small way to help them escape the stress of current affairs. If you’re feeling the need to switch things up, you’re not alone. Read on to discover more survey findings to inspire ideas to help you feel your best. Going for natural beauty: Since the onset of the pandemic, we’ve seen a palpable shift in mood to a more lowkey, understated aesthetic. After all, when video meetings and intimate (but open-air) gatherings continue to define our interactions, we may be less focused on going for glam and more on dressing for warmth and casual comfort. For that reason, respondents identified a rise in more natural makeup looks as a key trend of 2021. Leveraging makeup with benefits: A flawless look always starts with healthylooking radiant skin, no matter how much we’re social distancing. And that’s why for a majority of respondents (60%), products that multi-task get top billing. For example, products that contain vitamin E in the ingredients or improve the skin’s appearance, such as skin smoothing or eliminating the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles are always a win, quarantine or not. To help you achieve that naturally beautiful look you’re after, try Neutrogena Makeup - it’s “makeup fueled by skincare,” and delivers lasting makeup benefits, packed with skin healthy ingredients. The eyes have it: For now, going out means masking up, whether we’re hanging out with friends (while social distancing), eating at a restaurant outdoors, running errands or going on a social-distancing compliant date. Not surprisingly, nearly

half of respondents (48%) admit that face masks have transformed their makeup routine. That means the eyes are now pulling focus. (Raise your hand if you’ve attempted smiling with your eyes, or “smizing.”) Sixty percent say they want their eyes to be a standout feature while wearing a face covering. In 2021, watch for the rise of dramatic eye makeup to give the peepers some serious pop. Ready for your screening: Being in quarantine and staying home doesn’t necessarily mean makeup falls by the wayside. When it’s time to make an appearance, say, right before a video meeting, many found a reason to pick up their makeup looks. During our time in, mascara, eyeliner and foundation were the top three products respondents found they couldn’t live without - especially when they were due for a video call for class or work. Getting a mood boost: Being in quarantine and missing out on the things we love doing most can be a downer. While nearly half of respondents (49%) admit to ditching their normal makeup routine, just over a third (36%) say that wearing at least some makeup actually gives their mood a lift. One in four (24%) have gone as far as trying new cosmetics, while just over half (51%) say that using makeup to change up their appearance - perhaps to compensate for the face-covering - lets them feel a sense of control and comfort during a stressful time. During quarantine, making small changes has the power to give you a sense of control and boost your mood. For inspiration, visit neutrogena.com This online survey of 2,000 American women was commissioned by Neutrogena and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s code of conduct. Data was collected in Sept. 2020. All participants are paid an amount depending on the length and complexity of the survey. This survey was overseen and edited by the OnePoll research team, who are members of the MRS and have corporate membership to ESOMAR and AAPOR.

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

COMPETING ON A BUDGET by Dr. Janelle “The Curvy Doc” Simmons

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COMPETING ON A BUDGET | DR. JANELLE “THE CURVY DOC” SIMMONS

Have you ever wanted to compete in pageants but worried about having the funds to pay for it? Pageantry can be an expensive endeavor, from paying pageants fees (which range from hundreds to thousands of dollars), hair, nails, makeup, interview attire, fashion wear, and evening gown, but it doesn’t have to be if you plan ahead. Here are my top twelve tips for competing in pageants while not breaking the bank: 1. Most evening gowns are only worn once; there is nothing wrong with borrowing a gown from someone else. The judges won’t know. 2. If you have a service that can be helpful to a make-up artist or a hairstylist, bartering will be in your best interest. It’s a win-win situation. 3. If you’ve competed before, you can wear the clothing worn from a previous pageant. Again, the judges won’t know. 4. Find clothing from a thrift store; you’ll be surprised at the amount of formal wear available for purchase. 5. Sequins, stones, and crystals increases the cost of an outfit. Take something you already have and jazz it up yourself!

6. Fundraising: some frown upon this but there is nothing wrong with asking for funds if your funds are tight. However, I wouldn’t do this with every pageant. You should request funds no more than once. 7. Take a make-up class (YouTube has many and they’re FREE) so you don’t have to pay a make-up artist. 8. wig.

Worried about hair? Get a pre-styled

9. Nails not done? Get press ons or nail strips. Easy and quick! 10. Rent, rent, rent! There are companies that allow you to rent high end clothing at a low price. 11.

Amazon is truly your friend.

12. This one may be far-fetched, but transformation outfits are becoming popular. For example, your fashion wear can turn into an evening gown. This however will require a designer to create, but you will get two outfits out of one. Wishing you the best of luck on your pageant journey! Did I miss anything? I would love to hear what’s on your list; send me an email: info@janellesimmons.com.

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BUSINESS

YOU CAN’T GET FLOWERS WITHOUT SOWING SEEDS FIRST Written by Nyemade Boiwu (African Butterfly)

As spring begins to peek its head through the bleak days, along with beautiful weather, it brings us a sense of renewal. There’s something to be said for how nature is revamping itself that encourages us to do the same. Besides the beginning of a new year, there’s no other time when people are filled with hope and future planning. However, just like New Years’, many of those plans don’t happen because people forget about the other part of making dreams come true – doing the work. One of my favorite quotes is, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” So often, people have hopes and dreams of what they want their lives to be like. Some even make an effort to write it out and make a vision board, but that’s where the hard work stops. They dream of their greatness but don’t take steps to make those dreams happen. They see others living out their dreams and think about how “blessed” or “lucky” those people are without acknowledging the preparation required to be able to seize an opportunity when it presents itself. If you’re trying to transition into a new career or hobby, often getting your foot in the door can be difficult. Depending on your age, you might feel like a dinosaur entering the arena or as though you’ll never catch up to the level of experience as others. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it your all. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Dedicating the time and effort to learn your new craft will do two things: 1) It’ll improve your skills. It’s easy to dream about what you’d be great at, but it’s much different when you actually try to get hands-on experience. There are very few things that that you can improve at without physically doing the work required. Taking a class or attending a seminar will help you get the knowledge and practice you need to be even more impressive in your field. 2) It’ll expand your circle in the new area in your life. I think we’ve all heard the quote it’s not what you know; it’s who you know. Well, this applies to almost any field. Taking the time to increase your knowledge will often put you in rooms with individuals who are already at the top of their field. These are the people you want to know as you try to get your foot in the door.

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YOU CAN’T GET FLOWERS WITHOUT SOWING SEEDS FIRST | NYEMADE BOIWU Sometimes it is not a lack of drive that stops people from working towards their goals. A big roadblock for many is finances. People think of the startup or education costs and become so overwhelmed that they don’t take that first step. Depending on your aspirations, there are usually free or inexpensive options available for those new to the industry. The two most crucial things that most people need no matter what industry they’re going to is knowledge and experience. Both of these can be obtained at little to no cost. KNOWLEDGE – YouTube – Yes, there are courses and workshops you can pay to take. Many of them have a lot of value-added information. However, when you’re just starting, a lack of funds don’t have to hold you back from obtaining the knowledge you need. Most of the information you learn in paid courses can also be found on YouTube. If you take the time to search, you’ll be able to see who’s really giving out valuable information in your field. Just because there isn’t an official YouTube curriculum and degree for what you want to do doesn’t mean you can’t create a course for yourself. Find the videos that you think will help give you the most knowledge, then create a schedule to watch them. Do critical thinking after each video to make sure you understood what it was trying to teach. Give yourself deadlines and follow up action plans. Treat the free course you make for yourself the same way you would a $300 course someone put together for you to take. EXPERIENCE – Volunteer – Besides knowledge of the field, most people want to work with someone who has experience. This can often be the most frustrating part of changing careers. Everyone wants to experience, but few people want to hire someone new and build up to said experience. This is where volunteering is beneficial. While helping Photo by Anete Lusina from Pexels

make a positive impact and help others, you can also help yourself. Most nonprofits are always looking for volunteers to help with their organization. Take a look at the various nonprofits in your area and see which align with your interests and career goals. If you’d love to be an event planner but have no formal experience, find a local nonprofit that hosts frequent events and let them know you’d like to volunteer your time helping with their events. If you’re a wiz at social media, pick an organization and let them know you’d like to volunteer to help with their social media management. Most people rarely say no to free help. Your resume doesn’t have to say it was a job or you got paid. It just has to show the experience and length of time so start by volunteering your time. It’s also a great way to learn, and often volunteer positions can lead the fulltime ones. Behind the success that you see most people have is often years of hard work. When it appears as though someone was an “overnight success,” if you speak to that individual, you’ll hear a story involving years of trying to make that dream happen. If the work hadn’t been done to prepare them for their big break that opportunity would have been missed. Just because we don’t always see the hard work and effort in front of our face doesn’t mean it’s not happening. When we walk in a garden, we often see beautiful flowers, but how many people noticed the area when they were just dirt with seeds planted? Everyone appreciates the beauty of a garden but dismisses the steps leading up to the flowers blooming. There would be no blooming flowers without the labor of the seeds being sown. The same applies to us. There’s no success or moments of recognition if the work isn’t done first. WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM| MAY 2021 ISSUE

BUSINESS

Women Can Improve Organizational Performance: Leadership opportunities for women in business Are you aware that companies who hire more women can greatly benefit; it is estimated that companies with three or more women in senior management functions score higher in all dimensions of organizational performance? Not to mention, “Women’s economic equality is good for business. Companies greatly benefit from increased employment and leadership opportunities for women, which is shown to increase organizational effectiveness and growth.” (McKinsey & Company, n.d.) As a highly successful real estate investor and credit repair advisor, for over seventeen years, Chayo Briggs is driven to obtain the highest standards for his clients, especially the woman who come to him for help with rebuilding their credit. His success in working with a woman in general with credit problems has proven to be highly advantageous for them in the empowerment of their personal and professional life. Women entrepreneurs have become a force to be reckoned with in the business world. As the market grows, it is proving to be a critical source of innovation plus job creation to fuel economic growth. Nonetheless, woman-owned businesses are not granted equal capital in investment opportunities, which roughly shows to be more than a $300 billion-dollar credit gap. (WGDP , n.d.) The concepts are basically simple, however in today’s society, having just an average credit rating may not be enough. If you are female with a lower score, the chances of credit approval decrease. Employers are beginning to check credit history to make sure an employee is a good fit. Think of your credit score as a resume, your life history. On average men have an average credit score of 630 out of a possible 850, but many women lag behind at 621. In most cases, credit scores do improve with age, but women tend to never draw even, let alone pull ahead. (Morad, n.d.) In case you are wondering why the difference, it mostly boils down to the gender pay gap. Yes, the imbalance has improved since 2016 but women are generally paid about 22 percent lower than the average men’s salary. Because of the lower annual income, causes many women to use a larger portion of their available credit. “That hurts their creditworthiness,” Steve Millstein, a certified credit counsellor at Credit Repair Expert. (WGDP , n.d.) But Chayo does not want anyone thinking the credit bureaus prefer one gender over another. It is simply a numbers game; they care about creditworthiness, which

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is influenced by income, outstanding debt and the history of repaying loans or making timely payments for goods and services. “They simply use numbers and facts to draw their inferences,” Millstein said. (Morad, n.d.) The basic concepts of credit stability are simple, but most people see these topics as taboo, when in fact they are essential to becoming a successful financially independent individual. Chayo knows such issues are daunting, but you may need to borrow money at some point in the future. Your credit score determines two things that can affect your loan approval. First, lending money entails risk; lenders need to know you are reliable. Second, it determines the terms of your loan. Chayo always recommends as a rule of thumb to keep the credit utilization under 30 percent; that is the amount of credit you owe compared to the credit limit. In other words, the limit is $1000 then the balance should stay below $300 on average. Remember, think of your credit as a resume, it tells everything about your habits in daily life. The women who pursue higher education and find meaningful work prove to be more impactful on their families, community, and economy. A study by UNESCO indicated that for every year a country’s average year of schooling increases, the country can expect long-term economic growth by as much as 3.7%. Today, there are more social enterprises, celebrities, and philanthropists dedicated to empowering women than a decade ago. And influential leaders such as Jack Ma, Richard Branson, and Kevin O’Leary have also championed the narrative for more women in leadership and management positions. (Today, n.d.) In today’s political climate change, the lobby has gained momentum. So much so, that it might receive backing of law. If the re-introduction of the Paycheck Fairness act of 2019 become reality the tables may very well change. The news for women, in general, it fantastic, especially for those who seek higher education. It may also work on rebuilding communities and creating a sustainable economy. (Tran, 2019) The statistics prove that having more females in the work environment is linked to improved overall productivity, along with organizational health. Besides the fact that a gender-diverse atmosphere tends to be less aggressive, enhancing collaboration among employees and management.

WOMEN CAN IMPROVE ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE | CHAYO BRIGGS

“A study by the Center For Creative Leadership found that having women in the workplace actually increases the level of job satisfaction and dedication in the organization.” One other key factor has shown to be valuable, in organizations that are staffed over 45% females, the burnout rate decreases and most find their work more meaningful. In light of this fact, employee retention would increase limiting the amount of hiring additional staff thereby improving an overall human-centric environment. In recent years, some Fortune 500 companies with the highest representation of women on boards financially outperform companies with the lowest representation of female staffing. (Center for Creative Leadership , n.d.) Another surprising fact you may not be aware of is by rebuilding a neglected neighborhood can open the door for most of the local businesses. If these local businesses have a higher concentration of female workers, they reportedly have improved workplace morale and the overall bottom line. It especially applies true if there are females in leadership positions in those companies. “A study conducted by the Peterson Institute of International Economics suggested that companies with 30% or more females in leadership positions can yield as much as six percent more profit. Building a diverse and inclusive workplace isn’t just good for the community, it’s also good for business. “Alibaba, China’s biggest online e-commerce company with a net worth of over $84 billion, is a great example of how a company’s focus on building an inclusive and supportive culture for women greatly affected their financial success. The company claims over 34% of its senior management are females. Alibaba’s workforce also claims to have over 40% of females. Jack Ma, the previous CEO of Alibaba, once said, “If you want your company to be successful, then you should hire female workers!”.

Women are more likely to get their families out of debt. Families that are living in recovering communities are often weighed down by economic burdens such as neglected mortgages, high-interest loans and unpaid debt that keeps them from being financially stable. However, in most cases when women in the household have a say in the financial decisions that may not be the case. According to Bankrate, “men are 4.3% more likely to carry debt than women. Men also are more likely to fall behind on their mortgage and spend more than their credit allows. Women, on the other hand, are 67% more likely to seek credit counseling than men. And postcounseling, women are more likely to follow through with payments and eventually be out of debt.” The overall contribution of over seven trillion dollars in annual consumer spending in the US alone is among the female gender. Of that 83% is consumer purchases, it’s no secret that women are the biggest and best consumers. In underrepresented areas, women are more likely to purchase from local businesses, keeping the doors open. Consequently, these traits increase the local wages and produce a thriving local economy, one that is supporting business owners. As an author and public speaker, Chayo’s books, especially ‘Your Credit Defines Your Creditability’ offer readers inspiration to help them learn the fundamentals of rebuilding their credit, as well as entrepreneurial and financial skills. For over seventeen years Chayo’s mission is to educate minority communities on the importance of having good credit in today’s society. When someone is able to build a positive credit resume, they can easily obtain passive income to increase their financial investments. Please visit his website for more credit help, https:// chayobriggs.com Follow Me: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509778420 https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-chayo-briggs-bsbm-mp-a-a2349a16/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsxpMmAHrCI WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM| MAY 2021 ISSUE