Bridal Makeup: Before and After

This bridal look was just right for this beautiful MOH!
What do you think?

Makeovers on Demand

Nikki Jay Artistry provides professional makeup application services for events of any size! Whether one artist is needed for a wedding, or a team of artists are needed for a larger function,  we will provide you with the makeovers you need-- on demand! Our artists are reliable, and driven by client satisfaction.  Let us make your next event beautiful! 

Check out my stunning makeovers @ www.NikkiJayArtistry.com !

Todays look: Neutral eyes, flushed lips

For today's makeup look i decided to go with gold tones for the eyes and just a flush of color for the lips. I wore leopard print shoes and headband and added a pop of color with a vintage royal blue blazer, so i didnt want my makeup to over power, but compliment. I used mac foundation, ben nye translusent powders in banana and sienna to set. For the eyes i used bella terra mineral cosmetics. The gold is called goldfish, midtone is called Earth and the black is called Midnight. Then i lined with liquid eyeliner... For the lips i rubbed a little of the mineral eyeshadow in lollipop on the inside of my lip for tht "i just had an ice pop" type of look lol :) (for those of you who dont know you can use bella terra cosmetics at least 8 different ways) hope u like!! Any questions please dont hesistate to leave them in the comment section! Thank you so much! Stay inspired!

Pink and brown eyeshadow

Here is the makeup look i wore the other day. I really liked how it turned out. I used Bellaterra cosmetics for the eyes ( in flushed, earth, coca bean) and studio tech foundation from Mac (NW50). If you have never heard of Bella Terra Cosmetics, you can use the same eye shimmer for your eyes, cheeks, lips, nails, hair..and  many other ways your creativity can imagine. I use the pinkish color called flushed as a creme shadow, just by applying it wet with my brush.  I also used the same shadow as my lip color my mixing it with lip gloss. Pretty cool huh? It is tons of fun using this stuff. lol

What do you think? 

Mommy Makeover

This new mom came to see me wanting a dramatic makeover. "I want to look like a rainbow!", she says. Well, this was end result! This is why I love makeup, because there are no rules! What you consider a beautiful night time look, maybe someone else's stunning day time look...Its all freedom of expression!

Why treat yourself to a makeover? Because your WORTH IT!

 This, ladies and gentlemen, is why I do what I do.

A great makeover can really cause a person to change the way they feel on the inside, and in turn, manifest that confidence on the outside. When you feel beautiful, it effects the way you speak, the way you carry yourself, the look in your eyes--EVERYTHING! No words can really explain the mystery effect that takes place after a great makeover, but one thing is for sure, the results are evident!

Every women deserves the right to feel confident and beautiful! And an awesome makeover is a great catalyst for that. So my message to you ladies/superwomen?:

Don't hesistate to treat yourself from time to time! The reward is priceless!

I know I feel privileged everytime I get to be a part of that process. 

BEFORE AND AFTER:

EXTRAS SHOTS:

Have you booked you Nikki Jay Makeover today?!

www.NikkiJayArtistry.com
"What I do is not just surface." ~Nikki Jay

Trying on Red Lipstick

Ok, so the Holidays are here and a popular color is red,  so I wanted to try it on my lips b/c I never do lol. I believe trying something new AT LEAST once every month or so keeps you young and spontaneous. Even if you switch your mascara, or you brand of household cleaner...change is good, and always essential to growth!
Anyhow, I went to the MAC store just to try a red and the artist gave me the lip liner in brick, the Viva Glam 1 lipstick and, the Tinted lip glass in Russian red. That is the first pic. Very bright, vibrant and playful!
 The second pic I used wet and wild matte lipstick #910 and I put the MAC tinted gloss on top. A more toned down version of the latter lol. The next day I ended up just wearing the tinted lip gloss (pic coming soon), just to see how I liked that. But now I am back to my pink tones..sometimes i switch it up to a bronzey tone lol But all in all, I think I like the liner and gloss combo of this escapade :)

How to wear RED eyeliner

Wanted to try something different. I saw Queen of Blending use red eyeliner, so I wanted to see if I can make it wearable...Subtle, yet visible statement. What do you think? 

Streak Your Hair with Eye Shadow

Ok so I get it, who does this right? Dying your 8 year old's hair with eye shadow? Yes. I said eyeshadow. lol I have these cosmetic grade pigments that you can do a million things with such as make lip stick, gel liner, blush, nail polish, colored mascara, and yes-streaks for the hair..You can really be as creative as you'd like, these are just some of the uses I have tried.

Anyway, for those of you who have children, you know very well how they have bionic ears--there is no whispering or having a private conversation--they hear everything! lol
So my little one over hears me speaking to a client about these pigments and what I have done with them, and her ears perk up when she hears hair streaks...Now ever since she heard it, I have not been able to rest from all the pestering and begging for her to try it! lol
This girl is persistent! Once she gets an idea in her head she will not let it rest!

So of course she waits for the "perfect time" to ask me again about the hair streaking, which was on a day we have once a month we call "Mommy and Me Day." Its just a day we choose to make  special for each other by spending quality time and giving each other our full attention 'n stuff. We make conscious efforts be as sweet, kind, considerate and respectful towards each other in order to display our gratefulness towards one another...Well in any case, she knows this is a very open-minded kind of a day, so she asks me again with the puppy eyes she is known for..lol.... with that, and the fact that I knew how excited she was for the idea, I began to consider...well:

1.she could wash it out,
2. Its eye shadow!
3. Its fun and playful,
4. shes a kid,
5. she is not hurting or traumatizing anyone and,
6. IT WASHES OUT! lol

So I said yes lol lol
And let me tell you, she thought nothing could stop her-she was on top of the world! lol
 these are the small moments we as parent live for right?!

I guess it was harmless right? What do you think? Would you try this technique on your child's hair for fun? 

Sweet Sixteen Makeover

Today I did makeup for a pre-sweet sixteen photo shoot, where the final photos are to be displayed at my clients actual party. My client had a princess theme and lemme tell you, her mom went ALL OUT! lol She took her to Philadelphia where she rented a horse and carriage for the shoot; her dress was a full blown princess-style pink and turquoise ball gown. Oh yea, not to mention her royal scepter and crown lol. The lil preview picture she sent me was too cute I just had to share it! She is the only girl with 2 brothers so you know her mother was like oh yea, im going there! lol Cant wait till my little one gets that age..
What do you think? Would you go all out for your daughters sweet 16? 

Vikrant Tunious Mini Photoshoot

So I am revamping my site and logo. Mostly everything fresh, new and updated! Just wanted to give you all a little insight into this photoshoot I did with Vikrant Photography in preparation for my new site. I will even share a little peek of one of the photos I will use. So if you follow my blog, you guys get to see it before my revamped website is even launched!!
I must say, it was a lot weird being on the other side of the lens, but Vikrant and his partner/wife Puja made me feel really comfortable. My makeup was done by Mariluz West. Yes i could have done my own makeup but I have always been a strong advocate for artists to support artists. And I must say it was a pleasure to work with the whole team. The shoot was not even 15min. long, and even though i got a lot of "warm up" shots, lol, Vikrant's artistic eye was able to capture and give me exactly what I needed for my website, even a few extra.  Enjoy!
www.vikrantphotography.com
www.Mariluzwest.com
So what do you think? Do I pass or fail as a model?? lol lol

I added the little sun thing lol

One I plan to use for my new website...the other one you will see soon enough! ;)

This is one i actually took myself with my cell lol..big-up to Mariluz's work!

Style Me Hired Makeover Show

Style Me Hired gives free makeovers to men and women who are temporarily out of the workforce and are seeking employment. Over the past 2 years Style Me Hired has given hundreds of free makeovers to the unemployed to give them hope and to restore their confidence as they seek employment. On Sept. 24th 2012, I have the WONDERFUL opportunity to be a part of this exciting event once again, along with many other industry professionals! I did it last year and met some wonderful women, and made some awesome connections! My hand even landed a spot on channel 6 news! lol lol This year, I just got word that Modern Salon will be attending! Very exciting! http://www.modernsalon.com/

If you or anyone you know feel they are a perfect candidate for this, tell us your story and include a picture of yourself at www.stylemehired.com !  Or visit the site if you are a salon and would like to participate, or a business that would like to sponsor this event! You won't regret it I promise! Hope I have the pleasure of meeting you!

Do you know anyone who is doing something for their community? I want to know about people who are representing their towns in a positive way!

Brought to you by:

Sixites Inspired Hairstyle

Hello all,

 My daughter goes to a performing arts camp in the summer, so this year they did their rendition of the musical play, "Hair Spray." It was actually called "Hair Spritz" lol (which i suggested but had no idea they would actually use it! lol) and it was soooo ADORABLE. She was cast to be one of the "cool kids in town" lol  along with two other girls. So she had about 3 scenes of dancing where they had them do these super cute sixties routines---OMG! Adorable!!!
Anyway, just wanted to share the hairstyle I did on her for the play, hope you like! It literally took 15mins. to do and she had a lot of fun with it!

Here is the outfit I put together for one of the school scenes lol The rest of the wardrobe was provided (I just used whatever she had in her closet already lol)

Not the clearest of pictures but below is the wall of cast member headshots. There were way more but would have had to take a couple pics to include all, so here is just a snap shot. But you get the idea lol

Do you know any kids that love theater arts? Any tips for getting better at stage nerves??

Carly Fleischmann- Autism Awareness

Ok, so my sister sent me this link to the story of this uh-MAAAYzing girl named Carly Fleischmann who has autism. She was never able to speak or communicate with others, she is now do so immensely through the help of a computer. She has gone on to co-author a book and is now taking gifted classes. This is a girl who doctors and specialists says she would NEVER reach a IQ level of a six year old--and that was with great optimism! Well she surely proved them ALL wrong!!

On her website (http://www.carlysvoice.com/) you can read this little synopsis of her story but it goes much more beyond this:

"At the age of two, Carly Fleischmann was diagnosed with severe autism and an oral motor condition that prevented her from speaking. Doctors predicted that she would never intellectually develop beyond the abilities of a small child. Although she made some progress after years of intensive behavioral and communication therapy, Carly remained largely unreachable. Then, at the age of ten, she had a breakthrough."

"While working with her devoted therapists Howie and Barb, Carly reached over to their laptop and typed in "HELP TEETH HURT," much to everyone's astonishment. This was the beginning of Carly's journey toward self-realization." (Source http://www.carlysvoice.com/).

I have an 11year old nephew who is autistic and barely speaks, but when you look into his eyes, you just KNOW there is soooo much more there and that he WANTS to tell us and show us, but his autism makes it very difficult for him to do so. Carly's perseverance and breakthrough gives all families with loved ones with autism hope and insight. Her "voice" is nothing short of divine intervention if you ask me.




Here are some things I learned from reading and watching her story:
 

• First, social media is an awesome tool when used for the right purposes. Carly really was able to find her voice by using a computer and found a sense of connection and belonging through social media that she once longed for, but could never express. She has found her calling and purpose BEYOND the limitations of her illness, and technology and social media has helped her to get there.

• Second, you can't always accept a doctors prognosis as an end-all-be-all to your life, they are only capable of telling you what they have been trained to do so. But if they don't know, then they will give you their "best answer" but YOU as the PARENT, must know your child, and trust your God-given instinct as well.

• Third, we are more than meets the eye. On the outside, Carly appears to obviously be autistic and/or mentally retarded and incoherent of what is going on around her. Key word--APPEARS. When reading her writings and seeing how she pushes herself, helped me to realize that we are more than the physical manifestation of our bodies. And all we are called to do is BE OURSELVES--not based on appearances but who we really are inside. If we would focus on beautifying the inside as much as we do the outside, how much more beautiful would we be?? We are so much more than our outward appearances and if people have a problem with that, then let them keep it as their problem.

• Fourth, we just can't judge people. We don't know as much as we think we know. There are sooo many truths out there we except as false just because WE don't understand them. Truth is the truth. whether we CHOOSE to believe it, or something otherwise. The truth is, that this girl was NOT stupid, dumb, or retarded, as everyone presumed her to be b/c of her illness; She was actually quite gifted and intelligent--just stuck in a body that she has no control over.

• And Fifth, nothing is impossible. If you work hard enough, and refuse to back down, you WILL reach your goal. Carly is living proof.

You can connect with this amazing, talented, and gifted young women by visiting these links:

Web: http://www.carlysvoice.com/

Web: http://www.carlyscafe.com/ (experience autism through Carly's eyes. Very eye-opening to say the least)

Twitter: www.twitter.com/CarlysVoice

FB: www.facebook.com/carlysvoice

The link below is an Awesome Article with Carly answering questions about autism. A Must Read! http://www.goldenhatfoundation.org/about-us/blog/119-meet-carly-fleischmann

Carly's Story as told on 20/20s segment on Medical Mysteries

Comment! Follow! You have a voice!

Message To All My Followers

Hey Lovelies!

I just wanted to send my apologies over the network to all who have visited my blog, looking and expecting updated posts, but found none...for the past few months! lol So SORRY! I have been super busy and kind of dreading it, but I am back! and hope you can look forward to reading my blog again!

Much love and appreciation!

You can expect new posts at least once a month for sure!

Love you guys so much and thanks for reading!! Please subcribe, follow, and comment--it really encourages me when you do-so help a sista out! lol Thanks again!!

Nikki Jay

Funky Natural Style for Any Age!

Details coming soon!

Pompador Natural Style for kids!

Hello Lovlies!

Wanted to post another natural style that I often do on my daughter. This is a simple "pompadour" style with the hump in the front and a ponytail in the back.

Another variation of this style is to two strand twist the bang section and after it sets, take it out and roll the bang back and pin it to creat that pompador look. This creates more texture and wave to the front. You can choose to leave it like that, or add hair accessories to spice up the style! Hope you like! Comment!



Rolling Makeup Case Review!!

Hey all!  Very excited! Got a new makeup case a couple weeks ago! Love it! Its smaller than I thought and a little more compact, but perfect for storage, on the go, or traveling for a specific job! I uploaded a pretty thorough review of this case so that you can see what it looks like and have a better advantage when looking to purchase one of your own! Enjoy! Comment! Rate!

SIMPLE "GALACTIC" NAILS !

STARRY NIGHT/GALACTIC  NAILS
Hey yall, here is a simple nail "style" I am rocking today, just wanted to share with you! I change my nail colors and styles often so i try and post some to give you some ideas of your own.

What I did was started with a clear nail base, if you color you nails as often as I do, depending on which brands you use, without a base coat your nails may turn yellow. So to avoid that, I just start with a base coat. Any clear nail polish will do.

Here are the steps:

1. Clear base coat
2. Polish nails with a Silver nail color (one or two coats)

3. Apply glitter top coat (one or two coats)

4. Apply clear, high shine topcoat

DONE!

BRANDS USED:

1. L.A. Colors clear nail strengthener/hardener

2. L.A. Colors "Color Craze" line #BCC 558

3. NYC Long Wear nail enamel in Starry Silver Gitter #105

4. Sally Hansen's "No Chip" Acrylic toap coat

Top Ten Foods for Healthy Hair

I look up hair and skin tips all the time and always find some similarities in the articles,  but here are some useful tips I found on WebMD that I had no idea was good specifically for your hair (i.e beans, eggs, oysters??)!! I thought it was an easy go-to guide to print out and stick on your fridge somewhere so I definitely wanted to share with you guys!
Hope it helps!!


Healthy Hair Food No. 1: Salmon


When it comes to foods that pack a beauty punch, it's hard to beat salmon. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron.

"Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health," says Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD, a dietitian in Los Angeles and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "A deficiency can result in a dry scalp and thus hair, giving it a dull look."

Vegetarian? Include one or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your daily diet for some plant-based omega-3 fats.

Healthy Hair Food No. 2: Dark Green Vegetables

Popeye the Sailor Man didn't eat all that spinach for healthy hair, but he could have. Spinach, like broccoli and Swiss chard, is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. The oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's natural hair conditioner.
Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.

Healthy Hair Food No. 3: Beans

Beans, beans, they're good for your ... hair?

Yes, it's true. Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.

Blatner, who is also a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, recommends three or more cups of lentils or beans each week.

Healthy Hair Food No. 4: Nuts


Do you go nuts for thick, shiny hair? You should.
Brazil nuts are one of nature's best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp.

Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.



Healthy Hair Food No. 5: Poultry

Chickens and turkeys may have feathers, but the high-quality protein they provide will help give you the healthy hair you crave.
"Without adequate protein or with low-quality protein, one can experience weak brittle hair, while a profound protein deficiency can result in loss of hair color," Giancoli tells WebMD.
Poultry also provides iron with a high degree of bioavailability, meaning your body can easily reap its benefits.


Healthy Hair Food No. 6: Eggs

When it comes to healthy hair, it doesn't matter whether you like your eggs scrambled, fried, or over easy. However they're served up, eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find.
They also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients.



Healthy Hair Food No. 7: Whole Grains

Sink your teeth into hearty whole grains, including whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, for a hair-healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins.



A whole-grain snack can also be a great go-to food when your energy is zapped halfway through the afternoon, and you've still got hours to go before dinner.



Healthy Hair Food No. 8: Oysters

Oysters may be better known for their reputation as an aphrodisiac, but they can also lead to healthy hair -- and who doesn't love that?

The key to their love and hair-boosting abilities is zinc -- a powerful antioxidant.
If oysters don't make a regular appearance on your dinner plate, don't despair. In addition to getting it from whole grains and nuts, you can also get zinc from beef and lamb.

Healthy Hair Food No. 9: Low-Fat Dairy Products

Low-fat dairy products like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources.
For some healthy hair foods "to-go," try throwing a yogurt or cottage cheese cup in your bag when you head out in the morning to snack on later in the day. You can even boost their hair benefits by stirring in a couple of tablespoons of ground flaxseeds or walnuts for omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.

Healthy Hair Food No. 10: Carrots

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp along with good vision.
Since a healthy scalp is essential for a shiny, well-conditioned head of hair, you'd be wise to include carrots in your diet as snacks or toppings on your salad.


The Big Picture: A Balanced Diet for Healthy Hair


When it comes to foods for healthy hair and beauty, variety is the best way to go.
"An overall balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fatty fish like salmon and low-fat dairy will help keep hair healthy," Giancoli says.
If you're tempted to drop pounds fast with the latest fad diet, it could leave you with less-than-healthy hair -- along with a growling stomach. Low-calorie diets are often low in some of the most important nutrients for healthy hair, including omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin A. In addition to stunting hair growth and leading to dullness, super-low calorie plans may even cause hair loss.
"Crash diets can affect the hair cycle," Mirmirani tells WebMD. "Losing a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time can affect that normal hair rhythm. Two to three months later, you might notice a significant increase in shedding. This is a temporary problem that you recover from with a well-rounded diet."


What do you think?!!

Words of Wisdom about Confrontation

If you have a tendency to avoid confronting people when necessary (which i used to..), my advice is to pray for BOLDNESS. and the ability to confront the situation with the correct spirit.
Talk to God and express what you would like to say to the person, how what they did or said made you feel, and be honest with how you REALLY would like to respond to the situation while praying. Then express to God how you would like the person to recieve what you are saying during the confronation and what you want the end result to be. Do you want them to be offended? Confused? Do you want a resolution? Or do you want them to see your point? Don't go into a confrontation trying to "right."

Remember that however you mean it in your heart, is how it will come off to the person whether you are aware of it or not. So make sure you give yourself enough time to address these questions inside of yourself. It may take an hour, or a day, but I feel you should definitely take a moment for proper inventory of the situation and yourself.

Sometimes we have to curb our tendency to become overly emotional when we feel wronged. Especially if you are raging pissed or hot headed by nature...DNT SAY A WORD lol. 9 times out of 10 your first impression or reaction will be an OVER reaction, so do yourself the favor and wait before you say anything right then. Walk away if u have to, you can always come back and apologize for doing so...

If you are the one being confronted, first you want to LISTEN to what the person has to say, and then, let it marinate.... When some of the flames of emotion have died down within you, come back to confront the person that has confronted you, after you have taken the time to listen, marinate, and consider all sides. Prayer helps a BUNCH!! Trust me!! lol

Hopefully this helps a little. This is only advice from my personal experience.
You know you have done it the right way when no unsettling feelings about the situation remain.
Remember, if you are going to stand for truth, not only its theory, but its life application, its gonna take some humbling and its gonna take some growth!!

Comment with ur thoughts or experience of confronting others or thoughts on ways you were confronted by others! :)

2012 Nail Trends

How many people are HAPPY to get away from the crackle pot nail polish that dominated 2011?? While it was still very funky and creative, there are so many new nail trends to look out for this year, even more innovative and exciting than the last. Here are a few of my faves to look out for. As I try them I will upload more and more pics of my take on these trends! And you do the same!

Pairing nails with lips
Try magentas, vibrant oranges, firey reds, and if you are really bold, periwinkle on lips and nails! Whoohoo! Don't b shy have fun! The possiblities are endless!

Nail color is Lacey Lilac by Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear collection, the lip color is a mix Nk lipstick in Tango and Blue Fame lipstick #177. both were under $2!
Crystal clear artificial nails
The goal with this look is to make your artificials look as natural as possible. You can go with crystal clear gels, never failing french manicure, or clear nails with white stencil designs on top.

These are actually press ons call "Natural Deceptions!" love them!
Short and Neutral nails
I have always had a thing for short nails. Idk why, while everyone was rushing to the nail salon every two weeks for their "re-fill" I was always content with painting my stubby, sometimes long, natural nails. This year, your taupes, greige, peach, etc. are what will bring that trendy, well put together sophistication back.

Rainbow Bright nail color
This trend will forever be a hit because who doesn't love color? Everyone young and old, loves to look at beautiful pinks, purples, yellows, oranges and so forth--so why not wear them on your nails?

No Nail the Same
Very funky and playful. Cant wait to try this one. In 2011, we all, including celebs were seen painting just one nail a different color. In 2012 this trend will go into full-on nail chaos! You can get really creative with this by alternating one minx print nail design, or free hand patterns and one solid colored nail.

Comment and Post pics of your personal take on these trends!! Hope you likey! Be sure to follow/Subscribe!!!

Love ya! xoXoxo

p.s. the first two pix are mine, the others off the internet! Enjoy!