Love at First Sight Collab with LHDC 2011

 

It was snowing outside and I was smiling at the door I was about to enter, LOL!

NEW VIDEOS: Beauty, Hair Journey & Makeup

I've been catching up on my editing or "In Production" projects for my channel. 

Take a look at the latest from The KG Lifestyle on YouTube!

Makeup Tutorial? Noooot Really. LOL!

My latest attempt at being cute. LOL!

Leave a comment and let me know if you know of a beauty blogger or YouTuber that I can watch and learn from. Thank youuuu! :)

Peace & Blessings,

Kala

ANNM: The Maroon Challenge

Photography by Timothy pAULE

It's taken me awhile to post on this last challenge because I needed to EXHALE from the fact of being done! LAWD, I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I posted that profile a few months ago. It's been a very long, enjoyable, difficult, super duper fun, exhausting, exhilarating, frustrating, wonderful journey! 

For this last challenge I awaited the clothing that I needed to complete the challenge. It never came. Um, yeah. So I was left with a wrap skirt. It has about 4 inches of fabric on the waist. It's not intended to be shown, but covered by a top. Dun, dunna duuun! Kendyll Myles my stylist to the rescue! She came up with several different looks that were fashion forward and fabulous for the shoot. We kept in mind who and what we were trying to represent in this challenge. The Maroon women of Suriname. I read their story, their struggle and could equate it to the story of my own ancestors. So this time I tapped into that. With Beyonce's "Run the World (Girls)" on repeat I practiced my poses and looks. 

I wanted to translate strength and determination with every fiber of my being. I must admit however, I was a bit insecure about the wrap. It was too thick to do much with and I had REALLY hoped to wear it as it was intended (with a top). I was also concerned because I especially wanted this last challenge to be fair. Without knowing what the other contestants had I planned accordingly. TO WIN!

I pulled back, snapped out of it so to speak. I had all I needed, to do, just what I needed to do! The photographer was once again AWESOME! Bringing props like the drum in and suggesting angles. I had a vision of her in a market so we made our way to Detroit's Eastern Market. It was around 25-30 degrees and lightly snowing. Everyone had winter coats and furs on. I think the adrenaline kept me somewhat numb to the cold. Or maybe the cold made me numb, either way I was a popular site. Most people tried to figure out how I was so tall (4 inch wedges plus my 5'11" stature). With my makeup done again by the FABULOUS Talya Ashford, my natural stretched hair in a creative up-do and bright colored clothing I guess I was puzzling. I stayed focused on what Tim wanted from me and was gracious to the friendly merchants who let me pretend to buy their produce.


We wrapped up after sampling some delicious fruit and anticipated the shots for submission later in the day. The other shots I submitted with this challenge, shown here, were apart of a separate challenge for Going-Natural.

Photography by Timothy pAULE

Photography by Timothy pAULE

Peace & Blessings,

Kala

ANNM: Accessories Challenge

This week's challenge was just that, a challenge. Wait...have I said that before? Well, it's true!  There were times that I didn't know if I could pull through this one. This week entailed shooting two days in a row.

Day 1: With a time consuming project at work I had to go in EXTRA early, and leave with enough time to catch the afternoon sunlight. I had spent the night before packing up everything my stylist (Kendyll Myles) and I had picked for  the shoot's wardrobe. I was EXHAUSTED! After quickly applying my makeup I got dressed and drove to a muddy swamp in Detroit's Belle Isle Park, the photographer's choice for the location. I'm starting to realize that it is essential to TRUST your photographer. I trust his direction and ideas wholeheartedly, because I realize as a professional photographer he knows what looks best. After falling down, running into bushes and sinking my heels into the mud of the swamp, he assured me that we had some good shots. Back at the studio I tried on all of the outfits (5) that were set out. My energy was low and I felt that I had pushed myself to the limit. We wrapped up and had the mindset that we were going to EVERYTHING again the next day. I was DEAD tired and knew I needed to sleep but I created another hairstyle, twisted my hair, practiced my faces in the mirror for an hour and then went to sleep.

Day 2: After another long day at work I ran to the studio (coffee in hand) ready to work it. I had more confidence that we would create magic on day two. Tim (the photographer) introduced me to the makeup artist (Tayla Ashford) who had so graciously offered to help with this shoot. My spirit was at peace. I could tell that she was the real deal, but she also was so humble and genuine. Her work will be showcased on the extras for the upcoming movie SPARKLE, starring the late and great Whitney Houston! My stylist and creative director (Kendyll Myles) set everything out for the first round....and really the rest WAS magic! I felt the right people around me and I worked hard to bring their hard work to the camera. I just felt SO BLESSED! 

Are you ready to see what we create for the next and LAST challenge? Stay tuned and rate 5 stars so that I can WIN THIS THANG! :)

Photographer: Timothy Paule (www.timothypAULE.com)
Makeup Artist: Talya Ashford (talyaashford@yahoo.com)
Stylist Creative Director: Kendyll Myles (kendyll.myles@gmail.com)

Peace & Blessings,

Kala G.

ANNM: The Valentine Challenge

This challenge was difficult for me for a completely different reason than last week. Inspiration, or lack thereof. I'm single, and this challenge called for happy bride looks, or seductive sassy looks. 

What do I know about being a happy bride? 

Nada. 

Who in the world do I seduce? 

No one.

 So my feelings on how to approach this were all over the place. I usually focus on things that make me happy when posing. My turtle, the ocean, sunrays, Krispy Kreme donuts (original glazed). For this I could see myself thinking about those "happy times" in past relationships. But would that really be the right thing to do? I've moved on completely and pondering on what happened and what could have been would only leave my photos feeling empty and loveless. My take on the 'L' word right now is much like one of my favorite songs. Ghosts by Elle Varner.

That type of approach would also leave me with photos lacking the type of joy a bride would have on her wedding day. So instead of thinking about what makes me happy in reality, I thought of what could be. Me getting married to my ideal partner. Someone whose kind, giving, ambitious with a great sense of humor. My eye's lit up and I really could imagine preparing myself marrying the man of my dreams. THEN, came the Valentine part of the challenge. It would be easy to imagine being with my Valentine....IF I had one. 

LOL! 

I put on one of my favorite Beyonce songs and tapped into my imagination. I thought about a guy I have a major crush on. That playful, seductive, sassy side of me came out easily. I really could see him within the lens and it produced photos I was really pleased with. As usual the photographer was AWESOME! His creativity with the lighting and the backgrounds really made the photos pop! Go and "Like" his fan page and check him out! 

What do you think about this shoot? 

Peace & Blessings,

Kala

ANNM: The Kynx Challenge

This week's challenge was just that, a CHALLENGE. I recently developed allergies (runny nose and itchy eyes) and was miserable on the Friday before this shoot. I didn't prepare any outfits and had NO idea where I would draw my inspiration from. That's when God stepped in. I was in my new members' class on Sat. morning (I just joined a church) and got a response from Timothy Paule, a photographer I had heard great things about. He confirmed availability for that day because of some cancelled appointments! God. I ran home, picked out some of my staple outfits (yes I wear this stuff on the regular) and jetted to his studio. My 1st REAL photoshoot! I was more nervous than confident, not to mention I felt horribly with my runny nose. But I wore the mask, and got through it. His direction was perfect for the concept I had brainstormed earlier in the week. Here are some of the photos from the shoot. 

Peace & Blessings,

Kala

Make-up and Accessory Haul: MAC & Forever 21

A haul from months ago that I never put up. If you see some of these items in my upcoming Fall LookBook you'll know where I got them! :)

Peace & Blessings,

KG

My Daily Make-Up Routine

After a number of requests I decided to finally film my daily make-up routine. I was SO hesitant because I only like showcasing information I know a little something about. I know almost nothing about make-up. HA! I use basically every make-up product I own in this video. LOL! I'm learning little by little though and love watching YouTube tutorials on different looks (especially by Shirley B. Eniang, my favorite guru). Maybe something I say in this video will help some other newbie like me. After you watch, let me know if you have any suggestions for me! Be gentle. :)

Peace & Blessings

KG

Skin Care:
St.Ive's Apricot Scrub
Target Brand Witch Hazel
Trader Joe's 100% Jojoba Oil


Makeup:
MAC ProLongwear Concealer - NW40 (Using 194 Special Edition)
Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit (CVS)- 01 Light
Milani Color Brilliance Eye Pencil - 02 Aqua
MAC Eye Liner - Smolder
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Dark (Using 187 SE)
MAC Cream Colour Base- Fabulush Frost (Using 168 SE)
Milani Baked Bronzer - 06 Golden
Maybelline Ultra Liner, Waterproof - 301 Black 
Buxom Lash Mascara (Paraben Free!)- Blackest Black (Sephora)
MAC Lipstick- Ruby Woo


Liquid Eyeliner Tutorial by lilpumpkinpie05 


Heatless Waves Tutorial by KG

Corinne Bailey Rae Inspired Hairstyle: The Braid & Curl

So I've seen a few tutorials for the braid and curl on YouTube. 

I decided to try it using no gel or anything outside of my regular staple products: Giovanni's Weightless Moisture Direct Leave-In Conditioner and Evco. 

How do you think it turned out? 

The tutorial is posted on The KG Lifestyle! So try it. You'll probably love it like I did! This is a great transitioning hairstyle for ladies with straight ends like me. :)

Peace & Blessings,

KG

Sade Inspired Look

Last night was unforgettable. I had so much fun at the Sade and John Legend concert! A bit emotional because I grew up (almost exclusively) on Sade's music. LOL! To honor her I tried to channel her aura for my work outfit. Stay tuned for the OOTC (Outfit of the Concert) video on TheKGLifestyle!

Note: I posted this pic earlier. This is a side by side!

Inspired Look: Dorothy Dandridge

I so love and admire Black actresses from the early-mid 1900's. You have to admire the determination and the grace they portrayed while they endured the trials of the entertainment industry all those years ago. Dorothy Dandridge is a woman who definitely blazed the trail for every Black actress today.

I tried to re-create the look she had in these photos. What do ya think?

    

                                                                                            Dorothy's Photo Source

   

                                                                                             Dorothy's Photo Source