As you all know, at least I think y'all know, I'm a professional makeup artist.
In my 14 year career I have done film, television, print, runway, theater, etc...
Basically I've done it all.
And in all of those years the best gig I ever had was about a month ago at my lifelong friend's daughter's 14th birthday slumber party. I honestly don't remember work ever being quite that fun. And I can't recall a makeup job ever giving me that much hope...
Shayne, literally a friend since high school and sister of another very close friend Kimi, contacted me one night and asked if I would come to her daughter Kenzie's 14th birthday slumber party and give about 10 fourteen year old girls makeovers.
It sounded fun and completely different than anything I had done before and since Shaynie is part of my "Valley Family" the answer was a quick and very excited... YES!.
We made arrangements and I started looking forward to it. My only concern was that I was going to be my usual over the top self and these poor girls were going to look like they were attacked by glitter and gloss... Once I convinced myself that I could give them age appropriate looks, my main goal was to guide them in way I wasn't really guided myself as a teenager.
Don't get me wrong, my older cousins and aunts were great. Hell, my cousin Nancy is the one who ignited my passion for makeup and glamour. But they didn't teach me about prepping my skin, applying eyeshadow bases, the importance of brushes, how not to over do it, makeup removal.... You get the point. Although my female role models were/are very pretty and well put together, they weren't professionals. I however am and was looking forward to giving these girls an edge...
I arrived arsenal in hand, bearing tiaras and glitter and met all the gorgeous young ladies... I was immediately struck by the individuality of the group. Back when I was in high school, yes we were all a lil different from each other but not nearly to the degree of this generation of fearless females. Each one of them quite clearly has their own style and interests yet are still able to be a "group" that is very tight, supportive and loyal to each other. Even when it was time to start the makeovers, every single one of them gave me a different answer when I asked what kind of look they would like. The only opinion they all seem to share is that Justin Beiber is perfect, and even then there was still one who said she prefers Robert Downey Jr. (I like her, a lot btw!! I love me some RDJ) I was in awe of their uniqueness at such a young age and respected them for it. If this is the future generation of women in this country I have hope for the first time in a long time...
These girls can and will change the world."
Trust.
Kenzie, the birthday girl, is striking redhead with a stunningly pretty face, great style and a personality bigger than the state she lives in. I'm not surprised at all, her mother Shayne was a force of nature in high school and her aunt Kimi is one of this Earth's shining lights. The DNA in that family should be studied. It's amazing. Kenzie and Kaylee (Kimi's 15 y/o daughter) are two gorgeous girls who aren't afraid to show their intelligence and wit. I love that!! And I love their mothers for teaching them that smart is sexy. These girls are forces to be reckoned with...
I don't think time ever flew by that fast while I was working... We laughed, we glittered, we had our cupcakes and we ate them too... I owe Kenzie a huge thank you, as she and her darling friends reignited my passion for what I do. And I owe Kimi a huge thank you introducing me to white sangria... But that's another story ;)
Kenzie
the beautiful birthday girl:
Shayne and Kenzie:
Kenzie and Kaylee after their makeovers.
They were beautiful to begin with.
My job was too easy...
Maddie...
My youngest "client".
She just wanted some fairy dust
and gloss...xoxo
Kimi and Shayne.
God, I love them...
The "Gang"
An unbelieveably awesome
group of young women...
A portion of my arsenal...
And....
THE CAKE!!!
Shayne made that HERSELF!!
How awesome is that???
Yes, that was me photographing the cake in that pic.
I'm a heffa like that...
I photograph cake.
I would like to thank Shayne and Kenzie for including me in a such an amazing night!!
It was truly the greatest job I've ever had...
And of course I have thank Kimi for that white sangria cuz it was heavenly...
P.S
To read more about this awesome family and their valiant fight against epilepsy click HERE
Their story will touch your heart and you will definitely rock purple more often!!
P.S.S
If Jon Bon Jovi and/or Adam Levine are reading this...
Shayne and Kimi love you... ;)
Kisses Bitches...
Glamour Whore...xoxo