Thank you for joining me (NZINGHA) here on this blog “The Glam Squad Files”. Please allow me to introduce myself to you as the Author of this page. I realize there is an audience of Makeup Artists who may or may not be familiar with me personally but have seen my work (blessings that I’ve had that kind of work).

Let me say this before I say anything else…for many years Ive been behind the scenes in the entertainment industry as a Celebrity Makeup Artist and all around Makeup Artist.

Most times I’d been way too busy touring, working on this client or that client, or this and that show or photo shoot to even sit down for a glass of water!!!! Whew!!! Looking at my own life I need to sit down for a breather!!! Lol!

I’ve always kept journals chronicling my life, all of my work and personal life experiences. Experiences that are vast and numerous consisting of 26 years of selfless devotion to my craft.

I know there are so many new and young Makeup Artists curious about the Makeup and Entertainment Industry. And I always wish for those who are serious about being a Makeup Artist the best, because its not always a “Pretty” “Glamourous” profession. It’s hard work on every level.

Some, will quit before they even start. Some will devote their lives to the craft (giving up their personal lives having fame of name or be thrust into various industry buisiness outlets). Others, will play and move on. And then , there will be few who are in it for the sheer love to paint and are willing to encourage and teach those with lesser experience in the industry how to manuver through the industry maze.

Well who are you?…you may be asking yourself right now. I’d like to introduce myself as humbly yet confidently without sounding like I’m bragging, okay? Breathe and smile…now (I’m telling myself…a bit shy of myself as I’ve always remained private and silent).

I am NZINGHA a Makeup Artist and CEO of ZFACEINC.. With 26 years of experience as a Makeup Artist in Music, Fashion, Film, TV and Broadway. My mission was to redefinine the female aesthetic from a female point of view. The mission is always to infuse the “SOUL” of a woman as her greatest source of “Beauty”.

My motto has always been…”Everyone we touch becomes…Platinum”. And with all due respect it’s been true especially my work in the music industry.

I’ve been blessed to win along with the Directors of the video’s two MTV awards for recording artist Brandy’s music video for the song ” The Boy is Mine ” (featuring Brandy and Monica) and for the music video, ” Lady Marmalade ” from the motion picture soundtrack from Moulin Rouge featuring Pink, Missy Elliot, Mya, Christina Aguillera and Lil’ Kim.

In 2005, I was nominated and won the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment (NABFEME) “She’s Got Game Woman of Excellence Award” for “Fashion and Style Executive of the Year 2005”. (I’m still in shock about winning that one as I’d been in the nominee company of Fashion Designer Tracy Reese, frequent Designer of First Lady Michelle Obama). I was just honoured to be in a room full of powerful inspiring Ladies who are amazing CEO’s.

I’d also won the MVDA from The Directors Guild for “Best Makeup Artist” as well as coveting the first 2002 Urban Fashion Awards for “Excellency in Makeup Design” and winning the 2004 Urban Fashion Awards for “Excellency in Makeup Design.

My work has been featured in several magazines Vogue, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Vanity Fair, Marie Clair, Lucky, Essence, Interview, VIBE, TRACE, Jane, Teen People, Billboard , Black Enterprise, 1st Hold, Honey, Black Book, SPIN and more just to name a few.

I’ve been privileged to work with the world famous photographers…Annie Leibowitz, David LaChapelle, Wayne Mazur, Herb Ritts, Steven Misel, Therry LeGous, Ruven Afanador, Markus Klinko, Daniella Federici, Randee St. Nicholas, Marc Baptiste, and the list goes on and on.

I was also responsible for the faces of “Viva Glam” featuring Lil’ Kim and Mary J. Blige advertisements for M.A.C. Cosmetics in 2000 as well as advertisements for “Candies”, “Iceburg” and “Abecrombe and Fitch”.

Ive had the positions of Contributing Beauty Editor for Vibe Magazine and Vixen as well as former Beauty Editor with “NZINGHA’s Beauty Notebook” for Girl Magazine.

Just few recording artists Ive worked with…Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, Brandy, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, Lenny Kravitz, Maxwell, Mariah Carey, The Cast of “Girlfriends”, Lil’ Kim , EVE, Sean ” P-Diddy” Comes, Jill Scott, Missy Elliot, Erykah Badu, Queen Latifah and many more (too many to list on this page right now).

I know this has been a long read but its kinda hard to jam pack 26years of experience in a few simple paragraphs…it’s really for a book right? Mmmmm maybe one day.

One thing I know for sure is I am in the company of many who assisted in creating an aesthetic of an era and for that I am proud. I’m happy to share with you hopefully some of that experience through the pages of this blog.

I personally am always curious about those who are expert or have been at anything for years. They to me are “Sages” ( and trust I’ve sat at the seat of many Sage colleagues and still do after all these years in the biz and after receiving many awards myself ) presenting wisdom and, if they’re willing to share…I’m willing to listen. We never stop learning or growing.

Bless you on your own journey viZionaire…
Curl On, Paint On,
NZINGHA