68th Emmy Award Nominee for Makeup | The Wiz Live!

Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles

I can’t tell you the sheer joy I had in knowing there was a plan to bring the play The Wiz back into production. You know there’s a gift (well, I’d bee given several gifts actually) that I’ve had ever since I was a little girl and two have always worked for me has been foresight and the ability to speak things into existence!

I knew in my spirit that this play would be revived at some point in time. I thought it would be much sooner than 2015 though! This play is so special to me personally because I was there at the very first performance and the very last when it was on Brodway with the original cast.  This was the first play I’d ever seen on Broadway and it shaped the way I would move in entertainment. The singing, dancing, costumes and of course MAKEUP!!

I always loved the Wizard of Oz but when The Wiz premiered it was the soulful adaptation with a Dorothy that I could visually relate to and her voice was so incredibly melodic and it was LIVE! Stephanie Mills the original Dorothy in The Wiz (also the Aunt of one of my dearest and oldest friends). I felt like I could reach out and touch the stage. It was magical…the dances I felt warm almost made me feel like I too could dance like that (of course I was dreaming, and took several dance classes to try my hand at it).

Apparently I wasn’t the only one who loved this millennial spin on The Wiz. I read that 11.5 million people tuned in on that Thursday night! And I can tell you I ran home from work quick fast in a hurry so I wouldn’t miss not even a commercial!! According to Nielsen, roughly 269,400 people sent 1.6 million tweets about “The Wiz Live!” on Thursday night and 6.4 million people saw those tweets a total of 128.9 million times!!

The production more than tripled the number of tweets for either “Sound of Music” (449,536) or “Peter Pan” (474,735). And according to social media analyst company Canvs, “The Wiz” drew four times as many reactions per minute than “Peter Pan” (792 vs. 178) and more than three times as many as “Sound of Music” (238).

It was the very next day that I was on set with two of the Makeup Artists that worked the show my dear heart Christine Dominecki, my spirit sister Stephanie McGee and Bjoren Rehbein. And here we were together working side by side doing “disco 80’s drag makeup” for this new TV show. We pulled out all the stops on makeup that day. But those three really pulled some stunts the night before on The Wiz!!! I couldn’t stop praising them for their great work and as I was saying it…saying, how much I loved their work….in my spirit I heard they’re gonna win! Huh? Gonna win?? Win what??? Oh, yes ratings for the show, right yes, I’m sure they will have great numbers coming in from this performance.

Well, I now think that spirit voice I heard was more referring to The Primetime Emmy Awards!!! I’m rooting for everyone on the team. And I do hope that little voice in me was right! This will mean so much to many who loved the show. Cheering my friends on for their great work is easy…now to send them off to LA for the actual ceremony!!! Yay!!! Here’s a look at their awesome Makeup Work!

The cast of The Wiz Live!

Prosthetic Makeup created by Department Head Makeup Artist for Saturday Night Live Louie Zakarian.

Makeup Artist Debi Young – Makeup for Mary J. Blige as Evilline

Makeup Artist Stephanie McGee – Makeup for Amber Riley as Aderappearl. Pictured here with The Flying Monkey’s from Cirque Du Soleil and Emerald City Citizen.

Makeup Artist Christine Dominecki pictured here with Elijah Kelley as Scarecrow.

Makeup Artist Bjoren Rehbein and his Makeup for Queen Latifah as The Wiz.

Mary J. Blige as Evilinne, Queen Latifah as The Wiz, Amber Riley as Aderappearl


***Outstanding Makeup For A Multi-Camera Series Or Special (Non-Prosthetic)***

The Wiz Live! • NBC • Universal Television, Sony Pictures Television, Storyline Entertainment

Cookie Jordan, Co-Department Head Makeup Artist 

Matiki Anoff, Co-Department Head Makeup Artist 

Debi Young, Makeup Artist
Stephanie McGee, Makeup Artist

Bjorn Rehbein, Makeup Artist 

Christine Domaniecki, Makeup Artist 

68th EMMY AWARDS Nominations for Makeup & Hair

Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles

It’s awards season for prime time TV and the nominees have officially been announced!!

I’m so excited for all my fellow Makeup & Hair colleagues. CONGRATULATIONS!!! To all who worked so hard to put on a great show and display excellent Artistry again CONGRATULATIONS!!!

So, here’s the list of the official nominees…

Outstanding Makeup For A Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic)

Game Of Thrones • Battle Of The Bastards • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Bighead, Littlehead; 360 Television and Startling Television
Jane Walker, Department Head Makeup Artist Kate Thompson, Makeup Artist

Nicola Mathews, Makeup Artist

Kay Bilk, Makeup Artist

Marianna Kyriacou, Makeup Artist Pamela Smyth, Makeup Artist

The Knick • Whiplash • Cinemax • Cinemax Entertainment in association with Ambeg Screen Products, Anonymous Content and Extension 765

Nicki Ledermann, Department Head Makeup Artist Stephanie Pasicov, Key Makeup Artist
Sunday Englis, Key Makeup Artist

Tania Ribalow, Makeup Artist

Rachel Geary, Makeup Artist
LuAnn Claps, Personal Makeup Artist 
Penny Dreadful • Glorious Horrors • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents in association with SKY

Enzo Mastrantonio, Department Head Makeup Artist Clare Lambe, Key Makeup Artist
Caterina Sisto, Makeup Artist

Lorraine McCrann, Makeup Artist

Morna Ferguson, Personal Makeup Artist

Vikings • Yol • HISTORY • An Octagon and Take 5 production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for History

Tom McInerney, Department Head Makeup Artist Katie Derwin, Key Makeup Artist
Ciara Scannel, Makeup Artist
Vinyl • Pilot • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Paramount Pictures, Jagged Films, Sikelia Productions and Cold Front Productions

Nicki Ledermann, Department Head Makeup Artist Tania Ribalow, Key Makeup Artist
Sunday Englis, Key Makeup Artist

Rachel Geary, Makeup Artist

Michael Laudati, Makeup Artist Cassandra Saulter, Makeup Artist
Outstanding Makeup For A Multi-Camera Series Or Special (Non-Prosthetic)
Dancing With The Stars • Halloween Night • ABC • BBC Worldwide Productions

Zena Shteysel, Department Head Makeup Artist Angela Moos, Key Makeup Artist

Patti Ramsey Bortoli, Additional Makeup Artist Sarah Woolf, Additional Makeup Artist

Julie Socash, Additional Makeup Artist Alison Gladieux, Additional Makeup Artist

Grease: Live • FOX • Paramount Television

Zena Shteysel, Department Head Makeup Artist Angela Moos, Key Makeup Artist
Julie Socash, Additional Makeup Artist

Alison Gladieux, Additional Makeup Artist
Key & Peele • Y’all Ready For This? • Comedy Central • Cindylou, Monkeypaw Productions, Martel & Roberts Productions, Principato-Young Entertainment, Central Productions

Scott Wheeler, Department Head Makeup Artist 

Suzy Diaz, Key Makeup Artist
Jason Hamer, Key Makeup Artist

Natalie Thimm, Key Makeup Artist

Michael Blake, Key Makeup Artist

Saturday Night Live • Host: Ryan Gosling • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video
Louie Zakarian, Department Head Makeup Artist 

Amy Tagliamonti, Key Makeup Artist

Jason Milani, Key Makeup Artist

Daniela Zivkovic, Makeup Artist

Melanie Demitri, Makeup Artist 

Margie Durand, Makeup Artist 

The Wiz Live! • NBC • Universal Television, Sony Pictures Television, Storyline Entertainment

Cookie Jordan, Co-Department Head Makeup Artist 

Matiki Anoff, Co-Department Head 

Makeup Artist Debi Young, Makeup Artist
Stephanie McGee, Makeup Artist

Bjorn Rehbein, Makeup Artist 

Christine Domaniecki, Makeup Artist 

Outstanding Makeup For A Limited Series Or Movie (Non-Prosthetic)
All The Way • HBO • HBO Films in association with Amblin Television, Tale Told Productions, Moonshot Entertainment and Everyman Pictures
Bill Corso, Department Head Makeup Artist

Francisco X. Perez, Co-Department Head Makeup Artist 

Sabrina Wilson, Key Makeup Artist
American Horror Story: Hotel • FX Networks • 20th Century Fox Television, FX Productions

Eryn Krueger Mekash, Department Head Makeup Artist 

Kim Ayers, Assistant Department Head Makeup Artist 

Michael Mekash, Assistant Department Head Makeup Artist 

Silvina Knight, Makeup Artist
James MacKinnon, Makeup Artist 

Sarah Tanno, Makeup Artist

Fargo • FX Networks • MGM Television, FX Productions

Gail Kennedy, Department Head Makeup Artist
Joanne Preece, Assistant Department Head Makeup Artist 

Gunther Schetterer, Key Makeup Artist

Danielle Hanson, Key Makeup Artist
The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story • FX Networks • Fox 21 Television Studios, FX Productions

Eryn Krueger Mekash, Department Head Makeup Artist 

Zoe Hay, Department Head Makeup Artist
Heather Plott, Assistant Department Head Makeup Artist 

Deborah Huss Humphries, Makeup Artist

Luis Garcia, Makeup Artist 

Becky Cotton, Makeup Artist 

Roots • Night One • HISTORY • An A+E Studios Production in association with Marc Toberoff Productions and The Wolper Organization

Aimee Stuit, Department Head Makeup Artist 

Christa Schoeman, Department Head Makeup Artist 

Niqui da Silva, Key Makeup Artist
Paige Reeves, Key Makeup Artist

Marike Liebetrau, Makeup Artist 
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup For A Series, Limited Series, Movie Or Special
All The Way • HBO • HBO Films in association with Amblin Television, Tale Told Productions, Moonshot Entertainment and Everyman Pictures

Bill Corso, Special Makeup Effects Department Head 

Francisco X. Perez, Co-Department Head Makeup Artist 

Sabrina Wilson, Key Makeup Artist
Andrew Clement, Prosthetic Designer
American Horror Story: Hotel • FX Networks • 20th Century Fox Television, FX Productions

Eryn Krueger Mekash, Department Head Makeup Artist 

Mike Mekash, Assistant Department Head Makeup Artist 

Bradley A. Palmer, Special Makeup Effects Artist
Bart Mixon, Special Makeup Effects Artist

James MacKinnon, Makeup Artist
Kevin Kirkpatrick, Makeup Artist

David Leroy Anderson, Prosthetic Designer 

Glen Eisner, Prosthetic Designer
Game Of Thrones • The Door • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Bighead, Littlehead; 360 Television and Startling Television

Jane Walker, Department Head Makeup Artist

Sarah Gower, Special Makeup Effects Assistant Department Head 

Emma Sheffield, Key Special Makeup Effects Artist

Tristan Versluis, Key Special Makeup Effects Artist

Barrie Gower, Prosthetic Designer
Penny Dreadful • And Hell Itself My Only Foe • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents in association with SKY

Nick Dudman, Special Makeup Effects Department Head 

Sarita Allison, Key Special Makeup Effects Artist
Barney Nikolic, Special Makeup Effects Artist

Paul Spateri, Special Makeup Effects Artist

Dennis Penkov, Prosthetic Designer 

The Walking Dead • No Way Out • AMC • AMC Studios / Stalwart Films, LLC / Skybound / Circle of Confusion / Valhalla Entertainment

Greg Nicotero, Special Makeup Effects Department Head 

Jake Garber, Key Special Makeup Effects Artist
Gino Crognale, Special Makeup Effects Artist

Kevin Wasner, Special Makeup Effects Artist

Garrett Immel, Makeup Effects Artist Kerrin Jackson, Makeup Effects Artist Carey Jones, Prosthetic Designer 


Here’s the 68th Emmys Full List of Nominations from The Hollywood Reporter

Here’s the 68th Emmys Full List of Nominatons from Variety Magazine 

POWER season 3

Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles


Are you ready for one of the hottest TV series on air?!?! Can’t wait to see it??? Well POWER is bringing it to you live and direct for another amazing and intriguing season, season 3 of POWER on the Starz Network.


I’m sure you’re going to be on the edge of your seat once again this season. You have seen the show right? YOU HAVENT SEEN THE SHOW???? WHY???? Who does that????

Okay, if you’ve not seen the show I’m going to challenge you to binge watch for the next 3 days before season 3 airs this Sunday July 17th! Trust me you’ll be hooked!

Here’s the trailer for the show just in case you’ve not seen it…

I can’t tell you how I’m almost in tears writing this post right now. This is how excited I am about the show and the incredible cast and crew of this show! It’s always an honor for me to be asked to work on the show ! It’s now two seasons for me and everyday is truly a joy.

This is the best crew I think I’ve ever worked with such synchronicity and flow. The level of Artistry that is behind the scenes is indescribable! The Glam Squad on the show is impeccable in Artistry!

Just recently the shows Makeup Department Head Anita Gibson won The NYWIFT 2016 Design Award for Makeup! Bravo!! CONGRATULATIONS!! Well done!! 

I hope to interview Ms. Gibson in the near future for you vizionaires, Pro MUA’s and supporters of TheGlamSquadFiles Blog. Pro Makeup Artists supporting other Pro MUA’s and future MUA’s is what we do here.

You may have seen the ceremony review on one of my previous posts here on TheGlamSquadFiles. Designing Women Event | NYWIFT | The Glam Squad Files…

https://theglamsquadfiles.com/2016/06/14/designing-women-event-nywift/

Here is Lead Actress Lena Loren and the POWER Glam Squad ..Makeup Department Head Anita Gibson (in the blue dress), Makeup Department Key Daniel Green and Additional Makeup Artists Tobe West, Pat Theius Moore and NZINGHA

https://youtu.be/YrRtKw2IJx8

Are you on the edge yet? After that sneak preview you should be! Especially if you watch the show. 

Well, im going to leave it right there. Enjoy season 3!

black|Up! Cosmetics | Review

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black|Up! Cosmetics | Review
Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles™

I have been wanting to review this product since it was first introduced in the mid 90’s!!! black|Up Cosmetics Paris. Yes, I have been an avid follower of this product line. They were first released overseas in Paris in the mid 90’s and were doing what seemed to be well then suddenly disappeared!!! I was mortified because before I could even give them shout outs they had gone AWAL!!

I first found out about them when I was on tour with Mary J. Blige as her Makeup Artist. We had a brief stop over performance and promotion in Paris. I met a few young ladies there who introduced me to the line and told me where I could get it! And I indeed found it and purchased some foundations in the line and bought them back to the US! In fact I had used it for my own personal use and also for a few of my clients and I loved it!! Until I ran out and could no longer access the product!!!

The black|Up Cosmetics Pro Catalogue. Full Color product selections with high gloss pages. 75 pages of beauty!! Magnifique’!!

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PANIC MODE 101!!! Client loves the colors you’re using…wants you to buy the product for them for their personal use…me…PRO MAKEUP ARTIST…BLANK STARE!!! WTH!!!! I can’t find them anywhere!!!! WHAT DO I TELL MY CLIENT…until now…close to 10years later! Revamped, repackaged, reformulated and rebranded…ready for action! IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT HONEY!!! YASSSSSS!!! Don’t miss this opportunity guys! I say stock up on this amazing brand designed unapologetically for Women of Color!!

Here I am in full black|Up makeup I used all the colors in one shot to get this makeup look. I use the CC Cream Foundation #04 daily(this is my Summer Tanned Skin color, my Winter color is #03,this is my normal skin toned color)

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While on tour in Europe numerous times going to the best makeup shops I could barely find beautiful colors for Women of Color!!! I was highly offended!!! Then I thought really??? I mean for real people of Color are truly a minority in Europe…but not in the rest of the world so what can you expect from this market! And imagine a line for Women of Color over here would fly off the shelves simply because their beauty needs are being met!

I’m not here to apologize for my blackness or for any comments I make regarding any brand that is not inclusive of Women of Color. As far as I’m concerned I want to solely deal with brands that speak to my complexion without having to worry if I’m going to look grey, green or just chalky. I want a brand that suits my complexion and yes, there needs to be more brands worldwide for Women of Colors choosing!! NO APOLOGIES!!

Here are the colors that were sent to me and I am thrilled to say …I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS LINE!! Everything about this line I LOVE!!

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Here are the eyeliners (liquid gold and orchid colored gel pencil eyeliner) and concealer

20141009-201547.jpgI am in absolute awe of this liquid eyeliner!! I can’t believe I’ve never had anything to compare to it EVER in my Pro Kit!!! And honey I’ve had my kit full of products that have come and gone in my 27year career!! I’ve got to order like 4 more of these!!! Long wear and waterproof for real waterproof (even with dish soap I couldn’t take it off!)

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Here are the blushes in the colors 01(Fuschia Pink) and 11(Shimmery Coral).

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http://www.blackupcosmetics.com/makeup/face/blush/new-blush.html

PRICE | $25.50

Here’s the black|Up CC Cream Foundation in #03 and on my hand 04

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http://www.blackupcosmetics.com/cc-cream-multi-action-complexion-correcting-foundation.html
PRICE | $39.50

Here we have the glorious Complexion Enhancer/ Embellisseur de Teint (EMB03)

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Here’s the black|Up Poudre Sublime (PS04)

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PRICE | $36.50

Here is the Creme Poudre’ (NFC03)

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http://www.blackupcosmetics.com/makeup/face/foundation/cream-to-powder-foundation-new-formula.html
PRICE | $41.00

Rich Moisturising Lipsticks

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http://www.blackupcosmetics.com/makeup/lips/lipstick/new-lipstick.html
PRICE | $22.50

BONUS
So ok, listen if you are not sure of how the colors of the foundations will work on you, you can always test it out with these blister packs that have a range of 4 shades to test! Shads #04-#09 uhh and there are 16 shades to choose from that selection were just the colors they chose for me based on knowing my skin tone. AMAZING CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! What more could you ask for.

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black|Up! Video Reviews

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Marc Jacobs Beauty | Review

Marc Jacobs Beauty |Review
Written by NZINGHA for ZFACEINC,nyc

Can I just tell you how much I’m loving the Marc Jacobs Beauty Collection!!! I was on a photo shoot yesterday and used the Marc Gele Foundation, conncealer and Gloss in both Heart Shaped and Over Protected. LOVED IT!!!

I love the overall packaging of the line. It’s pretty visually definable much like his clothing collection. The oval frosted bottles kinda remind me of Halston back in the 80’s…post disco chic!

My only 2 qualms (and this first one is major) about the line is the foundation color range…it excludes darker complexions! Are we still doing that exclusion thing really? It’s 2014 get with the program and consult some people of color about developing more colors. The second qualm I have is the names on the products are just too damned long!!! Like can we abbreviate some of those names?! C’mon already!!!

20140909-140318.jpgMarvelous Mousse Foundation

Price $55.00

I was shooting Kandace Springs (singer, songwriter, musician) for a beauty & hair book this past weekend. And I thought it would be great to introduce her to the brand as well. And yes, Kandace loved Marc’s line too!! I used the color “34 Beige Medium” (perfect on the spot!) I mixed the foundation with a little coconut oil for a really light dewy look.

TECHNIQUE: I mix a bit of the oil into the foundation on my mixing palette then used the BeautyBlender® to sponge it on.

Yes the coconut oil gives the foundation a light dew. If you want more of a slick dewy look baby oil gel will give a pure wet look.

20140909-142426.jpgGenius Gel Foundation
Price $48.00

Here’s Lady Kandace Springs and I after the shoot for celebrity photographer Hosea Johnson’s upcoming coffee table book

20140909-144651.jpgMy favourite concealers right now are ones that give good coverage yet feel light and are liquid yet dry to a beautiful creaseless finish. Here Marc has a concealer that has a similar feel to me as the Marvelous Mousse Foundation which are incredibly light feeling and can be sheer but give a good buildup if you want more coverage.

20140909-140348.jpgRe(Marc)able Full Cover Concealer
Price $32.00

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Remedy Concealer Pen
Price $39.00

A model came in the salon on Saturday and was getting her hair done, I asked her to come in my chair because I wanted to try the concealer (because her eyes were puffy as if she’d been crying).

I used the “After Curfew #7”. In all actually wound up using it as her overall foundation!!!! The color was beautiful, perfect for her complexion.
Yes ladies I used the concealer as a foundation!!!

Later on that afternoon this is what happened; I also, had one in the fridge and then used it (yes chilled) on one woman’s eyes and trust me it’s anti puffiness! Why is it anti-puffiness, because of that metal tip applicator! That applicator tip is genius!!

I love the overall constriction of the Remedy Concealer Pen. Love the metal applicator tip, the clicker base, and the mini window (to see how much of the product you have left)…smart packaging! My most favourite color in the Remedy is the baby pink “Bright Idea”…great highlighter color and great for women who have those pesky blue veins under their eyes and for darker complexions that have gray/blue darkness.

20140909-140441.jpgLust For Laquer Lip Vinyl-Sheer
Price $28.00

The Vinyl Sheer Lip Glosses are great long wearing and no running glosses. The colors I chose are obviously sheer with a slight natural tint. My favourites are Clear and Heart Shaped.

Okay my final analysis of the Marc Jacobs Beauty Collection is…I love it accept for that one element that needs immediate alterations deeper tones in the foundations.

Paint On viZionaire,
NZINGHA

Kenig + Alcone…Beauty Curators…a beauty ingenues heaven

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Written by NZINGHA for ZFACEINC,nyc

It was just an ordinary day for me on my way home from work. I happened to be walking towards 14th Street up 6th Avenue (in NYC). And I stopped by a window and saw beauty items. I originally wanted to go to Ricky’s that night for a special product I always use. This place would be a detour for me on the way.

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The boutique like store was closed! I knocked on the window for the attention of what looked like a sales person. We spoke through the closed glass door, I asked if they carried the item I was originally going to Ricky’s for. I thought perhaps they may have it. He said wait hold on let me look. He looked and said “No, but you may find that at Ricky’s it’s just up 14th Street.”

The original brand store in NYC called Ricky’s

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I thought to myself how sweet of him to stop to talk to me even as they are closing up the shop. I asked what time they’d be open again tomorrow so I could be sure to come back. I turned on my heels and found my way over to Ricky’s for my products.

I returned again the next day again after work but a bit earlier. Again looking through the clean clear glass windows of this beauty boutique I could see what seemed to be an endless wall of hair goodies and supplies. Well, you’ve already reeled me in! As I walked in the door to this sleek airy and modern space to my left was what looked like an electric chair. I didn’t bother to examine it because I was pulled in by what I saw…PRODUCTS!!! Turns out that that “electric chair” is the original hair perm machine used in the 1930’s. A magical, historical and vintage find!

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As a beauty Artist you find yourself always on the lookout for the next best thing that will become the “SECRET WEAPON” in your makeup kit. And sometimes the “SECRET WEAPON” is… a place. I always want to be surprised by the latest and greatest new thing on the market that will wind up becoming legendary and something my clients (celebrity & non celebrity alike) will absolutely love.

When I was deep into the store a most stunningly handsome man asked if he could help me. In my usual frank and nautily witty way I replied “Mmm you don’t even know!”, “What’s this place?…it’s new. I’ve not seen this store here before. And it says outside Kenig + Alcone? I know about Alcone I’m a big supporter of Alcone are they the owners of this store?”

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He said yes. And began to tell me of the merging of my two favourite brand stores. OMG!! I’m in love!! Truly an amazing find I thought. And funny just the night before I came here looking for products I usually find at Ricky’s!!! The irony of it!! Well, just then the same young man who spoke to me through the glass just the night before came barreling down the steps.

He said “I remember you. How are you? Where you able to find your products? My name is Ray. Ray Holt.” I loved him instantly! He took me for a tour upstairs as I told him my specialty is makeup. He asked if I knew Ricky then. I said “Ricky who?”, he said “Ricky Kenig. The owner of this store and the founder of the original Ricky’s beauty supply.” Me “WHAT?!?!” Wait a minute, Ricky’s beauty supply and Alcone merged? GENIUS!!!! Who knew! No I don’t know Ricky.”

Ray, “Surprising, everybody knows Ricky.” I guess Ray was right everybody does know Ricky if they’ve been in his store but do I know him personally,…no. “He knows everyone in the beauty industry you had to have met him.” “I should know him, his store has been my go to all throughout my career! Guess, if you think about it,… you can say I know him and he knows me.”

Well, upstairs was a virtual smorgasbord of beauty and makeup items a beauty ingenues heaven!!! There were two young MUA’s up there browsing like myself. We wound up chatting all four of us.

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This time I had to run because I was going to my next job but I wanted to meet Ray and browse the store. I would return again and upon my next visit after sending several clients to pick up items at the store, I walk in and there’s a handsome distinguished gentleman who greeted me at the door he said “Hi! Welcome to the store, I’m Ricky (with a firm handshake).”

I’m now floored by all the irony surrounding Ricky and myself today. I finally after years of supporting his other stores get to meet him today…, genius serendipity and not accidental! We spoke for at least an hour and a half ( such an amazing man, with the warmest heart and incredible brand knowledge). Please look for upcoming classes from yours truly at Kenig + Alcone Boutique.

After doing a bit of homework after my meeting the charming, stylish and enigmatic Ricky, I found out that Ricky’s was not his first beauty supply shop but “LOVE” Beauty Supply during the 80’s was! I lived for Love’s back then at the the beginning of my budding makeup career out of HS. My how we both have grown, I thought. Not only is Ricky a man with a Midas touch for beauty stores he’s got a creative talent for making things happen. Ricky Kenig is the originator of the fashion runway worlds choice hair clips and matte hair pins only found at Kenig + Alcone and created by Ricky Kenig himself.

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Well, in closing, I’ll say this…Kenig + Alcone is certainly no kitschy novelty store but a sleek, modern boutique with an almost millennium apocathary feel. It’s for the more mature polished consumer who knows about Pro Makeup and Hair brands. NY’s answer to LA’s Frends and Naime’s (I dare say Kenig + Alcone will give the West Coast brands a run for their money!). Not to mention you can find just about all of your beauty needs that a Sephora cannot fill. Specialty beauty items never seen before and only used by Celebrity Pro Makeup Artists and Hair Designers. The items as only Ricky Kenig and Alcone can deliver. BRAVO Kenig + Alcone, BRAVO 👏👏👏👏

20140416-125102.jpgKENIG & ALCONE LLC 538 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10011 (917) 261-2640 10am-8pm

Joey Mills (70’s-80’s) Superstar Makeup Artist #1

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Written by NZINGHA for ZFACEINC,nyc

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Before there was a Way Bandy, Kevyn Aucoin, Pat McGrath, Bobby Brown, Francois Nars, Sam Fine or any others (including myself) there was JOEY MILLS!!

And yes, Joey was one of the first noted African American Male Makeup Artists in his time. There were probably other African American Makeup Artists that we may not know of but he is on record as one of THE FIRST noted.

Remember in the history of Makeup Artists they were all noteably film Makeup Artists and Caucasian males i.e. Max Factor, Ben Nye, William Tuttle amongst others. In addition, Mills was the first African American Makeup Artist and Makeup Artist in genral Black or white to have the most magazine covers…ever!

Over 1600 magazines to be exact! He was also the Key Makeup Artist for the 70’s film “The Eyes of Laura Mars”. Joey set the look for Calvin Klein fashions as well as the well known Calvin Klien Jeans ads and commercials with none other than Brooke Sheilds. Joey has worked with Legends Diana Ross, Rachel Welch, Melba More , Pauline Poritzcova and many more.

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Mills’ makeup mastery has donned the covers of Vogue, Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, etc. and some of the most iconic ad campaigns ever.

In addition he has headed up runway shows for Calvin Klein, Valentino, Versace, Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta, makeup design for Broadway shows and TV.

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Joey is also the author of New Classic Beauty: A Step-by-Step Guide to Naturally Glamorous Make-Up. Mills’ style of makeup was lush colourful and well blended also having a groomed brow but left natural in its appearance different from the brow styling of Way Bandy which included extreme arching and “bleaching” and a heavier contouring makeup style (Kevyn Aucoin patterned his style of makeup after Bandy)

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CALVIN KLEIN JEANS AD’s

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CALVIN KLEIN COMMERCIALS

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EYE OF LAURA MARS (trailer)

Here in this short clip of the film you will see a young Joey doing what he first best applying makeup, and he obviously is cast as himself in the film not only is he featured once but twice!

Music, Interviews & Photos from the 1970’s film “Eyes of Laura Mars”

20140407-030734.jpgStill going strong and lively where his contemporaries have long since passed away…Joey still remains as a LIVING LEGEND all I can say is…”Joey Mills is BAAADD!”

20140407-030939.jpgM.A.C. Cosmetics honors Legendary Makeup Artists Pablo Manzoni, Joey Mills and Mary Greenwell.

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CHECK OUT THIS INTERVIEW WITH MILLS IN BLACK ENTERPRISE 1977
http://books.google.com/books?id=iAJYrOAJGNUC&pg=PA31&lpg=PA31&dq=joey+mills+makeup+artist&source=bl&ots=7Qm8qLDYvT&sig=t4LjLZKw4Xy6JdGfy-3anjXh6xE&hl=en&ei=mj6wTrmZBMfY0QHagoyyAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CH4Q6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=joey%20mills%20makeup%20artist&f=false

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The famous Joey Mills and I. We first met about 2 months before this photo was taken (April 2012) at IMATS (where he was giving his demonstration)and guess what?! He remembered me!!!

I love Joey and look our glasses are the same color! I just had to rub on him with all that knowledge and wisdom in the room, I was over the moon !

Joey and I at the MAC Pro demo (June 2012) of legendary Makeup Artist Peter Robb King (Rocky Horror Picture Show Makeup Designer).

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