Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles©
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What is in your “On Set Bag”?
Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles
You know, I was just having this conversation about what you actually carry in your On-Set Bag/ “Set Bag”, with another colleague who is a hairstylist.
Over the years I have always made it a project to condense my On-Set Makeup Bag. It’s like you’re a walking junkyard carrying this, carrying that and mostly carrying everything you know you don’t need, or actually use and every bottle is half empty and you don’t even know it?!?! UGHHHHH! I hate that!!! So I’ve come up with a system that pretty much works for me.
Organization is a big deal for me, always has been.
Every so often I change the way I set up my makeup station. I just get bored sometimes looking at the same thing, the same way. So, I change the color scheme, the actual set up, my Set Bag and my Pro Makeup Kit. I also spend a lot of time depoting product (I will talk about that in another post) and condensing them for my convenience.
For years I’d gone through several changes in what’s in my Pro kit, On-Set Bag. I also change what brands I’m featuring. What I realize about the way products are made today is that they’re made to make life simpler and easier. So, with that said makeup is formulated differently to have long wear and portability and in more creative packaging.
With so many new and innovative products constantly coming out on the market, your favourite things can get old fast! But, what remains consistent is the staples a Pro carries in their kits for on set touch ups.
MAKEUP ON SET BAG:
- Kleenex
- Loose Powder
- Blotting Powder
- Blotting Papers
- Powder Puffs
- Anti-Shine/Pore Perfector
- Wet Wipes/Cleansing Wipes
- Lotion/Moisturiser/Lotion Wipes
- Makeup Brushes
- Lipstick Palettes
- Foundation
- Blood
- Pros-Aide/Spirit Gum/Telesis
- Bond-Off
- Eyelash Glue
- Disposable Lip Wands, Mascara Wands
- Makeup Sponges
- Q-tips
- Hand Sanitizer
- Sharpie
- Bottle alchocol
- Roma palatttes
- Ben Nye Powder Palettes (pressed powders)
- Illustrator Palettes
- Kett No Color Powder
- Candies (chocolates, mints, gum, etc. Usually from the craft service table)
- Individual Eyedrops (Renew)
- Aquafor (ointment)
Now, when I talk to Hairstylists they have a whole other set of items that they always walk with in their On-Set Bags.
And the things they carry are things they really need and use on set. Everything should have a place and purpose in your set bag. It’s like that big ol purse you have that is full of junk, pure junk that you don’t use.
Set bags are a product that has yet to find innovation in product design. Most set bags are made of the plastic with fabric borders, various compartments and convenient zippers. They come in 3 different sizes…small, medium and large (I have them all). Do you find it melts in the summer and gets hard and crackly in the winter? Hahaha…its crazy!
Here’s what some Hairstylists I spoke with told me they use in their On-Set Bags:
HAIRSTYLIST ON SET BAG:
- Comb
- Brush
- Hairstpray/Sheen/Gel
- Pomade
- Hairpins
- Spirit Gum
- Alcohol Pen
- Chargeable flat Irons/Curling Irons
- Portable Blow-Drer
- Brown and Black Mascara
- Makeup Palette (Illustrator, Creme and Powder colors)
- Spray Water Bottle
- Hair Elastics
So I still have yet to try out the MiyakePro Artist Set Bag. I’ve been eyeing it for quite a while and it looks amazing! It’s not made of plastic but like fabric and mesh and most of all my fave is that it’s black! It matches a pro look. It has the adjustable strap to go over your shoulder or around the body. The bag is sold at all of our favourite Pro supply stores Alcone, FRENDS, Naime’s and Manhattan Wardrobe Supply for retail price $80.
Here’s a photo of some Pros on set with their set bags ready for work!
Has MEDIOCRE become the new EXCELLENCE…MUA’s??
Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles
me·di·o·cre
ˌmēdēˈōkər/
adjective
of only moderate quality; not very good.
“a mediocre actor”
synonyms: ordinary, average, middling, middle-of-the-road, uninspired, undistinguished, indifferent, unexceptional, unexciting, unremarkable, run-of-the-mill, pedestrian, prosaic, lackluster, forgettable, amateur, amateurish; More
Just haphazardly getting by MUA’s. They refuse to learn from those who mastered the art form before them. They skate by on following the heard of mass “followers”, unfortunately never becoming a leader.
Ooohhh they get by on simply doing okay work…nothing stellar or memorable. And they know it deep inside. If they were wise they would rise by humbling themselves. To learn to surround themselves with people with more talent and refinement than themselves and not be fearful or offended by them. IF they’re smart or a visionary.
If they are insecure in their mediocrity they will never have masterful Artists in their presence…because it’s a painful reminder of all they lack. A form of psychosis, phobia and a mirror to shortcomings.
Mmmmm, never really quite hitting the mark because the lack of humility, focus, study and purpose. There’s always something that’s just a bit off; you know like the wrong shoes or purse with that dress. Mmmmm no!
Oh, let me be clear about myself; I’ve had off times too in my career and,… at times in my personal life…so there’s no read there in my own admission. HOWEVER, I have laid the foundation of purposefulness in Artistry in my early years.
I knew early on no matter what it looked like to others, I knew the power of speaking my career into existence. Not simply faking it to make it. You see the kind of family I came from mediocre was unacceptable. Don’t come up in this race with wood when we’re working on bronze, silver and gold medalists mentalities!
That’s rough right?? Mmmm no, not really,… if you choose to see it as a challenge to build in you greatness instead of taking it as a negative.
Sometimes it’s hard because we don’t get to control every step in our journey.
But it’s not just one putting out mediocre Makeupartistry.
No, a lot of it is that funky attitude, lack of follow up, lying about your work, self importance with no track record (receipts/checks/clients), or you do have a track record BUT…you’re on some ol pedestrian style makeup (mediocre) but you just got lucky and always managed keep working simply because you have a track record (résumé’).
I’m indeed calling it all to the carpet because I’ve seen so much overtime and a lot of it is an imbalance between artistry, excellence and attitude. Artists are in a beauty industry with ugly practices??
This post is for both the seasoned artist who yes has paved the way BUT…you’re not giving back to the industry babies or your peers by operating in fear.
This post is a memo to the newbies…you may have some skill but learn to humble yourselves and learn from those who cleared a path for you to come through and show your art. The respect does not just go to your contemporaries but to those who came and sacrificed before Instagram/YouTube/Twitter…give respect and you will get knowledge that can take you beyond mediocre!
Now,… I challenge you to greatness with respect!!!
The Cast of OITNB | Fashions!
Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles
So, as I’ve recoup erased from Monday’s VH! Hip Hop Honors and hearing the announcement of the 68th Emmy Awards Nominees for Makeup…I was thinking about fashion again (as ALWAYS really). I remember meeting Dasha Polanko at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors backstage and just having a good chat with her just before she was about to go on stage as a presenter. I thought…WOW! She’s really tall and simply beautiful in person…with pretty smooth skin.
As we talked I found I really liked her and her realness and genuine smile was refreshing. Not to mention how well she is representing curvy women everywhere!! It’s so encouraging to see real women on film in this era. They’re looking amazing and following their passions in entertainment and paving a new path for others to walk in.
I said you know what I need to do some homework on her fashion style! She was beautifully dressed in a beige/apricot colored lace jumpsuit with a matching long topcoat. She looked stunning! I thought you know what the ladies on her show never get to look stunning on the show but outside of the show during award season and during fashion week and in magazine spreads they look amazing!
OPEN LETTER TO | Pro Working Makeup Arists *YouTube’rs *Instagrammers* Beauty Brands *Production Companies
Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles
FAMOUS?!?!?! Girl bye!!!
For me it started one day when I was shopping in a beauty brands store downtown Manhattan. I was shopping for a project I was working on at the time.
So, if you know anything abut me I’m very organized so going in any store I already know what I came in for , I find it, purchase it and then I’m gone because I have a list of other things to do and I don’t waste time AT ALL.
So I go in and I get 12 of these, 12 of that, and 24 of those, OH WAIT!!!…and 24 of this right here!
So a young lady finally comes sauntering around the counter and finally asks me if I need help and here’s a basket. Duh!!! Clearly I need help and a basket!!! She was on her phone texting behind the counter, not recognizing that she has a major sale on her hands.
Which in her case may mean a big commission or maybe even a long awaited promotion because you’re cash register is full and you gone beyond your daily sales quota.
She says to me ” I see you have several dozens of similar items, are you a Makeup Artist?” I smiled and said “Yes, Yes I am.” She says “Wow! I thought so. Where do you work?”
So I tell her what I’m working on and why I’m purchasing so much product. The girl almost fell off of those 4″ heels she was wearing. I chuckle a bit and tell her to calm herself.
She says “Thats what’s up! I want that!” I said “What do you want dear heart? To work as a Makeup Artist? She said ” No, to be FAMOUS, well no, yeah, to be a FAMOUS Makeup Artist! Yeah a FAMOUS Makeup Artist.”
I thought to myself “A FAMOUS MAKEUP ARTIST”? Well, I personally don’t believe in luck but ummm yeah, good luck with that one honey!
Try being a GOOD MAKEUP ARTIST first, then graduate to being a GREAT MAKEUP ARTIST, BUT that doesn’t mean even if you’re a GREAT MAKEUP ARTIST that you’ll wind up being “FAMOUS”!
All kinds of thoughts ran through my head. Mostly thoughts of how naive she actually was about how this industry really works.
ARE YOU FOR REAL???
Well, I just stopped short and looked at her with a blank stare.
Why did I look like that?
Well, mostly because at first glance of this young lady and hearing what she’d said to me made me think and really look at her. And I thought about an industry I’d worked so hard for years to get to work in.
So many years I’d put in doing home study and classes. Talking to Pro’s I’d admired. And I even had the pleasure and honor to speak to them. And to get information and encouragement from them.
I was ambitious and just wanted to be a GREAT Makeup Artist when I came into the biz. Clearly, speaking to that young lady, there is a difference in our reasons why we wanted to be Makeup Artists. I asked her “How old are you dear heart?”, “I’m 24.” I thought to myself….shoot, at 24, I was already deep in the entertainment industry!!!
At her age I had already been on a major music World tour with the #1 Pop/R&B Artist in the world!! I’d travelled the world 2x at that age! Wow! I thought gee what a privilege it was for me BUT NO, I worked really hard to get to that level. I’d earned my respect in the industry because of the years I’d put in, in work!
WHY ARE YOU IN THIS GAME?…HONESTLY??
When I worked I always wanted my work to be recognized and considered GREAT, which in my mind means to always do what I loved doing…MAKEUP!!!!
Me doing makeup wasn’t about me being famous but about my work! This girl who stood before me wanted to simply be famous!
Which said to me she could care less about being a Makeup Artist! So many REAL Makeup Artists sacrificed their lives and sometimes family life to work on sets perusing and living out their dreams to be real Makeup Artists.
When I speak to my professional colleagues they all seem to have the same feeling. That feeling is that our once respected industry is flooded with individuals who could care less about it.
That the makeup is all the same and unoriginal. That the “artists” are in the biz for all the wrong reasons. The major cosmetic brands who once respected the Pro MUA now questions our credentials because a generation of “artists” we see now simply do not have any work credits but have “followers”!!! So now our years of hard work and contribution to entertainment is put into question by a generation that is simply duplicating what we had long before created.
WHERE IS THE RESPECT???!
Most of these Pro’s are asking where is the respect for us and the craft! The industry of beauty would not exist if there were not qualified tenured Makeup Artists to showcase those products or faces that we work on so diligently. Real Pro Makeup Artists are not sitting at home…they are out in the field working on their craft, working on sets for hours standing on their feet, hustling on every form of transportation to get to their jobs. We get cheques from major film companies, record labels, magazines and beauty brands.
I have to laugh!!! Really laugh at the notion that people think that a makeup Enthusiats, a YouTuber, Vlogger is actually a Pro Makeup Artist. *****NEWSFLASH*****
There is a difference! Pro MUA’s actually do makeup on other people besides themselves! In fact they are working so much on other people that they barely have time to put makeup on themselves!
What Pro MUA’s actually do:
- Design Makeup for projects
- Read Scripts/ Video Treatments
- Sit in production meetings/A&R meetings
- Hire teams of other MUA’s
- Build relationships with product brands
- Build their brand by the projects they work on
- Constantly doing makeup homework i.e., combing through old and new magazines, looking at vintage makeup,
Let me first say this to be very clear….THERE IS NO CAMPARISON OR REAL COMPETITION!
Catching Up With NZINGHA | Interview with Sigma Beauty Blog
Breath Beauty EV32| Product Review
Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles
As always I’m looking to improve the quality of the contents in my Pro Makeup Kit. You know when you’re working with a client face to face personal hygiene is a MUST! While combing through the Ulta app looking for a good blow dryer and flat iron I found this little item called ev32 Breath Beauty.
I ordered directly from the company. I ordered the variety pack which costs $30 . You get 40 packets total. 4 different flavors. 10 packets of each flavor. The mini boxes come in a magnetized keepsake box. I really like the packaging idea, kind of has an element of luxury.
Now I’ve been a faithful Listerine user for years from toothpaste infused, the mouth wash and the breath strips (my favorite on set and in the kit bag).
When my clients are about to do scenes where they have to get close I would always break out a listerine strip for them out of their personal set bags. But sometimes in really close situations you want to get at the root of what may be causing a sensitive moment (which can be embarrassing).
Normally when you brush your teeth you not only clean the teeth but the gums, tongue, under the tongue, inner cheeks and roof of the mouth.
Now like most human beings I’ve been caught out there too (and it is embarrassing) mostly because I didn’t have any of my usual products handy.
I love my personal hygiene products but, sometimes I’ve had to go without my faves and opt for lesser quality items that simply just don’t have that special element.
Not to mention I’m a sucker for packaging but, ummm did I mention that? No? Well I’m a sucker for packaging!! I also am willing to test products out and, when I find one that really works I stick with it.
Well, looks like I found a product that I will stick with in this brand. So far, so good and no weird aftertaste with this one it’s kinda straight forward.
It reminds me of the candy Pop Rocks. Remember those? You put them in your mouth and you get this big flavor and that powder you put on your tongue starts literally poping!! Like a firecracker in your mouth!! It’s crazy!!
Fizzing no, poping yes.
So, the breath beauty comes in 4 flavors
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- Cinnamon
- Watermelon Mojito
On the box it says:
- Open packet and pour contents into your mouth.
- Swish crystals in mouth with saliva for 60 seconds.
- Rub the crystals against teeth with your tongue and cheeks.
- Swallow and enjoy sustained fresh breath!
- Use as needed.
Well this is how I use mine. I usually do my regular cleaning routine (flossing, brushing, mouthwash gargling, then rinsing).
Usually the liquid gargling takes a two separate capfuls for me. First capful I gargle in the back of my throat and then the second capful is overall mouth washing. I wait a bit and then I go in with the beauty breath.
This way usually works best because you don’t have any food particle leftover in your mouth and the product just works to the max this way. Not that it wouldn’t work without it but it just makes it that much better if you can.
Hope you enjoyed this review…😉www.32oc.com
Tutankhamen Exhibit …My New Muse
Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles
My Day in Koreatown NY Beauty Products | Product Review
Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles
If you know anything about me you will know I love to travel and am always learning about various cultures. I’m interested in the beauty rituals of various cultures and today was a day spent in Korea Town in NYC. I felt just like I was in Korea. Funny how you can do the escapism travel to other countries right here in New York City! New York is totally multicultural! Truly the only place in the world where this occurs and occurs successfully.
I met some lovely new friends along the way at a Korean restaurant I stopped to have lunch at called Miss Korea BBQ. My new friends are visiting from Ohio!!! I took them to a few of my Korean makeup spots! We went into two of my fave haunts The Face Shop and Nature Republic (which I absolutely ❤️💛💚). Now as I’m shopping I’m keeping in mind as we are dining we are listening to the best of Korean Pop music. I’m entrigued! Seems the focus is on all the current boy bands singing their latest tunes and looking hot in their music videos.
There’s my friend Erin there on the side on her phone!! Just look at this spread on the table…there’s beef and pork ribs, kimchi, seaweed soup, marinated cucumber, ginger eggplant, baby white new potatoes, on the grill is zucchini and white sweet potato. The food is being prepared on our hibachi’s!! And boy is it smelling good! Hibachi’s really aren’t a Korean or Japanese tradition but it’s for excitement for foreigners tastes….and it works every time!!!
So after we eat we’ve gotta walk off all that sumptuous food and get our metabolism going. Well talk about shop till you drop…my ladies made a killing today! Not only did they get items for themselves but for their young daughters who LOVE MAKEUP AND COLORS!!! Me…mmmm I was a bit conservative. I was focusing in on all of the products whose main ingredient is ALOE VERA.
I’ve been seriously vibing on three ingredients this season…ROSE, COCONUT OIL and ALOE VERA. At home we’ve got gigantic Aloe Vera bushes everywhere! And as we all know the ancient Egyptians taught us through their early medicine ,Aloe Vera has numerous properties but the main one is healing. When used as a beauty treatment you will find it heals burns, cuts, scrapes, dark spots and a myriad of other skin ailments in a flash.
This product I didn’t purchase at Nature Republic but at a small sidewalk shop. I’m loving it! It’s got a super light fresh herbal scent not overpowering at all. And doesn’t leave you with that sticky feeling you get with most lotions! It’s light and moisturizing and really has a soothing effect…you will hear more about this product from me soon.
Now I’m going to have to be honest about this product…I’m sure it kills germs but it leaves my hands SUPA DRY!!! The fragrance is amazing!! And the petit size is perfect for your travel size purse. I’ve been using it on the regular now because I will not do the germ thing! I have opted to use it along with my Aloe Vera Soothing Gel (which also comes in a convenient travels size as well). So I’m okay to use this hand sanitizer. Buy 1 for $1.50 and 3 for $3.50
The Hand & Nature Clean Hand Wash OLIVE is amazing! Most times I have really dry hands because they are always in water. I can always feel the drying agent in hand soaps and this one I don’t feel it at all! Just like soft water and moisturizing and you get a full size bottle 8.45oz for $4.40!!!
While on my spree of course there’s a soundtrack happening the whole time. The music of course is Korean Pop and there are literally numerous groups out there. I’ll share a few with you. Here’s a K-Pop group I like by the name of Super Junior. The group is a 13 member Boy Band!!!! 13???? Yep 13 group members and they are all talented in their own right.
This Skin Smoothing Body Peeling Mist is AMAZING!! It’s not a hoax about the peeling effect. It does work. The more you use in succession you will see that the peeling on our first go round is a lot of peeling. Then the second you will have a bit more peeling and by the third time you may have very little peeling. One WARNING…do not use this if you have hairy arms and legs!!! Why? Because you will have pulling of the the hair in trying to use this product. Now I use this product in the shower (to wash away the peelings and dead skin) and I use it with my sugar body scrub…skin soooooooooo soft even my problematic super dry elbows.
The samples of this Collagen Cream I got at the check-out at Nature Republic is also AMAZING!!! I have used it as an overnight moisturizer and can I tell you my skin is even more flawless! I have been using it 3 nights in a row. The Cream is light and transparent like an Aloe Vera Gel. I’m definitely going to go for the large sized bottle upon my next visit. I’ve not tried the mask as yet and this was also a free sample item I get at check-out.
These lashes I got from The Face Shop for $4.00. I will be using in my next shoot. I think I’m going to stack them for maximum effect. They come with a small vial of glue.
F.T. Island, short for Five Treasure Island, is a South Korean pop-rock band consists of five members,
All I can say is my hair smells divine! Just a little spritz as I’m breaking out the front door or turning in in for the night! I’m smelling lovely hair!
Charcol Beauty Cleansing Puffs $6
JJCC is the first K-pop idol group to be formed and reared by Jackie Chan.The name of the band is derived from the name of Jackie Chan and the group’s aim
Well as I bring this post to a close I have one thing that I have noticed in my jaunt about Korea Town is that Korea has a serious handle on skincare! Skincare reigns supreme in this cultures beauty regimen. I’ve never seen such smooth skin as I have seen on display today. Even the men have flawless skin! And I noticed that the men really stood out in the advertising mmmmm….all of them look sooooo incredibly…dare I say it pretty!!! Pretty flawless bump free skin! I mean just look at the young men in the featured videos (I see a strong African American influence in the music and male fashion styling) and in the advertising.
As I was shopping I saw just as many men as I did women wanting to take care of their skin! One man I saw was really in the mirror fixing his hair and had a basket full of products!! And can I say he was really handsome! WOW! Well…after all your skin is the largest major organ! So, in closing…take this season join me in getting a hold on your skincare regimen. Xoxo from Korea Town NYC!
Elell Dual Output Power Bank*Photo Shutter | Product Review
Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles
I❤️this product!!! When they said EXQUISITE, that is the truth. This power bank is a beautiful sight for one who likes fine items. What’s the big deal about having a power bank anyway? That’s what you’re thinking right?
The big deal is…I’VE BEEN CAUGHT OUT THERE WITH NO PHONE!!! Yes, no phone! Why? Because the phone died (because I’m on it all day!) Not only did the phone die but ummm we’re on location with no outlets anywhere to be found! We’re going to be out here for a minimum of 10 hours shooting on set today.
Has this ever happened to you while you were on set? Have you ever gone into a store a bought a quickie charger (what a waste of money!) they’re flimsy and don’t charge up worth a darn!
You’re spending more time charging up the charger to charge up your phone! It’s senseless and I simply put an end to the nonsense and invested in a real solid power bank!
You can’t even tell if the power bank you bought is charged up or when it’s dying!! Not this one! And I’m glad I got it! The color of the crystal on top of the power bank changes colors to let you know when the bank is in use.
- Red (1-25% charged)
- Orange (30-50% charged)
- Green (50-100% charged)
- Blue (self timed photo shutter)
- Clear (charger is off)
It only takes an hour to charge up your phone (which would be let’s hypothetically guesstimate on 1-3%), now if your at 50% you will be up and running at 100% in about 20-30 minutes!
I bought 2 and will be getting 2 more!!!
The Glam Squad Files... 