'Rippin, and 'Runnin

This post will be short, but my memories will far surpass the number of characters in this blog.  This past Wednesday, I had exclusive footage of the behind the scenes look of BET's Rip the Runway 2012.  As a stylist, I and probably most stylists relish the thought of being apart of a huge runway show where only the best of the best are called in. Whenever I see or hear any mention of the likes of Pat McGrath, Sam Fine, or Julie Begin in a famous runway production, I picture the bright lighting, assistants touting about and models sitting picture perfect.  For Rip the Runway, it was no different, and as soon as I walked in hair and makeup, I felt my energy level soar to a gazillion!!!

The scramble was ridiculous, but the excitement is indescribable.  Yes, I love one on one time with clients, I enjoy private consultations and intimate style settings.  What I experienced though at that time probably was the quintessential high of every stylist to be experienced at least once in a lifetime. For both the novice and the seasoned, the creativity that is exchanged in runway work definitely inspires you to push past the norm, and to really appreciate the boundless ways to work our craft.  I being in the best of both worlds of hair and makeup and choosing both as a concentration, I was doubly amped and probably floated around inwardly the whole time.  I was amongst the industry greats, those you see on television and read about all the time in your frequent Google searches.  I didn't have time to be a beauty groupie though I am certain my long gazes were caught at one time or another.  In those moments however, I sought to absorb the whole experience and commit to my memory the fact that I stood in a most coveted place.  I really am most humbled.

You have to have a vision to set your steps in order towards what you see.  What I have experienced in the short span of time has me awestruck.  "Lil 'ole me" doing and seeing some dream like things, things that many imagine.  Hear I am living it.  All the ripping and running that I do that sometimes doesn't make sense, but it plays out and usually it happens during the movement.  You have to take a moment to realize what is going on, absorb, commit to memory and continue to run the race set before you...


BET’s Rip the Runway fashion show was recorded on Wednesday night (February 29). The annual event was hosted by The Game‘s Pooch Hall and Victoria Secret model Selita E. Banks.  The 2012 Rip the Runway will air on Wednesday, March 21 at 10/9PM CST on BET.

Everyday Display

I see it all around, beauty in the regular, the routine, and the everyday occasion. I see it with the mother rushing to take her children to school, still in slippers. I saw it last week when a young mom was going over her son’s homework on the D Train here in NYC. The woman passing out samples in the food court at the mall, the older woman giving paper towels to the club goers in the restroom hoping someone will leave a tip.  The crossing guard, the woman receiving public assistance, and the woman on the other side of the desk giving it to her, dealing in compassion without disdain.  These are all examples of beauty blended in with the daily and commonplace.  I often look for the overlooked; I deem them just as important as those who are in the limelight.  My eye is trained for such things being an expert in beauty.   I applaud celebrity celebration when deserved, and honoring those who excel in their craft.  I also appreciate the ones who take the heart and nerve to celebrate those who will never flash across your television screen or newspaper article.  To dedicate ones art, craft, or even products with the everyday woman in mind sends a message of celebration of life in all forms. To revere, to display, to honor and hold valuable the bronze with the silver and gold in my opinion is very human, quite Godlike, and long overdue.

I’ve come across a young man who has decided to do just that, to bring the everyday woman to light, to hold her up to be lauded and appreciated.  Jermaine “Jay Everyday” Smith of New York, NY has released an Eau de Parfum called "Everyday" for Women.  It boasts a light, woodsy floral fragrance that beautifully blends Rose note with Amber, and other blended notes, which sits beautifully on the skin (my skin particularly J).  Last week, I attended the New York "Everyday" for Women Fragrance Smell Party at the Altus Café, which was well representative of Jay's influence along with business partner Radi Cartagena.  Women from all walks of life attended in anticipation of the perfume.  One could ask the question “Why would Jermaine, an American playwright, director, producer, and on air personality have any interest in the perfume business?  In answering that with sincerity, Mr. Smith spoke of the influential women in his life that inspired him, "Everyday" for Women pays homage to them in the most feminine way. With that explanation, it all made sense.  In honor of his mother who wrestled with drug addiction and won now being drug free, his aunts and grandmothers who helped to shape and mold him during his mother’s absence.  What a beautiful way to show women who do what they have to do without acknowledgement that they matter!  To honor women who bravely take care of their families and loved ones unsupported.  To applaud young ladies who strive to be better than what they’ve experienced in their childhood, exalting seasoned women who carry themselves with dignity and poise despite checkered pasts.  

Let fragrance be a gift to them, to let them walk the world emitting beauty and femininity in everyday situations, all the time.  "Everyday" for Women  in its message celebrates the un-celebrity, the regular lady, and the everyday woman in the most glorious way.  This in itself is true beauty, displayed everyday. 

Radi Cartagena, Jermaine "Jay Everyday" Smith with some "Everyday Ladies" at Altus Cafe

Shay RoZay, Tifini Lewis, Yesenia Aguirre at the Everyday for Women Fragrance Smell Party

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!! BEST TRIBUTE TO AN EVERYDAY WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE WINS A SAMPLE OF "EVERYDAY" FOR WOMEN.  CONGRATULATIONS TO GLADYS LAMB, AND SIDNEY MOE, WINNERS OF THE “LOVE, UNEXPECTED”, AND “HONEYWINE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERE” GIVEAWAYS. STAY TUNED FOR MORE PRODUCT GIVEAWAYS!

"Everyday" for Women represented the “Everyday Woman” at the 84^th Annual Academy Awards last night included in gift bags, along with this week at BET’s Rip the Runway.  You can purchase "Everyday" for Women at http://www.thejayeveryday.com and fine retail shops nationwide.