Living Beautifully

Makeup, music, soul, color, life, in my opinion are all aspects of true beauty. All of the above come in so many different forms, and should be recognized and revered as special in their own individual ways. As a make-up artist, I am blessed to encounter so many variations of beauty. From high cheekbones, hooded eyes, full lips, to porcelain, olive and blue- black complexions, I have the privilege of accenting and enhancing what is uniquely beautiful about the women I service. What also makes my job easier is that there are products that allow me to do what I do, and that they perform the necessary duties I require when I use them. It is great that I know my color wheel, and that I will mix up a formula with multiple products when I need to. Especially when dealing with women of African descent, our complexions and undertones run the gamut. It’s not “one size fits all”, so I appreciate when there are products that consider the needs of all beauty types. For me, it’s a requirement, both professionally and personally. September 25, 2012, I had the pleasure of attending a monumental event, celebrating singer/songwriter Esnavi as one of the faces of Alison Raffaele Cosmetics. The line will be carried in select Duane Reade stores in the LOOK Boutique nationally and in Puerto Rico. You will see Esnavi as the the first African- American woman to represent the campaign where the products are sold. Alison Raffaele’s passion for beauty has often been drawn and inspired from music and fashion as an veteran make-up artist. Known for her work in the industry, notably working under Bobbi Brown, Alison already had the respect and trust of her clients and colleagues. As I spoke with her at MarX Restaurant(www.marxny.com), I had gained a new-found respect as I listened to her speak about her diligence in providing a complexion line that worked amazingly, and boasts ingredients that are eco-friendly and effective. Alison clearly has a passion and love for her artistry and her clients. Putting together a cosmetic line that is paraben, talc, mineral oil, fragrance and gluten free openly displays that. Choosing Esnavi as one of the faces of Alison Raffaele Cosmetics is also a display of beautiful living in a real, identifiable form. Known as one of the hottest rising musical artists of this decade, Esnavi is known for her flair for fashion and beauty and identifying with artists that she really believes in. She won’t wear an outfit she doesn’t like for flattery sake, or shout out an artist that she wouldn’t personally stand behind. That alone says a lot about Alison Raffaele Cosmetics. For an artist to put her name and face to something, I’m inclined to believe we may be on to something. I am glad Esnavi and Alison Raffaele chose each other. A merge of two of my favorite art forms, makeup and music, and a message of true beauty behind each brand. Simply, this makes me happy. I can see a face I identify with when I purchase and use a product that really works for me. In my gift bag, I received “True Concealer Skintone 6”. I am wearing it now, I will wear it tomorrow too, because it matches my tone perfectly, hasn’t slipped during the day, and is weightless. I’ve been experiencing “Unexpected Love” lately. I cannot think of the phrase anymore without thinking of Esnavi’s hit single. All of this going on at the same time, and I feel beauty in my life right this moment. Kind of corny? Yes it is, but who can tell anyone what beautiful living is to them? -See Esnavi’s story here and information about Alison Raffaele Cosmetics at http://www.alisonraffaele.com/model-stories.html -For the latest information about all things Esnavi, visit www.esnavi.com.

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How you got me lovin like liquid

Flowing out of me like a river stream

Yo,You got me

You had me before you knew me

And you knew me before you saw me

And you saw me while I was hidden

You found me

Wrapped up neatly, buried deep

You’ve enflamed me

Lit up what laid in waste, though swaddled in hope

My brother, my lover, my friend

With so much of My Father

I see in your face the reflection of Him

In your heart, the best of men

And your hand, my now and my then

You are perfect

Perfect for me, perfect for we, perfect for He

My eros imparted desire, us Three
We made love before we touched
I never even seen you

Got me singing songs I never sung before

Praying like I never prayed before

And it’s right

And I love it

And I want it

And I’ll have it

Love, Unexpected

I’m not going to solely come from the angle of this [holi]day, though I think love in its purest form, is at best, holy.  Today for some, is the annual anticipation of those who love to see it come, and those who love to see it go.  For the most part, we desire, and possibly seek after love moment by moment in some way, whether in thought or deed.  I have an inkling of perhaps why many haven’t found love.  I think it is because they are actually looking for it. What if love would be encountered when we no longer searched and sought, but allowed it to come unexpectedly?  The perfect marriage of that philos/eros love that make hard days easy, and heavy burdens light.  The kind that shows you what you’ve never seen till you seen it in the eyes of your beloved.  Shulamite type meet me at the banqueting table to feast off of your fruit while sitting in the shade of your tree type love. Clothed in your outfit of admiration type, it was good for me to have waited when I didn’t think you were ever coming type love.  Forgive my poetry, this is what I do while waiting for the unexpected.  While many plan and have romantic blueprints mapped out, I’d like to imagine it overtaking someone in the best way.  Taken over because they had no prior knowledge of who, what, when, or where. We know the why however, it’s because it’s deserving. 

When it comes to love in beauty and art, we dance about it, we write, paint and sing about it. It is the theme of many a great visionary. I thought it would be fitting to share a conversation I had with someone I feel may know a thing or two about this age-old topic. I sat down with Esnavi, singer/songwriter whose highly anticipated album Exit E is climbing the charts.  Her first radio single, Unexpected Love, has already reached the Top 40 on the Urban Adult Contemporary Charts.  Evident in her music, is the expression of the soul of love’s heartbeat, all tied into rhythms and melodies of real-life stories.

1. In my opinion, you are a creative whirlwind, a soulstress, and what I percieve to be a genuine person. What does Esnavi say about Esnavi? Thank you. Esnavi says that Esnavi is truly blessed.  She is a loving, genuine, loyal person.  A “do what she says” with a “do what it takes to get the job done” kind of girl.  Someone you can trust.  She also has a great sense of humor, which makes working with her fun.  She’s passionate about everything she does.  And she goes in 100% on all levels of her artistry. 

2. Can you attribute that to love you've had in your life, and not necessarily romantic? Yes.  The energy I put out is what I receive.  So I attract genuine loving people that are like-minded. 

3. Now, let’s get to the romance...Exit E your current project which is sweeping the airwaves, seems to be nothing but a love story presented in different ways.  Particularly "Unexpected Love", your current radio banger. What was your inspiration behind writing it? I was inspired to write about what I was experiencing at the time. When I wrote it, I was living in the moment of love with the person who became my ‘Unexpected Love’.

4. So did any of this come at a time you didn't foresee?  It's Valentines Day, encourage the single folk:) Yes, it did.  Completely out the blue sky.

5. Staying with the theme of love, describe Esnavi's heart in one sentence... My heart loves like its loved.

6. Random question: Do you wear red nail polish? Yes.  I actually wore a glittery red nail polish at my last show at the Apollo Theater in NYC this past MLK celebration.

You're obviously beautiful outwardly, but I appreciate you sharing with the readers your true beauty, from the inside out...Thank you.  And thank you for featuring me on your blog.  I appreciate it.

My heart in one sentence is “You are more than capable to receive love, to give love, to be love…” So let me give a little of my own.  I have for 1 lovely winner a prize package for their personal account of “Unexpected Love”. Tell me in 100 words or less how you’ve experienced love unexpectedly. It can be in essay or poetry form as we encourage all artistic expression. The winner will be announced next week.

The prize includes  an autographed CD of Esnavi’s Exit E, along with Dazzle Dry Quick Dry Nail System) in “Red Hot Chili” to spice up your anticipation for your Unexpected Love.  Visit http://www.dazzledry.com to view the demo of their revolutionary nail care system.


EXIT E available NOW on ITUNES & Digital Stores Everywhere! http://www.esnavi.com