happy halloween!!!!

Every year Empire Beauty School does their annual Halloween themed competition. I entered last year when I first started school and won 1st place! I was so ecstatic about it, but the moment was kind of dampened by stipulation from other students that I may have cheated. Something about me not doing the work at school, and that I may not have done the actual work myself. There was talk of whether or not to revoke my trophy even!

This year, I wasn't sure if I would do it again because of last year, but at the end, with the encouragement and support from my friends, I said why not. So I made sure to do everything at school this time. So this Tuesday, I did cornrows on my mannequin. On Wednesday, I constructed my braided tree stump and branches. And today, I spent an hour doing all the little details that would make it festive. Like the tombstome made of hair, the hanging spiders, and all the leaves. I finished just in time and awaited their judgement...

AND I WON 1ST PLACE AGAIN! YAY!!!!!! 2nd year in a row!

hair from the 4th Annual Thurgood Marshall Fashion Show

She is just as gorgeous in person (her hair was not by me, but I wish)!

It was a crazy experience backstage, but it was soOOOoooo worth it. Here are only some of the girls that I did. It was work getting these pics, unfortunately I can't find the others. These barely capture the vibe and the beauty of the event, but it will have to suffice.

honoring the legacy of thurgood marshall

Thurgood Marshall

they were still building the stage back stage before i had sweat out my hair
Ira!!! my fierce snowboarding Russian
for the Project Runway junkies, it's Amerie, a model from this season
Rocky, the hardest working model!

Mr. Sam Fine with Neci!!!

Thurgood Marshall revolutionized the school system and made such an impact in the justice system. He overcame adversity and climbed his way to become one of the most successful judges in the supreme court. Throughout his whole life he had fought and we have all benefited greatly from it.

Every year they host a fashion show in honor of Mr. Thurgood Marshall and his college fund. This year, I was so blessed to be apart of the event. It was such a great experience and I met so many great people. It gave me a first-hand experience of fashion shows and the beautiful chaos behind it.

Through out the night, there were many honorees. Among the pack, Naomi Campbell was a recipient of the 2009 Fashion Icon Award, and Michael Jackson's brother, Marlon Jackson, excepted an AvantGarde Award in his honor.

We had 40 gorgeous models, and I was able to work on 9 of them. All of them were super sweet and I had my favorites by the end of the night (hence the pictures above). They too, helped give me insight on the fashion scene, and on own their lives as well. If you thought modeling was just playing dress up and looking fabulous all the time... it's not, it's one of the toughest hustles.

And of course, the FASHION!!! There were so many amazing pieces, and unfortunately I didn't get to capture all of it on camera. Amsale had a beautiful wedding line, Kai Milla (Stevie Wonder's wife) played with textures and muted colors that still stood out so well, and Ana Segura's swimsuits were so romantic, flattering, but still oober sexy!!! But the highlight, was Russel Simmons's Argyle line... yes the clothes was fierce, but the men were so GORGEOUS!

my little work space

Do you see who is on the cover of my GQ?

I remember when school dances came around, I use to convert my bedroom into a little makeshift hair studio. LOL! We are talking about a 6'X'8 bedroom. I would have about 10 girls lined up for the day, but there would be normally 3 girls there at one time. All sitting on my full size bed. Rubber bands, curling irons, bobby pins, everything spilled everywhere! What a disastrous scene. But the hair was always together at the end.

My cousin is one of my biggest supporters. So when we came out to New York three years ago, she encouraged me to create a space for my work. So with the help of my boyfriend, and a gorgeous mirror from my friend Michelle, I have my own little studio!!!!!

It has made all the difference. When prepping the models, doing my clients hair, or just dressing Daeng up, it's been so much more fun and easier. I feel like a real stylist! I am not that little girl any more, I am a grown woman now!!!!!

you don't always have to play nice

Photography by: Daeng Boonmanee

These two are horrible to each other. They are constantly bickering and cutting each other down. I spend about 4 hours a day with these two, and maybe 5 minutes of those 4 hours, they are actually nice to each other or it is silent. . . And that's only because one person left to use the powder room.

Which is what made it fun to pair them together for this photo shoot!

Hairstyle:
I weaved hair extensions for both Tyrone and Chantelle. Those who know them would ask why, because both of them have such beautiful and thick hair. I only did it for the drama and to also get instant color to break things up a little.

Why not just color their hair? Color can be a tricky thing with relaxed hair, because if it isn't done carefully. . . You won't be washing out just color, but all their hair!

I braided both of their hair into cornrows. It doesn't matter too much the pattern, because it's how you stitch it that makes the impact. But it does help to make the cornrows as small as possible so the hair lays flat. Remember to leave the edges out, you want to conceal the tracks of hair and to make it look realistic as possible. I then layered the hair by slice-cutting panels of hair. If you want the hair to flow naturally, grab the panels vertically instead of horizontally.

Tyrone: I used Regis "Pomade" and applied it through out his hair before styling. I took a flat iron and curled the top portion of his hair inwards. The back, I flipped up so that it would flow into his Mohawk. I sprayed "Volumizing Spray" by Regis. I teased all of his hair to build volume. I then smoothed out pieces with my fingers to finish the look.

Chantelle: I applied Regis "Pomade" through out her hair as well. I then curled her hair with a 1/2 inch curling iron and stretched the hair before I released the clamp to make a wave instead of a curl. I then spayed Regis "Medium Flexible Hold" hairspray and teased her hair. I swooped everything to one side and secured the back with bobby pin by crossing them in a "X" pattern.

losing things, doesn't mean that you have to lose yourself. . .

Because of circumstances, I lived in 4 different states before I was 5. I attended 2 different elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 1 high school, and 3 colleges. I have more mailing addresses than some people have shoes in a lifetime!

When I was younger it was difficult. I felt as though I was being ripped out from my setting and cheated out of my childhood. I was constantly leaving behind friends, toys, favorite blankies, and essentially; apart of myself. I had to constantly start over. It became too tiring to be miserable over lost things. So I decided that I wasn't gonna feel sorry for myself and make the best of my situation.

As I got older, I learned how to appreciate my experiences. I was able to meet so many different people, I saw the country, I was allotted the opportunity to be exposed to so many different cultures. At the end, it made me who I am . . . and it also brought me to New York.

Starring: Daeng B., playing ME!

Hairstyle:
This super easy!!!! I prepped the hair by spraying her hair with Regis "volumizing spray." I made the loose waves by wrapping locks of hair around a 1 1/2 inch curling iron for a few seconds. Don't clamp it down. I then let it drop. I sprayed her hair again once I was finished. I made sure to tease her hair underneath, all the way to the crown of her head. I combed over the front part of her hair and smooth everything out. I grabbed her bangs and twisted it and pinned it back with 2 bobby pins. I took a butterfly and pinned it to her hair just for a little fun detail.

make play-dates with your inner child

You are never too old to play in playgrounds and you can never be too fabulous while playing in them!!!!! These pictures totally captures my cousin Daeng's personality. She is no stranger to my blog and will be featured in many more of them. So get use to the face.

If anyone knows her, knows that she is the sweetest person. The type of person who will do anything and everything for the people she loves. She is super goofy and is pretty much an overgrown kid. Have you ever heard of that expression; "act your age and not your shoe size?" Well, Daeng is the poster child for that saying. But when it comes down to business, she is headstrong and fierce at what ever she does!!!! Her sense of fashion is amazing! We are totally in sync when it comes to creating looks. She is my partner in crime. I am the crazy wild one, and she reels me back in... just a little bit.

Hairstyle:
This look is a very simple one to recreate. I sprayed her hair with Regis "Workable Hold" hairspray as a brushed it into a pony-tail. I tied the pony-tail at the top corner of her head. You can choose to place it anywhere really. Just depending on the outfit and the occasion, you could set different tones with this hairstyle with the buns placement.

I wrapped some tracks of hair around the pony-tail and secured it with bobby pins. Adding hair isn't necessary, but I wanted to make the pony-tail thicker. I curled all of the hair with an 1 inch curling iron. I again sprayed the hair with hairspray and backcombed the curls. I pinned them into a bun-like shape. I went through and pulled certain pieces out a bit, so it wasn't too structured and more natural looking.

just like the movies

As I mentioned before, I absolutely love old movies. The women were always super glamorous, no matter what the situation was. They could be taking out the trash, but their hair will be perfectly intact and wearing the most impossibly stunning gown while doing it! Who lives like this. It's a sick portrayal of life, but I love it!!!!!!!

Michelle Reyes again starred in this little photo session of ours. I followed her as she did her house keeping in a green chiffon dress and pearls. Hair in sleek finger-waves and curls, while being adorned by a matching velvet band and some peacock feathers.

Honestly, she did run around doing some chores while she was all dressed up. She even changed Nicco's poopy diaper while she was all dazzling. LOL! And really, people should start dressing up more like this. Everything you do looks so much better while you are in your finest.

Hairstyle:

I curled her hair with a 1 inch curling iron and then pin curled everything. The hair cooled as she applied her makeup and served her son some lunch. I then took everything down and brushed it lightly. I put a ton of gel on the crown section of her hair and then combed it in. I like to use Got2Be "kicked up hard jelly." I sprayed the hair with my spray bottle to dilute the gel a little, because you don't want it super sticky, but playable. I then did a deep part. You wanna start combing everything on that one side that you are working on, into a "C" formation. You then push up the tail end of the "C" formation and pinch it in between you fingers, hence the name "finger-waves." You are creating a ridge. You comb the hair underneath the ridge in the opposite direction, making a backwards "C." And keep alternating this. I only did her crown section. Let it set and dry. I combed the rest into curled groupings. I tied a velvet string around her head and tucked some peacock feather in on the side. And of course, one last final spray!!!!!!

For an instant look... I put it into a side pontail and wrapped the hair into a messy bun. I also threw a black feather clip on the opposite side of the bun.