Category: Events

Chicago Makeup Show

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There are many things that can get a girls attention.  Jewelry, fashion, money and makeup.  While not all of these things were represented at the Chicago Makeup Show, this was definitely a makeup lovers dream.  Wherever you find yourself on the makeup spectrum, from novice to top celebrity makeup artists, there was something for everyone at the Chicago edition of the Makeup show.

As stated on their official website:

The Makeup Show is the largest pro only beauty event in the United States. TheMakeup Show provides an experience and strives to inspire, educate and build a community. Our focus is to create a place where artists from all areas of the industry and all levels of their career can find mentors, meet industry leaders, refill their kit and learn about new products and programs that will bring their career to the next level.

Meet the CEOs & Executives behind the brands and stock up on all the essential products from large, indie, pro and prestige brands that will make a perfect addition to your makeup kit and retail line up. The show is open to makeup artists, hair stylists, cosmetologists, aestheticians, students, beauty executives, experts, aspiring artists, photographers and anyone related to the beauty and fashion industry.

Experience stages of education filled with legendary artists and industry experts as they share their insight on how to elevate your artistry and career through discussion, demonstration and participation. Watch & Learn as industry’s finest shows you the new trends for the season and introduces you to the new products and techniques to help refine your makeup skills.

The Makeup Show provides many different experiences in each city from multiple stages of education, industry cocktail events, fashion shows to an international presentation, beauty brunch, art gallery plus so much more!

While I am not a makeup artist, I do wear makeup practically every day of the year.  My makeup kit is quite expansive and has so many brands represented, that people may think I am a professional.  I love brands such as The Crayon Case, Juvias Place, Fenty Beauty, MAC, Huda Beauty and more, and yes I have products from each of these brands in my kit.  It was great to get to see other brands that I may not be as familiar with represented at the show and to have an opportunity to see their products up close and in person.  It was also a great help to be able to ask questions and sample some of the products, (something you don’t get to do when you purchase online).

The demonstrations and the talks on trends in the beauty industry were also very interesting.  It helped to connect the trends that are in magazines and IG posts with what industry professional thought were things to watch.  The makeup demonstrations were amazing to watch as well.  Being able to see the pro’s transform models into their visions using the tools in their makeup tool kits was amazing and inspiring.  As a non-professional, learning about techniques and tools that are above my level of expertise piqued my interest to add some new trick to my personal toolkit.

I enjoyed being able to see new products that I had no knowledge of.  One such company was Marmalade Nails.  I religiously got my nails done for over 30 years.  As I got older my finger became more and more irritated by the products so I had to stop getting my acrylics and gels.  I do miss the look of having my nails polished and looking good and I have not been able to do in home manicures and have the polish last longer than 48 hours, so having great, high quality, press on nails may be a good choice for me.  What I liked about Marmalade Nails was that they had a variety of nail shapes, colors and the always popular accent nails as well.  There were a variety of colors to choose from, and I was able to ask questions about things such as water on the hands.  I am the dishwasher in my house and I love long bubble baths, so having press on nails that can withstand water would be a plus for me.  While I did not purchase any at The Makeup Show, Marmalade nails are definitely on my to buy list.

Another product I received a sample of at the makeup show was the Pumpkin Turmeric Facemask by Yensa.  This product has been working wonders on my complex, problem skin.    Prior to trying this product I would make my own masks with Turmeric and chickpea flour, and if you know anything about Turmeric you know it can be quite messy.  This mask is not messy at all and has exfoliating ingredients in the product which is gentle and just enough to add an extra dose of brightness to my skin.  This is a product I would definately add to my skincare regimine.

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My first experience The Makeup Show was amazing.  Not only did I learn a great deal from industry professionals and insiders, I came home with lots of additions to my makeup tool kit.  This also inspired me to clean out said, toolkit to make more for the new items.  The educational portion of the event was great as well.  As a lifelong learner any opportunity I get to learn makes me excited.  Learning about trends in the makeup industry as well as new application tools has been a big take away for me.  I truly enjoyed the experience and look forward to next year.

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Brown Girls Do Invest Takes Over Chicago

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When a room full of smart, ambitious, intelligent and inquisitive Black women convene, nothing but greatness follows.  There was nothing but greatness present at the Brown Girls Do Invest workshop on Saturday June 8, 2019.  Hosted by Brown Girls Do Invest founder Bahiyah Shabazz, the afternoon consisted of a panel of phenomenal Power Women who imparted knowledge and offered sage advice for those of us who want to invest but may not know how to or where to start.  Thanks to Black Bloggers Chicago for the opportunity to fellowship with my fellow bloggers but to also attend the event.

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Black Bloggers Chicago

The day began with a VIP mastermind, an opportunity to have an intimate experience with the panelist to gain a little more insight than what the workshop offered.  If the Mastermind was half as great as the workshop, then be on the lookout for the next wave of Black Female Millionaires.  In a climate where Black women are the fastest growing demographic of entrepreneurs, possibly due to the fact that the average Black woman makes 62 cents per dollar of her white, male counterparts. this workshop was timely, relevant and a great way to gain a wealth of information from seasoned and experienced financial professionals.

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Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA Moderator BGDI Founder

In addition to BGDI founder Shabazz, the panelist and speakers included Florence Hardy, ESQ, Cimone Casson, Delta Jones-Walker, Joanna Jane, Courtney Richardson and Danielle Pierce.  Each speaker offered attendees hearty food for thought and practical tips to jump start their investment portfolios and begin their road to generational wealth.

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From L-R Cimone Casson, Florence Hardy, Delta Jones Walker, Bahiyah Shabazz

One of the repeated themes for the day was the value of ‘multiple streams of income’.  With the recent announcements of the wealth building and business acumen of celebrities such as Beyonce, Serena Williams and Rihanna, it is obvious that one of the roads to wealth and financial stability is the ability to have several streams of income and the ability to make money in more than one arena.

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Photo Courtesy of Balleralert.com

Another important topic that was addresses was the cultural relationship we have with money.  Unfortunately, for many of us in the Black community, this is not nor has it been a happy, healthy relationship.  It is time to do the work to change the dynamic of this relationship and kill those generational curses that have held many in the Black community in a culture and love relationship with poverty and struggle.  This no longer has to be the paradigm.

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One of the most powerful take-aways from the day was that there are many ways to make money.  Many people feel that the stock market or traditional savings is the only way to build wealth.  This is not the case and the speakers and panelist did an excellent job in discussing various alternatives to the two traditional methods of gaining wealth.  There are many options, the key is to work with a financial advisor that has your best financial interest at heart, do the work, get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and just do it.

Another recurring theme from the workshop was the power of discipline.  Yes, we need discipline in our financial lives as well.  This can be as simple as honestly wrapping your mind around the concept of paying yourself first.  I am sure we have all heard that before, but do we do it.  I can honestly say that I don’t but it is something that I plan to put into place immediately.  Most things we do in life require hard work and discipline.  Why should our money be any different?  In the words of the late great Donna Summer, “We work hard for the money,” so why aren’t we more disciplined when it comes to what we do with the money?

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The ladies were also able to introduce complex financial terms in a manner that was easy to understand and unintimidating.  Concepts such as Financial Needs Analysis, 1031 Exchange Depreciation on Real Estate and Crowdfuding.  These were just some of the concepts that the panelists and speakers were able to discuss with the audience.

My take away from the workshop was that there is no time like the present to get started.  There are some safe and non-risky investment options out there for those (like me) who may be afraid of losing money in the stock market.  However, my truth is that I really do not understand the market, so I need to do some research and thing long term and smart about what I do with my money.  I have been working on my cultural relationship with money, and understand that there is more work for me to do in that area of my life.  I know that the saying ‘No Risk, No Reward’ is also true in the financial industry.  I left the workshop with some definite financial goals in mind, something that I cannot honestly say I was ready for Saturday morning.

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Brown Girls DO Invest is currently on tour.  I recommend if you are a Brown Girl and want to see your money work for you instead of only working for your money that you go to their Facebook page (link here) and see where they are going next.  Trust me, you will feel more inspired and ready to make some strategic changes to your financial portfolio.  And if you don’t currently have a portfolio, you will leave there with a plan to start working on yours immediately.

Until Next Time!

Be Blessed, Be Fabulous!

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