New work
February 10th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Worked with a great team recently on a beauty shoot and can’t wait to see how all of the images turned out. We did a clean, natural beauty look and then ramped it up with teased hair, smokey eyes, nude and red lips. Here’s the natural look for now. Will post the other looks after all of the post production is done.
Photographer: Katherine Gaines/AmbientEye.com
Hair: Lisa Anderson
Model: Gloria Culleton
Makeup: Yours truly
Faces of Truth: Beauty Marathon
July 27th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
I have worked with Ajani Truth Photography on several occasions, and this is one event you don’t want to miss!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Washington, DC July 21, 2011)—When Beauty Photographer Ajani Truth originated the Faces of Truth: Beauty Marathon he wanted to push himself creatively and give make-up artists a chance to showcase their work. Three years later, the event is picking up speed—and sponsors—as one of the premiere beauty photography events in the Washington, DC area.
The Faces of Truth: Beauty Marathon invites 10 make-up artists to participate. Each make-up artist is assigned a model and challenged to produce a clean beauty look during their shoots. “It’s not just a day of shooting, it’s an event. Those attending the meet and greet are able to network and share their portfolios while seeing selected shoots from start to finish,” said Ajani. This year also includes a meet-and-greet networking event for others including experienced and aspiring models, make-up artists and photographers. Make-up and lash extension artist Lisa Carter McPhee, who participated last year says, “The beauty marathon is an excellent way to meet other make-up artists, stylists, and models.” McPhee has worked with models from the past event and plans to attend the upcoming marathon.
Another first for the event is Ajani’s upgraded photography studio, Studio 400. The 3500-square-foot DC-based beauty and fashion studio is twice the size of the previous studio. Ajani wants attendees to know that the beauty marathon is a place to work hard and play hard. “While it is a lot of work packed into one day, there are giveaways, refreshments, wine and great people, so my hope is that everyone remembers to have fun too.”
For more information about Faces of Truth: Beauty Marathon visit ajanitruth.com/event or contact info@ajanitruth.com.
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Beauty Photographer, Ajani Truth, has been featured in The Business of Professional Modeling and various national and local publications. He is also known for his music and fashion photography in the Washington, DC area. His work can be found at www.ajanitruth.com.
For media inquiries, contact Candace Habte at girlwithwords@gmail.com or (202) 436-0047.
Joan Smalls Global Spokesmodel for Estée Lauder
December 15th, 2010 § 2 Comments
Joan Smalls, new global spokesmodel for the Estée Lauder brand. Photo courtesy Estée Lauder.
If you haven’t heard of Joan Smalls, that is sure to change. This rising high fashion and editorial model who hails from Puerto Rico is the new face of Estée Lauder for skin care and cosmetics. She will join Estée Lauder’s roster of global beauties – Hilary Rhoda, Carolyn Murphy, Elizabeth Hurley, Constance Jablonski and Liu Wen – and debut in its global advertising campaigns beginning May 2011.
Joan made her debut in the world of high fashion in January 2010 when she was featured as the exclusive model for Ricardo Tisci’s Givenchy F/W 2010 Couture Show in Paris. Since then, she has quickly ascended to fashion’s top ranks by appearing on the runways in New York, Paris and Milan, for designers including Marc Jacobs, Prada, Gucci, Jil Sander, Derek Lam, Givenchy and Louis Vuitton.
Joan has also become a favorite of top fashion photographers including Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, Patrick Demarchelier, Mikael Jansson, David Sims and Craig McDean. She has appeared in editorials in the American, French, German and Italian editions of Vogue, as well as in Interview and I.D. Magazine.
I can’t wait to see more of Joan on the runway and print!
Photos courtesy The Fashion Spot
HAUTE Beauté: Vogue Africa
July 8th, 2010 § 1 Comment
credit: Mario Epanya via Jezebel.com
Unfortunately, these aren’t real Vogue covers. These amazing shots were done by Cameroonian photographer Mario Epanya on what a Vogue Africa could look like. There’s no doubt that women all over the continent are interested in fashion and beauty, and there are many talented designers on the continent as well. But it would be a feat for one magazine to fairly represent an entire continent that has so many countries, cultures and perspectives. Nevertheless, as a subscriber to American Vogue, I would love to see a Vogue Africa. Even moreso, how about having more beautiful brown skin on the covers of American Vogue too!
Makeup for Beyoncé’s Band “The Suga Mamas”
May 23rd, 2010 § 4 Comments
I had the pleasure of doing makeup for the lovely ladies of Beyoncé’s all-girl band “The Suga Mamas” for her performance at the White House State dinner in honor of Mexico last week. Myself and two other talented artists got the ladies all glam with a makeup look that Beyonce herself also rocked: neutral eyes with cat eyeliner, red lips, pretty highlighted cheeks and a touch of silver glitter in the inner corners of the eyes.
Beyonce leaves the W hotel on the way to the White House State Dinner last week. credit: BeyonceFan.com
Here are some of the products I used to get the Suga Mamas ready to hit the stage with Lady B:
FOUNDATION Graftobian Super Palettes. Love this foundation. Goes on smooth; has buildable coverage and little goes a long way. EYE PRIMER Cinema Secrets. It gives serious staying power to eye shadows. EYESHADOWS Neutral colors from various palettes. EYE LINER Natural Born Cosmetics’ waterproof black gel eyeliner for the cat eye set with a matte black eyeshadow. BROWS ARTISTRY Brow Define in Deep Brown and MAC Strut brow pencil; MASCARA Loreal Voluminous; CHEEK HIGHLIGHT MAC Dazzlelight eyeshadow and Silver Dusk powder; LIPS Mehron L.I.P. Night Palette. I love these lipsticks that a fellow MUA turned me onto. They apply like butter and to keep the color from bleeding and slipping, I mixed with a little translucent powder. Velvet Rose looked good on the ladies. GLITTER For the final pop, I applied NYC’s Silver glitter in the inner corners. This makeup look was a great complement to the various red ensembles they performed in.
Beyonce and her band pose with President and Michelle Obama. credit: Beyoncefan.com
Michelle Obama Wows Again at State Dinner
May 20th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
I love seeing our first lady all glammed up. And she certainly didn’t disappoint for the state dinner in honor of Mexico on Wednesday. She rocked a curly coiffure that I’m totally loving. Her makeup was flawless. Loved the soft pink lips and touch of bluish-silver shimmer eye shadow which played nicely off of her sparkling blue one-shouldered Peter Soronen gown and silver statement belt. She looked fabulous! Way to work it Mrs. Obama.
Jac in Vogue Nippon Beauty
April 1st, 2010 § 2 Comments
Spreads like this leave me breathless. When my brother emailed me some of the pictures from the beauty supplement of Vogue Nippon’s May issue, I IMMEDIATELY responded to his message: HOT DAMN! Pardon the slip, but it was an honest reaction. I read that IMG represented model Jac Jagaciak is a newer face in the game but this editorial spread would have me believe she is seasoned. I love spreads like this and it’s been a while since once has excited me. It’s clean, fresh, elegant, modern and just plain smokin’ hot! Photographed by Solve Sundsbo. Love love love the exquisite and beautiful makeup by Val Garland. Styling by George Cortina. As a makeup artist, I was drawn to the tight face shots but check out other images on one of my brother’s favorite fashion blogs JEЯEMYDANTÉ. I also peeped them on Fashionising.com.
TREND Beauté: Chanel Transfer Tattoos
January 12th, 2010 § 6 Comments
I don’t think I’ll ever get inked permanently. And if the temporary tattoo craze continues, I won’t have too. Chanel sent its models down the spring/summer 2010 catwalk covered in transfer tattoos, and it looks to be the hottest new beauty trend of the season. Take a look at the illusions of chain bracelets (complete with logo pendants) developed by creative director Peter Philips.
“This ‘rocker image’ of tattoos will make quite an appealing contrast to this spring’s otherwise quite romantic theme featuring lots of florals, ruffles, and transparent materials,” says an industry insider.
Fifty-five different designs, packaged under the name of Les Trompe L’Oeil de Chanel, will start selling online for around $75 and in international department stores such as Selfridges starting March 1. Not ready to splurge that much on temporary tats? Then check out a more affordable option here.
TREND Beauté: Spring 2010 Nails
January 11th, 2010 § 2 Comments
Nail trends for spring cover a range of colors and looks, and promise something for everyone. Read on to see what looks suit you.
PUTTY I’m loving Chanel who’s going putty for spring. If nudes or neutrals are your preference, then this palette may suit you. Their big “IT” color is Particuliere, a violet-based putty taupe. I hear it’s a whole new take on gray polish and works on fingers and toes for any skin tone. I may have to splurge ($23) and give it a try. The other colors are Tendresse, a soft sheer pink; and Inattendu, a nude-beige cream with peachy undertones. The colors will be available by the end of January at select Chanel counters. « Read the rest of this entry »
