Tomara Watkins is a woman of many talents. A recent graduate of Howard University, she found her  calling three years ago when she began to pursue her true talent of becoming a makeup artist. She started her career ”behind the counter” as a makeup artist at Macy’s for the Bobbi Brown line and also has honed her skill at MAC. Her goals have been elevated to overdrive and she has become a sought after make-up artist, transforming blank canvases into works of art on many different editorial and fashion photoshoots. Her days are spent traveling to NYC and adding many new works to her portfolio.  Last year she debuted her site, T Watkins Beauty to showcase her finished products. This is just chapter 1 in the story of Tomara. Who knew a chemistry major would blossom into a modern day Picasso?

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: When did you fall in love with cosmetics?
Tomara: I came out the womb with an L’Oreal Juicy tube in hand…lol. I always snuck and played with my mother’s makeup when she left the house. I would go and try to put her foundation on, especially. Then there’s the moment I stumbled upon Kevyn Aucoin’s book face forward, because I was looking for books on sewing in the library (I thought I was going to become a seamstress). And there are also the times when I would sit home on Friday nights and read Seventeen magazine, and I remember Ashanti saying that she wore MAC and Bobbi Brown lip-gloss. I clipped the article out, because I would be traveling to Houston for the summer (I lived in the Maybury of Florida) and I knew there would be one of those stores there. My cousin offered to purchase me some new lip-gloss while I was at The Galleria and I found myself in the MAC store. He said that I could get anything I wanted, and I left with clear lip glass (the sticky stuff…lol). I wore that lip glass and I thought I was the S#$%, until my guy friend innocently asked me if I had just ate some chicken, because my lips were so shiny….lol.

 STYLE & SUBSTANCE: You have worked hard on the sales floor in retail, “pushing beauty” what was the hardest part of the job?
Tomara: Convincing women that the things that they considered flaws weren’t as big of a deal as they thought. Also, just dispelling all of the beauty myths that are out there. For instance, I had a woman tell me that black womenshouldn’t wear red lipstick…and just showing her that she could…just find the right shade. And encouraging women to take care of their skin. Well, at first I didn’t find anything really difficult about the ob. I loved it!! When my counter wasn’t busy I would visit other counters to see if I couldfind new products that I hadn’t discovered. But eventually, I started to get bored, because I didn’t have a true creative outlet. I would always get excited when new products would launch because the visuals stimulated me so much creatively. I would say to myself that that is what I wanted todo, so once I realized that and started testing the hardest part became having to be there.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What are the three products every person should have in their beauty arsenal?
Tomara: I’ll give you 6 (I’m an over achiever):
1. A great moisturizer (this is even for you oily girls)…really a great
skincare regimen.
2. Mascara
3. Undereye concealer ….this can take away all of those late nights, by making you looked rested. Don’t forget the eye cream
4. Bronzer….quick and easy way to give your skin a glow
5. A natural looking blush …
6. Semi Matte Lipstick …this is great when you need to lookprofessional….lip gloss can be a bit distracting in these situations.

STYLE& SUBSTANCE: What well-known makeup artist or model really personifies true beauty to you ?
Tomara: Iman. Even at 50, she still maintains herself and looks amazing. She is also very comfortable in her skin and encourages everyone else to be as well.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What are the beauty “no-no’s” that you see women use, which just looks horrible!!??
Tomara: Soooo many….too much blush for daytime, wrong shade and formulation of foundation. Test foundation on your jaw line and blush should look natural….enhancements…

STYLE&SUBSTANCE: Your best work you have done to date? [Whether a photo shoot or you choose..
Tomara: Cover of Highlights Magazine (not the kiddie magazine…I get that a lot). It should be in bookstores now.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What are your long-term goals?
Tomara: I would love to be a key makeup artist at Fashion Week, and to one day become the creative director of my own brand.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What have you learned the most as a budding artist in this business?
Tomara: Just because you have talent doesn’t mean that the jobs will come to you. If you have talent, you have to go out there and network with everyone.It’s a hustle!!!

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: The FASHION/BEAUTY industry is now beginning to see our beauty as an asset, do you think this new resurgence in the BLACK FACE OF BEAUTY will last?
Tomara: You know….I think black beauty has always been celebrated, but only in small numbers. For instance, back in 90’s there was only room for a few top black models and really only 2. If you ask the average person to name two famous black models, I am sure we all know what names would come up. I just hope that moving forward there is room for more and that every aspect of beauty is addressed, including Latinas, Indians, Asians, anyone that has been underrepresented in the world of beauty.

 STYLE & SUBSTANCE: In your own words describe what is style and substance? Tomara: Originality and Creativity at its best.
Classic.

Makeup Artist: T Watkins
Photography: GL Wood

Tastemaker Tamera Darden, is taking NYC to another level. On her site, Tha Look Book, she spotlights all the hip and happening trends that  have made an impact on the world of entertainment and fashion. Ms. T is a SuperWoman of sorts, by day she works at the mammonth “Big Fashion Company” and by night is a social butterfly networking through the city like a speed of light. When she has down time Tamera is also building her new wardrobe consulting business, LaShawn Denise Consulting which will launch in September! Her site is a kalideoscope of all the information that NEEDS to be on your radar. Upcoming events. New designers. Hot accessories. Music. Random thoughts. Tamera has got you covered.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE:Right now, what are the essentials in your purse?
I try not to carry many things, but I always have in my purse in any given time Clinique Moisturizing Lip Balm, Mac lipstick in Syrup, my wallet, my tiny silver card case, bliss hand cream, my ipod, my red journal to write whatever comes to mind, a camera and I always keep an international Vogue handy.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE:How long could you survive without your Blackberry?
There have been times when I’ve “accidentally” left my blackberry at home. If people really, really needed to contact me, I can be reached at work when at “retail giant” or via email since I have three accounts. I am definitely reachable most of the time.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE:What are the trends for fall in fashion?
Definitely a return to femininity for starters. Exaggeration is at its decadence with thigh-high boots from Louis Vuitton and the heel-less heels from Nina Ricci. Bold colors are still in including neon pinks and greens (Marc Jacobs) to purple hues (nina ricci). I really loved Ralph Lauren’s Fall ‘09 line as well as Louis Vuitton Fall ‘09 Paris and Dolce and Gabbana Fall ‘09 lines for the return of the power suit.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE:You are a classy 20-something, how do you stay fly and eat in NYC?
The recession has affected everyone, including the chic. I usually bring lunch from home. However, if I do dine out, I like to go to chill spots throughout the city: Cafetasia, Cafeteria, Habana Outpost and Native to name a few. I think the better question is how do I remain fly and fit with so many choices?!

STYLE & SUBSTANCE:What is your mantra for success?
When I was younger, I went through life not speaking up for myself. Then I realized you never get what you really want because you do not speak up. The worst anyone can say is “no.” And the majority of the time, just from my experiences, people will actually say yes because you said something.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE:You work for a “Big Fashion Company” how do you juggle your full time commitments with aspirations for FULL FASHION-world DOMINATION?
Wow, I wouldn’t exactly say World-Domination, but close. Juggling both masks is definitely a task in and of itself. Sometimes I can easily pull 12-hour days at “Retail Giant” and then come home and work 3-4 hours towards my business and blog. It is simply just a matter of knowing when to push yourself and when to just say its time to take a chill pill before the body naturally shuts down.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE:Has urban fashion really run its course? If so what is next, your predictions?
I actually talked about this with a friend of mine not too long ago. It is funny because not too long ago, fashion houses looked to the urban cities for inspiration to make a profit in the end of course. Now I feel like the tables have turned, with the popularity of skinny jeans, converse sneakers and plaid shirts, it is as if those same neighborhoods are playing catchup because some are still in the baggy jeans mentality. Just only a few years ago like 2 years ago did you really begin to see people wearing slim-fit jeans and the like. I say this long dissertation to say urban fashion is slowly but surely evolving. It is almost as if urban fashion is beginning to assimilate into mainstream style.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE:Besides Rihanna, who’s style is really making you take a second look?
Someone’s style that has me question anything is Amber Rose. She definitely takes risks. But I would too if I dated Kanye West.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE:What’s next for you?
Still working at “retail giant” and waiting for that promotion wink wink. My blog ThaLookbook is definitely on the rise and I am happy to see that my hard work is beginning to pay off. I am also expanding my fashion emporium in my plans of full-fashion world domination (laughing out loud) being a fashion stylist and image consultant. There are so many things that I want to do before my time is up on this earth. I just want to make the most of it doing the things I love to do.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE:In your own words what is style and substance?

In the words of Yves Saint Laurent, “Fashion fades, Style is Eternal.” Therefore, substance is achieved when your style is truly an extension of your personality. Fashion should never consume you.

Contact: info@lashawndenise.com

Who knew a spilled bottle of nail polish on a Vogue Magazine could ignite a creative spark? Visual artist, Tanekeya Word’s collection entitled Donna Di lusso has catapulted into a successful creation of colorful vibrant work that has been showcased at art galleries nationally. Tanekya honed her skills at Howard University; found her “artistic voice” and has created many collections that showcase her love of Andy Warhol, using elements derived from fashion, popular culture, and music. Her days are spent creating new pieces and everything around is used for future inspiration. This artist is also an entrepreneur and has sold many of her pieces and also sells them online as well here.Tanekeya took a small break from creating to tell me more about her goals and why art has changed her life.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: When did you know you were an artist?
Ms. Word: I’ve always known; but I think my mother who is also an artist but chose to become a nurse in order to take care of her four daughters nurtured it. So, because of her sacrifice I am now able to live my dream and hers.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: Have you ever thought of yourself as a “9-5” person and why or why not?
Ms. Word: Yes, I love business and working a 9-5 can be wonderful if you are living what you love. I also love being a professional artist too and working a 9-5 is so much easier because the 8-hour days are shorter than my usual 13-18 hour days spent in the studio creating.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE :In the past what was the one moment that you knew that Art was you’re calling? (A special event in your life. Mentor?)
Ms. Word: I realized that I love to paint after taking a Mixed Media Painting course with Dr. James Phillip of AfriCobra who was also my painting professor; then I was exposed to the art history and business side by Dr. Teresia Bush another Howard Professor and then I sold my first painting out of school for $1,000 and the rest is in the making.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: Describe your creative process.
Ms. Word: I dream, I watch, I read, I write, I listen, I paint.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What are you long term goals?
Ms. Word: To inspire, create and empower while being the best person I can be and of course being a creative mastermind.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: In five words or less describe your time at Howard University?
Ms. Word: Oh, how I love thee!

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What are you working on right now?
Ms. Word: Painting daily and working on a few projects. I am a year and a couple months into one of the projects and it’s expected to debut in a year or so.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: Do you see a void in the Black Arts Community in regards to young talent? And if yes how are you combating this problem?
Ms. Word: I actually see so many talented artists in the black community, some of which hail from Howard University…there is no shortage in talent in this world of ours; but there is a shortage in the way the art is represented and a shortage in African-American collectors. I would hope that our generation will become more involved with supporting the arts and collecting these cultural artifacts…they may not be our ancestors’ artifacts but they will be the next generations’ history.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What artist, dead or alive inspires you?
Ms. Word: I would have to say Andy Warhol!

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: In your own words what is style and substance?
Ms. Word: Style is personality personified. Substance is character personified.

Photo Credit: “Donna Di lusso” photographer Kea Dupree

Artist: Tanekeya Word