Prototype Issue
Showing off Their Roots
By Judi Jordan & Robin Black
(page 1 of 2)The lens of legendary photographer Philip Dixon documents the bloodlines of beauty. Virtual continent hopping in a single spin around LA, he captured these LA women with roots in India, Africa, Japan, Trinidad, El Salvador and America.
Jenny Shimizu, of Japanese descent, was born and raised in California and has been in LA for 15 years. Charismatic and deliciously notorious, Shimizu can be spotted tearing around town on her Ducati or Harley.
Tsehaie, our Ethiopian/Eritrean beauty, was born and raised in Sweden and lives near the Santa Monica beach. A fiery, passionate athlete, artist and actress, Tsehaie resonates with LA culture: “People bring their dreams here. There’s a lot of magic, really.”
Of Trinidadian and English heritage, outgoing Sophia Audain relocated to Los Feliz from Brooklyn. The former fashion student is charmed by the tranquil East Hollywood-adjacent neighborhood: “Compared to New York, this is really quiet.”
Serene, modest and soft-spoken, ethereal beauty Karen Manco is of Salvadorean heritage. Born and raised in Bell Gardens, Manco lives in Hollywood.
Chicago transplant Machiko Harris is a unique cultural mix: Japanese, African American and Native American. Living on and off in LA for two years, she has come to love the sun-kissed city. “It’s so laid-back here that it makes the way of life a little bit more stress-free.”
Teesha Lobo’s roots are in the idyllic Indian paradise of Goa. Her family relocated to Orange County. Lobo’s love of dance culture is reflected in her versatile range as a performer: She is an expert in Middle Eastern, Latin, tap and jazz dance styles. A true LA girl, she loves sushi and In-N-Out Burger.
Make-up Credits and Description (Provided by Robin Black)
Model 1: Jenny Shimizu (Japanese) To create Jenny’s natural glow, look for a base make-up with a warm golden tone such as Cle de Peau’s Concealer Stick in Ocher and Creamy Foundation in 020. Although these products provide full coverage, their luxurious satin finish keep skin looking fresh and dewy. There is no need for powder unless you find your t-zone gets overly shiny. If that happens, try applying a small bit of translucent powder just to that area using a puff to set it. Skip the usual pink or red blush and try applying a gold based bronzing powder to the cheekbone for a subtle sun kissed look. Stila’s Bronzing Powder in Sun has a nice balanced undertone without too much red. Asian eyelashes tend to be straight and a bit on the short side. To remedy this, try Imju’s Fiber Wig mascara. Developed and manufactured in Japan just for Asian lashes, it recently made its debut stateside at Sephora. To finish off the look, Jenny’s eyebrows were very lightly filled in using Stila’s Brow Set duo in Medium and a touch of Stila’s Lip Glaze in Praline was applied.
Model 1 Product List: Cle de Peau Creamy Foundation in 020 Cle de Peau Concealer Stick in Ocher Cle De Peau Eyebrow Pencil in 102 Stila Bronzing Powder in Sun Stila Lip Glaze in Praline Imju Fiber Wig Mascara
Model 2: Tsehaie (Ethiopian/Eritrean) Tshai’s gorgeous skin was perfected with the help of Classified Cosmetic’s Era Spray On Foundation in R10. The spray on foundation eliminates the need for concealer (just apply an extra coat in areas requiring additional help) or powder while providing a smooth, full-coverage, finish. NARS Cheek Powder in Exhibit A, a bright red-orange shade, was swept over the apples of the cheeks. Using colors that verge on pure pigments (particularly those with red or orange base) brightens up darker skin and adds a pop. Avoid colors mixed with white pigment (such as pinks, pale peaches, etc.) as they look ashy on darker skin. A thick coat of Dior Show Black Mascara emphasizes her naturally taupe colored eyelids and her eyebrows were coaxed into shape with MAC’s Clear Brow Set. NARS Lip Liner in Ecuador applied over the entire lip and a very sheer coat of NARS Lip Gloss in Babe (very sheer red-orange) complete the look.
Model 2 Product List: Classified Cosmetic’s Era Spray On Foundation in R10 NARS Cheek Powder in Exhibit A NARS Lip Liner in Ecuador NARS Lip Gloss in Babe Dior Show Mascara in BlackOut MAC Clear Brow Set
Model 3: Teesha Lobo (Indian) For Teesha’s earthy sensuality we used Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation in Tawny (6.5) with matching Retouch Concealer. This foundation has an amazing finish and a subtle golden undertone that works beautifully with her coloring. The concealer was applied to the eyelids as well as under the eyes, lightning up the darker skin tones in those areas. NARS Torrid Cheek color (a vivid gold flecked coral) was swept across the apples of the cheeks and blended toward the temples. Teesha’s incredibly thick lashes needed only a light coat of Armani’s Soft Lash, a natural looking lash enhancer. Her eyebrows were sculpted with Stila’s Medium Brow Set and then a slick of NARS Giza Lip Gloss (a honey nectar shade) was applied.
“People bring their dreams here. There’s a lot of magic, really.”
Model 3 Product List: Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in Tawny (6.5) Armani Skin Retouch Concealer in Tawny (6.5) NARS Cheek Powder in Torrid NARS Lip Gloss in Giza Armani’s Soft Lash in Black Stila’s Brow Set in Medium
Model 4: Machiko Harris (Japanese, African American and Native American) Machiko’s exotic beauty was enhanced with a mixture of Classified Cosmetics Era Spray On Foundation in Y7 and R9. The colors (one a yellow base, the other a red) were sprayed into the hand, mixed and then applied with a foundation brush over the entire face, including the eyelids. NARS LoveJoy Cheek Color (a bronzed rose) was brushed over the cheekbones and toward the temple, emphasizing her defined bone structure. Two coats of Imju Fiber Wig Mascara were applied to the upper lashes only to open up the eye shape. Machiko’s eyebrows were filled in and shaped using Stila’s Brow Set in Dark. When using colored eyebrow powders or pencils, it is important to wipe the excess product off the actual brow hairs or they tend to look heavily made up. A brow brush, a disposable mascara wand or even a toothbrush will work well for this purpose. Finally the entire lip was filled in with MAC’s Honey B Lip Liner and a slick of Clear Lip Glass for a nice sheen.
Model 4 Product List: Classified Cosmetics Era Spray On Foundation in Y7 and R8 NARS Cheek Color in Love Joy MAC Lip Liner in Honey B MAC Lip Glass in Clear Imju Fiber Wig Mascara Stila’s Brow Set in Dark
Model 5: Karen Manco (Salvadoran) Karen’s natural skin tone is a beautiful light olive but for this photo shoot we decided to take her several shades darker. Using Stila Illuminating Foundation in 80 Watts, we covered her face and entire body, being careful to blend in an even amount. To add shimmer and a deeper tone, we mixed a bit of Dr. Hauscha’s Translucent Bronze Complex into the foundation base. Products such as bronze complexes and gels are a great way to add a touch of summer to your usual lotion or foundation. Once Karen had her instant tan, a light dusting of Stila Bronzing Powder in Sun 2 under her cheekbones with a pop of Stila’s Brava Cheek Color placed right on the apples of the cheek added definition to her face shape. Dior’s Powder Brow Pencil in Sand was then used to smooth and fill in the brows . One coat of Dior Show Mascara in Black and a light layer of Stila’s Tangerine Lip Gloss finish the look.
Model 5 Product List: Dr Hauschka Translucent Bronze Complex Stila Illuminating Foundation in 80 Watts Stila Bronzing Powder in Sun 2 Stila Cheek Color in Brava Stila Lip Glaze in Tangerine Dior Show Mascara in Black Dior Powder Brow Pencil in Sand
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