Style & Beauty Guide Part I:by J. Dervon

I would like to introduce to you my good friend J. Dervon. I asked him to contribute to my site with his awesome Style and Beauty tips! So Enjoy

 Good day, fireflies!

I am , your token Style & Beauty Guide --

I'm here to give you timeless fashion & beauty tidbits!

With little to no formal training, I initiated the realization of my dreams by working as an assistant to two of the industries renown stylists, Skylar Barnes (clients include Nelly & his group members) & Texanna Watts. After a few years of assisting, I ventured out on my own to work for a few high profilers around the city of New Orleans, shopping for family. After I realized, I had the potential to become an amazing stylist, along came the interest in makeup, I felt mastering the art of makeup would only fortify my business ventures - so I went forth to develop my 1^st makeup kit -- desiring success -- but, not expecting to be taken seriously. Little did I know! Months after beautifying a few for proms & other events - my capabilities were witnessed by Carolina Gallop, the “Mouth of the South” in New Orleans and she presented me with the opportunity to handle beauty & wardrobe styling for her fashion shows. Shortly after being exposed to the “realio-dealio” industry of fashion, I flew to New York to further my career, once I returned to New Orleans in 2008 - I was asked to join the “My Black is beautiful” campaign; after a few years of touring, I was given the Lead Beauty Ambassador title and I have to say, this beauty & fashion “thing” is inevitably my calling! ;))

So, let’s talk image. 

I would like to start off by saying: Perception is reality. Contrary to what we may think, other people’s perceptions of us, is what REALLY matters. So, we have to question: how would you gals like to be perceived? Do you want to be viewed as the young lady (or fellow) who takes his career more seriously than he/she does her image? Or do you want to be seen as an individual who has it all intact; wardrobe, beauty & most importantly skin care? Which are the essentials to a professional and tactful image.

Your health is ULTIMATELY how your beauty is measured.

Which brings us to hygiene. How well you care for your skin is the FIRST thing spectators pay attention to. When your skin, hair & teeth look healthy -- you've got all the key elements to having a professional, well-kept image. Do I really need to go forth with saying, brush twice daily? Wear deodorant? Cleanse & moisturize your skin? Hmmm…Maybe I should. The number one thing we need to focus is the proper cleanser. 

Personally, Clean & Clear does the trick. And it’s universal enough to improve all skin types. Follow with an astringent. 

Use a masque twice weekly

 And most importantly cleanser is NOTHING without our trusting exfoliating scrub. 

St. Ives Apricot scrub works miracles! 

 

I’ve had many folks come to me and exclaim cleaning their face with soap is merely enough to keep their skin healthy. I disagree. In order to ignite skin renewal, we MUST and I repeat WE MUST remove all dead skin cells. That’ll give your skin that healthy glow we all anticipate, but can’t seem to master for some unapparent reason.

Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon