KLS.

Believe what others see in you. -Kimora Lee Simmons

Kimora Lee Simmons, my older cousin, in my head, wrote that in her book, Fabulousity, and its’ stuck with me for years. There are plenty of times that I don’t always have the confidence I should have but then I remember, Believe in what others see in you. My best friend, Jeff, literally tells me all the time how beautiful I am, and I usually try to get him to tone it down. ME? Beautiful? Gorgeous? Like seriously? And everyday? Cant be. Not me.

I had to stop thinking of myself as not being beautiful. I’ve recently started only talking to myself positively, I don’t even joke with myself, negatively. I don’t want any of those ideas in my head. I am beautiful and I, above all have to believe it, but … I do fall short. I am still a work in progress. On the days I feel my best, I capture it with a photo, or a million.

Whats ur strategy when not feeling so gorgeous? How do you hype yourself?

Tristan J

Body Me Up

First, Chicago was beautiful today! Oh my gosh. It’s been too long since I’ve been able to truly feel the sun on my face. This was the perfect ending to the weekend!

I was able to visit the Market for Makers today, and boy, I think I’ve found a few new body care companies, bonus two out of the three I supported today are black owned. There is just something about seeing folks who look like you, selling something that is amazingly good for my skin. I’m already headed to being a super fan. I’ll admit it, I’m a lover of anything vanilla scented, and Southern Girl Skincare had just what I needed. So of course the first product I touched was Suga Cookie. Upon my initial deep smell, I was transported back to a cabin, where I was sitting in front of the first, drinking my hot chocolate and eating a snickerdoodle cookie. It was magnificent without being too sugary sweet. I knew for sure I just had to have it, plus it was the VERY last one, Score! Because I could not choose between well butter my cocoa and Oh Scarlett, I just threw both in the bag! Cue Fab’s, “Just throw it in the bag”

There had been a crowd around Mocha Tree Organics, every single time I had tried to get a peek at the body scrubs, but finally (!!) the crowd had dissipated. I made a run for the table before anyone could notice. So many options of scrubs all pleasantly scented, it was hard to choose, so naturally I tested the first item my hand touched, Basil Bay Rum. Such an earthy but extremely moisturizing scent/product, I paired my experience with Jasmine Rose because where’s there’s jasmine, there’s me! A small amount truly goes a long way, after my much needed hand scrub, I could not stop touching my hands and relishing in how soft it was. For the rest of the day, I could do nothing more than caress my throughly moisturized hands!

But don’t take my word, check out Mochatreeorganics.com and Southerngirlskin.com

You’re Welcomed, Tristan Jonez.

Flower Power

In my next trick, I will be a floral photographer. I’m always super excited when the light hits a flower just right, when I have company, a bee/an insect, who is admiring the art just as I am, or just after it’s rained and the beads of water have yet to fall. San Jose doesn’t owe me a thing! Every single sidewalk, walkway and park was bursting with fresh flowers, even dying flowers but there’s beauty in death. It’s a goal/dream of mine to host a gallery of my photos. I’d like to believe I can do wonders, and what better way to show them off then putting them ALL on display. I can’t wait until I return to San Jose, California. There’s still so much for me to capture. Tristan Jonez

Beauty Related.

Now that I am a fan of lip colors, You cannot keep me away from a good red. Recently I’ve sampled Avenue from Colourpop Cosmetics, and its definitely love! In the sun, and on my shade of chocolate, it comes as a blend of red orange, but it pops. I’ve become fond of blessing my Cupid’s bow with a highlight, usually from NYX cosmetics. The specific shade I am wearing is Pinkie Dust, which is a golden rose highlight.

Tristan J.

Beauty Related.

Being a brown chocolate girl there are shades that I never thought I would be able to wear. Lighter shades of pink was amongst those colors but BAM! With the right lip liner you can conquer the World.

Recreate My Lips with Kat Von D Lip Liner in BloodMilk And NYX Soft Creme Matte In Milan.

Beauty Related.

Any Shade of purple is my go to. No, All shades of purple are my go to. There’s just something about purple that makes it a color that stands out on brown skin. Marvelous! I’m wearing NYX in Strawberry Parfait and Berry strudel, surprisingly they are both *Only* lip glosses! With NYX you can be assured that your lip colour will always be pigmented.

Less is always more with NYX Cosmetics.

Tristan J

Beauty Related.

I’ve searched high and low for a nude that would compliment my chocolate brown skin, and after plenty of trials and errors I’ve finally found it! NYX’s brand is one of my absolute favorites currently. I’ve always appreciated the lip glosses because it gives me not only a dose of Shine, it’s so very pigmented. I’ve blended Praline and Beyond Basic, which is their new slip tease full color lip oil. Because I am a chocolate cutie, I find that I don’t need much Beyond Basic. I first use Praline as a base coat of sorts, then I dab about three dots on my bottom lip and I blend my lips together then Voila! Magic is created! Also in this look I use my NYX’s bright idea illuminating stick in Sun Kissed Crush on my Cupid’s bow.

Tell me what to think? Simple but Chic!

Beauty Related.

I love Makeup! Specifically I love lip colours! I believe my first colour as an adult was NYX Transylvania, it’s this deep plum that has folks complimenting me left and right whenever I wear it! As much as I love colour, sometimes it’s hard to get an accurate depiction of what the color will look like on my skin color, and in natural light. So… since I’m going to wear the colours anyway, I figured I would become a “beauty blogger” and capture the shades while on my way to work, in natural light, using a bright orange backdrop, because why not?!

So I present my first installment. Love it!

This is ColourPop’s Collaboration with ILUVSARAHII, the color is Mamacita and I’m in love. It’s a matte formula but it’s perfect for the fall going into the winter season. I also used NYX’s Bright Idea Illuminating Stick in Sun Kissed Crush on my Cupid’s bow.

Tristan J

Baked By Carrie

Have you ever been so proud of someone, that your heart felt like it would burst? Can I tell you about my friend, and make up artist Baked by Carrie? Carrie is one of the sweetest but silliest human beings, I’ve come across in my life! I don’t think I’ve ever had a conversation with her that didn’t have at least ten minutes of straight laughter. I could be going thru, the worst moment, and Carrie will find a way to make a joke out of it. Not only is a she a professional artist, but her talents extend to photography, and a touch of videography. Recently she entered the NYX Face Awards, with her version of an Egyptian goddess, first I was blown away! I got a sneak peak at her projected ‘face’ but that was just a rough draft, so be able to see the full finished project! MY GOD!

Carrie blew it out of the water! From the first frame, it was like pow! I’m a damn Egyptian goddess, not only will you respect me, you will bow down and kiss my damn feet. I watched the video entry, feeling like a proud momma, watching her baby take her first steps. I’ve seen the progress from beginner to where she is now, and I’m blown away. I know for sure she is going to take her artistry as far as she’d like it to go. Unfortunately she did not move on to the next round of the Awards, BUT she killed it!

Be Sure to check her out on Youtube as Baked by Carrie. Trust me, she’s worth the Watch!

Tristan Jonez.