Sacred Artistry Creative Competition – Ice Queen – Winter Wonderland (End of Year Edition)

Hello all my Gorgeous Artistes out there

It’s finally here!! The seventh and final instalment of our Monthly Make-up Artistry Competition for 2011!!!

The theme as you can see is “Ice Queen – Winter Wonderland” – Now you may be scratching your head and thinking.. you’re all based in Nigeria, but makeup isn’t about boundaries, it’s not restricted to your location. Even if you’re sweltering in the heat, we want you to convince us that you’re in a magical “cold” fairytale!!

Feel free to use accessories and props and of course.. lashes!!

All photos must be raw unedited images and as always you can perform the makeup either on yourself or on a model.

Entries must be submitted by 27th December (we’re giving you a few days extra because of xmas). Results will be announced on Friday 30th December 2012 (what a way to end the year!!).

New Rules

This month we’re doing things a little different.  As this is our GRAND FINALE i’m sure you won’t mind.

There are 6 entrants in our finals, each of the winners of our monthly competition are now going head to head against each other to rise to the top and be crowned as the Sacred Creative Artist of the Year!

There won’t be any public voting this month (sorry guys). The entries will be judged by a panel of experts who will be marking the work based on

1. Creative Concept

and

2. Quality of Makeup Technique

Our panel of experts will grade each of the entries from 1st down to 5th place. Who ever scores the highest number of Judges votes will win!

We are immensley honoured to have a fantastic panel of independant Judges who are all highly respected in the beauty industry and who have supported our competition throughout. We’re pleased to be able to offer our entrants the chance to be critiqued by the very best of hands and minds:

Banke Meshida Lawal (BM Pro)

Eni Lise Balogun (Lise Beauty)

Funke Tonye-Preghafi (Gifys Daughter)

Bola Fadina (Blush Cosmetics)

Egor Effik (E4 PR)

In the event of a tie breaker then our Creative Director Lola Maja-Okojevoh will make the final decision.

Prizes

Drumroll!!

Ok.. so here comes the big one.. this month the winner gets it all.. literally.  There aren’t any second or third prizes.. just the big one.. so I don’t want to see any dulling.. Time to pull out all the stops and dig deeper than you ever have before, push your creativity to the limits because the winner of our GRAND FINALE walks away with:

Event: Champagne, Cupcakes & Curltalk – Sunday 18th December

Kinky Apothecary (who just happen to be our favourite natural hair company in the entire world) is celebrating their 2nd birthday!!

Join us in celebrating with them, and celebrate the beauty of that which we were born with naturally. There will be advice on hand regarding natural hair care, free samples and lots of shopping to be done.  The event which is hosted at Bogobiri House in Ikoyi is sure to be lots of fun so don’t miss out!

That Thin Colourful Line.

Nicki Minaj and Rihanna are two ladies I love when it comes to colourful bold eyeshadows. I love bold eyeshadows….when done properly it adds life and interest to a simple makeup look and speaks volumes without you actually speaking. But then someone who refuses to be caught with vibrant shadow but still wants that colour and vibrancy will ask….“how do I take part in the fun without going all the way? “

Tags: coloured eyeliner, Juliette okoli, Lola Maja-Okojevoh, makeup inspiration, makeup trend, Makeup Tutorial, picture tutorial

Video: The Importance of Colour

Ever since I was a child I’ve had a deep love of colours. I always loved painting and Art was one of my favourite subjects at school. I can honestly say that for me, the transition between working on canvas to painting beautiful makeup on a face was just the most logical natural step to take.  But understanding the relationships between colours is something that anyone can learn and is one of the most fundamental basics that any makeup artist should know.

Colour Theroy is a must in all aspects of our lives not just makeup. It can be applied to our clothes and home decor as well. May interior design and fashion courses start with education about colour. It’s all around us. Colour is everywhere and once you harness their power, you can transform your world!!

You can pick up wheels from any good beauty retailer or an arts and crafts store. But don’t worry if you’re in Lagos and can’t find any, Colour Wheels will be on sale at the Sacred Artistry Academy from January. Email us if you’d like to reserve yours now info@thesacredacademy.com

I found this really cool video explaining colour theory. It’s long but totally worth it.

Enjoy!

Tags: Choosing the right makeup colours, Makeup Colour Theory, Understanding Colour Theory

Walk on the Black side….If you dare.

So winter is upon us, well harmattan in Nigeria but its all winter as we have shorter days and longer nights. Speaking of Nights I have always wanted to try one of those black vampire type smokey eyes. I am not afraid of crazy colours but that is theone look that scares me. I recently worked on a client who wanted the look and I remembered also working on a model for a shoot that required the same look (picture below) and it inspired me to try it on myself. Hey, if she clould pull it off so well so can I. (its only make up right?)

Tags: Juliette okoli, Lola Maja-Okojevoh, Makeup Tutorial, smokey eyes

Here comes the Bride – The many faces of Beauty around the world

Someone asked me the funniest question the other day…

“Do you do weddings?”

Urm.. let me see.. YES!!  Of course I do?!?  As much as I love all things creative I also love all things beauty.  I believe in being a balanced all rounder. So even though one day i’m on set playing with blood effects the next I could be pampering and preening a beautiful bride. That’s one of the things that makes this job and this life I lead so interesting. Every day’s different. I can never get tired of “the same old same old” because no two days are actually the same.

For many make-up artists, weddings are the ‘bread and butter’ of their business. It’s where the most money lies. It’s regular reliable work.  But where many artists go wrong is that they lose the passion for the job.  It turns into a regular 9-5. Never ever forget that each bride truly is an individual. It shouldn’t be “paint by numbers aka one look suits all”.  Alot of people also tend to see weddings purely as cash cows. The price of everything goes through the roof.  Makeup Artists and Hairdressers need to ensure that they offer real value for money otherwise the client may go somewhere else, not because she doesn’t like what you’ve done at the trial but simply because she found someone cheaper. The old saying goes “you get what you pay for”, this goes both ways.  You can’t book a makeup artist simply based on price but if your portfolio and your experience don’t match your daily rate then you may find yourself with a lot of free weekends during the year.  Why not also consider adding further services to your resume. Learning basic bridal hairdressing and undertaking a beauty therapy course may cost you initially but will reap rewards long term. When I receive any enquiries for a job, i’m able to offer much more than just make-up on the day. I offer an entire package including hair styling, a course of facials, waxing, massage and nails. But make sure you know what you’re doing properly. Any job worth doing is worth doing it right. Otherwise, don’t do it at all. Lol

A strong portfolio will go a long way towards securing potential clients. Variety is the key.  Showing you can adapt and cater to their specific needs will make any bride feel that you will understand how they want to look on their big day. After all, it’s our job to make them feel like there has never been any more beautiful bride before them in the whole world.  I’ll be honest with you.  Applying the makeup is only 60% of the job. The rest is providing a first class service to the bride. From the moment you first speak to a potential client all the way through the trial up until the moment you zip her into her dress you can be more than just a makeup artist, you can be a comfort blanket. Someone who will relax her nerves, an advisor and a friend.  I’m still in contact with so many of the brides i’ve worked on, met some wonderful people and in one very funny instance found out we were cousins!  Creating a rapport with your client means that when one job ends, you can be guaranteed that other doors will be opened. As quickly as someone can recommend you, they can also warn others not to use you.

Tags: Asian Bridal Makeup, Bridal Beauty, Nigerian Bridal Makeup, Nigerian Weddings, Wedding Makeup Artist

Living & Loving Make-up – General Musings of an Abuja Make-up Artist by Omegie Nsofor

Hi everyone,

Well as it states, I’m a makeup artist based in Abuja but more importantly.. I’m the reigning champion of the Sacred Artistry Competition *big grin* – I was asked if I’d like to write an article for the site about what it’s like being a make-up artist in Nigeria. How could I say no?

So, just this week I was moaning about relocating. I was thinking maybe Lagos, and then I thought Benin City because I lived there for the most part of my life. What to do? I know if I have to stay in Lagos just the traffic alone would leave my head spinning but yet the hustle and bustle is so infectious. What to do? I decide to think of the things I love about Abuja and why I always felt connected to this town.

I remembered an instance where I had to help a fellow makeup artist do a bridal job because she was held up somewhere at the last minute. The wedding was to take place at 3.00pm and I got the call from my friend by 1.45pm. Everyone was sounding frantic especially the bride. I got her number and called to let her know I was on my way.  If you have ever been to Abuja, you know we have the largest roads ever. I was there in 15 minutes and the day was saved. Lol. I did the job and left. Hmmm, now thinking can I try this in Lagos??? No way!!!! Unless, I took an okada (motorbike) *giggling to myself*.

So that’s one point to Abuja and none to Lagos (sorry folks). I love the fact that I can leave my house 20 minutes to an agreed time and still arrive early. Traffic makes me tired. After thinking of just traffic I decide I am staying in Abuja. No more relocation for now.

Its raining Leaves….Thanksgiving/Autumn Inspired Look.

Today (24th of November) is thanksgiving day in America. Even though I am nigerian and in Nigeria I choose to celebrate thaksgiving because Americans take this day to honor God and thank Him for his blessing and grace and that is worth celebrating everyday.

I have a lot to be thankful for so in my classic Juliette way of celebrating I decided to do a thanksgiving inspired look.

The colours are similar to that of fall/autumn (one of my favourite seasons) oranges,reds,plums, and deeper shades of yellow and these colours compliment most skin and eye colours.

Tags: autumn, get the look, Juliette okoli, makeup inspiration, sleek eyeshadows, thanksgiving makeup

The Pregnancy Survival Kit: A Modern Day Woman’s Guide to Staying Fabulous

There are certain things that you take for granted in life.  The sun comes up in the morning, the moon comes out at night.  Christmas is in December and Pregnancy is a 9 month celebration of a woman’s femininity. A passage from being a simple female into a mother. It’s a declaration to the world that you have achieved what you’ve been place on this earth to do. You’ve created and given birth to a new life.

But they lied.

For centuries, we’ve been led to believe that it will all be over in 9 months. When in fact, it’s more like 10.  Pregnancy is calculated over 40 weeks. Apparently they don’t start counting  from the first day of your missed period but from the first day you last saw your period. But you can have a normal safe birth any time between 38 – 42 weeks. This is considered ‘full term’.  Confusing right!  It’s as if there has been a world wide mass conspiracy to slightly bend the truth regarding the length of time you’ll have to endure this little bundle of joy growing inside your womb. So it makes you wonder what else they either “forgot” to tell you or just downright lied about!  But never fear.. I’ll tell you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God.  In my 3 part expose, I’ll bring you all the hard hitting facts that will help prepare and guide you through this turbulent but very joyous time. Ok well.. maybe I’ve kinda slightly embellished the truth in certain areas of my narrative but hey, if you can’t laugh at yourself then you’ll be living a very sad life. I’d like to just give thanks to my amazing husband who puts up with my madness every day and who laughs with me throughout it all. And before anyone comes to crucify me, let me categorically state, I’d do it all over again. Tega is such a blessing our lives. But with all that mush set aside.. let’s get down to the nitty gritty..

I grew up in a family full of women, my husband comes from a very large family too and between us we have a combined number of 15 nieces and nephews.  I can’t even count the amount of friends that have had children, there are simply too many to even recall. So I don’t know where my lack of information came from, perhaps I wasn’t ready for the truth or perhaps there’s an unwritten subconscious rule and they just don’t want to traumatise you with all the full facts until it’s your turn.

In fact, I think I was probably the most unprepared person in this world to become pregnant. I didn’t even realize I was “up the duff” until about 3 months and even then I kept scratching my head like “how did that happen?” . My younger sister Ti very kindly sat me down one day and explained how exactly it must have happened and throughout the remaining months she most kindly referred to me as the 33 year old teenage pregnancy. 

If I knew the truth would I have voluntarily chosen this path?  Or would I have stuck to my original plan and become the Angelina/Madonna of Africa. I could have adopted some rich white children from the western world to restore the global economic balance.

Tags: Pregnancy SOS, Pregnancy Survival Guide

Sacred Artistry Creative Competition – A Celebration of Brides (Voting Now Closed)

Hello all my Gorgeous Artistes out there

Welcome to the sixth instalment of our Monthly Make-up Artistry Competition.

Theme

As usual, the rules are very simple. Each month we’ll set a different theme. All you have to do is interpret the theme however you like. It’s a creative competition so have fun with it! You can use adornments and costumes (if you’re brave).. heheh.. and of course.. Lashes!

This month is a very special month, today is 11/11/11!!!

(Ooh if you didn’t know we’re having a crazy sale this month to celebrate.. more info on our facebook page!)

I know usually the theme’s are “creative” and out of the norm, but this month, we’re celebrating a variety of things. Firstly both our Artistic Director Lola Maja-Okojevoh has been nominated as Makeup Artist of the Year for another award (FAB Magazine Makeup Artist of the Year). Add that to the others previously announced and that makes 4 this year! Woo Hoo We’re also celebrating with the Makeup Maestro Banke Meshida Lawal on her nominations (FAB Makeup Artist of the Year & Sideview Style Awards) as well as the launch of her new boutiques (Ikeja GRA & Abuja).   We’re very proud of our amazing sister in Art,  So to tie in with this, the theme this month is:

“Bridal Beauty”

Thousands of people worldwide have been reserving this date to celebrate their BIG day.  Numerically it’s a beautiful date for any couple to walk down the isle together.  It’s a well known fact that our Banke Meshida Lawal is one of the undisputed goddesses in the wedding industry.  She has worked tirelessly over the last few years to established her brand BM Pro as a force to be reckoned with.

And in her eagerly anticipated expansion, she is launching her new boutique this weekend in Ikeja GRA with the Abuja site soon to follow.

So, this month we’d encourage you to dust off your brushes and create the most beautiful, glamorous, gorgeous glowing brides you can.  But as you know by now, this isn’t just your usual run of the mill competitions, this is the Sacred Creative Competition.  And you know what that means.. Asian, Oriental, African or Western concepts of beauty, anything goes!   Many are now turning away from the conventional concept of beauty and embracing a more individual expression of their own and turning their special days into a truly personalised experience.

Rules

The makeup can either be done on yourself or on a model. We don’t mind. But they should be photographs you’ve taken yourself. We don’t allow any professionally photoshopped or airbrushed images.

The competition is open to makeup artists based within the US, UK, Europe and Nigeria!!

Photographs were initially submitted either through email to us or posted onto our group wall www.facebook.com/sacredartistry.

The competition was open for 2 weeks with all images being submitted by midnight Friday 25th November .  Public voting is open for 24 hours closing at midnight Saturday 26th September 2011. The winner will be announced on Monday 28th November.

This month is the last chance for all you budding artists to win a monthly competition before our December Christmas Grand Finale.  Only the monthly winners are invited to enter into a head to head battle for the end of year crown .. and of course prizes.. Don’t miss out!!

VOTING

You can either vote using the poll below or through our facebook page above by clicking the “like” button on the photograph.

Please note.. the poll will close after Midnight on Saturday 26th November 2011.

PRIZES

This month up for grabs is an assortment of goodies courtesy of BM Pro And don’t forget a gorgeous sets of lashes from our very own Sacred Lashes range.  As well as the title of “Sacred Artistry Makup Artist of the Month”

And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the launch of  Banke’s new studio this Sunday. It’s an evening of fun with music, shopping and makeup advice. Denrele Edun will be on the Red carpet Korede Photonimi will be doing beauty shots capturing everyone looking their best. A hats and fascinator showcase by ITAM by Kings Signature. Comedy and entertainment by Papa Dog. Gbemi Olateru is the mc and of course, bmpro makeup will be on sale.

Tags: Banke Meshida Lawal, FAB Magazine Awards, Lola Maja-Okojevoh, Makeup Competition, Sacred Artistry, Sideview Style Awards