Brownstone Women's Spotlight with Drini

Making Her Way in the the Make-Up Industry

I’m sure you all can remember a time when you sat next to your mom, older sister or grandmother and watched her meticulously apply her make-up wondering when you would be old enough to do that and if you would be just as good. Well our August spotlight shines on a young woman who took that notion and ran with it. Meet Drini, a creative, multi-talented force to be reckoned with in the make-up industry. We share a mutual friend and every time we cross paths, her style, grace and make-up blow me away. Well, her make-up will blow anyone away because she is a remarkable artist whose talent allows her to transform anyone from brides to recording artists into picture perfect beauties. She is the owner of Eye Dream of Drini and a treasure for the Brownstone Blog to interview.

Martine Rouzan: I took a look at your website, your work is amazing! How did you discover you passion for make-up?

Drini: At around 15 when my friends started going to proms and dances, I was the go to girl for make-up. Soon that changed from doing make-up on friends to working on strangers and so on, which landed me my first wedding at 19. Finally it clicked that this was my passion.

MR: Now that your vision has evolved into a successful business, were there any obstacles you had to overcome to get to where you are today?

D: One major obstacle was getting my business started; I did a lot of free work to get exposure in the industry. However the biggest hurdle was actually sealing name recognition. Even though I have an outgoing personality, I can be shy and sort of a recluse at times, so it wasn't always easy for me to market myself or my business. The one thing that really helped me is that I started in fashion. I had a lot of connections in the fashion industry, which led to clients of clients from fashion shows and industry events.

MR: What were you like as a teenager?

D: I was all over the place! I was the girl who threw slumber parties where we would make-up faces and play dress up. I've just always been an artsy person. Everything was a canvas, even the napkins at a restaurant had to be drawn on and colored-in!

MR: At what age did you start wearing make-up?

D: Around 12/13; I started simple with things like lip liner and eye liner, and gradually added different items as I got older.

MR: What women have inspired you along your journey?

D: Definitely my grandmother and my mom. My grandmother is very old fashioned and to this day will ask me "where's your lipstick?" I adopted my love of all things glamorous from them.

MR: Most of our readers are heading back to school soon or have already started. What make-up advice can you offer them?

D: The best advice is to remember that minimal is key. Pick a few key items like eyeliner, mascara, blush and lip gloss, and keep these items in your bag. A good tip for blush is that it doesn't have to always be pink; you can do a bronzer to liven up your skin tone. Something else is to have a good skin care regimen. You can pile on as much make up as you want on bad skin, but it still won't be looking your best. Make sure you moisturize and if you will be in the sun, don't forget the sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF. Last but not least, don't be fooled by the price. Sometimes you can find the same quality product at a drug store instead of spending extra money on department store cosmetics. Shop around and find what you like!

MR: I know you have worked in all types of setting from photo shoots to weddings. What is the craziest situation you have been in and what did you learn from it. In other words, any bridezilla moments out there?

D: I was working on a music video and had about 2 hours to work on 15-16 girls. It was crazy! The set itself was a distance from the make-up room and it was like a 17 hour day. I had just started out on sets and professional atmospheres, so from that day forward I learned to be more prepared, open and forgiving. Everything from enforcing hygiene by bringing disposable brushes for lip gloss to just being more resourceful, were lessons learned that day and has enhanced my business.

MR: What are your goals for the future?

D: I would love to branch off into movies and also start my own affordable cosmetics line with an emphasis on healthy skin.

Brownstone Blog would like to thank Drini for sharing her story with us. Please check her out at http://www.eyedreamofdrini.com/ on Twitter and Facebook.

-- Martine A. Rouzan
Brownstone Team

In The Know: College Advice for Freshmen

For my Brownstone readers entering their first year of college this post is for you :) Most colleges are in session (or will start soon) and as you'll soon find out the tricks you were able to get away with in high school will NOT fly in college! It (college) is a completely different game than high school. You'll be forced to grow in a way that you've never been challenged to before. College is where you say good bye to your kid self and begin to know your adult self. I thought I would give you some advice about college that I wish I had known to help you get adjusted to your new schools. I've also called on a couple of my friends to offer some advice as well.

• Roommates - Most of the time you're randomly matched with a complete stranger to room with for the entire school year. Sometimes it's a match made in heaven. Other times you may get the roommate from hell. Check out wha these two grads had to say about getting along with roommates.

"Choose your roommate(s) wisely! Be in tune with how you live, your level of cleanliness and some of the habits that define your day so that you know how to choose your roommate(s). They say,"never live with your friends." I wouldn't say never, but i would say that you shouldn't always expect your roommate(s) to remain your bestest friend. It's important to continue to build relationships, befriend and network with your other peers." - Kyle Holland (UC Berkeley)

"So you will now be away from your parents, living independently including building new relationships. One of those relationships will be with your new roommate. A lot of schools have you complete a small survey before you arrive at school to match you with someone like you (example, are you messy or a neat freak?). I have seen the roommate relationship become a bonding experience for some leading to lifelong friendships. It is an opportunity for you to become friends with someone that you do not know. Remember, this is the person you will be living with similar to your parents and siblings. Therefore, my advise is to openly communicate with your roommate to avoid any conflict. A roommate contract developed by both of you is an option. Be sure to to set ground rules with each other on how you want to live together to create a good living space. For example, sit down and have a friendly talk about her on the phone or having friends over, keeping you up all hours of the night when you have a Biology exam in the morning (sleep and visitors are too touch areas that can cause issues). It is not easy (at least it was not for me) to confront issues head on with roommates. You may not want to cause conflict with the person you have to share living quarters with over the next year. This is understandable; however, it can get worse if you do not communicate with each other. Maybe even get your Resident Assistant (RA) involved if it gets that bad. From there, you may be well on your way to a good living situation and a lifelong connection with this person." - Monica Reed (Howard University)

• Time Management - College is all about time management! In college, you won't have your parents telling you when to go to class or when to start studying. It's important to organize and prioritize your schedule so that you won't fall behind in school. Don't take on more than you can handle! If you need help with your time management skills, don't be afraid to sit down with a counselor to map our your semester.
• Managing Money - For the past 18 years of your life, you've probably never had to deal with money because your parents always handled. Now you'll have to open up a bank account (if you don't have one) and learn how to manage your own money. You'll have expenses like books, cell phone bills and food that you'll have to keep in mind. You'll also want to spend your money on luxury items such as clothes and going out. It's important to create a budget and stick to it. I know how easy it is to get carried away with money. Take care of the things you need first and if there is any money left over, you can spend it on the things you want. Believe me you'll learn the difference between want and need. Check out one grad's advice on budgeting for food:

"Buy the cheapest meal plan because you can always add money to it if needed, but if you buy the more expensive plans and you still have money left it usually does not "roll-over" into the following year, so you are either stuck or have to buy lots of water and juices like I did..." - Keona Rodgers (Loyola Marymount University)

• Making Friends - Being the new kid on the block can be hard. I remember being nervous about fitting in and making friends. Check out one students's advice about getting involved on campus:

"When first entering school, the one thing I'd suggest is to smile, be kind, and join tons of organizations. This is beneficial to you in so many ways. It's a resume booster, helps you meet people, makes you a well-rounded person (which other orgs and employers want), and will make you happier in the end. My freshman year was not fun until I started joining organizations and meeting people through them. Walking into interviews is a lot easier because there is more to talk about than just my academics. Start now so you won't have to rush in your later years!" - Rebecca Matey (USC)

"Being a freshman at college can be an exciting, yet nerve-wracking experience. It can also be quite easy to just stick with your roommate or floormates only when going to the dining hall or events on campus. In addition to that, I highly recommend attending events not only with them, but by yourself if no one is around. Go to as many as possible and when there, talk to as many people as you can. I wish I was more involved in my freshman year. However, during my second year, I found the center for African American programs and they had informal and formal events where we had great conversations about life, love, philosophy, music, books, whatever. Some of the best times I had was just meeting friends of friends or people at events and keeping in touch with them throughout college. Additionally, although I love Black people, I had some great times with diverse groups as well. People from other backgrounds will always be great to network with and befriend to give varying viewpoints. Good luck and remember to be open-minded. These will be some of the greatest years of your life if you are willing to put yourself out there and have fun." - Randi Wimberly (University of Maryland)

• Working - Many freshmen wonder if they should work during their first semester of school. For some it's not an option and for others it is. The main fear is that working will interfere with one's school work. I along with many of my friends worked during my first year of college. I was able to find a part-time position as a tutor at a local elementary school. I chose to work because I wanted extra money in my pockets to do the extra things that I wanted to do. If you choose to get a job, I recommend finding one that is flexible with your class schedule. I wouldn't work over 20 hours a week, so that you have time for your school work.

That's just a little advice that I thought would be helpful. Like I said college is one of the most defining periods in your life. So be smart and remember to make the most of it. If there are questions that I didn't cover feel free to e-mail me at brownstonemag@gmail.com and I'll be happy to help you. Good luck!

-- Tymika Morrison
Brownstone Team

WooHoo I’m in College!!!!

Congratulations!!! You have worked hard and listened to what others have to offer. You made it...you're in college. Now what?

The beautiful thing about college is you get to try on many different intellectual hats. Take classes in different areas until you find a focus. This is the only time in your life you get to follow your passions. Enjoy this time in your life as much as you can, but remember your academics are the reason why you are in school.

The university or college you are attending has resources in place to help you be successful. Use your resources often. Remember it is easier to maintain an “A” than to earn one. What I mean is that once you are at performing at that level it takes less effort to maintain that level of work than to gradually build up your performance. Start strong and stay strong. How do you do this? Get tutors early before you have problems, meet with your instructors and professors early and often. They are there to help you.

Entering college has a lot of huge adjustments. It is the first time you may be living away from home. It is the first time you will fall in or maybe out of love. It is the first time you may be paying your own bills. It is the first time you will be responsible for yourself. All of these firsts are pretty common and if you find these experiences difficult to adjust to there are people in place to assist you.

Be mindful of how you dress. Where clothes that are college appropriate that fit well, and comfortable. An example, Uggs with pajama bottoms and headscarfs are not ever appropriate to where in public and definitely not in class.

Remember to choose your friends and associates carefully. More importantly know the difference.

Peace and Blessings,

Keisha

-- Keisha Hicks
Guest Blogger

Your Time To Shine

Your college experience is truly what you make it. It can be intimidating at first, but college is filled with a series of opportunities waiting for you to take advantage of.

It was a delicate process in deciding which university I would attend, but once I felt secure about the faculty and administrative support that would enhance my potential at USC, I knew that I made the right decision. I have always been the ‘overachiever’ – too involved, stressed, but still passionate – and all of that remained the same when I got to college. Unfortunately, I had to learn the hard way that prioritizing yourself is the most important part of your college experience. I’d always signed up for leadership positions and pursued everything I’d ever wanted, so I didn’t see the problem when I took the same approach in college.

This is my first piece of advice for entering freshwomen:

Take Time for Yourself – Your parents, siblings, and friends can’t make those important decisions like what your major will be and what organizations you will join. You are in college for you. This may seem a little bit selfish, but I promise you’ll thank me later. If you can’t go to school to make yourself happy (i.e. choosing a major your parents like), then you won’t be happy later and will most likely end up in a career field that makes you resent those past decisions. College is also a great time to learn yourself because you’re at such a pivotal point in your life. You’re pursuing the things that you enjoy, while understanding how you can apply your interests to your future career. My roommate recently wrote an article about this very topic for the blog version of USC’s first women’s newspaper Helen called Alis Volat Propiis. It put a lot in perspective for me, and I think you’ll find it encouraging as well.

My next piece of advice is about flexibility. College is meant to challenge you. This is most likely the first time you’ll be around people from different places and different backgrounds. I was so used to being around my friends who naturally shared the same core set of values and interests, that a lot of things that my roommates and peers were used to were brand new for me.

Be Open – Have an open mind about things that are different than what you’re used to. It’s not always about seeing things as right and wrong, but accepting people for who they are. For example, most of my friends smoked weed, and although I didn’t, we were still able to relate to each other based on other commonalities between us. And if nothing else, respect the people around you. It doesn’t matter if you don’t agree with them, because you don’t have to be friends with everyone. But you should have a good reputation (it follows you everywhere) and be able to work with others who aren’t just like you. It’s very hard to find another person just like you, especially in college, so be prepared to adjust. Don’t forget the values your family instilled in you, but you can also be open to others’ differences.

In case I haven’t mentioned it already, your grades are your most important priority. You did a lot of work in high school to get this far, and although college may just seem like ‘the next step’, it’s not high school. It’s all about you and how you manage your time. College is like a giant social playground – you live with your friends, eat with your friends, party with your friends, and stay up all night talking to your friends. Some of my smartest classmates have the lowest grades because they couldn’t find the balance. Finding the balance between work and play is crucial to your college success. If you study all of the time, or get caught up in other extracurricular activities without giving yourself a break, you’ll go crazy. You might have good grades, but eventually you’ll crack and then your grades might even suffer as well. On the other side, if you play too much and don’t spend enough time on your work, your grades will also go down. And if you have scholarships, please note that they most likely have academic stipulations like maintaining a certain GPA.

It’s OK to be undeclared or not know exactly what you want to do after college. You’re in college to learn about yourself. Some people have it figured out before they get to college, but the average student changes their major almost 3 times. I started school without a major and with the help of my academic advisor, I took classes that I was interested in, and eventually found a major that allowed me to pursue all of my many interests. Don’t rush yourself, you’ll figure it out when you need to.

And last but not least, have fun! You only get this experience once and speaking as someone who is already half way done, you can’t go back and do it all over again. It’s ok to make mistakes and ask for help because believe it or not, most of your peers don’t have it figured out either.

Stay positive, congratulations and good luck!

--Brittany Allen
Brownstone Intern

Fashion Forward Backpacks for the Fall

Time to get geeked up for the school year! First up pickin’ out the right backpack. Backpacks are another way to express your individual style. You can go preppy with the roller backpack or super cool with a messenger bag. Even if you get a simple plain Jansport backpack this year, you can always jazz it up with adorable little buttons or decorate it with some art. Here are a some cute backpacks I found:

Roxy: Broken Rules Laptop Tote ($29.50)

Roxy: Meander Backpack ($52)

Roxy: Loving Sight Roller Backpack ($64)

dELiAs: Roxy Good Feeling Backpack ($49.50)

dELiAs: Jansport Cabesa Backpack ($29.99)

dELiAs: Heather Cognac Cross-Body Bag ($29.50)

These were just a couple of ideas to get your creative minds going. Remember you don't have to spend a lot on a backpack for it to be cute and choose a backpack that will last you until June. Happy backpack shopping!

-- Tymika Morrison
Brownstone Team

The New Kid On The Block

The beginning of a new school year is just around the corner. For some it may be a scary thing, especially if you're a freshmen entering high school or college. Going to a new school means new friends, classes, teachers, routines, etc. It can be overwhelming just thinking about it. Join me as I share with you some things I learned about making friends at a new school.

Fresh Meat

I think that freshmen in high school have it a little bit easier than those going to college. Majority of the time when you go to high school, many of the people that you went to middle school with are more likely to attend the same school. I know that was the case when I started the 9th grade. But if that is not the case for you, I would recommend getting involved in student activities. Seek out people who share the same interests as you. I know that I met a lot of my closest friends in my beginning dance class. And even if you do have friends from middle school, I would encourage you to branch out and meet new people. I'm not an outgoing person. I stick to what I know, so when I saw my old friends making new friends it forced me to do the same. If you're shy like me, I recommend just putting yourself out there and introducing yourself to someone who you would like to get to know. It only takes that one person to become a friend.

Campus Newbie

Starting college is scary no matter if you stay local or go away. Being in a new place where you hardly know anyone isn't fun. Even if people from your high school go to the same college as you it's very different because you're on a bigger campus. And 7 times out 10 you won't see that person. Before I started at UC Berkeley I was very nervous. I was a Spring admit and I was going to be taking classes off campus through the extension program. Since I wasn't going to be on the main campus just yet, I was extremely concerned that I wasn't going to make any friends. Luckily, I was able to get housing in the dorms. I immediately clicked with my roommate and a couple of other girls. I also started going out with my floor mates. And even though, I technically wasn't a student on campus, I joined popular student organizations to meet new people. Surprisingly, I came to know more people in college than I did in high school.

So, my advice to my Brownstone readers entering college is to put yourself out there. Don't be afraid to try new things. Go out with your roommate or floor mates. I would have to say that our trips to Target on the BART or hanging out downtown are some of my favorite memories from my freshmen year. Exploring new areas brought me closer with a lot of people. I would also encourage freshmen to get involved in student organizations. I honestly believe that's one of the best ways to meet other students.

Beware...

Be mindful of the people who you choose to associate yourself with. A lot of times girls want to join a clique to feel accepted or popular. But joining the wrong clique can lead you down the wrong path. Remember that bad company corrupts good character. Don't feel pressure to hang with a certain group just to be known. No matter if you're starting high school or college, be yourself and surround yourself with positive people. The friends you choose really do have an affect on your high school/college experience.

-- Tymika Morrison
Brownstone Team

Your Body is Your Temple

It seems like everywhere you look, from television to magazines, and even within your circle of family and friends, everyone is concerned with losing weight. Summer fashion means that more skin is showing, but regardless of the time of year, body image and physical appearance are a constant focus of the media. Our society is becoming more "health conscious," but at the same time, advertisers targets our population with negative and/or unrealistic images concerning healthy bodily proportions.

For one, we are constantly bombarded with advertisements featuring celebrities. What we fail to realize is that although they are in fact, average people like you and me, they are paid to look a certain way. It’s their job to maintain a certain body size, and this particular industry has a significant effect on youth today. I’m sure you can think of your favorite movie star or singer who has that perfect body and makes it all seem so easy; as if they wake up everyday with that kind of body – no effort needed. The truth is that they have personal trainers and stylists and a whole crew of people who are paid to make them look glamorous 24/7. Not to mention technology that can airbrush any dimples or unflattering bulges. Sounds a little fake right? My point exactly.

At a first glance, none of these things come to mind – all you think is Wow, she looks great, instead of I wonder how many hours of exercising and eating right combined with a team of people it took to achieve that look.

This doesn’t mean you can’t idolize certain celebrities and appreciate them as beautiful. All of this is to say that the attributes society and the media emphasize as beautiful in a woman, (typically a size 1-3 waist size, A-B cup, very little curves, skinny and lean), is not the only definition of beautiful, nor the only healthy body type.

Especially within our culture, females come in all different shapes, sizes, skin tones, and ethnicities. With all of the diversity within black culture, how could anyone expect us all to look the same? Furthermore, how can we all be expected to conform to one standard of beauty? (i.e. what the media portrays as the perfect body) My message to you is that, as our society progresses in this health revolution, don’t let standards for a particular majority lock you into what your beauty is supposed to look like.

Recently, I’ve been so concerned with getting healthy (and thus looking cute) that I ended up doing more damage than productive action physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. I immediately took many of my favorite foods off of my list of what I allowed myself to eat, tried to only drink water, and set up a rigorous workout schedule. I envied my friends who seemed to have that perfect body so effortlessly, and punished myself for not looking exactly like they did. Eventually, it got to the point where I realized that I started feeding off of others’ negative body talk and comparing stories of how I wish I could be skinny again. (I gained the freshman 15 and got a chubby tummy in college, but the truth is, I’m a size 3. Crazy right?) I let society define what beauty is, and defined myself by my physical appearance alone. I stopped appreciating myself (and others) for all of the other God-given talents I possessed and limited myself to someone else’s standard.

I can honestly say one of my biggest regrets is that I allowed myself to stay trapped inside of that negative mentality for so long. I’m happy that I’m in the place that I am in now, where I can learn to appreciate myself for so much more than my body, but it took a lot of growth and daily positive thinking to help me see the light. While I was stuck in this temporary hole, I realized that I wasn’t alone. My friends and family, those who I was surrounded by the most, were the ones having those skinny girl conversations with me, or dropping comments about how they used to look so much better when they were smaller. Combined with the millions of advertisements about losing weight "to become the happiest person I’ve been in years," it seemed as though losing weight was the only way to achieve peace.

Wrong.

Peace is when you can wake up and smile, appreciating the beauty that surrounds you, regardless of what you look like and what the world is throwing at you. Peace is when you can walk confidently and know that you are worth every bit of love that God has for you.
My peace is knowing that I am beautiful because I have the love and support of my friends and family, and because I don’t let my present situation or media portrayals of beauty and worth define who I am. The fact of the matter is that I had to learn how to love myself all over again. To love my chubby tummy, but love myself even more by eating right and exercising – because I like to and it’s good for me, not because I have to in order to be beautiful. To love myself and spend time getting to know myself so that whenever I feel the superficial insecurities that the media feeds on to sell me a product and make me feel inadequate, I am already built up on the inside to know that I am beautiful because I say so, not because someone else does.

Especially as an underrepresented minority, we black females need to encourage each other to continue redefining beauty for ourselves. We need to build each other up in sisterly love and confidence that society may not always have time for. It’s up to you to start being happy now instead of waiting for that perfect time to lose 10 lbs or do whatever it is that you think will make you feel better. The process starts with working on your inner peace and developing a healthy relationship with yourself. This means telling yourself positive and uplifting things, instead of punishing yourself for not being exactly where you want to be right now with personal habits, school, friends, boys, etc. If at the end of the day you can’t depend on yourself, then who can you depend on? Whenever I find myself picking out a negative trait or physical flaw, I remind myself that I love myself, and it’s okay because I don’t have to be perfect.

Someone once told me that you always find what you look for. Instead of looking for what you’re unhappy with, appreciate today and delight in the beauty that surrounds you. Love yourself – no one else can do it better.

In peace,
Brittany

--Brittany Allen
Brownstone Intern

Beauty Within Budget

In this economy, people don't have as much to spend as they did a few years ago. But, do cuts in the budget mean that we have to also cut our style?

Absolutely not! Here are just a few tips on how to look like a million bucks, without spending:

1. Go Green.
Yes, even your clothes can be made into something new! You can often find great ideas on the Internet that can instruct you on how to recreate your old favorite thing into your new favorite thing. That old t-shirt can be made into fresh new tank top. Those shredded jeans can be made into shorts, capri pants, a skirt, or even a funky purse. And, don’t forget about what in mom's closet! Some projects can be done with some safety pins, a glue gun, ribbon, and your imagination. The best part of it is, your piece would be one of a kind!

2. Don’t be scared!
A lot of peopled don’t like to shop the clearance rack. But, the clearance can actually be your best friend. The fashion industry works ahead of season. So, the items in the front of the store in the summer are usually trending toward Fall. Head straight to the back of the store, and that’s where you’ll find the stuff that’s on sale. That sale rack is usually items you’d need at the moment. And, truth be told, when you wear that new outfit, no one will know if you bought it 3 months ago or 3 days ago.

3. What’s in a Name?

Although it is usually trendy to buy the more popular name brand, the popular name usually has a higher price tag. It isn’t necessary to dress in the same name brand from head to toe. Switch it up a little. Invest in a hot trendy piece and match it with that favorite pair of jeans you already own.

Did you know that some of your favorite designers actually make less expensive brands? Yes, even shoes! Same shoe, different name tag and a fraction of the price tag. So, don’t be so caught up the name branded on your clothes. Remember you make the clothes, they don’t make you.

4. Just Say No!

To the mall that is. You don’t have to shop at the mall to find the best fashions. Sometimes your discount retailers like Ross, Marshalls, and T.J. Maxx will have the exact same clothes as your large department stores like Macy's or Nordstroms; but, the price tags are undeniably different.

There is also your local boutique. Don’t be afraid to check out that little shop on the corner. They often have quality items you won’t find in the mall at great prices. That also means that the chances of you running into someone in the same outfit are a lot slimmer.

5. All About Face.
Your favorite brand of makeup may be rather expensive. Consider investing in a quality foundation, and cut cost by using a less expensive lip and eye color. Your beauty supply or even the nearest Rite Aid or CVS may actually have to same shades of lip sticks and eye shadows for a lot less. You’ll get the same results, and cause less damage to the budget.

Reality is, that in today's economy every little bit helps. These are just a few small changes that may make a big difference over time.

-- Quiana Hall
Guest Blogger