” … things take a weird shift when women literally want to look like someone else, or everyone else. Discover your own beauty. Enhance features that are unique to you. Embrace your differences.”
Ahh! I’m so excited for this one! Our seriously talented and amazing makeup artist Naim is sharing so much valuable information with us today. From makeup “do’s and don’t’s” to tips on how to best prepare for your boudoir shoot make up session. Read below to find out about the amazing person behind each of our ladies beautiful boudoir look.
When did you know you wanted to be a MUA?
My interest in makeup started back in elementary school, maybe 5th or 6th grade. As cliche as it sounds, I would play in my mom’s make up any chance I got. We took a trip to a MAC store, and I witnessed my mom buy an eyeshadow named “Mythology.” This was my first time in a makeup store, and every since then I was hooked.
Do you have any muses, if so, who are they?
TONS of them! But a few, in particular, would be my mom, my best friend Lorin, an old dance instructor of mine, Chyna Allen, and Beyonce of course! These ladies have all played a huge part in my creative growth overall.
What are some tips you would like to share with women coming in for their boudoir shoot? Any preparation tips, or “do’s or don’t’s.”
The main thing would be to wash your face every morning and night. ESPECIALLY if you wear makeup daily. Waking up in yesterday’s makeup is like torture for your skin, and it usually reacts accordingly. Also, water is your skin’s best friend! Try to stay away from sodas, and balance out alcohol and juice intake with equal amounts of water.
What are some of your favorite looks to create/ what are some of your least favorite looks to create?
I am a big fan of looks that simply enhance a person’s natural features. Soft, glowy looks. Though heavier/full coverage looks are more popular nowadays, they excite me the least. Heavier looks can be really cool as far as the artistry is concerned, but I personally like to reserve that type of makeup for photoshoots and fashion shows.
Tell us a little about looks that are “in” right now.
I would say dramatic “cut creases,” glitter, and liquid to matte finish lipsticks are really popular right now. Most girls want to look like pop stars, and these are sure ways to achieve the pop star look.
What are some common beauty mistakes you see women make?
One common beauty mistake women make is trying to mimic looks that they see on other women. It’s one thing to be inspired by someone, but things take a weird shift when women literally want to look like someone else, or everyone else. Discover your own beauty. Enhance features that are unique to you. Embrace your differences. It pains me to scroll down my social media timelines to see most females with this cookie-cutter standard of beauty (when it comes to makeup.) Be bold. Create trends. Stand out.
What products do you think should be a staple in every woman’s purse?
I’d say mascara, eyeliner, tinted lipgloss, highlight/blush, and bronzer are simple products that can easily transform any woman and can take less than 5 minutes to apply.
Share something you would like the world to know about you
Though I love makeup, it is just one piece of me. I am also experienced in dance, graphic design, photography, and a few other creative avenues. Moving forward, the goal is to combine my gifts into directing, so that I am able to utilize them all without having to wear so many hats at once.
I hope you enjoyed this read! Be sure to lookout for events and productions in the DC area directed by Naim, also if you’d like to see more of his awesome work follow his IG: @glitteeeeerrrrr
