by Deida Massey | Apr 20, 2016 | Feature |
Here is the final blog entry from Celebrity Makeup Artist Deida Massey on her experience as a Christian makeup artist in the entertainment industry. Read along as Deida answers our fourth and final question below and be sure to check out all of Deida’s blog entries about her career as a successful, God-fearing MUA.
Do you have final words of advice for anyone who is looking to become a successful, makeup artist?
My advice to anyone who wants to work in my industry would be to research the makeup field and prepare. Preparation is key.
I knew when I moved to L.A. I wanted to work in film and television and the application was different. Therefore, I wanted to prepare for that. In addition, I worked at the makeup counters to learn diversity. I worked at makeup counters to build my confidence and learn the application of makeup as it relates to different ethnicities.
Today I never would’ve imagined my full-time career being a makeup artist. The Bible says “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great” (Proverbs 18:16). Truly working as a makeup artist is a faith walk! Everything that has unfolded in my career I believe is by FAITH. In my profession, there are times when you don’t know when you are getting paid. There are peaks and valleys in this profession. So my advice to anyone pursuing a career in entrepreneurship is to have FAITH.
Yes, I worked hard to prepare to become a successful makeup artist, but I also believe I have a natural gift for the art of makeup. I didn’t go to school to learn makeup. I only took one class at Columbia College Chicago to learn the application of makeup for film and television. I never ever thought I would be a makeup artist. Only GOD knew that. While working a 9 to 5, I realize I didn’t want to live in monotony. It wasn’t until my aunt, who later became my client, bought me two makeup books that intrigued me. I decided to research how to make my gift a profession.
The makeup field has changed drastically since I started. Today, artists are saturating social media with makeup videos and product demos to promote their brand and showcase their work.
In order to obtain jobs in the profession of makeup, one should understand the importance of networking. Networking and finding mentors in your field are important to help discover and develop your skills as a makeup artist. In the beginning, I not only researched how having a career in makeup could be lucrative, but I took the time to research other successful professionals in the industry. I strategically aligned myself with people who later became my mentors and taught me things about the industry I never knew.
It is also important to have a passion for what you do. I believe your passion leads to your paycheck. There were times I did not get paid for doing makeup because I had a passion to learn more and explore more. As I became more confident in doing makeup, I learned to turn my passion into a business. I set myself up as an LLC, got an EIN number and started to operate as an actual business.
I learned how securing the job was just as important as getting booked for the job. Therefore, I used my education that I learned while in law school and applied that knowledge to writing deal memos that would break down the terms and conditions. When it’s your passion you don’t mind getting up doing what you love to do.
Did you miss any of Deida’s blogs about her career as a successful makeup artist in the entertainment industry? We’ve included her previous entries below:
Blog #1
Blog #2
Blog #3
by Allen Reynolds, UrbanFaith Editor | Apr 18, 2016 | Feature |
Over the past year, there has been a public outcry and protests on college campuses across the nation due to the handling of sexual assault and sexual harassment cases filed by students with their respective institutions.
The most recent survey by the Association of American Universities found that more than 11 percent of college students have experienced nonconsensual sexual contact in their college careers. The same report found that less than half the women surveyed did not even report their sexual assault. The picture is clear, women are survivors of nonconsensual sexual contact at alarming rates on college campuses (and everywhere else), yet do not report or the incidents and do not receive the help and support they deserve.
Recent examples of confronting this system of sexual injustice include the protests on the campus of Howard University in March. I, myself, am a Howard alumnus and was proud of my fellow Bison as current students stood in solidarity with a survivor of sexual assault. This was a result of what was perceived as an unsatisfactory response by university administration in dealing with the real issues.
Yes, it is true that the university must follow due process because of the possibility of false accusations, which also happens. But with the number of cases that are, in fact, valid, it is good to see students speaking out against these issues and standing in solidarity against the institutional and cultural dynamics that have not yet dismantled our rape culture in the United States, especially on college campuses.
Like many of my peers, I also have personal stake in fighting against rape culture. I, personally, know too many women who have been victims of sexual harassment, assault, and rape.
One particular case is etched in my mind as I remember the fury I felt when I learned that one of my close friends at Howard had been raped. “How could a man do something like that?” I asked myself. My friend felt guilty that it happened. There was a sense of guilt for putting herself in that position, defiled and sinful for something that was never her fault.
It is never a survivor’s fault that they are assaulted. She didn’t report it because she didn’t think it was “worth it” and didn’t want to “be responsible for another black man in prison.”
There are several scriptures that address sexual violence in the Bible, but the rape of Tamar in 2 Samuel 13 captures these emotions and their aftermath best in my view. The lust, misogyny, anger, denial, guilt, depression, lack of fulfillment, and self-hatred and shame of the rapist, the stigma, the sorrow of the survivor, Tamar, are all found in scripture.
The anger of the aftermath and how it impacts people so far beyond the parties directly involved are also found there in those verses. It is illuminating that the aggressor, the victim, and their families experience psychological, social, and spiritual pain from the event, even in scripture.
Jesus stood on the side of those who were survivors of oppression, violence, and sexual devaluation. So, it is also safe to say that He would stand against rape as well.
As men, we must stand with our sisters against patriarchal, oppressive structures and influences. We must stand with them in the midst of the pain. We must, as Christians, stand and speak against sexual violence in all of its forms, against men and women.
We must stand for God’s Kingdom Culture influenced by love and justice against the rape culture that covers our country. We saw a step toward that on Howard’s campus in March and on other campuses nationwide last year. We have to keep walking toward justice and true love. We must break the silence about sexual violence.
Watch for more details on the Howard University protests below:
What are your thoughts on the recent campus protests against sexual violence? Share them below.
What are your thoughts on the recent protests? Share them below.
by Jacqueline J. Holness | Apr 15, 2016 | Feature |
Writer Jacqueline Holness dresses as her favorite First Lady, Michelle Obama.
With the upcoming New York primaries for the Democratic and Republican parties on Tuesday, the groundbreaking yet vitriolic presidential campaign continues to captivate the country. However, as the campaign showdown plays out, the presidential candidates’ spouses have become targets as well.
Last month, Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz traded insults and threw out innuendoes about their respective wives, potential First Ladies Melania Trump and Heidi Cruz, and recently, potential First Gentleman and former president Bill Clinton squared off with Black Lives Matter protestors. Bernie Sanders’ wife Jane O’Meara Sanders has managed to escape negative scrutiny for now.
However, as the country is on the cusp of choosing its candidates at the party conventions, it is appropriate to take a closer look at the attributes and accomplishments of these candidates’ spouses compared to current and former presidential spouses. Although presidents are typically seen as the primary power brokers in their marital relationships, First Ladies throughout history have also contributed significantly in public service, government, and overall American life.
Hillary Clinton is the first former First Lady to campaign for president and to have held the Secretary of State office as well as a senatorial position. According to WhiteHouse.gov, Hillary Clinton was the “first woman elected statewide in New York” to the United States Senate.
In addition to the being the first Black First Lady, the academic accomplishments of Michelle Obama also set her apart as well. Michelle Obama, who was the 1981 salutatorian for Whitney Young High School in Chicago, graduated from Princeton University in 1985, the first First Lady to have earned an undergraduate college degree from an Ivy League institution.
She then secured a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1988, making her the second First Lady to have an advanced college degree, with Hillary Clinton being the first.
While Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama are arguably the most popular First Ladies right now, other First Ladies have also distinguished themselves for their contributions to American life. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, who died on March 6, took on the cause of youth drug addiction when she created the “Just Say No” campaign in 1982 during her husband’s presidency.
According to WhiteHouse.gov, “in 1985 she held a conference at the White House for First Ladies of 17 countries to focus international attention on this problem.” According to the Reagan Foundation website, by 1988, “cocaine use by high-school seniors dropped by one-third, the lowest rate in a decade.”
Eleanor Roosevelt, who held the First Lady position the longest (as her husband and distant cousin Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms as president), also championed political causes. She held press conferences, lectured, and had a column “My Day” in a daily syndicated newspaper, according to WhiteHouse.Gov.
She also championed civil rights for Black Americans, including publicly supporting the Tuskegee Airmen. Her friendship with Pauli Murray, a Black civil rights activist and attorney, was captured in The Firebrand and the First Lady: Portrait of a Friendship: Pauli Murray, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the Struggle for Social Justice, a book written by Patricia Bell-Scott and released in February.
Finally, following her husband’s death, Roosevelt became a United Nations spokeswoman.
Mamie Eisenhower, wife of Dwight Eisenhower, sought equality for Black people, though in less public ways. Eisenhower, an honorary member of the National Council of Negro Women, invited Black children to come to the annual Easter Egg Roll, and ensured that the 4-H Club Camp for Negro Boys and Girls was included in special tours of the White House, according to biography.com.
Here is some random trivia about other First Ladies: Should Melania Trump be next First Lady, she won’t be the First Lady to have been born in another country; Louisa Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams, was born in London, England. Similarly, Betty Ford, wife of Gerald Ford, worked as a fashion model, just like Melania Trump. Finally, technically not a First Lady, Harriet Lane served as a First Lady for her uncle James Buchanan, the only president who never married.
While it is impossible to predict who will be the next First Lady or even if there will be a First Gentleman this time next year, it is evident that the spouses of presidents have much to offer the country as well.
For more information about First Ladies, go to www.whitehouse.gov/1600/first-ladies.
by Deida Massey | Apr 5, 2016 | Feature |
Here is the third blog entry from Celebrity Makeup Artist Deida Massey on her experience as a Christian makeup artist in the entertainment industry. Dive deeper into Deida’s world as she answers our third question below and check back next week for Deida’s final blog entry.
What is a typical day like for you as an entrepreneur and celebrity makeup artist?
A typical day for me is, first, waking up and starting my day in worship and prayer.
There are two worship songs I love to play by Pastor William Murphy: “Amazing GOD” and “We Ain’t in Church.” Prayer and worship help me to command my day.
When I’m not on set, that time gives me a chance to respond to emails and catch up on work for my non-for-profit Reel Beauty, Inc. Currently, the organization is inside Chicago Public Schools. If I have the time, I like to go and visit my girls to see how well they are doing with the program. My team always likes when I come in to encourage the girls to stick to their commitment to the program.
I’m always researching new ways to better my businesses and looking for ways to make more money. After checking emails, I usually have board meetings to attend for my organization or my brand.
I’m truly a visionary and, therefore, I’m always dreaming and talking openly to GOD about what’s next or what’s on my mind. I have several books I’m currently reading and, when time permits, I enjoy catching up on my reading.
Running errands is also a huge part of my day. Whether it’s for my business or personal, I’m always running errands. I believe your day should be productive. Keeping an agenda or, as some people like to call it, a “Things To Do List” helps to give order to your day.
I am also often on set for film and television. I currently work as an additional day player on Chicago Fire. While on set, my day is consumed with production. I spend my mornings in the makeup trailer helping to prepare the actors for their scenes. Sometimes I’m also called to set to cover the actors that are already there.
I am truly grateful and love working in film and television. It’s really amazing to be behind the scenes and see how an entire production comes to life. More importantly, I love working with creative people and seeing everyone operate in their gifts that GOD gave them. We are usually on set for 10-12 hours and, therefore, my day in production is pretty full.
Being an entrepreneur is one of the most rewarding parts of my life. My days are pretty flexible if I’m not on set working. Although I have a team of consultants who go into the schools to help facilitate and implement our Reel Beauty curriculum, I am very grateful for those volunteers who are passionate and committed to the work we do. Their commitment helps me to further the mission for my non-for-profit and work in my gift as a make-up artist.
I live by the words “Time is valuable.” When we work for someone else, we are on their time but when we work for ourselves 365 days of the year, it’s so much more rewarding.
Did you miss Deida’s other blog entries? Start with the first entry here.
Learn more about Deida and her life in the industry here.
by Deida Massey | Mar 17, 2016 | Feature |
We are back with the second blog entry from celebrity makeup artist Deida Massey on her experience as a Christian makeup artist in the entertainment industry. Learn more about Deida’s journey as she answers our second question below and check back each week for Deida’s latest blog entry.
How does your faith play a role in your work?
My faith plays a great role in the work I do today. If it had not been for my Faith, I would not have the ability to quit my job of 16 years and pursue my passion and purpose.
The bible says “It is impossible to please GOD without faith (Hebrews 11:6).” I have taken this scripture and used it to propel my life in ways that only GOD can. For me, it’s simply, faith moves God! I really came to understand this when I wanted to quit my job and do what GOD had purposed me to do.
Scripture also tells us “Faith without works is dead (James 2:17)” and “Faith is the evidence of things not seen but hoped for (Hebrews 11:1).” All of these scriptures helped me get to where I am today.
Faith and works work together. Therefore, I had to research my desire to become a makeup artist. I worked at counters in Saks Fifth Ave and Marshall Fields on weekends and after school to help build my confidence as a makeup artist. It also helped me to learn skin tones and the application of different ethnicities.
I believe when GOD saw me moving in works, my faith was being increased and developed. I never sought to become a celebrity makeup artist. It was in GODS plan for me to be one. I didn’t know it; I just moved not only in faith but courage as well.
When Scripture says “Faith is the evidence of things not seen but hoped for,” I couldn’t see where my Faith would take me. I hoped to be successful and for everything to work out as GOD intended. I learned through my experience of relocating that GOD was watching me move in Faith.
It is difficult to do anything we don’t see or to trust something we’ve never done. However, I am a true believer that that GOD has a plan for our lives and the word says “His plans is to prosper us and not to harm us to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).”
GOD’s plan for me in LA was more than I had imagined for my life professionally and personally. While living in LA, I met key persons who helped me in furthering my career as an artist. In addition, GOD positioned me strategically to get opportunities I would never have imagined had I not stepped out on Faith.
Finally, my faith helped me trust GOD more and more each day. Witnessing the doors opening that my faith produced was amazing. It taught me to trust GOD in everything and, more importantly, trust the process.
In life, we go through many processes but we don’t learn to enjoy or embrace the process or journey until its over. Today I’m still learning to embrace the journey. The journey is there to teach us, stretch us and increase our faith.
It was and is only by Grace and mercy I’m still here. But it’s by Faith that my career continues to grow. I always say “Faith it until you make it.”
Did you miss Deida’s first blog entry on how she got her start as a celebrity makeup artist? Check it out here.
by Patrick Hare | Mar 15, 2016 | Feature |
Well, this year we vote. At some point, perhaps in the early morning hours of the day after the election, perhaps not for several days, we will find out who has been selected by our Electoral College system to serve as President for the next four years. I expect that the winner will not fulfill all the promises they have made. Nor will their presidency be as apocalyptic as the prophets of doom have predicted. Both of these candidates have virtues that are worthy of our admiration, and weaknesses that merit our concern. Nonetheless, based on the deluge of Facebook posts by my friends, I expect that while somewhere around a third of you will be ecstatic over the result, another third will be bitterly disappointed.
But this post isn’t really about who is President for the next four years. We’ll all survive that. This post is about our friends, our neighbors, the stranger we see on the street, the person driving in front of you whose bumper sticker you disagree with. It’s about all of us. For no matter who wins this election, the last election, the next election — most of us will still be here. There is an old saying that we get the government we deserve. And frankly, based on the vitriol and animosity I have seen in social media surrounding this year’s presidential campaign, we don’t deserve much.
The Facebooking of Politics
I have heard friends accuse friends of being bigots and racists because of who they are voting for. I have seen friends accuse friends of being “uninformed, misinformed, communists or opposed to this country’s values” if we vote for specific candidates. I have seen friends accuse friends of being haters, homophobes, misogynists, etc., if they vote for others. I have seen friends “unfriend” friends. Frankly, I’ve been tempted to unfriend some folks myself, although I have resisted the urge. I don’t know if we are reflecting the polarization of Washington, or if the Beltway reflects the hatred and spite of the American citizenry.
Here’s what I rarely, if ever, observed: People truly listening. People asking questions of people who view the world differently than them. People seeking to understand.
To paraphrase G. K. Chesterton, it’s not that we have tried to engage in gracious, thoughtful political dialogue and found it wanting — it’s that we have found it difficult and not tried. We have told people what they think rather than asking them. We have refused to believe their reasons, choosing to trust our own stereotypes. We haven’t listened to their stories — we’ve made them shallow caricatures in a story of our own creation.
I expect I have noticed this acutely the past several years during the 2008 and 2012 elections, because those were the first elections when so many of us were on Facebook in a presidential election year. But of course, politics, not to mention religion, has been a taboo topic of discussion for years, long before the Internet. It is tragic that those two disciplines that capture the depths of human values and meaning — religion and politics — are considered off-limits for many of our conversations. I expect much of this revolves around our need to be right, and our fear of people who see the world differently.
I’ve given this a lot of thought, as a friend of mine has continually jabbed at supporters of the other candidate, goading them to respond to some of the more troublesome aspects of their candidate’s platform. Always done in a shaming, blaming way. Not surprisingly, no one took my friend up on the offer to explain.
But let me make a few friendly suggestions about how we might do this better four years from now.
The Wisdom of Listening
First, ask questions. And listen. Really listen. Don’t just wait for the person you disagree with to take a breath so you can shoot down their position. Listen seeking to understand. Assume that they are a person of good faith rather than an evil, bigoted hater. Don’t tell them why they’re wrong. Try to understand why they view the world the way they do. Affirm aspects of their values and perspectives that you can respect and admire, even if you might view things differently. Make it safe for them to share their deepest hopes and fears with you. In the Old Testament, Proverbs 18:13 says, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame” (ESV). Are we practicing the wisdom of listening?
You will find that when you have asked questions, listened actively seeking to understand, and affirmed common ground, that you will develop trust. You will also have created a space where they may ask you questions and give you the same respect that you have shown them. They may even be willing to express respect for some of your values and vision.
Confession Is Good for the Soul
Then, admit to them the concerns you have about your own candidate/party, acknowledging that candidates, like the rest of humanity, have their weaknesses as well as their strengths. Then, and only then, might they feel safe enough to address the weaknesses in their candidate/party that trouble you. Few of us embrace the entire platform of the candidate we vote for. You may not change your friend’s vote. But you will have deepened a friendship. And opened a mind. You cannot wait for them to take the first step; you have to do it.
And whoever wins this election, be open to the possibility that some of their policies, all of which have been informed by advisors and embraced by close to half the population, might actually succeed. Hope and pray for the success of the candidate, even if you’re skeptical. Be more concerned about the good of the country than the success or failure of political parties.
When we remain open to the virtues and vision of our elected officials’ leadership, they may be more willing to listen to our legitimate concerns about those who might get left behind by their policies.
And maybe, just maybe, this sort of political engagement will catch on.
