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Janell Hazelwood

Beauty Before and After: 4 Career Women Transform into Power Looks

For many women, a power look doesn't just end with the right outfit or shoe. It's a head-to-toe story of branding that tells who they are, what they do and how well they do it. Putting that best face forward is important, whether they're closing deals, working with clients, traveling the world or starting that next venture. In today's image-conscious business world, make-up is no longer just for movie stars and glamour girls, as many working women recognize the importance of presence, accentuating their best features and embracing the power of femininity. Frank Guyton, celebrity make-up artist and artistic director at Black Opal, helped four professional women tap into their wow factor, with beauty looks that can go from the office to after hours. ---Janell Hazelwood Photos by Jerome Shaw

For many women, a power look doesn't just end with the right outfit or shoe. It's a head-to-toe story of branding that tells who they are, what they do and how well they do it. Putting that best face forward is important, whether they're closing deals, working with clients, traveling the world or starting that next venture. In today's image-conscious business world, make-up is no longer just for movie stars and glamour girls, as many working women recognize the importance of presence, accentuating their best features and embracing the power of femininity. Frank Guyton, celebrity make-up artist and artistic director at Black Opal, helped four professional women tap into their wow factor, with beauty looks that can go from the office to after hours. ---Janell Hazelwood Photos by Jerome Shawmore
POWER PROFESSIONAL: Kela Walker Multimedia Host/Producer Make-up Maintenance: "Its very important to look great going from the office to the red carpet to an event. People give you the head-to-toe look in entertainment so you must be ready for anything. I need a look that can easily go from day to night. I work in a creative environment, so I could be unique and add a pop of color. I usually use concealer and foundation only where I need it." Make-up Must-have: Bronzer and brow shaper; "You have to be sure your eyebrows are perfect. A good brow just adds the finishing touch. And I love a good contour and shimmer product to highlight the angles in my face."more
Favorite "Wow" Feature: Lips; "My lips are a prominent feature that I like to accentuate, so I love a good lip gloss. Worst Beauty Offense: Unnatural, penciled eyebrows: "It's a turn-off when they're exaggerated and clearly drawn on with a pencil. You want a great look but not one that screams 'I have on make-up.' "more
BEAUTY ESSENTIALS FOR THE CAREER WOMAN: Mascara, Mascara, Mascara! "They say the eyes are the window of the soul. Well, when someone is looking into your windows at least dress them up a little," Guyton adds. Guyton's Tip: to avoid clumpy lashes, take a tissue and wipe off the excess mascara from the wand every time before you apply.more
WOW FACTOR: "How we look and feel about ourselves is what we project to others and to the world," Guyton says. "It is extremely important for a woman to tap into her inner-being to find her sense of style, taste, and what she wants to project. If a woman thinks and feels she looks good then the sky is the limit to what she can achieve when it comes to her life and professional success."more
POWER PROFESSIONAL: Chantale Pierre Louis Financial Services Make-Up Maintenance: "I'm pretty much a low maintenance type when it comes to makeup. I like products that are compact and easy to maintain." Favorite "Wow" Products: Bright-hued eye shadow/lipstick: "When I want to punch my look up a bit after work, I'll add a vivid-colored eyeshadow and a statement lipstick." more
Make-up Must-Have: Press Powder; "I get good natural coverage from it, it's convenient and adds that retouch you might need for your look." Worst Beauty Offense: Overdone fake lashes; "Those thick, over-the-top lashes don't look professional. In my industry, it's just too much."more
BEAUTY ESSENTIALS FOR THE CAREER WOMAN: Statement lipstick or lip gloss: "The right color on the mouth can brighten, lift and complete the makeup look," Guyton says. Guyton's Tip: Go for a moisturizing lip product that has the two-in-one convenience more
WOW FACTOR: 5 QUICK STEPS TO A POLISHED BEAUTY LOOK: 1. Clean and moisturize your skin. 2. Apply concealer to dark spots, and blend foundation from your face into your chin and neck. 3. Powder your T-zone area (from the middle of your forehead down the bridge of your nose and across your cheeks) with an oil-absorbing pressed powder. 4. Brush on mascara. 5. Finish with a moisturizing nude lipstick or gloss. (You can keep a more brightly hued tone in your bag to change it up for after-work). more
POWER PROFESSIONAL: Zerlina Maxwell Political Analyst Make-up Maintenance: "In my everyday routine, I might put on liquid foundation, moisturizer, lip gloss, and eyeliner. Sometimes I have to bring my own make-up and apply it myself to be camera-ready when giving insights on news shows. When I'm on TV, my look is everything---especially as a woman---because no one will listen to what you have to say unless you look great." Favorite "Wow" Products: Berry lip gloss; I normally step it up for after-work drinks and networking events. Not everyone has time to put on a full face, but it's good to take the time to look polished."more
Make-up Must-Have: Black eyeliner; "Eyeliner is my big thing because my eyes are my favorite feature." Worst Beauty Offense: Wrong foundation color; "Sometimes it can be too light or too dark. It makes you look less vibrant if it's not the right shade."more
BEAUTY ESSENTIALS FOR THE CAREER WOMAN: A great foundation with SPF: "It’s important for the skin’s complexion to look even and be protected from the sun," Guyton says. Guyton's Tip: To avoid carrying a bunch of products in your bag, try one that serves multiple purposes (such as Black Opal's True Color™ Crème-to-Powder Foundation SPF 8.)more
WOW FACTOR: "How we look and feel about ourselves is what we project to others and the world," Guyton says. "It is extremely important for a woman to tap into her inner-being to find her sense of style, taste, and what she wants to project."more
POWER PROFESSIONAL: Karen St. Hilaire Career Coach & CEO, Kadence L.L.C. Make-up Maintenance: "Your look is part of your brand, from your makeup to your attire to your work. I have to look natural to be relatable to people. I want to present an authentic look to clients and audiences, so I like to accentuate my features to add polish, but not overboard on the glam factor." Make-up Must-have: Crimson-hued lipstick. "I don't like my face made up all the time but a wash of lipstick freshens up my look."more
Favorite "Wow" Feature: Lips and eyes. "With public speaking, people notice your mouth is moving, and your eye contact." Worst Beauty Offense: Too much makeup for a day look. "Lots of makeup can be distracting and intimidating in my line of work. It can also be a signal that maybe you're trying to hide something or have some issues."more
EXTRA TOUCHES Refine and smooth your complexion with a light translucent powder. Illuminate your eyes with a dark black or soft brown eyeliner. Add a shimmer of color to your lips with a soft pink or natural colored gloss.more
WOW FACTOR: "It’s my belief that knowledge is power," Guyton says. "Get motivated to wear a little makeup to be empowered to look, feel and be your best self. Remember, make-up is meant to enhance your natural beauty, so keep your look simple."more
DAY TO NIGHT TIP #1: Address the eyes with either a thicker liner or intensify the color of your eye shadow with a bolder richer shade. (Guyton recommends trying "No Scrubs" or "Haute Heifa" from Black Opal's "Top Shelf Diva" collection.) more
DAY TO NIGHT TIP #2 Apply (or re-apply) blush (going subtle with the blush since the plan is to punctuate the eyes or lips).
DAY TO NIGHT TIP #3 Add extra drama to the eyes with two coats of mascara.
DAY TO NIGHT TIP #4 For your lips, use color that is cohesive with your style for the night, and accentuate in rich hues or high glossy shine.
Want to get the looks featured? Check out BE Rewarded, where you can win Black Opal's "Top Shelf Diva" collection. Also, find similar fashion looks for each professional's "after" transformation, at Lord & Taylor. Special thanks to Lord & Taylor.more
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