Tag Archives: full figured

It’s been a long time… HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Hey good people, it’s been a long time but I figured I’d write you all and catch you up on what’s going on in the life of NiSi.  Last time I posted was in July, it’s been a crazy 5 months and it’s flown by; with pageant preparation, clients, work and a little travel.

So in July we talked about Self-Love.  Have you been loving on yourself?  Taking time for yourself and being true to you is what’s important in becoming the best version of you.  In July, I also had the opportunity to go home to Milwaukee and visit my family.  It was my parent’s 50th Anniversary and my sister and I surprised them by flying in town for a surprise party.  It was so amazing to see how many people have been affected by my parents love and their journey.  It was great to have some time with my sister and brother, we haven’t had much time as grown ups being in one room.  We even went out to the club before I had to fly back to North Carolina. Friends, how many of us have them? I had the chance to meet up with Charcora and Kaycee, 2 good friends from middle school that have stayed in my life.  I spent time with my ailing great aunt, Aunt Mary.  Glad that we made the time to do that, as she was laid to rest a couple weeks ago.

*If someone crosses your mind, take the time to reach out to them.  You never know when it will be the last time you have the opportunity to love on them.

August flew by for me, I had some moments that I had to look past and some amazing moments.  My sister celebrated her 31st born day AGAIN (I won’t mention that I’m the baby so I don’t know how this is possible, but I digress).  I ended July and began August, teaching the Barn Dinner Theatre cast of Addams Family Values how to do their makeup for their amazing show.  It was great to be thought of by my former manager, Ric (I used to work the Box Office and do occasional performances) to come in as a Makeup Artist with Director Pauline Cobrda.  I also worked with Hair Stylist extraordinaire, Jeff Hoyle as a Makeup Artist for the Labor of Love Fashion Show to benefit the Real Me Foundation.  I also said “Yes to the Dress” for my Ms. Full Figured NC pageant.

So September rolled through and Ms. Full Figured NC pageant was only one month away.  I booked a wedding for a client who has followed my social media for a long time.  We had a great time and I had my amazing MUA friend, Courtney of Perfected Gift by Kiani come through and pull off this big wedding party.  I did an amazing photo shoot with Nerd Photography for my pageant photos and had a great time.  You never know why someone crosses your path. I met the photographer, Crys through one of my first clients I connected with when starting my employment with Clinique.  After being in Charlotte for only 3 months, I was nominated for ACHI magazine’s Makeup Artist of the Year.  

*Keep doing the work, you never know who’s watching you.

October… The moment you’ve all been waiting for…. MS. FULL FIGURED NORTH CAROLINA PAGEANT!!  If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may already have an idea of how it went down.  You are now reading the words of Ms. Social Media 2018 and 2018 Ms. Full Figured NC 1st Runner Up!!  Thanks to all that supported my journey by way of prayers, donations, sponsorships and your kind words.  Big thanks to my mother and father who flew in from Milwaukee and my bestie, Betty for driving to support me.  I did not win for MUA of the Year for the ACHI Awards, but it was amazing feeling to be nominated.  So even when you only get nominated, there may be other people who see your work and are excited for what you do.  The creator of Shuri, Reggie Hudlin from the comic Black Panther saw my makeup look for Halloween and replied, “She nailed it.”  That was an awesome feeling, one that I will not forget and I have to keep going.

November and December….it’s time to rest and get my life together.  I am nominated again for Makeup Artist of the Year for the 2019 Down East Awards.  The majority of the year, I was in pageant mode so it is time to focus on self and begin working more on NiSi’s Eyes Makeup Artistry and my pageant platform, Designing Women.  My platform focuses on building self confidence for young girls and women in transition.  So going into 2019, I want to focus on being the best Makeup Artist I can be and add to my clientele.  I will also be accepting speaking and mentoring opportunities, please contact me directly to discuss availability.

“And one day she discovered that she was fierce, and strong, and full of fire, and not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears.” ~Mark Anthony

Happy New Year beautiful people! Remember #YouAreEnough just the way you are!!

~NiSi’s Eyes Makeup Artistry

Self- Love

So to keep going with the self-love challenge, yes I’m playing catch up.  It’s been a very busy week with the close of one chapter and the beginning of a new chapter… details to come soon.

4. What is one thing you look forward to everyday?

I look forward to no migraines and no stress.  Over the last few years, most days I wake or close my days with a migraine whether moderate or severe and some may not know this because I don’t talk about it or I try to fight through it.  I try not to complain and just keep pushing forward, the days are getting much better where the migraines are less frequent.

5. Who is your hero and what is one thing that makes you two relatable?

My hero is my sister, she is a free bird.  We are 10 years apart yet so close, I like to say that we’re twins born 10 years apart.  A lot of what I’ve learned in life has come from shadowing and watching my sister’s successes and her lessons.  She has lived a life that has consisted of walking in faith and I am learning to do the same.  Somehow things just work and in some cases I think she is crazy as ever but she believes.  We are relatable because we are sisters and we were raised in the same way, however we have lived different lives.  Crazy enough, although different- we’ve had many of the same experiences.  I love that sister of mine.

6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I see myself as a Celebrity Makeup Artist working for myself setting my own schedule, heading a non-profit for young girls and women in transition; building self- confidence and inner beauty.  I’d also be teaching makeup classes around the world, traveling and living life to the fullest.  If I think it, it shall be.

7. Look at your hands.  Write something positive about them.

They are small and petite.  They can fit in places that some people’s cannot.  Smaller hands, smaller  fingers= ring prices may be less expensive.  

8. What does your “best day ever” look like?

My best day is full if happiness, compassion, the person and/or people that make me happy just enjoying life… no stress, just living.

9.  What’s your one word of intention today?

Faith

10. Today I will/have accomplished…

Today I have accomplished some paperwork.  I will accomplish these self-love journaling exercises that I’m catching up on (feels good to take time for self).  I will also accomplish some things that will help in the new chapter of my life (excited and scared but faith as small as a mustard seed).

11.  What’s your wildest lifetime goal and how can you achieve it?

My wildest lifetime goal is to travel the world and visit every continent and even possibly teach/do makeup on each one.  Also, learn and become fluent in 1-2 more languages at least.  I may even take up some other  careers that help in making people feel better, maybe I’ll be  a masseuse.  I can achieve this by continuing to work in my craft and network and learn.  There’s always more to know and more people to know.  You never know who that person sitting next to you is connected to.

12.  Five things that make me really happy are…

  1. Love 2. Smiles 3. People true to their word 4. Accomplishing a goal 5. Good music/entertainment

13.  How do you want to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as someone who was dependable and did the best she could and slayed some faces.  I want to be remembered as someone who made you better after you left my presence.

14.  Write a thank you letter to your body for all it is capable of.

Dear Full Figured Body,

Thank you for just being you even when I don’t like what I see, you stay strong and don’t break down.  Thank you for you plumpness and thickness and the extra-ness that you possess.  Even when I shed some of you, you are still your best in whatever form you take on just because you are apart of me.  We are one and we are what we will be at a size 16 or a size 12, we love every capability.  Things may get a little harder to do sometimes but you still push through and make the effort for little ol’ me and show me that it’s possible.  So I thank you for working with me and showing me that even when my mind says, you can’t do 5 more …you push through and show it that we’re a BOSS.  Now, let’s go ahead and win this Ms. Full Figured NC pageant crown with this full figured body.

Yours Truly,

Denise

15. I forgive myself for…

Not speaking up when things didn’t feel right and tactfully telling how I really felt.  Some things in my life could’ve possibly gone differently had I thought things through or even just said exactly what was on my mind.  I’m learning that my mind can’t be read no matter how long I’ve known someone and and our feelings/opinions change about things as we grow older- so speak your mind.  You can do this without being rude but if you want someone to know your true feelings, let them know and save yourself the stress.

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: CL Reeves Photography