Sister of Music Producer Timbaland Discusses Her New Career Ventures in the Beauty Industry as a Celebrity Makeup Artist.
Courtney Rashon, Celebrity Makeup Artist
After having the opportunity to collaborate with tons of renown figures in the arts and entertainment industry, celebrity makeup artist Courtney Rashon is looking forward to her beauty expertise being accessible to a wider market with her new book "Giving Face: The Art to Looking Flawless for Every Occasion."
"I wanted to give a broader audience, women and men, information on achieving their best look possible for every occasion," she said. "Each chapter in the book contains instructions and suggestions regarding makeup applications and beauty tips, as well as providing information on which applications would best suit a particular scenario."
Some of the material in "Giving Face" is taken from Rashon's own life situations. The entrepreneur was willing to share one of her beauty horror stories.
"The day before a photo shoot, I had a serious breakout because I forgot to wash my face before bedtime after wearing makeup most of the day," she said. "This was the worst thing that could have happened considering I was being photographed."
From this experience, Rashon was taught a valuable lesson.
"What I've learned is that it is extremely important to remove any makeup from your face or body before bedtime," she said. "The makeup can clog your pores and cause breakouts if you make this a regular habit."
Due to how precious good skin is in the industry, the three beauty regimens Rashon lives by are exfoliation, moisturizing the face and entire body, and at home steam facials. These techniques protect skin from makeup and free radicals.
"Some examples of free radicals are pollution, dust, heavy smog, and over exposure to the sun. No matter where you live in the world, we expose our skin to these elements," said the celebrity makeup artist. "I always reiterate to clients and my audience that clean and healthy skin is our best palette to work with."
After exposing her horror story, Rashon revealed what she thinks are the most common cardinal sins women commit when it comes to makeup.
"Some major mistakes are foundation application, choosing the right color to match your skin, and heavy blush," she said. "Women may have a hard time matching foundations to their complexion."
To avoid this mistake, besides testing the foundation on the jawline, Rashon advises the blending method.
"If you have trouble with finding the right shade try custom blended foundation or use two similar colors (one darker and one lighter)," said the celebrity makeup artist. "Blending is extremely important. If your foundation is not blended properly then your face will appear as if you're wearing a mask."
According to a previous VIBE interview, Rashon declared strobing as the new summer trend. She elaborated on the makeup application technique.
"Strobing is replacing contouring this summer in a major way," she said. "Although contouring is great for a more defined look, strobing is all about enhancing your skin with highlighters so your skin appears as if it's reflecting off the light."
Rashon emphasized that women aren't the only ones who can benefit from her book. "Giving Face" also has a chapter solely dedicated to men that gives grooming advice and addresses what is deemed as desirable when it comes to appearance and hygiene.
"It refers to all the essentials that men need to look and feel their best. I love that men are more open to their grooming regimen these days, but it goes much further than just the occasional mani/pedi trip for the guys," she said. "And as a side note to the guys out there, women really appreciate a man that takes care of their appearance and grooming."
"Giving Face" isn't Rashon's first writing venture. "Luxe & Lifestyle" is the name of her blog she created that features stories on her trips around the world dedicated to beauty and leisure. Rashon noted a couple of countries with beauty practices she found to be quite enjoyable.
"I just recently visited Italy and the spas there are amazing," she said. "I had several treatments done at the brand new Shiseido Spa in Milan."
Rashon continued with praising Costa Rica for having the best hot springs locations that she's every visited.
"I experienced a natural mud bath and followed up with soaking my body in the hot springs." she said, when reliving her Costa Rica trip. "The experience was invigorating and relaxing."
Rashon affirmed how every destination has something special to offer.
"Each country has a unique way of performing beauty treatments and rituals that are unique," said the makeup guru. "It's so hard to decide on just one. I love them all dearly!"
In addition to her book sales, Rashon is also looking forward to the rise of #PrettyGirlGangCosmetics, the luxury makeup line she launched in December 2015. She credits her line for being one of the only cosmetic companies that carry Siberian Sabe lashes.
"The Siberian Sabe and Mink lash collection is extremely luxurious," she said. "All of our products are 100 percent hypoallergenic, paraben, preservative, and animal cruelty free."
Rashon added that her cosmetic line contains raw materials in its ingredients.
"I wanted to have high definition lip lacquers and precision lip liners made with natural products," said the #PrettyGirlGangCosmetics founder. "Our products contain Vitamin C, E, and Argon oil."
With the cosmetic line completely sold out of the luxury lip lacquers and Vitamin E automatic lip liners, Rashon and her team are looking to expand the company this year. In the meantime, catch the artist on "What's the 411," a New York City cable television show that she is featured on discussing beauty trends and new products in a segment called "FAB 411."
Rashon, a New Jersey native, believes where she grew up assisted in shaping her career.
"Being exposed to different cultures, traditions, and neighborhoods influence your artistic expression in many ways for me," she said. "Beauty, writing, poetry, and the arts were a major influence in my career choices that were heavily in part to growing up in the New York area.
She also acknowledges family members like her music producer brother Timbaland for encouraging her profession.
"My family is really artistic, so I grew up with an affinity for all that sparked my creativity," said Rashon. "Family strength has secured a level of success for all of us. This is something I take great pride in because everyone is not as fortunate to be apart of such a dynamic family unit."
"Giving Face: The Art to Looking Flawless for Every Occasion" is available now as an e-book download and in print at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.
Book Cover
Article Sponsored by WestLevyPR & Courtney Rashon Industries