Being invited to attend Fresh beauty event was such a treat and I made it just in time because I had BEAUTY 2 beauty event the same day. What a way to end my evening by being around beautiful cut fresh flowers, Veuve Clicquot, great skincare products from FRESH and the lovely and talented illustrator Blairz. To finally have my own piece of art work from Blairz I can now scratch it off my list. Blairz designed the Soy Face Cleanser limited edition bottle for FRESH and it’s fabulous! Are you #SoyObsessed
Connecticut Bloggers, Press, Influencers, and Photographers are you ready? It’s Danbury First Annual Fashion Week. So, Save The Date for Connecticut Bloggers & Press Day Kickoff Party on Friday, July 27th, because you don’t want to miss this.
Start planning your wardrobe for the evening because they will have a Best Dressed Competition.
Cone out to meet the local designers who will be showing their collection at the Fashion Show on Saturday, July 28th
Follow Danbury Fashion Week and learn more about the line-up.
It’s Back, BEAUTYCON Festival in New York! When you put over 30K+ beauty lovers in the Javits Center you get FABULOUS! This 2 day event can be overwhelming but it feel so good. The energy is great, makeup, fashion and pictures being taken every second. Finally a spot for individuals who luv beauty can all just be themselves and not worry about being judged. Beautycon bring together the hottest brands from hair, makeup and skincare along with the most popular Beauty & Lifestyle Influencers who actually strut around with bodyguards and screaming fans. You never know what individual that is attending can be the next break out star next year cause everyone is a COVERGIRL!
DAY 1-Saturday
Covergirl cosmetics brought me back as a Makeup Artist to share tips and beauty tricks to the consumers that was attending. And Studio B Entertainment did an amazing job with the the setup and production of the set. This year my partner and crime, Johnny joined the team and guess what Covergirl has a new slogan. It’s no longer Easy Breezy, its now #IAMWHATMAKEUP
Day 2-Sunday
My favorite day! The energy was the best ever and the music was bumpin thanks to DJ MAAD. Did I tell you my other partner in crime Ilse was also working, she was at Rimmel. If you didn’t get a chance to attend Beautycon start saving for next year because it’s so worth it to attend if you love anything BEAUTY.
To celebrate our success we had to get fancy real quick at Grand Central before boarding our trains back to Connecticut. We toasted to Ruffino Prosecco in a cup of ice.
Celebrity Makeup Artist & Beauty Influencer Brandy Gomez-Duplessis
What is a day like for a Beauty Influencer, you ask? Being a Beauty Influencer each day is completely different but always plentiful. Because I have 21 years of doing makeup in the beauty and entertainment industry I’m moving and shaking all the time especially since I have real A-list celebrity clients and is a Co-Founder of a 4 month old makeup line, Entitled Beauty. My day is mostly spent commuting to New York from Connecticut. I always feel like the MTA Metro North & Grand Central is my second office. I’ve learned to get a lot of work done on the train and have meetings at Grand Central Terminal. Today is no different, while on the train I managed to create content for Instagram and I got on a conference call to discuss an upcoming campaign.
I like that my train line is conducive to my needs because it’s always so quiet on my line.
Because I’m not shy, I whip out my camera anywhere I see that a great picture can be taken. I always capture great pics on the train because I get the best natural light on there.
On this day I was feeling like Jenny From The Block and wanted to capture a picture that reflected a boogie down brown girl on the train. On a 1hr 45 min train ride I have to find ways to entertain myself, right?
Right before I get off the train I do my homework so when I get to my meeting next I’ll be prepared. I wrote down additional notes and reread about the client so that I can be refreshed about the company.
Did I tell you that my train also makes for a great beauty studio? Yep, I pull out all of my makeup, my hair brush, hair spray, and perfume and I touch myself up. So I’m usually one of the last to get off the train once it pulls in.
I selected the meeting to be at Cipriani today because my train last stop is Grand Central Terminal and because Ilse, a lifestyle blogger with Live Learn Luxe It was going to meet me here at GCT after my meeting at 4pm. My favorite drink of course at Cipriani is their Bellini’s. I get this every time.
Next stop is to the West Village to have lunch at the stylish yet tiny While We Were Young restaurant. We arrived at 4:30pm before the crowd so that we could have the place all to ourselves. Ilse and I were pleasantly pleased with everyone here from the manager, waitress, chef and the owner Bradford, who is just as delicious looking as the food and cocktails they serve.
So what did I order…we both started with a cocktail called While We Were Young followed with an order of Truffle Fries. Then an order of Brussel Sprouts and my main dish was the Wild Salmon. Of course the food was all picture perfect and DE-LISH!
We met 2 other Lifestyle Bloggers here, Sara Mueller @saramueller and Noelani @noemeirowsky it’s always refreshing talking with others peers. We all get each other, all very passionate for creating beautiful content on our social media platforms. After talking about How To’s we ordered another round of drinks because we had a 6pm event to attend.
Last stop of the evening took place in Soho where a group of New York influencers were invited to attend a Brand Collaborations event. Drinks were served, music bumping, lots of conversations going, networking at it’s best. James was a fantastic host, very captivating and Sydney was such a knowledgeable BOSS BABE. I took down some good notes and look forward to using them like tomorrow as I continue to brand myself as a Beauty Influencer in this industry.
So elated about seeing Zulay, she has a podcast called Uptown Girls. Zulay invited me to be a guest on her upcoming show, how FAB! Also, check out my girl Elizabeth IG page @lizllapa and Lifestyle Curator Trisha’s page @trishapenn
It’s 10pm do you know where your children are???? We are somewhere on 86TH Street…Thanks Ilse!!!! By the time I get back to Connecticut it should be around midnight. So while on the train back I’ll go through pics from today, respond to emails and start working on my next blog. A Beauty Influencer life never stops.
The first day of NBA All Star Weekend is finally here and I am ready for it. Before I start my day, I’m on my computer checking on my makeup line Entitled Beauty cosmetics. Johnny and I talk business and go over any emails that came through since yesterday. Then I get ready for my first full day.
Today, I get to meet my team for the first time. Looking at their pics on Instagram and talking through emails and texts is not the same. I have them meeting me here at NOMAD Hotel to pick up their credentials and parking pass. Then, we will head over to the Microsoft building to set up to do hair & makeup.
Once everyone picked up their items my assistant/intern Bailey and I was was driven over. So who’s Bailey? Bailey is an aspiring makeup artist from Michigan and she is going to go through my Beauty Blueprint program for 3 days. My goal is to teach her what it’s like to work as a Entertainment Makeup Artist. This field is different from a salon, weddings, department stores, and Instagram makeup artists. This is something a lot of aspiring makeup artists have to learn, the different types of artistry. So, instead of just asking me questions through SKYPE about the business side of makeup, Bailey is actually getting her hands dirty and learning how much work goes into working on a live TV show. The production life is no joke and as crazy and fast pace it is I live for it. Plus, it’s nothing like seeing your work later on screen.
After getting set up, our first set of talent came to the glam room to get her hair and makeup done. First up was Lauren Braganza, what a sweet young lady who can SANG!!! We also got to meet her mom Patty, what a lovely woman. She definitely get it from her mama.
While Ira & Phoebe worked on Lauren, Jessica, Bailey and myself headed over to the Convention Center to get 2 more ready. Actress Dascha Palonca and Rachel DeMita, a former basketball player, model, Vlogger, sports host and media personality. I’m so excited that I got use my makeup line, Entitled Beauty on these FAB ladies. I used my Bold Liquid Lipsticks, my Glamxurious Lip Glosses, and my Spotlight Highlighters on their eyes and cheeks. I brought enough for all of us to use on the talent and dancers all weekend.
Everyone looking good! Why don’t you give Entitled Beauty cosmetics a try to see if it’s worth having in your makeup bag.
We made it through the first day, Friday’s are always quiet but plentiful. Meeting more team members tomorrow. But tonight Bailey & I is going to a private viewing of Kendrick Lamar concert. Free drinks & food!!!!!!
Heading to Los Angeles and I couldn’t be more excited, warm weather and chill energy. Like music group Tony Toni Tone sang, “It Never Rains In Southern California”. This will be my 10th year working The NBA All Star Weekend and my 2nd year being the HEAD OF HAIR & MAKEUP DEPARTMENT. So many reasons why I’m so anxious this year; My team and I will be using Entitled Beauty cosmetics on the talent and dancers. I have an old girlfriend, Jessica Deben working on the team with me. I’m going to see my little sister Star this weekend. 10 years of working with the NBA Team I get to see everyone, their my friends in my heart and lastly I’ll have warm weather for 5 days and 4 nights. Honey, I don’t know how to act to getting out of this cold weather up here in Connecticut. My body will catch a break, my lupus hate winter, it slows me down.
I was excited to see that Jetblue was showing “The Wizard Of Lies“, I have been wanting to see this movie since it came out in May of last year. I’m so curious about how Bernie Madoff, pulled off this Ponzi scheme robbing his peers of $65 billion. Both, Robert DeNiro and Michelle Pfeiffer did an amazing job. Definitely a movie worth watching especially if you love films about Wall Street.
I made it, I made it to my hotel, The NoMad Hotel Los Angeles. I’m not going to say nada about this glamxurious hotel. I’m going to let the videos and the pictures speak for me. This should be my residence when I return to LA. Yes, I’m flirting with moving to LA because the cold weather is literally killing me.
Getting some work done by filling out gift cards to everyone that will get a Entitled Beauty cosmetics lipstick. These are going in the NBA goodie bags and I have to hurry to write them because Jeff is about to deliver the bags.
Made it to the Staples Center, The Microsoft Center and the Convention Center. Had to set up the hair & makeup room and learn how to get around the tunnels. Grabbed a quick snack from my room since I haven’t eaten since yesterday. Good ol Funyuns and a Mountain Dew did the trick. When headed back to the hotel I shared a ride with Marion & Willie (he’s the man).
Still more Entitled Beauty work to get done and more bags to fill, these last four was for; Fergie, Kevin Hart wife, Andra Day, and Queen Latifah. While in the production office I grabbed a small snack, couldn’t resist.
Now that I’m off, I was craving fish tacos and I found Chicas Tacos, one block away from the hotel. So, I walked over there for dinner and order 3 fish tacos and a Mexican street corn spread with sour cream on top. Ok, can I say DELICIOUS!!!!
Now it’s time for some ME TIME. I been waiting all day to get myself in this wonderful tub. A glass of rose champagne and silence is all this girl need.
After I brushed up with Terra & Co Charcoal Toothpaste and flossed with their charcoal dental floss, I was off to bed. Tomorrow is the first day of NBA All Star Weekend and I want to get at least 8hrs of sleep cuz after tomorrow I won’t sleep until Tuesday.
Hey Guys Hey! Makeup And Martinis NYC is back!!! This video was inspired by New York & Harlem Fashion Week. During Fashion Week we don’t only work on female models. A lot of time we have men collections and we have to groom guys for the show. I actually like putting makeup on male models because they have the best face and make for a great canvas to paint.
I always get asked by aspiring makeup artists What Do I Use & HowDo Igroom guys. Well, male grooming on regular guys is totally different from male models during Fashion Week. What I will do for the male talent at NBA All Star Weekend is totally different from the look I did in the video.
Below you will get to see me in action with my perfect male model, Johnny. I always tell Johnny he missed his calling, do you agree? So below you will find the Fashion Week Male Grooming Video. I hope you enjoy, let me know your thoughts, ok. Enjoy!
Damn I miss that GIRL!!!! Right about now I would be LIT as the young kids say. My health was good, NO LUPUS, LYME, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, ENLARGED HEART, and ASTHMA. Today it’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans and I would be jumping on the barricades screaming for beads & coconuts. Drinking daiquiri’s and vodka straight out the bottle. See, ya didn’t know that side of Brandy. If you think I hustle hard now, baby my hustle game was on 100 before my health issues. Mardi Gras was my favorite holiday because I’m always straight business all year long. But on Mardi Gras Day, it was that one day I could just let loose with my family and friends on Fat Tuesday. So New Orleans, Happy Mardi Gras and Turn Up for me! We should all start drinking now, don’t wait for Happy Hour.
So here are so funny pics of me from 2009-2011 just enjoying life.
Entitled Beauty Cosmetics Co-Founders, Johnny Luoma & Brandy Gomez-Duplessis
Harlem Fashion Week kicks off New York Fashion Week 4 days earlier. The event was held at the beautiful Museum of the City of New York. Johnny and I was selected to create the makeup look for Malcolm X Legacy Collection designed by Malcolm X daughters and designer Yvonne Jewnell. I wanted the makeup look to mirror what Malcolm X was to me; BOLD, STRONG, and INFLUENTIAL. So with Entitled Beauty cosmetics I was able to create just that and the models looked amazing on the runway.
I’ve worked many fashion week shows from Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NY and Miami and New York Fashion Week. But this show was very special to me for so many great reasons. Review the great time we had at Harlem Fashion Week and check out how our makeup line, Entitled Beauty cosmetics did on the runway.
Arriving to Museum Of The City Of New York…You can see in my eyes I’m going through it, a Lupus flare is coming on
I need music when I’m working so I brought with me Earbolts NUB Bluetooth Micro Stereo Speaker to keep the party going. Some of the makeup I brought with me were: NICKA K, Flowerbeauty, Laura Mercier, L’OREAL, and NYX.
This beautiful model Tiana Rhae is a perfect makeup muse for any makeup artist. Entitled Beauty cosmetics look so flawless on her. I used Entitled Beauty Spotlight Highlighters in Prentinous & Blow on her eyes & cheeks. On her lip I used our new shade, Antique Bold Liquid Lipstick.
I got to work side by side with my business partner Johnny Luoma, this was a great treat. I know you can’t tell in the picture but this was Johnny first time doing makeup at fashion week. He did a good job beating model LeAnne face.
After 30 mins of playing with Lubys beautiful face we discovered in our heart that we were long lost cousins. One of the things we have in common is our family being from Honduras. I used Entitled Beauty cosmetics Spotlight Highlighters in Seduction & Blow on her eyes and and RBF on her cheeks. On her lips I used Venice bold liquid lipstick.
This beautiful model Voss was such a PROFESSIONAL. I was drooling when I saw her, I wish I had a before picture of her flawless skin. On Voss I used Entitled Beauty cosmetics Spotlight Highlighters in Seduction & Lavish on her eyes and cheeks. On her lips I used Mayan Chocolate.
My last model Jackie (I think) was such a treat, another flawless model who I enjoyed working on. When I saw her I knew instantly I was going to use our new lipstick shade Costa Rica on her lips. On her eyes & cheeks I used Entitled Beauty cosmetics Spotlight Highlighters in Split Tea & Lavish.
While the CEO of Harlem Fashion Week and designer Yvonne Jewnell continued working on her phone I was able to get 15 mins to do something with her makeup. I’m using Entitled Beauty cosmetics Spotlight Highlighter in Pretentious on her eyes and cheeks.
The models that Johnny & I did lined up before heading down the runway. Those bold lip shades from Entitled Beauty cosmetics came through!
The biggest highlight was seeing our work in one of my favorite publications Paper Magazine. Even though we didn’t a shout out from the writer Christopher Barnard for the beautiful makeup we created at least we can still be proud of what we did that evening. Not one time did I let my Lupus flare on that cold raining day stop me from doing what I love. I never missed a beat and that’s exactly what I did, beat those faces to perfection.
Everyone always ask what are some of the recipes we use when we film our Makeup And Martinis NYC videos. So, this year we decided to share them with you with the first being a drink call Cosmopolitan Twist and it’s DE-LUSH-OUS!
Being invited to attend Fresh beauty event was such a treat and I made it just in time because I had BEAUTY 2 beauty event the same day. What a way to end my evening by being around beautiful cut fresh flowers, Veuve Clicquot, great skincare products from FRESH and the lovely and talented illustrator Blairz. To finally have my own piece of art work from Blairz I can now scratch it off my list. Blairz designed the Soy Face Cleanser limited edition bottle for FRESH and it’s fabulous! Are you #SoyObsessed
It’s Back, 
Because I’m not shy, I whip out my camera anywhere I see that a great picture can be taken. I always capture great pics on the train because I get the best natural light on there.
