Carol's Daughter + Target

Guess what's coming to you live and direct from Target. (That's pronounced tar-jay for those who don't know.) It's Carol's Daughter! I knew Mama Lisa Price had something cooking in her kitchen, but I had no idea it would be this. Starting this month you can get some of your favorite CD products at your local Target store. You know how I found out? A friend of mine posted this pic of the ad from the April edition of Essence Magazine. I was floored. I also saw a similar one for the March subscripition of Curlbox and I knew something was brewing. After the jump, check out Lisa's message about the launch.

I went to my closest Target to grab some Hair Milk, and lo and behold it was already sold out! Curly girls must must have flocked to the store as soon as they heard the news. Make sure you check online to see if your Target has Carol's Daughter in stock before you make the trip. I'm so happy for my CD family. We're really moving on up!

#PERFECTPERFECTED

P.S. I still have some behind the scenes photos from my Carol's Daughter shoot that I'll share with you very soon.

My Style: After the Fallout

Imagine the earth after a disaster. Chaos is the standard. Motorcycle gangs are the new sheriffs in town. We are all just refugees wandering around in search of answers and shelter. It's a lawless land straight out of Mad Max or Book of Eli. That's the backstory for this post-apocalyptic look.


On a Sunday afternoon my friends and I decided to be renegades and explore Fort MacArthur, an old military base near San Pedro, California. Although it hasn't been used for training or defense purposes in decades, the area still feels eery as if it's haunted by the ghosts of the Cold War.


This was orignally shot by photographer Neil Sharum with hairstyling by Ruth Rivas for an upcoming jewelry line called Fallout. The accessories are mostly recycled materials and unique stones reconstructed and reimagined to be pretty yet a but rugged. The styling is along the same vein. An oversized, acid-washed denim jacket from a thrift store. Beat-up old combat boots. A black t-shirt my friend grabbed in downtown LA that had been shredded into something quite different than what it was originally made for. In a post-apocalyptic time you'd wear whatever you have and make it work.

When you're searching for an oasis after a catastrophic event, I think this is what that would look like. This is my little abandoned hideaway where I can play far from the chaos. It's a beautiful disaster.

...Or Bust

Bust Magazine June/July 2013

Vacations don't really happen for me in the traditional sense of the word. I long for them like a kid longs for ice cream on a hot summer day. I'm sure I'll get to take one someday. But every now and again I get to pretend that I'm relaxing at a hotel by a pool. That's what I call hard work.


On a Monday morning when the rest of the world's on its way the j-o-b, we were taking a road trip to Palm Springs to the Ace Hotel. It's not like were taking a holiday, in fact, we did some labor for Bust Magazine. Above, there's photographer Kat Borchart shooting model Magdelena. And there's me snapping a pic in the baller suite between setups.


The glam squad was so on it! Christina was just a beast with makeup. Tony worked wonders with hair too. That guy even brought his own fan/blower so that Magdelena's hair would have some movement on set. Who does that?! Oh my... and the styling was so fantastic. Stylist Monique Bean pulled some fantastic pieces perfect that were the right mix of retro and kitschy. On a side note: besides being behind the camera in these photos, I'm actually chilling in the pool. The bosses said it was cool, so I'm just following orders.


As the day wore on and Happy Hour drew near, we all thought it was only fitting to really enjoy the amenities at the Ace. The private rockstar suite with a fireplace. Magdalena and I hammed it up in the photo booth. Then there's the wonderful cocktails you can get poolside like Adios Motherf***er I'm holding. One sip, and you're done.

It was such an awesome time with a great team at a great location. If only all work days were like this. To see the rest of the spread, pick up Bust Magazine on newsstands now.

xoxo

My Style: The Outsider

Shot on a gritty rooftop in downtown LA

Photography by Jonne Johnson

Styling by Pei Lee

Makeup by Sheba Snow

Makeovers & Motivation at Cola-Con

Sometimes when you give, you end up getting back more than you bargained for. Earlier this month I had the pleasure of being a special guest at Cola-Con, a hip hop and comic book convention. The organizers of the event invited me to not only speak on a panel about women in entertainment, but I was also able to do my own modeling workshop. I wanted to bring a bit of my world to Carolina... the glamour and the flashing lights. I wanted people from my home to be able to experience what I do everyday. Being creative brings me so much joy, and I want others to know how that feels. Each one teach one, you know. But I wasn't expecting that I'd get so much in return.

Going into this whole thing, I wasn't sure how many people would attend that were really interested in modeling and how many were just curious as to what we were doing. The workshop turned into more of a makeover session, and it was perfect. There were a couple of career women that needed a release from their regular work week, so we hooked them up. There was superstar singer Brittany Bosco who stopped by for support. I had a cute zookeeper come in for a glam session. Turns out her dad was a photographer so she already knew how to work the camera. Go 'head, girl!

A few days before the event, an old college buddy of mine emailed to ask if his 5-year-old daughter could come to the workshop. He mentioned that she was interested in acting and modeling and was hoping that I could at least meet her. I'm always a little funny about kids in this business, but I thought "why not". As soon as I saw little Gabby, I saw the light in her eyes and knew she needed to be at the workshop. The Paul Mitchell School team sat her down and went to work on her hair. We decided her hair should look fun and textured to go with her spunky personality. I wanted to make sure that Gabby's parents at least got a good headshot for her to start her career. And when she got in front of the camera, it was magic. She's such a little star!

One of my most rewarding moments was helping out a mom of two. She walked through the doors a little unsure about if she should stay or go. She wasn't into modeling, but I knew she was in the right place. The workshop was more of a pampering session for this hardworking mom. The Paul Mitchell School team gave her the royal treatment. She came in as this tired, frumpy person and left a glowing confident woman. Her transformation made me tear up. Now I know what Stacey and Clinton feel like on What Not To Wear.

So many thanks go out to the Paul Mitchell School for sharing their love of artistry with us. They worked wonders and I am so in debt to them. Thanks also to Michael Dantzler of Kayode Photo for all his hard work on the pictures. These people volunteered their time and talent out of the goodness of their hearts. Oh, and Preach Jacobs and the crew that put on Cola-Con, you guys should be honored for what you do for the artistic community in Columbia. Continue to nourish what others often neglect.

This is what happens when cool people come together for the greater good. No attitudes. No egos. Just love. Thank you for this and let's do this again soon.

XOXO


P.S. for more photos, click here.

Now Represented By:

Hip hip hurray! Mama's got a brand new agent. I am now represented by Pinkerton Model & Talent. About a year ago, a friend mentioned that I should check out the agency. Even though it took a long time, I did my homework and finally decided to switch up my game.

My booker has me testing like crazy in an effort to update my book. So I'm currently on day five of my mad photo shoot spree. It's a lot of hard work, but my portfolio is going to look great! It's kind of fun to be a new face.

My Style: Channeling Orange

Working at the pyramid- Sheer Orange blouse: Forever 21 (similar), High waisted striped shorts: Urban Outfitters (similar), Earrings and Sandals: Melody Ehsani
Just like everyone else under the sun, I've been playing that new Frank Ocean like crazy. This dude's music is phenomenal. It's got me singing, nodding my head, and dancing like nobody's business. So it's only fitting that Frank Ocean's album is the inspiration for this look. "She took me high, then she took me home." Just call me Pilot Jones.

I just fell in love with the color orange last year. It comes in so many different shades, but I prefer the ones that have more red than yellow. Warm, deep, but still vibrant.

I've got my eye on the prize with these Egyptian-inspired earrings by my girl Melody Ehsani. All of her jewelry definitely makes a statement. I get tons of compliments whenever I wear these darlings.

Just like Channel Orange, this outfit makes me feel like I should be walking amongst the pharaohs. The sheer blouse gives just a peek of my skin hiding underneath. The shorts and platform sandals... dare I say "The Mile High Club". You gotta love it!

Set the cheetahs on the loose.