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Captured illustrating backstage at CZAR by Cesar Galindo Fashion Show by Noam Galai.

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CZAR by Cesar Galindo MBFW SS15 Presentation

Recap from a wonderful experience drawing live illustrations during  the CZAR by Cesar Galindo Mercedes Benz  Fashion Week Presentation. What a dream! I have worked backstage at Venexiana's 2011 SS12 Show at Lincoln Center as an intern during her casting and presentation on the runway. However, since those days, I have wanted to do live illustrations at the a fashion week venue for a designer. I'm so thankful to Brandon of  Would You Rock This  for the great opportunity to lend my skills to the show.

Cesar Galindo's designs were full of color, simplicity, line and graphic elements. The concepts for hair and makeup; elegant, french braid. Take a look at my experience through illustration and photography.

Here are some of my illustrations from the event. I found myself so immersed in the process, and loved the experience of capturing so many of the different variations of the production to the actual presentation. As someone who loves to work behind the scenes, I found my mind working 10 miles a minute, feeding off of the adrenaline and wanting to capture the energy of those moments.

Backstage Hair & Makeup CZAR by Cezar Galindo SS15 MBFW Presentation ©SaraJean-Baptiste 

Photos taken on my phone while sketching from backstage; hair and makeup at the CZAR by Cesar Galindo SS15 MFBW Presentation at the Hudson Hotel.

Photos from my phone from the presentation at the  Czar by Cesar Galindo SS15 MBFW Presentation at the Hudson Hotel.

Photo by Jay Marroquin
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Photo by Brandon Graham of Would You Rock This

Photo by Brandon Graham of Would you Rock This

Photo by Brandon Graham of Would You Rock This

LIFESTYLE | SUMMER SKINCARE

I know I haven't graced my own blog for a few weeks now. Mainly, I just wanted to come back with a fresh approach after considering many lifestyle changes and plans on making going forward in life, surrounding my habits, art, and my relationship to social media in entirety! Since summer is near it's end, I decided to do a passion project focusing on my skincare routine as it has been a major positive!


Here's my story.

Growing up, I was somewhat always around the beauty industry in some way. My mom sold Mary Kay when I was very young and being around that intrigued me. I also was always around backstage and art or performance in some kind of way and have always been a fan of makeup and the beauty industry. I had some embarrassing acne and discoloration throughout my pre-teen years and even had oily acne over my forehead when I was in the 6th grade. Once I started high school, it was ON and Sephora was a saving grace- haha! I But treating my skin was never really the focus of my routine at all, and I believe my skin suffered. Dark spots, rough, dry texture (on top of not having the best diet in the world) showed on my face and always made me feel like I looked older than people my age.

Fast forward to this summer and I finally got a clue. In a world were pictures are a big trend, I was so determined to tone it down for my own presentation's sake. At the start of the summer, I knew it was time to put the foundation away since I have oily skin. As much as I love an artistic full made up face but I found myself getting too dependent and becoming one of those beautifully late and didn't actually care for all that attention.  I have always had a love hate relationship presenting myself so I decided it could all be so simple and went for a minimal approach for he summer.

I decided to start by stripping my face of foundation and going with groomed brows and a lip to compliment. It was much more convenient and allowed me to focus on grooming the most prominant areas of my face.

Now a days, my makeup consists of these simple staples.

1.H&M Sunglasses
2. e.l.f. studio brow kit, $3
3. Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother SPF 20, $6.49
4. e.l.f Studio Small Angeled Brush, $3
5. Mac Cosmetics Lipstick Lady Danger, $14
6. Mac Cosmetics Lipstick Rebel, $14
7. Simple Skincare  Cleansing Facial Wipes, $4-6
8. Street Level Bags (makeup pouch included with handbag)

On June 20th, I took a trip to The Body Shop where an amazing buy 3 get 3 free deal was taking place. I spent about 2 hours at the store discussing the products and figuring out which of their different lines would work for my skin and what I was aiming to do. Given my history with foundation, my focus was even skin tone and acne treatment, as well as prevention. I decided on a few products which I have religiously been using in my routine every day. For just over 2 months now, I can say that I am glad I stopped myself from the overuse of makeup. Check out my routine and my staple products to see what I can't live without now-a days.

Morning Routine

 Every morning once I get to the bathroom it's about skincare ---immediately! I've become so excited about skincare once starting this routine and it has seemed to pay off for my skins appearance.

I start of with 1. The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion cleanser which doubles as a scrub. I gently massage and the rinse off, following up with my AHAVA Sun Protection Anti- Aging Moisturizer. Now, I must say sunscreen is the BOMB. I grew up thinking it wasn't that serious for me since I have dark skin but I've educated myself so much more on it and applying it to my life has well, changed it! I will NEVER again apply body lotion on my face. I have become a believer in sunscreen for the first time in my life and believe that it's use has changed my skin's texture and even appearance due to it's protection fron UV/UVB rays.  The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost is effective as a pimer before makeup application but since I'm off that banwagon it's also used to coat the moisturizer used under it and help firm dull skin. My results have been noticable to me. There is a subtle satin finish and glow to my skin now. 

Night Routine

Along with the vitamin C line, The Body Shop Tea Tree Line caught my eye a.s.a.p. simply on the stength of the tea tree ingredients being a major factor. I was convinced because I knew I didn't want to smell like tea tree during the day and worked it into my regimen due to the fact that it has a night cream meant to focus on your skin overnight. The Night Lotion feels like a facial peel once rinsed off the next morning. I've noticed a smoother and cleaner surface on my skin since using it. I approve. The pore perfector has been a staple daily, when I use it I see a primed surface for leveling my pores.

Weekly Routine

Sunday is a day that I pamper myself all around. I relax, I wash my hair, and do my facial symoltaniously at the end of my wash regimen. I usually apply the Tea tree facial mask when I'm at the end of a good deep conditioning treatment. It's amazing. With this on, my entire body just feels like it's being renewed for the week ahead. You get a lot of product in the container, and where I am now, I should be good for another three months at least! MAJOR STAPLE. 

Skincare Products, from The Body Shop and AHAVA.

Before I became a believer, I spent about $70 on all of my products combined thanks to the Body Shop Sale. 

1. Cleanser/ Scrub- The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion,$21
2. Sunscreen- AHAVA Sun Protection Anti- Aging Moisturizer, $15 (on sale) $38
3. Primer- The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost, $27
4. Foam Cleanser- The Body Shop Tea Tee Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser, $13
5. Night Lotion- The Body Shop Blemish Fade Night Lotion, $19
6. Pore Minimizer-  The Body Shop Seaweed Pore Perfector, $20
7. Facial Mask- The Body Shop Tea Tree Mask, $15

Hopefully this post wasn't too long or dragged beyond the overall point.  I'm happy I made this change and I will continue to use these products through the fall. I also realize I will probably need a moisturizer that focuses on nourishing the skin so eventually I plan on adding some Vitamin E products from the Body Shop later this month.

What products or lifestyle changes have helped your skin improve? Let me know!