On this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Ashley Williams to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Ashley made history by becoming the first Caribbean-American, with roots in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos Island, to be named Miss Virginia USA. With years of experience as an event coordinator, she works with government contracting executives and is grateful for the opportunity to connect our nation’s leaders. Ashley was able to combine her passion for dance with serving the co...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min
On this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I we celebrate the 4 year anniversary of the Friends in Beauty Podcast with a solo episode from Your Best Friend in Beauty, Akua. She gives a recap of the Friends in Beauty Bus Trip to the Makeup Show NYC & also talks about dealing with imposter syndrome, the Youthforia drama, and what’s next for Friends in Beauty. Enjoy this episode!! Leave us a 5 star review and share this episode with a friend or 2 or 3. info@friendsinbeauty.com TRAV...
May 08, 2024•32 min
On this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Kristy Strate to the Friends in Beauty guest chair! Kristy is a bi-coastal Makeup Artist who splits her time between Los Angeles and New York City. Kristy began working in makeup at the ripe old age of 19, starting in the world of print, fashion, and advertising before moving into narrative film and TV. She began department heading very early in her film career and right away realized that she loved the process of building project...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 5 min
On this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Melody McCloskey to the Friends in Beauty guest chair! Melody is a trailblazing entrepreneur, celebrated as the co-founder and CEO of StyleSeat, a groundbreaking platform revolutionizing the beauty and wellness industry. Her brainchild, StyleSeat, stands as the foremost destination for booking appointments, notably empowering women-led businesses across diverse sectors. With an astounding reach spanning over 16,000 cities in the U...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 12 min
On this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Courtney Cheatham to the Friends in Beauty guest chair! Courtney, the creative powerhouse behind Crazy Crave Cosmetics, transforms passion into innovation. As the mastermind, she meticulously crafts each product release, shade, and website detail. Starting her makeup journey in high school, Courtney's experimentations in her grandma's kitchen birthed the iconic glitter gloss. The overwhelming demand led her to strategic research, ...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 2 min
On this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks to the Friends in Beauty guest chair for the 2nd time! Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks is an illustrious figure in the beauty industry, acclaimed not only for her pioneering makeup artistry for over two decades but also as the innovative force behind Ashunta Sheriff Beauty. Her brand epitomizes the pinnacle of clean, progressive beauty solutions designed for everyone, underpinned by a mission of inclusivity and...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 37 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Cherice Williams to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Blaq Luxury Hair Products is an esteemed beauty brand, owned and run by the talented Cherice Williams, a Jamaican native. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, BLAQ Luxury has a remarkable journey that stemmed from personal experiences, unwavering faith, fortunate opportunities, and calculated risks. While trying to remedy hair loss, a symptom of her PCOS diagnosis, Cherice decided to t...
Apr 03, 2024•52 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Nakoya Yancey to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Nakoya is a Hair Designer, with over 30 years of professional experience. She is also a UK trained Wig Maker and Facial Hair Piece Maker. Watching the famous show The Wire on HBO peaked Nakoya’s curiosity in the Film and Television world of Hair Styling. In 2009 Nakoya got her first break on the film The Best and The Brightest. From that day on Nakoya never looked back. Nakoya learned p...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 30 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Matiki Anoff to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Matiki Anoff, originally from Ghana, West Africa, and raised in the UK, currently resides in New York. As a highly accomplished head makeup designer for major motion pictures and a former Contracted CoverGirl Cosmetic Spokesperson, Matiki boasts an impressive career. A three-time Emmy nominee for Makeup Design excellence, Matiki is a distinguished winner of prestigious awards such as the...
Mar 20, 2024•48 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Melanee Williams to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Melanee is a professional Editorial Hairstylist/Artist with over 15 years of experience. As a passionate entrepreneur, Melanee has had the privilege of servicing renowned spiritual leaders, TV and radio personalities, professional athletes, major clothing designers, and a variety of other celebrities. Her extensive portfolio has opened up the opportunity for her to travel to other co...
Mar 13, 2024•46 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Bethany Townes to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Bethany's journey into the realm of makeup commenced in 2006 with a part-time position at a cosmetic counter, where her fascination with the intricacies of mascara and blush application was ignited. What began as a simple interest soon blossomed into her vocation and full-time profession. Motivated by the dynamic trends of the industry, Bethany leverages her background as an Army medic...
Mar 06, 2024•1 hr 38 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Jaleesa Jaikaran to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Jaleesa grew up in Trinidad, the small island where her life-long passion for makeup was birthed. Her involvement in a fashion show led her to purchase a foundation that became the spark that led her into the world of fashion and beauty. In 2011, while pursuing her business degree, she landed a job with a cosmetic company, where she was exposed to the international scope of the beaut...
Feb 28, 2024•1 hr 2 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Kat Aragon to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Kat, with over twenty years in the beauty industry, is celebrated for her dedication to enhancing client confidence, nurturing fellow salon professionals, and motivating artists. Self described as the "accidental makeup artist," her career took a serendipitous turn when her family opened a salon, propelling her into roles as a manager, licensed esthetician, and makeup artist for various oc...
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr 36 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Kelyn Henry to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Kelyn is an army Veteran and devoted mom with a passion for skincare. Frustrated by the lack of effective solutions for acne and problematic skin, she used her esthetician expertise to create a unique skincare line. Her products cater to blemish-prone, sensitive, and dry skin, loaded with natural ingredients that heal and protect without harsh chemicals. Kelyn's dedication to helping you ...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 2 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Kimanee Mason to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Born and raised in Westmoreland Jamaica, Kimanee moved to New York City for college and was soon discovered by Elite Model Management, shooting Teen Vogue the very next day. Her modeling career spanned over 15 years from runways to commercial work with top designers like Oscar de la Renta and Valentino. She completed her BFA in design at the New York School of Interior Design, transitio...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 2 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Dimosha Devon Smith Sr. to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Dimosha is a proud father before all. He is also the Founder of a non-profit organization called CapeTown (D)MV. CapeTown DMV is a network of hair and beauty professionals who come together to promote positive self-esteem by servicing underserved and underprivileged communities at no cost to clients. They use the attraction of beauty and self-care services to help fulfill init...
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 203
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Crystal Wright to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Crystal Wright, the go-to powerhouse in the world of freelance beauty professionals, has been breaking down career barriers for over 25 years. Her journey into the agency scene kicked off with a gutsymove—ditching the corporate grind to champion photographers, makeup and hair artists, and fashion stylists in the bustling streets of Los Angeles, California. The birth of Crystal Agency m...
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr 49 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Gregory Bazemore to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Greg is an Emmy Award winning Hair Stylist and industry veteran. His work has been featured on Pose, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, First Wives Club, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier to name a few. Greg believes that there are no boundaries that will impede him. He has also excelled as an educator in the field of Cosmetic Artistry. Continuous thinking, planning, and creating, he sa...
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Milan Junchalearn to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Here are two truths: there are no hair stylists out there quite like Milan Junchalearn and there are very few salons that can compete with hers. She’s a self-taught stylist whose first booth was a bathroom stall at the Fashion Institute in NYC back in the ’90s. Now, she’s the owner of Chi Bella Hair Studio Inc., a 5000-square-foot luxury salon located in Bowie, Maryland, specializin...
Jan 10, 2024•1 hr 17 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Carol Rasheed to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. An Emmy Nominated Veteran Makeup Department Head in the TV and Film Industry. She credits her advances in the profession by always listening, always learning and forever being a collaborative partner! Carol has headed countless TV and Film projects with Warner Brothers, NBC, ABC, BET, AMC, Tyler Perry Studios, Oprah Winfrey Networks, HBO, Showtime, Apple TV, Netflix, and many others. Ca...
Jan 03, 2024•1 hr 33 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Maude Okrah Hunter to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Maude is an entrepreneur who is passionate about bringing solutions to underserved markets. She has over 12 years of experience working in strategy with startups and Fortune 500 companies. She is the Founder and CEO of BBR (Black Beauty Roster). Black Beauty Roster is a digital DE&I platform that connects the TV, Film & Editorial world with hairstylists and makeup artists t...
Dec 30, 2023•33 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Ngozi Olandu Young to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Emmy nominated/ award winning makeup artist and entrepreneur, Ngozi, known to most as “Gozi”, radiates the world with her remarkable creativity and positive attitude. Through the influence of her rich Nigerian culture, the American raised artist fell in love with beauty and production at a very young age. She was deeply inspired by the vibrant details of her family’s stories and ga...
Dec 27, 2023•49 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Laurencia Burt to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Brooklyn Sky Collection is one such brand. The founder Laurencia Burt struggled with homelessness as a child where her and her family sometimes slept in churches and even their car. This fueled her passion to become a social worker as an adult. She wanted to be the person she needed as a child. She went on to get married, have children and thrive. Just when Laurencia thought that life ...
Dec 22, 2023•1 hr 11 min
"Heal the hair and touch the soul,” is the mantra that guides the hands of award-winning Doctor of Professional Cosmetology Dr. Adrin “Seven”. His stellar signature styles have found their way to the pages of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Essence, InStyle, Heart & Soul, Jet, Upscale, Ebony, Black Hair Sophisticates, and other leading beauty and fashion magazines. With remarkable talent, innovative skills, and undeniable charm, he has been matched by the likes of celebrities such as Patti La Belle, Lyn...
Dec 13, 2023•1 hr 16 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Rich Rocket to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Growing up with very humble beginnings, Rich learned at a very young age how to resourcefully make something from nothing. Expression was second nature to Rich, even though social normality and small town mentality kept his creativity at bay for most of his adolescence. After high school, Rich began his journey into higher education, and self exploration. He began working various jobs, to...
Dec 06, 2023•1 hr 32 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Obi Omile to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Obi is the CEO + Co-Founder of theCut App, the #1 barber discovery app. Obi was on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List and is a Techstars ‘18 alum. He brings experience across tech and financial services industries prior to launching theCut with his co-founder Kush Patel. Almost anyone who's been to a barbershop has had a bad haircut experience. It happens to barbers too. They definitely have their...
Nov 29, 2023•1 hr
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Derrenzo “Renz” Hines to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. After Renz inherited a beauty salon at the age of 19, when his father passed away, he took the business under his wing and turned it into a beauty empire. He is now the Owner of Salon Renz, Suites by Renz (2 locations), and Bundles by Renz, solidifying himself as a go to in the industry. On this episode Renz shares all of the trials and tribulations of his journey thus far, how ...
Nov 22, 2023•1 hr 49 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Dr. Afiya is a therapist, educator, research-scientist, hair historian, and hairstylist. She is the owner of Ma'at Psychological Services, a private practice in Washington, DC focused on promoting balance and restoring order to the lives of her clients. She focuses on understanding and using traditional African cultural rituals for contemporary wholistic mental health practices. ...
Nov 15, 2023•58 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Andrea C. Samuels to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Andrea is an award winning Celebrity Makeup Artist, Hair Stylist and Beauty Educator who excels in beauty, editorial and red carpet events nationwide and internationally. Between 2013 to today, Andrea has assisted some of the industry’s top Makeup Artists such as Ashunta Sheriff, Sir John, DeShawn Hatcher, Gucci Westman and the late AJ Crimson. Andrea was the first makeup finalist f...
Nov 08, 2023•1 hr 15 min
On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Makeup Artist & Co-Founder of Black Legends In Beauty, Viola Nicholson to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. With a career spanning 30+ years in the industry, Viola is no stranger to hard work, perseverance, and adding value to her community. Aside from operating her tool line, Brushes by Viola, she is known for coordinating the most transformative Makeup Masterclasses for some of our faves like Sam Fine, Merrell Hollis, and Reggie W...
Nov 01, 2023•1 hr 44 min
