INK Cosmetics featured in Total Eclipse Magazine Anniversary Issue

 Special Thanks to: Sky Reese for sending us our copy of Total Eclipse Magazine Anniversary Issue!

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Thanks to Ayanna Scott of Scott & Co. for choosing INK...Cosmetics as the brand behind this shoot!  The remarkable Leonard Poteat did an impeccable job capturing the images of the lovely Grammy Recording Artist Carolyn Malachi.  

About the Shoot:

Summed up as the four C's:  A cultivated, creative, couture, creation!

EPIC!

About INK...Cosmetics:

INK…cosmetics is a makeup line fashioned by Professional Celebrity Makeup Artist Anna Castillo. Anna has worked at the pinnacle of the makeup and fashion industry. Her clients have included artists, designers, actors, and celebrities such as Shakira, Aubrey O’day, Johnny Weir, Spinderella, Adrienne Bailon, Danny Glover, Michael Phelps, Jaslene Gonzalez, Janice Combs, Vanessa and Angela Simmons, Pastry Shoes, Amber Rose, Betsey Johnson, Johnathan Kayne, Althea Harper, Gordana Gehlhausen Goga, Tsyndyma, Unite Hair Academy, Fashion News Network, ZINK Magazine, Jesus Estrada, Jess Zaino, Indashio, VH1, MTV, and NYFW just to name a few.

The colors at the house of ink… are all fashion colors, and are made with high pigments to ensure a longer lasting coverage and the staying the power is a professional makeup artist’s dream. We have chosen our palette from the colors found on the runways of New York and Paris Fashion Week as well as those found in editorial photo shoots. Each element of ink… has been painstakingly done to ensure its perfection for smooth long-lasting application. It will last and stay fresh well beyond anything you’ve ever seen.

INK...Cosmetics Shop is OPEN at www.shopinkcosmetics.com

About Total Eclipse:

(courtesy: www.totaleclipsemag.com)

Created by Eric Hardin, a Bostonian, who has always had a pulse on the
entertainment business, has made his purpose driven goal to be that of balancing
the spotlight of well-known artists with those who are yet to be.Total Eclipse highlights unequivocal icons within the African-American community.
Providing positive influences on and for our readers. Our focus on reshaping our
world, begins with redefining perspectives by our broad analysis & coverage on:Politics:    Interviews with community leadersCulture:    Prominent figures that are responsible for contouring
current views and normalityFashion:   Avant-garde profiles, always staying abreast of the latest
& greatest names and brands. Including forthcoming designersBusiness: Financial & Investment AdviceReviews:  Music, Literature and TheatreHealth & Beauty: Homeopathic and Current Medical Solutions

We are extremely grateful and excited to be apart of this issue!  Thank you to all who participated!  Thank you to Total Eclipse Magazine for helping spread our "art!"  

XOXO Besos,

Anna Castillo

10 day countdown to INK... COSMETICS LAUNCH!

Photo by: ANNA CASTILLO

Makeup/Hair/Styling by: Anna Castillo - ink...cosmetics

CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL EVENT DETAILS

We are so pleased and excited about our official launch scheduled in 10 days (August 20th, 2011) at the L2 Lounge in Georgetown, DC.  I will be posting a blog each day with what is happening in the world of ink...cosmetics to give you an inside look at what it took to make the event epic and unforgettable.

What's happening now?

MILITARY TRAINING:

I am still in a military combat training course and between fighting simulated opposing forces and combating the insects and the heat, while continuing meetings via emails and phone to finalize all the necessary pieces for a seamless and successful launch event.

I have about another 2 hours before we gear up for a simulated Southwest Asian mission and pray we all come back with zero casualties! This is my last week here and I am ready to head home. We have a great team and I know we will do well! 

Photo by: Anna Castillo

"Just another day at the office"

(weapons issue)

Photo by: Anna Castillo

Anna all geared up for Simunitions Exercises
"AAAHH!"

LAUNCH PREP:

Everything seems to be in place for the ink...cosmetics launch! Thank GOD!  I am so pleased to be surrounded by such professional people!  As you see in the invite, this is a FREE event!  We have put together beauty necessities for our FREE I <3 ink...cosmetics swag bags.  Get there early!  Bags are available only the first 100 guests!  

We have brought in some of the best companies in the DC area together in order to showcase the faces of ink...!  The launch will be the official welcome of ink...cosmetics as a retailed product. 

First, I want to thank each one of the companies as a whole cultivated creative team for all the hard work they have done to assist in support of my vision.  THANK YOU! May you all continue to be blessed with your successes as well!

I will showcase each company on my blog as a tribute and credit to them for their time and efforts!

The music for the show is picked, the special performance by amazing Grammy Nominated Recording Artist Carolyn Malachi is highly anticipated, and everyone is finishing up their respective pieces of the puzzle.

Models are set and confirmed and I am so looking forward to enhancing their already beautiful faces!  I will showcase each of them as well in the next few weeks to come.  Thank you ladies for your continued support!

We will have models like Allyn Rose, Miss Maryland USA 2011, couture dresses designed by WELLTA, hair by the wonderful W SALON VA, accessories and shoes styled by Ayanna Scott of  http://www.scottnco.com/, production management by Triana Woodard and Vance Gamble of Purple District, event photography by Naiffer Photography, MC hosts Vannessa and Markette of DC on Heels, videography by Mundovision and continued contributing support by DC Life Magazine.

THE LOOKS:

I have received emails over the last month asking what do I have in store for our faces of ink...  Well, honestly, I have been combing over some ideas and don't want to spoil the fun by disclosing too much information.  I know I will feature some one of a kind Makeup Accessories by ink... and high pigmented trends at a minimum.

The purpose of this launch is to showcase just some of the capabilities of our skincare and cosmetics line, which has been formulated for multi-purpose results for both men and women.  We are also using this event to meet with other Fashion industry professionals in and around the DC, Maryland and Virginia area.

I hope to meet each of you there!  XXO Besos!

Anna Castillo

Behind the Inspiration of Grammy Nominated Recording Artist CAROLYN MALACHI

Photo: Leonard Poteat

Stylist: Ayanna Scott

Hair (Barber): Troy D. Johnson - YHYF

Makeup: Anna Castillo - ink...cosmetics

Q: ink…cosmetics - When did you know you were going to be a recording artist?

A: Carolyn Malachi - “I knew I would be a recording artist during my junior year of college, 2005. Dr. Kevin Williams, my favorite professor at Shepherd University, unlocked my musical imagination during a sound design course. I began producing and fitting years of lyrics and emotion into the music I was starting to produce. It was an exhilarating revelation, learning that I could fashion dope experiences - that are cathartic for me and for others - with my own two hands, ears, and eyes. Creative intelligence is a beautiful, empowering thing. I'm glad to have been encouraged to explore my own.”

Q: ink…cosmetics - Who was your inspiration?

A: Carolyn Malachi – “I have several musical inspirations, but my dad is my greatest inspiration. I don't know that I would have the type of resolve and determination without my father's influence. When the going gets tough, he reminds me that I am tougher than whatever is going on. When I achieve a milestone, he tells me that I really haven't done anything yet and that I need to keep pushing forward. I knew that Orion was going to be successful because my daddy loved it before it was perfect; before it was polished.”

Q: ink…cosmetics - What was the inspiration behind your latest record?

A: Carolyn Malachi – “Lions, Fires & Squares is an exercise in dream casting. Even though I'm an independent artist, I wanted to be able to compete and solidify my presence in the industry with this record. In a way, the concept was very free and aloof from any idea other than augmenting the quality of production, writing, and arrangement. Working with top notch producers and engineers like James McKinney, Scott Jacoby, and Kevin Jackson freed me up to write with greater confidence. I knew my musical ideas would be honored and explored. They are great creative partners.”

Q: ink…cosmetics - Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

A: Carolyn Malachi – “Within five years, I expect the Carolyn Malachi brand to be a household name. I want to be like Target and Whole Foods - a one-stop shop for everything that feeds the mind, body, and soul. When people hear my name, I want them to remember that they're not alone, and that they have a champion out here. Sometimes, that's all the encouragement you need to move forward.”

Q: ink…cosmetics - Best advice for new artists are?

A: Carolyn Malachi – “Surround yourself with people who can brighten the dark corners of your mind. You can only learn if your teachers are smarter than you.”

Q: ink…cosmetics - Your new photos by Leonard Poteat and styled fashions by Ayanna Scott are breathtaking! In the beauty department what would you say is your favorite must have beauty product?

A: Carolyn Malachi – “Water is my favorite beauty product. I drink a gallon of water a day to stay hydrated and to fight acne.”

Q: ink…cosmetics - ink...cosmetics Celebrity Makeup Artist/Creative Director Anna Castillo cultivated a bird like eye for your latest shoot. Which is now your new signature makeup look. What does this signify?

Photo: Leonard Poteat * Stylist: Ayanna Scott

Couture Lashes and Makeup by Anna Castillo - ink...cosmetics

Photo: Leonard Poteat

*Stylist for Keira and Carolyn Malachi: Ayanna Scott

Hair for Keira Malachi: Sue T. Lawhorn & Cindy Soung - W Salon VA

A: Carolyn Malachi – “We can get so caught up in our challenges that we forget to look at the beauty and possibility of our dreams. The song that gets me through the toughest times is Lizz Wright's "Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly". She says "Never be afraid to love. Never be afraid to just be...Have the courage to be free." So, I love the bird eye, and I view it as a symbol of letting go of fear and letting my dreams take flight.  It was very important for me that my little sister participated in this photo shoot because her dream is to become a model. I enjoy helping my friends and family's visions come to fruition. That, in itself, is a dream come true.”

Q: ink…cosmetics - Are you a lipstick or lip gloss girl?

A: Carolyn Malachi – “Gloss atop a matte lipstick! At any given time, there are at least three tubes of gloss rolling around at the bottom of my bag.”

Q: ink…cosmetics - How would you define your beauty style?

A: Carolyn Malachi – “My style is striking, chic, and eclectic. I rock my Chic Caesar because it's stylish, bold, and easy to maintain. You have to be a certain kind of woman with a certain kind of confidence to wear this hairstyle properly. It's only fitting that my fashion choices follow suit.”

Q: ink…cosmetics - What project do you have coming up in the next few months?

A: Carolyn Malachi – “I am very excited about releasing the Carolyn Malachi app with a special musical gift for you, you, and you! Thank you, INK Cosmetics! <3”