SPOTLIGHT: Lola Maja-Okojevoh the Beautiful Beauty Expert

The very beautiful and shapely Lola Maja has been working as a makeup artist for 20 years. She is also a qualified Beauty Therapist, Holistic Massage Therapist,  Eyebrow and Eyelash Specialist (threading & waxing) and has launched her own range of Professional Artistry Eyelashes (www.sacredlashes.com) and Lash/Brow Bars .She specializes in Semi-permanent Eyelash Extensions with Top US Brand Xtreme Lashes.(www.xtremelashes.com). She is also an official member of The Perfume Studio which offers the unique service of individualized Custom Blend Perfumery.

  

 

 

Her career in beauty started off by working freelance for years for all the major cosmetics companies until taking the role as makeup artist for 2 years with the original team to launch Iman at their flagship counter in Selfridges, London in 1997. Lola then went on to provide personal makeup shopping services and one-on-one makeover events, later establishing the Sacred group of companies and focusing on Fashion, Editorial, Catwalk, Studio Photographic, Film & TV, Music Videos and Weddings. She is also a regular guest on television lifestyles shows & radio offering beauty, fashion and makeup advice while critiquing latest trends

 

Lola is currently the Acting Beauty Editor for FAB Magazine(www.fabmagazineonline.com) and has had articles published in various online and print magazines over the years. With her makeup work appearing in magazines such as TW, Genevive, True Love West Africa, Elan (Nigeria) - BHF, Black Hair & Beauty, Black Hair,  Coloures, Pride, Sideview (UK), and Trendsetter (Turkey). She was previously the Beauty & Lifestyles Editor for Noir Magazine which was sold in the UK, US and Europe. To add to her portfolio, Lola has worked on several music videos in the UK and Nigeria most recently working on hair & makeup for Wizkid's - "Tease Me" & "Holla at your boy" , Banky W’s “Lagos Party” & "Follow You Go",  Lami's "Over",  ElDee's "One Day" and "Only One",  Omawumi’s “Today na Today” and Dr Sid’s “Something about You”.

On set for Banky W - Lagos Party Video

Special Effects Makeup is also an area that Lola is quite passionate about. Creating characters, blood and gore for film and television. She was the head Makeup Artist for "The Figurine (Araromire)" by Award Winning Director Kunle Afolayan which stormed the box offices in Nigeria in October 2009 and is currently being shown around the world at various film festivals.

Special Effects Makeup on set of "The Figurine"

 Lola recently completed filming on a new movie in Philadelphia/New Jersey which is scheduled for release in this year where Nollywood's finest team up with top names in Hollywood entitled "Turning Point". The film stars Earnie Hudson (Ghostbusters/Oz), Cynda Williams (Mo Better Blues), Jo Esteves (Sheen Family Various Films), KD Aubert (Soul Plane/The Scorpian King), Todd Bridges (Different Strokes), Jackie Appiah (Nollywood/Gollywood), Oge Okoye , Patience Ozokwor(Nollywood) amongst others.

Through years of hard work she has learned to constantly keep on top of the ever changing fashions and trends. Creatively evolving and never staying stagnant. Through her company she offers training courses one on one or in small groups, making sure that each course is tailored specifically to students needs in order that the students gain as much knowledge that is relevant to what they want to specialize in and become successful makeup artists and beauty experts in their own right.  She is a driving force in promoting the concept of natural beauty, especially for everyday use. Working with her clients to take care of their skin as beautiful makeup starts with the beautiful skin beneath. She also works with clients to re-grow their lashes after damage caused by unsuitable glue or excessive lash extensions. But she is most passionate about encouraging new artists to open their minds and embrace their freedom of expression through creative makeup artistry. One style really does not suit all.  

 

Ever busy Lola has done a lot of work lately just as she has also being featured in some Magazines in the country. They include; Front page and interview in Genevive Magazine, Interviews in Y Magazine & FAB Magazine, Photosohots for FAB, Genevive, TW Mag, Y Magazine, Mania Magazine, MADE Magazine, Complete Fashion Magazine, Videos for Banky W, WizKid, Lami & El Dee, Hosting Project Swan as Head of the Glam Squad, Judging at the Elite Model Look Competition, Presenting Award at Soundcity Music Video Awards, Various TV Show interviews & makeovers, various lectures, workshops and sponsorship of events under either the Sacred Lashes or Sacred Academy banner., traveling to the US to shoot a new movie, Arise Magazine Fashion Week, Interview in City People, Photo and video campaign for launch of the new Africa Magic Channels and Etisalat Rebranding Launch show and a lot more.

Her Beauty Academy based in Lagos, Nigeria and it aims to raise the standards of the beauty therapy & spa industry in Nigeria as well as train new makeup artists in all aspects of the industry including beauty, fashion, film & tv as well as special effects.  For more info please visit www.thesacredacademy.com

Colour Blocking: The Ankara Way

Colour Blocking is the latest trend this season and it’s very interesting that people come out boldly to express themselves through colours.  Ankara famously known as ankara fabric (Dutch wax) or in general traditional/African material is a combination of colour, history, art and design. The graphic statement on these designs for the most part, mingles with colours and sometimes creates a bold shock in designs. Most ankara designs are inspired by tradition, history, culture, colors and so on. In summary, they have a story behind them. Some of the great fabric designers are Vlisco and Da Viva.These fabric designers have inspired African clothing designers around the world to create fascinating and mind blowing designs.

Ituen Basi Collection

Ituen Basi Collection

Ituen Basi Collection  

www.stylepantry.com

Culled from http://laizalounge.com

Souza presents 'The It Girl' Collection

She eats, sleeps, and breathes GLAM!  She's the IT-Girl. The collection features glamorous and stylish looks for every girl looking to steal shows and wants to have a domineering presence.The SOUZA brand believes in exploring the various shades of a woman. Hence, one will find that the collection comprises of dresses, jumpsuits and tops that define each model's identity while still achieving that 'IT' look.The shoot was styled by Damola Adeyemi and photographed by Lolu Osinbajo.

 

Culled from fashioneyenaija.com

Buttons Couture..Statement of Style and Elegance

Born in Brazil to a Nigerian Medical doctor and a Brazilian linguistic mother in 1987, the buttons inspired designer Remilekun Manoela Carolino Owadokun the CEO of Buttons Couture started at the age of 16 before registering her  brand ‘Buttons Couture’ in 2009. Popularly known as Remi Buttons  ( a name Mr. Incredible (M.I) gave her), Remi has clothed a whole lot of celebrities including Samson Siasia, Funke Akindele, MI, Uti Nwachukwu, Denrele Edun, Chidinma to mention a few.

 Remi Buttons feat MI, Uti, Denrele, Myk, Chidinma...

Kamondi! Tailored Suits and Shirts Exclusively for Women

Born in Uganda and raised in the United Kingdom, friends Emma Mohamed and Sonia Ygo are the designing duo behind Kamondi Couture, a London based label offering tailored suits and shirts exclusively for women. The label was created in 2006 after the two friends were given traditional African fabrics as gifts while on holiday in Uganda. The uniquely patterned fabrics inspired the pair to design tailor-made shirts. Following countless compliments, the pair spotted a gap in the market and saw great potential to offer well made shirts using unique and unusual prints.

In 2010, Emma and Sonia began designing a ready-to-wear collection which launched at Fashions Finest Renaissance Fashion Show in January 2011. They impressed the audience with their bold designs and quickly won acclaim for their creativity and interesting approach on women's tailoring.

Drawing their inspiration form traditional features on men's tailoring, their suits and shirts are refined with an elegant flair to suit the female form. The couple are keen to bring their original and daring designs to the forefront of fashion.

KiRette NY, taking Africa to New York

Influenced by their love for culture, fashion, and their African roots, designers Anrette Ngafor and Kibonen Nfi weave traditional and contemporary styles to bring African-inspired designs to the streets of New York .Hatched in the New York chic bubble, KiRette NY is mainly inspired by the "toghu" (also known as the Bamenda gown) - a colourful and intricately embroidered fabric typically worn, on special occasions, by the people of the North West and Western provinces in Cameroon. Although the "toghu" cloth is KiRette NY's signature fabric, their designs are not limited to it.