LaShara Lashawn

This day was like no other. Wake up, get ready, go to work and at some point check social media. Social media has become less important lately however I still use it to connect, meet and promote my art. How I can turn some of this into income some day I’m not sure yet. As I continue to scroll and like different pictures I see a flyer for a contest. The flyer was posted by someone I know personally which made me feel inclined to really look at it.

Here I am looking at yet another contest on Instagram. What do you have to do, I think to myself. When I would see these I would wonder if they were in fact real, people scam all the time on social media and no one is ever really who they proclaim to be these days so I’m sure anyone could understand my skepticism. As I began to read I noticed that the contest was being put together by bay area stylist Nikija. The contest was for a special winner to get the chance to get a full make over. The chosen winner would get hair, make up and style.

This was interesting because I knew the hair stylist and the clothing stylist had a fashion show about 2 years ago and my good friend walked in the show. I attended the event and it was amazing! In my mind I thought to myself this could by no means be a scam and they are from the Bay Area so its local. I honestly felt like I had a chance at winning. So the instructions were to follow the stylist page repost and tag. Simple and easy. To be honest I really needed to win. My hair needed to be done, I havent been glamed up in a while and I’m sure it would be very fun.

After I posted the flyer I encourage some of my followers to tag the stylist so that they would know that I was serious. Leading up to the drawing I had told a few friends and co workers what I had done and they all asked me if I thought it was real or what I would be doing. I honestly did not have a clue other than I knew the winner would get their hair, make up and clothing styled. I actually hoped I could get some cheap bundles since I had never had that type of style. I had not even won but I was excited. My sister was very skeptical, she didn’t think I should be so excited and that it could likely be fake.

After I posted the flyer I began to see other ladies re posting the flyer as well. The Bay is not that big and this made me a little nervous because I didn’t know what the requirements where to be selected since we all were required to do the same thing, repost and tag. The day arrived for the drawing, I made sure to be on Instagram all day. I did have an event that day so I hoped that I would find out the winner before the event because I wouldn’t know who won. Nikija posted that she would announce the winner on Instagram live. At this time I am getting ready to leave for my event. I am hoping I win but I prepare for the chance that I might not win.

The live starts and Nikija talks about the contest she announces that there are now 2 winners not just one and that there will be a photo shoot as well. This was exciting because I felt that I had more of a chance at wining. It’s time for her to announce the winners and she states that the name is kind of hard so I think that this can’t be me because my Instagram name isn’t hard. I walk away from my phone because she isnt going to call me. “@Charmane_5starchampagne!!!!! you won!!”  as soon as I hear this I get so excited!!. I wrote in on the live that I won, I actually closed it out on accident and then I posted that I won. I was beyond excited becuase I don’t win many contest.

Nikija was in contact with me right away, I even saw my homegirl who was the stylist that day. She congratulated me and told me how she already knew and was actually going to tell me the day before.  The glam date was picked for about two weeks later. Two weeks couldn’t come any faster. The big day had finally arrived and I was ready. I washed and blow dried my hair as requested. I was pretty tired from taking my hair down and that whole process the night before. I used to watch America’s Next Top Model and show produced by Top Model Tyra Banks. On the show she along with the other panel judges who have had extensive experience with fashion would give the contestants advice all the time. One of the things I remembered to do was bring things.

I made sure to bring my all-purpose make up bag, black and nude heels, face towel and a few other random things. Upon arriving I was greeted by Nakija and she was super sweet. The solon space was very nice and well decorated. There were different rooms where different services were provided. I met the make up artist and the photographer who were very welcoming. Everyone wanted to know if I was nervous, at first I wasn’t. Hair was first! I wasn’t getting bundles after all, I got a nice classy side style. Curls falls on the right side of my face with a nice braid covering the left side. Being that I was tired I did catch myself falling asleep in the chair, this is normal but I was trying to engage in conversation but I just couldn’t.

The photographer took several pictures while I was in the chair and of the other young lady who won as well. After hair it was make up time. I had to stop for a second to eat because I had some how worked up an appetite but I couldn’t eat too much because I knew I had clothes to fit in. The make up artist gave me tips to just relax, have fun and enjoy the moment. I always enjoy getting my make up done because I am able to learn. I would ask her what she was using and pay attention to her application methods. Hair done, make up done and I’m looking like a new woman. Not to mention I got some lashes on, I think I am a star at this point.

Its time to get dressed and honestly I don’t have a problem with getting dressed in front of people. I mean it is what it is and if you are not going to offer some cash to fix what you may not like I could care less about a opinon. Then according to Tyra you may have to change or get dressed anywhere as a model. So the first outfit was nice, a yellow jumpsuit however I couldn’t get all these goods in it comfortably. I began to feel bad like maybe I should have reported my size to be a bit bigger I knew I hadn’t been to the gym or eating right lately.

To my surprise there was a second option. A long flowing dress with a split on each side. It had green palm trees on it and it totally reminded me of JLo in the early 2000s when she wore that sheer dress when she was dating music mogul Sean P. Diddy Combs.

The dress was amazing but the shoe option was a purplish shoe that was for the yellow outfit. That wasnt going to work for me, thank goodness I brought my own shoes. I quickly changed and then the bra didn’t work. As always it’s always something with me. If it isn’t one thing it’s another. I had forgotten that I packed another type of black bra!! I changed and everything fell in place. It was time to take pictures and with every step I got more and more nervous. Anxiety had began to set in. I felt like I was shrinking and that everything was closing in. I hadn’t had a moment like this in a while. I noticed I had this overwhelming urge to cry. But I couldn’t I had gotten all the way here and I couldnt back down now. My homegirl and hair stylist constantly checked in with me and I would say I was fine.

I went first for pictures and I focused on the good tips I got and began to smile for the camera. This process was an extreme confidence booster. I felt beautiful and stylish, I practiced some looks at home a few days before. The ladies began to praise me for my poses and gas me up a bit. It really helped a lot. I mean how do these real models come up with all these poses? The other young lady took her photos and she was great to watch so much energy and a beautiful smile. We then took some pictures together and it was a wrap! I knew I had to go out after since I was all done up. I’m so grateful for the opportunity and I don’t know why I was selected out of the tone of ladies who reposted for a chance to win but I am glad I did. All that was next was to wait for the final pictures.

I present to some and introduce to others, ME!!!

Styled by @styledbynikija

Hair styled by @effortless_styles

I think they turned out great and this would be an experience I would never for get.

Thank you

Eljay