SWEET PUMPKIN BODY SCRUB
This body scrub will gently exfoliate and revitalize your skin.

Combine, in a small bowl:

• 1 cup pureed pumpkin
• 1 cup organic cane sugar
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon

Mix with a spoon until blended. Apply to body with gentle circular scrubbing motions, using a washcloth if desired. When complete, rinse with warm water.

UNSCENTED FACIAL SCRUB:

½ cup pureed pumpkin
3 tablespoons organic sugar
½ teaspoon pumpkin seed oil

Directions: Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and mix them together to make a thick paste. Massage quarter-sized amount into your face/body in circular motions. Rinse off after a few minutes with lukewarm water.

FRAGRANT FACIAL SCRUB:

½ cup cooked or canned pumpkin, pureed
½ cup brown sugar
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions: Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix them together to make a thick paste. Massage quarter-sized amount into your face/body in circular motions. Rinse off after a few minutes with lukewarm water.

PURIFYING FACIAL MASK
This facial mask with help soften your skin for a natural glow.

Combine, in a small bowl:

• 2 Tbsp pureed pumpkin
• 2 tsp honey
• 1 egg yolk, beaten
• Buttermilk—just enough to reach a spread-able consistency

Mix ingredients well, and apply to freshly cleansed skin, avoiding the eyes. Lie back and allow the mask to do its work for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, and enjoy your smooth skin.

FACE MASK FOR OILY SKIN:

¼ cup of fresh pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin seed oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 egg yolk

Directions: Combine all the ingredients and blend together in a food processor. Spread mixture all over face and leave for 20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.

FACE MASK FOR DRY SKIN:

¼ cup of fresh pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin seed oil
Splash of milk (or whipping cream if your skin is REALLY dry)

Directions: Combine all the ingredients and blend together in a food processor. Apply the mixture to your face and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse off with water.

The milk/cream is great for dry skin – it moisturizes and nourishes the skin.

PUMPKIN PIE FOOT SCRUB
This foot and hand scrub will help slough off rough skin, leaving skin soft and moisturized.

Combine in a small bowl:

• 1/4 cup pureed pumpkin
• 2 Tbsp organic cane sugar
• 3 Tbsp oil (try jojoba, grapeseed, almond, or olive oil)
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• 1 drop natural vanilla extract

Blend ingredients thoroughly. Over a large bowl, rimmed baking sheet, or bathtub, massage mixture into feet (and hands, if desired), focusing on rough areas and cuticles. Allow mixture to remain on skin for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water.

PUMPKIN HAIR MASK

½ cup pureed pumpkin
¼ cup of natural plain yogurt
2 tablespoons of honey

Directions: Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Apply the mask through your entire head of hair (from root to tip). Once your hair is full saturated, put on a shower cap and leave on for about 30 minutes. Rinse off well with lukewarm water. Style as usual.

Pumpkin is an excellent conditioner for dry hair; this recipe promises to make your hair shiny and soft.

In our efforts, we chose a PETA2 fan to name the next Vegan color in our line and how this luxurious cobalt blue relates to cruelty-free. Our featured PETA2 winner Madison Moore, a first year high school art teacher gets an A+ not only for picking our new kick-ass name “Free Bird” (available June 18th) but also for her warm heart and strong efforts supporting animal rights.

Madison chose the name “Free Bird Blue”, she says when she saw the blue color she automatically thought of a bird. “Free bird” came to mind because she thought of animal rights and how every animal deserves to be free. Madison also took into consideration the style that Johnny Concert Glamour has, and thought…hey…Free Bird is a song! The name “Free Bird Blue” is perfect for this color of eyeshadow because it depicts the morals and standards of Johnny Concert Glamour, PETA and even adds a little humor by using the name of a witty song title.

Madison also only purchases and supports products that are cruelty-free,  “It’s 2012; there is no reason why we should be testing products on animals! I wish people would take the time to read the label on something before they buy it so that we can continue to push animal testing out for good. As far as beauty tips go…I can’t go without mascara, an eyelash curler, or lip balm! Also, the best thing to do to stay beautiful is to eat healthy, and take care of your skin, moisturize daily, and wear sun-screen whenever you go out in the sun.”

Madison takes great pride in being a Vegetarian for the past 6 years, she even has vanity car plates expressing her strong beliefs. Her reason for becoming a Vegetarian is because she does not believe in factory farming.

“I feel that animals are mistreated, abused and taken advantage of in these situations. I believe that we as a society consume far more meat than we should. It is not healthy to eat as much as the media portrays that we should. Animals were not put on this earth just for us to eat, or test products on.” Her favorite quote about animal rights is from Mahatma Gandhi “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated.”

Madison would also like to mention the importance of adopting animals. “When I moved to Mississippi several years ago, my mom and I noticed an abundance of homeless dogs and cats in our area. We took in a few to foster until we could find them new homes. It’s heartbreaking to see an animal hungry, and sick because it was left out in the woods to fend for itself, or to be picked up by the pound. I wish that people would go to their local ASPCA to pick out a new furry friend instead of going to a pet store or breeder. I am the proud owner of two rescue dogs, and one rescue kitty. In the picture of me and the two dogs, you will see Dobi Juan Kenobi (the blue and red dog) is 6 months old, he is a pitbull and doberman mix. He was adopted from a farm that had a litter of puppies that were unwanted…and Olive (the black, white, and tan dog) is 4 yrs old, she is a dachshund and feist mix…her parents were rescued off the side of the road, found digging in trash for food After a few weeks of fostering the parents, we realized the mom was pregnant…so that’s where Olive came from! I also have a cat named Charlotte, and I have had her FOREVER, she is 14 now, she was a free kitten that I picked out from my best friend in 5th grade.”

We couldn’t be happier with our winner Madison for her amazing efforts to help animals and truly understand how a cruelty-free world should be. Rock on Madison we love you!

FREE BIRD WILL BE AVAILABLE 6/18

BP: How did you get into t-shirt design?
MC: When I came up with the concept for MAINTENANCE [CLOTHING], spreading the philosophy on tees seemed to be the best way to start out! Who doesn’t love t-shirts?!

BP: What is your business philosophy?
MC: To Maintain What You Love!

BP: What is the inspiration behind your brand?
MC: The brand is the product of a journal entry I wrote a few years ago. I was venting about how hard it was to balance every aspect of my life without one thing or another being neglected: friends, social life, relationships, bills, my job, my hobbies, family etc. But if you truly care about something, you HAVE to remember to #maintain it!

BP: As you grow as an indie business what other areas are you looking to explore?
MC: As much as we love tees, we want to start spreading our message on tanks, pillowcases, and eventually hoodies and cardigans. Once more people start to learn about our brand, logo and what it represents, we would love to start offering cut-and-sew pieces without graphics. Our brand as a whole represents strength and balance. Just owning a piece of MAINTENANCE should empower you- even if our philosophy isn’t plastered across the front of the shirt. Would also LOVE to get into home decor one day!

BP: If you can have any celebrity wear your clothes who would it be and why?
MC: ANY celebrity in our clothing is a dream come true! They are trend setters & with them rockin our message, it’s sure to get out there. It would be awesome to see the word #maintain everywhere and know that it is helping people keep their lives together.

BP: What is the biggest challenge you face as a start-up business?
MC: Making the right call. As a new company, every decision can make or break us. Even creative decisions are important pieces to the puzzle. There are nights that I lay awake and can’t sleep because I can’t stop thinking about a facet of the brand. When you have a full- time job, you get to leave at 5pm and not have to worry about it until the next morning. But when you start a business, it’s a 24 hour job that you never get to “go home” from! You need to know that going into it and realize how that will change your life.

BP: What advise to do you have for young designers and entrepreneurs starting out?
MC: Do your research! And when you think you’ve done enough, go back and do it again! Confidence is important, but you’re taking a big risk when starting a business and there are SO many ways to mess up. Find mentors, and look for advice from people who you believe to be successful. Practice honest business, and be yourself.

BP: Where do you see Maintenance in the next 5 years?
MC: Our ultimate goal is to have our own brick- and- mortar store. I already have a vision for the store itself and I can’t wait to get to that point! The day that I get the keys to our first store, I will probably sit in the middle of the floor and just bask in the glory of it all while trying not to explode!

BP: What is the most rewarding part about your job?
MC: Getting to dress people Honestly, when I see people walking around in our clothes, I get this warm and fuzzy feeling! Little do they know how much it means to us that they are wearing something we made. Most people just throw on their clothes and walk out the door without thinking about how much went into what they’re wearing. But from my perspective, they’re walking around wearing my DREAM. Something my team and I conceptualized, literally made ourselves, packaged and promoted.

BP: You seem to have a lot of positions within the company. What do you look forward to the most and the least?
MC: I LOVE photo shoots! Once we’ve gotten the product to that point, it’s already gone through a ton of different stages of production and development. Seeing it on a model and the piece coming to life is so rewarding for everyone involved. My least favorite part of this whole thing is the time it takes to perfect things. I wish some lessons didn’t have to be learned the hard way, but at the end of the day Kris [co-owner], the team and I are SO happy to be doing what we’re doing- difficult or not!

Where can we learn more about Maintenance Clothing and follow your updates?
facebook.com/maintenanceclothing Twitter & instag.ram: maintenanceC and of course www.maintenanceclothing.com

Being 27, I feel stuck in a vortex of society pressuring marriage, surrounded by my friends who are getting married, been married, and already popping out babies and the haunting question “Your a pretty girl, why aren’t you married?” I’m not against it at all, I just know I’m not ready for it. But the real kicker that plagues me is how do you know when you “Find the one?” or “How can I tell I’m in love?”, but it is not an easy question to answer.  My favorite article on this subject to date is written by Joy Chen DO NOT MARRY BEFORE AGE 30 (highly suggest reading it!).  In the meantime, found this article hoping it will empower those in love, want to be in love or those still happily riding high on the single girl swagger train

What feels like love to one person may be nothing more than attraction to another. Some people fall in and out of love quickly and often while others are never really in love as much as they are in lust. This can get confusing when you are a teen because romantic love is a relatively new concept for you and you don’t know what to expect. You are overwhelmed with all sorts of new feelings and social pressures. They are confusing. What is love? What makes you want a romantic relationship with one person and not another? How does your heart choose a partner? Why does love end? These questions can’t be easily answered.

One of the most confusing quasi-love feelings is lust. Lust is a very powerful, very intense feeling of physical attraction toward another person. Lust is mainly sexual in nature – the attraction is superficial based on instant chemistry rather than genuine caring. Usually we lust after people we do not know well, people we still feel comfortable fantasizing about. It is very common for people to confuse lust for love. But why? What is it about lust and love that make them so easy to mix up? If lust is all about sex, how can a relationship without sex be about lust? Teens struggle with this because they see lust in the Biblical sense, but lust isn’t that sinister. Lust is about physical attraction and acting ONLY on physical attraction. Love is about much more than that. Yet many teens (and to be fair, many adults) confuse an intense attraction for some sort of divine love. For teens, since feelings of attraction are still new and since pop-culture sells sex and love as one package, it is very easy to get the two mixed up.

Lust is clearly not love. Love is based on more than just physical attraction. Sure, attraction is a factor, but love goes deeper than that. Love is based on caring, friendship, commitment and trust. When you are in love it is as if you have your best most trusted friend at your side AND you feel physically attracted to them. It is the best of both worlds! Love is a shared feeling between two people who have a vested interest in one anothers happiness. Love is not about jealousy. It is not about conflict. It is not about testing. Love is a positive feeling. If it is tainted by mistrust, jealousy, insecurity or spitefulness it is not really love but merely a pale copy. Love is the total surrender of your heart to another person with the security of knowing they will treat it better than you will. Love should feel good. It should not feel bad. Love should make you want to be a better person, it should not lead you to do something self destructive. Love is not demanding of your spirit but lifts it and makes it glow. Love is a good thing. Anything less is lust, deep friendship or attraction. So the sappiness aside, the question remains, how can you tell you are in love?

There is no easy way to find the truth behind your feelings or the feelings of another person but there are some tell-tale signs that love is blooming (or growing deeper). If you agree with 7 of the following 9 statements you are probably in love.

1. You know, because you have been told by your significant other, that your deep feelings are returned in kind.
2. The object of your affections makes you feel special and good about yourself.
3. If/when you feel jealous it is always fleeting; you trust your partner not to betray you or hurt your relationship.
4. Nothing makes you feel as serene as when you and your partner are together.
5. When you fight with your partner you usually make up within a few hours and you always agree that nothing is more important than you both being able to express your true feelings (even if they sometimes cause conflict).
6. Your partner never asks you to choose between him/her and your loyalties to your family and friends – if you do choose him/her over them you always have a good reason and it is always YOUR decision, and your decision alone.
7. Neither you or your partner feel the need to test the other’s loyalties or feelings.
8. You are more yourself when with your partner than you are with anybody else.
9. If sex is part of your relationship it is by mutual desire and agreement without the slightest hint of commitment testing or persuasion.

Hope you have a Happy Valentines Day
and even Happier Valentines Night!
xoxo

(Health.com) — We’ve all been there: standing at the drugstore in front of rows and rows of conditioners, wondering what to buy. From daily conditioner and heat-protecting leave-in mists to deep conditioners and keratin masks, the options can be daunting.

The truth is, “all conditioners smooth the cuticle, soften hair, add shine, and restore moisture,” says celebrity hairstylist Juan Carlos Maciques of the Rita Hazan Salon in New York City. “But using the right one is the best way to keep your hair healthy and your style looking great.”

We asked top stylists like Maciques to share the golden rules of conditioning. Use them to make your strands — and your next shopping trip — a whole lot smoother.

1. Use conditioner even when you skip shampoo.

Everything your hair is exposed to (washing, coloring, styling, even just going outside) can dry it out. “Using daily conditioner adds a layer of protection that guards against harsh products, hot tools, and everything else that’s doing a number on your hair,” says Tresemmé celebrity hairstylist Jeanie Syfu.

If your hair is on the dry side, you may even want to use conditioner in place of your shampoo once or twice a week. “Some shampoos contain strong detergents that can strip hair of moisture,” Syfu says. Swapping in conditioner helps hair retain moisture and makes it easier to detangle, Maciques adds, “but it shouldn’t fully replace shampoo, which does a better job of removing buildup.”

Health.com: Get bigger, better hair

2. Honor your hair’s texture.

“Most women who think conditioner makes their hair flat are using the wrong formula,” says Damian Santiago, owner of Mizu Salon in New York City. The key is to pick one based on your texture.

“Women with fine strands benefit from a volumizing conditioner, which adds body,” Santiago explains. “Those with thick hair need deep conditioners that contain fatty acids (look for almond, coconut, or jojoba oils) to take strands from dry to shiny.”

Curly hair is almost always dry because oils from the scalp don’t travel as easily down the hair shaft as they do with straight hair, so people with curls should use an ultra-moisturizing conditioner.

But no matter what your texture, if you color regularly, you need a protein-enhanced conditioner made for color-treated hair.

“When you color, the cuticle has to open and close to allow pigment in, which weakens strands over time,” explains Francis Mousseron, a colorist at Frédéric Fekkai Salon in New York City. “Adding protein strengthens hair, so it better withstands harsh chemicals.”

Health.com: How to brighten up your blah hair color

3. Make a mask your new must.

Masks aren’t just for dry, damaged hair — every head could benefit from a moisture surge once a week. To get the most out of your mask, look for keratin, amino acids, or essential fatty acids, suggests Garnier hair-stylist Marc Mena.

You can also boost hydration with hot oil treatments or create a DIY mask from food (avocados and mayonnaise are both high in fatty acids). Microwave a thin damp towel just until warm, then wrap it, turban style, around your head after applying your mask. Leave on for 20 minutes, Mena advises, then let strands cool completely before you rinse, “or the cuticles will still be ‘open’ from the heat and you’ll wash away most of the nutrients.”

Check out my previous post on DIY hair mask

Health.com: Get head-to-toe fresh with avocado

4. Skip your roots — really.

If your style requires volume or you find that the hair near your scalp gets oily quickly, avoid moisturizing there.

“Hair at the roots is conditioned on its own by the natural oils from your scalp,” says Kattia Solano, owner of Butterfly Studio Salon in New York City. “It’s also healthier, as it hasn’t been exposed to as much heat styling and coloring.”

When applying daily conditioner, start at the ends (where most damage occurs), then run what’s left on your hands through the rest of your hair, avoiding the first two inches at your scalp. Leave on for at least three to five minutes before rinsing.

Health.com: Naturally gorgeous hair makeovers

Dryer sheets take static out of hair quickly and leave the hair smelling good. Open the sheet completely, grab a section of hair and run the sheet from the scalp to the bottom of the strand. Do all the hair working with a fairly large section at a time. Stroke the section this way several times before moving on to the next section. Some brands work better than others so if you try it and it doesn’t work well try sprinkling a few drops of water on the sheet then try it again. Dryer sheets are meant to work in a damp environment but you don’t want your hair sopping wet so use water sparingly.

For chapped lips this no brainer is by far the best au natural lip treatment money can buy. For around $2.00 this 100% natural Cocoabutter stick last for a very long time since its much larger than conventional chapsticks. Although you don’t get the SPF protection you would with chapstick its not recommended to use if you will be outdoors for a while. But I must say it is wonderful and hydrates beautifully. For additional beauty tips on how to get the perfect pout click here.

Flawless Skin can start with making your own sugar scrub just by mixing some brown sugar and olive oil in a plastic bowl. This scrub sloths off all the dry skin and keeps you glowing all winter long. It’s very easy to make, fresh since you are mixing it yourself and will save you lots of money. Use twice a week to keep your skin super smooth paying close attention to areas such as the knees and elbows.  For super soft hands and feet rub some Organic coconut oil on your hands and feet before bed and sleep with cotton gloves and socks. For more tips to my favorite DIY home beauty recipes click here!

Most over the counter soaps have harsh chemicals that dry out your skin and the “moisturizing” body washes have perfumy fragrance that can cause irritation and are also loaded with harsh chemicals. Now if you are feeling extra festive this year you can make your very own all natural hydrating soaps that leave you skin silky smooth and will also make great gifts.

Shea Butter Soap (from Soothing Soaps by Sandy Maine)

2 cups glycerin soap base, melted in a double boiler
2 tbsp shea butter, melted separately
Several drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)

Mix well, pour into molds (you can use regular food storage containers), and cool.

Unicorns have always been a mystical creature symbolizing magic, grace and beauty. But what do Dark unicorns represent? Could it be their elegant twist of mystery meets mayhem. Gabriel Grimm and Katayna Star are the master creators behind the sinfully beautiful art of Dark Unicorn photography which is why we also chose them to do the feature for the Johnny Concert launch of our new website.  Join us as we take a deeper look into their enchanted world…

BP: What makes Dark Unicorn stand out amongst other traditional photography?
DU: Dark Unicorn focuses on fantasy themed shoots, as opposed to just fashion, glamour, or regular portrait styled photos. Gabriel is a master of photoshop and graphic design, and Katayna does the styling for our shoots. We have a darker style than most.

BP: Where do you draw your biggest inspiration from when working on a set?
DU: We love things that are Gothic, Victorian, and Boudoir, and things that can be found in a world of magic and mythology. We get ideas from movies, videos, and fashion designs from our clothing label Pierced Heart. Gabriel and I are enchanted and obsessed with our own dark dreams. 

BP: Aside from the edginess of your photography what made you decide to explore the darker side of beauty?
DU: We have both always been inspired by things that are dark, even before we had met in October of 2009. When we came together, we realized how many of the same things we had in common. We are both big fans of movies such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Anne Rice books, and artists like H.R Giger. We find beauty in dark romantic love stories. We feel there is more depth in the dark emotions that can be used to express a tragic kind of beauty. Sex, lust, sin, passion and pain are beautiful when captured and expressed through the eyes of a lenz.  

BP: How do you decide what makeup looks fit the mood of your work?
DU: Each photo shoot is different, so we usually will start with what fits the concept of our shoot.  We are both visionaries when it comes to planning and executing the theme of our projects effectively.

BP: What is your makeup mantra?
DU: We always shoot for amazing quality to suit our pictures. We are also open minded about collaboration with makeup artists.

BP: Aside from photography you also have a custom couture line Pierced Hearts, How did you get into fashion?
DU: Pierced Heart started as joint project since both of us love fashion, we have a similar style. With our combined vision, we have included both male and female aspects in our line.

BP: Working as a couple and building your own fashion/photography empire what is the biggest challenge working together?
DU: We always need each others help, but being limited with time provides stress for both of us when we start to run out of it. biding our time to get things done. I am a Pisces, and am the dreamer and sometimes can also be the procrastinator between the two of us. Gabriel’s Capricorn qualities help us to stay organized and stay on track, but can also cause some differences in opinion to our approach to projects and time management. We need an assistant!    

BP: When did you realize you had a niche for building up your own brands?
DU: We both had previous plans of building our own brands before we had met. We finally got the guts to start together as a couple. We encouraged each other and shared the same goals as artists. We started a new path together, that still followed our own hearts and dreams before we met.

BP: Is there anything you would have done differently or changed along your career path?
DU: Not really, things have just fallen into place! We are happy with our work together, and the progression and evolution of the quality of our work. We only wish we could do more… we have so many ideas that we haven’t even had the time to complete yet. We need a team Of Dark Unicorn and Pierced Heart devotees to work for us in the future!

BP: Which of all your projects are your favorite to work on?
DU: I think we would have to say creating our own photo shoots together and working as a team. We love talking about concept ideas and designing sets for our shoots. We build our own fantasy kingdom and place the models into it. We are as excited as little kids when we come up with an idea and put it together to enjoy the final result from seeing our visions turn into reality.

BP: Is there anyone in particular you would love to do a shoot with?
DU: Any models with passion in their hearts that know how to express it well with attitude make our job easier! 

BP: What advice do you give to those who are inspired by your work?
DU: Be inspired by the work of others, but always make it your own. Be unique and express what you know, by starting with your own ideas.  Use the pain, trauma, triumphs, and powerful experiences in your life to fuel what you show through your art. Turn something dark and emotional to express something that is beautiful. Art does not need to always be happy and perfect. Let your subconscious speak through your art.. show us your dreams, and nightmares combined. Follow your heart!

BP: Where can we learn more about you and follow your updates?

http://www.facebook.com/darkunicornphotography

www.darkunicornphotography.com

http://www.facebook.com/piercedheartclothing

www.piercedheartclothing.com

You will need: Kool-Aid (3-5 packets depending on the length of your hair), hair conditioner, a glass bowl, aluminum foil (if you are doing streaks), a highlighting wand, latex gloves, clock, towel and petroleum jelly.

1. Put on your latex gloves (remember Kool-Aid stains everything!)
2. Dab the petroleum jelly around your hair-line on your skin to avoid dying you skin the same color as your hair.
3. Put some hair conditioner in your glass bowl and add your packets of Kool-Aid. If you are doing multiple colors make sure to keep the colors separated in different bowls.
4. Mix the Kool-Aid with the hair conditioner so the color is evenly distributed. (Tip: you may want to cover and heat the hair conditioner in the microwave for a few seconds to help the Kool-Aid dissolve better)
4. If you are applying streaks place a sheet of aluminum foil under the hair you are dying and apply the Kool-Aid  mixture to your hair using the highlighting wand. After the mixture is applied to the hair wrap it in the aluminum  foil and move on to the next section.
5. Once you are done, check the clock so you are aware of the time. There is no required amount of time to leave the Kool-Aid in your hair however the longer you leave it on the darker your results.
6. After the desired color is achieved rinse your hair with water and style as usual.

There are plenty of methods using Kool-Aid to dye your hair be sure to check out youtube for more hands on tutorials.

BP: Where do you draw your biggest inspiration from?
TA: I find that when I think about an idea or a concept I draw from real life and history. What affects us and what has inspired us to be who we are today in society. I love the darker side of history and love bringing out historic events in a modern way.

BP: What makes Dark Beauty Magazine stand out amongst other alternative magazines?
TA: I believe the difference for DBM is that we promote YOU, the artist, the people not the businesses or corporate AM. What is the backbone of creativity, it’s the artist who develop out of their passion for creating. So, we love to push artist and photographers and designers who would normally be turned away from regular publications. We also don’t toss down ads in your face. It’s all about the art.

BP: Aside from the edginess of your magazine what made you decide to explore the darker realm of beauty?

TA: Well, I am an avant-garde artist and I love dark mysterious images. I find myself to be a modern Rembrandt with my work and I felt that there has to be a darker point of view in this world. I was rejected as I auditioned for Project Runway and made semi-finals, went to LA for the interview and they ripped me a new one, proclaiming under baited breath that my work looks like it comes from space. I have never thought that but when you are dealing with uptight bitches who are only out for good TV, well they made a mistake is all I can say. I would have made that show! HAHA

BP: How do you decide what makeup looks fit the mood of your work?
TA: Its easy, if I can make someone look dead, drained of blood and magically pale in old Nior films then I have done my job. Well that is with my looks at least. I love color but only if it suggest some paint or tragic moment in time.

BP: What is your makeup mantra?
TA: Glamorously disturbed and deadly beautiful is a perfect blend of Dark Magic in the making of wicked art! LOL, just made it up but it sums up my wicked mind >:-)

BP: In addition to having your own magazine you also have your own clothing/accessory line, what makes Skull N Crossbows X unique?

TA: My clothing line is all about pushing buttons, I love the Victorian and Edwardian era of fashion. It was so extreme and so beautiful and the skills of draping and design were really lovely. I want to bring it back in a modern and twisted way. I also have a t-shirt line where my signature is a skull and raven. The Skull ‘n Crossbows is all about death and beauty, past and modern. See what I mean??? We should do a makeup listens line called Skull ‘n Crossbows. I would totally help with that. Things like DECAY, BLACK WIDOW, DRIED BLOOD, MILDEW, VOMIT and well I can go on! Trust me, that is an idea now I have to do it.

BP: What other areas of your creative mind are you going to explore as you grow your empire?

TA: Every day is a new day for more ideas to come out of my unlimited door of creativity. I am always developing, coming up with, designing, building, making. I have my own music albums, done soundtracks for haunted houses, designed haunted houses, houses, decorated, photos, makeup, hair, photos, edited, videography, short films t-shirts . . . . hummmmmmm I don’t know, guess it will come to me sooner or later. I have a few BIG projects I am developing in the mind of Topher but they are TOP SECRET and hope they manifest as they are my dream businesses.

BP: Is there anything you would have done differently or changed along your career path?

TA: Of course, maybe had a better idea of what I wanted to do as an artist when I was younger, stayed in theater, music and watched more theater and Broadway. Followed my inner most dreams instead of my families. Even though I went to college and got my degree I think now that I have done it and have accomplished so much, I have to say. If I didn’t do every single mistake in my life by trial and error I would not be where I am now. Now isn’t where I ultimately want to end up and I know if I did things differently I could be the success I always knew I should be. My favorite line from my hero, J K Rowling is, “I am only a success from all my own failures.” That is so profound and so amazing to me.  We are all a HERO in some way or another even though we don’t’ always see it. I have always felt I was born to become someone who leaves a mark in history. I am still fighting to get there and I am determined to until the day I die. I wasn’t handed life on a silver platter, I was handed life on a plastic covered silver plate and what I have done to get where I am has been painfully brilliant and so powerful. I wish people knew that I work hard and really believe in me and my talents and wonder where my “BREAK” is. I will get there, in many people’s eyes I am there, but I have never wanted to settle I have wanted to accomplish great things and do for the world.

BP: When did you realize you had a niche for building up your own brand?

TA: I think when I got fed up with “HOPING” and finally felt the NEED to do it myself. It’s that feeling I described earlier. “I felt like I had something to give” I also believe if you feel it, its meant to become something. I do so much for so many people, I have done like that all my life and this was just another addition to that ever-growing skill set that I just KNEW I could do. It all sparked from a children’s book I am still developing. Her name is Pepper and she can’t live with or without her pet Bisou. I started illustrating her clothes and thought they were pretty wicked cool and felt like someone would wear that. LOL

BP: Which of all your projects are your favorite to work on?
TA: What a brilliant question and OMFG, WTF! I don’t know how to answer that, LOL . . . . because to me, everything that I have created in my life has been so fun and filling. I guess if I could separate them by something would be how it impacted the public in some way or another. That in itself is even vague. LOL Sorry! I can’ t be honest with this one.

BP: What has been your greatest challenge along the way?
TA: Patience, I want my foretold success to happen instantly and we all know, that shit don’t happen YO! LOL I have always said, “The Future is the only fortune teller of our fate.” So, my challenge is letting it happen instead of searching for it. But in the same note, that is what drives me too.

BP: What advice do you give to those who are inspired by your work?
TA: NEVER think any idea is a bad one. Do everything you can to stay in your creative space. Life is way too short to give up because someone gave you a bad review or told you it was wrong. FUCK THEM BITCHES, this is your life, yours alone. It can’t be lived, expressed, or motivated by anyone or anything but yourself. You are the only navigator of your “CAR” *(body). So, if you get a creative idea that says it could benefit or grow you to the next level of your expression called life, then do it, but do it knowing that there is goodness for you and for others by your actions. So metaphysical hu! I am pagan through and through. what you give is what you get out of life.

BP: Where can we learn more about you and follow your updates?
TA: Well, I am working on getting ALL of my work in one space, I will have the same website; www.topheradam.com but for now, it’s all over the place. Google Topher Adam and I will appear. KINDA SPOOKY but an honor at best too. Sooner or later I will get on all them other sites as i continue doing what I do best. CREATE!

Thank you for asking me to spend some time talking about me. HEHE, we forget that at some point history has to be made and what we all do needs to be recognized and noticed. I hope that whomever reads this gets that there is a world of doors called Opportunity that are waiting to be opened and I say, FUCK IT, I am opening every one of them until I find the one that takes me to the top. MWAH!!!!!

SITES:

www.topheradam.com

www.skullncrossbows.com

www.darkbeautymag.com

For many years cucumbers have been used in spa treatments due to their natural healing powers that have superior results. But in addition to their coveted role in the beauty industry they have many other uses that can be beneficial to your everyday life. 

  1.  Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin  B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C,  Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus,  Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, Spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few cucumber slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5.  Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B Vitamins and  electrolytes to replenish essential  nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7.  Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge?  Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by
European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don’t have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9.  Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a pot of boiling water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the Phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won’t leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13.  Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!