2FaceBeautyMakeup: The Campaign
Donation protected
To Whom It May Concern,
I know this is suppose to be about a couple of reasons as to why you should give to my cause, but I procrastinated about doing this because there is more to the chase than just a simple GoFundMe campaign. This is a story of my journey to self-worth. Before you give anything, I feel obligated to let you know why I have so much to say. Some things that I will say I have not told anyone, but it is worth saying since it influences your overall reason to give. So without further adieu, here goes.
My name is Lovetta Oguhebe. I am a 21-year old Junior at the University of Mississippi majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. After graduating, I hope to receive my Doctorate in Audiology in 3 years time. This is the story that is told when I am asked who I am and what I want to do with my life. Truth be told, this is NOT who I am, nor who who I want to be, so allow me to re-introduce myself. My name is Lovetta Oguhebe and I am an aspiring full-time makeup artist.
This fact is something I never really made clear to myself. I couldn't quite figure out how best to properly express my dream without stepping on anyone's toes. But that's just it. It simply could not be avoided, and that's okay. Because my love and passion for this art has rightfully branded a place in my heart, and today, you will know exactly why it deserves to stay.
About 2 years ago, I entered into what I will forever know as an abusive relationship. Victims of domestic abuse understand the pain and turmoil that comes along with the betrayal of when that person you knew and loved for so long becomes more and more of a stranger to you with every strike, with every blow, and with every insult thrown your way. The bruises and the blackeyes eventually heal, but the self- worth, confidence, and pride are nowhere to be found. Starting a Youtube channel was the perfect way to receive the confidence and attention lacking from my relationship. During this time was when I discovered makeup. At first, it started with something I wanted to add to my Youtube channel to accent my vlogging and hair tutorials, but it was mainly a way of hiding the physical and emotional scarring. In fact, one of earliest videos was made while I was recovering from a black eye. I took it upon myself to learn the ins and outs of the craft, and slowly, makeup turned from something to hide behind into something to embrace and empower. Little by little, I started realizing and rediscovering the beauty and confidence in myself that was completely abandoned because I exhausted all my efforts in saving my marriage. Makeup became just the jolt I needed to remove the blinds from my eyes. I made a covenant to appreciate and reward myself with the respect and pride I deserved. This passion became something that anchored my feet to the ground and successfully end what was going to end me. Hence began my beauty brand that is 2FaceBeautyMakeup.
2FaceBeautyMakeup is a beauty brand inspired by the empowerment of self-confidence in women of all ages, colors, and body types through the art of makeup. Although makeup is not what defines beauty, it helps accentuate the lines and curvatures of faces in an effort to evoke the inner beauty hidden within the insecurities that most women associate themselves with. 2FaceBeautyMakeup evokes that no matter who you are or where you come from, no matter what ethnicity or body type or faith you are, as a woman, you are the true definition of beauty and you are entitled to debut your own definition of beautiful. You are entitled to be comfortable in your own skin and rejoice in it. My dream job is to have that valuable privilege of seeing that inner beauty inside of a woman, and by enhancing the her best features in the process, I am also drawing out her inner diva. When she looks in the mirror, she is re-introduced to someone who looks very familiar, someone she has not seen in a very long time. She feels as if she knows this woman, but for some odd reason, she is surprised by what she sees, doubting the fact that what she is looking at is her very self. The truth she is not hallucinating.
This is my proclamation:
I want to be the “Oprah” of makeup. I want to be the person that joins the hands of a woman and her inner beauty in holy matrimony. These “one-in-the-same” women should be forever intertwined. A woman should never forget that she is beautiful and reserves the right to treat herself as such. Despite worldly affirmations, her inner glow is the force that vanquishes her insecurities and professes, “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!”
Two years have passed and my passion still burns bright. I am on my own, doing all I can to bring my vision to fruition. On a student budget, with three jobs and still maintaining a 4.0 GPA each semester, I have a logo designed for 2FaceBeautyMakeup along with business cards. I have tirelessly kept my nose in every sale, bargain, and clearance, investing in a fundamental makeup kit built specifically to cater to women of all colors and skin types. My collection includes trusted brand names such as Makeup Forever, Smashbox, MAC, Urban Decay, Lorac, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Revlon, L'Oreal, Sleek, Graftobian, and brush brands such as Sedona Lace, Morphe Brushes, and many more to ensure that each client receives a flawless face. In addition, I publicized myself to reach a target audience of young ladies at my university, earning the privilege to beautify them for their formals, date parties, and other social events while also teaching them tips and tricks to re-create a flawless everyday look. To have my work exhibited tastefully, I also delved into the art of photography and invested in a Canon t4i with a 50mm 1.4 lens and lighting equipment to perfectly capture the physical and emotional transformation of my clients. Although it was at my expense, I have also been blessed to travel across the South to cities including Atlanta, Miami, Memphis, and Baton Rouge to shake hands and collaborate with well-known, fashion designers, photographers, creative directors, models and other makeup artists in photoshoots, fashion shows, internships, workshops and other social events all in hopes of broadcasting my brand and gaining experience with my craft.
By being proactive and diligently debuting my services around my university and social networks, this year, I have a chance to be makeup artist for a bridal party in New York. I am also going to work as an intern for a famous makeup artist in California. I felt so relieved that that all my hard work and years of investing without profit were finally paying off. This was until this last December when my dreams and aspirations took a toll for the worse.
On Friday, December 12, 2014, I was on my way to Miami for a huge makeup gig where I was going to be a makeup artist for a fashion event. I had finally arrived from the exhausting day-and-a-half bus ride when I got off the bus only to receive someone else's bag in place of my own. At first, I didn't think nothing of it until I noticed that my luggage was nowhere to be found. A huge part of me died that day. I could not even fathom the fact that everything I have patiently and tirelessly worked for just dissolved into thin air because someone felt that the contents of my luggage is worth more than getting their luggage back. I returned the bag to the bus company and filed a claim on my luggage.
Two weeks passed. After thorough investigation, I found out that the person whose bag I had did not even file a claim to get their luggage. The devastation set in after noticing that nothing would be done to get my belongings back. The content of my luggage meant everything to me! Everything that I have worked for in the past couple of years was gone!!! ALL GONE!!! Thus began the holiday of depression. I began questioning myself. What was the reason for the past 2 years if it was going to end up like this? For the next couple of days, a swarm of emotions enveloped my body: grief, anger, numbness. How was I going to replace about $3,000 worth of merchandise? But it really wasn't about the money for me. Every single one of those items held a cherished place in my heart since each item symbolized a step of faith in achieving my dream. I felt so selfish every time I spent $50 on a palette. That money could have easily been used to help my mother pay a bill or cover my little sister's college application fees. How could so much honest effort be put in the hands of a bad Samaritan that saw it okay to profit off someone else's earnings?
Then it hit me.
If this dream means more to me than I believe, it will not take some measly person with sticky fingers to make this dream die! I have come too much of a long way to stop now. Although those items mean a lot me, they do NOT define me. There is more to me that meets the eye. I am my own proof that I have achieved self-worth. I have proved to myself that I am more than my abuse. I am more than financial burden. I am more than the damage caused by an evil heart. I finally understand that something good could come out of this after all. Although I lost all of my belongings, I gained the drive to endure through struggles and push for what I know is meant to be.
My journey to self-worth is nearing completion, but my journey with 2FaceBeautyMakeup is just beginning. I am very determined and passionate about this emblem, and the loss of my belongings has only inspired me to tell the world my story and push harder towards making this dream a reality.
That's where you guys come in. Here are the NEXT STEPS in expanding 2FaceBeautyMakeup:
1. Rebuild my makeup kit.
Since everything was lost on my trip to Miami, I need to start from scratch rebuilding my kit from the ground up with quality tools that are just as valuable as my clients. (Below is a detailed list of what was stolen and its retailed value.) Note: My camera was a stolen as well, so funds for this will be highly appreciated.
2. Funding to patent the name 2FaceBeautyMakeup.
There is a lot of meaning behind 2FaceBeautyMakeup. Protecting it ensures security from scammers wanting to gain profit from my idea and everything I have built around it so far.
3. Build a Website:
This is a domain where my work could be showcased, potential clients could book appointments, and customers/supporters could purchase 2FaceBeautyMakeup paraphernalia.
4. 2FaceBeautyMakeup Paraphernalia:
Items that 2FaceBeautyMakeup supporters could purchase to show their support. Products could include T-shirts, beanies, hoodies, bumper stickers, and potentially a brush/makeup line
5. Video Promo:
an official promo ad used for professional advertising of my skills and what I have to offer.
6. Branding Photoshoot:
I need to properly brand myself and having professional photos taken will be just the thing I need when I am needing to have a picture behind the brand.
7. Travel Costs:
In this process of trying to build my brand and expand my business to different parts of the US, I am having to pay costly transportation and lodging expenses. The experience is priceless, but I am having to count the cost elsewhere.
8. Flyers:
Another means of promoting my brand both locally and nationally. This includes insta-ads, facebook ads, etc.
I hope I did not waste too much of your time, but if my story has touched even the hardest part of your heart, I am asking that you please support 2FaceBeautyMakeup by giving to the cause. Help me give 2FaceBeautyMakeup the sturdy foundation it needs to ensure a bright and successful future. Anything you can give is valuable in my eyes. In-kind gifts such as pro-bono work, makeup, contacts, etc. are also appreciated. I have come up with a registry of the makeup items if you would like to donate in that manner as well!
Here is the Google Doc link: Makeup Registry
My Nigerian culture has taught me to learn that “It takes a village to raise a child.” 2FaceBeautyMakeup is my baby. Give her the community and nourishment it needs to grow into a healthy, blossoming beauty resource for people everywhere.
Here are more photos of my work!
I know this is suppose to be about a couple of reasons as to why you should give to my cause, but I procrastinated about doing this because there is more to the chase than just a simple GoFundMe campaign. This is a story of my journey to self-worth. Before you give anything, I feel obligated to let you know why I have so much to say. Some things that I will say I have not told anyone, but it is worth saying since it influences your overall reason to give. So without further adieu, here goes.
My name is Lovetta Oguhebe. I am a 21-year old Junior at the University of Mississippi majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. After graduating, I hope to receive my Doctorate in Audiology in 3 years time. This is the story that is told when I am asked who I am and what I want to do with my life. Truth be told, this is NOT who I am, nor who who I want to be, so allow me to re-introduce myself. My name is Lovetta Oguhebe and I am an aspiring full-time makeup artist.
This fact is something I never really made clear to myself. I couldn't quite figure out how best to properly express my dream without stepping on anyone's toes. But that's just it. It simply could not be avoided, and that's okay. Because my love and passion for this art has rightfully branded a place in my heart, and today, you will know exactly why it deserves to stay.
About 2 years ago, I entered into what I will forever know as an abusive relationship. Victims of domestic abuse understand the pain and turmoil that comes along with the betrayal of when that person you knew and loved for so long becomes more and more of a stranger to you with every strike, with every blow, and with every insult thrown your way. The bruises and the blackeyes eventually heal, but the self- worth, confidence, and pride are nowhere to be found. Starting a Youtube channel was the perfect way to receive the confidence and attention lacking from my relationship. During this time was when I discovered makeup. At first, it started with something I wanted to add to my Youtube channel to accent my vlogging and hair tutorials, but it was mainly a way of hiding the physical and emotional scarring. In fact, one of earliest videos was made while I was recovering from a black eye. I took it upon myself to learn the ins and outs of the craft, and slowly, makeup turned from something to hide behind into something to embrace and empower. Little by little, I started realizing and rediscovering the beauty and confidence in myself that was completely abandoned because I exhausted all my efforts in saving my marriage. Makeup became just the jolt I needed to remove the blinds from my eyes. I made a covenant to appreciate and reward myself with the respect and pride I deserved. This passion became something that anchored my feet to the ground and successfully end what was going to end me. Hence began my beauty brand that is 2FaceBeautyMakeup.
2FaceBeautyMakeup is a beauty brand inspired by the empowerment of self-confidence in women of all ages, colors, and body types through the art of makeup. Although makeup is not what defines beauty, it helps accentuate the lines and curvatures of faces in an effort to evoke the inner beauty hidden within the insecurities that most women associate themselves with. 2FaceBeautyMakeup evokes that no matter who you are or where you come from, no matter what ethnicity or body type or faith you are, as a woman, you are the true definition of beauty and you are entitled to debut your own definition of beautiful. You are entitled to be comfortable in your own skin and rejoice in it. My dream job is to have that valuable privilege of seeing that inner beauty inside of a woman, and by enhancing the her best features in the process, I am also drawing out her inner diva. When she looks in the mirror, she is re-introduced to someone who looks very familiar, someone she has not seen in a very long time. She feels as if she knows this woman, but for some odd reason, she is surprised by what she sees, doubting the fact that what she is looking at is her very self. The truth she is not hallucinating.
This is my proclamation:
I want to be the “Oprah” of makeup. I want to be the person that joins the hands of a woman and her inner beauty in holy matrimony. These “one-in-the-same” women should be forever intertwined. A woman should never forget that she is beautiful and reserves the right to treat herself as such. Despite worldly affirmations, her inner glow is the force that vanquishes her insecurities and professes, “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!”
Two years have passed and my passion still burns bright. I am on my own, doing all I can to bring my vision to fruition. On a student budget, with three jobs and still maintaining a 4.0 GPA each semester, I have a logo designed for 2FaceBeautyMakeup along with business cards. I have tirelessly kept my nose in every sale, bargain, and clearance, investing in a fundamental makeup kit built specifically to cater to women of all colors and skin types. My collection includes trusted brand names such as Makeup Forever, Smashbox, MAC, Urban Decay, Lorac, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Revlon, L'Oreal, Sleek, Graftobian, and brush brands such as Sedona Lace, Morphe Brushes, and many more to ensure that each client receives a flawless face. In addition, I publicized myself to reach a target audience of young ladies at my university, earning the privilege to beautify them for their formals, date parties, and other social events while also teaching them tips and tricks to re-create a flawless everyday look. To have my work exhibited tastefully, I also delved into the art of photography and invested in a Canon t4i with a 50mm 1.4 lens and lighting equipment to perfectly capture the physical and emotional transformation of my clients. Although it was at my expense, I have also been blessed to travel across the South to cities including Atlanta, Miami, Memphis, and Baton Rouge to shake hands and collaborate with well-known, fashion designers, photographers, creative directors, models and other makeup artists in photoshoots, fashion shows, internships, workshops and other social events all in hopes of broadcasting my brand and gaining experience with my craft.
By being proactive and diligently debuting my services around my university and social networks, this year, I have a chance to be makeup artist for a bridal party in New York. I am also going to work as an intern for a famous makeup artist in California. I felt so relieved that that all my hard work and years of investing without profit were finally paying off. This was until this last December when my dreams and aspirations took a toll for the worse.
On Friday, December 12, 2014, I was on my way to Miami for a huge makeup gig where I was going to be a makeup artist for a fashion event. I had finally arrived from the exhausting day-and-a-half bus ride when I got off the bus only to receive someone else's bag in place of my own. At first, I didn't think nothing of it until I noticed that my luggage was nowhere to be found. A huge part of me died that day. I could not even fathom the fact that everything I have patiently and tirelessly worked for just dissolved into thin air because someone felt that the contents of my luggage is worth more than getting their luggage back. I returned the bag to the bus company and filed a claim on my luggage.
Two weeks passed. After thorough investigation, I found out that the person whose bag I had did not even file a claim to get their luggage. The devastation set in after noticing that nothing would be done to get my belongings back. The content of my luggage meant everything to me! Everything that I have worked for in the past couple of years was gone!!! ALL GONE!!! Thus began the holiday of depression. I began questioning myself. What was the reason for the past 2 years if it was going to end up like this? For the next couple of days, a swarm of emotions enveloped my body: grief, anger, numbness. How was I going to replace about $3,000 worth of merchandise? But it really wasn't about the money for me. Every single one of those items held a cherished place in my heart since each item symbolized a step of faith in achieving my dream. I felt so selfish every time I spent $50 on a palette. That money could have easily been used to help my mother pay a bill or cover my little sister's college application fees. How could so much honest effort be put in the hands of a bad Samaritan that saw it okay to profit off someone else's earnings?
Then it hit me.
If this dream means more to me than I believe, it will not take some measly person with sticky fingers to make this dream die! I have come too much of a long way to stop now. Although those items mean a lot me, they do NOT define me. There is more to me that meets the eye. I am my own proof that I have achieved self-worth. I have proved to myself that I am more than my abuse. I am more than financial burden. I am more than the damage caused by an evil heart. I finally understand that something good could come out of this after all. Although I lost all of my belongings, I gained the drive to endure through struggles and push for what I know is meant to be.
My journey to self-worth is nearing completion, but my journey with 2FaceBeautyMakeup is just beginning. I am very determined and passionate about this emblem, and the loss of my belongings has only inspired me to tell the world my story and push harder towards making this dream a reality.
That's where you guys come in. Here are the NEXT STEPS in expanding 2FaceBeautyMakeup:
1. Rebuild my makeup kit.
Since everything was lost on my trip to Miami, I need to start from scratch rebuilding my kit from the ground up with quality tools that are just as valuable as my clients. (Below is a detailed list of what was stolen and its retailed value.) Note: My camera was a stolen as well, so funds for this will be highly appreciated.
2. Funding to patent the name 2FaceBeautyMakeup.
There is a lot of meaning behind 2FaceBeautyMakeup. Protecting it ensures security from scammers wanting to gain profit from my idea and everything I have built around it so far.
3. Build a Website:
This is a domain where my work could be showcased, potential clients could book appointments, and customers/supporters could purchase 2FaceBeautyMakeup paraphernalia.
4. 2FaceBeautyMakeup Paraphernalia:
Items that 2FaceBeautyMakeup supporters could purchase to show their support. Products could include T-shirts, beanies, hoodies, bumper stickers, and potentially a brush/makeup line
5. Video Promo:
an official promo ad used for professional advertising of my skills and what I have to offer.
6. Branding Photoshoot:
I need to properly brand myself and having professional photos taken will be just the thing I need when I am needing to have a picture behind the brand.
7. Travel Costs:
In this process of trying to build my brand and expand my business to different parts of the US, I am having to pay costly transportation and lodging expenses. The experience is priceless, but I am having to count the cost elsewhere.
8. Flyers:
Another means of promoting my brand both locally and nationally. This includes insta-ads, facebook ads, etc.
I hope I did not waste too much of your time, but if my story has touched even the hardest part of your heart, I am asking that you please support 2FaceBeautyMakeup by giving to the cause. Help me give 2FaceBeautyMakeup the sturdy foundation it needs to ensure a bright and successful future. Anything you can give is valuable in my eyes. In-kind gifts such as pro-bono work, makeup, contacts, etc. are also appreciated. I have come up with a registry of the makeup items if you would like to donate in that manner as well!
Here is the Google Doc link: Makeup Registry
My Nigerian culture has taught me to learn that “It takes a village to raise a child.” 2FaceBeautyMakeup is my baby. Give her the community and nourishment it needs to grow into a healthy, blossoming beauty resource for people everywhere.
Here are more photos of my work!
Organizer
Lovetta Oguhebe
Organizer
Oxford, MS
