When entertainers, models and other glamorous ones sojourning in South Florida need makeup expertise, they don’t think of calling anyone else. Matti Domingue of Zoule Makeup! Domingue, whose handiwork is appreciated by everyone from young brides, to runway models to musical stars, says her love for makeup and beauty aesthetics started with her mom, a cosmetologist whose salon the young Domingue frequented often as a child.

Says Domingue: “I used to watch how she worked. She was the kind of woman who woke up beautified. Makeup well-done hair and nails etc. I used to love watching her when she had wedding clients when she actually did the makeup since her specialty was hair.”

It didn’t take long for little Domingue to try her hand at things: “My mom used to have to hide her makeup multiple times. She found me with lipstick all over my face,” she recalls. “I loved makeup as a child and now have a greater love for it because I can help people gain more confidence in their selves”.

Domingue agrees that there are some misconceptions about makeup. And the biggest? “When they tell you makeup makes you look fake or older,” she contends. “Makeup does not make you look fake unless you overdo it. There is nothing wrong with enhancing your beauty.”

And enhancing outer beauty is something Zoule Makeup certainly does. Domingue drew the inspiration for her company in the spiritual history of her Haitian roots. “Zoule Means Erzulie [Haiti’s version of the Virgin Mary],” she says deciphering the mystery of the significance behind her company’s name. “I wanted a meaningful name that can make a woman feel like the queen that they already are. To me Zoule means Spiritual Queen. So when I do someone’s makeup I want them to go even deeper within their selves find the inner beauty to project while I enhance their outer appearance.”

For those of us who have never experimented with makeup, Domingue offers this counsel: “There is nothing wrong with asking about makeup,” she contends. “Meaning if you are not so good at applying it on yourself you can ask an expert. For example on Twitter I welcome people [asking] me questions. Also Sephora they are good for that. But I always say this the simpler you are the better, makeup is not meant to be overdone.”

Domingue is eager to address the concerns and fears of some women on how to best take care of their skin when wearing makeup. She advocates the use of a primer, as one of the key products women should use to keep their makeup settled while protecting their skin from any damages. “The ones with SPF are even better. Also before going to sleep clean and moisturize your skin so that it can stay vibrant and healthy.”

The owner of Zoule Makeup is not stingy about sharing her experience either, and has plenty of advice or other young women who want to work in the industry. First and foremost, she says, an aspiring makeup artist must know that the art is not simply doing makeup for a client and making money. “It’s a very competitive field and requires a lot of dedication and passion,” she observes. “Before wanting to do makeup I had to test it out trying photo shoots with friends etc. Loving what you do is the key to success.” Domingue says that aspiring artists must be prepared to be away from their families, sometimes several days and weeks at at a time for assignments. “I believe its takes a lot of courage and personality to do what I do.”

And perseverance. Domingue asserts that a hardworking artist, no matter how successful should never get too comfortable, and those new to the field must be prepared to face obstacles, even daily. “From people not respecting what you do to not appreciating your work,” she observes. ‘Many times people have use the term “Its just makeup. Why do you take it so seriously?’ People have tried to bring me down on multiple occasions to give up what I do. But with my faith in God and myself. I have learned to strengthen up and keep it moving. I do it because it’s what I love. I love transforming a worm into a butterfly.”

And that has been primarily the secret ingredient to her success. Another secret to her success is definitely her ability to approach each client on a person-to-person basis. “Making a client feel comfortable to me is the best way to start,” she says. “I love getting to know them while I do there makeup. Because not everyone likes to have a unknown person invading there personal space. So with a little conversation and laughter it eases the client to fall into there comfort zone.”

Domingue works with all kinds of complexions, and ranks certain products as her favorites to work with. For every day type of makeup, she recommends the foundation to powders, blushes, and shadows in the “Makeup Forever” line, one of her favorite brands. She says that one of my favorite mascaras is DJV Fiber Wig. “It’s amazing,” she gushes. “I also like MAC shadows, concealers, blushes, and lip stick. Nars also has amazing lip glosses. For sensitive skin I recommend Korres they have amazing products that are naturally based. Just to name a few.”

Domingue has great plans for her business, including hiring and training additional makeup artists to join her staff.A woman with impressive business acumen, Domingue wants to eventually create her own line of cosmetics, and expanding her little empire beyond the state of Florida and dip nationwide and delve into the European market. Among her other plans, is to provide clothes and other essentials for underprivileged kids and babies in Haiti. Says the entrepreneur: “God has blessed me profoundly and I feel that its only right that I give back to the ones in need. Also I would like to help the women that have the same interest [with] seminars and such. Zoule Makeup to me is not about finding the outer beauty but also finding the good within yourself.”

And all who know her would agree.

Phyllisia Ross conquers France and Switzerland, ya’ll. Late last year, singer-songwriter-composer Phyllisia Ross released her song “Only for You”, as well as its Abdias Laguerre-music video companion. She toured France last year, and returned this past week, making stops in several cities including Nanterre and Paris, before going to Switzerland.

Phyllisia poses inside the studios of RFI France, a major television station.The singer was interviewed by the host of “Couleurs Tropicales”, a television show that features musical guests. The show is broadcasted in several countries in Africa. The singer also performed on the show. [Photo Credit: Couleurs Tropicales]

The singer has some gorgeous vocals, and made it a point to have a stylish presence too. Her scalp-tight, gold-tinged braids were decorated with a Byzantine-era-like head crown.

For her last performance in France, she wore a white two-piece outfit with Flapper-era fringes.

While in France, she was interviewed on a show called Merci TantineTV on TeleSud, a network which also broadcasts in Africa and other continents with a considerable Diaspora population.

During one of her performances, the singer showed that not only is she skillful on the piano, and when it comes to songwriting, but that she’s also an exciting performer with a strong stage presence. Mid-performance, she turned her back to the audience and facing her musicians (members of a band called Melodeek), she did a classy twerk and busted moves for her fans, inspiring them into a mini-frenzy. In case anybody had memory lapses, she was there to remind them that she’s, well, the complete package. She’s that tifi with the husky voice that can easily slip from English, to Creole and French. She’s that tifi with the video model looks with the deft fingers that can make a keyboard cry all sorts of notes. Oh, and she’s that tifi who can pounce on the stage with the tread and energy of a hungry rapper, and finally she’s that tifi who can sing her gluteus maximus off, while crafting original songs and melodies.

The singer announced that she’s going to be performing with the groups 5Lan and Carimi on the 26th in Miami. She’ll also be one of the headliners at the Mimi’s Boutiq Fashion Show on the 28th of this month.

CLICK HERE to visit PHYLLISIA ROSS ON INSTAGRAM | PHYLLISIA ROSS ON TWITTER

Folks know her as simply Mimi, but fashion entrepreneur Merline Themora has created a mini fashion empire for herself that’s more grandiose than the simple nickname she carries. She owns and manages her own clothing boutique, but the heart of her empire is the aforementioned fashion show extravaganza that she holds in Miami annually. It has grown from a dream project of hers to being one of the most-looked-forward to fashion events in Miami, complete with a solid team, and even its own PR (KPR Solutions).

This past February, Mimi’s Boutiq Fashion Show was held at a posh hotel in Miami Beach. As models of various fashion designers strutted on the runway, it could not have been lost on a few that Mimi’s Boutiq Fashion Show is testimony to the growth of the Haitian community, and the emergence of Haitian-Americans as entrepreneurs, influencers and taste makers. Decades and decades ago, Haitian refugees were washing up on those same beaches near the hotel where the fashion show was being held.

As usual, your girl Kreyolicious always seeking to get into the minds of the brightest entrepreneurs had the chance to interview the mind behind Mimi’s Boutiq.

Kreyolicious: Tell us about yourself.
Where do I start? Born and raised a bit in Haiti, I attended an all girls nun school while I was in Haiti. Moved to Boston. I did my high school there. Moved to Florida to live with my mother. I am the only child. I’ve always loved fashion. I remember growing up in Haiti, whenever I had to step out of the house, I had to look good at all times. When we had Journee de couleur—No Uniform Day—at school which was always my favorite [Laughter], I made sure to have my mom take me shopping so I can look good and stand out.

Kreyolicious: Who was the best dresser you knew growing up?
I don’t remember much about having a best dresser growing up to be honest with you. I just knew fashion was in me. I’d read magazines at all times, which I still do just to keep up with the latest style and all.

Kreyolicious: Lots of folks who end up as designers and boutique owners usually worked in retail at one point of their lives. Was that the case with you?
Of course. That is definitely the case for me. I am a store manager. I’ve been with the company for years now. I love it.

Kreyolicious: Did you formally study fashion?
Yes I did. I attended the Art Institute for Fashion Merchandising.
Above: Models showing off pieces from the online retailer PRIIINCESSS at Mimi’s Boutiq Fifth Annual Fashion Show.

Kreyolicious: At the end of the end, what gives you the most satisfaction?
The smile I get from the crowd or from my customers. I do it all for them. Therefore, if they are happy, I’m happy.

Above: Backstage preparations for Mimi’s Boutiq Fashion Show.

Kreyolicious: You’ve held some fashion shows. What goes behind planning them?
OMG. A lot. It takes months to plan these shows. I thank God I have a great staff and a great business partner to back me up through it all.

Kreyolicious: Do you have a business philosophy? What is it?
Yes I do. “You can if you think you can.”

Kreyolicious: Say you had a little sister who wanted to follow you, and do something in the same industry that you’re involved in. What would you say to her?
Make sure your heart is really into it and learn to have lots of patience.

Above: Mimi’s Boutiq owner Merline “Mimi” Themora poses with MacD of Harmonik, Richard Cave of Harmonik, and DJ 5 Etwal. Photo Credit: Olie Photographie

Kreyolicious: Family plays a huge role in shaping us. How does your family view your being in the clothing industry?
My mom was a bit skeptical about it at first because of course like every other Haitian parents she wanted other things for me that I had no interest in. In the end, she understood me, and she supports me 100%. My fiancé is also another person who supports me a whole lot.

Above: A few highlights from Mimi’s Boutiq offerings.

Kreyolicious: What would you say to folks out there who admire you, who feel inspired by you, but feel that they can never live to their own potential?
First, I would say thank you. Second, there’s nothing that one cannot do. Pray about it first, Have faith that it can be done, then go for it.

Kreyolicious: How do you keep your connection to Haitian culture?
Through social media for the most part. I also go out and support some of the cultural events.

Kreyolicious: You keep yourself busy—no doubt…What is the next phase for Mimi’s Boutiq?
It’s a lot I’m working on for Mimi’s Boutiq…Just stay tuned. [Winks]

MIMI’S BOUTIQ ON FACEBOOK| CLICK HERE TO VISIT MIMI’S BOUTIQ AND SHOP ITS ITEMS|