By Shadine Ménard

Performer Tifane likes to keep people guessing when it comes to her look, but now she’s sharing some of her beauty secrets and feelings on her native Haiti’s state of affairs with SBC.

Perhaps unknown to Americans, but in the Haitian music industry Tifane’s stardom has been rising pretty fast and she’s been showcasing her craft internationally. Her greatest career moments so far: hearing people requesting her first song Se Kom Si on You Tube, and on radio stations in Haiti and “seeing huge billboards of my pictures in Nis, Serbia. My band and I brought Haitian music (and) Creole to a people who never heard it before.” To make sure her skin is at its best when it’s time showtime, the singer preps her face with masks and aloe during the day.

“Because of all the photo shoots, TV appearances and such my face … I deal with few brake outs. My biggest secret is aloe. My other secrets are diluted lavender oil and tea tree oil. Just two drops on a wet cotton ball, apply, do not rinse,” says the singing sensation.

Known for her ever-changing looks, she shares that her mood is her only inspiration:            “It depends on how I feel; exotic or playful, wise, sexy, or free just as long as it’s natural. I’ve been cutting my hair shorter and shorter. I realized it never really had much to do with how pretty I can be. It’s really just hair. I must say: the shorter the hair the more men compliment me, women think I’m bold. I just think natural hair means you are confident in your beauty with your own hair.”

Tifane to wear a minimal amount of makeup when moving onstage and some days goes without any because “It’s good to give your face a break. I don’t want to look old sooner than I should (lol).” No surprise then that natural make-up is her favorite beauty trend: “I really love the natural look, it’s my favorite. Light pink or champagne lip gloss just enhances my lips and keeps it simple.” Occasionally, the chameleon brings it up a notch with “a little black in the corner of my eyes. I find that eye makeup changes your face from boring to Wow!”

The January release and promotion of her new single was cancelled due to the devasting earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, therefore her next appearances will be in Florida, New York and Martinique for several festivals.

“I was at a grocery store  [in the U.S when I heard about the earthquake]. I’ve never felt so much pain, it hurt physically to hear about it.”

“The current state of the country doesn’t have (anything) to do with my decision to leave. I still live in Haiti (a Pétion-Ville resident),  it’s just that my career is taking me to many other countries (and) I had already made plans to leave Haiti by September to go back to school.”

Regardless of where her studies and career might lead her, Haiti has not shifted from Tifane’s priorities. Her foundation Kalm, sponsored by  Voilà, is focused on educating Haiti’s youth to think green and in the aftermath of the earthquake she has collected medical supplies, performed at relief concerts, promoted Shelter Box and is currently working on bringing comfortable container homes and a school by Idekit from Canada to Haiti to build new cities because “we can’t expect people to live in tents.”

Just as with her knack of trying different looks, it seems that this young lady can go from entertainer to student to humanitarian and concerned citizen.

“I’m staying optimistic, but I’m worried all the time. Who’s really leading us? I also think about what’s going to happen when all those young Haitians who left never come back to help rebuild. I’m not losing faith in my good people though many of us are still working for the good change.” ~Tifane

Tifane shines brightly because her sincere sentiments and willingness allow her actions to work for her.  For more information click here >Tifane on her Facebook Fan Page.

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Some of Tifane’s Music:

2007: Bèl Moun

2007: Singing Bob Marley’s Waiting in Vain, live from Nis, Serbia at the Nisville Jazz Festival:

2007: Rhum Barbancourt commercial with BelO and Michael Benjamin

2008: Sekrè a

2008: Singing Se Kom Si, live at Francofolies de Montreal

2008: Singing Tracy Chapman’s Sorry, live at Ayiti Deploge in Haiti

By Shadine Ménard

Photographer . Ixiana Hernandez-Wilmot . Makeup . Gadiel Hernandez . Model . Alexandra Azo

Since the tragic earthquake of January 12, 2010, I can see the light bulb go off in someone’s head whenever I respond “Haitian” to a question about my heritage. It’s clear that the unfortunate earthquake has put my motherland on the map. Unfortunately, it hasn’t changed the stereotypical and ultimately wrong views of Haitian beauty.

Basically, most people fail to associate beauty with Haiti. This is why, instead of writing about make-up, I’ve decided to tackle the most important Spring must-haves that allow your skin to glow from within: natural beauty, self-confidence and pride.

Beauty is not a color, feature or trend. It is a combination of that twinkle in the eye, sweet smile, glistening skin and infectious laugh that can belong to anyone from any country or ethnicity. True, there is a certain je ne sais quoi that aesthetically makes the Halle Berry, Garcelle Beauvais, Jennifer Lopez, Freida Pinto, Megan Fox and Heidi Klums of the world so arresting to watch, but note that none of them have the same background.

In a world full of differences, why is it that some still refuse to believe that there is beauty everywhere and the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere is no exception. So, I happily reply “Haiti” when asked where my family is from and calmly ask “What does a Haitian look like?” when invariably told that I do not look Haitian.  I also always make it my duty to educate people on the historic melting pot that makes Haitian women so diverse and beautiful.

Beauty is Universal

When visiting Haiti, I always see so many naturally beautiful faces. Whether they are selling in the street, sitting behind desks, shopping or dancing in the hottest clubs Haitian women have this glow. Their smiles are genuine and their skin radiates, even when there is sometimes poverty or sadness lurking. Their secret is not voodoo, it is self-love and pride.
I shine brightly because I have that glow within me. If you haven’t already, make sure that this Spring you cultivate your inner glow by nurturing your spirit with activities and moments that make you appreciate YOU. Challenge your mind by tackling new goals and have fun getting your body in the shape you want it to be. Now that you are shining brightly, go on and choose the Spring make-up palette that best illuminates your natural splendor.

Haitian women, like our model, shine brightly because they have loss, yet stay resilient and open-hearted.                                                Tell SBC what makes you shine brightly.

A glimpse of a smile through the devastation

Zerran donated Clean Dry Shampoo, a combination shampoo and body wash specifically formulated to be used in situations where a traditional shower isn’t easily available. A small, but meaningful way to show our appreciation for the tireless work these medical professionals are doing to save lives in Haiti, says Van Steelandt.”