By Shadine Ménard

RAMY GAFNI is a make-up artist and eyebrow shaper extraordinaire! A native New Yorker that began his career in beauty by dropping out of law school and studying at The Sydney College of Makeup Art in Australia and The Napoleon Academy of Beauty.  His body of work is robust, he’s worked for Bobbi Brown, developed the RAMY beauty therapy® collection which incorporates RAMY’s philosophy of  ”Minimum Makeup, Maximum Impact!”  A multi-purpose lined packed with anti-oxidant vitamins, avocado oils and sunscreens.  RAMY is also a cancer survivor, he produced a best selling video, “The Ultimate Guide to Looking and Feeling Great while Living with Cancer”. When you say “RAMY,” the beauty industry thinks - eyebrows.

Rhianna & RAMY

The Star Magazine 2010 Celebrity Brow Guru has shaped the brows of Rihanna, Britney Spears, Cher, Taylor Swift, Halle Berry, Ivanka Trump and many more. When I was offered the chance to get my eyebrows groomed by the master himself, I decided to let my brows grow out for a few weeks to make the most of the honorable experience.

Before Photo Make-Up by Roque Cozzette

Reaching his beauty abode on 39 East 31st street, it was refreshing to see how modest it was. RAMY was so friendly that as he told me about his work, dedication to cancer patients through RAMY beauty therapy and anecdotes about characters he’s met throughout his career, I forgot to marvel at being in the chair of a celebrity makeup artist. I’m usually a fan of the waxing process because I prefer pain to be swift and fast, but to my surprise there was no pain at all. Absolutely none!  RAMY, who used tweezers he designed, expertly shaped my brows and although they were a bit thinner than I expected, the arch was fabulous and gave me an instant confidence boost, no makeup needed.

Nearly two weeks later, they are growing in with the same beautiful arched shape he gave them and I doubt they’ll need grooming for a while. I left RAMY’s feeling fierce, but not before asked some questions for SBC readers:

RAMY, Eyebrow Guru

Q: What is the best eyebrow trend for all women at all times?                                                                    

A: I don’t believe in eyebrow trends. You change your clothes, but shouldn’t change your face. It’s always best to have a fuller brow than one that’s too thin.

Q: Is threading sanitary?

A: I get that question a lot. No, it’s not. Anything that involves someone else’s saliva and hair… (lol)

Duane Reade Boutique Look (classic NYC drug store chain)

For more tips and to get fierce RAMY eyebrows, simply visit www.RAMY.com or stop into your nearest Duane Reade RAMY eyebrow bar. For just $30, you can get eyebrows sculpted by beauticians who were all personally hired and trained by RAMY himself.   Call 212.684.9500 for specific locations, special offers and FREE eyebrow shaping.

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.