My Latest Trip to NYC

I know I've been distant from writing on here, so here's my latest rambling. :)

I have been super busy between doing makeup, running Beat & Snatched, and being a mommy! I did get to take a trip to one of my favorite cities to do a little business and a bit of pleasure...NYC!

I got to interview and spread the word with Vibe Vixen and Her Agenda about Beat & Snatched as well as shoot with ANTM Cycle 9 contestant Bianca! Check out some of the pics from the photoshoot and my video interview with Her Agenda!


VIDEO: Makeup Artist Mimi J Launches Beat And Snatched Web Series from Rhonesha Byng on Vimeo.

photo credits: model: Bianca Golden, Photographer: Laretta Houston, Wardrobe: Hayden David, Hair: Nai'Vasha Johnson, Makeup: Mimi Johnson

Prom Photoshoot with Crush by RJ Formals

Photo by Laretta Houston, makeup by MiMi J, Hair by Zara Green, Styling by Robert Ballew

Last week I had the pleasure of working with an awesome formal dress designer and her prom dress collection Crush by RJ Formals! It was a 3 day shoot and we put in a lot of work shooting over 100 dresses! For those of you that know me, know that I love to do flirty yet pretty makeup and this was a great assignment for that type of makeup look. Lots of blush, fresh-looking skin, lashes, and pink lips! Check out some of the shot and behind the scene pics. Be sure  to check out Crush's website at http://www.crushprom.com/.  (ps, thanks Robin for sharing some shots on Facebook!)

Beauty Behind the Beat: Video Director Sequoia B.

photo by Laretta Houston, Makeup by MiMi J

You don't find too many women directing videos these days so I wanted to highlight a very talented young lady who is on the rise. Her name is Sequoia B. and she's already gotten to work with some great talent like Justin Bieber, Day 26, Diggy Simmons, Kandi Burress, and the OMG girls just to name a few.

I had the pleasure of working with Sequoia on a photoshoot and got to do her makeup while simultaneously getting to know her and her work. Check out my interview with her and check out her work in the video as well!

Beauty Editorial: True Happiness

Photo by Laretta Houston, Makeup by MiMi J, Hair by Lee Barnes, Model Anna for Factor Women Atlanta

I've been waiting to post these pics for a very long time! This is one of my favorite editorials to date because I loved playing with paint and customizing the lipstick colors! Check out my latest beauty editorial shot by Laretta Houston in Atlanta as well as a few behind the scene shots i took with my old faithful camera phone. The editorial is scheduled to be in the latest issue of Astonish Magazine.

My Photoshoot with B Scott



photo by Laretta Houston, makeup by MiMi J, hair by Zara Green, Styling by Demetrius Williams, headpiece by Avnah Couture



Last month I worked with a very popular blogger, B Scott while he made a stop in Atlanta. I had a great experience doing his makeup! The photos actually were published in an Atlanta magazine called Fenuxe and he's using one of them for his new single "Body Rock". Check out the photos and interview below!

Stone Savant Jewelry Lookbook Shoot

photo by James Anthony

A little while ago, I had the pleasure of making up a model for an emerging jewelry line's lookbook, Stone Savant Jewelry . For those of you who know me or follow my work know that I'm a sucker for glowing, dewy skin so this was right up my alley! A little loose bronzer and Mac strobe cream can go a long way :) Check out some of the behind the scenes photos as well as the final pics.

makeup artist MiMi J, model Erica, owner Danielle Hinton

Beauty Behind the Beat: Algebra Blessett

Photography: Laretta Houston, Makeup: MiMi J, Hair: Terrell Smith/Tracee Anderson (asst), Wardrobe Garmai Momolu   

When working with celebrities and music artists, sometimes you never know what to expect! Will it be a demanding diva who wants the world of you? Or will it be someone inspirational who turns you into a fan in 2.5 nanoseconds? Thankfully, singer/songwriter Algebra Blessett was the latter. As I arrived on set of her photoshoot in Atlanta, I was welcomed by this lovely southern songbird's beautiful smile and matching personality. You may have heard her angelic voice on Anthony David's latest single Forever More, but Algebra is no stranger to the music scene. She's worked with artists such as Monica, Bilal, India Arie, and released her debut album "Purpose" in 2008 which stayed on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for 14 weeks.  I got the chance to sit down and talk to her about her latest project and music career. Check out my interview with Algebra and behind the scenes footage of her photoshoot with Laretta Houston.

Makeup for Photography: Natural, Pretty Looks

Photography by Laretta Houston, Hair by Zara Green

I've learned time after time that I enjoy doing natural, pretty looks the most when doing makeup! Though I appreciate artist looks with bold colors and creative face art, I love to bring out the natural beauty in a person  and enhance the great features they already have.

As a makeup artist you have to have the right balance of colors and lighter application when trying to achieve this look. The small details matter the most with minimal makeup and especially the foundation match and correcting flaws. Take a look at a few shots of my makeup on a model before the photos were taken and edited to get an idea of how different makeup looks on and off the camera.

Photo by Laretta Houston, hair by Zara Green, makeup by MiMi J

Nfinity Campaign Shoot

Ok, this post is very overdue. I actually did this ad campaign earlier in the year...BUT I feel like posting it anyway :)

I was the makeup artist for a very fun ad campaign shoot for Nfinity, a women's athletic shoe company. It was probably the best 8 hour shoot I've been on, and for any makeup artist that's worked an all day shoot will know how tiresome it can be! But this was one so organized and laid back! I had to do 1 look on 4 models and maintain the looks throughout the shoot. I haven't gotten to see all of the photos yet but check out some of the behind the scenes footage and a few of the final shots.

photo: Laretta Houston

Photo: Laretta Houston

MIA in the MIA!

Yessssssss! I'm coming back to one of my FAVORITE cities with Photographer Laretta Houston! So be sure to check us out if you're in the Miami area in July!  Check out some of the beach shots from our last trip!

B-Shots: Beauty Unveiled Re-Up

Again I really dig the Indian cultural beauty and style! This was a shoot with a recent bride, showcasing Mia BelleZZa Cosmetics! Shot by Laretta Houston and styled by owner of Mia BelleZZa Rita Patel. Check it out! And Congrats Zohra!