Beauty Guru of the Month for September 2014!

“I always say my mom taught me how to be a shopaholic!”  StarCen tral Magazine’s Beauty Guru of the Month for September 2014, Ify Yvonne, found inspiration in her mother regarding all things style and fashion.  But it was lessons she couldn’t try out for herself until high school!  “Growing up in a Nigerian household I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup and nail polish till I was in High School. The anticipation of finally becoming grown up and dabbling in cosmetics looks really got me interested in makeup!”

It was while she was in college that Ify was finally fully able to indulge in her hobby (she considers her beauty career as a hobby – she holds a Doctorate degree in Pharmacy!).  After discovering YouTube via her sister, Ify began watching makeup and style tutorials.  It wasn’t long before she wanted to make her own.  “November 2011 is when I uploaded my first Vlog where my sister and I went thrifting; and the rest is history!”

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ify is definitely enjoying fashion’s trends at the moment because it employs elements from her two favourite fashion eras – the 60’s (bright colours, mismatched prints, mini-skirts, black & white mod clothing and big, bold lashes) and the 80’s (high-end accessories, chunky jewelry, grunge/hipster style)! “I enjoy watching vintage and old styles in fashion history come back with a modern twist …”

While fashion and style may just be a hobby for Ify, she is as equally passionate about it as she is about her “white-coat career.”  She values her fans and subscribers and “…all the stories and questions they share with me publicly and privately really validates what I do and reminds me that I’m helping someone out there in the world one way or another …”  Their feedback and connection with her is a humbling realization of her mother once telling her that while Ify may have been unaware of it, young people have been viewing her as an example for years.  “I don’t see it in myself usually but she’s my mom…mom’s notice everything!”

Being named as StarCentral’s Beauty Guru of the Month is another example of that quiet impact Ify is slowly making in the beauty industry – “…being Beauty Guru of the month really shows me that I am doing something positive in social media and I can reach out to others and share my ideas, beauty finds and fashion looks for less!”

The public arena is not always kind.  “Obviously, putting myself out there will invite people to judge and criticize who I am and what I do …”  Again, the Nigeria-born (she is of the Igbo tribe) style-lover draws on her mother’s wisdom – “…some people won’t like you because you’re you…”  But Ify has learned who she is and what she stands for, and she is steadfast in that knowledge.  After all, she says: “…a lion doesn’t lose sleep over the opinion of sheep …”

Ify Yvonne – a woman of style, strength and conviction.  Wherever her two career paths take her, she hopes to “….continue to do what I love to do, and be a role model and inspire as many as I can during my precious time here in this world …”

‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:

1.) What is the one beauty product you can’t live without?  I can’t live without mascara! On my “no makeup” days, I have to wear mascara!

2.)  What is the most dramatic thing you’ve ever done to change your looks? The only really dramatic things I’ve done to change my looks have to do with my hair. I’ve done a honey blonde hair colour and also cut bangs.

3.) What is in your makeup bag when you travel?  I have to pack my ItsJudyTime palette from BH cosmetics. Love this palette!

4.) What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself? I have the signature front gap teeth. I used to want it gone when I was very little, but I embrace it so much and couldn’t see myself without it!

5.) Your best guilty pleasure…  OMG! I have a serious weakness for cookies, cupcakes and pancakes!

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