Rumor has it that two hours south of New York, nestled between the Raritan and the Rahway River, lies the ultimate urban myth. According to lore, women from various backgrounds, ages, and beliefs unite here in search of the two Bs: Beauty and Business.
Indeed, it’s real. High Lights is the first- of-its-kind networking event featuring makeup artists unimaginably rich in talent, wig stylists, color specialists, hair and makeup products, as well as workshops where the most coveted beauty tips are shared. Coming this November, the innovative beauty event presents a unique and enticing opportunity to maximize exposure for attendees, as well as to meet, connect with, and create lasting business relationships.
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For those looking for the latest beauty trends, to deepen their knowledge of the craft from the most skillfull makeup artists, or to simply grow their business, this is the place to be. If you have ever found yourself awed by the luminosity of a celebrity’s golden locks, or gawked at the unbelievable precision of their haircut, then you have probably witnessed the craft of these professionals.
Meet the people behind the names and brands you love—presenters from the tri-state area and beyond:
D’ANDRA SIMMONS
One of D’Andra’s favorite sayings is “For Beauty to be Real, It Needs to Come From Inside as Well as Out”. D’Andra has indeed dedicated her life to creating a life, and product lines that bring health and beauty to your world.
D’Andra Simmons was born in
beauty-obsessed Texas, with a tube of lipstick in her hand just in case there was a beauty pageant happening nearby! D’Andra, a seasoned beauty professional and a self-proclaimed cosmetic and skin care junkie is a 5th generation Dallasite and a 6th generation Texan. She is an official cast member on the Real Housewives of Dallas. This real-life girl boss is the CEO of Ultimate Living International and Hard Night Good Morning Skin Care.
Feeling the need to give back, D’Andra takes great pleasure in actively supporting numerous charitable organizations in her local and international community. She has served as a volunteer at the helm of some of the biggest charities in Dallas and the world, giving of her time and talent as Chairwoman, Underwriting Chairwoman, Honorary Chairwoman and Committee Chair for annual galas, luncheons and other fundraisers. Currently, she serves as a UNICEF Great Plains Regional Board Member, Friends of Simmons Cancer Center Steering Committee Member, and The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Fashion Show and Luncheon Chair. D’Andra’s philanthropic passions include domestic violence victims, cancer and protecting children’s rights at home and abroad.
JAMES VINCENT
DIRECTOR OF ARTIST RELATIONS AND EDUCATION FOR THE MAKEUP SHOW
As Director of Education and Artistry for The Makeup Show, The Powder Group and On Makeup Magazine James is fortunate enough to work with makeup lines and makeup artists at all levels of the industry. Over the years James Vincent’s passion for the art of makeup has included nearly every genre of makeup artistry. Film and theatre, television and celebrity work, editorial and runway work and includes training and product development positions for such companies as MAC, Stila, Armani, YSL and Make Up For Ever. James now focuses his career on working internationally in fashion, film, theater and editorial. His resume includes clients as diverse as designers Ashton Michael, Charlotte Ronson and Samantha Pleet. James work in the music industry spans genres and includes legendary musicians like Lady Gaga, Florence and the Machine, and Courtney Love to Joan Jett and the Foo Fighters. In fashion and film and television James resume includes leading ladies like Liv Tyler, Reese Witherspoon and Jane Fonda and has also been privileged enough to work with Barack Obama. Having worked with photographers including Alexander Thompson, Mike Ruiz and David Lachapelle James work has been seen on the cover of Paper and Atomic and in magazines including ID, V, Index, Wonderland, and Surface. He has been featured on numerous television shows as a beauty expert such as NBC’s The Today Show. James has also worked in television as key artist for shows including American Idol and on stage for productions including Roundabout Theatre’s “The Philanthropist.” Nylon magazine, The New York Times and WWD have named James as a “Makeup Artist to Watch”. James is the owner of Rebels and Outlaws, the current Beauty Editor for On Makeup Magazine and Galore Magazine and contributes to countless blogs and publications.
MIZZ LULA
With more than 180,000 Instagram followers, influencer, makeup artist, and mentor Mizz Lula is the hot new beauty guru everyone
is talking about. Through her powerful platform, she makes it her life mission to share the most coveted makeup tips and tricks. What she shares are beauty secrets that, without her, would remain guarded behind the closed gates of Hollywood, on the runway, and behind the silver screen.
JEFF GEMMETTE
With a family history ingrained in the beauty industry, it was Jeff Gemmette’s birthright to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him. The British hairstylist began his career in 1998 before moving to New York City, hoping to leave his mark.
For 20 years, Jeff has refashioned the hair (and lives) of a growing devoted clientele. Working in some of the city’s top venues, while owning and successfully operating two salons, he has demonstrated time and time again that pure, unmitigated talent runs through his blood.
Extremely passionate about sharing his gift with others, Jeff continues to travel as a guest artist to various schools and salons. He specializes in precision haircuts and corrective color and is certified in Brazilian blowouts, keratin bond and tape-in extensions.
JENNIFER CAPELLA
All around beauty boss, Jennifer Capella is a certified makeup/lash artist and the founder of GlamLife Lounge in Maplewood, NJ.
Being all about women’s empowerment, Jennifer is aware that a woman can hold an entire audience captive with the flare of her eyelashes and the right shade of red lipstick. Adding to a long list of achievements, she has also worked on NYFW, Miami SwimSuit Week, various movie sets, photo shoots, and off-Broadway productions, as well as various TV networks and as a radio host.
MIKE KARG
Mike Karg is no stranger to hard work. Passionate and driven, he has remained ahead of the curve for the past 35 years. As a pioneer in the art of dry haircutting, Mike travels extensively throughout the U.S., where he shares his precision-based approach during high-energy stage presentations.
Splitting his time between Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, and Washington D.C., Mike also cuts alongside celebrity hairstylist Michael Canale— the man behind the most coveted golden locks in Hollywood and colorist to Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, and Nancy Pelosi.
Featured in GQ for his Perfect Styling Wax with Shea Butter, and now with an entire line of hair products in the works, Mike’s innovation and flair need no advocacy. These exciting projects come as no surprise from the developer of the eponymous KARG Haircutting System and engineer of 30 haircutting scissors plus a myriad hair gear and accessories.
LAUREN VENA
Known for the best insights in the industry, pro makeup artist Lauren Vena has worked for more than 19 years with some of the world’s top beauty brands, such as CHANEL and NARS Cosmetics. Just like the French fashion companies she works with, Lauren has a certain je ne sais quoi that makes her technique chic, feminine, and undoubtedly elegant.
Every day, she feels fortunate to have a career that fuels her passion—to make everyone who sits in her chair feel and look irrevocably and effortlessly beautiful.
DR. SMITA OHRI
World-renowned Dr. Smita Ohri is the owner and medical director of BodyLogicMD of Edison, NJ, and Forever Young Complete Healthcare in Iselin, NJ. She uses bioidentical hormone therapy and customized nutrition and fitness programs to treat symptoms of hormonal imbalance while also practicing integrative medicine.
Over the years, Dr. Ohri has garnered a loyal following due to her deep devotion to each of her patients. A pioneer in her field, she believes in taking a holistic approach to treatment by finding the root of a problem and helping patients regain functionality instead of using a Band-Aid approach of treating individual symptoms.
